The final request from the batch of requests from 32waystoAutumn; This was pretty challenging to write and I just hope I did it justice and it wasn't confusing!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart; for nearly 62,000 reads that's just earth shattering to me. This community our community keeps me going I have a lot on right now and this is the thing that keeps me sane.

Mark rose, the sun flooding through is slightly and annoyingly open blinds, glancing away from the blinding light to see what time it was. The red digits on it reminding and mocking him he'd slept in. Rushing up, he stepped into his slippers and walked downstairs. His life was so different now. When he was younger he wanted to be a wizard or monster hunter but now; he just wanted to get through the days. His father was sick and there was a war raging outside old curses coming back and haunting everyone in the small town he lives in; Hyrule used to be glorious, different shades of green and chickens running around from when they'd always escape due to his neighbors flimsy gate. He loved chasing them around though. Now with the far raging and a prophecy yet to be fulfilled - apparently some prince would come out the works when Hyrule needed them most on a horse and take down the mighty curse and bring back the Prince whom was long missing.

But that just sounded like fairy tales to Mark now.

He had to care for his father, although concerned about what was happening outside his world; He knew he couldn't do anything about it but he could nurse his father back to health.

Or so he thought.

Well the world around him was crumbling; people being killed trying to face whatever the curse was - his own world was crumbling too after a visit from a doctor in was time to admit his father was dying. Mark protested said there had to be something but the doctor didn't have a cure.

There had to be something he could do, anything.

Then his neighbor with the chickens, told him fully about the prophecy.

Mark didn't really want to hear it, but when she mentioned what you'd be granted if you defeated the curse.

"Legend says, you get one wish granted whatever it may be. Perhaps that is why people are trying although failing to; defeat it." Suddenly, Mark was curious.

"And who is the prophecy about?" He asked, before he was only half listening but now he was sat up straight and needing to know everything.

"Thats what nobody knows but whoever it is can yield the sword and shield and tame a horse." Mark rolled his eyes, anyone can yield swords, shields and tame a horse.

"I know what you're thinking my dear. 'anyone can do those things.' but the sword and shield somewhat choose you - they only work for the chosen one." Mark nodded, still skeptical and headed back inside.

And as the sun went down like his eyes as he slept Mark had an odd dream.

'You can save me; and him' the words rung like they were all around him. He was standing atop a hill looking over at a dark overrun castle a sword at his feet. He felt like he was suffocating and that voice in whatever accent it was wouldn't stop telling him how he could save them.

Mark woke up in a sweat, his alarm clock not mocking him this morning seeing as he was up rather early; He couldnt get back to sleep his mind reeling from such an odd dream, he had so many questions.

What did it all mean?

Who could he save, who was telling him he could?

It hurt his head just thinking about it; he must have had all the fairy tales playing on his mind. Ridiculous Mark scolded himself for buying into it but he could not shake it though, if he even had a chance and the legend or whatever was true, he could use his wish to save his father. That is all he really wanted, his father was his guidance especially since his mother wasn't around; he couldn't lose him too.

;

Another night rolled around and as much as he valued sleep his curiosity had gotten the better off him as he typed away, researching the legends and tale after tale. So by the time two-forty-two rolled around he was in 1000s years deep and falling asleep. Apparently - the shield and sword that chose you were located in a forest on the outskirts of Hyrule. The legend stated the beast, Ganon - Would come back many years after it was defeated and take someone of importance; A prince this time and try yet again to steal a thing known as the Triforce - that granted the wishes and people have tried to save the Prince and gather the triforce from underneath Ganon's nose but instead were granted death.

How grim but all those who tried to face Ganon; the shield and sword did not deem them worthy.

Mark hoped it deemed him worthy.

;

Convincing his dying father that he was going to battle a thousand year old beast, save a prince and Hyrule and also save his dad from dying was of course - not easy. He told him that it wasn't worth it, he wasn't worth and he'd have to go sometime and Mark argued that now was not the time and he needed him. His father gave a sigh; knowing it was dangerous but gave him his blessing that if, if the sword and shield [The sword, which was the only weapon capable of slaying the beast] didn't deem him worthy that he would just give up and drop the subject, the last thing his dad wanted was Mark running into danger like the others and paying the price.

So, after hiring a carer with all that he had; Mark gathered up some food and drink and other supplies; Wished his father well and that he would save him. Mark was determind; a fire in his stomach and a fiesty 'get out of my way' look in his eyes. he set off, map in hand.

;

The forest was eerie and with all the tall trees there were only slight bits of sunlight peeking through but it was welcome, otherwise the wood wouldve probably been in utter darkness. The sword, was peeking out of a stand; how cliche. It had a blue handle and a little shield at the bottom of it, it was shiny too and Marks hands were sweating as he wrapped his hand around the handle.

Tug, Tug, Tug.

