Chapter 30

Darkness, mimicking the greasy blackness of a dense flock of ravens, visited the skies of Greater Calatia, bearing gifts of lightning, thunder and rain, and swirling towards a point high above Castle Dragmire. Bolts of crackling blue energy sizzled through the atmosphere, striking people and buildings at random, and sending all into a frenzied panic. Old women sobbed, wailing as they proclaimed that the end of time had come.

Within the castle itself, chaos reigned. The Princess, possessed by a power that they could not understand, stood in the centre of the Great Hall, the Twins now her obedient lackeys, deflecting every blow that the King, Impa and Fran tried to throw at her. Mystral watched, heart in her throat, as the Hylian hunter balanced himself upon a chunk of rubble, fallen from the ceiling, then, swiftly, in one fluid motion, Fran reached back, pulled free an arrow from his quiver, locked it into his bow, aimed and released.

Mystral's eyes chased the flying projectile, her chest caught in a vice of hope, praying that this would be the strike that ended it all. The arrow, much alike her vain desire, crumbled to dust as the Princess' dark energy repulsed it.

Impa and the King charged, their blades flashing, but the Twins stepped in, blocking the attack with their own weapons, metal ringing upon metal.

"Fools!" the Princess spat. "You're wasting your time. I've already won."

"You haven't won," the King panted, his tunic torn, and his eyes bloodshot. He shifted his sword from one hand to another. "You haven't won until I die. I'm the ruler of this land, and I am its sworn protector."

The Princess' head swivelled around to regard him, the scarlet glow from her eyes trailing in the air. "Protector? You betray your own legacy, Dragmire! You, and all from your family, were born to conquer and destroy."

"You're insane," Montero spat, his teeth clenched. "You can't rule over something you've destroyed."

"Ah, my dear boy. That's the beauty of it. What else can bring such sweetness to the soul than the sight of having crushed all other living things under your foot? It's an acquired taste, for certain, but it is the most delicious of them all." She motioned at the Twins with her head. "And besides...soon, my power will be complete. Then you will see how much I've been toying with you."

She motioned at the Twins with her head. "

The Twins swung their weapons, forcing the King and Impa into a defensive stance. Fluid parries followed fierce thrusts, but still the duo couldn't find a way through. The Princess watched impassively as the Twins pushed the attackers further and further away from her.

Mystral's eyes locked with Fran's as he returned to her. "This is the Princess you talked about?" she asked, bewildered. "This is our saviour?"

Pursing his lips, Fran face took on a grim mask. "I don't know what this is, lassie," he said, his tone despondent. "All I know is that it's stolen Zelda's body. All I know is that it has to be stopped. Here. Today."

She clutched at his sleeve. "Give me a weapon, Fran," she said. "Let me fight. I don't want to hide in some corner and whimper. If I'm going to die, I want to do so with the knowledge that at least I tried." She could imagine her own face in his eyes, pleading and desperate, and she cursed herself for it. Her parents had died, her society had shunned her for being a spinster, but she'd survived. Not only that, but she'd managed to bring up her baby brother and safeguard his welfare, despite all the odds being firmly set against her. "Let me fight. For me. For Link."

Fran's looked doubtful, though he clearly had little time to make a decision, his eyes darting from her face back to the fray constantly. "I don't know, lassie. I couldn't bear losing you, too."

A small smile touched her face. At least she was important to someone. "Then give me the chance to show that I can stand with all of you. That's all I ask for...a chance."

Reluctantly, Fran pulled a dagger free from his belt. "Here," he said, his voice sad. "But stay back. Don't engage them unless they attack you first."

Nodding, Mystral took the weapon, her eyes wide and her throat tight. It felt cold and heavy in her hands. Such a little thing, she mused, could end an entire life. Her legs shook as she stood, a metallic tang coating her tongue.

Fran touched her lightly on the hand. "You're a brave little one."

Her fists clenched, Mystral stepped forward. Whatever had taken Link from her was going to suffer. Her poor, little brother - she didn't even know whether he was even alive. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. And she was sick and tired of being pushed aside, having no control over the events that tore her life apart.

She gasped as the Princess twisted around to fix her with a stare. A heartbeat passed. Then a maniacal grin split the woman's face into a grotesque mask. "It's the sisssterrrr."

Mystral went numb. The dagger dangled loosely from her fingers, ready to drop at a moment's notice. This thing knew her. Knew Link, too, clearly.

