Hello folks, been awhile. Sorry! Mays been a busy month for me with school and other bussiness that I needed to take care of. I'll try to get the next chapters in quicker.
Chapter 14
Dark Link's mind was racing trying to figure a way out of the situation. He just had to come back into the village to make sure Bongo-Bongo was dead. Why couldn't he have just left well enough alone and gotten out of there?
The guard that Dark Link assumed was their leader from his higher quality armor slowly approached them. Dark Link eyes darted around, going over plans in his head. He was confident that he could take out all these guards, and if push came to shove he still had his hostage, but dammit the last thing they needed right now is to draw more attention to themselves.
"Then you probably shouldn't have made a big show of killing Bongo-Bongo." His mind told him.
"Screw it, bastard deserved everything he got." Dark Link thought back.
The guard came to a stop directly in front of Dark Link, looking down to meet his eyes.
"Hello, I am Capitan Sarvon of the Kakariko Guard. What is your name son?"
Dark Link tensed up, should he just kill this man and run for it? It wouldn't take much from the looks of it…
Another guard of lesser rank suddenly ran up to the Capitan, giving a salute when he reached him. Sarvon turned from Dark Link to address the man.
"Stand down private. What do have to report?"
"Sir! It seems that we were able to successfully hold back the creatures do avoid major damage to the town, although there are plenty of homes that will need repairs in the coming days."
"And the casualties?"
"Five total sir. Two guards and three civilians, but it could have been a lot worse."
Capitan Sarvon nodded. "I want the names of the deceased brought to me later. Make sure that all the families are informed." The private saluted and took of at once. Sarvon turned back to still tense Dark Link and gave him a small smile. "Well, it looks like were in your dept sirs."
Out of everything that he could have said, that was the one thing Dark Link wasn't expecting.
"This village would have been destroyed if not for your valiant efforts. No words can express my gratitude." Then, to everyone's surprise, the Capitan got on one knee and knelt before Dark Link. His men stood their, shocked to see their proud leader bowing before someone else. A look from Sarvon however got them the message and they also bent down to kneel
Dark Link face wore a look of confusion; he had absolutely no idea how to feel about the situation. He looked back at the others, Malon looked just as surprised as he was, although she did look a little happy about something, and Phantom Ganon well, he still had that unreadable expression of his on.
Capitan Sarvon stood up once more and addressed them. "You both are welcome to stay in our village as long as you like. I will take care of your room at the inn. Now, if you could just tell me your names."
Uh…it's Dark" Dark Link managed to get out, still confused about this new development.
"Hmm, interesting, and you sir?" Sarvon said, turning towards Phantom Ganon.
Phantom Ganon looked at the Capitan, his face showing a little hesitation. "My name is Phantom Gan-"
"His name is Garron." Malon suddenly interrupted.
Both Phantom and shadow stared at the girl, who simply looked back at them with an expression that said "What?"
"Alright then Mr. Garron and Mr. Dark, please feel free to go about the village as you please, I am sure that the villager would be most enthusiastic to thank you themselves." The Capitan gestured to the few villagers standing around them who seemed to be watching with great interest.
"Uh, I think we'll just head back to the inn." Dark Link replied, not likening the stares he was getting. Grabbing Malon's hand he marched off towards the inn followed by the Phantom.
"I will have the innkeeper notified impatiently about the expenses. Rest well!" Capitan Sarvon called back. As the group walked out of sight, a younger guard walked up to him.
"Pardon my bluntness Capitan, but can we really trust them? Their strangers to us, and they don't exactly well…look like hero's."
Sarvon eyed the young man, irritated towards the question. "Son, I've met a lot of good people in my lifetime. Good people willing to lay down there lives for the good of others, and a few of them could be described as ugly as sin. Now unless you have something important to tell me, I suggest you get your narrow-minded ass out there and help bring some order back to this town.
"Uh, yes sir." The guard backed off and went back to his duties. Capitan Sarvon watched as he ran off, thinking to himself.
"I really hope I'm right about this…"
The Cuckoo's Nest was practically empty, save for the owner over by the bar. The regulars who usually showed up around this time where either helping repair the village or mourning for lost loved ones. Malon and Dark Link moved towards one of the empty tables, the phantom opted to just stand against the wall.
Malon took her seat, placing her hands in her lap and looking over at Dark Link, as he sat down Malon noticed that he seemed calmer in here than he was outside, probably due to the darker, quieter environment. The entire room was only lit by a few lanterns placed on the tables; the two windows that allowed sunlight into the room were covered by tables that had been hastily nailed to the wall during the attack. The room reminded Malon of one of those dungeons Link had described to her.
"And he probably likes it that way." Malon thought to herself, thinking of the shadow.
The owner came up to them, looking happy to them and carrying a tray with a variety of drinks on it. He placed it on the table and addressed the group.
"Hello! Everything was explained to me by the guards and don't worry, everything is already paid for. You folks can stay in a different room tonight of coarse." He held up a room key that had been on the tray and placed it in front of them. "It the last one at the end of the hallway, you can't miss it."
Malon cast her eyes downward at the mention of their room, remembering the guard that she had watched die. The owner seemed to notice her uneasiness and tried changing the subject.
