Hi guys! Sorry it's been a while since my last update, but since school started it's been sort of... chaos around here. ANYhow, I made this chappie longer so I'll won't be mad at me:D
The Heroine: War of Shadow
Crumbling Beliefs
'Were you hired by the enemy to kill the Heroine?'
'…that would depend on who the so called enemy is.'
Chase's eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to Chiyo. 'The Evil King's army.'
'Oh, well, then,' Chiyo replied airily, '…yes.'
It was late afternoon, the same day as Chiyo's arrest and she was being interrogated for the first time by Chase. They were not the only people there, however. Two guards where there to keep an eye on Chiyo, and Zelda was there as well. She was looking beautiful as ever, wearing a dress in a dark color of brown, kind of fitting the murky room they were standing in. It was situated in the basement of the castle where they kept prisoners - whenever they have them.
'Are you aware of the punishment for attempt of murder?' Chase started, but was suddenly interrupted by Zelda.
'May I… propose something, General?' she asked softly, taking a step forward into the light.
Both of them turned to look at her, Chase with his surprised expression, and Chiyo's scowling one.
'You seem like someone who would value her freedom,' Zelda said, sitting down opposite Chiyo to be in the same eyelevel. 'Well,' she added, 'who would want to spend the rest of her life in a cell?'
Chiyo's eyes widened at the Queen's words, as if she realized something.
Chase nodded slightly to himself, pleased with Zelda's technique. She had seen what the General had not: Chiyo was afraid. The angel had not considered the consequences of her actions, and had not considered spending the rest of her life in a cell as an option. Only, what was Zelda driving at?
I have the power to give you freedom, Chiyo,' Zelda said, leaning closer to her, smiling softly – kind as she was. 'But in return I want you to help us.'
Chase raised an eyebrow. Help?
This was exactly what Chiyo said, only more suspicious. 'Help?'
The Queen nodded. '…We set you free, and you will go back and report to the army, but then… you will return to us.'
'…and tell you what they say,' Chiyo concluded, understanding the Queen quickly. 'A double-agent.'
Zelda nodded.
Chase looked at the angel, seeing her doubt. Freedom was what she craved for the most now, but she did not really dare going against the army. And he suspected she had some loathing for the Heroine she was not ready to let go of. She looked up at Zelda. 'For my freedom?'
'For your freedom,' Zelda confirmed.
A silence followed, whereas Chase wondered if Chiyo was ever to speak, when she finally opened her mouth.
'Alright… I'll do it.'
---
The rising moon sent a reflection upon the water's surface, the otherwise blue liquid lighting up in a shade of silver. The water clucked steadily as the mild wind passed over its surface. It was silent, as all the birds were sleeping. The only thing heard was the wind, and the clucking of the sea.
Link stood on the white sand, watching the water's peaceful rhythm, trying to find peace herself. She shot a glance to her left, where Epone stood under a lone tree, by a small patch of grass. The stallion raised his head hopefully as he saw she was looking at him. He wanted to go home, and could not for his life understand why his friend had driven him all this way to the west, to the border of Hyrule, where the great sea, Echtelion, lay.
Link was thinking of a particular painful memory. Perhaps the most painful memory she had. That night, two years, ago, when Ganondorf had fallen, she had lost Sheik. Sort of. Hanging her head, she let the memory fill her yet again.
'This is impossible…' he started. 'All this time… you were Link. You were the Hero.' Then a grin suddenly spread across Ganondorf's face. 'Yes. It all makes sense now. This is why I couldn't get anything out of him.'
A wave of chill suddenly rushed through Link's body. Sheik!
'What have you done to him?' she asked fiercely. Ganondorf grinned. Then he snatched his fingers and suddenly Sheik appeared beside him, bound with his own chain.
'Sheik!' Link exclaimed and made a move to run forth but realized that it would be wiser not to. He struggled to get lose.
'Let him go!' she turned to Ganondorf.
