Link awoke slowly feeling awful. His throat was burning and his head throbbed horribly. That's not even mentioning the constant cold in his core. It felt like he was freezing despite the mound of blankets covering his body. He let out a few wet, painful coughs before forcing his eye open. His bedroom ceiling greeted him, lit by a warm soft light.

"Master Link?" A stranger's voice asked. The boy immediately tensed closing his eye tightly. "I apologize for startling you. I have no intention of causing you harm." He didn't move or even breath, hoping he could trick her into leaving. "I was sent by Zelda to watch over you. Unfortunately I failed my mission." It was pointless, she wouldn't let up. The boy finally shifted his head to look at her, immediately intimidated by her height despite the fact she was seated on his carpet. Her platinum blonde hair and strange face paint only added to his fears. Who was this woman? Why wasn't anyone else here?!

"I need to ask you a few questions." He looked to the floor and didn't say anything, hoping she would take the hint. Instead his silence prompted her to continue. "Could you tell me what happened after you fell through the ice?" He immediately tensed up and buried himself further under the covers.

No no no. He remembered. Master did something to him with his magic and dragged the teen further under. He didn't want to think about that man at all.

"Who was the one that harmed you?" The woman asked directly. He closed his eye and shook his head. "I saw you save a little girl. You threw her off the ice before it broke. What happened after?"

"I… I-I…" He whispered but stopped, his eye flashing with fear. What was he thinking?! Link couldn't talk about Master. Just mentioning him would result in horrible punishment. Master had to be watching.

"There is nothing to fear. I am here to help you, but you have to talk to me." She tried again.

"B-But… he will…" Link breathed quietly not realizing the woman could hear him.

"He? He who?" She stood towering over him, reminding the teen of Master's overwhelming silhouette. "Was 'he' the one that held you prisoner?" Link was starting to get fidgety, clumsily scurrying upright and trying to back away. "What was his name?" Link shook his head and groaned, hugging his torso and digging his nails through his skin.

"Was his name Demise? What about Ghirahim?" Link's pupil shrunk at the name and he started mumbling apologies under his breath. "Was that who did this? Is Demon Lord Ghirahim responsible?" Link shook his head vehemently and grabbed his hair. She said his name!? Why would the woman say Master's name!? He'd come for Link now! Master was going to come and do unspeakable things!

"Please stop…" He whined praying she would leave, but his words only seemed to agitate her.

"What is wrong with you?" She approached looking him over critically. "You are the Chosen Hero of the Goddess. You saved thousands of people and fought countless monsters, yet my words make you cower?" He shook his head digging into his scalp with his nails. He wasn't a hero! Why did everyone keep calling him one!? She grabbed his shoulders firmly trying to get his attention again. "I saw you save that child the second the ice started cracking. You put her safety before your own, just like the Link I remember. Your old self is still there!"

"I-I'm not…"

"Yes you are!" She reaffirmed. "And that Link wouldn't be afraid to tell me who hurt him." He looked past her thinking he saw a black diamond forming. Link tried squirming away but her grip only tightened. "Is Ghirahim the one responsible? If you don't talk more people could be hurt!"

He shook his head and shut his eyes tightly, praying for it to end. Why wouldn't she leave him alone?!

"Link! Why won't you speak?"

"Link?"

"Link!"

XxxxxxxxxX

"Come on Link, you can't stay inside forever."

"Please talk to me Link."

"Link?" Fledge asked a fifth time but didn't get an answer. Link was curled up between the bed posts and table. His head was buried in his knee, praying the other boy would just leave him alone. Eventually his prayers were answered when he heard his door slowly close and the pestering ceased. The Sky Knight tried to get him to leave his bedroom again, but Link was having none of it. Despite ignoring Fledge the teen couldn't bring himself to feel bad about what transpired. He just wanted to be left alone.

It had been so long since he left this room, though that was by choice now. Ever since 'that day' he didn't want to risk leaving the building again. He barely walked around anymore, or helped in the kitchen. He couldn't find the willpower to try. Was this apathy or complete hopelessness? He honestly didn't know or care. It wasn't the first time he's been like this. Link had given up on struggling against Master's torture long ago, and Master had proven that was all this was on multiple occasions. A new method to torture him. Every time Link tried to branch out, explore, or begin trusting in others Master would show up to stop him. He was never truly free from his control, and the teen was too stupid to realize it sooner. He'd never be free from that tall woman and her lookalikes either. She refused to leave him alone now, always hanging around watching in the shadows. If it wasn't her it was another person with the same makeup and hair color.

