Well heres the next chapter. Its not very long, but it does move the story along. Once again thanks to Inimitable for beta reading.
Chapter 15
"Ah!" Dark Link shot up from him bed, breathing heavily and sweat going down his face. He closed his eyes as he rested his forehead against his hand.
"Just another dream…" His hand felt along his head, trailing the cloth acting as a bandage wrapped over his wound. Realization dawned on him as the memories of last night came into focus, and Dark Link looked up, searching the room around him. He was alone, Malon and the phantom where nowhere to be seen. He could see his tunic and cap draped over the chair next to his bed, wrinkled and covered in dried mud.
"What happened last night?" He thought, trying to remember the details. His last memory where of the Shadow Temple and running, after that there was…nothing.
The door creaked open and Malon stepped inside, when her eyes fell upon the now awake Dark Link a smile grew on her face. "Oh good, you're awake. You had us worried for a while there."
She picked up the basket of bread on the chair and handed it to him, a few loaves still inside. "You must be hungry. Here, eat."
Dark Link took the basket from her, confused as to why the hell she was acting so cheery. What the hell did she have to be cheery about? "Where's the phantom?"
Malon shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. When I woke up he was nowhere to be found, and the townspeople I spoke to hadn't seen him either."
"You went outside?" Dark Link said, raising his voice in anger.
"Yes, but I didn't tell anyone I swear!"
Dark Link looked at her, she probably wasn't that stupid. "Alright, I believe you. You know what I would have done to the people you told right?"
"Yes, don't worry." Malon nervously smiled. Staying on his good side was tough.
Dark Link took a bite out of one of the loaves and got out of bed, taking the food with him. He finished the bread and grabbed his tunic and weapons, changing back into them. The where muddy, but at least they were dry.
"What happened to you last night? When you came in you were a mess and babbling nonsense." Malon asked.
"Nothing you need to be concerned about." Dark Link told her, setting his shield back on his back.
Malon sighed. Her plan to try and help Dark Link was not going well at all. He just wouldn't talk to her. Thinking about it, she decided to play her trump card.
"I heard what you said the other night."
Dark Link froze. "What do you mean?"
"When you thought I was asleep you were talking to the phantom. I heard everything, about how you're a shadow and what you said about me."
"That changes nothing. Just because I don't hate you doesn't mean I can't kill you!"
Malon face didn't change. "I know, but I don't think you will." Slowly, Malon took a few steps toward him until they were just a few feet away from each other.
Dark Link looked into her eyes. "You're a good person."
"Uh…thank you?" Malon said, surprised by his sudden compliment.
"No, you don't understand. I have never met a "good person". When I look at people I don't see what you see. I don't see the good in people, all I see is the bad. I see everyone based off the dark thoughts that grew in the back of the Hero's mind. When I look at the townspeople I don't see friendly villagers, I see a bunch of pathetic nobodies who practically bent over when Ganondorf took over. When I see the guards, I don't see Hyrule's finest, I see a bunch of weaklings who couldn't hold their own when their country needed them most. But with you…" Dark Link looked away from her. "With you I didn't have anything, I had nothing to judge you with."
Malon slowly raised her hand to Dark Link's chin and brought him to face her again. "I meant what I said. I don't think you're as bad as you say you are and I want to help you."
"Why? Why the hell would you want to help me, especially knowing what I am?" He spat at her, his voice angry and confused.
"It's like you said. I'm a good person and I think you're someone who could really use a friend." Malon lowered her hands and smiled and him. She grew happier as she saw his face soften; she could tell she was reaching him. "And besides, any part of Link can't be all bad."
Dark Links expression darkened again, and Malon wondered what was wrong. "What's wrong?" She asked, raising her hand up to him again, only to let out a yelp of surprise when he grabbed it.
"You just don't get do you?" Dark Link said, throwing her hand to the side and turning away from her and walking towards the door.
