Link was back in the Chamber of Sages. The sandstone temple walls were replaced by the pulsing blue and infinite blackness.

Once again, Link stood on the image of the Triforce, its three golden triangles gleaming. Nabooru waited on the polished copper-coloured pedestal, hands on her hips.

"Let me thank you, kid." Nabooru smirked, tossing her crimson ponytail. "Sorry, you're not a kid anymore, huh? You impressed me with your swordsmanship. You may even be as good as myself," she added with a wink.

Link chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry those witches brainwashed and imprisoned you."

Nabooru sighed and crossed her arms. "It was my own carelessness. I really messed up, Link." She lasered him with a golden stare. "Years ago," she paused with a smirk, "I guess the other day for you, I had finally come to my senses and realized that Ganondorf did not want what was best for the Gerudo. So I was hiding out at the Spirit Temple, gathering the allies I had among our people. But once some of them started acting strangely..." she shook her head. "I knew the witches' were up to something. But they caught up with me and forced me to do Ganondorf's bidding."

"It's not your fault," Link said. "I don't blame the Gerudo for what Ganondorf has done."

Nabooru grunted. "Every 100 years, a single male child is born to the Gerudo. Our tradition says he will become our king. At first, Ganondorf seemed like a perfect candidate to fulfill that prophecy. But he was only interested in getting revenge on Hyrule and embroiling our people in further war." Her lips curled in a rueful smile. "I've never claimed to be anything other than what I am, and I refuse to let Ganondorf make me into his puppet again. Funny, that a person like me was chosen to be one of the Sages, hm?"

Link grinned. "Not really."

Nabooru chuckled. "You're sweet. I plan to pay Ganondorf back for everything he put me and my people through. As the Sage of Spirit, I think I could help you kick his ass." Her smile broadened in anticipation.

Placing a closed fist over his chest, Link bowed. "It would be my honour to fight with you."

When he straightened, the bronze medallion containing Nabooru's power floated in the air before him. He took it, looking up to meet the sage's topaz eyes.

"We'll talk more soon," she promised. Nabooru tilted her head, studying him as the platform she stood on began to glow, enveloping her in light. "If I'd known you'd grow up to be so handsome, I would've kept the promise I made to you," she teased, lifting her hand to blow him a kiss.

Link's face flushed crimson while she vanished within the light with a bark of laughter.

He waited for the light to intensify, take him back to the Spirit Temple, but the Chamber remained still.

"Link."

He turned to see Rauru, the Sage of Light, standing on the golden pedestal. The old sage kept his arms folded before him, his pale eyes serious and probing.

"It is time," Rauru told him. "For you to face your destiny and challenge Ganondorf."

Link clenched his fingers into fists at his side. He steeled his spine and faced the sage. "I understand," he said.

"With the power of all the Sages awakened," Rauru continued, "we can add all of our strength to the fight. When the time comes, we Sages and Princess Zelda will use our power to seal the spirit of Ganondorf here in the Sacred Realm, after you have struck the final blow."

A clawed its way up Link's neck. In his memory were flashes of the other villains and creatures he'd slain to free the sages: Ganondorf's phantom, howling in rage; Bongo Bongo's single red eye, empty and eerie; Gohma's hulking form, razor-sharp pincers flashing in the gloom; Volvagia's great scaled head, his bright green dragon's eyes fading.

None of them would compare to this last challenge. The final battle.

Link swallowed, his dry throat clicking. "I'll be ready," he assured the sage.

Moments later, the soft blue halo of light surrounded Link, and the Chamber began to fade. Rauru watched him vanish, his gaze steady.

Inside the Temple of Light, his burned arm and wounds hadn't bothered him, but in the outside world, the agony would come roaring back. Link unconsciously tucked his right arm closer to his body, readying himself for waking up back in the Spirit Temple.

He hovered in complete darkness for a heartbeat, feeling weightless, until reality came rushing back in a blur of sensation. His body was incredibly heavy, and weirdly numb. Something heavy and cool was wrapped around his arm, soothing the ache of the burn. Experimentally, he wriggled his fingers and was rewarded with a painful throb shooting up into his shoulder.

Creaking his eyes open, Link saw a high, rectangular window etched into the rock wall. He was back in Gerudo Fortress, then. The others must have carried him back. Turning his head, he saw Navi curled up in his hat next to his pillow. The bout in the Spirit Temple must have drained her.

