You would think that with a quarantine in place I would have finished sooner, the issue with that though is I'm just lazy :)
So sorry for the late update friends, life and school just happens sometimes, but here we are!
Special thanks to:
MagmaCrater, FranticOrangeJ, estersalinas789, Dr. Jawn Watson, Oracle of Hylia, Ultimate blazer, Chicwa88, Generala, SweetestChick, Attrytwo, Scarmiglione, and KenpachiRamasama
Be safe and healthy everyone!
The castle halls were undoubtedly haunted, she was sure of it.
Her hands shook lightly as she stared out into expansive nothing, a loud crack of thunder illuminating the ghouls that stalked the foyer. It was haunted all right, but not with the disembodied laughter of children, nor the roaming spirit of Hyrule's late Queen.
Her footsteps echoed off the walls oozing with strange black liquid, ruby red clumps rolling down the thick muck like chunks of bile. Her wounded heart lurched at the already-potent scent of blood, metal breastplate tight on her chest like worry. She held up her white hand which lit up alongside the storm, lanterns bursting with dim light to greet an old guest. Princess Zelda was the ghost, her memories a residual energy that played on loop before her eyes like a broken record. The Castle was once her home; its winding and connected halls may have seemed like a maze of a place to others, but to her, it was as easy to read as her own handwriting. Familiar.
She could taste the bitter pain of a hundred years; both hers and not, as it slid down her throat like tears, lantern light cackling at the weak monarch. Her ears rang with the treble of spiteful laughter from the crowd, nail beds aching as she caught a glance of fleeting scratch marks on stone. The air was stagnant and dead, dust settled elegantly on the broken glass of an empty coffin. Her gaze drifted up to the bleak window; claps of lightning behind a distant tower sent a chill up her spine.
This was the first floor, a purgatoric limbo of familiarity fused with the feeling that she did not belong, rancid liquid greeting her as an unwanted guest. Another flash and the castle trembled, the unraveled Princess stumbling on her feet like nervous words to a stranger, hands gripping the coffin for balance. Her palm felt warm, ice pumping through her veins as the candlelight flickered. A white figure passed in the corner of her eye, anger gripping her sword as she dangerously stared at nothing.
"Princess…"A feeble voice choked, her head spinning dangerously as she searched for them. Her vision doubled as she noticed more and more figures traversing the shadows. It was Owen and Sutter, the young farmer boy who wilted in her arms like a sickly rosebud, Elric and the hundreds of men and women who died at twilight. Their eyes were hollow yet full of judgment, Zelda falling back with a yelp of fear. They were shouting, her ears ringing with responsibility as she shielded her eyes, ghosts more real than they ever had been. She buried her face into her hands as she tried to push them away, but they wouldn't budge, her throat thirsting for release while her already-bleeding heart opened old wounds.
"I am sorry!" She shouted out to them, her eyes hammered shut, face slick with a cold substance on her palm. She ripped her hands away from her cheeks and stared at the strange liquid on her gloves. It was the same putrid miasma that oozed off the walls, its bubbles a malicious scarlet that burned her skin. Zelda wiped it off her wet face with a grimace – that couldn't have been good. She removed her glove and down slid a woven bracelet to rest in the center of her arm, an emerald bead catching her eye in the dark.
The ghosts stilled, empty eyes murky like stagnant water as Igesu's spirit rested her palm lovingly on the jewelry. Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, Zelda stared, the Gerudo smiling with the secret to the universe behind her lips.
"I-Igesu?" Zelda stuttered, goosebumps freckling her skin as the apparition touched her. She appeared so happy, but why? The frazzled monarch shook her head at such misplaced emotion, wanting to grab Igesu's hand but unable to. "You should be furious with me," Zelda sobbed, "I could not save you! You will never be able to watch your son grow – I promised both you and your baby would be safe."
Igesu's thick brows furrowed with a frown, shaking her head as she rolled up her sleeve to reveal the beads on her wrist. She knew her fate; a mother is always ready to die for her child. Her misty hand traced Zelda's face as the corners of her mouth curled with fond memories of their time together. Her other hand grabbed the monarch's arms with a breeze as she guided them. Right curled into her chest, left tucked right underneath – Igesu motioned for her fingers to curl so her palm was cupped. She was showing her how to properly hold a baby, right hand supporting the head as she rocked an unseeable infant tenderly.
Igesu's bedroom eyes shone with a request. Take care of my son.
Her death would not be in vain. And somehow, something clicked. Zelda glanced up at the many ghosts surrounding her, their heraldry burning into her mind as Ashei's words finally settled. "I will not let your deaths mean nothing," She swore, their mumbles growing clearer to reveal chants of unfiltered support.
They risked their lives for her, for her country, for their people. The crest on their shields and plates were not for show, they meant something. Gods and country, they didn't fight for her, they fought to defend their home, their way of life. Valiant and courageous were the men and women who died for Hyrule, they were not ghosts, they were heroes!
Princess Zelda pulled herself up and held a hand to her heart, turning to the faces and bowing to them. Their spirits would no longer haunt her memory, they would be her teachers. Her eyes were glued to sapphire carpet as she humbled herself, and as she rose up, she found the room was empty yet again. Serenity replaced anxiety as she began wiping the remaining sludge off her face.
The strange substance on the walls, it was poison for the mind, and she had been infected. There was a twinkle and a hum coming from the staircase, a lone periwinkle fairy buzzing invitingly for her to follow. Princess Zelda clenched her fists, mentally preparing herself for the symptoms that were yet to come. She dashed up the stairs as quickly as possible, the fairy leading the way.
…
Her heart ached with phantom pains as she ran through the ruined halls; it was so familiar yet distant, like a dream after you wake. It was lonelier than ever, the twists and bends she once knew like the back of her hand were now deceiving like her mother's smile. Determination kept her head up, legs coming to a halt as she rounded the corner.
"Hm?" She mumbled cautiously, navy eyes studying the strange sight. It was a dead end that didn't belong there, a gold chalice obscured by purple silks, waiting patiently atop a stone pedestal. This hall should have ended with a staircase, yet it was nowhere to be found, glowing companion also lost.
Princess Zelda approached the cup, its presence off-putting yet intriguing. It was cold in her hand, light as a feather as she took a glance inside. Empty.