"But um... here, I brought you folks some drinks to help pick you up. This is some of Hyrule's finest ales! Care for some sir?"
Dark Link just grunted, not really caring what he got. Placing the drink in front of Dark Link the owner turned towards Malon.
"And the lady?"
"I'll just have some water."
"Of course." The man took a glass of water off his tray and placed it in front of her, to which Malon graciously nodded. He then looked over at Phantom Ganon, ready to take an order.
"None for me." The phantom interrupted, not giving him the chance to speak.
"Are you sure sir? We have a variety of…"
"I said I would have nothing." He repeated himself.
The owner took the hint and bowed to the group, getting back up and taking the tray to leave.
"I need to go into the back room and take inventory right now; if you need anything do not hesitate to yell for me. And let me add that this town could not be more grateful if we tried. We owe you both so much for saving us." With that, the man left to count his stocks in the back, leaving the group alone in the bar.
Tension filled the air around them as they rested there in the silence; none of them really knew what to say. Even Dark Link was hoping for something to break the silence.
"Hi Mr. Skull-Face!"
There we go.
The door opened and in marched little Andrew, wearing a skull mask and carrying a big stick in his hand. Closing the door behind him he ran over to Phantom Ganon, his eyes looking up at him excitedly.
"Hi mister!"
Phantom Ganon just stared at the boy, who couldn't seem to keep himself still.
"What do you think of my skull mask? Looks just like yours, well almost. Don't tell my brother that I borrowed it ok?"
"What do you want boy?" The phantom asked.
"I just wanted to hang out with you. You saved me and my moms life, and you looked so cool taking down that giant monster." To illustrate his point, Andrew jabbed his stick forward, imitating a spear. "You're amazing!"
"I think it would be best if you left." Phantom Ganon said, causing Andrew to look upset.
"Aw why not? I won't be any trouble. Hey, maybe you could show me how to do some of your magic!"
"What will it take for you to leave me alone?" By this point, Phantom Ganon was willing to do almost anything.
Andrew scratched his head in thought, looking at his shoes as he tried to think before he shot back up, an idea formed. "Play a game with me!"
"What game?"
"Hide and seek! I'm the best player in the whole village! You wait here and count to sixty and I'll hide, then you come and find me!" With a smile hidden underneath his mask, Andrew turned and ran out the door, poking his head back in a second later. "And you better come and find me or I'll be back!" Then he was gone.
Phantom Ganon began the countdown in his head. When he finished he made to leave the bar.
"Have fun with you little fiend." Dark Link mocked.
Phantom Ganon shot a glare at the shadow before leaving. Malon giggled at the idea of the phantom running around playing games with the child.
"What are you laughing about?" Dark Link asked a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"I just think its cute how that boy looks up to him. Especially when he's, well you know…"
Dark Link just stared at Malon for a moment before getting back to his drink, taking another swig of his ale. Malon looked at him, wondering what he was thinking. What had happened outside had clearly unhinged him, and she couldn't help but wonder where this would lead. From what she had seen of him, he wasn't exactly a "people person."
"So…the village really seems to be grateful for you help." She said.
"Hmph." Dark Link just grunted, not turning to face her.
"I mean, you did something really great by helping save the town from that monster. A lot of people would have been killed if not for you. You're a hero."
Dark Link almost choked on his drink. Slamming his glass back on the table he looked at Malon, anger written all over his face.
"DON'T call me that."
"But why? You saved all these people's lives! If that doesn't make you a hero than…"
Malon jumped in her chair in fright as the glass in Dark Link's hand suddenly shattered in his fist. Glass shards and ale hit the table, and Malon could see a drop of black blood dripping from his fist. Dark Link either didn't notice or didn't care and looked Malon straight in the eye, his face contorted in rage.
"You listen here you little bitch! I don't give a shit about this village or anyone in it you understand? I killed Bongo-Bongo for me! Just me! For all I care this village can burn to the ground so don't you EVER call me a hero again!"
Malon sat there, her entire body shaking in fear. She had never been as frightened of him as she was now. His red eyes almost seemed to be glowing hot, and Malon thought for a moment that he might kill her.
"I…I'm sorry…please…" Malon whimpered in front of him.
Dark Link heard her voice and could feel the fear radiating from her body. His eyes softened a bit, still looking upset but not filled with rage. He turned away from Malon, as if he could no longer stand to look at her, and just stared at the remains of his drink on the table.
The bartender stuck his head out of the back room, wondering what all the commotion was. "Oh damn it." He said, seeing the broken glass. Grabbing a rag he marched over to the table and proceeded to clean up the spilled ale and broken glass.
"Don't worry sir I'll take care of everything. I'll clean this up and get you something else to drink."
Dark Link didn't even look up at the man as he cleaned the table and walked away. Malon turned away from Dark Link, holding her arms to her chest, almost afraid that if she got to close something would happen to her.
The bartender retuned shortly with another glass, only this one didn't have ale in it.
"Here sir, this might do better for ya. A glass of fresh Lon-Lon milk, the finest in Hyrule!"
Dark Link took the glass and nodded his head in reply. The man looked at both of them, and got the feeling he should probably stay out of this. "I'll leave you to your business then sir." He said, walking back to the storage room.
