A Young Gift Sent From Heaven
I know...I'm a terrible...terrible...human being. I haven't updated in about two months! I'm so sorry!
I've been very busy in applying to schools and work and all of that...I hardly found time to type!
Well, this chapter is a turning point for Sheik and the story in a way. Everything's shifting.
I hope you enjoy and thanks for the reviews!
"Mommy! Mommy! Look at this!"
A young village girl paraded through the streets of the Liaral Village, a mile near the Brawlers Mansion. Her wavy, dirty blonde hair fluttered against the wind as her bright yellow sundress danced behind her feet. Her big, green eyes beamed with joy and she had an enormous smile on her pale face as she showed what she had discovered to her mother.
"Mommy!"
"Linda, Honey, what's that?" Her mother asked, excited. She placed her weaved basket filled with golden corn stalks by her feet and leaned down to make eye contact with her daughter.
"I found it near the wishing well." Linda responded in her adorable, six-year-old voice. She held up a bright, glossy pink ball.
"Honey, that's beautiful but don't you think it might have belonged to someone else. Perhaps another young princess like you."
"Well...maybe. It was just sitting there in the mud." Linda said, disappointed.
Her mother smiled, "Tell you what? You return the ball back where you found it and after I'm finished at the market, we'll go visit those ponies you wanted to see."
"Ahh, Really?!" Linda jumped up and down after the proposal.
Her mother nodded her head, "Haha, yes! But hurry back."
"Okay!" Linda ran off to return the ball.
"Try not to get mud on your dress!" Her mother called out after her.
"Okay Mommy!"
Linda gleefully charged through the streets, block after block. Her eyes scanned her surroundings trying to find the wishing well. The roads became less crowded as she continued to run towards the outskirts of the village until a bright, shiny object caught her attention. She came to a sudden halt, eyeing the bright light. She curiously came closer, squinting to see what it might be.
CAW!
Linda gasped and fell on the mud as pair of crows flew hauntingly above the sky. She stared up at the deep, dark forest before her. Eery voices seeped from the deceased trees as the wind slowly pushed the vines and leaves. She could hear more crows in the distance.
At this point, Linda remembered what her mother had told her: To never wander off into the forest. Ever.
Curiousity consumed her as she stared at that shiny object. She gulped and looked behind to see if the coast was clear before taking a step forward into the swollen weeds. She yelped when a throne pricked her leg. Her tiny feet sank deep into the earthly ground. She climbed past two lowered branches and bushes before coming in contact with the object.
A ring. A small, golden ring.
"Wow," Linda whispered as she stroked the diamond rock on top. The stunning glow caused the girl to drop the bright pink ball on to the ground. Her eyes grew as she picked it up with her small hands...before a harsh, deep voice scared the living daylights out of her.
"What are you doing?"
Linda screamed as she spun around trying to find that voice, the diamond ring falling from her tiny hand into the marshy ground. She gasped for air as terror clouded her mind. Her big, green eyes searched but all she could see were trees, bushes, branches...shadows.
"I'm sorry!...I...I'm sorry! I'll go!" She panicked as she ran back towards the village, over the branches and through the bushes. She cringed as the prickling thrones snatched strands of her dark blonde hair. The sight of the village caused motivation to stream through her heart. So close.
unfortunately, she was not fast enough.
She fell into the mud as she smashed into an object right in front of her.
Wiping away any mud from her eyes, she scrambled back as she saw a dark figure stand before her.
Scared for her life, Linda asked, "Who...who are you?"
No response.
Linda gulped and cringed as she began wheezing. The still silhouette of the figure caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand straight up.
She jumped when a feminine,raspy voice escaped from the shadows, "You're trespassing."
"I...I...I'm sorry! I didn't mean..."
"You didn't mean to trespass?" The figure tinted a hint of sarcasm. "Didn't your parents ever tell it's not polite to trespass." She then raised the tone of her voice.
"My...My Daddy!...He's...dead!...and my Mommy...takes care of me. She told me...but...I didn't listen!" Linda couldn't control her obvious sobbing in the face of Death.
A snap of twig caused Linda to cringe even more as the woman took a step forward. At this point, she could see the red, ruby eyes on her face. Her beautiful red eyes.
"And why didn't you listen? Looking for this?" The figure pulled her human hand out from the shadows, revealing the diamond ring that captured Linda's attention from before.
"You also forgot this?" With her other hand, she exhibited the bright, pink ball from before.
