Phew! I know that slow updates kinda suck...but I'm finding I like the quality of my writing and storytelling if I take more time to think about it.

Thanks for your kind reviews and feedback! I read 'em all, and they both warm my heart and challenge me in beneficial ways! :)

Possible trigger warning at the end...but nothing much more than I've already alluded to in the story.

Thanks for reading, ya'll!

Chapter 18- Spirit

Darkness. Pure darkness.

Wisps of blue...tiny, bright dots- stars- appearing above…

Link felt his body recompose, each blue piece gently settling together as he made sense of his surroundings.

It was peaceful- crickets chirped and sang their night song, while a light breeze blew his hair carelessly about his face.

Kakariko…?

His heart stopped.

Zelda!

He reached for the Master Sword- wincing in pain, having forgotten about his injured arm for a moment- and found...nothing.

Right, it's at-

Link sank to his knees, and stared at the grass...no, through the grass...he wasn't really looking at anything. All he could see were flashes of light and power, a giant mummified Ganondorf, and Zelda's eyes boring into his soul-

"Trust me."

"I love you."

Gone. He was gone...which meant she was-

The ground beneath him rumbled, and opened. Link looked behind him, and watched as the glowing blue of the shrine flickered.

"No…" he whispered.

He instinctively crawled off of the shrine pedestal, just as the shrine began to sink slowly into the ground.

No no no no no…

The shrine flickered once more, before the blue completely disappeared. It continued it's descent, sinking further and further into the earth, until it was completely submerged in the dirt.

Link sat, stunned.

I have to go back to the temple-

Link's chest tightened in horror. He reached for the Sheikah Slate with his left hand, his right hand still immobile and throbbing, and he pulled up the map of Hyrule. His stamps, path, and map were still intact, but the Shrines...the towers…

They were gone. As if they'd never been on his map in the first place.

"LINK!"

Zelda?!

No...the voice was higher, but still familiar…

"LINK! Thank GODDESS you're okay!"

He felt a hand on his right shoulder, and he winced in pain as he turned.

Paya-

Paya fell to the ground, threw her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a tight hug.

"I saw the blue glow, and figured you were back!" her breath warmed his neck and ghosted against his earlobe, "You've no idea how happy I am to see you...I couldn't lose you, too…"

Too?

Paya's voice trailed off, and then her breath hitched.

"I felt the shaking, and I saw the shrine disappear…" Paya pulled back, and kneeled, excited and eager, "You must have done it, yes? Did you find him? Ganondorf? What hap-"

Paya stopped, and her face fell into a confused frown.

"What happened to your arm?" she asked, "And where is Zelda?"

Zelda…

Hearing her name aloud heightened the existing agony within. He clenched his eyes tightly...this excruciating pain made the pain in his arm almost nonexistent. This pain seared through his veins, and burned every inch of his being with the intensity of a thousand blood moons.

She sent me away...and...

And was she even still alive-

No...Goddess, no, please…

"Link?" Paya's voice was fearful.

"She…" Link hissed through clenched teeth, "I...She's still there...with Ganondorf..."

"Link…"

He froze. That voice…too gentle...too familiar...too-

No...NO...

Was he going insane? Did he already miss her so much that he was hearing her voice?

"Link? Can you hear me?"

Zelda?! Come back to me!

He couldn't articulate...couldn't think...it was too much…

A sharp, throbbing jolt shot up his right arm, followed by an ominous green glow, and a wave of dizziness.

"LINK!" Paya screeched.

And her scream followed him back into the black.

"Zelda...come back to me…"

Link's whispered thoughts echoed in her mind.

Can he hear me?! Can he truly hear me?! I can't believe this still works!

Zelda sat silently, and ran her glowing green hand through an errant flower between Link and Paya. She watched and listened as Paya called for Dorian. Dorian appeared quickly- he'd been around the bend as Paya's personal guard- and he scooped Link into his arms.

"What happened?!" Dorian asked with an annoyed tone, "I thought the shrine disappearing meant something wasn't right-"

"I'm fine," Paya said worriedly, "I asked him where Zelda was, and he just collapsed…I'm not sure why..."

Paya's eyes widened, the pieces of the puzzle in her mind clearly falling into place.

However, Dorian missed the revelation in her gaze, "Elder Paya, you must be careful. This is a dangerous world we live in- you cannot just investigate suspicious activity without proper guard. I insist on accompanying you further next time."

What is he so worried about? And why is he calling her Elder Paya?

