Chapter 6
"... ease, I need to know you're alright, wake up." Twi's eyes opened slowly and he saw Time standing in front of him, his hands were cupped on his cheeks. "Oh, thank gods." Time brushed Twi's bangs off his face. "I'm going to get you out of here, I promise."
"No, I don't think you will." Twi shivered at the sudden voice. Time turned around. "How can you when you'll be chained up as well?" Time unconsciously growled and drew his weapon.
"What did you do to him?" His voice was very threatening.
"Oh nothing much. He has just been put into place." Time looked around to look into Twi's eyes and barely saw any light, mostly just dullness. "I still have a ways to go before I break him. He's very feisty still. I think I'll chain you up as well so you don't interfere." Ghirahim snapped his fingers and chains appeared around Time's wrists tightly, wrapping around so tight that he dropped his sword. He tried to pull the chains off, but wasn't able. He was then lifted up into the air and thrown against the wall roughly. He yelped in pain when he collided with the wall and fell to the ground. Ghirahim made him lift up and go against the wall. More chains tied him to the grated wall.
Twi started struggling against his chains.
"Stop this! Leave him alone!" He shouted. Ghirahim looked over at Twi.
"Well, well, you're still far from broken, hmm?" He walked over and grabbed Twi's chin. Fear started growing back into his eyes again. "Well, I'd like to punish you for talking out of turn but I need to check on the Sky child and make sure he's not nearby. For my plan to work, he can't take you away yet." Ghirahim then disappeared. Twi lowered his head and began crying.
"Link, are you alright?" It really tore at Time's heart to see Twi cry.
"I don't know..." Twi's voice was really quiet, but Time could still hear him. Time looked at him sadly.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to protective you."
"You shouldn't even be here..." Twi looked up. "You're sick, you shouldn't be here. Why did you come after me?"
"Because, you're my son." Twi was taken aback, so much so that the tears stopped flowing. "At the very least, you're descendant of me, but in my eyes, you're my child." Twi looked back down. "I care for you as such and I want to make sure you are safe. That's why I came here. Please, talk to me. I'll listen, I promise."
"I don't know what to talk about..."
"Well, let's get to know each other. What are things you like?" Twi looked up again.
"Well, I am a bit of a strange teenager. I like doing work and hands on things, like building or working as a ranch hand. I really enjoy it, except cleaning up goat droppings. That's never fun..." Time chuckled.
"I know the feeling. I've had to clean up after cows and horses. I'm a ranch hand as well."
"Really? It didn't say that in the book."
"I guess not everything made it into the story. Now, Midna had mentioned you were a ranch hand, but she said she wasn't sure. She said you were scared or confused. Why would that be?" Twi's ear twitched and he looked down.
"Well, you already know I'm a wolf, right?"
"An idiot would have figured it out given what I'd seen. The wolf suddenly disappeared and then you come out of nowhere."
"I figured you knew. Do you... think anything different of me now...?"
"No, of course not. You're still the same boy I met in the woods. I just know more information than before."
"Do you think the people in the village I grew up in will see it the same way..." Time's ear twitched as he heard Twi's voice crack from holding back tears that were trying to break free once again.
"What happened?"
"I was on my way back home from the ranch to get breakfast... There is a boy in my village named Colin. As I was walking, I saw him being attacked by what we call bokoblins. I knew I didn't have the ability to run to his side on my own two legs, so I used that stone to transform into a wolf. I ran to his side and took down the bokoblin. I checked him over and found he had a small gash on his head and he was unconscious, but he was ok otherwise... And then..."
"Take your time, child. Just relax." Twi slightly nodded.
"Rusl... He's Colin's father... All he saw probably was his son lying on the ground and a beast hovering over him... He stabbed me in the shoulder and the necklace fell off... He saw me change back... but it wasn't just him... I could see other villagers out and about as well... I knew they saw too... I grabbed the necklace and ran... Rusl called after me... but I didn't turn back... next thing I knew, I woke up to seeing you by my side..."
"So, this just happened..." Twi slightly nodded. "Link, I'm so sorry..."
"It's all alright... It was going to happen eventually, I just... I remember people would scream when they'd see me... I... don't... I don't want people to be afraid of me... I'm not a monster... but it sometimes feel like it... you know...?" Twi started tearing up. "I'm a killer..."
"What makes you say that?"
"I killed Ganon... I stabbed the master sword right through his stomach... I'm a murderer... I'm a monster..."
