The Wolf With Steel Fangs

Do you see what I see?

So much that isn't explained and so much that is questioned. The tunnel leads down darker and darker into the nothingness and the light behind is fading.

All shall...fade?

The Wolf With Steel Fangs

The One Who Is And Yet Isn't

And none of these
thoughts are real
So why is it that I feel
So cut up and so bad
I need to take control
'Cause my mind is on a roll
And it isn't listening to me
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who's the dumbest of them all
Insecurities keep growing
Wasted energies are flowing
Anger, pain and sadness beckon
Panic sets in in a second
Beware it's just your mind
You can stop it anytime

Rathix cautiously crawled into the room. She looked over her shoulder once before silently closing the door behind her. Silently, as silent as a shadow, she crawled over the puddles of blood on the floor, careful not to step in any—lest she leave a footprint behind. She edged her way over to the sleeping captive and looked up at his form. He almost looked peaceful, if not for the hooks driven into his chest and hooked around his ribs.

She wrenched a brick loose from the wall, reaching into the little hole and pulling out a small bottle. She shook it gently and a faint pink glow appeared. She set the bottle down and reached up to the hooks. With one cut of her blade, the hooks were cut in half. Quickly, she worked the hooks out of Link's body and broke the bottle. The little pink glow swirled around him, closing his wounds and keeping him asleep.

Rathix then set to work on the shackles. Two clean cuts with her blades and she caught the boy as he fell. Now she had to get him out. Carrying him on her back, she slipped down the corridor as quietly as she had come. Once outside, in the evening air, she began to run. Her bare feet made little sound as she raced over the cool grass. There was someone waiting for her, someone who she needed to protect him.

One strong leap took her over the walls and into the open world. She puckered her lips and whistled faintly. From the shadow of a tree stepped a mirror—a shadow mirror image of the hero she had just rescued. He slowly walked into the moonlight, his bright red eyes glowing with a light that gave no light.

"My thanks." He said, his voice like ice, as he gently took Link in his arms.

Rathix nodded and slipped away again.

"Hey...Link...wake up."

Link slowly opened his eyes, seeing a sickeningly familiar blue ceiling above him. He felt weak, but did notice that there was no stabbing pain ripping through his abdomen. His weary blue eyes glanced around until they settled on his black-clad counterpart.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." His shadow said, leaning against a wall.

"Wha...what...the hell...?" Link whispered, his voice painfully strained. His shadow cringed at the sound of it.

"That little wolf-chick rescued you."

Link retuned his gaze to the Water Temple ceiling. He sighed. Now what? He owed her his life...right? That's how it worked right? He tried to sit up, but only managed to get his right index finger to twitch. His shadow laughed a little before walking over and helping him sit up, leaning him against a wall.

"Trust me, you won't be going anywhere soon. You probably haven't eaten in days, and haven't been allowed to sleep well in longer. Rest. I'll go get something to eat."

Finding a shadow cast by a random object, Dark Link stepped into it and vanished into the darkness. Link sighed and closed his eyes. The welcoming pull of sleep came to him, and he accepted a restful dreamless sleep. When he woke, indeed he felt much better, but the hungry growl of his stomach was a different matter. His shadow had not yet returned, and Link had nothing to really do while he waited. His mind began to wander, and it settled on what he would be doing next.

Alone, he couldn't fight every member of the Royal Black. No. They were far too skilled in ways of the weapon. But that idea gave way to another one. Link remembered. He did have the advantage of always running, and the use of magic. Yes...the fire spell that Din had given to him was engraved in his memory, the teleport spell of Farore and the protection spell of Naryu would certainly help. But that would only do so much. He needed another trick...

"I'm back."

Dark Link stepped out of a shadow with something that resembled hot soup. He handed one bowl to Link, who thanked his shadow and began to slowly eat. His mind was still searching on what he could do. His eyes darted around the room searching for ideas. He needed something else. Something unexpected.

"You could always just kill the Princess." Dark Link muttered, reading Link's thoughts.

Link began considering that option. But what would happen to the Royal Black afterwards? They probably wouldn't disband.

"But they would have no figure to follow."

They also are capable of leading themselves.

"True. Damn it."

Perhaps if the two of us worked together...

"That might work. They can't really kill me."

Link sank back, setting the empty bowl on the floor beside him. Dark Link laid down on the floor, curling up and closing his eyes, soon enveloped in a deep sleep. Link drew his knees up to his chest and rested his head on them. He closed his eyes and followed his shadow into that calming realm of sleep.

Armed with a plan

The game can now begin

(ideas are always helpful)