Springing forward, her body seemingly energized by a renewed purpose, The Princess bore down on her. Mystral shrank back, feeling Fran's touch on her shoulder. It comforted her, boosted her spirits. A sudden spike of determination, mixed with molten anger, coursed through her soul. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her weapon. "Yes, I'm his sister. I'm the one that fed him, clothed him, and raised him. And, by the One Himself, if you've hurt him, I'll slit your throat."

It worked. The violence in Mystral's words made the creature pause for just an instant. Even she herself was surprised at what she said, but she was ready to live - or die- by her words.

"I tire of this," the Princess-creature spat. She seemed to grow larger, looming in their sight. "I only wish he here to see what I'm going to do to his beloved sister. The look on his face would have been enough sweetness to last me a millennia."

An icy finger of fear touched the small of Mystral's back, then slowly crept upwards, encasing her heart and mind. She heard Fran shuffle behind.

"Don't listen, lassie," the Hylian hunter murmured. "I'm here. You're brave. Remember, you're always have been."

"I know," she whispered. But she also knew, in the deepest recess of her heart, that she would never see Link again. The Princess raised her arms, a wide, slow arc, black lightening crackling between her hands. Mystral tensed, sensing Fran do the same behind her. All of a sudden her dagger looked so small and useless. Like a child's toy. There was no escape this day. There was only blood, memories, and the slow unravelling of history. She closed her eyes. "I love you, Link."

Like an unholy scream, a wave of dark, rolling energy burst out from the Princess' hands. It swept through the room, mimicking a ferocious river after the breaking of a dam. Walls cracked, then shattered. Torches split, collapsing into splinters. The floor shook, tearing apart.

Fran leapt in front of Mystral, a desperate lunge that led nowhere as he was flung aside like a doll. The lightening hit Mystral full force, throwing her into the air, where she hung suspended as more and more of the darkness pumped into her. Her veins felt as though they'd been set on fire. Her blood felt as though it had been brought to the boil. All of the others now turned to the spectacle in the centre of the Hall, the stench of burning flesh making their eyes sting.

Mystral lost all sense of her own self - all her memories, thoughts, affections and dreams evaporating. All that she knew now was pain. The dagger dropping from her hand, she threw back her head and screamed.

The Princess continued to grin her twisted grin. Light danced in her crimson eyes, a drop of saliva slowly rolling from the corner of her mouth. "When will you realise that I've planned too long for me to fail this time. When will you realise that-"

...

- all hope died long before any of you were born.

The voice curled around Zelda's face as though it were a dark hard, squeezing, squeezing, her cheekbones cracking with a splintering pain. Suffocated she felt, as though she had swallowed hot, thick, black mucus, clinging to her tongue, weighing it down. A laugh boomed through her head, making her bones vibrate. She wanted to scream, but could do nothing but gurgle pathetically. She whimpered.

Zelda's eyes shot open. She was dismayed to find that the darkness had only lifted a notch, the storm that had come upon them the previous night still fresh in the sky, angry with thunder and spitting lightening. She tried to steady her heart, stop it from juddering, as though it wanted to burst free. She found that she was standing, her friends, oblivious to what had just befallen her, arguing amongst themselves as they stood around her. How long had she drifted away?

Concentrating on what was familiar to her, she tried to make sense of the noises that floated towards her. Voices. Her friends' voices.

"You," Link was saying, beckoning at Malon and Harlequin, "are both staying here. And that's final."

The banditwoman crossed her arms across her chest, her eyes gleaming. "Look at this weather, mister," she said. "It's not safe to be outside."

"You'll be safer out here than in there," he replied, thrusting a thumb in the direction of the City.

Malon's eyes traced the contours of the fallen buildings. "It sure is a pretty place," she mumbled, distracted.

"What will we do out here?" Jack asked.

"Just stay out of sight," Link replied. "And wait for me...for both of us to come back. If all goes well, then we can tell you both what this was all about."

Malon caught him with a puzzled look. "And if all doesn't go well?"

Link paused, looking up to match her gaze. "Then it won't really matter, will it?"

Jack, his face now a mask of fear, stepped forward nervously. "Why do we have to stay out of sight?"

Link held him with a stare, before his eyes swept out up to the rim of the crater. "Just in case." His gaze dropped to Zelda's face. A hint of a smile danced on his face. "Let's go."

"I don't like it," the banditwoman said, scorn lacing her voice. "We're the elders...but you children put yourselves into danger."

