A/N: Whew. I finally got this chapter done. I'm deeply dissatisfied with this one, mainly because it's an important chapter character-wise and I just so happened to have writer's block, which made it ridiculously hard to write. It feels like a filler chapter, as well.My beta is on vacation, and my internet's been out, which have both been a major pain to deal with. Also, I'm starting to think that my style of writing is changing... Anyway, I might come back and revise this chapter later on. I've kept you guys waiting long enough; here's Chapter 23!
The Legend of Midna: Time's Requiem
Chapter 23
The sky was neither orange nor blue, patches of each coalescing above as Link ran on. Blue foliage mixed with the native greenery of Hyrule, while Twilians spoke freely with Hylians. The light, once fatal to them, had diminished in its intensity, allowing the Twili to consort with the people who had once banished them. Neither purely light nor twilight, this new realm was a mixture of the two, the verdant beauty of light blending easily with the serene grace of twilight. Link ignored the scenery, the familiar anger spurring him toward his goal. Two golems lumbered toward him, fists raised to attack. There was a feral glint in Link's eyes as he sprang into the air and shifted fluidly out of wolf form, drawing his sword faster than either monster could react to. A second later, the sword was sheathed and a wolf was once more sprinting headlong toward the floating palace that loomed in the horizon. Behind him, two golems fell to the ground with a hollow thud, their heads sliced clean through.
Midna. Rusl. Ilia. Everyone in Ordon. His thoughts drove him to run faster, his body nearly a blur as he raced on. Though his paws bled and tufts of his fur were missing in several places, Link refused to stop and rest. Too many lives had been lost; to stop now would cause more meaningless deaths on the field of battle.
Link? From deep inside the Palace of Twilight came Midna's concerned thought. His pain and anger seeped across their connection despite his best efforts to hide it. What's wrong?
Nothing, he growled. Everything is fine. I'll be there within the hour.
In the dim light of the vault, Midna rolled her eyes. I've told you time and time again that you're a terrible liar, Link.
Do you think that's funny?! he roared, and the queen involuntarily took one step back. She had never heard him this angry before. Biting back the sarcastic remark that sat at the edge of her tongue, she replied, No, I don't.
Then I would appreciate it if you would be quiet, he snapped. Imp or not, I don't need to hear your witty comments right now!
That's it, you stupid beast, she began angrily, and stopped, taking a deep breath. Her time as an imp was a sensitive subject with her, and Link knew it. I know what you're trying to do, wolf, and it's not going to work. Getting me angry won't make me cut this connection, she informed him.
Then what will?!
Be reasonable, Link; if you have time to yell at me, then you have time to tell me why you're hurting!
He considered her words for a moment. Talking with Midna had been the reason he'd started for the palace in the first place. His rage began to fade, guilt for yelling at his wife quickly taking its place.
... Midna...
She said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
... Midna, I'm sorry. The last couple of days have been... he trailed off, at a loss for words.
Apology accepted, so long as we both realize that you are the single biggest idiot in the whole of Light and Twilight.
Link winced. I guess I deserved that one.
You did, she assured him. Now, what's wrong?
The memories of the graves at Ordon flashed briefly in his mind before he spoke. Ordon is... gone, Midna, he said, his voice breaking. Everyone I knew there is dead.
Oh, Link, she whispered, trying to imagine the pain he was going through. The emotions flitting back and forth their connection were always faint, never exposing their true magnitude, but the hurt that flowed was overpowering her. I'm sorry.
There's nothing for you to be sorry about, he said gruffly.
I'm sorry all the same. She paused. But not everyone's gone.
The hero stopped in his tracks, stunned. Not... everyone's... gone? he repeated stupidly, trying to make sense of her words. He'd seen the graves, read the plaques. It seemed impossible that anyone had survived.
Colin, said the queen, her voice gentle. He's alive, and he's with Tear now.
Comprehension crossed his lupine features. Colin had been the one to dig the graves and write the plaques; he'd survived to start a new life. The tiniest of weights lifted itself away from his heart, easing the pain that tore into it.
Come home, Link, said Midna.
I will, he promised, breaking into a run. We'll stop Oni and return to our time before any of this happens.
Reaching out one hand, the Fused Shadows floated out of the open vault, circling her once before settling into the folds of her cloak. Sensing that Link didn't need to talk anymore, she closed their connection, making sure it was sealed before letting herself think her response. Yes... you will, Link. She closed her eyes. I only hope I have the strength to do what's needed.
