AN: So, slightly earlier chapter this week - it was either this or have it be three days late and I thought this would be better. Okay, thanks to WolfenAmphithere, pokemonfan67, Wildgirl404, silverheartlugia2000, AnimeAngel111 and SweetestChick for your reviews! Also, thank you to AnimeAngel111 for replying to the question in chapter seven. It really means a lot, so thank you!
Well, without further ado, on with chapter eight. I hope you enjoy, and please do review!
Eight – Dark
For all the heart container's abilities to heal Dark was still sore all over as Link pulled him to his feet. The broken bones had melded back together again, leaving nothing but a deep, dull throbbing that made him wince whenever he moved. He bore it silently, though, as it was far better than the sharp stabbing of broken bones and he also saw it as a punishment. Pain was what he got in return for helping the enemy – for saving the enemy.
He had thought he could do it. He had thought he could kill Link, or at least help facilitate his death. How wrong he had been. When he had seen the spirit's hand rushing towards the Hero he had meant to step back, to simply watch as Link met his demise, but then his body had seemed to move of his own accord. Everything he had been smothering and suppressing since they had entered the temple had risen inside him, until the next thing he knew he was pushing the Hero out of harm's way, yelling at him for being such an insufferable idiot.
He had well and truly betrayed Ganondorf.
That might have been the worst thing. He had never meant to; it had just happened. That made it even worse; it had been an instinct instead of a conscious choice. Link should have just let the spirit crush him.
Stretching his arms above his head in an effort to relieve the tension Dark looked to Link, who was wandering away across the platform towards the small, bright blue portal that had appeared there. Once he reached it he looked back to Dark, beckoning after a moment.
'Come on, then – what're you waiting for?' He called. Folding his arms Dark stayed where he was, staring at the Hero balefully.
'We've already been over this,' he replied, narrowing his eyes slightly. 'You can't take a shadow into the Sacred Realm.'
'You didn't catch fire last time – I'm sure you won't this time,' Link said, beckoning a little more vigorously. 'C'mon, we haven't got all day.'
'Maybe you haven't…' Dark muttered, drifting closer nonetheless. He may have betrayed Ganondorf, but that didn't mean he was going to stop trying to carry out the orders he had been given. Even if it meant he had to rebel against his very nature he would not disappoint Ganondorf again.
'Goddesses, you're slow,' Link complained, and suddenly he had latched onto Dark's arm, all but dragging him towards the portal. Dark struggled for a moment but when that caused a surge of aches to jolt through him he stopped, allowing Link to have his way just this once.
'Link, are you sure this is a good idea?' The fairy suddenly piped up, appearing out of seemingly nowhere to, thankfully, question the Hero's sanity like Dark was. For perhaps the first time he was glad of her presence.
'Yup,' Link replied cheerfully, drawing a scowl from Dark. He was infuriating. When the fairy didn't put up any more resistance than that Dark's scowl deepened. Scratch what he had said – they were both infuriating.
As the portal drew uncomfortably near Dark started struggling again. He could feel the light crawling across his skin even at a distance, and he did not want to get any closer. At all.
Digging his heels in Dark yanked his arm out of Link's grip, meeting surprised blue eyes with his own borderline angry ones. He just couldn't. He didn't want anything to do with the portal, or its sacred blue light, or the Sacred Realm beyond. Even if it meant staying in the pit they currently stood in forevermore Dark would not step into that light.
'Dark? What's up?' Link stopped walking, frowning at him. Rubbing a hand against the back of his neck Dark shook his head.
'I don't care what you say – I'm not going with you. I'll find another way out. Try to die while I'm gone,' he said, backing up a step and directing his eyes to the ceiling, which was too far away to actually see. There were plenty of shadows, though, which gave him a pretty sure-fire path out of the room and, presumably, the temple.
'Nope,' Link said simply, grabbing Dark's arm again. 'I have faith that you'll be perfectly fine.' Caught off guard Dark didn't react in time as Link pulled him back towards the light, and then suddenly it was too late.
