Chapter 5

"Raven! I hope you have a safe trip and I wish you the best of luck in the competitions! It's a shame that we don't have enough boat fare to come with you…," Ingo said. Rave stood at the docks, luggage and all, preparing to disembark on the long sail to the Forest Haven where the Mystical Deku Nut Festival was being held. His father, sister, and friends were with him as well to see him off. They all expressed a great deal of enthusiasm as well as anxiousness for his trip. There was also a hidden disappointment that he was leaving again so soon after just being reunited with his loved ones. The Royal Guard grinned broadly and patted his sister's head full of copper colored hair.

"I'm sorry too. I'll be so lonely. I've forgotten what it feels like to be surrounded by the ones that love you…," he said. Ropley smiled shyly and held her brother's hand.

"Have enough fun for all of us Raven. And come back unharmed… I think you're really brave for going like this. Even if you don't win the Nut, I'll still see you as a hero." Her brother smiled softly.

"Thanks Ropley. At least someone doesn't hate me for this…"

"Oh don't worry about Malon, Raven. She's as stubborn as a mule as the saying the goes. She'll come around eventually. She has to," Talon reassured, placing a massive and hairy hand on the young man's broad shoulder. He smiled but even so Raven didn't feel guaranteed from Talon's statement. Malon's lack of presence at his departure proved that at least for the time being she was still bitter about the way Raven cruelly deprived her of a chance of a lifetime and she wasn't soon to forgive him. And at her absence, he was inclined to doubt that she would ever forgive him if she could help it.

"Thanks."

"All aboard! We're settin' sail!" A burly sailor called over the ship's starwort side. Raven gave his sister and father one final hug, gathered his belongings and boarded the ship. He continued to wave farewell even as the ship had left the land of Hyrule as a small speck on the horizon.

Locke stood patiently outside on the balcony, letting the brisk night air blow through his mess of hair. He heaved in a great breath and slowly exhaled. He could afford a sigh of relief now that Hyrule's representative was on his way to the contests. With the Deku Nut closer in hand, Hyrule's future didn't seem as bleak as before. He rested his chin on his hand and leaned over the railing so he could get a better view of the kingdom that he'd be ruling soon. A part of him seemed hesitant to accept such a great responsibility while the other part seemed to wreathe in excited anticipation because it had long been a goal that he had wanted to see through. Of course, he had only wanted to claim the bountiful Hyrule on account of his master, Ganon. This part of himself that seemed ecstatic to finally have Hyrule must have been the final remnants of the person he had been then, a slave to the impeccable darkness.

Locke's body tensed when he heard his fiancé's gentle footsteps against the cobble stone as she came to join him. His thoughts had put him on edge so much so that he was startled by Zelda's loving touch to the point that he was inclined to jump away from her. She seemed hurt and took a step back. The princess cast her blue eyes downward from shame and asked, "Do you not love me anymore?" It was a simply idiotic question. There was no reason for Hyrule's future queen to doubt Locke's love for her. He'd give his life for her if he had to. He'd risk his entire existence for her if had to. Simply stated, there was nothing he wouldn't do for her and with such a strong resolve why would she need to question his affection for her?

The dark haired prince reached out to comfort his lover. Zelda didn't raise her eyes to look at him. His hand stopped inches from her face as Locke stopped to think more about the present situation. What would give her cause for doubt? Did she not trust him? He trusted her. He trusted her even though every time he saw her unguarded, he saw the sadness of her unrequited love still haunt her. The deep sorrow was present in her angelic face, her bright blue eyes… It was present in her entire existence… this unrequited love. If this sorrow was still present, it meant Locke had not yet filled the emptiness in her soul where Link had left his mark. Yet Locke trusted her. He trusted that her love for him was just as powerful as his love for her.

But she doubted. She doubted him even though he wasn't unfaithful and loved her with his entire being. She doubted…

Was she wrong to doubt? His jealousy of Link and Zelda's affection was just as great as his love. His lust for power was just as great as both of them put together.

Why was he fighting against himself for a love damned by even the creators? Zelda was still smitten with Link. She didn't trust Locke's love. Why should she? He didn't love her. He loved who she was, the princess of Hyrule. He loved her power.

His hand, which had been suspended in air as his mind waged war with what he'd do, was now wrapped tightly around Zelda's neck. She gasped for air to fill her lungs with. Locke grinned maliciously and tightened his grip. He'd end it. This was the pivotal moment. Zelda began to claw at his hand, but was unsuccessful. What? Where was her beloved hero to save her? Her eyes began to roll to the back of her head and her once rosy skin now turned a sickly bluish color as the last of her oxygen depleted. With the last of her strength she said, "I… love… you… L… L… Locke…" Her eyes shut tight. His grip loosened. She fell. He caught her limp form within his arms. Staring at her in disbelief, he stroked her cheek robotically. She didn't doubt him. She loved him. She loved him.

