PART FIFTY-FOUR - THE SHADOW OF MY KIN
Katie turned white. "No, Sophia…"
"Don't listen to him," Link said, his expression carefully guarded as he stared at the grinning king. "Pretty sure its bullshit."
If that were the case, then why were these shadows so hideous than before? They make the average shadow look like a child. Their faces were more outlined, like sculptures. A massive grin was the only feature, aside from the glowing eyes. Though a few seemed to disappear at random, it didn't leave a dent in their ranks. Suddenly, Louis stood taller, chest puffed out. Even his wounds seemed to heal. The mists curled from the ground in long ribbons.
Instead of sending his new troops after Link, Louis waved his hand and all the shadows glided over the ground, headed in a single direction. Katie knew where they were going.
"Sophia!" Katie cried.
Louis chuckled deeply, eyes aglow with hunger. "Oh, how I've waited for the Lady to fall! What an obstinate woman she proved to be! Alas, all Hylains must bow to their fears!"
Link shifted, scowling as if he seemed to be at war with himself.
"What's the matter, boy?" Louis snickered. "Oh, don't tell me you worry for her? Didn't you once say you cared for nothing but yourself?"
Katie growled, beaming red. "You be quiet! Honestly, can't you just fight with your mouth shut for once?"
Louis regarded her with a flat stare. "You lecture me about boastfulness?"
Katie flushed, knowing that Link was…not any better than Louis. "Well, it doesn't help how you keep vanishing!"
"Darkness plays by no rules, little one." Louis gave a chilling grin, raising his good hand which was shrouded in bright, orange flames. Katie hadn't realized just how weak he'd been moments ago. They've been so close to defeating him, haven't they? And now…Sophia…
She was the one who held him back the most…and if she fell….
Then it meant the end of Desmera.
Link acted on his own decision, but Katie wouldn't have stopped him. Rather than going forward with an attack, he surprised her and Louis by throwing a bomb at the king, a diversion. But the bomb didn't have a chance to explode as Louis swept it to the side, the explosive blackening at once, turning to dust that fluttered in the cold wind.
Oh, this was bad. This was very bad.
Link grabbed her from the air, and turned towards the markets close by. Behind them, Louis bellowed in laughter, the mists from the ground steaming up brightly like snatching fingers. "You think you can run from me?"
Link stumbled to a stop when the king appeared before him. Intense emotions flickered across Link's face, the hand in which he held her clenched harder, but he was in control this time.
He punched Louis with fist Katie was trapped in. As expected, his hand went through Louis, but that was the trick. He feigned a stumble, which prompted Louis into coming at him with a blazed hand. Link countered that with an ice arrow, plunging it at Louis's palm and freezing the hand.
Then Link ran without looking back, leaving behind a furious king. He ran all the way to a shop, its roof torn off, the other walls broken, leaving one window in tact. Link hid behind the overturned table, breath rasping in and out of his mouth.
"Get out of here and see what's happening outside," Link told her in a whisper once he let her go, pressing his back against the wall.
Katie fluttered drunkenly, struggling to get her wings straightened out. "Wh-what? You want me to leave you?"
"Sophia punched a hole in the dome to get in. I think he still didn't patch it up—"
"Hey, what!"
"Go see if things are fine."
"I'm not leaving you!" she snapped, brightening his face in crimson light. "Link, what if you act up? What if—" She paused, gasping. "Are you bleeding?"
She hadn't noticed it before, but upon looking closer, she saw blood coating his teeth. He chuckled before spitting out a red spit. "Fighting if off with pain is a good idea. Sophia'd smack me on the head if I act up."
"So you're just chewing on your tongue? You ever worry about biting it off?" she hissed, then paused. Sophia does bring back Link through pain rather than words. "Pinch yourself instead, or better yet, just slap your face. Just don't bite your tongue, dummy! You could choke on your blood!"
A thunderous sound jumbled the pebbles from the ground. Behind, she saw Louis firing away arrows, sweeping stalls and wagons out from his way. "Where are you?" he demanded, his voice whitening Katie.
Link looked at her seriously. "Get out of here."
"No, I'm not leaving you, Link!"
Cold anger flashed through his eyes, but still he kept it tamed. "I listened to everything you told me to do."
"Okay—"
"So now it's your turn."
She wanted to protest, insist that there was no way she could leave him here on his own. Then she saw that look in his eyes and understood what he was trying to tell her.
It's my turn to trust him.
"Look for Silas, make sure he's still kicking. If something happens to him—"
Something thrashed, rocks smashing into each other, shadowed arrows sounding like the strike of lightening upon breaking through wagons.
Katie peeked out to see Louis destroying everything near him. He nearly saw her before she hid away, shivering. Looking at Link, she understood that there was no other way. They had to know if the twins were okay.
"Promise me you won't lose it," she said seriously.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it."
"No, I need you to seriously promise me, Link."
A cold fist seemed to wrap around her when something loomed behind them, the air frosted enough to make Link's breath fog out. "Found you," Louis sang.
Link grabbed her, scuttling out of the way just before Louis kicked the table. It shattered into splinters, spraying in a brownish cloud. Link steadied himself, eyes sharp without any of that disconcerting darkness in them. He spat out another ball of blood before releasing her.
"I'll distract him. Make sure he doesn't see you," he muttered, eyes firmly on the king.
Katie hesitated. She knew, very well, just how impetuous Link was. A single word could set him off. What would happen if Louis got under his skin? What then?
But Link was counting on her this time. With such fierce determination, he made sure that none of the influence would interfere with his focus.
"Good luck, Link."
Link went at Louis without a word. The king didn't vanish until the last second, reappearing at Link's side with a speed that nearly took Link off guard. Link got away by leaping back, but she could see just how frazzled his nerves were.
No, he's trusting you! You have to go now!
The fairy took advantage of the distraction, absconding the fight. The mists were long tongues from the cracks of the cobbles, and she did her best to avoid them, worried they'd snatch her from the air. It wasn't hard to find the hole Sophia made, when she rescued Link and Katie.
The moment Katie got out from the hole, it immediately patched up. Katie started, backing away in a whitish glow. Then she realized something.
He knew. Of course he knew! He's been waiting to separate us!
Link hadn't fooled him at all. Oh Goddess, this was terrible!
Only Sophia could open this, if she was still alive. Katie had to find her and Silas quick. Those new shadows were serious trouble.
Any bravery Silas had built up easily blew away with the wind. He should've seen it coming. It was easy to be brave when fighting alongside someone stronger than he was. Well, now his sister was trapped.
And like the coward he was, he ran off the moment a shadow spotted him. Unlike his sister who would reach out to save him, Silas turned tails.
Horrible brother!
She's going to die!
It's all your fault!
Silas cried out. The worst part about it was that there was no frustration in him, no shame, only this trembling terror that washed coldly over him. Had he really thought he could win? He acted like some warrior when he was nothing but a child with a small dagger, trying to imitate a knight.
