"Are you sure it's him?" A gravelly voice asked, the sound muffled as if behind a wall.
"You doubt my skills?" A woman responded, her muffled voice sickly sweet.
Who were these distant voices? What was going on? The boy drifted into consciousness, but he did not stir, he did not open his eyes, and he did not make a sound. Part of it was his fear of what was happening, of the strangers whose voices crept into his mind, but it was also because he didn't trust he was capable of doing any of those things. He hurt all over.
"Of course not, it's just he seems like nothing but skin and bones!"
Sure, he was skinny. He wasn't exactly rich, and it's not like dinner just throws itself at you screaming eat me in your ears.
"Maybe, but you told me to get the reincarnation, and I did."
"This child was supposed to be my downfall?"
The voices weren't distant at all. In fact, it sounded as if they were standing right over him. What were they talking about? The reincarnation? What did all of this mean?
"He may seem weak, but can't you sense it? The spirit resides within him! Look, he's already waking up."
He opened his eyes just a sliver, waiting for them to adjust to the dim light. Over him stood a large man, his red hair slicked back and his heavy armor accented by a tattered cape hanging from his broad shoulders. Past him, the boy could see a thin woman, her long black hair curling around her face and shoulders, garbed in a strange silken attire. She smiled at him, and he shuddered. He didn't like either of these people. The woman laughed.
"It seems as if he's been awake for a while now. No use hiding anything from him. It's not as if you were protecting him anyway."
Her voice was cheerful, but the words disturbed him. The man didn't share her cheerful disguise. His face was grim, and his eyes were sour. He laid a large hand on the boy's arm, and he flinched at the cold touch.
"What is your name child?"
"L-" He gulped nervously. "Link."
"Well, Link, I expect you are confused, upset, and most importantly, frightened." Most importantly? Link shuddered again. Who were these people? The man kept talking. "No one blames you. You have every right to be all of these things."
"Who are you?" The words had sounded less fearful in his head.
The man laughed, a horrible, broad laugh that rattled Link's bones. "I am a monster, I am your worst nightmare, I am fear itself." His eyes narrowed and his teeth flashed in a wicked smile. "And the future king of Hyrule."
"You're doing quite well at making him feel comfortable and at home." The woman laughed sarcastically, and the man ignored it.
"What are you thinking right now Link?" The man asked, peering at Link's deep blue eyes. He squinted them shut and bit his tongue.
"Honestly, the kid probably loves you," Came another sarcastic remark from the woman.
"Could you stop talking?"
"What, am I ruining your moment? My sincerest apologies." She bowed at Link, waving out her hand in a gesture to continue. "Proceed."
"Who are you?" Link asked again, sitting up. He was a little dizzy, but he didn't want to lie on the hard floor anymore.
"My name is Sable, Queen of the Severed Realm."
"And I am Ganondorf, the Demon King."
"The Severed Realm?"
"You ask a lot of questions. You're going to pay for the crimes you've committed against me Link." Ganondorf growled, his fingers flexing, and with a jolt of fear, Link could see them grasping his throat, closing his airways, choking away his life. He shook his head, and the horrifying fantasy dissipated.
"Crimes?" Link squeaked, terrified. "What crimes?" He could almost feel those fingers pressing against his neck.
Ganondorf eyed him thoughtfully. "To be honest, Link, I'm considering it." Link's eyes widened and his hand shot to his throat protectively. How did he know? "But as much as I'd love to see the light slowly die from your eyes with your throat under my hands, I won't do it."
"The King is being generous. You get to stay alive, and I get you." Sable smiled wickedly.
"Wh-what?" Link stuttered.
Ganondorf grabbed the front of Link's green tunic and lifted him off his feet. "You will pay, Link. You will taste fear like you have never known, and you will finally face utter defeat. I will rise at last, and get my revenge!"
"Let me go!" Link yelped, his hands pulling weakly at Ganondorf's, twisting and turning in the Demon King's grip. "Help!"
"There is no one to come to your aid, Link, and do not think I will show you mercy, as you have already brought me far past that. The hero has fallen, and Hyrule is next!" Ganondorf threw Link to the ground, and Link rolled onto his back, coughing. Ganondorf gave him a kick that sent him across the room, then walked over and picked him up by the collar again.
"Please." Link gasped, tears welling in his eyes. He was hurting, afraid, and confused. He just wanted it to stop.
Ganondorf released Link, then struck him with a blow that brought him to his knees. "Get down and beg for it if you must." Ganondorf declared, striking him across the face. The king grabbed his arm painfully and twisted it. Link shut his eyes tight against the pain. He was sure it was going to break, when suddenly Ganondorf gave a shout of alarm and released his arm. Link opened his eyes and cradled the arm, shocked to find the room lit with a faint golden glow. Ganondorf was making pained noises and Sable was shying away from the light. Link looked for it's source, to find out that his hand was glowing bright gold with a mark of a triangle.
"Thank you." He murmured to the symbol, before pain exploded over his skull and he crumpled limp to the ground.