Chapter 30
"Go! Go! Go!"
Zelda pushed her companions up the path with frantic shoves as the Shadow cackled with glee behind them, swinging his sword from one side of the tunnel to the other, the glow of sparks illuminating his dark robes. The others threw panicked, confused glances towards her, but she had no time to explain. She didn't even know what to say even if she did.
"Move!" she barked. They were in shock; not quite understanding why they had to flee from someone they thought was their friend. The frowns of bafflement only served to make the creature chasing them laugh harder until it seemed he would be out of breath. Zelda realised that the Shadow was just toying with them, that he could catch up to them at any moment he chose.
"Don't go!" he teased. "Don't leave me!" His voice took on a high pitch, mocking the words Zelda had said to Link in his mind. The Shadow's ridicule fuelled her anger further, making it bubble within, a volcano waiting to erupt.
She risked throwing a glance over her shoulder. Crimson eyes framed by a hard, cruel face stared back at her, pure delight shining within them. He was enjoying himself, this creature that had waited so long to emerge and taste life. This creature that had taken away her Link, like a dying candle being snuffed out.
Zelda looked away as his tongue flicked out in a lecherous grin.
They ran, going further up, slipping and sliding, their fear driving them on like a harsh driver whipping at horses. Tessa slipped once or twice, her face almost torn apart with dread, her eyes and nose red. Zelda did not stop; she only slowed to scoop the farm girl back up onto her feet every time she fell.
"What's going on, Your Highness?" Fran screamed. Some part of her was mildly touched that he still he addressed her so formally even under such circumstances. "What is that thing?"
"And why does it look like Link?" Tessa moaned, her voice thick with grief.
"It isn't Link!" Zelda hissed between clenched teeth. "Don't ever think of it as him!"
"Then why does it look so alike to the Hero?" Chizan's voice, sounding strained at the edges, but still mustering up more calm then any of them could. "And where is Link?"
"I don't know!" she spat, snarling as her tunic caught on a sharp rock.
The Prince spun to a halt, making the others skid. "Then what do you know?"
Zelda glared at him, realising that the tension was getting to all of them. She didn't care.
"All I know is the Link is dead and that thing virtually killed him."
The words echoed in the air for a moment as shock washed over them. Tessa began to weep softly.
Zelda could hear the Shadow in the distance, the clang of his swinging blade amplified to such a degree that it sounded like a horrific creature from the Pit.
"We have to hurry!" she said. "We must go!"
Chizan stood his ground, eyeing her with serene detachment. "What good will that do?" he said, his voice low. "Let us stand and fight. Honour our fallen friend."
Zelda held his gaze and she saw the serious determination burning therein. Cold realisation ran in her veins. He was right. They could run and run, but this thing would always hound them. And Link deserved a better send off than her cowering away from his murderer. Although it was the Wraith that had struck with the sword, she was certain that it was the Shadow that had ultimately killed him. And now she was going to let him get away with it, running in childish fear. Shame pinched her cheeks.
Chitz the Imp sprang up from Tessa's back. "Whoa, whoa…haha," he said. "I'm with the Queen. Haha. Let's run."
Zelda ignored him, a movement from Zayna catching her eye. The Key had her sword drawn and ready, her face tight and hollow. They exchanged glances. No words needed to be said and Zayna just gave her a tiny nod.
"Get me a sword," Zelda said, turning to the mouth of the tunnel where they expected the Shadow to appear. She had left her own blade pinned to the roof of the tunnel where she had fought the Wraiths.
The chest plate on Chizan's dull grey armour opened with a sudden clank. A short sword appeared, and he handed it over to the Queen.
Zelda cocked an eyebrow as she tested the weight of the weapon in her hand. "What else do you have hidden in there?"
He responded only by his mouth curling in a slight smirk.
Hissing with exasperation, Zelda rolled her eyes. She almost flung the sword straight back at him. Of all the times the Prince could have chosen to let his mask of nobility slip, he had to choose now. She did not think that she would ever understand men.
