A/N: The answer to last time's question 'Where is the name Dancing Dragon from' is...(drumroll) from a dungeon in LoZ - Oracle of Seasons. Check it out!

Chapter Five: Calm are the prophets of the future

"I do not know your purpose," Sasarala admits, stroking his beard with one gnarled hand. Link noticed that the other hand was straying near his pouch. Sheik was with them as well, flipping a small knife in his hand. One false move and Sheik would embed that same knife straight through Sasarala's head.

It wasn't like Link didn't trust Sasarala. No, it seemed like there was a tingling sensation in his head that sounded like Temple bells ringing over and over. It was a bad feeling, a feeling Nabooru said, felt like someone walking over your grave.

Link shook his head. He was being paranoid.

"I want to go to the Dark World and receive the Triforce," Link said casually, ignoring the twitch in Sheik's movement and the gasp escaping Sasarala's throat. He closed his eyes, his mane of golden hair grazing his eyebrows.

"You have a wish?" Sasarala blinked, "You're the Hero of Time! You could have anything you want!"

"Or so you say," Link cracked an eye open, "Hero or not, do you really believe that I could have anything I want?"

Sheik caught the knife in his hand, his eyes shut and his form silent. Link wondered at that, but didn't comment on it.

"…Seeking the Triforce could be fatal," Sasarala murmured, his hands fidgeting, "Even for the Hero."

"Because Heroes can fail," Link said flatly, "Rest assured, I'm not planning to die until I—," He stopped and shook his head, "That's enough information."

"Why the Triforce? Don't you have it in your—," Sasarala stopped short when Link removed his glove. On his right hand, the symbol of the Triforce of Courage had vanished.

Sasarala stepped back, "Tha-That's not possible!"

"I assure you it is," Link said, "In the final battle, Ganondorf called on the Triforce and when the ceremony was interrupted, the Triforce vanished. From both Zelda and myself."

Sasarala wiped his sweaty forehead with his hand, "I see. But playing with the Dark World is—,"

"I know what it can do to you," Link said calmly, "That's why I'm here talking to you."

Sheik was still flipping the knife in his hand playfully.

"Y-You want the Pearl," Sasarala grimaced.

"Yes. That is what I want."

There was a sudden movement and the sound of steel hitting wood was heard. Sheik grumbled, "Damnable eavesdroppers. That should keep them away for a while."

"Thanks Sheik," Link said, relief in his cerulean eyes. He turned back to Sasarala, "But maybe you should tell them not to do that,"

Sasarala paled, "How did you kn—,"

"I'm not stupid," Link cut him off short, "I know what kind of people are in this inn and the way they talked about you gave me the suspicion. Why would people fear a lonely man such as yourself?" He took in Sasarala's shocked expression and cracked a smirk on his face, "Please. I'm the Hero of Time. Give me some credit."

Sasarala narrowed his eyes, "There's something lurking in you. Is it a piece of darkness?"

Link blinked, "What?"

Sasarala's eyes cleared, "I thought I saw…never mind. It doesn't concern you. I will give you the Pearl. But—," He left it hanging. Sheik pulled out his dagger from the woodwork, "He needs to go too."

Link looked at Sheik and shook his head, "No deal. I'm not going to take him into the Dark World. It's too dangerous—,"

"Wait a sec," Now Sheik glared at Link, his ruby-filled eyes glinting, "Why can't I go?"

Link groaned and rubbed his forehead. Damn that old coot. Impa'll never forgive him for this. If he ever came back, that is, "Sheik, you know quite well why—,"

"I'm going," Sheik planted his feet firmly on the wooden floor, "I want to."

"And what if you die?" Link's eyes blazed, "I don't want to be the one to take your dead body to Impa and tell her what happened."

"Likewise," Sheik countered, "I would do the same for you and I'm a Sheikah. I have my pride."

"Sheik—,"

"I'm not going to see you vanish and die of worry not knowing what happened to you!" Sheik shouted, his voice rattling the windows slightly. Sasarala said nothing, shifting his weight on the chair uncomfortably.

Link closed his eyes.

The Dark World…

Will I survive?

Will he?

Link peered into Sheik's eyes. There lay a sombre determination, much like the kind he had when he started his quest. Would he be the one responsible for extinguishing it? That thought seared his mind with lonely pain. He didn't want Sheik to turn out like him….