His true strength came from others. Now that he was all alone, he became perfectly aware of himself.
His energy depleted; legs burned with exhaustion, ready to spill him to the ground. He ran as good as a block, and already that proved too much.
What encouraged him to keep going was the shadow pursuing him. It had spotted him just a few minutes ago, and it won't be long before it caught him. These things were too fast for the average Hylian, least of all for boy with an impending illness.
As he turned to a corner, he slammed against someone. The force of it shoved him to the ground, the world tilting to his eyes as he wheezed for air.
The persistent shadow behind him cried as it puffed out from existence.
"Silas." Grey went down to lift him up but Silas shook his head, struggling to regain his breath.
It was difficult, like a thousand bees stinging his throat. He coughed into his sleeve, feeling that burning sensation, that warm taste of blood filling his mouth.
I can't breath…
It took a few seconds before he could and by then, the world became darker. Silas squinted at something bright, hanging over by Grey's shoulder. It looked familiar…
Katie? I…must be seeing things…
His vision blurred. It was just so easy to…let go. To fly away from the pain and hurt, to go somewhere safe. It was strange, how dying by his illness seemed so peaceful. He'd been stubborn on never letting it be his end, refusing to have it done in his bed. But wouldn't that have been wonderful instead? In a warm bed, someplace familiar and safe, surrounded by loved ones.
He felt something warm in his throat. Opening his eyes, he found Grey feeding him a potion. A part of Silas wanted to resist. What was the point? Just give in.
Give up.
Silas had spent enough time in the catacomb, so the moment that voice spoke to him, he immediately fought back without hesitation. He sat up, finishing the rest of the potion. There was still pain. It throbbed everywhere.
The captain let out a great sigh. "Thank Din. When I saw those shadows, I knew I'd be right to look for you."
Katie tinted white around her orb, while the center remained yellow. "You really gave us a scare."
"What—" Silas stopped, his throat aching. Grey proffered him water and once Silas finished it, he spoke again in a terribly hoarse voice. "What are you doing here, Katie?"
"That's what I like to know," Grey said, frowning. "I just bumped into her, says she wants to look for you." He gave her a pointed look "Aren't you supposed to be with Link?"
"Louis just got more powerful!" she complained. "There are new shadows that showed up out of nowhere!"
Grey went grim. "I ran into them earlier, but funny enough, they didn't go after me. They didn't go after anyone."
That white crippled over the yellow. "I think I know where they went."
Silas hugged himself against the cold that seemed to only exist to him. Those shadows, Louis's full-grown power…
I just ran. Silas squeezed his eyes shut, helplessly imagining his sister surrounded by all those monsters. All alone.
What's my name?
"Sophia," he croaked, sobbing. He couldn't hear the chaos around him, not the screams or the cries of his people. He could only hear his sister's panicked voice, the way she lost all control and couldn't even see him.
She's dead now.
"No. No." Silas gritted his teeth, his eyes tightly squeezed. His twin, his best friend—he left her for dead. How was it that she could always be there for him, risk her neck for his sake, and when it finally became his turn, he just went up and left? His chance for redemption, a chance for him to make things better, he just threw it all away! He deserved to die. Give into Louis and just—
The sharp smack of Grey's hand broke through Silas's thoughts. Granted, it wasn't that hard but still, Silas barely believed he'd done that. It took him a while to speak, as he rubbed the pain over his cheek. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"It really does work!" Katie sounded a little too happy at his pain.
Silas shot a venomous look towards the captain.
Grey quickly pointed at the fairy. "Her idea, not mine."
"We had to, Silas," the fairy explained. "You couldn't—you weren't hearing us! And there were these mists here. Didn't you see?"
He nearly missed at, as Grey must've tried waving them away. The very same mists that had trapped Sophia in. They were nothing but wisps now, and he saw them in time to see them disappear for good. With his head screwed back on, Silas could acknowledge the world around him. The murky air nearly choked him. He felt his wet skin, his burning throat. All his senses seemed to return along with his thoughts.
I almost didn't come back…
Grey grasped his shoulder. "You okay, son?"
Silas nodded. He was back. That was what mattered.
"We'll make it out of this," Grey promised. "Now where's your sister? What happened?"
"We...we were at the west…" Silas trailed off, swallowing. His sister continued to scream in horror, a voice that resonated from within his mind. The mists, the very same one that tried to bind him just now, seized that moment, and then came the ascension of the new shadows. Silas felt his stomach turn to lead. "Her ribbons…Grey, her ribbons were burned off. That's why she…"
What's my name?
Without even realizing it, his hand went to the blue ribbon on his wrist. He hadn't thought much of it when Sophia given to him. To him, it was just a piece of ribbon, made from cotton, dyed from flowers, and threaded by the cloth merchant. To her, they were everything.
His ribbon seemed black now, blood and mud mixing over it.
He never realized the center these things gave her, the way her hand unconsciously brushes over them whenever she was stressed, or unhappy. He'd thought of it as just a normal, nervous tick, like an old man's eye watering up or a child sticking a thumb in their mouth. When they were in the catacomb taking their breaks, Sophia often sat by herself, unbothered. She focused on her ribbons only, brushing a finger at each one.
"She's in that dome over there."
Grey gawked. "That thing? Are you serious?"
"We have to reach her," Silas urged. "She's still alive. Louis would never kill her this easily. He—" He stopped to look at Katie. "Wait, why are you here, Katie? Did something happen to Link?"
Katie told him of Louis's newfound power, and how Link insisted that she went to check up on the twins. This troubled Silas deeply, as it confirmed one of his suspicions. Of course Louis wouldn't kill Sophia right away. You don't kill a power source; you drain it from everything it can offer you.
"I'll go reach her," Grey said as if the matter was settled. He stood up. "You find somewhere to hide."
Silas gasped. "I am not—"
"This isn't a request, lad. You can't fight these things the way you are. I'll save your sister, so go to the soldiers and have them retreat. Things could get ugly."
"Like hell I will!" Silas stood up, the motion dizzied him, but he fought against it. He spent a lot of time in his life pretending to be well. "I am not staying here. Who do you think you are to order me around, Captain?"
Grey's eyes hardened. "Silas—"
"Lord Silas," Silas hissed. "And no, I will not hide away while my sister is suffering. I've done that all my life. It's my turn to save her."
Grey looked exasperated, waving a hand around the ruined walls, the blood trickling down the streets. "We don't have time for this!"
"You're right. We don't. We need to go if we hope to make it to her in time." Silas stared right at Grey's eyes defiantly, and was amazed to find how it unnerved the swordsman.
"You're too much like him," Grey muttered.
"What?"
"Never mind. Just—dammit, stay close, okay?"
"I'm coming along," Katie said. "I want to help too."
Silas turned to the dome at the town square, appearing as large as the buildings.
"He'll be fine," Katie assured. "Don't worry. He's way too stubborn than you know."
Silas took in a deep breath, concentrating on banishing all the fear in him. If he was going to save his sister, then he had to be strong. How many times had Sophia feigned bravery for his sake?
