Chapter 6
The two stayed with the Velo for a few days. Link took a solid fascination with the fighting style of the Velo. He asked to be trained to fight this way. However, the response he received was not too entirely reassuring.
"I don't know if you'd be able to, but we could certainly try." the Velo Link asked said, smirking "If it doesn't work, we'll certainly get a laugh out of watching you try!"
So Link tried...and tried...and tried. But, he had failed every time. The Velo told him that the trick was clearing your head of everything but the goal you wished to accomplish. After that, your mind would take over and your body will achieve unlimited power. All you had to do was keep that intention in your head the whole time.
However, with Link's mind being where it was now, clearing it wouldn't exactly be easy...
Until one day, when Link went to take a calming walk by a river. He was alone, and liked to use this time to get his thoughts in order and plan what to do after this machine got finished.
Often times it worked to perfection...except on this particular day, when Link turned around to find a sword pointed directly in his face. The owner of the sword on the other end wore a black cloak and hood, but no indication of shining green eyes could be seen. This could not be the mysterious man that had cast Link into this adventure.
Link stood there, expecting the end, when the man
said "Draw your sword."
Link did not hesitate to follow
the man's request. His sword and shield were out in record
time, and the two charged each other and met with a resonating clash
of steel that disturbed a small flock of Twilian birds.
Clash after clash could be heard echoing around the river, as the two young men continued their swordplay. The hooded man was exceptionally adept at the art, and it didn't take long to get Link pinned against a nearby tree.
"Is that all?" he asked in a mocking tone.
Link growled and pushed the stranger away from him, and the two commenced again. Not more than a few minutes later, the Master Sword was sent flying from Link's hands, Link himself falling to his knees, the sword landing point-down in the ground.
"So this is the Hero of Light?" the man asked, pointing the sword in Link's face again "What a pity..."
Link's last bit of dignity was slowly being taken from him by this...this fake! Link looked up into the man's 'face', Link's eyes burning like wildfire. He wanted nothing more than to just shut this person's mouth and end his mocking once and for all!
And then it happened. Link didn't even realize it happened until after he'd done it, but he disappeared.
"What?!" the man cried, stepping forward to see where Link went. Victory had been so close...
Suddenly Link appeared behind the man, and Link
kicked him square in the back.
The man was sent crashing to the
earth. He turned around in time to see Link disappear
again. He swung his gaze in a random direction; towards
the Master Sword. One moment it was there, then, just as
Link had done, it disappeared.
The man got up, and looked
around. Then he found what he was looking for...or, sort
of.
Link, a few yards off, was charging the man. But, as Link approached the man, he saw that Link had split into three different images. These images took positions around the stranger.
A moment passed before anything happened. The man simply stood there in awe. Link could not see his adversary mouth the word "Wow."
Then the image behind the man made a movement, and, fast as lightning, all three images attacked, launching the man in black up into the air. He recovered by doing a midair jump, and flipped backwards.
The
man heard a sound like a small pop and looked up at his feet. There
was Link, face full of fury, who unleashed a brutal slash, sending
the man flying towards the ground. A massive cloud of
earth shot up where he landed.
Link landed on the edge of the
newly created crater, making sure to keep his balance after the
seemingly weightless experience.
As the cloud subsided, Link saw his foe stand up in the crater, clutching his sword in his right hand, and holding that arm in his left. His hood had fallen off, and Link saw a gray-skinned face with light-grey hair and grey eyes. He was smiling, not mockingly or even arrogantly. He looked proud.
"So...this...is the Hero of Light?" he wheezed, without mocker, but admiration "Sorry to have alarmed you...but I had to know."
Link was thoroughly confused now. Gray eyes...why did that ring a bell?
"I also see you've been taking lessons! Heh, I stopped that very tribe a few days ago, asking if they'd seen any clue to yours and my sister's whereabouts...they got pretty suspicious. I ended up just backing off. It's what I've been reduced to...I suppose. But I bet YOU'VE seen my sister lately, right? I envy you..." the man said, sadly.
Link gasped. Could this be...?
"That's right. I'm Midna's brother...I'm Niyyte." the man answered.
Link wasn't sure how to feel about this guy. He remembered what Midna said about Niyyte's siding with Zant, during his reign. Yet the young man who stood before him did not appear hostile. In fact, this young man almost reminded Link...of himself.
"We're similar, you and I..." Niyyte said, then shook his head "But that's not what I'm here about. I came here to test you. I have to say, at first you had me worried, but I think you have what it takes to save our Realms. I trust you.
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I'm currently trying to clear my name of its soiled state. People still hate me for my 'betrayal', but let me assure you, I did not sign on with Zant for the reason everyone thinks I did. But people are cautious nowadays. They would think my side of the occurrence was a well-constructed story. I have to prove them wrong..."
Niyyte looked up and realized he was still talking to Link, who didn't know the whole story either.
