Tribulations of Twilight
Chapter 6
Link sat on a hill, in the outskirts of Medietas. He sat on a rock, gazing at the Twilight Realm's sunset. It was beautiful. Unlike anything Link has ever seen. Toward the sun, the sky was in it's last moments of the radiant amber, with few black clouds in the sky. As the sky stretched outward, it turned from orange, to finally, a light brown. True, the Light World's sunset was beautiful, but the Twilight Realm's was surreal. One look, and you would be captivated. It was the small things like this that made Link almost not regret leaving the Light World. But, he would be stray from this all too soon for his liking, and remember the pain of decisions to come.
What am I going to do once this is all over? Go live in the Palace? No. I couldn't. Midna doesn't love me, and I can't force that. I'll just fade away. I'll tell Midna, if she even cares, that the Goddesses are recalling me back. Then, I'll just travel. Explore the world, never stop.
But... going on that path will be difficult. I... I'll have to... kill... Zeke. There's... no other way around it. Once this is over, Zeke will pursue his dream of total destruction of both realms. I can't allow it. Midna may not... love me... but I can't watch her die. If what Divus has told me is true... there can be no other way around it.
Link almost hated himself for these decisions he was making. But he had no choice. He couldn't bear to linger in the Palace, knowing that in time, he would see Midna choose a suitor who would deserve her, and watch her love him. It would be too much. Link could possibly quite kill himself, but the last rational voice in his head shouted, Divus was lying to you! What would be the point of that? He could have killed me then and there, but no. He told me everything. For what purpose I don't know. Maybe he knew that in time I would have a decision to make. Make a double-whammy, and before I could kill him, I would have to kill Zeke, or he would kill me. Or we would kill each other. The way I see it at this point is simply; Kill Zeke and let Divus kill me and rule, Kill Divus and let Zeke kill me and rule, or kill them both, and live a shell of a life. Great choices, huh?
Link continued to stare at the sunset. He almost didn't detect the faint footsteps behind him.
"Link, is something wrong?" Zeke's voice rang.
Oh, what, come to check on me, and fake cheering me up so I can fight the templars at my all? Link frowned, as Zeke drew near.
"You seemed distraught when you woke up earlier today, after you fainted twice." Zeke said, sitting near Link.
Link scowled, and recalled the memory.
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Link awoke, and found himself back in the same bed, with Midna and Zeke near. His head hurt, and he didn't even want to be near them. He knew in time what they were going to do. Midna would send him off somehow, and Zeke could possibly kill him. Oh, Joy.
"Listen, Mr. Important Hero, you really can't save a realm when you collapse when an Enemy is near." Midna said, jokingly.
Link frowned. Since when did you care? You disliked me from the start. You just used me because I was the sacred beast, and you, a terribly cute, and adorable imp. Whoa, where did that come from? Know what? Fuck it! I know EXACTLY where that came from! Link thought bitterly.
Zeke scowled, noticing the expression on Link's face. "Link, did something happen? When Divus held out his arm, I detected a large amount of magic being disputed from him."
No, Really, Zeke? Of COURSE it came from Divus! Link thought. He mentally punched himself repeatedly.
He stood up rather quickly, and threw on his clothes, and strapped his Golden Sword and Hylian Shield on his back. "I need to go somewhere. I'll be back soon."
Link walked past the two, and Midna opened her mouth to speak, but quickly stopped. Something is definitely wrong she thought. Could it be a side-effect of his weakened state? What did Divus do?
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"What of it?" Link answered nonchalantly.
"Link, what happened back there?" Zeke shot a serious look at Link.
"Nothing happened."
"Yeah, okay." Zeke stood up suddenly, and looked at Link, "Midna and I can't help you when you're shutting yourself in like this."
Link scowled for the umpteenth time, "and why would you, or her care to help me?"
"Are you retarded?" Zeke grew frustrated. "For the love of Nayru, what is wrong with you?"
Link shot up to his feet. "What's wrong with me? More like what's wrong with you! Back there, Divus opened my eyes."