"Get what? I don't understand!" Se said, trying to figure out what she had said wrong.
"That right, you don't understand. You're just like everyone else." Dark Link walked out the door and shut it, and Malon could hear the sound of the door being lock on the other side.
As his footsteps went down the hallway, Malon took a seat on one of the beds. All she could do was think to herself "What did I do wrong?"
"I need to kill something." Dark Link thought to himself, remembering his old "anger management technique" as he walked down the hallway. The ranch girl's words still echoed in his mind, she had no what she was talking about. He should just kill her…
Dark Link silenced his thoughts as made his way down the steps into the bar. He wasn't alone this time; four guards had seated themselves at one of the tables. One of them looked up at him, but for the most part they kept to themselves. Ignoring them, Dark Link walked directly towards the bar and pulled up a stool.
"Hey bartender! Bring out something to drink!" He called out, assuming the bartender was in the back room. When no one came, he tried again. "Are you deaf? I said bring out a drink!"
Behind him he could hear the sound of the door being opened and footsteps entering the establishment, followed by the sounds of the guards getting up from their seats, standing at attention. Dark Link turned his head to Captain Sarvon approaching him, stopping just a few feet before him, the other guards following his example and surrounding Dark Link keeping him from leaving.
"What's going on?" Dark Link asked, staring Sarvon directly in the eye. The Captain twitched nervously before replying.
"We have…reason to suspect that there was more to your involvement to yesterday's incident than you have led us to believe. I ask that you hand over you weapons and come with us for questioning."
"What the hell do you mean 'reason to suspect!' Who gave this information?"
Sarvon nodded towards one of the guards who saluted before marching off and leaving the building, returning a moment later with and old man, a man Dark Link recognized.
"This man claims to have seen who climbing out of the well shortly after the creature. We would like for you to explain exactly what you where doing down their, its forbidden for any civilian to enter with express permission from Lady Impa."
The Captain's words fell on deaf ears. All Dark Link could hear was his own angry thoughts as he stared at the old man standing across from him, the same man who he had inadvertently saved from a redead as he had crawled from the well.
"I saved his life…" The words echoed in his head. "I saved all their pathetic asses, and they DARE pull something like this? If I had been their precious hero I bet they wouldn't even question me…"
"This is your last chance, please turn yourself over and if you are innocent…" Sarvon words died in his throat as a chuckle escaped from Dark Link's mouth. The shadow slowly stood up, a small grim on his face that seemed a hundred times more terrifying than the look of anger he had just a moment ago.
"Turn myself over? All right, just let me take off a few things first."
Before their eyes Dark Link disappeared, followed shortly by the sound of a sword being drawn and flesh being pieced. To the horror of everyone in the room, the old man stood now coughing up blood, grasping at the sword that had pierced his body. Behind him stood Dark Link, an evil smirk on his face. Pushing the body off his blade, he stood before them, waiting for them to make their move.
"You monster!" One of the guards shouted and, followed by one of his comrades, he charged at Dark Link, spears ready. It was over in less than minute. They had been no match for the shadow, and soon their lifeless bodies fell to the floor, adding more blood to the already stained wood.
Captain Sarvon drew his own sword, and Dark Link drew his shield in anticipation. He was about to charge when he caught the look the Captain gave to his guards, signaling towards the stairway. Realization dawned on Dark Link and fast as ever, he disappeared into the shadows again.
"Shit!" Sarvon cursed as the shadow got away. "Get upstairs, use whatever force is necessary to take him down!"
Malon caught the shadow slipping under the door just as it changed back into Dark Link. She had heard some commotion happening downstairs and now feared the worst.
"What happened? What's going on?" She asked, but Dark Link gave no reply. He just started searching the room, looking for something.
"What is happening?" She tried again, receiving only silence as an answer again. She was about to press further when loud banging on their door shut her up. The angry voices of men could be heard on the other side. Dark Link scowled and turned back to his search around the room, his eyes falling on the chair. Picking up the wooden seat he stood before the window and threw the chair at the glass, breaking through it and giving him the escape route he was looking for.
