A/N: This chapter was revised as of 10/29/2020 - Polished, minor errors and typos fixed.


When Heroes Fall

By: Selphie Kinneas 175

Chapter 24: The Beast

.:.

"Has he always been so... like that?"

Calie's voice sounded like soft inquisition amongst an empty breeze. Their ankles waded in the warm water of the lake in Ordon, and the soft grass and mud cushioned them as they sat along the shore. From here, nothing was amiss. From here, no trouble pervaded the world. Everything simply existed to exist, and there was not much beyond that.

Colin looked at his sister who sat beside him. The rising sun behind her was her spotlight.

"Who?" he asked, but he knew the answer.

"Link," she replied.

"Like what?" he asked again, but again he knew the answer.

She shrugged her slender shoulders, "I don't know... Sad, I guess? Gloomy? Stand-offish? I kinda just got the feeling he didn't wanna be here."

Colin glanced away. Calie's green eyes were imploring, and there was hurt there, too. She had been too young to remember the Link that Colin remembered. All she had lived with all these years were the stories. All Colin had lived with were the memories.

Colin at last shook his head, "No, he wasn't always like that."

He did not elaborate, but Calie understood. She nodded and stared at the same horizon, wondering if they shared the same thoughts, too. She looked back at him; both her brothers had that distant sadness behind their eyes, she realized.

"I've really missed you, big brother," she smiled.

He looked at her and forced the same, "I've missed you, too."

She paused as a thought entered her mind, "You really think Ren followed his dad?"

Colin sighed, "Yeah... No one's seen him since Link was here. I'm sure he and Midna dragged him along in hopes of mending their relationship. Finally be a good dad."

"You think?" Calie cocked her head, "I don't know... Ren has such a temper. You really think he would go with his dad after how mad he was? I mean... I heard him screaming from Sera's."

Colin's brow furrowed as he turned back to the sunrise. He thought on it, and he began to realize she was right. Ren was too stubborn for his own good; there was no way he would give in and be friendly with his father after how betrayed he felt. But then, where would he go? The possibilities were endless, but none of them were good. He knew he needed to find Ren, but someone approaching brought his thoughts to an abrupt halt.

Colin heard Hanch yelling for an intruder to state their identity, but they did not stop to answer him. Colin and Calie got to their feet and met the person with haste. The cloaked rider atop a cream-colored steed stopped just in front of the brother and sister. The black hood concealed the rider's face, but the Ordonians quickly recognized the temperamental filly.

"Mila!" Calie exclaimed, reaching for the timid girl's snout.

"Why do you have Ren's horse?" Colin demanded, anger and fear wrapped up in his tone.

At first the intruder said nothing. Nearby villagers began to cautiously approach. Mila stamped and nickered in the silence. Colin's worry came to a head.

"Answer me!"

The rider lowered the hood from their face and silver-blonde hair spilled out. Gray eyes stared directly through the hero's brother, and he dropped to one knee.

"Princess Emeline," he whispered, and those around him followed suit.

"Get up," she said flatly.

They nervously did as they were told.

"Come closer, Rusl," Emeline stated before Colin even knew his father had exited the house behind them.

"Your Majesty?" Rusl asked as he did as she commanded, "How are you here? How do you have Mila?"

"There is no time," Emeline said, returning her hood to shadow her face – she had no desire to be recognized beyond those who she trusted.

"Mount your steeds. We ride to Kakariko."

Colin looked to his father in confusion, unable to find any words that would make sense of what was happening.

"Now? Your Majesty, we're here to defend Ordon, we can't just-"

"You are not needed here. The worst has already happened."

Rusl's eyes narrowed as one nitpicking thought came forward, "Where is Ren?"

The princess paused for the first time, but what they could see of her expression remained emotionless.

"Something terrible has happened."

Rusl could not break away from her cold eyes. He did not understand what she could see, but he knew she could see his desperation.

"Ren has done something foolish."


Four Days Earlier

Viscen wasted no time in fleeing the castle with the hero's son as his guide. He mounted his steed and thrust Ren behind him – they would go faster this way, the king told him, and so Mila was left at the drawbridge.

Ren told him exactly where to go, his reluctance abandoned back at the castle. He was ready now to fix his mistakes. He had made so many of them – his mother's death most prominent. He did not see his current action as one to consider, but he would come to.

