"Oh, calm down, hero," Ahgin says to Link. "I have no weapon drawn." He holds out his empty hands to his side.

Link is restless and itches to draw his weapon.

"Hyrule did everything they could in preparation to the Calamity," Ahgin says. "They unearthed the Divine Beasts and the guardians and they assigned Champions to pilot the machines. (Y/N), you worked so hard to best serve the Kingdom. It broke my heart. You were blind to every victory and thought nothing you did was good enough. I barely had any time to see you as the days drew on. But all those efforts by you, by me-- by everyone... was wasted."

"When the Calamity struck, you were halfway across the kingdom. I couldn't do anything to help you. When I found you lifeless in Hyrule Field... I wished I was dead with you. I wished my life was taken beside yours so you didn't have to walk off this mortal plane alone."

"It was a miracle when Purah discovered the second Shrine of Resurrection. I was so relieved to hear I hadn't lost you yet. I was there when you were placed into the slumber of restoration. I watched the shrine's doors close, never to be opened again. I waited, (Y/N). I waited for you to come back. But you wouldn't. You wouldn't wake up."

"Purah told me it would take time, so I waited. I waited outside of that shrine. I watched as the door was sealed shut by moss and time and I hoped and prayed for the day when you would step out of it. I waited for years, (Y/N). You took so long, I gave up."

"The day would never come. You were gone and there was nothing I could do. So I gave everything I had away and I prepared for the end of my life."

"Did you know that when you are so low-- when everything is life and death... the smallest relief, the smallest joy and excitement becomes thrilling? How living with a destroyed future makes you feel high with rouse? That's what it felt like when the Yiga Clan came to me. That's what it felt like when they took me into their forces and taught me their blackened magic. I loved terrorizing those useless fools who had never experienced loss or pain. Hylia, I loved it so much, they let me take over role as leader once the last one passed."

"How about now, (Y/N)?" Ahgin says. "Now that I've spilled my story for you, you remember me now, right? Sure, I'm wearing different clothes," he places a hand on his mask, "but I'm still the same."

In one fluid motion, Ahgin removes his mask and lowers his hood.

It was him.

Ahgin had red wine eyes that were fixed on you. His face looked to have only aged a few years. His white hair was tied back in a ponytail with bangs that curtained his face, which was clouded by a dark smirk.

Upon seeing him again, your closest friend before the calamity, you instantly remember. But not just one memory, multiple. And they all come rushing back.

--~--

"You mean, other people can't hear it too?" (Y/N) asked, no older than the age of seven.

The Sheikah elder looked down at the child. She had long, white hair and copper eyes with a Sheikah eye painted on her forehead. She looked almost identical to her daughter, Impa. "That's right," Mekaih answered. "You are very special, (Y/N)."

"I don't get it," (Y/N) said. "Why am I special?"

Mekaih opened her mouth to answer, but froze as she heard movement behind her. A small smile appeared on her face as she turned to the door way behind her.

"Ahgin, I know you're hiding."

The guilty boy of the same age as (Y/N) peered around the corner, caught in the act of listening in.

"Honestly child," Mekaih chuckled, "you need to get over this shyness. Come on in and introduce yourself!"

~

"Oh I know!" (Y/N)'s face lit up as an idea came to mind, now the age of nine. "Here's one you'll never get."

"Oh yeah?" Ahgin challenged. "Shoot."

"What is tall when it's young, but short when it's old?"

"Easy," the boy declared. "A candle, a pencil, and a person."

"What?!" (Y/N) gaped in disbelief. "Impossible! How are you so good?" (Y/N) grabbed a fist full of grass fresh from the ground and threw it at Ahgin.

He laughs and throws a handful back. "Natural talent! Just admit it! You suck at this!"

"Hey!"

~

"You promised," (Y/N) slyly smiled at Ahgin, undoubtingly right, now the age of ten. Ahgin gave in and tried to hide how he was shaking with nerves as he takes a seat at the piano. "I still can't believe you've been learning piano for five years and never told me."

"You never asked."

"How was I supposed to guess you had another hidden hobby?"

Ahgin stared at the sheet music in front of him. He knew it by heart, but now that he had an audience that wasn't his teacher, he was as nervous as ever.

"Well?"

"Just hold on!"

(Y/N) sat back and waited patiently. Ahgin flexed his fingers and positioned them over the keys. After taking a breath, he began playing.

