Warning: the flashback is a pretty dark one. No smut but there is nudity and some fowl language. I put it at the end so you guys could skip it if you all prefer.
I need to stop with these depressing scenes. I clearly have issues that you guys seem to like for some reason.
Regardless leave a comment if you want more! It helps fuel the insanity.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"There, that should do it!" Gondo leaned back and studied his handiwork. It was long, going from the bottom of Link's foot and stopping mid-thigh. There were thin metal sections traveling up both sides of his leg, and many leather straps holding them together. The biggest concentration of leather was around his knee joint keeping it secure and still.
"And this should help him walk?" Headmaster Gaepora asked skeptically.
"It should, I think. We haven't needed to use one of these in a long time. Not since my grandad passed anyway." Link looked between the three people surrounding him. What did they mean? How much trouble was he causing them? He remembered hearing the Headmaster speaking about this with Professor Owlen, that they haven't had a crippled resident in decades. Why were they trying so hard to help then?
"I suppose there's only one way to know." Professor Owlen turned to Link and watched him expectantly.
"Don't be shy Link! Try it out." Gondo encouraged. Link looked down at his legs, unsure how this would work. Carefully he stood upright, clearly favouring his good side. He could already tell his leg was far more restricted, and it hadn't bent sideways yet. He used the bed as support while slowly distributing his weight. The knee wasn't buckling, and the patella hadn't pulled weirdly either. The brace didn't give it room to.
"So far so good." Gondo commented leaning down to fiddle with the straps a bit before handing Link a crutch. "Go ahead and try walking." The teen nodded, hesitantly putting the stick and braced leg forward. Slowly he moved his weight to it, half expecting the joint to give way again. It held firm though, and he awkwardly managed to get a step in without falling. He took another step, and then a third. Soon he was grabbing for the desk near the wall, feeling his legs tremble from effort.
"Hey, it did work!" Gondo announced proudly. "I knew it would."
"Well it's certainly not graceful, though it seems usable at least." Owlen added while scratching his chin in thought. "However, I don't think it needs to be that big. We're just stabilising his knee, not the ankle too."
"This is a prototype! And I'll work on a better design, but for now this should get him moving again." The two continued their discussion though Link tuned them out. He couldn't believe he was standing again. Granted he was already winded and his muscles felt like wobbly chewchews. How did everyone else manage so well?
"Would you like to step outside Link?" The Headmaster asked while the others talked. "I'm sure your friends are eager to see you standing." Link looked to the floor shyly with a small nod. Would all of them be there? He didn't want all of there eyes on him at once. "No need to be nervous. I'm sure the crimson will be happy to see you too." He looked up a bit surprised at that one. "He's been roosting on top of the school for the last fortnight. You weren't aware?" The teen shook his head. Sure the bird had visited him everyday since he got sick, always poking his head through that window. For some reason no one told him the bird was practically living here now.
The Headmaster smiled at his newfound interest, motioning to the door of his bedroom. Link nodded, shakily using the crutch to hobble into the hallway. By the time he exited Link was already out of breath. The teen hasn't been able to walk properly since Master's punishment. He'd forgotten how tiring it can be. Regardless Geopora followed close by with his hands tucked away under a bundle of fabric, waiting patiently whenever he stopped for a break. The double doors weren't too far away thankfully, and the larger man held them wide open so Link could exit. The cool breeze that stung his cheeks was a bit startling. It was chillier than he remembered, though the flowers were still in bloom.
"Sorry about the chill. We seem to be having a bit of a cold front." Gaepora commented. He motioned to the back of the building and walked beside the crippled teen. "The surface hasn't been open for long, so we're still learning about these new weather patterns." Link nodded along trying to keep up. He was still rather clueless on the history of this place, but he didn't want to start a long conversation or anything.
"Link!" The boy in question looked up at hearing Karane's voice. She was standing by a shed-like building playing with Milo, now sporting a wide grin at seeing him standing. Fledge dropped the barrel in his arms, his eyes lighting up immediately.
"Your walking!" The two rushed over to look at his new brace, both seemed entranced by the thing. "What is that anyway?"
"I think it's a leg brace. My grandfather needed one but I was really little back then."
Groose came out of the smaller building, surprised at seeing Link upright.
"Alright! I knew Gondo could do it." Groose rushed over excitedly, slowing down when Link tensed unconsciously.
"Pipit is helping move some supply crates down by the Waterfalls. Would you like to check it out?" Link hesitantly nodded at Karane's suggestion. They were going to a new location. He was scared but oddly curious too.
