Chapter Twenty-three: Midna's Desperation
"Midna…" Link reached out towards her, wanting to help.
"No." she said sharply in a harsh whisper, darting away from him and putting about a dozen feet between them. Even her mouth was the same inky black. Her eye was the only feature that stood out from her absolutely dark form. "Don't touch me. I don't know what will happen to somebody from the light world."
He froze with his hand in front of him, unsure of what to do. He had noticed that she had started out more transparent when he first saw her shadow form at Ordona's Spring, and that after gaining two fragments she had begun to look more dark and solid. This wasn't what he expected to happen. He thought perhaps she would assume her normal form, black and gray skin with aqua runes, not...this. Not this blob of evil energy that even his amateur magic could sense.
She shut her eyes, her features completely indistinct to him when she did so, and then he could hear it: a faint sound, sibilant and distant. The Fused Shadows were whispering to her, and for some reason he was able to hear it too.
"Is she all right?" Ralis asked, his webbed feet preventing him from sinking into the wet sand as he stood next to Link.
The one red eye opened. "Yeah, I'm okay. This is a lot of magic for my little body to handle, so I'm taking a few minutes to get used to it." The whispers continued, but she was pretending as if nothing had happened. She was so strong, even when terrified.
"...Midna, are you frightened? I only saw that expression on your face briefly after you came out of the giant frog, but now I am certain that you are not 'okay'." The Zora spoke of her expression. He could see her facial features, but Link could not. Only he was seeing what was really happening to her, likely due to his innate shadow magic. Ralis had no magical abilities, so the young prince was seeing her as he always had.
She gave a weak laugh. "I admit having this much magical power is bit scary." The whispers increased in volume briefly and she shivered, the only visible reaction she gave. "I'll be fine. I have the Hero of Hyrule with me, after all. Will you go over to where the other Zoras are climbing down? They'll want to know what happened."
Ralis smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course. I will speak with Jorvan and his men. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask." The young Zora turned and began to walk away from them, crossing the large room to meet with the temple guardians.
Once the Zora was far enough away, she shivered again and hugged her arms around herself, the whispers babbling. "You can see what happened to me. He can't, but you have magic."
"I can hear them." He didn't reach out, but took another step to stand closer to her. "Lanayru warned me about what they can do, and how they can corrupt." It was frustrating to be unable to see her face other than the one eye, so he focused. Perhaps he would be able to see her as he had before.
What he saw instead was the entire shadowy helmet surrounding her head and shoulders, with tendrils of brown and amber coming out of the top and bottom. He took a few involuntary steps back, staring in shock and fear before he managed to get himself under control. The whispers were loud enough for him to hear them clearly: We have the power now. You are stronger than the false king. You are stronger than them all.
She had noticed his reaction, and could tell that he was using his magic. "What do you see?" Midna hissed in a whisper, her shadowy form a double-image beneath the horrible beast of the Fused Shadows. When he didn't answer, her voice sounded panicked and raised in volume. "What do you see?!"
Link raised a hand to calm her. "Shh." He glanced over his shoulder at the Zoras across the room, but they hadn't seemed to notice. Good. He could focus on helping her. "I can see the entire Fused Shadows instead of just your helmet." It was a half-truth, and he hoped she was unable to detect the lie.
You will be queen. You will have both realms. You have the power.
She shivered again, shaking her head in defiance of the Fused Shadows. "I don't want this. I know I need it, but I don't want it."
You need us. You want us.
"Don't listen to it. You're stronger then that, and you know it." He took another step towards her, ignoring the horrible image surrounding her that had terrified him in the vision. "I'm here with you."
He is nothing. You need us, not him.
"You're just as scared." the imp said, trying to focus on him. Her body trembled, although it was hard to tell if it was from fear or from the massive amount of magic within her. Darkness rose up from her like smoke.
"I am, but that's all right. It's better to be afraid and respect the power than to take it for granted."
Do not listen to him. He has the Golden Power. He cannot understand.
Link took another step forward, doing his best to appear calm and soothing. He was all that she had to protect her from the relic that tried to conquer her mind, and he knew exactly how he would do it. "I know I can help you. The Twilight was full of a dark power similar to the Fused Shadows, and my piece of the Triforce protected me."
He has no idea what he speaks of. Do not listen.
Courage lit up on the back of his hand, glowing softly through his glove. "I know that it can protect you too. It can protect you long enough for us to talk to Zelda. Then we'll have two pieces of the Triforce and that helmet on your head won't be able to bother you at all. You won't hear a peep out of it."
He will lead you to ruin. Do not trust him. Do not listen.
Her expression was indiscernible by the shadows surrounding her, but her voice was agonized. "Link…they won't let me go."
He gave her a gentle smile. "They will, because you're different than the Interlopers." His feet brought him closer, right next to her. "They had no idea what they were dealing with, but I do. So do you."
Do not listen!
"Those who don't know the danger of wielding power will eventually be ruled by it. You know it, and so do I. We've both been using powers that are frightening to others, that are dangerous...but we respect them." He reached his hand out to her, Courage gently glowing, as warm as his smile.
Do not! Do not! Do not!
"Because we have that respect and that knowledge, we're stronger. We're better. You're better." He was standing right next to her, within the horrid vision of the amber beast, holding his left hand out to her in a gesture for her to take it. "You are stronger, Midna."
No! No! No no no no no-
The Fused Shadows increased its demands in desperation, trying to influence her, trying to get her to listen. Her eye stared at his, and he could see that she was far more focused on him than the relic that was vying for her attention. Midna let her arms drop at her sides for a moment, still breathing heavily, and tentatively reached her hand out. The voices of the relic shrieked at her, begging to be heard, but she didn't listen. She was stronger.
Midna placed her hand in his and Courage blazed like the sun.
She shut her eyes at its brilliance and gave a small grunt, but didn't shrink away. It was different than the power of the Light Spirits, or the Fused Shadows, or anything else. It was the power of the gods, pure and just, and it dispelled the blackness that encapsulated her body like water washing away ink. The warmth traveled up his arm and into his chest, Farore's power just as gentle as it was strong. The darkness was stripped away from Midna's body, and for a brief moment he could see her as he did in the Twilight: pale gray skin mottled with black, orange hair, aqua runes. Then she grew darker and slightly transparent, returning to the way she was before.
The double-image of the Fused Shadows vanished, leaving behind the familiar little shadow creature that he knew. Courage dimmed, glowing faintly before going out entirely. Even though its light was gone, he knew that his piece of the Triforce continued to lend him its power, now protecting Midna from dark magic just as it had protected him.
She raised her left hand to look at it, her right still grasped in Link's. The cursed woman shook her over-sized head, her face unreadable. Her mouth opened and a faint sound came out of it like she was going to speak, but no words came.
"Are you all right now?" Link asked, relieved that she had gone back to normal.
Midna fixed her eye on him and moved her mouth like she was about to speak, but was having difficulty finding words. She gave a completely faux smile for a second, and it looked as if she was going to make one of her usual comments, but then her lip quivered and she rushed towards him to wrap her small arms around his neck. He blinked in surprise, not expecting her to openly hug him like that, not when there were others nearby.