The Shadow slid into the tunnel, his eyes drunk with insanity, his sword swinging in a lazy arc. "Oh ho ho. What have we here?" Zelda hated the sound of his voice. It was thick and murky like tar. He sounded nothing like her Link. "Have you decided to stand and fight, pretty princess?" His deep scarlet eyes took them all in. "You three gals just wait a moment. As soon as I've dealt with the hunter and the Freelander, we can have some fun."
"Demon," Zayna spat. "The only thing you'll have is my sword thrust down your throat."
The Shadow's mouth curled. "Promises, promises."
Zelda braced herself, her vision funnelling into a sharp target point, at the centre of which was the Shadow's face. "Keep together," she said calmly. "Tessa, stay behind us."
"No." The voice was quiet and trembling.
Zelda turned to her and was struck by the ferocious look on the farm girl's face. "Tessa?"
"He killed Link," she said in a harsh whisper. "So I'm going to kill him."
Tessa lunged forward before Zelda could stop her. "No! Wait!"
"Tessa!" Fran screamed, his bow slipping from his fingers.
The girl launched herself at the Shadow's face with a snarl, her fingers curled into talons. She managed to tear a thin line of blood down his cheek before he caught her by the wrist with one hand. He pressed her hard against his body, pushing his face into her hair and breathing deeply.
"So very sweet." His voice made Zelda's blood run with disgust.
With a roar of pure rage, Fran ran forward, his fists flying. The Shadow's sword was up in an instant cutting through the hunter's shoulder. Fran cried out and Tessa shrieked. He fell away to one side, blood pouring down his injured limb, Tessa's wide eyes following him down.
Zelda's head swam. Everything was moving in a blur. Her eyes were hot and her ears rang with the Shadow's laughter. She moved ahead, Chizan and Zayna by her side. She saw a flicker of movement, saw Tyron raise his arms, ready to utter something, a spell, a curse, she didn't know. The Shadow dropped his sword, reached back and flung his razor sharp boomerang. It sliced straight through Tyron's left wrist and he collapsed with a howl of pain.
Too fast. Too fast. Everything was moving too fast.
The Shadow swiftly scooped up his sword, parrying Zayna's first strike with such force that she was flung into the wall. Zelda saw her friend buckle with pain as all the breath left her like a rapidly deflating balloon. The Shadow cackled, intoxicated with maniacal energy. With his second swipe he struck Chizan and the Prince was sent flying back against the far wall in a drizzle of sparks, where he crumpled to the ground.
Link's dark mannequin took a few steps towards Zelda, dragging a weeping Tessa by her hair. "Guess it's just us three," he drawled. "I can still think of lots of things we can do."
"You're sick," she bit back. "A pathetic, worthless creature."
"Well, ex-cuuuse me, pretty princess," he said. "I'm the dark whirlpool that sits at the centre of every person's soul. I'm the whisperer that beckons to you when no one else is around or tells you to hurt when someone hurts you or tells you to take the quick fix, the easy way to satisfaction. I "
"-talk too much!" Chitz the Imp burst out from Tessa's travel pack, flying into the Shadow's face. The dark warrior was so stunned that he let go of the farm girl as Chitz pounded away at his face.
Zelda swung her sword, ready. "Tessa! Run!"
She did not need to be told twice. As Tessa darted past her, Zelda saw the Shadow make a grab for Chitz. Clinging onto his hair, Chitz swung his little legs up and then smashed them into the Shadow's face. The dark one roared in fury, finally sinking his fingers into the Imp's skin and flinging him away.
Zelda moved forward as the Shadow retrieved his sword. They locked gazes, and she saw pure hate glinting in his eyes.
The Shadow raised his blade. He paused as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the blade. "Ooooh," he said with a playful hiss, turning his head from side to side as he admired himself. "How can you possibly resist this face?" The words pricked something at the back of Zelda's mind. For years, she had wondered why Link had never been as egotistical as all the other handsome noblemen she had met in her life. Now she realised, saw that he had kept his ego well buried.
"I'm just like him, you know," he said, swaggering. "Just like Link in every way."
The wink that followed ignited something in her and she swung her sword with a bellow. Their weapons clashed, illuminating the tunnel with hot, fiery sparks. They held their ground, their swords crossed, their arms and legs trembling with effort as they each tried to gain an advantage. Her narrowed eyes sparkled and her eyebrows arched downwards like two arrows as her face contorted with rage, pain and exertion.