"Don't tire him out too badly." Gaepora handed the fabric bundle to Karane and left. She held out the cloth, revealing a warm looking half cape much like Master wore. It was a light tan color with red patterning, and thick like Karane's knitted undershirt.
"Oh! Great idea." She quickly threw the poncho like cloak over Link's head, smoothing it down to drape past his waist. It was really quite cozy. "Perfect, we should be ready to go." The others grabbed some crates and began walking, Link using his crutch to hobble behind. They hadn't even passed the front door when Groose got impatient. He scooped Link off the ground before the teen could respond, placing him on his right shoulder and throwing the barrel over his left.
"Sorry bud. You… looked a little winded." Groose said with a guilty smile. Link nodded and looked away. He knew it was due to his slow speed, but Link wouldn't press the issue if Groose decides not to. It didn't take long for them to come upon a lake with two waterfalls. The larger man set him down on a grassy patch, taking his barrel and placing it with several dozen others. Pipit was there too, arguing with a floating thing that had electricity for arms.
"We're prepping for the cold front." Karane informed. "Last year there was a small chill, but it's supposed to be far worse this year according to the kikwi. We might even see some snow up here. The first in Skylofts history." Link didn't like the sound of that. Snow meant death and cold, nothing he wanted to be apart of. He decided to watch the waterfall instead, using his good knee as a chin rest. Fledge watched him rather worried.
"Are you feeling alright?" He asked carefully. Link shrugged, watching a few Loftwings fly by in the distance. "Did you want to see the crimson?" The teen perked up immediately, looking to Fledge hoping for an answer. "You can call him anytime you want. Just whistle." Fledge demonstrates by blowing on his fingers, producing a loud noise that quickly summoned a brown Loftwing. "You should try it!"
Link looked to his hand questioningly, placing his fingers in his mouth like Fledge did. The motion felt oddly familiar, and he manage to make a loud whistling noise on his first try. Within seconds the crimson came in for a landing, walking up to Link and nudging him expectantly.
"That was great Link!" Fledge clapped and smiled. The teen couldn't help but grin, stroking the bird's feathers gently while the creature got situated. It plopped down behind his back, using it beak to gently tug at Link's hair. "I'll be helping everyone with the food stock inventory, but call one of us if you need anything." Link nodded and went back to the red avian. He leaned into the fluffy feathers of the crimson, enjoying the familiar safe feeling only this bird seemed to provide. Slowly Link began looking at the grass under him, plucking strands and playing with them. The green leaves were dry, though breaking them apart produce some moisture. He slowly brought a piece to his nose, taking a light whiff. They smelled interesting at least, but the grass didn't look too appetising. He reached for a larger strand, nearly yelping when the dirt mound spun around. A rather agitated looking… plant? Rodent? He really wasn't sure what the brown creature was, but it certainly didn't look happy.
"I thought I told y- Mr. Link?!" It's mannerisms went from flighty to excited, rushing up to him and jumping with joy. "It's been so long! Why did you go away?" Link just stared at him, completely aw struck by the little creature. It reminded him of a remlit, but this animal could talk. "What's wrong? Why won't you l- OH!" The little thing bowed apologetically. "Mr. Owlen told me you were sick! I'm sorry I forgot…" He twiddled his tiny hands together before standing up straighter.
"I'm Oolo the kikwi! You brought me to Skyloft years ago since it was safe." Link tried to think back but was coming up blank. "You don't remember that at all?" Oolo tilted his head questioningly. Link shook his head apologetically. He honestly didn't know anything about this guy. Oolo seemed to deflate a bit at the news. "If you can't remember me… do you remember anything at all?" Apparently the look on his face was answered enough, as the kikwi suddenly perked up with a new thought.
"I can tell you all about this place then! You should avoid the remlits because they pounce. And whatever you do stay away from the children-" As if on cue light giggling and footfall sounded from nearby. "Oh no it's her!" Oolo curled into a ball, looking like nothing more than a plant in the ground. Link turned to see a little girl running around the barrels, suddenly taking notice and rushing over. The girl had black hair and wore a purple jacket. She stared at him curiously before her eyes lit up.
"Mr. Link!" The girl shouted excitedly. Link flinched back at the volume but she didn't seem to notice. Her face suddenly fell a bit at his weird demeanour. "Why won't you say hi?" He looked at her oddly, slowly lifting his hand in greeting. That seemed to satisfy her for now. "I'm a big girl now! I'm this many years old!" She held up six fingers and laughed. Link tried to smile but it came out very forced and stiff. She seemed to wait for a response before getting bored and moving on.
