Chapter Five: Breaking Limitlessness

She was now alone.

A clock located somewhere in the vicinity chimed. Midnight.. Thought the woman. She was crouched in the farthest corner from the door, her mind pacing politely over the events that had just passed. He'd taken his leave of her, leaving her helpless, to his endless appetite. Eva brought her knees to her chest, carefully folding her arms over her knees. He hadn't even laid a single finger on her – yet he struck such a fear inside of her very soul. She leaned heavily against the opposing wall, resting her head against the solid structure, her eyes trailing the ceiling. Suddenly she closed her eyes – her face scrunching into a painful mess.

-Earlier-

"You may call me Dark Link, if you please. We have business to discuss. Perhaps here is not the best place to address such important matters?"

She couldn't understand what he meant by business – his demeanor seemed harmless enough – though she could sense some kind of underlying motive for his visit. "What is it you want with me?" Eva couldn't decide if she was more afraid of the answer or the question as it fell out of her mouth. Bare feet brushed the wooden floor as she pressed herself more forcefully against the wall behind her.

Again, Dark Link chuckled at her cautious actions. "Oh my dear, have I not already explained, I mean you no harm? Now…" he paused as a naked hand escaped the confides of the black cloak, held out to her – an open invitation. "Come? I am truly a man of my word.. I assure you. When we are finished… you will return here."

Eva's features stiffened slightly, Go where? She felt compelled to find the answers she needed – answer perhaps he might be able to give her. Hesitantly, her own slender fingers reached for the open palm… His eyes flickered with a demonic evil as her flesh touched his own – the feeling was intoxicating. Suddenly – he gripped her hand hard as he unexpectedly pulled the woman's beautiful figure toward his own. Eva seemed horrified as his arm clutched her with an unmatched intensity.

This was a mistake.

Dark Link's free hand pulled his velvet-lined cloak around them, chuckling whilst he did so. "Let me go!" Eva shouted at him using her forearm to push against her captor's chest, trying to wriggle free. Rolling his eyes, the man's physically fit body pressed against her as if a gesture of a hug before pushing her away from him.

"There."

Eva suddenly found herself against a blackened colored earth in an unfamiliar place. Looking over her shoulder Dark Link seemed to tower over the woman – for a moment he was genuinely concerned for her physical state, all at once though – his attitude changed once more to the hardened badass that Dark Link truly thrived on. "Get up." He demanded.

She refused to budge her stubborn personality getting the better of her. "Where have you taken me?" Her heart sank. Deep within herself Eva knew what would happen next… a man did not kidnap a woman and take her to a secluded area for nothing. He laughed at her once more, delighted at the pictures he saw dancing in her mind's eye. As pleasant as these visions were – Dark Link had no intention of such behavior. Eva could feel his dark eyes ravaging her form, mentally undressing her.

"Get up." He barked at her this time, an order not a request.

Eva groaned as she placed her hands against the flat earth – pressing against it as she began to rise to her feet.

"I'm surprised you don't know where we are." He began to remove the cloak from around his shoulders, his attire now completely visible. The man before her was dressed in a black tunic, gold trimmed, a white undershirt peering through the collar. He wore leggings and thick heavy boots – similar to Link's. Somewhere, something inside Eva cried out in horror. Nothing had really happened yet, but she could feel the darkness swelling within the man calling himself Dark Link.

Soon, she found him just inches from her face, his features smooth and calm. What was this? He was placing the silken material atop her shoulders, but why? He'd answer the question before she'd even bother to ask him. "There are creatures where we are going that will surely feast their eyes upon your half naked body, I'd rather avoid a nasty scene."

Eva was horrified, clutching the edges of the material harder.

He held his elbow out, offering to Eva as he turned his back to her. They were in a forest of some kind, unbeknownst to Eva; however, this was not the world they had originally come from. They were now within the deepest part of the Lost Woods within the Dark World. Over the last ten years, Dark Link devoted all his energy to conquering these lands; he was now a ruler in his own right – his subjects ranging from lesser shadows to great powerful demons. Most of them pledged their allegiance to his 'crown' to serve their own purpose. Dark Link's powers were slowly becoming limitless.

Eva walked in silence, a stern look upon her face as she tread through the muck with her bare feet. The man at her side made no other remarks or conversation as they made their way through the forest – he was buried deep in thought. Over the years he'd taken this world by storm transforming everything within it to darkness. He held all the treasures from this land – no one dare oppose him. Off in the distance an ebony colored palace loomed, perhaps this is where they headed.

Soon – they reached the gates, the sounds of war drums whistled through the air as they entered. The creatures of this realm were truly hideous, deformed from their transformation to the darkness. The woman pulled against his arm brining her form against his own, he couldn't help but relish the feeling – she would get used to this… in time. Mounting the main staircase they made their way through the masses of misshapen subjects. "M'Lord, you've returned!" Shouted a nameless voice from the crowd.

