This chapter was waaaay too long so I had to cut it into two. Second part will come out (hopefully) soon.

We'll finish this arc off after that, so get ready.

PART FIFTY-FIVE - THE SHADOW OF MY KIN

Louis may be left with one hand but he still had an edge. Shadows rose on his command and Link, undeterred, ran over to them, fighting them off as best as he could.

Meanwhile, Katie fluttered over his shoulder, shouting out if any shadows disappeared randomly since Louis either uses them for a boost, or was going to get one to sneak up on them. His attacks were getting deceptive. Just when Katie thought she figured him out, he'd turn the tables on them, leaving her consternated and frustrated.

She wanted to believe they were doing well. Louis was getting as vexed at the prolonged battle as she was. Link's trained fortitude gave him better defenses against the influence. Despite this, Louis just won't sit still. He'd vanish a second before the sword could get anywhere near him. Katie worried that any more of this nonsense could lead Link too furious to listen to her.

Link growled when the king disappeared, leaving the area empty. Like weeds, mists wiggled from the cracks of the cobblestone, going as far as Link's knees.

"Don't forget he's doing this on purpose," Katie told him.

"I know." Link tried to calm himself down but it didn't help when Louis reappeared again. "You going to keep doing this all night?"

Katie darkened. Of course he'd do that. At dawn, the hunter's souls who've been the first to be sacrificed would turn into those shadows. At that point, Louis will be far too powerful to be stopped.

We won't be able to win like this! When's midnight?

"Is that all you want?" Katie spat. "Just power and revenge?" Instantly, she felt him pressing on her emotions. The whispers were there, trying to disguise themselves as her inner voice.

Louis chuckled dryly. He stood there with his free hand shrouded in black smoke. "And what do you care of what I desire?" His grin went savage. "Or is it, perhaps, that the shadow's origin?"

"Those people didn't do anything to you!" she shouted, beaming red. "And you still keep torturing them!"

"He doesn't give a damn," Link said, sounding annoyed.

Katie kept droning on. "I mean, really, all this chaos is not good enough for you? You have to kill everyone just to get to the general?"

The king snorted disdainfully. "It will never be enough even if I break mountains, set the sky ablaze, dry the oceans. It will never be enough," Louis said darkly, the smoke in his hands sharpened at the ends. "You think darkness could ever be satiated? It is a plague, little one. It spreads. Unfettered. Voracious."

As he spoke, the mists from his hand began to eat up on his arm, spreading over his shoulder. His face remained calm. "It won't be satisfied until it takes everything." Before the mists could reach his face, he twisted his hand. At once, the mists melted into a ball on his palm. Somehow, despite being a Hylian, he wielded the dark power as if a part of his limb.

"That's how Hylains get Corrupted then?" Katie huffed. "You just use the weakness of others!"

Louis frowned slightly. "You know this as well as I do. Darkness could sense their desires, fulfill their needs, pleasing their host to the point of self-destruction. Too much success lead to madness. You get drunk on it, desiring for more. It becomes too much for a person to handle."

Katie became anxious. In truth, she had no desire for this pep talk. Link shot her an annoyed look but paused at her color.

"Why did you give people nightmares of your arrival?" she asked. "I mean, if you really wanted to take over the town and its people, you wouldn't have threatened them like that."

Louis bristled, a deep growl resounded from him. "I don't know anything about that."

Link was surprised enough to lower his sword. "Come again?"

"I had nothing to do with those nightmares," the king admitted, irritated. "That was never my work."

That made more sense. You wouldn't set up a warning post right near a trap. The nightmares had actually worked against Louis. It would've ruined his whole plan had he been not quick enough, and had Misko not been there for his convenience.

No, someone was helping them. Someone had been warning of them of Louis's plans from the beginning. Who? A part of her hoped for Zelda, but it seemed far fetched. Perhaps the Goddesses? Might be, but then again they chose Link for a hero, so their choices aren't really conspicuous.

Who then? Who was on their side?

"What about the general?" she asked lightly, knowing that this was a touchy subject. "How can you hope to defeat someone like him?"

Louis waved his free hand, causing the smoke in them to waver. "He isn't as invincible as he claims he is."

This sounded interesting. "But he made all those commanders. He took over Hyrule Castle!"

"Under who's rule and help?"

Katie paused. The real monster behind Hyrule's destruction, the creature that had been boiling right beneath the castle. Every year on her birthday, Zelda would go down there alone and use her sacred powers to reinforce the seal.

Louis grinned maliciously. "Once this world is filled with enough chaos, the King of Demise will rise up once again! Charles is nothing more than a tool! We all are! But that bastard thinks so highly of himself. It's lubricious!"

Katie hesitated. "But…didn't he give you power?"

Louis scowled, eyes beaming. "The only reason he gave me power is because he had assistance. Tell me, fairy, do you know what Charles is truly?"

"His…his true name is Chabrous."

"Meaning?" Louis scoffed derisibly when she colored confusion. "I was under the impression that you were fluent in the ancient language."