I have to save her this time. I have to. I need to save her.
If he can't save his own twin, then he might as well give up here and now.
Katie stayed by his shoulder, and it felt so good to see her well. He'd been so worried that the air would've choked the life out of her. In the catacomb, she always struggled to remain afloat. Now she glowed with a strong yellow, wings flapping steadily.
She explained her theory about Louis's power. Silas added in his own thoughts as well, all while Grey cut down any shadows that sprung at them.
"It's seems clearer now." Silas felt a little better about it, and he saw Katie's spirits lifted up. They've used both their minds around the puzzles in the catacombs. This felt more or less the same, just finding out a way to beat that monster.
The shadows were evidently doing all they could to keep them back, or to stall them long enough. The trio found themselves stuck in a two-way road, buildings at either sides tightly packed with ropes crisscrossing over the roofs. Lanterns would be hanged here in festivals. The streets would be packed with food stalls and entertainers.
The shadows clustered at the end of the road, which ended up as a hill. A few of them were five feet tall, but some were up to seven, perhaps even twelve feet. They really did make the average shadows seem minuscule. Silas noted how the normal shadows tended to give space to these shadows. They didn't mingle together.
Silas had fought them before in large numbers, but seeing them headed their way, a group of angry, shadowy entities with lust for blood wavered his resolve. Grey gritted his teeth, brandishing his sword.
"Stay back," he said before lunging and meeting the first shadow, cutting through it while the second stabbed through his neck without any result.
A few came at Silas, and while he managed to rid of them, another followed up and another after that. Numbers of them popped up, their fast motions, the way the mists streamed off their forms to make them bigger than what they are—Silas was overwhelmed. He tripped back, fear spread through him.
"Get up!" Katie cried.
Silas barely heard her, crawling back. His sister could kill ten of these just by glaring at him, and he couldn't handle a few. Their emasculated forms made them seem as if they were corpses raised to life, their stick-like arms reached the ground, claws at the end.
He could feel their insufferable hunger, their desperate need to spill blood. The voracity in these new shadows seemed so frightfully vast that Silas doubted slaughtering everyone in this town could satiate them. These creatures must've been shadows for quite some time, losing themselves entirely. They didn't express surprise when they passed by Grey, unable to touch him. They didn't even flinch like the other, normal shadows whenever their brethren fell.
Grey cursed out loud when more started to show up. They filled the streets like busy buyers. Silas couldn't even see the other side of the side.
He knew their weakness. It didn't matter how strong they were, how vicious they seemed—they were all the same in the end. He'd slain some of them himself. Yet, this fear in him wouldn't go away. It clung like a dagger at his heart, burying itself deeper and deeper the more he thought of his sister. He couldn't help it.
What are you doing here, silly boy?
You think you can change anything?
Sick boy.
Bastard.
Someone shouted a war cry.
The shadows, even the newer ones, stopped and looked up, snarling. Villagers, dozens of them, came pouring out from the shops and from downhill. They broke into the enemy rank, turning the shadows to air.
Earlier, Silas had put so much effort to form fearless troops, and so he never got the chance to see them all act as one. Silas stared up, stunned, as he watched the retaliation. Katie hung over his head, glowing brightly yellow.
People who'd come to him with fear in their eyes now fought back with valorous. Some even settled to use rocks, a girl used a jeweler's hammer. Soon, the streets were cleaned up, the shadows gone. People cheered and raised their weapons, a few soldiers were there as well.
The crowd parted to let someone through, the one who must've led this incredible group. He came up to Grey and helped the captain to his feet. "Alex!" Grey exclaimed, laughing. "By the Goddess, you need a promotion!"
The Sheikah managed a faint smile. "I've seen to the cat, Captain."
"How is he?"
"Broke a leg," Alex said grimly. "Landed in a wagon. I saw to it that he was safe and well."
Silas sighed out. That was one thing taken care of. He paused as he saw a man approaching him, people looking his way.
"My Lord," he said with reverence as he helped Silas to his feet.
Villagers of all trade—merchants, jewelers, bakers, soldiers, laborers—stood shoulder by shoulder. Hope had once seemed so fragile, a sputtering ember in the cold wind. But he saw it flaring like a bonfire, igniting the sky. It glowed on their faces. They stood tall, proud, many of them had never even lifted a weapon in all their lives.
Alex noted his expression, smiling. "As you can see, we've been rather busy. Someone had reported of shadow movements here, and so we decided to come and exterminate them."
"You've done well," Silas spoke quietly, staring at the empty space where it'd been filled with shadows. "You'll all done so incredible! You don't need uniforms or badges. Each of you are soldiers to your heart!"
People cheered. Some smiled to one another. Others laughed, slapping backs. He had forgotten what it was like to see others happy.
"It was all thanks to you, my Lord," Alex said, bowing his head down. "Without you and your sister sacrificing your lives, we wouldn't be here."
They still call me that. Silas didn't know how he felt about that.
"You were all so strong!" Katie exclaimed, jittering in yellow-orange glow.
People turned to Silas expectedly. He thought he'd see accusing eyes, much like that old woman had, but there was admiration, respect, more than they had ever regarded him with. He felt it undeserving. Much of their strength came from Sophia after all. He didn't know what to say to them, whether he should still give orders or not. Before he could think of something, shadows arose from the ground.
"Keep them off our backs!" Grey ordered, grabbing Silas's arm. "To the western crossroad! Our Lady needs us!"
Katie flickered into several colors, but there was one color that stood out from the rest. After spending enough time with her, musing over her anatomy, he knew the color and the emotion behind it.
I have to feel the same.
Silas kept up with Grey's pace. Around them, the villagers cut them a way, fending off the shadows with little to no effort. From afar, he saw that the entire crossroad was concealed within a thick mist. A piece of the land cloistered from the rest of the town.
This inner dome was as tall as the buildings, nearly reaching to the sky and meeting with the outer dome. The mists this time seemed much more solid, rather than playful air.
Seeing this faltered Silas.
The group stopped at the intersection in order to catch their breath. The way to the inner dome seemed clear, but he wouldn't let that fool him just yet. He sent for a scout to confirm that no mists steaming from the ground were nearby. The shadows use that to show up. Silas swallowed, looking at the dome.
"We'll save her," Katie promised. "She's strong, stronger than anyone here."
Silas took in a deep breath. "I should go alone. She'll listen to me."
Would she though? What had he ever done to deserve that?
Grey was, of course, not okay with that. "You can't go out there by yourself!"
Silas gave him a hard look, showing how he felt about being scolded in front of his subjects. "I will go to save my sister," he said firmly, then looked at his people. "The shadows have changed their appearances to try and fool us, a last desperate attempt to frighten us, but don't let them deceive you! They are no different than the next shadow!"
He sensed uncertainty and understood. Another dome showed up from nowhere and they had no idea what it was. They didn't know where Sophia was. He could feel their confidence tipping.
