Kakariko Village

"It's so beautiful!" Sienna exclaimed.

Clad in a borrowed dress from Fayne—a short-sleeved garment with a flowing skirt the color of lavender—Sienna admired the transformation of Kakariko's market square. The vendors' stalls and shops that had lined it had been converted into tables for the food or moved aside to make room for long wooden benches.

In the center, next to the fountain, a group of villagers with musical talent had gathered with any instruments they had left. The lively songs now floating in the air encouraged early dancers out into the square, their feet tapping on the stones in time with the rhythm.

Above the heads of those celebrating, a lattice of lights had been strung, connecting at the roof of every house on the outskirts of the square. They twinkled merrily alongside the torches, changing color every few seconds.

"Do you like them?" asked Fayne, standing at Sienna's elbow.

"I love them!"

"Festive," Dark murmured, knowing the women weren't listening to him.

While Sienna chatted with Fayne, he scanned the crowd. He'd noticed Link sulking in the corner, sitting by himself. The blue fairy occasionally peeked out from under his hat. Dark shook his head; he couldn't have put on something other than the green tunic? And that ludicrous hat!

Kissing Sienna on the cheek, he made a determined beeline for the sullen blond. Without asking, he sat down next to Link, tossing an arm casually about his shoulders.

"Not enjoying the party?" he asked.

Link shrugged. "It's not something I'm used to," he confided. "Besides I wouldn't know what to do," he added with a laugh.

Dark snorted. "It's a party. You dance with the girls, you eat the food, you dance some more, you kiss someone under the stars…" He gestured dramatically with his free arm, gazing up at the starry canvas.

Link chuckled nervously. "Who would I kiss under the stars?"

Dark rounded on him, a wicked grin spreading on his face. "Don't tell me; you've never kissed a girl?"

Link stared back blankly. "A few months ago I was ten years old. I became an adult overnight and have been doing nothing but trying to save Hyrule since. I didn't exactly have time for romance."

His dark-haired friend nodded. "True enough. But we can remedy that. Almost every guy your age is chasing girls; it's like a requirement of our age group."

"So why aren't you out chasing girls?" Link asked, nudging Dark in the ribs.

Dark scoffed. "I have a girl."

Link looked suddenly thoughtful. "So, you and Sienna…" He leaned close, suddenly serious. "You do a lot of kissing under the stars?"

Confused, Dark furrowed his brows. Then realization dawned. "You really have no idea…" he said, staring at Link in astonishment.

"I just told you I became an adult overnight! I didn't go around kissing girls!"

Dark busted up laughing, doubling over from the force of it. "Okay…listen up. It's real simple: you just walk up to a girl you think is pretty, and ask her to dance. Shouldn't be too hard, you're popular." With a grin, he moved his gaze to a group of village girls nearby, shyly glancing their way. "Just be nice—and don't look at their chests. Girls hate that."

Link's brow creased. "Why would I look at their chests?"

Dark slapped a palm to his face. Then he laughed, asking, "Are you sure you even like girls? 'Cause if not we need to have a different conversation."

The blond shrugged. "I like girls…they're nice."

"No, I mean are you attracted tothem. Wasn't there ever a girl you thought was pretty? A girl you wanted to kiss?"

He was surprised by the sudden flush to Link's face. "There was one girl…once…" he mumbled.

Dark clapped a hand on his shoulder. "There we go! Now, first challenge is asking a girl to dance. After that it's just about how you act. Put your arms like so," he explained, demonstrating with an invisible partner, "and you'll be fine. But stay away from any dirty dancing and the like."

Link cocked his head. "What's dirty dancing?"

"I'll explain when you're older." Dark stood up, gesturing for him to follow.

He steered Link in the direction of Sienna and Fayne, deciding that a woman he knew at least a little was better than a stranger.

"And remember," he said to Link in a low voice, "If you're dancing with someone and she asks you to come back to her house with her, just say no."

He could see that he'd completely lost him on that one.

"Why would she ask me to come to her house?"

Dark halted, considered it, and then kept walking, leaving Link to catch up. "You're not ready for that one yet," he muttered, ignoring his friend's questioning look.