"What are you doing?" Malon shouted at him as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the window.
"Just shut up and follow me." He told her, his voice dead serious. Malon could only do what he said, his hand was like a vice on her own and she doubted she could break free. Looking out through the window, Dark Link could see a ledge just a few feet below their room where they could stand. Stepping out of the window he placed his foot on the ledge, crawling outside and bringing Malon to do the same. When they where both outside looking down, Dark Link spoke again.
"Jump!"
"What?" Malon looked at the shadow like he was crazy. She knew that they where only one floor up, but she felt like she at least knew why they were doing this.
"I said jump!" Dark Link shouted as he jumped from the ledge, his grip on her hand pulling her with him. Luckily, both landed safely without and injuries.
Malon pulled her self to her feet and yanked her hand way from Dark Link. "What the hell is going on? What are we running from!"
"You there! Stop!"
Malon turned to see a lone guard running towards them. Before she had time to say something, Dark Link was on him, his sword drawn and ready.
Malon didn't want to believe what her eyes where telling her. She didn't want to believe it. She wanted it to be a dream, and that soon she would wake up in her bed at Lon Lon ranch. But it wasn't, and what she was seeing was all too real.
Dark Link had just run his sword through the face of a town guard.
Dark Link pulled his sword out of the man, the guard letting out a few sickening gurgles before falling over. He turned back to Malon and reached for her, pausing for only a second when he saw her pale, terrified face.
Malon offered no resistance as Dark Link dragged her through Kakariko, her mind still in shock over what had just happened. The image of Dark Link killing that guard kept replaying in her mind.
Dark Link pushed people put of his way as he pulled her after him, up stairs and past houses before the locked gate that led to Goron City came into view. The guard next to the gate spotted them as well, and stood at attention as they grew closer.
"Alright you two, stop or…GAHHH!" The man words turned into a blood-curdling scream as his spear fell to ground, along with part of his arm. He fell to his knees clutching the bloody stump just above where his elbow used to be, trying to hold back the blood. Dark Link grabbed the man by the neck and lifted him up to face him.
"How do you open the gate?"
"K-key." The terrified man managed to say.
"Where is it?" Dark Link said, raising his sword threateningly.
The guard reached into a pouch on his belt with his good hand, pulling a key out. Dark Link grabbed it from his hand and looked it over.
"Thanks." Dark Link raised his sword, ready to finish him off.
"No!" Malon grabbed his arm, keeping him from delivering the blow. Dark Link looked the girl, angry as hell.
"Please…don't kill him." Malon pleaded. Saying nothing, Dark Link tore his arm away from her but didn't swing his sword, instead bashing the man in the side of the head with his other hand, sending him to the ground.
Spying what he presumed to be the keyhole next to the gate, Dark Link took the key and pushed it inside, turning it. A clicking noise could be heard, and Dark Link grabbed the bars and slid them open. Behind him, he could hear the sounds of guards approaching. Sheathing his sword and grabbing Malon and pulled her through the gate, sliding it shut once they where on the other side and reaching his hand through the gate in order to lock it once more. Grabbing her hand again, Dark Link and Malon made their up Death Mountain.
Captain Sarvon and his solders made it to the gate just as the two had run off, and tried in vain to pull it open. One man attempted to climb it but was pulled down by his Captain before he could.
"Stand down son…I doubt we could take him even if we could get to them. That man…he's in an entirely different league than us."
"What should we do sir?"
"Get this man to a doctor and search the village for the other one. Send word to the castle, tell them what has happened and to send reinforcements. We need all the help the help we can get."
The men saluted and ran off with their new orders. Captain Sarvon stayed behind, staring out past the gate.
"I guess I was wrong about him…"
Malon, still being pulled along with Dark Link, ran up the path leading up Death Mountain, the shock of the events just beginning to wear off as they got farther away from all the commotion. She finally found her voice, and tried to free herself again from his grip.