Twisting to look to the right, Link felt his heart stutter in his chest. Zelda was there. Sitting next to his bedside, she rested her head on her folded arms on the mattress beside him. Fast asleep, her breaths slow and deep, her expression relaxed. Her shiny blonde hair was braided back into a loose ponytail, strands escaping around her ears.

Link shifted to sit up in the bed, but movement jarred her, startling her awake. She jerked up, her bleary eyes focusing on him.

"Link," she mumbled. "You're awake."

Before he could reply, her warm fingers touched his forehead, and he froze. When she asked how he was feeling, he made a noncommittal response. She sat on the edge of his bed, frowning.

"I'll bring you some more red potion," she told him, lifting her hand from his forehead. Link released his held breath, but then her fingers brushed his forearm, squeezing reassuringly. Their gazes clashed. Link's heartbeat thrummed so loudly he was shocked she didn't hear it.

"I'm-"

The thick tapestry covering the doorway in the small bedroom flipped back, revealing Dark, dressed in loose brown pants and a red tunic.

"Hey, look who's awake!" he grinned at Link. "Knew you'd pull through, man."

"We'll talk later," Zelda murmured, her gaze traveling over his face before she pulled away. She lifted her hand from his arm and hurried out of the room, nodding at Dark as she passed.

Watching her depart, Dark reached into the bag he'd brought with him. "I brought you a present." He opened his hand to reveal a big, red apple.

Link chuckled, taking the fruit and sinking his teeth into it. "Thanks."

Leaning back in the chair Zelda had vacated, Dark took an enormous chunk out of a second apple. "You want some advice?"

"Advice about what?" Link asked, rubbing his temples with the forefinger and thumb of his free hand. The headache pounding there was maddening.

"Kissing," Dark said. A wicked grin spread across his lips when Link looked at him. "In case the moment arises."

Link pretended to be intrigued by his apple, taking another bite. "Not sure what you mean."

Snickering, Dark lifted his apple to his mouth, pressing his lips into the bite indent. "Like this," he explained, flicking his tongue lewdly, his eyes gleaming.

Choking on a bite of apple, Link smacked himself in the chest. "That's ridiculous."

"That's pretty tame, actually."

"I don't need any advice," Link growled, tossing the half-eaten apple at Dark, who dodged it. "Nothing happened."

"But you want it to," Dark stated.

Link scrubbed his hands over his face in frustration. "I don't know."

Losing his smirk, Dark leaned forward, elbows propped on the bed. "It's okay. You like her." He grinned. "Not that I blame you."

"She's my friend."

Dark shrugged. "Sienna was my friend."

Link leaned his head back against the wall. Unfortunately, there were no answers written on the ceiling above him.

"It feels different," he said. "She's the first friend I made here in Hyrule, and for me, it wasn't that long ago. But for her, it's been seven years. I feel as if we don't know each other anymore."

Dark made a sympathetic noise. "She might feel the same as you do. Why don't you spend some time with her?"

Link snorted. "When? I've awakened the final Sage. There's only one thing left to do."

"Recover?"

Sighing, Link said, "Defeat Ganondorf."

He tried to ignore the cold coil of fear in the pit of his stomach. Despite all the battles he'd won, the seemingly impossible feats he'd accomplished, this final task scared the hell out of him. Link had always known he would need to fight and defeat Ganondorf to save Hyrule. Somehow this last mission had crept up and surprised him.

"Not yet," Dark answered, and a brief wash of relief swept through Link. "You're not ready to fight until you're healed, and we can't leave until Nabooru and the Gerudo are ready to leave with us."

Link frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nabooru and her warriors are coming with us to join the fight against Ganondorf. Once we rendezvous with Impa and the resistance fighters in Kakariko, we can launch the final strike against him."

Link blinked. For some reason, he'd always imagined that in the final battle, he would be alone. The knowledge that others were pledged to fight with him eased some of the nervousness gnawing through his gut, but it was followed by a sliver of apprehension.

"There's no need for so many people to risk their lives," he protested. "It's my job as the Hero of Time to defeat Ganondorf."

"No doubt you will," Dark agreed, stripping the apple to its core. "But Impa and the others have been preparing for this, right? They want to free Hyrule from his tyranny just as much as you."

While Link considered this, Dark stuffed the apples cores in the sack and stood up. "You're not alone in this fight," he assured him with a quick pat on the shoulder. "You have me, and Zelda, and the Sages. Get some rest," he added. "I'll come visit you later."