"Pretty princess," he croaked between breaths. "You look so beautiful."
He leaned closer and closer until their faces almost met. She saw the intention in his eyes and she flinched in revulsion. The hesitation was all he needed to jerk his sword to the side and make Zelda's blade fly. Zelda rolled with the blow, her now empty fingers curling into a fist, her arm swinging.
The punch connected. He reeled.
"You," she spat.
She kicked him in the face and he stumbled back. She was fury given form now. There was no need to think, just act. Adrenaline and anger mixed to concoct a potent energy that flowed through her.
"Are."
Another punch. He dropped his sword. She kept herself from laughing in satisfaction.
"Not."
Yet another blow and he fell to the ground.
"Link!"
She stood over him, breathing frantically. Her shadow fell over him, darkening his already murky features.
He moved. A sudden sweep of the leg and she was crashing back into the ground, needle like pains shooting through her. In an instant he was on top of her, his weight crushing. His hot breath burned down on her. He pinned down her wrists, twisting them so much that she wanted to cry out in pain.
But she would not give him the satisfaction.
"This is where I get my reward," he sneered, his leering face looming in her eyes. She stopped herself from whimpering as he leaned forward. His tongue split from his lips and it caressed her cheek in one long stroke. She felt like she would be sick. She wished bitterly that she had another weapon, a dagger, small knife, anything. Not because she wanted to fight back, but because she wanted to slay herself before the creature could do what he was obviously going to.
Zelda closed her eyes as his lips moved towards hers. She let her mind go, to escape from the fear and pain. Loneliness came to her with an icy touch. She felt small, lost, weak. Hot tears pooled under her eyelids. The world began spinning, spinning, spinning until it collapsed in on itself.
She wished that she had never been born.
There was a yell and the weight was gone. Zelda opened her eyes with a start.
The Shadow was crawling someway ahead of her, groaning while he clutched his head. With a growl, he launched to his feet and fled.
Zelda heard the metallic slice of a weapon returning to its scabbard.
She looked up into the eyes of her saviour.
Had anyone turned their gaze towards the Freelander mines at that instant they would have seen a curious sight. The day was not yet done, the late afternoon sun blurring the sky with a creamy orange haze. That in itself was not unusual. What was strange were the crackling balls of lightening that hovered around the mountains the mines were built into. They hissed and spluttered, spreading light that illuminated the Morose Mountains framed in the distance. They remained like that for quite a while.
Had anyone been there, they would have found the atmosphere strange. The air was heavy, as if pregnant with expectation, waiting for something momentous to occur. The tangy smell of brine hung there, coating everything. A sharp, cool wind blew, disturbing rocks and uprooting plants. Forks of energy split the sky.
Wise ones who knew of the battle within would have attributed the strange phenomena to the appearance of the Shadow, his presence an unnatural blot on the world.
Those wise ones would have been right.
And they would also have been completely wrong.
The balls of lightening congealed in a flash of furious light.
And then there was nothing.
Except…
"Chizan!"
Zelda's heart leapt in joy as he tugged her to her feet and then enveloped her in his arms. She trembled, her body releasing relieved sobs that she could not hold down. She let herself be swallowed in his arms, his scent comforting her, his very presence a balm.
He stroked her hair, muttering soothing words. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, his voice sombre.
"No," she breathed. "You came just in time."
They grinned at each other, the tension evaporating from their faces.
A rumble shook the mines, and they looked up.
"Sounded like that came from outside," Zelda said quietly.
"Like thunder," Chizan answered, frowning.
Zelda jumped as a sharp, cackle echoed around the cavern.
"I do not know how," the Prince said through pursed lips. "But I think he is getting stronger."
"Then let's gather the others and leave."
He nodded moving off to tend to Fran and Zayna's injuries. Zelda found Tyron in a heap, weeping in one corner, one arm ending in an ugly, bloody stump. She gasped, her hand going straight to her mouth.
He looked up at her. "It's nothing, dear," he croaked. "Just a scratch."
"Nonsense!" she barked, her disbelief clear. "This isn't time to play brave, Tyron."