"Hey, it's okay." He put his hand on her back, glad for the hug even though she had done it for herself. He hadn't realized how tense his body was until she had done that, and he felt himself relax. "We both crossed that bridge together so it'll be fine now." Midna shook her head slightly, not relaxing and not saying anything. He wrapped his arms around her small body and turned his head so he could speak near her pointed ear softly. "Midna, I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"I was terrified." she admitted, the tension finally going out of her body. Her voice was not tearful like he expected, and instead it sounded like she was already recovering. She was able to rebound quickly from anything, even an experience like that. He wished that he had that kind of strength.
"Me too." Now was not the time to tell her exactly what he had seen in the vision, but he knew that he would tell her soon. Perhaps once they were out of the temple and away from the Zoras. Him holding her like a frightened child with them nearby was already a bit too personal.
Midna pulled back slightly so she could look him in the eye. She was still rather close. Always close. This time it fine, since both of them had just gone through something frightening. He honestly wouldn't have minded another hug. "How did you know what to do?"
"Don't you remember what Ordona said? Courage protects me, but also gives me the power to do the same thing for others." If Courage had protected him in the Twilight, it could protect Midna against the Fused Shadows. He had hoped that's how it would work, and that's exactly what had happened. He looked her over carefully. "Is the relic still speaking to you? I can't hear it anymore."
"It's faint, but it's like a buzzing fly more than anything else." She smiled at him gratefully, and looked past him. "Oh. How long were you there?"
Link turned to see the five Zoras standing there at a respectable distance. He hoped they hadn't seen too much, but they had probably seen the light from Courage. It was hard to figure out what they were thinking, since the group of five were all staring at him expectantly. Was he supposed to say something? "Oh, uh. We did it, everyone. Mission accomplished. ...yay?"
"Yes, we did." Ralis stood next to Jorvan, dwarfed by the tall captain. "While you and I worked together to defeat the eel, what happened just now was entirely you."
"I'm sorry for doubting you." the green-skinned Zora said, leaning his head forward in a formal bow. "Captain Jorvan mentioned that you do not have the sword of the hero, but you certainly do not need it. Your power is impressive."
"Impressive? I believe you mean extraordinary." Jorvan set the butt of his spear into the sand. "This young hero just used a fragment of the Triforce to quell the ancient dark magic we had kept here. We all saw a rare thing right now: the power of the gods being wielded by a mortal, joined with his body. If you recall, it was split into three pieces during the Gerudo War. Now it is within him."
"What?" That was a lot more information than he ever got out of the Light Spirits. "Is that why this thing is in my hand?"
"Since we are historians, we have records given to us by the Hylian royal family that states what happened centuries ago, although I do not understand why it is in your hand. You are the current hero, not the previous one." The crimson Zora shrugged. "I suppose it does not matter. You have it now, and are able to use it effectively."
He had, and it was intentional. There was no random factor to it this time, just the desire to protect Midna from danger. The experience the two of them had just gone through gave him far more insight about his Triforce than the lengthy discussion on magic had. While he should talk it over with Midna, he felt very tired and didn't want to discuss anything at length. "Yeah. So uh...is it morning already? I admit that Ralis and I slept for a while before coming down here to fight the monster, so we lost track of time."
"No, it is still before sunrise." Jorvan said. "However we both heard and felt a loud crash coming from within the Temple, and we had no choice but to enter to investigate. We found the water draining from the center rapidly, and it was difficult for us to see what exactly had happened. A search through the Temple only produced Lizalfos corpses, not the three of you." The tall Zora frowned. "Yet there were only two when you entered. Who is the shadow being?"
Midna responded as she always did, giving a formal bow, this time with a little fanged grin. Her teeth and mouth were no longer covered in shadows. "My name is Midna, and I come from a far-away land. I'm Link's partner. I was cursed by the King of Shadows and I need the ancient relic you had stored here to defeat him. The lights you saw just now were the Hero of Hyrule helping me control the evil within the relic." Her grin turned into a smirk. "It's not dangerous anymore."
"That is a relief." Jorvan motioned to the long chain ladder that the guardians had gradually assembled to reach the bottom of the tall chamber. "We have these ladders in case the water level drops too far, so we went to fetch them. The four of us were quite surprised to see the hero standing on a pillar, looking up."
"It worked out in the end, and for that we are all grateful." Ralis summed it up well. "However, we have much work to do. 'We' being myself and the Temple guardians. Much of the Temple has been looted by the Lizalfos, and we must make a record of what was moved."
"I agree. We ought to see if anything is damaged." said the Zora with the dark blue scales, who had a deep voice despite being about as tall as Link. He appeared far younger and more informal than his fellow guardians. "You can leave that to us, Prince Ralis. If you and the hero were fighting the beast, you need to rest."
"We must determine how to patch this hole, as well." Jorvan motioned to the damaged wall and the caverns visible beyond. "There is much to do, and while I agree with Remnas that you should rest, I know you feel it is your duty to aid us."
"I do indeed. Only once I am satisfied that things have been put to rights will I return to the Domain." Ralis seemed to have gotten over his doubts of himself and his role in leading his people, and now was embracing his duty wholeheartedly. "I shall make a personal record of what happened here, as well as my other interactions with Link. The world must know of his accomplishments for centuries to come."
That made him feel a bit awkward. He really did not want to be in history books. "Uh, I guess. Oh." He reached for the clawshot on his belt. "I need to give this back to you, and those electric arrows too."
"Please, keep them." The purple-scaled young Zora smiled at him. "Consider them a gift from my people and I. They will be far more useful in the hands of the hero than sitting in chests in our holy Temple."
"Can I escort you out, hero?" Remnas asked. "The five of us have work to do, but I can swim with you to the shore near Lakeside."
A flutter of terror moved through Link's chest, and he did his best to keep his expression neutral. Swimming down here was bad enough; the return swim in the dark would be so much worse. There was no other way out, and so he steeled himself for what he needed to do.
"I think I can teleport the two of us out." Midna suggested, picking up on his discomfort. "There's a big ley nexus here, just as big as the one underneath Hyrule Castle. We're not all that far from the portal above Lake Hylia, either."
Relief washed over him and he relaxed. "If you think you can do that, I'd rather get portal sickness over swimming in the dark for miles." He didn't want to mention his new phobia to the other Zoras. It was bad enough Ralis knew about it. "You're feeling well enough to cast that spell now, right?"
"As right as rain." she said with a lopsided smile, understanding what he was implying without openly saying it in front of the Zoras. "I can bring us to the portal not too far from the Spirit's Spring."
"Then I guess this is where we part ways, Ralis. I'm sure I'll see you again before too long. I'll want to check in at Zora's Domain to see how your people are doing." Link extended his hand to the young Zora, who had turned out to be quite the useful companion through the Zora's Temple.
Ralis grasped his hand and shook it. "There is so much we Zoras owe you. However I have given my thanks to you many times in the past few days, so instead I will wish you luck."
"Thanks." He fixed his blue eyes on Ralis, his voice encouraging. "Go and be the king that I know you can be. There's a lot of potential in you."
The young prince met his gaze, his own intelligent green eyes warm and friendly. "Go and be the hero that I know you are. You are the Hope of Hyrule, and I have seen your strength and compassion with my own eyes. Our kingdom will be saved due to your actions; of that, I have no doubt."
That bit of faith in him bolstered his spirits, and between that and his use of Courage to help Midna he was feeling optimistic. He released the prince's hand and stepped back, looking at the five Zoras as he did so. The four guardians bowed their heads slightly just as Remnas had before, showing their respect for the current Hero of Hyrule.
