Episode III: Negotiation

The days seemed more dreary and dark than usual; as if a sleeping giant had just woken up. Ruby could feel it in every step she took. She had received a letter from a very close friend of hers about the dreams she had and Ruby was determined to tell her of what had happened the past few months. She hadn't visited her in a long time. Perhaps after Link visited her Ruby would make sure she would have the time to have a day's conversation with her.

When Ruby came over for a visit they never had a short conversation. It was always long and stretched, as if they deliberately prolonged a subject just to keep it flowing. But a talk with her never was boring. She always came up with a different perspective and said of what she thought about the particular topic. By this, Ruby believed, was how she learned many things about the world. Ruby knew that Link would also become close as she did, not because it was their destiny to meet but because it was an obvious thing to tell. Link would never have many friends, but instead he would have a few friends so close that they would seem like family to him. It was sure to happen.

Lately Ruby had been working hard to preserve an ancient shrine she found nearby her village. It was slowly becoming a pile of rubble but ever since she found it she sensed it could be of great importance, so she tried to revive it. She never asked anyone else to help her with the project, although Naomi pleaded the neighborhood spirits to try to lend a hand. They admired her generosity and persistence, not to mention her fondness with ancient relics, and offered their services to her. Ruby and the group of spirits had been working on reviving the shrine for several months now, and it was nearly complete.

Ruby retired to the shrine that was almost finished in reconstruction. Usually she felt at peace here, and she was able to clear her mind. But today, the unsettling thought she had these past few days still lingered within her. She wasn't able to get it out at all. She even had a hard time going to bed, because she had a feeling of paranoia.

It was unlikely of her to feel paranoid. She always had a calm atmosphere around her, so she always felt at home with others. Well, not everyone of course. She wasn't very good with most of the Gerudo, except Nabooru and her gang of thieves. At least they had a few things in common, like for one they would never side with Ganondorf.

She walked towards the entrance of the shrine. The site was surrounded by an outgrowth of trees, which made the shrine seem isolated. Yet this mostly made her feel one with nature, right now it made her feel even more afraid. She felt like a shadow had been following her, a kind of shadow that blended right in with any surrounding. She went through a list of names in her head to see if it could be anyone familiar trying to play some prank, but she was blank. She was sure this time that someone was following her, and probably had been following her for some time.

Her eyes closed, trying to detect the hidden shadow by sound. She slowly walked towards the door of the shrine, but lightly enough so that she could hear the sounds around her. Suddenly she heard a slight sharp flash from behind, and turned to see if her eyes could catch the blur. But it was too late to avoid the attack.

Chains sprouted like plants from the ground and wrapped around her to keep her from moving. Now she knew what a mouse felt like when a snake constricted it. The pain was so unbearable. She felt like her organs would burst out. She couldn't see what was in front of her, because a thick smoke surrounded her.

As the smoke settled, she saw a figure holding a long double-edged sword. The figure walked closer to her until she could fully distinguish the person. A young man, probably her age, wearing a long black cape that covered his entire body and half of his face. His eyes were piercing and deep.

Ruby gave a small smirk. "So you were the one that had been following me."

The young man didn't say anything.

"Tell me why you have been following me! Who do you work for?"

"...I have been collecting information for my master, although I was originally sent to kidnap you. Of who I work for is something you will not know for now."

"Then why did you not just kidnap me in the first place?" Ruby demanded.

"I wanted to confirm something...because I noticed why my master wanted you."

"So then, what did you want to confirm?" she asked impatiently.

"Is it true that you taught the boy of destiny in the Lost Woods? I ask you answer me honestly."

Her eyes widened. Not many knew about the prophecies of the boy of destiny. And she was sure that only she and a few others knew who that boy of destiny was. How would he know?

"First of all, how do you know who this 'boy of destiny' is? You may be mistaken!"

"How could I be mistaken? The boy of destiny I refer to is the same one you taught. Not even my master knows this, nor his other henchmen. After all, I am a part of him."

"What! If you already know, then why do you ask? And what do you mean by, 'I am a part of him'!" she demanded again. Her heart began to beat faster.

His eyes narrowed. "I was only noting to see if I can trust you." He looked up into the sky and spoke. "I am surprised that you cannot tell that I am a part of him. You, one of the most knowledgeable princesses in Hyrule, and you act naive at this very moment. I am sure you know of what I speak of. Surely you remember the latest incident you had with him...do you not?"

Suddenly flashes of the memory came into her mind. She remembered when a black demon panther tried to attack her, yet Link came and shielded her from the attack. She remembered when the demon was on top of him and nearly mauled him to death. She remembered the part when Link's soul appeared before the demon, and it slashed it precisely in half...

She nearly broke in tears. "Don't tell me...it can't be possible!"

She could see his whole face now that he folded the floppy turtle neck in half. He smirked. "Of course it is possible. My master's personal assistants were able to use the half of his soul and fuse it with the black demon. It was reborn into a half-Hylian, half-demon creature that is the opposite of the boy of destiny. The boy is the Light side, and I the Dark."

Her eyes squinted to examine his outer appearance. Turquoise-green eyes...Link has blue eyes. Although I cannot really tell whether he is good with a weapon, he seems much stronger and faster than Link. Plus he has the power of a demon's. Link is a short Hylian, but this one is quite tall. Link has golden-blonde hair, and he has jet-black hair. He seems confident, perceptive and not as "emotional" like Link is now. I don't want to believe it, but...he...really could be Link's Dark side.

"Done scanning me? Let us change the subject, shall we?" he said.

"Fine."

"Well, you must understand that I have a tight schedule, but I will not stop following you. If you want me to stop, you must agree with the terms I lay out before you. If you do not agree, I will not only take you to my master but after that I will spy on you."

She grew angry. "Fine! What do you want!"

"Teach me just like you did with Link. I wish to gain knowledge and benefit from it. I promise you that whatever you teach will not be used wrongly. We will have a session at least once a week, more if you wish. Of where you will teach me, I will work on that. When I find a location I will send you a map. That is all."

Ruby almost forgot that she was still tied with all the chains he cast on her. She almost forgot the pain she was feeling. What an odd request.

"Well...um...I guess it won't hurt to teach you." she felt timid all of a sudden.

He gave a small smile. "Thank you. I will smooth things over with my master on what has happened today." He turned around and started to walk away, and snapped his fingers to release the spell. Ruby was released from the chains and she fell onto the ground.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. About when the session will be...perhaps as soon as next week or the week after once I have the location. I suspect you'll have enough time by then?" he asked.

"Y-yes..." she said, still weak from the tight grip of the chains. As he was leaving she tried to stop him. "W-wait! Wait a second!"

"Hmm?" he looked at her.

"I...do not know your name. I'm sure you know mine, but I'll tell you anyway. I am Ruby."

He sighed. "Oh, my goodness. I'm sorry I did not properly introduce myself. My name is Lance. And yes, I do know your name, Princess."

She looked down. "Then...I will see you soon."

"Yes. Goodbye." Lance turned around and disappeared in a blur.

Still struggling to get up, she wondered why he would give her mercy like that. The rumors of mysterious assassinations throughout Hyrule now made sense: He was the one that had done it. But why was he so willing to spare her life like that? And who was his master? Ruby really had to talk to her now. She guessed by now Link had already met her, so now she could go and talk to her privately. It would take at least two days to get there, but it would be worth it.

She got up and walked home, it was time to rest--but she wouldn't enjoy it as much. It would be an insecure rest, but her body would need it.