He couldn't forget the hidden grove deep in the forest if he had tried. He had dreamt about it, about the wolf that guided him there, about the child of the trees, about the smothering loneliness the quiet branches evoked. When they arrived, the wolf greeted them as he hoped it would, though Ren could tell Viscen's presence made the ancient hero reluctant. Still, the golden wolf knew the hero's son, felt his warmth, his desire to do good, and he showed them the way through the forest.

Viscen was intrigued by the surroundings but was unaffected by them. The forest seemed to shirk away at his step, pull back from his gazing eyes. He did not feel that same smothering loneliness that pervaded all else – he was numb to it.

Upon entering the clearing Ren recognized, he could breathe again. The woods were so claustrophobic, so suffocating – seeing the sunlight ended the ringing in his ears and reminded his lungs what full breaths felt like. He did not see the golden wolf, but he saw the door. Viscen looked to him impatiently, but before Ren could point the way, time froze around him.

"I must confess," a carefree voice lined with worry spoke from the Master Sword's pedestal, "I am not sure your guest is welcome here."

Ren turned to meet the golden hero clad in green. His hands on his hips, he eyed Ren with concern. The familiar nervousness took root in Ren's stomach and he felt the need to defend himself.

"Well, I am welcome here, aren't I?"

The hero could tell Ren felt accused, backed into a corner, defensive. He felt the shift in the boy's character and tread cautiously.

"Yes," he replied.

"Then any company I keep should be, too," Ren said.

The hero stared him down. Ren fidgeted under his strong glare. The Hero of Time approached.

"I can see this man's wickedness radiating off him like smoke from a flame," the hero observed him with narrowed eyes and careful scrutiny. Centuries worth of witnessing mankind in all walks of life hardened his judge of character, of intent, of integrity. This man had nothing good to speak of.

The hero turned back to Ren, "You have the ability to be good-hearted and righteous, like your father, why do you choose to help this man?"

Ren's eyes flashed bright in fury, "My father is not good-hearted or righteous. This man is Viscen, the king of Hyrule, and he's the first person to treat me like I matter since my mother."

The Hero of Time began to piece it together, "This man has promised you something. What is it?"

"N-Nothing," Ren stammered.

The hero came closer, "What is it?"

"I said nothing!" Ren yelled in nervous defense, "Nothing!"

The hero pursed his lips in annoyance and closed his eyes. He folded his arms over his strong chest and inhaled deeply. As his eyes darted behind closed lids, their surroundings began to change.

"The sky will again grow dark," the hero said, and it did.

"Beasts will again roam freely," the hero said, and they did.

Ren watched in furious panic as all manner of malevolence took form around him. The blue sky turned black, the sun was drowned out, the trees burned and died, and monsters screeched in his ears.

"War will come," the hero said, and Ren saw himself. With fear in his eyes he watched himself, clad in black and gold, destroying all he once held dear.

"You will be on the wrong side," the hero said, and he opened his eyes. The world went back to normal.

Ren breathed hard and clutched his trembling heart. The hero studied him.

"This is Hyrule's fate, should you lead that man to his ultimate desire."

Ren stared at him in silence, his heart still racing. He recalled what he saw again and again, but it could not be true. What he was doing was right, it would fix everything, not ruin everything. The future he witnessed was a false one. He would prove it.

Ren shook his head, "No. I'm going to save Hyrule. Viscen said once he gets what he wants, he'll leave. Because of me, the king will be gone forever, solving all our problems."

"And what is it he wants?" the hero asked.

Ren was reluctant to answer, but at last he replied, "There is a power in the Twilight that will bring back the dead. He wants to bring back his brother, and then they will leave Hyrule. He gave me his word."

"The word of a snake means nothing," the hero said.

Ren's temper rose, but he had no sound argument to make, "What do you know? You don't know me, or him, or anything that's been going on. You live in a forest."

The Hero of Time stared at him sternly. Ren did not squirm but held his ground. Then the hero laughed.

"What's so funny?" Ren asked.

"You are young and naïve. You have a lot to learn."

Ren felt his mother's temper erupting in the pit of his core, "You don't know anything about me!"

The hero watched the boy's face turn red, his fists clench, his lips tremble. He stared at him for what felt like a long time, and he noticed everything.