"Goodbye, Midna." Ralis said. "I do not know where you came from, but I wish you the best in lifting your curse so you may return there."
"Thank you." She intoned formally, something should have seemed out of place due to her flippant nature, but was not. "And thank you for having faith in me and my abilities. Once I use the Fused Shadows to defeat Zant, I will take it home and hide it away where no one may find it, or destroy it if I can. I give you my word that I will be the last person to ever use it." When the five Zoras nodded in reply, she turned to Link. "Ready to go?"
"You mean ready to feel awful? Oh, yeah. If it means I can get out of this wet armor and go sleep in a bed, I'll put up with anything." He pointed to his face. "I'll even keep my eyes open this time."
She gave a light laugh and did not wave her hand to begin the spell, likely remembering the bad habit she had mentioned before. There were the faint staccato notes that only he could hear, and then the world dissolved into blackness. When it reformed around the two of them it was still dark, but a natural darkness that was slightly brighter than the void in the portal, the clouds above blotting out the stars and moon. Link splashed into the water of Lake Hylia again, and he concentrated on treading water instead of his dizziness.
"I guess it's still raining." Midna said, hovering above him. "If it's close to dawn, it's hard to tell."
"Yeah." Link looked around, trying to determine the best place to swim to shore as his eyes adjusted with the power of his amulet. The walkway leading to the Spirit's Spring seemed to be the best bet, and he lifted one of his arms to begin swimming like the typical human and not a Zora. The lights of Lakeside were hazy in the distance through the rain, and even though he wanted nothing more than to go to one of the inns there, he figured he should tell Lanayru of their success with the Fused Shadows.
"So what's the plan, hero?" The little imp floated in the air not too far away when he was able to wade onto the shore.
"Two things. First, I put on normal clothes. I'd look funny going to an inn like this, and I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted to get out of this wet armor. I'm cold. And second, we should talk to Lanayru. It was the one that showed me exactly how dangerous the Fused Shadows were, so I think it will be happy to know that we have them under control."
"I hope it doesn't lock me out like that again. I was surprised that it could even do so." She looked down at her hands. "...almost as surprised that you were able to use your Triforce to help another person. From what I saw, I had assumed that you could only use it to affect yourself."
"I think I've been breaking some rules when using it, although it's hard to be sure." He followed the stone walkway into the Spirit's Spring, and out of the rain once he stood in the opening to the cavern. "After what I just did, I want to have a long chat with Zelda for sure. I think that will be our next destination tomorrow morning." Link removed the helmet of the Zora armor and scratched at his scalp. "That's better. Wearing that helmet was making my hair all sweaty."
The shadow being was visible with the power of the amulet that he wore, his night vision increased. She giggled. "At least you don't have to worry about getting helmet hair. Your hair looks that way all the time."
He gave her a flat look and undid the belt of his armor. "Ha, ha. Clothes, please."
Midna took the pieces of the Zora Armor from him one by one and supplied him with the clothing bestowed upon him by the gods as he dressed. There was no need for him to put on his shield or chain mail, but he at least put his cloth bracers and the vambrace over his white gambeson, finding that its sleeves didn't fit well over the bracers. The only gear he wore was his sword, which he decided that he should keep on him at all times when he wasn't someplace safe like Kakariko. Anything could happen, after all.
"Let's go talk to a giant snake." he said, pinning on his cloak.
"It's a snake? I guess that's more recognizable than the monkey thing that Faron is."
"Lemur." he said, his booted feet making only faint sounds on the stone as they went into the spring. His footsteps were not normally heavy. "It's not really a monkey."
"You sure have some weird animals in Hyrule." Midna looked around the cavern, which was dim. If there hadn't been a pair of stone braziers on either side of the entrance, it would have been completely dark. The last time he was there they weren't lit. "It's a big spring, but it isn't glowing like the others. I'm going to hide just in case."
He gave his chest a little pat when she merged with the shadows of his body. "I doubt Lanayru will hurt you, but I understand your reasons." Link frowned as he looked around the cavern, which was completely still and silent. The swirling patterns carved into the walls of the cave did not light up when he entered, which was odd. There was no sign of the Light Spirit. He stepped up to the ledge overhanging the lake. "Huh. Maybe it's asleep. Faron acted like I woke it up the one time."
"Maybe? Go wake it up." Her voice came from near his chest.
"Lanayru?" He raised his voice, calling out to the spirit. After a few seconds, he called again. "Lanayru! Please come out, I need to speak with you." It was silent in the spring, the only other sound being rainwater dripping from the hole in the side of the cavern.
Then there were footfalls behind him, starting out of nowhere. It was as if the person had simply began walking a dozen feet behind him. Link turned around cautiously, putting a hand to his sword. A tall figure stood several feet away, clad in layered black robes and a metal lizard helmet that covered his entire head. While he had never seen the man in person before, he knew that he was looking at Zant, the King of Shadows himself.
What happened next occurred quickly. The runes of the spring lit up with brilliant white light and Lanayru erupted from the bright water with a hiss that was almost a growl, staring down Zant from behind Link. He risked a look over his shoulder and could see motes of light being drawn to the orb in the great snake's jaws, and he realized that the Light Spirit was reading its magic to attack Zant. He was unsure if he should attack as well or get out of the way, but then there was a flash of gold from Zant. A spell that he felt rather than saw knocked him off his feet, and he rolled down the sloped walkway that led up to the ledge. Lanayru's hiss turned into a wail of pain, and Link raised his head to see the man in black extend a hand and force the Light Spirit back into its orb.
The orb shrunk in size and disappeared into the water. As soon as it was gone, the amber glow of Twilight covered the Spring. Zant had undone their hard work in mere seconds.
Link's body ached as every nerve had endured a beating, and he groaned in pain as Courage transformed him into a wolf. He gritted his lupine teeth, feeling weak. Whatever spell that was intended for Lanayru had completely floored him, and between his use of the Triforce before and the pain of Zant's spell, he was having problems standing up.
Midna appeared next to him, unable to hide in his shadows within the Twilight, and she rose into the air in front of him protectively. The three stone fragments of the Fused Shadows orbited around her, and it seemed as if she intended to use them against her false king right here and now. They moved into place around her head and shoulders to form the complete helmet, and he could faintly hear the whispers from the relic. Courage was no longer protecting her, his body too weak to use it for anyone but himself after getting hit by the spell.
Zant extended his hand again, a gray-skinned hand with long, delicate fingers. Whatever magic he used was invisible, but it wrenched the Fused Shadows away from Midna, including the helmet she wore on her head. She immediately dropped to the floor with a grunt, no longer having any power in her cursed form. Without the helmet she did not have long orange hair, and instead had short black hair that was swept up to look like spikes. Perhaps it was spikes in place of hair, it was difficult to tell.
The false king's helmet moved slightly as he glanced at the four pieces of the Fused Shadows that now floated around his body. He gave a short laugh, his voice deep and resonant within the cavern. "This is what you've been up to, Midna? Gathering up the pieces of this trinket?" Zant gave another laugh, sounding genuinely amused. "Look at this...thing. Did you honestly mean to take an ancient and withered power like this and turn it against me?"
Midna said nothing, standing in front of Link with her fists clenched at her sides, glaring at Zant defiantly. They had one hope to fight Zant and he had stolen it from them directly. Link looked past her at their enemy, unsure of what they should do next.
