Three days passed Since I last spotted the small green hero in Hyrule. Since then there have been talk and whispers of war. The reason the guards were so jumpy that day was because the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, was in the castle. No wonder the man had such an intimidating presence.
It was much harder to find a meal now with the heightened security and all the towns people being all paranoid. My stomach ached as I walked the back streets. A dark purple Poe keeping me company as I dug through trash cans. They never spoke to me, or tried to harm me. They were just alway there in the corner of my eyes. Whenever I tried to look at one directly they would let out a high pitched giggle and disappear. I took it as their way of playing, or maybe they were just shy.
This one didn't shy away and was actually curious as to what I was doing. It would hover above the can I was digging in and shine it's lantern onto the garbage. They say the lanterns they carry house the souls of poe's, but I haven't been able to see them.
I managed to find some chicken bones with bits of meat left on, and some stale bread. I hated that I was reduced to this way of living, but no one would accept what little money I had. Always claiming that it was cursed money. Foolish superstitious people! They feared me when I gave them no reason to.
I slumped down against the bricked wall and stared at the Poe while I nibbled on the bone. It just floated there before me. It's glowing yellow eyes staring right back at me. I never met such a bold Poe before and wondered where it came from. The only graves in this area were at the temple of time. Not many Poes hung around there either. When I didn't break eye contact from it after a few moment it began to giggle and bob up and down in the air. Was it happy?
"What are you so happy about?"
It did a twirl and vanished when I spoke to it. I sighed and tossed the bone back into the trash bin. I wanted to leave this dreadfully bright kingdom, but I didn't know the world outside these walls. I had no where else to go. I was hoping I could have left with the boy named Link. from the story told by the princess it sounded like he left out on a grand quest.
I used my large walking stick to help myself up. My joints popping as I stood. For being so young still I sounded so old. I frowned at the thought as I slowly made my way to the main square. I expected to see people bustling about, the overly attached couple dancing by the fountain, and stay mutts running a muck everywhere. The scene before me was not a happy one though. People were scream and running around with their arms flailing above their heads. The once sad and miserable souls were now sparking in panic within their chests. Fire erupted on top of buildings, and spread easily from roof top to a neighboring roof. My eyes were wide in disbelief but fixated on all the suffering I saw in their souls. The chaos was almost intoxicating as people shoved past me to flee the kingdom. Was the Poe trying to tell me about this? He seemed so happy and calm. They were creatures born from souls filled with hate. Of course a monster like it would be drawn to this madness. I could find its appeal though. Watching the people who cause me such grief running away with pure fear in their eyes was almost a dream come true.
Guards with the royal symbol on their armor came running from the palace. Their souls just as panicked as the Towns people. They were shouting at people to evacuate outside the walls and to flee. Some were trampled under the sheer force of the mad mob. Others were suddenly attacked by a force from the roofs above. Women with hair as red as the Gerudo man I met only days ago were jumping down and slaying anyone they saw. Their dark mocha skin clashed with the flawless white and pure Hylian's who fell at their feet. Their targets were Men, women, and children. I had never seen a person killed before my eyes. Blood and carnage was left in the paths of these fierce women. All I could do was shake in the spot I was rooted to in fear. Would I die here before I even knew my name? My reason for being alive? As much as I reveled in the chaos before me, I was still but a small child among a massacre.
I was knocked down by a man as he ran for the front gate, my knees colliding with the hard road below me. I could hear the echoing sounds of approaching hooves.
A loud neighing from a house caused me to look up from my bruised knees. If I could see my own soul I'm sure it would of been snuffed out from just the presence of the man riding a top a large black horse. There he was with with that smirk again. The flames that were spreading around him gave him a hellish halo of light. His Amber eyes intensified by the burning kingdom. His soul no longer lashing out, but now a calm burning black flame. Something about his soul wasn't normal though. There was something buried deep inside that demanded respect and held great power. The longer I stared up at him the more his soul opened up to me. I could see two Beady eyes. Eyes of a beast! I screamed out and threw my hands up to shield my eyes from his grisly soul. I didn't want to see anymore!
