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Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Chapter 3: A Reluctant Partnership
From out of the clear blue sky, the darkness deposited Link safely onto the sand of the spirit spring. He looked about, relieved that he had been returned to territory that he knew. However, when he gazed into the sparkling water at his feet, the mirror image of the strangely marked beast bore into his eyes. Frightened, he jumped at seeing his face still black.
"Oh that's right; I forgot to mention one thing," came that all too familiar voice of the imp. Her voice had come from behind, but when Link jumped around to look … no one was there. Her voice continued nonetheless, "Though you may have left the darkened realm, you haven't transformed back into your former self … and you won't anytime soon! Now why could that be?"
'What…?' Link thought. 'Would I remain like this for the rest of my life?'
Her callous laugh echoed. "See you later!"
Link looked around to find her, the one who promised her aid, but her form greeted him from no corner of the spring. His heart weighed as heavy as the metaphoric boulder that had reshaped his body into the wolf. Without her help would he ever truly understand this ailment of the twilight? His steps slow, he hung his head as he stepped toward the exit of the spring. What would he do now? As a beast? How could he help anyone in such a state? With the exception of Sparx, his parents, & those who know Link; people would run away from him in terror.
"So, um … what next?" the rock face beside him called. Deep in thought, he leapt when he heard the crackle of Midna's voice again so soon.
All of a sudden, his shadow moved and he leapt back, but-as shadows often do-it followed had not noticed in his misery that it was darker than a shadow even should be, for he could not even make out the contours of the grass under his paws.
Midna peeled herself from his shadow then and hovered before him as a mere shade, only her one eye producing any sign of color. Link blinked, uncomprehending.
"Did you think I'd disappeared?" she giggled. "Listen, there's another thing I forgot to tell you. Don't think you can just run off and save your friends because you can't! Just beyond that bridge" -she pointed- "the land is covered in twilight. Last time, the shadow beast pulled you through the curtain of twilight, but if you want to go that way this time, you'll need the cooperation of someone from the twilight … like me! So," she paused, her hair twirling behind her, "you really have no choice but to do what I say."
Midna took a breath and looked curiously into his eyes. "Saving your friends and all that…. Well, that will depend on your actions because you never can trust words, you know." She straightened, and leaned her body against the craggy rocks like true pompous nobility. "Now, I want a sword and a shield that'll suit me. You'll be using them ... if you can become your old self again, that is. You understand?" She threw a teasing smile his way.
Link thought it over. Everything was happening so fast.
Midna, however, was not patient. "So … what do you plan to do? While you're here dawdling, the twilight continues to expand. Come on. Hurry up!"
Drawing out her vicious grin, she ripped herself from the wall and ducked into Link's shadow. For a moment he simply looked at it, shaken. What was this? Hiding in his black reflection? He sighed, wondering if he would ever comprehend the whole of what took place. Yet, despite the nagging questions he was unable to voice, he accepted this fate and took one step after another toward Ordon.
Sword and shield? He knew exactly where to look….
The dark of night fell as Link passed by his house on the outskirts of the small village of Ordon. Peeking into the town from behind a grove of trees, he expected to spy the houses all barred up with no one in sight. However, many people paced about the dirt roads. Many torches were burning. At this distance Link could only hear the shuffling of feet through the soil and the slow churning of the waterwheel attached to Jaggle and Pergie's house.
"Spyro," a voice yelled. Link turned and saw Sparx flying toward him surprisingly fast. The dragonfly crashed into the dragon's horn, refusing to let go.
"Sparx," Link replied in a whisper. "How have you been?"
"I've been worried sick," Sparx replied. "What happened to you?!"
"I can explain later," Link answered. "Just tell Mom & Dad that I'm fine."
"Alright then," Sparx said sarcastically. "I'll tell them that you're safe." After that, the dragonfly flew away. Once he was out of sight, Link turned his attention toward his shadow.
"Midna," he whispered, "would my current form scare them worse than my wolf form?"
"I don't know," the imp replied. "Your voice would put them less on edge. I suggest your current form."
