Chapter 2:
-Sky-Tall Tower, the highest spire in the Palace of Winds-
(No one's PoV)
A short young man leans against the wall of his cell, a pair of thick metal shackles binding his wrists and ankles. A small, simple purple apprentice's cap with a silver crescent moon embroidered on it pokes out of one pocket, seeming to be too small for his head, and his clothes are that of a magic user, though a bit strange. His outfit is mainly dark purple in color, with puffy red shorts and red sandals that strap around his ankles. His belt is golden in color, with a buckle that looks a bit like an eye. A worn, ratty brown cloak hangs loosely off his narrow shoulders, its hood down. He pulls at the chains weighing him down but they don't budge, securely bolted to the floor via locked clasps.
The boy sighs to himself and leans against the wall again, his single visible ruby-red eye gazing forlornly at the plain stone ceiling. The red eyes aren't the only feature that sets this youth apart from ordinary Hylians, however, nor would they be the first thing one would notice. His skin is a pale shade of grayish purple, with long, straight lavender hair that sways slightly as if in a breeze even though he's indoors. Long bangs cover half of his face, while a dark purple tattoo is inscribed below his eye.
"What does that old fool want with me this time?" he mumbles. "First he kept me from going home, then tricked me, cursed me, and framed me... No one remembers my true history at all because of that pig. I'm just some evil villain who kidnaps pretty girls, apparently. Do they even believe in my people's existence any more...? Not that it matters," the boy says quietly with a bitter, self-mocking laugh. It's not like anyone is here to hear him, so he for once feels free to speak his true thoughts and feelings.
"Wasn't it enough to trick me into helping you the first time, and all the times afterward in which you tormented me? As humiliating as that was, I guess you still haven't become bored with me yet. So now you decide to abuse my powers again? I was wrong when I tried to steal the "light force." I was just as wrong the second time, when you cursed me into that disgusting form... You said if I cooperated, you would release me from that hideous shape, but you just used me as a distraction and meat shield. The third time, you controlled me directly. All I could do was watch from the back of my mind... The Goddesses alone know how I managed to keep hold of myself with you possessing me for so long." He takes a deep breath, pausing his heartfelt speech.
"When the heroes finally imprisoned us both again, it still wasn't enough for you. You escaped, and after a few years, I followed. I thought it would be safe for me. Safe as long as I didn't cause any trouble. I'm sick of all that anyway. You were gone... Hihihi, you just wanted me to think that. You were pulling the strings all along, as always. I went high into the mountains to wait until the year when I would finally be able to return to my people. As I sat there, the Links appeared, followed by Princess Zelda." His clenched fists shake violently as the youth gives up his decidedly weak attempt to retain what little composure he has left.
"You framed me! You sent out an exact copy of that disgusting freak to attack an innocent village so they would think I was causing havoc again, then made it look like I still had the cap, of all things! It's a surprise you even know about it. I don't want to think about how foolish I was back then, so why must you remind me of it while forcing me to do even worse things? The new set of heroes did not remember the past, they didn't know the truth. You made quite
certain of that. The only book in Hyrule that still contains my story belonged to the "Link" with good fashion sense, and it disappeared after he was gone. By command of the Princess, they imprisoned m-me... again..." He tries to blink back his tears, though there's no one to see them. A few escape regardless, rolling down his ashen, violet-tinted skin.
"And here you are, dangling false freedom in my face as always. Why do I always, always fall for it...? I should have stayed in the sword, where you can't touch me. The Goddesses gave me that small mercy, allowing the sacred qualities of their second holy blade to protect rather than destroy or kill me..."
The boy coughs quietly, continuing his quiet, lonely little speech. "Being sealed away is what brought my consciousness back after you lost control of me when the Mirror shattered. If it hadn't been for that, you would have won. I'd be the perfect tool for you, with no memory of who I really am left. When I finally tried to slip out again, thinking I was finally safe, you were waiting. I may have my mind to myself this time, but you've set your greedy eyes on my power instead. You intend to use it to strengthen yourself, to rival the sages. It will never work." A bitter smile twists his features while more tears escape those eerie red eyes, the hurt contained within them far too deep to ever fully express.
