By the time we arrived at the village outskirts, night had fallen fully. The vibrancy in colors diminished, leaving a dull grey behind.
My anger had subsided leaving a grim acceptance of the events that had transpired. Any emotions I felt were muted, like a thick blanket covering them all.
The overgrown trail finally gave into the village proper. Between a few of the houses in the northwest quadrant of the village.
Ordon was a neat little farming village locked in by mountains on the south, east, and west. To the north was Faron Woods, a thick darkwood forest. Compared to the cold darkwoods, Ordon was mild year round.
It was divided into four sections, based on the geography of the land it sat on. The Faron river system split the village from north to south before leading into a winding system of tunnels beneath Mount Crenel, the tallest and southernmost mountain surrounding the valley. Ordon was also split by a sharp, but small cliff running from east to west. To the north was the start of Faron woods, to the south was a natural breadbasket.
Gravel crunched beneath my feet. Smells assailed my nostrils. Fires lit up the nearby houses, sending rich darkwood smoke through the air. The wood from the darkwood trees was resilient and full of flammable sap. One log would last a full night. The aroma of cooking food was pungent in the air, primarily game hunted in the nearby woods. It smelled delicious, full and heavy, but it didn't make my mouth water, I realized as my boots crunched along.
I inhaled deeply. Another scent, this one did my my mouth water and my stomach turn. Human. I shook my head, it was no time to be distracted. I wasn't hungry, I felt full. It was a similar feeling to eating your fill, but having more food laid out to be eaten. Tempting, but unwanted
"I'm going to disappear while we're in the village, but I'll be around," Midna's voice startled me, but I took a deep breath and nodded.
Rusl, I needed to speak with him, and him alone. He would have advice and could inform the rest of the village that I was gone.
His family home was on the northeast. The wood houses came and went as I quickly made my way across the village. A few people stared out their windows to view the battered hylian soldier.
I reached the north bridge before my body went on edge. A mist of black mana crept along the village. "What's happening?" I hissed at the imp.
"I don't know," Something between startled and curious laced her voice. "Maybe the same thing as what's going on in Hyrule,"
It made sense. I wracked my brain for thoughts. I needed to stop it. "Is there any way to stop it?"
"Neither of us have the power to, we need to keep moving,"
"I want to know what's happening!" I snapped. "Are the villagers in danger?"
Midna looked like she was planning her words carefully. "I'll tell you everything when you're done with your goodbyes. We need to move quickly, both of us are high priority targets, the sooner we leave, the safer your village is,"
My eyebrows shot up. "We're wanted? By who?"
"By Zant," Those two words made me agree with her. We needed to move.
"Then we need to leave now!" The words burned. "You said we need equipment, I have armor, and we both have magic, I say we have all need,"
"Well I say," she started. "That we need equipment," Before i could rebuke, she continued. "You may be undead, but i'm still alive. I need food, water, and warmth. And what of the sun when you have no holy water? Do you expect to be fine when your flesh catches fire?"
My eyes found their way to the ground. She made sense, and i couldn't argue. Whoever was responsible for this mess needed to die, and i had the power to make it happen. Looking up and righting my defeated posture, i responded. "Alright, we need to be quick though, the longer we stay, the more risk the village is under,"
The dark tingles of the invading magics were impossible to ignore as they were ruthlessly devoured by my flesh and mana. As we continued towards my father figure's home, i felt the changes. Fingers lengthening, claws growing, countless teeth turning into weapons. All the blood in my body was being used as fuel for the transformation, leaving my flesh hard and dry.
Midna stayed out of sight, but i felt her presence. The memory of her blood essence, even in a mindless incomplete craze, was enough to make my mouth water.
I tried to think of gruesome and ugly things to distract my hungry mind, but it did nothing. The most grisly and grim thoughts i could dig up were all of the gore of hunting, and did nothing but bring the red of blood to my mind, making the bloody fantasies more real, my hunger along with them.
Sooner than I'd like, I was on Rusl's porch. My jaw clenched and unclenched. I was under stress. On a base level, i knew i was a wolf walking into a sheeps' pen. The man, woman, and child inside were all just sustenance for the ravenous hunger that ate at me. Control. I needed control. I needed to face the unknown and come out on top. I needed courage. And i prayed for it, as i raised my hand to give the door a hard knock.