Once Dark left, letting the cloth fall back into place, Link laid back down and tried to sleep. His arm throbbed dully, his headache beating against the inside of his cranium, making sleep elusive. Link conjured the faces of his friends and allies to his mind, trying to take comfort in the knowledge they would be helping him, supporting him when he went to face his destiny. But the fear remained, burying inside his heart and eating a hole through his emotional shields. If he failed, what would become of them?

~oOo~

Being back in her chambers after so many years away was disconcerting. Nabooru sat cross-legged on a large pillow, taking in the familiar surroundings of the fortress with a frown. The furnishings were minimal but comfortable. Aside from the pillows and rugs decorating the floors and the tapestry hanging on the wall behind her, there was only a small table and chairs. It was always meant to be a temporary home for her people, but thanks to Ganondorf's plans, it had become their home for seven long years.

And where was I? She asked herself. On the run. Hiding. When I knew they were suffering. When I knew they needed my help.

Sasha cleared her throat, poking her head under the cloth over the door. Nabooru gestured for her to enter, and the woman came to kneel in front of her, thumping her fist to her heart.

"What is it, Sasha?"

The other woman lifted her bowed head, her short hair falling across her brow. "The princess has received a message from Lady Impa. She's on her way."

Nabooru nodded her thanks. "And the warriors?"

The Gerudo fortress was home to perhaps 200 of their fighters. The rest were presumed to be at Hyrule Castle or elsewhere in Hyrule, doing Ganondorf's bidding. Whether by choice or thanks to the witches' spells remained to be seen. None of Nabooru's warriors had heard from their sisters in some time, it seemed.

Since returning to the fortress, Nabooru had quickly resumed command, thankful that the death of Koume and Kotake meant their brainwashing spells were broken. The Gerudo here were loyal to her, not Ganondorf, and would fight for their cause.

"The injured are in the infirmary," Sasha was saying. "No one was seriously hurt during the, er...escape."

Nabooru smirked, knowing she meant the escape of Link, Dark and Zelda from the fortress on their way to the temple.

"The rest of us are readying everything we have for our departure. And fortunately, our supplies were not damaged." Sasha's brow creased. "The...Sheikah man has also told us that the fortress is free of evil magic."

"Sheikah man?" Nabooru asked, belatedly realizing who she meant. "Dark?" Sasha nodded.

When Dark had told her he could dispel the evil aura hanging about the place, more than a few questions had come to the tip of her tongue. But Zelda and Link trusted him, so she had as well. Whether he was Sheikah or not didn't matter to her, but she was curious about his strange abilities.

"Keep up with the preparations," Nabooru said to Sasha. "Send Dark and Zelda here as soon as you can. Once we've finalized our plans to rendezvous with Impa, I'll let you know."

"Of course, commander."

No sooner had Sasha risen to her feet than Zelda and Dark came through the doorway. Nabooru stood up from her place, noting the grim look on the princess's face.

"Your timing is perfect," she told them as Sasha left. "I hear you had a message from Impa."

Zelda's brow furrowed. "There has been no more trouble at Kakariko, thank the goddesses. It seems Ganondorf hasn't sent new guards and all is well."

"Good news, then," Nabooru said, crossing to the table. "Have a seat, if you like. I have some wine here to finish." She picked up a jug and gave it a shake to check the contents, then poured three goblets of what was left. "You don't seem happy about the news," she remarked to Zelda.

The princess took a seat opposite Nabooru, with Dark on her right. "I have been worried the sorcerer will make a reappearance. This stretch of almost peace is making me uneasy."

"Alatar isn't concerned with Kakariko," Nabooru replied, noticing from the corner of her eye the way Dark stiffened the slightest bit at the name. When she glanced at him, his expression was hidden by his cup. "Ganondorf has nearly run out of loyal human soldiers," she explained. "He relies on the evil creatures Alatar can summon for him. The desert men he recruited to help him win his war—the Babsa tribe, among others—are nearly depleted acting as his guard across Hyrule. Some of them have even deserted, I've heard, with Ganondorf's failure to repay them. His control is slipping."

"So now is the right time to gather our resistance and strike," Dark finished, setting his goblet down.

"Aye," agreed Nabooru. "Impa has not been idle, princess. She has a good force of fighters."

"I know," Zelda sighed, her shoulders drooping. "I just cannot shake this feeling. We are well prepared, and we have fighters, and I do not doubt anyone..."

Nabooru reached a hand across the table to grasp her fingers. "Zelda, dear, my warriors and I will fight with you. All of Hyrule will fight with you. And Link will defeat Ganondorf, I have no doubt."