"We will protect this town," Silas promised, stepping forward and placed a hand on his chest. "On my honor and on my ancestors, this town will stand tomorrow and will continue to stand in the days that follow, but we must fight today. We must show courage, strength and wisdom if we hope to make it out of this alive."
The scout showed up, nearly out of breath. She didn't need to speak though as the shadows made themselves known, a small army completely filling up the street between the humans and the dome where Sophia was held. These shadows were by far the most unique, as they were actually bulky rather than scrawny. Large and wide with thick daggers for fingers and neck like trunks. Their eyes were more circular, flatter, not narrowed slices, but it was clear how they felt about the Hylians.
Despite Silas's speech, people saw this and froze on the spot. Rather than let Grey attack, Silas acted first. These shadows moved a bit slower than their cousins, but they were still too fast for Hylains to counter. Silas felt the usual chill when they threw a sharp fist at them. He gripped his dagger, yelling out as he slashed the first one, then another one.
Seeing his example, his villagers followed him. Silas saw the shock anxiety on Grey's face quickly replaced with annoyance and something else.
Pride.
Silas understood the strength that came when leading your own people into battle. Generals knew the feeling very well, the need to appear strong and confident, to have a voice raise above the panicked voices and cries.
Silas didn't need to fight anymore, as people moved out in a front row, brushing away the shadows like a hand swiping away dust. They made an opening for him and he got to the inner dome before he knew it.
Katie caught up to him, practically buzzing with restless energy. Silas couldn't help but share her smile, in spite of the daunting challenge in front of him. The dome was rimmed with twisting and curling mists that seem to beckon him. They flooded the ground at his feet, flowing like water, but eventually they drew back to the dome, as if to keep its shape.
It felt as if the whole thing were alive, feeding on his sister in order to exist. When it sighed, it brought out the mist, letting it dace over the edges. Breathing in, the mists returned promptly. It was so dense that he could see absolutely nothing through it.
She's in there…all alone…
Grey appeared grim, probably following the same thought pattern. "You sure you want to go in alone?"
Katie's orange dimmed. "If you act up, Silas….if you fall and can't get up…"
No one will help me get back up.
Strangely, that was fine by him. Well deserved, since he should've never let this happen in the first place.
"I am to save my sister. Not to be saved myself." Silas rushed in, just as Sophia had done when he'd been trapped. It was so thick, that a force seemed to shove him back.
Silas would've fallen flat on the ground but Grey steadied him by the shoulder. "Lad—"
Silas growled and threw himself once more, only to be brushed off. "Dammit!" he shouted, trying to tear his way through. Mists flew widely as his hands tried to grip something material. Somehow the mists were both vapors and solids. They flew out from his fingers, numbing his hand from the cold. At the same time, they kept shoving against him.
"Silas!" Katie snapped.
The force, like a pair of strong hands, pushed him back as if in anger. This time Grey did not steady him and all the air knocked out of Silas as he laid on his back, groaning. Katie fluttered above his face, a swirl of red and pink.
"You dummy," Katie said softly. "You're shaking."
Silas gritted his teeth, frustrated, helpless. He just wanted to cry. "I can't save her," he whispered. "I can't even get in."
"Do you remember how she saved you?"
He barely recalled what had happened when Louis trapped him into one of these. By Din, Farore and Nayru, he was blessed that he could not remember. The pain had been so excruciating that he forgot himself entirely. All he could remember was being surrounded by darkness. Then…then he found his sister there.
All around him he heard shadows cry out, men and women as well. He stared up at Katie's soft color. "I'm weak," he said softly. "I can't…I can't even protect my sister…"
"So you're going to give up without trying? Link's out there, fighting Louis all by himself, Silas. We have to help him."
"Even if it's pointless?"
Red bloomed over her orb. "It's not pointless! You can't see how hard everyone's fighting?"
Silas swallowed. "But—"
"It's okay to be afraid so long as you don't get overwhelmed! Isn't that what you said? So please, Silas, keep trying!"
She was right, blessed thing. Louis had gotten much powerful, which meant that Link must be fighting with everything he's got. All for their sake.
Silas got up, staring back at the taunting mists. They played around, little snakes that slithered in the air before returning to the dome.
He was suddenly angry, so angry with himself. It took a person like Irela, it took a trip to the catacomb, it took Louis to ravage his town, for him to see how much his sister had sacrificed for his sake. If he can't save his own blood, then what hope did he have of saving his town? What had he ever done for her, aside from giving her grief and loneliness?
With a deep breath, Silas whipped out his dagger and slashed it down as hard as he could. Unlike the shadows, it felt as if he was trying to make a dent from a wall. His muscles sored as he gritted his teeth, forcing the dagger to go all the way down. Grey tried to help him but for some reason, his sword couldn't get through.
Finally, Silas wounded up creating a narrowed gap. "I…I need you to stay out here, Grey. Lead my people in case we fall."
"Silas—"
"This is an order from your Lord," Silas said sharply. "I will bring my sister back and…and if I don't come back, then fight for my home." He gave Grey a hard look when the man opened his mouth, just daring for him to contradict.
The captain shut his mouth. "Good luck in there," he said, reluctantly. "If you need us, we'll be out here."
The numbers of shadows were dwindling. There was no need to worry about the villagers any longer. They knew how to fight back. The soldiers were gaining control over their troops. Even these strange, bulky shadows were realizing that, as they tried to get away.
Like a cleft in the weald of his home, Silas had to squeeze his way into the hole he's made. Stepping through it, he was immediately taken away from his home and thrust into the middle of a tempest.
Wild wind blew at his face, almost tossing him right out. The hole behind him patched right up, mist swirling over it. The coldness of it left his teeth chattering. He hugged himself, dagger hanging down from one pale hand. The ominous mists undulated like waves in the sea, frazzled as the wind tore through them.
There was just enough light to see the ground a foot away but no further. The dome came to life on its own, blurring everything around him in this frost of wind. He shielded his eyes, planting his feet firmly on the ground with each step.
Despair began to slip into his thoughts. It felt like he was walking through in the bowels of a hurricane! The mists shredded like ribbons before the howl of the wind.
Where is she?
This smell was of something burning. Not flesh, but just something. Was this the retch of darkness? His body felt numb with the cold and he had put his dagger away, worried he'd drop it.
Another pressure existed within his mind. The detrimental voices that occupied his head were much louder.
"Just what do you think you're doing, boy?"
Louis often liked to empower or dampen emotions through soft whispers, little nudges. Not this time though. His voice appeared blunt, furious, as if Silas had the nerve of trying to ruin his plans and save his sister.
He couldn't read minds. Silas was certain of that. He was also certain that Louis couldn't really alter emotions, but inspire them to get the right reaction he wanted.
"I suggest you stop pushing, child, before my patience wears off."
Silas kept pushing. "I'm saving my sister!" he yelled at the wind. The moment he opened his mouth, all the moisture in there was gone as the cold wind shoved against him. He raised one hand to his mouth, gritting his teeth.