She was but she never expected the word might originate from the old language. Now that she pondered over it, splitting up the Cha and the Bras, she realized the profound unpleasantness packed into that single word. "Grief, despair, hopelessness, misery…"

"…Corruption." Louis nodded. "These aren't his powers. They are him."

"A force," Link spoke up. "That's what he is."

"I'm surprised you two haven't figured it out yet," Louis mused. "Yes, Charles is the force that drives men to ultimate despair and grief. He used to be just that, a simple force, an emotion much like love, hope. Until His Great Majesty granted him a conscious mind."

Katie nearly fell from the air out of horror. "That-that shouldn't be possible!"

"And yet it was."

"That's against nature!"

Louis chuckled in mirth. "Darkness is nature. Isn't that what your Goddess indoctrinates? Besides, His Majesty has done many things possible. At one point, he even brought his own sword to life. Now, he allowed the very essence of misery to come forth. A force of nature himself, that bastard walks this world in the form of a Hylian, changing his appearance as he pleases, recruiting those he deems worthy of being his commanders and—"

"—and drinking wine with milk," Link interjected. Oh, of course he would gloss over everything since there was nothing worse than a bad taste in drinks. "Serious, he drinks that shit?"

"I know," Louis said, almost in dismay. "I keep having to drink it just to please him."

"Damn, really?"

Katie spluttered, "Wha—Link, don't feel bad for him!" Come to think of it, didn't he have the same quarrel about it over with Mathilda? She sighed. "So, if you manage to take over the town, he'll show up?"

Louis narrowed his eyes, perhaps realizing how she was making up things to keep the discussion going. A normal person would've suspected something, but for someone so stuffed with pride and ego—and isolated in a tunic for so long—left him garrulous. "He could sense places where extreme grief and sorrow cumulates, as they are his form. This town will be perfect to draw him in."

Katie tried not to make it obvious that she expected a signal coming from outside. There were figures beyond, but through the thickness of the dome, she had a hard time distinguishing between Hylians and shadows.

With a scoff, Link rested his sword on his shoulder. "You really think that's going to work? Pretty sure he'd see it coming."

"Even so, I'll hold the most power!" Louis raised his fist where mists crawled between the fingers.

"You just said the guy is literally fear itself!"

"He can be defeated, by my hand or by yours, hero."

Link went rigid. "I'm not the hero."

Oh no.

A grin split over on Louis's face, wide enough to show teeth. He vanished. Katie had seconds to cry out Link's name when Louis showed up, firing a large shadowed arrow. Link knocked it out of the air, but the attack had been heavy as he stumbled a few steps back. Another attack followed that one, but Louis deceptively changed its course, making it curve so that the arrow doesn't fire straight, but shy at the right, nearly striking Link at his side.

"He-ro!" Louis taunted. "So much fear! What a delight!"

"Link, don't listen to him! Listen to me!" Katie urged, trying to keep herself on his shoulder. He moved too quickly, and often times, she had to separate from him before an arrow could strike her as well.

Louis reappeared, hard boots landing on the cobbles as he slashed forth an arrow. "Even if you save these people, boy, you think you can save this kingdom? Nothing but ashes will remain!"

When's midnight?

It should be here by now. Why wasn't anyone alerting her like she had asked? Glancing over at the dome, she found it insufferably thick to see through.

Worrying over it distracted her enough that she nearly missed a grunt from Link. He had to keep swinging his sword as more shadows rushed at him all at once. One arrow sailed over his head and it had missed on purpose.

"Link, behind you!" Katie cried, but it was too late.

Link jerked forward. The edges of his eyes went wild as the arrow had turned to strike him at the back. He didn't move for a moment, staring into the air in a daze. Then his sword clattered and he fell down on his knees with it.

"Link!"

Louis threw his head back into a barking laugh.

Katie reached over to Link, sinking down to his level. He wheezed, looking as if he were drowning. He clutched the front of his tunic, eyes wide with terror.

"Link, you have to listen to me!"

Dry coughs burst out of him, his fingers dug into his clothes, pressing onto his chest. His mouth opened, working around the pain, but it looked far too immense for him to even speak. Now the mists from the ground slowly started to latch onto him, like a deadly flower closing around a trapped fly.

"Oh, what a pity!" the king crackled. "The hero of Hyrule crumbles to his knees!"

Stall for time. She had to stall for time.

"You dummy!" she snapped, rising to the air. "You're just cheating because you know you can't beat him!"

Louis sniffed, almost indignant. "How many times must myself, you little bug? Darkness plays by no rules! Besides, I don't see how this is unfair. My powers are an extension of myself."

"Letting the shadows attack innocent people is not a fair play!"

Louis scoffed, raising a fist. At once, the swirling mists around him froze, and then, as if sucked by the wind, they coalesce into his fist.

He was going for the final kill. Of course he'd make it dramatic. That is how he inspires fear after all.

When is it midnight?!

Katie fluttered around frantically, trying to look at the dome for a single. There were only dark figures outlined beyond the thick veil, no doubt more shadows on the look out. But wait a minute—where they waving their arms?

The silhouettes were tall, shadow-like, waving their hands strenuously, but that made no sense. Shadows don't behave that way. Their eyes should be conspicuous too.