'…As you wish,' he grinned and snatched his fingers, and the chain fell to the ground. Sheik's legs gave with and he slumped to the ground, clearly wounded.
'If,' Ganondorf looked up to Link, 'you can catch him.' Suddenly he loaded up a huge energy bolt in his hand and threw it away at Sheik. The Sheikah gasped as it hit him, throwing him over the platform and over the edge.
Ganondorf grinned. 'Oops.'
'Noo!' Suddenly everything went very slowly, and Link threw herself over the platform, managing to grab hold of Sheik's hand. He looked up at her.
'Link!' he said, surprised that she had caught him.
'What?' she panted, 'You think I'd just stand and watch you die? Not a chance.'
Suddenly they heard heavy steps behind Link. Ganondorf stepped up and placed his foot on her back.
'Link,' Sheik looked gravely at her, 'let go.'
She looked shocked at him.
'What?'
Then she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her back. Ganondorf took his giant sword and ripped her slowly on her back. She gasped in pain.
'Yes, Link, why don't you let go?' he grinned.
'No!' she said, biting her lip in pain, and held Sheik's arm firm.
'Link, let go. You have to beat him.' He gave a small smile, despite the sacrifice he was doing. Tears prickled down Link's face, due to the pain and what Sheik was saying.
'No! I won't let the same thing happen to you!' Then she screamed out in pain as Ganondorf ripped her again, slowly, torturing her.
'Don't think of me, Link. Do it for Hyrule. For your brother.'
Link looked at Sheik and slowly realized what she had to do. The tears ran down her face as the grip around Sheik's arm slipped, more and more, until she was only holding on to his fingers. Then with a last look on each other, the grip failed, and Sheik fell towards the ground.
'So this is where you're doing this,' a voice said behind her. And even though it was that soft voice Link knew so well, he managed to startle her quite badly. Giving a jerk, she spun around so quickly she lost her footing, and she landed hard on her bottom.
A reluctant smile spread across Sheik's face, as he took a step forward, extending a hand to help Link up. She took it, and scrambled to her feet, her nose inches from Sheik's chest.
'And what… is this?' she asked, referring to his previous statement, trying to stifle the blush spreading on her cheeks due to her clumsiness.
'Avoiding me,' he replied, the smile still tugging slightly on his lips as he saw her reaction. She cringed, cursing herself. When was she going to learn that that Sheikah always saw through her?
'I…wasn't…,' she started, but fell silent as she realized it was hopeless.
Sheik gave a humble smile, and then his eyes drifted to her ribs. 'How is your wound?' he asked, knitting his eyebrows together in concern. Then he looked up, a motion which caused his hair to fall into his eyes. 'I thought I told you not to ride with that.'
'Actually,' Link said, shooting a glance to Epone who now was joined by Sheik's grey mare, 'finally healed.' She beamed. 'I think Zelda grew tired of me always complaining about it, she managed to heal it fully with her magic.'
'A relief,' Sheik said, smiling softly.
Link realized his fingertips were grazing her hand, and she looked down. What was it with her, never being able to function normally whenever he was touching her? He had the talent of making her skin feel like it was on fire. She looked away, but made the mistake to look into his eyes. For as she looked into those eyes, burning like fire, she was lost. There was nothing she could do.
'Link,' he said, using his softest voice, the one Link always fell for. 'I do not know for what reason you left, or why you returned. But I know you have not been ready to tell me. But I find now that I do not care. For I have something to tell you,' he said.
Link looked up, realizing how close they were. But even if she wanted to, she could not walk away.
'What?' she whispered.
'…I love you,' he said, cupping her chin with his smooth hand. Link's eyes widened. This was not what she had planned.
'But- ' she started, not knowing what to say. 'I-'
But Sheik reached up to her head, streaking her hair out of her face, revealing her dark blue eyes. 'You don't have to say anything,' he whispered. 'Your eyes say more than you think.'
'My eyes?' Link breathed. 'And…what do they say?'
