I am back! After I finished Bright as Night, I had no plans to make any sequel as I felt there was no continuation of the story. I was definitely open to one if a good idea came, but in the 3 years since I finished that epic, I left it alone. But now, on the 4th year since I completed it, an idea started to grow. I brainstormed and outlined over the course of 7 months, and I'm finally ready to put this story out there for you readers!
Honestly, if you haven't read Bright as Night I'd encourage you to. This is a continuation of the plot with many of the same characters, and while I'm sure you can still enjoy this without having first read Bright as Night, the references and character development will make much more sense to you.
I also want to thank my awesome husband for editing this for me! Even though I read over this 3 times before I publish, I always seem to miss some things. It's nice having a journalist proofread for you!
Rated a very high T for violence, language, sensuality, overall dark theme and some adult issues. You be the judge of whether you should be reading this or not.
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What's that in the mirror,
In the corner of your eye?
What's that footstep following,
But never passing by?
Perhaps it's just waiting,
Perhaps when you're dead,
Out it will slither
From under the bed.
- modified from Doctor Who S8 E4: Listen
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The First Ritual
Chapter One
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It was night. The new moon was a black hole in the sky, the stars dim and flittering around it. Thin, gray clouds drifted over Hyrule Castle and the sprawling town below it. Autumn was ending, and with it the cold night wind came that caused windows and doors to be tightly shut. About halfway up the straight castle wall was a curved marble balcony, signifying the room belonged to the Queen of Hyrule and her husband, the Hero of Legend. The doors had been open all spring and summer, and the couple was sometimes spotted gazing down at the town. But even they were shut in against the cold and the dark this night.
Inside the room was sunk in shadow, the furniture difficult to make out. A huge four poster bed set close to a corner, where Link and Zelda lay sleeping. Link was resting deeply and peacefully, as he had every night that had passed in the five years since Mordecai had been killed and Hyrule saved. Nightmares no longer plagued him, and no threats worried him overnight, as the country had entered a period of peace.
Which is why he was slow to wake up when a light hit his eyelids. He stirred, turning on his side so it wouldn't bother him. But then a sound began to get his attention. The scraping of a quill writing on parchment, and a voice whispering in the darkness of the room, "Ul innocenav ukeis liwo morte aav nochtis . . ."
Link immediately turned around, frowning, looking for Zelda next to him to see if she'd heard it as well. But she wasn't there. She was sitting at her desk just a few feet from the bed, hunched over and writing quickly, her Triforce of Wisdom glowing on the back of her hand. He squinted his dark blue eyes at the light, his wife's form silhouetted in the night. Concern grew inside him as he realized the whispering was coming from her, a language he did not understand.
"Deaavh liwo avo ul deae' stulte . . ."
"Zelda?" he asked, sitting up. "Zelda, are you okay?"
"Mataa ul daemon hu liber ul curuke incipit . . ."
Link stood up, beginning to walk around the bed. "Zelda, what are you doing?"
Her head snapped in his direction, her blue eyes fierce and her mouth in a snarl. In a split second she'd crossed the distance from the desk to him, her hands locked around his throat and shoving him into the wall. Zelda was a warrior, having been raised and trained in the wild, and a Sheikah with incredible ability. But he immediately knew this speed and this strength was not coming from Zelda. This was inhuman.
Link grabbed ahold of her wrists, ready to shove her off if he needed to. But her grip wasn't one to kill but to hold him in place. He searched her angry face, exclaiming, "Zelda . . . it's me!"
He reached through their bond to feel her emotions, to try to read her thoughts and communicate with her through their pieces of the Triforce. But all he felt was blankness. Nothing. This wasn't Zelda. Her mind was still asleep. Someone or something had hijacked her body.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
She whispered, "Free me. Free me."
"Free you from what?"
"Free me!" She surged forward, her hands locking around his throat more dangerously this time before Zelda's Triforce piece flashed and she stumbled back, the anger leaving her face. She reached for the bed to steady herself but ended up falling over, sweaty and panting.