Then it hit her. Louis hasn't made the dome thick to keep Sophia out. He made it so that no one from the inside and outside could see what was going on. While it kept his show private, it also kept her and Link from getting help.

"Link, Link, you have to listen to me," Katie said urgently, dropping to his level. The mists were wrapping around his torso now, slowly but steadily bringing him down. "You have to use Nayru's blessing! It's midnight! It's another day, so that means your blessings are replenished!"

Link shuddered.

"Listen to me, dummy!"

A soft cry left him as he bowed his head. "It's so dark," he whispered. "It's so dark. I-I can't see."

Katie's color faltered before she tried to brighten herself up literally. "I'm right here for you."

"It's too deep." Link shook his head, choking. "I can't get out. I can't."

White nearly smothered the rest of her. How she hated to see him so defeated. The sight always twisted her on the inside. He'd always been so brave, hasn't he?

She had to be the same. It was her turn. With all her might, the white leaked out from her orb. "I'll help you out. I swear, I won't ever leave you."

"Agnes," Link said in a small voice, a desperate plea. True pain in his eyes. By now the vines were tangling up his neck but he didn't seem to notice, or care. "I-I need her…I need her…"

"Agnes isn't here right now, but I am. I won't ever let you get buried."

Louis's fist seemed grander as he cumulated the mists to form a large black ball that seemed to hiss. She could just see his power returning to his stature, his eyes glowing brighter.

"You can't help me." Link squeezed his eyes shut, the vines reaching his jawline and more of the mists rose up from the ground to reinforce their captive. "No one can. I-I can't get out."

"If you can't get out, then I won't either, okay?" She went to his face, her color a complete, reinforced yellow. Solid and determined, forcing him to look at her. "If you're stuck, then I'll be stuck with you."

His eyes opened and hardened at her, accusing. "You'll leave me. You'll just fly away."

"I won't." This time, with all her strength, she shined bright enough that he had to squint. "I'll always be here with you, no matter how much you drive me crazy, or how mean you can be. You won't be getting rid of me that easily!"

He stared at her, the vine stopped just before his eyes, nearly covering his face up with ink-like slime. "Swear."

"I swear." The air changed drastically, chilling her orb. They had seconds left. "Use Nayru's blessing now!"

A moment of silence struck, as if the air had suddenly stilled. Then it happened, like the crackle of thunder. For a moment, Katie thought Link hadn't listened to her until she saw that the rush of blackness that Louis unleashed didn't touch them at all. The mists, like vapors, wisped out of life the moment a blue shield sprung up.

A river roared around them, smothering every hint of light from the outside. Katie faltered mid air, but the light from the shield preserved them in a faint blue-light glow. It didn't assuage Link though, who stumbled forth when the mists released him, shaking everywhere. His breath had gone shallow, his face pale.

"You told Ruto that you need to believe you'll win in order to win," Katie said sternly, fluttering up and down. "So follow your code, Link!"

Link grasped his sword, using it to get up. His hands must've been sweaty for his grip slipped and he nearly fell on his face. "He's…so powerful."

"And you're even more powerful! Come on, Link, you're really going to let him get away with messing with you? You of all people? Those maids at the Zora's Palace, what did you do to them after they pour hot water over you? And those bandits that keep ambushing us, did you let them get away with wasting your time?"

The flood ended, showing Louis's befuddled expression. "What?"

"So what if he's a little tough? Don't you like a challenge?" Katie steamed with mist, her yellow shade deepening. "He's bullied you, treated you like a doll and trapped you here just to make a show out of you. Are you going to let him get away with it?"

Link regarded Louis with a different look. It somehow brought Link in a new light, one that made Louis hesitant. "No," Link said quietly, getting to his feet.

Louis regained his aplomb self, waving his hand. "You will die before this night ends."

"No," Link said thinly, quiet and calm as he took step forward. "I'll stick this sword right through your heart before you get the chance to see daylight tomorrow."

"Hero," Louis mocked. "You claim the opposite but look at you! This is what the Goddess chose? A boy so Corrupted?" The king chuckled, though his eyes were hard gems. "A Corrupted Hero. How lubricious."

"And you think you're any different? You're just some obsessive, sad little boy who thinks he can fight against a God." Link chuckled bitterly. "I haven't even met Charles, and I'm already betting money on the guy."

Louis's face blackened with rage. Without a word, the two engaged in combat, fiercer than before. Every second, every move, was critical in order to secure victory. Katie saw it in how Link fought with new energy, his sword even glowing brightly.

He is Corrupted but that didn't matter now, did it?

Silas stood in the middle of what he thought was a dream. The shadows disappeared like a soft whisper.

He saw it. He saw the shadows wavering, saw the serious fear in their eyes. To think he almost fell to them. He even pitied them for a moment, as they were once Hylians too, turned to puppets and embodiment of evil. Though they were once one of his, he can't forgive them for this heinous crime.

Palpable rage smoldered within him. It mirrored on everyone else's faces. These monsters have haunted them for so long, just their presence alone caused the town in disarray.