Link shuffled closer but remained out of sight, for he was no longer human and since he didn't want to scare anyone, he was forced to eavesdrop. He hunkered down near Sera's shop and listened to Jaggle, Flash, Nina, and the mayor speak in hushed voices. "Isn't there anything more we can do?" snapped Jaggle. "Those monsters kidnapped our children!"
"Link & Epona are gone too," Flash replied.
"Even though he wasn't taken," Nina added. "Link chased after the culprits with only a slingshot, since his blade was attached to Epona at the time."
"My daughter is gone as well, Jaggle," the mayor said. "I am worried, too. I am counting on Rusl to take care of the matter. He's scouting the village as we speak. We will wait until he returns with news."
"He could be gone for hours!" persisted Jaggle. "We need to go after them before their trail goes cold!"
Just then a crackle from the trees scared the quartet to attention, prepared for another attack. Yet, when the shape of the blacksmith emerged from the coppice, the four raced toward him. It was not that Rusl had any obvious news of the children but that he appeared to have sustained many injuries. The blacksmith sank to the ground in a heap, breathless.
Bo crouched to him, turning him to his back. "What did this? Any word on the children?"
Rusl's eyes drew closed due to his weakness. Bo rose and turned to Jaggle, "See to him. I'll fetch Uli and continue the search. I think the sword and shield meant for Link's journey are still in his house. I'll take those."
The mayor raced off up the incline as Jaggle, Flash, & Nina tried to accommodate the fallen blacksmith. On the way across the river, the mayor passed by Sparx, of whom was flying in the opposite direction.
From Link's shadow Midna urged with a hiss, "Ah, isn't that what you were looking for? Better get them before him, or else I suppose you'll have to scare them from his hands!" She stifled her rising giggle as Link vigilantly stepped into town, staying to the shadows of the torchlight as much as possible.
When Link reached Rusl's house far up the incline, Bo had already entered into conversation with the blacksmith's wife.
Without the slightest hint of a rustle, Link crept around to the back of the house and leapt onto the roof, startling both the Bo & Uli.
"A dragon," the mayor yelled. When Link opened his mouth to speak, the mayor & the blacksmith's wife cowered, fearing the end.
"Did you really think that I was going to kill you," Link said. "I thought I knew you better, Mayor." He jumped down from the roof, moving into the light.
"Link," Uli realized. "Is that really you?"
"Yes, Uli," Link replied. "It's me. I have news from Hyrule."
"What is it then," the mayor asked.
"Hyrule has been invaded," Link stated. "The Royal Family is being held prisoners inside their own castle."
"That's terrible news," Uli said, shivering.
"To make things worse, the invaders have drowned the land in perpetual twilight. People that reside in or enter Hyrule would become like spirits. Only the princess is protected from this fate."
"What about you," Bo exclaimed. "You didn't suffer that terrible fate."
"But I didn't leave unscathed," Link replied. "Usually, this form has vibrant purple scales with golden horns, spines, underbelly, and tail tip. And when I try to become human, I become a wolf instead."
"Why are you here lad," the mayor said. "Weren't you chasing the kidnappers?"
"I was," Link answered him. "But when I entered the Faron Woods, I got captured by the invaders and thrown into Hyrule Castle dungeons." At the mention of that place, Bo and Uli gasped.
"How did you escape," Uli asked.
"Let's just say that an enemy of the invaders found me and got me out," Link replied. "About why I'm here, I need the sword and shield that are intended to be gifts to the Royal Family."
"Why do you need them," Uli asked. "Can't you breathe fire?"
"I don't know how," Link replied. "Besides, if and when I become human again, I would need a means to defend myself besides a slingshot."
"That's a good point," Uli said. "I'll go retrieve them." Uli dashed into the house and came out a few seconds later with the Ordon Sword and Ordon Shield.
"Use them well," Bo exclaimed.
"I will," Link replied. "By the way, in this form the name is Spyro." With that said, Link mounted to the sky, wings flapping.
His very existence pained him. He wondered, as he flew back toward the Faron Woods, if he would ever regain his true forms and that if he could, would it be even more agonizing?
When Link had finally left Ordon, he stopped for a moment near the spirit's spring to rest his wings. He tossed the shield from his back and dropped the scabbard onto the wood. Midna leapt up from under him to peek at the items as she impatiently waited. "Looks like you can actually be useful when you concentrate," she said.