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Eirias sighed. Well, that didn't go according to plan, he thought, staring at a map of the realms as he recalled the events of the council meeting. All of them had stared at him in shock as he recounted the assassination attempt. Either the traitorous chancellor was a very good actor, or the traitor wasn't a chancellor at all. Balore had used the silence to inform him of the withdrawal of Oni's forces. At any other point in time, it would have been a welcome reprieve for the armies of Light and Twilight, but with unnatural, dark clouds brewing in the distant skies of Termina, there was no doubt that their enemies were regrouping for a full-scale assault, a lethal storm in tow. The meeting had adjourned a few minutes after that, every member of the council scurrying out of the room as though they were mice hiding from a hungry cat. No doubt they're holed up in their safehouses, thought the king bitterly. Cowards. Shoving those thoughts aside, Eirias began to hum, letting his magic spill from him and into the sky, seeking the clouds over Termina. Almost immediately he found what he was searching for: a barrier, so strong it repulsed his power back a good 100 feet, shielded the clouds and the area around them. He tested the barrier at different points, poking at it for any signs of weakness, only to find none. "I'll hand it to Oni," he said aloud, ceasing his humming and gathering his magic back into himself. "He does a job well."
"Really?" said an amused voice.
"Hello, Tear," said Eirias, turning to face his sister. "What are you doing here? And where's Colin?" he asked, casting his gaze about for the swordsman.
"He's making sure all the sentries are awake." She snorted. "He's probably finding that half of them have abandoned their posts. None of them want to be here when Oni's army strikes, apparently."
"Cowards."
Tear smiled. "I thought you might say that. Anyway, since he's busy, I figured I would spend some time with my older brother."
Eirias rolled his eyes as his sister pulled up a chair. The library was a hopeless mess, books and papers scattered about the room. Fractured chairs and tables were overturned, while the Sols were flickering, a sign that they were close to the end of their lifespans. Cracks in the stone walls were revealed underneath the peeling wallpaper. A thick layer of dust coated most of the room. No one had used the library in years; it made the room a perfect place to think without being disturbed.
"Sometimes I think you're the older one," he told her, shaking his head as she opened her mouth. "Don't argue; just listen, Sis. You've been the one helping me through everything, and I... haven't exactly been the model brother. You've had your share of troubles, and I never did anything to make it easier for you -"
"We're siblings," interrupted Tear, fumbling for words that would comfort him. "We look out for each other. And besides... I had Colin to help me."
"That's beside the point," Eirias said. "I could have done something, and I didn't."
"What brought this on?" she asked, hoping to lead him off the subject.
"After Mo- Midna came back, I started thinking that maybe it wasn't her fault; she couldn't have known what Dulcinea was planning." Eirias stood up, walking over toward one of the Sols. It flickered once before casting a steady glow around the room. "I started looking back at what I've done and how I've treated people over the years... and it horrifies me, Sis. It really does." He took a deep, shuddering breath before going on. "And with Oni's army gathering to finish us off, I can't help but wonder if it's a little too late to ask for forgiveness."
Suddenly, Tear's arms were around him in a bear-like hug. "You idiot," she whispered. "It's never too late for that."
"Tear?" Eirias squirmed in her grasp. "Not that I mind, but since when did you decide to start hugging people?"
Blushing, his sister quickly pulled away. "I'm glad you're back, Eirias. I missed having my brother around."
"Well, the guards are -" Colin strode into the room, only to blink and look from Eirias to Tear in embarrassment. "I interrupted something, didn't I?"
"It's all right," said Eirias. "I think we managed to get most of what we wanted out, anyway. You were saying?"
Colin sighed. "All the guards are gone; they went home to their families. We're on our own."
"I can't blame them," said Tear after a moment of silence. "We're facing impending doom here, after all. We'll need a miracle to stop Oni now."
"Actually, we don't." All three turned to see Midna standing in the doorway, a bedraggled Link standing next to her.
"Father?!" The princess sprinted across the room and flung her arms around her father's neck as the others watched, smiles slowly spreading across their faces. Whatever melancholy mood had pervaded the room before vanished in the face of Tear's joy.
"I've missed you too, Tear," managed Link when she finally let go of him. "You've really grown," he said. "Both of you have," added the hero as he spotted Eirias, who simply nodded in confirmation. This feels... right, thought Eirias, watching the scene taking place before him. Colin and Link grasped forearms, pulling each other into a light hug, while Tear laughed at how awkward the two of them seemed. Midna looked on, a serene expression gracing her features. In a single instant, thirteen years of separation vanished, erased so completely it was as if they'd never happened at all. Their family was whole. Whole. The word echoed in his mind, familiar yet alien to him. He glanced at the Sol. It still shone as brightly as it had when he'd approached it. Despite the beating it had taken over the years, it shone as radiantly as if it was newly formed. I think it has the right idea. Taking a deep breath, Eirias stepped forward to join the reunion, casting the Eirias-that-was away to embrace the Eirias-that-should-have-been.
