**Authors note** Okay warning ;,.,; This chapter is very dark, and I actually kinda wanted to make it a little more so, but decided against it because I didn't know how my readers would react.. but Dark Link is a very evil, twisted person in my mind. So I wanted to really express that in this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think, and whether you like the darker themes or not, because I can have a little more emotional trauma with the dark themese so yeah~ Also! I'm going back to New York in a few days so yay! Okay so just let me know what you think and yeah, try to enjoy this lovely little chapter okay?

Chapter Twenty Six

I stared out over lake Hylia, to the small island near the center. That was where I'd find the water temple, just below the waves. I had just finished slipping on my blue tunic by the time I arrived, and now placed my green one into my pouch. The sages had wanted me to check in after the Shadow temple was cleansed. My guess would be somehow they knew I wouldn't want to stop once I started, because they gave me all the supplies I would need for each temple from the start. They knew they wouldn't see me again until the temples were free, or I was dead.

I hit a switch on the other side of my boots, and in a moment they were coated in iron. I took a step into the dark lake, then another. Finally I was engulfed by the vast lake. It took me a moment to get used to walking on the lakebed bottom, but I found my balance. The bars that closed off the temple were slightly lifted, so I saw no need to try and open them any further. I slipped under them, weary of their spiky edges and surfaced on the other side, within the Water temple.

I found the signs used on the walls to raise and lower the water temples. It took me a moment to remember how to make them work. I'd just started using the Ocarina of Time, I only had a few of the songs memorized. Luckily, Zelda's Lullaby was one of them. Most of the doors were unlocked, I was guessing because there was really no point being that I'd been through the temple once before, and knew my way pretty well. All the puzzles would do was slow me down, and whatever was waiting for me at the end of this temple, wanted me dead as soon as possible.

There were few enemies, mainly spikes, teketites and shell blades. The water level changes were the most time-consuming. I started to get frustrated when at one point I got lost, and couldn't find where one of the signs were. I ran my fingers through my hair trying to keep my temper down. I just kept walking, and eventually came to a room with a lock actually set into place.

I pulled out my pick, and soon the lock came tumbling off the door. After entering the room, bars crashed down blocking my exit. That was never a good sign. I drew my blade and examined the room a bit. It was dark, and tiled. There were vents along the floor. I heard a whimper from the corner of the room. A rather small Zora appeared to be huddled in the corner. Was she crying? I approached her. "Hey?" I said, letting my guard down, and getting a little closer than I should have.

The moment I spoke a hiss rang through the room, and she turned, an extended claw slashing across my chest. I ran my fingers over the bloody scratch and groaned. Did all my tunics have to get slashed by these creatures? By the time my gaze returned to the Zora, she was standing. She had bloody gashes all over her body, and her eyes were glazed over, and pitch black. She was possessed. I noticed a large yellow diamond strapped to her chest. That must be the source.

I could tell from the start this would be difficult, I didn't want to actually hurt her, but I needed to defend myself. My best bet was to destroy the diamond, but a clear shot at her chest wouldn't be easy to get at. She snarled, her razor teeth menacing, and charged at me. My sword collided with her claws, but she continued to slash. I wasn't sure what to do, so without thinking I pulled dins fire, and flames engulfed us both. She screeched and fell back. Once the flames were gone, I began striking the diamond. Soon, she knocked me back, and found her feet once more.

She raised her blood stained arms, and hissed. The water level in the room began to rise as water poured in from the vents. I quickly switched my boots to their iron state. I started to panic, realizing the only weapon I could use was my hook shot, and I was positive that wouldn't do any good. I readied my shield, all I could do was block her attacks. She came at me, spiraling through the water. I dodged first, but she quickly changed direction. She came at me again, and smashed point-blank into my shield. She froze, trying to steady her head from being dizzy. I took the chance and smashed my shield into the diamond, sending her crashing into the wall.

As she hit, the water drained in the room. I nearly tripped over myself trying to run to her in the iron boots, and began slashing the diamond again. a large crack had formed by the time she regained consciousness. Only a few more hits. I took a step back. She screeched and raised her arms again. I drove my sword straight into the diamond, and her demonic scream I was positive echoed through the entire temple. Her back was pressed against the wall, and I withdrew my sword, catching her as the diamond fell from her. I set her gently on the ground and kneeled beside her.

The bars on the door lifted. The beady eyes soon cleared to the normal Zora purple, and the gashes on her body began to heal themselves. She blinked looking up at me, then sat up a bit startled. "H-Hero? I-I'm so sor-" I silenced her with my hand.

"It's alright. What's your name?" I asked softly, trying to keep the young Zora calm. "And what happened?"

"My name is Rena. I-I'm a messenger for Princess Ruto." She looked down a bit ashamed. "After the Princess was kidnapped, I went into her quarters without permission.." She mumbled. "There were red eyes.. that's the last I remember before waking up to you. I'm so sorry.."

"Don't be." I said simply, thinking to myself.

"You're hurt.." She pointed out, gesturing to my chest.

"I'm fine." I said simply glancing down at the scrape. I couldn't use a fairy, I would need it for the last battle, I was sure. "The exit isn't far from here, it's easy to find. Leave this temple and Lake Hylia. Return to the domain, and don't leave anyones sight, understood?" I instructed. She nodded and I helped her to her feet. before she left the room however, she turned to me.

