Chapter 25: Light and Shadow
The ride through the lost woods the following day seemed long and quiet as Link dwelt on how even amidst such happiness his mentioning of the pain of the past brought about such a spell of darkness…and he worried about how these feelings left him with such a haunting sensation.
The four light guardians took on the form of glowing orbs for the journey. The trio found them as they came into the section of the Lost Words where Termina became integrated with Hyrule.
As they went deeper into the woods and entered Hyrule, one orb separated and headed towards the Kokiri forest on its own. Link sped Epona up to pursue, but Kaepora within Sheik hollered, "It's okay, that one found where it needs to be. Our job is to help the others remember. Well, it's your job. I need to get home…I have some research to do, and I want to give the mask back to Zelda sooner rather than later."
The sage explained, "As we traveled, the guardians spoke with me empathically the whole way. They asked me where the sacred beast was, and I have no idea what they meant. The dark interlopers were herded into and banished in the desert by the light guardians, the sages, and the sacred beast. Together they sealed them away.
There is a study in the true Wind Temple that survived all the turmoil of the fire demon. I am not familiar with such ancient history, but if a sage of Wind was involved then it is likely that what I need to know is there."
As they left the woods, Kaepora Sheik spoke again. "Would you please join me in my land of snow? I wish to give your princess her mask back as soon as possible since I know she was not exactly pleased to let me use it…If you come along with me then you'd be able to return home with it right away versus having to pick it up later."
As they made their way to the palace the orbs of light followed them like lost puppies.
On their way through the field the hoofed one stopped, it separated from the group and headed towards the ranch. "Well, two down and two to go," said the sage of wind, happy to see another find its home.
As they got to the palace they found that the dragons had remained there just as they were instructed to. The three of them left the horses in the field at the front of the castle and departed immediately by dragon back without even checking in with Zelda.
Upon arrival to the land of snow the three of them went inside planning to rest a bit and have a bite to eat after the sage regained his winged form. Kaepora's middle child, his son, was at the table reading. He looked up at the strange form his father was in and crumpled his nose.
Kaepora removed the mask and handed it to Link. He then went to see his wife about some refreshments.
After a quick snack alongside Kaepora and his son, Link and Chirin were ready to head home. However before they had a chance to leave Luda walked by the door. She stopped, and looked into the room, her gaze was focused on the Hylian price in his winged form with his silvery hair and Oni marks. She was blushing. "Ummm…Chirin could you wait here a minute?" she said scuttling off.
When she returned, Luda carried with her an ivory colored flute carved with an intricate design. She handed it shyly to Chirin. "…Yubreit loves the sound of this…I know he likes staying with you, so I thought you deserved to have it. Please take good care of the flute and take care of Yubreit. Treasure them both for me… okay?" she said as her face grew even more flush. In her flustered state she scurried off, embarrassed to be blushing so hard.
"Wow..." said Kaepora's son who had since quit reading his book. "She loves that flute more than anything. It was a gift from our grandmother… She never lets it out of her sight… Why on earth would she give it to you?"
Chirin looked to the flute and then off to where Luda had gone. He bit his lip gently with a furrowed brow, he then set off to thank her.
The wind sage smiled at the sight, wondering if maybe something would grow from their awkward shyness. Kaepora knew that only the future could say which form Chirin would call his own in the end. The goddesses had, after all, blessed him with a choice others do not get to make.
Link and his son returned on Yubreit and Kia with the light guardians in pursuit.
When they got back to the palace Zelda was miffed that they did not check in with her first. As she berated them Link handed her the Sheik mask. "You are coming with us, right?"
She stared at them for a second. "Fine butter me up with the promise of adventure. Yes, I am coming but shouldn't you guys rest first? It is late; you can finish this tomorrow." Link looked to the orbs of light, wanting to complete his quest in one night. He had gone for days without sleep in the past…but he was a lot younger back then. "Fine… just please say dinner's ready."