"Something is not right," She commented, a low rumble causing her stomach to sink. The sound of cracking glass snatched her attention to the window. It collapsed without warning, a wave of deep red wine washing her away as it filled the hall. She held her breath and fought against the strong current, arms and legs flailing as she struggled to find the surface. It threw her body in whichever direction it pleased, an angry ocean, the air trapped in her lungs begging to be let out in short bursts of bubbles.
It was growing harder to keep it in, the wine warm as it seduced her to open her mouth and accept its embrace. Her hands covered her mouth as more and more bubbles broke free, breath stolen from her as she lost the energy to swim.
Just before she gave in, someone grabbed the back of her dress and pulled her out of the wine river. Zelda coughed and choked, eyes widening as she saw the ceiling pass slowly in front of her. She was being dragged, top held tightly in someone's hand as they took her away. She glanced back, and was dumbfounded by what she saw.
The Duchess of Hyrule stomped forcefully toward an open door, cool blonde hair swaying behind her as she never once spared Zelda a glance.
"Mother?" She whispered, the voice that came from her mouth no longer belonging to her. The Duchess tossed Zelda into the room callously, ultramarine blue eyes glaring at the young child in her reflection.
The Princess glanced down at herself, her pauldrons and breastplate replaced with lace and small shoes, hands tiny and heart naive. The woman sneered, "I am not your mother." She slammed the door with all her might, leaving the child in total darkness.
A fear she had not felt in forever consumed her, the Princess banging her small fists against the wood as monsters licked their lips within the shadows. "Let me out!" She cried, shackles caught in the wind rattling like a snake's tail.
"You are not mentally fit to rule," King Daphnes criticized from the other side, the sound of corks popping off wine bottles frightening her.
"You are such a burden," The Duchess sighed.
Something in the darkness moved, and she dug her nails into the wooden door in hopes that she could claw her way out, voice going raw as she screamed, "Mother! Father! Please let me out, I am scared!"
King Daphnes chuckled, "You are the living crest of Hyrule, only an object."
"Your only use to me was a way out," The Duchess hiccuped.
"Help!" She bawled, nails breaking like splinters and shoulder bashing at the door. The monster was inching closer as her body became still like stone. She was turning into a thing, no longer a person, as she peered hopelessly into the darkness. She was a helpless toy to the monster that stalked, breath cold as it laughed at her anguish. Zelda closed her eyes and shook like a leaf, scream caught in her throat, a mouse in a trap.
"Pathetic little girl," Daphnes cursed.
"Bothersome little one," The Duchess hissed.
Little one.
"...I-I never had a m-mother before…" A stammering bell-like voice chimed beside her ear. Zelda hadn't noticed her eyes were closed until then, lids fluttering open at the sound of her voice responding warmly, "If it comforts you to see me as a mother, do so."
Fuana stood with clasped fingers and cheeks as pink as the flowers in her hair, head tilted up above the Princess's head. Zelda's child-like hand reached out to the sage-haired girl, her face stirring a great joy in her heart that illuminated the room.
Naru bounced into frame, arms hugging a simple bow and quiver as she celebrated, "Look Princess, I did it!"
Her heart exploded with warmth as she recalled her children, Dinaria dancing happily beside the two with a grin. Zelda could feel the pressure on her lap and shoulders as she remembered the way they slept in her arms, peaceful and heavy with love she found easy to give. They stood over her with smiles, Zelda looking up at her grown children with a swell of pride. She hadn't noticed she was growing taller and taller until their gazes met, her precious little ones smiling blissfully at her.
The doorknob began to turn behind her, the sound obscured by her wistful promise, "I promise to always protect you, my little Goddesses."
Zelda whipped around with open windows, dew caught on the stone sill as her lip trembled. Her grandmother stood, gloved hand on the knob with an expression of glee. Impaz motioned to the open door as well, cotton ball hair soft with ease. In unison they sighed, "I am so proud of the woman you have become."
Princess Zelda glanced between all five of them; whether this was real or part of the sludge's infection, she didn't care. The fullness in her heart was real, and the walls no longer seemed to close in on her. There was no monster. She was no longer a child waiting to be eaten, but a woman raised by her matriarchs and little ones alike. She thanked them with unapologetic pride, "Thank you, for making me a woman to be proud of." Without hesitation, she stepped into the poorly lit hall, her mother and father sitting in torn chairs with slumped postures and blue faces. Their wrists were connected with a black string, sulking eyes watching her with knowing.
"Mother," She greeted with a formal nod, "Father."
They glanced away with their empty cups and waited solemnly, the Duchess devoid of all color and the King a meek houseplant. Zelda approached and they winced, ready for the vicious strikes of words or a sword. She opined, "I used to feel so passionately about the two of you...Hatred, sadness, an emptiness that could never be full because I was never good enough. I despised you both, yet secretly yearned for your approval."
They closed their eyes.
"As a child, I only wanted us to be a family… To love one another, and I felt it was my fault that we were not happy...And then, as I grew older, I blamed you for our misfortune," She dropped to her knees and pressed, "But now, I have my own family. It is unconventional, and maybe strange, but it has taught me that familial love comes in all forms – I pity you both."
She grabbed the knotted string and placed it in the palm of her hand, the King and Duchess peering down at her anxiously. "You are victims of a cruel hand, familiar with the feeling of being unloved and used like items. We are similar in that regard, jealous and ruled by the emotions we fight so hard to hide. I am without a doubt your daughter, but I will not allow this cycle to continue."
Zelda undid the knot with a sad smile as they eagerly watched her move. "You are no longer tied to each other. I grant you freedom with my forgiveness, may you both find happiness in the next life...Mother and Father." They looked ready to hug her, but didn't; their expressions were intimate enough. The string fell and an icy breeze ran through the room, paper and petals flying, petals from the garden outside.
Princess Zelda felt a weight fall off her shoulders, body weightless as she lifted herself back up. Demise was going to have to try harder if he wanted to stop her, the once-pristine hallway melting into a messy tunnel of broken glass and burned walls. She moved through the rubbish, following the distant twinkle of giggles on fairy wings, ready to take the next floor.
