End of an Era
Chapter 12
"Link," I whisper, feeling helpless as I don't know what to do, even as I sit here with him he's just bleeding all the more. I keep pressing the fingers of one hand against his throat, feeling for his weak pulse. All I've managed to do for him so far is carefully move him to the water's edge.
He's covered in burns, his breaths coming in shallow. I can only hope the water isn't hurting him even more, it's icy as I pool some in my free hand, sprinkling it over of the wounds. After his stomach, which I don't know what to do for at the moment, his hands are the worst. The palms of his gloves have completely burned away, the leather black and the white sleeves after them burned through, only the thick brown shirt underneath that in place. It's as if he was consumed in open flames.
"Link," I repeat his head in the crook of my arm. I try to remove the remains of his gloves without causing him any more pain. It's difficult though, I can't move very far without causing him to bend, I don't care about the blood staining my clothing; I just don't want to put any strain on him.
As I repeat his name over and over I wet my free again and gently stroke the side of his face, careful to avoid the large bleeding patch across his cheek. The ends of his bangs as well as his eye brows and lashes are singed slightly, the skin not covered in blood streaked with dark soot. I try not to think about what could have hurt him; I saw Din in the hall above us, but would the Goddess have actually attacked him?
She must have, I can't think of a reason for the ugly wound across his face. I remove a small white handkerchief, which I'd been keeping in my pocket, wetting it before dabbing at the blood across his cheek. The skin underneath is hot and red, and his face twitches slightly from the contact.
I can't help but be startled as he gives a small jump, sounding at first to be chocking before a deep, rough, cough works its way up. I quickly try to rinse of the kerchief, getting it wet again, and the using it to wipe away the blood, which trickles past his lips.
I suddenly feel cold as I remember something. My anger towards Link these past months has burst into full hatred for no reason, I've said so many terrible things to and about him that now I only want to take them back. Tears prick at my eyes as I remember when we confronted one another in his room. So much feels like it's happened since then that I don't know if it was yesterday, today, or last week.
I remember the threats as they ran through my mind when I turned around and saw him in the hall. How I would have laughed to see him the way he is here; bleeding and broken. Am I laughing now? How could I have ever thought such terrible things? What I wanted in my hatred is killing me to watch; I can't believe I could ever wish for something so cruel. Of all things, why did this twisted wish come true?
Link continues to cough for a moment, his face twisting in pain as he never takes more than half a breath. I can't tell if he's awake now, or if he's even going to. It's a chilling thought as I wet the kerchief once again, and gently wrap it around the hand closest to me.
It turns out to be the left, and my vision begins to blur slightly at the ugly scar across the back of his hand. The entire area is burned from the flames he was caught in, but the flesh is marred in a way, which makes it appear as though a chunk of his hand is missing. The wound almost exactly like mine as I drape the wet cloth overtop of it, the creamy material now stained with blood.
"Your… hand…" The words are spoken so softly, and I'm so shocked to hear them that at first I'm stunned. I look down at Link's face and see two half-lidded eyes watching me, following my fingers as I smooth the kerchief over the burns.
"Link," I breathe, only to be caught of guard as his right hand comes up; his burnt, now bleeding fingers clasping my left weakly.
"Nayru… really took it…" His voice is strained and his touch hot and sticky from the blood. I realize now that I never put my glove back on when I entered the Castle. Link's fingers run across the bandages wrapped around my hand for a moment before he lets go, apparently not having the strength to keep his arm up. "I'm… so sorry…" he whispers, he sounds almost heartbroken as he says it.
"Don't apologize," I reply softly, feeling myself on the brink of full tears. Link's eyes appear so empty as he looks over himself for a moment, almost as if he's taking in his injuries mentally. "It's not your fault." He isn't listening to me, his eyes still focused somewhere else as the sadness won't leave him, won't let him look at me.
"If I had just…" he murmurs, swallowing, and making as if to start coughing again. He pushes past it though, his eyes still lost though as he speaks. "Returned in… time… I could have—"
"I said it's not your fault!" I don't know why, but I have to shout the words. My voice echoes off of the walls and comes back at me, sounding more like a scream as tears break through. Nayru, by now I shouldn't have any tears left, why can I always find more?