As they sat around the table the fidgety Aryll spoke up. "I am happy we're eating as a family again," she said with a smile, bouncing slightly in her seat as she picked at her food.
Her happy little voice made Link feel warm inside.
Aryll began to stack her peas into little towers. "Honey, please don't play with your food," her mother said. "And why shouldn't she?" came the strong voice of the elder Sheikah. "I let you play with your food even though your father did not care for it." she said, amused by Zelda's blushing.
Towards the end of the evening Impa got up from the table. Link did the same, despite not being done eating. He caught up with her down the hall and asked to talk to Impa in her study.
"Impa…I have something interesting to share with you." "Hmm?" she said sitting in her favorite chair. Link stayed standing since none of the chairs in this room were designed for his wings. "I never made the connection before, but, well, your clan came from Termina long ago, fleeing something."
"Yes. What are you getting at?"
"Well, during my trip, I made a connection regarding someone I know who has…red eyes." Impa went from looking bored to looking interested. "I have a friend in Termina with red eyes, his name is Kafei, and it seems he passed his red eyes on to his son. It may be a coincidence, but he might be of Sheikah descent."
"That is interesting," she said getting up. "I suppose to a Sheikah left behind by the clan, our traditions would mean little to them… Their bloodline is not pure, so it does mean I am still the last of the true Sheikah…but it seems a part of us will still live on this world…"
She sighed, "Perhaps the elders were wrong to uphold our traditions. By diluting our own bloodline more our clan could have lived on in Hyrule as well." She made her way to the door. "Thank you for telling me this. I hope I'll get to see these decedents of my clan before I reach my own end. It would make me glad to meet the gaze of their red eyes."
The night, for the most part, went without incident; that is until Chirin's cries broke the silence of the predawn light, awaking everyone in the royal bedroom wing of the castle.
Once again he sat in his bed, wings called forth and gripping he chest… though this time he was able to calm himself down far faster than before.
When Link and Zelda arrived in his room the boy had already relaxed his state of terror and regained his Hylian form.
He was still breathing heavy, but the look on his face held courage, not fear.
"Let's head out," the boy said, getting up on shaky legs that were attached to a body that thought it was dying just moments before. "The last time I had this dream Kaepora was struck, and we met the wretch himself…I get a feeling these dreams mean something is brewing. Let's get the light spirits to their lands before he has a chance to cast them into shadow…"
Link's face did not show it, but inside he was smiling at the sight of his son facing fate with such a collective calm.
The team headed out on horseback, forgoing breakfast. Chirin was fidgeting on his mount. The Oni blade latched to the side of his armor was awkward, but his father had urged him to keep it on hand whenever they left the palace, so he tolerated its presence.
Zelda was in the form of Sheik. There was a twinge of fear in the princess's chest due to leaving Aryll behind. She tried to remind herself that they had left her in Impa's capable hands, but a mother's worry is quite strong.
Considering the form of one light spirit was a serpent Link thought to try the Spirit Temple first. They stopped for a quick lunch with the Gerudos along the way, since they had missed breakfast. The meal was awkward for Zelda. The Gerudo girls stared at Sheik's form with questions in their eyes, wondering how in the world this person they used to fawn over could be the Hylian queen in disguise.
As they reached the temple, the day turned out to be a waste. Neither of the glowing orbs departed the group, instead each followed them home to the palace.
As Link laid flat on his back in bed that night he stared up at the ceiling, trying to think of which area to try next: Zora's Domain, Death Mountain, Kakariko Village, or Lake Hylia. As he rolled over to lay on his side atop one wing he recalled something that he had seen in the Water Temple.
There were serpentine statues within.
At daybreak they saddled up with breakfast in hand. Time was of the essence so they ate on the go, skipping lunch this time. Sheik had the ruffled top of the sash pulled down and was somewhat sloppily eating a sandwich with big, ungraceful bites. Link smiled. "Now there is the tomboy I grew up with," he thought to himself.