"You clamor for excuses, for acceptance. You are so desperate for approval you will take it from whomever offers it to you, even when it is from one with evil intentions. You bury your shame and refuse to face it. You harbor a guilt so great it smothers you, but instead of owning it and moving on, you are attempting to undo it. It cannot be undone."

Ren stood in painful silence, but to the hero he spoke volumes.

"This power the king has told you about," the hero furrowed his brow in realization, "He told you because you have someone you long to bring back. Someone whose death you are responsible for."

"My mother," Ren sounded weak though he tried so hard to sound strong.

The hero nodded in understanding. He let the silence linger a moment before speaking.

"Her death is your guilt to bear. No device in this land or the next will take that from you. There is no power that can undo what death has claimed for himself."

"Yes there is!" Ren's voice shook, "He said I can bring her back."

The hero shook his head, "It was a lie, a manipulation. Your regret is your vulnerability and he is exploiting that."

"No," Ren spat emphatically.

The green-clad spirit reached to him in empathy, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I understand the pain is suffocating, but you cannot evict it from yourself. You cannot place it on others. It is yours and you must come to terms with it."

Ren looked up at him with watery eyes, and for a moment there was mutual understanding. For a moment there was hope. Then it was gone.

"You still have your father."

Ren pushed his arm away and any tears that fell were long gone, "That man is not my father. I want nothing to do with him."

The hero again returned to a stern stature and a penetrating glare. He was beginning to realize there was no getting through to him.

"I would have thought someone who was burdened by so many of their own mistakes would be understanding of someone else's."

Ren stared at him. Just as it started to make sense and he contemplated it, he shook his head and the thoughts were fleeting.

"You can't change my mind. I'm going to the Twilight, I'm getting her back, and my actions will free Hyrule from Viscen's clutches."

The hero nodded once slowly, and grim surrender was evident on his face.

"You are lucky the portal was not closed. I am not so sure the sword would again oblige you."

Ren shrugged in mock dismissal, "I guess I am."

"You will not find what you are looking for, but I do hope you find much more."

"I will," Ren spat in defiance.

The hero's heart sank. This boy he had thought to be so good and pure, so innocent and with the intent to do right, could so easily be swayed. The simple prospect of feeling his mother's love again was enough to drive him mad. The hero had seen many smart people driven to stupid acts over the ones they loved, Ren was no different.

"Very well. You must learn this lesson yourself. Be careful that you do not doom Hyrule in the process. Your hero will be the one to answer the call."

"I don't have a hero," Ren said flatly.

The hero frowned and turned toward the pedestal. Just before resuming time, he glanced back over his shoulder.

"Even heroes make mistakes. You should be understanding of your father's, for you may soon need him to be understanding of your own."

Ren's mind blanked for only a second, the endless possibilities rushing over him all at once like a tidal wave. Then time resumed and Viscen's voice made him forget his doubts.

"What are we waiting for?" the king asked.

Ren shook his head, "Uh, nothing, sorry. Let's go."

The transversal between worlds was just as nauseating to Ren as it had been the first time. His head spun and momentarily he could only make out the colors of the world changing from vibrant to dull. When he regained his composure, he noticed that Viscen seemed completely unfazed. The king watched the boy get to his feet with a look of annoyance.

"Do you need a moment?"

Ren knew from the tone in his voice that his question did not seriously imply an offer to wait, but verbal confirmation of his impatience.

Ren shook his head, "No, I'm fine."

Viscen headed for the castle with a subtle up-turn of his nose. The boy got on his very last nerve, but he would be friendly a while longer. Ren followed at his heels.

"Halt! Who goes?" the guards demanded as Ren and Viscen approached the castle gates.

"I am an advisor to your queen. She has sent me here on her behalf."

The guards glanced at each other in confusion. Viscen's voice was so steadfast, so confident – Ren was almost convinced he was telling the truth.

"Why would the queen not come on her own?"

Viscen scoffed, "Royalty do nothing on their own. I am sure you can attest to that."

The guards chuckled although a bit nervously.

"Alright, I could believe the queen found herself someone on the light side to do her bidding, but I still need proof. If you know our queen, state her name."

"Queen Midna," Viscen said without a hitch.

The guards looked at each other still unsure. Then Ren stepped forward.

