Wow I love this entire thing

I am in shock that this masterpiece of a story doesn't have more favorites or reviews. With such a short, simple tale (I loved a previous reviewer's description of this fic being "quiet and contemplative"), you have tugged at my heartstrings and given so much more depth to a part of the game I had never given much thought to. Seeing these characters characterized so well makes me beg for the third installment of this series to be released, and your story has instantly become one of my favorites of all time. Thank you for writing this.

Really enjoyed reading this, thank you for sharing!

This was amazing...

Aww I love this :'3

I'm honestly not certain this and Masquerade needed to be separate stories, but I enjoyed them both greatly, and they are both criminally under-reviewed.

An excellent ending to a great story. Some closure for everyone, with just a little creepy in the last line. Wonderful, and I'll be checking out the next one.

While this is certainly still a sweet story, is it me or is it getting a bit creepy? Not sure what to think of the souls talking even without Link wearing the masks.

Nice chapter. Quiet and contemplative, like the previous two, and very pleasant to read.

Lovely continuation. Oakin is the cutest, and I love that Link is so considerate to the masks and tries to give them some freedom. To the next chapter!

Interesting story! I really want to play the game myself now, although this story has nothing much to do with the game itself. xD

Fierce Deity is such a smartass...x3
I really like this (these?) story(ies). Your characters are really well developed and awesome, and I love how you portrayed Link. Awesome job!

I was going through my favorites, rereading a few, and I realized that I never added this one to them, which is a shame. Another shame is I've never reviewed, and it's time to rectify this little oversight, because you deserve as much review love as this little corner of the internet has to offer. This piece is brilliant and well-thought out, and I consider it a must-read.

First, the decision to write in present tense was stunning. I love how it adds immediacy to the piece. You also use a lot of commas and semicolons to connect, adding flow and connectivity. It works very well, considering the connectivity between Link and the masks. The way the reader can experience it all with Link is one of the major immersion points. I don't think it would be half so compelling written in past tense.

Second, the symbolism of the compass points and the spirits of the masks interacting with Link. You only ever see it in game with the cases of Darmani and Mikau, and even then it's not explored in much depth. You build on it magnificently, and there is something incredibly touching about the Deku Scrub and his declaration of "I'm home." You can really feel him. And his name is adorable.

I'm curious about the Deku tree statement. I admit, it's been a while since I read Masquerade, and I don't think I've read the others in the series, but Link would know there are Deku trees, right? Seeing as how he was left in the Kokiri forest with one in Ocarina. And if they put down roots and grow when they "die," how is the one in Ocarina sentient? Does that mean all dead Deku are sentient? And the Deku Sprout looks more like a tree than a scrub. Is it just Oakin being unclear? A little clarification there would help. Either way, it's an interesting origin for them.

Third, you capture the spirit and themes of the game perfectly. A little haunting and a little bittersweet, as time passes, it changes everything. One feels the loss. And you can loop it, slow it, speed it up, go back and erase it, shift within it, but you can never stop it. It just flows on, inexorable.

Fourth, you have an exceptional handle on believable characterization. I've always liked to think of Time Link as the drifter kind of hero, because that is in essence what he does. He wanders in, saves the day, and then moves on. Oakin as the excited little child, Darmani as the old sage, stone warrior, bearing loads of wisdom. Mikau, ever fun loving, but wise in his way, the ambiguity of the Deity...I can totally see it. And better yet, believe it.

Thank you for sharing and writing in a space that has very little fandom love.

Had to go to your lj to read the one about the living wood but that's beside the point. First I have to say I just love this concept especially THIS Link. And only Link just like in the games. If you ever do continue this would you mind setting an encounter for this Link and Ghirahim? I mean he is called the Hero of Time so I just think it would be amusing what this, I guess you can say tarnished(?) hero, would do as opposed to Skyward Sword's Link. Assuming of course that the series isn't one long continuity. And because apparently there are Doors of Time everywhere that with Link traveling around he's bound to run into one sooner than later. Really wish though that more people explored the idea about Link and the masks like you do. Can't wait for more!

You really inspire me, I haven't written a zelda fanfic since I quit role playing as my OC Ice Link, but after reading your stories I want to write one again!