But Sheik did not reply, as he leaned down his head, placing his lips on Link's. And something seemed to explode inside Link. Her feeling was in an uproar by that light kiss. All her emotions, emotions she was both aware of –and unawareof- flared up inside her. Like a battle of two opposing forces. One side had longed for two years for his kiss. Her hands reached up to grasp his blond hair by his neck as she kissed him again. And the image of Sheik's tattoo suddenly flared up in her mind. That tattoo… I have to see it again…
But the other opposing force, the one telling her not to this, suddenly got the overhand. She stopped herself, pulling back. She could not afford this kiss. She had to tell him. Now.
She tore her lips away from his, looking down, trying to gather herself again.
'…Link?' Sheik's soft voice reached her ears, and made a tear run down her eye. As she looked up, she could see Sheik frown.
'Sheik,' she said, her voice trembling slightly, as the tear made its way down her cheek. 'I… have something to tell you.'
She swallowed, as Sheik was only silent. She was thankful as well, knowing that hearing his voice would only make her cry harder.
'Do you remember what I told you two years ago? …Why I had to leave?' she asked, and Sheik nodded.
'You said… because you died here, you could not live on here,' he slowly said, and Link nodded.
'But that's not… entirely true,' Link confessed, looking away.
'…When my brother died, I had never felt such pain,' Link said, looking up in his eyes again, confessing her true feelings. 'And I swore I would not love anyone again.' She fell silent. 'But then I met you. And I knew I shouldn't have, but I fell for you. But like I said, I shouldn't have.'
She suddenly broke away from their embrace, turning to look at the ocean. 'Do you remember that night Ganondorf fell?' she asked.
Sheik stepped up behind her. 'How could I forget?'
'Link,' Sheik looked gravely at her, 'let go.'
'Well,' she said, her voice shaking, 'do you remember when Ganondorf almost threw you from the tower… and I caught you?'
His voice was a little distant as his reply came. '…yes.'
'Yes, Link, why don't you let go?' Ganondorf grinned.
'When I… lost you there,' Link said, turning to him again. 'I thought losing my brother was the most painful thing I've ever experienced… but I was wrong.'
'Link, let go. You have to beat him.' He gave a small smile, despite the sacrifice he was doing.
'Losing you was the worse thing that could happen to me. It is the worst thing that can happen to me,' Link said, tears now running down her face.
'Don't think of me, Link. Do it for Hyrule. For your brother.'
'I couldn't handle that. I wanted to die when I had killed Ganondorf. Without you, my life was miserable. I had nothing to lose. I still can't handle that,' she said.
Sheik suddenly took a step back, realizing what she was saying.
'Don't you see, Sheik?' Link said, not even bothering to wipe her tears away. 'I left… because I had to get over you. I can't love you, Sheik. …I can't handle that pain.'
'You… don't think perhaps, that is what love is?' Sheik said, trying to get Link back. Desperately. Why was she saying this? He loved her.
But to his grief, she shook her head, with great effort. 'Sheik…' she said, 'it… it wasn't meant to be.'
Sheik took another step back. '…then, I was right. You did leave because of me. I was the one who brought you all that pain.'
Link could not move or say anything. This was what she had to do. She convinced herself it was the right thing. Sheik was much better of without her. But was it really supposed to hurt this much… doing the right thing?
For the pain she saw in Sheik's eyes, like seeing his whole heart rip apart before her very gaze ached her more than anything she had ever felt. Even more when she had thought he was dead. His eyes searched her face, trying to locate some sign, any sign that she was not being serious. But as she did not move or say anything, he backed away, until he turned away, walking away. His grey mare looked up, and trotted to his side as he called for her. Then he mounted her, and urged her into gallop, leaving Link all alone on the beach.
Not even the water could be heard anymore, only the sound of the raw winds of the sea far away. Then Link's knees suddenly gave with, and she slumped to the sand, sobbing.