Malon looked at the shadow. He was staring at his glass, his eyes reflecting his bitter and hate-filled thoughts. But something else was there to, a deep sadness, and Malon once again found herself pitying him.
"You really hate him don't you?" She spoke softly.
Dark Link didn't reply. Names were not needed; he knew who she was talking about.
"Why? What has he done to you?"
"It's because of that bastard that I was trapped for seven years."
Dark Link glanced at Malon, seeing from her expression that that wasn't a good enough explanation. Sighing, he turned to face her.
"Back when Ganondorf was still in power me and him where supposed to fight. It was supposed to be simple, I win he loses. But no, that bastard got me with a lucky hit and because of that…because of that…" Dark Link's eye narrowed as he thought back on his defeat.
"Because of that I was sealed away in a dark prison for seven years. SEVEN YEARS. That why I want to kill the hero. I want revenge."
Malon looked into his eyes seeing the anger in them from what he was telling her, but she could also see something else, something telling her that he wasn't telling her everything.
"Are you sure that's the only reason?" She asked.
Dark Link was taken aback by the question. Damn it wasn't his explanation good enough for the girl?
"Don't know what you mean."
"Well, it just seems that this thing between you and Link runs deeper than that, and that you're not telling me something."
"There is nothing else to talk about." Dark Link told her, turning back towards the table.
"I'm only saying…"
"I said its nothing!" Dark Link snapped at her. Taking his glass he took a big gulp of milk, trying to calm himself, before slamming it back to the table and looking at Malon.
"I'm after him for revenge, nothing else, you understand?"
Malon just stared at him.
"I said do you understand!"
Malon giggled.
Dark Link stared blankly at her. Did she just LUAGH at him?
Malon held her hand to her mouth, holding back another giggle.
"What the HELL is so funny!"
Malon held back a laugh and pushed her glass towards him. "Milk mustache"
The shadow looked at the girl dumbfounded, not understanding what she was saying. Malon, sensing his confusion, gestured towards her glass. Looking into it Dark Link saw his reflection and, sure enough, there was a big milk mustache upon his upper lip, just showing up against his pale skin.
Dark Link looked back at Malon, who seemed to be unable to hold herself back and let out a series of laughs. Normally, anyone who laughed at Dark Link would quickly find themselves impaled on his sword, but looking at his reflection and hearing Malon's laughter he couldn't help but grow a smirk. That smirk turned into a chuckle, and pretty soon he found himself laughing along with the ranch girl. The idea that everything they had been though, everything that had happened to them had come to this was just too ridicules.
As the laughter died down Dark Link looked at Malon's face, noticing the red color her cheeks took from laughing, and feeling a pang of regret for dragging her into this. As soon as that emotion made itself known however, another, much stronger feeling voiced itself.
"No" Dark Link thought. "This is wrong. I am Dark Link, I'm not that damn hero and here I am, acting just like him."
Dark Link face returned to usually scowl, and Malon quieted instantly.
"What do you think you're doing? You sit their and laugh like I'm a normal person, like I'm him." Dark Link practically spat out that last word. "Have you forgotten who I am? What I'm capable of? Have you forgotten what I've done to your family?"
Malon cringed at the mention of her father and Mr. Ingo. She hadn't forgotten, and she prayed silently that they were alright.
"I expected you to be trying to escape every minute! I expected yelling and screaming. I expected you to be rude and nasty to me! Your supposed to hate me damn it!
"I…I can't do that."
"Why the hell not!"
"Because I was raised not to." Malon snapped back at him. "I was taught that hatred was a terrible thing, and that no good would ever come of it." Malon wiped away a lone tear running down her check, brought on by memories of her mother.
Dark Link was taken aback by her outburst. He couldn't really understand what she was saying. How could anyone not hate at all? Hatred was what kept him going, hell he was born from it.
"Besides," Malon continued. "I don't think you're as bad as you make yourself out to be."
Dark Link scoffed. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"And I think you're in denial."
Dark Link glared at her. "I think it time you went to our room."
Malon didn't reply, she just nodded slowly and picked the room key from off the table, getting up and walking towards the stairs. A she made her way up Dark Link called out to her.
"And don't even think about escaping, I would just hunt you down."
Malon nodded and turned back to the stairs leaving Dark Link alone in the bar.
"This is better." He thought, looking around the empty dark room around him. "This is how it's supposed to be."
Bit in the back of Dark Link's mind, he wondered if he was just trying to convince himself that.
Phantom Ganon walked through the village, not stopping to return the waves of thankful villagers who had heard of what he did for the village. Of course, the phantom had just been restoring the honor of his master and getting revenge for betrayal, but he decided it was best not to tell them that.
Walking up a set of stairs the phantom found himself next to a tower, presuming it was some kind of lookout tower from the ladder going up it. A burst of giggling suddenly caught his attention and looking behind him he saw two little girls. It took him a moment, but he recognized them as the two girls whose roof he had crashed though. If Phantom Ganon was to guess, he would say the two were twins. Both had the same face and short brown hair. The only way to tell them apart was that one wore a yellow dress while the other wore blue.
The girl wearing blue whispered to her sister, who giggled and nodded in agreement in whatever was said. Clearing her through she pointed up the tower and said "He's up their."