Now they will be dealt as the pests they are.

"Don't stop!" Silas shouted, leading his people in resolute. "Don't stop until they're all gone!"

His orders controlled the crowd, ensuring that no one got too carried away in their anger. They stayed as a firm group, supportive, determined.

Silas multi-tasked along with the extermination. He organized new groups, giving orders, supplies, fresh troops. He saw to it that the injured were carried off. He kept sending more and more people to different sections of the town, as far as this outer dome could let them. Occasionally, someone would fetch him potions to keep him functioning.

Above all, he made sure he was seen fighting.

"Get out of my home!" he shouted, slaying down another shadow. "Get out!"

The shadows got out. A few of them had vanished, never to show themselves again. Silas led his group a little close to the town square where these entities made themselves a nuisance. His small group broke into enemy ranks like an axe through wood.

Swords, brooms, sticks, even a frying pan—he saw all unique utilities used to take them down. His sister took several all at once, fighting proficiently once Alex handed her some of his shurkins. Though the man did it reluctantly, as Sheikahs are a bit touchy with their sharp things.

"Lady of Shadows!" someone chanted, and that chant was carried into a hundred voices.

Sophia stopped, startled, as she saw villagers around her, raising their weapons. It occurred to Silas that before this day no one had known who'd been fighting monsters outside of their gates, or silencing bandits within the weald. No one witnessed her skills first hand or the dedication she held for Desmera.

Not until today.

"Lady of Shadows!"

That name irritated him once, as it sounded too callous, but he saw its true meaning. The shadows belonged to her and only her. That's why the shadows were wise enough to hesitate. They know they were entering a forbidden territory.

Silas smiled. That's my sister.

He soon found himself in an alleyway, separating himself from the crowd when he spotted a shadow cornering a little boy. "Hey!"

The shadow whirled at him. Its eyes glowed with anger, but that anger paled in comparison to his. The young boy took the chance to its escape.

"This is not enough for you?" Silas spat, storming up to the silhouette. "You enjoy this, don't you, you rotten bastard? This is not enough?"

The shadow flinched as if he'd struck it.

"Is it?" Silas screamed. "You nothing! You monster! Nothing could please you? You were once one of us! You can't feel anything at all?"

The shadow wilted, eyes dim. It shook its long head quickly, quailing.

Heat burned through his throat, making him cough. The fit lasted more than it should, splattering blood on the cobbles. But that only worsened his mood.

"If I die this night, I will take you all with me," he sneered. "You enjoy this chaos, you conniving monster?"

The shadow shook his head, shrinking half its size as he stood up to it.

Silas never stopped to think how the shadow could actually understand him. "You've had your fun. I don't know how many people you've killed, but you did your damage."

The shadow cried out pitifully, a high shrill that rang in his ears and faded down the ally. Silas turned to leave this place, but stopped, completely overwhelmed with an unbearable itch in his throat. The fit struck him, dropping him to his knees. His hands clutched at his throat.

I can't breath!

He glanced up, looking to see people passing by him in the street, oblivious.

Potions. Grey gave him a bag full of it, but Silas couldn't reach it. His vision blurred, blackening. He didn't know if he had passed out or not, but felt cold, a chilling presence near him. A shadow sent to kill him.

Someone cried out his name. He could hear it faintly, felling the vibration of footsteps heading his way. Someone lifted his head, holding a cool glass to his lip. The taste of the red potion moistened his mouth, cooling the fire in his throat. He opened his eyes, focusing, and saw his sister over his head, pale with worry.

"You're fine," she said, trying to comfort him but it came out too quickly. "You're okay."

Pain shot over his stomach. His teeth gritted, pushing down a scream.

"Does it hurt? Do you need me to fetch a doctor?"

How can I tell you that I might not be here in the morning?

He didn't want to think about it. So far, he'd push the matter far back into his mind, letting leadership and bravery take command. Now it forced itself upon him. Death doesn't scare him. He'd been preparing for it his whole life. But to have his sweet sister witness his fall frightened him. But this was not a time to fear.

She forgot about her question, helping him up to his feet. "You okay?"

"Fine." Silas drank up more of his potion, realizing how he felt much cooler. He'd been feeling warmer since he had wrapped the tunic—

His heart nearly stopped. "Where is it?"

"Where is what?"

"The tunic!" It wasn't on his waist. It was nowhere to be found. "I-I had it with me!"

How long had he been unconscious?

Sophia cocked her head to the side. "Do we need it?"

"Link, needs it!" Silas held his head. "Oh Din preserve me, he'll have me skinned! Where the bloody hell has it gone?!"

There had been that chilling presence before. But that didn't make sense. Louis had been trapped inside of it for so long. What could he want with it now?

Sophia grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to remain still. "Don't panic. It's just an outfit."

"It's Link's!"

Sophia gave him a stern look. "We'll look for it after this is over. I need you to stay focused, okay?"

I won't be here after this is over.

He almost said it but stopped himself in time. Yes, they needed to focus. No weakness. Not now anyways. If she were to get scared again, then this night would be very short for all of them.

