Welcome to the twelfth installment! I still have a couple of surprises in store, and some more action coming up as well. I'm not planning to get as detailed as I did in the last chapter in terms of Link's journey, but I will go into it somewhat. Thank you to all my reviewers.
Reminder: Zelda and Link switched bodies but are now back in their own, and can communicate telepathically.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.
Link entered the door and found himself before a staircase leading down into a room made of stone. He went downstairs and saw a man with a long white beard, a wizard, seated next to a candle, reading from a massive tome. Upon hearing Link's footsteps, he closed the book and looked up at him.
"Ah, Sir Link, I have been waiting for you."
Link gulped nervously. "You have?"
"Yes, young warrior. You see, Impa has contacted me and requested that I await your arrival, so that I might teach you a certain spell. I assume that you are aware of the fate of my hometown."
"Yes, sir. I pray that defeating my shadow will once again bring peace to Hyrule, so that the residents of Kasuto may return to the place they have called home for so long."
"I too want peace for Hyrule, which is why I wish to help you. This spell is very powerful and requires much magic, but I know that your training over the years has prepared you far beyond that of the other knights. However, I must also test your mental strength. For should this spell fall into the wrong hands, it would cause much harm. Please, come sit with me."
Link took a seat at the small table, and the wizard reopened the book, to a page written in one of the oldest Hylian dialects. Link leaned over the page and began to read. Much of the spell focused on the qualities that anyone who cast it must possess. When he lifted his head, the wizard decided it was time to test him.
The wizard produced many enemies, one by one, and Link had to smite them using the various fighting techniques he had learned. Once that was done, Link had to cast all the spells he knew thus far. As the final test, Link had to find New Kasuto and retrieve the Magic Key, then return to the wizard to learn the last of the spells.
Link was angry to learn that he would face further delay in reaching the Great Palace, but he dare not question the wizard's motives, for he knew there was good reason that he was being tested so. The wizard provided Link a hearty meal and a bed so that he could rest up and begin his journey to New Kasuto first thing in the morning.
As Link had a fitful sleep, he was awakened by Zelda calling to him.
Link, are you there?
Yes, my love.
What is happening?
I am in Kasuto. It has been devastated by Ganon's underlings, and its people have moved to the forest. I am to find where they relocated so that I can obtain the Magic Key and learn one last spell before I can make my way to the Great Palace. I do not wish to delay any longer, but I fear that if I do not prepare myself exactly as I am told, I will only waste time in trying to rescue you sooner, and therefore put you in more danger. For I do not have all the means necessary to get through the Great Palace. Is everything alright?
The same as yesterday, but I feel my strength is beginning to fail somewhat. I have hardly had anything to eat since my imprisonment. I'm afraid I must sneak out of my cell again. I cannot remain in these conditions.
But my love, you promised me not to do anything to put yourself at further risk.
I know, Link, but if I do not attempt to escape, I will starve. I must do something. I hear the guards talking of Dark Link leaving the castle temporarily to warp throughout the land and check on his forces. They say he is to leave tomorrow and be gone for the whole day. I must use that time return to the room I found yesterday and go through the other door to see where it leads. The enemies here may be strong, but I am much smarter than them. If anything, I can at least read through the spell books I found and see what I can do until you get here. I know that only you can defeat Dark Link, for he is your shadow, but I cannot sit around here and do nothing. Please, my love, do not attempt to talk me out of doing all that I can.
Okay, my dear, but please, you must be careful. If at any time you sense danger, you must return to your cell immediately. I know you are doing this because of your love for Hyrule. But after all these years we finally discovered our love for each other, and I am not going to lose you after all that we have been through together, particularly as of late.
I will be fine, Link. You must not become preoccupied with fretting over me. You need all your strength. Now, we both need our sleep. Good night, my future husband. I love you so much.
I love you, too, more than anything in this world. Good night.
Zelda awoke with the dawn, to the sound of Dark Link's footsteps pacing back and forth outside her cell.
"Well, well, well, our fair princess is awake," he said in a mocking tone, a malicious grin curling his lips. "Dreaming of that weakling Link, I'm sure. Well, once I have my way with you, that will be no longer," he added with a maniacal laugh. "Please, Princess, use this fine day to clean yourself up, so that you will be ready for me upon my return. Our wedding will be this evening, and I cannot have you looking as you do now."
"I am pledged to Link, and not even you can break our bond!" Zelda screeched, overcome with rage.
"That's where you're wrong. You will marry me, and we will rule this kingdom together. And once we consummate our marriage, you will be mine forever. For it is then that I will possess the one thing your sorry excuse for a fiancé could never have- your purity. And if you will not give it to me willingly, then I will gladly take it from you."
"That's what you think!"
"Oh? Well, actually, that's what I know," he whispered, reaching through the bars to touch her cheek.
"You're too late for that!" she shouted, spitting in his face. "You will never get that from me, even by force, for my true future husband has already received that most precious gift."
"Is that so? Didn't your mother and father ever teach you that no one wants to marry a unchaste woman!" he hissed, grabbing her hair and yanking hard.
Zelda yelped in pain as he used his strength to fling her back. She landed hard on her bottom, the impact causing her to tilt back. Miraculously, she managed to catch herself before her head met with the cold, stone floor. She winced with pain and breathed deeply as the grin returned to Dark Link's face.
"No matter. Once I kill him, it'll be like he never deflowered you," he said, turning towards two guards. "Have her ready at sundown for our wedding," he commanded them before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
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