'No- stop- stop you idiot!'
'In you go,' Link said, ignoring his protests and shoving Dark directly into the heart of the portal. Dark cringed, flinching violently as the bright blue engulfed him, feeling rather than seeing Link step up beside him because he had squeezed his eyes shut to stop his eyeballs from frying. There was the sickening sensation of spinning uncomfortably fast before suddenly he was floating, the horrifically bright light dying down to a softer shade of blue as his feet hit the ground gently.
Cracking an eye open cautiously Dark couldn't help a soft intake of breath. It was beautiful. And it didn't hurt at all. Everything was light, glowing softly, but there was no pain, no uncomfortable prickling where it touched his skin. It appeared to be a room of sorts, the ceiling eons away while they stood on a platform in the centre of a bottomless pit, surrounded by pedestals of all different colours.
Wide eyed Dark looked around, listening to the soft chiming that filled the room and inhaling the soft scent that smelled of water and earth and and light. He had forgotten what it was like to stand in the light, if he had ever really known.
Extending a hand carefully Dark let his fingers emerge from beneath the sleeve of his cloak, meaning to see if the light wouldn't hurt his hand either.
And then everything shattered.
His skin was just as hateful a grey as always. He was still a living shadow. Nothing had changed, except that he had actually felt peaceful for a moment. He hadn't felt different.
Drawing his hand back into his sleeve swiftly Dark yanked his hood up, hiding away from the light as his skin began to crawl. He shouldn't be here – couldn't be here. This was a sacred place, a place for the creatures that dwelled in the light. He didn't belong.
There was movement behind him and suddenly Link had appeared, his fairy dancing around his head. As he looked forward calmly Dark watched him, all his old feelings of resentment suddenly creeping back to twist poisonously in his chest. Gritting his teeth Dark followed Link's gaze in time to see a third figure appearing from nothing above the purple pedestal. They made an impressive sight, tall and muscular with strange silver hair and fierce red eyes.
'Ah, the one who holds the noble Zelda's ocarina,' she said, her voice deep and powerful. 'I expected to see you, but you have brought darkness with you to this place.' Her burning eyes shifted onto Dark, who bristled. Curling his hands into fists he bit back the harsh words that jumped to the tip of his tongue as Link glanced at him.
'Hey, why've you put that thing back up?' He asked, frowning slightly as his eyes flickered over Dark's hood before he looked back to the woman quickly. 'Uh, this is my brother, Dark.'
'So the Hero has a brother… that seems troublesome,' she mused quietly before waving a hand to cast aside her words. 'I am Impa, of the Sheikah. Caretaker of princess Zelda and the Sage who guards the Shadow Temple. We Sheikah have served Hyrule's royal family for generations, however when Ganondorf attacked seven years ago, the castle surrendered within a short time… he was searching for the ocarina you carry – a key to the sacred realm. Duty bid me take the princess far from Ganondorf's reach and abandon my post.'
Goddesses, did they really need her life story? Folding his arms Dark hugged himself tightly, hunching his shoulders slightly. He recalled the day Ganondorf had returned with the news that the castle had fallen. He had said it was a success, though not without its losses. So that was what he had meant? Well, they had still triumphed in the end.
'Don't tell me you're still gonna side with the guy?' Link asked, turning to Dark with an incredulous look on his face. Dark didn't reply, just glared back in silence. Link shook his head. 'You're crazy, Dark.' Maintaining his silence Dark intensified his glare, hoping it would burn right through the Hero's head. What did he know? What could he possibly know?
'You were just a boy when last I saw you,' Impa said, resonating voice demanding their attention. 'But you appear to have become a fine hero. Worry not, Princess Zelda is safe – you will see for yourself soon, and she will explain everything. When this occurs, we sages will seal away the Evil King and restore peace to Hyrule. I would advise you to escape the shadow that follows you before that time comes to pass.' Her red eyes drifted onto Dark and suddenly the edges of the blue world appeared to be tinted red as he fought the sudden murderous desire he had to stab the sage. It was so strong it made him tremble, the ringing in his ears making it so that he didn't hear Link's reply.
