"Why couldn't we have stayed at Kakariko Inn?" Whined Link as the group trudged up the rocky path towards the tall volcano peak above.
"Because I don't know how long this is going to take. We're on a schedule," Dark growled back, causing the others to look at him suspiciously.
"Schedule?" Ranik's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?" Adlez asked, voice slightly concerned.
The shadow grunted before he spoke, "It's…" He sighed, "I have a very good memory… I just… need to be somewhere at a specific time… It's personal…."
"And when's that?" Ruto asked.
"… The day after tomorrow…."
The others looked at each other, curious, but decided not to press the issue. Rhynn glanced up at Dark Link, whose black tunic he was latched onto.
"What's wrong?" The little boy asked, confused by the look in the bigger one's eyes.
Dark rubbed his eyelids, "Nothing…" His eyes darted down to the boy, "What's in that pack of yours?"
Rhynn blinked and touched the bag that was tied to his belt; he opened it, "Some food… a green potion… a red potion… and, uh, this small dagger."
The boy pulled out a beautiful ornate dagger. Its hilt was polished gold embedded with jewels and the blade was covered with elegant designs etched into the metal. Dark made a noise halfway between a snort and a laugh.
"I hope your mother wasn't expecting you to defend yourself with that," Tearing off a bit of the hem of his shirt, the shadow wrapped up the gold end, "Here, that should make it less obvious to thieves. Keep it at your side, you'll never know when you might need it."
"Okay."
"Hey kid!" Link yelled up at the boy, Rhynn looked back at him, "You're a prince right? That must be a pretty sweet gig!"
Rhynn gave Dark a confused look. The Shadow chuckled.
"He said: 'Being a prince must be a rewarding position.'"
"It is… okay…" The prince gazed at the ground, "I have many belongings… And I get what I want… My mother will not let me play with the village children though… I do not leave the castle very often."
"Well that sucks…" Muttered link, "Hey! Want to get a better view of the trail? You can ride on my shoulders!"
Ruto giggled, "Link… you're more tired than he is. And Ranik's taller, he'd have a better view on his shoulders."
Rhynn gave a shy smile, "I… I would like that. I have never been on someone's shoulders before."
Link grinned goofily, "Then get over here!"
The boy stopped walking and waited for the others to catch up. When he was close enough, Link grabbed the boy and hoisted him up into the air, provoking a squeal from the younger one. Without difficulty Link plopped Rhynn onto his shoulders. Adlez stared at him oddly.
"Dude, the kid's ten, he shouldn't be that lig–" She noticed Link was wearing gloves, "… Are those–?"
He grinned, "I kinda like having amplified strength."
Ruto blinked, "How long have you had those on?"
"Malon thought they looked good with the outfit."
"You have no idea how ridiculous that sounded."
"Hey," Dark got their attention before pointing to a cliff, "We're climbing that."
Ruto, Adlez, and Link groaned.
xxxxxxx
"AAAAAHHHH!"
The loud crashes of boulders died down as the group slammed themselves into a vine-covered wall.
"YOU COULD HAVE WARNED US ABOUT THE FALLING ROCKS!" Ruto screamed at Dark.
"Sorry, slipped my mind."
Adlez breathed heavily as she clutched the dry vegetation, "Any more surprises?"
"Not that I recall."
"You better be right," Ranik growled.
Rhynn sat panting on the ground, "W-where do we go now?"
Dark looked slightly guilty and scratched his head, "Up this wall…."
"What!"
"Oh HELL no!"
"Grah!"
"… Goddess…."
Rhynn gazed up at the cliff, "Doesn't look too far."
The other four stared at him while Dark Link smirked.
"That's sad, even the pampered prince is more fit than you guys. Cities have made you soft."
With that, Dark and Rhynn started up, Ranik soon after. Adlez watched them go for a moment then, glancing at the other two, took a deep breath and began her assent. Ruto and Link stood there a moment longer, looking up at the sheer cliff before them.
"There's no way I'll make it…."
"It's either this or the rocks again."
"… Race ya?"
"… You're on."
xxxxxxx
Ranik, Adlez, Dark, and Rhynn looked at the cliff edge as Link struggled over.
"I-I… I win… ugh…."
Ruto popped up a moment later, "… Goddess… I'm just… not built for… for climbing…."
They both collapsed once they reached secure ground. Dark Link smirked from his perch on one of the large rocks.
"I hope you're not too tired Link, you and Ranik still have a little ways to go."
The boy struggled to lift his head so he could stare at the shadow in disbelief.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me."
Adlez shot him a sharp look, "Link, there is a child present."
With a grunt Link sat up, "That old lady said there were two caves, there are two caves right there!" He pointed at the two openings in the rock wall behind them.