Zelda tore a strip of cloth from her tunic and wrapped it over his injury. He looked up at him, his eyes grateful but tight with pain. She gave him a small smile in return.
"You'll be fine," she said in a soft voice. "This should stop the bleeding." She frowned, her heart lurching with sympathy. "I wish I could do something about the pain."
He waved her away. "I can handle that."
From the tightness in his neck, she saw his words to be a lie, but she sighed, stroking his head. "I'm sorry I dragged you into all this."
His eyes widened, fixing her with an intense stare. "There's nowhere else I would rather be. I made a promise long ago."
She blinked. "A promise to…?"
"We are ready," Chizan interrupted. Zelda saw Fran's shoulder bandaged. Zayna only seemed to have a few bruises. Tessa was unharmed, though the look on her face as she clung to her father was heartbreaking. "We must hurry."
Zelda nodded, momentarily forgetting her question. She helped Tyron to his feet, and the group shuffled onwards, Chitz scampering behind them.
She looked up as another rumble echoed from outside. She heard the patter of raindrops, slow at first and then rhythmically speeding up.
"The water is seeping in," she said, glancing over at the Prince.
He nodded in response, dragging the two injured men with him. Zelda studied his face as they marched onwards and upwards. He was certainly handsome, his golden skin exotic and his glowing purple eyes mysterious. She was old enough and wise enough to know though that there was more to a person than looks. Her mind flicked back to the Shadow. Much more, she thought.
Still. She could still feel the ocean of gratitude in her soul for what he had done for her just now. Not only had the weight of the Shadow been flung from her body, but it had released her heart too. Zelda genuinely believed she would have come to her end, her life destroyed by a creature wearing her true love's face.
She edged over to the Prince. There was a haunted look in his eyes, like he had found himself in a place and situation he was not equipped to handle.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He looked up, confused. "Sorry?"
"Yes," she answered. "For all the times I might have offended you, Your Highness."
He glanced away, pondering. She wondered if her apology was enough, and she added a smile to try and reinforce.
"It is I who should apologise."
"Why?" Zelda was taken by surprise by his words.
"For trying to insert myself in your life when you clearly didn't want me there."
Their eyes met for a moment and they smiled, genuine warmth spreading between them.
"For what it's worth," she added. "I'm glad you're here."
"Let's stop here and rest." It was Fran's voice. She swallowed, noticing how pale the hunter's skin was. He was pointing at a small cave that had been dug into the tunnel wall. Zelda tried to peer in, wanting to see how safe it was, but there was little light. The mouth of the cave was dark, but inviting. She shuddered, regardless. She was sick of darkness.
"I don't think that's wise," Chizan said firmly. "We should keep moving."
"Easy for you to say," Fran snapped. Zelda bit her lip, knowing that the stress was breaking them. "You're not the one who had to take a sword in the shoulder."
"That was your own fault," the Prince answered hotly. "You should not have rushed ahead so foolishly."
"What!" Fran pushed away from the Prince's arm. "Are you mad? Did you expect me to just stand there while that thing had my daughter?"
Chizan glared back at him. "If you had waited, we could have attacked together and defeated him. You should not have let your emotions get the better of you."
They were all standing still now, watching the contest between the two men who struck at each other with raised voices.
"Well, forgive me for caring, Your Highness," Fran spat. "I pity Freelander children."
The Prince folded his arms across his chest. Zelda felt as though she was a spectator in a fencing match. Tyron and the Key watched in amused silence. She heard the Imp mutter 'Go, boss, go!'
"Freelander children," Chizan growled. "Would have eaten that creature alive."
Fran fixed him with a hot stare. "I didn't see you have much luck with that thing, laddie." The hunter seemed to have grown in stature over the past few seconds. "You got lucky when it was distracted."
"Please." Tessa's soft voice made them both turn. "Let my Papa rest."
"I think we should," Zelda said in a placating voice. Seeing the look in the Prince's eyes she added, "For a little while."
Chizan turned to Fran. "Is this how you get things done, hunter?" he said. "By having your baby whine about it?"