Silas took a deep breath. "Okay. You're right. We should—"

Sophia flicked her finger on his forehead.

"OW! Why?" he demanded, rubbing his head.

"Because you still look worried."

"I am worried! Just wait until Link finds out!"

"Oh, stop worrying. Wait, what are we talking about?"

He reminded her of the tunic, and she repeated herself not to worry about it. By the time they got out of the alleyway, he saw the villagers clearing out the last of the shadows from this street.

His people seemed evidently relieved once they saw the twins again. Silas knew he couldn't doubt himself. He can't stop for even a minute. This time, he'll forget his impending fate, and the tunic. He'll do it for them.

There were cold bodies on the ground from the initial invasion. Eyes staring at him as he fought. Blood mixing with dirt on the cobbles. He failed them but he won't think about it now. Fear could only go so far, but hope never rests. It never wavers. It never dies.

Silas growled, cutting through a shadow. People congregated near him, pushing their way into the southern part of the town. Silas took the lead, charging down hill.

"Drive them out!" he shouted. "This is our home! This is our land! They will not take it from us!"

Shouts and cheers filled the air. Already he had a report that they've taken back the east and west side of the town. Since the outer dome had shrunk, that left the south left. Exuberance filled him.

"The sky!" someone cried.

Silas froze, expecting to see something awful. People gasped, pointing up. The sky…was flicking. From beyond, he saw little white dots that could only be the stars. That meant…

"We're winning!" Silas shouted, lifting his dagger. "Link is winning!"

As if on cue, the shadows around cried out. They share the same pain, since they all clutched at their chest, withering. Silas turned to see the inner dome transparent once again. Earlier, it had been too thick to see through. From where he stood, he plainly saw Link better in his dirty tunic, standing strongly in the glow of his sword.

"We need to kill off every shadow!" Silas urged. "Hurry!"

Many of the shadows were retreating. Now began the chase. Silas didn't want any of them to be used as Louis's energy. Seeing as how the outer and inner dome was affected only meant that the king was failing. They needed to be quick and cut off his supplies.

The shadows retreated to their dark corners, just as they do in the beginning.

You should've stayed as silent ghosts.

Their red eyes made them easier targets. Silas lagged behind his group, feeling a bit winded. Despite his fatigue, pride filled him at the sight of his people fighting as one.

He drowned one potion and then two, feeling a tingle of guilt. It really was pointless to waste these, but they gave him an air of strength for his people. He looked at his dagger, wondering.

"Father," he said softly. "I'll be joining you soon. Just…just know that I've tried."

Sophia fought at her end of the street. When she saw him stay behind, he nodded, gesturing her to keep at it.

We'll win this.

He craned his head back to the sky, noting the touches of the stars. It was a subtle thing, but the outer dome felt more of a dark cloud above their heads.

So close. Freedom is so close. This nightmare is coming to an end.

Yet, somewhere in his victory, a tingle of disquiet muddled behind. His waist felt lighter without that tunic.

"My Lord!" A man came running to him, flushed in the face.

"Something wrong?"

"The shadows—they've disappeared!" The man was laughing. "We've won!"

Silas frowned, looking around. It was true. There was no sight of shadows. Villagers cried out, praising the Goddesses. He met Sophia's eyes, and saw her looking at the sky. Of all the people here, Sophia can distinguish between reality and illusion.

That shock over her face told him enough.

The dome was here. Louis was still here. They weren't free. This battle wasn't over. It was the same trick, the exact trick Louis had done to prevent people from leaving. For the shadows to have disappeared like that…

Silas gasped, fear clutching his throat.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

"Link is in trouble." Silas didn't mean to say it out loud, but people stopped their delectation, staring at him.

He didn't notice them, contemplating the inner dome. Louis's powers are subsisted from the shadows. They've taken back many of their districts, leaving this area as the shadows' last stand. There should be around a hundred here and so for them to disappear…

"Silas!" Sophia shouted. "Silas, where are you going?!"

He had to see it. He had to see what was going on over there. What was happening? Why did the shadows vanish like that? Why was suddenly the inner dome made transparent?

What was Louis planning?

Link had a plan

But it sure as hell wasn't going to be easy.

For starts, he didn't know how to even pull it off. After demonstrating Nayru's blessings, Louis got cold feet and started vanishing frequently. Link had to force down that anger that rapidly grew in him. The king will not get a rise out of him.

More arrows headed towards Link, and this time they curved around him to trap him in a dark circle. The wind picked up, dust rose and fluttered around him. Trails of mists freckled like seaweed caught in a current. The circle kept getting smaller and smaller, the arrows spinning too fast for him to follow.

Link gritted his teeth Katie cried out. An arrow broke out of formation and the sword quickly dealt with it. Another arrow fired and he dodged that one. Then, four lunged out from all sides and he whirled into a great spin attack. The circle vanished. The dust settled.

Link ended the spin, one hand to the ground, his sword out. Louis gave him a seething look.

I need an upper hand, he thought, trying to get himself to work on this plan of his. It was insane. It was even stupid, and that was a lot saying from him. But dammit Louis just won't sit still. The only way to get to him is if Link used the unexpected. He already showed his hand when he proved he had blessings left, and Louis was starting to get a feel on Link's fighting patterns.

