COUNTING STARS

Chapter 35: Harbinger

Friday, January 4th

"I'm starting to regret buying you that blender, Dark."

Dark pauses from drinking his Pop-Tart. "Why?"

Blinking, I press my lips. "No reason."

Sheik sneaks up from behind him and snatches the glass from Dark's hands. "Gimme that, nasty ass."

Dark smirks. "Example number five hundred and seventeen why commas are very important." He swipes his makeshift breakfast smoothie back. "Prick face."

"Why have your name-calling skills evolved into just saying a synonym for a penis and then a body part?" I ask.

"You tell me, dick toes."

I blink. "Thank you for putting that horrible image in my head."

Dark snaps and points a finger at me. "Sure thing, partner. Hey! Guys!" he exclaims, suddenly excited. "You know what we should do today?"

"Stay home," answers Sheik gruffly. "Have you looked outside? Fat thunderclouds."

We peer out the window, and sure enough, dark, ominous clouds are beginning to roll into the city, bringing sheets of cold rain and choruses of thunder and lightning along with.

Bummed, Dark huffs. "Well there goes my idea for the day."

"What was it?"

"Running around with giant metal rods."

I shrug, amused. "Maybe some other time then."

Dark nods, then appears to realize something. "Wait. I'm practically immortal. I can still go out there!"

My smile falls. "Don't be stupid—"

"Oh don't worry; I didn't forget about you. You can harness electricity, so getting zapped won't kill you at all! So let's get going!"

"Dark, just because it won't kill us doesn't mean it wouldn't really, really hurt."

"Don't be a priss. Come on! What would you rather do—come out adventuring with me, or stay cooped up at home with that lame, mopey mortal?" He turns to Sheik. "No offense, mortal."

"None taken, freak."

So, mostly because I'm bored and Sheik mentioned earlier that he wanted to spend some time alone with Malon, I let Dark drag me out of the dorms and out to the courtyard. The midwinter air nips at our bare cheeks as he leads me to the fountain, taking a seat on the edge.

I plop down next to him, noting the tap of his foot, the bite on his lip, the sweat on his palms. He's anxious.

"You feel it too?" I ask him quietly, a chill creeping up to the back of my neck.

He nods. "I'm gonna be honest. I don't actually want to run around with giant metal rods. It's a Friday. Everyone knows that would be inappropriate."

I raise an eyebrow, but let him continue.

"I really just wanted to speak to you alone," he tells me. "So we don't freak Sheik out."

I inhale deeply and look out beyond, seeing the dark clouds wrap around the looming skyscrapers of the big city and the tall towers of Hyrule Castle. "Okay," I exhale, "lay it on me. What do you think it is?"

Dark lowers his head, hesitant to speak what's really on his mind. He looks out toward the rest of the city, and points. "Look at the weather. I've never seen clouds that black in this world." Then, a bolt of lightning flashes, illuminating the sky in an ominous crimson. "And look—the clouds got all red. That's not natural, right? Or am I just not used to the light realm weather?"

I swallow hard. "If I may..." I begin slowly, meeting his eyes. "You won't die, right? So you should have nothing to worry about."

Sighing, Dark breaks eye contact and shakes his head. "...I'm not like that anymore."

"Like what?"

"A survivalist," he says. "That was me when I first met you. Terrified of... well, him. But now I've gotten attached to everyone here. If you or Midna were to get hurt, or Zelda, Sheik, Malon, anyone... I'd be devastated. Plus—" He shivers. "If he were to do enough damage to me in this realm—which he undoubtedly could—I may not have the strength to regenerate in my own."

"We're not going anywhere," I assure him, but the uncertainty in my own voice is deafening. "We took on a god and won. We can win again."

"Yuga was no god," Dark mutters. "He was just a sorcerer. He never ended up with the true power that he had."

As I thought.

He never lost Power; it had just been resting within him.

