Chapter Three: Kakariko Village
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Disclaimer: If I could, then I would, but I can't, so I don't. So there.
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"Farore's wind!" Link gasped, as he came through Kakariko's gate. There was smoke thick in the air, fire blazing from the windmill and several scorching houses. People were rushing about, carrying water or carrying injured.
Link hastened to help, but ran smack into someone else. He caught her arm as she stumbled, and helped her to her feet. She turned to him, eyes wild and red hair askew. "You!" Her gaze skimmed over him. "Kokiri manner of dress, sword and shield—" She pulled away from him, pointing through the square and up the stairs. "By the well! Go help Sheik! Hurry!"
"Sheik?" link repeated. "But why-"
"Go!" She cried. "There isn't time! Sheik faces it alone!" She pushed at Link, running in the opposite direction. "Help him!"
The woman disappeared between the houses, and Link started the way she had indicated. It? What was it? Seeing the well, and then seeing Sheik, he opened his mouth to call out to the other young man.
"Link—" Sheik had sensed him, although his back was turned. "Link, get out of here!"
"Not, I'm going to—" The words dried up in his mouth. Sheik had been picked up, and was being spun about, all by nothing. He was tossed aside, like a doll, crumbling on the ground. Link drew his sword and shield. There was something there, scrambling about the courtyard. Going to, and standing over, Sheik, Link took a defensive pose. Could he sense it?
Suddenly he was picked up, much like Sheik had been. Spiraling in the air for a few seconds, Link dropped his sword. He only heard a rumbling whisper before he greeted his good friend, the sleeping shadowy place.
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Link was doing the backstroke, swimming through the darkness. He was really starting to grow tired of their place. Drifting, floating, swimming… It was good enough, but he had things to do… People to save… Where was Sheik? He always woke him up. What if he didn't this time? What if he was doomed to this darkness forever?
Actually that wouldn't be too bad…
No. He had things to do.
But after?
Okay, maybe after he was—was he having a conversation with himself?
…
Where was Sheik?
"Link?"
Ah…right on time. He rose to meet the familiar voice, curious at its urgency. He was coming…coming.
Link's eyes opened. First he saw crimson irises. Then he saw the face that came with it. "Why am I always unctuous when we meet?"
Sheik helped him sit up, forehead creased in worry. "I don't know." He replied distractedly. "Link, something terrible has happened."
Link looked to the sky and was jabbed in the eye with a raindrop. "The fires—they should go out now."
"Yes, well, that's good, but—" Sheik fretted. "The evil shadow spirit from the bottom of the well has been released. Impa had sealed it there, but its will got so strong that it just broke free! Escaped! Impa went to the temple to seal it, but she'll be in danger without help!"
Link tried to blink away the haze that normally came with his fainting. "You're rambling. I think that's the most I've heard you say at one time."
Sheik gave a gasp of exasperation, gripping Link by the shoulders. "Now is not the time, Link! Impa is one of the six sages! Destroy the evil shadow spirit and help Impa!" He pulled Link to his feet, putting Link's arm around his waist. "I will take you to he entrance of the Shadow Temple!" He plucked the eerie notes on his newly appeared harp, and they were swept away in a rush.
Link came back to his solid form, leaning against Sheik's back, nose touching the top of his backbone. He breathed deeply.
"What-?" Sheik detached himself from Link. "Link? Look at me." Link did. "I need to help my village. There are injured and I'm a healer. I'm counting on you to help Impa. Can you do that?"
Link forced himself to start into working order. "Right. Of course."
Sheik smiled gratefully, relieved. "Good. Thank you." With a flash of light, he disappeared. Link turned and descended the stairs into the lower chamber.
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