The breeze made Link's hair flutter, spots of rain dropping onto his forehead. "We're not children. And this concerns only us."

Zelda stepped up to Malon, looked earnestly into her face, and curled her hand around the banditwoman's own. "I just want to say," she whispered, "that despite everything that's happened, I want to thank you. I hope you'll have a happier life from now."

A confused frown fell across Malon's features. "What're you saying, missy?" she said, her voice also quiet. "You'll be coming back, right?"

Zelda felt her heart twist in pain, but let a smile touch her lips. "Of course." She had to force the words out, controlling her throat so that they would sound natural. "It's just...it's just you said I hadn't forgiven you." Her eyes peered into Malon's. "Well, I do. I forgive you."

Not wishing to let the conversation continue, Zelda dropped her hand, then turned to Link with a nod. "Yes, let's go."

They scrambled up the dirt path that led to the remains of the City, not once looking back at their friends. The gold didn't gleam, dirt and insects covering it with a dull sheen, and the City, now completely abandoned to the elements, looked more like a castle collapsed after a fierce battle. It wasn't even that big a place, Zelda thought.

I forgive you! How pathetic. You should have killed the harlot when you had the chance. But don't worry...I'll do it for you. I'm having such fun back in Hyrule City, too. Soon, I'll come join you here. So much to do...and only two bodies to play with!

Zelda's heart thudded, a film of sweat breaking all over her body as the voice collapsed into laughter. A rush of nausea shot into her mind, but she bit down, pushing it away, far away. It took all her strength to keep herself from trembling. She'd tell Link, Zelda promised herself. As soon as this was over, she'd tell him.

At the moment, however, she didn't want to hear the voice anymore. Didn't even want to think about it. "Link," she said, and it felt good to her to hear a voice that wasn't tainted with darkness. "Why do you think anyone would build such a place?"

Link ducked under a broken arch, collapsed from disuse, then led her into the main chamber. "Vanity," he said, his voice echoing. "Someone became rich and wanted to make a show of it."

Their boots left prints in the layer of gold dust settled on the floor. Zelda gazed around, marvelling at the scene. Mildew coated everything here, and the air tasted dank, so little of it having come from outside. There was no furniture here, no carpets or curtains. Aside from the gold, it would have seemed such a barren place. The walls, however, were not bare; indiscernible pictures having been formed from the precious metal, molded into shape by careful, skilled hands.

"Now...hmmm..." Link looked around, thinking. "See..." He pointed. "There's your problem. There's only one door through to the next chamber. But it's clearly locked."

Leaning forward on her toes, the soles of her feet stretching, Zelda squinted. Standing atop a short flight of stairs, the door ahead was indeed locked, a massive slab of gold blocking the passageway, cobwebs trailing from top to bottom. Gold plates had been hammered over the keyhole. "There's an etching. Of a torch."

Link gestured with arm, his hand pointing left and right. "And two unlit torches either side."

Understanding dawned in Zelda's heart. "We light the torches and the door opens?" She frowned. "Why would anyone build such a ridiculous system?"

Shrugging, Link smiled. "Well, the Black Sword is in here somewhere. They probably wanted to make sure that only the right people got to it."

Still Zelda wasn't satisfied. "But they made it so clear...with the picture."

There was a pause, before Link said quietly, "I think we're the only ones who can see it."

"What makes you so sure?" she asked. "And how do we light the torches?"

"Leave that to me."

The young Hylian closed his eyes, head bowed as his cloak trailed the floor, picking up sparkling dirt. Zelda cocked her head to one side, confused, but curious. She would have asked him what he was doing, but felt now was not a good time. Her skin tingled, though, and she felt the temperature rise.

With a pair of loud pops, the two torches came alight, and the door flew upwards with a groan, a puff of sunlight-tinged dust blowing outwards. Zelda gasped, almost jumping with surprise. She stared at Link. "How did you...?"

"No time," he replied, grasping her wrist and pulling her forward. "We need to move."

Zelda dug her heels into the ground. "Wait, wait, wait," she said. "Not until you tell me how you did that. And how you jumped from the bridge before. And how you made the wind push us up the rope outside the trail."

He paused, throwing her an awkward glance as different emotions struggled on his face. He looked very much like the confused young boy she'd met so long ago. "If I said 'faith', would you believe me?"

She looked at him cautiously. "No."

