Authors Note:

Whew! Sorry everyone! I know that took an awful long time to get this chapter up-but it ended up being quite long so I hope that makes up for all the time I wasted!

"Link

"Link! We can help you!"

Link backed away, his back pressed against the wall. "Get away from me!" The monsters crept towards him, cautiously.

"It's all going to be ok, Link. Just calm down." One of the monsters said his voice rough and scaly.

"No! Go away!" Link yelled again, desperate. He had no weapons; nothing to protect himself with. The room was getting darker as the creatures got closer. Link crouched down, his hands on his head.

"NOOOOO!!"

He screamed and sat bolt upright, crashing into someone's chest. He felt arms wrap around him. He panicked and struggled, pushing the person away.

"Link, stop!"

He pushed away with both his hands and feet and fell from the bed. His head spun as it hit the hard wood floor and he laid still. Someone ran around the bed to his side.

"Dammit, Link, you going to do this every time?" Rusl took Link's arm and pulled him upright. Link coughed and looked up, surprised.

"Rusl?"

"Yeah, that's me. How are you feeling?"

"…Ganondorf…"

"It's ok."

"How long has it been?" Link's eyes widened; realizing what could have happened in the time that he was passed out. "Did anyone-"

"Link! Its fine, we reached you in time and he never got out."

Link frowned. "..How did you..."

"It's a long story. Come on." Rusl took Link's arm and pulled him to his feet and sat him on the bed. Link sighed, running a hand down his face, feeling the scar that marked his right cheek. He looked at his hand, noticing his skin was getting darker. He glanced up to see Rusl staring at him.

"What's wrong?"

"That scar…"

Link's heart stopped. "Do…you know what happened?"

Rusl blinked. "You don't?"

"I don't remember anything…and Prince Ralis wouldn't tell me."

Rusl's face tightened. Link frowned.

"…Rusl….who did I kill?" Rusl didn't answer for a long time.

"…get some rest."

"Rusl!"

"Get some rest, Link!" Rusl snapped at him. Link glared back; which soon dissipated when he came to a conclusion.

"Ilia.." He said, his heart pounding at the realization. Rusl closed his eyes.

"No, Link, she's ok." Link closed his eyes, relieved.

"Good, at least that dream hasn't come true…" He mumbled.

"What was that?" Link glanced up at Rusl and shook his head.

"Nothing."

"…Get some rest. I'll get Renado to bring you some food." Rusl left without another word. Link sat on the bed, staring at the floor for a long time. Who did he kill? Why won't anyone tell him?

Renado carried the tray of food carefully up the steps of the hotel towards Link's room.

"Please, Renado, I need to see Link."

"No, Ilia, Link is resting and can't be bothered."

"I won't bother him. I just want to see him…I just want to make sure he's ok. Why won't you even let me look! You act as if he's turned into a horrible monster and I won't recognize him!"

Renado didn't comment and continued on in silence.

"Renado!"

"I am sorry, Ilia, but Rusl believes it be better for you not to see him and I believe so too."

"So he has changed."

"I didn't say that."

"Renado!"

"That's enough, Ilia! I won't hear anymore of it."

Ilia stopped and watched as Renado pulled out some keys and disappeared inside Link's room; closing the door behind him.

Renado smiled at Link, setting the tray of food down on his bed. "You should be resting."

"I can't close my eyes. I fear I will never wake again." Link said, still sitting on the side of the bed, staring at the floor.

"Well don't you worry, Link, Rusl believes he's found the cure for you." Link looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"He met a woman and man a while back. The woman seemed to have known of your condition though she's never met you. It was she who made the potion that Rusl gave you; that's why Ganondorf didn't take over when you passed out on the field."

Link's heart fluttered with hope but it quickly died.

"No, it won't. There is nothing that will cure me of this…my only hope is death."

Renado shook his head. "There's another way. I'm sure of it."

Link said no more. He reached over and picked up the bread and took a small nibble; thoughtful. Renado bowed slightly to Link.

"Get some rest." And with that he was gone.

It was a half moon that was rising over Hyrule that night. Ilia crept into the Shaman's room silently. She easily spotted the keys that resided on the desk. She couldn't take it anymore, she had to see him but they kept his room locked.

She extended her hand and slowly curled her fingers around the keys, careful not to make a noise. She lifted them slowly and crept back towards the door. She froze when she heard Renado stir in his bed. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her beating heart. Renado mumbled something in his sleep and fell silent. She held her breath until she was on the other side of the door and closed it carefully. It was cool out and the wind blew gently; there were howls in the distance. Ilia walked briskly across the town towards the hotel.

There came voices from one side of the town. Ilia glanced that way before ducking in the shadows beside the hotel. The voices were in harsh whispers as two people made there way towards the hotel. One was crouched over slightly and both wore long cloaks with hoods that hid their faces.

"Quiet, Asar, we must not wake anyone." Came a man's voice.

"I know I know, you moron, just show me where Link is so I can make sure he's taken care of."

"This way." The two headed up the steps towards the hotel door. They stopped and the taller one opened the door, allowing the other inside. Ilia gasped. They were going to hurt Link! She took off and ran up the small hill beside the hotel. She had to get to Link before they did; there was no time to warn anyone else. She hesitated at the drop before she jumped to the ledge. She gave a short yelp when she fell but picked herself up and ducked through the open window.