"Stop…" She tried, getting no response.
"I said stop…" She tried again, still with no response.
"STOP!"
That got Dark Link attention. He slowed down and turned towards Malon, who yanked her hand out of his grip. He regarded her with the same angry expression he usually had, waiting for her to continue.
"What the hell happened down there!" She cried, voice filled with anger and confusion.
"I…"
"You killed someone!"
Dark Link stared at her, his face losing some of its anger but still retaining its seriousness. "They found out I was in the well. I had to or…"
"So you killed a person!" Malon shouted, holding back tears. "Didn't you think to lie about or maybe tell the truth? At least you wouldn't have had to…
"To what? Kill people? Are you really that surprised about what I did?"
Malon stared back at him with the same angry expression. "If you were anything like Link, you would have…"
"STOP COMPAIRING ME TO HIM!" Dark Link roared, his eyes glowing red with anger. Malon stared at him, his outburst causing her to step back. After all this time, it finally dawned on her.
"That's your reason for doing this isn't it?" She asked him. He didn't look at her, instead staring down at his clenched fists. "You're not after Link for revenge. Your hate him because you hate being a part of him."
Dark Link stared at her, his eyes dimming. "Do you have any idea what's its like? Knowing that you're nothing more than a second-rate imitation to someone? Knowing that you're the part of someone that's supposed to be despised and locked away? Everyone who knows what I am thinks of me like that- Link, Ganondorf, the phantom, you-" Dark Link pointed an accusing finger as he mentioned her, and Malon knew he was right, she had been thinking of him as a part of Link, but she didn't think of him as any less of a person for it.
"I'm tired of it. Tired of living in someone's shadow and tired of wondering if I'm really alive or just something conjured up. I'm going to kill Link, and after that everyone will know that I'm not just a part of him. I'm a beings that's separate, stronger, and better than him." His outburst finished, Dark Link waited for Malon's reaction.
"You're so stupid." She, said, shaking her head.
"What?"
"You think acting like a monster and killing Link will prove anything? All you're doing is proving that you really are Ganondorf's creation."
"Shut up."
Malon didn't back down. "You're just doing exactly what Ganondorf created you to do. Does that sound like what someone in control of their own lives would do?"
"Shut up!" Dark Link said again, the red in his eyes beginning to glow once more.
"You're right, you're nothing like Link. At least he wouldn't let himself be controlled like this!"
"I said shut up!" It happened before Dark Link even registered what he was doing. In his rage his arm shot forward and his fist connected with Malon's face. Time seemed to slow as Dark Link watched Malon fall to the ground along with a few droplets of blood.
Malon sat up and raised her hand to her face, covering the area where Dark Link had hit her. She looked at him with an expression of surprise and hurt, and Dark Link could see the blood dripping from her nose and knew that her face would be bruised from this.
"I…" His words died in his throat. He couldn't speak, couldn't look at her, so he ran.
Phantom Ganon flew quickly over the path to Zora's Domain. He had successfully attained all three Spiritual Stones, surprisingly easily. The Gorons had left theirs suspended above their home without any guards and all it took was the threat of destroying the forest to get it out of the Great Deku Sprout. King Zora had been the easiest however; it had taken little effort to get the sapphire from that fat buffoon.
He had to hurry now though, now that he had collected all three spiritual stones it would only be a matter of time before he attracted the attention of the sages.
Only one final task lay before him, but he was unsure as how to proceed. He could think of no way to achieve what he needed to do.
Phantom Ganon came to a dead stop over the stream, as he listened to the voice echoing in his head. Lord Ganondorf had had been communicating with him from the Sacred Realm during his mission, giving him the knowledge he needed to succeed. He listened carefully to his master's new orders, although they surprised him.
"Are you sure Master? That would be…yes. I'm sorry, forgive me for questioning you."