"Don't you remember me? I'm the one that came and got Queen Midna in the first place."

Their faces lit up and one spoke, "Ah, yes! I do recall your strange, light-dweller face. The queen left for the light world with this one," he said the last to his colleague.

The other guard looked concerned, "Is the queen alright? Is she in danger?"

Ren opened his mouth to respond but Viscen cut him off, fearing he may say something that would blow their cover.

"The queen is fine, I assure you. She simply asked that we check in with her advisors to ensure things are running smoothly in her absence."

The guards gave one last look at each other for mutual approval before giving Viscen a stern nod. The men opened the double doors and Viscen and Ren stepped inside. Viscen bowed his thanks as they passed.

Ren followed closely behind Viscen who walked with powerful intent. Ren's heart was beating hard from the adrenaline and the anxiety but still he felt excitement. He went over all the things he wanted to tell his mother, reciting the lines again and again so that he would say them perfectly when he saw her. He followed blindly, completely consumed by the imaginary conversation he was having in his head. He suddenly rammed into Viscen's backside, his thoughts having distracted him from the sudden stop.

Viscen shot a glance over his shoulder but quickly ignored him, returning to the guard Ren had not yet noticed.

"As I was saying... Queen Midna has asked that I retrieve something from her chambers and return it to her in the light world immediately."

The guard looked uncomfortable but stood his ground, "I cannot allow anyone into the queen's chamber who is not accompanied by the queen herself."

Ren gazed around at the dark, lavish door the guard stood before. How had they made it through the castle to Midna's private room? Did Viscen know where he was going? But... how? Ren didn't think he had been here before.

"Impeding me is impeding your queen. She has given me this task explicitly. You would deny your queen's orders?"

The guard shook his head, "I need the queen's permission to allow anyone entry."

Viscen sighed, "She instructed that I do not divulge the secrecy of this task to anyone, but I will share it with you if you grant me access."

The guard was silent before nodding. He thought perhaps if he knew the reason why this stranger needed entry that it may justify bending the rules, if the queen had been in trouble, for example.

Viscen smiled, "Good, let us step out of the way of prying eyes and ears."

The king placed his hand on the guard's back and eased him into the nearest open room, closing the door behind him as they entered. Ren at first heard whispering, then he heard nothing. Viscen emerged from the room a moment later, but the guard did not.

Ren's brow furrowed, "Where's the guard?"

Viscen ignored him and fiddled with his newly found keys.

Ren watched Viscen attempt a few keys before he stared back at the now-closed door. No shadows moved under the door, no sounds came from within. Ren's eyes glazed over as his heart told him the answer yet his mouth still asked the question.

"Did you hurt that man?"

Viscen ignored him, and at last the right key entered the lock and the door gave way.

Ren reluctantly followed him. His heart began to sink into his stomach as his gut feeling told him something was off, but being left alone in this place where he was an intruder was more frightening than sticking with Viscen. Ren closed the door behind him and beheld the massive bedroom they now stood in. Colors of the night sky adorned this cold looking space – it was nothing like the castle in Hyrule. Blacks, purples, and navy blues filled the room, from the stone walls to the massive rugs to the barren bed. It did not have the warmth of the rooms he was familiar with; everything was cold to look at and cold to touch.

Across the dark room, Viscen stood before a locked case. He knew what object occupied it; he could feel the power radiating off of it. He could feel it calling out to him, calling out to its missing piece. He fiddled with the keys until one at last permitted entry. Inside lay what he sought: The Fused Shadow.

It was not whole, as anyone who knew Hyrule's history knew the great demon king Ganondorf crushed part of it before his ultimate duel with the hero. Still, it would be more than enough to transfer an immense deal of power to whomever so much as touched it.

His eyes glazed over in fascination. He reached out his hand and the magic seemed to pull him in. It tugged on him like a whirlpool threatening to drag him under. He withdrew. He knew the stories of people being consumed by coming into contact with the Fused Shadow. He could feel that it would overpower his consciousness. At last Ren's usefulness would present itself.

"Ren, this is what you seek."

Ren approached, eyes fixated on the magical object. He felt its power too. He felt it in heat pouring from it, in poisonous fumes seeking to enter his lungs. He felt its gravitational pull, but before he gave in, fear held him back.

