Chapter 9
Link rode up to the old tavern just as the sun was setting and dismounted Epona. Tying her to the post, he headed into the tavern and sat down to order a drink. Isien, a small but popular town in the far outreaches of Hyrule, was a place Link had frequented often during the time he was traveling. It was far enough away to not run into anyone from Hyrule, but not so far that the two places were separate. ((It would be wise for me not to go back to Hyrule for a long, long time,)) Link thought.
For once in what seemed a lifetime, there was no witty reply to that thought.
"Well well, there's a green tunic I recognize." Link heard the voice from behind him and instinctively reached for the sword that wasn't strapped to his back. Cursing silently to himself, he stealthily drew a dagger from his waistband and was out of his chair within seconds, facing his foe.
"Well hell, *you* again?"
"There's no getting around it you ugly octorok."
"Kafei!! It's really you isn't it? What in Din's name you doing in this town?"
"Link, buddy, it's real good to see you." Kafei moved in to embrace the taller man. He knew Link better than anyone in the world, including Link himself. He knew by the way he was acting that everything was going to be ok. "I live here now. Anju and I got tired of the Inn, we wanted a smaller place in between Termina and Hyrule. This was as good as any."
"Well I wouldn't have known it if I'd never stopped, so I'm glad I did."
"I'm glad you did too buddy. Come on, I'll put you up for a while." Link was surprised at Kafei, the guy knew him from the inside out. Before Link could say anything, Kafei smiled at him and said, "it doesn't matter how long. You're always welcome with us." Link smiled back and they wordlessly left the tavern.
The next day, Link took it upon himself to search for the items he had left behind. He was sure Kafei had brought them along, he knew how important Link's weapons were, along with his toys. Looking in closets and cupboards around the small cabin, he had managed to gather all of his belongings. ((Why I left you guys here in the first place I'll never know,)) he thought as he ran his fingers along the perfect blade of his gilded sword. ((So good to feel you again.))
He strapped the sword on, along with his Hero's bow and hookshot. He didn't know if he'd need them again, but once a warrior, always a warrior. Stepping outside to find Kafei, he was surprised when a basket of potatoes was shoved into his hands.
"Here," Anju said smiling, "take these in and peel them." Link just stared as she walked back out to the small garden. "Nice to see you too Anju."
"I'll help you with those while you tell me a story." Kafei took the basket and set it on the wooden table.
"I don't know if I'm ready to tell stories yet, Kafei." Link sat down and started to peel. "I just don't-"
"You're going to tell me sooner or later aren't you? Why not just get it over with? I would like to know what happened."
"I know, I know." Kafei stared at Link for a moment and sighed.
"You've told me everything about you, Link. I know everything there is to possibly know up until you went back." Link sighed. "I've always believed you, you know that."
"Oh I've never doubted that Kafei. You were the only person I could trust for so long. Even now, I feel you and Anju are the only people in my life that-"
"Please Link," Kafei interrupted, "I know that. You don't have to be ashamed. Did you tell her the truth?"
"Of course I didn't tell her the truth. She still doesn't believe me."
"I'm not talking about Zelda." Again, Link was baffled at how much Kafei knew about him. Kafei had always known that Link cared for the farm girl. "Did you tell her about.."
"Dammit!" Link slammed his fists onto the table and got up, starting to pace about the kitchen. "I didn't have it me, Kafei. I didn't fucking have it in me." Kafei winced at his words. There was going to be a major guilt trip coming up in about two seconds, he could feel it.
"I went in that temple Kafei, I went in there and I crumbled. Dark Link didn't manipulate me." Kafei knew this already. He didn't want to hear it again, but he supposed he deserved it for being so nosy. "I told Malon about him being inside me, but I lied to her too. I didn't tell her I took the coward's way out."
"Link, stop, it's ok. I don't need-"
"No, no. Let me. I want...I need to let it out. You know the truth, I was in hysterics when I came to you those many years ago." He paused, stopped pacing. He sat down again and put his head in his hands and sighed. "I let him take me. It was my fault. I bargained with the bastard. I told him I couldn't do it alone, I told him I'd do anything just to not have to face Ganondorf by myself.
"He fucking *told* me he'd help, and that he'd leave once we were through. I was blinded by my hatred for Ganondorf, and Dark Link let me know it. He screwed me over and took over my soul, my mind, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. I thought I would be safe enough from him if I allowed him to become part of my sword, but I was wrong."
"How did you do it?"
"What do you mean?"