"Oh, that look. You're powerless, yet you give me that look." Three of the pieces of the Fused Shadows disappeared into squares, and Zant extended his hand with the helmet floating above it. "I pity you for how small you've become. A far cry from the woman I used to know. Fine." He flicked his hand in a quick motion, and the helmet moved to land at Midna's feet as if thrown. "Keep your 'family heirloom', you traitor."
She grabbed the helmet and jammed it on her head, the orange hair forming out of the top of it again. "I'm the traitor? I didn't lead a coup and declare myself in charge, unlike you." Midna floated up once more. "Someone as dishonorable as you will never be my king."
"Why defy me?" It wasn't a question asked in anger, or amusement. Zant sounded curious, even a bit incredulous. "I am your king. You are meant to bow to me, regardless of what power you once held."
Midna laughed humorlessly and pointed a finger at him. "You? You're a joke. One who abuses the magic of our people could never be king."
"You dare imply that my power is our our old magic?" He threw his head back slightly, laughing. "Now that is a joke!" Zant slashed horizontally at the air in front of him in a sweeping gesture. "No. This power I have been granted is so much more than your tired old magic. It is far greater, a gift from my god." He flicked his hand again and Midna was knocked out of the air, landing a few feet to the left of Link with a grunt. The sorcerer held his hands together before him, and an orb of magenta and black formed in front of them, its color and geometric lines similar to the portals that had appeared around Hyrule. Whatever spell it was, it was charging up. "This is the power of the King of Shadows. You will respect it!"
The sight of her laying prone on the ground caused rage to begin to bubble within Link, and he managed to stand regardless of his weakness. The savage beast that his current form represented was wounded, but still on the hunt. A growl formed in his throat and he lunged at Zant, fangs flashing. He only made it halfway there; the man in the helmet moved slightly and the spell intended for Midna hit Link instead, and the wolf gave a human-sounding cry of pain. It sent him flying back to land next to one of the braziers near the entrance of the Spirit's Spring.
Midna gasped and hurried to her feet, rushing over to him. "Link! No...Link!" She put her hands on his shoulder in concern, watching helplessly as Zant's spell harmed her friend in place of her.
Courage lit up on his paw to fight whatever it was, but it did not seem successful in stopping the spell. A splitting pain hit his head, as if something was being driven through his skull and into his brain. Link hissed his breath out through his wolf teeth and opened his eyes to look at her. "Midna. It…" He tried to tell her that it would be all right, but the pain was so intense he could barely speak. All he could do is lay there and gasp in agony as something white-hot drove into his head, sending him to the precipice of unconsciousness.
"Your show of concern for that beast is misplaced, Midna." Zant said. Link could barely hear him through his pain, his vision graying out along the edges. "He is a Hylian, a light dweller from this realm. They are the ones who oppressed our people. Or have you forgotten what they did to us?"
Midna ignored him, putting her small hand to Link's face, her face etched with worry. She was just as helpless in this situation as he was.
Zant stood immobile for a moment, his expression hidden behind the metal helmet he wore. Then he extended a hand, curling a finger like a hook and gestured at Midna. She was yanked from where she knelt next to the wolf with a grunt, and was brought to the air in front of Zant, her back to him, her arms pinned to her sides by some unseen force. "No matter how much you desire otherwise, you will be little more than a shadow in their world. You cannot coexist with their kind."
The man in black robes tucked his hands behind his back and leaned forward to put his masked head next to where Midna struggled in the air. "However...that may be possible if we make the light world ours. Our people will take back what we have lost, and justice for the centuries of exile will be served." The lower half of the front of his helmet retracted in on itself, revealing his face from the nose down. Even though they were gray-skinned, his nose and mouth seemed very human, and that mouth smiled in an oily way. "That's why I need you, Midna."
Her eye darted to her right and a look of disgust overtook her features. She gritted her teeth, showing her sharp fangs, but didn't say anything.
Zant smiled pleasantly. "It isn't just for me, you know. It's for all of our people. And perhaps...it can be for you as well. If you lend me your power, I can return you to the woman you once were." He gave a short chuckle that was little more than a hum. "It only takes one word, Midna. Then you can be free of this light world and that cursed form."
The little imp managed to turn her head ever so slightly to give the lizard helmet and the man wearing it a baleful stare. "Go to hell." she grated, her voice full of hatred and defiance.
Zant's mouth twisted in disappointment, then snarled in anger. "Fine. Be that way." He straightened and the lower half of his lizard helmet reformed around his mouth and chin, hiding them from view once again. The sorcerer stepped back and raised his hand, and the little creature was tugged along to the air above the ledge facing the Light Spirit's lake. Her arms were held out to her sides as if she was bound by invisible manacles, and she continued to struggle.
The pool of water lit up with a golden light and Lanayru rose out of it, the snake twitching and jerking almost like a puppet on a string. It appeared to be struggling as well, fighting against whatever power Zant held over it. The amber light of Twilight faded in the presence of the Light Spirit, yet Midna remained in her normal form as she twisted in an attempt to get away. Link could feel the beast of anger within him, but the pain in his head was far too great for him to do anything but lay on his side.
"You choose that light dweller over me? So be it." Zant gestured to the golden snake, which continued to spasm as it fought against him. "If that is your choice, then I'll give you the light you love!"
Lanayru began to draw in specks of light around it, gathering them near its orb as it had done before when facing down Zant. Only this time, it had no choice in who it attacked. Midna made sounds of terror and panic as she fought against her magical bonds, but it was futile. She was unable to do anything but remain immobile and watch what was about to happen to her. Link watched in horror as Lanayru scorched Midna's small body with beams of light, just like he had seen happen in his vision of the Fused Shadows. She screamed in agony, the sound filling him with anger and pain. Tears stung his eyes and he struggled to rise, but the beast that was his anger was the same as the beast that was his body: weak and useless.
He cried out her name, Courage glowing brightly with his desire to do something, anything. Free her from Zant's spell, free Lanayru, free himself. Anything. Anything!
The great serpent stopped its struggle and raised itself up, gathering up its coils with a hiss as it broke free from Zant's spell. The searing light turned into a warm brightness, flooding the cavern. Link shut his eyes against that overwhelming light, but it did not harm him. He felt a bit of his strength returned, and the pain in his head lessened.
The light faded, and he found himself not on the stones of the Spirit's Spring but on wet grass, soft rain landing on his fur. Link slowly got to his feet and found that he was still a wolf, and judging from his nausea, they had been teleported to wherever this was. The night still held on and the skies were dark, although it did seem slightly lighter than when they went into the Spirit's Spring. He had no idea where they were, other than at the side of a road that had a few trees nearby.
"Hero, forgive me. I was not strong enough." Lanayru's voice was strained and weak. "I have healed you as best I can, but there is little I can do for your companion."
Link looked around and saw Midna laying next to him on the ground. Her shadowy form was gone, and she lay in the grass on her side. Her small body was covered in blistering black and red burns, seared by the power of light from Lanayru's spell. The sight of her made his heart jump in worry and panic. He had told her less than a half hour ago that he wouldn't let anything happen to her, and now she lay wounded at his feet. Guilt mixed with his other emotions, even though he knew he couldn't have done anything. "Midna." He gently nudged her with his nose. "Midna, get up!"