…
The third floor was slightly cleaner, but still the strange black ooze invaded every corner and vacant space, like a swarm of infestation. She was determined, the silence interrupted by the pounding of her once-frozen heart. The symptoms were becoming lighter, even if just slightly.
Blue light from the otherworldly firefly was comforting, but unease still nibbled at the point of her ear. It came in the form of a curious sound, a sound the creature begged her to ignore but couldn't. A strong blush perfumed her face as they grew louder; venereal cries of passion crashed against her eardrums like violent waves on the shore, her body tense as she recognized the voices.
It was another trick of the ooze, she knew because the ache in her heart reminded her that her lover was dying, waiting patiently in the courtyard for her return, not pleasuring another woman. The sounds angered her, not because of the implications, but because of the way it affected her. Her clenched fists slammed the nearby door without warning, an exasperated growl silencing them once and for all. Her mind drifted to the tear-stained face of Midna, the way she stared at the Princess with overflowing love. She was no longer a jealous woman; Demise was grasping at straws.
The lonely fairy paused, heavenly glow contrasting beautifully against the bloody red sprouting from the liquid. The Princess bowed, "I apologise, please continue."
It proceeded, stopping just before it rounded the corner to give her a curious tinkle. With a small dance it implored her to look down, a single blond strand catching the light like a fleck of gold. She bent down to pick it up, holding the hair to her face as her jaw clenched tightly.
Harlan.
She let it fall from her fingers like bodies of men, women, and children he had unfairly struck down. Her blood began to boil, heart in a frenzy as an ebb of laughter reached her. She followed it without thought, footsteps thunderous as she tore through the air.
"Show yourself!" She commanded vehemently, shoving two large doors open to reveal a hauntingly desolate ballroom. Her voice echoed off the glass ceiling and shook the crystal chandeliers, vision red as she searched for his putrid form.
There was a chuckle to the left, or was it the right? She glanced both ways, estoc hungry for the sweetmeats of revenge. He gibed, "I am surprised Princess, you would think a knight would have no problem slaying a frail maiden."
"YOU BASTARD!" She seethed, heart threatening to rip out of her chest. She summoned her bow and drew it tight just as a shadow crossed her peripheral.
"It is a true tragedy Princess," He disgustingly cooed, "This could have been avoided."
"Shut up!" She growled.
"If you had not wished so hard to be a hero, none of this would have happened. The Old God is a great wish granter, you know, but just like everyone else, you were not ready for the price." He spat, how dare he point his finger!
"Is that what you call your disfigurement Harlan? Was it an equivalent exchange!" She taunted, "Stop lying to yourself, He will throw you away as soon as your worth is spent, just like He disposed of the oracles!"
Disgusting laughter made her head spin. "Those dusty bats were cowardly old women that cared only about survival. I, on the other hand, am a man of results!"
"Then face me you bloody coward!" She challenged seethingly, fingers ready to send arrows flying. The sound of sloshing liquids distracted her for a moment, eyes glued to the black holes that appeared before her. Three figures crawled out of the wound, shadowy bodies standing tall with weapons ready. Her eyes roamed their familiar features, the faces of Sutter and two of his fellow compatriots sending a chill up her spine.
She was sick to her stomach, lifeless eyes and corpse bodies growling aggressively at her. Like shade being cast from a passing cloud, they were there and then gone, soon manifesting to the left of her with mighty swings. The Princess lowered her bow and dodged the attack, blinding Sutter's shadow with an outstretched hand. It hissed at the light, slinking away as the other two avoided the rays.
Her heart was aching, but she needed to think fast, the two creatures charging at her without hesitation. These were not her men, they were not her people. Using their speed against them, she plunged the nock of her bow into one shadow's gut, its curved point curling into its solar plexus as she lifted it up and threw it over her shoulder. Black ink covered the white floors of the ballroom, the other shadow faltered but didn't stop its sprint.
The monarch's mind was racing, body reacting swiftly when her opponent was near. She gripped her bow like a staff and smacked it square in the face, stunning it long enough to summon her estoc and slice across its belly. A horrific scream came from its grey mouth as it collapsed, Zelda covering her ears as the sound crushed her soul. It wasn't over yet.
Sutter's shadow hobbled from the darkness with a blistered face of charcoal. Its gaze burned into her, but she knew what she had to do. It slithered her way, ebony orbs overflowing with loathing. He was such a timid guard, they all were. She exhaled, and with her breath came the memories most would find mundane. He was a cowardly escort, nervous and sometimes odd with superstition, but brave when he needed to be.
It was so close she could smell the burning flesh.
They were all like that, the soldiers of Hyrule Castle, and she hated that she had once despised that cowardice. It was okay to feel scared; she was scared.
She brought her estoc's blade across her chest.
The Princess knew now that her kingdom's soldiers were as brave as any Hero of legend, loyal like lions, and she would not let their memories be bastardized by dark magics. They needed to move on, to finally find rest after fighting for so long.
Its mouth opened as if ready to bite her, lunging toward the Princess.
"Farewell, Sutter."
Zelda slashed her blade and slid it quickly against its throat, stepping aside as waterfalls of black bubbled from the wound. It collapsed on the floor and she stared blankly at the three lifeless bodies.
"Did you recognize them Princess?" Lord Harlan provoked with a wicked laugh, disgusting voice ricocheting inside her head.
She bubbled with a rage that shook the earth. "You are a monster!"
"As if you are one to talk!" He spat, footsteps tapping behind a series of alabaster pillars as he continued, "You speak of mercy, yet you let my father die!"
"He should have thought about that before betraying the people he swore to protect," She snapped, arrow ready as she gazed between the stone.
"Bitch!" He snarled, exposing himself with an enraged jump, grotesque hand raised high as he snickered with wild eyes, "I hope your precious hero finally bleeds to death out there!"
Her arrow whistled through the air and pierced his misfigured arm with a blinding light. He cried out in pain as the stony black crumbled from the cracks made by the projectile. He cursed and cried as he found himself unable to summon the shadows, murky eyes frantic as he noticed her approaching.
Zelda's footsteps echoed throughout the ballroom as she sprinted, grabbing him by the lapels as he tried to run away. His head hit the pillar as she slammed him against it, bow hard against his throat as she hissed, "I should have killed you the moment we met."
