OH MY I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY. That was mean. But it's not my fault! Fanfiction wasn't working...for like a week...and it wouldn't let me update. Thankfully, it's working now, so I can update! YAAAAY! HERE YOU GO.

All right, I'll admit it; this chapter is SUPER long. But it's also full of action and drama and suspense! It's one of my favorite chapters so far, and I hope you guys all feel the same! ENJOY! ^_^

Chapter Fifty-Three: Weakness

LINK POV

As Sheik swiftly pinned the slimy traitor against the wall, Link drew his sword in a precautious manner. He began running forward to help her, but a strangely familiar voice stopped him in his watery tracks.

"Link! Over here!" it called in a loud, playful whisper. For what seemed like ages, he stood like a statue, watching Sheik with a completely blank expression. He refused to turn around, for he found himself waiting for the voice to call his name again, just to prove he wasn't imagining it. After all, he'd imagined that same voice so many times before...

"Link! Hey!" It finally came again, snapping him out of his trance. He turned as quickly as he could, for the voice was coming from behind him. Excitement rushed through him. He saw the flap of a black cloak around the bend on the other side of the hall. Immediately, his legs carried him forward as his mind lost all track of Sheik and what she was doing.

By the time he turned the corner, he was sprinting as fast as he possible could to follow the source of the voice. He came to another empty hall with a two-way intersection at the end. In the middle of the intersection far down the hall, he saw a shadowy figure, though he was unable to make out the clear features. Link narrowed his eyes to see the dark silhouette better, though the attempt failed.

"If you want my help," the female voice called. "You have to catch me first!"

She turned down one of the two paths, and a shrill laugh echoed through the hair. To Link, it was haunting. She moved with a grace that seemed almost...ghostly.

"Wait!" Link ran faster. "Please!"

"You need to run faster!" she cackled in a singsong voice. Link bolted after her, and he could fell himself getting closer. A spark inside of his heart ignited at hearing the familiar voice after what seemed like so long without it. He prayed that he wasn't just going insane under the stress of his screwed up life.

"You know..." She suddenly stopped, keeping her long back to him. He halted a few yards behind her. "You being a 'hero' and all, I thought you'd be able to catch me easily."

Finally, she turned around, and Link caught his breath.

"Hiya, Link" she greeted, her voice softening.

Midna.

"I'm not surprised to see you're at a loss for words," she laughed beautifully, stroking her long fiery hair as she gazed deeply into his eyes. She was, of course, in her true Twili form. His disbelief was clearly written on his features, and his jaw dropped to create a broad, astounded smile.

"How did you...?" His voice trailed off. She was even more radiant than before.

"Oh, you know me and my tricks," she winked nonchalantly. Then, the Twilight Princess stepped forward, barely splashing in the water as her light feet pressed against the surface. Her sarcastic expression softened. "I've really missed you, Link."

"How did you get here, Midna? Where did you come from?" Link was still in a state of absolute shock. He didn't really know how he should've been reacting, for he was still trying to decide whether he was dreaming or not.

"That's for me to know..." She walked around him quietly, her eyes never leaving his face. He stood as still as he could as she moved behind him. Then she placed her slender hands on his shoulders and bent forward, and he could feel her sweet breathing in his ear. He shivered.

"Now...back to that little game we were playing," she whispered. Her fingers seductively stroked his cheek, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a playful grin grow on her purple lips. He closed his eyes and simply felt her fingers brushing against his skin, praying that her voice, lowered to a lovely whisper, would forever remain in his ears.

"Catch me if you can."

Then she gave her beautiful, familiar giggle and leaped gracefully past him. He reached out to grab her hand desperately, but he missed her fingers by a fraction of an inch.

"Midna!" He was not laughing. She always seemed to find her playfulness at the wrong times. She laughed again, and her laugh resonated throughout the entire labyrinth. Confused and in a daze, Link forced his legs to continue forward, chasing the beautiful Twilight Princess and the best friend he thought he'd lost. Her figure lingering in front of him constantly was the only thing driving him forward, and he had no idea to where she was leading him. But he trusted Midna, either way. Anywhere she went, he wanted to go, too.

Link swiftly lost track of the twists and turns he was making throughout the maze, but he was aware of the horrible confusion of it. They were constantly turning this way and that, down hallways twisting and meeting at intersections with two or more paths. Midna seemed confident in the path she was taking, while Link was simply struggling to keep up with her swift pace. As he gazed ahead at her, panting and ignoring the pain beginning to grow in his legs, nostalgia washed over him like rain over Hyrule's landscape. All of his surroundings became blurry as his pace quickened to catch up with the Twili, and he could hear his heavy breathing clearly in his ears, accompanied by the heavy splashing of his feet on the shallow water beneath.