Link crouched down, touching her leg. He could feel his wife returning through their bond. "Zel? You okay?"
She looked at him, panic over her features. "What was that? What happened?"
Helping her up he answered, "Something possessed you. You were speaking another language and writing something down." He gestured to the desk. "Do you feel alright?"
Zelda held her hand to her forehead, visibly shaken, but nodded. "It's gone. I forced it out." She turned to the desk, but it was too dark to make out the writing. They embraced each other and she looked up at his face, asking, "Did I hurt you?"
"No, but you did ask me something."
"What?"
"You asked me to free you."
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When morning broke over Hyrule, pale and cold, Zelda was still sitting on the edge of the balcony, a gray cloak wrapped tightly around her and a warm drink in her hand. Her face was tired but pensive. She needed to figure out what had happened three hours ago. She needed to prevent it from happening again.
She glanced down at the parchment on the balcony edge in front of her, weighted down with a crystal paperweight. The writing was ugly and angular, certainly not hers. She didn't know the language, but something evil seemed to seep from the letters.
Ul innocenav ukeis liwo morte aav nochtis
Tahsul ul ukavaff avo augere su mighav
Deaavh liwo avo ul deae' stulte
Ukeis encarntuk marcan ul finis ro moraval dominium
Mataa ul daemon hu liber ul curuke incipit
Maavha kan dhat mortuus liwo quod mortuus lukrhraam
She sighed heavily, looking out over the town. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was pulled back in a messy bun. She hadn't felt this stressed since Mordecai had been defeated. She was eighteen years old then and she was twenty-three now; she should be wiser and more level-headed. But last night had baffled her. They had settled into a five year peace. No traces of Mordecai were left in the castle. Most of the town had been rebuilt, new roofs and walls and paint visible from her perch high above the town. But still she could see signs of the evil and devastation they had defeated. They had lost many lives in their battle for freedom, and Hyrule's shrunken population was just starting to rebound. She could look out over the horizon and recognize each part of Hyrule that had once been ruled over by Mordecai's four generals – his enforcers and brutal warriors. Two of them, the bestial Rolox and the manipulative Sephora, had been killed in the final battle for Hyrule's freedom. Thankfully the other two, Gerudo lord Ganondorf and magic staff wielding Acroff, had been sympathetic to their cause and helped throw down the dictator. She knew Ganondorf still reigned over the Gerudos in the southern desert, and somewhere in the east Acroff managed a massive ranch estate that employed many Hylians, and he was well-loved by the people there.
Thinking of the past made her touch the scar that ran across her cheekbone. That and the burned skin on her side were the only lasting marks of their fight for freedom. Link was scarred more extensively, on his back and wrists, from being a prisoner for so long. And of course the 'T' that had been carved around his eye. He still wore the black binding to cover the scar in public. But with her, and with their close friends, he didn't care.
She heard footsteps and Link came up beside her, wearing a black bathrobe and his hair wet. "You're still here?"
Zelda gave a nod. "I'm trying to figure this out, but honestly I'm at a loss. I don't know who would be so strong as to bypass my Triforce of Wisdom long enough to possess me. A motivation would help narrow it down, but all that was said was asking to be freed and this strange writing." She gestured angrily to the parchment.
He sat down opposite of her, the morning sun glinting off the water in his hair. "I can skip training today and help you figure this out."
She waved her hand dismissively, smiling. "You're needed for the new recruits' first day; Galen can't handle them all by himself. Besides, I'm going to get cleaned up and head to the library. There are many linguistic books in there, within any luck I'll find this language and be able to translate what it says. I'll coerce Impa to help me."
