A.N.: Hello! My name is Kaleeco. It is nice to meet you all! I'm new to this site (as in I just discovered it about one day ago), but I do understand the basics of writing. :) I hope you all will enjoy this chapter, and have a wonderful day!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to change you is a great accomplishment in life. People are illogical, self-centered, and unaccommodating; however, one must hide these imperfections behind a mask in order to earn false friends and dignity.
The good you do today will be forgotten by tomorrow, and the faults you create will be remembered for the rest of your life and after. That is why you must put up your façade and leave it up at all times, or then others will notice the flaws in your personality. One judgement will lead to another as word moves around, driving you deep into a pit of loneliness as everyone begins to classify you as an outsider. And all you wanted was acceptance for who you were…
There are few "lucky" ones, however; ones who simply are pure, and void of any cruel thoughts or deception. They are nearly automatically accepted into society as they spread their kindness to others, falling into the world of fallacious beliefs without a choice. These people are known as "Sothiyas" in the Dark World…
The Dark World was created by the unconscious aspects of personalities in the Factual World in which the dark personas of people take form as their exact opposite. "Shadows" of a person living in the Factual World live in this destructive, alternate universe until they die, for when the host of a Shadow dies, so does the Shadow.
Due to the refusal of the least desirable characteristics in one's personality; the Shadow is largely negative, and carries only small positive features depending on the person who they took after. It is difficult to converse with one without fearing for your life based on how aggressive they become.
Shadows are not often seen roaming in the Factual World, but if you were to spot one, it is recommended that you run as far away as possible. You will have no trouble identifying a Shadow, for their skin is coal-black, and their eyes are scarlet red; but sometimes, they may disguise themselves as humans, and your only way of recognition is by looking into their eyes for the crimson shade of blood lust within them, which will ultimately lead you to death.
Shadows will live for as long as you do, but can die by other causes… They are extremely difficult to kill due to their abnormal talents and skills that have yet to be fully discovered because of the lack of recorded deaths and successful captures of a Shadow.
However.
The Shadows have one weakness that have nearly sent their race to extinction many times before. It is all up to the one known as "The King of Shadows" to stop this.
The King of Shadows is given the duty to keep the group alive by finding a human mate from the Factual World to produce the next heir. If the king dies before he can collect his mate, then the Dark World will fall to its slow demise as no more Shadows will be produced. It is extremely important for the king to find his mate as soon as he becomes of age…
The problem with this, though, is that The King of Shadows can only take a Sothiya as a mate, or then he and his mate will both be cursed with infertility and the possibility of birthing only daughters…
As the king comes closer and closer to the year of age, many of his finest warriors will travel across the land to find the rare Sothiya, spending years of constant search for the perfect woman to bear the children of the king. Once she is found, the king himself will enter the Factual World, and steal the girl away from her life forcefully, marrying her before submitting her to sexual intercourse in exactly one week (see Chapter 3). She will then spend the rest of her life in the Dark World, contemplating suicide and living the horrible life known as "the Tainted's Abuse."
Sothiyas do not have a Shadow living in the Dark World, which makes it more difficult for the King of Shadows to find his mate due to the lack of records on her. Also, it has been noted that male Sothiyas are more common than females, making female Sothiyas exceedingly strenuous to find. In past generations, humans believed that the Shadows' race had finally gone extinct, but just as soon as the notion is believed, another Shadow is spotted.
Humans have been warned that when sightings of these dark beings increase in number, it is best to lock your daughters away for the time until it all passes, or then she may be the next Sothiya to be taken away from your world…and all because of everyone's wish to be perfect, the poor child will have to suffer in the Factual World's stead for her entire life.
~Chapter 1 from "Legends of the Past: the Shadow People" by Leonardo the Wise, Hylian Mage of the Eldin Province
Everyday was the same. Nothing more, and nothing less.