Zelda met her gaze, her turquoise eyes full of apprehension. She inhaled slowly, tightening her grip on Nabooru's hand. "You're right," she said. "I know you are right. But I want to be prepared."

The sage patted her hand. "You are as ready as you can be. I take it Impa has a plan?"

Zelda blew out her breath, straightening her back and folding her hands in front of her. "Yes," she replied, the picture of confidence and grace once again. She proceeded to relay the rest of Impa's message, as well as the anticipated meeting location. It would take two weeks to reach, but it couldn't be helped, not with traveling with so many of the Gerudo and their supplies making their progress slower.

"Two weeks will suffice," Nabooru said. "By that time Link will have recovered. I'll have our physician bring him something to help heal the burns quicker. And we need him in fighting shape."

"We'll need to leave tomorrow," Zelda said, concern furrowing her brow. "Is it safe to move him?"

"He'll be alright," she assured her. "A little jostling won't kill him." She stood from her chair. "You two make sure you're ready to leave tomorrow morning. My girls will take care of the rest."

After Dark and Zelda departed, Nabooru gathered the jug and goblets and looked around the room once more. From the wide, paneless window, she could see her warriors moving outside, loading supplies onto wagons. They were efficient and determined, eager to get back into action. They had spent so many years stuck here in the canyon, all but abandoned by their king. The Gerudo people back home in the desert were missing their sisters.

Ganondorf had much to answer for as far as Nabooru was concerned. Not only leading their people into yet another bloody war that gained them nothing, but for destroying the land of Hyrule and its peoples, for turning his back on the Gerudo way of life. But Nabooru would do her part to fix the wounds Ganondorf had inflicted.

Soon, she hoped to see the back of this fortress. Soon, she hoped to bring her people home where they belonged.

~oOo~

Dark walked through the Gerudo encampment until he'd reached the largest tent on the north side. The tan cloth was sturdy and windproof, with an oiled tarp draped over top in case it rained. Now that they were out of the dry canyon and back in Hyrule Field, the unpredictable weather could whip up a storm at any moment.

With a quick check to the sky, he decided a storm was more than likely tonight, seeing the heavy grey clouds rolling in. The two guards flanking the entrance stepped forward to announce him and pull back the tent flaps. The opening was tall enough he didn't even need to duck—the interior of the tent was similarly roomy, with a high ceiling to accommodate the tallness of an average Gerudo.

Inside, Nabooru was finishing her dinner, seated on a large, plush cushion. The Gerudo didn't bother with much furniture, preferring to travel light and quickly.

"Have you eaten?" she asked, gesturing at the spread of food in front of her. "Help yourself."

"I ate already," he said, thanking her with a nod as he sat on a cushion opposite.

Her golden eyes met his for a second before she reached for her goblet of wine. Dark internally fidgeted as he waited for her to tell him what she wanted. He wasn't used to receiving a summons from anyone, especially not the Gerudo tribe leader.

It had been three days since they'd left Gerudo Fortress, and in that time he'd tried to make himself useful in the camp. Working alongside the Gerudo fighters had been interesting, to say the least. He'd rarely seen Link or Zelda, as the former was still recovering and the latter spent most of her time at his bedside, watching over him.

Deciding they didn't need Dark getting in their way, he'd spent his time in the evenings around of the campfires, somewhat distanced from the Gerudo soldiers. They'd welcomed him to sit with them at mealtimes or enjoy a game for entertainment, but Dark had only half-heartedly joined in, more so because of his own reservations than their attitudes. Unlike their reputation, he found the Gerudo to be warm and hospitable, treating their guests like members of their close-knit family. Dark blamed his reticence on lack of sleep. Traveling on horseback for most of the days and lying on his pallet at night left him with no relief from the fear for Sienna, the fear of himself.

He doubted the Gerudo, or anyone else, would welcome him if they knew of the corruption inside him. The shadow that threatened to sink its claws back into him.

"I have something for you," Nabooru said.

Distracted from his thoughts, Dark looked up as she stood and crossed to the side of the tent. Reaching into a low, wide chest, Nabooru retrieved a package bundled in cloth and kneeled back on her cushion. She held the gift out for him to take.

"What for?" he asked, carefully unwrapping the long, narrow item. Inside were a dozen arrows, intricately carved with strange symbols. Their tips were blue, small but wickedly sharp. Even through the cloth, they exuded a slight coolness against his fingers.

"Enchanted ice arrows," she explained with a grin. "A bit of a Gerudo specialty, as it were."

