Shadow was warm. There was an uncomfortable, slightly suffocating weight settled across his entire body. His head was elevated a bit on something that was soft. Which meant that his head rested on a pillow. He must have been placed in a bed for some reason. That was odd, since he usually slept on the floor, and didn't remember ever getting a bed (unless one counted the one he brought Vio, but he had that one destroyed). It did explained the warmth over him and softness against his back, though. It didn't matter much to him, he just wanted to sleep and–
Shadow threw the blankets off his body as he sat up in looked down at his body. His body. A body which should have been incorporeal. Intangible. Nonexistent. He was dead. He remembered dying. He remembered how it felt and everything. He sacrificed himself and should have lost everything that made him him. This was impossible.
He looked around himself, familiarizing himself with his surroundings. It seemed like he was in Hyrule Castle once again. In what looked to be some kind of infirmary. So, either the heroes had won and brought him back, or Ganon wanted to trick him into getting a false sense of security before he decided to punish Shadow for his huge betrayal. Which would really suck, since he already died and lost everything. He really didn't want to find out if Ganon could make everything worse. Especially if he managed to bring Vaati back as well - that would really be the icing on the total lack of cake.
The room was pretty bare. There didn't seem to be any hints as to what had happened. It was quite all around. Shadow couldn't see any windows due to the curtains set up for patients privacy, but it seemed to be day time, possibly early morning. He couldn't make out any monster behind the curtains, but there weren't any Hylians either. The room was rather quiet except for the songs of a few birds outside. His little bedside table only had a glass of water and a small mirror.
Shadow did a double-take at his reflection.
Shadow supposed he should look at the bright side. There was definitely no way Ganon or Vaati had been the ones to resurrect him. He also, apparently, mattered enough to the heroes to be resurrected (that or they considered his resurrection something to do in their spare time). It really couldn't have been an easy process for them, considering it clearly took them a long, long time. If Shadow had to guess, around the three-to-five year range, since it seemed like he had aged quite a bit. A young adult from what he could see.
It took a bit of time to wrap his head around it, but once he did, Shadow parted the curtain to examine the room properly. It was quiet, but it wasn't as empty as Shadow had originally thought it was.
He felt a little dizzy, in a way. Vio sat on a chair near the door, hunched over with a tea cup beside him on a desk and a book he must have dropped when he dozed off. That was the one person Shadow wanted to see the most – the person he wanted to hug and take care of because he was exhausted and brought him back. It was his Vio. Yet Shadow couldn't, because he was battling with the pain from his betrayal. Almost murdered in his sleep by the one person he had allowed himself to trust. He wanted to slap him and scream at him until he lost his voice. It was messy and painful and complicated, and he didn't know what to do with himself.
Shadow took a couple of seconds to calm himself down, before he did anything that could cause himself embarrassment and a couple of years of emotional turmoil, and decided to do two very simple things. The first thing he did was pick up Vio's book and place it neatly on the bench beside him. After all, Vio would be furious if he found out that a book was damaged – even if he was the one to have damaged it. The second thing he did was give Vio a small look over. After all, he seemed different now that he was older.
Vio's hair was a little bit paler than he remembered, and long enough to pull back into a short ponytail. It was a bit messy and loose, probably due to fatigue. His outfit was a little different as well. A purple tunic with gold embroidery for a touch of style. He had archer bracers, and a strange piece of fabric that he had dropped to the floor. Shadow couldn't tell what it was and didn't care enough to examine it properly at that moment. Vio also had pierced ears, which Shadow couldn't figure out how he felt about for some reason. Still, he was definitely Vio – there was no way he could be anyone else, Shadow knew him too well to be deceived.
At least, by anyone other than him.
Though the different attire gave Shadow an idea. It didn't take much energy, and it was some pretty simple magic for someone like him. He was brought back in the same clothing he had died in, so it couldn't hurt to change it a little. The tunic mimicked Vio's, except mostly black with purple embroidery instead. He replaced his tights with much more comfortable pants and shifted the belt on his waist a bit. Feeling a little plain, he added a spaulder and Gerudo styled earrings. He was technically a Gerudo, being (kinda) raised by their king, and he really did know and admire a lot about their culture.
The door opened, "Thank the Holy Three, you're finally awake."
When Princess Zelda walked through the door, Shadow's breath was taken away. He supposed he should have realized that she would have looked different as well, considering the amount of time that had past. The princess was still taller than him, probably still taller than the other Links as well. He red hair was longer now, and flowed freely down her back. Her attire seemed more regal and mature, accompanied by a crown that made it clear who she was. Shadow could have sworn that she had more freckles than when he last saw her. The only thing that remained completely the same were her eyes, very blue and full of kindness and wisdom. This was the one person he knew he could trust.
"It's good to see you again, Your Highness" Shadow gave a little bow.
She snorted, "First, it would be 'Your Majesty' now. Second, I think we're at the point where we can skip formalities, Shadow. Now come give me a hug, I've missed you."
Shadow complied easily, "I suppose I should congratulate you on becoming queen?"
"I'm more interested in how you're doing right now" she looked genuinely concerned, "That was kind of the first time I resurrected someone from the dead."
As much as Shadow wanted to complain about her concern (her expression was just way too pitying), he relented and allowed her to fuss. He did owe her one, after all, and it wouldn't be fair if he yelled at her. But only this once. The next time she did so, he would remind her not to do so again. He was pretty sure she would listen. Instead he made a show of examining himself and flexing a little bit, just to get a laugh. He didn't need to though, he had already magically check himself over before he left the bed.
"I'm good" he answered, "Great even. This body isn't exactly the same as my original one. You made it so that I could walk in sunlight without damage."
A freedom Ganon had denied him to ensure his loyalty - a lot of good that did the pig.
"Thank the Three. Though I must admit that I didn't just come here to check on you. And I'd hate to ask you to do something after you've just woken up..."
Sweet Farore, Shadow really didn't like where this was heading.
Shadow sighed, "Just this once. I'm still a mad at him for a lot of things."
"Thank you, Shadow" Zelda smiled and suddenly he felt guilty at the idea he could have denied her his assistance, "Usually Blue moves him when he falls asleep somewhere, but the other three had to leave urgently. They took a couple of knights with them, since Vio was staying behind and we lost quite a few knights in the past years. This is a big help."
Shadow felt like the goddesses themselves were against him as he gently wrapped his arms around Vio and pulled him to his chest. To make matters worse, Vio snuggled into him. It hurt, that something that he once thought would bring him joy, only threatened to make him cry from heartbreak. He still couldn't stop himself from shifting Vio so he'd be more comfortable, double checking his head wouldn't be resting against any armor he added. The little queen gave a knowing smile that made Shadow tense, but she said nothing as she picked up what Shadow belatedly realized was a hood.
Zelda led the way, talking softly the whole time. Shadow lost concentration every time he looked at Vio's peaceful expression. Heart cracking just a little bit more each time.