Chapter Seven

            Evening had fallen on the land, and so did the fear that the people had adopted. Nightfall would come in matter of moments. Zelda had been thinking about what Xanath had said earlier, and found no fault in her argument. What she thought was normally the best, but could it be that for just this once she was standing up for the wrong thing? All the stress and deaths, she had needed someone to take the blame, and Link was the misfortunate one. Perhaps she was fooling herself. She always observed him as a flawless being, and now look what's happened. Her perfect image was nothing more than a layman's shattered dreams. She expected too much from him, expected that he was her answer to everything. Shaking her head she noticed a letter lying on the floor near the door to her room. Could it be that someone had forgotten to give it to her, or didn't they reach her in time? Whatever the reason, Princess Zelda took it in her hand and started reading, mumbling as she did.

"So Nisih has decided to surrender herself? About time," she said, smiling. Without wasting any more time and not allowing the opportunity to pass under her nose she ran down to the courtyard were two posted guards stood. "You two aid me." The men exchanged worried looks before one had the temerity to speak.

"Princess Zelda, my highness, but we can't allow you to go out at night. Not even our strength combined is a match to that monster if we ever come across it," the one on the left said. The princess snickered at them.

"I demand that you come aid me, and you know that you can't object my wishes," she reminded them. "So are we going or what?" The two were uneasy as they all mounted their horses and followed the princess.

"Goddesses I don't know where this is going, but I have one of those gut feelings that we'll see that black wolf again," one man whispered to the other. He agreed and glanced over to Zelda to check that she wasn't eavesdropping.

"I agree with you. Hell, this could be our last night alive. I should have told my wife I loved her, and could have gotten that drainage system sorted out…" he whispered grimly.

            "We're here," Zelda said, dismounting her white mare. The place was gloomy and stank of rotting flesh. Quickly scanning the makeshift haven she noticed the left over parts of animals, or what she hoped were animals. Taking in a deep breath she walked forwards with the guards close by. The three went into a large open space, like it was meant to be a hall or something. Unlike outside this place smelt rather pleasant.

"I'm here Nisih! Show yourself," Zelda called out. A sinister laugh could be heard echoing around them, but it did little to deter the princess. "Hmph. You think laughing at me will do any good? Stop acting like a coward and show yourself."

"When did you decide to grow a backbone?" Nisih mocked as she finally appeared through the darkness at the other end of the hall. "You seem to be the coward around here. Who are your friends?" Princess Zelda stared at the guards from the corner of her eye, and then back at her.

"Aren't you meant to be giving up?" she replied, equally as mocking. The latter bolted for one guard, licking her lips in anticipation. The man screamed but had his neck broken in a matter of seconds. Zelda whirled around, baring her teeth in anger. "You bitch! That was senseless." Nisih smiled, narrowing her crimson eyes.

"As long as you're under my roof you abide by my rules," she whispered. Zelda gasped, taking a step back. Damn, she should have known better. It was all a set up; she should have known Nisih was the sort of person who wouldn't submit that easily. "Ahh, I see that you have now realised this was all a plan. Ingenious isn't it? I would have never known that Hylians were so easy to trick."

"How can you tell or are you filthy creatures gifted with some telepathy?" the princess asked, not pleased.

"No, but I don't think it matters now. I've waited too long to put you out of your misery, and I'll bare that wait no more!" The girl lunged for her but the remaining guard jumped in front the princess, thrusting the spear upwards. Nisih made an unholy noise as she fell on her back, the spear protruding out of her shoulder.

"You'll die for that," she snarled, tore the spear out and charged for the guard. The man watched as the girl's nails gave way for claws, and she slashed devastating welts into his face. He screamed, covering his face and tripping up on his own feet.

"Are you quite done?" Zelda asked, fear tainting her voice. The brutality of which Nisih took down the guard was scary. She was even having doubts about her own strength. Not that she was weak or anything, but she wasn't sure if she could keep her eyes on this girl who moved at unnatural speed. Nisih landed lightly on her feet and stared at the cadaver before facing Zelda.

"I might as well finish you off now. Finally I'll be the victor," she said, licking the blood from her claws. Zelda glowered at her as she approached.

"What is this about Nisih, what has set you off?" she demanded. The girl walked up to the princess, invading her personal space.

"You're more thick-headed than I thought you would be, and I'm surprised that you haven't caught on yet," she said, rather disappointed. Zelda searched her eyes for any indication.

"This is about Link isn't it?" she realised. "You're pathetic, really pathetic." She stressed on the last word.

"It isn't pathetic," Nisih hissed. "You have no idea how long I have envied him, and whenever I thought I was near to him, close enough for him to notice me you were always there, preventing him from seeing me. I have fantasized how I was going to kill you, and this is it. It was much more simpler than I imagined, but that doesn't matter now…after I'm done with you I'll be glad to eat your stinking carcass." Zelda was quick enough to jump aside before Nisih could lash out at her; she cupped her hands and unleashed a wave of concentrated energy. Nisih leapt out of harm's way and watched the deadly beam demolish the back wall.

"You think fancy light tricks are any match to my speed?" she pointed out. Zelda was helpless as the girl stalked closer and pinned her against the floor. "Now, how do you want this? I can make it quick and painless or slow and extremely painful…" All the princess did was sneer at her.

"I prefer this bitch," she hissed and spat in her face. Nisih just smiled.