"How did you..." Linda asked before being cut off.
"You have a knack for taking things that aren't yours. Don't you?" She scolded the girl as she threw the ring and ball near her feet.
Soaked into the mud, Linda responded, "I'm a kid, I'll grow out of it."
"No," the woman responded bluntly, "we all take things that don't belong to us, no matter the age. For you, it's the smallest objects that amaze you and for me, well, I like to take multiple lives."
With that said, the woman emerged from the shadows, revealing her long, fluttering blonde hair, her carefree posture, and the symbol of the Sheikah on her chest.
The young girl's eyes grew in fear. Her heart began to beat dramatically. The warrior didn't seem intimidating but, nevertheless, she never saw the symbol before. She didn't know who she was.
"Are...are you going to...kill me?" Linda croaked, unable to control her fear.
The sheikah merely tilted her head, her eyes locked on to Linda's small frame. Her left hand slide down her hip as she slowly grasped her knife. Her mind remained blood lust as she began to unleash her knife.
...However, she hesitated. She examined the girl's face: her wet eyes, her dry lips, her heavy breathing, her terrified expression. The exact face a certain Ice Climber made before the moment of her gruesome passing. Nana.
Sheik lifted her hand, trying to comprehend what her mind was showing her. The guilt soon returned, flooding her mind and her heart. Why was she forcing herself to relive that massacre she committed on that fateful night? Why was she submitting to this torture?
Each time she looked back at Linda's timid body, she saw Nana in that same state of fear, of panic, of hopelessness. The scene was all too familiar.
"Why?...Why are you doing this?" Linda asked softly.
The assassin jolted her attention back to the girl. Those words. Those agonizing words spoken through the tongue of that deceased child.
"Why Naiva?...Why?" Nana's innocent voice echoing in the woman's troubled mind. She snatched her head, trying to force the voices out but to no prevail.
"Why? Why? Why?..."
"Shut up! Get out of my head!" She whispered harshly at herself.
Linda continued to check the figure before her. She didn't understand what she had said to cause her to act like this. She became confused and bit curious.
For a moment, her tiny heart felt pity for her. She could see the way she shook her head, the harsh voice she unleashed when scolding herself, the salty tears that evolved in her already-swollen eyes.
"Get out! You miserable bitch! Get out!" Sheik screamed, continuously.
Linda's heart sank further. She couldn't ignore the sorrow and despair that this ninja clearly displayed.
With a courageous voice, she called out," Are you alright?"
The woman froze.
Linda's heart sank as she feared her question would cause this warrior to erupt in anger.
Sheik slowly released her tense forelimbs to her side. Her mind appeared to be empty, scarce of thought and desire. She returned her attention back at the young girl.
"What did you say?" She asked.
"Are you okay?" Linda repeated.
"Why would you care? You're only a child."
"You look like you were in pain. Like something terrible happened to you and you were trying to forget. It's the same reaction my Mommy had when Daddy died." Sheik was speechless.
Once sensing the hint of safety, Linda lifted herself off the ground and slowly walked to face the Sheikah warrior. Feeling more relived, she examined the warrior's body. She saw her blue suit, stained from the mud, rain, and blood. She saw her deep red eyes, swollen and wet from the tears. Her blonde ponytail hanging behind her back.
Sheik was drowned in surprise. Never in her memory did someone or even something act so...sweetly towards her. Not to mention, a mere child.
"Hey, it's okay," Linda smiled, sweetly, "You can talk to me." She grasped the covered, finger tips from the woman before her.
"What's your name?" Linda asked once more.
"Sheik." She answered back, staring into Linda's small, green eyes. Sheik felt something melt in her heart when she saw Linda. Her face, her eyes. She reminded her of Zelda when she was a girl. She couldn't hide the tears.
"Oh, don't cry, Sheik. You can come home with me!" Linda answered, happy. She tried to walk off with Sheik's hand in her's but the ninja didn't move an inch.
"Well, come on," Linda said.
"You're not afraid of me." Sheik asked. "Do you even know who I am?"
"Well...no but you look like you're in trouble," Linda responded, "and my Mommy always told to always help those in need." She smiled again.
Sheik closed her eyes and softly grab Linda's hands, "I'm not what you think I am. I'm not a real person. What you think you see doesn't exist. I'm merely a shadow in this dark world. This forest resembles who I am: Dark, evil, empty. Where I go, death follows. You're not safe with me. You're very young. You already lost your father, you can't afford to lose your mother." Sheik's mind wandered back toward Zelda. "...or a sister."