Tears streamed down his melted face as she threw him to the floor, glaring down stoically as he tried to crawl away with one arm. "P-Please Princess, mercy for this old fool! I am a victim, manipulated by my greed and ego," He gulped. Zelda pressed her boot on his squirming leg and he stopped, searching her face as she watched him.
"Am I not a sinner dressed as a saint, Lord Harlan?" She questioned without skipping a beat.
Harlan dramatically pointed to what was left of his shadowed arm and begged, "I have been poisoned with Darkness, Your Highness, I know not what I speak."
She tilted her head, "Mercy belongs only to those who wish to repent; all you deserve is pity."
He gulped. The Princess removed her foot from his leg and waited, his expression lifting as he scrambled to his knees and bowed low. He thanked, "May the Goddesses bless you, yes!"
"But–" His groveling paused as she continued, "I had warned you, Lord Harlan. If I ever found out a human was maimed for whatever reason, you should expect to meet our Gods you once believed were so obsessed with our golden hair."
He peered up at her behind blond bangs, body quivering at the coldness in her eyes as she saw her precious bleeding in the courtyard. She frowned, "I do not have golden hair...nor is it my job to forgive you."
Harlan's mouth began to open as he interpreted her words, begging and pleading with the Princess to let him go. She couldn't hear him, mind filled with the happy faces of Elric, Owen, and her beloved Link. She didn't even realize her hand was raised until the lightness of a blue fairy landed on her white knuckles.
Her joints were stiff, cheeks moist, and heart heavy. Looking down, she saw a mountain of ash, and she knew a monster was defeated here.
…
She was close, but each step she took became heavier and heavier, to the point where she feared she was walking with steel shoes. Still, she trudged on, weight on her back showing no signs of lightening. The hallway was lonely yet loud, mind unable to focus. She felt scrambled and uneasy, like a vase teetering on the edge of a table; falling then not.
The fairy passed through a random closed door, and the Princess paused. That room was empty last she remembered, why would her guide check an obvious turn to a dead end? She paused, licking her lips before trusting in the little light; it rang like windchimes for her to follow.
She relaxed her breath and took the gold knob in her hand, twisting it slowly. The wood was stuck in the frame, but with one hard yank, it was pulled free, revealing an odd sight.
"Where are you?" Zelda called, the fairy twinkling deep within the room. It was a sea of monochrome memories, items stacked upon items created mountains of her past. The Princess entered with a tame curiosity, eyes roaming over the many things she swore weren't there before. Dolls from her childhood, treasure chests she once decorated her room with, and dresses she wore only once. She ran her fingers across their dusty services, a musty oldness perfumed the air with nostalgia as it beckoned her deeper.
It was cold but not uncomfortable, a clear path guiding her through the room with piles of comforting toys and books she enjoyed in her youth. Slowly, she made her way through, stopping as she passed a large silver mirror. She swore she saw a figure standing behind her in her reflection, the Princess whipping around violently to face whoever stalked her. Her pointed estoc met nothing as she scanned the area, heart pounding as she waited for a figure to jump out from behind her past things. She trembled, but fought to find her calm, lowering her blade and returning to the mirror.
Her blade fell with a loud clunk.
Zelda stood, back straight and mouth slightly agape as she stared at the woman in her reflection. Eyes black as night and skin white as snow smirked between long strands of dark hair. They were standing behind the Princess, and she finally understood where the demon had been hiding.
"Hello, darling." The Queen hummed in a dangerously low tone.
Zelda licked her dry lips. "So this is where you have been."
The Queen's hands grabbed the Princess's shoulder lightly, the sensation like that of a breeze in winter. Her expression softened for an instant, a deep sorrow laced her words as she whispered, "You freed my darling. You did not have to, but you broke the chains of his false master and saved him. I appreciate that." Zelda kept a steady eye on the Queen's expression, the way her smile returned to a toothy trap as she pronounced, "However…"
Her thin arm snaked up the Princess's rigid body and rested on her neck, slender manicured fingers wrapping around her throat. Zelda glanced down as the tightness increased, noticing it was her own pale hand that squeezed hatefully on her windpipe. The Queen's voice rumbled against her ear as Zelda watched the Queen choke her lightly. "I do not think saving him is enough," She giggled, "I am sure you understand, darling, I only want to be with him. To be able to feel his skin against mine once more, but I cannot do that if you are inhabiting this body."
Zelda did not fight back, only shook her head as she peered deep into the black eyes of her shadow. "Y-You cannot...do that…" She choked, her grip uncomfortable but never dangerous.
The Queen raised a curious brow, a warm grey anger brushing her features. She gripped harder, Zelda's face going pink but nothing further. Her pale rose lips parted as she explained, "You cannot kill me...because we need each other!"
Without warning Zelda lunged forward, shielding her eyes as she broke through the mirror, hand releasing her throat as she landed her fall with grace. She took a deep breath and rubbed her throat, glancing around at the never-ending white that consumed her vision. It was sterile, not clean, empty and cold despite a heavenly glow. The Princess heard her heartbeat in the silence, ear twitching at a foreign disturbance in the stillness. Her reflexes pulled her to step away from her previous spot, body twisting just in time to miss the hungry edge of a thick blade, its tip piercing the ground and tossing a sea of white pearls into the air. They shot up as the sword plunged down, an ebony body falling with it. The Queen saw Zelda with endless black eyes, pearls in her hair and glistening like the teeth in her malicious grin, breath cold against her pale face.
Zelda hid her face from the round projectiles, stepping back as the Queen unlodged her blade with an ear-splitting cackle. The shadow lunged with dangerous speeds and slashed the Hylian on the arm, hot blood trailing down her white glove. Zelda grit her teeth but did not scream, avoiding each additional strike carefully. She was on the defense, trying her best to anticipate each swing of the blade that grew more and more erratic.
"Fight me you pathetic coward!" The Queen growled, thrusting her blade in short bursts of fury. Zelda stole a quick breath before taking a short step to the left, hand redirecting her shadow's to the side.
"I will not fight you," The Princess swore, holding her stance defiantly, "We need each other!"