---
It was in the middle of the night, and Chiyo walked out to the castle's grounds where she could see Hyrule Field. The silent wind of the night, coming in strong from the ocean haunted the lush grass, sending it wildly about. The General had just released her, so that she could fly back to the army, and find out about their plans. She did not really care of the war, anyway. She cared for her people, which the Queen now apparently had promised could come and live in Hyrule, when all this was over. She scoffed. Perhaps that would happen. Or not.
It was then, just as she prepared to take off, she noticed a figure slowly walking up the hill to the castle, coming from the west.
As Link slowly reached the hill before the castle, she stopped as she as met by the sight of the assassin, Chiyo. She had no idea why she was free (since she had not heard of the deal between her and the Queen), or what she was doing. She was too sad to care about anything.
Chiyo stiffened as she saw Link. 'What are you doing here?' she spat, suddenly reaching for her dagger. She wouldn't mind leaving after killing the Heroine, after all. No one was around. This was the perfect opportunity.
'Go ahead,' Link said quietly. 'Kill me.'
Chiyo was slightly thrown off by her comment, and lowered her knife. She furrowed her brow in confusion, and perhaps in some apprehension. 'What?... Why?'
'Because,' Link said, stopping a few meters away from the angel, her gaze boring in like daggers into Chiyo's, 'I don't want to live anymore. I don't want to be me. It's too damn hard!' Link thought she was dried out of tears, but apparently not, as they started coming again.
Chiyo bit her lip cautiously as she eyed Link warily. What was this? The Heroine had troubles as well?
'I… told someone today I could not love him because I am the bloody Heroine. I can't have any friends, or anything!' Link started to sob. 'Because everyone around me will only die!'
She sunk to her knees, grabbing a handful of grass and threw it away, and then slumped down, crying.
Chiyo had taken a step back as she witnessed the Heroine's breakdown. She had never seen someone in so much pain. Perhaps… Chiyo was only seeing things from her own perspective?
She slowly walked forth to the crying Link, kneeling beside her. She hesitated slightly, but put a hand on her back.
'Perhaps…. Link,' she said, forming her name with her lips for the first time, 'we… are beginning understand one another now.'
Link did not look up, and Chiyo was not even sure she had heard her. Then she stood up. 'I have to leave,' she said, 'But I will be back.'
And then she jumped down the hill, flapping her wings, and then soared off, flying towards the forest, towards the enemy's encampment.
----
'Whoa, there,' Gimel said, urging Tzadek forth to stop a small brown mare from breaking through the horde. She gave a loud whinny, but Tzadek snorted determined, stopping the horse by giving a small rear before her. Gimel gave an approving smile to his small horse, petting her on her shoulder.
The rancher had been working almost the whole night, herding the Hylian army's horses to the castle, where the soldiers would be waiting to take care of them.
To his aid, Gimel had several soldiers with him, the ones who were more skilled when it came to horses. Turning away from the horde, he spurred Tzadek up a hill, where he could easily oversee the herd. He came to a halt, a sigh escape his lips, letting the weariness he had so desperately fought the entire night finally wash over him. It had been hard work, since the herd consisted over about eight thousand horses. But now, -he realized with relief as he looked up- they had reached the castle. And turning his bright green eyes to the east, he saw that the sun was rising. Urging Tzadek forth in gallop, he reached the herd, shouting to the soldiers to move the herd to the backside of the castle.
As all the horses had made it into the large paddock made temporarily made for their stay, Gimel trotted up to General Chase, who had been overlooking the arrival of the horses from the castle's doors.
'Well done, Gimel,' he said approvingly, giving a nod. 'If you were not such a dedicated man to these animals, I would offer you service for the army.'
Gimel's eyes widened at the General's comment, too flattered to even think of a reply. The General walked past him, his grey eyes alit with something Gimel could only describe as eagerness. Perhaps the General was eager to fight, to prove his valor towards Hyrule.
As the rancher dismounted Tzadek, he could not help to overhear a conversation between Chase and another soldier. He appeared to command a company of riders, but Gimel did not know which.
'General,' the soldier said, walking forth.
'Captain,' Chase nodded, a smile on his lips, 'preparations are going fine, I presume?'