Sure enough, as they reached the lake, one orb departed and disappeared into the temple. "I wonder if this means our evil shadows can no longer hide in there," Link thought to himself as he touched the scar on his neck.
It was getting dark, but the team very much wanted to get the last light sprit to whatever home it needed to be at. The fact that they had not been attacked in all this time troubled the lot of them. The enemy was up to something, and luring them into a false sense of security must be part of the plan.
They tried Kakariko first, since it could kill two birds with one stone. If the light spirit's home was Death mountain then they had to pass through there anyway, but if it was the village then their task was complete. They left the horses at the bottom of the great steps and made their way into the village.
Sure enough, it was Kakariko. The last light spirit vanished in the direction of the graveyard.
The trio stood looking to where the glowing orb had vanished feeling quite content to have finished their task. The land was awash with the golden glow of the setting sun as the family of heroes turned to head home…
But as they reached the entrance, a dark figure was waiting for them, propped against the large tree.
Link's chest grew tight and cold as the unrest within gripped him once more.
"What did you do to our hideout you stupid half-breed?" he sneered. "That damned light spirit you dumped off ruined our perfect paradise. You left my little family here without a home." Link's gut twisted at the idea of these evil shadows calling themselves a family.
"Well, no worries. My master can get rid of the cursed thing once he takes care of you. Without the two of you in this world, it shall transcend into darkness."
The shadow grinned as he drew his sword. "King Dragmire is twice the man his father ever was! Ganon was nothing compared to his son." Dark watched Link, expecting a reaction. "Oh well damn it all, someone already told you," he snarked. "I wanted to see the look on your face when you found out the son of Ganon was out to kill your own child…and that he wanted to make sure…you watched each other die!" with his last words Dark flew into battle.
The shadow of Link fought differently than before. His toying nature had faded somewhat, and his comrades also fought with a new straightforward intensity that caught them all off guard.
The shadows were not holding back this time; they fought with every shred of power their dark master had granted them.
Navi was flying around screaming again as the dark fairy chased her.
Link struck his dark double across the chest, his sword leaving a fair sized gash in its wake. The shadow was unfazed and did not take his usual amusement from the sight of blood. He continued his assault baring down on Link with great intensity.
Some of the villagers stepped outside because of the noise. "Get to the mountain! Now! Just go!" Link hollered, not knowing if Dark would play dirty and take hostages. The villagers fled, knocking on doors to alert the neighbors. They had never heard such a sharp and worried tone from their King.
During his distraction with the villagers Link was struck badly, the sword bit straight through the gauntlet of his sword arm striking flesh below. Link doubled back and continued to fight through the pain.
As the wound bled and ached, his sword felt heavier and heavier.
Sheik had been struck in the arm as well, but not before striking the dark incarnation across the leg. The two leapt through the air, each landing a blow as they passed each other.
Chirin found an opening to use the light attack, but as he brought the double helix blade to his palm the dark Sheik abandoned its double.
The shadow Sheikah leapt up, grabbed Chirin's foot, and pulled the winged boy to the ground before tossing him aside with an unearthly strength. The prince crashed into the side of a building landing in a heap of feathers.
The shadows were not going to let him use this attack.
Sheik raced to his aid as the winged boy struggled to get up, all while the dark Chirin was closing in fast. The prince was not ready to defend against the attack, and the power of the goddesses only protected him from the likes of dark magic.
As Sheik approached Chirin the Sheikah doppelganger returned to its own fight, slicing the red eyed warrior across the other arm with a devastating blow.
The heroes found themselves struggling. Their opponents seemed far stronger and far more focused than before…and things did not turn out in their favor last time.
Meanwhile, Navi was screaming as the dark fairy chased her while laughing manically in its evil little voice.