"Good," he said, pulling away from her. "Let's move...the sooner we get this done with, the sooner we can all go home."

Sighing, Zelda let it go. It was just another thing that she would have to deal with as soon as she was free from this burden.

They ran up the stairs, their boots clapping on the steps, pausing briefly to glance at the door above, then stepped through the open passageway. With an urgent shout Link flung out his arm, forcing Zelda to stop. A deep pit loomed in front of them, grimy black, with waves of heat pushing into their faces. Below they saw the faint glimmer of glowing magma.

"They certainly don't like visitors," Zelda said, her voice soft. "How do we get through this?" She glanced at him. "Or can you fly, too?"

Ignoring her, the young Hylian scanned the area, his eyes darting upwards. He rubbed his chin.

Zelda, too, gazed around, looking for some tell-tale sign, another clue that would unlock the path ahead. Perhaps another etching, or something hidden, needing piercing eyes. Perhaps...Zelda's eyebrows arched as she honed in one of the walls. An incredulous smile spread across her face.

"The ceiling could be loose..." Link said finally.

"Link."

"...I think an arrow might bring it down..."

"Link."

"...I'm sure that it would become jammed against the walls, then we could run across..."

"Link."

Finally, he turned to her. "What is it?"

Zelda pointed. "There's a rope."

He followed the tip of her finger to the cable pinned to one side of the wall, chains holding it in place. "Oh."

Biting down on her lower lip, the young Harkinian stopped herself from laughing. It felt strange - and yet at the same time, relieving - to experience such brevity in the face of their adversity.

Link grinned. "This is why I like you."

The corner of her mouth twisted into a lopsided smile. "It is?"

His eyes flashed as he continued to grin, and nodded. Freeing his crossbow, Link loaded in two arrows, ignited the mechanism, then fired. Dismay made Zelda squirm as she saw the familiar weapon, but all was forgotten as the arrows snapped through the chains in series of sparks, sending the rope spinning towards them.

Zelda yelped as Link pulled her closer to him. "Don't get used to this."

Fidgeting, and feeling distinctly uncomfortable from both the heat of his body and the heat of his stare, Zelda pierced him with a glare, though she still couldn't drop the smile from her face. "I don't plan to."

With a quick run-up, they swung across. The hot wind, like the breath of a dragon, whipped into their faces. Then, without warning, the rope tugged, then twisted, strands snapping off one by one. "I don't think," Link said through gritted teeth. "That this is going to hold."

They both stiffened, the other side of the passageway seeming oh-so-distant, an island of safety beyond the abyss. More strands snapped with a twang. Zelda, her heart enlarged with fear and beating painfully, clutched to Link's tunic, tearing it in the process. Her palms, greasy with sweat, almost slipped. She looked up at Link. His eyes were closed once more, and she felt a sudden shift in the air -

Isn't he such a clever boy? And yet he doesn't even recognise me; .doesn't even know who I am, doesn't even know I'm here. I'm hurt. After all this time. But it doesn't matter...I can hurt him more. Hurt him from where he'll never recover. After all, I have his sister...and I have you.

"Zelda!"

Her head rolled, as though she were drowsy, her eyes fluttering open to see Link kneeling before her. His face was twisted with concern as he stared at her. A dim corner of her heart throbbed with pain - she didn't want to see him hurt. She pushed it away. Her eyes widening, she found that they had reached the other side safely.

"What's the matter?" he repeated, his voice high. "What's wrong?"

She stared at him, her lips quivering. Almost, almost, she felt like collapsing into his arms, telling him what haunted her and begging him to help. Almost. "I'm just..." She cleared her throat. "This is hard for me. I don't know what's to come."

She saw his mouth open, but she held up a hand instantly. "Don't. No promises. No assurances. I know what I asked you to do. Let's...let's just see what the One has planned for us."

Visibly he relaxed, the tension melting from his face. Link nodded, gingerly pulling her to her feet.

They walked on in silence now, each busy with their own thoughts. Their earlier humour had vanished, dissipating into the shadows that now crawled up the once shining walls. It grew darker and darker as they made their way through the narrow passageways, the musty smell of aged air making them twitch. There were no other corridors branching off from the one they were in - clearly everything went in one direction. Everything led to the centre.

Zelda, her heart thumping with every step, tried to concentrate on sounds once more. They were real. They were familiar. Thunder echoed from outside, amplified within the City to the point that it sounded, to her, like the deep growl of a starved beast. It didn't comfort her. The only other constant was Link's breathing - rhythmic, measured, calm.

