Lingering Shadows

Chapter 1: A Change In Management

A/N: This is my first fan fiction, I've never really written anything like this before, let alone a story. So try to be bear with me, I hope this will live up to everyone's expectations.

Disclaimer: Despite my best efforts, Nintendo refuses to give me the rights to the Zelda series. I won't give up though, they'll give in eventually, I hope.

AU: Where the Twili are lead by Midna to attack Hyrule and enslave it's population. Link is 16 years old when he is sold off as a Slave to the Queen herself, to serve as a servant in the grand castle.

Pain and suffering. That is all that is known in Hyrule.

Ever since the Twilight Realm invaded Hyrule and overwhelmed its forces, the Hylian population had been enslaved and treated like cattle. Those who resisted were executed and those who lived endured hardship. Their attack seemed unprovoked, as their forces descended and slaughtered soldiers and civilians alike with no remorse, they were proving they meant business. I was 14 at the time, and like most of the people in Ordon village. We didn't believe in the stories of a shadow realm invading Hyrule. We were convinced our soldiers could protect this land, even if the rumor was true. Our village was holding a party, and everyone was invited. It was commonplace in our humble village. That's when they arrived. Soldiers in black armor, their bows carved terror into our hearts as people I grew up with were slaughtered. My childhood friend: Ilia, was shot through the chest. I watched, petrified with fear, unable to move as her lifeless body fell to the ground. After I came to, the soldiers had finished their onslaught and started taking prisoners. They made sure to kill off those who showed resistance. I should have died with them, I grit my teeth grabbed the stick Talo had carried, his lifeless body lay on the ground, a casualty of the initial attack. I was a fool to go for such a pathetic weapon, but it was all I could muster, I tried driving the stick into one of the soldiers, an opening in his armor allowed me to stab into his shoulder. I was thrown off, kicked and beaten out until I went unconscious. I woke up in a cage being pulled by what I could only assume was a horse. We were being transported to an encampment, and that was where my life as a slave began...

Hey! Wake up!

Link felt a sharp pain form on his back and he hissed at the pain he was receiving. He sat up and looked towards the source of his torment.

Get up, before I beat it into you!

It was Ria, his supervisor as they called it, more like handler. He had been assigned to her as he awaited his auction, he had been laboring in their mines and showed promise to to those overseeing it. This was his chance to escape his life of manual labor, but she wasn't making his life any easier.

Y-Yes ma'am! He stood up trying to ignore the pain in his back, they had him working extra in the quarry last night, and that kick did not help him recover.

I swear, you're worthless if you keep sleeping in like that! It's your job to be ready to work before I arrive! She smacked him across the face with a force that almost knocked him back.

I-I'm sorry ma'am! I-It won't happen a-again! His hand reached up to his cheek to rub now red mark across his face.

It better not, for your sake. she glared at him with her bright purple eyes that sent shivers down his spine.

Link had known her for a few days now, and while she was as cruel as they come, he had to admit: She was pretty attractive. She towered over him, he guessed her height to be somewhere around 6'0, she had bright purple eyes, red hair, as bright as his now beaten cheek. Her slender form was noteworthy and she wore a black robe with chain mail and armor plating around it. Her job was to make sure he is to be auctioned or if he stays. While she doesn't like to admit it, he was hardworking and showed potential.

Alright, today is the big day, you're an embarrassment for a purchase, but you're the best choice out of all these degenerates. she said with slight hatred in her tone

I-I thought it wasn't for another two days?! He exclaimed with confusion

Am I hearing that you want to stay here longer? Plans change, I don't need to explain myself to you! She raised her hand to slap him but restrained herself, she needed him presentable, not beat up.

Just follow me, we'll be taking a carriage ride to the auction house, there you will be made presentable by some of the servants there, no one will want to buy someone who looks and smells like they clean up garbage. she said while noting his dirtied body

It was true, his fingernails were slightly black with dirt, and he hadn't showered in a few days. Showers were a luxury not often granted to the slaves in this encampment. Neither was happiness, but showers were considered happiness as well.

Ria started to walk off towards the carriage that pulled up. It was a nice carriage compared to the ones he had been in before when they were transporting slaves around. It was black, and had a smooth and sleek design. It almost looked like it could be the worlds smallest house. He followed nervously behind and climbed in when she beckoned for him to enter. He sat down on the cushion of the seats and almost let out a relaxing sigh, but decided against it, he knew Ria would try to make him as uncomfortable as possible. Ria sat across from, reading her notes to keep her busy. She went over her to-do list for the day, and wrote down things she needed to remember. She seemed like a busy woman, maybe that is why she is so cruel to everyone?

He shook his head and looked out the window of the carriage to the land around him. He had been taken to the Twilight Realm last year, and was forced to work in one of the many mines that have been created across their land. The Twilight Realm was a dark and cruel place. Darkness consumed the land, and at times he found it hard to believe there was a concept of night and day. It had been two years since all of this happened. Link was now 16, and was noted for being slightly stronger then his fellow workers. It was what influenced his spot at the auction. He was still worried about it, he had heard that the higher ups that bought slaves were crueler then the overseers at the mining pits. He had hoped that it wasn't true, but good luck is never fully on his side.

Link took in the surroundings and after an hour ride, the carriage came to a halt.

Hey! Snap out of it! she barked at him

W-What? Are we h-here? he responded, half scared she would beat him for not listening.

No, the carriage just randomly stopped... Of course we're here, you idiot! Now get out!

Link got out of the carriage with great haste and noted the building in front of him. It was a large complex, and almost looked like a church. It was a long black and grey building, with blue lights shining from random parts. It had a tower in front that served as a guard tower, to make sure no slaves tried to escape. The doors were large and were made of some unknown material, it was a dark shade of red and had handles made of a purple-gold texture.

Well, here goes nothing. He thought to himself before following the guards beckoning for him to follow.

A/N: This chapter was pretty short, I plan to make them longer in the future, I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks of it so far. I plan to release at least a chapter or two every week or so.