"How did you get rid of him?" Maybe he shouldn't have asked that particular question as he saw the look on Link's face. Oh well, he'd already made a mess of things, might as well get the whole story.
"It's been two weeks. I couldn't remember how it felt to be without him. Two weeks, and the loss of everything I once had. Except you..." he trailed off and pointed a finger at Kafei. He shrugged and hung his head. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"Don't. Not now. Not yet."
"Ok, I'll tell you."
***************
~ Impa stood before him, hands crossed over her chest.
"I accept." All of the sages looked at each other in nervousness, unsure of what would happen.
"Very well." They all proceeded through the Door of Time to stand in front of the stone dais on which the Master Sword once rested. "Darunia, hold him down."
"Wait a minute..." Link said with a growl and drew the Master Sword, pointing it at Darunia. Darunia stared at him with an emotionless face. Turning the sword around he presented it to him and said, "here, you'll want to hang on to this." Relief washed over Karyn and the other sages as Darunia took the sword and handed it to Impa.
Link looked around a moment and realized Rauru wasn't there.
"Where is Rauru?" Darunia looked to Impa for a moment then back to Link.
"He went back to the Light World." What Darunia didn't say wasn't lost on Link. "Good luck, my brother," the Goron said, dismissing the other matter entirely.
Gripping Link's hands behind his back and forcing him to the floor, Darunia put most of but not all of his weight on Link's legs so he was completely immobile. Impa knelt so he could see her face.
"I will explain how we plan to do this, Link. While we all meditate, Saria will play Requiem of Spirit and you will call up your darker self. Darunia and I will concentrate on Dark Link, while Nabooru and Ruto concentrate on Karyn."
"Wait, what? Karyn?"
"Link," Impa paused. She was unsure how to go about this. "Dark Link is too powerful...your soul-"
"Karyn is going to give me her soul?" Link was all of a sudden very afraid. Dark Link was screaming inside his head; he knew what they were planning. Everything happened so quickly Link barely had time to process it. Dark Link was growing fierce and rising to the surface.
"You can't!"
"You knew there would be consequences, Link. I'm so sorry," Impa stated.
"Do not be sorry," Karyn said as she stood beside Impa. "I am ready."
"Good," said Darunia, "because it's happening, now!" Saria stood on the dais, Ruto and Nabooru on either side of her. Karyn was on the first step leading to the dais, and Impa was right behind her. Link was on the floor under Darunia facing Karyn, who knelt before Link and took his face in her hands.
"NOW!" Darunia screamed as Link started to struggle. His eyes turned a deep red and he opened his mouth to roar.
Saria placed her ocarina to her lips and started playing Requiem of Spirit over and over again, while the others chanted and prayed, prayed that this would not go wrong. Eerie tones filled the chamber as chanting grew louder and Link struggled harder.
A blue light surrounded the room and the air got thick, an intense wave of desperation filling the bodies of all within. Karyn had a strong hold on Link's face and it seemed as if her hands would melt into his skin. Link roared.
"Curse you ALL!"
*******************
"People that stand before me, before my country. I am so grateful to be back among you again. I am grateful that you all receive me again as your king."
The crowd cheered.
************
A flash of blue and a loud scream.
************
"You have all served my daughter well in my absence, and I believe she has done her duty with great pride and self assurance, am I right?"
Another cheer from the crowd.
***********
Minds racing fast, so fast. More lights, more notes, more screaming.
***********
"My people, we shall rejoice in my return and we shall rejoice in the leadership my daughter has proven herself worthy of..."
More cheering.
************
Things are intense now, Dark Link has fully emerged and he is gripping her, reaching for her. She is taking him in! She is taking him in!! Another scream. A scream of rage, a scream of defeat.
**********
"Today is a great day for celebration. Let us rejoice!!" The king held his hands up before his people and they yelled and cheered for him. Zelda heard a scream amongst the loud voices.
**********
More screaming, was it her or him? She could not tell anymore, and neither could he. Impa and Darunia had him, they were guiding him. They were guiding him to her! He was inside her now!
Where was she? She was not herself, but him now. She was inside him and what remained of his own soul was mingling with hers. She was his now, he was hers.
Impa saw a dark cloud in her mind, trying to cover her, but she would not let it. She would guide it to the innocent woman in front of her. She had to. The screaming stopped, and she opened her eyes. The others were still concentrating, still entranced. They had transferred Dark Link to Karyn, and Karyn was now Link, but the task was not finished.
Karyn let go of Link's face and turned to look at Impa. ((Pure evil,)) Impa thought. Reaching for the Master Sword, making sure the others were concentrating. Link was unmoving, but Darunia was still holding him down.