They feel hot as they spill down my cheeks, but… they aren't as hot as Link's touch; as he reaches up to wipe them away. I can only look down at him in shock, as he willingly lets the salt of my tears to touch the bleeding skin of his hand. His eyes finally meet mine as he rests his thumb over my lips, just like when we were arguing, and I began to cry.
"You do that… to much…" he whispers, the blood along the side of his face beginning to go black as it dries, "I… don't like it…" I can only shake my head down at him, more tears rapidly taking the place of the ones he wiped away.
"I can't stop," I weep, gently taking hold of his wrist and holding his right hand against me, not caring about the blood. My gown is already covered, what's a bit more? "Not when you're like this…"
"I won't be…" he murmurs, a small, sad smile creeping over his features. His deep blue eyes seem to lose focus, and then gain it again, "much… longer…" My own eyes widen as I shake my head back and forth, his skin almost looking pale beneath the blood, and I could scream.
"No," I whimper, still shaking my head as the tears continue pouring down my face. "Link, you can't leave again," his half-open eyes widen slightly at my words, before they begin to close again, filling with such a deep sadness.
"How can you… even say…?" He closes his eyes, shutting me out as he shakes his head slightly back and forth, "Why are you…" I gently set his hand down, and this time it's my turn to hush him. I carefully place one finger over his lips, stilling his words as I can hear how raspy his breaths are.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, removing my finger in order to stroke his golden hair, small bits feeling uneven from the flames which seared them, the ends coming away under my touch as I brush some of the fine strands from his face, "I'm so sorry,"
"I love you…"
It hurts to move; it hurts to breath, to speak, to open my eyes, to do anything at all. I feel as though I'm still surrounded by flames even though my other senses are all telling me that's not true. But then again, I don't even know if I can trust my senses at all… I can hear the voice of a person who should be worlds away; when I open my eyes I could swear its Zelda's face above me, and when they're closed I can almost smell her perfume.
I know there's something icy cold wrapped around my left hand though. And it hurts so much; the ice being brushed across my face makes me want to scream at the contrast. But I just don't have the breath to do so. I try to do something, to move or to speak, yet lose my concentration and knowledge of events. I wanted to touch Zelda's hand, and instantly found her fingers twining in-between mine without my knowledge of the movement. I try to speak, and hear a reply before I can remember opening my mouth.
It's not my fault, that's one of the things she tells me, but I find that suddenly so hard to believe. I know I told the King I was tired of people blaming me for things I haven't done, but now I feel as at fault as ever. And coming from Zelda, the person who told me straight to my face how much she hates me, I just can't believe her words. Can't make sense of why she would tell me something different after so little time, I don't even know how it's possible for her to be here with me.
How can she even tell me I'm not at fault so soon after everything we said to one another? Why is she even speaking to me after all of that hatred that burned in her eyes? Zelda should be far from wherever I am; she should be in the mansion still, not in the heart of her own Castle. And she just can't say it's not all because of me; she believed it so viciously before. There is nothing for Zelda to apologize for; she's done nothing wrong! Why can I hear the voice of the woman who hates m--
She… hates me… I knew that ever since she told me in my room, back at the mansion, but I don't think I actually understood what that meant until now. It was always for her, all of the battles… Yes, I fought in Farore's name, but in my heart it was Zelda I was fighting for. As children, it was when she asked me to learn of Ganondorf's intentions that really made me determined to journey. Would I have really helped the Oracles if Impa hadn't told me Zelda wanted them kept safe?
Her feelings make sense though; I can't blame her for anything. I wavered for that instant against the Ha—no, I became to popular with the crowds, enjoyed fighting in front of them so much that when I was injured, the Hands wouldn't let such an investment die. I mean, that's what's happening right now, isn't it? I'm dying, and they're losing out on all that money I could have brought in.
And if I'm not dead, why else would I be… falling? A sensation I've come to hate over the years, it steals away the feeling of fire and ice around me. I can still feel a distant warmth though, something feather-soft brushing against my cheek gently. I can't be Zelda though, it wouldn't make sense for her to be near me, it just…
"I love you…" That I hear; the words slip past my lips as that touch begins to fade, just like everything else. Does what I say even reach her though? Does it even matter? Hatred isn't something that can be switched on and off, like an electric light. It can be misplaced, and misinterpreted, but that can't be the case with Zelda's feelings.