Just like Rauru had said—the only way to kill the King of Evil is with the Master Sword. And by the looks of it, the King of Evil is back again, bearing the almighty Triforce of Power.

And he will be seeking out the other two pieces.

Monday, January 7th

I spent the weekend with Zelda, who had been oblivious to my internal fears, for the most part. I'd be lucky to earn two hours of sleep during that time, even with Zelda's comforting presence.

Saturday was, aside from the foreboding weather, entirely peaceful. And yet, that only added to my trepidation because it felt like the calm before the storm. Like my mortal enemy would strike at any time. Sunday would've been exactly as peaceful if not for one certain event that headlined the evening news—Death Mountain Prison had experienced its first ever breakout. Fifty guards or so were killed by a seven-foot-tall mystery man with long, billowing red hair, according to the news anchors. Ghirahim, Zant, Onox, and Veran were the only prisoners freed.

They know who I am.

It's five AM. I'm in Zelda's dorm, staring at the ceiling while she sleeps on my chest. I haven't told her why I'm so afraid yet. I vowed earlier that today would be the day; I should've told her much earlier. But I couldn't find it in my heart to put this much stress on her.

They know where I go to school.

They're coming. Today's the day. I can feel it.

When an hour passes, Zelda stirs in her sleep, seeming to sense my restlessness. She peeks an eye open, turning her head to look up at me.

"Oh," she breathes, yawning. "Good morning."

I don't say it back, because that would be a lie. Instead, I just look at her, unable to conceal the fear any longer.

Zelda frowns, sitting up beside me. "What's wrong? Another nightmare?"

"Zelda," I say weakly, "I need you to do me a favor."

"Um, okay?"

"Please... just hear me out before you say no."

She raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.

"The M.O.D... They're coming."

"...Coming?"

I nod. "They figured out who I am some time ago. I wasn't worried about it because they were put away, but now... they're out. And they're after me. Us."

Zelda looks down. "Remind me why, again?"

We lock eyes again, and I reach for her right hand with my own. I grasp it, holding them up, each of our golden triangles glowing with dim light. "These."

Zelda swallows, staring at our hands.

"And worst of all," I say, "Ganondorf is back."

She frowns, looking at me with shock and skepticism. "That's impossible—Yuga shot him in the head!"

"He's no ordinary man. Remember the King of Evil from History class? Well that's him." I shiver. "He never died. Only the Master Sword can kill him. He still has the Triforce of Power—and he wants ours."

Zelda goes quiet for a moment, staring down at the bed. "...So what's your favor?"

I swallow hard. "Go stay with your mother in Lakeside."

"Are you serious?!"

"Please, please, Zelda," I beg, feeling the wetness in my eyes already. "He will stop at nothing to kill us. I just can't let him get to you, Zelda, I can't. I won't."

"Then we'll just kill him. Together," she counters confidently, as if it's the most obvious answer in the world.

"It's not that simple. Yuga was just a sorcerer who could summon monsters to fight his battles for him—Ganondorf has the power of a god."

Zelda touches my arm gently. "We at least have to try. Or else he'll just be hunting us down all our lives, destroying everything in his path."

I say nothing, holding my hand to hers on my arm.

"We're a team, remember?" she asks, smiling sweetly. "Partner?" A wink.

I hold her gaze for a long moment. Then, because it could be my last opporunity, I grab her face and lean in to give her a long, emotional kiss. I enjoy this as much as I can, then break away, staring into her eyes with a stricken expression.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," I tell her, voice just above a whisper. "I love you."

And I get up and leave before she has the chance to even consider saying it back.

I pull on the academy doors, but they don't budge. Locked. Granted, school doesn't start for another three-plus hours.

I glance to the side, where the office window can be seen. Behind the shutters, a light is glowing. He's definitely in.

Taking off my glove, I grab the metal handle once again and send an electrical charge into the door, hoping to override the system. A fizzing sound occurs, and just like that, the door unlocks. I step inside, then hurry into the headmaster's office.