Fran's face creased and his mouth opened, but Zelda cut him off. "Enough," she said, stilling them with the commanding regal voice she had learnt when she was a child. She let her eyes turn to each of them, before continuing, "We shall rest. Our wounds need soothing. If not in our bodies, then in our hearts."
The Prince scowled. "I still do not think that this is a wise idea."
But no one was listening anymore.
They sat in the cave, watching the cool water drip from the ceiling. Zelda sat next to Zayna and Tessa, the farm girl resting on her shoulder. Tyron sat at the mouth of the cavern, peering out and nursing his bandaged arm. He had placed himself far away from the rest of them, as if he did not want to share in any conversation. Fran and the Prince sat facing one another, close in proximity, but distant in all else. Chitz slept on the floor. Zelda envied the ease at which he could just drift away and not be plagued by worries. There was surprisingly a lot of room in the alcove and Zelda wondered why exactly it had been built. It did not seem to lead anywhere.
"I'm scared." Tessa's voice was tiny and the chill in it reflected the mood that they all felt, that they all could taste in the air.
Zelda closed her eyes to try and escape from the numbing pain. Now she wondered if it really had not been a mistake to stop and rest. Now that she wasn't worried about her survival, she could think on other things. And only one matter came to her mind.
Link was gone forever.
Just considering it made her shiver. How could she go on now? How could she continue? She had thought that her love itself would have been enough to bring him back. She cursed herself.
How childish. How immature.
Death was death no matter how much a person may dearly wish otherwise.
"Sing us a song, Tessa," Fran asked with a tight voice. Zelda blinked up at him and he smiled in response. She chastised herself inwardly. Other people needed much more comfort than she did. Tessa was not used to danger or death, she needed her friends now.
Chizan bristled. "The creature might hear."
The hunter sighed. "Do you really believe that, laddie?" he said, all respect gone from his voice. Zelda guessed that insulting his daughter had made Fran see the Prince in an altogether different light. "Or are you just trying to spite me?"
The Prince was about to answer, when Tessa interrupted. "I'll sing softly."
"Go ahead." It was Zayna's voice, eager to defuse the tension. The last thing they needed was to be at each other's throats.
Zelda flashed her former Advisor a grateful smile, surprised that Zayna would even be interested in such a thing. The Key gave a small shrug in return coupled with a lop-sided smile.
Tessa's gentle, feathery voice sung a tune about summer, fresh food, merrymaking and love. It floated in the air and eased into Zelda's heart, making her close her eyes and sigh. The girl sounded so much like Malon it was uncanny.
"That was beautiful, darling," Fran said with a grin.
"Yes," Zayna said, struggling to find words. "It was nice."
Zelda tried to stop herself from giggling. The Key obviously was not impressed with songs by a ditzy farm girl.
"It was lovely," Zelda said, holding Tessa's hand. She looked down at her eyes, hoping, praying that this young woman would make it through to the end of their quest and be able to live a long, happy life. She wished it for her and for all her people.
The girl grinned. "Really, Your Highness?"
"Yes," she answered, her voice sincere. "It reminded me of a good friend of mine."
They waited in silence.
Water continued to drop.
Fran tapped his fingers on his knee.
Zayna started to whistle.
"Yes, yes, it was good," Chizan said finally, throwing up his arms in disgust.
Zelda laughed and the Prince threw her a look that made her laugh harder.
"Well," said Fran, a satisfied expression on his face. "It may have reminded Her Highness of her friend, but it reminded me of food!" He grinned. "What do we have?"
"Oh, Papa," Tessa teased. "You're always thinking of food!"
He winked. "I'm a hunter, it's my job."
Zelda sighed, glad that their conversations were stopping them from brooding. She spied Chizan as he reached for his belt. He pulled out some hard, crumbling cheese.
"Here," he said, handing it over to Fran.
The hunter paused, as if cautious. For an instant he looked like he was on the trail, and that the cheese was his target boar.
"You had that in your belt?" he asked, his mouth curling. "Is it safe?"
Chizan's eyes narrowed. "Do you want it or not?"
"Thank you," Fran said taking it gingerly. He waved it to the others, who all shook their heads before biting in.