"Zelda…?" The sound of his voice wasn't enough to return the life of his beloved. It wasn't enough to turn the hands of time and undo the greatest mistake of his life.

"Zelda!!"

Waking up with a sudden jolt, Locke breathed short breaths. Sweat stained his brow. Slowly, he soaked in his bearings and realized that his murdering Zelda was nothing more than an awful nightmare. Hesitantly, he looked at his hand. It trembled as the storm of emotions within him raged violently.

"Hm…" His chocolate eyes drifted over to the laying form of his future wife. A soft smile filled her pink lips as she dreamed. A slight feeling of tranquility swept through Locke and the raging storm ceased. The successor to Hyrule's throne lowered his face to Zelda's cheek and he kissed her chastely there.

"I love you Zelda…," he whispered. The sleeping girl's smile widened with delight. A chill crawled down Locke's spine and he looked to see the balcony's drapes blowing eerily in the moonlight. A tall form was silhouetted against the opaque, white drapery. The hairs on Locke's neck stood on end. Looking to his sleeping fiancé once more, he pulled back the heavy comforter and traveled out into the nighttime.

"It's been a while… hasn't it… Shadow?" The voice was as thick as dark syrup that leaked through the bliss of the night. Locke glared coldly at the person before him.

"Agahnim…," he spat darkly. The desert dweller laughed a throaty, hoarse laugh, tossing his head back as he let each disgusting chuckle erupt from his gut. After he relaxed from his hysteria he looked Locke in the eye pointedly and spoke, "My, how you've changed Shadow."

"That isn't my name. I heard you had broken out from prison. I never expected you to come here…," Locke said. Agahnim grinned behind the cloth covering his face.

"Of course I'd come pay my old comrade a visit Sha… Locke. I doubt I will be the only one coming to see you."

"What do you mean?" Agahnim's grin evolved into a full smile as he answered, "You know that the seal on the Dark Realm is weakening. With the gate between worlds opened, we who were damned to exile are free to traverse the road as we please. And with this new freedom, we have advised a way to get revenge on the people of Hyrule. Locke, you were Ganon's closest minion. He has the chance to escape now and once again take what is rightfully his-''

"Hyrule belongs to Zelda and all her people. There's no place for you or your kind. As for Ganon, I'll dispose of him myself before I let him sit on the throne." Agahnim's sick smile faded and an angry frown took its place.

"Me and my kind? Have you lost your mind?"

"No. Now leave here and never bother to come back or I assure you that the next time we meet, I will do away with you myself. I'm no longer one of you." The two were silent as each let Locke's words marinate in their minds. Agahnim smiled again.

"You are no hero… You're just the mere replica of one. How long do you think the princess's affections will last? They shall disappear as soon as Hyrule's champion returns. Then she too will condemn you to hell." After this last statement, Agahnim faded into the darkness, leaving Locke to think about his words.

"… I'll take my chances… I trust Zelda…" After reassuring himself, Locke traveled back to the bedroom, closing the glass doors to the balcony behind him, and climbed back into bed where sleep was hard to meet him.

The sun was high in the sky, signaling noon time. Raven sat in his cabin and busied himself with a map of the world. According to the large parchment, the Forest Haven was south of Hyrule and at least a two day voyage by sea. If he was going to be spending the entirety of the trip as he was now, it proved to be a long voyage indeed. Stretching, Raven got up from his hunched position. He decided he'd go out and at least enjoy the scenery.

After exiting from his chambers, the royal guard was disappointed to see that there wasn't much scenery to behold. Dark clouds filled the sky and fierce winds began to attack the ship's sails. The giant boat began to rock unsteadily from the large waves that had begun to form.

"Gonzo! What's going on? Is this a storm?" Raven asked the sailor who was looking over the edge of the ship. The large man turned to look at the green-eyed boy and said, "There's no rain, just wind. I take it as an omen. Some sailors talk about the fierce deity's winds that destroyed many a ship. Comes from the rotten luck of having a lady onboard." Raven rolled his eyes. With a shrug of the shoulder, the young man dismissed the superstitious sailor lore and opted to find someone else who could give him a better explanation of the strange phenomenon. Leaving Gonzo to watch, Raven looked around for that someone, but everyone else was running amuck trying to get the ship back on course. It was everyone save the petite figure, which stood at the other end of the ship, gazing out at the mischievous sky. Raven observed the person, who was dressed in coarse clothing that hung loosely from the lithe body, and discovered that he hadn't seen the person board the ship, nor had he seen the person in the crew when he'd chose them to lead him on this voyage. Cautiously, Raven approached the person.

"Hey! What are you doing there?" The blonde boy asked in a stern voice. He saw the person stiffen from the sound of his voice, but made no attempt to answer.