Despite his close proximity, she didn't want to think about him. Her mind drifted instead to the Princess and a knot twisted in her stomach. What had happened to her beloved sovereign? The Princess' kindness came back to her just then, the memories stunning her like icy cold water to the face. She remembered how the Princess would keep a nightly vigil every time Zelda, as Sheik, would spend time outdoors, waiting for her to return safely. She recalled the worry that lined the Princess' face, the burden she carried not bending her neck, not ever making her lose her regal composure. She remembered how the Princess would visit every member of their family - especially the children - morning and night just to check on their well-being.

Her now dead family. Tears stung her eyes as a gaping pit of loss opened in her heart. Zelda had nothing left now. No one to turn to, to rely upon, to bolster her spirits. She glanced up at Link and suddenly he seemed like a stranger to her, cold and distant. She was right. He didn't know her. Only the Harkinians had done that. Only the Princess. And now they were all gone.

Zelda just wanted all this to be gone. She just wanted to rebuild her life. She just wanted that small chance; craved it like a parched man in the desert, like a thin mother gazing helplessly at her starving children as they wailed.

Poor little Zelda. I wouldn't worry about your Princess. She's in good hands now. As are you.

This time she didn't flinch. This time, with the bones in her cheek set firm, she clung onto her sense of self and the solid comfort of the reality around her. What she couldn't stop, however, was the cold, inky feeling of despair flooding her entire soul.

The voice returned, laughing. Brave, brave girl. But bravery, in my world, will only -

...

"- earn you death!"

A chance! Impa saw it, with everyone distracted, especially the Hylian Princess herself, too busy gloating at Mystral. She now had her chance.

A tremor of anticipation thrummed through her as she slipped past the Twins, their jaws open wide, their eyes fixed elsewhere, and gripped the hilt of her sword. Impa had no idea what was truly going on, nor did she remotely care. All she lived for was the thrill of the battle; all she saw in front of her was a game of strategy, one that she was determined to win.

This, finally, would erase the shame of her having lost the Castle to the Hylians. This would redeem her in her King's eyes. She glanced over to him now, motioning slightly with her head. He understood, nodded, then slowly crept away from the Twins.

She took a step forward. Another, while her other hand pulled free from her belt a packet of explosive powder, damp with its tangy scent. Yet another inch gained. No one had noticed her at all. These people were fools! How could she have let them best her so easily?

One step. A second, debris crunching under her boot. An age seemed to pass and, yet, still no one could tear their eyes away from the torture the creature was inflicting upon Mystral. A third step.

Now. Spinning on the balls of her feet, Impa slashed with her sword, her other hand hurling the powder. Her blade easily slit through the Princess shoulder, sending the creature spinning, a bellow of rage flying from its mouth. The black energy tore away from Mystral and ploughed into a wall, dissolving it to dust, and exposing them to the elements outside.

The packet landed inbetween the Twins. They glanced down, momentarily confused, then shock overtook them. It was too late. The explosion ripped through their bodies, scorched flesh and burnt bones flying into the air. Flames shimmered in the spot where they had just stood.

Torrents of slanted rain now poured into the Hall, spitting against the floor, and making the small fires hiss. Impa glanced at Mystral, saw that Fran had leapt over to her, and saw, with joy, that the woman still lived, though her skin was singed.

She felt the King beside her. "Well done," he said, his voice shaking with relief. "Now we can chop off the head to this little revolution."

They both looked over at the Princess as she pulled herself unsteadily to her feet. Impa frowned. The wound that she'd given the creature glowed, green ooze pouring from it and what looked like maggots flopping around on its arms. Grimacing, Impa wondered what kind of monster this thing truly was.

"Even if we kill it," Impa said, after taking a deep breath. "We still have the Zora to deal with. And then the Hylians." Again, she felt her heart tremble. All that meant to her was more fighting. Good.

"Where are the Zora, anyway?" Montero asked. "Have they deserted the Princess?"

"More like," she murmured in reply, "she deserted them. Maybe she killed them." She brought her sword to bear as the creature regained its composure, snarling. "Maybe it doesn't matter."

"Very good," the creature said. "I didn't think any of you had it in you." She paused, her thoughts seemingly turning inward. The Princess looked at though she were deep in thought.

Impa flicked a look over at the King. "What's happening?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. It seems this is far from over."