Suddenly, interrupting his entrancement in this chase, there came a heavy rumble. It erupted through the ground, spreading through Link's body and causing him to sway a bit as he stopped. Ahead of him, Midna stopped as well. Then there was complete silence...

Another frightening rumble.

"Hmm," Midna sighed. "I wonder what that is."

Another rumble.

"Oh well," she shrugged. "We can't let it interrupt our fun little game."

And with that, she was off once more, completely ignoring the periodical rumbles. They were like mini earthquakes, shaking Link considerably each time. He let out an exasperated breath as he forced himself to move forward behind Midna. He would do anything to avoid losing her again.

"Hey Link!" she called, but continued running. "Do you even know where you're going?"

He didn't respond.

"That's what I thought," she chuckled. "Same old Link! Do I always have to do everything for you?"

Link could remember being irritated by these degrading comments. But now, he relished in the voice that uttered them, and would rather have heard those words than nothing at all.

"How's Wolfie been? Haven't seen him for a while." Her taunting was relentless, but Link couldn't see the point in it. He wondered what was going in her head, and what she was thinking. "I bet he doesn't miss me much!" she laughed.

Midna turned around another corner, practically skipping in glee. Link was still rushing to keep up, though the rumbling was putting quite the obstacle in his way. Each time a rumble occurred, his speed was retarded a little bit more.

"MIDNA!" he shrieked out of frustration more than anything.

"Go faster!"

"Please, stop!"

"Run, Hero of Twilight, run!"

There was a constant hint of laughter in her silky voice. Link's frustration was only increasing with each step she took. Yet she seemed unfazed by the shaking of the ground; it was as if her feet weren't even making contact with the floor at all.

"Can't you even catch me, a dainty Twili? No?" She jumped and did a small twirl in the air tauntingly. "Well, that's just pathetic!"

Link clenched his teeth. Midna hadn't changed much.

Without warning, as Link and Midna continued running, they came to a large area separated from the rest of the labyrinth. It seemed to be right in the center of the maze, for on the other side was another entrance, and then two walls to create a perfect square. Midna slowed down and walked to the center of the square, where she finally turned and faced Link. The rumbling stopped.

"I wonder what this place is?" she observed. Her eyes looked up and around her, examining the large alcove. "This entire maze is pretty huge, if you ask me."

"Midna, what are you doing here? You know something I don't!"

"Is that really how you're greeting me? Haven't you missed me?" she pouted, and her bottom lip stuck out in the most perfect way. "I thought you'd be excited to see me."

"I...I am," Link stuttered. "But I'm confused."

"Eh, we're all confused at some point in our life, aren't we?"

They stood silently for a couple moments, staring at each other. Link hadn't even taken notice of the absence of the rumbling... or the shadow that had appeared above their heads...

"You know, Link," she began, her voice dropping to a gentler tone. She began fidgeting anxiously with her fingers. "I don't regret shattering that mirror. I needed to do it."

To that, he had no answer. He could only stare at her with a twinkle in his eyes, but he felt pain jab at his heart as tears gathered at the verge of her eyes.

"But I didn't know what I would do without you," she shrugged. Then she chuckled to herself quietly. "I didn't realize how much I need you." Then she looked up at him as a shining tear rolled down her cheek.

Link got chills, for he remembered what happened the last time a tear like that had appeared.

"You're my best friend."

He found himself smiling, and then he stepped closer. Yet, though he was so close to Midna, he still felt so far. There was something in her eyes that was different, a glint that had disappeared. She lifted a hand and laid it on his cheek, tilting her head slightly. Her red hair shimmered, but the features on her face were tense.

"Link, you are so beautiful," she whispered, and then leaned forward until her lips were nearly on his. He took a deep breath, letting her familiar aroma fill his nostrils. It sent an adrenaline rush through his body. For a moment, he nearly forgot that they were in the middle of a maze, searching for a raging monster.

"I wanted to tell you before I left, but I couldn't bring myself to say it," she swallowed. "I..."

Unknowingly, Link's eyes moved toward the ceiling. He stumbled backwards at what he saw, moving out of Midna's grasp. His breath was suddenly caught in his throat, and fear spread through him like a shock wave. It seemed to physically paralyze him for a minute or two, and he finally noticed the dark shadow he was standing in. He didn't notice that Midna's eyes hadn't left him, as if they refused to look up toward what was on the ceiling.