"Any ideas?" Link asked Katie, not taking his off for one second from Louis.

Katie flickered in several colors.

Louis scowled at him. "This is getting old, boy."

Link ignored him, glancing at the fairy. "Sprit," he said slowly, eyeing the silver of yellow trying to hide in anxious pink.

"I—" Katie hesitated, flushing. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Link snapped.

Louis fired arrows with an improved accuracy, smiling as he had someone to feed off. Link grabbed the fairy, breaking into a run from the arrows trailing after him. Usually, Louis can't continue his attacks for long. He needed a time to breath.

And so Link had the chance to shake the fairy. "What's the matter with you?" he snapped.

Louis's recharge took a shorter time, as the king laughed mockingly. Link had to let the fairy go. Like blue lightening, the Master Sword broke into the arrows. Quickly, Link pulled out his bow, and fired out regular arrows of his own. As expected, the bastard scoffed, slapping the arrows away nonplussed, but Link snuck a bomb in one of them.

Louis stumbled back, cursing nastily as smoke clouded his face. Though the bombs don't actually do much, Link could guess that it was like someone throwing dirt in your eyes. Sure, not a fair play but to hell with that.

Link snapped a vicious look at the fairy. "Are you trying to get me killed?! This is you trying to help me?!"

"I-I know—"

"You have a plan, don't you?"

"I do," she admitted, fluttering with a sparkly flush of blue, like the glittering waters of Hylia Sea. "You won't like it."

"What are you—" He stopped, studying her shameful color. "You'll use that?"

She said nothing, the color deepening.

Link blew out air sharply, turning to see that Louis's face had reconstructed itself. Mists knitted the flesh back into place and they did it at a much faster pace.

The day when he took out the Master Sword came to his mind. A clear and crisp day, the wound of losing Agnes still fresh. What unnerved him was how freely the sword came out, feeling so right in his hand. It was buried into stone for how long? There should've been a nudge, some resistance. Something. It came out like it was freshly oiled.

"Do it then," he said, glaring at Louis. "On my mark."

A blooming yellow brightened her orb. "Are-are you serious?"

"I mean it."

"But—"

"Are you seriously going to argue now?" he snapped, taking some pleasure in seeing Louis confused. "I want you to do it on my mark, okay?"

"What mark? Wait, what are you planning?"

"Just listen to me. You'll know it so be ready, got it?"

"O-okay."

He was playing with his life now, and he was putting it on her head as well.

"What are you up to now?" Louis growled.

Link smirked, raising his sword. "You'd know if you stop vanishing like a little bitch."

Link looked at the fairy and she nodded, then he turned to Louis and raised his blade belligerently. Louis seemed annoyed at that, and simply forestalled Link with arrows.

It slowed him down but it didn't stop him. He cut his way through, shattering the arrows, the sword leaving a faint impression of a blue mist. A multitude of arrows sought him out all at once.

Come on. Push harder.

A voice of him cried out whenever the arrows got too close. He'd been struck by those things twice now, and they brought him easily to his knees. Each time felt worse than before, and each time he thought for sure no one could bring him back.

Despite that, he did come back. He had to remember that.

Link got close enough. The arrow heading straight towards him.

Now!

He gasped when something cold tore at his chest. The chill intensified a thousand times more, freezing every muscle all over his body. He could hear his heart thundering in his ears. A third time. A third time again.

The light, the world—it all seemed so far, as if he was looking at it from a small opening in the hole he'd dug himself in. He sank to his knees, the colors dimming around him, his heart thrashing against his ribs. Every type of pain imaginable thrust itself on him—shame, regret, guilt, grief, sorrow.

Louis laughed, appearing before link. "My, my, are we getting desperate now?"

Link couldn't remember what he was doing. The fear drove his senses so far that they don't seem to exist anymore. He was scared, so scared, more scared than he'd ever been in his life. He could remember his childhood so vividly. He could remember his sins, the blood on his hands, the crushing, unforgiving grief.

Then…then it vanished. The hole he was in, light shined from the top, getting brighter and brighter.

"Snap out of it!"

The symbol burned on his hand, but…it didn't hurt this time. It didn't feel good but it gave him power, gave him strength.

"Link, now!" Katie shouted.

Louis staggered back from the brightness, crying. Before he could vanish, Link reached for his sword, getting up. In one fluid stroke, he took out Louis's remaining hand. He could've taken more but the king got away, and Link was in too much pain to pursue.

Louis screamed so mightily that it hammered Link's head. All over the town, Link could hear the little voices of shadows, joining their king's pain in harmony. Louis made a poor attempt of grasping his bleeding stump.

"Ah…you…you've…." Louis gasped, black blood gushed out from the wound like a fountain. A normal Hylian could never survive this much blood loss.

Link leaned against his sword, terribly fatigue after feeling so much in such little time. "Doesn't…doesn't feel so good, now does it? You should've fought me like a man."