"'Opened your eyes' you say, well then, how did he do it when he was there for no more than two minutes?"
"Divus used some kind of spell to stop time, and transport us to a void of his. There, he told me everything. Like how you were, or are the Templar of Darkness, and how you want both realms destroyed!"
A shadow loomed over Zeke's face, as night finally fell. "Is that what you truly believe? Then why would I waste four years of my life and yours to train you to utilize the potential of your Triforce? Why do you bear that scar across your face as a reminder?"
"So that you could use me against the Templar, then kill me over!" Link drew his Golden Sword, and Hylian Shield. "I should have never trusted you, or her! Both of you are only using me, and are planning to let me go in the end! Well, I'm going to latch onto the only thing I have left - being the Hero of Twilight! I'm going to save this realm, even if there's nothing left for me in both the Light World, or the Twilight Realm!"
"So, this is what you believe? So be it." Zeke drew his claymore, as his tattoo began to glow.
Resonating with Zeke's tattoo, Link's Triforce began to glow as well.
"I will not let you accomplish your dream of destroying both realms!" Link charged at Zeke, striking at him with his Golden Sword, as Zeke blocked. The two interlocked, fighting each others strength.
"Then tell me, oh wise Link, why didn't I destroy the Light World when I was in it!" Hissed Zeke.
The two leaped away from each other, as they unleashed flurries of attacks against each other, only to be blocked by the other. "Because the Templar stood in your way! You couldn't destroy the Light World, because it would radiate too strong of energies, and Divus would latch onto that, and use his power of Spirit to create a Light World portal, and thwart you!"
Zeke's claymore sang through the air, as it penetrated through Link's defenses, and cut across his cheek. Uttering a grunt, Link retaliates by slicing across Zeke's chest.
Link back flipped away from Zeke, and clenched his left hand tight, as his Triforce began to glow crimson. Zeke ran toward Link, as Link slammed his hand against the ground. A bright red glow surrounded Link, as a sphere of fire consumed Link, radiating around him as the dancing flames created a perimeter around Link, then expanded rapidly, consuming Zeke.
Zeke cried out in pain, as the fire seared him. Link yelled out the incantation that would magnify the spells power, "Din's Fire!"
The flames increased, as Zeke yelled out in pain. It was consuming him all too quickly, and if he didn't do anything, he would surely die. Zeke began his counter attack.
His tattoo radiated Silver, as he dispelled Din's Fire. Link stood up, and faced a panting Zeke. Black energies swarmed Zeke.
"So I was right." Hissed Link.
"In one way." Zeke closed his eyes, as he utilized the power he swore he would never use again. An Aura of nothing but darkness enclosed around Zeke. Using the raw power, Zeke's eyes shot open as he held out his left hand, and a beam of darkness shot out.
Link saw it coming, but was too late to react. It hit him dead center in the chest, as he yelled out in pain. The beam ceased, as Link fell on his back.
Link leaped to his feet, panting. He pulled out a bottle filled with purple liquid. "I'll stop you, Zeke. I have to..." Feeling a twang of remorse, Link put the bottle of liquid to his lips, and drank slowly. He recovered from all of his injuries, as they healed extraordinarily fast. Even he wouldn't be kept down from his encounter with Argus.
A golden glow surrounded Link, as he put all of the new found energy into his sword. He charged at Zeke, with inhuman speed. Zeke too, enchanted his blade with his power of darkness, and charged at Link.
They clashed, their powers fighting against each other. They interlocked each other with their swords. It was here and now, that they used their full power. Link poured everything he had into his attack, as did Zeke.
Zeke radiated a dark purple, throwing everything he had, as he removed his claymore from the interlock, and stabbed out at Link.
Link followed suite, as he radiated gold, removing his Golden Sword from the interlock, and slicing at Zeke.
As the two exerted their powers, the compression released, creating an explosion. It danced furiously, as it glowed a bright white. It lit everything within 100 feet, as slowly, it ceased.
