Mortis

'Introducing Link, Dark Link and Navi!'

~/*\~/*\~/*\~ The people ~/*\~/*\~/*\~

~ Dark Link ~

It seems like I've been here forever – perhaps I have. It's impossible to tell the passing of the days here.....not that I have ever really seen day. Not in the same sense that others have, anyway..... My master did not make me to walk with the beautiful creatures in the light. No – unlike them, I have a defined purpose, and I am good at what I must do. That doesn't mean I cannot be bored by it though. And I am, terribly so.

This place does not change – yes, the wind will pick up and die, and all the creatures below make interesting viewing at times, but other than that, I have had nothing to do for all the time I have been here. The time in between challenges is so quiet and melancholy, that I can barely stand waiting – hence my mind begins to play tricks on me, and creates enemies that are not even there. (I believe it's what the light-walkers call 'imagining'). Well, that is what my mind does, and I am always glad of the distractions it throws to me.

Sadly, the distractions never last long, as I soon grow weary of having to reckon for the strength of an enemy that isn't there, and dodge a blade that even if it hit me, would make no wound. I need a real adversary – no doubt, the creatures below wouldn't mind some flesh from the outside, and as they cannot get at me, they may as well have the bodies of those I kill. Namely all who enter this room – foolish people that they are, they don't seem to realise that fighting a shadow is not the same as fighting a true monster.

I am more of a.....hybrid, shall we say? Normally, I take this form, as it feels comfortable, but, whatever creature enters that door at the far end, I will take their form – their weapons, their body and their mindset. Always, always, I am at least two or three steps ahead of them, and if they manage to land a hit, it is rare and through luck. My maker neglected nothing when he constructed me.

There goes my stomach again; I've been introducing bad habits to my schedule, but, if it stems the boredom, why not eat? It's only a matter of sending down a line with a chunk of the last thing I caught on it (the last thing I caught is beginning to blacken, so I have to get rid of it anyway. I may not need to eat, but that doesn't mean I can eat anything if I so choose.....) Hopefully it'll take a few hours before something bites, so I can have an excuse to stare down there and watch what's going on.

Mind you, that would mean I'd have to cross the lake again, and go to that dark place to get my things.....I don't like to spend too much time in there. All the other creatures that my maker sent to this place with me, seem to relish in using *my* designated space as some sort of communal area. Let's not mention the fact that I was made their superior in every way – because that just makes it embarrassing to admit that a few of them scare me. And, even with the lack of things I have to do most of the time, I don't like to pick fights with them – it's tiring fighting the same things over and over, and not even being able to kill them anyway.....my blade doesn't harm them.

What was that? Did I hear a sound over there, by the door? Is there another fool come to challenge me? Well, I shall soon know. Over to the dratted door I go – I myself can't even open the thing – the Master didn't think to allow me any free reign over the Temple. Then, I might not be here when the *one* special one came.

It was only a fish – or whatever you could call the creatures below – jumping. Pity; I was hoping for a fight. I'm so bored, and it's been so long since the last challenger. That long shot will be long rusted before someone gains it, at this rate. Hmm.....that would make an interesting distraction – it's been a while since I've used the weapon after all. I'll use it for some spear fishing!

~ Link, the Hero of Time ~

"Quickly Link, the platform's almost at the end of the runners!" Navi shrieks in my ear, and I close one eye in pain at the sound, using my other to aim the hookshot into the target on the platform above. Thunk – I press the button and it pulls me up. "Quick, the next one!" Navi urges, now perching atop my head, and mercifully being quiet. I suppose she thinks I've now got the message. Thank the Trio.....

Thunk. Another platform – I wish these Goddess damned things would just move a little slower. My arm's killing me from all this flying around on the end of this dratted chain, not to mention that I'm frozen. This Zoran tunic may allow me to breathe underwater, but it hasn't kept me in the least bit warm.

Thunk. "Come on, yes, you're nearly there!" Navi points out to me – as if it isn't perfectly obvious! I love the fairy, but sometimes, I'm just *that* close to putting her into a bottle like some of her cousins. Just because I missed seven years doesn't mean I'm completely backward to this adventuring business!

Thunk. Finally, at the top. "Look, there's a door." Really Navi? I thought it was a wall. Stupid fairy. She flits back over, and manages to dazzle me (albeit unintentionally), her light refracting from all this blasted water that keeps dripping into my eyes.

"Goddess Navi! Don't do that!" she backs away, and bites her tiny lip in apology.

"Sorry – it's a habit. I'm still getting used to you being grown up, after all!"

"You're not the only one, Navi m'dear," I can't help but smile at her twinkling voice. I stretch out a hand, and she perches on it. "Do you think you could just let me have a little rest though? I'm thoroughly worn out." She pulls a face, but nods all the same.