A spark ignited when leaden sword met golden pauldrons, the frightening light shoving Zelda to the floor with a plop! She fell face first, her face splintered against the ground, flinging herself onto her back just as the weapon's tip stabbed the floor of pearls, ends colliding with beginnings.
"Fuck off and die already!" The Queen raged, struggling to dislodge the blade while the Princess leapt to her feet.
"I understand now, what Midna meant–" She tried to explain but was interrupted by the short knife the Queen manifested, its pearl handle glistening in the light Zelda summoned to protect her face. Wild ebony polluted stormy ocean water as blow after blow came crashing down on the barrier, rapid and messy. Zelda's heart raced as her magic drained, arms shaking as she reasoned, "We cannot keep fighting one another!"
The Queen snarled in offense, "I will kill you!"
Her thin brows furrowed and eyes flashed with burning rage, the Princess digging her feet into the ground as she willed her spirit to hold on a moment longer, barrier littered with scratches. The knife's slashes began to show up on her face and arms as superficial scrapes. The weakening monarch insisted, "I cannot fight the ghosts, nor the anger, nor the pain. I need to let them be, because they are a part of me – you are a part of me, as I to you!" Her words disgusted the Queen, warm grey strands of hair flying in every direction as she attacked with more force, Zelda crying out, "Your memories; I saw you become overwhelmed with moments of empathy and mercy – that is the light in your heart given to you by me! We are two sides of the same coin, and Demise disrupted that balance, He is whom we should spend our energy fighting. I know you feel it too!"
"Shut up!" The Queen exploded just as Zelda's citrine barrier shattered, the weight of her voice dropping the Princess's arms just as her knife's blade lunged, ripping through the fabrics of her violet bodice and into her side. She cried out in pain as the cold metal met pink muscle, Zelda reached for the blade's handle just as she willed a nonexistent breeze. When her trembling fingers wrapped around the blood-speckled hilt she was a good distance away from the Queen, her figure small but shouts of venomous comments loud.
Adrenaline numbed the pain in her side, but it didn't stifle the cry that escaped her lips as she removed the weapon, casting it to the side as drops of her essence bloomed on the white floor like rose petals. Tears streamed down her face but she couldn't stop, gripping her shaking body as she continued to call out, "We are not enemies! We have suffered in similar ways because of the same evil, why must we keep fighting!"
The Queen was making quick time, running at full speed with pearls like white petals trailing behind her. "Why won't you fight back!" She stormed.
"You know I speak only truths!" She winced, glancing down at the wound with a heavy heart, Link's own wounds drowning her mind with pure sorrow. "I now understand why you fight so adamantly to be near him," She blinked away tears, "I feel the pain in your heart; the pain of losing your love and being able to do nothing about it! I know your pain because it is my pain! Just like you, I will never again feel the heat of his skin on my fingertips, nor kiss his lips good morning. I know the pain of parents who do not love you, the pain of losing people because of your decisions, but I also know the feeling of happiness from seeing friends grow, and the lightness in my chest after I hear him say 'I love you'. I am sure you have felt the same!"
She was close, her bloodlust a favorite accessory as she pretended to not hear Zelda's words. She was silent, and in response, Zelda wagered, "If you want this body, then you can have it. I accept the darkness in my heart, but only if you accept the light in yours. It is the only way we can defeat Demise."
The Queen was an arm's length away, eyes wide as she swung her fist, knuckles connecting effortlessly to Zelda's jaw. Together they fell, the Queen straddling Zelda as she threw blow after blow to her face, the Princess covering it with her arms. Instinctively, she lifted her hips and threw the Queen off, crawling over and gifting a few punches of her own. Two to the cheek, the skin on her hands becoming raw as it became three.
The shadow reached up and yanked Zelda's brown hair to pull her down and sock her in the gut, knife wound oozing with more blood. Out of wind and fatigued, Zelda was thrown back down, body aching as the tiring Queen straddled her once again, glancing down at her undone hair that jumped away with her breathing. It was a cold, uncaring stare, yet hesitant.
The Princess's own hair was splayed out, released from it's binding and sticking to the blood and sweat on her skin. She was unmoving, waiting as her shadow wrinkled her brow. "I am made of hatred and sorrow," she panted, "But you so easily give up. Why?"
Zelda took a shallow breath, cracking a genuine smile as she answered, "To truly appreciate the sunlight, one must first appreciate the darkness."
The Queen wrapped her hands around Zelda's thin throat and began to squeeze, looking her dead in the eye as air became sparse. She did not panic, not flail nor fight. She put her hand on the Queen's wrist and continued to smile, even as her face went red and heart pounded. Struggling, she whispered, "…I will not fight back...the choice...is yours."
The shadow's eyes softened, but brow furrowed harder, hands clutching tighter as Zelda's vision went black. Her lungs screaming, heart swelling with trust and acceptance as she felt herself slowly lose consciousness. She prayed Link would be proud of her decision.
…
She had died so many times she had stopped keeping track, but this case must have been the strangest. Her eyes flashed open just as she gasped for breath, hands reaching up to rub the hot flesh of her throat as she stared at the ceiling in fright. Her heart was pounding, head throbbing as she found herself surprised to even be breathing. The blues and greys of the storage room were cold and dusty as she lay on the floor, hands twitching as she continued to roam her body, then sitting up.
She glanced at the mirror, now broken to reveal its hard wooden backing. Her fingers touched her swollen forehead and winced. Turning to lift herself into a standing position, she noticed a glint of silver. Surrounding her were shards of broken glass, each piece like a rose petal that homed her reflection. She bent down and saw her face, stormy blue eyes holding a new strange shade. A speck of yellow shone just below her iris, like in her painting, and Zelda grinned in knowing.
Her heart felt whole; like a finished puzzle, her pieces were all together; the eyes looking back at her were both hers yet not. She beamed; the Queen made the decision she anticipated, because it was the same thing she would have done. A surge of power and confidence pounded through her veins as the world seemed new, strong determination willing her to once more. Her body ached as she limped toward the door, shielding her eyes from a flash of angry lightning that set the castle rumbling outside the window.