As the smoke cleared, the two warriors stood. Link's blade lodged into Zeke's ribs, as Zeke's claymore pierced into Link's right shoulder.
The two warriors both coughed a fine mist of red, as Link ripped his sword from Zeke, who grunted weakly, having no more strength in him.
Zeke's legs gave in, as he fell against the crater they made. He lay on his back, looking into the clear Twili sky.
Link withdrew Zeke's claymore from his shoulder, and fell on his knees, using his blood-soaked Golden Sword for support.
"Now you tell me, Link, how was I ever going to beat you?" Zeke spoke suddenly, in a strained voice.
Link's ears perked up, as he looked at Zeke.
"I couldn't beat you, when I was at my best. I am on the ground, and you still stand. Tell me, how was I going to kill you?"
Link's mind was a haze. "W-what do you mean?"
"I never had any intention of destroying both realms. Divus tricked you."
Link bit his lip, drawing blood. "Cut the bullshit!"
"Please, what would seriously be the point of lying to you now?" Zeke drew a raspy breath. "Tell me this, if Divus trapped you in a void where he is in control, why didn't he kill you then and there, and rid of one problem?"
Link's mind was racing The effects of the Great Fairy's Tears were fading, and he grew weak.
"Divus created an illusion. He trapped your mind into it, using his power of Spirit. He did it to lower your spirit, to make you manipulable. That's how he functions. He could have killed you there, and your mind would have shut down, believing you were dead. Then, he would cancel the illusion, and kill you in real life. He then could have summoned the other Templar, and could have killed me and Midna too." Zeke paused.
"Do you know why he didn't? Because he didn't have enough power. When we first encountered him, I truly did weaken him badly, only, I didn't use a backlash; I used my powers. He only had enough to create the illusion to trick you. Divus had hoped it would have resulted in that me and you would kill each other, so that the Twilight Realm wouldn't stand a chance."
Link took a moment to absorb all of this in. I may or may not have just killed my best friend. Link thought about that for a moment. I nearly killed my best friend. I just nearly killed my best friend. WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST DO!
Link gripped both of his temples, and screamed. He didn't know what to believe anymore. He screamed until he ran out of breath. To which, he started coughing horrendously. His left hand flew to his mouth, trying to stifle his coughing fit, but nothing worked.
Zeke lifted his head, as blood ran from the side of his mouth, he noticed Link's situation, and his mind immediately flew to a conclusion; that fter what Divus must have lied to him, and what Zeke must have told him must have been catastrophic to his health.
Zeke sat up, ignoring the severe pain, and crawled toward Link.
Link's coughing fit subsided, as he removed his hand from his mouth, to find a nice blotch of blood on his palm. Link tried to call upon the power of his Triforce, but he was spent.
"I guess we really messed each other up, huh?" Link remarked at their weakness.
Zeke sat near Link. "I guess so."
As if on cue, Link heard footsteps in the distance. He looked to where they were coming from, and he saw Midna and Dr. Koric, along with two other twili, who were wearing white robes. He assumed them to be some kind of medics.
"Link! Zeke! What the hell happened here! From the Palace, I saw an explosion of energy, and... Holy Hell! What happened to the both of you?"
Link scratched his head, before looking at Zeke. "Should we tell her?" He mumbled.
"Wouldn't be the best idea..." He replied, in the same tone.
Link was trying to think up a lie, when Dr. Koric and the two medics approached them. "You two, work on him-" He pointed to Zeke; "I'll work on Link."
Dr. Koric sat near Link, and made him lie down. He then reached inside his white robes, and pulled out a silver box. He unlatched it, and came into Link's view, were lots of tools. Some looked like they were meant to hurt.
Link gulped, and spoke. "C-couldn't you just... take me to the Palace and work on me there...?"
Dr. Koric shook his head, reaching in, and pulling out some tool that looked like a torture device, "Sorry, but you've lost enough blood as is, and, don't worry. Most of these only look like they will hurt."