Ren looked up at Viscen, "This is it?"

Viscen nodded, "This will bring back your mother. Touch it. See her again."

Ren's heart pounded and his hands shook. Part of him begged him not to believe Viscen, pleaded for him to see reason. The bigger part of him reminded him how much he missed his mother, how her death was all his fault, how he longed to tell her he loved her and he was sorry.

Viscen saw his hesitation and grew impatient, "Do it! We cannot linger. All you have to do is reach out, think of her, and the Fused Shadow will give her to you."

Ren stared at it. It was stone, cracked, hovering menacingly. His arms did not want to reach to it, his hands did not want to touch it, everything from the force it emanated to the pull almost stronger than him told him to stop, told him this was not right. But then he saw her again. He saw the fire he caused, heard her scream... and more than anything he wanted that pain to go away.

He reached toward it without realizing, but still he fought within himself. Viscen encouraged him.

"Yes... Just touch it... Take it!"

And he did. Silence pierced his ears and all went numb. Then he felt it. His hand burned and heat ignited him from the inside out. He tried to retract his hand but he couldn't, and suddenly he was holding it with both. The Fused Shadow lit up and he could not look away from it. Viscen smiled.

Ren screamed as venom coursed through his veins and drained his blood, stole his spirit, silenced his voice. It permeated his brain and planted roots in his chest. Ren fought it with all he had.

"You lied to me!" Ren yelled.

He felt the overwhelming evil and knew no good could come from such a thing. There was no power to bring back his mother, no power to do anything but sew chaos and wreak havoc.

"You lied about everything!" Ren cried.

"Of course I did, you stupid boy!" Viscen laughed, "You were so eager to see your mother again I could have told you anything and you would have believed it."

Ren grimaced as his arms trembled and he collapsed to his knees. The Fused Shadow shook and quaked and whispered to him. Its power began to take him over but he continued to fight it.

"You will not get what you want!" Ren screamed, "If I don't get my mother you don't get your brother either!"

"I never had a desire to see my wretched excuse for a brother again," Viscen chuckled the most sinister sound Ren had ever heard, "I killed that idiot myself long ago."

Ren's eyes went wide as the charade collapsed around him. Every single word the king had told him had been purposeful. Every story he had told to relate to Ren was fabricated to suit him. Every supposed understanding, every false act of compassion, it was all threads to the tapestry of Viscen's making. He had been played from the very beginning.

Ren's tears surfaced out of pure fury. He felt so much rage and the Fused Shadow only amplified it tenfold. He turned to Viscen and screamed at the top of his lungs.

"I will not do what you want!"

Viscen smirked, "You already have."

Ren's eyes began to change and his veins flared, but he looked to Viscen one last time and muttered through labored breaths.

"The hero will stop you."

Viscen leaned in close, "But will he be able to stop you?"

Ren could speak no more. He yelled one final cry of agony and defeat, and it took him. He was silent, his head hung low, and the Fused Shadow tumbled from his hands. Viscen watched in eager excitement.

Ren stood with slow confidence. He looked down at his unfamiliar hands, burns scathed his red palms and the pall over his being turned his skin pale as death. He turned to Viscen with eyes yellow as the sun and he spoke with a voice that was not his own.

"What is the plan?"

"Give me half of the Fused Shadow's power. You may keep your half long enough to kill the hero. Then I will take it for myself and end your miserable existence."

Ren did not react, not even so much as a blink or a flinch. Beyond understanding, he did as he was told. Viscen commanded him, though only he knew how that was possible, and it was a secret he planned to keep a while longer. Ren approached the king and outstretched his hands. They closed their eyes, and in cold swirls of darkness he performed the exchange.

Viscen stood in sweet victory, a grin across his face as he reveled in what he had accomplished. He held his arms out wide and drunk in the feeling of the power he had so long desired. He felt it course through him like a drug and it itched for release. He opened his eyes and with a laugh most heinous he procured fire between his hands. His eyes lit up with delight and his thin lips curled into villainous joy. With an outcry of amusement he set fire to Midna's chambers. He watched as his surroundings burned before giving a sigh of pleasure and turning to Ren with a smile.

"Why don't we show our thanks to the Twili on our way out?"

Ren smirked with a devilish delight that would have made the boy from Ordon squirm, but he was long gone. Only the Fused Shadow remained.