Raising the Master Sword above Karyn, Impa thought she saw a flash of fear in those evil eyes, a flash of innocence, but it passed. She brought the sword down on Karyn's face.
It was almost beautiful how she was kneeling with her arms outstretched, blood dripping down her face, sword sticking out from between her eyes which were staring up, up into oblivion and beyond as the screaming started again; screams of a raspy male voice intertwined with a female's. The sages concentrated, and the sword glowed, burning Impa's hand.
She screeched and let go of it, watching in tremendous awe as she somehow felt Dark Link being transferred back into the Sword, hearing the chants and whispers of her fellow sages in her head. The air was swarming around them, Karyn's mouth was open but the screaming had stopped, and Link's eyes snapped open.
With a strength he didn't know he had, Link raised himself up off the floor and flung Darunia off his back. He flipped over Karyn's body, grabbing the Master Sword and yanking on it. The revolting sound of a sword being removed from gushing flesh could be heard throughout the room. With lightening speed, Link ran past Impa and the others and with a yell, slammed the sword back into its rightful resting place as Karyn's lifeless body hit the ground.
Link held onto the sword with both hands, grunting as it burned through his flesh and glowed and rattled. It was absorbing Dark Link, and now that the sword was home, it would have the power to conceal him completely.
Darunia stood and all the sages turned just as a great light washed over them, the Triforce symbol glowing and Link vanishing before their eyes.
"No," Impa said quietly. She thought the sword absorbed him as well. They had failed. Then she looked around....a smile replacing the look of defeat on her face. It had been them that vanished, not Link. Standing before her were her friends and Rauru, and she realized she was home.
***********
Link let go of the sword and stumbled backwards, falling down the stairs of the stone dais. As his head hit the ground, he looked up towards the great ceiling of the chamber. His wounds had healed, his hand was no longer scorched. ((It must've been the light,)) he thought. ((It healed me and separated me completely from Dark Link.)) He looked around and noticed that he was also completely alone, Karyn's body had vanished.
He could feel her presence inside him, but it was soft and warm, not hard and cold. It wasn't trying to take him over, it felt more like it was melting into him. He was in control now, and his soul was whole again. He was whole again.
"...I'm free..." ~
Link rode up to the old tavern just as the sun was setting and dismounted Epona. Tying her to the post, he headed into the tavern and sat down to order a drink. Isien, a small but popular town in the far outreaches of Hyrule, was a place Link had frequented often during the time he was traveling. It was far enough away to not run into anyone from Hyrule, but not so far that the two places were separate. ((It would be wise for me not to go back to Hyrule for a long, long time,)) Link thought.
For once in what seemed a lifetime, there was no witty reply to that thought.
"Well well, there's a green tunic I recognize." Link heard the voice from behind him and instinctively reached for the sword that wasn't strapped to his back. Cursing silently to himself, he stealthily drew a dagger from his waistband and was out of his chair within seconds, facing his foe.
"Well hell, *you* again?"
"There's no getting around it you ugly octorok."
"Kafei!! It's really you isn't it? What in Din's name you doing in this town?"
"Link, buddy, it's real good to see you." Kafei moved in to embrace the taller man. He knew Link better than anyone in the world, including Link himself. He knew by the way he was acting that everything was going to be ok. "I live here now. Anju and I got tired of the Inn, we wanted a smaller place in between Termina and Hyrule. This was as good as any."
"Well I wouldn't have known it if I'd never stopped, so I'm glad I did."
"I'm glad you did too buddy. Come on, I'll put you up for a while." Link was surprised at Kafei, the guy knew him from the inside out. Before Link could say anything, Kafei smiled at him and said, "it doesn't matter how long. You're always welcome with us." Link smiled back and they wordlessly left the tavern.
The next day, Link took it upon himself to search for the items he had left behind. He was sure Kafei had brought them along, he knew how important Link's weapons were, along with his toys. Looking in closets and cupboards around the small cabin, he had managed to gather all of his belongings. ((Why I left you guys here in the first place I'll never know,)) he thought as he ran his fingers along the perfect blade of his gilded sword. ((So good to feel you again.))
He strapped the sword on, along with his Hero's bow and hookshot. He didn't know if he'd need them again, but once a warrior, always a warrior. Stepping outside to find Kafei, he was surprised when a basket of potatoes was shoved into his hands.
"Here," Anju said smiling, "take these in and peel them." Link just stared as she walked back out to the small garden. "Nice to see you too Anju."