Sienna saw him approach and turned to smile at him. He returned it, extending his arm.

"May we have this dance, ladies?" he asked formally.

Sienna took hold of Dark's arm, allowing him to whirl her out into the crowd of dancers. Looking over her shoulder, he saw Link say something to the blonde girl which made her giggle. She took his hand, and after a moment of awkwardness while Link figured out where to place his hands, they were spinning next to Dark and Sienna.

It was nearing midnight by the time the party died down. Exhausted from the constant dancing, Dark went to one of the makeshift tables for a drink. He took a healthy swig of ale and let out a deep sigh.

"Can I talk to you?"

Link had joined him. He nodded, following Link to a more secluded location. Dark briefly wondered if something horrible had happened. He'd been keeping an eye out all evening, and he'd seemed fine.

Halting, Link turned to him, saying, "I'm leaving tomorrow. I wanted to let you know…" He paused, scratching his head. "And thank you for the lessons."

Dark couldn't help a grin. "So am I. And you're welcome. Put them to good use."

"You don't seem surprised."

"I'm not. I knew you'd have to leave sooner or later. Continue your quest and whatnot."

Link shrugged. "So you're leaving too?"

He nodded. "Sienna and I are going to go back to Termina. It's safer there." Seeing Link's disappointed look, he added, "Maybe when this is all over, we'll see each other again."

Brightening, Link said, "I'd like that."

"Where are you headed?"

"Zora's Domain. Fayne helped me find a way to melt red ice; if I can do that, King Zora might be able to tell me where to find the Water Temple and the next Sage."

"Red ice?" Dark repeated.

"Magical ice," Link explained. "It can only be destroyed by blue fire. Fayne told me that it can only be found in extremely cold regions."

Dark laughed. "I know all about that; we used to live in the Snowhead mountains."

Link explained, "Usually, it can be found in caverns with very low temperatures."

"Ahh, so you want the Passage."

Link perked up. "The what?"

"It's known as Snowpeak Passage. A series of caverns and tunnels made completely of ice. It separates Snowpeak ridges in Hyrule from the Snowhead mountains in Termina. I know, the names are way too similar."

"That sounds like just the place!"

"Exactly. You'd most likely find cold fire there."

"Do you know where it is?" Link asked.

"Of course. It's not too far from here…" Dark mused.

Link hesitated. "I know you're planning on leaving…but if it's not far out of your way, would you come with me?"

He was surprised. Link wanted him to come along on his quest? Even more shocking was his immediate urge to say yes. To hell with going back to Termina; this sounded much more exciting.

Then he thought of Sienna; she would be safest in Termina. Then again, Kakariko was the safest place within Hyrule, especially with the Sheikah woman here to protect her.

"I'd like to come with you," he said carefully. "But I need to consider Sienna. I'll let you know by tomorrow, okay?"

Link agreed. Bidding him goodnight, Dark tracked down Sienna and went back to Impa's house with her.

As they undressed for bed, he considered how she would feel about him leaving. The journey would take a few days. He pulled the covers over himself, sliding his arms around her in the darkness.

Within moments she was asleep, her warm, even breaths hitting his chest. He lay awake for a while, mulling over the possibilities. If they went back to Termina, they might have a life together; a peaceful, happy, serene…boring life.

He sighed. Sienna deserved that kind of life. She deserved a secure and happy household. He hated himself for thinking it, but he didn't really think he could give her that.

Since he'd been stuck at the Palardine orphanage, Dark had struggled and fought and scraped and stolen to get out. His earliest memories had taunted him of the life that had been ripped from beneath his feet. One with a family; people who loved him.

Sienna and Fierce, his surrogate family, should have been enough. Yet, he'd left their home in Snowhead, feeling that draw to leave, to be somewhere new. That restlessness was creeping up again.

Holding her closer to his body, Dark planted a kiss on the top of her head. Knowing his decision, he closed his eyes and let himself fall asleep.

Telluran Plain, Eldin Province, 2 days later

Ugly, goggling fish eyes stared at him from the spit, their cloudy pupils silently judging his actions. Glaring back, he reached up and turned it the spit over the fire, allowing the flames to roast his dinner's other side.

Take that, stupid fish, Dark mentally insulted it.