"I asked you a question. Answer me!" Raven grabbed the person's shoulder and spun him around to get a better look at his face. With the sudden movement, the stowaway's large hat flew off and long auburn locks sailed through the harsh windy currents. Raven felt his breath hitch and his anger rise when he saw Malon look at him sheepishly.

"Malon! What are you doing here?? I thought I specifically told you that you couldn't come!!" Raven's voice boomed like a clap of thunder and caused Malon to wince in fright.

"I… I… You can't tell me what to do Raven! I said I wanted to come and so I did!" She shouted back. Her voice wasn't as fierce as Raven's had been, but she got her point across nonetheless. The boy sighed in his frustration and threw his hands up in the air.

"What is the matter with you?? Don't you see what kind of danger you've gotten yourself into??"

"Oh. So it's alright for you to put yourself in dangerous situations but I can't? Yea right. Besides, you under estimate me, I can handle myself!" Malon declared pointing at herself for emphasis. The Royal Guard shook his head at a lost for words. Before either one could continue their little spout, however, a rather large gust of wind blew and Malon felt herself lose her footing. Her arms waved wildly about at her sides as she reached for something to grab a hold of. Raven grabbed her without thinking and pulled her close. They looked at each other.

"M…m…monster!!!!!!" The sailor in the crow's nest shouted. Both Raven and Malon looked out to the sea and saw a large beast out in the open waters. A large eye was suspended in black mist and it looked to the ship with interest.

"The hero… The hero is aboard this vessel," the creature said in a raspy voice. The red eye looked at Raven who frowned.

"We want the hero's blood…" Another wind blew and it knocked Raven back into the wall of the cabins. He grimaced but continued to hold Malon protectively around the middle. The sea opened up and the ship was caught in a fierce whirlpool. The ship spun around in circles and the sailor's cries were loud and soaked in their fear. Raven growled in his throat.

"Malon… you need to get somewhere safe… I'll handle this," he said. Malon looked at him.

"No! I can fight too!" Raven's emerald eyes met hers and his face scrunched up in animosity before he claim, "You aren't even supposed to be here!" Before she could protest further, Raven pulled her into a constricted embrace. Her head rested against his shoulder and he buried his head in her hair.

"Please Malon… I… can't fight properly if I have to worry about your safety too…," his muffled voice explained. Malon felt her cheeks warm up and when he pulled away from her, she couldn't look at him and settled for looking at her feet.

"O…kay…," she mumbled. Raven grinned and patted her shoulder once before drawing his cross bow and running out to face the monster. The stubborn farm girl watched him and then grabbed a bow and quiver. She wrapped the quiver around her back and drew one arrow to have at the ready and she quietly went out to face the monster too.

Cannons were being fired and everything was being loaded into them. Utensils, rum bottles, everything flew at the monster but whatever they used, nothing was effective. Everything seemed to pass straight through his body because it was nothing but air. The monster laughed tauntingly and inhaled a deep breath. Raven didn't waste any time. He drew his cross bow launcher and launched three arrows into its eye. The creature bellowed furiously and turned his attention away from the sailors and to Raven who stood ready for anything the monster could dish out.

"How dare you harm Vaati's eye? Prepare to suffer!" The Royal Guard wasn't prepared to be whisked away into the air by what seemed to be a tentacle made of the same material as the monster's body. It constricted its grip and Raven felt his insides squeeze together unpleasantly.

"Ugh!" His weapon fell from his hand and he watched it hit the ship. The sailors had started firing again but Vaati unleashed another tentacle and swiped at them like they were pesky flies. They were blown about the ship. Raven felt the air evacuate his lungs as Vaati's grip tightened even more. His eyes had began to flutter closed.

"Hey! Over here!" Vaati looked and Malon was in the crow's nest, arrow pointed straight at him. Without hesitation, she let the arrow fly. It sailed through the air creating a whispering sound until it landed in the depths of Vaati's pupil. He screamed and released Rave who fell back onto the ship with a loud bang! Raven shook his head, trying to rid himself of his fatigue and he looked at Malon wearily. She gave him a thumbs up but her victory was cut short. Vaati growled dangerously and then flew at Malon. The wind was strong enough to send her sailing into the air and then she crashed into the ocean with a loud splash. Raven gasped and ran to the edge of the ship.

"Malon!" He cried. His howl fell on deaf ears however and then he felt the ship rock dangerously. Vaati had dove into the ocean after Malon, but dissipated into a large gale before colliding with the water. The wind was enough to create a tsunami that sent the ship into an opposite direction from where it had originally been headed.

A/N: Yes. I have decided not to give up on this story because I think it's awesome! So anyway, thanks for reading and review! Plz! (Makes puppy eyes)