He nodded slightly. "Midna, I should at least give Sparx an explanation why I'm leaving," he looked to Midna, but snapped at her when he saw not her face but the wooden shield instead. He rolled his eyes.
"Shields aren't meant to be worn on your face like a mask," he pointed out; slightly amused.
Midna had garbed herself in a ridiculous fashion. The shield hung loose over her face. In her hand, she held the now unsheathed sword, and, satisfied that she had put on the shield correctly she took a swing, blindly.
From beyond her veil, she complained, "Do you really think this thing can slay creatures of twilight?" She jabbed the sword down into the ground. "This shield seems a little pointless to me," her muffled voice spoke. "I can't see a thing!"
Midna removed the shield from her face, but did not realize the amused expression across Link's features. "Well, I won't use these, but I'll hold on to them for you." At once, she snapped up the sword and tossed its strap over her shoulder, buckling the clasp against her collarbone. After she set the shield overtop the sword, she looked to Link again, "All right, a promise is a promise."
The little imp jumped onto his back then and leaned over to his ear. Her voice turned into a hollow, dark melody as she spoke. "However, in exchange for my help … I need you to gather some things for me."
Link looked back at her, expectant.
"Look, I can't tell you all the details now, but it'll be easy. Trust me," she defended in the same low tone.
Yet a strange sound then bubbled in their ears, and the pair listened closely. It sounded like a voice far off in the distance … singing... The melody played menacingly in Link's mind, sure that its artist was in a deep state of melancholy. It was his partner who took action first.
"Do you hear that noise?" she giggled. "It's the lamentation of the spirit that had its light stolen." She put a finger to her lip, faking that she was hard at thinking. "Now, where in the world could it be?"
Link, transfixed by the harmonious tune, stood completely still, staring ahead without focusing.
Midna crouched back atop him. "Better get going, don't you think?" she asked, looking at the tips of her fingers, inspecting them for any misshaped ends. "Don't blame me for your world's fate if you don't hurry up and find that light!" She ended with a giggle and her own little hum, mocking the sound she heard emanating nearby.
Link shuddered at a high note, and awoke instantly from his state at Midna's prodding. "Snap to it!" she spat.
He growled at her, wanted to bite the little finger that poked him, but he shook away from the thought and stepped along. He had a good idea where he would find the source.
Just around the corner, Link stopped at the entrance to the spirit spring. The water had grown foggy, an unearthly smell emanating from its once crisp waters. A clouded violet haze reflected in its mass. Link blinked away the harshness of the spring's disturbingly new state.
"Come … to me..." a voice called out. "You who have been … transformed by the power … of shadow."
Its calm tone greatly contradicted the appearance of its source. A dim light peeked out from beyond the heavy shadow that covered the water like a thick blanket. Its voice, still ringing in a lyrical tone, instilled a tide of trust within Link. He was compelled to obey, but approached with caution.
"Beware …" the voice spoke, and Link immediately looked about. "The shadow being approaches..."
Aside from the spirit's lamentation, silence toyed at Link's ears. His dragonesque eyes could detect nothing, a creeping feeling itching its way into his bones. Through the intensity of the stillness, the haze seemed to grow darker, but in the next moment...
From out of the darkness, a wicked form crashed down upon Link, Midna toppling off. When she picked herself back up, she came to the site of Link thrashing upon a dark creature, one of the same species that had first pulled him into the twilight beyond the bridge. She gasped as she watched the two beasts claw and tear and pounce on one another. It was the first time she felt something about Link. She started to reach out, taking a step forward, but in a split moment, she retreated back to her former position, laughing off the odd feeling uncomfortably.
Link, however, never noticed her indecision, sustaining blows and casting them. In the end, he ripped his teeth across the chest of the brutal shadow beast, and it tumbled back. A weak hiss played out from its invisible mouth as it held its breast. In a matter of seconds, the creature faded into fragments and dispersed with a crackling pop.
Link panted breath back into his lungs, huffing as he looked toward Midna. By this time, she had been successful in completely erasing any lingering existence of the odd feeling that had just moments ago passed through her.
