Prophecy

It was cold, so cold. The mixture of water and night air flying through the drafty tunnels was enough to make anybody's limbs grow numb. Duvaine shivered into Link's neck, trying to bury everything so deep in her mind that it would disappear forever.

"They're catching up." Duvaine whispered forlornly. Link's grip around her tightened slightly as he readjusted her weight. His exhaustion was growing heavier and heavier with each step.

"I know." He replied evenly. "Can you stop them?"

Duvaine shivered into him. His voice was gruff, probably because he was still reeling from what had just happened. He was angry, the emotion tainted the air. Was he angry at Duvaine for what had happened? Did he know she hadn't done it on purpose?

"I-I-I can't. I won't." She whimpered into the crook of his neck. His breath caught.

"Why?" He asked, softer than before. It seemed his exhaustion was taking the fight out of him.

"Because I don't want to kill them." She admitted strickenly.

Link only grimaced and kept going. His gait was becoming slower and slower with each step. The tunnel walls were a blur around them; Link was her only lifeline, keeping her off the ground in this endless nightmare.

"There are more soldiers coming into the tunnels, we'll get out here." Link huffed as he carefully set her on unsteady feet. There was a half broken ladder leading up to a hole; small rays of moonlight squeezed through a few cracks and shone down on Link's exhausted face. Duvaine grasped his arm tightly as she attempted to put weight on her ankle. A painful intake of breath seemed to tell Link all he needed to know.

"Leave me. You go ahead." Duvaine whispered, grasping for a handhold in the slimy wall.

Link snorted in disbelief. "You won't find Fovi by staying down here. Come on."

Duvaine bit back a whimper as Link mounted the steps, making sure they would hold his weight. He held a hand down to her, eyes skittering frantically down the tunnel.

"They won't be much longer. Hurry now." He told her urgently, Duvaine grasped his hand wondering how he could possibly know that. Although he was right, Duvaine herself could feel the aura's of the soldiers; she didn't need Link to tell her how far away they were.

Link had once been a blue eyed beast, had he not? A wolf had a much better sense of smell and hearing than any Hylian, human, or Elohnan. Was it possible that he had retained some of those abilities?

Duvaine couldn't dwell on it for more than a second before Link pulled her up beside him with a strained tug. Her fingers grasped the hard metal of the ladder tightly as she got her good foot beneath her. He climbed up farther and repeated the process until he was heaving the metal covering out of the way.

Link hauled Duvaine out of the hole and set her gently on the stone street. He hefted the covering back into place and then pulled Duvaine into the shadows of an alley. Her ankle ached, her breathing was heavy, and the curse mark was slowly wrapping its tendrils around her chest. With each breath, it eased closer to her heart.

She wasn't going to last much longer.

Link sat beside her, chest heaving. He wouldn't be able to keep going for much longer, Duvaine didn't know what she would do then.

"Din." Link cursed under his breath, his body went rigid beside hers.

Before she could ask, Duvaine knew. Soldiers came around the corner, their armor and spears glinting in the moonlight. Her breathing caught, Link struggled to get up; he was too exhausted, it was hopeless.

I'm sorry. Duvaine thought as she reached out with her mind. The soldiers were weak compared to her own strength, she would crush them. Then they couldn't hurt Linkー

That isn't me. She cried in her head, pulling away from their minds as if she had been bitten.

"They're innocent. I can't." Duvaine whimpered into Link's ear. "Just leave me and go. Thank you for all you have done. I deserve to be sent back, and I deserve to die."

The words were sawdust in her mouth, but she had to say them. If Link was caught with her… he would be taken away too no doubt. Hero or not.

"I'm notー"

The wall behind them disappeared and they both fell backwards in surprise.

"In now. Hurry." A voice demanded urgently. Duvaine didn't have to be told twice as she scrambled backwards on her hands and foot. They had been leaning against a door without even knowing it.

When they were both inside, the woman shut the door tightly. Duvaine checked over Link, noting that his chest was still heaving and his eyelids were half-sagged.

"Who are you?" Duvaine asked tiredly, turning to their rescuer.

The woman that turned towards them was short and wide. She wore a colorful nightdress, and a large head dress that didn't cover her heavily pierced ears.

"I knew you would come here Chosen One." The woman scolded. "It's been haunting me for weeks! And here you are, with one of the Twilight's monsters again no less! This girl will be the death ofー"

"Madame Fanadi." Link muttered as he rolled slowly to his feet. "I did not pay for a reading."

The woman huffed. "No, you didn't. Come this way, the soldiers will leave you be for now. I have a place you can rest."

Duvaine jumped when Link's hands wrapped around her arm and waist, silently helping her to her feet. Her teeth were still chattering noisily, but it was slowly fading as the warmth from the home seeped into her clothes.