It came free with an odd yet satisfying noise and he held it up, victorious and awe struck that he was deemed worthy for such sword. He hadn't ever considered being a hero - until now. The sword made him feel powerful. Now for the second test; the shield.

He couldn't be that lucky though as the shield was nowhere to be found. After a quick research it appeared someone had hid the shield in an ocean temple - perhaps, Ganon seen the 'chosen one', coming and decided to stall them when they showed up so Mark had to act fast.

Mark had always feared the ocean and its contents when he was a kid and it carried on even now; It made things worse knowing there was a temple in it too; god knows what it held and how he'd even get into it.

Mark decided to speak to some locals to see if they had heard about the temple and perhaps - a way into it. He was already dreading it he expected to battle one beast he was afraid of not two on this journey. But, the shield was a requirement in the legends and he couldn't give up now not when the sword had chosen him and felt like it belonged in his hands. Some old lady with a wooden basket had told him that, apparently - yes, apparently there was a puzzle and if you solved it the temple would rise above the water and it had only happened once when the old chosen one had done it.

Mark didnt have much to lose, he couldnt stop believing in fairy tales and legends now not when it was his only hope.

;

He stood at what felt like the edge of the world - like he'd walk into an invisible barrier any moment but he knew it was simply the end of Hyrule but the vast ocean in front of him did not make that any easier. Mark was expecting some pillars or some indication of a puzzle but there was none. Well, that was until he lost his footing over something which he thought was just washed up from the sea but turns out it was a switch of some kind and it brought up a mold; of sorts above the ground which looked like it fitted the sword in his hands perfectly. He was hesitant at first but then slotted it into place with a beautifully satisfying 'click' and he heard things start to move and crumble. 

Something was rising above the ocean.

Mark could not believe his eyes and how somewhat easy it was for this huge temple buried underneath water to just rise above the ground; even though the temple itself lost a few corners it still remained stable. It was still drenched; odd shells, seaweed and barnacles littering it which was indeed understandable due to however many years the temple had been buried; hidden.

Mark pushed the doors open them creaking as he stepped inside the large temple.

It was filled up with rather a lot of water but it was bare-able even though it did cause a rush of panic to flow through his veins. He persisted, rummaging through his back for some matches - the place was rather dark and the last thing Mark needed was to add to his panic with all this water. The match dimly lit the place so Mark decided to feel around the rough textured walls too see if there was a switch or some place that held the shield. Marks guess was that whomever hid the shield here; it was long ago.

Then he felt it, a sharp corner of something that pricked his finger and he nearly dropped the match in his hand into the water below him but luckily he managed not too and felt around the object.

The shield.

He tugged at it and he heard a large click - similar to when he put the sword in place and his chest tightened as he thought he'd triggered a trap. However it seemed the opposite; like someone had pulled a plug in the temple the water up to his waist began to drank and the temple stir to life. It was mesmerizing; to see the temple drain but as much as Mark wanted to explore it - he had time against him so decided to head out; Shield in hand.

;

After the sword was returned in his hands to its rightful place it seemed and the temple disappeared into the ocean like it never rose - it was all so strange. But he continued on to the nearest stables in which he hoped he'd find his steed.

Mark nearly fell a couple of times going up the garvely path but managed to stay upright as he was greeted by the stable keeper. A young woman with pretty eyes and long hair. "What kind of horse are you looking for?" Well, the question was what kind of horse was looking for him really considering everything on this journey so far had choosen him. Speaking of which; it was getting to night and Mark needed to sleep and process everything that had happened.

The woman was kind enough to let him sleep in the stables; yes the actual stables. How glamourous. Mark didnt mind though he was exhausted.

He arose to a horse licking him and it gave him quite the startle - hitting his head on one of the buckets. He laughed maybe this was his horse.

It was.

The woman hurried him off; telling him to make sure he brought the horse back in one piece. After saddling up the hazel and spotty horse they rode off.

Mark was about to take on Ganon.

Save Hyrule perhaps and rescue a Prince.

It felt so surreal but it thrilled him nonetheless.

;

He arrived at the castle which was in complete darkness his journey here relatively safe and by that, it means he didnt fall off the horse. Mark left his steed quite far away from the castle just incase.

It was his escape plan so he prayed the horse was still here by the time everything happened.

Mark grasped the sword tightly in his sweat palms; shield in the other as he entered the castle.

Let the battle begin.

From the moment he entered the castle he was dodging a chandelier as it came tumbling down and almost landed on his head but instead landed to the ground with a clatter and a smash. He was cautious watching ever turn. The castle was eerie - it sending chills down his spine. He heard footsteps and turned around immediately seeing a knight no- three knights running towards him with swords and shields.

Instead of facing three knights he decided to run. And run he did the knights footsteps slowly fading. He caught his breath round a corner and then snuck up the flimsy looking stairs.