He was stiff, but he played every note perfectly.

(Y/N) stared in wonder with widened eyes and watched and listened to the boy who's talent seemed to have no end. His fingers moved completely independently with contrasting rhythms. The way he flawlessly shifted his hands in 3/4 time was astounding.

And the piece he played was beautiful.

~

(Y/N) sat in a cushioned chair, reading a fiction novel and listened to Ahgin's piano playing, age thirteen. (Y/N) was slowly losing focus and looked away from the book. "Hey, Ahgin?"

The piano player hummed in response, not stopping his piece, which featured many arpeggios. "What appears at night without being fetched, but is lost by day without being stolen?"

It only took a few seconds before Ahgin answered. "The stars," he said, still without pausing his playing.

(Y/N) looked at the floor with a frown, determined to finally stump him on a riddle. "What is always in front of you but can't be seen?"

"The future."

(Y/N) sighed in defeat.

"And the air."

(Y/N) gave the boy a side-eye look out of annoyance. A smile slowly spread to his face as he sees the glare in the corner of his eye.

"'If you've got me, you want to share me; if you share me, you haven't kept me'. What am I?"

"A secret."

"Are you kidding me?"

"How about I ask you one?" Ahgin suggested as the song progressed into movement two.

"Alright, go ahead."

"You are in a cold, dark room, and you only have one match. You also have a candle, an oil lamp, and an oil heater. Which do you light first?"

"You light the candle first," (Y/N) answered. A smirk slowly spread to Ahgin's face.

"Nope."

"Ugh, you light the match first."

"There you go."

"Sweet Hylia. You know you're annoying , right?"

"Through and through."

~

"So?" Ahgin prompted with eager eyes. "Let me see!"

(Y/N), now fourteen years of age, grabbed the sheath of the new sword and took it off. The young knight held the light blue plated holder before drawing the sword, enhanced with special abilities that matched its owner.

"Woah..." Ahgin stared. "That's the royal sword from the legend?"

"It is indeed," (Y/N) answered proudly.

"And, can you hear Hylia clearer like they say?"

"Crystal."

"That is..." Ahgin trailed off at a loss for words. "Amazing." His eyes cast to the floor in thought before looking back up. "I don't suppose I have to start calling you 'Commander' now, my Head-of-the-royal-guard?"

"Ugh, no," (Y/N) said in disgust and sheathed the sword. "I've known you for half my life. If you of all people start calling me 'general' like everyone else, I'm going to hurl."

Ahgin laughed, which then contagiously spread to (Y/N).

"You know what?" Ahgin said. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to become a soldier just like you."

(Y/N) gave him a surprised look.

"No, no. Don't worry," he shook his head. "I'm not asking you to teach me. You're too busy. Vaghek can teach me. Or Shon."

(Y/N)'s eyes widened. "So you're going to learn the Sheikah style? Wow, I'm jealous! You get to learn actual magic!"

"I just want to fight beside you," he honestly frowned. "It's not fair how you have to risk your life while I waste my time at the piano."

(Y/N) took a breath to comfort him, but Ahgin held up a dismissive hand.

"I just want to be honest with you," he said. "So please, let me do this."

A smile spread across (Y/N)'s face. "Okay. Then, by all means."

~

"We really can't hangout as often anymore?" Ahgin asked for clarification weeks after (Y/N) became the head of the royal guard.

"No..." (Y/N) broke the news. "We can't. I basically live in the castle now." The knight avoided his disappointed eyes and looked at the sun that was minutes from setting to their right. "On the bright side, I got to meet the princess of Hyrule. So, that's pretty cool."

'Just what I need,' Ahgin thinks. 'It seems like you're getting more and more out of my league every day.'

"This isn't fun at all," (Y/N) admitted. "I'm hated at the castle. People look at me like this small, stupid child. After years of the Sheikah telling me I'm a crucial part of the prophecy-- I don't know... I guess I expected people to not patronize me all the time. The castle isn't a dream at all..." (Y/N) turned and met Ahgin's crimson red eyes. "I'd rather stay here with you."

Ahgin raises his eyebrows ever so slightly at those words. (Y/N) wanted to be with him. Everything became all too perfect. His eyes flickered down to (Y/N)'s lips for a split second.