Navi stopped screaming and then stopped running. "Wait? He….or …she...whatever it is! Can't do much more to me than Tatl did! And after winning that scrap with her I can take this jerk!" Navi went on the assault bouncing off her red double, initializing a fairy throw down as the two pounced each other.
Navi beat the dark pixie senseless. The tattered red fairy laid on the ground, dazed and confused by how the once timid little blue creature managed to turn into such a terror so quickly.
"Don't mess with me, bitch!" Navi spat as she turned away.
She left the beaten red fairy feeling triumphant…. but her triumph quickly faded into a horror she had never before known.
As the blue fairy went back to be alongside Link, she was met with a fearsome sight. "…Oh…my…Oh goddesses please help us!" she said, immediately leaving, desperately hoping to find at least one of the elusive pink fairies as quickly as possible.
Things had turned dire for our heroes.
Sheik and Chirin were literally pinned to the ground.
The red eyed warrior's back was flat against the hard earth. The Sheikah shadow with its unnatural strength had left the thin, dark knife impaled through Sheik's shoulder. It had been intentionally run through nearly the exact same place as Dark had stabbed through before on the opposite side, this time just barely missing a lung.
The blade went right through flesh up to the hilt. The bulk of its length was embedded into the ground, pinning the Sheikah warrior to the earth as blood soaked the grass.
Sheik tried to pull the blade free, but both arms had been slashed and Zelda within could not force Sheik's body to respond through the pain of shredded muscles.
Chirin had been cruelly pinned on his back with wings spread wide like an insect on display. The dark blade had been stabbed through the arm of one wing, and his own blade was impaled through other, each holding him to the ground.
The feathers grew red with blood as the boy writhed in agony, back arching from the ground as he struggled to get free. He was unable to reach either blade and was unable to switch forms for his wings were physically being held to this world.
The two shadows, having captured their prizes, double teamed on Link as he tried to stop their cruel acts and save his family.
The shadows had Link flat on the ground face first, his sword out of reach in front of him and shield thrown aside.
The dark Sheik was above him with feet planted on either side of him standing on his wings, his feathers growing red as the steel toes dug into his flesh. The dark Sheik held his arms behind his back, twisting the one that was injured. The other shadow was sitting on his legs reaching out and slowly plucking small white feathers one by one.
The dark Link stood in front of the helpless hero, grinning in devious delight as the blonde lifted his face from the ground and glared at him with furious eyes.
Link's insides were wrought with pain as the deep unrest within his bound forms twisted his heart. The agony he felt at the sight of his family wounded and helpless, the torment of being unable to save them, caused the inner unrest between his two forms to writhe into something dark and vile.
The red eyed Link walked over to Sheik. At the sight of the shadow's approach the pinned warrior desperately tried to pull the blade free, failing again as the loss of blood was now making every movement weak.
The Sheikah laid there and looked at the shadow of Link with strong hateful eyes. Zelda within was not going to give Dark the pleasure of watching her suffer; she would face her fate calmly, un-screaming.
Her heart ached at the thought of Link. Zelda's spirit tried to reach out to his to tell him he must survive and to be strong for both her sake and for their children's.
"I am still allowed to kill this one," Dark said, poising the blade above the center of the Sheikah's chest. He was ready to slowly snuff out the life of Link's princess, forcing the hero to watch as per his master's order, orders he was more than happy to oblige with.
Sheik's eyes closed, expression peaceful in the face of death. Zelda within tried to breath calm and steady, not letting the sadistic fiend get any further enjoyment from what he was about to do.
Link watched as his loved one braced for death with such calm acceptance. His heart raced and ached knowing he was unable to save those he held so dear. Link's insides twisted as a darkness began to eat at his soul.
The tip of Dark's sword met the very center of Sheik's chest.
As the scene unfolded before the eyes of the trapped and tormented hero, the rush of darkness within his torn form finally caused something to snap.
The angel lost hold of the demon.
The Oni was set free.