Upside down, the fish's gaping mouth and bulging eyes looked even more ridiculous.

"I left a note!" he told it defensively. "It's not like I'll be gone long."

Prodding a wayward chunk of kindling with the toe of his boot, he inhaled the crisp smell of smoke and cooked fish. The firelight glinted dully in the round, milky white eyes.

"She's in good hands!" he nearly shouted at his dinner, turning the spit again hastily in irritation.

"Why are you talking to a fish?"

"None of your business!" he shot at the newly arrived Link.

Walking to the far side of the campfire, well away from Dark, he knelt to unload his burden of firewood. "I brought some water," he said helpfully, holding up a full canteen. He tossed it to his companion, who grumbled ungratefully. "It's not too late to turn back…" Link began carefully. "If you wanted to go back to Kakariko."

Dark snorted and slid the cooked fish off the spit gingerly with his fingers. "No, I'm going with you." He laid the fish carefully on a rock, using a small knife to slice it open. "Who else is going to keep you from dying up in the mountains?" he asked mockingly.

"Link can take care of himself!" the high, tinny voice of Navi shot back.

Her wings fluttered with agitation; clearly her attitude towards Dark hadn't improved in the last couple days of traveling together.

Dark scoffed, ripping the fine bones out of the cooked fish. Link ignored the slight, asking when they could expect to reach the mountain pass. Dark looked up from his butchering, squinting at the horizon.

"Tomorrow evening, if we keep a good pace." He wrapped the fish in cloth, handing it to Link.

They passed the rest of their modest dinner in relative silence. Navi blatantly ignored him, occasionally speaking to Link in low tones. Stretching, Dark settled in front of the fire, lying on his side with his head propped on a hand. Exhausted from the day's travel, he began to fall asleep. His eyes flicked open when a sound reached his ears.

A long-forgotten melody wafted over to him from the other side of the fire like a ghost from the past, making him feel both uneasy and strangely comforted. It was a song, now he heard it again, he recalled perfectly. His mother had often coaxed him to sleep singing it.

Looking up, he stared transfixed at Link as he continued to play. A sleek, royal blue ocarina was held between his hands, issuing the slow and melancholy tune. The ending notes faded, rising in the night with the dying sparks of the fire.

Link raised his head, his expression changing upon seeing Dark's face. "What is it?"

He had to swallow before answering. "My…mother used to play that song. 'The Lost' I think it was called."

"Really?" He studied his instrument with interest. "I heard it a long time ago…I don't remember where. The forest, probably," he shrugged. "I never knew there was a story behind it."

"Do not fear the voices in the dark/nor the shadows of the trees that are swaying. Do not be afraid, young one/Follow the sound of the music I am playing/Follow it all the way home," Dark recited. "That's all I can remember," he added, shrugging.

Link wasn't listening. His expression was far away. Whether he was lost in memories of the forest or something else, Dark wasn't sure. His friend's eyes stayed on the blue ocarina, his fingers idly tracing the smooth, rounded edge of the instrument.

"It's beautiful," Dark commented.

Link snapped free of the spell. "Hm?"

"Your ocarina," he continued. "My mother used to have one. It was white though…"

"What was she like?"

The question caught Dark off guard. He lay down in the grass, looking towards the heavens. "I don't remember her much," he admitted.

An image flashed across his mind's eye. A woman, smiling broadly, her fair hair catching the sun and wind and ocean blue of the sky, reflecting it back to him. "She had long, fair hair," he said slowly. "Blue eyes, like me." He paused. "She had a nice smile."

There was a rustle as Link laid down on his side of the camp. "A nice smile," he repeated. "She must have been a good mother."

Dark chuckled. "Why is that?"

Link shrugged. "I'm not sure. Whenever I imagined having a mother, I always thought that she must have a kind smile—that it would be a kind of sign, you know?"

"Yeah."

Conversation died off, and Link and Navi fell asleep soon after that. Dark rolled onto his side, watching the glowing embers in the fire pit. Across from him he saw Link's sleeping form and wondered whether he could take it as some cosmic sign from the gods that Link had inherited their mother's smile exactly.

