Chapter 4

Link sat at the steps of Hyrule Castle, feeling alone inside. He had failed his wife. He told her he would bring their son back and he had watched him fall down the deep hole to Lake Hyrule. And there was nothing he could do about it.

He is gone. Dead. My son…

Link was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't hear Zelda until she was screaming for him. "LINK!!!" He snapped to, and looked up at her.

"Yes, Queen?" He looked bad down at the ground.

" We have trouble in Lake Hyrule," Link flinched at that sound of that name but Zelda ignored him. "Someone found a Zora dead with its neck broken. A child, by their standards."

"What about it?" Link asked, clearly not interested.

Well, the person who told everyone was your son. He threw the body into the lake and let it sink, then he left."

Link looked up at Zelda and saw tears forming at her eyes.

"You mean…?"

Zelda nodded, "Jacob is killing kids Link. Madam Fanadi was also found dead in her shop. She had a sword run through her twice. Once in the chest, the next in her head. He is going too far Link."

Link jumped up and faced Zelda. "He is alive. I can bring him back, make him stop what he is doing. I know I can."

"And how many more people will he kill before you can get to him, Link? 10? 20? All of Hyrule? Link, he needs to be stopped."

"I know. But I can't kill my own son. I can't."

Zelda's expression softened and she pulled Link into a hug. "I know Link. But we must do what has to be done for Hyrule. Jacob has gone bad. I will let you choose. You can go home to your family and let us deal with him. Or me and you will look for him and try to make him change his ways. I have heard that he is heading for Kakariko Village."

Link looked into her eyes, the decision clear on his face. "We better get packing then."

***

Jacob rode the horse hard. He had blacked out again after he fell into the giant hole and came to on land, standing at a bank. Something was inside him, using him. Maybe it was the sickness inside him that the Fairy told him about. He needed to find the Temple of Time and get whatever was inside that would help him.

He arrived at Kakariko Village just as the sun was setting, got himself a black cape that would shadow him from his enemies, and managed to get a room in their hotel. Laying down on the bed, he stayed awake for some time, thinking. So much had happened recently. He felt physically and emotionally tired. Tomorrow, he would search for the key that would make him better. Tomorrow…

Came early for him. Before he knew it, the sun was in his face, lighting up him and the whole room. Jacob grunted. Time to start. He got out of bed, dressed in his cape, and went into the diner where dinner was being served. He ordered eggs and sat at his table. The eggs came and he managed to eat everything without causing trouble. He left a tip and walked out of the diner into the bright sun. Squinting, he headed in the direction of the graveyard, feeling drawn there.

***

The shaman Renado sat in his hut, eating his plate and looking out the window. What a beautiful day. he thought as she starred at the many people walking the streets. But as beautiful as the day was, though, something hung on the horizon. Something evil had crept its way into Hyrule, and it was affecting everyone. Even Renado, who was rarely affected by anything bad, could feel the coldness on this hot day.

But Renado shrugged it off for another day. At least, until he looked back out his window and noticed the young man walking towards the graveyard. The very way he walked told the shaman that the evil that he could feel in the air was either coming from this man or that he was affected badly by it.

Picking his staff up, he walked out his door and followed the young man, determined to find out what was the cause of all this.

***

Link and Zelda rode fast. Zelda told Link of how she felt that something bad was about to happen. So they rode hard and fast, making sure to lose no time in getting to Kakariko Village.

Once in the village, Link noticed Renado leaving his hut and walking towards the graveyard pretty fast. Zelda had gone one way, so Link decided to go talk to Renado to see if he had seen Jacob.

Link walked into the graveyard. Seeing Renado, he shouted out to him.

"Renado!" the old man turned around. Link started towards him, then stopped as he saw a figure rise up behind Renado.

"RENADO!!!" Link screamed. Renado turned around and noticed the figure behind him. In the figures hand was a knife, and it rose up to the heavens, and soared down into Renado's head, killing him instantly.

"No!!!" Link screamed, drew his sword, and charged his opponent.

***

Jacob first felt the man behind him when he past the house. He felt eyes lay on him and stay on him as he walked past, then he felt the man start following him. I'll teach him not to mess with me. Jacob continued walking until he made it into the graveyard, where he hid behind a tombstone and waited for the man to find him. To his surprise, the man stopped at the entrance and looked around, confused. He started back up walking.

Just before he got behind the tombstone where Jacob lay hidden, a voice rang through the air.

"Renado!"

The old man had turned and Jacob felt himself come close to blacking out again, but he kept himself awake enough to see what his body did.

He drew his knife from its sheath, rose up from his hiding place, and stepped behind the old man. At the entrance of the graveyard, a lone figure stood. The figure saw Jacob and screamed at the old man called Renado. Renado turned towards Jacob and he saw his hand with the knife raise up towards the sky.

"Foolish shaman. I cannot die." he heard himself say. The knife then came screaming down into the old mans head. He died instantly and fell to the ground. Inside himself, Jacob screamed at the murder he had committed.