"I don't have a sister." Linda said, confused.
"I did once," Sheik whispered. "Besides, my time here is nearing."
Linda responded with a sad look, "Your time nearing? You mean you're going to die? You...you don't look dangerous...and I think you're very pretty."
Sheik chuckled a bit, "You know you're the first person who had such faith in me...and you're only a child."
Linda smiled, "So, you'll come with me?"
Sheik frowned, "What's your name, little one?"
"Linda."
"Well, Linda, I can't come with you...I'm sorry."
Linda responded with tears in her eyes. For such a young child, her small heart grieved for this poor woman. A woman she had never met before. A woman whose life seemed scorned by the cruel tortures and realities of this world.
Once remorseful sobs broke from her mouth, Sheik carefully stroked her face.
"Hey, hey, it's alright. Don't cry. Don't cry."
Once calm, Linda looked deep through the ninja's red eyes and whispered, "Do you want me to sing you a lullaby? Mommy usually sings them for me at night when I have nightmares. I feel scared and all alone with no one to help me. She holds me and sings and all the monsters go away. She always said that she's my guardian angel. I know you don't have a mommy...but I could be your guardian angel."
Sheik couldn't help but cringe. Her heart began to melt away with each word the young child whispered. She found such comfort and safety with each glance of her shining, green eyes. Her mind buzzed in confusion. Why was she doing this? What does she owe to this girl? What could she possibly see in her?
"Well, Linda," Sheik responded, "I'd like that very much."
Holding her hand, the ninja asked, "Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, anything."
Sheik opened her right hand, revealing the diamond ring Linda had dropped.
"It's that ring!" Linda exclaimed. "How did you... I thought you threw it at me!"
"This ring..." Sheik chuckled, "...belonged to an old friend of mine. Her name is Zelda. Princess Zelda. She resides in the Brawlers Mansion."
"You mean the Princess Zelda from Hyrule!" Linda responded with excitement. Sheik was taken back by Linda's reaction.
"She's amazing! During her seven years hiding from that big meanie, Ganondork..."
"Haha, Ganondorf," Sheik corrected her.
"...she fought so many armies and battled so many villains! Not to mention, she saved her own kingdom along with Link!" Linda sighed, "Aah, he's so handsome!"
While Linda talked and talked about Zelda and her "heroic" adventures, Sheik couldn't help but feel offended. She gazed away from Linda's big eyes, soaking in every moment of Linda's excitement. Every time, she complimented Zelda, it felt like a stab to her heart. True, she and Zelda shared the same body...but not the same mind. It was her that fought and battled Ganondrof's armies. It was her that protected Zelda throughout those years. It was her that rescued the kingdom with Link.
Oh Link. She'll never forget those moments she shared with him. Her feelings for him.
"...and you!" Linda continued, "You were best friends with her! That's amazing! Hey, maybe we can both go see her..."
"Linda!" Sheik raised her voice, scaring Linda a little.
"I can't go with you. You have to go to the Mansion without me." Sheik said with a soft tone.
"But..." Linda started, "You're friends with her? Aren't you?"
"Long ago." Sheik exclaimed, "I'm now an enemy of the Brawlers."
Linda's face dropped. She didn't realize how severe Sheik's problem was.
"What? But...what did you do?" Linda asked, confused.
At this point, Sheik froze. She didn't know how to tell the Linda the truth. The truth that she slaughtered innocent civilians: men, women, and children...just like her. Mercilessly. Emotionless.
Very timid, she spoke, "I was angry...and alone. For years, I've been subjected to the continuous darkness of Zelda's mind. I was neglected and cast out. Through all my turmoil and frustration...I resorted to vengence...and committed terrible, violent acts and crimes. I thought it was all justifiable...but it only turned me into the monster I was titled as." Sheik bowed her head. She watched her wording as she knows Linda is far too young to understand the concept of persona and separate minds.
Linda didn't know what to say. She only looked down at the small diamond ring then back at Sheik.
"Did she outcast you?" Linda asked, "Is that why you submit to violence?" Sheik didn't respond.
"In case, I don't see you again," Linda started, "I want you to know that there's still one person in this world who still cares about you. I'll take this ring to her." She delivered a heart warming smile as Sheik gently stroked her cheek.
"Thank you." Sheik responded.