Zelda saw the flash of protest in Paya's gaze, but she also saw the small fringes of worry dotting Paya's features. Paya shook her head resignedly.

"Thank you, Dorian. I will take your concerns more seriously in the future," Paya took a deep breath, "Let's get Link inside, and tend to his wounds. He can explain this situation further once we've revived him."

Zelda was concerned, but she knew Link too well to take that concern too seriously. She knew Link would be okay- at least physically. The injuries she and Ganondorf had inflicted upon him were harsh, but treatable, especially compared to some of the injuries she'd seen him sustain in the past.

Mentally, however...

He just needs...rest. Time.

Dorian began to carry Link down the hill, and Paya followed close behind. Zelda sighed, and stood, before rising gently from the ground, and floating behind Paya.

"Paya, please…" Zelda said under her breath, "Let him rest a little. A few days won't matter."

Paya stopped, and turned around, looking fearful as her gaze tore straight through Zelda's form.

"Where is the Princess?" Dorian asked tentatively, breaking Paya's trance.

Right here.

Paya sighed, and shrugged, then turned to follow Dorian down the path.

"I didn't see her," Paya said to Dorian, "I don't imagine that's...good. Particularly after the events as of late..."

Dorian's eyes widened, and his steps faltered.

"What do you think happened to them?" Dorian asked.

Paya shrugged again, "I suspect it has something to do with Ganondorf. Link will be okay, I think...but Zelda…" Paya's voice caught in her throat, "...I have a really awful feeling about her fate."

Me too...more than a feeling.

Zelda stared at Link's right arm, as it glowed sporadically in the evening light, almost like a Sunset Firefly. Paya and Dorian stared as well, and discussed the possibilities.

"Is it old magic?" Dorian asked, "From even before the Sheikah?"

"How do you know about the old magic, Dorian?" Paya asked.

"Ummm…" Dorian cleared his throat, "For the short time I worked with the Yiga, they mentioned an ancient Zonai magic-"

"Wait-" Paya interrupted, "You worked with the Yiga?!"

Dorian coughed, and continued his story. Zelda tuned it out- Link had already told her this-

Link…

Was it supposed to be possible for a spirit to feel pain? Because Zelda did...in every fiber of her floating body. It hadn't even been a full hour, and she already ached for his embrace. Zelda focused on Link's glowing arm.

"Paya found your mother's entire diary...she can't show it to you because of something she found that might help us destroy Ganondorf."

Link's words echoed in her mind: Did he know? Did Paya know? Had either of them already predicted this? Zelda's mother...she must have done something...something that kept Zelda here, and bound her to Link, specifically. The same kind of something that allowed Zelda to communicate with Link while she confronted the Calamity and he adventured through Hyrule.

Was this the only part of her power she had left? Wasn't that more cruel than simply...letting Zelda fail completely, and disappear? Cruel to her, for forcing her to watch Link live on? Cruel to Link, for forcing him to hear her voice, unable to truly move forward?

"Anyways," Dorian said, interrupting Zelda's thoughts, "In that time with the Yiga, they spoke of a spell they were in search of that would aid in the full ressurection of Ganon," Dorian gulped, and hesitated, before beginning his ascent up the stairs into Impa's, "They spoke of Ganon as a legendary figure called, 'Ganondorf,' and how the Zonai magic, combined with the powers granted to the King of the Gerudo, would create a sentient form."

Zelda floated silently behind them, listening eagerly.

Paya frowned, "How much of this did my Grandmother know?"

That's an odd question to ask…wait...did?

Dorian's face scrunched up before he answered, "Everything," he recalled, "I explained this all to your Grandmother when she hired me- that was one of her stipulations for my service: She wanted to know everything I knew about the Yiga and their plot."

"So many secrets…" Paya sighed, "So many things my Grandmother chose to keep hidden from me. From all of us."

Why are they speaking of her like-

"I'm sorry, Elder Paya," Dorian consoled, "I'm sure you miss her terribly."

Did spirits have hearts? Because Zelda felt hers breaking.

Impa...she can't be-

"Dorian," Paya hissed, and tried to blink away the tears in her eyes, "Now is not a great time-"

"Even given her age," Dorian babbled cluelessly, "She could've fought back, and I don't understand why she...I just should've...it's my fault for letting my guard down in the first place-"

"We never would have been ready for my Grandmother's passing," Paya snapped with finality, and a sharp movement of her wrist, "No matter what happened. But especially a Yiga ambush…"

The Yiga ambushed Impa?!