Zelda felt a tug of pity for the Freelander. Here he was with people who were as unfamiliar to his culture as they he was to theirs and yet, he was trying. In his old little way, he was trying. And he had risked his life for them many times. The thought made her heart warm.
"Chizan," she said, eager to bring him into their circle. He looked up at the sound of her voice. "What's our next move?"
He was thoughtful for a moment. "The creature is down there, covering all our exits," he said. "Our only route is up." He pointed in the direction. "We must pray that there is a way out there, so we can climb down outside."
There was silence again, the uneasy tension nagging at each one of them. What if there was no way out? What if the thing got to them first? Something rumbled outside.
"Someone needs to distract it," said Zayna finally. "Someone needs to hold it off so that the rest can escape."
No one spoke for a pair of heartbeats.
"I am puzzled," the Prince said with a frown. He flicked his fingers against his silver armour, the metallic ring the only sound apart from Fran's munching.
"Oh?" Zayna asked.
Chizan turned to Zelda. "Where is Link's body? And why does that creature look like him?"
She held his penetrating gaze, feeling uncomfortable. For a moment, she felt as though she were a hesitant child once more, all eyes on her expectantly as she practised one of her first royal duties. The others waited for her to speak. "I told you," she said, tiring of even thinking about it. "He's dead."
Zelda swallowed, trying to wash away the bitter, hollow taste of the words. But they remained, a prison of cold lead penning in her heart.
"But…"
Zelda made an exasperated noise. "The thing killed him and took his body." Tears shot to her eyes as vivid memories flooded her mind. "I tried to save him, but I failed." She was trembling now and she felt her face curl in a snarl. Link's last words came back to her and she hit the ground, making the others jump. "Do you hear me? I failed! Failed completely."
Her head dropped and she wept. "I wanted to save him," she sobbed in whispers. "But he wouldn't come back." She swallowed big, gulping breaths and drops of salty tears fell to the dust. "Why didn't he come back?"
She felt shame wash through her. She should not have broken down like this. A hand gripped her arm firmly. Zelda looked up to see Zayna, pity, pain and confusion on her face.
"Your Highness," she said. "I'm sure you did all you could."
"We need Link," Tessa said, her mournful tone cracking Zelda's heart. She hardened it, not wanting to cry any more.
"No." It was Tyron, finally joining the conversation. He walked towards them with slow steps, his face wearing a grave expression, his eyes hard, but shining. Zelda saw that his bandage was dark and encrusted with blood. They needed to cauterise the wound. She saw flecks of green sprinkled on his tunic, and knew that he had stemmed the flow of blood using some type of herb.
"We need a new Hero." His voice echoed through the cave. Another rumble. "One with proven Heroic Deeds."
All turned to Prince Chizan.
His eyes widened. "Me?"
Tyron nodded.
"I am not worthy," he said, swallowing. His eyes drifted around the dingy cave, taking in all of their expectant looks. Finally, he stopped at Fran who looked back with a small smile. "Even you, hunter? You think I should take this burden?"
"For all your faults, Your Highness," he answered as his smile grew wider. "There is no one else who could accomplish this task." He studied the Prince for a moment. "You beat him before."
"A fluke, you said," Chizan answered bitterly.
Fran ignored the words. "You can beat him again." There was something insistent there, a hopeful entreaty.
Zelda stood, her heart heavy. Despite Fran's words she knew she probably would not see the Prince again. A bitter twinge reminded her of how unfair everything was. To lose Link and now to lose Chizan.
"Give me your hand, Freelander." Her voice returned to its regal tone, but it was soft and quiet.
He knelt before her and looked up expectantly. She took his hand, marvelling at its smoothness.
"Pledge yourself to me, Hero," she said.
They waited, all eyes turned to the Queen and the Prince at the centre. Chizan fidgeted, not liking to be the focus of attention.
"I vow to serve you and your people," he said. "You are my Queen."
Zelda's heart surged as she looked down on him. "And you are my Knight."
He stood, standing proud as he drew his sword.
"And I am the Hero of Hyrule," he said.
There was a blinding flash that came from outside and a long, thunderous rumble.