With a smile on her face, Linda turned her attention back to the view of her town. She clinged on to the ring with her tiny hand as she entered the realms of the village. A shrill voice caused Sheik to hide into the shadows, her eyes still locked on to Linda.
"LINDA!" A young, frantic woman came rushing around the corner as she burst in to joy and weariness over her daughter. She grabbed her daughter and clasped her in a bear hug.
"Oh, I thought something happened to you." Tears poured out from the mother's eyes.
"I'm okay Mommy. Really." Linda replied.
Her mother's gaze shifted from her to the dark forest behind her. Her mother was left only to assume the worst.
"Did you come out of there?" Her mother asked, pointing at the dreaded woods and unknowingly at Sheik.
"Umm, yes." Linda said quickly, shutting her eyes tight and awaiting the frantic rant her mother would deliver.
"What did I tell you about going into the forest?! You know it's dangerous! What if something had happened to you?! Have you ever thought how that would affect me?"
"I know," Linda said in tears, " I'm sorry." She knew she made a mistake.
Her mother, seeing her tears, sighed and knelt in front of her," Linda, I didn't mean to yell. I just...can't lose you. I already lost your father and if you're taken from me...I...I don't know how I'll live."
"I know," Linda smiled, "I understand. Never again will I go in there! Cross my heart, hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye! I pinky swear!."
Linda's mother chuckled a bit. "Alright, let's go get you cleaned up."
Two footsteps forward, Linda asked, "Hey Mommy,"
"Yes, honey."
"What's a "bitch"?"
"Now, where in God's name did you hear that?!"
"Ahhh..." Linda glanced back in the direction of her ninja friend before making up, "A lot of people in the village were saying it."
"Oh did they?" Her mother responded, "Well, I don't want you to ever use that kind of language, Understand?"
"Yes, Mommy. But what does it mean?"
"I'll tell you when you're older." She chuckled.
As Linda clasped her mother's hand, walking back to their home, Sheik continued to watch.
She looked at how Linda grasped her mother's fingers with her frosted colored tips. She gazed as her tiny, angelic feet skipped along the gravel specs on the pavement. She could see their smiles, hear their laughs, feel their aura of happiness. Their voices slowly wilting away into the walls and houses of the Liaral Village.
Anguishly, Sheik looked at her own beaten, scared, bloody hands, trying to recall a moment where she clasped the innocent hands of her own mother. That is if she even had a mother.
Pulled back by reality, Sheik was reminded again of her originless torment cast upon her. All those years trapped inside the realms of Zelda's conscience. Alone...and afraid. Striving for the moment her own deciding mind can be released.
That moment.
A moment where she can swing her arms through the air, run through the sunny forests of Hyrule, soak in the sprinkling lakes, be who she wanted to be, choose where she wanted to go, make the decisions she wanted to make, just to be free!
Free.
That word made the thumping strings of her heart spring forward. That word made the back strands of her hair stand straight up. It was all she ever wanted. Just to be free. To never look back at that dark prison buried deep within Zelda's mind. She was willing to do anything. Just for her escape.
...And he provided that escape. He who Sheik was sworn to fight against for the protection of Hyrule's young, innocent princess. He who became the last person on any world to trust. The King of Evil, himself. He provided that escape...and with desperation flooding over, she took it.
She took that chance to live with her own body. To eat, drink, sleep, and breathe with her own body. Her own life. Just to be free.
But freedom comes with a heavy price...and for the lone Sheikah, she was abide to follow his every order and command. To do his every will. To live everyday with the collar of slavery latched on to her tan neck like a dog.
To fight against the very people she once called her family. Her sister.
To hunt and kill everyone she once called her friends.
Or else be burdened by the wrath of Ganondorf's everlasting anger and hatred. A torture that can protrude her very heart and mind.
Freedom. She had no freedom. She never did. She never will.
Sheik stood among the widow oaks and distraught bushes, motionless. Linda and her mother had long been gone from her sight but she couldn't find it in herself to walk away. What was it about that little girl that's making her feel this way? Was this a sign? A calling?
Did Naiva send this innocent child to remind the ninja something about herself? Was she a gift sent from whatever heaven there is? Was this a foreshadowing of her own salvation? Her redemption?
Sheik's timid hands grasped a fungi covered branch. Her elegant posture slanted as she buried her head against the branch, ignoring the sticky substance harboring her long, blonde hair.
Whether this girl was meant to help her or not, it didn't matter. Nothing does anymore.