I open the door, knocking afterwards. "Mr. Harkinian?"

The old man jumps in his seat, startled, and adjusts his glasses before focusing on me in the doorway. "Good Gorons! Link, you scared me. Did I not lock the door?"

"It was unlocked. Listen, I—" I make my way over to his desk and take a seat hastily. "I need to make an unusual request."

Gaepora frowns, confused. "Let me hear it."

"I really, really need you to increase the academy's security."

"To what now?"

I raise a hand. "Let me explain. Did you hear about the breakout in Death Mountain Prison last night? Remember the former student here, Ghirahim Daemon? He was one of the escapees, as you probably know. And the others that escaped, well—the other members of his gang. And the leader of that gang is the guy who murdered my uncle. And they're all coming here to kill me."

Gaepora only stares at me, utterly lost. "What?" is all he can muster up.

"What do you mean? I told you everything."

"Why would some random gang come to Hyrule Academy, of all places?" he asks, frowning.

"Random gang—" I shake my head. "Sir, the leader killed my uncle and swore he'd come for me next! They know I go here because of Ghirahim—I'm not lying about this!"

"Link, that's absurd. If that man really wanted to come find you at the academy, he would've done so by now. He's had since what—October?" He folds his arms, expression softening."It sounds like you are just being paranoid and may even be suffering from some post-traumatic stress disorder."

"Sir, I am certain about this; I swear I'm not crazy—"

"Well, you have police connections. If you're so worried, why don't you report it to them. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about this... theory of yours."

I stare at him, starting to lose hope.

Wait—the police. I can call Shad!

Without another word to the headmaster, I hastily get up and leave his office, stepping back outside into the frigid morning air.

"Shad!" I shout into my phone. "Help!"

"Link? What's wrong?"

"I need you to send all units to Hyrule Academy. The M.O.D. escapees are coming today to kill me."

"What—are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure!"

"Well, Link, I don't have the authority to send in units."

"Let me talk to the chief then!"

"You wouldn't be able to give him convincing evidence without revealing your identity," Shad tells me. "As far as the station knows, the M.O.D. have it out for Hero, not Hyrule Academy student Link Gaiden."

I curse under my breath. "You're right. Please, Shad, do what you can to get us some more protection. I'm scared. The people I love—"

"I know," he says. "I'll see what I can do. Sit tight. Be safe."

He hangs up. Cue the anxiety.

All throughout the day, I await the inevitable. Classes drag on like days. In each of them, I sit in the back, tapping my foot, staring at my desk and not listening. In those I have with Zelda, she always tries to comfort me, and I just send her a reassuring smile that betrays how I'm truly feeling. Lunch was extremely nerve-wracking. All my friends and peers in one place as sitting ducks would have amounted to countless casualties. Luckily the gang didn't show up then.

If they were to come, I can find some comfort in the fact that I'm at least somewhat prepared. A while before school began I had disabled a handful of security cameras with a few well-placed zaps and managed to sneak the Master Sword into the building and hide it in a central location; in the ceiling of the foyer, accessed by displacing one of the ceiling tiles.

By the time sixth period rolls around, I start to get hope. I stare at my blank screen in Computer Skills class while Pipit, to my left, and Zelda, to my right, are knee-deep in our coding project that I have yet to begin. The gang still hasn't come. Maybe they won't come today. Maybe I can take the fight straight to them and avoid any conflict at the academy. That would be the best-case scenario, wouldn't it?

Pipit nudges my arm. "Need some help?"

I look over, seeing that he has completed his lines for the day. I shake my head. "I'm good."

"You haven't started."

"I know—"

"Also, you've been very quiet today." His eyes widen in realization, and he looks around for listeners. "Is something up?" he whispers. "Are you about to go do some Hero stuff?"

I meet his eyes, pressing my lips. "...I pray that I don't have to."

He blinks, then frowns. "Well that's... scary sounding."

