The sun shone clear through the cloudless skies over Lake Hylia, glinting on the metal bearings of the bridge to the lake's island altar, currently but a pillar above the dried basin. Sheik paced atop the island, the bright atmosphere a stark contrast to the storm of anxiety pressing on his tense shoulders. He stopped next to the altar stone, surveying the empty lake as he tapped his fingers on the opposite forearm, arms crossed. The Hero had entered the Temple below him far too long ago, and had yet to emerge. It was not as if he did not have faith in the young Hylian, Sheik thought as he fidgeted with the hem of his mask. It was just.. it was just the way an icy dread threatened to seize his heart, lacing a silent threat in his chest as Sheik asked himself exactly what it would mean if Link were to fail in the temple, and tried to refuse to answer the hypothetical question for himself. Sheik couldn't lose his resolve. And as such, he refused to dwell on the gnawing doubt that waited on the edge of his mind.

A dull roar seeming to shake the very ground on which he stood shook the sheikah out of his reverie with a tart, daggars flashing into the light as he fell into a readied stance before recognizing the sound. Water was rushing back into the lake in torrents from the temples entrance far below himself. A relieved grin spread underneath his mask, turning to the altar stone as Link landed upon as the crystal that transported him above ground dissipated.

"Hero, we've been worried with your prolonged absence. What happened?" Sheik stepped towards the Hylian, smile still edging his eyes as he clapped his hand on the boy's shoulder in a gesture both meant to comfort and to congratulate. However, he hadn't expected the reaction to such a motion as Link's eyes wen wide in his already pale face, his stance wavering whilst jerking his shoulder violently from the contact, taking a reeling step backwards.

"Don't touch me!" Link stammered, voice waning. He crumpled to the ground seconds after, consciousness draining from the boy with the water in his boots. Sheik knelt quickly, brow furrowing and fingers automatically checking for Link's heartbeat.

-previously

Link woke with a start from a fitful sort of daze that was less than conscious but not so merciful as sleep. The sudden movement made the shallow, clear water under him splash. The sound didn't echo due to the thick fog muffling the room, but it was still frightfully loud compared to the quiet of his surroundings. He'd managed to crawl to a wall on the edge of the vast chamber the previous night, as far from the small island in the middle of the room as he could manage. He scrabbled at the damp wall, standing with a grimace.

Hours of the day past had been spent in a vain battle, neither side making headway until Link had begun to tire, and his attacker did not. Driven to the brink of his energy, he'd managed to throw the other, his desperation seeming to be the only thing his enemy had not been able to mirror as he'd run to the barred door. He had taken up a post there, leaning painfully against the wall as he waited for the next attack, but it did not come. There was no reliable account of when he'd collapsed from exhaustion that night, but he payed for it now as he shuddered violently against the chill water soaked clear through his clothing. Each bone and strand of sinew ached to its atoms. Link had the strong urge to just slide back into the layer of water and sleep his life away, but alas, he could not.

A lethargic hand reached for the hilt of the master sword, eyes sharp despite the weariness biting at him. The hero would beat this foe, like every monster that faced off with him in every other temple or dungeon or forgotten field. It didn't matter, couldn't matter, that this one wore his face. Wore a smile. He began a careful approach to the stark deadened tree that rose out of the mist, signifying the only stretch of dry ground in the giant room. Each step was careful, so as to make as little of a sound as he could as his boots dipped into the water without disturbing the surface. He at least could try for some element of surprise, not that his opponent wouldn't be expecting his arrival. Link still wasn't sure as to why he hadn't seen the other come to him, but he would take the small virtues.

