By the time Link was ready to begin his journey across the Great Sea, the era of warriors and knights and war had faded into memory for people. The modest residents of the endless waves had almost completely forgotten the way of the sword. They had known peace for so long. It was only a matter of studying history and appreciating novelty to master such skills.
That’s why Orca, with his borderline-fanatic dedication to the way of the warrior, is somewhat of an oddball to his fellow residents on Outset Island. Day and night, he trains his body and keeps himself in prime physical form. The need for a warrior may not exist right now, but the time may come. He wants to be ready. Plus, it’s what makes him feel alive.
Orca was a fascinating character because he was a man misplaced in time. Skills of all kinds remain valuable throughout the changes in society and culture. Knowledge is never worthless. But some skills don’t always remain useful. Orca reflected this. But there was more to him than outdated talents.
Finding a pupil
The only thing he wishes was better about his life is that he has no one to share his passion with. He used to adventure with his brother, Sturgeon, but his interest in swords was supplanted by an interest in scholastics. All Orca has now is his training regimen and his memories. It’s enough, but an apprentice would be nice.
Enter Link. It’s Link’s birthday, and he wants to pay Orca a visit. The boy has been saying hi to everyone on his special day, and Orca is the next stop. Orca, like everyone on the island, knows how great of a kid Link is. So when Link shows interest in trying his luck with some sword lessons, there’s no way Orca can refuse. He just needs to make sure Link’s Grandma doesn’t find out about it.
Link and he spar, and it goes as well as Orca could ever hope it would. He hasn’t had a decent fight in ages, and Link shows an amazing affinity for swordsmanship. Despite Link’s small size and youth, Orca can’t help but be impressed. The kid is keeping up with him every step of the way. And he’s learning quickly. Incredibly so. Orca’s loving it. The only shame is that, while he’d like to, he can’t let Link keep the sword he’s been using. Link’s a natural, but his Grandma is still his Grandma. All Orca can do is tell his new protégé that he can come back and spar again.
Helping a boy become a hero
His pupil comes back sooner than Orca expects. A few moments later, actually. Link shows intense interest in the sword again, so Orca challenges him once more. This time ends differently, however. Last time, Link showed promise. Now, he shows purpose. There’s something about the boy that Orca sees. He knows Link needs to do something, and he knows that sword, which was once used by the legendary hero, is meant to be with him. The danger of Link’s Grandma aside, Orca gifts Link with the sword and charges him to be responsible with it.
Orca goes a while without seeing Link after that. He had heard that Link’s sister had been abducted and that he went off sailing with pirates. All he could do was hope that the boy was being safe and honorable with that sword. He also sends Link a letter telling him to collect any and all Knights Crests that he can find during his journey. They might help.
A Lifelong dream realized
Luckily for Orca, Link isn’t one to forget his friends. The young hero has made multiple trips back to his home during his journey, but he didn’t have time to stop and visit Orca during any of them. This latest visit is different. Link walks in Orca’s dojo, with infinitely more confidence than the already high amount he had when Orca gave him the sword. Orca sees that Link is more mature, more capable. He also has a new sword.
Link also proves that he’s a good listener, as he shows Orca all of the Knights Crests he had found — by way of slaying demonic knights.
Orca, understandably impressed, sees this as proof that Link is ready to learn one final technique. It is the Hurricane Spin, an attack that only those strong enough to earn Knights Crests can even dare to use. It’s a move that Orca never actually mastered. He could only dream to see it in action. Link seems up to the challenge. Orca believes he is.
Link delivers. As the hero takes his final turbulent spin with his sword, tears of joy begin to flow from Orca’s eyes. The boy had made Orca’s dream a reality. Finally, he had seen the ultimate sword technique with his own eyes.
Orca gave his all to a craft that many considered irrelevant, but he refused to let the opinions of others hold sway over him. He knew how important it was. Peace lasts because of peacekeepers. It was a blessing for Orca that the demand for a new knight came during his lifetime. And the knight in question would need Orca to be his teacher.
