"We need to talk!" Navi hovered in front of my face to get my attention.
"About what?" We were still in the forest, wandering around, looking for these stupid monsters that I have to kill.
Life is hard...
"I know who Zoran is!" She grabbed a fistful of my bangs and yanked on them.
I shrugged. "So do I, he's an asshole..."
Behind me Corbet chuckled, but otherwise remained silent.
"No! Well... yes...! But not just that! Remember the story I told you about, the one with the two brothers?"
"Yeah, they're the reason I have to go to the temples to free the sages and what not right? Then they'll make some bad ass weapon for me to destroy them with."
Navi nodded and slapped my cheek happily. "Exactly! Well yeah, those are the two brothers, Zeil must be close by as well! So now we have to work extra hard in defeating the Forest Temple boss quickly before they make a move!"
That sounded fine to me, the sooner we kill off those bastards, the sooner I can get around to fixing the Master Sword... I clutched my hand around the pouch where the broken blade was hidden.
"Why was the Master Sword even in the lost woods? I thought the Temple of Time was near Hyrule castle?" Corbet did have a good point, I had also thought of that some point along my previous journey, but the thought was forgotten until now.
"Well the Temple of Time was once near Hyrule Castle, but the sages didn't think it was safe enough there, so they just rebuilt it in the lost woods, hoping no one would find it there! I heard they even made it into a temple like the others and gave it its own guardian!"
Pfft. If only Navi knew.
I went back in time using the Master Sword, and I saw just what that temple was all about, and I even had the great pleasure of meeting its guardian...
Behind me, Corbet whimpered and I turned to look at him. What the hell is wrong now?
"You okay?" I asked him.
He looked like hell, his normally tanned skin was turning into a sickly pale color, and his usually bright and intense amber eyes looked dull and tired.
"It's nothing. Never mind me; one of the monsters is up ahead. Focus on that."
Like hell I would. "What exactly happened when we were attacked by Zoran the first time? Is there something that you're not telling me?" I searched his face looking for an answer and he quickly averted his gaze from mine.
"I'm fine, just forget it! We'll deal with it later."
The hell we will!
"Link! Watch out!"
I managed to throw myself out of the way just before a ball of purple fire hit me.
Damn that was too close.
I looked over at the attacker who appeared to be some kind of ghost thing...
Navi flew over to me and bopped my head. "It's one of the Poe Sisters! I knew it!"
Purple sister giggled and twirled herself around.
Was she taunting me?
I unsheathed Cold Heart and stepped forward. "Time for heroics I guess."
She twirled around again and her image blurred.
"She's splitting up and changing form! You have to find the real one!"
Aw shit.
When she was done changing, four purple wolves stood before me, all snarling in unison.
This could be a hard fight...
I ran up to the nearest one and attacked it. My sword went right through it and with a snarling leap, all the wolves jumped at me.
I rolled out of the way as quickly as I could; I was not going to wait around to find out if all four of them could do physical harm to me.
I stood up and got back in my fighting stance, watching the ghosts. How the hell was I going to figure out which one was the real one? And on second thought, could I even hurt her?
Corbet came up behind me and grabbed my right hand. "Here, try this." He placed something cold in my hand, and before I could protest I found myself on all fours, my bones cracking painfully into place.
How the hell? Damn, Corbet must have taken the twilight shard after the whole fight with Zoran, but how was I going to change back?
"Don't worry; I think I know how to take it off you again, now that it's not shoved into your flesh or anything... It should be simple for me to just draw the darkness from your body, twilight is closely related to shadow you know..."
I growled at him and turned my attention back to the wolves.
This was awkward...
But I could finally see what one was the real one! I raced toward her, she must have known the jig was up, because she turned tail and ran in the opposite direction.
The three other wolves ran at me and I dodged them, nearly getting caught by fangs a couple of times. Then she was right in front of me and I pounced and sunk my fangs into her soul.
She made a horrible screaming noise as I ripped her soul away from her spiritual body.
The other wolves dissipated along with her and the clearing was silent.
"That was hot." I looked up and Corbet who was standing beside me smiling.
Our earlier conversation is not over, so you'd better wipe that smile off your face.