There was a second too long delay and Navi was abruptly wailing warnings at him too late. Link took a swift, hard blow to his lower back, a shove that sent him sprawling, sword splashing and clattering from his hand. The hero bit back a cry as he hit the water, and immediately after, the rough stone brickwork. Clamoring upright with a hand raised in defense he glanced wildly for his blade as he regained his bearings. It had spun a good ten, fifteen yards away. Setting his jaw as he looked up, stance adjusting more into the offense than pure defense as his eyes were greeted with his attacker. Or rather, the lack of him. A sharp breath as he blinked, his alarm rising to his throat and momentarily deafening him to the alarm his fairy was attempting to sound again. He jerked around to defend himself, instead spinning into the other's sword. An aborted yelp died on his lips as he stilled, feeling the cold black steel pressed snug against his neck.

The mirror image smiled slowly at the expressionless face. Even with the stony set, he could see the drawn tautness in the hero's features, the narrow line of a frown that barely covered the fear that caused a waver in the boy's furrowed brow. The most wonderful thing about just how tantalizing Link's fear was, was that Link didn't even fully realize it was there, threatening to choke him. Didn't know about the exhausted panic flashing in his eyes, just underneath a thin layer of analytical authority, translucent in its facade.

Smirk only widening, the foes free hand shot out to grab the boy by the neck of his tunic, using the threat of his blade to draw within arms reach for the opportunity. Ignoring the fairy that was beating around his head desperately, he instead lifted the teen up, drawing his face close to his with only the edge of his sword between them to remind the hero exactly what would happen if he was hasty.

"Good morning, Hero." Link was flung towards the island, hitting the ground heavy as he skid against it, clenching his teeth in efforts not to cry out. His shadow strolled over easily, strides wide as he closed the distance to step down upon the fallen Hylian's chest to stop any efforts to rise. Kneeling onto his other knee, Link's opponent leaned back in close as his unnatural eyes looked the boy up and down, clucking his tongue in reprimand.

"You look so tired, Hero. You know you only slept for an hour or two? That isn't good for you, especially after such a long day of fighting." A dusky hand smoothed over Link's cheek in the way a comforting mother might. "How long has it been since you're really rested? Weeks, or months? Unfortunately, it's only you and I, and I'm designed to defeat you." His eyes narrowed slightly as a pleased smile quirked his lips at the thought, the shadow doing a poor job of smoothing his own expression back, his brow still arched as his eyes shone like someone who was in on a joke.

He took a moment to wrest Link's hands from him, struggling with the pale arms that had been beating at anything on the shadow that could be reached. As he tried to force the hero's hands together, the fairy he'd thus far ignored managed to sink her teeth into his ear. Gritting out a curse as he focused on binding the boy's wrists, he finally whirled with a curse, his weight shifting into the foot on Link's chest as he tried to catch the fae. Successfully having caught her, the shadow's attention turned back to the wheezing Link. He only laughed as he realized the mistake, relieving some of the pressure while leaning down to pluck a health potion off of Link's belt, the Hylian taking a shuddering breath. The sudden cut of oxygen meant that Link didn't immediately protest as his shadow took hiss time in emptying the potion carelessly on the ground before shoving Navi unceremoniously into the still damp bottle. The shadow corked it back up and rolled the bottle into the mist before turning his attention back to his charge.

The foot that had pressed into Link's chest slid across his torso as the shadow swung the leg over, straddling the boy's stomach. Link arched his back to try to roll the other off of himself, kicking out with his feet to try to gain purchase on the slick ground. A sly grin grew on his pitch lips again as Link made no progress; mortal forms were so amusing, to grow so weak only from a lack of rest. He took a few moments to watch the boy squirm in vain, considering. His orders had been simple. Break the so called hero, stop him from proceeding any further. The shadow realized that Link had been speaking, blue eyes glaring up at him as he'd been preoccupied with trying to decide just what to do with his new project.

"I have withstood far more fearsome than yourself, shadow; nothing you can attack me with will shake my resolve." At the comment, Link's so called shadow couldn't help but laugh as inspiration struck.

"An endearing opposition. But I needn't attack you, Hero. I can present something far more challenging than petty blows- I needn't attack you, hurt you externally. I can make your mind and body hate each other." With this, he traced a finger over the other's neck, collar bone and further, down the wrinkles of the blue tunic. "Of course, you could always submit to Ganon's will. Everything would stop right then," His voice was quiet, husky as he found the belt on Link's tunic, taking no time in tugging it roughly off and allowing it to fall to the ground.