"No you're not! Stop saying that! You're a boy, a strong, courageous boy who served his land and protected it from Ganon. You're not a monster." Twi fell silent and looked down. Ghirahim appeared back inside the room.
"The Sky Child is nearly here. I need to keep my plan going." He walked over to Twi first and put a hand on his head. Twi just stayed still and didn't move.
"What are you doing to him?" Time asked.
"You'll see later." The chains disappeared around Twi as he fell limp. Time clenched his fists and scowled. He set Twi down onto the ground and walked over to Time. "I won't do to you what I did to him because I don't find it necessary. However," He grabbed Time's chin and made him look up. "Given the fact that you are both father and son, there is something I must see. He has pure light, which is something hereditary, so it's possible you do as well." He put a hand on Time's head and turned it to reveal his neck. He got really close to Time's ear and whispered, "Only a simple taste, I swear." Ghirahim licked his lips and bit down on Time's neck. Time's eyes widened and he clenched his fists tightly, his mouth open wide to scream, but no sound came out. Tears started streaming down his cheeks.
"Ghirahim!" Ghirahim pulled away from Time's neck and turned around.
"Oh, you got here sooner than I expected." Ghirahim made the chains on Time disappear and grabbed him, pulling him forward and then pulled him against him. He wrapped his arms tightly around Time's chest. "You know, you should really keep an eye on your children. The boy is sick yet he still came here in pursuit of his little boy." He lowered his head close to Time's face. "He's quite a delicious young boy also. Not exactly pure light like his son, but still has a lot of light I'd like to devour. This one, I can have, because he's not rare like the other one." He licked Time's cheek. Time's eyes closed tight. Ghirahim grinned at Sky's reaction, he looked to be in pure rage.
"Let him go, right now..." A wind started to blow around the room, which caused Ghirahim to grin more. He lowered one hand down slowly down Time's chest and down his stomach, slowly and lightly to make Time shiver. The winds around were starting to pick up.
"You may want to calm down, Sky Child, you're demoning." Sky's eyes widened and the wind stopped. Ghirahim hit Time hard on the head and he fell down unconscious. Ghirahim stepped over to him and grabbed Sky's chin. "There's a demon inside you, manifesting and gaining strength that it draws from you. As a result, when you feel a lot of negative emotion, things start to happen due to the demon's power taking over you. Rage seems to cause wind. Ever since the start of your journey, there's been a part of the demon king within you." He grabbed Sky by the neck tightly and lifted him up. He dropped his sword and latched onto Ghirahim's arm, trying to pry him off. "As much as I'd love to take it now, He is not ready. He doesn't have the strength necessary as of yet to survive. I need to stall for time and make sure the youngest boy learns to distrust you so he won't come to your aid. I'd rather not have to kill him. He is for my master."
"Y-You won't... I won't let you..." Sky struggled to say. Ghirahim let him go and he dropped to the floor gasping for air.
"That is where you're wrong, Sky child, and if you say anything to the child about me and my plan, I won't hesitate to slaughter everyone in your little floating rock in the sky." Sky looked up, eyes wide. "I'll leave now. Take your little ones and flee for now, but I will return for them, and you." Ghirahim snapped his fingers and disappeared. Sky shook his head to shake him out of his shock. He crawled over to Twi and checked him over. He noticed the second wound on his shoulder, which was longer and deeper than the other.
"Twi, wake up. Please..." He shook him a few times, which made him wake up. He looked around tiredly. "Are you alright?" He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked around again and gasped when he saw Time on the ground unconscious. He crawled over to him and tried to wake him up. Sky was a bit relieved knowing that Twi was at least well enough to move.
"Father...? Wake up... please wake up..." Time slowly opened his eyes and looked up. He quickly sat up and looked Twi over and then pulled him into a hug.
"Thank gods you're alright." Twi hugged him back.
"We should get back home guys." Sky said. Time let go of Twi and they both stood up. Sky stood up and he walked over to them both and grabbed Time's ear, pulling on it roughly. "Time, do you have any idea how much trouble you're in? When we get back to the academy, you're grounded for a week."
"Are you really able to ground us?" Twi asked. Sky let go of Time's ear. Time began rubbing his ear.
"You're both under my care and I'm much older than both of you. So, yes. I can ground you guys." Sky sighed. "Let's go ahead and find Midna and get out of here."
"Wait, Midna's here?"