He grinned and she felt love from him through their bond. It had only been a year after Mordecai's defeat when they got married. It had been a beautiful day and the castle was fully decorated. The people of Castle Town celebrated for a week, happy that their rightful heir to the throne and their Hero would be together. The people had needed a reason to celebrate. That entire first year had mostly been repairing, rebuilding, mourning, fixing things that had gone wrong. They had created a new law system, rebuilt their government, punished any who had helped Mordecai, brought in food and medicine to all who were in need. So many had died under that dictator's rule and not given a proper burial. That was the hardest part for Zelda, having to tidy up the cemeteries, build headstones, and attend mass funerals.
But everything since then had been wonderful. Once Hyrule was stabilized it had prospered. Trade was good again. Festivals were brought back. Massive feasts and balls were held at the castle again. Zelda had spent many late evenings twirling around the marble dancefloor in the arms of her husband, laughing. Schools had been reopened, and people were able to pursue their passions again. Ganondorf and Acroff frequently visited the castle as welcome guests, and whenever Link and Zelda wanted to escape the bustle of the castle they would go visit their friends at their own homes.
It was a good peace. A hard won peace. She would protect that. Zelda stood up, kissing her husband. "You go ahead, I'll see you later today."
As he got dressed and left, Zelda cleaned herself up and put on a blue dress. She was expected to look formal in public as the Queen, but she always made sure to wear pants and boots underneath as well as conceal her daggers. It wasn't so much for safety as that she honestly didn't feel like herself without them. Placing a gold circlet around her head she left the room and headed towards the library, flagging down one handmaid to ask if she could find Impa and have her come to the library.
The library was a grand room, all natural tones and marble with large windows. Shelves were lined with books and tables were interspersed between. Zelda loved to read and didn't need any help finding her way to the linguistic section. The problem was, she wasn't sure what to look for. She didn't recognize that language as anything spoken in Hyrule, or any of the surrounding countries. It could be something further away. Or something ancient. Or some kind of spirit language? She decided to grab some general books to start her search, and then she could move into the more specific volumes if she needed to.
It was thirty minutes later that Impa strode into the library, finding the Queen blockaded by piles of books at a table near the wall.
"Impa!" Zelda called, popping her head up from behind the stacks. "I'm over here."
The middle-aged Sheikah woman smiled, pulling up a chair. "Yes, I assumed this was you. What's piqued your interest?"
Zelda glanced around to make sure they were alone, but the only other person in the library was the old caretaker. She pushed the parchment forward in front of the woman. "Do you recognize this?"
Impa glanced over it. "I do not. What does it say?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out. Impa . . . I wrote this last night in my sleep. Someone took control of my body."
The Sheikah sat back, eyebrows raised in stunned silence. Impa had always been Zelda's confidant and advisor. Before Mordecai she was protector of the royal family, and she continued to watch over Zelda as they were forced to flee the castle and hide in an elaborate cave system. She had raised Zelda and trained her to be one of the Sheikah warriors, an order of royal protectors and assassins, silent, agile, and equipped with advanced martial arts. Once Hyrule had been saved and peace reigned again, Impa resumed her position as a guardian of the Queen and of the castle. She was broad and muscular, with a square jaw, thick lips, and white hair.
"Tell me the details," Impa requested, leaning forward to rest her elbows over the parchment.
"I woke up to find myself strangling Link, but I had no control over my body. I fought back and cast whatever was in me out. Link told me he saw me writing this, and that I was speaking these words. Honestly, Impa, I'm frightened. What could do this?"
"Let's not jump to any conclusions yet," she replied. "Your Triforce of Wisdom puts you at risk for many strange phenomena. You are more attune to it, just like you used to get visions you couldn't control. Perhaps you weren't possessed, but this was some form of a vision."
"Maybe," Zelda sighed, her fears quieted. "You don't think I'm in any danger?"
"I didn't say that. But keep in mind your Triforce protects you from evil magic, to an extent. I'd suggest meditating with it before bed tonight to build up your defenses. We don't want to risk anything."
The Queen rubbed her head in frustration. "If I could only translate this I have a feeling our questions would be answered. I'm not having any luck so far. Would you help?"
"Of course. Let's see what we can find."