"You think a boy of your impediment can save her?"
"I'll try," Silas growled. The gust was so powerful in his ears, he could barely hear himself.
"You will die."
"I don't care."
"I will kill her if you come any closer."
Silas stopped. His bangs brushed over his forehead, his clothes billowing. "No," he whispered. "You won't. You're still afraid of her, aren't you?"
Something pushed him. The air knocked out from his lungs as he was thrown off the ground, the wind forcing him to roll. Silas's hand reached out, his nails finding a gap between the cobbles. He glanced up to see an image vaguely made out in the mist. The figure vanished, the wind pressed much harder. Silas's fingers slipped and he rolled helplessly over the cobbles, losing a great deal of progress.
It kept shoving and shoving, until this time he stabbed his dagger down. The blade went between two cobblestones, keeping him still. His hair slashed against his face, as he got himself up to his feet.
"I will kill her."
The same phantom appeared, with a figure crisper than earlier. No features, no outlines. Just mists collecting and melding to make the shape.
"I really will. I'll let you watch."
Silas felt only anger towards the being. "You don't frighten me," he hissed, slashing down the phantom with his dagger.
The man shouted angrily, screaming out curses and threats. At once the wind died out. It was so sudden, and since Silas had been leaning forward to push against it, he was thrown off balance.
There was now…complete silence.
The only sound there was were the ones he was making—the pebbles grinding under his shoes, his controlled deep breathing, the hard thumping in his heart.
The mists were calmer now, moving in smoother, relaxed strides. This silence was somehow worse. It felt as if a bomb was charging up for him. He shuddered, made aware of his loneliness.
That's how she is, he thought. She's always so quiet. It's not because she likes it.
She tries to accept it, his father had told him. No one ever wants to be truly alone.
Doubts piled over his head, but he shook them off. No more. Lamenting about his problems had done nothing.
He kept on walking with a firmer step. "Sophia!" He jumped when his voice returned to him in an echo, as if he was trapped in a cave.
"Why do you keep fighting me, boy?"
Silas's heart nearly lurched out his chest. He searched around but the voice belonged to the air, all around him.
"Really, why? Don't you see my new shadows? Don't you see my mists wrapping your town and making its own? Why don't you understand that the end had come to claim you all?"
"You are not the end, Louis," Silas spat. This man really does think so highly of himself. "Do you know what you are? Do you want me to tell you?"
There was a scoff. No figure showed up though. "I'd tell you to be careful with that tone, but I know it won't do any good."
"And I'd tell you about Link's blade, but I know you've already tasted it." Silas had to smile at that, thinking of how this redoubtable king had been brought to his knees, clutching his arm like that.
The mists distorted for a moment, as if sensing Louis's anger. "I could've cured you, child. Did you know that?"
Silas stopped.
"Why, yes, I could," Louis said, almost in a purr. "Oh, I could've done wonders for you. I could've fixed your sister's memories, the ones you have damaged. I could've turned her from that unsavory, recalcitrant girl into a true Lady. And for you, I could've made you into a man, a warrior, a leader. I could've fixed you two."
Silas stared at the mists. To be normal…it was something he prayed for. A day where he'd wake up and didn't need to drink his medicines and watch his health. Everyone around him treated him as if he was a rare glass sculpture that needed to be polished, carried, and then put away so no one could touch him, lest they break him.
He saw something, a figure in the silent river of mists.
It grew cold enough that Silas could see his breath, fogging out his mouth.
"I could fix you," Louis said again, in that soft tone. "I warn you, Silas, I will only show clemency if you obey me now. I could make you into a stronger man so you could protect your sister. Don't you want to take care of her?"
Silas began walking to the figure, ignoring the temptation as he fixated a single goal in his mind. "We don't need to be fixed."
"I can cure you both."
"We don't need to be cured. We are not incomplete." It took so long to see that. "We never were."
The voice gave up when he approached the quiescent girl. She had wrapped her arms around her knees, bringing them to her chest to bury her face in.
He hesitated. "Sophia…" He went down to his knee, shaking her shoulder. "Hey, Sophia. It's me, Silas."
She didn't look up.
"Sophia!" he snapped.
She shivered instead, muttering something he couldn't hear.
"What? What is it?" He strained to hear her and finally understood.
"My name," she whispered, lifting her head. His breath stopped and his heart twisted. Her pale face streaked with tears, eyes wide and desperate. "My name…I don't—"
"What do you mean you don't know your name?" he demanded. "It's Sophia!"
"My name…my ribbons…" She choked, seeming to shrink. "I don't remember anything."
He stared at her, his confidence shrivel. "Not even me?" Looking at her remorse now, he shook his head. "No, don't say it. Sophia, you can't—"
"I don't know you," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I never met you before."
A dagger seemed to have stabbed his stomach, twisting. "Sophia…"
"I'm sorry. I-I don't know you." She squeezed her eyes shut, turning away as if the sight of him pained her.
"No, no, you do." He took her hand, gripping it. "You remember me, Sophia. Swim around, dig in deep for memories like you always do! By the Goddess, you can't forget me."
She didn't seem to listen to him, and he didn't know if he had the heart to do this. There was too much misery and confusion in her eyes. This person had been his anchor in this nightmare, his rock. How could this happen to his sweet sister? Why her? What did she ever do to deserve this?
He held her hand. It was cold to touch and he squeezed them both with two of his own. "You remember me," he whispered, blinking hard. "I'm…I'm your brother, we're twins. We-we play in the gardens, we prank the servants, we—" He hugged her. She didn't return it, mute.
"I never should've left you!" he cried earnestly, burying his head into her shoulder. "I should've stayed! You were so alone all those years! I'm so sorry!"
He stayed there, whispering to her ear, trying to get anything from her. Any memory. Anything at all. Still, her eyes remained unfamiliar, only more confused. The way she looked at him, as if she couldn't recall his name…it shattered him.
Somehow he could handle the invasion, but this was too much for him.
Wait, I could bring her back! The same way Grey brought me!
Silas looked back at his sister, still met with that blank slate. For a moment, his hand hesitated before it slapped her. A weak blow. She didn't blink. He took a deep breath and then did it again. Her face turned the other way, but nothing sparked in those dull eyes.
If he wanted his sister back, he needed more effort. Gritting his teeth, he delivered a fierce blow, the smack of flesh sounded in the air. A hit like that would wake up anyone but Sophia didn't stir.
In panicked despair, he slapped her again, and even pinched her so hard that the skin split. Nothing. Not even a blink. She kept staring into nothingness, tears streaking down her face.
Laughter bloomed around him.
Look who failed!
I look away for one moment to find you brawling!
See what happens?
Silas pressed his hands over his ears, cringing.
"Should've taken up my offer while you still had the chance," Louis sang, appearing in his phantom form, just behind Sophia. His face didn't have any outlines.
Louis shook his head, as if disappointed. "I told you, child, I could've cured her. I could've fixed her, but what did you say?"
"Get away from us!" Silas screamed.