"I'll help you with those while you tell me a story." Kafei took the basket and set it on the wooden table.
"I don't know if I'm ready to tell stories yet, Kafei." Link sat down and started to peel. "I just don't-"
"You're going to tell me sooner or later aren't you? Why not just get it over with? I would like to know what happened."
"I know, I know." Kafei stared at Link for a moment and sighed.
"You've told me everything about you, Link. I know everything there is to possibly know up until you went back." Link sighed. "I've always believed you, you know that."
"Oh I've never doubted that Kafei. You were the only person I could trust for so long. Even now, I feel you and Anju are the only people in my life that-"
"Please Link," Kafei interrupted, "I know that. You don't have to be ashamed. Did you tell her the truth?"
"Of course I didn't tell her the truth. She still doesn't believe me."
"I'm not talking about Zelda." Again, Link was baffled at how much Kafei knew about him. Kafei had always known that Link cared for the farm girl. "Did you tell her about.."
"Dammit!" Link slammed his fists onto the table and got up, starting to pace about the kitchen. "I didn't have it me, Kafei. I didn't fucking have it in me." Kafei winced at his words. There was going to be a major guilt trip coming up in about two seconds, he could feel it.
"I went in that temple Kafei, I went in there and I crumbled. Dark Link didn't manipulate me." Kafei knew this already. He didn't want to hear it again, but he supposed he deserved it for being so nosy. "I told Malon about him being inside me, but I lied to her too. I didn't tell her I took the coward's way out."
"Link, stop, it's ok. I don't need-"
"No, no. Let me. I want...I need to let it out. You know the truth, I was in hysterics when I came to you those many years ago." He paused, stopped pacing. He sat down again and put his head in his hands and sighed. "I let him take me. It was my fault. I bargained with the bastard. I told him I couldn't do it alone, I told him I'd do anything just to not have to face Ganondorf by myself.
"He fucking *told* me he'd help, and that he'd leave once we were through. I was blinded by my hatred for Ganondorf, and Dark Link let me know it. He screwed me over and took over my soul, my mind, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. I thought I would be safe enough from him if I allowed him to become part of my sword, but I was wrong."
"How did you do it?"
"What do you mean?"
"How did you get rid of him?" Maybe he shouldn't have asked that particular question as he saw the look on Link's face. Oh well, he'd already made a mess of things, might as well get the whole story.
"It's been two weeks. I couldn't remember how it felt to be without him. Two weeks, and the loss of everything I once had. Except you..." he trailed off and pointed a finger at Kafei. He shrugged and hung his head. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"Don't. Not now. Not yet."
"Ok, I'll tell you."
***************
~ Impa stood before him, hands crossed over her chest.
"I accept." All of the sages looked at each other in nervousness, unsure of what would happen.
"Very well." They all proceeded through the Door of Time to stand in front of the stone dais on which the Master Sword once rested. "Darunia, hold him down."
"Wait a minute..." Link said with a growl and drew the Master Sword, pointing it at Darunia. Darunia stared at him with an emotionless face. Turning the sword around he presented it to him and said, "here, you'll want to hang on to this." Relief washed over Karyn and the other sages as Darunia took the sword and handed it to Impa.
Link looked around a moment and realized Rauru wasn't there.
"Where is Rauru?" Darunia looked to Impa for a moment then back to Link.
"He went back to the Light World." What Darunia didn't say wasn't lost on Link. "Good luck, my brother," the Goron said, dismissing the other matter entirely.
Gripping Link's hands behind his back and forcing him to the floor, Darunia put most of but not all of his weight on Link's legs so he was completely immobile. Impa knelt so he could see her face.
"I will explain how we plan to do this, Link. While we all meditate, Saria will play Requiem of Spirit and you will call up your darker self. Darunia and I will concentrate on Dark Link, while Nabooru and Ruto concentrate on Karyn."
"Wait, what? Karyn?"
"Link," Impa paused. She was unsure how to go about this. "Dark Link is too powerful...your soul-"
"Karyn is going to give me her soul?" Link was all of a sudden very afraid. Dark Link was screaming inside his head; he knew what they were planning. Everything happened so quickly Link barely had time to process it. Dark Link was growing fierce and rising to the surface.
"You can't!"
"You knew there would be consequences, Link. I'm so sorry," Impa stated.
"Do not be sorry," Karyn said as she stood beside Impa. "I am ready."