"Don't be too long, all right? I dread to think what-"

"What have I told you about that?" I ask her sternly, feeling a little sick as she starts to suppose. I just *do not* want to think about all the things that could go wrong. It will drive me insane if I do.

"Sorry again," she giggles, and then again sits on top of my hat.

"Don't worry on it. Just let me have a few minutes of rest." She is quiet and still, and I drag myself (shivering) over to the damp walls of this accursed little hallway-like area. Leaning back, I take a deep breath, and close my eyes, bringing my knees up to my chest, just like I did when I was a child. A child; it still seems like only a few weeks ago that I didn't even know anything about Lord Ganondorf, or the Tri-Force. But it's been nigh on seven years since I left the forest that first time.....

It's been more than a few minutes when I next awaken; at least, by my internal clock, it is, and I know it to be pretty reliable. "Navi?" Why didn't she wake me? When I feel some movement on my head, I am somewhat relieved. "I think we both overslept."

"Hmm? What? OH! Trio, I can't believe it, I fell asleep!" She launched from my head with such a force that I'm sure it left a bruise, and then banged into the door she'd pointed out earlier. "We have to get moving, *NOW*!" I, naturally, get up as slowly as I can, just to watch her panic some more. She's hilarious when she panics.

"It's all right Navi, I shouldn't have expected you to wake me. We're both as tired as one another. Just calm down my friend." I slip my sword off of my back and heft it in my left hand – she returns to my side, ready to dazzle any enemies that might pounce on us. Using my free hand, I turn the handle, and nudge the door open with my toe. Nothing pounces on us (which I send thanks to the Trio for), and I step inside.

A few of those funny tektite things are perched on the water, and I sheath my sword as quietly as I can, and draw out my bow. I have only ten arrows left now, and I hope I can get some more soon. However, ten will be more than enough for the creatures in here.

Now that those creatures have been dealt with, I suppose this room probably has a puzzle in it. "You'll need to solve a puzzle, I think." Navi says just as I have finished thinking it, and I smile. Silly Navi. Looking around, I see one of those crystal switches, and not wanting to waste more arrows, I think I'll use my hookshot.....

"You figured that out so quickly!" Navi cheers as soon as I reach the door at the other side of the room. I try to duck, but she manages to grab onto my nose and give it a good hard squeeze (probably a hug) before she relinquishes, and settles, not on my head, but on my shoulder. If she says anything there, it'll be twice as loud and twice as painf-

"Look, a door!" Ow. As I said, twice as painful.

"Stating the obvious," I mutter, walking over to this new door. The way my breath is misting before me is a little disconcerting – it's a lot colder in here now that it was when I first came in. I *hope* that there will be monsters that I can fight properly in this next room, just so I can warm up.

"Are you all right Link, you're shivering?" Thankfully, Navi has her voice quiet now.

"I'm just a little cold," I admit, stopping short of the door, and rubbing my palms together.

"Oh.....well, I suppose I could try and do some small magic to warm you up." What the-? Is Navi actually offering to use her magic without being goaded into it?

"You'd – actually do that?" She laughs.

"Of course silly! I don't want you turning into an ice-statue or something! Not after the last time," I bat her with the back of my hand for that comment. I don't want to be reminded of that – it was – embarrassing. How could I not notice that ice creature about to turn me into a sculpture back in the ice cavern? Realising her slip up, Navi gives another guilty laugh, and then spins around me, weaving a small charm.

I feel a lot warmer. "Thanks Navi."

"That's all right. Now, open that door."

"Yes milady," I sigh, and again have my sword in my hand. Has it ever been out of my hands longer than a few hours? I can't remember.....

I push this door open, and step through. A funny hissing noise sounds. Ah – just what I was after, a battle. Turning to check, I see the usual bars over the door. But, turning back, I can't see anything, apart from mist. How odd. "Navi? What's going on?"

"I'm not sure," she's whispering, probably scared. "Maybe this is a puzzle as well." We go forwards into the mist, and small splashing sounds come from beneath my feet. Looking down, I'm shocked into stillness.

"Navi." She doesn't answer. "NAVI!" She comes buzzing back faster than I've seen her fly before.

"What is it?"

"I – I," I try to answer, but I can't.

I'm walking on water! Holy Trio, what's going on? Navi sees, and promptly faints. Wonderful. I nudge her with my boot, and, carefully, bend down and scoop her up. I hope we don't suddenly fall into that water – some of the creatures I can see don't look all that friendly. "Navi – get up you useless fairy – come on you!" I prod her with my finger, and she makes a very rude gesture, before sitting up.

"What? Did I faint or something?"