His mind would constantly revisit what happened after 'that day.' When that weird scary woman wouldn't leave his room and kept asking questions. At that point he just wanted to really be alone, no more people or Master or scary ladies. It was better this way. He was already driving Groose and Pipit away with his apathy, and soon enough everyone would leave him alone-

A loud caw jolted him from his stupor. He'd know that noise anywhere. The Crimson finally came back! Quickly he hobbled to the window and opened the shutter. The Crimson was outside as he expected, but not close enough for Link to touch. Instead it stood several yards away doing a weird eager shuffle. Link tried reaching a hand out prompting it to approach but the bird just cawed at him. He tried whistling but it simply ruffled its feathers in response. The teen was unsure what to do next until it started clawing at the ground with its foot.

Did… Did it want him to come outside?

The snow was melted for the most part, a few scattered islands of white amongst the grass was all that remained. It wasn't a death trap like before, but he still felt on edge. He'd try going to the front door and see if that would suffice.

Quickly he snapped on his knee brace and cloak before grabbing the metal cane Gondo had made for him. It sported a Loftwing as the handle piece and had a loop of leather that could fit around his wrist. He securely tied it on his arm hoping not to lose it like the crutch. Slowly he cracked the door open, seeing Fledge had been asked to help Henya move supplies into the kitchen. He quickly left when Fledge rounded a corner making his way to the double doors and pushing one of them open. The Crimson was waiting on the other side starting up its excited jig again. Link waited for it to approach but the bird refused to budge, continuing to claw at the ground. He wanted it to come over, but the Loftwing just ruffled its feathers again when he whistled. It cawed back at him, watching with those expectant eyes. A sharp wind stung his cheeks and chilled his body, making Link step back. He could feel goosebumps traveling up his arms along with that familiar feeling of being watched. Master would know if he left the building. Didn't the Crimson understand that? The bird just squawked again, making the boy more frustrated.

"I can't…" Link whispered but the bird just crouched and waited. He glanced around every which way unable to comprehend the stupid idea forming in his head. Could he step outside without Master attacking him? It felt like a section of himself was sitting right in front of him and he needed to reach it again, but was it really worth the risk? He hated being apart from the Crimson, and now the bird was forcing him to make the next move. Gritting his teeth Link moved forward quickly closing the gap between them. He grabbed the bird's neck and squeezed his eye closed waited for the worst to happen, but as the seconds ticked by nothing changed. Slowly he squinted up at the bird that was now cooing happily.

"Link?" The teen tensed again at hearing Fledge's voice. He glimpsed back seeing how startled the Sky Knight really was, though that quickly turned into a wide grin. "You actually went outside! I'm so relieved!" Link didn't answer, instead looking to the ground. He knew Fledge had felt guilty ever since the 'bad day' on the ice, he just never realised how deeply it affected the other.

Suddenly the bird ducked knocking Link onto its back, starting to stand while the teen tried getting upright. He managed to reach the bird's harness and used it as leverage to pull himself up. Link was now lying awkwardly on his stomach attempting to get off when the Loftwing suddenly started running. Fledge yelled after them but Link was too scared to try jumping off. He managed to grip both hands around the thick neck band while the cane bounced from the noose on his wrist. Link managed to see around the bird's neck realizing they were going right for the island's edge.

"W-Wait! Please-" Link screamed when the Crimson hopped off the floating island and started a dive. The teen couldn't stop the cries ripping from his throat. His body was lifting off of the Loftwing's back from the sheer force of the winds. The only thing keeping him stationed was his grip around the bird's harness. His stomach was doing somersaults and tears were starting to form in his eye, one thought screaming through his mind as they fell farther and farther to the trees below. They were going to die!

Then the Crimson started to pull upwards into a horizontal position, slowing its speed down and levelling off into a glide. Link slowly opened his eye when his body finally settled back down on the bird's back. He swiftly splayed his legs trying to hold the bird's sides with his knees but the Crimson was too wide to get a good hold.

"Are you alright Link?!" Fledge flew up beside them on his own bird finally catching up. Link acknowledge him with a glance before the Crimson's sudden lurching made him jerk.