He reached down to pet my head and I felt the same painful cracking sensations of transforming, then I was me once again, standing on two legs and glaring at him.
"What if that didn't work?" I asked him angrily.
Fight the urge to punch him. Fight the urge to punch him.
His smile widened and he bounced the twilight shard in his hand. "I would have never have done it if I didn't believe I could change you back. I'm not into dogs like that."
Ew.
"Welcome Saria, I know you are weak, but we need only a little of your strength."
A slightly faded Saria nodded. "My power will soon be fully restored, so I will gladly help you with what little I have left."
"Good. Let us begin then."
Azure stepped away from the Hero of Time's body to give the sages room to work with.
Together all the sages raised their hands calling on their powers. The hero's body was surrounded by a rainbow of colors briefly, before it slowly faded away.
The body slowly regained its flesh and then began drawing in breath.
"Hero of Time. Awake please."
The body on the floor rolled over, and began snoring.
"Azure, if you would... please wake our young friend."
Azure nodded, and then started poking the sleeping hero with his foot.
"Go...away... I'm... sleeping..."
"Wake up, Link."
Link rolled onto his back and looked at Azure. "Hi Zelda."
"Not her, sorry," He pulled the hero to his feet.
"Link... You must go help your descendant."
"Wait, what?"
Rauru opened up a portal and gestured for Azure to push him.
"Good luck hero."
"Bu-
Azure shook his head and kicked him into the portal.
Well. Isn't this the most annoying thing in the world?
"Link! We're lost!"
"No shit..."
She flew around my head. "And it's your fault! I knew I should have said something! Now I'm going to die in this stupid forest with you! Life is so unfair!"
I rolled my eyes when I knew she was looking. "You're such a drama queen..."
"I am-
There was a large cracking sound followed by my descent into the darkness.
Stupid gravity.
"Look out for the hole!"
I glared up at her. "Navi. Get down here so I can rip your wings off!"
I heard Corbet laugh weakly and frowned. He better not die on me.
As much as I pretend not to like him, he's really growing on me.
…
And it had nothing to do with our kiss.
I only fell about 8 feet, so there were no serious injuries besides the ones I had already accumulated today.
I heard Corbet land quietly beside me.
"Well look at this, here we are, all alone and in the dark." I felt him move up behind me and I sighed.
The guy doesn't give up. I kiss him back once and now all he wants to do is get in my pants... Well I'm pretty sure that's what he wanted to do after first meeting me, but whatever.
The moment was ruined when Navi flew towards me; her light showed me that we were in some kind of old dusty hallway.
I stood and brushed the dirt off my tunic and Corbet wrapped his arms around me in a hug.
"You two are so cute together! You would make a cute wife, Link!"
I was about to reply to that, when a bright light filled the corridor.
"What the..."
I was once again thrown to the ground. The only difference this time was someone was on top of me and under me...
Sandwich?
The person on top of me spoke, his voice was familiar. "Ow..."
"That goes for me too," I said with a grimace.
The person quickly jumped off me when he saw where he had landed and I rolled off Corbet who let out a pained groan.
"Sorry! I was wondering why my landing was so cushioned." The voice said close by us.
I stood up again, using the wall for support. Navi must have flown in my hat or something, because it was pitch black... And quiet...
"It's okay... the floor and I are well acquainted by now..." I said with a grimace.
And Corbet and I were well acquainted as well, but I wasn't going to say that one out loud.
The person, who was male, chuckled. "Is that so? That's very amusing."
"Amusing?"
"Yeah, I'm clumsy too."
Corbet clapped a hand over my mouth before I could question him further. "Shhh!"
A shuffling noise behind us made everyone go silent.
I removed Corbet's hand from my mouth and pushed him away. "Hey candle stick... Where are you?"
She flew out of my hat and hit me on the head. "Stop calling me-
She went silent and stared behind me in horror.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you've gone mute..."
"No! It's not that!"
The person in front of me grabbed my tunic and turned me around. "It might have something to do with the giant spider that's lurking behind you two, ready to bite your heads off."
Navi flew around us in a circle then shouted. "Run!"