"Who's the babe!" Shouted another. This made Eva very uncomfortable to be the center of attention – she'd been warned of this behavior – yet it still frightened her. "Master, allow me to welcome our guest!" the laughter broke out amongst themselves at this remark.

Dark Link merely waved his left hand and entered the innermost chambers of the palace. Eva was relieved to leave the creatures behind them. She welcomed the silence of the main halls. Though she sensed the intense evil coming from within the palace it was surprisingly large and ornate. The floors were beautifully polished, gleaming a slight reflection as Eva looked about her surroundings. This place felt somehow familiar – regardless of her better judgment on the matter. By now Dark Link and released himself from her grip and was walking just in front of her. Massive gothic archways held the ceiling up as he collectively made his way down the hall.

Eva Stopped, her fingers out stretched to Dark Link as if to stop him. "… Wait." He was surprised by the sweetness of her voice. Slowly turning around, he saw the frightened creature looking at him. "Why do I know where we're going? Why do I not feel fear for this place? What is going on here?" He was bombarded by her questions and he smiled. "Because," he paused. "You've been here."

"… What?" She was not prepared for the mater-of-factness of his response. "I have no memories of such a thing…"

"… Heh." He offered nothing else before continuing on his track. They entered a massive open room. At the center of this room, a single small round table rested. In contrast to everything else, this room was white. "There is little or nothing I really want to explain about your past. Let me put it simply. I am Zelda's killer. I am sure Link told you of his fruitless attempt at saving her pathetic life. From her death your spirit flourished."

Eva felt sick, and overwhelmed. "I…"

His features hardened once more before turning to her sharply. "You don't even know what you're talking about. Now, silence." She was helpless but to adhere. "I've waited seven long years. I'll hear no more of this."

Dark Link's figure came to rest next to the table. A simple looking thing, Eva observed it's complex carvings and beautifully decorated tabletop. "For now, I need something from you. I need the Phoenix pendant from Link. He carries it on his person at all times, making it extremely difficult to attain…" His voice trailed momentarily thinking only to himself. "I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting it from him. My next order of business is your coronation."

Her heart sank to her shoes one more, the darkness that hid just beyond the door way seemed to invite her back – though she knew running from him would do her no good now. She was stuck – a bed she'd made for herself, metaphorically speaking. "You will accept the crown," Dark Link mused, "this is the simplest of my requests. I will be lurking in the shadows of every hall and corner, from the very shadows of Link's own heart. You will not escape me..."

Swiftly, Dark Link moved toward her form. His right hand hesitantly reaching out to her jaw line – he stopped, his hand recoiling from his quick movements. Now was not the time. He turned his back to Eva studying his own hand before clenching it to a fist.

"When I return… I will tell Link of all this." She muttered bravely.

"I think not. You are indebted to me. The sooner you accomplish my tasks, the sooner we can have a conversation concerning your past." Dark Link sounded so confident – it disgusted Eva, but he was right. The thought of disobeying Dark Link frightened her, who was to say what horrors he would unleash on her if she did not do what she was told. What of Link? Though she barely knew any of them, she couldn't bear to see the innocent hurt.

"Are we understanding each other?" His voice was smooth like acid.

Eva's eyes glistened with the tears she held back. "Perfectly."

"Excellent. I'll see you again in the fortnight."

--

Eva appeared once more in her room. She was sitting on the floor. A terrible resentment for her life was beginning to grow… Dear Gods… what I have gotten myself into… Forgive me. Eva's eyes welled with tears once more as she rested her head against the hard surface of the wall. Caught in a maelstrom of chaos and darkness Eva's heart ached for a release – her story was far from over and the forces surrounding her purpose would not allow her to win so easily. What would become of her now?

Burying her slender face in her forearms, Eva let out a blood curling screamed. She'd surprised herself by the intensity of the shriek. She was even more surprised when Link did not come bursting into the room. She felt such news could not wait until morning – she would see him now – she needed to.

Quickly getting to her feet, Eva pushed the door open, walking purposefully to the end of the hall. The familiar doors of the royal chambers came into view. Link must be inside… Once more, Eva did not bother knocking, she was shaking as she entered the room, unsure of what she would find. Link's naked back turned toward her, startled, his hand poised over the master sword.

"E-Eva?" he asked sleepily. "What is it? Are you alright?" His left hand rubbed his eyes as he tried to focus on her shadowy silhouette.

Her distraught temperament could not be masked. "… I've come to tell you… I'll be accepting the title of ruler, Queen, Princess… whatever it is."

He jumped from the warm sheets of the bed, his hands reaching for her shoulders – she was crying. "Eva, what happened? What happened?" his tone was slightly elevated – panicked even.

She fought the urge to recant the terrible ordeal she'd been through only moments before. Oceanic eyes searched his face before averting her eyes, ashamed. She had everything and nothing all at once – what was there to do when the only thing you could do was nothing?