"Yes, you did." I pick her up, and dangle her head down over the water. "I think that was why." A small sigh escapes her lips, and when I lift her up, I see she's fainted again. "Oops."

~ Dark Link ~

"Oops." I watch the newcomer from the shadows, intrigued by the way he and the fairy are talking. I have a feeling this must be the one the Master told of. Green tunic, flaxen hair, a decent sword and fairy. I'm only not attacking yet, because I want to see what they do next. And, it's quite disconcerting to see yourself in colour – I'm quite sure that if I was to stand before a mirror with this light-walker, we'd have the same outline. Which is somewhat bizarre.

The fairy mumbles something, and then suddenly launches from his hand, and starts to bang into the side of his head. He growls something, and then laughs, and then catches the speeding creature in his hands. Never before have I heard such a sound as that laugh. Such joy tripping off of the tongue hasn't ever been heard in this room, and it echoes strangely. Obviously when he hears the echo, he looks up, slightly startled.

Those eyes! They're so blue! They're like the way the roof of this place looks when 'night' falls – so deep and dark. And his face is such a pale colour – almost to be sickly looking, but those strokes of pink on each cheek prevent that.

What in darkness am I doing? I'm studying him? I really have begun to go mad it seems! Pah – I shall wait by the tree – he will come to it soon enough, and then I can have some fun for a while. I've a feeling this fight might be interesting.

~ Link, the Hero of Time ~

"Look, Navi, stop it! I'm sorry, just – ow!" I laugh, even though she has hit me quite hard in the side of the head, and manage to catch her as she tries for another hit. "Stop that you!" My voice is echoing, and I look up as I think I catch something else – but its gone so quickly that I'm not sure.

"Just so you know not to do that *ever* again, you hear me?" she bellows, and I nod meekly. "Good." She flies off of my palm, and dusts herself off. "Now, let's have a look at this place, and figure out how to get out, shall we?" For once, Navi seems to have made a viable suggestion, that I haven't immediately thought of.

"Good idea." Something flashes across my peripheral vision, and well, with prior knowledge of such movement, I stop following Navi, and move to follow it. The only thing that's in this room is a blackened tree, and it strikes me that the moving thing seemed to go there. "Navi," I call her to heel, and she comes obediently. "Be ready," I whisper, and I see her nod, before flying to my right side.

When I am a few yards from the tree, I can make out a shadowy outline. It looks like a young man, and when it lifts it's head, I see that it has red eyes. Not like a Sheikah though.....not like Sheik's eyes. Sheik's eyes are cool, calculating, not like the eyes of this creature, which are blazing, like fire. And, when he steps away from the tree, I see that it's not just the tree that made him shadowy.

He *is* a shadow.

Not any shadow. Navi points it out to me a split-second after I realise it. "Link – oh Goddesses – it looks just like you!" I don't bother to stop and congratulate her on her astute observation. I raise my sword, and back off, drawing the creature after me. He, however, has not yet made any move with his sword. What's going on?

~ Dark Link ~

I have to stifle a laugh at the fairy's words. Did all light-walkers state such obvious things quite so often? So far, every thing I've fought has exclaimed something along those lines..... perhaps they all have some script to follow?

Pah, that imagination of mine is running away with me again. It's time to play. The man before me looks disconcerted, but not overly worried. Luckily, he will not be able to read my face – for, in the first time in darkness knows how long, I cannot tell what his first move will be. I know all of his moves, spells and stances, but not what he will do with them..... The Master did not warn me about this.

When he raises his sword, I leave mine at my side for a few moments. I wish to study him for a while before I kill him. He's wet through, and shivering slightly, even though I can trace some remnants of a heating charm around him. The fairy is casting her light across his face, leaving one side in shadow, and the other stark white. It's easy, even from this distance, to see all the cuts on his face and arms – the Temple hasn't agreed with him. But, neither has it hurt him too badly. I've seen others barely able to walk in this room.....

All right, I've had enough of this. The scrutiny begins to bore me, and even I can feel the cold if I stay still too long. With a small snarl, I take out my own sword (hefting it, not in the right, but in the left, just like the man. Thank darkness for ambidextrousness), and shrug my shield on. Seeming to take this as a signal, the fairy flies forwards, and tries to dazzle me. I cannot be dazzled – tendrils of my own shadow reach out to try and catch her, and she shrieks, before retreating to hide behind the man's shoulders.

Bored of waiting, I decide to actually speak to this one. I don't do it often, but my curiosity is peaked. "Well, are you going to fight or not?" He jumps, and I smirk.

"Urm – am I supposed to?"

"It's your choice. You can fight, and die. Or, you can run around for a while, and then I kill you."

"Oh." To my surprise, instead of looking either grim or shocked, like all the others, he smiles. "Good." OK..... Well, that's – interesting, to say the least.