Darkness Begins

Darkness is eternal. This much the man knew as we walked down the street, feeling the cool breeze push against him, making its way to a destination known only to itself. In the distance, howls could be heard. Howls from animals that could make a man shiver in his boots. But tonight, this man was not worried about the animals on the outside. He was worried about the ones on the inside.

For two long years, he has roamed the whole world of Hyrule. Sometimes, the man has gone beyond the threshold of Hyrule and traveled to worlds unknown to him. There, he has seen many things. But one thing has always eluded him. The secret to darkness' man walked into the village of Kakariko, feeling restless. He has journeyed all this way to find someone. After two years, he would see one of the few people who remembers who he really is. Or, should I say, who he used to be.

Walking into a bar, the noise of drunk people and eager women invaded his ears. Pushing aside the noises, he walked across the room and sat down at a table. Another person was already sitting at the table, and did not acknowledge the man when he sat down. For a full minute, neither of them said anything. Then the man spoke."It has been a long time."

The occupant at the table nodded. "That it has my boy," the occupant turned his head. "So what brings you here after all this time?"

The man hesitated. "I need help."

A laugh escaped his friend. "You expect a lot."

"I know it is sudden, but someone is following me. The other day, I was attacked by a Hylian guard. It's like he knew I was going to be there. I want to know if you knew anything about it."

"You really do expect a lot. I know nothing about any attack my friend."

A grin came forth on the mans face. His eyes flashed blood red. "You forget that it was I who created you." the mans voice deepened. The smug look on his friends face instantly disappeared. In its place was a look of horror. He knew that voice.

"That's right," the man spoke. He stood up. "I have decided to speak to you myself. I fear that you have betrayed me."

"N-no, I have not." came a stutter.

"You have. Do not lie to me. I have been around as long as the Goddesses have. I have become wise in the way of you Hylians. And for lying, you must pay." he stepped around the table.

The table, along with the contents on it, flew up into the air as the frightened man jumped out of his chair and took off for the door. He had to leave fast. He would never have a chance to face this being on his own. Bursting through the door, he turned to the right and headed for the old shaman's home. Just when he got there though, he was knocked down into the spring face first.

Coughing up water, the frightened man rolled around just as a sword came screaming down upon where he had been. Suddenly, a foot lashed out at him and connected with his face. His head snapped back and he fell into the water. There he lay, drowning. I always knew this would be the end of me. "Get up." commanded a voice in his head. He instantly sat up, his face breaking out of the water. In front of him, the dark being stood, watching him."You have caused me a lot of grief."

The wet man shivered. "I'm sorry master. It will not happen again."

A smile snuck its way onto the beings face. "Your right it won't happen again." and with that, he shoved his blade into the mans chest. He could not breath at all. I am dying now. He fell back into the spring, ready to let the current take him.

Jacob awoke just as the body hit the spring. At first, he didn't know what was happening. His sword was in his hands, but he could see no reason for why he would have it out. Suddenly it came to him. He had blacked out in the bar when he was talking to his friend, Joseph. But now he was here, and Joseph was nowhere to be found.

Maybe my dark being killed him. Oh no... "JOSEPH!" Jacob cried out. He spun around to head back into the bar, but something grabbed his ankle from in the spring. Jumping back, Jacob noticed it was a hand. He quickly grabbed the hand and pulled its owner up. Its owner turned out to be none other than Joseph. "Joseph!" he cried out and pulled him to the edge of the spring.

Kneeling beside him, Jacob noticed that he was still alive. But only barely. "Joseph. Are you there? Answer me!" Jacob cried.

He breathed a sigh of relief when Joseph's eyes slowly crept open. "Ja-jacob..." Joseph muttered softly. "T-take th-this..." he pulled a letter out of his pocket and with trembling hands, handed it to Jacob.

Jacob took it and put it into his pocket. "Don't worry Joseph. You're gonna be okay . I promise." Jacob said, tears forming at his eyes.

Joseph laughed and coughed up blood. "It's ok Jacob. I'm ready to go." and with that, Joseph collapsed in his friends arms and died. Jacob stayed there for a minute, then carefully set his body down on the ground. Climbing to his feet, Jacob stared off into the distance, then turned and walked away. He could not afford to get soft after all this time. I'll miss you Joseph. Take care of yourself with the Goddesses.

Remembering, he pulled out the note Joseph gave him and read it. Then he crumbled it up and threw it at where his friend laid. Screaming at no one, he drove his fist into the ground. Pain shot up his arm as he continued to punch the ground. Pain, he learned, was the only way he could truly feel alive. The only way he could tell that he really was Jacob, not some dark being.

After a few minutes, he pulled out his horse call and called up his horse, called Midnight. The black horse came galloping up to him, its white mane flowing in the air. Jacob climbed up on his horse, then took off out of the village. He had to do it. There was no other way. I must return home.

Inside of Jacob, his darkness stayed dormant. He had to admit, his vessel was doing a good job of staying the dominant personality. The darkness expected to have already taken control of this being, but he has had a difficult time. Sure, he could gain control every now and then. But only for brief periods.No matter, the darkness thought. It is a futile effort. Eventually, I will gain control. And he will suffer. Badly. So the darkness stayed, ever waiting. It would have its time. One way, or another.