My day would begin with my awakening; my maid, Malia, would send me to the washroom so I could bathe myself before she would help me dress. Afterwards, breakfast would be served at dawn in the dining room, leaving me to myself to think about what was to come in the next hour. My father, as always, will appear briefly in the room, standing tall with his broad shoulders pinned back while I would rise from my seat and curtsy in his direction…without another word, he would then leave me to my business. Breakfast would then come to an end as I would walk to my study room, greeting the many hardworking servants in our manor as I passed by them in the long corridors of my home. While in the study, I would be given lessons over the history of our country, and then I would be sent outside to visit my many friends from down the lane and eat lunch with several of them…After that, I would be guided back home for my regular afternoon duties and dinner before returning back to my room with exhaustion as I change clothes once more and fall asleep.
So as I laid here in my bed, minutes before Malia would enter my room to announce the Sun's arrival, I sighed quietly at the repetition of my incessant life. As wonderful as it was to be fed fully, and dressed in the most finest clothes in Hyrule, and attend balls with striking men and powerful rulers… I didn't like it.
I wished that I could live out in the country, where instead of learning, I would work long and arduous jobs in the unbearable heat. I would meet a kind and sweet boy who would sweep me off my feet instead of being given away to an overbearing and cocky old man who seemed to lust after young ladies without shame. I would have many children, grow old with my husband, and die happily, knowing that my life was complete…
But I knew none of this would happen, for I had a duty.
A duty to serve as the only child of the Julliard household.
It was difficult to forget my job because of the sad, and grief-stricken face my father always wore as he would pass by me quietly down the hall. I was sure that if my mother were here, she would save him from his woes, and kiss his nose like she used to when I was little…
My last fleeting memory of her was of my father leaning down so she could kiss him while she was on her deathbed, her sickly pale arms twitching slightly as she tried to reach up and touch his face. Love filled her eyes, mixing with hints of pain as we all enjoyed one another's presence for what would be the last time.
I could tell my father wasn't happy. His wish for a son was discarded when the Goddesses gave him a daughter and a sick wife. As the only child, it was my job to find a husband from one of the high-classed households in order to move our name further up the scale of power. The more power your family name contained, the more respect your family would earn…
After my mother's death, I was sent to study the many languages and historical background of the Hylians to help improve my desirability. Most suitors would look for women who were intelligent, yet dumb enough to do whatever they asked of them; obedience was a very important trait to learn in this world of hierarchy.
Anyways, my father became somewhat…distant after my mother's passing; locking himself away in his bedroom, and only coming out when he was needed by the royal family, and for parties at the castle held by the Nohansens.
I never resented him for his absence in my life; I understood how he felt about her, and the disappointment that followed him around because of the lack of a son. The compassion my father had for my mother was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and just the thought of it all made me wish that I would one day have the same relationship they had with my significant other…but once again, I had to remind myself of my job in this life; romance would have to wait.
Knock. Knock. I jumped out of my thoughts, pressing my face deep into the silky fabric of my pillow when the light footfalls of my maid resounded against the wooden flooring. Her small hands shook my shoulder gently, prompting me to awaken from my "slumber."
"Time to wake up, dear…it is yet another beautiful day the Goddesses have blessed us with." Her old and cracked voice called, prompting me to open my eyes. I sat up from my bed, rubbing my face before brushing back my long, wavy hair with my hands. Glancing to my left, the ashen face of Malia came into view; her visage containing the same smile she wore nearly everyday.
"Good morning." I croaked out, swinging my legs off the edge of my mattress to stand up. Malia pulled me to my feet, tugging at the sleeve of my cream-colored nightgown to guide me toward my large dresser. I promptly sat down on my cushioned bench, grasping my glass brush between my thin fingers as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. In the background by my bed, Malia was collecting the sheets, balling them up tightly to bring them to the washroom for cleaning. Her dull, gray hair was pulled up into a tight bun with several strands to frame her wrinkled face. Her ochre eyes seemed exhausted as she hoisted the sheets over her shoulder, glancing in my direction as if she could sense my lingering gaze.
"Hurry up, child, we can't spend too much time dawdling around…" She said, watching me as I quickly ran the brush through my dark locks.
When I finished, I turned to see Malia struggling with the heavy load of bed clothing. "Would you like some help?" I asked, smiling when she flashed me a grin.