But… I still want her to know… Even if nothing changes in her mind, I need her to know why I fought all those times…because… I just can't anymo--
'Oh, shut up.'
What?
'Quit moping and spare me the woeful last words.'
Everything is in complete darkness, but that thin, young voice is strikingly clear around me. The pain flooding through me ebbs away, leaving a cold which chills me from the inside. Am I… dead?
'No, you're not dead.' The voice replies dully, it doesn't make sense as I still feel so--'YOU'RE NOT DEAD!'
Light floods everything with the outburst, shinning bright green in my eyes, which only fades as I find myself standing in the Master Sword's chamber. Farore stands before me, clothed in the colours of the forest, hands on her hips with her booted feet parted as she almost appears to be scolding me.
The entire chamber seems faded somewhat in the brilliant light, the green giving way to red as I can see another woman. Din stands almost withdrawn to the side, her eyes downcast as she appears deep in thought. But at her feet is something which makes my heart leap into my throat; Ganondorf is on his knees before Din, clutching his head as if in great pain. The two are almost directly in front of the Master sword, the same place I was standing when I replaced it there. But I don't think the Gerudo knows exactly where he is at the moment…
Ganondorf's actions catch my attention though as I remember what was happening just before all of this began. I'm standing, but looking down my clothing is all still covered in blood. If I'm not dead I should at least be in pa-
'You weren't this stupid before…' Farore says sarcastically, I look up from my bloodied appearance and notice her giving me a flat look. The Goddess of Courage is the same height as the Oracle of Secrets; neither of whom is very tall. Farore's eyes come only half-way towards my shoulders, but I can feel wind kicking up to raise her the last little ways to look at me eye-to-eye. The Goddess now very close to me as one finger comes up to poke my nose slightly, adding emphasis to her words.
'I said you could have a real life once this was over,' She says simply, her eyes dead serious before a cheerful smile pulls at her lips. 'My sister throwing a tantrum isn't going to make me break a promise, even if you are just a mortal.' She floats back from me slightly, spinning once in the air as her large skirts billow up in the winds, the goddess completely at ease as she hovers only a few feet from the ground.
'Besides,' Farore continues gleefully, 'I've always liked you, why would I want you dead when things are just starting to look up?' As if on cue, I can see blue light shinning from over Farore's shoulder.
Near where I know the edge of the water to be, another woman appears. Blue hair the colour of the sky spills down her back in boundless waves, she is facing away from me, and appears almost to be holding something. If I had not met an Oracle who held the same appearance, and whom shared the same name, I would not recognize the Goddess Nayru. But, as the deity steps back slightly from whatever she's facing, I quickly see that the Goddess isn't the most important being in sight.
Zelda's blonde hair shines like gold against the blue light surrounding Nayru, and I can see her tear-streaked face as she keeps eye contact with the Goddess. For a moment I almost forget that I'm in the presence of three higher beings, Din and Ganondorf fading from my mind as there's so much pain written across Zelda's face. Why is she still crying?
'Hoy, hang on a minute,' Farore's voice calls, the short goddess poking her face up in front of mine again, and now holding a small kerchief in her hands. She smiles brightly at me as she rubs at the side of my face. At first I don't know what she's doing, until the cloth comes back covered in drying blood. With that I can sense the heavy sensation of the hard crimson from a wound I can no longer feel.
'Nayru sees you all bloody, I'll be hearing about it for eternity.' Farore mutters as I can feel one well-manicured nail brushing against my skin, scraping away more crusted blood. Now I can remember where the wound came from, how Din's touch burned me so badly. In fact, I can remember all of my injuries, and finally connect with how they aren't hurting. Lifting my hands up, my gloves and sleeves are still burned, and the palms bloody, but even with Farore fussing over me I can rub and feel unbroken skin under the layer of crimson, the same with the wound in my stomach.
'Meh, good enough.' She sniffs, pulling back and dispelling the rag as she drops it. I look up into Farore's smiling face as she continues to be held up by her own winds. I don't really have anything to say as I can remember my own harsh thoughts directed towards my patron, but can't bring myself to speak the words of apology.