They passed through several large rooms, each one more colorful than the last. Finally, Madame Fanadi stopped. The room was dim until the Madame lit a small candle. It was filled with plush pillows and colorful blankets. There was a washbasin in the corner and some water and food set neatly on a tray at the nearest table.

Duvaine's stomach rumbled, her mouth suddenly watering as the smell of warm soup hit her nose.

"You may stay here for the night. There is some healing potion among those bottles for your injury." The woman told them. "Get some sleep, you will need it." With that, she closed the door behind her.

Duvaine collapsed on the mat, pillows squashed beneath her. Link stumbled towards the tray and brought the healing potion to her wordlessly. He handed her the bottle and collapsed beside her. Before she could say anything, his light snores hit her ears.

The bottle was surprisingly warm in her hand as she uncorked it. It tasted good, like lemons and rosemary. The warmth seeped into her stomach and across her tired limbs, fixing her ankle as it lulled her to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Of course, nightmares were her only company in sleep.

That dog was there again. It stood proudly as it bared its' teeth at her. The chain clasped around it's leg.

"I know you." She tilted her head in confusion as she came closer. It growled. "You're so hurt inside aren't you?"

The beast snarled and took a menacing step towards her. Duvaine blinked slowly in response, she could feel his emotions plainly, and they were not aggressive. No, they were curious and scared. But Duvaine was used to others feeling fear in her presence.

"You won't hurt me, and I won't hurt you." Duvaine smiled as she reached out a hand to pat it on the head. "You're not a beast, like me."

The growl died, and the dog looked perplexed. Duvaine hummed as she scratched the animal behind the ear, then her hums turned into quiet sobs. She buried her eyes into it's fur, letting the tears flow freely.

"I'm afraid." Duvaine whispered, then something was pulling at her ankles.

The beast snarled as she was pulled screaming, into the darkness.

Everything shifted, a scene lay before her. She floated above two souls, both standing with swords drawn. One was a beautiful woman. Her hood discarded, revealing a plane of gorgeous auburn hair, high pale cheekbones, and piercing magenta eyes. Her ears were longer and more pointed than any other Hylian or Elohnian Duvaine had ever seen.

The other was a man, handsome face hidden behind a helmet of gold. His armor and sword radiated power, his muscles thicker than any man alive. He was all braun, a brute with the strength of ten men.

"What you ask is suicide." He growled deep within his chest.

"I am not asking any more than you have already done. You will live the rest of your life in peace, and when the time comes, you will teach your successor. You should only be thankful that it is too late for me to use you instead." The woman's voice sounded like a cadence of bells, sweet and as beautiful as her face. It did nothing to hide the threat.

"You will only incur Din's rage once more. Didn't you learn the first time? Killing the next Chosen One, for what? To save a love that was doomed from the start? You are a fool for trying." The man turned away, the woman's face contorted with fury.

"No, you are a fool for not listening when I gave you a chance." She hissed, and lunged.

Duvaine watched in horror as the beautiful woman's blade pierced through the warrior's back. He howled in shock, and then crumpled to his knees.

Duvaine squeezed her eyes shut, willing the dream to go away. When she opened them… it was not what she had been hoping for.

Duvaine was holding the sword protruding from his body, the man's eyes turned back to her in horror. His skin began to peel away in flakes, turning to ash, leaving nothing behind but his skull.

"You cannot save him." The bones warned; two hot red coles flared to life in his eye sockets. "But you may still try." He laughed.

Duvaine sat up in horror, clutching her throat as she tried to find air to breath. A horror stricken sob wrenched from her gut.

Her pale gaze turned towards Link's sleeping form. He hadn't even stirred. She let out a grateful breath, but it was cut short as the door slowly swung open.

"Come." It was Madame Fanadi; she gestured Duvaine forwards before disappearing into the hall.

The girl hesitated, looking between Link and the door uncertainly. After a few moments of reluctance, she rose to her feet. Her ankle didn't hurt anymore and she could walk without pain.

The halls were still dim due to lack of windows as Duvaine followed the woman's head dress into another, larger, more open room. There was a door, and a table with a crystal ball carefully balanced on its' pedestal.

The woman stopped and turned back to Duvaine, towering over the shorter girl.

"I have seen it. You will break the curse." The woman told her blankly.

"I've found Link." Duvaine whispered, lowering her gaze. "Find the Hero, break the curse."

"Break it, or you will die."

Duvaine shifted her weight uncomfortably. "How?" She asked, dreading the answer.

"I know what you are. I know what is housed within you. The only way to break the curse is to cleanse it with a pure soul graced by the goddesses."

"Y-you mean...?" She gasped, stumbling away from the woman's sad gaze.

"You're falling in love with him. And yet, he is the only one that must die by your hand."

Her chest tore in two, the woman wasn't lying. "No." She hissed, backing away. "I choose to die."