He was sad. So sad that the one person he felt so much love for was out of his reach. (Y/N) was apart of a prophecy with otherworldly senses and abilities. (Y/N) deserved someone who was just as good that. Someone who was actually important. He wasn't. He was just someone who liked music theory and puzzles.

He turned and focused his eyes back on the distant castle, the very thing that drove them apart. "I'd rather be here with you, too."

~

"Ready?" Ahgin said, standing in front of (Y/N) just outside Hyrule castle. They both had their weapons drawn. Ahgin wielded a kodachi, a traditional weapon from the Sheikah, and he wore the Sheikah armor set to match.

"Want me to go easy on you?" (Y/N) offered, now fifteen years old.

"Oh, no," Ahgin shook his head. "Give me all you've got."

With that, the match began.

Ahgin immediately stepped forward and crossed swords with (Y/N) before performing a follow up back attack, which (Y/N) safely avoided.

Ahgin jumped back, avoiding a strike. Once at a safe distance he positioned his hands in several gestures, summoning blue light. (Y/N) stopped and stared in wonder, which was a mistake. The magic carried out Ahgin's calling and positioned a Sheikah rune above (Y/N)'s head, showering light down.

(Y/N) tried to stop Ahgin from completing the spell by knocking him off his feet, but he was quick to recover. Ahgin used (Y/N)'s momentum to counter attack and grab the upper hand. (Y/N) stepped back for a moment to focus and try again, but Ahgin seized the opportunity and completed the spell by knocking his two fists together.

The rune that followed (Y/N) was absorbed and drained a significant amount of (Y/N)'s energy, transferring the stolen strength to Ahgin. (Y/N) almost fell to the ground at the magic alone and barely had time to react to Ahgin taking another initiative.

In the blink of an eye, (Y/N) lost the grip on their weapon and was forced to the ground in a surrendering hold. Ahgin was on top of (Y/N) and claimed his victory.

"Woah..." (Y/N) muttered, barely believing whatever had just played out.

"Does this mean I win?" Ahgin gloated.

"I guess so," (Y/N) marveled and stood with Ahgin's help. "That's what you've been doing this whole time? You are amazing."

"Oh, come on," he dismissed and lowered his mask. "I'm nowhere near as good as Impa. You should see the kind of runes she can do." He smiled. "I can't believe I actually won against you."

"You had an excellent element of surprise. I was not expecting any of that."

Ahgin shamelessly fist-pumped and grabbed (Y/N)'s sword that was on the ground to return it.

~

"(Y/N)!" Ahgin called, completely glowing. "(Y/N)!"

Said knight turned to the source of the voice, now sixteen years old. "Ahgin!" (Y/N)'s face lit up while speaking the name of the person she hadn't seen in a month. Around her, the guards at the front entrance of Hyrule Castle drew their weapons threateningly at the approaching Sheikah, who stopped right in his tracks.

"At ease," (Y/N) commanded the soldiers. The guards put away their weapons and relaxed, obeying the simple two syllable command. "It's so good to see you!"

Ahgin ran up to the Commander, cautiously eyeing the guards around them. "I have great news," he beamed.

"What is it?"

"The Sheikah just gifted me the ancient songs!" He held up a thick book and several journals strapped together with a binding that doubled as a shoulder strap to wear and carry the books like a bag.

"Ancient songs?" (Y/N) echoed before recognition spread across her face. "You mean the ultimate riddles you kept telling me about?!"

"Yes! They're all here in black and white!"

"That's amazing! Can we--!" (Y/N) stopped speaking, aware of their audience. "I mean, as soon as I get a break, we are meeting up pronto. No matter what time it is."

"Deal."

~

"Now these are riddles," (Y/N) stared in wonder at the pages strewn about the armory. Just like they predicted, the time (Y/N) finally got a break was well past the moon's highest point in the sky. Ahgin didn't hesitate on meeting up when he heard the window of opportunity.

"These are impossible," (Y/N) scoffed. "'He breaks the rocks that serve to bind / Above the tempestuous bay. / On wings of cloth and wood entwined, / He lands on the altar to open the way.'? How is anyone supposed to solve these?"

"Look," Ahgin reached over and pointed on the page (Y/N) was holding. "Each of them are given locations." He opened the old, thick book on the floor and flipped to a page in the middle where he stuffed a piece of paper folded several times.