A simmering anger bubbled under her skin as she smirked, the Hall of Queens just a stroll away as she softly proclaimed, "Demise...you fucked with the wrong Princess." With a strong swing in her step, she headed for the stairs, the painted orbs of her ancestors watching with a swell of pride as she stormed through. Chin up, expression stoic, and fist clenched powerfully, she strode past as the energy around her began to hum. The Queens of Old observed their descendant blossom with resolve, their once frightening faces bringing her only comfort.
Zelda paused to stare at one portrait in particular, her grandmother's wise face seemed to nod in her direction. The monarch lingered, the sound of fairy wings like the twinkle in her grandmother's eyes flew from behind the canvas, hovering an inch away from her nose.
She smiled, chuckling lightly, "I should have known it was you."
In the blink of an eye, the fairy zoomed, twirling around and around, leaving a trail of diamond-like sparkles to flutter toward the floor. All pain and fatigue was wiped away, the cuts on Zelda's skin closing and body rejuvenated as the fairy gave its final assistance. It was gone in an instant, Zelda totally alone as she sighed pleasantly.
The staircase before her was dark and frightening, the thought of turning back swooping in briefly as she stared into the unknown. She swallowed hard, knowing very well if she didn't move in the next five seconds, she would remain as stone in the hallways.
1 second…
She had already come so far.
2 seconds…
Everyone was counting on her.
3 seconds…
She was capable of defeating Him.
4 seconds…
She had a kingdom to save.
5 seconds…
What would the Hero d–
"No," She told herself with a gleam in her eye, "What would Princess Zelda do."
…
The dark sky and cold wind paired perfectly, like fine wine and rich chocolate. It could have been beautiful, grey clouds with veins of marble white that slowly dimmed into a deep purple. The icy gale pushed against her, and Zelda felt scared. She turned her head to follow the breeze, soaking in the curves of tall mountain tops and the smallness of Castle Town. It appeared so stagnant, the world in a slumber so seemingly graceful that you could forget it was at war. She brought her hand to her pounding chest, a sharp crack of lightning tearing through the canvas of the scene she was painting in her memory.
Everyone below was counting on her, and with a careful hand, she summoned her precious estoc. It was heavy in her palm, edges dull and hilt scratched. To think she spent four years away from her blade out of fear, and placed the blame of the past on its handle. She saw her reflection in the steel and smiled, feeling a warmth swell in her chest as she wondered if her weapon carried a soul. She requested its help once more, and as it disappeared from her grasp, she no longer felt afraid. Her mended spirit knew it was now or never, and turning, she faced the dark opening of the throne room.
The stairs went on for miles as she climbed, step by step she ascended; the sound of boots on stone in time with her heart. She raised her head high, shoulders back and face like undisturbed water. The world darkened with each slow second, steps sullied with more and more tar until the white marble was a sea of black.
She peered into the darkness that veiled the throne room, but feared no evil. The memories of her friends and their sacrifices were her lantern, the love in her heart her guide through nothingness. This place was devoid of sunlight, the shadow a spidery ice on her skin that crawled up her neck and rested on her throat. It attempted to choke her with sadness, imitating voices of people begging for help and calling her name.
Zelda swallowed, letting the sorrow come and go with ease while reminding herself of those she had saved. She explained, "That will not work on me anymore. I am put back together, there are no cracks left to fill with your influence."
A flash of lightning revealed a disheveled throne room, Goddesses statue broken into a million pieces and tapestry torn. Something sat beneath the sullied marble Triforce, it had no face nor eyes but she could still feel it staring. Darkness consumed them once more, Princess Zelda being the only source of light as she carefully took a step forward.
She felt a tiny droplet of blood fall from her cheek, the cut small but surprising. Her eyes narrowed, ears perked as she listened for the whistle of another attack. She turned, barely evading a sharp shadow tendril. She scoffed, "I know what you are now, Demise."
Two more strikes came zooming from the darkness, her body responding for her as she dodged and ducked the quick blows. More voices came from the nothingness, voices of her father and his court as they mocked and ridiculed. A crippling embarrassment and anger began to bubble until her mind comfortingly said, You are worth more than what they think of you. She gathered herself just in time to avoid a stab to the chest, gold pauldron flying off as it took most of the damage. The creature in the distance growled, but she continued walking.
Three more tendrils flew into the air just as she rose a pale hand, burning them to cinder with a blinding white light. A deep rumble shook the world as the ebony veil around her became criss-crossed with livid red symbols. A burning pain erupted through Zelda's body, scars on fire as a threat stilled her heart. A flurry of blows rained down from the large mass, skin bursting into cross-hatched wounds. Zelda winced, dropping to her knees as her blood mixed with salty sweat. Her mind cheered, Keep moving!
She drew a ragged breath and glared daggers into the darkness. Another flash of lightning revealed the blade-like tendrils came from the throned creature, its body humanoid but not. An amalgamation of smoky flesh and pulsating ooze that felt unfinished. With a grunt, she urged herself onto her feet and continued forward. A foreign voice cackled in the back of her mind, Your wish brought this upon your people. I answered to the darkness in your heart; you wished to be a Hero, but are far too weak to do so. Allow the hatred to consume you…
Whispers chirped around her. Midna, Link, her mother, the sound of their disapproval and frustration played like a symphony around her. Anger like drums that beat into her skull that she wasn't good enough. She continued walking, shrugging the weight off her shoulders as the sound of their joy sang like string instruments in her mind. Her little ones, the friends she made along the way, waking up in Link's arms. It made the pain of the past worth it. She smiled, "You are wrong...I am made of love, and love only."
An ebony tendril wrapped around her throat in an instant, squeezing tight until her vision became red, hands clawing at the smoky mass in a panic. A fiery rage simmered forth as the fires of betrayal blinded her. For a moment, her body was not hers, lips curling into a dangerous smirk as her hand wrapped around the black, squeezing just as hard as pristine light shone from her palm. How dare a foul creature touch her so openly, the light causing it to release her with a cry. Princess Zelda rubbed her neck, and laughed, "She and I are the example of a perfect balance. We work together, because we need each other."
The collected monarch continued on despite the barrage of attacks on her person, pushing through the pain without a cry. "I came here thinking I could banish you from existence forever, but now I know that if Hylia herself could not do it at the dawn of time, how would I? That's because you are not meant to be killed. Just like me, you represent something...a feeling, an idea...something eternal that won't die so long as free will exists."