She knows her time is coming to an end. Whether by the hands of her master or by the hands of the Brawlers, her friends...her companions.
She thought about the good that would come out after her demise. The number of lives that would be saved? The number of lives that wouldn't be torched by the cruel curse she possessed.
She thought about the lives that could have been saved had she never existed? All those innocent civilians: men, women, even children. Those bloody massacres she conducted by Ganondorf's command, long before her rival battle with the Brawlers.
Then it hit her. Like a lightning bolt striking out of a pale white cloud.
Nana, Popo, Ness, Lucas, Peach,...Pit. She clawed her fingernails along her skin, unleashing streaks of blood, as she recalled the moment she ripped his helpless, beautiful wings from his timid body. Now he lies on his bed, waiting for Death to come knocking...all because of her. Her actions. Her desires.
She was nothing but Death. She did nothing but bring Death.
Their faces recurred repeatedly in her mind. Their innocent faces.
Sheik lifted her head as she noticed a small arwing rip through the sky.
An arwing.
She was reminded of the time she had mistaken Fox as the enemy. She remembered how she smashed the windshield with her bare hands in fear of him taking Peach's life. Peach. Her friend.
She remembered laughing along both the Brawlers with a cup of hot tea after realizing the misunderstanding. She remembered Peach's bright, white smile. Her high, thrilling laugh.
She remembered the moment she dug her knife into her warm, comforting heart, stamping her against the wall like a picture frame. The warm oozing blood ravaging out, staining her perfect pink dress. Her fluffy blonde hair drenched and wet.
She remembered that desperate stare when Peach's own struggling, blue eyes meet her own, ruby ones. A stare of agony, pain,...heart-break.
Sheik twisted her body as the memories reunited in her mind. She looked straight up at a small pink balloon floating towards the heavens.
She was reminded of the time she took all the Brawler children to the county fair. She remembered how happy and joyful she was. All the fun energy she released that day. She remembered playing hide and seek with Ness, Lucas, and Popo. She remembered Nana tugging her arm to get a picture with her. That picture. She remembered the nickname Nana gave her, " Naiva."
Like the Goddess of Truth and Light, Nana felt comforted and safe within the reaches of her ninja friend. Nana trusted her and always blossomed into a courageous girl around her. Sheik was Nana's Naiva. She was her Guardian, her Protector, Her Leader,...her Executioner.
She failed her. She failed all of them.
Sheik bowed her head. Their faces of delight, joy, adolescence, washed away from her mind like the waves of the ocean shore washing away any grains of sand and shells and were replaced by their shocked, emotionless expressions when she mercilessly slaughtered each one.
Their cries, their screams, their pleas, echoed continuously in Sheik's mind. Sheik's dark, empty mind.
And Pit...She couldn't dare think of the pain he was going through. The torture she forced upon him. Every minute...every second hit her like a hammer.
He knew who she was. He was willing to help...to forgive her. But as Ganondorf's puppet, she ignored these signs and attacked him. Hurt him.
Sweet, innocent Pit. How far he came from his old mischievous self. He would have been a fierce, powerful, loyal warrior. All of them would have.
But that's all been stripped away because of her. She was nowhere near special. But they were...all those lives she took. They were all special and worthy.
Sheik released the fungi branch and searched her bloody hands once again. She became curious and puzzled about why she couldn't recall her joyous expressions from her past memories. Why didn't she remember that day she saved Peach's life? Why couldn't she remember how happy and alive she felt that day at the county fair? Was there a separate curse lifting from her head? A curse melted away by the presence of that village girl, Linda? Did Ganondorf curse and remove these positive memories in fear of Sheik retaliating against him? In fear of her realizing her true potential? Her true strength?
What other secrets and memories did he hide from her? What other lies did he tell?
Was it not enough that she was forced to follow his orders?! Did he really have to drain her mind of every pleasant, ecstatic, and cheerful moment she shared with the Brawlers...even while enclosed in Zelda's conscience.
Sheik shook her head, trying to keep the truth from entering her mind. A part of her didn't want to believe it...and the other...wanted to rip Ganondorf's rotting flesh off his decaying bones.
"No...no...no," She repeatedly told herself. "It can't be true. It can't be..." Her fingers slipped from her hair and fell to her side.