Link sighed, as slowly, Dr. Koric took out some vials that were also in the box. He dripped the multicolored liquids onto Link's wounds. Most of them, he couldn't feel, but the ones that were applied to his shoulder wound, hurt like hell.
Link clenched his fist and teeth from the pain. "Holy Hell!" He screamed from clenched teeth, "are you applying ACID to my wounds?"
Dr. Koric smiled, and continued with his work. Some time passed, as Link lay in the crater. He gazed into the Twilight Realm's sky. The stars were also celestial, Link noted. They weren't just white, red, and blue like in Link's world, they were all sorts of colors. Pink, Purple, Blue, Red, Green, Black, and even yellow. He was almost envious from the variety of colors. He also noticed Midna was sitting near him the whole time, her knees up to her chin, and her arms wrapped around her legs. Though she was covering up most of her face, there was also a worried look in her eyes. Link was glad that Divus hadn't fully lied about her, but he still wasn't sure if she loved him.
Link caught himself gazing at her. Her midnight blue and black skin, with the cyan runes that only illuminated her already perfect skin. Her fiery red hair was to die for, and her crimson eyes seemed endless. Not to mention her luscious lips, with the purple lipstick she always wore.
Link was glad she wasn't wearing the hooded cloak that made her look like she had a cone head. Rather, she was wearing a black skirt, with a similar black blouse, and a black robe to protect herself from the cold.
Link turned his gaze back to the sky. He looked back at Dr. Koric, and he was stitching up some of his wounds, along with the shoulder wound. He was surprised he couldn't feel it. He guessed the liquids he poured onto him were supposed to cleanse the wounds and also numb them. Well, they certainly worked, didn't they?
Link noticed he wasn't hearing anything from Zeke. He turned his gaze to him, and found him unconscious, with the two medics working hastily, treating his wounds. Dr. Koric, Link noticed, was taking his sweet time.
"They had to drug him to make him unconscious. We couldn't numb him like I had did to you, or else he would be numb for a week." Dr. Koric told Link.
Link nodded in acknowledgment, and felt a twang of sorrow. He was going to enjoy the day where he killed Divus for making Link doubt his love, and his friend.
Link's mind wandered, mostly to parts of his quest.
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Link ran through Hyrule Field. The rain was hitting him hard, as his tongue flopped from his mouth to the side. He was tired, and if he kept this up, he could die. But he didn't care about himself. He didn't care about anything, save for the dying imp on his back.
When foes approached, he attacked with such ferocity he had never shown before. He was on a rampage, and nothing would get in his way.
Every second, he could hear Midna's breath grow fainter. He couldn't bear it, she was going to die. He wouldn't think about that, he was only thinking about saving her, and he was going to get her to the only place she could be saved; Hyrule Castle. He would charge right in through the front doors if he had to, take on anybody that would dare step in his path.
He neared the entrance to Castle Town, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Midna's clench on his fur was growing fainter, she wouldn't last long.
He roared through the doors, townspeople screaming at the wolf, and the imp. He didn't care, he ran through the streets, almost tackling civilians that cross him.
Midna was in so much pain, it felt like her whole being was on fire. She found it hard to breathe. She was going to die, she knew it, but yet, she had hope. Hope that her wolf would save her. I deserve to die after all I put him through. She thought. I was never nice to him once. I always bossed him around, put him to the edge of death once, and I didn't care. How stupid I was! And yet... he's... trying to save me. No, it couldn't be because he cares for me, he only needs me. Yes, only needs me to save his friends. She watched, though. Watch as he yelled as best a wolf could, slaying enemies with such ferocity she had never seen before. And yet, he didn't stop there. She heard his heart beat faster with each passing second – all to get her to Zelda. She watched as he ran through castle town, growling at everyone who dare stand in his way. Barking as loudly as he could, as he ran through the square, and toward Telma's Bar.
Link wasn't going to give up – he was going to save her. He was going to have to thank the cat someday for helping him into the secret passage to the Castle. But now wasn't the time. He had to save her. He was going to save her, and nobody, not even death was going to stop him.