"Take this." She held out her hand, where a large golden key resided. I retrieved the key from her. "Thank you.." She spoke, closing the door behind her. I clenched my fist around the big key, and made my way to the main room.

Finding the boss door was easy, getting up the courage to actually go in wasn't. I sat against the wall beside the door, hugging my knees to my chest. I knew what was behind that door. And every time I'd faced him before, I nearly died. This time would be the third, and he knew al my tactics, all my tricks by now. Once I entered that door, I was starting to believe I wouldn't be leaving. No, that's how I was thinking back in the portal. Up until Zelda showed up that is. It's so easy to give up, but I can't. Zelda saved my life back there, and I owed this to her. I stood and placed the key in it's lock.

The room was similar to the one in the portal. A small layer of water covered the floor, and it was foggy. However, this time a tree resided in the middle, and a small building was on the other side of it. As expected, bars crashed down ever the entrance to that room, and the door from which I entered. The dark figure leaned casually against the far building, making no attempt to conceal himself. I didn't draw my sword, not yet, I simply approached him.

"We meet again Hero." He spoke, catching me off guard. I paused at his words. He'd never spoken before, had he? "Ah, surprized Hero?" He chuckled deviously. "Only recently did I receive a voice from my Master. You see we have this theory- we being Master, Nokomis, Ashia and I-" I tensed up at the mention of Ashia, but refused to unsheath my sword. "That words can get to you more than a blade to your skin ever could." He taunted.

"You're wrong." I said sternly, beginning to close in on him again.

"Oh?" He smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe you're right. You think everything we say is a lie anyhow."

"It is." I spat.

"You think it is." He said, running his fingers through his dark hair. "You're not that bad looking, you know that Hero? Remind me of myself. Heh, the light about you has to go though." He remarked, looking me over. I didn't even give him a response, I just stopped a few feet in front of him, ready to draw my sword. He remained still and continued to gaze at me with his crimson eyes. "It puzzles me how you hold yourself back from those girlfriends of yours." He chuckled darkly.

"What do you mean?" I asked tilting my head.

"I've had quite a bit of fun with that little gerudo girl of yours." He said deviously, his eyes narrowed and glistening in a twisted manner.

Several things happened at once then. My sword was drawn. He evaporated and appeared behind me. I spun and our swords clashed. He teleported again. I lost sight of him for a split second, and his sword pierced through me. I dropped to my knees, the pain from the hole in my chest excruciating. I collapsed to the ground. His laugh was all I could hear as he disappeared. My blue tunic was being soaked a dark red, as I lay helpless, dying. The room started to blur. There was a buzzing sound, and a faint pink light swirling above my head. Thank Goddess for that fairy.. My vision cleared, and the apin came to an end. My tunic remained stained, but the gash through my chest healed.

If it weren't for that fairy, I'd have been dead. I had to control my temper.. no matter how real his words could be, I have to tell myself it's lies. They did have something right; words made me act on impulse. Words stung more than the bite of a blade. Words could very well lead to the death of me if I didn't hold myself back. My heavy breathing started to calm, and I examined the room for Dark Link, who was now no where in sight.

"She's my favorite." His voice echoed through he room, louder than before. "She fights back. Even under our control, she still rebels against us. Master even thinks she'd make a fine mate once he has control over Hyrule.. I agree-"

"SHUT UP!" I screamed pressing my hands to my ears. My head was pounding and his voice wouldn't leave my head. His cackle rang through the room, his plan wasn't to fight me.. not this time. It was to bring me to my weakest point. To break my emotions. This meant.. he knew he couldn't fight me and win when my mind was focused. He still feared me.. I hadn't realized I started shaking. I tried to steady my sword hand best I could then an idea came to me. I'd make him think he broke me..

"Ashia-"

"Do not say her name!" I screamed.

Suddenly I dropped to my knees and the water came splashing up around me. "Master is so generous.." His taunts continued and I tried my hardest not to hear what he said. "Letting me have my way with her. Don't know what you're missing out on Hero." Dark Link appeared beside me and I held my breath. "Don't worry. When you're gone. I'll take good care of her." He raised his sword to finish me off, then I spun and plunged mine at a upword angle straight through his chest. I twisted for good measure, and his form began to fade, but his glaring eyes remained.

"You're a fool!" I spat finally, withdrawing my sword as he crashed to the ground in agony beside me. I kneeled over him as I spoke. "Telling me this, you think I'd go comatose in hatred for you , and guilt for letting them slip into your grasp. You're so wrong." Tears were running from my eyes, but I spoke as though they weren't even there. "Torturing them will make me fight harder. Torturing them will make me swear not to stop until I have Ashia and Zelda back, and safe. You, and your Master and Nokomis don't know a single thing about love for someone. And I will take your blade through my heart any day, than know they're in your hands! Take that to the grave you worthless shade!" I spit. He smiled and coughed a moment, his form continuing to fade.

"As long as you exist, I will never end. I may end up in the sacred realm, but you will never be rid of me." I raised my sword again and drove it through where his chest would have been, just as his form disappeared completely. I rested all my weight over the hilt of the sword. I used it to pull myself up, and found my balance. Sheathing the sword, the room began to lighten, and my blood-shot eyes narrowed. The idea of running my sword through that bastard King of Evil gave me the will I needed to continue. The Spirit Temple was the next, and the last. I was more than certain I'd face Ashia there, and the thought made my stomach turn. I took a step forward, making sure I had my strength. I took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.

"I promise, I will save you."

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