"Good," said Darunia, "because it's happening, now!" Saria stood on the dais, Ruto and Nabooru on either side of her. Karyn was on the first step leading to the dais, and Impa was right behind her. Link was on the floor under Darunia facing Karyn, who knelt before Link and took his face in her hands.
"NOW!" Darunia screamed as Link started to struggle. His eyes turned a deep red and he opened his mouth to roar.
Saria placed her ocarina to her lips and started playing Requiem of Spirit over and over again, while the others chanted and prayed, prayed that this would not go wrong. Eerie tones filled the chamber as chanting grew louder and Link struggled harder.
A blue light surrounded the room and the air got thick, an intense wave of desperation filling the bodies of all within. Karyn had a strong hold on Link's face and it seemed as if her hands would melt into his skin. Link roared.
"Curse you ALL!"
*******************
"People that stand before me, before my country. I am so grateful to be back among you again. I am grateful that you all receive me again as your king."
The crowd cheered.
************
A flash of blue and a loud scream.
************
"You have all served my daughter well in my absence, and I believe she has done her duty with great pride and self assurance, am I right?"
Another cheer from the crowd.
***********
Minds racing fast, so fast. More lights, more notes, more screaming.
***********
"My people, we shall rejoice in my return and we shall rejoice in the leadership my daughter has proven herself worthy of..."
More cheering.
************
Things are intense now, Dark Link has fully emerged and he is gripping her, reaching for her. She is taking him in! She is taking him in!! Another scream. A scream of rage, a scream of defeat.
**********
"Today is a great day for celebration. Let us rejoice!!" The king held his hands up before his people and they yelled and cheered for him. Zelda heard a scream amongst the loud voices.
**********
More screaming, was it her or him? She could not tell anymore, and neither could he. Impa and Darunia had him, they were guiding him. They were guiding him to her! He was inside her now!
Where was she? She was not herself, but him now. She was inside him and what remained of his own soul was mingling with hers. She was his now, he was hers.
Impa saw a dark cloud in her mind, trying to cover her, but she would not let it. She would guide it to the innocent woman in front of her. She had to. The screaming stopped, and she opened her eyes. The others were still concentrating, still entranced. They had transferred Dark Link to Karyn, and Karyn was now Link, but the task was not finished.
Karyn let go of Link's face and turned to look at Impa. ((Pure evil,)) Impa thought. Reaching for the Master Sword, making sure the others were concentrating. Link was unmoving, but Darunia was still holding him down.
Raising the Master Sword above Karyn, Impa thought she saw a flash of fear in those evil eyes, a flash of innocence, but it passed. She brought the sword down on Karyn's face.
It was almost beautiful how she was kneeling with her arms outstretched, blood dripping down her face, sword sticking out from between her eyes which were staring up, up into oblivion and beyond as the screaming started again; screams of a raspy male voice intertwined with a female's. The sages concentrated, and the sword glowed, burning Impa's hand.
She screeched and let go of it, watching in tremendous awe as she somehow felt Dark Link being transferred back into the Sword, hearing the chants and whispers of her fellow sages in her head. The air was swarming around them, Karyn's mouth was open but the screaming had stopped, and Link's eyes snapped open.
With a strength he didn't know he had, Link raised himself up off the floor and flung Darunia off his back. He flipped over Karyn's body, grabbing the Master Sword and yanking on it. The revolting sound of a sword being removed from gushing flesh could be heard throughout the room. With lightening speed, Link ran past Impa and the others and with a yell, slammed the sword back into its rightful resting place as Karyn's lifeless body hit the ground.
Link held onto the sword with both hands, grunting as it burned through his flesh and glowed and rattled. It was absorbing Dark Link, and now that the sword was home, it would have the power to conceal him completely.
Darunia stood and all the sages turned just as a great light washed over them, the Triforce symbol glowing and Link vanishing before their eyes.
"No," Impa said quietly. She thought the sword absorbed him as well. They had failed. Then she looked around....a smile replacing the look of defeat on her face. It had been them that vanished, not Link. Standing before her were her friends and Rauru, and she realized she was home.
***********
Link let go of the sword and stumbled backwards, falling down the stairs of the stone dais. As his head hit the ground, he looked up towards the great ceiling of the chamber. His wounds had healed, his hand was no longer scorched. ((It must've been the light,)) he thought. ((It healed me and separated me completely from Dark Link.)) He looked around and noticed that he was also completely alone, Karyn's body had vanished.
He could feel her presence inside him, but it was soft and warm, not hard and cold. It wasn't trying to take him over, it felt more like it was melting into him. He was in control now, and his soul was whole again. He was whole again.
"...I'm free..." ~