"Silas, Silas, why do you keep hurting her? You had the chance to save her and you completely rebuffed it! Now she can't even remember her own brother. Why do you keep doing this to her?"
Silas's breath hitched. He turned to Sophia. "Your memories aren't lost," he whispered. "They're buried. That's what Father said."
"Your father is dead," Louis said vehemently. "So is everyone in this worthless town. You two are the only ones—"
"Shut up!" Silas shouted, throwing whatever he grabbed at Louis. The stone shot through the form, disturbing it for a moment before it went solid, or as solid as it could be.
Louis didn't pause at the outburst. "Silas, I'm proposing a great offer. It won't do you well if you keep jilting me. Just look at how much your poor sister is suffering. Don't you want to help her?"
How can I help her? Silas bowed his head down, the weight of it crushing him. I…I can't…
She was nothing but a shell. What could he do, to get rid of that pain?
"You…you're lying to me!" Silas brought his sister close to him, away from Louis.
"And why would I lie?" Louis asked, the misty head cocked to the side. Strange that his eyes didn't cut through it, like red gems. Or was he really here? "Really, Silas, I could just bring my shadows to finish you."
"Then why don't you?"
"I like you, despite your meddling. You remind me so much of myself." Louis stared him down, and Silas could make faint impressions of red eyes. "If you want me to save your sister, all you have to do is say the word. Haven't you done enough harm?"
Silas held his twin tighter. This was just another ploy, another trap. But by the Goddesses, it was so tempting, more than any nightshades he'd ever craved for.
No…no, don't fall for it. Don't fall for it.
Louis sighed. "She did more for you than you have ever done for her. She never cared for her own pain. No matter how much you've jilted her, how much you've abused and belittled her, she endured it all for your sake." He looked almost furious. "And here you are, being the selfish brat you've always been."
Silas flinched.
"Even now, amidst her terror, she would rather see you safe and sound. It could mean her death, and yet she does it out of her own volition. Despite knowing this, you still hesitate?"
Silas lowered his head, choking.
She never cares about herself. It's always been about me.
About me.
Silas paused.
Louis saw this as consideration. "If you tell your people to surrender, I will help your sister. People trust you a little too much. You wouldn't want them to suffer for it. After all, you are a bastard and…"
The rest of Louis's blabbering became nonsensical. The more Silas thought about it, the more it made sense on why he couldn't provoke his sister.
No matter how messy or bloody the battlefield got, you will always see Sophia prowling through it. Nothing could ever stop her, not pain, not logic. Only until every enemy was put to the ground. Unlike him, Sophia didn't mind physical pain. It can't stop her. It can't intimidate her. And it certainly won't bring her back.
Louis stopped his rambling, frowning slightly when Silas raised his dagger. "Now just what are you—"
The blade had gotten dull and dirty, so Silas had to run the length between thumb and forefinger. With that done, he used the tip across his forearm, gritting his teeth at the pain which brought forth blood.
Now Sophia reacted. Her eyes widened, wincing, as if it was her that Silas had cut. "What are you doing?"
Silas slapped himself.
"What are you doing, you idiot?" Sophia demanded, horrified when Silas started to cut himself. "Stop that!"
He raised his hand to slap her but she caught it swiftly, the hand hurting him. "Silas, what the fuck," she seethed. "What are you doing?!"
Emotions. That was where it hurts. That was the weapon he'd used against her, when she went up against Irela, when they were both children.
Silas smiled, tears leaking from his eyes. "You do remember! I-I knew it!"
"What's wrong with you? Of course I would! What kind of question is that?" she snapped.
Silas sniffed. "You do remember. There's no way you could forget your own name."
"My name? It's—" She stopped. Terror seized her suddenly, startling Silas. "My…my name…" Instinctively, her hand went at her forearm, and that terror drained all the colors from her face. "My-my ribbons—"
Silas growled and he tried to slap her. His hand didn't make it before she grabbed it in midair, and boy does she look furious.
"Silas—"
But not nowhere as near as furious as he was. "You don't need them, you bloody fool!" he shouted. "You never ever needed them! All that preach talk about looking at the stars, each memory standing out for itself! What was all that for then?"
"They were everything to me!" she shot at him. "They were—they were my—"
"—memories," Silas said solemnly, taking off his own ribbon. The blue one he'd given to the bandits so that they could convince Sophia to come back, the same one she returned to him so that he could remember. "You mean like this, right? This one you gave to me so I could remember you."
"Yes, like that."
He tore it up right in front of her, slowly, deliberately.
Sophia's face went smack. "What-what are you—"
"I don't need a stupid ribbon to remind me that I have a sister," he said flatly. "And you don't need a stupid ribbon to remind you that you have a brother. What, you want one to tell you how to go to the privy? You need one to remind you how to eat and breath too? As a matter of fact, why don't you just wrap yourself in ribbons while you're at it?"
Her eyes went dark. "Stop it."
"You stop it first! Quiet being such a fool!" he said hotly. "You don't remember me, your own blood, just because you don't have a bunch of ugly, outdated ribbons? Father always said that memories will stay with you!"
"I need them!"
"No, you don't! I'm sorry to tell you this, but they're redundant. They've been redundant for years! You look like some child clutching to a doll that's far past its date!"
Sophia grounded her teeth. "Listen here—"
"They don't help you and they don't hurt you. What's my name?"
"I don't—"
He wouldn't let her finish that sentence. "What's my name?"
"I—" Sophia glowered at him. "I told you I can—"
"What's my bloody name?"
"Silas!" she blurted out, then blinked, as if surprised with herself. "I—you're name is Silas…"
"Who is our Father?"
"Lawrence but—"
"And our mother?"
"E-Emilia—"
"Our mother!" he snapped. "Our real mother!"
"Quit shouting at me!"
"Who is our mother?!" he shouted.
"It's…it's…" Sophia rubbed her head, gasping. The pain must be so excruciating but he saw her actually thinking. He had never stop to really consider the challenges she must face, each hour of each day of her life. "I…the woman who…who sang for us…" She closed her eyes, cringing, sweat beading down her face. "I-I can't, Silas…"
"You can. You're so close." Silas lay a hand on her shoulder. "The woman who tucked us into bed, who gave us names to resemble hers, who…who was there for us no matter what…You remember her, don't you?" A lump lodged into his throat. "Our real mother all these years."
"Sally," Sophia said in a small voice. "It's Sally, isn't it? The one…the one who killed our father. She's our real mother."
Silas nodded, pressing his forehead against hers. "And our butler? The irritable man who made it his business to know everyone else's business? The one who refuses to see you fight?" he asked softly.
"I…I remember his face but it's so foggy," she whispered. "My head hurts…"
"I know." Silas closed his eyes, desperately trying to imagine her pain, imagine the life she had led up to this point. Admit the mists flowing around them like a river, in a town that was on the edge of destruction, the only one who had balanced it all out was this brave, broken woman with him. "He loved us though. We put mud into his coat, we put salt into his tea, but he stayed with us all these years." Had Viktor known the truth about their bastardry? Would he have stayed if he knew?
