The Legend of Zelda: The Orb of Bannon Ch. 13
Far from the campsite, so far the fire looked no more than another star in the blackness of the night, Ranik wandered aimlessly. He wasn't tired, in fact he felt more awake than he had when the sun was up, though that wasn't very surprising, but he was getting hungry. A rabbit leapt from a clump of grass across his path. The fact that he could see everything as if it was midday was something he still had to get used to. He snatched up the rabbit with ease and bit into it, letting the creature's fresh blood replenish his energy. A breeze tugged at his cloak and trenchcoat as he continued onward. Suddenly he froze; the wind had blown something other than air to his sensitive ears.
What is that… crying?
Ranik turned to where the noise was coming from, just over a small hill. A young woman sat curled up on the grass, her long silver hair shining in the moonlight. She grew silent as he approached.
"What do you want?" She snapped.
Ranik paused in his step.
"If you value your life at all you will leave," The woman growled.
He made no movement to do so.
Her head shot up as she yelled at him, "I SAID LE–" She gasped and scrambled to her feet, taking a few steps back, "You… You're a…"
Ranik blinked in surprise. The woman's eyes glowed red in the darkness and her sharp canines could clearly be seen from her gaping mouth. Her body relaxed and she stood up straight, giving her a refined air, though her eyes were cast down to the ground.
"I thought Marinal and I-I," The 'I' came out as a choked sob, "were the only ones…"
"I guess you were wrong," Ranik replied.
"Yes…" She sat back down.
The woman was wearing a black tunic and silver tights. A silver cloth was draped over the tunic. It looked as if it might have had some form of design on it, but the bottom portion had been torn to ribbons. She sighed as she pulled her hair out of her eyes.
"What is it you want?" She asked.
"I am just a traveler," Ranik said.
"Where from?"
"A long way away…"
The woman was silent; her knees curled up to her chin once more. Seeing her like that stirred something inside of Ranik. He took a step closer.
"What is the matter?"
She looked at him for a moment, then gazed back out at the dim horizon before.
"I… I have betrayed all that I have ever known and loved, all because of one stupid mistake…."
Ranik closed his eyes; "I know the feeling…"
"I don't deserve to live… I'm just a plague to the world now, a monster… If only I could," She clawed at the red jewel at her throat, "Get. This. Accursed. Thing. OFF!"
He dipped down and took hold of one of her wrists, "That will do no good," She glared at him through tear-stained eyes, "You can't do anything about it now. You just have to keep going and put aside your regrets. I know I have many and will probably gain more during my life-no… existence, but I cannot let that stop me. To do so would mean defeat."
"Who are you to say such words to me?"
"I am Ranik. And the one who inspired those words also showed me I could still have a purpose… even in this form."
The woman sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes, "Ranik… Your friend sounds very wise."
Ranik smirked, "He would not agree with you on that."
"Then he is concentrating too much on his faults, yes?" She stood up and walked a few steps away, "I guess I shouldn't either."
Ranik stood up as well. He watched as the slight breeze teased the woman's hair. She turned to him with a smile on her face that made his heart skip a beat.
"Thank you Sir Ranik. You've been very kind. I… I'd better be off, it will be dawn by the time I reach Lady Marinal," Her eyes saddened slightly at those words, "Good bye."
She turned and ran off. Ranik stood there for a moment before taking a few strides after her.
"Wait!" He called, "What is your name?"
The woman looked over her shoulder, "Yillan!" She yelled back, "My name is Yillan!"
Ranik froze and watched as her form disappeared behind a hill. He stood there, stunned, until the first rays of morning began to crawl over the horizon. Emitting a low growl, he clenched his fists in anger.
"Dark Link…."
xxxxxxx
Morning at the campsite was filled with noises, mostly the crackling of food on the fire and Link grumbling about it being too early. Ruto went and sat down next to Adlez, who happened to be the one cooking.
"Where'd you get the food?" She asked, taking in the delicious aroma of the meat.
Adlez shrugged, "Dark got it. He told me it was best if I didn't know what it was."
"Heh, well that's fine with me, I'm used to eating strange foods… is that done?" Ruto pointed to one slightly black piece of meat. When Adlez nodded she quickly snatched it up and took a big bite, "Mm… Not bad."
Dark was standing on a lookout point on the hill a little ways away. Adlez lifted an eyebrow when he seemed to tense up.
"Hey!" She called out to him, "What's the mat–"
Ranik appeared from behind the hill. He looked furious as he stalked up to the shadow. Dark let out a strangled sound as Ranik grabbed and lifted him off the ground by the neck.
"You… BASTARD!" Ranik cried, slamming his free fist into Dark's face.
Adlez screamed as the shadow was sent flying down the hill, Ranik swiftly pursuing. The noise aroused Link and Ruto's attention, who joined Adlez in gawking at the sudden assault. Link tensed up as he watched Ranik land blow after blow on his counterpart. He started to move forward but Ruto caught his arm.
"Don't," She said, "Look at Dark."
All this time Dark Link had not lifted a finger in his defense. He just stood there, unprotected, as Ranik vented his anger. If he fell, he would get up and wait silently for the next attack.
"You knew!" Ranik yelled in-between blows; "You planned it all! You Din! Damned! Conniving! Bastard!"
Dark picked himself up off the ground where he had ended up after that last punch. His eyes glowed as he stared Ranik down.
"I take it you met her."
Ranik snarled as he punctuated his speech with punches, "That woman! That monster! THAT TRAITOR–!"
Dark caught his punch with ease, "You fool," He growled.
The force of Dark Link's resulting punch sent Ranik flying a good twelve feet away. The vampire coughed and tried to get up, but Dark's foot slammed him back onto the ground.
"Did she seem like a traitor to you!" Dark spat, "Did she seem like the witch your family condemned her to be! Or are you too proud to admit your wrongdoing!" Ranik was silent; "I brought you here to learn the truth Ranik! To witness a chapter of the Shiekah lineage that was otherwise erased!" The shadow closed his eyes and stepped away, "I thought you would understand that."
The other three stood silently as he moved towards them. He gestured to the now slightly burnt food.
"Eat, we will be leaving soon."
They quickly did as they were told. Running a hand through his hair, Dark went over to where he had set the shadow bag the other night. He made sure the orb was secure and, standing up, flung it over his shoulder.
"Come to apologize?"
Ranik, who had been soundlessly walking up, stopped and bowed his head.
"My behavior cannot be forgiven."
"You'd be surprised," Dark turned to him, "At what people are willing to forgive," He smiled and placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, "I knew you'd be upset, didn't expect that much violence, but I don't hold it against you. Forget about it, don't let the past keep you from going forward."
Ranik's eyes softened, "She told me you seemed very wise, she was correct."
Dark scoffed, "If I was really all that wise I'd take my own advice," He turned to the other three, "You done yet?"
Adlez nodded and stood up, while both Ruto and Link jammed a few more morsels in their mouth before joining her.
"Good,' He said, " We're going to make a short stop before the city. We'll be there by noon."
Link groaned, "Din, I hate walking! Isn't there some other way?"
"By horse, but do you see any horses around? No? Then move."