He didn't notice the surge of blue light, barely felt the sudden spinning, before he was outside again and storming away, vaulting over the fence that separated the graveyard and the Shadow Temple. The light stabbed into his eyes but he didn't care. He just needed to get away.
He was so fed up with everything.
'Dark- Dark!' Link was following him but he ignored the Hero. He had the horrible feeling he was going to stab the first living thing he saw and, to be honest, he still didn't particularly want to kill Link. Even after everything.
'Dark, wait!' A hand grabbed his arm and before he could stop himself he had whirled, sword drawn and pressed against the Hero's neck.
'Get. Off.' He hissed, seeing the shock in Link's blue eyes before the Hero's grip tightened.
'No,' Link said simply, staring at Dark with his stupid, expressive eyes.
'Get off of me, Link, or I swear to all three goddesses I'm going to-'
'So do it then.' Link cut him off, voice and expression frustratingly steady. 'Stab me.' He raised his eyebrows expectantly. 'Cause I don't think you will. All these times you've tried to kill me, and nothing. You even saved me once – so make up your mind, 'cause I can't stand this.'
How dare he be so calm when Dark was so worked up?
Tightening his grip on his sword handle Dark pressed the blade a little more firmly against Link's throat. Of course Link would find some way to twist the situation into being about him.
'Sometimes, Link, I really truly hate you,' Dark snarled impulsively, childishly, watching the hurt that flashed into the Hero's face with a mixture of vindictive pleasure and sorrow. He ignored the latter, too angry to care. He didn't care about hurting Link's feelings, didn't even care about maintaining a façade of control anymore.
'So then kill me,' Link said, voice wobbling slightly now. 'If you hate me so much. It'll solve all your problems, won't it?' Why was he acting like he was trying to be selfless?
'Link!' Suddenly the fairy was there, voice aghast. She spun to face Dark, apparently with every intention of rushing him again.
'Don't you dare,' Dark warned. 'Get any closer and I'll cut his head off.' Adding a little pressure to the blade to make his point he heard a soft hiss of pain and then a thin rivulet of blood was running down Link's neck. The Hero winced, but didn't move away. The fairy hovered agitatedly, apparently conflicted.
'It's all right, Navi,' Link said with a shaky grin. 'He's not gonna hurt me.' Dark opened his mouth to correct him before clacking his teeth together and gritting them tightly.
Link was right. Beyond that one small cut Dark couldn't bring himself to go any further, no matter how angry he was. If anything that just made him angrier, though. Goddesses, this was so absolutely infuriating. It didn't help that a small part of him was telling him to grow up, to stop being so stupid, so sentimental. To stop whining and just get on with it. He knew he was being stupid, but there was nothing else he could do. He couldn't help his emotions.
Feeling the slight prickle of furious tears in his nose Dark pulled away, staring at Link for a moment before spinning and marching away. He needed to be alone until he regained control of himself. Sheathing his sword he strode on, ignoring Link when the Hero tried to recall him. That got him nowhere, though, as a moment later Link was next to him, keeping pace easily with his angry strides.
'C'mon, Dark,' Link said, flapping his hands uselessly. 'What's got into you?'
'Nothing's "got into me",' Dark snapped, knowing he shouldn't be engaging the Hero but unable to help himself. 'You just haven't noticed it before.'
'But why're you so angry all of a sudden?'
'Oh, I don't know,' Dark said as sarcastically and bitterly as he could. 'Maybe it had something to with your sage friend insulting me?'
'Dark- just stop,' Link demanded, grabbing him and forcing him to halt. Grinding his teeth Dark stood stiffly, not meeting the wide blue eyes that were fixed on him. 'Tell me what's wrong.'
'What do you care?' Dark muttered, seeing the hurt rise into the face opposite him. 'You wouldn't understand, anyway.'
