Chapter two

A final shadow

The field plane was frosted like a mountainside in midwinter, even the sure-footed steed Epona finding it hard to keep her footing on the crimson glass like floor. Link looked over worried towards the kokiri forest, how were the foresters taking the freeze? They could die! For a moment, he wanted to turn Epona and to go see them, but then he remembered why he could never go back there. The betrayal burned into his mind; it was his fault, all his fault.

He shook his head and looked forward, the once proud stream flowing past Kakariko's entrance now a glistening crystal like a giant slug's trail slithering down to the Zora's domain. He dismounted Epona and patted her, the cold pelt flecked with ice and snow. He headed up to Kakariko and looked back at Epona, who galloped off into the distance.

The snow crunched underfoot like crisp autumn leaves freshly fallen from the trees of the forest. Link looked around, everything was gutted, no boxes, no tools, no chickens, no people! All the doors barred shut. Link looked down at the floor to see a frightened deku scrub frozen in the ice; it's wild eyes frantically searching for a place to hide from the ice, but too late. Swallowed by the cruel magic all that remained of its personality was the expression of terror on its face.

Suddenly, he became aware of footsteps behind him. Crunch, crunch, crunch in the thick snow. He put his hand on the hilt of his Kokiri sword and tried to look back, but the figure was still in the dark shadows of the falling snowflakes, hiding the stranger's identity. Link swiftly drew his blade and spun around only for it to be met by another, a blade to which his pathetic dagger could never match! He fell back. He looked up at the opposing weapon. It had six serrated spines jutting out from the sides, presumably the blade was designed to be plunged in to the victim's body and gut them when it was pulled out.

Knowing defeat, he waited for his opponent to make its move. But instead of attacking, the stranger withdrew its weapon and stretched out a hand. Confused, Link also stretched out his hand only to be briskly pulled to his feet.

He could see the figure clearly now, clad in blue and white, an embroidered red eye which appeared to have a single tear stretching down adorned the front: Also, a white wrap over its face from which strips of blonde hair violently jutted. "Sheik?" Link said surprised. The figure laughed.

"Not quite! You can call me Sheik if you want. I wore these clothes to greet you as it would make it easier for you." It exclaimed. "Then who are you?" Link asked. The stranger took a step back and pulled away the wrap around its face.

"I am you!" he exclaimed. Link fell back, this couldn't be! He was looking at himself.

"You can't be me!" he shouted. He turned to run but the stranger grabbed him and spun him around.

" Could you feel my hands on your shoulders if I wasn't real? Look in to my eyes and tell me I'm not you!" he snapped. Link looked up timidly only to see his eyes staring back at him, he had only ever seen those eyes in his reflection.

"I…I believe you. But, what are you doing here? Sheik." He said uneasily

"I understand that this is hard for you, and all too sudden for you but let me explain. Ganondorf was your opponent; he stole the Triforce of Power to rule Hyrule. The only flaw in his plan was he had dark desires for its use. The Triforce of Power is one of the three pieces of the light Triforce. There is a Triforce of darkness also, Its three pieces, Fear, Envy and Hatred which are owned by three beasts in Hyrule. The red raven of Midaro castle tower, Shin-ichi, owns the first. Shin-ichi was a valued ally to the royal family in Midaro castle. One day, Moblins attacked the castle, The royal family was killed and most of the castle was knocked down. The only part left was a single tower, now full of Gibdos and re-deads. Shin-ichi still resides at the top of the tower and lets no monsters pass, but he is still in constant fear that someday they will kill him. As yet, I am still unsure of the whereabouts of the Triforce of Hatred, but I do know where the Triforce of Envy is. Envy belongs to Yamato the Wolfos, who has decided to take up residence here in Kakariko, that is why no one is outside. Yamato was born to the royal white Wolfos family. He had their ability to walk on their hind legs, their ice magic but what he was missing was his white pelt. He was born with a Grey pelt and a gap in his teeth through which his tongue can poke out like all the normal Wolfos. He envies his parents and siblings for having a white pelt." Sheik exclaimed.

"So he is the one making the snow!" Link snapped.

"Indeed, and that bird on your Hylian shield is Shin-ichi with the Triforce of Fear in its talons. Yamato must be defeated, but you are not strong enough yet. Only one weapon I know of can take him down. Sheik said stroking his serrated blade.

"I can take down any Wolfos, I'll find a better weapon than my kokiri blade!" Link snapped.

"Turn down my advice at your own risk, you're not ready to fight him yet. Take this and play it if you need me." He growled pulling a small bag and a deku nut seemingly from nowhere. He dropped the bag into the snow and stepped back.

"Wait!" Link called "Tell me more!" but Sheik threw the nut onto the ground, adopting the style of his name and by the time the light was gone, so was he leaving only the bag he had dropped. Link kneeled in the cold snow to pick up the bag. Inside was a splendid ebony black ocarina lined with red resembling the sheikah eye; it was very old but in wonderful condition, it must have been made before the war. Link smiled to himself, he would try and prove Sheik wrong by killing Yamato and saving Kakariko from its frosty fate. "Sheik!" he called in to the wind "I'll prove you wrong!"

"I hope so, friend" Sheik whispered under his breath from the roof of the blacksmiths, before retreating into the shadows.