Chapter 12 : A New "Reality"
When I came back to myself, the first thing I could think off … Was that I was feeling cold, and everything was black around me, opening my eyes was a very painful process to go through, but the pain my eyes registered wasn't the most surprising thing about it … It was the image
Opening my eyes, I was met with white walls, one that were early familiar, but that I did not entirely recognize until I saw a familiar poster featuring different version of the Link, the one I came to know was also in here, but not only, looking around it didn't take me much time to realize
'I'm … I'm back ?' My mind was rushing questions after questions, 'Did I die ? What happened to Link ? Was it all a dream ?' I had none of those answers, but seeing this familiar room that had became foreign to me, brought tears to my eyes, how had I missed that room …
I fell out of bed, expecting to float like I normally do, but I didn't, any once of magic was gone from my body, I had my normal, human body back, I was me again !
While I was taking some steps, trying to get used to the fact that I had to use my legs once again, I heard a familiar voice, one I hadn't heard in so long … "Time to wake up sweetie ! It's morning, and you have school works to do today !" My mother …
My heart skipped a bit as I heard that, before I could register it, I was already opening the door and hugging her as tight as I could, not uttering a word, I was too busy crying for that
"Aw sweetie, what is it ? Why are you crying ? Did you have a nightmare again ?" She asked, concerned and hugging me back, I tried as hard as I could to respond, but no words would come out of my mouth, I had missed that embrace way too much …
"It's gonna be alright … How about you take the morning off to rest ? It doesn't sound like you'll be able to do any school work in that state anyway haha, how does that sound Midna ?" As soon as I heard her say that … I got extremely confused … My crying calmed down as I responded
"M-Mom ? I'm not …" I looked back at my hand in horror, seeing the black skin and glowing blue inscriptions I had grew accustomed too those last months "... Midna …"
"What are you saying sweetie ? Of course you are Midna, who else would you be ?" Her tone wasn't louder, but the name Midna kept echoing everywhere … Getting louder and louder …
"I'm not … No … That's not my … That's not who I am … I'm !"
"I'M NOT MIDNA !" I woke up in cold sweat, yelling that at the top of my lungs, while looking back at my hand … Constating with sadness that … I was still in her body …
Putting my hand on my head, I noticed a thick bandage around it, 'Where am I exactly ?' I looked around, I was definitely out of my room … I was still inside an house, but not mine, the walls and floor was made out of woods, and it was very … Old styled
'Yup, no doubts, I'm still in Hyrule …' I layed back on this bed I was in, while I was doing that I could hear some people talking, it seems like they were bellow me, surely on the ground floor, I could guess they were arguing, but about what … I had no idea …
After some times, I heard steps, and the creaking of wooden stairs, I guess they were heading toward me … I couldn't hide anywhere, my body was hurting from every side, and I couldn't focus on my magic, plus, judging by the bandage I have, and where I am, I doubt I'm hiding from anyone …
A few seconds later, I could see a tall man entering the room I was in, he wasn't wearing his priester outfit anymore … But I could clearly see it was Renado, looking serious and stoic
'Oh this is not gonna be fun …' I thought to myself, I look like a monster to them like this, a monster that they spent literal days fighting against … They didn't kill me, but judging by his expression, it didn't mean they were gonna be friendly to me ..
After a bit of time looking at me, Renado spoke up, "I see you're finally awake …" 'Yup, tried to cross the Eldin border, then I took an arrow in the back' I thought sarcastically, tried to not show any of that though, they could kill me on the spot in the state I was in, even if it wasn't what Renado would do from what I knew, I wouldn't tempt it
"Y.." I coughed, the words didn't want to come out, and my throat hurts like hell, noticing that, Rendo followed "Don't try to speak up if it hurts, you've been out cold for some times … And with the injury you took, it might take a bit of time for you to recover from it" I nodded to that, he's the closest thing to a doctor they have here, I'm definitely gonna listen to him
"Alright, if you can move your head properly, we'll try communicating like that then …" I nodded again, he looked … Cautious … I guess that after what he lived, he was still scared of me, even in my injured state
"Does your head still hurts ?" He asked, slowly approaching his hand from my bandage, I nodded, it wasn't as bad as when I woke up, but it was still a constant, lasting pain, "Alright … We will have to replace your bandage soon, when you were brought in .. You had suffered from a nasty injury from a fall" He looked around for some supply "Link told us that you fell on the bridge after you took an arrow from behind, that's when the shock must have been made …" Ah, well I was lucky to not fall off of it I guess ? But still … Thank you very much you green asshole … I'll be sure to repay you next time …
My thought were interrupted by Renado coming back to my side with a new bandage in hand "I have several question to ask you about who you are … And what exactly you were doing with Link … But you cannot respond to them at the moment, Link have been so insistent when he came back that you weren't a threat, and needed saving … Him pleading for you is the only reason you're still here, I hope you know that, those questions Will be asked later, I will put my trust in him to repay what he did for us and those childrens … But if you try to harm any of those childrens, I will personally take care of you, understand ?"