The captain nodded. 'I've heard news of that the Heroine is to lead the cavalry?' he asked, clearly enthusiastic about it.
'Yes,' Chase confirmed, giving a nod, watching as a black horse kicked at another horse in frustration. 'She will report to you as soon as the enemy's armies approach.'
'Understood,' the captain replied. 'So I understand we are to attack the army from the west, no?'
Chase cleared his throat, shooting a glance at the struggling horse again. 'There has been a slight change in strategy. You are to move around, attacking the army from behind in the woods as soon as they march towards Hyrule. You will have to be ready in time for this.'
The Captain nodded, and then excused himself. Chase looked after him, and then walked away.
Gimel caught himself eavesdropping on the General's conversation. Something inside him thought it was strange, this new plan. Hadn't Link told him the army's camp was just beyond the woods? Also, they had apparently been huge in numbers. Would the cavalry be enough to defeat them?
But then, Gimel was no soldier, and knew nothing of wars. He decided not to think about it, as he led Tzadek away. Though it was strange…
---
Link sat in the window of her room, watching the sunrise. She had not been able to sleep all night. Though what she had been doing, she did not know. For all she cared, she could sit in her window, staring numbly out of it for the rest of her life.
What have I done?
Those were the words that repeated in Link's head, and had done so for the entire night. Saying those words to Sheik… I can't love you, seemed to have cost Link her heart. The ache from her actions had left her numb. It felt like someone had ripped her heart out, and left nothing but an empty, cold void. Her heart, that had endured so much battering and damage during her two year absence had finally given up, shriveling up and freezing, making her incapable of all emotion. What little spark she had had left in her dark eyes had finally faded away.
But as the rising sun's rays struck Link's face, something happened. As its warm rays slowly reached Link's face she seemed to melt. Slowly, little by little, her body warmed, the night's freeze wearing off. Her heart, which for hours had seemed dead, was filled with emotion again. And as the sun slowly crept up the sky, spreading further over Link's face, gradually a specific feeling spread through Link's limbs. The feeling of that she'd made a mistake. The feeling of that she'd made something horrible.
Perhaps it was the Goddesses themselves who infused Link with some sense. For as the sun sharply struck her eyes, the rays seemed to spark life into a fire within Link. A fire she hadn't felt for two years.
She snapped her eyes wide open, her body now filled with remorse of what she had done, but no longer the immense sadness. She had made a mistake. A terrible one.
Goddesses, what have I done?
If the Goddesses made it possible for her to love Sheik so much.. .then it was meant to be. And to Link's amazement, she found that she did not care anymore. She did not care about her duties towards Hyrule, or if people would get hurt along the way. None of it mattered, if she did not have Sheik.
'I've been so stupid!' she cried out, leaping to her feet. She had to find him. Right now. How she was going to tell him, she did not know. But he had to know! I love him. I love him!
So she dashed out her room, down the stairs to the great hall in the castle. Her bare footsteps echoed of the stonewalls, as she took two steps in one.
'Milady?' a surprised voice said. Link stopped, met by the gaze of Chase, standing in the hall. He was wearing his long dark blue cape, and a leather shirt under, with dark pants tucked into black boots. He looked utterly surprised in finding her wildly racing through the castle for no apparent reason.
'Have you seen Sheik?' Link blurted, causing the General to raise his eyebrows even more. It was then Link suddenly realized she was still in her nightwear, which was merely a thin white shirt, which was barely long enough to cover her thighs. Link smiled innocently, but did not explain. She did not have time.
'…no, I haven't,' the General said carefully, eyeing her with some caution.
'Oh, well, I'll keep looking,' Link said hastily and dashed past him, through the great doors, which were opened by two surprising-looked guards.
---
Gimel had reached the front of the castle, on his way to walk back to the ranch. Tzadek was tired after the night's work, so Gimel had decided not to ride her the way back.