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Link surveyed the group of thirty new soldiers from atop the battlement, the wind tossing his hair and the sun shining down on his skin. Even though it was a bright and beautiful day, the cold was settling in and he was completely covered in clothes of black and dark green, even wearing gloves. A black cloth was bound around his face to cover his scarred eye. He was worried about his wife. Training was a welcome distraction as Zelda sought answers.
On the courtyard below him the group of recruits was doing basic stretches and swings to warm up for their training. Once a year the castle would take on a new batch of soldiers to add to their ranks. There wasn't too much interest in this time of peace, but they had steady numbers. Galen was already walking around them, hands clasped behind his back and shouting things to try to make the young men and women take this position seriously, such as, "You are soft and weak!", " We'll toughen you up!", and "Welcome to adulthood! It sucks."
Link chuckled. Galen had been his close friend for many, many years, even though the man was twelve years older. He had helped tremendously in the Rebellion and was made an army captain after their success. He took this job very seriously, which Link found amusing since normally Galen was good-natured and easy-going.
Once the soldiers were ready Galen bounded up the steps to Link. "I think they get weaker every year, they need us to show them what real warriors are made of," he winked, a bemused twinkle in his green eyes. "Why don't we start them jousting?"
"Oh, sure, no one will break anything doing that," Link replied sarcastically. "I'll take them through some basic sword maneuvers if you can go around and correct those that are struggling."
"I'll shout at them until they get it right," Galen joked. But when Link just gave a brief smile he picked up on his mood. "Is something wrong?"
Link frowned, staring out over the castle wall. "Something weird happened last night. Zelda started writing and speaking in a language I didn't understand. She even pushed me into the wall with a strength that isn't hers. It was almost like someone was in control of her."
"Are you sure? Zelda's a badass, after all."
"I'm being serious, Galen," Link stated. "She was really scared afterward. I hope . . . I hope there isn't something really bad going on. We've kept Hyrule so safe . . ."
"It's probably nothing," the captain said, trying to be comforting. "Maybe some minor evil she feels, or her Triforce warning her about stuff. It does that, right? Yeah. Let's not overreact."
Link knew Galen had a point. Hyrule was safe. They hadn't had an actual fight in a very long time. They'd had to stop a few small groups that were either infringing on borders or some of Mordecai's supporters that were starting an uprising. But each incident had been small, disorganized, and the people had no training. Link had never even been cut in any of these "battles", if you could even call them that. Hyrule was more secure every year.
Galen rubbed his thin brown beard, the same color as his longer, shaggy hair. "I'm sure she'll get it figured out soon enough. She doesn't have the Triforce of Wisdom for nothing, after all. You ready to start working?"
Link nodded, pulled from his thoughts. He could sense through the bond that Zelda was concentrating on her research. It was time for him to concentrate on his duties as well. "Yes, let's go."
The two descended the steps to the rectangular courtyard. The walls were piled with practice dummies, dull swords, targets for arrows, and some boxes full of medical supplies if needed. Currently Burning Joe was spacing out the targets, quietly humming to himself. Burning Joe was Galen's shadow, always staying close to the man and helping in any work that needed to be done. He was an odd fellow, but many, many years in the Realm of Eternal Darkness would do that to anyone, Link presumed. He'd been a good help with the Rebellion, cementing his worth. It was especially helpful that he couldn't be burned by fire, a side-effect of burning for so long in the Realm.
"Alright, listen up!" Link shouted, getting everyone's attention as he walked by the group of recruits to stand in the front. "Form ranks, we're going to go through some very basic sword techniques here." As they all stumbled around trying to form even lines with Galen griping at them, Link continued, "Believe it or not these could save your life if you were thrust into battle tomorrow. You-" he pointed at one young man in the back who was fiddling with a bow and arrow "-please put that down or you'll shoot yourself in the foot. We'll get to archery tomorrow. Does anyone have any questions before we start?"
"My lord," one redheaded woman asked, "is it true Mordecai cut out one of your eyes?"