"Of course, you don't have a clue what I'm talking about. Well, it's kind of a long story, and I don't really have time to tell you now. I know it's a lot to ask, but I need you to trust me." Niyyte said, turning to a strange vehicle that had somehow just appeared and hovered slightly above the ground in front of him "Will you do this for me?"
Link hesitated on trusting him, but nodded all the same.
"Okay." Niyyte said, hopping up on the hover-cycle vehicle "Oh, and don't tell Midna you saw me here, please. I'm not sure where she's standing on the point of my defense, but I don't want to see her until my name is clear. I fear I'll only bring her trouble...and you."
Link nodded. Niyyte kicked a lever on the machine and it started. He drove a few feet and then circled back to Link.
"The man you're looking for is known as Mordrid. I, too, am hunting him." Niyyte said, then drooped his head, and added, quietly "Please, Link...take care of her."
And then Niyyte drove off into the distant horizon. Link stood and watched and began to feel sorry for Niyyte. If what he said was true, then there was no argument that what Link had done was right.
To be blamed for a false reason...how could that feel? Link couldn't imagine it. And to be cruelly torn away from your family and those you love and wish to protect...
Link suddenly remembered Midna and at the same time, remembered where he was. He had stayed too long. Midna would begin to worry if he didn't return soon.
So, Link broke into a run, back to the village.
A few more days passed without any interesting occurrences. Link had surprised the Velo when he had returned and was actually able to beat one of their number, and he continued to practice his newfound ability. Before long, Link could easily accomplish any challenge he received.
Midna, however, seemed to be lost in thought on many occasions. When Link asked her what was wrong, she just shook her head, and smiled at Link.
"It's nothing! Don't worry about me!" she would say.
Link did not believe this. Then, one day, he was proven correct in his theory, when he stumbled upon Midna in a deserted room, crying. He considered just leaving her be, but he recalled what had helped him in difficult times like his; his friends.
Link walked over and sat by Midna. He was surprised when she immediately began crying on his shoulder.
"I miss him so much...if only he were here...I know he'd be able to help!" she bawled in between sobs.
Link had a feeling he knew who she meant.
"It's not that I don't appreciate what you do for me, Link. It's just...I have no idea what he was thinking when he went to Zant...I don't even know if he's STILL with him...I'm so confused..." Midna said "Link...you're the only one who's ever been with me...from the beginning to the end."
Midna pulled Link closer to her, and the two hugged tightly. They stayed this way for some time, once again enjoying and benefiting from the other's presence. Link debated telling her about having met Niyyte by the river, but he remembered his promise and remained silent.
Eventually Midna pulled away, laughed sheepishly, and said "I'm sorry...you know as well as anyone that I don't often break down like this. I don't know what it is...I haven't seen my brother in years. When I heard he'd sided with Zant, I swore I'd never speak his name again. But, now...I don't know. Perhaps it's the amount of time that's passed...but I can't help but miss him and wonder what's become of him...
"Oh, but here I am rambling! But, I have to say; it's nice to have someone who'll listen to me. Thank you, Link." Midna said, standing up and wiping her eyes.
Link stood up, smiled, and nodded.
Without warning, a chaotic tremor shook the two down to the ground.
"What was that?" Midna asked when the tremor subsided.
Link stood up and helped Midna up. They left the building together and saw a group of Velo standing and pointing at the horizon.
When Link and Midna followed their gaze, they saw a gigantic humanoid rock being, better known as a golem. Link could just make out the silhouette on the golem's shoulder. It was the shadow of a man in a black cloak. Only one person could have such power...
The voice of the man boomed out incredibly loud over the noise of the panicked Velo "Surrender your Realm Transporter, or I release the Dark Rock upon your village!"
Before anyone else had a chance to react, Midna's voiced boomed back, with intense rage "How dare you threaten any of MY people?! I don't care what species they are or IF Zant happens to be in power, they are all Twilians, and they are ALL MY PEOPLE!" She reached out and pulled her sword out of the Twilian air.
"Come on, Link. It's time to fight back and show this guy exactly what we're capable of!" Midna said, reaching out her left hand toward him.
Link nodded, drew the Master Sword with his left hand, and took Midna's hand in his right. With that, the two charged the golem.
While they were running, a Velo, who Link knew by the name of Rapyd, appeared and said "We'll back you up. There's no way we'll let them get close to our village!" Then he disappeared and again.
"Link! You can handle those speeds, right?" Midna asked and, when Link nodded, continued "Do it! If you can do it, then so can I!"
Link did not hesitate. He focused his mind on toppling the golem. When he was ready, he broke into the high-speed of the Velo, pulling Midna with him. She didn't seem to be hurting any. In fact, after a few moments of being pulled along, she was actually able to place her feet on the ground and run right alongside Link.
She looked up at him and smiled "This is kind of fun! I can see why you wanted to learn how to do this! I should've tried it out a long time ago!"
The golem loomed before them, and, holding tightly to one another's hand, they leapt for the man in black...Mordrid. His green eyes flashed in amusement.