And then Jacob gained full control of his body. He saw that the figure was none other than his father, and that he was charging Jacob with his sword drawn. Fearing for his life, Jacob quickly unsheathed the Ordon sword at his waist and met his fathers charge head on. Swords clashing, father and son fought to the death.

***

Link saw Jacob draw his sword in fear and met his charge head on. Link was surprised by how much power was behind Jacob's attacks and realized that whatever was inside his son was aiding Jacob in his fighting skills. They fought to the end of the graveyard, where Jacob stopped giving ground and began truly fighting back. But as many times as Jacob tried to kill him, Link couldn't find the strength to strike his own son down, and that was his downfall in this battle.

Jacob attempted to cut his head off but Link stopped the blow, and there they stood. Father and son. Both starred each other in the eye, but neither was willing to let go from the struggle. Link saw Jacob's eyes move for just a second, spotting something. He used this to his advantage, shoving the Ordon blade aside, and throwing a thrust in his sons direction. He pulled back, afraid to actually kill Jacob.

But Jacob had anticipated it, and rolled out of the way, behind Link. Instead of killing his father though, he dove into the crawlspace that lead to the late King Zora's grave. Link took off after him, and when he got out of the crawl space, his son was at the grave, starring into it.

"Jacob…" Link started.

"Shhh." he closed his eyes and started to light up. Seconds later, the light dimmed and Jacob was dressed in the Zora's Tunic. Turning towards his father, Jacob smiled and said, "See you later father. I got a date with the sky." And with that, he jumped into the water, swimming into a waterway that also led to Lake Hyrule.

"Not this time." Link growled and jumped into the water, chasing his son into the dark.

***

Ganon stood on his cliff, starring down in the water and watching his puppet. What he saw surprised him very much. It seems that the boy truly been infected with some evil. This may prove to be a threat later on.

Ganon shook his head. He would deal with it later. So, he continued to marveled at the boys capabilities. It seemed he could take his father head on in battle. But it wasn't much to Ganon. He could tell The Hero was holding back on his skill, afraid to kill his son.

While their swords were locked, Ganon sent a message to the boy. Use the crawlspace, get the Zora's Tunic, and go through the underground waterway. It's the only way.

It seemed the boy was good at listening, because he did exactly that. To Ganon's surprise, however, the Hero followed after him.

This is going to be interesting.

***

Link surfaced from the water, coughing and trying to get his breath. In the distance, he saw Jacob dressed back in the green tunic, standing in front of the entrance to the Spirit spring with his sword drawn. This has gone to far. Link thought as he swam to land. I must end this.

On land, Link walked over to his son. They stood there, swords drawn, waiting for the other to move. Jacob smiled, and threw himself at his father, swinging the sword in an arc that should've killed Link had he not back flipped out of the way. But Jacob knew again what would happen and by the time Link straightened himself up, Jacob was right in front of him.

Link felt an elbow slam into his face and he reared back from the pain, his vision hazy from the blow. By the time it cleared, Link saw his son running up the hill. Why does he always run? Link thought as he took off after him. When he caught up with Jacob, he was standing in front of the giant cannon that led to the City in the Sky.

"Jacob. Stop, please. This has gone on long enough."

Jacob turned to Link and replied, "I am following my destiny father. Is that so much to ask?"

"You've killed innocent people, Jacob. One of them being my friend. That is too much to ask for."

A shadow passed by Jacob's eyes and for a second Link thought that he had transformed. But he stayed the same. "They should not have gotten in my way."

"Did the little kid get in your way?" Link asked.

A look of confusion came on Jacob's face as Link told him the truth. But he refused to believe it. "Liar! I am sick of your lies!" he turned to the cannon and lifted his hand.

Link saw a Clawshot in his hand and immediately checked his pocket. He had only one Clawshot in there. Link's head shot up and he screamed out, "Stop!!" as Jacob fired into the cannon and was pulled in. Link started sprinting and watched his son get shot into the sky. Pulling out his remaining Clawshot, he fired into the cannon also and felt himself get shot into the sky, following his son into the heavens.

***

Jacob landed in the city and immediately took off running. He knew his father would be right behind him and he was going to take no chances in staying to wait for him. He knew he got lucky in their last fight because his father had been going easy on him the whole time.

He heard his father land and the footsteps that followed told Jacob that he was close behind. Entering the city, Jacob continued to head towards the tallest tower in the city. He met many obstacles, but defeated them all. They had, however, given Link time to catch up with Jacob, so by the time Jacob got to the top, Link was less than a minute behind him.

Time to end this here.

***

Link climbed the vine and pulled himself up onto the platform. Here was where he fought the dragon and had won. But he never dreamed he would have to kill his son at the top of the world. And there his son stood, at the center. Link walked up next to him and stood there, marveling at the sight.

"It's not too late to come home, Jacob. Queen Zelda has offered to let your sentence go off light if you give up."