Link sighed, pacing back and forth in front of the group. There were always questions like this each year. "That is not true, I have two eyes. Any other questions?"
A squat man asked, "You said we'll learn some moves to save our lives if we were in battle tomorrow. But, honestly, my lord, is that a possibility? Does Hyrule have any more enemies?"
"The reason Mordecai took over was because, in part, Hyrule's army was not prepared for all-out war," Link replied. "At that time, we didn't think we had enemies, either."
"Not meaning to sound rude," another man said, his tone suggesting otherwise, "but it's been a long time since Hyrule was won back. Aren't you a little . . . out of practice to be teaching us?"
Link stopped his pacing as a couple of gasps sounded. He looked over his shoulder at where the voice came from, a stocky teenager with a smirk. He looked over at Galen who met his gaze, seeming to wonder what his response would be, before realization crossed his features and he shook his head. But it was too late; Link had made up his mind.
The Hero smiled, motioning at the young man. "Let's find out, shall we? Pick up your sword and come here. If you can get a hit on me, then obviously I must be 'out of practice.'"
The new recruit in question sauntered over, grinning at some of the ladies watching. He held up his sword. "My father has been teaching me ever since I was strong enough to lift a blade. So I may be more than you are used to."
Link pulled the Master Sword from its sheath on his back, the sunlight shining off the blade. "Alright, then, you can strike first."
The soldier wasted no time, going for Link's blind side in a strike at his middle. It was obvious, predictable. Everyone went for his blind side first. The Hero spun on the balls of his feet, avoiding the strike and coming around to kick the recruit roughly in the back, sending him to the ground. Laughter sounded from the crowd.
The young man gritted his teeth and came again with an overhead swing. Link spun his Master Sword around, the blade interlocking with the hilt of the other sword and ripping it free from its owner's hand.
Applause came from the other new soldiers, entertained by the show. The young man, sizing Link up, asked, "What about without your sword?"
The Hero shrugged, dropping the Master Sword to the ground. Then he took one step forward, shoving his palms in a lightning strike into his opponent's diaphragm, effectively knocking the wind out of him. Then he hooked one leg behind one of the soldier's, grabbed one arm securely, and dropped his center of gravity before bending over, flipping the soldier over his leg and to the ground with a loud thud. He didn't get up, coughing and holding his stomach.
Link glanced over at the rest of the new recruits. "Anyone else want to try? Be brave, I can take multiple at once."
"This isn't how we train-" Galen began before giving up as five of the soldiers decided to try. He shook his head. "Fine, fine. Have your fun."
The five had their swords out, but Link didn't bother picking up his own blade. Two strikes came at once from opposite sides. He sensed a stab coming at his back and side-stepped, pushing the third attacker forward into the other two blades, causing all three of them to get tangled and fall to the ground. The swords were blunted, of course, but he was sure a deep bruise was left. A fourth recruit jumped at him, planning on tackling him to the ground. Link leaned his torso back and out of the way but kept one leg forward, lifting it to trip the soldier and cause him to face-plant into the grass. Immediately the fifth and final attacker swung his sword in an upward strike with a shout. Link turned his body sideways, the blade missing him by an inch, before shoving his palm out into the soldier's forehead, instantly knocking him unconscious as he crumbled to the ground.
Link glanced at the five fallen bodies around him before bending down and picking up his sword, sheathing it. "Well, there you go. You all need much more practice." As Galen motioned him over to the side in irritation he spared one glance at the rest of the shocked new recruits before heading to his friend.
"What?" the Hero asked.
"We talked about this!" Galen snapped in a hushed tone. "You can't just go beating up our soldiers!"
"It was for training," Link protested. "You spar with them all the time!"
"When I'm sparring I don't willingly hurt them," the other said. "Can't you see what you did? One is unconscious, two have broken wrists, and another lost a tooth! Link . . ." he sighed, composing himself. "Link, you are too rough. I've told you that before."