Death Mountain resembled nothing more than a fuzzy, grey outline on the horizon. Its fellows surrounded it, guards protecting their king, stretching all the way to the mouth of the passage before them.

As it was, the sun had just begun to sink below the edge of the world, its feeble orange rays bathing the way ahead.

"Welcome to the border," Dark announced. "Also known as Snowpeak Passage. This corridor leads you to a fork—one goes northeast, into Snowhead, before turning south towards Termina, the other goes north, into the Snowpeak ridges on the other side."

"What's beyond that?" Navi asked, curious. Already the fairy was shivering, unaccustomed to the cold.

Dark tossed Link an extra cloak he had brought with him. The latter wrapped it around his shoulders, allowing Navi to hide inside for warmth.

"You don't want to know," Dark answered her cryptically. "However, we're going to be taking a third route."

The third route directed them back south, running parallel to Termina's border. It had been constructed by the Zora for access to the frozen peaks; in the springtime, the runoff from the mountain glaciers provided a renewed source of water for the aquatic race.

The cavern itself was natural—an obstacle the Zora had navigated during the tunnel's construction. As the group passed from the Zora-built snow tunnel and into the ice cavern, the temperature dropped significantly.

Having spent years acclimatizing to Snowhead's harsh winters, Dark felt no more than a distinct shiver at the sudden cold draft. Link, on the other hand, was accustomed to the mild winter seasons of southeast Hyrule and was already beginning to feel his fingers go numb.

Dark felt around in his pack and retrieved a small bottle. Placing his palm over the opening, he willed a small flame to appear. The tiny fire dropped into the bottle, glowing warmly like a small candle—albeit without the wax or wick.

He handed it to Link before grabbing a second bottle for himself. "Be careful," he warned the blond. "There could be any number of things lying in wait ahead."

They moved quickly but cautiously through the cavern. The bottle-fires kept them warm enough, but even Dark began to feel sluggish and numb. This cold was just not natural.

Aside from the occasional ice keese or giant icicle threatening to fall and impale them, they encountered no dangers. It wasn't until they reached the fifth large cavern that Dark and Link felt something was off.

There was a slight vibration in the air, subtle enough that they had to stand perfectly still in order to feel it. It was accompanied by a low rumbling sound that seemed to be growing louder.

Link's eyes darted to the grey-white ceiling above them. Crevasses in the snow allowed shafts of moonlight into the cave, illuminating their way, as well as the dozens of deadly sharp icicles right above their heads.

"Is it caving in?" he asked, alarmed.

"I don't think so," Dark said. "It would be much louder." He continued to listen to the noise, trying to place it.

He realized too late what it was when they found themselves surrounded by several pairs of glowing yellow eyes. They appeared suddenly, their sleek white fur blending in with their surroundings. It had been impossible to spot them until it was too late.

"It's an ambush," Dark murmured to Link, who had already drawn his sword. "Don't move a single inch, or they'll charge us."

The wolfos started to circle the pair in a predatory dance, their jaws hanging open and snapping occasionally, eerie yellow eyes burning in anticipation of the hunt. The two men remained back to back, following the easy, loping movements of the pack.

A piercing howl split their ears, tearing their focus away from their quarry. An enormous wolfos stood on a rock ledge above their heads, its pure white fur glistening. The smaller wolfos whined obediently, stopping in their tracks. All heads turned toward the giant wolfos, awaiting its command.

"Can we move now?" Link asked, his tone sarcastic.

Dark shot him a look. "Move."

Sensing their decision before they even moved their feet, the white wolfos snarled down at Link and Dark, stirring the pack to action.

The leader seemed content to watch, waiting its turn as its followers descended upon the two Hylians, eyes blazing and teeth flashing.

With a roar of effort, Dark swung Deraphine with all his might at the first wolfos who pounced on him. Like a jagged cleaver, she stuck the beast in the side. Her wavy blade embedded itself deep before whipping free with surprising ease. Dark watched in confusion and awe as the strangely constructed blade pushed and pulled, weaved and dodged like a living wave, belying its appearance as an awkward and inefficient weapon. Dyed red as the hair of the goddess for who she was named, Deraphine made quick work of the beasts.