He tried not to gape in surprise. "Why are you giving me these?"

Nabooru poured more wine into her goblet and a second one, which she nudged towards him. "After everything you did in the Spirit Temple? You and Link are honorary Gerudo now. Don't worry," she added, seeing his confusion and surprise. "I gave him a present as well."

Dark admired the craftsmanship of the arrows, curious as to how they were made. "I don't know what to say."

"You three risked your lives to save me," the Gerudo leader replied. "This is the least we can do to thank you. Not many men get this honour," she said meaningfully.

Dark lowered his head to show he understood. "Thank you."

Nabooru waved a hand and pointed at his cup. "None of that. We drink. To the Gerudo."

"To the Gerudo," Dark agreed, tipping back his goblet.

Lowering her cup, Nabooru said sincerely, "I hope we will enjoy a long friendship, and that you will come visit us once all this mess is over with." Her eyes sparked with mischief and warmth. "We're family now."

Dark nodded slowly. Her words had roused his earlier thoughts, distracting him.

"You should get some rest," she said, moving to stand and stretch her limbs. "We'll be rendezvousing with Impa tomorrow afternoon."

Dark climbed to his feet, securing the ice arrows back in their wrappings. "Sure," he murmured, his mind elsewhere. If Nabooru noticed, she didn't comment.

After bidding her goodbye, Dark left the tent and scanned the camp. No fires had been lit tonight, now that they were so close to Ganondorf's territory, but there were lanterns filled with light-stones that gave off a faint enough glow that they wouldn't be seen from far away. Groups of Gerudo patrolled the camp perimeter or cleaned up after dinner, readying for bed.

Back in the tent he shared with Link, he was surprised to find the other man's bed was empty. Leaving the ice arrows behind, he went back outside to look for him.

Not finding him in the camp, he meandered further away to the edge of the forest. The air was thick and cool with the threat of the coming rain, and he found himself wandering more aimlessly.

Nabooru's comment about a future visit and them being family now pricked at him. His only goal was to free Sienna, to see her safe. But what then, when Ganondorf was defeated? How could she love him with the darkness inside him? How could he trust himself around her when he didn't trust himself?

Low voices caught his attention, and he noticed Link and Zelda sitting underneath a tree up ahead, heads together as if sharing secrets.

Dark's heart squeezed at the thought he would never be able to have a relationship with his brother, either. Anyone he cared about was in danger as long as Alatar's curse held sway over him. At any moment, the sorcerer could turn him into a mindless monster.

As he watched Link smile at something Zelda said, he felt conflicted. Link deserved to know the truth about his family. And if he was honest, he didn't want to let him go without telling him. He would tell Link, then he would go. He would free Sienna, and then he would leave. Maybe someday he'd find a way to break the curse.

Dark hovered a short distance away, not wanting to interrupt but feeling he may explode if he didn't get a chance to speak with Link. Zelda noticed him hesitating and greeted him, waving him over. Feeling foolish, Dark walked over to join them, protesting when Zelda got to her feet and announced she was heading back to the camp. She assured Link and him it was fine and that she was tired, anyway.

When she started to walk off, Dark caught her gaze, silently thanking her. With a slight smile, she nodded back.

Sitting in the grass beside Link and the lantern he and Zelda had brought with them, he asked, "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." He leaned back against the tree's wide trunk, fixated on the cloudy sky.

"It's going to rain," Dark said, then mentally punched himself for the inane observation.

"I know. I don't like not being able to see the stars," Link muttered, frowning. At Dark's curious look, he explained, "Some nights, when it was just me and Navi, camping in Hyrule Field or the bank of the river or in the forest, I couldn't sleep. Looking at the stars seemed to help. They remind me of when I grew up in Kokiri Forest, I guess."

Dark could only imagine how many quiet, solitary nights his brother had spent in the wild, knowing Ganondorf's spies and monsters were hunting him, knowing the fate of the world rested on him. Link had friends and allies all over Hyrule, but they couldn't take the burden for him. They weren't always with him. The Hero's path was lonely.

"How does it remind you of growing up in the forest?"

"The night sky in the forest is sort of...smaller, somehow. You can only see a glimpse of it through the trees. Out here, in the open, it just never ends. The world is so much bigger than I thought."

Dark grinned at seeing the look on Link's face. "I guess you were made to be an adventurer."

Link laughed. "Maybe so. I know now that I was always meant to leave the forest." His tone was sad now. "I used to wonder about the world outside all the time, but when I finally left, it hit me what I had to leave behind."

