Chapter Eighteen
It reared upon its hind legs, front claws waving wildly in the air. Welles spread its huge wings and took off, releasing a taunting screech, its long, reddish tongue visible. It swooped towards Link and Chisstron – the two leapt out of the way, but Link could see a huge, yellowy ball tinged with red in the base of Welles' skull, between his two horns. Link had fought too many Twilit foes to not know what it was – an additional eye. Welles' weakness.
Link hurriedly took out his two Hookshots and thrust one of Chisstron, who took it quizzically. Link kept his eyes on the flying monstrosity while quickly explaining to Chisstron:
"He has a third eye, in the back of his head," shouted Link. "Use this to get to it, and attack!"
Chisstron nodded, but Link did not stay long enough to see it. He was charging forward, his Hookshot out; he held it up steadily and aimed at Welles' back, right at the top of his tail. He released – latched on – and was pulled to the monster's back. He ran, swaying tremulously and fearing that he would fall off, until he reached the eye, whose red pupil stared at him in shock. Before Welles could register what to do, Link drew out his blade and stabbed ferociously into it, over and over again.
Welles released a howl of pain and rage, losing balance and falling to the ground as Link continued thrusting the Master Sword into the eye as much as possible. Welles landed, sending numb judders through Link's body. He shook his immense neck, causing Link to go flying. Welles resumed the air, looking infuriated. Blood poured from his third eye.
Chisstron raced over to Link's side, giving him an incredulous look. "How could you have just done that?" he exclaimed, falling to his knees beside Link. "I would've been too frightened to – I could have never just done that! Goddesses, are you brave or stupid?"
Link leapt to his feet, watching Welles warily. "I've been in worse fights than this," he answered grimly, blood trickling from his blade. "But I can tell you about it later. Right now, we've got this monster to deal with."
He charged forward again; Chisstron followed suit. Before Link could get out his Hookshot again, Chisstron had shot the chained weapon at Welles and landed perfectly on the eye. He hit around with his scimitar; Welles fell, limbs flailing in desperation.
The crash was deafening, but Link had no time to worry about that; his plan, half-formulated, would be very difficult to complete if he did not get the timing right. He dashed forward, blade held aloft, and, just as Chisstron was sent flying, he slid his own weapon into the slick eyeball, blood spurting grossly into his face.
Welles flailed about and, without warning, Link was knocked to the ground by a fearsome blow. He picked his head up to see Welles' long tail whipping around, soaring over Link's head; Chisstron was out of sight. Link could not find him.
He sprang to his feet as Welles took flight again, scaling the room and flapping around the perimeter. He was badly wounded, Link could tell: huge droplets of blood splashed down, spattering onto Link. He quickly scanned the room, but could not find Chisstron anywhere. Despite the dread consuming him, he hefted up the Master Sword. For a slight moment, as Welles whooshed towards him, Link's courage almost failed him. His left hand faltered, but then he caught sight of the blade, gleaming with the power of the Sols, and he remembered. He remembered why he had embarked upon this journey, why he was going to such great lengths to procure the Mirror Shards. 'It may be selfish,' he thought grimly, 'but I'll do it. I'll do it for her.' He targeted Welles, pausing his footsteps as the winged foe drew near. Gripping the Master Sword in both hands, he focused all of his energy into the blade.
"For Midna," he whispered, leaping in the air and bringing the weapon down on Welles' head, slamming straight into the skull.
Welles let out a raucous wail, flinging his limbs out in anger and pain. He began to shrink rapidly, getting smaller and smaller until Link could see Chisstron – in Welles' claws.
And, soon, King Bulblin lay on the ground, the Mirror Shard glinting next to him. Chisstron, too, was on the ground – but he was impaled there. One of Welles' claws remained, attached to the ground, going right through Chisstron's stomach. Link let out a gasp of dismay and rushed clumsily to the man's side.
"Chisstron!" Link's face was stark-white; he could not breathe. A great pool of blood was forming at the base of the giant talon, but Chisstron did not seem to notice.
"Kill him," whispered the older man. "Kill King Bulblin. Let you take your revenge."
"How d'you know – ?" began Link, but Chisstron silenced him with a wave of his hand.
"The way you act; 'tis simple. Quick, he's waking – do it now!" rasped Chisstron. Link turned around to see King Bulblin stirring; without a second though, Link slew the monster with an overly aggressive Ending Blow. The hatred he put behind it simply could not sum up how much he despised King Bulblin.
"I don't know your journey," whispered Chisstron, "but mine is coming to an end. Fight for what you think is right, Link. And – " he reached out a hand, clutching Link's collar in earnest – "never back down from fear."
His grip grew slack, and his eyes misted over gently; in moments, Link was staring into the face of a late man, a man who never knew his daughter existed.
He stood there for a while before walking over to the Mirror Shard and picking it up. He stowed it in his equipment bag and looked around to see a sparkling, magical beam of light in one corner, glowing faintly. He trudged over to it, his limbs trembling from exhaustion.
"I won't, Chisstron," he called as he stepped into the light. "I won't."
OoO
Morning had already arrived at the time Link reached the surface, feeling lightheaded. The sun was jovially basking in the sky, and all traces of nighttime had disappeared. How long had he been down there? He wondered, but could not conceive an answer. He was about to take a step forward and begin hurrying towards Arbiter's Grounds when a blow hit him in the back of his head. He stumbled, turned around, and whipped out the Master Sword, only to see the pallid, hideously contorted existence of a Senvivane.
Link didn't have time to think – he just reacted. He sliced through the wrists and ankles: the Senvivane fell forward onto its knees, flailing its arms wildly; two more Senvivanes seemed to ascend from the sand, traipsing forward, hatred gleaming in their eyes. Link swiftly recalled the words of the Hero's Shade – no, his father –, remembering what he had said about the Senvivanes, about how they refused to battle the sacred beast that saved their realm. Link reverted to wolf form, and the Senvivanes hesitated; he took advantage of their uncertainty and vehemently ripped his claws into one; quickly, they retreated, retracting back into the sand.
Link stayed in wolf form to ensure his safety, and hurriedly made it through Arbiter's Grounds without incident, albeit difficulty trying to maneuver without use of his assorted weaponry. Finally, he reached the Mirror Chamber, his heart beating furiously. He resumed human shape, walking up to the frame that used to hold the Mirror of Twilight. His throat was dry, his ands sweaty; cicadas droned in the air, the sun glaring down. He put a shaking hand into his equipment bag and took out a Mirror Shard, turning it over and over in his fidgety hands. He slowly slid it into the frame: it fit perfectly. He pulled out the second half and stared between the two shard; his eyes roved over the wrought-iron frame, and then to the huge slab of rock rearing out of the sand. Link held his breath as he fitted the last shard into its place.
The two pieces instantly melded into each other, forming on Mirror again. The brilliant light was activated; the intricate design of intense white floated into the stone, blaring greatly. Link stood on the dais, taking cautious steps forward; he put one foot on the translucent steps, seemingly conjured out of thin air, and slowly ascended, his heart in his throat.
He quickly put one foot in front of the other, climbing up the steps, until he reached the end and was pulled into the Twilight Realm.
5