"I'm way better at screaming now! Want to hear?" She didn't give him a chance to answer, suddenly erupting in a deathly shriek. He covered his ears and cowered, a sudden wave of fear hitting like a boulder. His muscles tensed and all he could think about was clawing his ears off. Anything to stop the screaming. Anything to stop his own screaming-
The world stuttered*
He was huddled under his parent's bed, people with blurred out faces being brutally killed in the other room. He could hear his mother's agonised cries in the kitchen, his father having gone quiet long ago. He was trembling in fear, trying desperately to hold back sobs and stay quiet. Just then the door slowly creaked open, heavy footsteps walking towards him. The black boots stopped right in front of his face. Suddenly the bed was through the far wall with a loud crash, Link being grabbed around the neck by a huge monster with firey hair and red eyes-
The world stuttered*
"Hey! Are you with me?" Karane was gripping him firmly by the arms trying to stop him from scratching. The seconds ticked by, and the world came into focus again. Link was with the crimson in Skyloft, and he was safe. It was quieter all of a sudden, the little girl nowhere to be found. He glanced over Karane's shoulder, seeing Pipit kneeling by the child talking sternly. Link was relieved at the quiet, though his nerves were still on high alert.
"Mr. Link doesn't like loud noises. You need to keep your voice down." Pipit said. The child seemed to ponder this for a moment, looking between Link and Pipit questioningly.
"So… Mr. Link is scared of noise?" Pipit nodded, the child finally seeming to understand. "Why?"
"Because… Ummm…" Pipit scratched the back of his head, trying to say it as simply as possible. "He was… hurt badly by someone that makes loud noises."
"Why?" She asked again.
"Because some people aren't nice. But you want to be a nice person right?" She nodded firmly. "Excellent! Now you should apologise to Link."
"Okay!" She rushed over but immediately slowed when the crimson made a threatening cawing sound. The girl stopped in front of him and looked down. "I'm sorry Mr. Link." She attempted to whisper. The teen just nodded, hoping that would make her leave sooner.
"He forgave you." Karane smiled. "Why don't you go see Batreaux? I'm sure he'd love to play with you." She nodded and scampered off, seeming to forget everything that just transpired.
"I'm sorry." Karane sighed. "We tried to warn the townsfolk, but Kukiel's parents must not have explained it very well."
"Are you okay Mr. Link?" Oolo had uncurled from his ball, looking up curiously with a tiny hand on his brace. The teen tried nodding, only to realise his frame was still trembling slightly.
The rest of the day was rather quiet, everyone else continued to move barrels back and forth while Link watch the water and listen to Oolo tell his crazy stories of Link's past adventures. They were very creative tales certainly, as if he was ever a brave swordsman.
The Loftwing bonk him lightly on the head with its beak. It gave him an odd look, as if to say Link is far stronger than this. He stroked the bird gently ignoring the thought. No way he'd ever be strong. He was always weak as far back as he could remember, and he'd always be week.
XxxxxxxxxX
Nine Months Earlier
Link just laid sprawled out on his side, never ending trickles of blood drooling from his mouth to the floor. The spurs had opened too many permanent wounds and he's been bleeding nonstop for days. Oddly enough the taste of iron was somewhat comforting. It almost reminded him of raw meat, instead of the permanent dry mouth and dirt taste he was used to. Still his gums were very infected. He could feel the swelling with his tongue and a constant ache consumed his whole mouth and jaw. He tried to focus on his mouth at least. That helped distract from the other sore parts of his body. Every so often a fresh tinge of pain made his spine go stiff, but soon enough it always ebbed back to that constant throb.
A familiar chime echoed through his cell, and his gut sank knowing what would come.
"Good news Sky Child, Its that time again!" Ghirahim roughly pulled the boy into a sitting position, unhooking the bridle and removing it roughly. Link pulled his face away and grabbed for his jaw, feeling around trying to assess the damage. The skin around his mandible was slightly swollen from infection, and the sores in his mouth were still seeping blood. He coughed a few times, spewing the red liquid down his chin and chest.
"Honestly, must you be so disgusting?" Ghirahim asked insultingly. Link ignored him, moving his mandible back and forth hoping to loosen it a bit. It wouldn't open more then half way, and when he tried white hot pain shot from the gums through his temples.