He gave a breathy chuckle at my pathetic display. His smile only widening. He enjoyed my fear more then the people dying around him. It was because he knew I saw inside of him. He let me see what lurked within his soul.
"You will live."
It seemed more like a command then a statement. I stayed curled up on the ground until he rode away. His horse taking him outside the castle walls. The glimpse of a small figure wearing purple and white riding behind him in the saddle confirmed my fears. This man had dark schemes indeed, and I feared the little hero stood no chance against that man.
I crawled into my box while the screaming in the streets slowly died out. Only the roar of a burning kingdom could be heard. I tucked my sore knees into my chest and cried. I didn't cry for the dead, they were dead. I cried for the boy with a brave soul who would fight such a man. I cried for the souls that wouldn't leave these castle walls, I cried because I was alone again.
I ventured out of my sanctuary When the fires finally put themselves out and when I could no longer cry. The sky was dark. The once bright and cheerful market was silent and still. Bodies of the dead littered the ground. I had to cover my nose to keep myself from choking on ash and smoke. That wasn't what suffocated me the most though. No. It was the air thick with all the suffering and hate. These people died horribly while still bitter. Their souls were gathering around me, screaming for revenge. Their voices in my head growing louder and louder! I fell to my already sore knees and clutch at my head. Why couldn't they just be silent! Their pain was nothing compared to mine! They deserved their fate!
A sharp pain split through my forehead. It felt like my skin was ripping! I screamed and stood on my wobbly thin legs. What was happening?! Through watery slitted eyes I could make out small lights coming from the temple of time. I staggered toward it, hoping someone was still alive to help me. That is if they would.
The pain only grew the closer I came to the temple. It seemed as if the attack left this building untouched. No damage or fires. The small lights grew in size and in number. They lead me to the graveyard at the back of the building. When I hoped for people, I was given Poes! My curse was mocking me again! They floated about giggling and twirling! They loved the death and destruction. I screamed at them and swung my arms at their ghostly bodies like a crazed welled up and spilled over my lashes. I was tired of being shunned by the living and mocked by the dead! The truth of my pathetic existence was that I had no purpose! The pain in my forehead was now too much and I collapsed to the ground and passed out. The Poes giggled at me as they danced around my crumpled body.
When I awoke I was inside a dimly lit room. My head spun, and my body ached. My eyes fluttered open slowly, still tender from crying so much.
"Don't push yourself just yet."
The voice belonged to a female. It was deep though and held authority. I blinked and felt something soft underneath me. A bed! A real bed! I forgot the pain for a moment and sighed deeply into the plush pillow. I smothered my face into it and smiled.
"Ow!"
The pressure I put on my forehead caused pain to shoot through my skull. My fingers felt the skin, but I didn't feel anything abnormal.
"You won't feel it right now"
What did she me by that? Was their something on my face I couldn't feel? I slowly sat up in the bed and tried to look around the dark room. It didn't seem like I was in Hyrule anymore. I licked my dry lips and prepared myself to talk to an actual person. My tongue felt heavy as I tried to form words.
"Where...am I?"
I saw a shadow move just out of sight. The torch giving just enough light, but shielding the person in a cloak of darkness.
"Somewhere safe. At least for now."
Not really the answer I was hoping for. I tried to peer into this persons soul but even that seemed to be shrouded in darkness. A thick purple-black veil wrapped around a small dim orb of light.
"I didn't give you permission to peer into my soul"
My eyes widened in shock. How did she know I was trying to look? The longer I spent with this mystery woman the more questions I had!
"Who are you?"
My eyes squinted trying to cut through the shadow. I felt uneasy about being seen yet unable to see. For the first time since I could remember I felt truly blind.
"I am Impa, Zelda's personal protector."
Oh so she was the guard who escorted the young boy out.
A bunch of good you did though! The Gerudo King waltzed right into the palace and scooped her up. The beast inside his soul probably devoured her and her fluffy soul by now.
I let my head slump down and stared at my long thin fingers. My skin had always been deathly pale, my finger tips black from years of digging through trash. Zelda's skin must of been so soft and clean. Her nails trimmed perfectly. Why would the princesse's bodyguard save me while the Evil King had Zelda?