"All we can do now is to protect our people, and carry on her legacy," Paya squared her shoulders, and marched ahead of Dorian.

Poor Paya...she must be so heartbroken...

"Spoken like a true Sheikah Leader, Elder Paya," Dorian said reverently, falling into step with her once more, "But being a leader does not mean you must be stoic around those who care for you."

Zelda gulped. For some reason, Dorian's words cut into her as deeply as they probably did for Paya.

"Thank you, Dorian," Paya relented, as she wiped her eyes on her long, tan sleeve, "I'll keep that in mind."

They'd reached the steps into Paya's house.

"Will you carry Link up into my room?" Paya asked with a small sniffle, "I must gather the materials to tend to his injuries."

Dorian nodded, and began his ascent up the stairs. Zelda followed close behind.

When they entered the house, Zelda felt another swell of sorrow- The Sheikah eyes that dotted the house were covered in small, sheer black veils: a Sheikah funeral tradition after a leader passed. There were various dishes and offerings of pumpkins, carrots, lush fabrics, and other items strewn carelessly about the room. Silent Princesses and Blue Nightshade glowed in vases and baskets on all of the available flat surfaces, and Impa's large Sheikah hat lay lonely at the top of her pedestal of pillows.

Zelda tightened her fists. She wouldn't have been surprised if her heated stomping was heard as she followed Dorian up the stairs to Paya's room.

What has Ganondorf done to Impa?!

Impa had been at least 120 years old...which was the average Sheikah life expectancy...but some Sheikah lived to be 130 or more, depending on how well they took care of themselves, and Impa was nothing if not thorough when it came to her health. She should have had much more time…

That monster...

Dorian reached Paya's room, and grunted as he lay Link carefully on her bed. He removed Link's guardian armor, leaving Link clad in only blue shorts and a tan undershirt.

"Please wake soon, Link," Dorian whispered, as he placed his hand on Link's forehead, "I think Hyrule may need the Hero now more than ever."

As Dorian stood and turned, his arm passed through Zelda's body. She watched as he shivered, and stared skeptically through her, before letting out a reluctant sigh, and leaving the room.

Zelda floated to Paya's bed, and stared at her battered Hero. The corners of Zelda's mouth upturned slightly- Even miserable, and nearly comatose, his handsome, bruised face and toned body made her heart flutter. However, her smile faded quickly when she instinctively reached out her hand to tuck an errant strand of hair out of his face, and watched her hand move airily through the strand.

Her heart sunk. Right- she couldn't touch him. Would she ever be able to again?

Zelda leaned in closer, and looked harder at Link- she caught the worried crease playing about his lips. The rapid movement of his eyes beneath his lids. She could almost feel the tension of his stiff limbs in her own spirtual body.

He was...devastated. His grief was simply too much for his body to bear.

And it's my fault.

Zelda couldn't take it anymore- she turned away from Link, and floated to Paya's desk. She should have thought about this! Of course Link would feel such intense grief...as soon as he awoke, he would likely subject himself to his own mental flagellation. Just as she'd done over a century ago, she'd made an impulsive decision that completely robbed himof choice.

Did spirits feel the dread of an existential crisis?! Because Zelda did! More intensely than ever before! She so desperately wanted to scream, to cry, to do something...but it was pointless. Utterly useless. How was it possible that, as a spirit, she could still feel so deeply? How could these emotions- her own guilt, shame, and grief- still wound her so, even though she had no physical body to feel them in?

Goddesses...she had so many questions, and not nearly enough answers. She longed for her library, and the ability to peruse through countless books of spells and enchantments and histories...to try to figure out what allowed her this freedom to follow and guide Link once more. She longed for Hylia, and her helpful, encouraging banter. She longed for her own voice, so she could just talk to Paya…

Tell her what? "Hey- I'm not dead, I've just been kidnapped by Ganondorf, and somehow retained my ability to leave my body and communicate with Link, only. Can you research why, and help him find me?"

Was this what happened to the Princess in the Legend of Twilight? In the Spirit Tracks? Was the Princess bound to the hero, destined to watch him suffer at her hand?

Zelda frowned, breathed, and shook her head at herself. She brought her hand to her face, and rested her arm on the desk and her cheek in her palm. It wouldn't do to dwell in anger and fear- She didn't have the time.

Zelda sighed deeply, and turned to gaze at Link once more. How many times had he done this? Sat, sleepless and anxious, watching over her as she slept? What was he dreaming about? Was he angry with her? Did he miss her already? Did he still love her, even though she'd sent him away?