The phantom flew off once again, his new orders fresh in his mind. Although for some reason the thought of what he was about to do disturbed him, if only a little.
Dark Link had been running for awhile by now, how long he wasn't sure. He couldn't stop, if he did his thoughts turned back to what happened, and what she said…
He kept running. Running and climbing his way across Death Mountain. He couldn't stop, he didn't want to stop, but eventually as he pulled himself up on another ledge he released he couldn't run any farther. He had reached the top of Death Mountain. Their was no where else to run.
A noise caught his attention and Dark Link turned to see a huge Goron rising up from the side of the mountain. Only one thing was going through Dark Link's mind at this moment. He was angry, and he needed something to take it out on.
"Oh? Hello! Are you alright? You don't look well…" The massive Goron asked.
Dark Link drew his sword. "What the hell do you think you're looking at, you giant bastard!"
The Goron's eyes widened in fright and he quickly ducked down onto his side of the mountain, leaving Dark Link alone once again.
"No! Come back here and fight me you here! Fight me!" Dark Link shouted at the top of his lungs. He kept shouting, calling for something, anything to come out and face him until his throat was sore, and he finally just dropped his sword and fell to his knees.
This was it; he couldn't escape from it anymore. Everything he had just done, everything that was said, it was catching up with him, and Dark Link wasn't sure he could take it.
He looked at his hand, the same hand he had used to kill hundreds of monsters in the dark realm, the same hand used to hurt and kill Hylians in this realm, the same hand he had struck her with.
Dark Link didn't kid himself, he cared little for what he had done too many of the people he had hurt. I fact, he had enjoyed it to a degree. But when he thought about her face after he struck, about the hurt in her eyes, he felt, he felt…
He felt like for the first time in his life, he had done something terrible wrong.
He had destroyed whatever he had with the one creature that that seemed to care even a little about him, even knowing what he was. He had ruined the one thing that he didn't fell any hatred for and why? Because he couldn't control his anger.
Way to go genius.
"You're just doing exactly what Ganondorf created you to do. Does that sound like what someone in control of there owns lives would do?" Her words rang through his mind. Maybe she was right. Maybe everyone was right. Maybe all he was and all he ever was going to be would be a shadow, a second-rate imitation. He could practically hear the laughter from Ganondorf now.
"There you are."
He shot up at the sound of the voice, getting to his feet and picking up his sword ready to kill whoever was there, but to his surprise he saw that it was Phantom Ganon floating above him. Dark Link had completely forgotten about him, he hadn't even thought of the phantom until now.
"It took me a little time to find you. I didn't expect you to go this far up the mountain."
At this point Dark Link noticed the unconscious figure in the phantom's arms. It didn't take long to recognize who it was.
"What happened to Malon?"
"My master as recently given me a new task to perform, and he requires you for it to be completed."
"I don't give a shit about what your master wants. What the hell did you do to her?"
"I found her along the path alone, and attempted to get her to come with me but she resisted. I'm afraid I had to…subdue her." Phantom Ganon looked down at the unconscious girl, hesitating before continuing. "She is our bargaining chip. You will meet me in the Temple of Time within twenty-four hours or she will die."
Dark Link said nothing; he only stared in shock at Malon's unconscious body being held above him.
"I trust you will show." Phantom Ganon turned and flew off in the opposite direction, leaving Dark Link alone on the mountain.
He knew he could have done something. He could have chased after the phantom, maybe use his hookshot to catch him, but he didn't move. All he did was stand there, staring at the spot where the phantom just was. A moment later and he was screaming as load as his lungs would allow.
"Hoot-hoot!"
By now Dark Link was tired of unwelcome guests, and so the first thing he did was grab his hookshot and fire it in the direction of the noise. The chain shot forward but hit nothing, whatever had been there was fast and had already flew over his head and landed on a stone behind him. Dark Link turned and saw an owl, a large owl, sitting on the rock and gazing at him intently. He wasted no time, he took aim and…
"I wouldn't do that if I where you. Hoot-hoot!"
