"A Royal Awakening"

I knelt down beside Max, trying to comfort him as he cried over Link's lifeless body. He was gently shaking Link's shoulder, trying to wake him up. The scene was eerily reminiscent of a famous moment from The Lion King, and for a moment, I felt like I was watching a heartbreaking parody of Simba mourning over Mufasa's body. "Max, sweetie, it's okay," I said, trying to pry him away from Link. But he was inconsolable, his small body shaking with sobs. Just then, a gentle voice spoke up behind us. "Child, I think it's time for you to let him rest." I turned to see Princess Zelda standing behind us, her long golden hair flowing in the wind. She was dressed in a elegant white gown, and her eyes were filled with a deep sadness. I stood up, brushing off my jeans. It wasn't the first time I had been in Hyrule, and it wasn't the first time I had been here with Max. But it was still surreal, and I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. Zelda walked over to us, her eyes fixed on Max. "I think it's time for you to explain what's going on, Iris," she said, her voice gentle but firm. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. I had brought Max here to make him understand the gravity of the situation, but I hadn't expected it to affect him this deeply. "Max, it's okay," I said, trying to comfort him. "Link is... he's gone. And I think I'm the only one who can help stop it." Max looked up at me, his eyes red and puffy from crying. "Why, sis?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I looked at Zelda, who nodded encouragingly. "I think it's time we told him the truth," she said. I took a deep breath, trying to explain the situation to Max. "You see, Max, I have a special gift. I can move between worlds. And I think that's what's happening to all the Links. They're being killed, one by one, across different worlds." Max looked up at me, his eyes wide with understanding. And for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes. Zelda placed a gentle hand on Max's shoulder. "But we're not going to let it happen again, are we, Iris? We're going to find a way to stop it, together." I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. I was going to stop this curse, no matter what it took. And I was going to do it with Max and Zelda by my side.