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In Link's mind, he recalled first transforming into a wolf. He grimaced, as he neared the Wall of Twilight that blocked the way to Eldin's Province. He knew what was coming, and he was going to have to face it...
Midna popped from his shadow, and asked him if he wanted to proceed. He nodded, grimly. She knew what was coming, and to be honest, she didn't like it herself. She had watched once before, when she found him as the Sacred Beast.
She entered the Twilight, and pulled him through.
They stood there for a moment, and Link's breathes drew quicker. "They're doing this to me on purpose. They're trying to catch me off guard, to where I won't expec-" He never finished the sentence. All too soon, he screeched in pain, falling to his knees, as his transformation began.
Bones twisted, and creaked. Muscles reformed, and hair started to grow. He felt every moment of it, and it was hell. He felt bones snap, bones mend, muscles stretch and thin. He felt his legs bend backwards, while his head screamed, MY LEGS DON'T BEND THAT WAY! THEY DON'T BEND THAT WAY! Sickening cracks filled the air. OH DEAR GODDESSES, NOW THEY DO!
After more sickening cracks, he lay on his furry side, panting heavily. He was still in pain, but it was thinning.
Midna watched, concern, worry, and fear in her eyes. Wait, since when do I care about him? I only need him for this quest to save my realm. Still, she felt her heart beat fast, watching as Link breathe from the pain moments ago. She bit her lip. After a couple moments, she finally asked, "Well, Wolf Breath, are you done with your freak show? Can we please just hurry up?"
Wolf Link panted in her direction, as he wobbly stood, as she threw herself onto his back. He grunted, and turned his head to her growling, Watch it! He screamed at her in his head. She just grinned, as she kicked his sides, urging him forward.
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Link sat in a cave in Snowpeak. There was a raging blizzard outside, and there was no way in hell Link was going to travel in that. He sat near the entrance, gazing outside into the whiteness of the blizzard. Midna joined him by popping out of his shadow, and sitting near him, hugging her knees.
"Goddesses DAMN, it's cold in here!" Midna exclaimed.
Link sighed, and said, "Well, why don't you go back into my shadow?"
Midna looked at him, frowning. "Are you crazy? It's even worse in your shadow! When I'm in your shadow, my body is touching the ground, so I'm touching all of that snow out there!"
Link rolled his eyes, "You didn't complain earlier."
"That's because I had a choice, freeze in the wind, floating, or freeze in your shadow, while I'm stationary. I chose the one where I wasn't moving, so I stuck in your shadow. But now, there's almost no wind."
Link glanced at Midna, and she was shivering. Link felt bad for her, so an idea came into mind.
Link gathered wood that was in the cavern, and made a pile out of them. Using his lantern, he started a fire. He started to remove his tunic and chain mail, but left his white undershirt on Tossing his chain mail aside, he put back on his tunic.. Midna wasn't paying attention. She was shivering, and she rubbed her arms in vain.
Link suddenly grabbed her. Midna yelped in surprise, as Link wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. He removed her Fused Shadow, and set it on the ground. Midna looked up at Link, while he held her when she was wrapped in his tunic.
"W-W-What are you d-doing?" She asked, as her teeth chattered.
"Helping you warm up." He replied. Letting go of her for a second, he reached into his pack and pulled out a tan blanket. He wrapped it around them, staying close to the fire. Under the blanket, he started massaging her limbs.
"What are you doing now?" She said, enjoying his touch, but at the same time her mind was racing.
"I'm trying to prevent you from getting frostbite. I hear once you get that, they have to amputate whatever is frostbitten. I don't want to look at you with one arm missing because of Frostbite."
"Because I would be even more hideous..." Midna whispered under her breath.
With his ears, Link caught the words. "No, not because your hideous, but because of the fact I can't stand to look at anyone I care about who was injured, and I didn't do anything about it when I could have. Plus, I don't think your hideous at all."