Looking up he could see Andrew at the top looking over the side still wearing his mask. Andrew was pointing his stick and yelling at the two girls.
"Hey that's no fair! You're not supposed to tell!"
"That's what you get for saying we can't play!" The yellow dressed girl shouted back while her sister stuck out her tongue.
"The game is over. You can come down now." Phantom Ganon called to the boy.
"No its not! You still have to tag me!"
The phantom let out another sigh; he knew the kid wasn't going to make it that easy. Taking to the air he floated to the top of the tower and poked the boy on his forehead.
"There, are we finished?"
"Yeah, I guess. Hey could you give me a lift down?"
Phantom Ganon turned his back to Andrew and gestured to hop on. The boy smiled under his mask and sat on the phantom's shoulders, and together they floated to the ground much to the amazement of the two girls. As his feet touched the ground he slid Andrew off his shoulders.
"Wow can I have a ride next?" The yellow dressed girl asked.
"No me!" Her sister yelled.
"I am not your personal entertainer."
"Aw please?" Both girls said at the same time.
Phantom Ganon was about to tell them "no" again, but after seeing the excited faces on the two children he relented, deciding that if he didn't they probably wouldn't leave him alone.
"Fine, one ride each."
Both girls squealed in delight and quick as a flash the yellow dressed one ran up to take her turn, much to the dismay of her sister. Phantom Ganon picked up the child and placed her on his shoulder, telling her to hold on to him.
"Alright, go up real high ok. By the way, I'm Kara and that's my sister, Lara." Said, pointing to her sister who gave a little wave.
With a small jump, the phantom took the air, floating above the houses and getting a few points from onlookers below. Kara held tight to the phantoms skull-face, her eyes shut tight for the first minute before she slowly opened them and got the view of the entire village below her. A large smile grew on her face and she pointed out her house to the phantom, which was easily distinguishable from the large hole in its roof.
He floated above the village for about five minutes before returning to the ground and letting Lara take her turn. Her ride only lasted three minutes before she told him to go back down and she had her eyes closed half the time, causing the phantom to wonder if the girls were really twins. Phantom Ganon returned to the ground, letting Lara, get off his shoulders, which she seemed quite eager to.
Somehow he was convinced to give both Kara and Andrew a few more rides with Lara respectively declining. Even though the constant pleases and begging got on his nerves, he found himself… feeling good about the giving the children rides, or at least he didn't feel upset about it.
It was noon before the children finally had enough and Phantom Ganon decided it was time to go back and check on Dark Link. He set off in the direction of the inn/bar, followed of course by his young companions. As they walked down the path a familiar voice called out to them, turning around they saw Andrew's mother walking up behind them carrying a basket with a few loaves of bread in it.
"Hello again sir." She said, giving a small curtsy to the phantom. "I just wanted to thank you again for all you have done for us." She held the basket forward. "We don't really have a lot of money, so this is all I can really offer you, but its from the very bottom of our hearts."
"I do not require any bread." He replied, not taking the basket.
"Please sir, it's all we can offer and it would mean so much to our family if we could repay you."
Reluctantly, Phantom Ganon took the basket of bread from her. "Maybe the others could use it." He thought.
"Hey! You down there!"
Above their heads a man who Phantom Ganon recognized as the girls father, was kneeling on their roof. He was pointing at the ground next to them.
"You think you could toss me my hammer? I got careless and dropped it." He said, gesturing to the tool lying on the ground.
Picking up the hammer, Phantom Ganon floated in the air and handed the tool back to the man, who had an amazed look on his face. Floating back down, he saw he was getting similar looks from everyone else.
"See! That's why he's my hero!" Andrew yelled out.
"Hmm, he seems quite taken with you." His mother commentated. "Ok, I think its time to leave the nice man alone and run along home. You have chores that need doing."
Andrew was about to protest, but a glare from his mother cut him off. With a pout, he waved goodbye and ran off towards his house.
"You girls should run inside two, I'm sure your mom has work for the both of you." Their father called out.
"Yes father." Both girls said simultaneously. Giving a wave then running up to their door and going inside.
"There such nice children." Andrew mother commentated, a hint of sadness in her voice. A moment later she was chocking back sobs as a lone tears ran down her face.
"I'm sorry." Se got out as she dried her face. "It's just…I have no idea what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did" Another tear fell down her cheek. We lost his father shortly after he was born, so he's all I've had this few years. He's everything to me."
Phantom Ganon watched the woman's emotional display, slightly uncomfortable with it. Watching it made him feel…odd.
"I'm sorry." She said as she dried away her tears. "I shouldn't bother you with my own problems. Thank you, for everything." She turned away heading back to her home. Phantom Ganon watched her until another voice got his attention.
"That was quite a display young man."
This was a much older gentleman, sporting a long white beard and blue robes covering his aged body. Phantom Ganon could see he was just one of many people coming over to him.
"I wanted to learn magic myself when I was young, but my family was to poor to send me to a teacher."
"That flying bit you did was amazing! Could you do it again?"
"With someone like you around, I don't think we'd have to worry about any mote trouble coming from that well!"