The Hero remembered, glancing to the side. Galen had actually complained to him multiple times before. It wasn't just new recruits, Link would even send seasoned soldiers into the medical wing after sparring. He wasn't sure why. He honestly didn't even think about it when he was fighting. Everything just flowed so naturally.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I just don't . . . I don't realize it."
Galen looked at him sympathetically. "Friend to friend, Link, I have to be honest with you. Not everyone was raised by a maniac dictator that delighted in torturing them. Sometimes I think you can't separate the training you received from the training you should be giving. I think you have a hard time separating battle from practice. Because for you, growing up, there was no difference." He glanced over at the other soldiers mingling about, one still playing with the bow and arrow. "I don't need your help here today."
"Galen-"
"Go back inside the castle. I'd like you to still help me train the older soldiers tomorrow but not the new ones. Not anymore."
Link was stunned. But he just nodded and was about to leave when he heard his wife say his name. He turned as she strode past the soldiers, saying, "Do you have a moment? I need to talk to you." Just then the recruit that was playing with the bow and arrow accidentally let it loose. It sailed through the air towards Zelda. Without looking, she reached up and grabbed the shaft, stopping it instantly. Gasps sounded as the recruits stared at what could have been a disaster, the young man in question hastily dropping the bow. "I'll only keep him for a few minutes, Galen," Zelda continued, not breaking her focus.
Galen grinned, amused. "It's no problem, he's taking the rest of the day off anyway."
"Great, thank you." She then dropped the arrow to the ground, looking over at the man who shot it. "You need to be more careful, you could kill somebody." Then she and Link headed off the courtyard.
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Zelda led Link back to the library where Impa was waiting, standing and looking out the window. "I was able to find the language!" the Queen said in a hushed tone, heading towards the table she'd been working at. "It's old, very old. It used to be used by a cult that worshipped black magic three hundred years ago. Although their numbers weren't known for certain, they were a very small group. They used this language for their spells and to communicate secret messages."
Link stared at her in concern as they stopped by the table. "Were you able to translate it?"
"It's . . . difficult. But with Impa's help I got the first line finished. And . . ." she paused, worry crossing her features. "I wanted to show you what it said."
Link turned to the parchment on the table and saw beside the first line Zelda had written the translation. He read it aloud. "The innocent six will die at night." His brow furrowed as he looked back at her. "Do you think this . . . cult was trying to convey a message through you? Or have you cast a spell?"
"That's just it," she replied, "they were killed off only sixty years after they began. The king of Hyrule saw them as a threat and the Hylian army wiped them out. There's been no evidence to hint at any of them surviving or that their ideologies carried on."
"The voice that spoke through you said 'free me' . . . how is that related to the cult?"
Impa turned, saying, "Perhaps further translation will reveal more answers. But for now, Zelda, you are nearly late to your conference."
The Queen frowned. "But this is more important."
"The needs of your people are important, too. You are their only advocate able to make change. The individual mayors of each city have come to meet with you, it's important you oversee that peace is being carried out."
Zelda sighed, clearly frustrated. "Can't Link meet with them? He's my husband, after all." This triggered a worried look from Link.
Impa shook her head. "You are of the royal bloodline, he is not. Besides, this conference was your idea in the first place to make sure all of Hyrule's needs are being met."
Zelda pushed away from the table, and as she quickly walked out of the library she said over her shoulder, "I know, I know. I just don't want to waste time."
Link stared after her, feeling her irritation through their bond. Then he picked up the parchment, tucking it in the book his wife was working from. "I'll bring this up to our room, it'll be better for her to work in privacy."
Nodding, Impa replied, "This could potentially be a very dangerous situation. Let me know if there are any new developments."
Link ran the book up to their room and couldn't help but check around, seeing if there was any evidence of someone having been there before. But it looked just as they had left it. Without needing to do any recruit training today he took his horse Epona out for a ride around the castle grounds, happy to get his mind off things. Zelda's meeting was running long, so he brought his own dinner up to their room to eat and read in silence, his feet propped up on a low table.