'Well I never thought in my life that a priester could be scary … But here I am' I nodded slowly, as he removed and replaced my bandage, realizing something, I reached for the top of my head, finding only hair where my helmet was before, "If you're searching for this rock you were wearing on your head, we had to remove it to treat you, it's right here" Pointing to a nearby drawer where it was resting
"I kept it in there since you came back, Link told me it was very important to keep it away from anyone else than you, I made sure the children would not play with it …" The bandage was now in place, at least if no one played with it … It was already good …
"I'm going to take my leave now, I will be back in an hour or two, once you're awake enough to take it, we'll be able to administer a Red Potion to you, which should help you recover faster, rest well until then, and do not attempt to get up alone" Renado instructed to me before leaving, leaving me alone in my room once again .. Only one question stayed on my mind ..
"Where the hell is Link now …"
Eldin Bridge, Moment after Midna fell unconscious
Link was absolutely mortified, seeing the lifeless body of his friend on the ground, that arrow planted in her back, and then hearing his opponent laughing his heart out at what just happened, it was enough to send him in a furious rage
He had already taken all his friends away once .. Then kidnapped Collin a second time, and now put Midna in that state … It was too much for the hero, who only saw red after that, taking out his sword, he slashed the Bulbin King where he stood, getting a good blow on him, stopping his laugh, and causing him to retreat on one side of the bridge
The battle began once again as the two opponents rushed on the opposite side of the bridge, the Hero picked up his friend from the ground and placed her behind him carefully, before continuing to the side of the bridge, his Bow in hand, Link took the opportunity to get a clean shot on the Bubblin that harmed his friend, the Triforce glowed especially bright on the hand of our furious Hero, as his mount rushed toward the King
His bow still in hand, Link was aiming not for the King, but for the Bulbo he was riding, as the two were growing closer, Link release a powerful arrow aimed into the eyes of the mount, causing it to change direction suddenly, giving the perfect opportunity for Link to get the Master Sword out, and get a final blow on the King, cutting up one of his horn, as well as the tip of his spear, releasing Collin from him, before his mount brought him into the pit surrounding the bridge
It was no time for celebration though, looking behind him and seeing his friend, wounded and unconscious, as well as Collin still laying on the ground, he took Midna back in his arms, installed Collin behind him, and rushed Epona to Kakariko Village
His only thoughts as he rushed toward the village … Was a prayer toward the sacred Goddesses, for the safety of his companion …
'Well, this is long …' I thought, completely bored out of my mind …
It had been a moment since I saw Renado, I didn't knew how long exactly since I didn't really have a watch or anything like that here, but I was pretty sure it had already been an hour … I didn't dare to try and fall back asleep, after this dream I got … If I could avoid sleeping, I sure would
Instead, to try and get myself occupied, I decided to try and speak up again, with .. Little to no success, the best I could do so far was saying 'Yes' and 'No' in a very, very weak voice, I sure wasn't gonna pull any speeches anytime soon ..
Moments later, I could finally hear the stairs cracking again, I had never been happier to hear those .. Like last time, Renado appeared out of the door frame, but this time he had a vial in hand, one containing a Red Liquid, 'A Potion' I corrected myself
"Alright, it's been 2 hours since I came, it's time for you to drink this, if you don't know what that is, it's a potion made to heal you up, you just have to drink it whole, or the effect won't be as strong" Well, I know that already, but it's not like I could simply tell him that, and even if I could, it would raise other questions I don't want to answer ..
I reached for the vial, but he did not let me, opening it himself, and then approaching me, "Please open your mouth, I cannot let you take the vial yourself, you risk to drop it by accident, and those kind of potions are rare around here … It's only because Link lended one for you that we have this one …" He … What ? I know for a fact that they don't sell Red Potions around here … They sell Milk instead, which isn't as strong … He went all the way back to the Temple … For me ?
Putting those question aside, I obeyed, even if it was humiliating to be fed like that, it's not like I had a better option, my hands were indeed weak, and I didn't want to drop it …
The potion tasted … Weird, I couldn't possibly compare it to anything I tasted before, nothing Earth have could really describe it … But all I know, is that as soon as I drank it, the pain I felt since I woke up just disappeared, leaving me energized like never before "Ah ! I … Feel great !" I said, my throat did not hurt at all anymore, and I could speak again ! At last ! Freedom of speech !