Present Day

Midna had been frail without her powers but adjusted to a new normal as time went on. She knew the moment her powers left her body that it was Viscen's doing. She did not know how he managed to find the portal to her world, but she could feel his sinister power growing as hers faded. The king had made it clear that reaching the Twilight was his ultimate goal, and, somehow, he had succeeded. She knew Emeline claimed she would tell her father the location of the portal, but she did not expect she really would, let alone so soon. Midna had told Link that she anticipated Viscen's return and that she worried most for Zelda. So they had made haste for Kakariko.

Upon arrival all was as it should have been. Their friends were scattered about town, seeing to their own personal matters at the time Link and Midna arrived, but Renado assured them everyone was alright and nothing was amiss. The duo took the day to rest and relax, and when the next day came, the others gathered at the inn upon news of the hero's return.

Link and Midna descended the stairs to the scrutiny of their friends seated around the table. Link knew they expected an update, but their curiosity surfaced before his explanation could.

"How goes the hunt, dear boy?" Shad inquired.

"Anyone willing to help us yet?" Ashei asked.

"The Zora and the yeti are with us," Link answered, leaning against the stair rail and folding his arms over his chest.

"Yeti?" Talo asked, "Those are real?"

"Oh, quite!" Shad exclaimed, "Rumors around the castle library say there is a whole fleet of them who live up in the mountains!"

"I've never seen a fleet of yetis," Ashei mumbled.

"No fleet," Link replied, "Just the one. Yeto."

Shad furrowed his brow and muttered to himself, "Hmph, I could have sworn..."

"Well, that is wonderful news, Link," Renado said with a smile, "Our troubles seem lighter knowing we have allies."

"Indeed," Shad pushed his glasses up his nose, "Viscen gave us one month and it is nearly half up. Will we have time to rally more people?"

Link paused and he and Midna shared a glance. Zelda stood and approached the hero.

"Something troubles you greatly. It is why you have come back prematurely."

She then turned to Midna. Her color was off and her hands trembled. Zelda felt her weakness.

"What has happened?" the queen asked.

Link parted his lips to respond, but Luda's voice from the window stopped him short.

"I see Rusl and Colin approaching!" she paused, "And someone is with them."

Link pushed past them for the door. He burst outside and stood on the landing, watching with narrowed eyes as they came nearer.

"Link!" Rusl called, "Something has happened."

"Where is Ren?" Link demanded.

"He has sided with my father," the cloaked rider said. Delicate hands pulled her steed to a stop and she lowered her hood, "He is beyond our help now."

Link's heart skipped a beat as the last encounter he had with his son flashed in his mind's eye. He hadn't noticed Midna grab his arm fearfully from beside him.

"That can't be," Link finally uttered.

"Are you sure of this?" Zelda asked.

"Yes," Emeline said as she dismounted and approached, her plain, nondescript dress trailing the dirt, "They are coming. We must get indoors."

As she went to enter, Link stood in front of her, "You must be wrong."

The princess frowned, "I am afraid I am not."

"That can't be true," Link shook his head, "It can't be!"

The others were silent.

"He's a... a good kid. He's smart. H-He wouldn't..."

Emeline spoke flatly, "He is those things, but he is also desperate. Humanity is predisposed to foolishness when they are desperate. No one was there for him when his need was great. He believed the first person to show him compassion."

Link shook his head, "He wouldn't... He knew all the things Viscen has done. He knew what we were trying to do. He wouldn't..."

"He's the reason my powers are gone," Midna finally spoke as the realization hit her, "He led Viscen right to it... didn't he?"

She stared at Emeline though Emeline did not stare back. She seemed to struggle admitting the answer.

At last, the princess nodded, "Yes... Ren led my father to the Twilight Realm."

"What? What does that mean!"

"Are we doomed?"

"Is there any hope?"

"What do we do!"

The others voiced their worry and clamored for answers from inside. Link's heart sank in despair, Midna's fists clenched in fury, Zelda prayed, and Emeline closed her eyes and observed the rainbow of emotions. But something else stole her attention.

"They are here."

Link straightened up and Rusl and Colin rushed Zelda and Emeline inside. Link drew his blade as soon as he saw Viscen's face round the corner of the desert village. He thought Midna might stop him, tell him not to be rash, but in the blink of an eye she stood before him and screamed at the king.