"What- what are you doing?" Link's brow furrowed with growing alarm that he did much worse at hiding with the confusion also evident in his expression as the shadow pushed his hands up and under Link's tunic. He smoothed his hands along the hero's torso, pushing up the garment as he went. "Stop. Stop this instant!"

"Your clothes are wet, you'll catch cold if you keep them on." Red eyes glittered as he jerked the boy up by the tunic to up over his head to bunch at his bound wrists, letting him fall back. Link realized numbly that they had actually reached the island with the distance he'd been tossed earlier, not having noticed until he felt the wet sand rubbing into the nicks and cuts from the other's sword in his back. The shadow leaned down, practically laying on Link as he thoughtfully plucked the Hylian's hat off. His tongue traced the other's earlobe, earning a tiny gasp of disgust at the wet sensation and the hero's whole body stiffening beneath him.

Ignoring the strained protests and mounting threats, he kissed a soft trail down the other's jawline. "You really ought to relax. Even a hero needs to relax and enjoy himself once in a while, hmm?" His tone was not so delicately edged with mockery, words breathed onto Link's neck. The hot breath was responded to with a shudder, Link closing his eyes tight as the shadow ran hands along his bare sides, sucking on the tender joint of neck and shoulder.

Link for his part was tensed, waiting for the other to bore of this strange torture and back off to give him an opening. He tested his binds, very much unmoving and only more so with how his tunic tangled over his entire forearm. However, it was growing harder to ignore the shadow's ministrations as his ministrations trailed further from his neck, nipping and licking down until Link had to sink his teeth into his lip to avoid letting out another gasp as the shadow's tongue lathed over his nipple. His eyes closed only tighter as he tried to ignore the filthy sparks that jittered through his nerves and shot down his spine every time his shadow gave attention to a new piece of skin.

The shadow sighed breathily, looking up at the hero's strained expression. Not once since he'd elicited the first gasp had he pulled any other sounds from the hero, other than his restless shifting beneath him as the hylian tried to shrink away or jerk occasionally to test the guard of his captor. Absently, he tipped his tongue into the other's navel, feeling the boy squirm at the sensation, at the hardness shamelessly pressed against the Hylian's leg. Despite this, Link didn't seem to quite understand, not reacting as the shadow casually rolled his hips once against the other's thigh. He grinned- it was obvious Link knew enough to be ashamed of the sensations that the shadow was cultivating, but not enough to recognize the arousal pressing against him.

However, when fingers felt at the lacings of the boy's leggings, he was forced out of his hopeful waiting game, jerking suddenly enough as he flailed he managed to kick at the shadow, pushing with his bound hands to get up. Before he could even stand, though, his ankle was grabbed and pulled as hard as the shadow could, pulling him off balance as he hit the ground heavily. Link twisted to face his mirror image, gritting his teeth in reaction to the dangerous quiet of the shadow. After a long moment where neither spoke, however, a near amicable smile fell back into place on the shadow's lips. Link was smart enough to realize this was not a good sign.

"Hero, I realize you may think you're sly, but I refuse to be angered by you; that's what you're looking for. A fight where you can easily categorize your enemy. However, you're going to enjoy this, no matter what you'd rather have happen." As he spoke, a hand went roughly down to the hero's own arousal that the hero hadn't realized existed, kneading it through Link's breeches. The shadow's face split with a grin. "Though, it seems as if perhaps you may be confused as to what you'd want to have go on?" Link's eyes widened at the suggestion.

"No!" Came the immediate response, Link shaking his head vehemently, momentarily more concerned with this false representation than his own situation. He would /not/ be considered in such a way. "That's- th-that.. ah, isn't true" Link's face flushed bright as he stammered over his words, eyelids fluttering involuntarily as a strangled noise pulled itself from his throat in the middle of his sentence as he'd tried his best not to stutter. His own hands clenched and unclenched into fists as his copy palmed him slowly, sitting back on Link's thighs, waiting patiently as the hero tried to threat a sentence. It failed, Link instead falling into a contrary muddle- he tried to writhe away in much the same method as before before stilling immediately as the sudden increase in friction elicited another strangled sound from him.