"Yes. She wanted to come with me to save you. Now we just have to find her." They started to walk out and look around for Midna inside the giant, sandy, gloomy area. Time started to get a little wobbly so Sky started carrying him on his back. It took some convincing though.
"There you guys are!" She ran over to them. "I was so worried."
"We're glad you're ok as well." Sky said as Midna ran over. She hugged Twi tightly.
"Are you guys hurt at all?"
"Well, Time's still rather sick, so that's why I'm carrying him and Twi has another shoulder injury. Meanwhile I'm alright, just a little freaked out, but I'll explain later." Sky explained somewhat.
"That's great to hear." Midna pulled away from Twi and then kiss him on his lips. His eyes went wide and he started blushing. She pulled away after a few moments and looked him in his eyes. "I knew you'd react that way." She put a hand on his cheek and rubbed his cheek with her thumb. "I know this is sudden, but I don't want something to happen again and I don't get the chance to say this. I love you Link. I love you so much. More than anything. Would you consider being mine?" Twi was caught by surprise.
"S-sure, I mean, yea, yes. I... I love you too. I have for so long." Midna smiled and hugged him tightly again. He hugged her back as tightly as he could, which wasn't much at the moment.
"Aw, that's so cute!" Sky said. Midna pulled away from Twi.
"We should probably get going." Midna said.
"That'd probably be a good idea. I know the way out. Follow me." Sky led the way out of the building. Time fell asleep on Sky's back along the way. They eventually made it to the dock where the crimson Loftwing waited. "There's only one problem. I have enough room for only a few people. Anymore would be too cumbersome for my bird. Someone has to stay behind until I can come back."
"Then, I will." Twi offered.
"What? No! You could get captured again. You're the main reason we came here." Midna said.
"Father needs more help. He needs medicine and rest. I just need my shoulder wound dealt with. I'll be fine, Midna."
"Then, I'm staying with you."
"I highly doubt Link can hold onto Father while he flies, father doesn't have much strength so he wouldn't be able to hold on himself, plus he's not even awake. I'll be fine, I promise." Midna sighed and summoned a sword in her hand.
"Then at the very least, take this." She held it out to him. "It'll at least protect you." Twi smiled.
"Thanks Midna." Midna kissed his cheek.
"Just stay safe, puppy, ok?" Twi smiled and nodded. Sky got Time onto the bird, got on, and then helped Midna up.
"Stay safe, munchkin. We'll be back soon." Sky said. Twi nodded. Phoenix took off into the air. Twi sat on the edge of the dock and set the sword Midna gave him on the ground next to him. He stuck his feet in the sand and relaxed. He just stared up at the clouds thinking about random things that came to mind. That was how he prevented himself from getting bored.
"I wonder how I even ended up here. Or how my shoulder got injured again. It's rather weird. I don't think Father did that. He wouldn't do anything to hurt me, would he? No, of course not. A true father would never hurt their child. I probably should call him grandfather or great grandfather, but I feel our bond will be closer than just that. There is something rather familiar about him. Maybe he is the Gold Wolf. I wonder what the Gold Wolf is up to right now. I hope he's not worried. And Rusl... I don't even want to know what he's doing. Probably hunting me down... Maybe I can convince Midna to let me return with her once we can go back to our own time. The gold wolf may not be too happy with- wait, what was that?"
Twi stood up quickly, grabbing the sword in hand and turned around to find the source of the noise he just hurt, but due to his clumsiness, he fell back into the sand and started to struggle to get out. He tossed the sword onto the deck and tried to latch onto it but he couldn't reach and he was sinking too fast. He cringed as sand touched the wounds on his shoulder and struggled even more to get up. He shut his mouth tight to prevent sand from getting inside, but sand did start going up his nose. His head eventually went completely under and he was surrounded by darkness.
"I'm gonna die... I finally have a girlfriend and now I'm gonna die on her... She's going to kill me..." A hand grabbed his that was still above the surface and pulled him up out of the sand. Twi started gasping for air the moment his head was above the sand. The helper pulled him completely out and onto the deck so that he could catch his breath.
"Are you alright, child?" A voice said.
"Yes... thank you..." Twi sat up and looked at the person who saved him.
"That's good. I saw you fall in and I rushed to save you. I thought I'd be too late, but here you are, safe and sound."
"Thank you so much..." Twi said shyly, he was rather shy when meeting new people.
"Don't mention it. My name's Ghirahim by the way."