The small creature groaned and slowly sat up, holding at her side. "Where…" She stood up, wincing in pain and took in their surroundings. Her red eye scanned the scenery that only she could see in the darkness as she tried to determine where they were.
"Forgive me for what I have done." Lanayru's voice came to both of them. "You have been gravely wounded, and the hero has been cursed."
"It's...it's not your fault…" Midna managed, her voiced tinged with pain. "It was Zant."
"I have done what I can and sent you as far north as I could with my power. I have been weakened by the King of Shadows and must retreat for now. I doubt that the other Light Spirits can aid you, but Zelda...Princess Zelda holds Wisdom. Its magical power is far stronger than that of Courage." The Light Spirit paused, and when it spoke again its voice was barely a whisper. "Seek Zelda, O Hero of the Twilight…"
The presence of Lanayru faded from his mind, leaving the two of them wounded and in pain in this field somewhere in Lower Lanayru. Midna leaned heavily on Link, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. "It's right. Zelda will help us…" She clutched at his wet fur and groaned while trying to climb up onto his back.
Link lay down so she climb on more easily, and she eventually pulled herself up to cling to the ruff of his neck. "I think I'm strong enough to run." He faced what he assumed was north, and saw the lights of Castle Town far in the distance, although he was unable to see the spires of Hyrule Castle. "Hold on, Midna…"
His head still ached and his body still felt tired, but he ran. He ran as a wolf outside of the Twilight, cursed into the form that represented his true nature, Courage unable to do anything but protect him in the most basic way. He ran as a young man in a beast's body that listened to the whimpers of pain from the close friend that clung to his back, the sound bringing tears to his eyes. He had no idea how long he ran, his loping gait jostling Midna painfully with every stride, and her groans in response tore at his heart. His eyes were full of tears and rain, and worry gnawed at his gut as the glowing lights in the distance gradually grew closer, and the skies above gradually grew lighter.
There was a stream of travelers leaving the west gate of Castle Town, and he had to hide behind the gatehouse where a different guard sat, one who was sleepy but still awake. He did not notice the wolf huddled behind his post. The gates opened at dawn, so that must be what hour it was. Once the last of the carts made it out onto the muddy road he darted in, running past startled travelers that were crossing on foot over the drawbridge. He probably appeared to be a monster to them, a wolf with dark green fur and another creature on his back. There was little he could do other than avoid them as he kept running.
While it would have been faster to run straight to the gates that separated Hyrule Castle from Castle Town, he knew they would be guarded and closed. There was some other way in, a way that not many people knew about, and the way that Midna had escaped when Zelda was captured. He only hoped that Telma hadn't locked up her bar for the morning.
Link cut through the Nobles' Quarter, assuming that the streets would be far less crowded than the main thoroughfare. It was early in the morning, but he knew there would still be early risers going about their business. He had seen as much when they had left Castle Town in Telma's wagon days ago. His intuition was correct; there was no activity in the southwest part of town where the rich and spoiled lived. He ran through, unhindered by anything except his own tired body.
There were cries of alarm from merchants as he crossed the south edge of the bazaar, and a few guards shouted and pointed at the wolf that ran through the city. None of them followed, nor did he expect the useless louts to do anything. There weren't too many people in the Merchant's Quarter, and through the increasingly heavy rain he probably appeared as a street dog at a glance, although no feral dog in this city could possibly weigh as much as a grown man.
He found the chandler's shop, squinting up through the heavy rain at the sign. Midna's grip on his fur slackened and she slid off to land on the cobblestone street. The rain made rivulets of red on her gray skin as the water ran over her horrible burns. She panted, her face scrunched in agony.
"It...it's fine. Go to Telma's." she said, her voice weaker than it was before. It had been at least two hours since they were teleported by the Light Spirit, and her condition had been worsening.
"No. We're going together." He knew that she was dying. The entire run to the city and through it, he had thought of it but wanted to deny it. Midna had always been strong in a fight, and strong emotionally...but now she was a frail little creature, slowly dying from burns like a poor soul caught in a house fire. He lay down in the street next to her gently touched his nose to her face, his vision blurred. "Get up, we'll get you to Zelda." He was unable to keep the tears out of his voice.
"Don't cry...fool." Midna panted.
"Fine, I'm a fool for crying. Get up!" He nudged her again. "Please…"
She reached up to touch his face with bleeding fingers, the skin of them cracking. "All right. But...no crying." The imp slowly, feebly rose to her feet and pulled herself onto his back again. Midna was doing it for him, not for herself; he knew that. They both knew that she didn't have much longer to live, and unless Zelda had some hidden healing power he didn't know about, the chances to save Midna's life were slim.
He had no idea what he'd do when she died. He would be alone.
Link made his way to the front door of Telma's bar, hoping that the door was unlocked. If it was, Telma would be inside, and he had no idea how she'd react. "Can you open it?" he asked his wounded friend. She didn't say anything but carefully reached out with her orange hair, forming a hand on the end of it to grasp at the door handle. Midna managed to pull the door open enough for him to stick his nose in and force it open the rest of the way.
As soon as he pushed his way into the pub, Telma gave a startled shout and dropped the broom she had been using to sweep beneath a table. "What? Bad dog!" Her eyes widened when she realized she was not looking at a dog, but a wolf and a strange creature. The bartender rushed behind the bar and pulled out a cudgel. "I don't know what you are, but get out!" She swung her weapon threateningly, attempting to herd him out the door that was still partially open.
"Please, stop!" Link cried, taking a risk by speaking to her. He couldn't say who he was, not now. It would only delay them. "We've been cursed!"
"...say what?" Telma asked weakly, slowly lowering the club. "You...you spoke."
"Pl...please…" Midna said, her voice strained. "...Zelda…"
"We need to get to Zelda and I know this place has a passage to Hyrule Castle." He dripped water onto the floor she had just cleaned, although he didn't care. Nothing mattered, only getting to the princess. "Please." he begged. "My friend is wounded." He didn't want to say that she was dying. He didn't want to put it to words.
The tall woman stared into his eyes, her fear and confusion changing to a thoughtful expression. "There's something about you..." She shook her head. "No, we can't chitchat if your poor friend is in rough shape. Follow me."
Telma took one of the candles from a bar table and led them into the back room that was full of shelves of alcohol. She set the candle and its jar down on the same barrel that Link had slept next to days ago, the cot in the exact same place. The woman went to the back end of the room and pushed aside a set of shelves full of distilled spirits, moving it on a hidden set of wheels set in a track. Beyond was a dimly-lit passage.
"This goes to the castle library. If you see a young man with glasses there, ask him to help you. He's a friend of mine, and of Zelda's too." She tilted her head towards the open passage. "Go on, and good luck."
"Thanks." Link didn't hesitate and he darted into the dusty passageway. It wasn't well-lit, but still had torches set in sconces at regular intervals. It must still be in use if somebody took the trouble to keep it bright enough to pass through.
The passage gradually sloped uphill and ran stock-straight until it suddenly turned to the right. Not too far after the turn it came to a dead-end. His heart quailed at first when he saw that they had come to not a door but a wooden wall, but then he saw it: attached to the right side of the wall were a set of iron rings bolted to it. It wasn't a wall, but a piece of furniture meant to be pulled to the side, just like the shelves Telma had moved.