"Ha ha ha...isn't this cute? Well then, this ought to be interesting. I'd LOVE to see how you fight like that; hindering each other's ability to fight." he chuckled, and then he dissolved into the black cloud like before, and was gone.
Midna and Link landed on the shoulder of the golem, having missed their target.
"Geez, that guy's getting annoying. He taunts us then he disappears. Man, I'm really starting to hate him." Midna said "Come on, we gotta bring this puppy down."
The two broke into high-speed, hand in hand, and attacked the head of the golem. The golem, not liking this much, reacted by turning its head and firing a laser from each of its eyes, one of which caught Link in the chest.
"Link! Are you okay?!" Midna shouted, holding tight to him.
Dazed and sore, Link managed a nod. He'd taken harder hits than this before. The REAL problem was the fact that they were falling...fast. Link made a quick assessment of the situation, and then flipped himself and Midna so that they were running down the golem's body, as opposed to simply falling.
As they reached the leviathan's feet, they jumped and landed softly on the ground, a few feet away from its marching range. Looking up, they saw the Velo occasionally as they attacked the golem, but none of their attacks showed any sign of causing the thing any actual harm. It continued to march on toward the Velo village.
"We can't let it get to the village, Link! What do we do?" Midna asked, tightening her grip on Link's hand.
Link thought...it seemed particularly annoyed when they attacked its head...and then he had it! If one...or even both of them for that matter, could get up enough velocity, it might just be enough to damage the thing dramatically.
Link turned to Midna and looked into her eyes; he needed her to trust him. Midna understood.
"Do it." she said.
Link nodded and broke into high-speed again, but instead of running, he used the high speed to swing Midna around and around and around. When he thought he'd built up enough moment, Link released Midna, who went flying towards the golem's head.
Link launched himself off the ground as hard as he could in the same direction as Midna. He also prayed hard that his plan would work.
Midna made the first cut, right across the golem's face. Link followed and stabbed it.
The golem reeled, lost its balance, and toppled backwards from the pain and force. Link and Midna landed just outside the area where the thing collapsed.
When the dust settled, there stood Mordrid atop the fallen golem.
"Hmmhmmhmmhmm...I suppose I underestimated YOU as well..." he said, looking down at his fallen minion "Tell me, Link, did Niyyte tell you where he was going?"
"What?" Midna asked looking from Mordrid to Link. Link just glared at the man.
"Won't say, huh? Fine, have it your way. I'll find out sooner of later." Mordrid said, throwing off his hood.
Mordrid's face looked just like any other Light Dweller's. His hair was long and fiery red, but his eyes still blazed out like green beacons. His face, however, seemed to be drained of color, it was so pale.
"Well, Link, Midna; what do you think? Is this what you were expecting?" Mordrid said, smiling and drawing a long, sleek, black sword from within his cloak "You're the only ones standing in the way of what I want. You've been helpful in finding it for me, but now I require that you die. My name is Mordrid, Master of the Dark Realm! I will continue to fight until the key to immortality is mine!"
Mordrid then glided quickly at Link, who brought out his shield. This did little, however, as the man hit with such force, Link was sent flying backward yards away from where he started.
"Link!" Midna cried.
"It's a shame, really. I had hoped Link would stop Niyyte, even kill him. How ironic that would've been! I guess Niyyte must've convinced Link otherwise, which, as I said, is a shame." Mordrid said.
"You monster!" Midna yelled, swinging her sword at Mordrid.
Mordrid easily blocked the blow and chuckled cruelly "Pathetic Princess. You've been easily knocked from your throne twice! Do you really think..." he said, grabbing Midna's arm "...that you can stop...ME?!"
He then threw Midna, and she was sent sailing. She landed right next to Link. Still conscious, but only barely so, she turned to Link and said "Link...the transporter...we can't ...let it fall...into...his hands..."
Link turned his head, and nodded his head weakly. He reached out his right hand. Midna reached out her left hand and took Link's.
"Link...I..." Midna started, but got cut off by a cruel, familiar voice.
"Touching." Mordrid said, though his face clearly showed he was only interested in seeing them both dead "Were you just about to say goodbye to each other?"
Mordrid raised the sword in his right hand, pointing it directly at Link "We'll start with you, Hero..."
It was at that moment that Sono, coming out of nowhere, tackled Mordrid, sending the two of them flying away from Link and Midna.
"Go! Now!" they heard Sono yell.
Link and Midna took the opportunity. They stood up and rushed to Sono's house as fast as they could in their weakened conditions. Link looked back and immediately wished he hadn't. For at that exact moment, he saw Mordrid stab Sono through the chest. Link's breath came slowly as he watched the light in Sono's eyes disappear, and then he fell to Mordrid's feet. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion.
If it weren't for the fact that Midna was pulling Link along, he would've turned right there and died in an attempt to seek Sono's revenge. Instead, the two burst through the doors of the Velo capitol, found the transporter, and placed their hands on it.
The last thing either of them saw in the Twilight Realm was Mordrid's furious face as he flew into the throne room, mere seconds too late...
