The Legend of Zelda: The Warrior Prince

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Chapter 37: Knife in the Heart

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The flicker of red and yellow from fires in the rooms casts a gloomy light into what should be grand halls, only added to by the red light of the setting sun. Lost in the gargantuan maze of dark granite, the Hylian princess follows her betrothed through the twists and turns, her senses alert for additional attacks after the two already fought through three arch-Morihoth.

The prince ahead of her has no such wide awareness. He runs ceacelessly ahead, not even slowing to glance into the side chambers or passages as he speeds to the depths of the imperial chambers.

He races left through a four-way intersection and almost collides with another figure running straight through. His swords are in his hands instinctively and he narrowly stops himself before crashing against the silver weaponry of his opponent. He recognizes the entrant and immediately continues on, ignoring Agahnim as he follows behind the knight.

Link sheathes his sword and breaks into a run to catch up, looking to Zelda for answers. "What's with Raidon?"

"He's still looking for his father. He wasn't in the royal bedchambers, so the last place is the Imperial Throne."

Link's expression deadsets. "Then we must make haste, I doubt we have time to spare."

The cold, sudden determination on the knight sends shivers down Zelda's spine and she pours a little more speed to keep up with the hyper-focused warrior leading them. Raidon rounds another corner to a wider hall, letting his feet slide like a skier on the snow slope as he turns to the grander passage.

Straight down the corridor stands a massive set of double doors. The warrior prince sprints full-tilt, gaining wide distance despite the effort of his companions, and bursts through the doors. "Father!"

A wide series of humbling steps lead up to a cherry-wood throne adorned in gold, seat of the Emperor, but now all eyes are drawn to the crimson liquid streaming down the steps. Lying crumpled at the base of the throne in a puddle of his blood is the decrepit body Raidon had been searching for.

"Father!" he bellows as he shoots over the polished granite floor, not noticing the sickening 'splash splash' as his feet plunge through the rivers of blood. Stopping with a slight skid, he drops to his knees and takes the fragile remains of his geriatric father in his arms with surprising gentleness. Long, white hair blotted with red spills over his arm and the prince's throat tightens. He manages to croak out, fighting down a wimper, "Father?"

There is a gurgling gasp and the white of his eyes, stricken with cataracts, crack open. The prince almost sobs with relief as he tests, "Father?"

The white orbs flick randomly out a few times, then settle to stare blankly out. There is a more determined gurgling gasp as he tries to inhale and finally croaks, "Wh…where is my…son?"

The royal teen tenderly adjusts his hold on the dying man, trembling himself as he responds, "Here I am."

The decrepit, mortally wounded man drags in another painful breath and rattles, "S…s…son?"

A smile flickers over the prince's tense visage and he cradles his father closer, his voice cracks as he responds, "It's me, father. I'm here."

The aged, broken man quivers, struggling to draw in but one more breath, but finally the corners of his mouth turn up and he fights to lift his hand to Raidon's face. "My…son…?"

Raidon smiles, his heart rams into his throat, hope bursting inside—

"…Naku?"

Raidon's smile shatters like a crystal vase on pavement, his eyes become glassy and unfocused, everything absolutely blank. His previously strong but gentle hold unfurls and his cold father slides back to the floor.

Zelda bursts forward and catches Raidon before he can collapse to the granite, pulling him close. A beat passes and she holds him as the floodgates of a lifetime's tears burst.

Link remains a pace from the doors, and his sensitive ears hear the faint sound of a hinge's creak. His silver noble sword is in his hand in an instant, the tip pressing threateningly into the throat of the sorcerer Agahnim, the blade between him and the door.