Suddenly the mare pricked her ears forward, looking up to the sky. Gimel looked up as well, and frowned as he saw something black against the morning sky. It seemed like a large bird, like an eagle… But it flew strangely. Like its wing was broken. Suddenly it seemed like the creature lost the air under its wings, and it started to fall.
As it came closer, Gimel saw to his surprise that it was no bird at all, it was the girl he had seen the day before, the angel! Then he realized she was falling to her death, and he quickly leapt forth, managing to catch her in his arms. They tumbled round a few times, until they came to a stop in the grass. Gimel immediately rolled of, but saw to his fear that she was unconscious. Even so, she was beautiful… stop it, Gimel! He thought, as he saw that she was wounded. An arrow stuck out from her wing, which appeared to be the reason for her strange flight. He quickly moved to examine the wing, to see how the arrow was stuck. Since she was unconscious as well, he gently felt wit his fingers if she had any bones in her wings that were broken. Not that he was an expert on anatomy of wings, but they felt alright.
His attention was turned to her face however, as her eyes suddenly started to flutter, and she murmured something.
'…warn…coming…' she said, but Gimel could not understand.
'You're going to be alright,' he said gently, and now noticed several bruises and cuts on her. Apparently, she had been in some kind of battle. Then springing to his feet, he ran to Tzadek, ripping of a bag he had by her saddle. In case there was an accident while herding the horses, he had brought an emergency kit, and clearly now was the time he needed it.
Ripping out some dressing, a pair of pliers and other necessary items, he ran back to her.
'I…they… '
He looked worriedly at the angel as she again murmured something, but moved to cut of the top of the arrow with the pliers. When done so, he gently managed to pull the arrow out, without any splinters getting stuck in her wing. Then he quickly applied the dressings, cleaning the wound.
Suddenly a pale hand caught his wrist, clutching it. He jerked in surprise, turning his eyes to see that it was the angel who had done it. She had suddenly awoken, and was now looking at him with clear brown eyes.
'Where is Link? I have to warn her,' she said with a voice clearly filled with fear.
Gimel frowned. '…what has happened?'
They were interrupted, however, as the person in question – Link – burst through the doors to the castle, clad in nothing but a white shirt. As she spotted the two she ran forth.
'Have you seen Sheik?' she asked eagerly, but suddenly fell silent as she set eyes upon Chiyo.
Completely forgetting about Sheik and her quest to find him, Link walked forth to Chiyo and Gimel.
'What happened to you?' she asked worriedly, as Gimel helped the angel to her feet.
'Link,' the angel said with some difficulty as she was in pain, but looked up at her with brown eyes. 'I came to warn you.'
She looked to her left, as suddenly Zelda and Chase came through the castle's doors. The Queen's eyes lit up in worry as she saw the angel. She began to walk forth to the angel, but Chiyo quickly stopped them, by saying three words.
'They are coming,' she said to Link.
Zelda's eyes widened, as she took a step back, like Gimel. Even Chase inhaled a little sharper. Link seemed like the only one who did not realize what they were talking about.
'Who?' she asked.
Chiyo looked at her. 'The enemy!'
'….oh,' Link said, taking a step back, eyes widened. Great. This was what she was least ready for. The war.
Chiyo suddenly turned, a wind catching her red hair, as she limped forth to Zelda.
'I went to the army, but somehow, they did not want anything to do with me. Apparently,' she added with a somber smile, 'they wanted to kill me.'
'I know,' she then continued with a hint of pain in her voice, 'you promised me my freedom, but I must ask something else of you in our deal.'
'…anything,' Zelda said, clearly blaming herself for Chiyo's wounds.
'I want to fight,' Chiyo said with a dark voice. 'I want to kill those who did this to me.' Zelda nodded, sensing her great need for revenge.
'How long before they reach us?' Link asked, taking a step forth, eyeing Chiyo with intensity. The angel turned to her.
'Tonight.' She looked up at the other beings assembled around her. 'The armies will come tonight.'