Madame Fanadi dipped her head. "Go out that door and run girl. Run, and you will find the right path."

"Linkー" She gasped through a sob.

"If you want to help him, run." The woman commanded.

The room was getting smaller and smaller as Duvaine stumbled backwards. The room spun around when her back hit the wooden door, knocking the breath out of her. It wasn't true, it couldn't be true.

"Why is this happening to me?" Duvaine gasped as she fumbled for the door handle. The woman shook her head sadly.

"You will have your answer, but first you must run." The woman's expression turned sour. "Go!"

Duvaine ripped the door open, her arms weak as jelly. The sun blinded her as she almost fell into the crowded street. Her breath was ragged as she stayed against the wall, holding it for support. When had it gotten so bright out? The sun blinded her for a moment, scorching her eyes.

Run where?! She screamed, searching among the people frantically.

Something reflecting the sunlight caught her eye. Her entire body stiffened on the hard cobblestones, muscles tensed in fear when she spotted the metal armor. The soldiers approached her lazily, as if knowing they had all the time in the world. Her muscles were trapped, she couldn't move. Duvaine whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut as the sounds of their armor and boots hitting the ground came closer and closer until they were right on top of herー

Then they kept going.

The line of men didn't even glance in her direction as they marched passed. Duvaine let out a frantic breath before ducking into the alley. Then she was sprinting.

Her legs pumped clumsily beneath her, slowly growing confidence as she went farther. Her lungs gasped for air as she reached the other end, emerging from the shadow filled space. Her sudden appearance made a homeless man jump in surprise. He grumbled before going back to fumbling through the garbage can.

Duvaine pulled her hood further over her head, keeping her eyes downcast as she jogged into the morning light. There was a fountain ahead of her, a few restaurants and cafe's lining the impeccable street. The fountain bore a statue of Hyrule's mark, the triforce, representing each of the Goddesses. She remembered glimpsing it when they had first arrived. Duvaine dipped her head in respect as she shuffled closer. Her gloved hands were sweating as she felt the cool marble through the fabric, sighing in relief.

Her chest ached as the people moved around her, oblivious to the danger they were in. The curse mark was almost done, a tendril was wrapping around her neck and slowly growing up towards her ear.

Duvaine was almost out of time.

So what should one do when they are about to cause an apocalypse in the middle of town?

She sat down on the marble fountain, and tried to steady her breathing.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Duvaine had no clue how long she sat there, letting the minds of others lull her into a sort of half sleep as she wrestled with her conscious.

You're falling in love with him. And yet, he is the only one that must die by your hand.

Falling in love with Link? Is that what this feeling was? Duvaine supposed she did love Link. That's how it felt in her chest. Her thoughts always drifted to him, those blue eyes always swimming in the back of her mind.

This feeling for Link… it was deep in her chest, and it reminded her of the love she felt for Fovi. Only, it wasn't the same. Love is love. Duvaine had felt it in others since she was a child, but never had she thought to experience it.

You're falling in love with him.

The fortune teller had been wrong… at least a little bit. Duvaine wasn't falling in love with Link because she already was.

And he had to die for her to live.

A sob broke free from her chest, eliciting some strange looks from the people passing by. She ignored them as her being tore at the seams. Her gaze peeled across the square. There was no way she could let that happen. Duvaine would let herself die before she killed Link to save herself.

Her bottom lip trembled as she stood, holding her tongue when somebody bumped into her slightly.

"Sorry." A voice murmured, the woman didn't even glance at her before bustling into the crowd again.

Duvaine's voice was stuck in her throat as she stared after the hooded figure.

Fovi?

Swallowing heavily, she lurched after the rapidly disappearing woman. Maybe she had just imagined it… But the girl's emotions felt like Fovi's. Could it truly be that easy?

The girl looked back, only once, to see that she was being followed. Duvaine tried to look unthreatening as the girl ducked into the back door of a large building. Duvaine waited only a second before ducking in right behind her.

There was a small spiral staircase with a door beneath it. Duvaine gauged the girl had gone up the stairs, when something hard hit her from behind.

Duvaine gasped in fear as a rough hand slammed her into the wall and a blade of Elohnian steel pressed against her throat. She looked up into Anoc's sea green eyes, too shocked to make any noise. He growled at her with an angry look for a moment, then:

"Duvaine?"

He didn't get to say much else, because somebody ripped Anoc off of her. Duvaine gasped, holding her throat in horror. She half expected Fovi to be there, muscling Anoc out of the way, but it wasn't.

Link growled angrily as he threw Anoc into the opposite wall with inhuman force and speed. Anoc gasped for air and slowly rose to his feet, lifting his sword in the process. Link stood in front of Duvaine protectively, pushing her against the wall.