Snapping awake, the Princess hissed, a smile once more hanging from her face. "You are so correct." The castle began to shake, the storm above becoming more agitated as the wind howled in fury. "Now I have all three. Now my power is complete."

Montero growled. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, striding forward. "But I've come to expect that from you now. Tell me...why do I get the impression that it was you who inspired the Hylians to revolt? That it was you that was responsible for my father's death?"

A raspy chuckle escaped from the creature's lips. "You'd be correct in that assumption, Dragmire. There's little now you can do about it." The air itself seemed to contract, energy swirling around the Princess like a velvet cloak. "There's little you could ever have done about it."

A horn rang out over the rumbling storm, faint at first, but soon piercing the air. Impa spun around, recognising it instantly. Peering through the sheets of rain, she saw them, drenched, armour glistening, broad shields at the ready. "This I like."

Montero seemed to sag with relief. "They came," he said as he watched his Calatian allies organise their troops. "They finally came."

"Little good it will do you." They all turn to face the Princess. The creature rose in the air, a shrieking wind of energy eating holes in the remaining walls and setting curtains and tapestries alight. Masonry dissolved in her presence, the very pillars that held the Castle up straining in protest. She looked at the four of them with distaste, then gazed out at the assembled army. Panicked shouts floated towards them now, and the rumble of running feet told them all that the Zora and Hylians were rushing to meet the threat. At least, those that had not been caught spellbound by the storm. The Princess smiled. Everything was going perfectly. "This is where you all die."

...

Fear pricked Link's heart. He didn't try to show it, hoping instead to maintain a steady connection to the One, but he knew it was there. He feared for Zelda, her eyes distant pinpricks of light, as she grew more and more withdrawn the closer they drew nearer to the centre of the City. Foolishly he had though that her earlier high spirits had marked a change in her attitude. He was wrong.

And she kept blacking out. It was something he couldn't understand. Was the strain breaking her fragile mind? He swallowed, sneaking a glance at her, but not wishing to engage her in conversation. It had scared him, the eerie way she had faded away, with her eyes rolling until they turned white. He sensed something, too. Ancient, malevolent, it whispered at her heart. He could hear it now, though he couldn't make any sense of it. Link was sure that it had been there a long time, but she had hidden it from him. He wasn't quite sure what to make of that.

What was certain, though, was that a solution would present itself. His conviction burned in his heart, a fire that would not be extinguished or dimmed. Incantations fell from his lips in quiet whispers, like drops of molten metal heated with the passion he felt within.

Zelda stumbled. Link's heart lurched as he reached back and took her gently by the hand. He thought that she might resist, but the look in her eyes told her she'd accepted. Even through his gloves he could feel the coldness to her fingers, her hand light, empty like the expression on her face. Link turned away. She was crumbling. And there was nothing that he could do, despite all the skills he had learned since his journey had begun.

"Zelda?" he whispered. No response came. His voice tailed off into the air, sounding faint and forlorn. Link tried to push with his heart and, with a jolt, found a wall in front of her soul. What was happening? "Zelda?" This time he did look at her, and flinched. Her eyes had turned inward again, her skin draining of colour. Still her hand was in his, and so he led her on, the disquiet gnawing at his soul and making his heart tremble. Things were not going well at all. He closed his eyes, the warmth of the motion tingling him. "Come back to me."

Link felt alone. Truly, terribly alone. His free hand fingered his Glimmer Capsule at his belt. What could Bannock do but give him company? He didn't need it. He had the One. He would survive. As though listening to his inner musings, thunder groaned from outside, an angry moan, deep and guttural. Shivering, Link took in a deep breath and plunged onwards.

No more traps came their way, no more puzzles to be solved. Studying the golden walls, Link saw intricate carvings etched therein. He drew close to one, blowing on it to remove the curtain of cobwebs. Crude shapes - representing people he assumed - told a story that he'd now become quite familiar with. There were three there...two men, one woman. Though her features were indistinct, the shape of the woman, the curve to her hair, the angles to her face, clearly made her out to be Zelda. Link almost gasped.

Now he could hear the distant patter of rain hissing against the outer walls. Thunder accompanied it once more, short bursts this time, sometimes punctuated by a long, sharp crack. The air inside grew cold.

Rounding the next corner, Link found himself facing an open doorway, marble framing the pure blackness within. He froze. Scarlet eyes cracked open from within the darkness. Link's mouth went dry, his free hand reaching for his crossbow - then he stopped, a flutter and a squeak revealing nothing but bats, disturbed after a long slumber.