How could this happen, Link thought hopelessly. How could he be so weak to be shivering like a helpless maiden underneath someones mere hand. He was weak, so weak, and he continued to prove this right now as he could only grit his teeth, fingernails cutting into his palms as he tried to hide from the dirty heat coiling in his stomach despite his occasional protest. While mired in his circling thoughts, it meant he wasn't putting his full attention into forcing himself to remain still, so when Link came back to himself he realized with horror at some point the shadow had managed to ease his body into rocking back against his hand, his breathing quick as small, practically mewling sounds escaped him with each exhale.

The realization felt like something shattering as the copy's grin grew when he realized Link's horrified gaze was on him, quickening his pace. The change caused a desperate little sob, Link's hips twitching up despite himself as his resolve continued to shatter in multiple pieces around him. His dignity as well, perhaps. Probably some of his sanity as his mind still keened to escape the situation, his reason watching helplessly a he writhed for his double. He was worthless, giving into something that should have been so avoidable if only he'd been a little more attentive. His shadow did not miss his distress, covering a laugh as the hero's face crumpled, only leaving a broken needing as Link seemed to try to retain any amount of his spirit in the back of his mind. The hero rose needily into the hand, desperately trying to cause more friction through his leggings.

At that, the shadow let his hand flit away, back up to the lacing to Link's leggings. Instead of his staunch denial, though, a sound of protest rumbled deep in his throat as his hips jerked gracelessly in the air. Without thinking, he'd looked up at the shadow, face flushed and only turning a deeper shade when he saw the amused look he was getting from the shadow, shuddering.

The dark copy just hummed as he dragged down Link's trowsers, musing accurately on what must be going through the hylian's mind. That he was filthy for aiding the other's actions, that he was quite the failure for not pushing towards his goal. He'd spent so very much time in this wretched temple. Despite all this, Link still shivered and trembled into the other's slow paced ministrations, biting his lip as the other finally took hold of his length, thumb rolling slow and light in a circle over the head of his cock. The shadow smiled.

"Oh, my dearest hero. If you need something, you must ask for it?" There was a very long period of silence, the shadow slowly dragging his hand along the other's cock, leisurely as he worked Link into a frustrated tizzy despite himself. Finally, there was a whispered request after a long pause. "What was that?"

"Please," Link would not be able to reliably ever relay back the pleading in his voice. "Let me.. please finish it." Not waiting, the shadow took the entirety of Link's arousal into his mouth all at once. Link moaned almost painfully, cock jerking in response. He didn't restrict the sounds coming from his mouth as the shadow deep throated him, sucking hard, hips bucking only twice before a gloved hand forced them to the ground, making him endure without moving. He was too overwhelmed by the sensation to even notice that at some point, the shadow had released his own cock from his trousers, grinding more freely on the hylian's lower leg while he sucked him.

Link couldn't take the feeling as teeth scraped down him, coming hard into the shadow's mouth with a ragged scream of release ripping from his chest. He continued to cry out as the shadow continued to swallow around his oversensitive length, urging his cock to continue pulsing seed.

The wet pop as the shadow let the head of Link's cock out of his mouth was the only sound, punctuating the hero as he turned his head away in the same instant to try to hide the stinging of his eyes as tears threatened to overwhelm the disbelieving hero. He didn't respond when he was turned over with his hips placed on the shadow's legs, more preoccupied with trying not to shiver so violently and catch his shaking breath than the fact he was prostrate.

He did not expect his double to not be finished, starting when he felt something slick and cold pushing at his entrance with a curse.

"What, what on earth are you d-doing?" Link's voice rose in tone and alarm with an abrupt hitch on the last word as the finger pushed inside, his whole body twisting as he tensed, arching away as he began frantically tugging at the binding of his wrists. "Stop this, please!"