He unfolded the map and spread it across the floor, revealing all of the locations mentioned in the ancient songs marked on the map using red stamps. "They all have to do with their location," he said. "If we go there, the riddles have to make more sense. There must be shrines or Sheikah technology there that remains asleep until these riddles are solved."

"Yeah, you're onto something." (Y/N) shifted to sit more comfortably and leaned forward to look at the map. "This one--" the riddle that was just recited-- "is in Horon Lagoon--" (Y/N) points to the map-- "and Horon Lagoon is known for its intense winds, right? It's without a doubt connected."

"Yeah, and this one," he grabs another ancient song. "'When a lost hero calls down lightning from the sky / The monk responds from a giant mound on high.' Carola Lake--" he points to the location scribbled above the verses. "And Carola Lake is in an area prone to violent thunderstorms. 'Lightning from the sky'-- They've gotta be connected."

The two teenagers sat in silence for a few minutes, determined to get at least close to solving at least one, but to no avail. Ahgin slightly sighed as he rested his cheek in his palm, trying to connect songs, to locations, to the map with red string in his head.

He turned to (Y/N) to ask a question and found they were asleep with their back against the wall. His surprise slowly relaxed into a smile. He allowed himself to lean back against the wall as well.

He slowly raised his hand, careful of his volume, and brushed away a few stray strands of hair covering (Y/N) face.

Gods, he was in love. This feeling was so strong and undeniable, but he didn't dare voice it. What if his feelings ended their relationship? What if telling (Y/N) how he felt was the final nail in the coffin? And (Y/N)'s too busy, tonight was enough evidence for that. (Y/N) needed to focus on other things.

Ahgin debated on waking his friend, knowing that if they were found, they would both get in trouble. But what's the harm in having just a few selfish minutes to himself?

~

"You didn't..." Ahgin said in disbelief, staring at the now seventeen year old (Y/N). "You did not. No way. No way at all."

(Y/N) prevented smiling obnoxiously wide and nodded. Ahgin almost cried with joy.

"You're hereby Hyrule's court poet in my name."

Ahgin covered his face with his hands, overwhelmed with joy. "Thank you," he finally brought himself to say.

He was going to be working under (Y/N)'s name, in the castle, for a job that he was completely passionate about.

Everything in that moment was perfect. He was going to be able to see (Y/N) more often, finally, after three years. Ten years after the day they met, they were finally together in the castle. His luck was striking gold. His confidence was growing by the second.

'This is it,' his thoughts told him. 'This is what you needed. You're confessing by the end of this month, no excuses.'

But that very month was when everything spiraled out of control.

--~--

Link remembers as well, though not as much.

--~--

"When is the next time you are free?" Ahgin asked (Y/N) at the gate of Hyrule Castle Town just before they parted ways. "Do you know?"

"Umm..." (Y/N) thought. "I'm not sure. I'm leaving to meet with the four champions soon. I don't think I'll be able to see you until I get back."

His eyes fell. "Oh. That's longer than I thought..."

"Hey, don't worry," (Y/N) softly spoke. "You'll be the first person I see when I get back. I promise."

But Ahgin knew the promise was empty. It had to be. (Y/N) had no control over any schedule.

Link followed the stone path to the Commander and stopped behind Ahgin, waiting patiently for their conversation to end.

"I'll see you, okay?" (Y/N) waved a goodbye and walked past Ahgin to meet with Link. Ahgin turned wave too, but faltered once he saw Link, another prophecy holder.

Ahgin watched the two knights walk off together and start a different conversation. Sadness bubbled inside of him. 'This is how things should be,' he thought. (Y/N) was with someone important-- someone who mattered and was part of the prophecy. A hero.

But the sadness only multiplied and contorted into anger-- a rage that he felt toward no one except Link. He always came to take (Y/N) away. He would always see his face when (Y/N) left. He was the reason why nothing was working out.

Link took a curious glance back to the Sheikah he always saw (Y/N) with. He didn't know him very well and barely remembered his name. He didn't expect to lock eyes with him and come face to face with a wrath words failed to describe. Ahgin's red eyes stared at Link with a burning desire to kill. A monster looked to be in the making.

--~--

Ahgin looks at you lovingly as you remember.

"Ahgin..." you whisper almost inaudibly. "You're alive. How... Why are you here? How did you...?"