One by one people crowded around Phantom Ganon telling him how amazing what he could do was and to thank him for saving their village. As the praise continued, deep down inside him, Phantom Ganon felt a sense of purpose that he hadn't felt since his time under Lord Ganondorf.
The door to the inn creaked open slowly, and the tall form of Phantom Ganon walked in. Laying face down on the table where he left him lay Dark Link, who had fallen asleep where he sat, an empty glass of milk in his hand.
Walking over to the table, the phantom placed the basket of bread on its surface. Apparently he did it hard enough to disturb the shadow, causing him to wake up with a jump.
Dark Link looked up at the person who disturbed him nap, giving him a glare. "Where have you been?"
"I have been out in the village talking with the locals."
"Hmph. Didn't say too much I hope."
"I said nothing to reveal our true intentions." That was true, but the phantom decided it would be best not to talk about what was said. "Where is Malon?"
"She's upstairs." Dark Link said, talking through a yawn. At least he thought she was up their. It was possible that she snuck out while he was asleep, but he doubted it.
Getting to his feet Dark Link stretched out his arms and let out another yawn. "I'm going out."
"I would be careful. The villagers are acting…"
'What? Suspicious?"
"…Grateful."
Dark Link didn't really understand what the phantom was talking about, but figured he'd figure it out when he stepped outside. Not bothering to pick up his glass, he walked to the door and left the inn, slamming the door behind him.
Phantom Ganon looked around the room, noticing how different the dark, empty bar was from the vibrant and colorful village just outside it walls. He found it odd because he had never really noticed anything like that before.
"I should check on Malon." He thought to himself. Taking the basket he headed up the stairs and made his way towards their room at the end of the hallway. Turning the doorknob he pushed the door open and entered the room. The room was a tad bigger than the first, but not much different. Same hardwood floor, same two beds with the dresser in-between them, only this ones window faced out the side of the building rather than the front and this room had a chair in the corner. Immediately upon entering his eyes fell on Malon, was sitting on one of the beds looking up at him from a book in her lap.
"Hello." She said.
Phantom Ganon nodded and walked to the second bed, placing the basket on the sheets.
"Where did you get that?" Malon asked, eyeing the bread.
"It was a gift from Andrews's mother."
A low grumbling noise filled the room and Malon put a hand on her stomach. Phantom Ganon took the basket and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Malon said, taking the basket. She ripped a piece off one of the loaves and stuffed it greedily into her mouth, Phantom Ganon watching in silence as she ate.
"Where did you find that book?" He asked.
Malon looked down at her book, a copy of "Legends of Hyrule". "I found it underneath the bed. The previous tenant must have left here."
Phantom Ganon nodded, content with her answer.
"That boy seems rather fond of you." She remarked, putting another piece of bread in mouth.
"Yes, as do all the villagers."
"Well you did save them all."
Phantom Ganon just stood there, and Malon could feel the uneasiness e was feeling. Someone like him probably didn't expect to be in this situation. At least he was taking it better than Dark Link.
"The townspeople seem to want me to stay." He spoke. "They seem to think I would be useful."
Malon swallowed another piece of bread. "Isn't that a good thing?"
"It's not that simple. I still need to kill Link."
Malon tried not to react too much to the remark, instead forcing a small smile. "Well…can't you just not do that?"
"No, it's what I was created to do, it is my purpose. Protecting this village…is not."
"Can't you just take on a new purpose?"
Phantom Ganon eyes widened. He had never even considered such an idea. "Lord Ganondorf would not be pleased."
"So? He's been sealed away by Link and the sages, and from what I've heard he probably trapped forever."
Lord Ganondorf trapped forever? Impossible. Trapped for a year…that was possible. It was entirely possible that it would be a long time before he ever got a chance to see his master again.
"I need to think about this." Phantom Ganon sat down on the other bed, focusing is eyes in concentration. Malon knew he could, and probably would, stay like that for the next few hours.
"I want to…apologize." Malon said, disrupting Phantom Ganon's thoughts.
"For what?"
"For before, when I called you a soulless monster. You…didn't deserve that."
The phantom was silent for a moment. "You were merly speaking the truth."
Malon shook her head. "A monster would not have saved me or that family. You aren't a monster."
"I was simply doing what I thought was best at that time." Phantom Ganon then looked back down, getting back to his thoughts.
Malon stared at the phantom, trying to decide what to make of him. He wasn't at all like she would have pictured a creation of Ganondorfs. He just didn't seem evil, more like misguided. He wasn't at all prone to lash out at anyone; in fact the only real violence against a person she had seen him commit was against Mr. Ingo, and that was when Mr. Ingo was holding a knife to him. He was polite, patient, and although a little obsessive seemed like he could be a good person. He wasn't anything like Dark Link.
Dark Link, now there was a different story altogether. He seemed to be the epitome of what one would expect from a dark counterpart. He was rude, impulsive, violent, cared little about the pain of others, and had a temper shorter than a flock of cucoo's
And yet…Malon pitied him. Behind all the anger, all the rude comments and threats, was a deep sadness and longing for something. She knew Link well enough now after all these years to be able to read his facial expressions, and if Dark Link was anything like him, something was definitely troubling the shadow.