"How dare you scathe the Twilight with your vile presence! How dare you touch what does not belong to you!" her face grew hot and her advance did not slow, "The Fused Shadow belongs to me, belongs to my people. You will not defile my kingdom any longer."

Viscen made no expression save the upturn of his long nose. He motioned over his shoulder to Ren who sat behind him in the saddle. Ren dismounted and withdrew his sword.

"You will speak to your king with respect," a shadow spoke through Ren – Link heard no familiarity in his voice.

Midna spat at the king's feet, "He is not my king, and you do not command me, Ren. What have you done!" she yelled in his face, "Come to your senses!"

With a flick of his wrist, Viscen knocked Midna off her feet.

"End her," the king said with a dismissive wave, "We have no use for her."

Ren's face was blank. There was no recognition in his yellow eyes; there was nothing but blind hate. Ren raised his sword but Link was instantly there to meet it.

"Ren, don't do this," Link begged, pushing the Master Sword against Ren's weak blade.

Ren's brow tensed in determination to overpower him, but Link saw nothing of his son behind his expression. Ren pressed hard against Link, and when Link felt the boy's power nearly overcome him, he forced their blades in a circle to lower his guard.

"Snap out of it!" Link yelled as Ren tumbled back.

"Don't tell me what to do!" the shadow of Ren screamed, his voice so low and grated it sent chills down Link's spine.

Link helped Midna to her feet and told her to go inside, but she refused.

Ren paced back and forth and clutched the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white. He dug crescent moons into his palm and pure hatred flowed through him so freely. He had no identity, no desire, no purpose other than what was commanded of him. The Fused Shadow developed him wholly.

"You have to defeat him," Midna whispered.

"I can't hurt him," Link said.

"Remember the others you had to fight during the twilight who were consumed just like this? That Goron leader by the Fused Shadow, Yeta by the mirror piece... anyone who comes in contact with my people's magic is overcome by evil. I don't know how, but Viscen somehow has complete control over him. Ren will not come to his senses unless you defeat him."

Link shook his head, "I can't. I will find another way."

"There is no other way, Link!" Midna yelled, "Now's not the time to be hard-headed!"

"Quit your senseless squabbling!" Viscen shouted, "I have returned for what was promised me and I will leave with it."

"You agreed to one month's time," Link said.

"And now I am changing my mind as that timeline no longer suits me."

"And yours doesn't suit me."

Viscen scowled, "Ren! Put an end to them now!"

In a flash Ren charged at them with his sword overhead. Link brought the Master Sword to meet him. Midna backed away as Ren flailed and swiped at his father wildly, but Link blocked and parried each strike. Power or not, Ren did not have the muscle knowledge of sword fighting, let alone any fighting. The strength was there, but the know-how was not. After several more swings, Ren began to tire. Link caught an opening and shoved Ren to the ground. He held his blade to Ren's neck but would go not an inch further.

"Stop this," Link pleaded, but Ren's eyes were still blank.

In his empty hand, Ren conjured a ball of purple magic and hurled it at Link. It hit his sword arm and burned, and he recoiled. Ren formed another as he got to his feet, but Link raised his shield and blocked it. Viscen watched from his seated position atop his horse, satisfaction plain across his strong face. From the inn, however, Colin could idly watch no longer.

"Ren!" Colin yelled as he stepped out onto the deck, fists at his sides and determination in his voice.

Ren halted immediately, and Link watched as he went from angry to confused to pained. Link could see him clearly fighting a war within himself as Colin spoke.

"When we left home, I promised I would protect you! Dad said, 'he's young, his life is in your hands,' but it didn't matter what that meant because I knew, no matter what, I would protect you with my life," tears built at his lashes but he forced them to stay there, "Please come to your senses. Please, Ren."

Ren's eyes flickered momentary familiarity. His heart tried to conjure images and feelings the rest of him struggled to understand. His spirit was clawing for an unreachable surface, desperate to break an unbreakable ceiling. His clouded brain recognized nothing but blind hatred, but his heart faintly remembered the person who had been so dear to him all his life.

"Uncle?" his voice was small and shaky.

