Preparation
Link had found the way to his own chambers, the golden door having been very easy to find.
The insides looked similar to the few inns he had slept in, the rooms weren't too small, the one person bed was comfortable and there was everything you'd need to have a good night of sleep followed by a good morning.
He snickered once he thought back to how Midna would always complain about him being such a cheapskate and never getting a room with two beds with one for her, saying that sleeping in his shadow at night was colder than lying in the snow. She often snuck up in his bed, trying to be as stealthy as she could but always failed to, giving Link an opportunity to tease the embarassed small imp although he always ended up sharing the bed with her.
Had he known Midna hadn't been just a little imp at the time but a beautiful woman that was taller than him he definitely would have gotten her a bed of her own.
The sounds of steps made the Hero abruptly turn around, his senses fully alerted as he hadn't expected a visitor so soon.
"Recalling fond memories? I did make this place based on where I thought were the places you were the most relaxed at."
Upon recognizing the witch, Link's stance loosened.
"So? How do you find your new place?" Cia said, inspecting her own work as well.
"...It's nice." Link muttered.
"But it's missing something, isn't it?" She completed as she stared at the bed, deep in her thought.
The hero knew exactly what the witch was talking about. It wasn't an item that was missing but a presence that should've always been by his side.
Judging by the absent minded gaze Cia was giving to his new bed, Link understood that she felt the same in her own private chamber. The hero felt sympathy toward the woman that seemed to share the same painful feelings he had.
She turned around to face Link again. "As much as I would love to discuss how much care I put in designing this room, I have not come for this today. Here," The witch flicked her fingers, making a purple, star shaped magic circle on the ground.
From it came out an entire set of armor Link immediately recognized.
"That's the golden wolf's armor!" Link exclaimed, very surprised that Cia was even aware of this.
"That is correct, it is from the one that taught you those secret moves, although I had to give it a few upgrades with my magic. And before you ask, as the Observer, I know of every single event that happened in your life, including those hidden training sessions."
The hero should have expected as much from someone appointed by the Goddesses to observe everything.
He stared at the armor and although it looked near identical, the only difference being that the midsection as well as the arms and the legs were now completely covered in armor as well and that it obviously had been repaired. The helmet had been slightly reworked to be more... practical. Rather than having three "horns" it now only had the two on the sides, those two were also now slightly shorter. The lower body had an extra belt made so that he could carry certain items without being hindered, like his clawshot.
Link wondered what she meant by upgrades.
"Thanks to my magic, it is not only stronger but it will also hide your identity from every being of light, the Goddesses included. It will also automatically fit on you to avoid any discomfort."
'How convenient.' Link thought as he immediately took off his tunic, revealing his well shaped body and not paying attention to the stare Cia was giving him. He started putting on the suit of armor.
'...Maybe I should've kept the midriff part open and just use magic to protect it. Ah, what a waste...' The witch quickly stopped that thought process to kept herself in control. 'Now is not the time to drool over another Link.'
After doing so, he tried moving around to see how it would feel. The armor certainly felt heavier yet aside from this difference it was even more comfortable than his green garment. Once he put the helmet on, Link suddenly felt like a shadow fell over his eyes and he felt... dirty. He gazed at Cia, his eyes asking for immediate informations.
"What you just experienced is a Shadow Veil, a magic used to diminish the light in one's heart. As you are a hero chosen by the goddesses, the light of your heart is too strong to even be affected by darkness so it will only act to cover your pure and easily recognizable light." The witch opened the palm of her hand, summoning a small mirror to show Link his own reflection. "The helmet also has been imbued with more disguising magic."
There was quite literally a veil of shadow that had been set on Link's eyes, in fact you couldn't barely see anything aside from his nose and mouth on his face, the usual gleam that came from his clear blue eyes was still there but you had to be really close to notice it.
Strangely enough, that darkness didn't bother his sight at all.
"I haven't had time to take care of the sword and the shield so your bow will have to do for now. You can leave the Master Sword in this room, it's a safe place that only you and I can enter."
The hero nodded, knowing that fighting with the sacred blade would only make him stand out like a sore thumb.
Now that he thought about it, maybe he should have taken the shorter bow rather than the long one if he had known he wouldn't be able to use his sword for close quarters.
"I also took the liberty of enchanting your bow so that you won't have to take a quiver with you. Just by pulling the string you'll create a Magical Arrow."
Unlimited ammunition, now that was something the Hero had always wanted to have. "Are those also made from darkness?" Link asked, wondering if Cia wanted to keep everything in the same dark magic theme.
"Why would I bother with darkness when the wind element is more suited for the job?" Cia answered, as if it had been obvious from the start. "Lightning would've been ideal but giving such an unstable element to someone with little experience in magic would cause more harm than good."
'Glad I won't have to use more darkness than necessary.' The hero thought.
After equipping himself with his bow and giving a slight tug on the string to see if the magical bolts of wind worked right, Link gave a nod to Cia as if to say everything was in order. "When are we starting?"
Cia smirked and tapped the tip of her staff on the ground, opening up a portal beneath them. Seconds later, they ended up in a completely different place right next to a large stone Castle. "Volga and Wizzro have already started. Welcome to Hyrule Plains, Hero of Light."
The echoes of war cries and weapons clashing echoed in Link's ear, confirming what the witch had just said. He gazed upon what he guessed was this world's Hyrule Castle. "This is what I'll have to infiltrate?"
"Yes, it should be empty as of now, save for maybe a few guards. Head to the royal chambers, by the time you get there, the Princess should have gotten back from the battlefield."
"Back from the battlefield? Aren't royalties supposed to stay inside during wars?"
"This world's Bearer of Wisdom is much different to yours, Hero of Light. Be wary of her, she will be a much greater threat to deal with than any of the guards or warriors you might have to face."
"...Seriously?" Link said, taken aback by this. 'I did fight Zelda once but that was when she was under Ganon's influence...'
"I am completely serious. Do not let your guard down, do not let her words make you hesitate and under no circumstance should you trust her. Wisdom brings her much more power than you realize, Hero of Light."
'This mission seems harder than I thought it would be.'
Once again, Cia tapped her staff on the ground, this time opening a portal only beneath her feet. "If you ever feel like you're about to doubt your actions, remember why you're here."
Link nodded, he wasn't about to be dissuaded to continue on his quest to reach her with mere words. "...Got it." He muttered.
"I have to go now, Ghirahim is waiting for me. I wish you luck."
The witch disappeared, leaving the hero alone in front of the castle.
How ironic, he thought, that he who had saved the Princess Zelda before was about to go and capture her like villains in fairy tales did.
This role did not fit him at all yet he wouldn't stop at anything to be able to see the Twilight Princess again.
Long bow in hand, the man now clad in armor sneakily walked toward the back entrance of the castle.
'Turning back isn't an option anymore, right Midna?'