Why was she denying the truth? Why would she? She inhaled and exhaled deep barrels of air, keeping her mind open and focused. A tear slide down her face. For the longest time, she didn't who to trust. She had always believed that the Brawlers were responsible for her constant mind torture. Her everlasting imprisonment. But now? Seeing that innocent little girl had clear all the blind fog that covered her eyes. The answer became clear.
Ganondorf had not only given her the gift and wish she had always wanted but he molded her very mind...distributing false memories and emotions to create his own killing machine. But Ganondorf didn't compute the fact that he can never change Sheik's spirit... her soul. She had always cared for them. Always. That's why Naiva had such faith in her. Through Linda, the Goddess knew she would make the right decision. To choose her own destiny. Her salvation.
Knowing this made Sheik feel warm inside, it made her feel that she truly wasn't alone. For the first time, Sheik felt like the woman she once was. The hero.
"Thank you...my queen." Sheik's dark eyes scattered over the drenching sky. She bowed her head as she praised the Hyrulean goddess.
With a bittersweet smile, her smoothing eyes reopened only to notice her filthy hands caught in her vision. Her bloody hands.
Something clicked like a blossoming flower still clinging onto the chill of winter's touch. A new fire erupted her death-slaying heart. A new anger.
Her heart rate increased and her chest heaved vigorously. She clenched her hands into fists, wanting to pound every living creäture around her.
How dare he?! How...
She couldn't even think straight. She kept her eyes shut tight, enclosing the new anger burning from her heart. An anger unlike anything she's felt before. An anger for her precious master.
She hated him. She hated his very existence. Everything became clear. All his lies. His possession.
With a powerful tone and intensity, she straightened her posture, roaring a monstrous call toward the heavens,"GANONDORF!"
A crack of lighting and thunder tore through the sky as an avalanche of crows busted through the tree lines and woods. Dark, insidious crows. Ganondorf's crows. Were they spying on her?
As dark as blood, Sheik's tempered eyes locked on to the flying demons. She growled under her breath as she demolished the horde, striking packs with her fleshing splitting needles. One by one, they fell from the sky onto their marshy graves. Still that wasn't enough, she wanted to send him a message. A clear message.
She mauled her way through the trees, leaping from trunk to trunk until she reached the tip of an oak tree. A ferocious wind picked up as the heavens light up with a lightning show. With a terrorizing roar, she tore out her chained whip, crackling the misty air with a tint of electricity. Her demonic eyes aimed for the last crow hurrying along with a pack in the sky. With blunt force, she smashed her chained whip through the air, wrapping its metal compounds around the terrified crow.
CAW! To no avail, the frightened crow desperately fought to escape from the chain's coils. Sheik used very little resistence.
"Got you, you son of a bitch." She harshly whispered as she ferociously yanked on the chain, sending the crow in her direction. His caws echoing through the sky.
With her right hand, Sheik wrapped her tan fingers around the crow's scrawny neck. His caws began to diminish as she slowly squeezed the life out of him. Ever so lightly and tightly. She could see the fear in the bird's wide, black eyes. His fear. His realization.
Sheik shuffled the bird close to her so his dying eyes made perfect contact with hers. So Ganondorf's golden eyes made contact with hers.
With a dark voice, she snarled, "Burn in Hell you son of Satan!"
SNAP! Just like that. The bird's jaw opened wide, his open eyes emotionless. Just like that.
Sheik delivered a devious smile when she snapped the fragile bones in the crow's neck. She enjoyed the sound it made. Every moment of it. She though to herself: Killing can bring so much pleasure when you use on those rightfully deserve it...and HE deserves every inch of it!
With a slight turn of the hand, Sheik watched as the crow's corpse fell silently onto the darkness below. Far below.
She was ready. She was ready to destroy the evil King's existence...
CAW! CAW!
His dark eyes opened suddenly as he stared straight into the forest before him. He looked at his surroundings. Something wasn't right.
Slowly lifting himself from the wooden tree root, Ganondorf cautiously searched around him. He made out his minions as well as Bowser's guarding the premise. Preparing for the upcoming battle. Everything looked normal to him. But something didn't sit well with him. Then...just like that...
SNAP!
Ganondorf grasped his armored chest as he gasped so loudly even his minions around him grew worried. Bowser, not far away, rampaged his way over.
"Ganondorf...what's wrong?" He asked, harshly.
Ganondorf leaned against the nearest tree trunk, still clinging on to his heavy chest. His eyes in deep shock...in surprise. He received Sheik's gruesome message perfectly. His hands rubbing his neck as he experienced the same pain that crow felt when his neck snapped.