I must have looked particularly excited, because I saw Renado smile a bit from watching me, before forcing his severe expression back "I'm happy to hear the potion had an effect on you, we weren't sure if it would due to your …" He looked at me "Outlandish feature …" Smooth way to say 'Monster' …
My voice back, I could finally respond, "Thank you … For taking care of me, and feeding me that potion" His expression seems to softenned a bit as he heard me talk to him, I guess I wasn't speaking about killing him, or grunting like other monsters does, so it was a good point for his trust ! A question still lingered in my mind … "How .. How long have I been out ?"
Looking away and placing the vial on one of the drawer, he sighed and then said "It have been a week since Link brought you here … He instructed us on leaving you in a dark area, and we took care of the rest for this whole week …" He thought for a minute before adding "Well … I took care of you, the rest did not set a foot on this floor since you were brought here …"
'A week ?! I was out cold for a week ! But …' I spoke up "And Link ? Where is he ? What did he do during this week ?" Renado's serious expression was back again as I asked that
"I do know that, but I don't know if I can tell you … At least not yet, you seem back on your feet, so answer my questions, then I can maybe respond to yours" He told me, while looking straight into my eyes
I sighed … "Alright, ask me anything you would like … I'll do my best to respond to it, but I don't have every answer either, I hope you'll understand that", well that's a semi lie, I probably have the answer to everything he'll ask, but I can't give them all away just yet
"Very well" He began "What are you ? Are you the same as the monster that attacked us ? Why are you traveling with Link, and what is their reasons to attack us ?" He launched his flurry of question 'Well, not losing time at least …'
"I … Am Midna" I cringed a bit at that, remembering my dream, but pulling myself back together quickly, this was my reality for now … I had no choice, "I'm what you would call a 'Twili', we are an ancient race living in the shadows … The monsters you saw are indeed Twilis as well, but they aren't thinking for themself right now ... " I saw his expression darken, but I continued
"Zant is the name of the one at the origin of all of this .. He took control of our people with a dark magic that seemingly came out of nowhere" I paused, silently cursing the sages for that
"After he took the power from our Princess, he used his magic to transform our people into the monsters you saw … Changing them into mindless beasts … And using them to take over your civilization, they are all innocents … But none of them could do anything to stop Zant once he started his rise to power …" I was making some things up, but from what I knew of the game, it certainly happened like that
I got cut by Renado, asking me a question "What about this princess of yours ? Did she not fight this Zant ? Did she die or become one of those beasts ?" Shoot … Was hoping he wouldn't ask that …
"No, fortunately she escaped, but none of us know where she went, she tried to fight for us, but then disappeared once she lost" Thanks god the Manga exist, it can fill up some important gaps, "Anyway, I also managed to escape once things turned sour, and … I stumbled upon Link when I was searching for the Fused Shadows" I point toward the one still laying on the drawer
"Those, can save all of us, I wear this one to help me control my magic, but also to keep it safe while we collect the other 3, while I was on my path to collect them, I bursted Link out of prison, he had been captured like the children you helped, but he hadn't been lucky enough to get out …" I still wonder how the hell did they end up here in the first place, oh well, questions for later
"Once I did that, and told him about the Fused Shadows, he decided to help me out on my quest, while trying to find his friends, the children aren't the only one he was searching for from what I got" 'From what I know' I corrected in my mind, 'but once again, let's leave that out, talking about the light spirits and his Hero destiny would be way too long too .. I'll let him do that'
"Once reunited, they should give me enough power to destroy Zant's magic, and finally save our people, one of them was apparently kept around here, which is why we came in the first place, we were lucky to find you at the right time … That is basically all there is to know about me, and our travel" Not even half of it really, but should be enough.
"I see …" He began "I had already asked Link his version of the story when he picked you up, but you did fill up some blank he did not have the time to correct, I was also checking if you could be trusted, and your two version seems to go together …" He stayed silent for a minute "Well then, I think I can trust you" He extended an hand toward me "Nice to meet you Midna, and welcome to Kakariko Village"
I shook his hand while smiling back at him "Nice to meet you Renado Eh-Hee !" Remembering my question, I asked once again "So … Could you tell me where is Link now ?"
His expression became serious once again while he looked away, but he responded after a few seconds "I tried to discourage him from going there … But he said he had to go, with or without you ...That it was important, and that he could handle it" 'No … Don't tell me …' He looked back at me
"Link went to Death Mountain alone" He finished
Hellooooooooooooooo everyone ! I hope you enjoyed today's chapter !
This time we're going through a "calmer" chapter, Me-dna and Link both suffer in different ways from the aftermath of the Bulbin fight, while Me-Dna suffer from identity crisis, and the weight of this world getting to her, Link had to fight alone through a tedious battle, and launched himself into a new dungeons without waiting for anyone …
I hope you enjoyed this chapter ! And I'm really sorry for all of you that waited for so long, I also got the help of a new Beta Reader, so corrections to the last chapters should come by fairly soon ! I'm not abandoning this story, and I really hope to release more frequently from now on, so I hope you're looking forward to it !
See you all !