They stepped up to the source of the voice together. When they came to a stop, expecting the voice to resume its speech, they noticed that the faint song had ended. They looked to one another in puzzlement.
At first nothing happened; then the rocky appendages about the spring began to dance with an eerie green light, which grew brighter and brighter still-patterns materializing upon the formations-until all around them whirls of piercing light burst forth from the ground and the water. The luminescence rose from beneath their feet, and the center of the spring bubbled upward. When it burst at its height, the water broke out into a pulsing wave in all directions, and carrying upon its crest the renewing shine of the purest light.
Link and Midna watched in awe. Another bubble, tinier than the first, leapt out of the water at the mouth of the six-inch collection of waterfalls, and when it landed back into its home, no ripple was cast from its point of return. In its place thin shafts of light punctured the surface, casting the shimmer out into the brightened sky. From these beams, a ball of the most beautiful light rose. Its majestic orange and yellow glow made moisture well up in Link's and Midna's eyes as they fought to watch, but they were forced to look away and blink back the false tears.
Once they returned to the sight, the orb of dancing light had risen far above their heads. It grew brighter and larger until Link thought it would reach down with one of its dancing, orbiting rays and engulf him. However, the sight that befell him astonished him beyond any comparison. Green lights also began to stretch its image, until it rounded out into a glowing sphere of white and golden and green hues. From this orb stretched two bursts of light that formed a body beneath it. Horns stretched around its energy in a circle and from this crest, the light continued to assume the form of a stag-like animal. Its mouth wide, body muscled, and tail oddly formed like a fin, it stared at the companions with its hollow, white eyes.
"O, brave youth." Its spiritual voice was magical and masculine. Link could not peel himself away from the creature that he could only compare to the goats of Ordon village.
"I am one of the four light spirits that protect Hyrule at the behest of the gods. I am Ordona."
Link found himself sitting comfortably on his hind legs, as Midna stood alongside him.
"The black beast you slew was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield." With a sad lyrical hum, Link understood that its next would be grave news and listened close. "My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts." Just as Ordona spoke this aloud, Link could hear a screech within his mind, an earth shattering, ear-piercing shrillness which could not be consoled.
"The entire kingdom," the Spirit continued as the shriek died down within Link's mind, "has been reduced to a netherworld ruled by the cursed powers of darkness, and the blight will not stop with Hyrule. Before long, the entire world of light will fall into the hands of the king who rules the twilight.
"To save this land from the king of twilight, the lost light must be recovered," it declared gravely. "The three light spirits who have lost their light must be revived once more." Ordona's gaze bore into Link's eyes. "There is but one who can revive them and redeem this land.
"You..."
"Me," Link gasped; confused. He was to be the one to save all of Hyrule from this … this twilight darkness? But why? What made it his duty? What earned him that responsibility?
"You still have not discovered your true power," Ordona hummed. "Those transformed by twilight usually cannot recover their original forms..."
Link slouched. So … he would remain like this … forever.
But as Ordona continued, he again looked hopeful. "Unless... If you were to return to Faron Woods where you were first transformed... If you were to revive the light spirit... There, by the power of the light spirit, you may find the means to regain your other state of being."
With that, the light spirit of Ordon burst apart in a spectacle of bright lights of white, green, gold, and blue until its animal form disappeared, and the orb atop its head dissipated into the air around them. After the light suffocated itself, it grew quiet and the water crystal blue once more.
Finally, hope coursed throughout the entirety of Link's being. At last, there was a way to become human again, to feel his clean-shaven face, to flex his fingers and toes, and to feel his human heart restoring his body with every pulse. Oh, to feel the weight of his own body again! To lull under the bright sun as a fleshy human, not a hairy beast...
The sheer hope that now engulfed him restored everything, every dream. Every prayer of finding Ilia...
Unbeknownst to Link and Midna, a certain dragonfly was spying on them from inside the trees.
This chapter is done. About the scene where Link obtains the Ordon Sword and the Ordon Shield. I just felt that Link wouldn't dare steal from his neighbors. Stealing causes the thief's heart to not be pure. Meaning, Link wouldn't have been able to draw the Master Sword from its pedestal in TP.
Until the next time I update this story (or someone who wants to be my co-author does).