Maybe he won't.

Maybe he will endure and not crumble.

Maybe…

"Maybe I can," Link finally whispered, "finally re-write the pages of my life. The black ink has stained it beyond repair…maybe…"

He turned around to face Sheik. The glow in his eyes has yet to fade. It's too early to predict anything, Link mused, his lips twitching into a smile.

"All right," Link said, gently laying his hand on Sheik's shoulder, "You can come."

Nayru, Farore, Din, please don't make me regret this later…

-XX-

The Pearl was safely nestled in his pouch. Link felt his spirits rise just by feeling the round weight everytime he walked. It showed him that he was one step closer to his purpose. Sheik was with him as well. They had stopped at Kakariko to leave a message for Impa. Needless to say, she was not pleased. Not in the least.

"You're going where!" Impa gave Link one of her most intimidating glares yet, "And why may I ask?" Her voice could have frozen Gorons into popsicles.

Sheik however had more courage than Link gave him credit for (to stand up to Impa is like trying to attack Volvagia with a Kokiri sword) and said, "Because I want to help Link!"

"And what pray tell, makes you think he needs your help?" Impa said, still aiming glares at Link. Link could tell those glares were doing horrible things to his health.

Sheik growled, "Because he has no one else's. He always has to do everything on his own! Why can't I help him for once? Why can't you?"

Both Link and Impa were taken aback by the last statement. Link's lips twitched. Yup, he definitely gave Sheik less credit than he deserved. But Sheik was a Sheikah.

Impa said nothing, worry clouding her eyes, "Trials are always used to build one's character. I can't say I'm proud of it…" Link was struck by how old she looked. Impa was anything but vibrant, but he was sure some of those wrinkles were not present before.

Link nodded. That's the closest she will ever get to confessing that she was sorry. Sorry for using him. Sorry for…he shook his head. No need to think about it. It's buried, just like Ganondorf.

Impa met Link's eyes and for the first time, there was a flow of understanding between them. Impa nodded gravely and said quietly so that only he may hear, "There is no such thing as a complete truth though. Remember that."

Link had a feeling Impa had guessed. Impa was the more stoic observant one. She could predict anything and Link hadn't exactly hidden his purpose in the Dark World. He glanced at his right hand. The Triforce was long gone, but habit made him look at it once in a while. It used to give him a comforting feeling when he had it with him. It sort of spoke to him as well. Telling him, 'You are doing well. This is the right thing.'

It never let him down.

"Why so grim?" Ever since Sheik left Kakariko, his face has been sporting a smug look. Probably because Sheik expected Impa to make him stay back.

Link smirked right back though, "Thinking about our impending doom."

Sheik scowled, "How did you save Hyrule with an attitude like that?"

"I'm sorry, but last time all I ever did was run around waving a sword," Link lifted his hand to stifle a yawn, "Come to think of it, that's how I won most of my battles."

"You're kidding…" Sheik groaned and put his face down into his hands, "My image of you has been totally crushed."

"Can't say I didn't warn you," Link said grinning, "That usually happens when you tag along with heroes or idols."

"I'll do well to remember that," Sheik said, grinning back, "So where are we headed?"

"Castletown," Link said, "The best way to enter the Dark World is through the Temple of Time."

"Ummm…isn't the Temple of Time locked now? I remember Zelda making some stupid rule about it being dangerous and sealing the place up," Sheik scratched his turban.

"That's true," Link said, his eyes distant, "But you're forgetting who you're talking to. I still have the Spiritual Stones."

Sheik stared at him with wide eyes, "But, didn't she take those from you?"

"She would, if she could," Link said quietly, "However, the stones were given to me and no one else can so much as touch them without my permission."

"Possessive bastard, aren't you?" Sheik said, his eyebrows shooting upwards.

"My, my, you're swearing. Be careful otherwise I'll rat out on you to your aunt," Link smirked at Sheik's apparent horror, "And we don't want that, do we?"

Sheik shook his head vigorously.

"I thought so," Link stepped onto the rickety wooden bridge. Memories ran past his vision.

The bridge was wrecked, the splinters drifting along the shore. Link couldn't remember how scared he had been when he saw the degradation of Castletown. And for the first time, he hated Ganondorf.

Link blinked. The bridge looked normal. Sighing, he walked up, Sheik at his heels, into Castletown.

-XX-