Her other pauldron was knocked off, expression unmoving despite the sleeve of blood forming on her arm. "Without darkness, there is no balance, there is no light, no heros, no goddesses without an antagonist. But that doesn't mean I will give up."
The rumbling growl sounded once more, her body busy evading the strikes as she focused on the thinning darkness in front of her. "I will not allow you to hurt my kingdom, nor my friends as long as there is air in my lungs and my heart pumps red blood. For I am a Zelda, like my ancestors before me I will overcome you in every lifetime, just as I overcame the darkness within my own heart. Together…I am my kingdom's wrath, her justice, her guardian who will not rest until she is safe… I am the rose of Hyrule, and I am no longer afraid of the dark!"
With booming power, she called forth a great light from the very depth of her soul and cast it toward the creature. It filled every crevice of the room, the veil of darkness lifted, ooze dissolving off pillars and walls. The air stilled, sound muted, her body weakening as her magic flowed. She was blinded, dropping to her knees in a huff as the throne room became perfectly visible. As her vision settled, her heart sank.
The creature still sat, unchanged and unfazed. Its weaponed tails flicked curiously, and even without the strange ooze, the Princess felt consumed by fear. It chuckled at her as she peered at it. My turn, came from its reverberating, hollow chest. She bared her teeth, brows furrowed as she raised her right hand again.
In the blink of an eye, she was howling in pain, spine aching as she was thrown against a white pillar. Princess Zelda cried out as she passed in and out of consciousness, arm numb and unmovable as she glared at the tendril. It pierced straight through her shoulder, pinning her against the stone like a tack. She was frozen, blood like a string of pearls falling from a broken bracelet. Her mind went to Link, the image of his smile overlapping with the memory of the blade embedded in his abdomen. She cried, begging him for forgiveness as another tendril stabbed her in the leg. A bloodcurdling scream ripped from her throat, orbs like an angry sea as she stared at the still sitting monster. Her heart worked hard to keep her alive, adrenaline alleviating some pain, but not enough.
A twisted chuckle boomed off the walls, the disembodied statue head watching Zelda with a deep sadness, knowing what would come next. The Princess smiled, smiled the widest smile she could muster. She wouldn't give it the satisfaction of a frown, chin tilted up so her hair fell back, her whole face free to see. A third bladed tendril slithered toward her, eager to dig into the warm flesh of her heart. A breeze caressed her face as it waited, annoyed by the pleasure of her grin.
She did her best; she would die knowing she did her best.
She closed her eyes just as the point shot forward.
Princess Zelda heard a loud crash behind her, stray rubble landing on her face just as smoke filled her lungs. Her eyes shot open to see the pillar she was once pinned to was now a pile of rubble in the distance, weak body resting calmly on the floor. Zelda had no time to ponder how she'd moved, the three weapons turning to her once more and descending with their havoc.
A large blue barrier formed between her and the tendrils, a figure standing in front of her with a defensive stance, long locks and dress swaying angrily as the creatures ran into it. Fire like dragons' breaths shooed the tendrils away, Zelda's vision still shaky as the blood loss set in.
The long-haired person turned, the Princess's stomach dropping as she recognized the opulent sapphire eyes and button nose. The fire that kept the other tendrils at bay was commanded by a tall fiesty figure that sent her a cheeky wink, and as a small hand rested on Zelda's shoulder, she turned to see the green of many herbs and flowers.
"You need to stand up," Farore implored, grabbing her by the arm and lifting her into a sitting position. Zelda cried out as her shoulder burned with pain.
Nayru hummed, "Take your time, Hylia."
Din's flame wreaked havoc on the other side of her sky blue barrier, but still the creature sat. Farore extended her hand, and with a great wind, Din was by their side, fists clenched as she laughed, "That is for trying to corrupt my virtue."
Her little ones stood strong, faces familiar but eyes belonging to the universe. Farore and Din approached Naryu and aided with the barrier, the Goddess of Wisdom imparting elegantly, "Hylia, this is your fight, you were made to defeat Him, do not forget that."
Princess Zelda gave them her wide-eyed attention as they fought back the attacking tendrils, the back of her hand grabbing her recognition as it shone. How could she have forgotten? Being a Zelda was so much more than a name, it was a title. She felt her body heat up, a surge of pride blossoming in her chest as she gazed at the blood on her milky skin. The blood of Hylia.
She smiled, a surge of energy opening with the click of the lock on her complete soul. She could feel her wounds close and heal as she released herself to the overwhelming flow of magic that traveled her. "Demise," She purred with a new voice, a voice unfamiliar to her tongue but so beautifully right, "Have you forgotten why I chose this form to begin with?"
The demon creature paused its onslaught and watched as she stood, bloodied skin pristine and glowing like a thousand suns. Hylia looked over her body slowly, smiling to herself as she ran her fingers over the many scars on this incarnation. "I became mortal to learn of their pain and suffering, to understand what it meant to hurt and cry, to empathize with my people." She laughed.
The Golden Goddesses dispersed, attacking the incoming darkness and defending Hylia the best they could. A tendril headed for her face, but before it came close, she summoned her mighty estoc with a slash. Its metal glistened, the blade yearning to aid its holder. Hylia ran her finger over it and avowed, "You think yourself cunning, but this is all my design. To feel and understand the darkness in mortal hearts, and then overcome it. That is my purpose, a purpose extended to the golden mothers you so fear."
A mist of darkness quickly overcame the room, but Hylia did not flinch, her focus on the sword. With a nimble hand, she undid the ribbon on her goldening hair, wrapping it around the hilt with a dramatic twirl. "For thousands of years we have done this dance," She took the jewelry on her neck and clenched it in her fists, melting it down and molding it onto the sword, "...And for a thousand more we shall continue."
The estoc slowly became a longsword, Hylia using the precious metal to thicken the blade. She waved a careful hand over it and forged a blade that would master all others. It changed to her liking, the divine weapon yearning to have a soul. She plucked the gem from her crown and embedded it in the center, engraving the Triforce's blessing into the metal as it hummed with life. The spirit was pleased to see its creator again after a millenium, Hylia greeting her kindly as tendril after tendril tried to attack but fell apart.