None came.
My boney knuckles rapped against the door loudly three times. Control the hunger.
The sound of shuffling clothes came from inside. Fear ate at me, paralyzing me. I couldn't move. Breathing was impossible. Whispers of insanity and hunger gnawed at the edge of my mind, overlapping into a deafening loudness.
With a sharp inhale, everything came into focus. The overused, yet well maintained latch on the door in front of me opened.
The man in front of me looked haggard. Beaten and bruised, left arm heavily bandaged and in a sling, his right grasping the hilt of a blade on his hip. Concern mixed with a spike of bloodlust entered my already occupied mind. The man's blue eyes were off, dull, but he looked at me with recognition followed by an inquiring gaze as he traced my features.
Rusl was an aging man, but he was hardy. Stout, strong, and skillful. The man knew his practices well, and those were hunting. Rusl was a hunter, of beast, but previously man. He knew how to kill and clean an animal just as well as he knew how to kill and clean a man. He was a bounty hunter in his prime, a master of the broadsword, baiting, trapping, and survival.
Recognition graced his features and he removed his hand from the broadsword at his belt. "I would welcome you in, Link, but i haven't disposed of sodden bandages,"
He knew what I was. "I'm sorry for coming," The words were oddly even in my turmoil. "I wanted to say that i'm leaving, you can see why," The man took a step outside, and motioned to the bench that had always sat on his porch. "I'd rather not get comfortable, thank you though,"
"Suit yourself," the man said, his voice unreadable. I moved out of the way so he could access the bench. With a sigh, he removed his blade from his belt and sat, wincing as the motion jostled his arm.
He glanced up at me, then back to his wounded arm. "Orc raiding party," he muttered. "Sliced up my arm pretty bad, might have severed a tendon, can't tell yet,"
A pang of regret passed through me. I should have been there to help him. "This far from the desert?"
Orcs, inhabitants of the Gerudo desert, horrible creatures, driven by a raiding based economy. Anyone passing through the Strait of Hylia was at risk of being targeted and slaughtered for coin and material wealth.
Unlike some of the abominations that lurked behind shadows and in folklore, these creatures just wanted wealth and power. Simple minded, stupid, strong.
To hear of orcs in this region was unheard of. It was a week's journey by horse, and the orcs didn't have horses, they had worgs and boars. The worgs were hunting mounts, vicious wolf like creatures. They were immensely fast, but could not run long distances. The boars were strong, but lazy unless provoked. It would have taken them weeks to reach Ordon from the desert.
"Oddly enough. They were looking for slaves. Came in like a storm on worgs, must have been a dozen, took a half dozen of our people and were gone just as fast as they came," He rubbed his face with his hand. "The kids are gone,"
I didn't want to believe what I heard. "What?"
Rusl looked up from the porch deck to meet my gaze. "The children are gone, so is Ilia"
Grim determination flooded my mind. "I'll find them,"
Rusl raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure?"
"This curse has done more than just alter my physical appearance. I was captured with Illia," My face hardened. "There's more than just orcs, I can see magic, and central Hyrule is covered in a dark cloud of it,"
Rusl took a moment to process. "Has Ilia been turned as well?"
My mind questioned for a half second. Turned into a vampire. "I don't know, I woke up alone,"
"If what you say is true, war is looming," He sighed. "Your affliction is grim, but it's more useful now than ever," Rusl's face cracked. "Find the children if you can, but if you can't, find the ones who took them and drain them dry, Link," His teeth were gritted with fury and sorrow.
I was at a loss, and just nodded. He was a mess, well hidden, but a mess. Anything little thing I could do, I would.
"Turn me," Rusl demanded after a moment of silence.
"What?" I asked, floored.
"Turn me, let me fight. I have experience, I already found worg tracks. I can track the orcs, but I'm in no condition to pick up my blade again," His eyes looked desperate.
The curse was manageable, the thirst painful, but I was still myself. Seeing my father figure in such despair resonated with me. In his position, I would want the same thing, regardless of the cost. "What about your family?"
The driven look fell from his face again. "I need to save my son. Do not patronize me, Link, I know what I'm asking for,"
Like myself, when backed into a corner, he would resort to extreme measures. Though I would likely regret it, I already knew what my answer would be. "How?"
