Disclaimer: Legend of Zelda is the property of Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto-Sensei.

The Legend of Zelda

Mask of Twilight

Chapter Two

Link came to the door, still bewildered by what had just happened. "I don't suppose you're going to stand there all day?" Dark Link nagged. Link sighed, rolled his eyes, then placed the key in the lock. There was a click then the sound of an old mechanism grinding to life, the door swung open with a puff of dusty air. Link coughed, then withdrew a lantern from his provisions, striking the flint, the lantern cast a warm glow and Link discerned what seemed to be a shallow cave. He walked through the threshold and found a large chest. He found the chest to be unlocked, so he opened it. Inside, he found a bundle of forest green with an aged letter on top. Link opened it.

To ye who opens this,
Thou art destined for greatness, but first the world must be saved. If thou hast found this,
then darkness is once again afoot in the world. In my time it took the form
of Ganon. In our last battle The Sword of Legend was destroyed, but I have left here my
original blade. An heirloom on this town, and my trusted shield, they will serve thee.
Here, too, is my tunic, it has the magic of the old world placed upon it and shall protect
thee as would armor. May fortune favor you, as the Goddesses do.
Hero of Time

Link unfurled the tunic, under which a blade and shield lay, and quickly put it on, and found to his surprise it fit perfectly. He then fastened the sword, with its sheath, across his back and threw the shield over it. He left the cave and locked the door. He left to head to Malo's grandson's shop. Surprisingly, Dark Link remained silent for now, until they entered the shop. How unprofessional, leaving the shop unattended. Link glared at the wisp of darkness that gave away Dark Link's position. Link leaned over the counter and a voice responded to his presence.

"Ah Link! I trust my grandfather found you." Link nodded and produced the key. "You mean for me to hold onto this?" Again Link nodded. A hand reached up, a child's hand. Dark Link passed over to the counter and exclaimed "A child!" Disbelief filled his words. "Who lets a child run a store? The people of this world are so strange to me." Link stopped and looked at him, "This world?" Dark Link pulled the thought from Link's mind, "Forget it, its just an expression, you know." Link grimaced, hating that the specter can read his thoughts. Link rarely voiced what he was thinking, so it was alien to him to have someone know exactly what was on his mind. "If you want some privacy, just think so, I'll black you out and vice-versa." Dark Link said. "Don't get snippy. You never asked!" gleaning the snarled protest from Link's mind.

Link headed to Alria's house, but found it empty. He lingered for a couple moments to see if she would return. He sighed, then headed towards Faron woods. He made it past his house, built on the sapling of his ancestor's tree. He stopped to get Epona ready, when he heard a voice.

"Link," he turned to see Alria. "When my great grandfather left this town, with your great grandfather, his his wife gave him this," she proffered a necklace, the chain coiled in her hand. "Its a pendant ocarina carved from a goat horn." A tear welled up in her eye. "It's all that your great grandfather was able to return to her. Take it, and you promise me you'll bring it back," Link took it and nodded. "Promise me." Link held her gaze then his lips parted.

"On my honour, I swear to it," he said, his voice soft yet stern with an accent that belied his Hylian heritage. Alria gasped, his words were few, and that he spoke told of the seriousness behind them. He took one last look and putting on the necklace, he walked off to Faron. He stopped at the small store that belonged to the family of lantern makers to ensure that his lantern was working properly and full of oil, buying an extra bottle to be safe. He thanked them and indicated that he needed passage through the gate. They led him to the gate and he thanked them one last time before he headed out to the field. He mounted Epona again and headed in the direction the lantern makers told him would lead to the castle.

Link rode for awhile, breaking to let Epona drink from the stream or so they could eat. The sun sank low on the horizon when the castle came into view, it's spires made golden by the sunset. Link barely noticed the man approaching him. "What in the hell is that?" Link had all but forgotten about Dark Link but could not help but agree. This strange man wore form fitting cotton shorts and shirt with short sleeves, not all together strange, but the weather made it bewildering. The man stopped just short of Link and made a flamboyant bow."Postman at your service."

"I do believe this is the strangest little man I've ever seen," Dark Link said. Link struggled to suppress a laugh. "Lucky I ran into you, if you would just fill out this card with your information so I can add you to my list of clients. Right then, Master Link. I will approach you if I have a letter for you. Cheers," said the postman then took off for the town. Link resumed his trip with a soft kick on Epona. He came to a small gorge with a trail passing through and determined from the signage it led to the castle. When he made to pass through, he heard a scream. Link stopped, trying to discern where it had come from. A carriage appeared on the horizon followed by a pack of Bulblins led by what seemed to be a wolf like creature. Link swiftly turned Epona and gave her a loud shout. Instantly, she took off at full gallop towards the fray. Link drew the sword from it's sheath and readied his shield. He braced himself as the carriage passed and he came upon the wolf. Link swung the sword, but the swing was answered with a snarl and claws of iron, sparks erupted from the impact. Link let the wolf pass him, knowing that the simple minded Bulblins would be a quicker fight than the cunning mind of the wolf. As he came upon the first Bulblin pair, he dispatched them simultaneously with a single thrust. He withdrew his sword and deftly slew their mount. The remaining two pairs immediately changed tactics and they began circling Link, charging forward as they approached his side. Link thanked the Goddesses for letting him grow up a wrangler, as his skill with Epona outmatched the Bulblins riding abilities.

Frustrated, the Bulblin archers pulled out their bows, and nocked arrows. One of the two archers loosed an arrow, Link bent forward allowing the arrow to pass above him, and to Link's fortune glide straight into the wrangler of the other pair. Link grinned for a slight moment then, with a burst of speed, charged the last pair of Bulblins who's slow mount could not out pace Epona. He slew them with a quick series of swings. Without reveling in his victory, he set after his main foe calling Epona to full speed. He quickly came upon the wolf again and swung. However, this time the wolf didn't parry, he grabbed the blade and tugged Link off his mount. Link fell to the ground, winded for a moment. As his faculties returned he rolled aside, narrowly dodging a killing blow to the chest. The claws caught his shield arm just below the mail and tore his flesh. Link felt blood trickle from the wound but still had enough strength in his arm to bare his shield as he stood. He locked his blue eyes with the red orbs of the wolf, who snarled then let out a fell howl. It then charged, but Link knocked away the attack with his shield. The wolf fell back and regrouped. As it did this, Dark Link spoke "Link, aim for his neck, it's softer than all his other parts." Link nodded, jumping to the side to avoid a quick jab. The wolf regrouped and then charged again, this time Link was ready. He dropped, angling his sword so that as the wolf collided into him, the sword pierced the soft flesh of his foe's neck. There was a gurgling cry of pain, then silence. Link pushed the fell corpse from his body, freeing himself from the bloodied shag of fur. He made to stand, grimacing as his body twinged in protest. He stumbled forward, clutching his side as red trickled through his fingers, before collapsing. As his eyes darkened, he saw a carriage approach, not caring if they had come to help or if they had come to finish him.