Using the hard days of training he had undergone first with Dark and then with Impa, Link put all his newfound skills to the test. The Master Sword was eager as ever to go along for the ride. The blade was again an extension of his body, as its power grew alongside his. As a weapon it was quick but powerful, resonating with the fabled evil-destroying strength it was known for. The dark beasts that attacked Link fell before the sword of evil's bane, howling as they dissolved and burst, leaving behind only the burst of thick black smoke.

Panting, Link raised his head to see the fight was over. The last wisps of smoke were dissipating in the freezing air, and the wolfos who had lunged at Dark lay in bloody heaps at his feet. The sight of so much crimson splashed on Dark and staining the snow made him reel for a second.

The Master Sword alone held the power to utterly destroy dark creatures. Other weapons tended to create more of a mess.

Dark wiped his hair out of his face, turning to Link. "All right, there?"

He was about to reply when above them there was a vicious growl that became a snarl, then a furious howl. The white wolfos leaped from its perch, fangs bared and claws leaving deep scratches in the rock.

It landed hard on Link, knocking him down. The viciously sharp claws plunged into his shoulders as the enormous beast pressed down on him. He cried out, the heavy, furry body crushing his chest. Drawing breath became a struggle, and then impossible. With one arm free, Link rammed his gauntlet covered forearm between the creature's teeth, keeping its gnashing fangs away from his face.

A high-pitched yelp escaped the beast as Dark plunged a dagger into its exposed back. The pressure on Link's chest eased, and he heaved in a lungful. The giant wolfos rolled off him and leapt back up to attack Dark.

Dark stared it down, eyes sharp with anger. Bathed in blood, swathed in a dark cloak and wielding the sword of the damned, he looked like a dark-haired demon, snarling and growling just as much as the white monster before him.

Sitting up, Link was just in time to see the brute crash into his friend, its giant, muscular body pinning him to the floor. Dark struggled, stabbing it multiple times, but his strength was nothing compared to the animalistic power contained inside the white wolf.

Link rushed to help. "Dark!"

"Link, look!" Navi's voice diverted his attention. When he looked to where she was pointing, however, his plan changed.

Rather than rushing to Dark's aid, he dropped to his knees and began rifling through his pack.

"Bloody bastard!" Dark snarled at his opponent, slicing its muzzle with the dagger.

The beast screeched in pain, claws gouging into the solid ice beneath them. In retaliation it lowered its great head and locked its teeth onto his arm. Dark howled with pain when it began to whip its head from side to side, trying tear off his arm and keep it as a souvenir.

"Nayru be damned!" he swore, latching his fingers onto the brute's jaw.

He pried with all the might of his free arm, but the devil's fangs didn't budge. He wasn't nearly strong enough to pry its jaw open, especially one-handed. The wolfos was grunting and snarling, still trying to rip its meddlesome prey's arm clean off.

"Link!" Dark shouted furiously. "Do something!"

"Don't move!" Link's voice sounded from nearby.

"What? I am not going to stay still and let this bastard maul me!"

"Shut up, Dark!"

There was a twang and then the sound of something striking. A whoosh, and then the most terrible howl yet from the beast, high and full of pain. Dark went still as the jaws clamped onto him relaxed and blood began to flow from the wounds on his bicep.

Stunned, the white wolfos eased up. Dark sucked in a breath, reaching for his knife. Link beat him to the punch; the Master Sword cut clean through the creature, its body exploding into plumes of smoke before Dark's eyes.

He took a deep breath of relief. When he looked up, Link stood there triumphantly, his bow in his hand.

"It worked!" he announced.

It was then that Dark noticed the chunks of ice surrounding him; Link had fired at one of the giant icicles hanging from the ceiling, causing it to fall and crush his target.

"Thanks," he said to Link, sincerely, as he helped him up.

"Anytime," he replied. His eyes dropped to Dark's arm. "How is it?"

Navi floated over to inspect the damage. "He'll live," she informed them, sounding very much disappointed.

Dark chuckled. Link retrieved a bandage from their gear, helping to secure it around the teeth marks. After checking that Link's ribs and arm were unbroken, only badly bruised, Dark cleaned himself up as best he could and retrieved his things.