"I can take him..." I said, already going to draw my sword.
But the unknown man was already pulling me along, laughing like a maniac with Corbet not far behind me, smacking my ass whenever I tried to stop and turn around.
We ran full speed for what felt like forever, finally entering a bigger room that was lit up by some holes in the ceiling.
"Man that was fun, we should do it again!" The man turned around to face me, and to my complete surprise... He looked identical to me...
"Either you're one of those crazy fanboys that stalk me... Or you really do look like me..." I said awkwardly.
I heard a gasp behind me and felt Corbet shuffle away.
Oh great, now what's his problem?
"Hey, do I know you from somewhere…?" I watched as he eyes widened, like he was remembering something and then he came over and hugged me, very tightly. I could definitely feel my bruises now.
"Link's getting hugged by yet another man, ha!"
"I'm am?" We both said in unison.
I pushed him off. "Definitely a fanboy... Listen, you are not Link... I am, now go back home."
"But I'm Link too."
Navi, who was being unusually quiet, added to the conversation. "If you're Link then show us your Triforce!"
Fanboy Link shrugged and took off his gauntlet, he held up his hand, and sure enough the Triforce of courage was glowing brightly. "I told you. And Navi, how come you don't remember me? I thought we were best friends..."
"Best friends? Wait! Are you?"
"The Hero of Time? Yeah, you didn't recognize me?" He was smiling like an imp
Navi flew into fanboy's arms, babbling something incoherent.
I was really confused. Of course I didn't recognize him now that he was alive and everything. His personality was different too, maybe because his soul had found peace?
I summoned some fire to play with while I watched the display of affection. I'm not good with these kinds of things. Even my best friends never share hugs with me; I'm not a touchy person.
Corbet pulled me away from what I was doing and into his arms; I could hear a soft growling noise coming from him. I'm guessing either he doesn't like the fact that I just got hugged by another guy, or the other Link really is the Hero of Time, and he has some kind of grudge against him.
"Oh Link! I'm so glad you're here! Twilight is being so mean to me! He even locked me in a bottle! And he blames me, even when it was his fault he stepped in the hole!"
My name is Link too... But I guess it would be too complicated if there were two Links', so I let it pass.
Besides, Twilight is a bad ass name.
"Promise me you'll never have children if that's what they all turn out like! He's evil! The spawn of Ganondorf!"
Other Link looked at me, and then at the noisy fairy. "I don't think I have any direct descendants, Navi, he's most likely my reincarnation."
I wasn't sure if he remembered all the training we went through together. If the Hero of Time really has been revived, would he lose all that?
It kind of made me sad, I learned a lot from him.
He looked like he recognized me so maybe he did remember. I guess I'll have to ask him once I get a chance.
But then he hugged me again and I knew that he remembered.
Damn he's tall.
"Don't let this one kiss you, Twilight!"
I tried to push him off me, but he wouldn't budge. "I know he's not related to me, stop freaking out."
Navi shrugged. "It's still weird! And besides, it's bad enough you're screwing with your shadow!"
Link let go of me and looked around. "Shadow? He's here?" His eyes quickly located Corbet who was now at the opposite side of the room, trying to blend in with the shadows as best as he could.
Why didn't he just go to the shadow world if he was that upset?
"Corbet is under Twilight's control! Don't worry Link! He's actually being really helpful!" Navi flew over to him and sat on his shoulder.
Looks like someone has a new friend.
Link shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest. "If you say so, keep him away from me though, I'll have nothing to do with him."
Hey, whatever went on between these two was going to stop. Now.
Corbet is… He's a good friend, and I'm starting to hate the way everyone looks at him.
I stood and gave him a look that could freeze hell over, and I heard Navi gulp nervously. "What the hell are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be a rotting corpse or something? Why are you alive?"
Link shrugged again. "I'm alive because of you. You're the one who awoke the sages and they used their power to revive me so I could help you, for whatever reason."
"So you're the weapon they were talking about?" Navi got up and started flying around Link's head excitedly.
"I suppose?" He cupped her in his hands and nuzzled his cheek against her. "I've missed you so much!"