"You should know better by now. The Hero will always prevail. Or in our case, the four Heroes. I can feel them, faintly... The sword has been drawn once more. I won't let you defile my name any longer. Though you're trying to steal my power, I will in no way give it up without a fight. I don't care how strong you are, I'm not going to just sit here and let you use me again! I won't!"
Even as he says these brave words he bursts into tears, knowing full well that he can't fight forever. Already his strength is nearly gone, and he knows it. The false demon will soon control his powers and wield them against the Heroes, who would never once suspect that the true wielder of these powers is, and has always been, a victim.
"Oh, how I loathe you, Ganon... Curse you, you pig-faced, foul, black-hearted bastard..."
He knows his insults don't matter. Even if Ganon could hear him, he would only laugh. The Goddesses only know how many times various incarnations of the Princess Zelda must have called him such things. "I hope the Heroes finish you off for good this time. I know that isn't likely, as you bear the Force of Power, but..." He could always dream, right? He knows the Heroes could, would beat Ganondorf again; they always did.
"Please, Link... Would you save me, too?" he asks quietly, those pained ruby red eyes gazing uncertainly down at the cold stone floor beneath him. "Like you did, so long ago..."
Fresh tears stream down his face as he continues to speak, his small form trembling with the force of his emotions.
"I-I'm sorry, Link. I couldn't tell you. That I was still here... I didn't want you to worry about me. I should have shown myself to you, one last time. Maybe you could have stopped Ganon's plans..." the boy whimpers, guilt, loneliness and misery mixing freely in his shaky, choked-up voice.
He tries to touch something hidden beneath his shirt collar, straining against the chains holding him. He pulls harder against his restraints until they cut into his wrists, but still can't quite reach his goal. After a few stubborn moments more of trying, he gives up, sighing in defeat.
"Maybe they really will save me. Maybe they'll see past the illusion this time. Maybe... ...Yeah, right. The Goddesses hate me. The Princess hates me. The current Links so far have all hated me. Everyone hates me. It's a surprise the Four Sword protects me at all in the first place." A bitter laugh escapes his lips at this and he bows his head, the strain of his inner battle catching up to him. The boy's body trembles with exhaustion both mental and physical as he falls into a fitful, troubled sleep...
"Oh, little child of Wind... The burden you carry is heavy indeed. Your very life has been stolen from you, robbed from your time and homeland alike. On top of this, the evil king has done your heart much harm. I should have realized the Sword's protection alone would not be enough. The power you bear is too much of a temptation for that man."
A beautiful, ethereal woman gazes at the sleeping youth, kneeling down to place a cool hand on his forehead. It's hot to the touch, he clearly has a high fever. The woman's emerald green eyes are filled with warmth and compassion as she looks at the boy, her gaze kind, but not pitying or belittling in any way.
"But of course you would be a great prize in his eyes. You have been touched by all three of the relics that make up this land. Wisdom, then known to you as the "Light Force..." Courage, as the friend you so greatly miss aided you in returning to your senses... Power, through the possession of your body by that man... And yet you still live, and know yourself. You are not hated, little one. Though not Hylian, you are a child of the Forest by birth and of the Wind by nature. Why would I not care for one who is so clearly one of the children of "Courage?" Of course, I know you are likely to dismiss my words as a mere fever dream, but I hope they shall be a comfort to you nonetheless..."
She smiles gently and carefully slips something out of the tightly folded collar looping around the boy's neck, placing the small object in his hand, then stands up and disappears in a subtle swirl of light and wind. The unconscious youth instinctively relaxes when he feels the item's comforting weight in his grip, the strained look on his face melting away.
"Do not despair. I and my sisters can clearly sense that things shall be different this time... Vaati."
A/N- Hi there! Guess it's my turn for the A-Note, huh? This is Nira Rose, by the way. i-wish-799 is busy with school beginning where she lives, but for me it's still summer vacation. As she said before, we're very much enjoying creating this fanfic together, and grateful to all readers (please review, too!). I'm not sure what else to say, except for a sincere request for you guys and girls to review, so that's all for now... This might be updated with comments from i-wish-799 later, I guess. Bye!