What do I do now? What do WE do now?

More than anything, right now, she longed for his comforting touch. Instead, she sat in the corner and closed her eyes, playing memory after memory of his touches and kisses in her mind well into the night…

"Princess...time to wake up…"

Until evil summoned her away...

"Trust me."

"I love you."

Link gasped, and his eyes bolted open.

What a nightmare…!

He stared at the ceiling, trying to remember where he was…the architecture was dark, and curved. Where was he? Wasn't he supposed to be camping with Zelda outside of the Forgotten Temple?

And where's Zelda? Goddess...wait until she hears about my dream…

He smiled. Knowing her, she would probably jump immediately to the worst case scenario. Perhaps it was better if he kept this dream to himself.

Why did he feel such a sense of...dread?

What's wrong-

Link choked on his own breath as it suddenly came crashing back into him-

...The Temple...the Queen...Ganondorf...my arm...the slate...Kakariko...Paya...Zelda-

"It wasn't a nightmare…" Link gasped. He hadn't meant to speak aloud.

The past few days- closer to a week, really- Link had been all but dead to the world. He vaguely remembered Paya tending to his injuries on the first night…

Paya sat at his side, delicately wrapping his arm in a tight sling, while Link gripped her jacket and struggled for breath.

"Shhhh…" Paya said in a hushed tone, "It's okay, Link. Breathe."

Link shook his head, "This can't be real…"

Paya sighed, "I know it hurts...but it's real. You need to breathe..."

Link clenched his eyes shut. Goddesses...he couldn't deal with this!

"G-Ganondorf…" Link stuttered, "He has Zelda...he's...alive…"

"Oh Link, I suspected..." Paya whimpered, and covered his hands with her own, "The Yiga came shortly after you and Zelda left for the Forgotten Temple," Paya's voice was restrained, "I've never seen anything like it before, Link…there were dozens of them, threatening villagers, bragging about the return of the Demon King, boasting of the assasination of my grandmother."

Link stared dumbly at Paya, and felt his body quiver in both relief and anger- he was breathing...coming back to himself, finally.

"Why?" Link snapped, and grasped Paya's hands tightly, "Why did they kill Impa?"

"They killed her because she knew too much…" Paya tried to hide the accusation in her eyes, but Link could hear it laced in her words, "I think it was a contingency plan...If Ganondorf was unsuccessful, it is logical to think that you and Zelda would come

here for answers from her."

Link had never felt more naive than he did right then. He and Zelda marched into a battle they'd been sorely unprepared for. Ganondorf had 10,000 years to plan his resurrection- of course he'd also have backup plans. Link's recklessness hadn't just cost him Zelda...it had cost Impa's life as well.

He should have

thought about this! This was HIS fault.

Link's grief simmered behind his eyelids.

"I'm sorry, Paya," Link mumbled, "I'm so so sorry…"

"Shhhh," Paya hushed him, and rubbed his shoulder affectionately, "It isn't your fault-"

But his shame had already pulled him into the darkness- he stared into space, loosened his hold on Paya's jacket, and let everything around him disappear...

Link blinked, and took a few sharp, irregular, deep breaths. It hadn't even been a week, and he already missed her. Ached for her, like he was missing a limb, or an essential piece of himself. Of all of the losses he'd faced...the Champions, his life, his memories...he'd always been able to recover, or to push forward. But this…He had never felt like this before...like he'd be better off dead. That Hyrule would be better off if he was dead. Without Zelda...he was frozen in a state of misery and unease. Lost in his mind without a compass. A shell of he who was. A ghost of a man. Purposeless.

I want to die...

"Link?"

Link closed his eyes, and sighed.

Not now, Paya.

But she couldn't read his mind- she appeared in the wide doorway, concerned and approaching him as though his grief was contagious.

"Link...are you hungry?" Paya asked timidly, "You haven't eaten since-"

"I'm fine," Link snapped.

Leave me alone.

Paya huffed, and started to turn away. Then, she paused, and clenched her fists, before turning back to him. Her glare pierced his fragile heart.

"You can't stay in here forever, you know," Paya insisted, "You're going to have to get out of bed eventually."

Not today.

"Not today, Paya," he muttered, "Please, just leave me alone-"

"No."

Link glowered at her.

"I'm through catering to this," Paya whispered tersely to herself.