After reaching the top of the stairs which almost fell apart he opened two large doors in front of him the only way Mark could go.

There it stood.

The beast causing corruption to the normally quiet town and the one that took a Prince the one with the thing that granted wishes.

Mark raised his sword and his stance.

"I come to fight you!" He yelled towards the beast whom chuckled in response and turned around.

It was horrifying. A shadow looking creature with not much distinctive features. It scared Mark really it was an eyesore.

However he had come this far and was not going back undefeated.

"You are one of many who have faced me. What makes you so different?" It spat; Dark and vicous in every shape of the words.

"I am the chosen one." He didn't really think so; Mark did not think he was the one with the prophecy or the hero but the sword, shield and horse had chosen him so right now it made sense.

That seemed to shock the beast but after he spotted the sword and shield it hissed.

"I have buried many fools like you."

Mark took a deep breath before lunging at the creature.

;

He was sweating and panting the sword falling from his grip. This creature gave it all that it had and more and Mark was struggling to keep up. His leg was in pain from where the thing had grabbed him just as he was about to dig the sword into its back. And as he was trying to regain hus breath and by time by walking around the thing (whatever it was) came the voice.

The accent he'd heard in his dreams and it made his head spin even more than it already was.

"You are our only hope! Please." It was definitely a man's voice; Perhaps the Prince? First a temple that just rises above ground - a weird shadow beast and now a telepathic prince; Mark had seen it all in the space of a few days.

Nonetheless it encouraged him to fight and, catching the beast off guard he swung. He hit the beast as it hissed shaking Mark off him and sending him flying but he found his feet; like a cat.

Determined.

They fought - until the beast pulled up some voodoo shit. There were multiple shadows around him all murmuring failure at him and he had a choice to make. Which one was the real one?

Six, Mark counted.

A one in six chance to hit. Mark didn't much like those odds.

Still, Mark turned around and swung - directly at the fifth shadow but it disappeared and now Mark was fuming.

Tired, too.

"No more games!" He yelled, throwing the sword in the direction of the other shadows and just as he thought he missed it hissed and the shadows disappeared and the one he wanted remained sword stuck in it. Mark ran at it, this was it. He grabbed the sword out of the beast too angry to care and with a direct hit, stuck the sword back into it.

It screamed and cursed.

"I will return just like I did before!" Mark shook his head watching the shadow disappear as if the sun had gone away and covered it.

It was over.

Mark dropped to his knees, panting and wiping sweat from his forehead. It was all so much, too much.

;

When he rose, he was still in place in the castle but piercing blue eyes were staring at him when he opened his eyes and he gasped slightly.

"You did it!" The man with the crown on his head cheered, helping Mark to his feet.

"Please, I have a wish." The prince seemed upset by that but instead, handed him a golden triangler thing. Mark looked at the shining thing in his hands, it held everything he wanted and more.

"Come with me, Prince." The blue eyed boy nodded, as Mark ran out the castle and to find his stead where he left it, Hopping on and the prince doing the same.

He wouldve been gentle with the horse if he wasnt in such a hurry.

He particularly jumped off it when he arrived outside his house; The prince ever so elegantly getting off it.

"Before you make the wish I must warn you it comes at a price." Mark was in no mood for this mumble jumble and dismissed the prince as he enetered his home.

Doctors were surrounding his father and he rushed passed them all.

"Father I did it!" And then he wished.

He wished with everything he had.

His father opened his eyes; not the ones he once looked into the ones what bore illness no; the eyes he once knew - happy. But there was something else behind them something he did not recognize. The once golden thing in his hands looked grey almost.

The doctors later left, still in shock from what wizardy Mark had just pulled.

"Who are you?" His father mumbled from behind him.

No.

;

In curing his father he had lost his memory but Mark was working hard to help him get it back but things didnt seem to work and it was frustrating. The Prince was still outside, petting the horse and Mark walked over to him.

As if knowing what Mark was going to say, he mumbled.

"You cannot have everything you want. You must value what you have. When you learn that lesson and that things come with a price, do visit me in my castle. Thank you for saving me, hero." He then got onto the horse and rode off.

;

Mark stood before the throne, slightly irritated at how fancy this place was and how under dressed he was.

"Hero." The prince with the accent mumbled.

"I have learned my lesson, prince." He bowed, pride aside.

One of many it seemed.

;

Years later, His fathers memory still non existent but he had better days - Mark finally saw the prophecy everyone spoke so highly about. Jack; The prince had showed him it. At the end of the large scroll; there were to figures standing together holding hands.

"Who are they?" Mark asked, voice laced with confusion.

"Us." the prince mumbled turning to Mark like it was obvious.

A happy ever after for a prince and a nobody-turned-hero.

How cliche.

Mark loved it.