"You need to get on your knees Link! Crouch on yours knees while gripping the harness with both hands!" The teen tried doing as instructed, able to get his right leg up at least. He attempted to pull his left knee up but the brace wouldn't bend far enough, leaving him to fall prone on his stomach again.

The Crimson wasn't pleased with the newfound company, banking hard through a thick coverage of grey clouds. Link could barely see his own hands, and Fledge's cries became quieter as the distance between them grew. Soon it was only the two of them in a thick expanse of dark grey clouds. They stayed in it for what felt like forever until the Crimson started to dive towards the surface again. Link was ready this time, gritting his teeth and holding the harness for dear life as the two broke through the clouds and headed straight for a swirling pattern amongst the trees below. They circled closer and closer until a large stone building came into view with an enclosed courtyard in the back. The Loftwing slowed its decent and landed softly on a patch of grass.

Link released and slid to the ground with a thud. His heart was still pounding out of his chest and he was barely able to keep his trembling under control. That was terrifying and insane and exhilarating all at the same time. There was no better way for him to describe that experience. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Unlike the painful adrenaline Master's torture sessions brought on, this excitement made him feel more alive then he ever thought possible.

The Crimson nudged his head with a soft caw, finally prompting Link to shakily sit upright. Feeling was finally returning to his hands and legs, and for the first time he really took in the high stone walls surrounding him.

They were in that rear courtyard, he'd seen from above, towering vines covered the stone walls surrounding them as they seemed to kiss the sky above. Behind him two large stone doors stood quietly, one of them sitting slightly ajar. The sunlight beamed down onto a stone pedestal with something strange at the center. A sword was sitting in the rock as if beckoning him to try pulling it out. He stood with the help of the Crimson, slowly approaching the elevated platform holding the strange weapon. Something about this weapon felt oddly familiar to him, but the memory just seemed out of his reach. Why did this sword bring about such odd feelings in him? Link should be fearful, especial with how Master liked cutting his flesh with knives and swords. But this one felt magical and oddly comforting. Slowly Link reached for the handle, as if his body was being guided by an unknown force-

"Do you recognise it Link?" The teen jumped looking frantically behind him, seeing Zelda watching sadly from the entryway. "That's your sword. The blade that seals the darkness. You went on a very long quest with that blade." He turned his attention back to the weapon, eyeing the purple handle. Much like the Crimson, it felt like he should recognise this blade. Still nothing seemed to click no matter how long he waited. "You're a hero Link. You saved the world with that blade, and you saved me." He looked back to Zelda questioningly. Why did people keep saying he's a hero?

He clenched his hand into a fist, pulling it back from the sword and looking away. Zelda seemed to look him over before the Crimson approached the teen expectantly.

"I suppose the Crimson got tired of waiting." Link regarded her statement while petting the Loftwing's head gently. "We wanted to reintroduce you to this blade again. I believe it's powers could help with your curse." The teen looked at the black mark on his right hand. It's been so long since the thing acted up he practically forgot about it. "I won't force you to take the sword in hand Link, but know it means you no harm." The teen looked at the sword handle again, squeezing his canes and turning away. Zelda seemed disappointed but respected his decision, turning back and whispering to someone hidden from view. Suddenly Groose and Pipit stepped out of the shadows while Zelda stepped into the building.

"Hey Link, it's been a while." Groose said with a tight smile. The guy wasn't kidding, he gave up trying to talk to Link several weeks ago after having a blow up about the teen's inactivity. Pipit and Karane has been spending more time on the surface too, supposedly hoping to move down here one day. "You actually went for a flight today? Never thought I'd see you fly again." The bird cawed when he started to get too close, making Groose back off a bit as if knowing Link didn't want contact with him. "You know, if you want to see the settlement I could show you around, even take you to your old home. How does that sound?" Link looked to his bird and gave it a gentle pat, prompting the Loftwing to fly to the roof of the building. He slowly followed behind Groose at a good distance, noticing how huge the stone building was once he entered. They were at the top of a stone staircase. The ceiling was very high, and a weird round thing was floating in the centre of the building.

"There have been signs of the storm in the northern mountains dying down a bit." Link glanced over his shoulder hearing the familiar stern voice that he really hated. It was that tall chick with the eye painted on her forehead, trying to talk about something with Zelda by a large tree.

"You think Ghirahim could be hiding out there?" Zelda questioned.