What the-

"You've been moping and feeling sorry for yourself for the past week," Paya's cheeks were ablaze, and her furious hand motions matched her tone, "You've done some pretty reckless and bizarre things in your life, but this one takes the cake!"

I seriously can't do this today...

"Get out, Paya," Link commanded through clenched teeth, "Now.""NO!" Paya bellowed, and stomped towards him, "You are better than this, Link! You've overcome so much adversity-"

Link couldn't think clearly- the fire inside burned through his senses.

"What do you even know of adversity?" Link asked viciously.

He immediately regretted his words- Paya's face twisted in anguish. But he couldn't quell his rage.

What is wrong with me?!

"Just because you are hurting does not give you an excuse to be cruel," Paya rebuked, "That kind of talk is beneath you, and you know it-"

"Paya, I'm sorry…" Link placated, as he sat up and hugged his knees, "...just...please get out-"

"Are you even listening, Link?" Paya jabbed, "You are Farore's Champion. The Goddess-damned Hero of Hyrule! You are stronger than this-"

"Strong?" Link interrupted incredulously, "I'm a coward, Paya!"

Paya's eyes widened, and her mouth clamped shut. The room was silent.

"This is my fault," Link spit the words out as if they were some kind of dubious food, "I could have fulfilled my duty! I should have killed her. Protected her from Ganondorf, and destroyed his only vessel of control. But I couldn't do it. And she knew it, so she sent me away…"

His control was slipping.

Link whimpered, and buried his face into his hands, "She sent me away...and now she's alone. With Ganondorf. Is she dead? Is she alive?"

His control...what control?

"And I can't…" he gasped, and his face tingled, "There's nothing..."

Paya sighed, and sat next to Link on the bed. She gently caressed his back, and that was the last straw- Link let out a broken groan, and tears fell freely from his eyes as he scrambled into Paya, and they clasped their arms warmly around each other. For a while, he and Paya sat on her bed, both of them crying and holding on to each other for dear life, as their grief overwhelmed them both.

"I don't deserve this," Link cried into Paya's shoulder, "I don't deserve comfort. I don't deserve to be the Hero. I don't deserve to be alive, when Zelda and Impa-"

"Hush," Paya pulled back, and met Link's eyes. Her eyes were filled with sorrow.

"You aren't a coward, Link."

I wish I could believe that.

Link didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out of her embrace, wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and landed back on the bed with a groan.

"I know that you and I are not the same," Paya soothed, "You have faced trials and tribulations that I will never be able to understand. But I do understand love. And what it is like to lose someone...the grief is nearly unbearable," She reached for his hand, and interlaced her fingers with his. "And I do know...that neither Grandmother nor Zelda would tolerate you like this. They would not want you to give in to your despair, and give up. It isn't fair to them, or to Hyrule...and it isn't who you are."

Link avoided Paya's eyes, and swallowed guiltily.

"You get one more day, Link," Paya relented, "One more day to feel sorry for yourself. To process whatever it is you have left to process. But tomorrow…" Paya's voice wavered, but she stood, and crossed her arms, "Tomorrow, we meet with Dorian, and talk about our next steps. And we move forward...because as difficult as it will be, that's what they'd want for us."

Link was still angry, and still lethargic. He didn't want-

"Fine," Link sighed curtly.

Paya nodded, and walked briskly out of the room, leaving Link alone with his thoughts.

Forward?

He knew Paya was right- he could see the sense in her words. But how were they going to move forward? Impa was dead, Ganondorf was alive, and Zelda might be dead or imprisoned. Where was Ganondorf? Where would he even go, if he didn't just stay in the Forgotten Temple?

And without the Master Sword...what could Link really do?

"Link?"

Link bolted up with so much force that he shot himself out of bed. He braced himself in his battle stance.

That voice...It's not her...it can't be her...I'm losing my mind…

He'd heard it before...but he thought his grief was playing tricks on his mind-

"Can you really hear me?"

Again! Clear, and airy, like it had been when he awoke in the Shrine of Resurrection."I'm here, Link. I don't know why or how...but I'm here!"Zelda, where are you?! Why can I hear you?!He didn't wait for a response- Link jumped for the doorway, and began to descend down the staircase. His anger and determination flowed violently through his veins.

I'm coming, Zelda. Where are-

"No! You can't!"Link hissed, and stopped abruptly mid-step.

Why?!

"It isn't safe...there's a reason I sent you away-"

"Link?" Paya frowned up at him from the bottom step, "I told you you could have another day-..."

Paya's frown deepened, and she rushed up the steps. She placed a hand on his forehead.