----
The gates to the city slowly opened, and three riders emerged, hooves hammering rapidly at the ground. Link urged Epone forward, overtaking the larger horses of Kratos and Chase. Epone snorted, tossing his head slightly to the side as his leaps improved in strength. The three of them had decided to ride off, to inspect the size of the army.
Somehow, Sheik had vanished. They had sent word for him, since he was also part of Zelda's council. But he had not come. And Link did not have a hard time of guessing why.
'Link,' Kratos said, as Zelon galloped up next to Epone. Both of the horses advanced in speed as they reached a hill, galloping up. 'What we will see now, is the army before they have entered the woods. If we trust in Zelda's power, they will not be as many afterwards.'
Link nodded, understanding him. What she had seen in the woods a few weeks ago… Zelda's trap to prevent anyone from entering Hyrule…. She hoped it would work.
If Chiyo's news were correct, they had a day's worth of preparations. As the three of them had left, the city had been filled with soldiers, all of them running to their posts or other destinations. The air was filled with the tensed anticipation before war.
Suddenly Chase advanced his mare, and the large horse overtook both Link and Kratos. Galloping up a sharp hill just before the forest, he came to a halt just upon the summit. Link knew this was a view point, where they could see beyond the woods, and see… the army.
Epone galloped up the last meters to the summit, and as Link held him in to a halt. The air deserted her lungs as she met the sight below her.
Thousand and thousands, more than tens of thousands of soldiers and wicked creatures had gathered into ranks and lines. From up the view point where Link stood, it looked like a sea of black armor and dark banners. The banners of Ganondorf. War chants came like a rumbling as it reached the ears of the three riders, and the ground shook as the army started to pace forth. Link felt her heart sink to her feet.
'…let's hope Hyrule survives this,' Kratos said behind her, sharing her concern.
Suddenly Link slid of Epone, noticing a path to their right. It led down, to another hill. It was riskier, but they would have a better look of the armies from there.
'Come.' She motioned for the two men, who had also dismounted their horses, to follow her. They scurried down the steep and tricky path, and Link's smooth boots frequently slid on the small rocks. Finally they all reached the hill, and they all pressed to the edge, to get a better view.
'It looks worse from here,' Link silently as they stood up again. She leaned to a tree, sighing heavily. It was not going to be easy, winning this war. If they would win. But she could not doubt Hyrule.
Suddenly, out the corner of her eyes, something caught her attention. One of the many companies in the enemy's army seemed to strike her as familiar. They walked with the same dark banner, but also one if the color of red, like to represent their own people.
They were men with eastern features, all of them with black hair and tanned skins. They were clad in wide beige pants and dark armor, like everyone else. But what struck Link as familiar was that some of these men, despite their black hair, and some stripes in a peculiar red color…
Realizing something shocking she turned to Kratos.
'…is this… your people?' she demanded. She could not believe it. Kratos was one of them. Her suspicions were true. All the questions she had once had about the man once again filled her. Where did he come from? Why had he suddenly appeared in Hyrule now, only a few weeks before the war? And what was the intention behind that grin of his? Link could feel herself starting to fume with rage. She had tried looking past all this, to see him as a friend. But now she was right. He had betrayed them all.
The man looked like he'd been hit, as his smile was pained, until it faded, replying her question. '…yes.'
No sooner had he uttered those words, than Link pushed him up the tree.
'I always wondered where you came from,' she said, teeth gritted together in anger. 'And now it turns out my speculations were right. You are one of them. You are the traitor.'
The man's eyes widened. 'No, Link, that's not-'
'General!' Link shouted, and Chase stepped forth, eyeing Kratos with contempt. 'I was right,' he said, voice dripping with hatred. 'Everyone but the Queen believed it was you. It seems like her kindness hinders her from her full duty.'
'And I…' Link's voice trailed off, and she sounded hurt. But she could not help it. 'And I started to trust you.'
It was a sinking ship, but Kratos tried nonetheless. 'It's not me! I don't know who the traitor is, but it's not me!'