"Chop chop boy. I don't have all day." Link rolled his eyes but said nothing. He'd do what he wanted sooner or later, so Link might as well get it over with. He turned to face the Demon Lord, staring at him hatefully. "No need to be rude. We haven't even started yet." Ghirahim looked at the child sitting helplessly. His lips stretched into a playful smile and his eyebrows creased.
"Remove your rags." The Demon Lord motioned to what was left of Link's pants. The boy's blood ran cold at the mere statement. His pupils turned to pin pricks and a strong shudder ran down his spine. The demon wasn't suggesting what he thought, right?
"N-no…" Link whispered. Of all the things that has happened so far he wasn't letting the Demon Lord do THAT. He'd die before he let that happen. Ghirahim watched him rather puzzled before understanding seemed to click. His lips curled into a cruel grin.
"Oh you dirty child! You honestly think I'd stoop that low?" Ghirahim approached and ripped the fabric away himself, Link instantly flinching to hide his dignity. He only laughed as the others face flushed in embarrassment, grabbing his shoulder and teleporting to the torture chamber. "Believe me Sky Child, the mere thought of touching a lower life form like you is completely repulsive. I'll stick with my favoured torture methods thank you." He cleared his throat and continued.
"Today I'm after something a little different." Ghirahim turned to face him with that cruel gaze. "I want to hear you renounce your Goddess!" Link felt a fresh wave of fury well up in his chest. Of all the things Ghirahim made him do, he had to reject his best friend? Basically abandon Zelda?!
"Come now. You've already called me Master on several occasions. Is this really that much worse?" Link tried to snarl, but fresh blood and drool dripping from his mouth ruined the effect. Ghirahim only laughed at his patheticness.
"If your going to be difficult allow me to introduce you to more of your human inventions!" He twirled over to a large object draped in dark fabric, pulling it away to reveal the monstrosity underneath. It was a large metal chair. Several thick straps lined the arm rest, back and legs of the seat, clearly meant for restraining someone. The scariest part though were the spikes. Hundreds of small iron spikes lined every inch of the chair, taunting him with what would come next.
"Lovely isn't it? I found it in an abandoned castle after the war, and was sure to refurbish it." He brushed a few spikes lightly with his fingertips, as if the chair really meant something to him. "One thousand spikes cover the chair entirely. Some called it a torture chair, an interrogation chair. Personally I prefer… Iron Chair." He said the last word with a trill, appearing beside Link and dragging him forward. "It just has such a strong sound to it. Wouldn't you agree?" Link tried to appear angry but his heart was already pounding. He knew the demon would force him on that thing no matter what he said, but just looking at it filled him with dread.
"Luckily for you, this causes very little blood loss, unit your peeled off that is." He shoved the teen backwards, forcing him to fall on the spiked seat. Link yelped when the needles penetrated his back and buttocks, attempting to stand but being shoved back with a strong kick to the stomach. Ghirahim strapped his arms, legs and chest in firmly. He could feel every needle traveling deeper through his skin. He yelled desperately, knowing it wouldn't help but unable to stop himself. Link breathed heavily when his skin finally stopped sinking into the cold spikes. It didn't hurt yet like the other methods of torture he's experienced, though he hated the sensation of his flesh being penetrated. The spikes were at least an inch long, and he feared any motion would drive them deeper.
"What do you think Sky Child?" Ghirahim laughed grabbing some hot coals from the fire by that damned denailing tabled. He sashayed behind the chair out of Link's eyesight, making noises under the seat that Link really didn't like. He could only try to stay as still as possible despite his body's light trembling.
"Really? No response at all?" Ghirahim sighed but reached a hand around to stroke his face. "Why must you continue with this 'cold shoulder' treatment? After everything we've been through." The Demon cackled as the cool metal under us rump started warming. "Don't worry boy. Things will be heating up soon enough."
The temperature kept rising. Soon it was growing to painful levels, his breathing getting erratic as the burning spread through his back and legs. It escalated into a scalding heat, like he was being roasted alive. He couldn't stop the desperate screams echoing throughout the whole cave. That damn demon lit a fire under this chair!
"Oh, you really are bringing the heat aren't you?" Ghirahim laughed at his own joke but Link barely noticed. Panicked he pulled hard against his bindings, shaking and yanking but only digging the spikes in further. He couldn't stop wailing. The sharp needle like ends were one thing but the fire was a new animal entirely. Combining the two sent his mind into a frenzied spiral. He couldn't focus on anything.