A little confused to find the bird talking, and against his better judgment, Dark Link didn't, but he also didn't lower the weapon.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kaepora Gaebora, and you my dark friend, probably would like my assistance. Hoot-hoot!" The owl said, his eyes never leaving the shadows.
"Huh, and what would you know about what I want?" Dark Link put away his weapon and turned away from the owl, walking away from the bird. He wasn't sure why, but something about the bird was pissing him off.
"I know you would like to save the ranch girl."
Dark Link turned back towards the bird. "Where the hell do you get off? Coming down here and presuming to know everything? Have you been watching me or something?"
"I am simply stating what I know to be true. You obviously care for the girl and it is only natural for a person to want to help someone they care for. Hoot-hoot!"
"I'm not a hero."
The birds let out another hoot and his head turned completely upside down. "No one said you were. All you would have to do is go to the temple and do the best you can."
"I can't do that."
"Why?"
"Because that's what he would do!" Dark Link shot back at the bird, his anger rising once again. He was quickly getting tired of this bird and everything he was saying, even though part of him knew it was the truth.
The owl didn't react at all to his outburst and simply turned his head back up and regarded him with the same look one would give an upset child. "Ahh, so that's your problem. You worry that going down there and saving the girl would be the final proof that you're nothing more than an imitation of Link. You are afraid that even if you succeed or fail, it would seal your fate as the shadow of the Hero of Time."
The bird took a moment as his words sunk in. "Now I have another question for you. If you are no longer a part of Link as you claim, that you are in fact a separate being, why do you allow his actions to control your own?
Dark Links eyes widened, and Kaepora Gaebora knew he had him. "You say you are no longer his shadow, but all your actions revolve around Link's. Your decision to come to this land was based on your desire to kill him, which, even if your reasons where different, is still a shadow's original purpose. Every time you find yourself acting in a way similar to him you immediately change your actions, even if you are enjoying yourself."
Dark Link took in every word and knew the bird was right. Every damn word he said was right. He thought back to his time at the bar with Malon, how he had laughed with her only to catch himself and insult her. The damn owl was right about everything.
"You have even said so yourself that your opinions about people are based of Link's. You judge everyone you see on Link's dark thoughts, whereas as a truly independent creature would take the time to learn about someone and judge them on their own terms, not someone else's. Hoot-hoot!"
Dark Link said nothing. He looked away form the owl and out onto the horizon. From his view he could just make out the Temple of Time, the place Malon was currently being held. Slowly he drew his sword, the dark version of the Master Sword, and stared at it, gazing upon his reflection on the black metal.
"What are you going to do?" Kaepora asked.
Dark Link stared at his blade and slowly turned to face the owl. "I'm going to the Temple of Time."
The bird gave him what could be described as a smile. "Oh? And what is it you plan to do when you get there? Play the part of the Hero?"
A smirk grew on Dark Link face. "I'll figure it out when I get there."
"Hmm, well I suppose you should get be getting there sooner rather than later then, right? Hold on to my talons and fly you down the mountain. You're a bit on the heavy side, but I'm sure this old bird could get you as far as Hyrule field. Hoot-hoot!"
Dark Link sheathed his sword on his back again and walked over to the bird. "Why did help me anyway? What do you get out of this?"
"You reminded me of another young lad you needed my guidance back in the old days. Hoot-hoot! I geuss I'm just a little too nice. Hoot-hoot."
Dark Link chuckled as the bird flapped his wings and flew a few feet into the air, letting the man grab onto his talons before taking off down the mountain, letting out a few grunts along the way.
"Oof! I take back what I said, you're a lot on the heavy side."
Dark Link let about a laugh before his face turned back to seriousness. Maybe he was just a shadow, and maybe what he was doing finally proved that, but damn it he just didn't give a shit anymore.
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