'Get him out of my sight,' Link said darkly, and the General fiercely grabbed onto the man, leading him away, up the hill. They left Link to stand alone, looking darkly out over the army.
---
As they returned to the castle, a little quieter, Link and Chase walked up to the castle. Upon their return a pair of guards had taken care of Kratos. He had still protested. Why would he do that? Link had asked herself. It was no use now. He was finally caught. But she still could not shut out the feeling of hurt. On recent days, she really had started to like Kratos, the way he always helped her out of situations. And it was all for this purpose. To betray them.
Anger steaming through her, she stalked up the castle, Chase beside her.
'He fooled us all,' Chase said beside her. 'You should not blame yourself for not seeing.'
'But you saw it the whole time,' Link argued. 'We should've listened to you.'
Chase gave a modest nod. 'Maybe. But then again, I had my reasons for hating him.'
Link didn't even bother to reply, she was so mad, when they suddenly ran into Zelda by the castle's doors. She appeared to be stressed, most of the fact the whole castle was filled with soldiers preparing for the battle, moving to the city.
When she spotted Link and Chase she seemed to calm herself, however.
'Oh, Link…' she said tiredly, walking up to them, the wind catching her light pink dress. Then she frowned, as she realized someone was missing. 'Kratos, where is he?'
'…Zelda, he is-' Chase started, but Link interrupted him. 'He's on his way to prepare for the battle,' she said instead. She did not want to tell her that he was the traitor. For Link had seen what Chase had not. And that was that somewhere, Zelda cared for Kratos. She really trusted him. Telling her about Kratos would break her heart.
Suddenly, Zelda's hand drifted to her head, like she had a headache, and her expression turned into one of pain. 'Oh…' she started, suddenly paling. Alarmed, she shot her eyes to the forest far away.
'Zelda?' Link asked cautiously, 'what's the matter?'
'They have entered the forest,' Zelda said darkly. 'I can feel it.'
Link followed her gaze, and felt something surge inside of her. It had started.
'Well then,' Zelda said, dropping her gaze to Hyrule field, knowing it would soon be the center of a waging war. Then she turned back to her friends, smiling softly. 'We should follow Kratos example and get ready.'
Link suddenly looked up, her blue eyes alit with something. And it was something Zelda recognized. It was the fire of courage, burning in her eyes. Before her eyes, Link returned to her normal self, the Heroine Zelda knew. The both smiled at each other.
'Let's fight for Hyrule,' Link said, and Zelda nodded.
But just as Link turned around, there was a sudden voice. '…I'm afraid I can't let you do that.'
And then it felt like an explosion in Link's head, coming from her left chin. The world around her instantly turned black and she lost her conscious.
Zelda gave a surprised shriek as Link slumped to the ground, knocked out cold. She landed by Chase's feet, who gingerly felt at his tender knuckles, which he had used to hit Link.
'Chase! What in the world are you doing?' Zelda demanded, rushing forth to Link, kneeling by her and touching her forehead.
'I believe I just stopped your friend from going of to battle,' the General replied, a wicked smile on his lips. 'I'm afraid I need her elsewhere.'
And suddenly, someone grabbed on to Zelda from behind, two guards, pulling her back.
'What are you doing?' she cried. 'Unhand me at once!'
'That's… not possible,' Chase said, blowing slightly at his knuckles and then letting it fall to his side. His voice had changed, and was now smooth. It scared her. 'You see,' he said, nodding to the guards, along with two more who suddenly came forth. 'These guards are not part of your army. They work for me.' Chase looked up, to the afternoon sun, squinting his eyes at it. 'And I wouldn't bother calling for help. All the soldiers have moved to the city, on my orders, I believe.'
Zelda sunk to the ground, her powers suddenly leaving her. 'Who…are you?' she asked faintly.
Chase stepped over Link, nodding to the other guards. 'Take her; we're going to the Sacred Realm.' Then he turned to Zelda. 'Who am I?' he asked. 'Well,' he gave another wicked smile.
'I… would be the one you and Link so elegantly refer to as… the traitor.'