"No..." he whispered.
"Ganondorf, what's wrong?!" Bowser grew impatient.
With a slow pace, Ganondorf lifted himself off the tree trunk, looking straight into Bowser's large, fiery eyes.
"We lost her." He exclaimed.
"What? Lost her? Who?" Bowser responded.
"Our darling little assassin." Ganondorf growled in anger.
Upon realizing this, the Koopa king yelled, "WHAT?! What do you mean we lost her? She's dead!"
"It'd be better if she were." Ganondorf grimaced.
With his hands folded behind his back, he walked over upon a slanted boulder with the Brawler's mansion in view.
"My possession over her mind as been disrupted. Now she knows everything. Everything I conducted in and out of her mind. It's all been exposed."
"So...what now? Just kill her if she's not going to help us!" Bowser exclaimed. "You killed countless Sheikah during your contests in Hyrule. What makes her so different?! Besides, she's afraid of us. You dug fear into her heart!"
"Oh my dear Bowser...It's nowhere near that simple." Ganondorf softly spoke, "Unlike the Sheikah, Sheik was not born. She was created as a persona by Impa and the beloved Princess Zelda. I may have destroyed her kin...but she's unpredictable. There's a greater force at work here. Someone is helping her to reevaluate who she once was. The reason I dug fear into her heart is because of my possession over her mind and her emotions. Now that's been broken. All she feels is hatred...for us. That makes us vulnerable." Ganondorf's eyes locked onto the Brawlers mansion.
With a tint of fear, Bowser desperately replied, "What's does that mean then? It's over..."
"It means that Sheik is a far greater warrior than before when she was merely a disguise. With her own body, everything changes. She's much more powerful adding to the fact that she has access to the Triforce of Wisdom. I fear that Sheik may combine her own force with the Brawlers." With that said, Ganondorf shifted his focus from the mansion to Bowser.
"Bowser, we can not win if we fight both Sheik and the Brawlers."
Bowser shook his head, "So that's it. Sheik will still come after you. Do you intend on hiding from her like a coward forever?!"
"NEVER!" Ganondorf roared as he threatened Bowser with a majestic fireball. Bowser kept silent.
Taking a deep breath, Ganondorf loosened up.
"I do not intend on running." He exclaimed, "I intend on luring her back but we must be cautious."
"How in the world are you going to lure her back?" Bowser asked, sarcastically.
"Haha, why Bowser, you're going to be doing a little favor for me."
"Oh really?" Bowser responded, "Just because Sheik is no longer your slave doesn't mean you're making me one!"
Ganondorf narrowed his piercing eyes in response.
Feeling intimidated, Bowser replied, "But since I'm in a some what jolly mood, I'll do it."
Smiling, Ganondorf said, "As I said before, someone is guiding our little killer back toward her old self."
"Right? And do you know who this someone is?" Bowser asked.
Ganondorf chuckled, "As my eyes and ears, the crows have followed Sheik recently toward the Liaral Village. There's a girl who goes by the name, Linda. A young child with deep green eyes and long, dark blonde hair. She had a some what meaningful discussion with Sheik. I believe she plays a role in this somehow."
"A little girl?" Bowser doubted. "Hmm, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to find this girl and I want you to bring her to me...alive." Ganondorf ordered, "Kill everyone around her. My crows will guide you to her."
"Seems easy enough." Bowser replied. He turned his spiky shell as he called out on a few minions to aid him.
As he made his way toward the direction of the village, he halted when Ganondorf spoke once more.
"Bowser, I want this brat to know that Sheik was correct in what she said. She brings nothing but Death. She's a monster, a murderer, a villain. Make Linda understand this? Use whatever means necessary."
Bowser nodded in understanding before pursuing into the forests with his minions.
Once gone, Ganondorf slowly returned to the massive tree root to sit on. He bowed his head down, staring straight forward into the darkness of the woods and smiling. Smiling so devious. So evil. So vengeful.
Wow, that was a long chapter! Sorry again for the late update!
For everyone waiting patiently for my updates, you guys are awesome! Thanks so much!
Many of you may have a lot of questions.
Why is Linda so special and important? Why is she a key to Sheik's salvation? So on and so forth.
If you have any more regarding this chapter, just ask me and I'll answer. I promise!
All will be answered soon!
I can guarantee chapter 15 won't take two months to update!
Thanks again!