'Try me,' Link said, tightening his grip on Dark's shoulders. 'I definitely won't understand if you don't explain. I mean, one minute you're trying to stab me or cut off my head, the next you're saving me? You're right I don't understand. I don't understand how you can work for Ganondorf, or how you can just shut out your emotions, and I just- I just don't get you anymore, Dark.'
'Let go,' Dark murmured, dropping his gaze to the floor. Link's words hurt more than he cared to admit, even if he deserved it, even if he had expected it. They no longer saw eye to eye, and it was only natural that his simple-minded brother couldn't wrap his head around it.
'No,' Link said, tightening his grip further for emphasis. 'Not until you tell me what's wrong.'
'Let go,' Dark repeated, more loudly this time.
'No.'
'Let go of me, Link.' Dark raised his voice, reaching up to try and dislodge Link's hands. He didn't want to explain himself. He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to lose what little control he had left. He didn't want Link to understand, because then he would hate him.
'Not until you tell me,' Link said calmly and Dark sucked in a harsh breath through his teeth, feeling the angry burn return to his nose, prickling through his eyes. He would not lose control in front of Link. He was fine. He didn't care. He didn't feel anything. He didn't feel a thing. He. Did. Not. Feel. A. Goddess. Forsaken. Thing.
'Dark?' Link's voice softened, its owner shifting slightly to try and see under the brim of Dark's hood.
'Let go of me!' Dark couldn't help it, his voice rose uncontrollably before he could stop it and then he was tearing himself free of Link's grip, shoving the Hero away, the violent movement knocking his hood back off of his head.
Breathing heavily Dark stared – no, glared – at Link, for once not feeling the sting of the sun on his face.
'I don't want your sympathy, or your understanding,' he spat, spreading his arms for emphasis. 'I don't need it. I don't care if you're confused, I don't care that you feel bad. What I do care about is not failing Ganondorf and killing you.'
If he was honest with himself he didn't know who he was trying to convince more anymore, himself or Link.
All the same he was surprised when Link suddenly slumped, all the calm fight leaving him as he hunched his shoulders, balling his hands into fists at his sides. He looked so dejected that it made Dark's heart clench, though he tried to ignore it – told himself he didn't feel it.
'I'm sorry,' Link whispered, so quietly Dark had to take a moment to work out what he had said.
'Come again?' Dark was a little startled by the Hero's sudden change in mood, and the question left him unbidden.
'I said I'm sorry,' Link said, voice still almost inaudible. 'I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long, for not finding you sooner, for letting Ganondorf change you into someone I don't even know anymore. I should've looked for you. I should've looked harder. I was just so scared to leave the forest.' He gave a soft, bitter little laugh. 'I got lost in the woods so many times looking for you – Saria would always get so mad… she always said getting lost and eaten by wolfos wouldn't help me find you. She was right, of course.'
'Saria's always right about everything,' Dark said before he could stop himself, earning himself a startled look from watery blue eyes. Link's grief was so tangible Dark could practically feel it himself, and it had the oddest calming effect. The anger was subsiding into melancholy, which in a way was almost worse. He had to think things through when he wasn't angry. He had to be calm, logical.
'Why're you working for him, Dark?' Link asked softly, voice cracking a little. Staring at the Hero for a long moment Dark realised he didn't know what to say. How could he explain? Despite everything he had said and done he didn't want Link to hate him, and he surely would once he knew why.
Link was persistent. 'Is he threatening you?'
'No.' Only occasionally.
'Are you scared of him or something?'
'No.' Maybe a little.
'Do you wanna destroy Hyrule too?'
'No.' If he was being honest, sometimes – though only when he was in an exceptionally bad mood.
'So then why?' Link frowned heavily, apparently really trying to understand – or guess, seeing as Dark was deliberately not helping.
'It's about the end goal,' Dark relented after a moment, watching Link's brow furrow further, if that was even possible.
'Which is…?' Link prompted, but Dark had said all that he was going to.