The chamber that held the blue fire wasn't far ahead.

After several dead ends and turns back in the labyrinthine tunnels, a ghostly blue light gave away the location. Hurrying down the narrow tunnel, they turned the corner to find themselves in a cavern unlike any other they had seen so far.

Rather than ice, the cave was completely made of crystal. If Dark didn't know the crystal cave was natural gemstone, he might have thought that a master had carved the room from the inside of the world's biggest sapphire. Every surface of the gemstones glittered, reflecting the spectral light cast by the blue fire all the way up until there was nothing but blackness.

In the center of it all was their prize: a large magical flame, burning strongly though it had no source, jewel blue in color. The crystal cave was mesmerizing.

"What do you think it is?" Link asked, reaching out to touch one of the clusters of precious stone fused to the wall.

"It's known as zura," Dark replied. "Or Zora's Sapphire."

"Zora's Sapphire," Link agreed. "I've seen it before, but…never like this."

"It's incredibly rare," Dark said. "You never see it in its raw state like this."

"It's beautiful," Navi murmured.

When the spell of the enchanting cave had lessened, Link reached for his spare bottles, kneeling next to the fire. Hesitantly, he took one and passed it through the blue fire. It was so cold he nearly dropped the bottle in shock, but to his relief a small part of the flame had been trapped within, still burning strong.

He captured two more small flames, storing them safely with his gear. He rose and walked over to Dark, who was examining the zura more closely.

"I wonder if it's the extreme cold of the blue fire that creates them," he said, touching one of the icy gemstones carefully. More than a fleeting touch would freeze him. "Or if they create the blue fire."

Link shrugged. "It's magic, isn't it? I'm not sure anyone knows how it works."

Dark stared at his reflection, echoed a thousand times over in the facets of the crystals. "I don't think I want to go back," he muttered.

Confused, Link asked. "What do you mean?"

"To Termina," Dark explained. "I don't want to go back. I told Sienna we would…but I don't want it. I don't want that life…and I'm afraid she'll hate me for it."

His sudden burst of honesty came unwittingly. He wasn't sure what it was about the crystal cave, the cool blue light and chill temperature that made him so introspective. But for some reason he couldn't tear his eyes away from thousands of tiny mirrors glazing the walls, showing his own face staring back at him.

Link followed his gaze. "Sometimes I feel I never should have left the forest," he said quietly. A similar spell had fallen over him. He stared thoughtfully and perhaps a little sadly into the blue flames.

Dark turned to look at him, surprised that he would express such a sentiment. He'd been under the impression that, like him, Link was at heart an adventurer, always seeking something new.

Link continued. "I see what the world has become…and I feel responsible. If I had never left, Hyrule would have remained the way it was, perfect and beautiful."

Dark laughed softly. "Hyrule was never perfect. Land of the gods?" He shook his head. "It's a land of mortals, of imperfect people. It's not a paradise…it's just like everywhere else."

Suddenly angry, Link countered, "You can't pretend it's the same as it was."

Sighing, Dark replied, "No, it isn't. But it can be undone, can't it? That's what you're trying to do."

"Yes," Link admitted, somewhat reluctantly.

"Then you are redeemed," Dark said, smiling. "Just like that…unlike me," he added, the corner of his mouth quirking.

Sensing his meaning, Link's brow smoothed, and he approached him. "Dark." He put a hand on his shoulder. "She won't hate you. Just tell her you want to stay."

Eyes hooded, he raised his head and met Link's eyes. "It's not your fault, you know, what Ganondorf did to Hyrule."

Link stiffened, his eyes searching Dark's.

"I believe in you," Dark said suddenly, meeting Link's gaze clearly. "I believe you can beat him. If not you, then…who?"

Link didn't reply.

Dark laughed, his mood abruptly brightening. "You're stronger than you realize, Link. If I were him, I would be afraid of what's coming."

Picking up his pack, Dark left the cavern, leaving Link to stare at the crystals and their endless reflections. After a moment, he stooped to pick up his own pack, hearing the bottles of blue fire jostling within it.

For the first time, with the power to save the Zoras in his hands, he felt in some small way he had won. This was a small victory, but it was one step closer to defeating Ganondorf.