I could feel the older woman's eyes scope every angle of me. It felt like she was pacing around me like a wolf circling its prey.
"A long time ago..."
Her voice seemed to be the shadow it self as I felt her soul make another lap around the room. It no longer held the strict tone, but more of a motherly voice.
"There was a man in this very village who had an eye they said could see truth..."
I didn't know what she was going on about? A man with an eye who could see truth? Truth about what? Her presence stopped moving. Her shadowy figure lingering in the thin shadow where light and dark met. I could make out two red orbs burning in the inky blackness.
"Usually you have to train your mind's eye most strenuously to actually see the truth..."
My forehead prickled and a warmth spread through my skull. Was she talking about my ability to see the dead and inside ones soul? Why would anyone want to train for this curse? It has brought me nothing but grief!
"...but this man, no, he had a different way of doing things...his house stood where the well is now..."
I didn't know what this woman was talking about. Wells, eyes, truth? What did any of this have to do with me? I was just some child from the streets. Her figure hidden by shadow slowly stepped forward letting the light revel her fully. I didn't get the chance to see her while in the castle. Her posture was straight and imposing. Her ruby red eyes gleaming down at me with a calculating stare. Pure white hair pulled back into a tight pony tail. She defiantly looked the part of one who would be responsible for the royal families protection.
"I don't...I don't understand!"
Tears threatened to leak from my eyes once more. My dirty hands shook as they gripped the clean white blankets.
"You are the eye of truth incarnate...the Sheikah have waited years for another to appear."
I sniffled and gave Impa a crazed look. How could I be this eye of truth?
"You see things that normal people Cannot. You can see the true nature of this world."
My mouth failed to find the words I wanted to speak. My lips pursed closed into a thin line. Could this be my purpose? To be this Eye of Truth? My eyes shot open in realization when I thought back to what she said.
"The man you spoke of! Was he my father? Is he alive? Where is he now?!"
My heart hammered behind my ribs. The thought of being reunited with someone who knew me was almost too much for my small body to contain. Impa just closed her eyes and shook her head.
"He passed away long before you were born"
My shoulders slumped down, the little hope I had burning was blown out in an instant.
"Do you have a name, child?"
I couldn't help but cower back at her question. No one had asked me that since the Hylian woman found me. She was probably dead, and piled with the rest of the corpses now.
"I have no name, people would call me Poe girl or She-Devil"
Impa gave a short hum in response her eyes boring into mine. I could feel something icy worm its way through my chest then back out.
"...Sheikinah.."
Did she just peer into my soul? Did she have the same ability? I placed my hand over my chest and smiled. Did this mean I truly had a soul?
"It means Goddess's Holy Spirit. A name that is sacred to my people."
My cold body felt warm all over as the name fell from her lips. Someone called me! Someone gave me a name! Sheikinah...it was rough to pronounce in my mind. So I repeated it over and over till It seemed natural. A small smile cracked my dry lips, but I didn't care. I was now someone with a name! A soul with a name!
"You were peering into my soul too right?"
Funny how she would deny me the right to see hers, but casually looked into mine. I didn't mind that. I wanted to know what she saw! Was it a beautiful shade of black? Did it glow?
"I apologize, I didn't-"
"What did it look like! Please tell me! I can't see my own soul!"
Impa seemed shocked by what I said. could she see her own soul? She avoided my eager gaze and narrowed her eyes in thought. Why was she hesitating? Was it so amazing that she had to find the words to describe it?
"I will tell you that another day, for now rest. I have to retrieve Zelda from that retched man. Stay here, and don't let anyone inside."
Her harsh commanding voice had returned leaving me gapping like a fish. I wanted answers! Not orders! She didn't give me time to protest as she raised her hand and threw something down onto the ground. A sharp pop erupted from the contact and a blinding light seared my eyes from being in the dark for so long.
When I could finally see again the woman was gone and I was alone once more. I hated being alone. Then silence was almost deafening. Not even the company of a happy Poe to warm me with its lanterns glow.