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"So," said Tear, once the excitement had died down, "what do we do now?" They were all seated around a circular table, a crudely drawn map of the kingdoms spread out across its surface.
"Simple," said Midna, and pointed to a patch just outside what had once been Faron Woods. "Here are the catacombs of what used to be known in Termina as Clock Town. Oni rests here, while his army gathers around him. We're going after him."
Everyone but Link gaped at her. Her husband nodded in agreement. "It's the only way to settle this. We can't sit and wait until his legions attack."
"I'll bite," said Eirias, leaning forward in his chair. "Assuming we manage to make it to wherever this is -" He pointed to the spot Midna held her finger over, "- there's a barrier surrounding it. It has no weaknesses that I can spot."
An impish grin crept onto her face. "Leave that to me," she said, her eyes dancing.
"Don't forget that his army is there," reminded Colin. "I hope you have a plan to get past them."
"There's a back way into the catacombs, one that the Hero of Time used many years ago," said Link. "We go in that way."
"Mother... how exactly do you know all of this?" questioned Tear. "We could barely locate Oni's hideout, and that took several years."
All eyes turned to the queen as she gave her reply. "I spoke with Great Xenos, the oldest and wisest of the Shadow Beasts."
"Impossible," said Eirias immediately. "No one's seen or heard from the Shadow Beasts since Oni's arrival."
"He's right; we've spent ten years searching for them," added Tear. "No one found so much as a trace at the sacred springs where they once resided."
"Xenos charged me with telling you that they intentionally hid from those that sought them for their power," said the queen. "The Shadow Beasts seek to inform, never to fight."
"Because that's so much better," muttered the king. Tear stifled a giggle while Colin shook his head.
"We should all get some rest," said Link, looking around at the tired faces that sat before him. "Tomorrow, we fight."
One by one, they filed out of the room, until only Midna and Eirias were left. Wordlessly, he stood up, heading for the double doors by the far wall that would lead to the veranda. Midna followed him, taking note of his tense shoulders and downcast eyes.
"You look troubled," she said once he'd stopped moving.
"It's nothing, Mi- Mom." Eirias kept his gaze on the stars, avoiding her eyes. How do I even begin to apologize to her? he wondered.
Midna looked at him in surprise. "Are we on better terms, then?"
"We are," he confirmed. "I'm... sorry, Mom. About the way I've acted since you've returned. It's unforgivable, isn't it?"
"Actually, it's just the opposite."
Eirias turned to stare at her, unsure he'd heard his mother correctly.
"A mother always forgives her son, you know," continued Midna, a tiny smile on her face. "She may deny it, but deep down, she always does."
"I... see..." he said slowly, part of him relaxing in relief. "Mom, there's something I've been wanting to ask you..."
She searched his face carefully. "Does this have to do with your inability to control the light?" she said at last.
He grimaced. "The Shadow Beast told you about that, too?"
His mother nodded. "Yes. Xenos also told me the cause. Care to hear it?"
"I'm all ears," he replied, leaning on the railing. Every muscle of his body tensed, awaiting the explanation it had waited for so long.
"You refuse to acknowledge that part of you comes from the realm of light. That's the reason why your problem exists."
Eirias blinked, trying to process the information he'd been given. "What about Tear? She's not having this problem; why is that?" he demanded.
"Tear isn't magically inclined," she explained. "Even if she was, she's embraced her heritage. Her father taught her the ways of the sword; she would have an easier time rejecting her title as princess than the blade she wields. You, on the other hand..." Midna caught and held his eyes with her own. "You, for whatever reason, shun that heritage."
"I always thought... that that part of me made me weaker..." whispered Eirias, eyes closed. "So this whole time... it was me holding myself back, not the light..."
A comforting hand rested itself on his shoulder. "Now you know," said Midna softly. She motioned to the doors with her free hand. "Get some rest, Eirias. It will take everything we have to bring Oni down."
He nodded and started for the door. Halfway through it, he turned around. "Mom?"
"Yes?"
"... Thank you."
A/N: I foresee at least 3 more chapters until the end... you guys know what to do. Read and review, please! Major thanks to those who keep reviewing! I appreciate it!