"Zelda," calls Mr. Minish from his desk; she looks up from the screen beside me, meeting his eyes. "Could you run this down to your father for me? I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"Sure," she says, getting up.

I grab her hand, stopping her. We lock eyes.

"It will be fine," she whispers to me with a comforting smile.

She turns, and I feel her hand slip out of mine. After retrieving the small stack of papers from Mr. Minish, Zelda walks out of the classroom.

My heart sinks. This isn't good. Her dad's office is right by the main entrance! It couldn't get any easier for Ganondorf to come steal the Triforce of Wisdom!

For a while, all is quiet and normal.

It will be fine. How can she be so sure? She's clearly just trying to prevent me from having any more anxiety attacks. She doesn't truly understand what we're dealing with.

And then...

I feel it.

Ever so faintly, the back of my hand starts to itch. My stomach drops. They're here. I immediately leap to my feet and bolt out of the classroom.

"Link?" Pipit calls after me, but I'm already gone.

I sprint through the halls and jump down the stairs right when a chorus of gunfire rings out.

No, no, no!

I hear the gasps and screams of terror of the students in the classrooms I pass by as teachers jump to initiate lockdown. A few teachers yell at me to come inside, but I don't listen.

I round the corner into the foyer, seeing the entry door ripped off its frame, and a string of bullet holes riddled across the ceiling tiles. Maybe no one has been shot. By now, my hand is blazing with golden light, my eyes wild with fury and primal desperation. I turn toward the headmaster's office and bust it open, looking around frantically.

"Checkmate."

I turn to my left, eyes falling on the familiar cloaked figure of Agahnim. A wrinkled hand grips a shiny pistol pointed straight at me, while his other arm holds Zelda in a tight headlock.

My breath hitches.

Her face twisting, Zelda struggles under his relentless grasp, small hands prying uselessly at his arm. Directly behind him, behind the desk, Mr. Harkinian is tied to his chair, duct tape wrought over his mouth.

I vow to end this monster's life, and slowly.

"How rich." Agahnim smirks. "I came here for you, of course, when I found her. For now, she will have to do. How pleased Master Ganondorf will be when I bring to him one of the chosen."

"She's not chosen!" I shout adamantly. "I am! Leave her out of this!"

"Do not bother lying to me, Hero," he hisses.

My gaze immediately shifts to the headmaster, whose eyes have widened in shock. He stares back at me. There goes my identity.

Agahnim keeps Zelda pressed up to him as he slowly backs his way to the door, barrel of the pistol still trained on me. "Don't fret, Hero. You're next."

I instinctively take a step toward him, but he fires a warning shot at the floor in front of me. I jump.

"Fight me right here like a man!" I yell, seething.

Maybe if I keep him occupied long enough, the police will get here in time to back me up. My ears perk up at the distant sound of sirens, and a glimmer of hope appears. But Agahnim turns his head, hearing them too. He grins wolfishly. He knows what I'm thinking.

I make eye contact with Zelda, and remember the last time she was thrown into a similar situation. Her eyes display the same pain, the same fear, the same dependence on me, that I finally snap.

So I act purely on instinct, raising my arm and shooting an electric bolt straight at his chest. It connects with his body, and he thrashes about violently. I charge toward him, fists clenched and poised to strike—

BANG.

Images flash before my eyes. Me and Rusl at the ranch. Me and Talo playing basketball. Me and Ilia sitting on the roof. Sheik, Pipit, Mikau, Dark, and Mido hanging out in my dorm. And Zelda. Her smile. Her laugh. Her lips meeting mine. Zelda.

And now she stands in front of me, screaming her lungs out in terror, fighting with all her will against Agahnim's grip. Her voice is reduced to a dull hum, and the world around me blurs.

I stare down at my bleeding abdomen, eyes dull and mirthless. I sag to my knees, gaze falling onto nothing in particular.

The last thing I see is Agahnim's receding footsteps, and Zelda being dragged, kicking and screaming, right after him.