"Oh, my gods..." he murmured, and for a moment, the world went out of focus.

There, clinging to the ceiling, towering over the maze, was a large and familiar monster.

The Source. And it was even more horrifying in person.

"Midna!" Link glanced down at the princess. Her expression was completely blank, as if there was nothing in front of her. She didn't even flinch at the sound of her name rolling off of his tongue. The Source let out a horrible, deafening shriek, and Link couldn't help but cover his ears as he doubled over. The entire labyrinth shook with the terrible sound. Link could tell from experience that any second now, the Source was going to drop to the floor. The mission to get Midna out of the dangerous area consumed his thoughts, and it seemed as though everything was moving in slow motion as he rushed towards her.

Link jumped into the air, spreading his arms wide to wrap them around Midna before he collided with her, falling swiftly out of the shadow of the monster. He hit the ground with a great splash, his eyes closed tightly. Yet when he opened them and glanced down at the Twilight Princess in his arms, he was shocked at what he saw: nothing. He sat up and looked at his arms, flabbergasted. She had been there when he grabbed her...

The Source let out another cry as it finally fell to the ground, landing on all of its six legs. Link used his own legs to push himself back, away from it, and subconsciously into one of the corridors leading to the square itself. Its small, red beady eyes stared at him through its mask-like face, and he stumbled to his feet. This monster was unlike any he'd ever encountered before, and his hand was shaking as he drew his Master Sword. It looked exactly as it had been drawn in the picture, though infinitely more terrifying before him with its eerie green glow and dripping black tongue.

"Where is she?" he cried, referring to Midna. "What did you do to her?" He sounded a lot braver than he felt.

The Source threw its head back and made a strange gargling sound as green slime fell to its feet; it was laughing. Then, Link heard a deep voice in his mind, and he gasped.

Foolish Hero of Twilight...it said mockingly. She was never here. She was a figment of your imagination.

"No! S-she couldn't have been!" He shook his head vivaciously, refusing to believe what was happening. "I can't lose her again."

It seems I have overestimated you, the Source continued inside of his jumbled mind, adding to the cluttered thoughts. It was much too easy leading you here, using the weaknesses I found inside of your mind. I expected you to be much more resilient.

Link was silent as he tried to decipher the Source's riddle futilely.

I saw the Twilight Princess in your mind. I could feel your desires to see her and hear her voice. And I used that to lead you straight into my clutches.

It laughed again, and Link put a hand to his aching head. He continued shaking his head in disbelief, and he could barely keep his grasp on the Master Sword.

And now, O famed Hero of the Goddesses... The Source stepped towards him and opened its mouth to emit another scream. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU.

It lifted one of its legs, and hastily brought it down towards Link. In the nick of time, he blinked out of his trance and did a swift backwards somersault, so that the leg landed only a few feet before him. Then, obviously unable to fit in the corridor, it hopped so that it was balancing on the two walls creating the corridor, its entire body towering over the labyrinth. Link, knowing any attempts at this point were useless, turned and ran as fast as he could. The Source hurriedly followed, balancing its legs evenly on the two tops of the walls. Link could hear himself gasping as he stumbled forward and struggled to stay nimble on his feet.

With each step he took, he felt the heavy presence of the monster behind him, and his heart seemed to stop. He'd never felt this way fighting something, except for maybe Ganondorf's beast form. Yet that pig was barely comparable to this beast of gigantic proportions. Link could barely move without stumbling in fear. Now, as the Source chased after him savagely, there was an incessant rumbling, and Link couldn't clear his mind. He couldn't think straight, so that he could figure out how to defeat this.

You can't defeat me in my own labyrinth!

Link continued sprinting down the bewildering corridors of the labyrinth, with the Source constantly at his heels. The Hero's eyes were wide and bloodshot, and his blue veins were visible beneath the pale skin of his neck and temples. The Source was getting faster. Out of the corner of his eye, Link saw the Source lift one of his six legs, and it began stretching longer and longer, until...

The arm shot out toward Link with the speed of lighting, but being skilled in things like this, he leapt to the side within a moment's notice. The large and configured hand landed in the water beside him, splattering Link's tunic with water, and the hero instinctively backed up against the wall. Sweat rolled down his face in torrents, and his blond hair matted to his skin.

There's no way to beat me, the Source cackled. Admit it. You cannot win this one.

Link was silent, breathing heavily.

Surrender, and perhaps I'll kill you faster.

As the Source uttered those words, Link finally remembered that one thing he had been forgetting for so long:

Zelda.

Then, the Source said something he had heard only minutes ago coming from Midna's lips:

Run, Hero of Twilight...Run.