Link, Zelda still trailing behind him, stepped into the chamber. One by one, torches came alive, though he couldn't tell how or why. Flames burst into existence, illuminating the room with a pale orange glow. He found himself in a circular room, exits on all sides, and at the centre of which, framed by what appeared to be an ethereal haze, the Black Sword stood, its tip in buried in the floor, its hilt waiting.

Letting go of Zelda's hand, Link slowly strode forward, his heart hammering so hard that he though it would be heard by his friends outside. He forced moisture into his mouth as he stepped up to the sword. An answer...there had to be an answer! His fingers curled around the hilt. Something hissed in the darkness. A distant scream faded into silence. He ignored it all. A chill, like ice, spread up his arm. Memories bolted into his mind, though he knew they didn't belong to him. All he could understand were the feelings - hatred, betrayal, sorrow, pain, regret, despair.

With a tug he pulled the Black Blade free. It shimmered, as though it were liquid shadow. He gazed at it in wonderment. An answer, his heart begged, where was his answer?

"Well done."

Link looked up to see Servion enter through one of the other doorways. The pendants around his neck clinked as he moved, his eyes smouldering with greed and hate. The Chief had lived. He'd somehow managed to cross the gorge and navigate the traps in the City. Link had expected it.

"You've brought her here," Servion continued, his hands clutching the ornaments around his neck. "Now I can pull him out."

"That won't be necessary, Servion."

Link spun around, the sword almost dropping from his hand, his eyes searching for his friend and, when reaching her, only one word hanging on his breath: "Zelda..."

Except it wasn't. Her face was contorted, her mouth twisted into an evil grin as her eyes turned black like the night. Obsidian sparks spat from above her heard, sucking the air into a whirlpool of energy around her form. She seemed to be two people in one, both merging into the other. Zelda's form was clear...but, the other...it was a creature that Link did not recognise.

Other creatures pulled themselves up from the ground, as though dragging themselves free from larvae. Teeth decayed, mis-shapen, their faces ending in large snouts, the Moblins howled wordlessly.

"Master?" Servion called, his voice laced with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean, fool, is that now that you've brought the Triforce of Power and the Triforce of Courage to me, I'm in no need of you. I already have the Triforce of Wisdom in my possession - the Princess herself is my slave. As is Zelda."

Link's head swam. Shock stabbed his mind like an arrow. What was this thing using Zelda's body, but talking in such a manner?

"You see, I've decided that I like this body. I don't need you to use the Triforce of Power to draw me out."

Link flicked a glance at Servion, a dim ember of hope warming in his heart. Draw him out? A chance, he realised...he'd found his chance, however faint.

Zelda turned to the young Hylian. "Ah...Link. Linnnnnk." She studied his face, her head cocked to one side. "For so long I'd made the same mistake. I used to attack you directly...go straight to the source, if you will. I learned my lesson, you see. This time...this time, things were different. You had no idea...no hint as to what I was doing.

"You see, boy. It was me. It was always me. I put the notion in the King's heart to make you an assassin. I pushed Servion on, teaching him to orchestrate your betrayal so that everything you held dear would be ripped from you. And you...ah, you...you were doing so well, consumed by revenge, hatred and having such an exquisite taste for blood." Sadness flickered on Zelda's face. "For a moment, I had thought that you'd beaten your hideous desire to be a Hero. For a moment...I thought we could have been allies; friends, even. But, no...you stayed true to form.

It curled Zelda's hand into a fist. "Well, so have I! Hyrule - Calatia - is on its knees, and the three pieces of the Triforce are mine! My pathetic descendent is dead. Zelda - two of them! - are my puppets. This time, however...this time, I will win. I know you won't hurt Zelda. And so...you won't hurt me. After so very long, my vengeance is complete. Now there's no need for me to hide. Now I can strike at you directly, safe in the knowledge that you're far too weak, and too blind, to be able to strike back. I once had a form like yours, pathetic, weak, but I transcended it. I was the first, and she had been mine for so long, but she betrayed me, dared to love another. And so it ends and I shall be the last one standing." The creature snarled, its eyes bleeding pure darkness. "This time all will kneel in front of the King of Thieves; man, woman, child, Hylian, Calatian, Zora...this time all will kneel, all will cower, all will serve me...all will serve Ganon."