Ha! So he really is crazy! No one could miss her.
Corbet slowly approached and I grabbed onto his hand and pulled him closer to me with ease, I wish he would say something; I'm starting to get stressed out with his silent act.
Link stopped nuzzling the bug to glance at Corbet. "Had a little run in with the wrong kind of magic, did you?"
Corbet growled, but otherwise remained silent.
I wish someone would explain themselves.
Navi coughed at the awkward silence "We should really be looking for the rest of the Poe Sisters."
Yeah, we'll do that, but as soon as we're out of here I'm getting some answers. "Let's carry on then, shall we?"
I started walking in the direction of the evil presence I felt. Corbet stayed close beside me.
"You are alright for now, right? You're not going to collapse or anything? Die Suddenly?" I reached up to pinch his cheek and behind us, Navi started making kissy noises.
Stupid bug.
Corbet opened his mouth just to say, "I'll be fine..." so quietly I had to strain to hear him.
Link approached my other side, making sure to give Corbet his space, and smiled down at me. "Sorry about upsetting you and your boyfriend. It's just me and him have had some troubles in the past, and I wasn't expecting to see him ever again."
Corbet returned the glare, though his was more broken than angry.
"It's fine, just don't kill each other."
Wait... Boyfriend?
I heard Corbet hum happily when I didn't bother correcting Link on his mistake.
I have a boyfriend? Since when?
I looked down at my left hand that was currently holding Corbet's and sighed. He was nice and warm. I couldn't lie to myself and say that I didn't enjoy having him by my side.
Even if he was a bit strange and creepy, but I could feel the power he had, he was strong and confident, and every time that we've kissed so far I felt…
"Can you two give us a minute?" I said to Navi and Link.
The bug giggled and Link looked displeased, but he nodded and started walking ahead.
Corbet was shaking when I turned to him, he looked horrible but his eyes lit up when they met mine.
"This doesn't mean anything, I'm not about to jump into something with someone I don't know anything about."
I still didn't know him well, but there was just something that was drawing me to him. I knew it was fucked up to be feeling something for a demon, but not many of my life's choices had made much sense before.
He smirked and backed away from me so he could lean himself against the cracked stone wall. "Oh?"
I pressed myself against him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "We're going to go slow, and if I don't want you to push me, you're going to back the fuck off."
"Okay." He tilted his head down, trying to catch my lips between my teeth.
I pulled out of his reach. "I'm serious, if you try to rush this I'll—"
I yelped as I was pulled forward and crushed into his chest. Our lips met and I sighed into the contact, bringing my hands up again to tangle themselves in his silky black hair.
This was nice.
This was something I could get used to.
I felt his warm fingers brush over my cheek and I once again wondered what was wrong with him. I wish he would tell me.
"We should get back," he said, pulling away from me.
I sighed in annoyance and allowed myself to briefly lean into his touch before pulling away. "Yeah, we wouldn't want them to come back and open their mouths, they both annoy me."
He chuckled and pushed me in the direction they walked off too, and I walked ahead on my own.
As soon as we caught up to the others, Link started talking right way. "You wouldn't happen to have an extra weapon on you by any chance?" I looked at him and he smiled back hopefully.
"Yeah, I do actually, your sword."
I removed my hand from Corbet's and reached behind me to pull out Cold Heart, but he shook his head when I held it up to him.
"I don't have any magic left, that sword would be no good to me."
I sighed and sheathed the sword, then reached into the magical pouch to retrieve my Ordon Sword and reluctantly handed it over.
"I would give you the Master Sword... But it's... held up right now."
Link took the Ordon sword out of its sheath and eyed the blade. "That's fine, this sword will do."
"Don't scratch it."
Navi flew between us. "Oh! Link! There is one good thing about this kid! He has almost unlimited magic! Well, I really don't know how he does it, but he can use magic just as well as you can use a sword!"
"Good! He can be my back up."
I don't think so pal, I am nobody's back up...
He smiled and attached the Ordon sword to his belt. "I was kidding, calm down."
"I don't need you to tell me to calm down..."
"Really?" Navi giggled and patted me on the head sympathetically.
My life just keeps getting better.