"It's nice to meet you." Twi cringed when he felt his shoulder stinging. He held his shoulder and closed his eyes tight.
"What's wrong?"
"My shoulder... sand must have..." He cringed more.
"Here. I know just the place to take care of that." Ghirahim lifted him up, teleporting away in diamonds to a location surrounded by water. Twi's eyes widened.
"You can teleport?"
"Yes. It's one of many of my specialties. Let's get you washed off. You probably should undress to your undergarments."
"O-Okay..." Twi wasn't that comfortable with being nearly naked in front of anyone, even more uncomfortable around strangers. Twi undid the ribbon around his waist and let the cloth fall. He pulled his shirt off and pulled his pants down, leaving himself in only underwear. A bucket appeared in Ghirahim's hand and he scooped some water in it and splashed it on Twi while his back was turned. "Gah! Gees, that was cold..."
"Hahaha. That was funny. Here, sit down and I'll wash the sand off of you." Twi nodded and sat down. Ghirahim poured more water on top of him. "So, what's your name, kid?"
"Please don't call me a kid. My name is Twi."
"What's so bad with calling you a kid?"
"Where I'm from, a kid is a baby goat. When I was little, I would play with baby goats and one baa'd at me so a baa'd back. Ever since then, many people have teased me and called me a kid and a baby goat." Ghirahim chuckled. He poured more water on top of Twi's head.
"Sounds like they liked to mess with you."
"They did. They were all crazy, but they were all like family to me."
"That's always nice." Twi smiled with child-like innocence which made Ghirahim grin evilly, though Twi couldn't see it due to his eyes being closed as he smiled. "Such an innocent soul. Untouched by darkness. So, so, tempting." He poured more water on Twi. Twi shook his head much like a dog would to get the water off.
"How long do you think this will take? I need to be back at that place soon."
"It shouldn't be too much longer. We should probably clean off your clothes too." He splashed more water on Twi's head.
"Yea, probably."
"Why do you need to be back at that place?" He splashed even more water on Twi's back.
"My friends are going to come back for me. They had to get my father back home because he's sick. Link's Loftwing couldn't carry us all, so I stayed behind."
"Wait, did you say Link?"
"Yea, why?"
"He is my enemy." Twi's ears perked back and he looked up at Ghirahim.
"Why's that? I thought-"
"He's a murderer!" Twi's eyes widened and he stood up.
"There's no way! He can't be! He... He's..."
"I had a master. He was a great and powerful one, all he wanted to do was rule his land. However, that horrible Sky Child decided to destroy him... Now, I wander around, aimlessly, master-less... all because that horrid child killed my master for no reason at all..."
"That doesn't make any sense..."
"Tell me, how long have you known Link?"
"Only a day I think. He can't be a murderer though, because... he... he just doesn't seem like he's able to even kill. He's just too sweet and bubbly and carefree."
"You've only known him for a day. There's no way you could have learned all that about him."
"Well, how can I trust you? I've only known you for a couple of minutes."
"I know it may be difficult to trust me, but I am being honest with you. He killed my master. Who would lie about that? If my master was alive, I would be by his side, doing his bidding and you would be dying under the sand." Twi fell silent and looked down. "I am telling you this for your own good. You seem like a very sweet boy. I'd rather not see another sweet one die by his hand."
"This makes no sense... It can't be..."
"If you don't believe me, then that's on you." Twi looked up at him. "I will be here when you discover the truth. I won't say I told you so either. I promise." He nodded slightly and looked back down. Ghirahim slowly dumped water on Twi's shoulder wounds to get rid of the sand. "That should do it. Here." Ghirahim handed him a towel that seemed to come out of nowhere. "Dry off while I clean up your clothes." Twi slightly nodded and put the towel on his head to dry his hair.
"So, what were you doing in that sand place anyway?" Twi asked.
"I like to explore around the various places of what is known to most as the Surface. Though, I've always known it as the land of Hylia. It's a good thing I went to explore there when I did. Fate has a weird way of pulling two lives together."
"You can say that again. If not for certain things that's happened to me, I wouldn't have my girlfriend."
"You have a girlfriend?"
"Yes. Though, we just started our relationship. I've loved her for awhile. My heart shattered when she and I were separated, but now we're side by side again and it makes me so happy."
"Aw, young love. That's so adorable." Twi smiled brightly again. "Even after receiving traumatizing news, he becomes happy again. Truly remarkable. So much purity. So tempting..."