"Link!" Katie screamed, a great mix of red and pink. "Are you crazy?! Are you stupid?! Are you trying to scare me to death?!"

Somehow, hearing her naggy voice made him feel a little bit better. "Of course I'm crazy." Link tried for a smile, though it came out weak.

"You—" Louis coughed, suddenly seeming much older. The redness in his flickered, like fire caught in the wind. His skin, despite being inky black, somehow looked pale. "You…really…are the hero…"

The pain from the arrow was slowly subsiding. Link rubbed his chest with a grimace. "I'm not the hero, just like how you aren't a king." Link scoffed. "Really, why do you care so much about revenge? Look at you, lost two of your hands."

Louis coughed weakly, too weak to get up. "I…I had nothing in my life," he muttered. "Do you…do you know the true story behind my catacomb? It was…" He groaned, bending forward, possibly feeling every sting of every blow he'd dealt with.

"A church, we know," Katie said stiffly.

The king panted, his eyes logy. "You…you truly believe the Goddesses are munificent and just, little one? What have you learned on your journey, through your hardships and trials? Have you truly believed that they were on your side?"

After what had transpired, Link figured she'd hesitate but she only glowed assertively. "Yes, I do. I believe in them even when I don't understand their plans."

"I couldn't," Louis said bitterly. "No matter how much I've dedicated myself to them, no matter how much I was forced to…" He heaved out a breath, heavy, tired. "The catacomb was a church once, yes…but it was a prison."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Have you ever wondered why no man ever sought out the dragon Dinraal? A beast so rare, presumed extinct with scales of rarity that it could even empty a king's treasury?"

Louis sat himself upright, cringing from the effort. His stump stopped bleeding but it had bled out a lot. Mists wiggled like smoke crawling from a weak fire, meekly trying to bind his stump. "We…the church has hidden it from the world after the era of Calamity have passed. I still remember of the day when I was sold. Nothing more than a pitiful slave I was. Those were your kind Goddesses."

"That's not true!" Katie exclaimed, though she did hesitate. "Yes, I know the king at that era…issued a proclaim that churches are allowed to hold slaves, but that isn't the right way! That's why his own family had him executed! None of his actions were done in the will of the Goddesses!"

"To them, he was. And who have stopped him until it was too late?" Louis hissed. "They've seldom cared for their own properties. They caught us like preys, and sold us like broodmares. They considered it a wonderful fate, an honorable punishment, to force us to work at the church, to make slaves in the name of the Goddesses. They even expect you to thank them."

Louis's eyes blackened. "How I dreamed of tearing it through brick by brick, flesh by flesh. Oh, I've prayed but it was not to your Goddesses, little one."

His haunted eyes went dreamy, longing, as he stared over their heads. "And then…I heard Him whispering to me, feeding me courage to break my own shackles. While the Goddesses turned deaf to my pleas, there was one being who sought me out."

Katie shriveled, pink dripping into yellow. "I—"

"He reached His hand to me and I've devoted myself to Him! Yes, I took over the church and I've done it all in freedom!" he roared. "They took my life and yet beg for mercy? They were the reason I bear this darkness in me! They. Corrupted. ME!"

There was something real in Louis. Right now, he was not Louis the Shadow King but Louis the Hylian. It convinced Link that this man was telling them the truth.

Louis sneered at the flushing fairy. "Your Goddesses have done nothing right for this world! They're nothing but children who've left their toys behind! This world is shattered, paved with broken laws, painted with misery, and built over Corruption! If they are so merciful, if they deserve our utmost subserviencethen why have they allowed such horrors to exist? Why do they let their own creations destroy each other?"

And that was a ground Link could stand on with him. There'd never been a moment of true peace. The world was trapped within a cycle of violence, of misery, of Corruption. It all had to do with this symbol on his hand and the sword on his back.

Those who've suffered, who've lived off from the scraps at the bottom of the pot—how would they feel if they've been lectured that their suffering was supposed to be that way? That it was all decreed from the loving Goddesses?

"There are horrible things in this world," Katie admitted, and then fluttered up and down. "But don't you start blaming all your actions on them! You were the one who turned into this. You are the one causing all of this chaos! The Goddesses don't have anything to do with it. This is all your doing!"

"They are the reason of my becoming," Louis snarled. "Worthless servants such as yourselves are the very ones who've enslaved me! When have you gone hungry? When have you ever been held against your will, forced to serve, forced to please? If you ever retaliated, you'll be marked as a sinner! Your reprisal is seen as blasphemy!

"But my God answered my prayer! He didn't abandon me! He answered my prayers and granted me strength, all the while the Goddesses sat there and—"

Link cut him off with a sharp gesture. "If I have every penny for people whining about religion, I'd be richer than the king." He met Louis's glare. "Listen, I'm not following the Goddesses, or anyone but myself. I do what I want when I want.

"What I don't do is blame everyone for my problems! If I start crying for every bad thing that happened to me, I'd flood the world! No wonder you turned like this. You keep pointing your finger at the sky, as if you could do anything about it. When you realized you couldn't, you just start breaking their toys! Yeah, we're toys. We're nothing to them. You think that's anything new?"