Colin smiled and began to make his way over to him, but Viscen's rage manifested into a force that knocked Ren off his feet and he hit the ground hard. The wind flew from the boy's lungs and time froze in his mind. He heard a small voice from the corner of the darkest reaches of his heart, and as he struggled for breath he tried to focus on it. He heard a pleading, a begging, a cry to summon his strength. It was muffled, underwater, quiet, drowned out. As it began to get clearer, it was gone. The twilight power was stronger than him, and it blacked out his sense of self.

He got up slowly and looked at Colin. That momentary familiarity was gone. Colin sighed in heartbroken defeat.

"Show them you do not care who they are," Viscen sneered.

Ren said nothing. He conjured magic between the palms of his hands and was so quick to thrust it toward them they had hardly a moment to react. Link stepped in front of Colin and blocked the blow with his shield. Colin covered his face with his arms and hunkered low behind Link for protection. Ren screamed in exhausted frustration as he threw another bolt and another and another. He pelted them as rapidly as he could procure them. Link dug his heels into the dirt and was not swayed. The heat from the blows on his shield brought sweat down the hero's temple, but he was strong in his stance and firm in his decision not to hurt his son. Ren fruitlessly continued long enough for Viscen to grow impatient again.

"Enough of this!" the king yelled. He thrust his hands to the sky and black clouds swirled overhead. Link's chest felt heavy and his mind produced traumatic flashbacks as the bright blue sky began to resemble the twilight from ages ago. A portal appeared overhead, and from it crawled a twilit monster unlike any he had seen before.

"Get inside," Link demanded over his shoulder.

Colin followed his orders, Midna did not.

He looked at her sternly, but she met him equally.

"I'm staying."

And he knew there was no arguing it.

Viscen motioned for Ren to hop on the steed behind him and he did as he was told. Ren was sluggish and worn down, and Link could tell Viscen pulled him out only to groom him for a better altercation later. Viscen was not evil for the sole intent of reaching his end goal, rather, he was evil for reveling in the process of getting there. He loved the game of it, getting to watch his victims squirm. Link knew Viscen's plan was to use Ren against him; he wanted the hero's death to be slow and enjoyable to watch. The king had waited his lifetime for this – Ren clearly was not yet strong enough to fight his father, but he now had the time and the upper hand to get him there.

Viscen turned his mount away from the scene and called back, "Be sure to stop that monster from killing my people, won't you? We will be back for my queen and prisoner, and I prefer you both alive."

Link watched them go with a snarled lip and his heart in his stomach, but the beast did not permit him time to think. It slid from the portal in the sky like thick vines from a tree, clinging to the blackness and gazing down at its prey. Its long limbs were numerous and strong like tentacles, and it had no body of notice, only a great, gaping mouth with teeth like stalactites. Its appendages curled, uncurled, squirmed and wriggled from its seat in the sky, and suddenly it seemed to lock onto its target. Bright red ignited its veins like the twilit beasts from the past, and in a flash it hopped down before the hero.

Link's hair blew back upon impact, and he brought his shield up to guard his face as the beast roared its battle cry. He spun the Master Sword once and then held it tight. In that moment, fear gripped him. It seemed that everyday everything was flipped on its head and he couldn't keep up. He didn't know if Ren's actions were fixable. He didn't know if he had it in him anymore to be the hero everyone constantly needed. He thought all that was done when he was younger, yet somehow he kept being called upon. He was too old, he told himself, too tired, too weak. He fought beasts ten times his size and vanquished dark lords in a completely different life – he was not that person anymore. Or so he told himself.

The monster before them wailed and readied to lunge, but Midna felt Link's uneasiness. She grabbed his wrist firmly and whispered into his ear.

"It's just like old times."

He smirked. He didn't look back, but he felt Midna with him.

With his sword in hand and his companion close by, he sprung into battle.

As he had always done before, as he would continue to do forever.


The beast within is the hardest to defeat.


A big thank you to the following for helping me get this chapter out there!

Big Jake, Jacob Peachey, Lee Glerum, Moonfairy, Anonymouse, Ivalee, Lotus Eater, Owen Reilly, Ethan Carney Fesler, Yami No Nokutan, Brandan Saldaña, Chloe Rose, Emily Zuber, Gabby-J, Jessie, Mandelbrot, Rob Walters, Sabine, Silvia Delgado, wingdesire, Mel

You guys are amazing!