Link laid on the bed staring at the ceiling. The only reason he was still there was because whatever this potion was that he was given, it worked in keeping Ganondorf at bay; and he was worried that if he left that he would never make it. Otherwise he would have been gone long ago looking for that last dagger shard.

There was a howl in the distance. Link sighed and got up and walked over to a window. Last time he was here, it was all boarded up. They really have cleaned this place up since last time.

A flame in the distance caught his eye. Down below he saw two people, one carrying a torch, coming into the town. He watched them for a long time until they reached the front of the hotel and Link could no longer see them. Link didn't move from the window and listened as the pair came into the hotel.

He left the window sill and walked over to the doors. Whoever they were, he didn't trust them. He went to open the door when he realized…it was locked. Link frowned, trying again.

"Link!" Came a harsh whisper from his right. Link jumped, startled, and turned.

"Ilia?" Ilia squinted her eyes. It was too dark in the room, she could barely see Link, but she knew that voice. She ran over and grabbed his hand.

"We have to go! They're coming!" She whispered. She pulled him to the window. Link heard the voices getting louder as they reached the door. He hesitated, not sure if he should stay or not. Ilia shouted at him, making his mind up herself, and pulled him up onto the ledge. Together they jumped to the other side and she pulled him down the hill.

"Wait, Ilia." Link stopped. Ilia turned and suddenly screamed, falling back. In the bright moonlight, she could see his face.

"Y-you're not Link!"

"Yes! I am." Link said quickly. "It's me, Ilia. Please." Ilia shook her head. Lights flickered on throughout the town. A door crashed open from the hotel and the two turned, seeing someone run towards them. Link's jaw tightened and he immediately stood between Ilia and the man.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The man shouted, grabbing Link's arm roughly.

"Aiden! Calm yourself!" Came another voice. Link looked over the man's shoulder and saw Rusl.

"Rusl?" Rusl laid a hand on Aiden's shoulder and Aiden slowly released Link. Rusl saw Ilia and shot her a glare.

"What did I tell you about-"

"HOW YOU COULD YOU KEEP THIS FROM ME?!" She screamed, getting to her feet. Renado laid a hand on her shoulder from behind.

"Calm down, child." Ilia shrugged away with anger.

"What's wrong with him?!" She demanded, pointing at Link. Link swallowed, glancing at her then looked at Rusl. Rusl returned Link's gaze and Link shook his head slightly. Rusl hesitated.

"It's a long story, Ilia."

"We've got time!" Ilia growled.

"Actually, we don't." Came a cracked voice. The hunched over figure appeared.

"Asar." Rusl acknowledged. Asar paid no attention to Rusl, keeping her eyes fixed on Link.

"It is what I had feared." She said. She walked right up to Link. Link took a step backwards but she caught his arm in an iron grip. She pulled out a long syringe; deadly looking thing. Link took one look at it and backed away again, trying to pull out of her grip.

"Link, stop." Aiden said roughly. "It's going to help you."

"Wait, Asar, is it wise to use it now?" Rusl questioned, taking a step towards them. "The side effects may be-"

"Don't you question me about my own potion!" She snapped at him. Rusl sighed and nodded.

"It's ok, Link, it'll help you." Rusl said, Link looked up at Rusl and nodded. Asar suddenly without warning stuck the long syringe into his neck. Link gasped. His entire body went numb as she released the liquid and his heart beat quickened. Link began to gasp for air and fell to his knees. Asar pulled the syringe out and took a step back.

"What are you doing?!" Ilia yelled at her. Ilia started towards Link but Renado caught her shoulder. Link continued to gasp, his air flow cut off. His vision began to go in and out of focus. Darkness began to fill his eyes and his entire body trembled. His hands bunched into fists in the dirt.

"Asar! What's happening?!" He heard Rusl yell.

"Relax, it will pass."

Almost immediately, Link's throat cleared and he sucked in air. Ilia pulled away from the Shaman and ran to Link's side. She took his arm gently.

"Link." She whispered. She helped as Link slowly got back onto his feet and put his arm around her shoulders to keep him up. He coughed.

"Told you." Asar said, her voice smug. She pulled back her hood to reveal long white hair. Her face was wrinkled like paper and her eyes shone a bright green.

"Wh-….what…was that?" Link managed to say.

"I can't tell you." Asar said, expressionless. Rusl cleared his throat.

"Why don't we all go inside. It's late." Rusl walked over, taking Link's arm. "Ilia, go to bed."

"No, I have-"

"I'm not going to ask again!" Rusl growled. Ilia hesitated, glancing up at Link who was staring at the ground; trying to keep himself from passing out. She finally nodded and left. Rusl began to help Link back to the hotel.

"You should have told me she was here." Link growled under his breath at Rusl.

"I know." Rusl glanced over at Link. "Don't worry, the side effects will pass soon. Asar said that it will only happen the first time too." Link nodded, swallowing. He closed his eyes and allowed Rusl to lead him back to the hotel; leaning against him for support. Rusl sighed. "I'm sorry you have to go through this, Link. You don't deserve this."

Rusl looked over at Link when he didn't reply. Link's eyes were still closed. Rusl made a pained expression and looked forward again.

"It doesn't matter," He said finally. "I still need to end it…all of it." Link opened his eyes and looked at Rusl. "And there's only one way I can."