"Just like that?" Rusl asked, eyebrows raising in surprise. For a brief second, the burn in my throat made me question my answer.
"You know what you want, and you know what it entails," My eyes dropped. "I'll turn you, but I want you to tell me what you'll tell Uli. What about Colin?"
Another tired sigh escaped his lips. He was well set in his plan. "Uli will understand. Colin? Well, I'll cross that bridge when Ij get there,"
He was right. I was conflicted, but I would support my father figure as much as I possibly could. "What do I do?"
Rusl rolled his shoulders, finding the words. "I need to drink your blood and stop my heart,"
A pang of disgust went through my being, then it went numb as I realized it must have happened to myself. I honestly was at a loss for words. There weren't a lot of words that would provide comfort, so I decided the future was the best focus.
"I will leave tonight. I originally came to ask for supplies, but here we are," An empty laugh dropped from my lips. "Holy water and covering from the sun,"
A sad smile crept onto Rusl's face. "Alright, give me a bit of time, I'll be ready in an hour. Clothing won't be an issue, I have travel gear suited for just this,"
"Alright, meet me at my house when you're ready,"
He nodded and turned without another word. I felt for the man. He was backed into a corner, all of his options were grim, but he chose the one that made sense to him. He would do as he was trained to. He would fight.
The beaten man disappeared back into his home without a word.
"Who was that?" Uli's gentle voice bled through the walls that were now far too thin.
"It was Link," Rusl's voice responded.
I didn't wait to hear more before my legs carried me away.
As soon I was out of earshot, Midna flashed into existence again, eyes set in a glare. "What do you think you're doing?" Her words were scathing.
I was taken aback. "What?"
"You're going to promise something, and then invite someone along with you?"
"He's my father in all but blood, I can't just leave him helpless," I defended.
"He can't stay with us. Turn him if you want, but he won't come with us,"
"But," I trailed off. She was right. We would cover more ground and be more inconspicuous. "You're right, we'll be caught faster with him with us,"
I started walking. My home was on the north end. As my feet fell, I pondered on why I didn't say more to Midna. This was painful, all of it. Not physically, mentally. The thought of actually coming to terms with it all is nigh impossible. Everything's happened so fast, I can hardly keep up with it all. Everything feels heavy, and I almost lose track of my footsteps as I progress. Even my hunger was dulled.
My home was vacant, as expected. Carved out of an ancient Kakori tree.I was lucky to be able to own a home of my own. It was a find, overgrown and covered in brambles, but after clearing it off, it provided a spacious living. It wasn't a wide house, but it was vertically large, five floors to it, each one small, accessed by ladders. My hand instinctively reached for the oil lamp that hung next to the door, before I realized I could still see. I closed my fingers into a fist, lowered them, and slowly let them go. It was the first normal human thing I was forced to abandon.
"So this is your home?" Midna wondered, eyes bouncing between the layers and ladders.
"Yeah, found it, and the laws around here let me keep it for my own," I said. My voice had steadily become smoother and less watery through the ambient darkness.
"Must be nice," Midna sighed, wistfully. "Zant destroyed mine,"
"All the more reason to see him gone," The words 'gut him like a pig' almost slipped out. The idea of one man behind all of this chaos made my blood boil.
"Do you need rest?" I wondered to the imp.
"No," She said. "I can go on for a while longer," The creature sat down on the edge of my table.
"Are you sure, I asked," I for one was exhausted. Though my undeath hid that fact. I couldn't feel it physically. If I was tired, who knew how exhausted a cursed imp would be.
"I'm sure, the sooner we're gone, the sooner we can find Zant," Her childlike face was a wall. I couldn't read it
"Fine, I'll collect my supplies, then I'll meet Rusl and we'll be off," I said, keeping her amber gaze with my own. "Most are on the bottom level, if you want, you can come along,"
The trap door, a hundred pound slab of wood, was the second sacrifice. Before I needed to hoist it with my full weight, now it came up easily, flipping over with a bang. I would never have to worry about the jabs of back pain if I opened it wrong ever again.
I took the ladder down, though I suspected I wouldn't need to. My claws tapped against the wood as I climbed. The basement was darker, noticeably, but not the inky blackness it should have been. Along the walls were wooden shelves, holding any number of useful items. I walked to one of the shelves and pulled a pack out, opening the flap.