Jacob chuckled. "I cannot give up father. There is something inside of me. Something… Violent. I must kill it and the Fairy told me how."

"And how is that?"

"I must take control of my own destiny and make my choice. In the Temple of Time, I will be able to make that choice."

Link sighed. "I can't let you go to the Temple. It would be too much for you."

Jacob smiled. "She told me you would say that. And she told me what I must do when you say that." he drew the Ordon sword and walked to in front of Link, facing him.

"Please Jacob. I don't want to kill you. You're my son." Link begged.

Jacob stood there, sword still drawn. "Face me father. If it is not my destiny to go to the Temple, then you must kill me here. Otherwise, fight me or let me go."

Link let another sigh escape him. "If I must." he drew his own sword and readied himself to fight.

Jacob smiled. "Don't go easy on me." and threw himself forward into his father.

And the battle was on.

***

Ganon watched the battle with excitement. He knew the Hero wasn't going easy on his son, but the boy kept pace with the Hero. He even, Ganon thought, made the Hero fight harder just to keep his son from striking him down. The boy would be perfect for him. But Link was beginning to be a nuisance to Ganon. If he didn't die before Ganon's plan came into effect, then he would have the honor of killing the Hero himself and ending this long war once and for all.

All in good time though. My time will come soon.

***

"And then the man just jumped into the cannon and it shot him into the sky too. I always told the boy who came to me with the parts long ago that the cannon had powerful springs in it. It shots you into the heavens."

Zelda just kept on nodding and starring up in the direction where the cannon pointed. She knew Link had found Jacob and continued following him. They had found Renado dead in the graveyard, a knife sticking out of one of his eyes.

Zelda shuddered at the memory. It was almost too much to bear when she saw it. Renado was a good man. He did not deserve to go that way. At least he will receive a proper burial.

She secretly hoped that Link would do what was needed to be done. He was the only one now who could stop Jacob, even if he didn't want to admit it. But she doubted Link's ability to do what was needed in this time of crisis.

If it comes down to it, I will do what must be done. I love Link and do not want to hurt him, but I must put my kingdom first. And that means killing Jacob if necessary.

***

Link was beginning to feel exhausted. The strength of Jacob's strikes, combined with no sleep and strong gusts of wind hitting them both were taking a toll on him. He was beginning to doubt if he could keep pace with his own son.

Then something happened. Link slipped and fell to the ground. Jacob smiled in triumph and raised his sword to deliver the final kill. Then, the strongest wind ever hit Jacob and sent him flying to the other side of the platform. Link jumped up and pulled out his bow. He placed an arrow in the quiver and saw that Jacob had already done the same.

He has gotten faster. This may be tougher then I thought.

There, they kept each other in their sights, neither letting go off the arrow that could deal the final blow.

It was Jacob who made the first move. He fired his arrow and it barely skimmed Link. Then Link let his arrow fly true and it connected with Jacobs shoulder. Jacob looked down at his side, back at Link, then back at his side.

Finally looking back up at Link, he said, "I can't believe it. I guess it's not my destiny to go to the Temple." And with that, he let himself fall off the platform, into the sky.

Link didn't try to stop him. He knew it would come to this. His son had changed for the worst. There was no saving him.

"I guess you already made your choice Jacob," Link told no one in particular, "You chose to let yourself change into something you're not. I just hope that I never have to do this again with your brother and sister."

And with that, Link went back to the cannon, shot himself into Lake Hyrule, and was reunited with Zelda.

"Link!" she cried out and pulled him into a hug. "Where's Jacob?"

"Dead," Link told her. "I managed to shot him with an arrow and he fell from the city. No one could survive that fall."

"Oh." Zelda said. "I'm sorry."

Link shrugged. "It's over now. I'm returning home to my family."

She nodded. "Bye Link."

***

King Ralis sat among his people, hearing of what news they have to bring. The most disturbing was of the dead Zora child found in Lake Hyrule. His neck was broken and his parents were devastated by the incident. He wish he knew what to tell the sad parents, but there was nothing he could do.

When he stood to speak, someone shouted, "Look! A body falling from the sky!" King Ralis looked up and saw that a body was indeed falling. He started to notify the guards to move everyone, but something about the body caught his attention. It was slowing down.

The boy landed on his feet to where he actually stood on the water. His head down, he drew his sword and cut off the head of a Zora nearby.

Ralis felt fear hit him. "Kill him!!!" he shouted at his guards. They rushed the boy, but were killed themselves in no time. Then the boy started walking towards King Ralis. He fell onto his throne and watched in fear as the young man stopped in front of him.

He looked up and Ralis saw blood red eyes starring down at him. Ralis felt that death had finally come for him.

"Good-bye, King." the man whispered.

Here I come, mother. I can finally rejoin you and father. Ralis thought as the mans blade ran through his heart and the blade ran up through his head. The last thing he heard was the mans evil laughter…