Awkwardly, Dark placed his hand on Link's shoulder reassuringly. "You've gained a lot," he pointed out. "New friends...family."

Link turned his head with a grin. "That's true."

Hesitantly, Dark asked, "Do you ever wonder about them? Your family?"

Link shrugged. "I don't know much about them. The Great Deku Tree told me my mother died to protect me, making sure I was safe in the forest."

A slash of grief tore into Dark as he remembered his mother. Remembered her voice calling to him in the chaos.

"You look so much like her." His voice sounded hollow, raspy.

Confusion, then hope showed in Link's eyes. "What do you mean? Did you know her?"

Dark stared at the lantern, casting them in a faint yellow glow. "She was my mother, too." He forced his eyes up until they met Link's, the sapphire blue of his irises so achingly familiar.

Link stared at him. He imagined he could actually see his heart pumping harder through the fabric of his tunic. After interminable seconds where Dark's head threatened to explode, Link seemed to shake himself from the stupor.

"We—" Link swallowed. "We have the same mother?"

"Yes." Dark shifted, uncomfortable. "And the same father, too, if you were wondering."

Link's eyes widened. "What? But—How—?"

Dark felt a smile tweak his lips. "I don't think now is the time to tell you how babies are made," he joked.

Scowling at the familiar teasing, Link's mouth caught up with his shocked brain. "I'm being serious."

"As am I." Dark shrugged. "We're brothers. Flesh and blood."

"How do you know for sure?"

Dark tried to ignore the hopeful note in Link's voice. "Like I said, you look just like her. I knew it from the first moment we met. I was young when they died, but I remember what she looked like. You have her eyes," he explained.

Link turned to look straight ahead, his hands in his lap, curling and uncurling his fingers. "They're both gone, then," he finally managed. "Our parents."

"Yeah. Sorry." Dark grimaced. "As far as I know, we're all that's left. I grew up in an orphanage."

"What happened to them?"

Link's gaze was back on his face. Dark's guts twisted; this was the part he didn't want to tell him. "There was an attack on the village where we lived," Dark explained, reciting half from memory and half from Fierce's retelling. "Our mother took you and I—you were just a baby, then—and tried to escape. I was separated from her, or I went to look for our dad." He frowned. "He was killed. I always thought you and our mom had been killed, too, but obviously that isn't true."

When Link continued to stare at him, his features showing, horror, sympathy, sadness and grief, Dark looked away, plucking idly at a blade of grass. It shocked the hell out of him when Link's arms came around his shoulders, hugging him tight.

He frowned. "What're you doing?"

Link released him. "Sorry," he muttered. He looked back at Dark. "I can't imagine how hard it is to remember all that, to grow up without parents..."

"You grew up without parents."

"I had the Kokiri. I had the Great Deku Tree. I never had any parents to miss."

"I had Sienna," Dark grumbled defensively. "I wasn't totally alone."

Link smiled. "I'm glad."

"Don't look at me like that," Dark said, pointing his finger at Link's face. "I don't need you to feel sorry for me." When the bastard continued to smile, Dark growled.

"Can I ask you something?" Without waiting for a reply, Link said, "Why didn't you tell me before now?"

Dark sighed, brushing a hand through his long hair. "Never seemed like the right time, I guess. You're always off trying to save the world. I didn't want to add to your problems."

"And now?"

A shrug. "I was tired of keeping it from you."

Link nodded, watching Dark, his gaze traveling over his face.

With another sigh, Dark said, "I know you want to hug me again." A smile crept onto Link's face. "Well, go on then."

Suffering through another brotherly embrace, Dark shoved aside his discomfort with the complicated emotions and simply enjoyed Link's easy acceptance.

When he let him go, he asked Link, "Got it out of your system?"

Link grinned. "Probably not." A sudden burst of grief crossed Link's face. "When we were in Kakariko, and you took me to that old village with graveyard..."

Dark tugged at his hair. "Our dad was buried there," he explained. "That's where we were born, I think. It's where the attack happened."

"Who attacked them?" Link asked, his frown deepening. "Who killed our parents?"

Dark met his brother's eyes. He couldn't bear to set Link on the same path he walked. Link couldn't be the Hero of Time if his heart was shadowed by vengeance as Dark's was. "I don't know." The lie came easily.

Link accepted that with a nod. He was too trusting.

"I'm sorry," Link said again.

"Don't be. There's no changing it."

Link glanced back at him. "At least we have each other now."

Dark felt himself smiling. "Yeah. At least we do."