"We do this everyday…I'm sure you already know what my answer will be." She said with a small sigh. Pointing in the direction of my door, she stumbled over to the wooden entrance, her legs shaking slightly as she powered her way over to grab the handle. Setting my brush down, I take one last look through the looking-glass, double-checking my appearance before jogging to Malia. I opened the door for her, holding it as she thanked me without emotion. The two of us walk down the familiar residence hall that I have learned to call home; memories of me playing "House" and "Jacks" flashing through my mind as we traveled toward the washroom.
"Where is Octavius?" I asked, feeling out of the blue with my question. Octavius, my advisor and aide, would normally meet us outside of my room to list off the things that were planned for me today before leaving me to my business. He was one score older than I, and his family was several scales below ours.
"He has decided to take the day off. I believe his mother has caught quite the nasty bug, and has been bedridden for the past few days…" She said, stopping by a group of maids to hand them my comforter and sheets. We continued down the hall in silence, enjoying one another's company as we traveled the usual route to the bath. My thoughts were filled of Octavius and his family.
My advisor was quite the man… He was very strict when it came to me, and he always made sure that I was present to all activities on time and ready to go. I remembered being late to my lunch with the Tearwood family many years ago due to my classes running overtime… Octavius was not pleased with me at all; he sent me to my room without dinner as a way to punish me for my tardiness.
I was pleased to have him as my advisor and aide, for I knew that he was just trying to help turn me into an acceptable and elegant young lady. I truly felt sorry for his mother; I knew she would be turning the age of sixty quite soon, which was quite the accomplishment on her part.
Entering the small door at the end of the hall, I stripped out of my nightgown beside of the wooden bath. The steam from the hot water brushed against my face, waking me from any tired feeling I had left. Looking down at my body, I groaned when I noticed that I was still wearing my slip from yesterday…
"How many times have I told you?" Malia asked from behind me, tugging at the ribbons that held the slip together, "You need to take this off before you go to bed…it's not healthy for you!"
"I know…it's a bad habit." I said, climbing out of it to leave me naked.
"A bad habit that needs to be fixed! Now get washed…your towels are beside the tub, and don't get your hair wet like last time." She said, handing me a bar of soap before exiting the room without another word. I gazed into the bubbles in my bath, my nose scrunching up slightly as I stepped into the steaming water. Pulling my hair up, I wrapped it into a towel to prevent it from getting wet; last time I fell into the tub, it took the entire day for my hair dry out due to how thick it was.
For several minutes, I relaxed in the water, allowing myself to get used to the heat before rubbing the bar of soap over my body. A razor sat idly beside my towels…
I shaved my body absent-mindedly, being careful not to cut myself when it came to the difficult crevices on my knees and elbows; however, I made a small and painful mark on my thigh, causing me to groan as I plunged my leg into the water to stop the bleeding. Afterwards, I sat quietly in my tub, sliding my back against the smooth wood as I plunged half of my face into the now-warm water. I wondered what would happen if I took the day off… Octavius wasn't here to announce my schedule, so who would? I hoped that I would get some free time to do whatever I wanted; I had a quilt that needed to be completed, and I was more than halfway done with it.
I stood from my spot, grabbing the white towel to my right to dry myself off. My skin felt smooth against the cloth, and my body experienced the feeling of genuine happiness as the sore muscles loosened while I rubbed the towel against them. My favorite part of the day was sadly over as I wrapped my small frame in the cloth, waiting for Malia to bring me my clothes so I could begin the day.
But as I waited and waited, no one came. Usually, I was given twenty minutes to clean myself before I would have to head downstairs for breakfast; however, it felt like it had already been longer than that. I padded over to the small door that would lead to the hall, and pressed my ear against it.
Strange… I thought. Maybe I was just imagining it? No voices filtered throughout the manor (from what I could tell). I swiftly walked over to the window on the far wall, my heart shuddering against my ribcage as I gazed out into the garden at the back of the house. I surveyed the area, surprised to find no workers caring for the hedges or planting flowers by the archway that would lead to the maze in the back. It was the beginning of the Summer season, so why were there no gardeners?
"Eliana!" I turned with a start, relieved to find Malia standing in the doorway. Any frightening thoughts I had vanished from my mind almost instantly. "What are you doing by the window? Get away from there!"