"Yes. I'll leave a few Sheikah here on guard while I travel to the north and investigate-"

"Come on Link, the settlement is this way." Groose showed him through a smaller doorway, Link reluctantly going along. So the scary lady was leaving? That's good. But she was also looking for Ghirahim? That could be bad. She knows, she really knows who his Master is. What would he do in response? Would he drag Link back to that prison cell? Would he try drowning him? Burning him alive?

He didn't want to think about it. Link could only pray Master would show him some form of mercy.

XxxxxxxxxX

Five Months Prior*

"Wake up Sky Child." Link stirred slowly, coughing as a horrible pain in his neck became obvious. He tried gasping realizing how much it hurt to breath. His memory was very fuzzy. He couldn't remember when he was placed here, or why his throat hurt so badly. What the hell happened to him?

"You gave me quite the scare boy." Link peaked an eye open realizing where he was. The teen was strapped to that damn denailing table. Master Ghirahim stood from the fancy seat he had summoned, sauntering over to the table.

"Oh Skychild." Ghirahim tisked. "I can't believe you would try something like this. I thought we were having such a great time together, and you choose to try the… easy way out." He clutched his cold hand around the boy's bruised neck and squeezed. Link gasped desperately trying to struggle against the restraints but quickly giving up.

"Where is that fight you once had? Unless you've truly given up already." The Demon chuckled. "Deciding when you leave this realm is not your choice. You are MY property and will be a good little plaything from now on. And just so you don't forget..."

He turned and pulled out a branding iron from the furnace, spinning the glowing hot metal in his hand while eyeing a good spot on Link's body. He pulled down the waistband on the boy's pants setting his eyes on his emaciated thigh. The boy let out a painful raspy scream when his leg exploded in pain. He managed the strength to arch his back slightly in protest, but his body quickly gave out. By the time Ghirahim pulled away Link was reduced to crying pathetically. He put the branding iron away, admiring his handiwork with the decorative 'G' burned into Link's flesh.

"there we go. You should remember you place now." Ghirahim smiled cruelly releasing Link's waistband and leaning in inches from his ear.

"The next time you disobey, that pretty blue eye of yours will be next. Understand?" Link shakily nodded squeezing his eyes shut. The already dehydrated child was shedding tears at an alarming rate, and it was a wonder he was still conscious. "Hmmm… let's do something nice and easy today." Ghirahim placed both hands around Link's temples and stared down with a terrible smile.

"It's quiz time. Now, that village in the sky you lived on. What was that place called again?"

Link sniffled but tried to speak. "Sk… S-Sk…" his eyes darted becoming frantic, realizing he couldn't remember. Ghirahim gave his head a shock, causing his body to spasm violently.

"The stupid creatures that live around the volcano. What are they called?"

"M… m-mogma!" Link rasped.

"I'm surprised you remembered that, but do you know the name of the volcano?" The horrified look on the child's face told the demon everything he needed, delivering a second massive shock to the boy's head. That attack seemed to be too strong, as the child's eyes rolled to the back of his head and his body became stiff. His form went into a series of spasms that rattled the restraints. Link's mouth began to foam as the seizure continued, his body finally falling still against the hard table. Ghirahim had to check for a pulse, sighing in relief that the child still lived. He went overboard again. The demon kept forgetting how frail the child was now. He needed to decrease the physical torture the boy was put through, before he died on the spot at least. Undoing the restraints Ghirahim took the child and teleported back to his cell, placing him on the ground before summoning a seat. He sat cross legged watching the boy intently.

The demon was close, he knew the boy's spirit wouldn't last much longer. If not his spirit the child's memories would certainly be destroyed within the next few months. He'd be sure a few key memories of their time together remained in the boy's head, but everything else would be wiped away. Memories of his friends, his home, that stupid Goddess would all vanish never to return. He'd be a blank slate missing the key memories that have kept him going this long.

It was all coming together. The boy wouldn't last much longer now.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The next chapter is finally here! Impa is leaving, Link is on the surface now and who knows what Ghirahim is planning.

I think we're at the end of the flashbacks. As much as I'm sure you all like them I can't bring myself to write about eye gouging. I can handle a lot of sick stuff but that's on the list of perminent nope. As you've all probably noticed updates on this fic will be much slower since RWBY has been taking up most of my creativity. I'll try to keep this one going though.

Let me know what you guys think!