Sophia began to cry.
Silas held her closer. "It's okay," he said, his own voice getting thick. "It's okay."
"I'm not brave, Silas. I'm sorry. I've lied to you. I've always lied."
"No," he said. "You are brave. It's okay to be scared. I don't want you to pretend anymore." He swallowed. "The butler. You need to tell me his name."
She said nothing for a moment, but he could feel her thinking, feel her agony. How was it like, to search for one's memories? To remember the people you've grown up with?
"He was an ass," she muttered, sniffing. "But…I see his face. It's..." A soft gasp left her. "I think I see him. An old one, right? He's always frowning even when he's happy."
Silas chuckled. "Yeah, he is, isn't it? It's almost like he doesn't want to show that he has a heart." He closed his eyes, trying to block out Louis's voice, the one taunting to him that his butler was dead. "He wasn't sagacious; he wasn't forgiving, but he had been with us. True, he could be a bit callous, and—"
"Viktor."
Silas smiled. "Yeah. And your cat friend? Do you remember his name?"
"I don't remember his voice," Sophia said miserably, tearfully. "He's been with me from the beginning, right?"
Silas nodded, her head on his shoulder, his hand rubbing her back. "Yes, but it's okay if you don't remember for now. It all comes back to you, doesn't it? You once told me that remembering a memory is like finding the candy you've forgotten in your pocket."
"I remember some things, yes, but the details…they slide away from me so quick. You'd think they're afraid of me." She hugged him tighter. "It helps to have someone remind me. I know it can be annoying."
"It's never annoying."
"I'd find it annoying, but Simon helps me by being my journal at times. He even—" Sophia stopped and he could almost see her face, that pure look of astonishment.
Silas closed his eyes. "The name of our captain. The man who's a part of our family from the start."
"Grey," she whispered.
"The jerk in the green tunic? The one you had to keep bringing him back?" Silas chuckled softly. "I swear, I feel like you're the only one who could punch him and get away with it."
There was some hesitation in her reply. "He…he loves to drink."
"Yup."
"And he flirts with me."
Silas felt a tick in his eye. "Yup."
"And he's the hero. Link. That's his name, right?"
"Do you remember his fairy too? The one that changes colors, smarter than I am?" He pulled her back, and smiled, wiping her tears with his thumbs. "The one who'd traveled with us in the catacombs?"
Sophia swallowed. "K…Katie…" She closed her eyes, her face filled with fatigue and misery.
Silas grasped her shoulder, forcing her to look up. "You? What's your name? What's the name of the daughter of Lawrence Haidrund? The noblewoman who's defended her town and her family?"
These tears were different than before. It was the tears of someone who spent her life struggling with a hidden disease no one could understand. It was someone who was too afraid to speak up, so worried to say the wrong thing. The girl who took refuge in the shadows but breaks out from it the moment she sensed someone needed her.
Though she made her presence unknown at times, she tried so hard to keep everyone safe, cherishing her memories enough to keep away years worth of resentment and bitterness.
"You are brave," Silas whispered, holding her hand. "I could never live with what you have. No one could live with what you have. Only you. You inspired me. I wouldn't have fought back if it weren't for you. I-I promised you that I would learn to forgive myself, for your sake. So…please help me. I don't know how to do it so I need your help."
That was what his sister would want. She would want to help him, help people.
"I need you, Sophia. I need you to protect me, to help me. But first, you have to say your name."
The mists were gone, vanished in a quiet breath. The dim light of the city brightened things around them. Wagons nearby had its flames extinguished, smoke lingering from blackened wood. There were no more shadows, but those of the living, who were amazed to see the mist gone, and to see their Lord and Lady.
"Sophia," she said, sobbing. "My name…my name is Sophia Haidrund, daughter of Lawrence…sister…twin sister of Silas."
Silas embraced her and for once, he didn't shed a single tear. His emotions remained firm, as he felt his shoulder soaked. It felt good to comfort her for a change, to know that there was something he could do for her. It will take all his life to make up for everything she'd done for him.
"Sophia!" Katie squealed, fluttering over to them. "You two are okay!"
Sophia smiled, cupping the fairy in her hands. One teardrop fell over her. "Katie…I still remember you."
"Of course you do! You wouldn't forget about me." Katie giggled, turning slightly blue. "I'm so glad you two made it out! I knew you could do it!"
The villagers shared her relief, some thanking Din, and others raised their weapons and cheered. Grey on the other hand looked like he was recovering from a heart attack. Silas smiled, helping his sister to her feet.
"We know how to beat Louis," Silas told his sister, then turned to his people. For them to see the twins breaking out from Louis's dome, it greatly ameliorated their chance.
"His power is not only coming from fear, but that of the shadows," he confirmed, pointing at the dome that covered the town square. "When we fear, that monster has the ability to summon shadows. These shadows have been herded to be used in bringing both chaos and to act as energy boost to give him an edge in battle."
"Some of them vanished before you two came out," Grey said grimly, which only meant one thing.
Link was in trouble.
"A lot of shadows showed up too," someone said, looking a bit frightened by the uneasy way she held her dagger. "There's just so many of them."
Louis took full advantage over Sophia and Silas's moment of weakness. "We will not let that stop us," Katie insisted. "Link will save us! He's the only one who could stop him!"
Silas nodded. "That's right. We need to help him."
"Your orders, my Lord?" Grey asked at once.
Everyone waited for him to speak, even Sophia turned to him. Silas squared up his shoulders, looking to each of them.
"Link is the hero chosen by the Goddesses themselves," he claimed. "We all saw him challenge Louis, but this king is more crafty than we gave him credit for. These shadows linger not to just slaughter us, but to assist him in battle."
"He's too much of a coward," Sophia spat.
"Link cannot win this battle without our help." Silas's eyes went narrow. "Captain, my order is this, and this goes for the rest of you as well. We are not going to survive; we are going to fight. We are going to drive these monsters from whence it came. The moment we banish both fear and shadows from our hearts and land is the moment our hero can seize our victory.
"No more running, no more cowering. Louis will not get away with this." Silas took out his dagger. "We will win this fight! We will take back our home! We will avenge those who have fallen! We will free those hunters and Desmera! Now who's with me?!"
A mighty cheer shouted from the crowd, weapons thrust into the air in defiance against Louis's cage. A great tempest of determination, of hope, of fearlessness. Silas grinned, turning to see Sophia and Katie feeling the same way. Grey nodded in assent.
Silas waited until the excitement quieted. "Now we must drive them out. I don't want to see a single filth in my land." It didn't take him too long to think on it, with the numbers they have. "We must go into groups, each that will focus on a task. One to take the elderly and those who cannot fight to someplace save. Those who will hand out weapons. Those who will administer field surgery and medic. And lastly, troops that will be assign to each district of the town. We must fight as one!"