'You… don't need to apologize,' Farore says, still smiling slightly as her eyes fall to the ground. Apparently the Goddess is able to hear even unspoken words, and I feel stupid for not having clued in on that throughout this half-conversation.
'Now,' She adds, looking me up and down for a moment before giving a slight wink, 'Nayru's been too sad through all of this, maybe seeing her Chosen smile will help her out.' Farore's smile grows wider even as she speaks, her fingers twining into one another as she clasps her hands together.
'So get going and get out of here!' The Goddess continues, 'Too many bad memories in these halls, let them lie for a while, and everything will come together in time.' Farore almost seems to fade from view even as she nods in encouragement. With her image all but invisible, my eyes find themselves already caught in Zelda's. I remember what I said which was only a few minutes ago, and don't quite know what to think as the tears in her eyes don't ever pause.
Nayru looks back over her shoulder at me, and I can see once more how the Goddess is also in tears, just like when I saw her face in the Triforce of Wisdom. I don't know whether I'm supposed to walk towards the Princess, or if I should just remain where I am. Even at this distance I can see that Zelda's eyes are filled with a mixture of emotions, confusion, sorrow, and… joy?
That part I certainly can't explain, but at last I'm able to uproot myself from where I'm standing, taking a tentative step towards Zelda as she does the same. I pry my gaze from hers for a moment as I can't help but notice something red against the calm blues of her dress. But I feel my mouth open slightly as I can see the crimson that has soaked through the lower part of her gown over her legs. She can't have been hurt though, could she?
"Zelda," I say surprising myself as my voice comes out so clear, despite the fact that I couldn't speak when facing Farore. I don't have anything to say after her name, but there wasn't that much distance between us from the start; and even a few steps is enough for Zelda to be able to close the rest with only one more, quick pace.
"You idiot!" She shouts, throwing herself against me with tears in her eyes. Her actions catching me somewhat off guard, and forcing me back a few shuffled steps, Zelda's fingers curled into the fabric of my burnt, stained, bloody, tunic. "You're supposed to wait until I answer you before you die!"
She feels so small and fragile against me, and my eyes drift shut slightly as I wrap my arms around her. Gently at first, but I give in as her hair brushes up against my face slightly, and tighten my hold. She's almost trembling as her voice comes out almost like a wail, and I can't help but feel this insatiable urge to keep her safe. I've dreamt of holding her before, something I would have been embarrassed to admit to a few days ago, but I feel different now for some reason.
"And?" I whisper, having to fight back the urge to rest my palms against her to complete the embrace, the blood on my hands isn't something I want to tough her with. Zelda has her forehead resting against my shoulder as I turn my face fully into her soft hair, breathing in the faded sent of perfume which isn't the same one I remember her wearing. She's still trembling slightly, and I can feel how uneven her breathing is as she tries to calm her tears. I just want to lift my hands up and stroke her golden locks as she keeps herself up against me, remembering again why I shouldn't do that, and focusing instead on how warm she feels.
'You should leave,' Nayru's voiceinterrupts softly, I look up from where I had been pressing my face into Zelda's neck, the princess in my arms twisting slightly to see the Goddess standing there placidly, her hands clasped over her heart with her own eyes down. 'There is nothing more for you both here; beneath the waves.' She explains, looking up at us with her vibrant eyes now a dark, stormy blue. Even the white and pupil are consumed by the bold shifting colour.
'Retreat to the Surface,' Farore's voice calls, and I look around again to see the goddess's eyes a solid pale green; almost grey like the sky in a vicious storm of winds. 'I promise this will be the last time you will turn your back on that which's dear to you.' My hold on Zelda goes somewhat lax as she pulls away from me slightly, one of her hands still on my shoulder, and the other falling to my arm as she stands right there with me.
'Soon, the sun shall rise.' Now it's Din who speaks, her eyes consumed with red the same hue as smoldering embers. 'That is not something either of you should miss.' A small, sad smile pulls at Din's lips as her eyes fall for a moment; she appears to contemplate something before looking back at Zelda and I again, her arm rising as well. Looking to both Farore and Nayru, I notice the other Goddesses doing the same thing; flames slowly crawling around Din's closed fist, and currents of air and water doing the same around her sisters.