There was no way he could ask Midna to move this, so he gripped the lower ring in his jaws and pulled, his padded feet sliding on the stone for a moment before the object began to slide along its track. Yanking something heavy along with his mouth hurt his teeth, and he hoped that he wouldn't break a tooth in the process, but the wooden obstacle moved far enough to the left for him to stop pulling and squeeze through.
Beyond was a small office lined with bookshelves, with an oak desk that was piled with papers and books, and the room lit was up by a pair of oil lamps. A pot of tea sat next to a steaming cup of the stuff on the desk, and what looked like a set of clothing was tossed on the chair. Someone was here and not too long ago, evidenced by the tea and the door left ajar. Link glanced behind him at the bookshelf that he had moved to enter the room so he could remember where it was, and then he went through the open doorway into the library proper.
Even though there were tall windows along the one side the room wasn't fully lit, there only being a few lamps on the large central tables in the middle of the library. Next to one of those tables stood two men; royal guards, judging by their uniforms and chain mail. Only one had a sword at his waist, and the other one of them held a half-helmet beneath his arm instead of on his head.
"I'm certain it will be fine." the man not wearing a helmet had been saying when Link entered the room. "I know what I'm doing."
"They're going to catch us sooner or later." the second guard said, and then his gray eyes moved to fix on Link. "...there's a wolf in the library."
"What?" The first man sounded confused and turned around to look. He had a face so similar to the other guard they could have been brothers, but he wore a pair of glasses while the other man did not. He was familiar for some reason. "By Hylia, there's a wolf in the library!"
"I'm not a wolf, I'm a man who's cursed." Link stepped into the light of the lamp on the table, pushing down his worry for Midna in order to speak to them. "I went through Telma's bar because I need to get to Zelda. My friend is wounded, and we both need her help."
The helmeted guard stared, his jaw agape. Then he blinked and slapped his own cheek, trying to knock sense into himself. "Why am I wondering about this when there are Shadow Beasts in the castle? He said that he knows Telma. A friend of yours?"
"I'm afraid I haven't befriended any talking wolves." the man in the glasses said dryly. Once Link was closer, he was able to recognize him: he was the man in Telma's bar that had noticed him run by while the town was still under the Twilight. Of course, it made sense now; this was Telma's friend that worked in the castle. "But I can sense magic coming off of him, and that little creature on his back too."
"If you say so. I can't pick up on that kind of thing." The other guard shrugged. "You were going to the princess anyway, so if you think it's a good idea, you can bring this wolf to her. You may want to bring a sword, just in case he tries anything funny."
Link lay his ears flat in annoyance. "Don't you think if I was going to try anything funny, I would have done it already? I'm stuck as a wolf and my friend is stuck as a...a whatever and covered in burns. I'd be an idiot for attacking the one person who is supposed to help us."
"That may be so," the helmeted guard said, crossing his arms. "but you can understand my caution. You are a hundred twenty pound wolf, after all."
"I think I'm much more like one thirty-five." He paused to look over his shoulder at Midna, who let out a small groan of pain. "Hang in there, Midna." he said softly.
"Trying…" the little imp said faintly.
The wolf turned back to look up at the gray-eyed guard. "I give you my word that I won't do anything dangerous. I'm not here to hurt anyone, I promise."
"I don't plan on telling him no. What happened to him is probably related to everything else going on, so I'll bring the two of them to the princess." The man removed his glasses, tucked them away beneath his tabard and put the half helmet on his head, covering his brown hair. Once he did that, the two men looked nearly identical. The only notable difference was the second man had blue eyes instead of gray. "Come along, talking wolf. I'm not quite certain what Zelda can do for you, but I can tell something strange has happened."
Link's paws moved quietly across the carpeted floor of the library as he moved to stand next to the two men. "Maybe I can explain another time, but right now Zelda's my only hope for breaking this curse, and maybe my friend's too. If she uses Wisdom, then maybe-"
"Stop." the man with the glasses interrupted him, holding up a hand. "We don't need to discuss that." He reached out towards Midna, who panted on the wolf's back. The man withdrew his hand gingerly without touching her. "Those are terrible burns. You poor girl..."
The first guard looked at the massive clock that stood between two bookshelves. "You only have about twenty minutes before the Beasts patrol the tower again, so hurry."
The blue-eyed man picked up a silver tray with a domed lid and motioned for Link to follow him. For some reason, he was switching places with the other guard to bring what smelled like eggs and ham to Princess Zelda. He could ask the man why, but then again he didn't want to answer any questions about himself at the moment. The wolf followed the guard out into the hall, and down a red-carpeted corridor. There were paintings, tapestries, marble busts and the other kinds of opulence that one would expect in a castle, but Link barely noticed them as they moved past. His mind was on Midna.
"I won't ask your name, and you won't ask mine. As for what I'm doing right now, mum's the word." The man spoke in a low voice so he wouldn't disturb the quiet of early morning in Hyrule Castle. "Don't tell anyone about what you see here today. But I suppose I don't have to tell that to a man who has been cursed into a wolf." He gave a light smile but continued walking briskly while carefully balancing the tray in front of him. From what the other guard said, he was trying to take advantage of specific timing. The way he carried the covered tray without sliding around its contents indicated he had been doing this for a while. "However...I need to ask one question. How do you know about the Triforce of Wisdom?"
"I was sent here by the Light Spirit Lanayru, who told us to go to Zelda for help since she has the Triforce of Wisdom. We're like this due to the King of Shadows." He tilted an ear back, not wanting to say too much. If he mentioned his own piece of the Triforce, this man could possibly identify him. "There's more to it, but...like you said, mum's the word." He also didn't want to spend time talking when Midna was barely conscious on his back. She was being quiet and making little noise other than panting breaths.
"Your mystery and intrigue sounds far more interesting than mine. Try not to mention the Triforce in front of anyone, will you? We keep it a secret for good reason." The irony of the man telling someone with a piece of the Triforce not to talk to anyone about the Triforce would have made Link laugh if his heart wasn't so heavy. "We go in here." The guard pushed a heavy door open and went into what looked like a dry storage. There were crates and barrels, and Link could smell the faint odor of wine. The man set down the covered tray on a crate, and felt along the wall for a moment, touching the light gray stone. He found what he was looking for and pushed hard on a rectangular stone, causing a section of the wall to swing outwards. He picked up the silver tray and nodded at the newly-revealed path. "In you go."
Once they were through, the man pulled the fake wall closed behind them. The three of them went through another narrow corridor lit by torches, this one twisting and turning as it followed along inside the castle walls. It made sense that there would be multiple secret passages in Hyrule Castle, and it also seemed likely that the man he was following was one of the few people who knew about them. This man was Telma's contact that worked in Hyrule Castle, and if the change of clothes in the library office was any indication, he was the castle librarian.
The passageway split off a few times and the man followed the third path, taking them down a set of stairs. He seemed to know where he was going, but Link was beginning to feel lost. Yet another thing to add to the anxiety he felt over Midna, his curse, and everything else.
They reached another wall of wood with iron rings attached to it, likely another shelf. The blue-eyed man put his helmeted head to the hidden door, listening carefully. Link knew that he was listening to make sure the Shadow Beast that patrolled in and around Zelda's tower wasn't nearby. "It isn't out there." he said. "There's nothing moving close to the tower right now."