"Those are the entrances to a Great Fairy Fountain and the volcano crater. The caves Zelda spoke of are down that path." Dark gestured to a thin ledge that seemed to wrap around the mountain, it was only about a foot wide.
"How do you know that?" Link demanded.
"I can't go down it. Most sacred places ward away creatures like me."
"Oh…" He got up and eyed the path warily, "You sure it's safe?"
"The Goddesses will protect you," Dark looked around at the others, "Anyone who wishes can follow them, but I must stay here."
Ranik nodded and set off on the ledge, Link following hesitantly after. After a moment's pause Ruto and Adlez went after them. Before she turned the corner, Adlez looked behind her.
"We'll be back in a bit."
Dark bowed his head in acknowledgment then turned to the young prince, who was sitting beside him, "Aren't you going to follow them?"
The boy shook his head, "Then you'd be all alone."
Smiling, Dark ruffled Rhynn's golden hair, "Thanks kid."
xxxxxxx
The journey along the ledge went without a hitch, as if some force kept the group from losing their balance. Soon enough they made it to another large ledge dug into the side of the mountain. Two large cave entrances loomed over them, glowing sacred symbols decorating the rock around them. They all stood for a moment in awe.
"This… must be the place," Adlez breathed.
This seemed to snap Link out of his trance and he looked from cave to cave in confusion, "So, how do we know which one is which?"
Ranik's eyes closed and he reached out to gently touch the side of the right entrance, "This one… It's calling to me…."
Ruto smiled, "Well that answers your question!"
Link nodded and approached the other one. AS he got closer he felt his heart being beckoned into the darkness of the cave.
"I… guess we'll be going now…" He muttered and stepped inside, Ranik followed suit.
"Good Luck!" The girls yelled after them.
Link couldn't see as he continued on. It was as if light couldn't pass through the entrance. The feeling in his heart grew as he went, responding to some unheard call. After what seemed like ten minutes Link began to worry. The inky blackness was pressing up against him, snuffing out all his senses. He was sure he was sweating, but it was as if he had no body. It was beginning to get hard to breathe when a light suddenly pierced the darkness. Instantly his senses returned to him. Gulping, Link began to run towards the light, wanting this experience to end. With a bright flash the tunnel opened up into a large cavern. He couldn't find a source for the heavenly light that filled the place. The sparkle of metal drew his attention to the center of the place, where a sword stood on a platform; blade imbedded in a pedestal. It, like everything else, glowed with a powerful aura.
Welcome Hero.
Link jumped and looked around for the male voice.
Well… Hero of another time that is.
Another voice, younger, giggled.
We've been waiting for you.
Yet another voice, similar to the other two, rang out. Link took a few steps back.
"W-who are you?" He demanded, "What do you want?"
Another voice chimed in with a chuckle.
Touch the sword and you will see.
Link bit his lip, debating whether to trust the voices. Almost subconsciously his left hand rose up to touch the hilt.
xxxxxxx
Dark gasped and doubled over, clutching the fabric over his heart. Rhynn jumped up and steadied him so he wouldn't fall.
"What's wrong?" He asked, worried.
"N-nothing…" Dark grunted, but a second later he cried out in pain and convulsed, wrenching himself out of the prince's grasp and onto the ground.
"Sir Dark!" Rhynn yelled, looking about helplessly for something that could possibly help.
The shadows that comprised Dark Link began to twist and turn as if they were fire. His form wavered in and out, making him resemble more of a monster than a man. Rhynn backed away as the shadows grew and spread like wildfire. As the reached out for the prince he closed his eyes and held up his arms in defense. A bright flash made him open his eyes once more in curiosity. Dark Link lay on the ground a little ways away, returned to normal. Rhynn ran to the shadow's side and lifted him up a little.
"Sir Dark! Say something! Are you okay?"
The boy paused; Dark had reverted back to the future Link's form. His hair, though, was undone from its ponytail and fell over his face, shielding the shadow's eyes. Rhynn suddenly grew cold and he shivered. Something felt wrong.
The prince looked down to see the shadow's lips part. But what came out of them was an inhuman hiss. A hand clasped over the boy's throat, claw-like nails digging into his skin.
"D-D-Dark?" He managed to squeak, his eyes growing twice their size.
The shadow stood up, lifting the prince up with him. His eyes opened. They were large, blood red, and soulless. He looked at the frightened boy and grinned maniacally, his teeth sharp as knives.
Rhynn screamed.
Opia: ... Well... sorry for the long delay... I felt I should have given you guys two chapters instead of one but my typist's block came back. I've been really busy lately with school and all... But anyways, new chapter.
Cari: Please read and review.