"Hush hush, love. I need things too. It'll all be over soon." The double didn't understate the quickness he was planning for, adding digits without regard to Link as he hastily stretched open the hero, ignoring the frantic, staccato words cast ineffectually from Link in favor of focusing on the task at hand. With a crook of his fingers, though, his lips quirked with amusement at the sudden crack in Link's voice of surprise at the sudden spark of pleasure in the midst of the pain. He massaged the boys prostate after having found it, relishing the whimper of despair as Link found himself hardening again, cock pressed against the shadow's thigh. The shadow continued the ministrations until Link was practically weeping with his pent up arousal, grinding desperately against his lap as he tried to find mercy in release.

Instead, he found himself suddenly lacking as his shadow removed his fingers, shifting back out from under the hero as a hand kept a firm grasp on his side to keep his hips above ground. Nudging Links legs further apart with a knee, he positioned himself behind the hylian as he let out a hiss of relief, free hand unlacing his own trousers finally, releasing his own hard cock, as pitch dark as the rest of him. He spat into his palm as an afterthought, palming himself a few times. It was less pity on the boy than just making sure he didn't chafe, really. When he guided it to Link's entrance, though, Link suddenly tensed again as he realized exactly what was happening. "Relax Hero, you'll only make it worse for yourself otherwise. We can both have fun here."

"No! Don't, don't-" Link could feel the other's eyes burn tracks over his form despite the fact he couldn't see much other than the sandy ground he had the side of his face pressed against. The copy didn't bother to mention the offer from Ganon, and it was the last thing on Link's mind at the time. The copy would do so later, when he wasn't getting what he needed, and so Link's protest was cut off as the copy pushed in suddenly. Link's words morphed to a cry of pain.

The pace was fast and relentless, hardly lubricated and the hero honestly couldn't tell if it was getting better because he'd perhaps torn and bled or not. His protests weren't so quiet as before, pleading openly as tears fell freely. A pivot in the angle, and a few long moments later he cried out a different reason as that spot that had been making him see white was pounded. Link's legs shook with the sensation, giving out. If it weren't for his double already digging his nails into Link's hips as he snapped the hero's hips up to meet him, Link would have collapsed on the ground.

Link didn't notice when he stopped crying out, too exhausted to do anything but accept the pain and shame as pleasure began to gather in his stomach again, a little more with each thrust that grit sand into his cheekbone. Noting this, the shadow snaked a hand around Link's neglected erection, grasping it hard and pumping in time to the quick pace. Link's voice cracked with his scream as he came, splattering his own stomach. The double quietly swore when Link's muscles spasmed around him in orgasm, causing the double to be pushed over the edge as well. He thrust in to the hilt as he came, releasing his seed deep in the hero.

Pulling out, the shadow Link stood, cleaning himself and refastening his own leggings. He waved his hand idly, the doors unlocking seamlessly as if the hero had won the fight. Looking down at the broken figure that still lay crumpled and desecrated on the ground. He smiled. A job well done, if he said so himself.

"Well, Hero. Our time stretched for a while, and I have other things to attend to. Think about that offer from Ganon; I'm sure I'll be checking in on you soon." His tone was cordial, practically sing-song as he put his hands in his pockets. He turned, scattering into the shadows as easily as he'd seemed to appear the previous day.

-now

Link practically spasmed as he woke, gasping for air as he simultaneously tried to swallow his panic, attempting to get his bearings. A figure leaned over him, looking down. Red eyes met blue.


A/N: Hey there, whoever's out there that still had this fool of a story bookmarked. After a million years, I'm thinking I may come back to the story! However, as you may be able to figure out from the chapter title, I'll be reworking the first few chapters. I was a hasty youth and didn't know a whole lot. However, I still don't have a proofer so I apologize in advance for anything odd in the writing, since I'm really just typing it all out and uploading it immediately thereafter. Reviews appreciated!