"I suppose you can hear better with those lupine ears of yours, hmm?" He tugged one of the iron rings and the door slid along a track just like the bookshelf, revealing the landing of the tower beyond, with stairs beginning to twist up and around the corner not too far in. The man waited until the wolf and imp were through the door and slid it close, pushing on a sconce set in to what proved to be a stone facade.
"The princess is not expecting you." the librarian said quietly as they climbed the winding staircase to the top of the tower. "I understand your urgency, but please allow me to speak to her first before I call you in. I have a good reason to speak with her, like you."
Link raised his wolf face to look up at him. "Fine, but hurry. I don't know if I could fight a Shadow Beast with my friend on my back like this."
"Fight a…" The man stopped momentarily and shook his head before continuing up the stairs. "No, no questions. We keep our secrets." They reached the single room of the tower at the top of the stairs, and the blue-eyed man nodded once to Link before knocking on the door. "Your highness? Are you awake?"
"Trevor?" Zelda's voice came from the other side of the door. "No...Shad. Hurry, come in."
The man identified as Shad pushed open one of the heavy double-doors and brought in his tray, shutting the iron-bound door behind him with a foot. Link's wolf ears could barely hear him cross the soft carpet over the sound of Midna's ragged breathing, and he heard the faint clatter of dishes as the tray was set down somewhere.
"I didn't expect to see you this soon." Zelda said, and there was a clink and a pouring sound. "Do you have something to report?"
"I do. Prince Ralis has been fully healed and is safe in Kakariko. Telma told me that it was the waters of Eldin's spring, but I suspect that it was the shaman using his power instead. There's no way to confirm that yet, but I saw Ralis myself days ago, and he had an infected wound. Only light magic could heal him so completely."
"Telma brought him to Kakariko? Did she have a Goron escort? There are so many Bulbin patrols..." There was the sound of a knife cutting on a plate.
"No." Shad said. "It was one man who escorted Telma and Ralis. She told me that he protected them from an entire Bulbin raiding party, and he did it by killing all the raiders himself." This last part was said with a certain emphasis. He paused, and there were the sounds of silverware clinking. "I don't think I need to tell you who he was."
"Mm." Zelda made a sound as if she had a mouthful of food, and spoke a few seconds later. "Our current hero."
"Indeed. Telma found out who he was when some Gorons identified him. Word of what he's been doing is spreading." He made a thoughtful sound. "If I may surmise, I believe the hero may also have something to do with the thawing of Zora's Domain and the return of water to our city."
"You are likely right. The Twilight is completely gone as well, if people can come and go freely. I believe we will be meeting him soon." It was strange to listen to Zelda and Shad speak about him without realizing that he was right on the other side of the door. Zelda had been keeping track of his progress through Hyrule, and expected to speak to him soon. Well, it would be far sooner than she realized. "Do you have anything else to report?"
"None of the others have come in yet, although Brent sent a pigeon in reply. He says that Ashei will be coming in his stead again. She didn't come in last night, so I assume she will be here sometime today. Lastly, none of our scouts have seen Zant in three days. It's possible he's somewhere in the middle of that army south of the city, but I doubt it. We haven't seen the Bulbin king for a few days either."
The sounds of a knife and fork on a plate continued through the conversation. "If they aren't with the army, then that is either very good for us, or very bad. Time will tell. Very well, attempt to contact Auru again and see if he can speak with the Sages. I know the others are bound to their duty, but I would like to speak to Rauru if possible. And tell Auru that I will drag him away from that desert with these two hands of mine if he ignores my summons again." The words could have been interpreted as frightening coming from royalty, but her tone was light, even affectionate. "Speak with Reginald and see if he can motivate the military to assemble. I know we may risk soldiers being transformed, but if we ever have need to let the citizens flee, the army must stall for time." She did not sound happy at this prospect. Did she intend to evacuate Castle Town now that the Twilight was gone? Where could she possibly send tens of thousands of people? While there was an army camped outside, Castle Town was safe behind its double walls and moat. She was probably making plans as a precaution. Now that he had heard her speak a bit more, he could tell that Zelda was wise for her age.
"General Scot has a hard head, but I know Reginald will do his best." the man said. "If there are any problems with Scot following orders, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Thank you for coming again." Zelda said. "I know that it puts both you at risk. Try to come back in a few days."
"Ah, Zelda…" Shad used her name without her title. It was strange to hear this conversation between the castle librarian and the princess herself. They didn't sound like royalty and a servant, but instead sounded like the friends that Telma said they were. "Actually...there is one other thing." His feet crossed the carpet and the door opened, and he looked down at the wolf waiting impatiently with the burnt imp on his back. "I'm sorry that took a while. Please, come in." He stepped aside to allow Link to enter.
He was only a few steps into the room when Zelda stood up behind her desk suddenly, hands flying to her mouth in shock. She was wearing an ornate purple and white dress with long white gloves, and had a golden diadem set in with a large sapphire on her head. She was also as stunningly beautiful as people had said, although her appearance was not what Link was worried about at the moment. "No! How are you a wolf again?"
"Complications." He stopped in front of the fireplace, the very same place he had been when the princess had explained the Twilight Invasion to him two weeks ago. "Please, you have to help Midna." As soon as he said this, the little creature slid off his back to thump onto the floor. He nudged at her face gently with his nose. "Midna, we're here. Zelda's with us now."
Shad watched this exchange with wide eyes, but said nothing. Zelda rushed from her half-finished breakfast and knelt down on the floor next to the injured imp. "You're able to speak as a wolf...what happened to you? To her?"
"Zant cursed me. Now I'm stuck as the wolf outside of the Twilight, but I'm not hurt thanks to Courage. That's why I can talk." It was partially a lie. His head still ached and his body was still weary, but he thought he would be near-death like Midna if it wasn't for his piece of the Triforce. "But Midna was burned by the light of Lanayru. Zant used his power to control the Light Spirit and make it attack her after she refused to join him."
"Zel...Zelda…" Midna rolled onto her back, her breathing shallow. "...can...you help him?"
The princess' beautiful blue eyes darted between Midna's face and Link's. She seemed to have a moment of indecision, and then she nodded. "Shad, I know this is all very strange, but I promise I will explain in time." She kept her eyes on Midna's face. "Please, return to the library so Trevor may return to his post. I will help these two the best that I can."
The librarian's eyes held a dozen questions behind them, but he nodded. "Yes, of course." He slipped out of the room and shut the door behind him without another word, following his princess' orders.
"You know about your fragment of the Triforce?" Zelda asked, looking Midna's burns over. They were blistered and oozing.
"Yeah. I'm starting to figure out how to use it. I'll tell you about it later, just please help her." His tone was urgent, his eyes worried. He didn't come all this way for Midna to die at Zelda's feet.
"No…" Midna shook her head. "Link...first. He...he is important...to your world. Hyrule…" She shut her eyes and quivered in pain. "...Hyrule needs him."
The princess extended her right hand towards the wolf's body. The triangles on the back of her gloved hand lit up as she concentrated, the lower left one glowing brighter than the others. He felt a warmth on his left paw, and saw that Courage glowed in response, the bottom right triangle a bit brighter. He swallowed, trying to maintain his composure, but hearing Midna's voice was bringing him close to tears again.