Malon sighed. What was she going to do? Could she even escape at this point? Even if she did how far would they go to get her back, how many people would they hurt? Father…Mr. Ingo…Link…
If she couldn't leave them, maybe she could try to help them. As crazy as it seemed, there was a chance to could convince them not to try and kill Link. Phantom Ganon seemed like he could be persuaded to change and Dark Link well… he was a part of Link right? Maybe there was some was she could reach him.
Malon smiled to herself and turned back to her book, the Goddesses had brought her this far, hopefully they would continue to keep an eye on her.
Dark Link gritted his teeth as he put his back against a wall, now understanding the phantoms meaning by "grateful".
Those damn villagers had started to crowd around him the minute he stepped outside, insisting they "thank him for his heroic efforts". He replied by telling them to go to hell, but they just kept coming. It was all he could do to take shadow-form and escape, taking refuge behind one of the houses. He was pretty sure that freaked out most off them.
Dark Link looked around, trying to find someplace where he could be alone, or at least be away from the comments of thankful villagers."Shit, maybe I should just go back to the inn…"
"Dark Link…"
That's when he heard it: a voice, barley above a whisper. Dark Link went absolutely still as he strained to listen.
"Dark Link…"
There it was again. It sounded like a woman's voice, soft and beautiful but at the same time unsettling.
"Come…"
As if guided by some unseen force, Dark Link took shadow form again and followed the sound of the voice but where to? Hell, he couldn't even tell which direction it was coming from, like it was echoing in his mind.
"This way…"
And yet, he seemed to know exactly where to go. He slid along the ground guided by the voice, following its unseen hand to who knows were, not stopping to question what was happening.
Then, silence. The voice, the feeling of bring guided, both stopped. The shadow once again took solid form, wondering what the hell had just happened. Dark Link looked around to figure out where he was. It wasn't too difficult after seeing his surroundings. He was standing in the center of Kakariko Graveyard.
The place looked like it had seen better days. The grass around the graves was tall and weeds dotted the area. Many of the graves looked like they hadn't been looked after either, with dirt and moss covering many of the stones. The wooden shack still stood, but it looked like no one had lived inside for quite a while.
"Dark Link..."
There it was again. Dark Link turned sharply and ran in the direction it came from jumping over a few gravestones and fences until he came to the very end of the graveyard.
"Come…"
Above him, that's where it was coming from. He could see a fence outlining a ledge above him, and taking shadow-form once again he crawled up the wall and materialized on a stone pedestal on the ledge.
Here it was; the place the voice was leading him to. The place that had caused the Hero more nightmares than any other temple. Kakariko's very own Shadow Temple.
Dark Link took a step back. Did he really want to venture in their? It wasn't like his life depended on it or anything…
"This way…Dark Link…"
But damn it who was calling him? What did it want? Dark Link cautiously took a step forward, then another, approaching the stairs that led into the darkness. He looked down the stairway, the old stones steps leading down into the temple unnerved him but he didn't know why.
"Screw it. I'm tired of being jerked around." Throwing caution to the wind, he descended the staircase, keeping one and on the wall at all time however.
He soon reached the bottom, and stepped into a large room filled with unlit torches. The door leading into the Shadow Temple stood at the far side of the room, the large structure dwarfing him. In the center stood another stone pedestal, and Dark Link walked forward, standing in its center.
"Alright who's been calling me!" He shouted, his voice echoing around the room. At least, he thought it was an echo. As he listened more carefully, he realized his words weren't echoing, they where being repeated. Disembodied voices not his own repeated his words back at him, as if mocking him. Dark Link face grew angry, this was getting ridicules.
"What the hell is going on!"
"Hello Dark Link."
The woman's voice whispered into his ear and he felt an ice-cold hand rest on his shoulder. Instinctively he drew his sword, turned and sliced away at…nothing. He looked all around, he was alone.
"It has arrived." Another voice, this one deeper, like a large man's, echoed through the chamber. "The shadow has come."
"Yes, yes, YES!" Another voice, this one childlike, followed.
"We've been waiting…"
"Waiting…"
"So long…"
The room erupted into a series of voices, all whispering to him, talking to him, calling to him…
"What the hell do you want from me?" Dark Link yelled, silencing the voices. The room was quite; dead quite, until an old man's voice broke the silence.
"Bongo-Bongo…the bain of the sprits…"
"King of the dead…"
"Devourer of souls…"
"Is dead."
The voices changed as they went on, from pitch, tone, and gender. They changed so much Dark Link couldn't tell exactly how many these things he was dealing with.
"We want you…"
"What?" he said, wondering if he heard right.
"Destroyer of Bongo-Bongo…"
"Shadow of the Hero…"
"Link but not Link…"
"Join us…"
"What are you talking about?"
"You should live among your own kind…
"Link but not Link…"
"Shadow of the Hero…
"You are strong…can help us."
"No way…I'm nothing like you freaks…" Dark Link whispered back at them, but the moment he said this, a room erupted in to a chorus of laughter and cackles. The voices taunted and ridiculed him, mocking him as he covered his ears trying in vain to block to sounds.
"It thinks it's better than us!"
"Link but not Link!"
"A shadow..."
"Nothing more!"
"SHUT UP!" Dark Link Yelled at the surrounding darkness, gaining more laughter in reply. All at once the torches lit themselves, and the sound of grinding stone joined with the voices.