"If I would have known fire was this effective I could have pulled it out sooner." Ghirahim chuckled. "All this time I had the secret to unlocking your voice all along."
"STOP! STOP THIS! PLEASE!" Link begged, spewing words he could barely control. He leaned his head as far forward as possible trying to find relief but nothing would help. This had to be hell!
"You know exactly what I want to hear boy." Ghirahim stated. "And we won't stop until I get what I want."
XxxxxxxxX
The child screamed nonstop for hours! Ghirahim was completely euphoric hearing his pathetic pleads. The boy even called him master several times in desperation! Of course the demon couldn't give in yet though, not until the boy said those magic words, or came close at the very least. They were reaching the third hour when Link's voice completely broke, his screams turning to raspy sobs. The Sky Child was really proving his metal here, and he might even deserve a reward after all this. Perhaps a bigger slice of moldy bread? New pants? He had so many options! First the child would have to break before anything else.
"You know what's strange boy?" Ghirahim asked casually while stoking the fire, revelling in Links pained wheezes and hoarse cries. "The concept of torture wasn't introduced to us demons until man came along. I bet you find that hard to believe." Link didn't answer or even acknowledge the statement, so he simply continued. "My Master Demise is focused on the total destruct of all things, not the prolonged suffering of creatures. If that's a byproduct of his reign then so be it, but the concept of torture never occurred to us. That changed, however, after man was created." He walked slowly to the boy's side, applying pressure to his arm making it sink deeper through the sharp spikes. The brat was strangely quiet that time, his body tense as if holding his breath. "You humans hate us demons for our dark magic and mere existence, yet you follow a Goddess that herself made creatures capable of such atrocities? Can you truly say us demons are the real monsters?"
Just then the child began mumbling something under his breath. Ghirahim's heart nearly skipped a beat. The boy was finally breaking down!
"What was that? You'll need to speak up." Ghirahim leaned in close to the trembling child, waiting intently for those sweet words of defeat. A warm fluid hit his cheek instead, surprising him more than anything. The demon wiped it away with a gloved hand, realizing the boy had spit in his face.
"I… s-said…" Link coughed out but managed to glare up through his messy bangs. A hard, piercing gaze that would make most men tremble.
"Fuck. You." The child growled in a scratchy low voice. His stare was unyielding, and the malice and pure rage on his face made the demon step back. In that moment the child's demeanor completely changed, as if he wasn't the same boy. Ghirahim paused, neither party willing to break eye contact. Finally too much blood welled in Link's mouth and he was forced to cough it up, breaking the sudden tenseness that settled between them.
"... Very well." Ghirahim grabbed a buck of water and threw it on the smouldering flames under the metal chair. The fire hissed as it was smothered into a hot pile of soot and charcoal. "I'll give you some time to rethink that answer." With a snap the demon vanished, reappearing in his room. He took a heavy seat in the soft deep red chair by his bookcase. Ghirahim needed to ponder this a bit, and the kid could survive at least twelve hours strapped to that chair in his current state.
It was almost comical. The child was naked, emaciated and in excruciating pain. Despite all that the look in his eyes nearly made the demon flinch back. They were animalistic and hard, nothing like the determined innocent eyes of the boy that killed his Master. No, the closest face he could compare it to was the first Hero of the Goddess' all those centuries ago. The one felled in battle, but still managed to push the Demon King back. The child's soul wasn't breaking as Ghirahim had first believed. It was hardening, damaged and cracked yet too stubborn to give in. Perhaps he pushed the boy before he was ready? He had no doubt Link would eventually renounce his friend to make the pain stop. Ghirahim had just believed three months of strait torture would be enough. It was clear he had underestimated the brat, as he was guilty of doing so many times before. Honestly, would he ever learn?
An odd feeling bubbled in his chest. Was this pride? Yes, he was almost proud of the boy's strength. Perhaps it was more than a fluke that his Master was defeated by that boy. He wouldn't say it to the child's face, but he'd certainly give him fresh pants. A sort of acknowledgment for the brat's fortitude.
He needed a better plan to break him though. Just using standard physical and psychological torture wasn't cutting it. He'd need to up the ante. Well, he could do some… mental manipulation. Oh that's a juicy thought! He hasn't done that in centuries. It would be such a cruel fate to force on that young child, one that he definitely deserved. He'd prime the child a little long with physical torture, but afterwards the demon would pull out his truest form of punishment. A fate truly worse than death!