Zelda shook her head and withdrew her hand, Wisdom winking out. "I'm afraid that there isn't much I can do. What binds him now is different than the magic within the Twilight. It is far more evil." She furrowed her brow in thought, a single wrinkle appearing between her arched eyebrows. "But there is still hope. There is a light strong enough to drive away evil such as this." Zelda raised her eyes to look at Link. "It is in an enchanted place now known as the Sacred Grove, in the ruins of the Temple of Time, found deep in the woods of Faron. There you'll find the only thing that can break your curse: The Blade of Evil's Bane. The Master Sword."
He stared at her as a connection formed in his mind. Jorvan had mentioned him not having the hero's sword, and he himself had thought of the legendary sword while trying to escape Kasuto. Was that what he was meant to have? "The Master Sword?"
The princess nodded. "It is powerful, and that power will test you to see if you worthy, but I know in my heart that you are. Evil cloaks you like a dark veil, Link. Only that sword is capable of dispelling it."
"Link?" Midna feebly raised her burnt and bloodied hand towards him, lightly touching his front leg. "You...can get there by yourself...right?"
"We're going together." he said, his deep wolf voice thick with tears. "You'll be all right."
"Don't lie…" She shut her eyes and gave a small sigh, dropping her hand to her side. "We both know I'm dying…"
"Please." Link begged Zelda, tears standing in his eyes. "I don't care what we have to do, please save her." He would be willing to be stuck as a wolf for the rest of his life if it meant Midna would live. He didn't only need her to help him fulfill his role of the hero, he needed her companionship, her friendship. He didn't want her to die in a cursed form far from home, unable to fulfill her mission. He didn't want her to die after he told her that he would keep her safe.
The princess smiled sadly and put a hand to the side of his face comfortingly, and he then knew that Zelda had no way to help her. He shut his eyes and heaved a tearful breath as he hung his head, not prepared to let Midna go just yet. Not yet...how could he do this without her? They had only gotten this far because they were together. He numbly recalled that when Midna found him, he was weeping as the wolf. Now he was doing the same thing as she slowly slipped away.
"I said...don't cry, fool." Midna managed the faintest of smiles before turning her head to the princess. "Zelda...I have a...final request…" she said between shallow breaths, her voice barely above a whisper. She reached with her right hand towards the princess, who took the small hand in her own. "Can you...help Link find...the Mirror of Twilight? He...he must save both realms."
Zelda gave a small, startled gasp, and that made Link raise his face to look at her again. "Midna...I think I understand now. I know exactly who and what you are. Despite your mortal injuries, you still want to help those of us from the world of light." She bit her lip, considering something, and then gave a small nod to reassure herself. "Everything that has happened recently is due to the actions of my people during the Interloper War. It's our fault, yet you suffer the consequences." She shook her head, her earrings jangling softly. "I'm so sorry for what has happened, but I will make it right." She held Midna's hand in both of hers. "Please accept this gift, Midna. I will pass it on to you. Live for us all."
Wisdom began to glow brightly on the back of Zelda's hand, illuminating the room with its golden light. Courage responded in kind on Link's paw, and he watched the princess warily, unsure of what she was doing. Zelda's skin itself glowed golden, the light rising from her body in tiny glowing sparks.
The light began to surround Midna, her own body softly glowing gold. Her face looked confused for a moment, but then her eyes opened wide as she realized what the princess was doing. "No! Zelda, don't!" She sat up with renewed strength, her body filled with golden light, her wounds closing. "Link! Stop her!"
He looked between the two women, his tears forgotten, not sure what he could do. "Stop her? What is she doing?"
Neither one of them answered him. The mark of the Triforce on the back of Zelda's hand flickered fitfully, like a candle in a breeze. The golden glow faded from her body and Wisdom went dark. Midna's light flashed brightly, the golden motes of magic absorbed by her body, and then it faded. She stood up quickly in alarm, withdrawing her hand from Zelda's grasp.
The Princess of Hyrule's blue eyes grew unfocused and rolled back in her head, and she collapsed.
"No…" Midna looked at her hands, shaking her head. She knelt down by Zelda's inert form and shook her roughly, trying to rouse her. "No! This isn't right! Your people need her, Link!"
"She...is she dead?" He stood up and nudged at Zelda's arm with his nose, but her body was limp. Her chest didn't rise and fall with breaths. "She isn't breathing!" He cried, beginning to panic too. There always was a Princess Zelda, and there was always the royal family to protect Hyrule. If she was dead, then what? What would happen to them? To Hyrule?
Midna pressed her ear to the young woman's chest and shook her head after listening for a moment. "Her heart is still beating, but very slowly. She isn't dead, but her soul isn't in her body anymore." She fell to sit roughly on the floor and looked at her small hands sadly. "Zelda...why? I took everything you had to give, even though I didn't want it."
Link lay next to her and pressed his damp muzzle up against her cheek in an attempt to comfort her. "I don't think either one of us could have stopped her. She made a decision and followed through with it."
The little creature made a small sound and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the thick fur of his chest. She had been ready to die and had hoped Zelda would help him complete his mission to defeat Zant, but the princess knew something important. Zelda somehow had figured out Midna's role in everything, and the princess had sacrificed her magical power and soul with it so that Midna may live. Link watched the exchange as an outsider, not understanding the reasoning behind either woman's actions, only knowing that now Midna was in the light world without a shadow form, and Zelda lay unconscious on the floor.
He hooked a paw around Midna's back, the closest thing he could do to a hug. "We can't let this stand, Midna. Neither one of us wanted this, but we need to continue on. We need to defeat Zant and make everything right again." His words were supportive, but his own emotions were roiling. He had been weeping, certain that he would lose Midna, and now a feeling of cold dread replaced that grief.
She nodded her head slightly and stepped back from him. "You're right, but we can't just up and leave...can we?"
"Trevor or Shad will find her the next time they bring her food. They'll know that we had something to do with it." He lay his ears flat. "I'll take responsibility. Now that I know where to find Shad, I'll talk to him and explain what happened. This isn't your fault, Midna."
"It isn't your fault either. You don't need to be responsible for this." She brushed a few loose brown hairs out of Zelda's beautiful face and put a hand to the young woman's cheek. "We can't leave her on the floor."
"I don't have hands to move her."
"I know." Midna glanced around the room and eyed the large four-poster bed. Its blankets were neatly tucked in place; the princess had made her own bed after waking. "I'll put her on the bed." She floated up and carefully wrapped her orange hair around Zelda's slender body, lifting her from the floor. Midna moved across the room and gently set the princess down on the duvet, taking care to arrange her hair and skirts so she would lay there with some decorum. Link came and stood at the bedside and the two of them stared at Zelda's still body, the princess looking as if she was merely asleep. Neither one of them said anything.
After a minute, Midna turned to him. "I know you're still in pain, but are you able to run some more?"
He hadn't been trying to hide it, but until now Midna's own suffering was far more important. "I'm reaching my limit, but I have no choice. If I have any chance, if we have any chance, then I need to get to the Master Sword."
"Then I'll teleport us to Faron's Spring." She leaned down and gently patted his cheek, her face determined. "We go back, Link. Back to Faron Woods."
Author's Note: This chapter was my favorite to write out of the whole book. It's pretty different than the original game, but that's par the course at this point. I hope you forgive me for leaving out the silly talking cats. :)
I'm sorry to the Link x Midna shippers. Some of the things happening in this chapter aren't what you think. They really are just friends.
Only one more chapter left! Then Into the Twilight is done and we'll be on to Book Two.