Dark Link watched as the doors to the Shadow Temple opened by themselves, and as they did he could see what lay beyond them: darkness. He had lived in darkness his entire life, he had raised himself in it, but this…this was different. This darkness was foreboding and deadly, the kind that felt like it would swallow him whole and never let go should he approach it.
"Ok, I'm leaving now." Dark Link took a single step back, and as soon as he did a shadowy tendril jumped out of the darkness, wrapping around his leg causing him to trip, then slowly began to drag him towards the door.
"What the hell do think you're doing!" He screamed. The only reply he got was an encore of laughter.
His first reaction was to take shadow-form, but for some reason found he couldn't. Whatever this thing was it was preventing him from doing it.
"Ok, new plan." He sat up and with his swords he stabbed the shadow-tentacle where it wrapped around his leg cutting it in two. The tendril shrieked and disappeared back into the darkness, the rest of it around his leg vanishing into smoke.
"You deny it…"
"But you belong with us…"
"Shadow…"
"Nothing more…"
Dark Link wasted no time in getting to his feet and running towards the exit, turning his head once to see another tendril coming towards him. Just as it was about to reach him, Dark Link took his shadow form, escaping it grasp.
But that soon changed. A few second later and Dark Link felt like he had been punched in the stomach, and was forced out of his shadow-form and sent flying into the air. He landed back on the stone pedestal and before he could react, he felt a tentacle wrap around his left leg, and another around his right.
"Silly shadow…"
"You think you can escape your brothers…?"
"Belong with us…"
Dark Link drove his sword into the ground and pulled against the hold of the tendrils, trying to break free. As he was making some progress another pair of tendrils shot out of the darkness and wrapped themselves around his legs. The sudden pull made him loss his grip on his sword and he found himself being dragged once again into the darkness.
For the first time in a long time, Dark Link panicked.
Dark Link dug his hands into the ground trying to pull himself away but couldn't get a grip into the ground. The mocking laughter filled the room as he struggled against the tentacles, looking into the darkness with panic stricken eyes.
A moment of rational thought crossed his mind, and Dark Link reached for his last means of escape: the hook shot. Bringing it in front of him, he took aim and fired the spring-loaded chain towards one of the lit torches, sending it toppling over and putting the flame out. The lose of a single flame was enough to reverse the doors, and at once they began to close in on themselves.
"NO!"
Dark Link shot the hook shot again, this time aiming lower. The chain impeded itself in the ground, catching itself by sheer luck on a rock. He grabbed the chain tight, pulling as hard as he could. The tentacles pulled harder against him, trying to keep him from escaping. Slowly the grinding stones began pressing against the tentacles, issuing screams of torment from within the temple. The tendrils released Dark Link, and disappeared back into the darkness just before the doors closed.
"Do not deny what you are…"
"Shadow…
"Nothing more…
"Join us…"
Dark Link wasn't listening, he just ran. Grabbing his sword and sheathing it he ran faster than he ever had before in his life, trying to escape the taunts and cries of the ghosts of the Shadow Temple. He ran up the stairs and looked back only once, forgetting about the ledge in front of him. He ran headfirst into the fence and tripped over it, sending him headfirst into the ground below. The rain that had started while he was inside now made the ground muddy and he hit it with a sickening thunk, bashing his head against a stone as he landed.
Dark Link groaned in pain. Sitting up he brought his hand to his fore head, bringing it back covered in dark blood. It didn't matter though, and he got up and ran out of the graveyard, back to the inn, tripping in the mud and getting himself drenched along the way.
He didn't know if the voices where following him or if his own mind was repeating it to him, but the same words just repeating inside his head.
"A shadow…nothing more…"
Malon sat on the bedside, listening to the raindrops fall against the window as she read her book. She had just started an interesting story about the creation of Gorons. She wondered if it was true that they were just pulled out of the volcano by the goddesses one day?
The door to the room suddenly burst open, causing Malon to leap up in shock and Phantom Ganon, who up until now had been still as a rock, to look up. Standing their much too there surprise was Dark Link, leaning against the doorframe dripping wet and covered in mud. He looked up at them, scared and confused and Malon could see the large gash on his forehead.
Dark Link staggered foreword towards Malon, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders and looking her directly in the eyes. Malon could only stare at his face, which now had a trickle of blood running down form his wound.
"Tell me what I am." He chocked out, his expression still pained and confused.
"W-what?" Malon said, trying to make sense of what he was saying.
"GOD DAMNIT TELL ME WHAT I AM!" He shook her roughly before letting go and staggering backwards, falling to the floor and going unconscious. Malon and the phantom looked at his fallen body, then to each other.
"Well, don't just sit here help me get him up!" Malon told the phantom.
Phantom Ganon did not reply, he just stood up and walked over to Dark Link, bending down and lifting him up in his arms. Malon directed him to place him in her bed laying him on top of the sheets.
"We need to get him out of those wet tunic or he's going to get sick." Malon looked closer at the wound, it wasn't very deep but it was bleeding a lot. "You stay here and get him out of his tunic, I'll get some water."