It was just as the sun had sunk to the horizon that Zelda came in, relief flooding through their bond that the conference was over.
"How was it?" Link asked, sitting up.
"Productive," she replied, taking off her gold jewelry and boots. "Everything seems to be going well. Two cities need more trade so we reworked the routes to include them. Another had some new laws that needed to be signed to allow free medical care to those still suffering from wounds or diseases inflicted by Mordecai's rule. And another needs supplies for a new road system. Those were the big decisions, at least."
"Did you get dinner?"
"It was brought to us, thankfully," she responded. "I was getting very hungry."
He gestured to the translation book sitting on her desk. "I brought that here for you so you can work without others bothering. I can help, too, if you need me."
"Thanks, we'll have to start again tomorrow. I have mediation to do before bed." She wriggled free of her royal dress, glad to relax in loose pants and a gray shirt. The material may have been too thin for this time of year, but it felt good to have the weight of the dress and jewelry off. "Impa suggested I mediate with my Triforce to build up protective walls around me. Just in case I truly was being possessed."
Link nodded. "Take your time." He glanced out their balcony windows, darkness now descending over the sky. "I'll have a look around the halls, just to be sure we're safe."
She smiled as she sat on the bed, crossing her legs and closing her eyes. "I love you, Link."
He grinned. "I love you, too, Zel." As her Triforce piece lit up and she sank into meditation, he secured a dagger to his belt and stepped outside their room, closing the door behind him.
The hallway was dark, the only light coming from sconces spread out on the stone walls. He could smell the oil burning in them. He started to walk down the hall, glancing out windows as he passed. Outside the guards were changing shifts on the battlements, but otherwise the castle had settled down to sleep. He went around a corner, looking down another long and dark hallway. He paused, listening, but there was no sound. Everything seemed safe.
He was just about to turn and head back when he saw a flash of movement in the far corner. Link paused, frowning. Then he drew his dagger and silently raced down the corridor. Sliding up next to the corner he then glanced around it, ready to pounce on whoever was hiding. But it was empty.
Confused, he squinted down the dark hall. Surely if someone had been here they couldn't have gotten far. He should be able to see them. He took a step forward, debating on whether or not to pursue what may have just been a flicker of torchlight. He glanced behind him and saw the same flicker of movement around the corner he'd originally come from. Link's heart lurched, his whole body jumping in reaction. How had this intruder gotten behind him?
Link ran back down the hall, not caring if he made noise this time. He skidded around the corner and held out his dagger . . . but it was empty. No noise was to be heard except for his own breathing. He looked all around, but didn't see any more movement.
Suddenly a burst of fear came from Zelda and she shouted his name through their bond. He took off running, going halfway down the corridor to their room. He reached for the door just as it flew open, Zelda in the threshold. She was bleeding from five scratches down the side of her face.
Link swore, grabbing her shoulder. "Zelda, what happened?!"
She had a wet rag in one hand and she held it up to her wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. "I don't know! I was meditating and I felt pain across my face. But no one was there!"
"There was someone," Link stated, glancing back and forth down the hall. "I swear someone was running through the halls but I never got a good look at them. They were completely silent. I've never seen anything like it."
Panic had started to set in on both of them, and they were easily able to feel it pounding from one another. They glanced all around them, preparing for any sort of attack. They were so tense that when two soldiers came jogging up to them, their armor clanging, that they both let out surprised cries.
"My lady! My lord!" one soldier panted, coming to a stop in front of them. "I'm so sorry to come at this hour but . . . someone has been murdered in the city."
"Murdered?!" Zelda exclaimed, stepping forward, still clutching the rag to her face. "Where? Who?"
"His body was found in the middle of the street with a slit throat," the soldier answered. "My Queen . . . it's a child."
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Reviews are appreciated! And have a happy Halloween! The next chapter will be out in two weeks.