Link didn't hesitate in obeying the demands of the Source, so he ran. He let his legs carry him down the corridors, except now, he had a destination. He found himself suddenly desperate to find his princess, wherever she was; he needed to find her and keep her safe.

"Zelda!" he screamed her name, but in vain. There was no way she would hear him in this maze. "Zelda! Princess Zelda!"

Suddenly, at one of the turns, the Source stretched out his arm again; this time, Link wasn't fast enough to avoid it. It collided harshly with his back, and he felt an agonizing pain run through his body as he flew, completely airborne, down the hall. A savage scream erupted from his lips as he flew, and then hit the ground with a sickening thump. His entire body hurt as he lay crumpled in the water, and blood dripped from the edge of his lips. The Master Sword flew from his hands, to an unknown spot. Link closed his eyes tightly, simply wallowing in the pain he was feeling for a few moments. He vaguely heard the Source cackle again, and it made his head pound. Everything was blurry when he opened his eyes, and his mind was racing. He could feel a large bruise beginning on his back.

Suddenly, the water began glowing with a bright, white light. Link's entire body burned from the sudden burst of shining light, and he let out another scream. His throat hurt from the power of the shriek. He was instantly blinded, and meekly lifted a trembling hand to shield his squinting eyes. That's when he somehow noticed the Master Sword laying in the water a few meters away, and it was glittering. Its light was spreading throughout the water as if it were its own liquid. Then Link remembered that time, in Faron's spring, when something similar had occurred; he had put the Master Sword in the water to kill all of the bugs...

The Source began writhing and contorting horribly, letting its shrill screaming fill the air. Link flinched at the sound, and clenched his teeth so hard that he felt a headache coming on because of it.

THE LIGHT! He heard the Source yelling in his head, and somehow, he grinned. WHAT IS THIS LIGHT?

Link got onto his hands and knees with what little strength he could summon, and crawled weakly to his sword, and he nearly collapsed on the way. Yet he managed to reach it and wrapped his gloved fingers around the familiar, shimmering blue hilt of the sword. As soon as his skin made contact with it, he felt power running through him once more, and the green and red parts of his Triforce glowed ferociously. With this newfound power, he stood up confidently in the shining water, and found himself surrounded by rays of light shining upwards. Then, he ran toward the writhing Source with his sword raised, and his face took on a barbaric expression.

He leaped what seemed to be ten feet in the air, preparing for the attack, yet as he neared the Source's huge body, he found his sword making contact with another sword instead...

"The Source must not be threatened!" A Guardian's voice cut through the air as Link landed in the water, and the light began dying down. Link found himself face to face with a Guardian, their swords clashing against each other. Vaguely, Link saw the Guardian drop something it was holding in its hands to grab the sword with both hands, but Link couldn't make out what the dark figure was. And unlike before, Link was able to hold his own with more strength, simply because of the small piece of the Triforce of Power now bestowed within his spirit.

"Hero...of...Twilight..." the Guardian said. His voice was strained as he struggled to bring Link down. "You have grown...in power..."

Instead of replying, Link pushed against him harder, and above them, the Source was beginning to resume its normal stature; the light was almost gone. Then, unable to fight back any longer, the Guardian stumbled backward. Taking this chance to advance, Link did a swift twist and sliced his sword across the armored chest of the Guardians, slicing straight through the metal with the glowing blade. The sword of the Guardian dropped to the floor as the large creature fell to his knees, clutching his bleeding chest. With one more vertical slice, the Guardian was down. Unfortunately, by this time, the Source had almost fully recovered.

At that very moment, Link saw what the fallen Guardian had dropped only moments before, and realization hit him like a slap in the face.

"SHEIK!" he cried, staring in shock at the unconscious, bound warrior in the water. Yet before he could reach down to her aid, the Guardian swooped his arm down and grabbed her in his claws. Then it laughed and stared at Sheik with contempt and pretension. Then, right in the Source's hand, a pink light surrounded Sheik...and she transformed back into Zelda.

Now, Hero...the Source chuckled. I know your true weakness.

Thanks everybody so much for all the support! You guys are the ones who have inspired me to keep going with this story :) This is just an estimation, but I'm guessing there are going to be either two or three chapters left, including the epilogue. But don't worry! I have another LoZ fanfic coming up shortly after this one is finished, and the prologue for that one is already up if you guys haven't already checked it out!

Sorry if the ending to this chapter was a bit confusing. I was having some trouble conveying what had happened...hopefully you guys will get it :D I LOVE YOU ALL, THANK YOU!