"Sorry!" I apologized quickly, stepping toward the old woman as she closed the door. Shaking her head, she pulled me behind the set of blinds on the right side of the room, closing them to help me change into my clothes. As I slipped into the beige corset, Malia began to lace up the back of the bodice before commanding me to lift my arms. She slid my dress over my head-it was pale-green with a long body and short sleeves, embroidered with lace-and clasped my necklace around my neck before pulling the towel off my head to allow my dark-brown hair to cascade down my back. Handing me a pair of white flats, Malia guided me toward the full-length body mirror, asking me if I was pleased with how I looked.
Personally, green was my least favorite color, but it was also the color of our household; I was required to wear the color in public to signify my level of importance. It also matched the color of my eyes, which was a blueish-green color that I had inherited from my father. Nodding my head, I was taken outside of the room, and was greeted by a large group of young peasants who were passing by. We all were heading downstairs toward the dining hall for breakfast; however, I would be eating in a separate room.
"-Were you there when it happened?" A loud voice seemed to stick out of them all. Turning my head slightly, I saw two young boys-about fifteen-years-old-who were chatting loudly with one another. One boy was missing several teeth, and the other had freckles covering his entire body…
"-no, but Markus was." The boy with freckles said, his eyes widening as he threw his arms out to emphasize what he was saying, "He said that an intruder was trying to get into the manor…"
I rose my eyebrows at the information. An intruder?
"Woah…I heard some of the maids say somethin' about them havin' to send the guards to drive the man away."
"Where was he? At the entrance gate?"
"Yeah. He wasn't harmin' nothin' though… Accordin' to Markus, he said he was new to the area, and left without another word. Oh! And get this! This guy had red eyes…"
"Aw, I swear to Nayru you better quit pullin' my leg-" I couldn't hear the rest of the boys' conversation, for they had turned down a hallway that would lead to the outside. My mind was racing as I thought about what happened; was that why Malia was late to pick me up? This man seemed to be causing quite the disturbance, for now that I listened, everyone (except Malia) was talking about him and the strange eye color he possessed.
I couldn't blame them though…this was the most interesting thing that had happened here in the longest time. Now that I thought about it, I was curious as well to who this man with red eyes was…
Turning into the dining room, I sat at the head of the long table, thanking Malia once again for her hard work as she left me to my thoughts. I should have asked her about the intruder; she was the head of our staff and would most likely know about what went on outside not even one hour ago.
I slouched in my seat, using this time to relax for a moment. I fixated my gaze on the long row of tall windows the covered the West side of the building, studying what was outside with interest. Trees shielded the side of the building of the blistering heat, reminding me that Summer had arrived just a few days ago. A small breeze pushed its way through the leaves on the branches, causing them to dance elegantly as time went by. The familiar conviction of life filled me as my eyes glazed over; memories of my mother playing with me in the grass filtering through my mind.
It was times like these that I lived for, where I could just sit and appreciate the sights and sounds and smells of the world. Time could freeze over right at this moment, and I wouldn't mind…being trapped forever in this feeling was something I would enjoy.
Of course, I wouldn't be able to do that, for Helena was entering the room with my breakfast-a standard meal with scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, fruit, and pastries filled with sweet cream cheese and covered with an apple-berry sauce. My imagination would have to wait.
"I'm sorry, Miss Eliana, but we are short on cinnamon rolls right now…" Helena said, bowing awkwardly after setting my food in front of me. Helena was an attractive woman at the age of twenty-three, which we were both very close in age. Although she was older than I, Helena was very shy around me, and acted as though she were afraid of making mistakes. She had worked for us since the end of the Winter season, yet she still seemed to be getting used to her life here with us.
"No need to apologize, Helena, thank you for the food." I smiled at her, sitting up straight in my seat. The woman scampered back to the kitchen, mumbling out a good-bye as she left. Grabbing my utensil, I thanked the Goddesses for the meal before diving straight into the eggs, eating slowly as I savored the buttery flavor of them. Cinnamon rolls were my favorite when I was growing up and they still are now, but scrambled eggs came in at a close second.