Grey waved his hand towards his soldiers. "You heard your Lord! Lieutenants, arrange your squad and get your surgeons ready! We need people out there organizing themselves! Groups of dozens should head to each district!"
"Katie, you must return to the battle," Silas said. "Link will need you. Louis must've gotten too strong." It showed enough how Louis was able to divide his attention between Silas and Link.
Katie fluttered up and down, the Hylian equivalence of a nod. "Louis patched up the hole Sophia made."
Sophia cracked her knuckles. "Then I'll make it again. I'll try not to interfere with the fight. Just remind me."
Silas paused. "Are you going to be okay?" He knew he shouldn't bother with the question, but after seeing her so defeated and beaten down, he just needed to make sure. He had to remember that she was Hylian first, not an insuperable warrior with no weakness.
"I'll be fine," she assured. "You focus on things here, focus on our people."
"Just don't interfere with the fight, okay?" he said. "You're also needed here."
"I'll make sure she doesn't," Katie promised, while Sophia gave him an irritated look. The fairy stopped suddenly, gasping out loud. "Wait, what time is it?"
Grey frowned. "What time? We're fighting a battle!"
Katie moved so quick to his face that he nearly tripped, a flush of yellow and red. "Tell me the time or else!"
"Gah! Okay then! Anyone got a watch on them?"
A young woman pointed at the clock nearby. "It's a quarter past eleven."
Katie turned to yellow, turning sternly to Grey. "You have to tell me when its midnight, okay? This is really important!"
Grey wanted to complain.
"Just do it! I don't have the time to explain it to you!" Katie turned over to Sophia. "Come on, we have to go!"
Silas didn't know what was that about, but he did chuckle slightly. The captain sighed exasperatedly, telling one of his scouts to keep on eye on his watch.
Silas watched his sister and fairy friend leave, before he began to arrange his people into groups based on height and strength. He took a larger one to lead them downtown, drowning one potion and then taking out his dagger.
It was time to fight for real.
Link was losing pretty badly over here.
Louis was enjoying himself at the sight. Blood was on his hands, none of it his, and licked it, staring at Link with hunger. His arrows had lengthen to spears and those spears then lengthen into harpoons. They fired like thick tunnels of black smoke, leaving a thicker trail of mists. Link froze when one passed over his skin, inches away.
"Not so brave without your little fairy, now are we? Aren't you just—"
Link slapped himself. Anyone watching would think he'd lost it, but the pain was actually effective. It brought his mind out from the fog.
Louis snorted. "You think that will be enough to keep me at bay?"
"I think my sword can do that just fine," Link said cheekily. The sword hadn't lost its glow, and it seemed to be getting only more fulgent, to a point where Link's eyes began to sting. "Ready to lose the other one?"
Louis darkened, and disappeared to another cloud of mist. Somehow, Link could feel him everywhere. Pressure pressed him from all sides, a strange kind of pain that his mind screamed to.
Link wavered, his breath taking its time to reach his lungs. He could only spare a glance over his shoulder from where Katie had escaped. Of course Louis sealed up the hole. What the hell is going on over there?
There was no way Sophia could fall for this guy's tricks. But at the same time, Louis would never have gotten to be this powerful.
If things get ugly, at least Katie managed to stay out of it.
Link took a deep breath, his eyebrow soaked with so much sweat that one eventually beaded over his eye, stinging it. He didn't wipe it off, his eyes darting everywhere. The mists from the ground rose up much higher like reeds in a lake. They waved playfully, and every time he looked upon them, he wondered if a shadow would be formed to attack him from behind.
Eventually, Louis showed up, and immediately began to fire harpoons. They skimmed through the air in a blur. Link blocked it off, but the attack was so fierce and solid, he was forced to take steps back. He could feel his strength waning, his mind so tired. It would've been better if he could make himself mad, but he didn't have any energy to spare for that.
At one point, he tripped over, landing on his back. He used a hookshot quick to latch onto a stall nearby, getting away when Louis reappeared to put a boot to his neck. The cobblestones shattered as Link dragged himself away, his back hitting the ground.
He scrambled to his feet, panting heavily, feeling woozy and sick. This pressure…it was just like in the catacombs but worse. The very air itself was even thicker than mud.
The king grinned widely, making a gesture that beckoned Link to come at him. Link grounded his teeth, but the gesture was not for him.
Something was behind him. He saw it too late. It cut through his clothes, reaching into his skin and down to his muscles. Link skidded to the side, preventing the blade from impaling him entirely. It still got him good.
He can do that?!
Link felt like an idiot. He figured that without a sword arm, Louis's blade would be pretty much useless. But with his newfound strength, clouds of black mists took up the sword, lifting it up for Louis to guide.
Link stumbled down to one knee, leaning on his sword. He had one potion left, but he knew he shouldn't take it until Katie returned. Louis smiled deeply, twisting his wrist to bring the blade up, pointing it right at Link.
Link was too tired, to a point where he saw doubles. The pain was too great for him to move out. Still, he got to his feet anyways, swaying. So…tired…
"Once I finish you off, I'll come for your little fairy next. I do wonder if she's made out of pure light with so much darkness inside!" Louis laughed, throwing down his hand and the sword plunged down with an alarming speed. Link's eyes widened until something incredible happened.
It missed.
The sword didn't just miss. Louis's aim was often terrifyingly accurate, but his aim was completely off the mark, sailing past Link's head and disappearing somewhere in the stalls. Link thought it would come back to stab him in the back, another dirty trick, but a look from Louis told him that he hadn't meant for that to happen.
Through the chaos of the battle, Link hadn't heard Sophia breaking her way in. Her knuckles were reddened but didn't bleed. At her side, Katie fluttered with the brightest glow of yellow he'd ever seen her in.
Link took the distraction to drown his last potion.
Across the square, Louis fumed, the eyes looked as if they might burst. "You…how dare you interfere!"
Sophia turned to the king, as if noticing him for the first time.
"I should've had Irela kill you the moment she arrived to Desmera!" he snapped. "You wretched woman!"
Sophia paused. "Who are you again?" she asked lamely.
Louis glowered, fuming with too much anger that he couldn't speak.
"Where've you been, woman?" Link demanded. "You know the trouble you caused me?"
Sophia shot him a look. "I don't remember," she snapped. "Are you going to pester me about it, or are you going to kick his ass this time? Should I do it instead?"
Link rolled his shoulders back, the red potion kicking in, renewing his energy, healing his cuts and bruises. "No." He smiled widely at the growling king. "He's all mine."
Katie went at his side, glowing a powerful yellow. This color belonged to her entirely, beaming yellow at the center and reddish at the outline. Whatever was going to happen now, they were almost done with this fight.
This is it.
Link could feel it, could even see it in Louis's eyes. There were no potions left, no upper hand, no blessings to work with. All he had were his fast wits, his Master Sword, and his instincts. And a fairy to guide him.
Link could feel this unnatural influence dissipating a little, as a new motivation came to him. Desmera will stand while he was around. It. Will. Not. Fall.
He will make sure of it.