The Shadow strolled up the winding path, chuckling to himself. Zelda had been so close to him he could almost have tasted her. In fact, he mused after a moment's reflection, he did taste her. And she tasted sweet. Addictive sweet. Something warm stirred deep in his guts as he thought about her. He just had to have her. The other two would be dessert. And then he could listen to their wonderful screams as he tore them apart limb from limb.
He heard the low rumble from beyond the mines. It just seemed to make him laugh harder.
"Ooh," he tittered. "There be a storm tonight!"
"Shame you won't live to see it, Demon."
The Shadow spun around to come face to face with the Freelander.
"You?" he spat. "What do you want?" He raised his chin mockingly. "You want a piece of this? You've been dying to hit Link for an eternity. Well, I'm Link now, so here's your chance."
"And I am Hyrule's new Hero," the Prince replied, shifting the sword in his hands.
This was too much! The Shadow bent over double in laughter. "You!" he choked out between breaths. "She made you the new Hero? I think the Imp would have made a greater challenge."
Chizan's eyes narrowed and he swung in for the attack.
The Shadow parried it easily and spun away. "Is that it, Freelander?" he taunted. "Is that your best shot?"
The Prince replied with his blade, an arc aimed for the Shadow's head. He ducked it easily and punched his nemesis in the gut, following it up with a kick to the face that brought Chizan to his knees.
"Pathetic," the Shadow mocked. The taste of victory made him feel inebriated, and knowing that blood was about to be spilt just made him feel more giddy. "I thought Freelanders were meant to be the best." He paused as if he was pondering. "But then again, I did beat your people on my own. You just don't have the edge that I do."
"Your only weapon is your mouth," the Prince replied, flinging his sword up in a sudden attack.
The Shadow caught the blow, and tried to shove the Freelander back down. But Chizan kept coming. With trembling legs and a clenched jaw, he pushed himself back upright. The Shadow growled, his mouth twisted in anger and strain.
"You…will…not…win," the Prince snarled.
The Shadow knocked Chizan's legs out from under him with a sweep. A quick punch later and the Prince's sword went flying.
"Oh, I'm so good," the dark warrior said with a grin. He let his sword clatter and looked over the Prince for a long moment. The Shadow cracked his knuckles. "I've been waiting for this for a long time."
The first blow snapped Chizan's head sideways, a tooth flying in a spray of blood. The second punch opened a cut over his eye. A third punch, a fourth, a fifth. The Prince slumped to the ground, unconscious. But the Shadow did not stop. Straddling the Prince and laughing wildly, he knocked the Freelander's head this way and that until it hung limply. Angry bruises swelled up, and Chizan's golden skin was split red and purple.
The loudest rumble yet echoed around the mines. Another flash penetrated the rocks.
Panting, the Shadow finally stopped, his fist dripping with blood. He chuckled to himself again as he looked down at the Prince. Within moments, he was laughing so hard that he had to lean against the Freelander's body for support.
"Hero," he spat when he finally got to his feet. "You lose again, Prince of Fools. And…Zelda is going to be mine once more. Whether she wants to or not." Another fit of laughter overcame him, as if he had just spoken the most wittiest words in the world.
Something chopped the air behind him.
Whup. Whup. Whup. Whup.
He turned around slowly.
Another chop. The sound of a sharp weapon being twirled.
A figure stood in the shadows. He caught a glimpse of silver hair.
The Shadow wanted to laugh again. They had sent Tyron after him? What use was a one-handed wizard against him? Zelda must be getting very desperate.
A flash of platinum armour caught his eye.
The Shadow frowned, puzzled. He raised his sword.
"Who's there?" he said. "Another of you worthless Heroes?"
"A new Hero," the other replied, his voice soft, calm and confident.
The Shadow licked his lips. "Oh really? Are you so Heroic that you won't show yourself?"
The figure stepped into the light, revealing silvery-blonde hair framing a tattooed face. The Shadow knew him, but took a step back. This wasn't right. His skin was still tanned and not pale like in his memory. His eyes were not shining. In fact, his eyes were large and a piercing, perfect blue – pure, pure humanity swimming therein. But most of all, this could not be right because this wasn't Termina and he did not have the Mask!
Oni-Link grinned as the Shadow's face melted in shock.
"Time to feel the pain."