Why isn't it safe?

"Are you okay?" Paya inquired, removing her hand, "You are really warm-"

"I'm hearing Zelda's voice," Link blurted out, "Like I did when I awoke at the Shrine."

Paya splayed her hand across her heart. It was quiet for a moment.

"That's…" Paya stammered, "That's impossible-"

"I heard it when the shrine disappeared, right before I passed out," Link maintained his insistence, "It's her, Paya! Zelda's alive!"

For a moment, Link felt giddy with joy- Zelda was alive! He almost smiled- but then he caught the look of horror on Paya's face.

"If she is alive, Link," Paya said shakily, "Then that means…"

The color drained from Link's face.

Zelda...why are you still alive?

"...it's...complicated…""Wait-" Paya gasped, and her eyes locked on his arm, "Link...your hand!"

What?

Suddenly, Paya reached out and grabbed Link's right hand from his sling. He winced- his whole arm still ached from the attack.

"Ouch...Paya-"

She grabbed the nearby washcloth, and rubbed it on the back of his hand, washing away the remaining bits of dried blood.

"Look!" Paya cried out excitedly, as she pushed his hand upwards.

Link winced, and looked at the back of his hand. Before the attack, his skin had been smooth and free of any blemish or mark. But now, underneath the grime Paya had carefully wiped away, Link saw three distinct triangles, arranged into a larger triangle. The bottom left triangle and the top triangle were a golden brown, barely standing out on his fair skin. However, the bottom right mark was dark brown.

The Triforce split...

"You share my power, now."The whole triangle glowed faintly when Zelda spoke."The Triforce of Courage…" Paya whispered in awe, "You are the Triforce of Courage now, Link. You didn't fail- Ganondorf needed all three of you to be there when the Triforce split. Zelda sent you away so Ganondorf couldn't obtain your piece."

That's why he's keeping Zelda alive...he can't take her piece.

But he still wondered...

What is he doing with you in the meantime?

Zelda didn't respond immediately, but Link felt the Triforce burn.

"Nothing I can't handle."

"Ah, Princess Zelda," Ganondorf chuckled in an amused tone, "Aren't you going to eat? I know you must be starving…"

Zelda glared at the tough meat and dry rice in front of her, and reluctantly salivated at the sight. But she didn't want to give him the satisfaction...she didn't want to need anything from him.

"I'm quite fine, thank you," Zelda said tersely.

Ganondorf rolled his eyes, but gathered the food, and handed it to a nearby moblin. Zelda gathered her chains, and shuffled to the corner of her dark cell.

She was in the castle dungeons- she could tell because she remembered the architecture, and the smell of sewage and decay. One time, her father had made her accompany him to the dungeons, in an attempt to teach her how to handle criminals. She had only been 13, and she remembered how Urbosa lectured the King about that decision.

Ganondorf shut the gate, and turned towards her. He stood so menacingly tall, and far more intact than he'd been in the temple. His full, red mane draped ominously across his shoulders and face. His once sinewy muscles were now full and tan, with errant pieces still growing as his transformation settled. His skin was almost entirely tan, now, like a Gerudo, give or take a dark spot or two.

But it was his eyes that struck fear into Zelda's core- They reamined unchanged. The malevolent orange, and the chilling hunger they conveyed as he raked her trembling form.

"You're so pathetic," Ganondorf scoffed, and kneeled down so their faces were level, "Any day now, I may change my mind. Run my hands across those curves, sink my teeth into that soft, fair neck," he hummed appreciatively, and reached for her jaw.

Zelda yelped as he jerked her chin inches from his.

"No…" Ganondorf purred, "It is so much better this way. You, curled into a helpless, shaking ball on the ground while I invade your mind at will, day after day. While I torture you with things I could do...things I will do, when the time is right…"

Zelda flinched, and pulled herself in even tighter. Ganondorf cackled, and smirked.

"Your hero will come for you," Ganondorf stated with an heir of pompousness, reaching for her chin once more, "I have no doubt in my mind. But when he does, dear Princess…"

He leaned to her ear. She could feel his breath on her neck, and she could smell the smoky stench of death on his skin.

"You won't be worth saving…" he whispered, and nibbled on her earlobe.

Zelda couldn't help herself- she screamed, and yanked her chin out of his hand. Ganondorf barked a laugh, and shoved her to the ground.

"Prepare yourself Princess-"

"For your suffering has only begun…"

And Zelda screamed, as he invaded her mind.