Chapter 2: Light and Shadow
Link leveled the Master Sword against Ganon. He didn't have any potions left and his stamina was almost out. Ganon roared and charged. Link sidestepped and backed away, aiming to strike the Evil Beast's tail. Ganon turned and charged once more as Link slipped on one of the potholes that littered the battlefield. Link's sword skittered across the ground. His ankle gave a loud crack. Unable to stand, with his enemy bearing down on him Link closed his eyes. The blow he was expecting never came. Link peeked through his eyelids. Dark was standing in front of him holding back Ganon by the tusks.
"You know for some reason I thought you'd be more of a challenge." Dark said conversationally.
He shoved the Evil Beast back, then teleported to the Master Sword.
"Ooh shiny," He said mischievously, picking up the blade. He gave a soft cry of pain and bared his pointed teeth as the blade singed his hand.
"Sooie! Come on little piggy!" Dark taunted. Ganon focused on the shade. Dark charged forwards and jumped onto Ganon's snout, using it like a springboard to backflip over Ganon's weapons and land a couple of hits on Ganon's tail. With a roar of pain Ganon collapsed and the barrier dispelled; The battle was over.
Dark approached Link, the Master Sword still in hand. Link froze. Had Dark saved him just to kill Link himself?
"You really should be more careful." Dark said softly. He set the Blade of Evil's Bane in front of the injured Hero of Time. Dark backed away as Zelda rushed forward. Link pushed himself up to a sitting position and grabbed his sword. He didn't think he could use the blade to fight at his current level of strength, however.
'Link you did it! You beat Ganon and saved Hyrule." Zelda cheered. Link was hardly paying attention to the Princess as she rambled on. His eyes were focused on Dark, standing a few metres away and watching both Princess and Hero with wistful, crimson eyes.
"-We'll have to throw a party, of course. A party for the Hero of… Are you even listening to me, Link?" Zelda's voice cut through the spell Dark's eyes had cast on his Light counterpart.
"Sorry, Zelda. My mind was elsewhere." Link said, turning his gaze back to the Princess. Zelda turned to see what Link had been looking at.
"What is it still doing here? Isn't it one of Ganon's creations?" Zelda's words were not spoken quietly. Link saw the emotion in those crimson eyes turn from melancholy sadness to anger.
"He just saved my life, Zelda. As far as I'm concerned he can stand there and stare creepily at me all he wants. Though now that you mention it." Raising his voice a little Link called,"Hey, Dark! Wanna stop being creepy and actually hold a conversation?"
Dark's eyes widened at the use of his name. He took a few smell steps towards them, and, when none stopped him came and crouched by Link's right hand, carefully out of sword reach.
"Why did you save me?" Link asked. Dark looked distinctly uncomfortable. Then he scowled.
"I wasn't saving you."
"But-" Zelda tried to protest. Dark whirled on her.
"Him ultimately not dying was just a side effect! Ganon treated me like trash! I was made from your darkness, to be your opposite. When I failed to kill you in the Water Temple…" He trailed off, unconsciously rubbing his arm. Dark stood.
"I should go."
"Wait. Thank you." Link said. Dark gave him a two fingered salute and melted into shadows.
"They will do." A man said in a low voice from his point outside space and time. He fixed his gaze on the two parts of the Hero.
"May Fortune favor you, Heroes of the Ancients" The man held a small figurine on a chain.
"And may the power of the Talisman be yours." He dropped the Amulet, which flew through the fabric of the universe to land where it was needed. The man walked away, fading to nothing.