Link continued his massage, as slowly, Midna began to stop shivering, and became quite comfortable in Link's arms. She snuggled up to his warm chest, and lay her head against him. She could hear the beats of his heart, as it lulled her. Link stroked her back, tracing her shoulder blades and spine, as slowly, she began to fall asleep. The fire died long ago, but the two didn't notice. Link rested his head on Midna's, and slowly, closed his eyes, embracing the imp he held.
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Link snapped back into reality, when Dr. Koric snapped in front of his face. "Hey, I'm almost done here." He announced.
Link nodded, as Dr. Koric drew out bandages, and patched them onto the smaller wounds, and took out gauze, and wrapped it around his chest, protecting the stitches and bandages he put on there. He took out one final bandage, and applied it to Link's cheek. Dr. Koric told Link that he was done, and Link sat up. Link glanced over at the two medics that worked on Zeke, and he noticed that Zeke was down to his leggings, as they were finishing up on his chest. Link noticed that he too, had no shirt. He looked around, and his mouth hung slightly at what he saw.
Midna was sewing something black, as she brought the needle up to her face, and bit the thread, cutting it. She held out her project, and it was Link's shirt.
"I didn't know you sew." Link said, impressed by her work. It looked as if the shirt was brand new.
Midna had a shadow of a blush, as she threw the shirt at Link. "Well, I picked up a few things in my life, Wolf boy."
Link thanked her, as he put on the shirt. Link looked down at himself. He didn't really have the time to actually know what he looked like. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, white fingerless gauntlets, black pants, and black leather boots. He sighed. If he didn't have enough time to even look at himself properly, he must have not much time here to actually spend with Midna.
Link scowled at the thought. He noticed then that one of the medics stood, and walked over to Dr. Koric, "Doctor, we need to take this man to the hospital to finish his treatment, and for him to rest."\
Dr. Koric scratched his silver hair-filled head, before sighing. "Okay, okay." Dr. Koric snapped his fingers, as a dark blue glow surrounded the unconscious Zeke. Slowly, he began to levitate, as slowly, the three doctors took him away toward the hospital in Medietas.
Link felt immediately saddened. He slowly looked around, and found his Golden Sword still stabbed into the ground, with his blood drying on it. Disgusted with himself, Link drew the Golden Sword from the ground, before wiping it off on the ground. Looking for his sheath, and the Hylian Shield, he found them nearby in a patch of dirt. Picking them up and dusting them off, he donned them to his back, before sitting back down. I shouldn't have been so vulnerable. I fatally wounded my best friend, and I probably could have done the same thing to Midna, if I was somehow enraged enough.
Sick with himself, he sighed. He noticed footsteps nearby, and he saw Midna sit down next to him, fiddling with a strand of her hair.
Link stared at her. Could I have really driven myself to harm her? Could I have... killed her, if Divus plagued me enough...? Oh goddesses, what would I do with myself!
Link tore his gaze from Midna, and to the ground.
"Link, what happened back there?" Midna asked suddenly.
Oh, I do not need this. Don't need this at ALL. "We ran into a Templar, but we manged to fend him off." Link answered, shuffling.
"Don't lie to me, wolf breath. What happened back there?" Midna scowled at Link.
Link bit his lip. "Long story."
Midna blew a strand of hair out of her face. "Okay, whatever, wolf boy."
Link sighed, "I'm sorry, but I really don't want to talk about it. I'll... I'll tell you later." He had a pained, regretful look in his eyes, that Midna noticed all too well. But, she left it alone, Link would tell her in time. Or so he said.
"We'd better start heading back." Link said, turning toward the Palace.
"Alright, fine. I'm just ecstatic about the Council Meeting in the morning, that we all have to attend to. Explaining Zeke's condition without knowing too much about it will be just fun, won't it?"
Link shut his eyes together, wincing, as if Midna had directly kicked or punched him. He slowly walked to the Palace, Midna walking by his side, curious of what had transcended between Zeke and her hero.
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A/N: I hoped you liked this chapter as much I did writing it!
EDIT: I rewrote the ending, sorry about that!