"Link." Duvaine began softly. "This is Anoc. He's from Elohn."

"He attacked you." Link growled again, eyeing Anoc bitterly. The green eyed man gave Link a strange look, his eyes widening into horror.

"Do not stand so close to it." Anoc told him pointedly, giving Duvaine a bitter look.

The snarl that ripped through Link's chest made goosebumps rise on Duvaine's arms. He lunged forward, but Duvaine wrapped her arms around his middle before he could strike Anoc.

"Don't." She whispered against him, burying her face into his tunic. "Just leave it alone. I'll explain everythingー"

"I already know everything." Link muttered, his stiffness loosening slightly.

"Y-you do? How?" She asked.

"Madame Fanadi." Link growled.

"That crazy old woman doesn't know anythingー" Anoc began.

"Duvaine?" A light voice asked from the top of the stairs. "Is that you?"

"Fovi?" Duvaine asked, her body turning to jelly and her hold around Link's waist loosened.

"Duvaine!"

Fovi sprinted down the stairs, practically pushing the grumbling Link down in the process.

"You're ok!" Fovi sobbed into Duvaine's shoulder, who tried to pull away. "What's wrong?"

Duvaine laughed weakly. "Being a tree person isn't fun Fovi." She said lamely.

"Duvaine, what's wrong?"

She was highly aware of the two men staring daggers at one another a few feet away. Did she wish to explain in front of Link? Duvaine took a deep breath, she owed it to him.

"There was a seal placed on me when I was an infant…" Duvaine began. "It's what's kept the curse dormant all these years. But now… it's broken."

"Broken? How did you break it?" Fovi's green eyes bore into her, her cheeks flushed.

"I touched a shard from the Twilight Realm." Duvaine whispered.

"Let me see." Fovi demanded, pulling Duvaine's hood down. She didn't need to pull it far to reveal the tendrils of blackness creeping up her neck. The ends of her pale hair were turning black as well. Fovi cursed under her breath, Anoc was too busy staring to scold her.

"I need to leave Castle Townー" Duvaine began.

"This is your father's fault. And my father. He was stupid enough to agree to this." Fovi hissed.

"Wh-what?" Duvaine asked, Fovi wouldn't look her in the eye as she pulled Duvaine's hood back into place. A dark pool of guilt swam in Fovi's eyes, filling Duvaine's chest.

"Eighteen years ago, there was a Hylian spy caught stealing documents. They threw her in prison, but your father fell in love with her and she became with child." Fovi began quietly. The men were silent, it seemed all of them were holding their breaths. "He found an artifact deep in the sacred mountain. It had power that he couldn't access by himself. It was too powerful, and would corrupt the humans with their darkest desires. So your father suggested to use an unborn child. Something that would be innocent and pure. A blank slate."

"M-me?"

"Yes."

Duvaine was silent. "Y-you knew all these years and you didn't tell me?"

Fovi drew in a breath. "It only would have hurt youー"

"I lied to Link to find you. I trusted you with my life. And I come here to find that you betrayed me?!" Duvaine's voice was rising, anger surging into her chest. "How dare you!" She yelled, pushing Fovi away.

The three were silent, until Anoc jumped up with an angry protest. "How dare you speak to the Royal Highness this wayー"

He was cut short as Link threw him into the wall once more. "Leave her be."

"Who are you supposed to be?" Anoc hissed, standing challengingly.

"I'm the Hero of Twilight. You're lucky I don't turn you in to Princess Zelda's men. The soldiers are tearing Castle Town apart looking for you." Link spit.

"Why are they looking for me?" Fovi demanded, whirling on Link.

Link squared his shoulders. "Your kind new ruler has demanded the return of the kidnapped princess. He's threatening war if you are not returned by the next full moon." Link told her bitterly, eyeing her.

Duvaine shivered, as a stem of pain coursed through the back of her skull. The darkness was spreading.

"Link." She said, and he was beside her. "We need to leave."

He nodded, and took her arm.

"What about us?" Fovi demanded as they headed out the door. Duvaine turned back slowly.

"You're doing just fine on your own Fovi. You don't need my protection anymore. Besides, I cannot stay with somebody who has lied to me for years." Duvaine did her best to keep her voice steady, but it still managed to shake.

The look on Fovi's face was heartbreaking; it was the only way to stop her from following them. Fovi's pain rushed through Duvaine's own chest, she coughed as it clouded her senses.

"Let's go." Link whispered as he gripped her firmly around the waist. "Do not follow us." He warned, turning back to give Anoc a murderous look.

Duvaine's vision turned blurry as they slammed the door behind them.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Here you go guys. Sorry for the delay! I've been really caught up in my other story lately, but I'm glad I got this out. Thank you for the reviews! I hope to hear more from you guys.

Until next time~

(also glad you don't hate me. ;))