I could easily hunt, even easier now, so food wouldn't be an issue, however water would be. I placed an empty water skin at the bottom. A rag, whetstone, and a bottle of polishing oil all went in.
Looking at a thin leather jerkin, I decided i needed to abandon the hylian armor if I wanted to stay low key. The leather went in. A kit of glass vials. Knife for cleaning kills. I took another look around. Each item I'd memorized the location of.
My father's blade hung from a wall, hung separate from the other objects, the blade just peeking from the scabbard. A simple hand and a half longsword, but it was well kept.
The blade went to my belt
I was so focused on packing that i didn't notice Midna's breaths and heart slow. She was asleep, small form curled into a ball on a chair.
I looked at the cursed creature. I was blind to her motives for wanting Zant dead, but at the same time, I wanted him just as dead as she seemed to. Why did I agree to go with her? I knew the answer to my question. I was desperate and depressed. I still was, but it was lessened and I could think clearly.
Two hard knocks to my door interrupted my thoughts. The imp stirred by didn't wake.
I quietly moved to the door, opening it and quickly ushered Rusl in.
Rusl waited, grim faced, shoulders squared, with a dagger at his waist. "How does this work?" I asked.
"I need to consume your blood," His lips were a firm line, his jaw set. He was sure of his actions here. I admired his strength. He knew what he needed to do for his people. I was just out for petty revenge.
I quickly rose my exposed wrist to my mouth and hesitated. I had a love hate relationship with pain. The thrill and adrenaline of it was fantastic, but I never sought it out before now. With a burst of mental suppression, I bit down hard. Blood flowed from four puncture wounds.
I extended my arm to my father figure. He rolled his shoulders and his jaw clenched and unclenched. After a hard exhale, he grabbed my chained arm, bringing the wounds to his mouth, sucking hard.
The black blood flowed into his mouth, and I felt it. It flowed down his throat, muscles convulsing to pull more and more into his body.
His eyes wound shut and he sucked violently. The sensation wasn't pleasant. I could feel his tongue on my skin. It was slimy.
Black blood ate through his stomach acid, and as it did, I lost control of it.
After four hard draws, he pulled away. I dropped my arm, chain clinking as I did.
Rusl's hand moved to his mouth, my blood still lingering on his lips, and tried to wipe it away. It just smeared across his lower face. His pupils were dilated and wide. "Now comes the hard part," He muttered, face straightening. "Never wanted to end it this way, even if it is just temporary," His hand snaked across his body and pulled the dagger from its sheath at his waist.
He flipped it into a reverse grip and pressed the tip to his chest, right above his heart. With a tense voice and shaking hands, Rusl muttered his last words in a rush. "Link, I have very strict instructions for you to follow before I awaken. There are preparations that still need to be made that I cannot handle immediately after turning, these directions are in my right pants pocket. Goodbye friend, I'll see you on the other side,"
With a grimace, the dagger slid home. Knees buckled, and Rusl's corpse fell to the floor. The bang woke Midna. My mind went white. Midna's words melted together, incomprehensible.
I was planning on having an immediate entry into Faron, but I decided against it. This is a shorter chapter, mostly because I want a chapter out and its been forever. I might give my primary duo a nudge towards Faron next chapter, but I've still got a few unresolved things to get over in Ordon. Primarily the shadow invasion, and the aftermath of Rusl's turning.
If you can't tell, Link is getting real fucked up in the head in these early chapters. I don't intend on his character to be all doom and gloom, but for now, it's hard to avoid. He's been forsaken by his gods, cast out by his country, turned into a cannibal, and just witnessed his father figure's suicide (even though it's like only half suicide).
A note on the geography. I'm taking creative licence. A good bit of it actually. This story's version of Hyrule is a lot more high fantasy (LoTR, GoT, etc) styled than the fairytale canon version, so more enphasis on political stuffs. More relevant factions, larger and changed geography. I can count more than a dozen or so ideas that I want to implement that have little to do with the zelda canon. Bandit factions, a dragon ruling over a mountain, lesser things, greater things. Time will tell on what I decisively want to add, but I have a map of my version of Hyrule. I fear that sharing too much of my lore too quickly would ruin the flow of the story, so I'm A: not going to tell people what's going on unless they ask for it, and B: not going to post the map anywhere.