'Breathe life into what once was on the brink of death; winds upon which paths shall be wrought!'
I instantly forget the blood across my palms, light surging up beneath us as my feet leave the floor, and out of instinct I quickly pull Zelda to me. She responds the same way though, giving a small gasp as she quickly buries her face against me again, her arms slipping up and around my neck, holding on tightly as I can feel us moving up.
'Bring order to the waves which have swallowed the lands; waters upon which all shall walk!'
I can hear the Goddesses speaking loudly around the chamber, the light becoming so bright with their words that I am forced to close my eyes. I feel like I've heard what they're saying before though; in fact, I know I've heard them, their words are just-
'Forever feed the hearts of men; the fires which shall guide the lost!'
My arms tighten around Zelda all the more at what happens next. I hate falling, but at least going from up to down makes sense, firing up from the ground and into the air is a different experience all together. My reaction is partly out of fear, we aren't standing under the hole in the roof, meaning that above us there's only solid--
I can feel us moving, but cracking one eye open my vision is still. A powerful, and defeated, man appears below us, standing in the chamber and watching with sad, dark eyes. His neck is craned back slightly to look up at where I hold his only child dearly, tears appear in his eyes as he almost nods to me, as if in approval. Details fade as from the chamber as His Majesty's red cloak mends itself, his damaged crown shining golden and pure much like the day I met him. Zelda can't see him though; it's as if he purposely doesn't want her to know he's there.
There's, a message in his eyes though, and I don't have to think hard to find it. The meaning strikes clearly in my heart as I alter my hold on Zelda, rubbing my face against her soft hair as I make sure there's no way I can drop her. I nod to her father as those threatening tears spill down his hard, lined face. I swear I won't let anything happen to her; ever…
With that though, the golden chamber of light fades to the blank, harsh grays of a frozen garden, continuing on I watch the towers of a mighty castle as Zelda and I fly past them. My vision catching up quickly with us as a powerful force pushes the two of us up and away, beyond the reach of the lands we've both fought our entire lives to protect.
It's all so silent though, not a single, distant sound breaking through as we move higher and higher. I can look across fields and low mountains I traveled so often I became bored of them, all a sickly blur of gray and black; colours which can never hope to do justice to the land. Looking up there's only the same unending mess of black and gray, the watery hell our paradise has become.
"Link," I look down, finding my vision blurred by tears for some reason. Blinking them away I can see Zelda looking up at me with a similar problem. I don't have anything to say, do I try to put words to the pain I feel as Hyrule continues to vanish below us? Do I tell her that her father is now all alone in that silent world? Or… is this when I tell her how much I love her, give voice to those thoughts which drove me insane what was really just short minutes ago? Go on and on about how I'll do anything to protect her, and how everything-
"Link," Tears are still running down her cheeks, something I've tried to tell her over and over again how much I hate that. I don't have a chance to say it again though, her body moving up slightly as a pair of soft lips close over mine. I'm almost shocked at first, not sure what's happening; at least that's what it is before Zelda makes to pull back, and I quickly move in instead.
I shut out that horrible silence as I close my eyes, not loosening my grip on her as her lips part slowly. It's as though I can transfer all of those feelings I just can't put to words through actions. I feel numb and tense as her tongue rubs against mine, Zelda's fingers curling in my hair as I try to lose myself in her.
For the moment I just want to forget what we're leaving behind, and what's most likely waiting above the waves for us. I know what I feel for Zelda, but the reality of our lives is suddenly starting to push through. Master Hand won't let me remain in this world, and Zelda's place is with her people...
'Hold your breath,' a voice whispers softly, and both Zelda and I hear it. It doesn't make sense as Zelda pulls away from the kiss slightly, but we both so as we're told. Iciness envelopes my head, running like ice down my arms, back, and legs, I hold Zelda close as it feels as though a mountain is pressing down on my lungs. Opening my eyes I see nothing but a solid blur of blacks and grays, it's so cold, and when I open my mouth to say something, nothing but bubbles appear.
And we just keep going…
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