I ate quietly as I waited for my father to make his appearance like always… We had an ongoing system in the morning where he would enter the room, greeting me with a nod of his head. I would stand from chair and say the same thing I always said, "Good morning, father."
Then we would be off on our separate ways.
I shoved a piece of bacon into my mouth, relishing the flavor that exploded on my taste buds while I poured myself a glass of milk. Ordon goat milk was my favorite drink, but I wasn't allowed to have it all the time… Maybe one day, I could visit Ordon village and learn about how they get their goats to produce such fantastic milk…
After I finished my meal, Helena came out to collect my things, asking if my father had stopped by yet. Shaking my head, I watched as the girl swiftly left the room, not bothering to prolong our conversation.
I decided to wait for several more minutes due to the fact that I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. Octavius would normally enter the room after I finished breakfast, but he wasn't here. I may have schooling after this, but I wasn't too positive; it was the weekend, and I rarely had schooling on days like these…
The double doors opened on the far wall in front of me, revealing a short, yet muscular man flanked by his advisors. He wore a light green jacket with many silver buttons lined up on the front. Three, silver stars decorated the collar, showing that the man was the one of the renowned Generals of the Hyrulian Army. His black boots were covered in mud, leaving faint tracks of dirt behind as he walked forward to make himself known. His turquoise-colored eyes narrowed as he pinpointed me at my spot from across the room. I stood to greet the man, waiting for his nod of the head.
But it never came.
"Eliana, you are to report downstairs in the guest room in ten minutes. You will be given instructions by my men from there… Do not leave the lower level until I come and get you myself."
And then he left.
My mouth was opened as I gasped like a fish out of water… My usual good morning hung on my tongue as I watched him exit as swiftly as he came. I hadn't heard him speak so much while in my presence.
It made me happy to know that he still cared to talk to me; although his words were filled with a commanding tone. Smoothing out my dress, I did as my father asked (or more like ordered) and left for the lower levels of our large house, passing many frantic maids and peasants along the way. A confused look crossed my face as I watched two peasants drop their things when a soldier approached them; they both seemed frightened by what the man was telling them…
A hand grabbed my forearm roughly, shaking me out of my daze as I glanced up to a pair of striking blue eyes. "Come with me, you are not safe up here."
I nodded my head, deciding to ask questions later as the tall man dragged me toward the staircase, pulling me down the marble steps roughly. I could feel my pulse both in my throat and under his large hand that was crushing my forearm. We were both breathing in short, chattering breaths as we moved toward the underground guest room near the end of the first hall in the basement.
Quickly opening the door, I was pushed inside abruptly, causing me to trip forward on my dress. I saw an old maid, Opal, sitting in a wooden chair at the far wall, reading a book calmly as I stood up straight. I turned around to face the soldier, seeing the blue-eyed man locking the door. My eyes then caught sight of the scabbard on his hip swinging wildly as he moved…
Goddesses... What was going on? It was against the law to carry a sword without a purpose...
"You are to remain in this room for the next week…No one is to enter or leave this room after today." He said, sounding like a robot as he recited my father's orders. My mouth was set in a permanent frown as I raised my eyebrows in dismay. About two hours ago I was lying in my bed quietly, wishing ridiculous and impossible wishes and thinking about how everyday seemed to be the same… I felt like my life was falling apart.
"What's happening?" My voice cracked slightly as my legs collapsed from underneath me, letting me fall onto the small bed in the center of the room. Questions filled my brain at a rapid pace while I sat; Was my life in danger? Where was my father? Would everyone be ok?
I couldn't ask those questions, though.
My mouth couldn't move fast enough to follow my mind.
"Honestly… I don't know. All I know is that it is my job to protect you at all costs from what is about to happen. Your maidservant will be down shortly to explain."
A.N.: I like to think of this story taking place hundreds of years after Ocarina of Time, yet many years before Twilight Princess...so the next reincarnation of Link will be different than the TP and OoT Links. This is an AU, but Zelda, Ganondorf, and Link will be in the story…I haven't decided if I should switch the point of view between chapters, but I guess we will find out next time! Please leave a comment telling me how you think it was, and constructive criticism is welcomed! Have a nice day. :)