'You wouldn't understand,' he replied, shaking his head and pulling his hood up again. He had had enough light for the next ten years at least.
'Oh come on,' Link complained, casting an annoyed look at the sky briefly. 'I just wanna know why!'
'Yes, well I don't want you to,' Dark said, turning away. But not for the reason you think, he added silently, heaving a soft little sigh.
He was pathetic.
Why couldn't he just shut out his emotions? Why couldn't he just calmly dispatch the Hero and move on? Just as Link barely knew him, he barely knew Link anymore. He couldn't even remember what Link's favourite colour was so why, why couldn't he just get this over with? Catch the Hero off guard, run him through and move on. It was so simple and yet, and yet! He cared too much. Even after ten years apart he still cared about Link, still wanted to keep him from harm like he had when they were younger.
He was so very pathetic. And so very, very conflicted.
'I know you're not telling me anything, but are you still gonna be following me around trying to kill me?' Link suddenly asked, the change in topic snapping Dark out of his thoughts.
'I plan to, yes,' he said. Link stared at him for a moment before giving a thoughtful hum.
'Are you sure?' Link asked, tilting his head innocently. 'Wouldn't you rather just hang out with me instead of trying to kill me every five minutes and then saving me at really random moments?'
'Think whatever you want,' Dark said flatly, resisting the urge to snap or argue. 'I had a momentary lapse in judgement in the temple – you shouldn't expect it to become a recurring thing.'
'Right, right,' Link said with a grin, shrugging carelessly. 'Whatever you say.'
When he started walking away, hands buried in his pockets, Dark scowled after him for a moment before following. He had absolutely no intention of going anywhere. He didn't even want to think about returning to Ganondorf empty handed a second time, and when he wasn't being mind-blowingly irritating Link actually made reasonable company. Staying with the Hero and continuing to seek out an opportunity definitely struck Dark as the better, less life-threatening option.
It had nothing at all to do with the fact that Link might have, again, been right.
Even though it had failed so spectacularly the first time Dark tried to cast aside his emotions once again as he traipsed after Link, only half-ignoring the nonsensical conversation the Hero was having with his fairy as they walked, winding between graves in the direction of Kakariko Village.
As they passed out from the graveyard and into the village Dark pulled his hood a little more securely down over his head, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground and the backs of Link's boots. Hunching his shoulders he tried to appear as inconspicuous as possible, not trusting the villagers to leave him alone about their seared houses. Well, he didn't trust them full stop, really, but as long as they left him alone he was content.
'Oh, hey,' Link suddenly spoke, turning so that he was walking backwards while facing Dark, arms crossed behind his head. 'That lady you saved – the Cucco lady – she wanted to say thanks for saving her, so if you see her around go say hi, 'kay?'
'I'll bear that in mind,' Dark said, secretly surprised. She wanted to thank him? That had never happened before. Usually people just freaked out and chased him away. He might actually have to keep an eye out for her, to see if what Link said was true. He knew the Hero wasn't one to lie but past experiences held more bearing on him than the words of one person.
Link continued to walk backwards for a few more steps – as Dark half-hoped he'd trip and bash his head in all the while – before spinning to face forward again, whistling tunelessly as he went.
How could he be so cheerful? Dark just didn't understand. Especially when he had been on the verge of tears only minutes ago. The Hero had always had a sunny disposition but it was hard to believe he would still maintain it after everything he had been through. Sure he had teared up a few times and looked glum a few others, but on the whole he had been relentlessly upbeat, never stopping and always grinning his stupid, wide, infectious grin.
It must be the reverse of what Dark did. Maybe where Dark shut them out and shut them down, Link covered his emotions with a smile. With love and light and happiness. And always with a smile. It seemed impossible to Dark. Switching off his emotions, when he could, was so much easier. Smiling past them would be unbearable. He would break down in minutes at best. If he had to choose between feeling and not feeling he would always choose the latter, no doubt about it.
Oh, how he envied the light that was Link.