A deep growl rippled in Louis's throat. "You cannot comprehend my pain."

"What, you want me to cry at your sob story?" Link mocked. "Want me to lend you my shoulder? You can't change what happen. You move on! But I guess you don't mind being someone else's toy!"

"What about you?" Louis said through clenched teeth. "Are you okay with being their toy?"

"Like I said, we're all toys to them. Only difference is if you decide to play with them or not. That's the choice you can make, pretty much the only choice you get."

"By saving the town, you are—"

"I decide what I do," Link cut him off. "That's the difference between you and me. I decide what I want to be, and now I want to be the guy that kicks your ass. If that saves the town, then sure, that's a bonus. I'm not complaining."

Louis started at him for a moment, then closed his eyes and sighed, almost in defeat. "You keep confusing me. I just can't…see you," he said, his voice soft. "Not like my mirrors. No, I can't see what makes you act so recalcitrant but there is one thing I'm certain of…"

It came so suddenly that Link didn't think twice when he summoned his second blessing. The world outside his bubble turned black.

"You think I need two hands to finish you off?!"

Link jerked back, the arrow swished just passed his left ear. Dammit. The bastard made himself look weak on purpose, or maybe he stalled long enough to gather his energy. Cutting off both his hands won't be enough it seems.

Katie wadded through the air with a flush of pink still she set herself right. Eventually, Louis showed himself again, more furious than Link had ever seen him. His eyes completely washed in red. Though when he took a step forward, it was a limp, him breathing hard.

"Careful," Katie warned. "He's saving his energy. I bet he wants you to use your last blessing."

It sure seemed that way, but how nice was the sight of Louis without his hands. Link crackled.

This time Louis did something different. Mists swirled around him like little whirlpools, manifesting into fireballs. They were small enough this time to get past his defenses.

Louis had a trick up his sleeve and Link was more than ready for it. He was exulted. This battle was showing its end, victory approaching. The king couldn't hold his sword, he couldn't shoot out arrows from his hands, so what else could he do aside from inviting his shadows to do his work?

Link grinned, missing out on what Katie was saying.

He lunged out, swinging his sword and the king backed away. Rather than vanish, the king fired away those fireballs to which Link raised his shield up easily. That attack took a lot it seemed since Louis stumbled, mists flickering. So small, vulnerable. Even his built seemed to shrink, like water leaking from a bottle.

He's finished! Link thought gleefully.

Then Louis summoned thousands of spears.

Link froze as they surrounded him, like crows all facing his way. The temperature dropped several degrees but that didn't waver Link in the slightest.

"Link, don't—" Katie tried to say, but it was too late.

The blue shield fended off each attack soundlessly. Upon meeting it, the spears puffed away, like water touching a sizzling pan. It didn't take too long before that finished. Link chuckled, watching Louis stagger back, face worn out. Sweat gleaned over his dark skin. This was no façade this time, since he really did look as if he'd wasted all his strength.

"Had enough?" Link asked, sword resting against his shoulder as he sauntered to the languid king.

Louis leaned against a broken stall by his forearm, shaking slightly. Sweat dripped heavily down his face. His eyes were so dim that they seem dun.

"Aw, what's the matter? Is it your hand?" Link grinned, slowly approaching the king. No need to rush. He wanted to enjoy every single second of it. Hyrule will hear this man scream.

"Link!" someone screamed out.

Link turned and found the dome wasn't so thick anymore. In fact, it was so transparent that it looked like glass. Silas stood behind it, rapping his knuckles.

"Link, the shadows have all vanished!" Silas shouted. Behind him, people congregated, staring at the king with amazement. Silas didn't share none of the same approbation. He kept pounding on the dome.

Link didn't understand. It should be a good thing that the shadows vanished…right?

Sophia was there, also working on the dome, but this time not a dent was made. She managed to break through it twice before, but the dome seemed impenetrable now. And that only meant one thing.

The air frosted enough to bite his skin. He went still with it, hearing a deep, growing chuckle behind him. Slowly, Link turned, Katie turning white, and he found Louis giving him the nastiest smile he'd ever seen.

Those eyes bled, leaving trails behind. The man even seemed massive enough to swallow him whole within his shadow. Mists trailed off his figure as if he was burning from within. Though he grinned, his fury was palpable. He raised his handless arms to bring forth a horde of shadows, same as the ones that chased the gang through the catacomb, the same that Link and Katie evaded…by using a blessing.

Link stepped back, so speechless that he nearly dropped his sword. He thought of how he'd been so suddenly courageous and cocky, and realized the extent of his incredible foolishness.

Louis had been influencing him the whole time. No way in hell would Link get it in his head that a battle like this could easily be won. No way would he suddenly believe that Louis could be taken down like any common monster.

You smart son of a bitch. You really got me.

"You lose," Louis said imperiously.

People around him cried out, Sophia kept punching. Silas just stood there, frozen in place. Link had only minutes to act. There was no running, no time to whip out his hookshot. There wasn't even anything to latch onto. The only thing Link could do was grabbed Katie and throw her as hard as he could right before the horde swallowed him whole.