"Wait." The creature implored, images flashing in her mind with a dark wager. Mortal emotions left her frozen as she saw his offer; a life for a life. If she spared the demon, he would save the bleeding Hero chosen by the Gods, she would be reunited with a love lost time and time again. To hear his voice and kiss his lips again, to be held in his arms after the heat of passion, she would trade anything for that! But her pain warned her of the lies spoken by this creature's snake tongue, her body could feel the hurt of her shadow that trusted an Old God of evil.
Hylia pitied the fool for trying, his energy trembling as she lifted his veil of influence over her mind. "You know how this ends, Demise...I will not let you harm my children." She stood before the creature, darkness encompassing and suffocating yet she remained fine. The weakened creature trembled as she touched it. Raising the sword high, she softly declared, "For Hyrule."
The blade sunk into its chest like a sheath, as if it belonged there. Demise released a cry that shook the earth, Hylia watching as the darkness sizzled and fought to remain. As he drained of life, she felt her divinity falter. He cursed her over and over again, flashing lights and uncontrollable weather mimicking his rage as she watched him die. Plumes of darkness reached up to lick at her face and grasp at life with fear, growing smaller and smaller. Violence and furry exploded like the contents of pandora's box, releasing his essence into the purified air that ate away at him, until all that was left was the memory of him. The fog lifted, smoke dissipating, and golden hair returning to a soft brunette. The tip of the blade hit the stone throne with a crack, Demise and his influence a distant memory as the Master Sword remained in her hand.
Zelda remained unmoving as a crippling exhaustion took her, turning to sit in the throne with a new breath. She looked out at the ruined throne room – the Princess had returned to her rightful place. Her little ones were nowhere to be found, a solemn yet tranquil loneliness filling the room as she stared out into the sky. She breathed, dropping the sword as she watched snow fall from the heavens. It was finally winter.
Zelda's heart ached as she realized there was no time to recover, legs aching as she rushed out the throne room to the courtyard.
…
The first snow of winter glided gently to the wounded earth, coating it in a thin layer of undisturbed white. Zelda's heavy breathing disrupted the calm, air escaping in foggy clouds as a bone-piercing cold assaulted her exposed skin. Frantically, her gaze wandered, mind frazzled as reality slowly set in. She caught sight of his unmoving body, and from her parched throat came a heartbreaking cry, "Link!"
She bolted, throwing herself onto the snow piling beside him. Snowflakes rested on his long lashes, expression calm but color draining. His lips were becoming a cold lavender, breath faint with long pauses. Zelda grabbed his face, ran her hands through his blond locks over and over again begging frantically, "My love, please, stay with me, h-help is on the way!"
She snaked her arm underneath his neck and pulled him onto her lap, cradling his head as she caressed his icy face. "You have to wake up, Link, I-I succeeded," She laughed without humor, placing her forehead against his as she sobbed, "You promised, Link, you promised we would get married when Hyrule was free! You can't do this to me!"
Her heart broke as the beats in his chest struggled. Her tears hit his face like rain drops, fingers digging into his tunic as she refused to let go. Sorrow crashed into her like waves against the cliffside, trembling hand reaching up and tearing the crown from her head as she threw it across the sea of snow. "It is not worth it," She hollered, "I do not want to rule a kingdom if I cannot share it with you!"
Princess Zelda had to accept that no help was coming. "Is this it?" She trembled as she embraced him, "Is our love destined to be a tragedy?" She could hear his laughter in her memory, feel the warm calluses of his hands as he implored her to step out of her comfort zone. He was everything, her rock, her comfort, her Hero. And he was slipping through her fingertips.
"I love you," She proclaimed between tears, "I can never say it enough; I love you, Link."
No response.
She cried, body shaking as her heart shattered into a million pieces. Never had she felt so alone. Her sobs echoed in the wintery air, snow numbing her body as she held him close. Tears blinded her; she didn't even notice a figure approach from the shadows. The sound of boots crunching in the snow shocked her into focus, blade summoned as she pointed it at the intruder.
Dark looked down at her, stoic yet curious as he watched her threaten him with the blade. She snarled at him, holding Link closer to her chest protectively, "Leave us! You got what you wanted, you are free!–"
"Interesting…" He whispered, kneeling to stare deep into her eyes. She saw her reflection in his inky orbs, the myriad of emotions like a whirlpool in her orbs as she held Link tighter. Dark extended his hand slowly and she slashed angrily in his direction, the shadow grabbing her wrist with ease.
"I said leave!" She tore.
Dark hummed, "Is this really what you wanted?" He wasn't speaking to her, gaze burning past the Princess and into the darkness of her pupils. He glanced down at Link, brows furrowing with thought. "He's at death's door," There was a concern to his tone.
Zelda could feel the faint heartbeat of her love, the snow falling faster than his chest. The shadow looked to her once more, burning determination lighting the cold. "I can save him," He announced, body a beautiful black against the lonely sea of white.
Her heart leapt but she stifled her hope, uncertainty possessing her. "Why would you–"
"I can see her in your eyes," Dark softened, "You know, I had just begun to accept that I would never see her again, not even in death. She meant the world to me, and that pain you feel right now – I know what it's like." He released her wrist and she dropped her estoc, heart pounding as she felt a connection to the shadow. His eyes started to well with tears, "I thought she was lost forever, but now..." His cold palm made contact with her wet cheek as he held a loving gaze, "Now I understand…It's you. She is a part of you, and you've kept her alive all this time – which means the only way I can be with her...is through him."
Dark looked down at Link with a pleased smile, devoid of malicious intent. Zelda watched, unbreathing, as the shadow placed his free hand on Link's chest, face contorting as if in pain as a strange light glowed between his fingers. Dark seemed ready, his body disappearing, the sight bringing tranquility instead of fear as he smiled. He moved forward, pulling Zelda into an embrace as he apologized without words, body drifting away until nothing was left kneeling in the snow. She could still feel his warmth, body frozen as winter went on. Link grew heavy in her arms, and the words he whispered in her ear before leaving sang clearer than an ocarina, "Wait for three days, and if he doesn't wake up, then you know I failed you, my Queen."
Soon.