Phantom Ganon nodded and she walked quickly out the door. The phantom worked at getting Dark Link wet tunic, hat, and boots off, dropping them on the floor and leaving Dark Link in his somewhat dry gray undershirt and tights. Malon returned soon with a pitcher of water and a rag. She placed the pitcher on the dresser and soaked the rag in the clean water, then used it to wipe Dark Links face clean. As the rag wiped away the blood and mud, he began to mumble something in his sleep. Malon leaned in closer, trying to make out what he was saying.
"Shadow…nothing more…"
Malon backed away, trying to understand. What had he gone through in such a short time to make him like this?
"What do you think happened to him?" Malon asked the phantom, not taking her eyes off Dark Link.
"I do not know." The phantom replied. He had expected Dark Link to come in a little wet when the rain started, but this was just as much a surprise to him as it was to her. However, Malon seemed to know what she was doing, so was not too concerned with the shadows state.
Nightfall had descended on Kakariko a few hours ago, but everyone was inside their homes well before that. The villagers had retired early to the safety of their homes in fear of what could come in the night. They were safe of course, no evil would attack their village that night, but they had no way of knowing that. Everyone was sound asleep in their beds, save for a few guards and a solitary phantom.
Phantom Ganon sat silently on the bed, deep in thought. He hadn't planned on having the bed tonight, but Malon had already fallen asleep in the chair next to Dark Link bed and he saw no reason to wake her. Dark Link was looking better, his wound was now cleaned and wrapped in a piece of cloth, stopping the blood flow, and he was warm and dry beneath the bed covers. Malon had said he would be fine now, but had sat next to him to make sure. She had fallen asleep an hour after night fell.
It was nearing midnight and Phantom Ganon had not yet reached a decision regarding what to do. What could he do? He was created to obey his master and his master's last orders where to kill the Hero of Time. But, his master was no longer around, and it could be years before he escapes. If he stayed in this town he would once again be useful to someone, but what of his purpose? Could he let that go unfulfilled?
These where questions that the phantom felt he could find no answer for. It was easier when his master was still around, able to tell him what to do…
"Rise my phantom."
That voice. No. It couldn't be.
Phantom Ganon raised his head. Before him, in this very room, stood his Lord and master, Ganondorf.
The King of Evil stood tall before him, radiating an aura of power that he recognized instantly. His black armor reflected the moonlight coming in from window, giving him an unearthly look. His dark skin and dark red hair, trademarks of his Gerudo heritage, gave him the appearance of a devil in the darkness.
"Master." He exclaimed, rising to his feet immediately. "I am sorry master, I know I was banished but I believed that perhaps I…"
A wave from Ganondorfs hand silenced him. His master's face showed no anger, but carried a look of stone-cold seriousness.
"Speak no more and listen carefully to my words. Even with the Triforce of Power I have little time to speak." Ganondorf raised his fist, revealing the glowing triforce mark upon it. This was truly his master.
"I need you to release me from my prison, listen carefully as I tell you as to you means of accomplishing this…"
Phantom Ganon listened carefully as his master revealed to him the location of each sacred stone, and about the Temple of Time. As he was speaking he began to fade in and out of existence, revealing that he was not actually here, but projecting himself from the Sacred Realm. A feat only made possible by the Triforce of Power and the bond shared between him and the phantom.
"Do you understand?"
Phantom Ganon nodded.
"Good. I knew there was hope for you yet my phantom. When you complete your task you will be once again welcomed into my forces." As he finished his words, he disappeared from sight.
Phantom Ganon felt more anxious than he had ever felt before. Soon he would be able to serve his master again. Soon, everything would be as it should be and he would once again have a purpose.
He made his way towards the door, opening it slowly as to not wake the other. He looked back at hem once, considering for a moment waking Dark Link to tell him, but decided the shadow would probably not be fond of the idea.
He floated down the hallway and down the stairs to remain as silent as possible, touching down in front of the door. Slowly he opened it and stepped outdoors; ready to begin his mission set by him by Lord Ganondorf.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Phantom Ganon turned quickly, ready to face one of the guards, but finding only little Andrew, still holding his stick and wearing his skull mask. Andrew lifted up the mask and laughed at the phantom, finding his little prank hilarious.
"What are you doing out this late?" The phantom asked, annoyed by the interrupted.
"I snuck out." The boy said smiling. "Don't tell ok?"
"You should be with your mother."
"I can take care of myself." Andrew said defensively before realizing something. "What are you doing out?"
"I have…something that needs doing."
"Cool! Like fighting another monster? That's exactly why I want to be like you when I grow up." Andrew pulled down his skull mask and waved his stick around to emphasize this.
Phantom Ganon watched the free-spirited young boy, feeling something growing inside him, something he didn't like. "No, I don't think you do."
Andrew stopped, confused. "Huh? Of course I do."
"No you don't." The phantom bent down and lifter the skull mask up, lifting it off Andrews head. With a small burst of energy, the mask caught fire and quickly disintegrated.
"Hey! That's mine!" Andrew yelled, not understanding why his hero just destroyed his mask
"Go home boy." The phantom said, turning away from him.
"But…"
"I said go home." Phantom Ganon then floated into the night sky, leaving a very confused little boy alone in the dark.
Well, how that for a little twist? Please leave a review, it is the blood that flows in mt viens!