Chapter Eight

            Xanath had decided to visit dungeons. Firstly, Link was a trusted friend and despite the events that had taken place it did little to ruin the trust. But, he was also worried about Zelda. She had gone for quite awhile now, and no matter whom he asked they all came up with the same answer 'No, haven't seen her around here'.

The dungeons were an unholy place to be. It stank of urine and fugitives needing a bath. It was poorly lit by the few candles here and there, and the ceiling leaked with water. As he passed through the narrow passageway the prisoners gave him disgusted looks, or looks of revenge.

"About time you showed up," Link humoured as the tall bearded man stopped by his cell. Xanath smiled at him.

"You're in a relatively good mood, considering what happened earlier on," he said, opening the cell door and walking in. Link was chained up and couldn't do any real harm unless one went close enough to him. Xanath was unnerved by the way Link looked at him, like a hunting animal.

"How long are you planning of keeping me in here?" Link asked calmly.

"Usually with cases with you, we execute but the princess doesn't want such thing to befall on you," Xanath said, keeping his eyes on Link. And Link noticed that his friend was taking extra precautions.

"Xanath, I know things have taken a dramatic twist. Yes I accept the fact I am a werewolf for the time being, or possibly for the rest of my life…but I'll never harm you or any other person again," he said. "I promise I'll never kill a person, and I vow to that." Xanath was silent for a moment, and then smiled.

"No amount of darkness can change you," he said, relieved. "I believe you, and I'll make sure you keep to your word." Link smiled a little, but suddenly he shuddered. Without conscious thought he looked out the cell window, emitting a low growl.

"What's wrong?" Xanath asked in a concerned manner. Link turned back to him, his fangs apparent to the gum.

"It's Zelda. Where is she?" he demanded in a low voice, too deep for him.

"I don't know. I left her side after having a discussion, and then she simply left. But I don't think it's of any real concern," the man answered.

"No, something is wrong. She needs help," he warned, growing angry because he was imprisoned in this small cell. "Xanath, she's in trouble."

"Okay, I'll go look for her alright?" the man assured but Link was attempting to get out of the chains bound around his wrists.

"By the time you reach her it'll be too late! Let me show you the way," he explained.

"You know I can't let you free; it's not in my place. And you can't tell where she is exactly. There's a whole land out there, not even one person could possibly explore the place in their lifetime," Xanath objected.

"You have to trust me on this. I know where she is. It'll be a whole lot quicker for me to show you than you walking around aimlessly," Link urged. The two stared at each other.

"How can you tell where she is?" Xanath asked. Link looked away and focused on the makeshift bed.

"I caught a whiff of her scent in the wind…it stank of fear and desperation…" he mumbled. The man laughed at what he had just heard.

"You can smell from all the way here? Do you expect me to believe that?" he laughed. But Link continued to look at the bed, knowing that he wasn't wrong.

"I'm not trying to pull your leg, you have to trust me on this," he said. Xanath took a key out of his back pocket and walked around to the back of Link.

"You better be right about this," he said, finally unlocking the chains.

"Have you eaten recently?" Link asked, now standing up. The man shook his head.

"Not since morning. Why?" he queried. The boy suddenly took hold of Xanath's elbow and bolted out of the cells at inhuman speed. They made their way out of the dungeons, up the stairs and finally to the ground floor. "Slow down, you're running too fast! You'll tear my arm off at this rate!"

"We've wasted enough time," Link said. He barely breezed past the guards who were patrolling the courtyard. Xanath pulled himself so that he grasped Link's neck, but his legs were dangling freely behind him. He knew Link was quick on his feet, but to this extent?

"Where are we heading?" Xanath asked.

"I'm not sure myself, but I'm relying on gut instinct to guide me," Link replied.

            Princess Zelda kicked Nisih off her, cupped her hands and unleashed another wave of energy. Nisih almost sighed as she dodged the assault, and swiped at the princess' side. Bloody welts were adorned.

"I'm growing tired of this child's play. Why can't you be a good girl and just give up already?" she sighed, bored. Zelda backed up, clutching her torn side.

"No, I'll never give up. I don't submit to scum like you," she hissed angrily. Nisih smirked and slashed again, this time at her abdomen.

"Next time that'll be disembowelment," she chuckled. Too weak to stand up, Zelda fell upon her knees. She felt so light-headed, so detached from the world. She watched in slow motion as Nisih leapt for her, her claws out and fangs bared. Yes, Nisih could be worthy of the name 'Demon Queen'. She watched, expecting to feel herself being ripped apart, but instead she saw someone else leap from the right, kicking the girl in the side.

            Link landed with Nisih beneath his feet, and the girl growled angrily at him.

"Oh great, you had to show up," she snarled, eyes blazing with malice. Link smiled.

"Well now, I can't let feral children harm my friends…" he mumbled. Nisih squirmed away from him and rose up on her feet.

"But why? She's the one that put you away in that dank dungeon! She could have spoken against you!" She roared. Link glanced over to Xanath who helped Zelda to her feet, and then back at Nisih.

"I don't care what she's done or what she's said. You, however, are responsible for crimes and I'm here to finally put an end to this," he said. The girl clenched her teeth, unwilling to be defeated.

"What about you? You've also committed things that'll automatically put you to death," she shouted. "And even if you're free you're still burdened with my blood. What would the people think?" Link smiled grimly.

"I will accept the consequences of my acts," he said. Nisih growled and made a lunge for him, but he took hold of her arms. "As I said, you're obsessive. I never liked you, I never loved you, just merely enjoyed your company in the forest." He then dug his fingers into the sides of her chest, and lifted her to eye level. "If your obsession and selfishness hadn't gotten in the way…we could have possibly been friends…" Nisih started screaming in agony as Link started pulling outwards. A dark patch of red was quickly growing in the middle of her chest.

"We-could-have been friends?" she choked, blood spilling out of her mouth. "I was so narrow minded…" A loud crack resounded in the hall as her chest was torn open, and her internal organs hung loosely and spattered on the ground in a bloody mess. Link dropped her then and stared at his blood stained hands, the one's responsible for killing her.

"Link, are you okay?" Xanath asked, terrified, a hand touching the handle of his sword. Zelda was silent, and wide-eyed. Link turned to face them, guilt and anguish on his face, but it was more directed to Zelda.

"Thank you Link for saving me again," she whispered, wobbled over to him and hugged him tightly. "It had to be done…she wasn't normal …don't feel regretful." Link burrowed his face in her shoulder, but made no effort to hug her. I know it had to be done, but why does it hurt so much?

Note: Oh well, that's it (finally!) but sadly it's not over. There's obviously another part to this. I won't end a story so terribly; it's not my style. (Then again it's not my style to finish a story either) You can compliment it or spit on it, it's your call. ^-^