A link to the twilight
Part 3
Time passed and the dream that Zelda had didn't come true. No sign of evil anywhere either. Zelda had searched for Link many times but nobody seemed to be able to find him. Finally, after another long month of hiding, Link made his first appearance. He was heading for Hyrule castle. As he crossed the bridge in front of Hyrule castle's entrance, a weird looking guy called him.
"Mr. Link! Waaaaaaait!" said a guy as he was rushing to Link. "Greetings, Mr. Link! I have come to deliver a letter. Tada! There is a letter for you, Link. 2 letters, in fact! Well, my business is concluded! Onward to mail!" said the postman."
"Why do I always have the feeling that this guy is missing something? Oh well, better read my letters," said Link to himself.
Link opened one of them. It was from Shad. Link read quickly.
Dear Link,
I am flattered that you demanded my presence. Unfortunately, you seem to have disappeared from the world. I searched some places but you were never there and nobody saw you either. I finally decided to write you a letter so maybe the postman will have a better chance than me. Please come to Telma's bar as soon as possible. I'll be waiting.
Shad
Link had a smile on his face. He was glad that Telma didn't forget about his request. He remembered also that another month passed and who knows how old this letter was. Well, he's been very busy. His cave didn't look like a cave anymore. Anyway, Link put the letter in his pocket and opened the other one.
Dear Hero,
I have important news that needs your presence. Please come visit me as soon as you get this letter.
Zelda
"What does she want me for? Nothing is happening," thought Link. "Well, better go see, she's the princess after all." Link entered castle town. Which way was he gonna head for first? Zelda was a priority so, to Hyrule castle! This time, the guards recognized him and let him pass right away. They didn't offer to lead him because they remembered well how he answered the first time. Link got to the throne room and like the first time, Zelda stood up instantly. Link made reverence but Zelda was already in front of him. "There's no time to lose. Follow me," she said, looking at the high chancellor with a cold look that meant everything for him. This time, Zelda took Link in another room. It was like a living room, her personal living room. Zelda lit some candles and took place on a luxurious couch. She invited Link to join. This time, Link didn't hesitate. Somehow, he wanted this reunion to be quick so he could go on with his businesses with Shad. Still, he waited patiently for the princess to speak.
"I had a dream… no, a vision. It was horrible. People were dying from vicious flames. The sages told me it was pure power and yet it lusted for it. They told me that one month ago. They said it was growing as they were telling me this. But the land remains at peace. I don't understand…" sighed Zelda.
"And you want me to go hunt for this pure evil and put an end to it, right?" asked Link.
"Yes. You are the hero, the chosen one. You hold the Triforce of courage and it gives you power. It is your task. I know you've been having a rough time but do not let your emotions take over. We must erase this evil power, together!" said Zelda.
"I see. I am very busy at the moment but… as long as it doesn't involve helping some princess from another world, I will be ready for when it comes," smiled Link.
"I'm happy to see that you feel better. And what have you been up to this last month? Oh… I'm sorry. This is none of my business," apologized the princess.
"It's alright princess. Let's just say I took a new way in my life. I feel good about it," he answered.
"I'm glad to hear that. Well, this marks the end of the reunion. I won't interrupt your life anymore unless there's danger. If you ever have need of me, let me know and I'll do anything I can to assist you," she said.
Link thanked her and they went back in the throne room and Link left the castle. He thought of this pure evil that was supposed to grow each day. "Well, exercise is always a good thing," he thought. "There's less fiends now that Ganon is dead. It makes it hard to stay in shape." Link reached Telma's bar. He was glad to see Shad when he opened the door. So was Shad apparently.
"Link! It's so good to see you! Where have you been? Telma told me you wanted to see me and then you just disappeared. Were you alright?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm well. Just been very busy," answered Link.
"Well then let's not waste any time! What did you want me for? Something about the Ooccas?" he asked, barely able to stay in place.
"No, something about books," said Link, remaining perfectly calm.
"Really? Well, you've ask the right person! Tell me, what subject you wish me to tell you about?" asked Shad, full of hope.
"Science. And I do not wish you to tell me about it. I wish you to show me where I can find good books about it," replied Link.
"Oh…" sighed Shad, hurt." Erm, um, well, um, there's a library in Hyrule castle that is open to the public," said Shad.
"Do you know a place less open to the public? A place where only privileged person can access?" he asked again.
Shad opened his eyes wide. His curiosity was peaked. But with the look on Link's face, he knew to not ask more questions.
"Well, let me think for a minute… There's a place that is not well known for those who aren't interested in literature. It contains a huge collection of books of different subjects. I'm sure you'd find what you're looking for," said Shad.
"Where can I find this place?" asked Link, hoping the conversation would end soon.
"In the Desert Province, under the ancient prison of Arbiter's ground. I do not know how to enter though. My father told me about it but didn't reveal the entrance. However, he said that only those who are worthy will be able to solve the entrance's riddle," explained Shad.
"Thank you Shad. I really appreciate it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do," said Link, leaving the bar in a rush.
"What is the matter with him?" asked Shad to Telma.
"I don't know. Just don't mess with someone that has heartache," she advised.
"I see…" said Shad.
Link headed for Lake Hylia. Since Midna was gone, he couldn't warp straight to the lake and that meant pay the stupid clown guy to enter. Link didn't want to and wasn't going to. It took him 20 minutes to reach the entrance where the skinny clown was. Link pushed the door and walked to Falbi.
"I don't intend to pay and I'm not here to play. Stand aside please," ordered Link.
"I'm sorry mister but these cuccos don't feed themselves you know. You have to pay," said Falbi.
"Who said that I wanted to use a cucco?" asked Link.
"What?! But you don't think about it! You'll kill yourself!" exclaimed the clown.
"It's not a little jump that will make me kick the bucket. Get out of my way," ordered Link as he put his Zora armour on.
Falbi had no choice. He made space for Link to jump. He watched him fall with a desperate look. Link landed in the water and as expected, he wasn't hurt. Next, the Oasis flight. This time Link had no choice to pay. At least it was more reasonable. Link reached the other clown named Fyer. After a little bit of talking, Link entered the canon and was launched to the Desert Province.
--
"You've all done a great job," said Midna, grateful. "This statue will carry the Hero's great deeds for the next generations."
The giant statue represented Link as his wolf form. He looked proud and strong yet sad and lonely. Midna stood there for awhile. She closed her eyes and remembered the times she spent with Link. She remembered his warm fur, his deep blue eyes, his face… Midna let a tear run down her cheek. She quickly wiped it off. She didn't want the other twili to see their princess crying. "Weep not for the memories," she told herself, going back inside her palace.
--
Link walked in the desert until he saw a bullbo. Those boars-like creatures were not as fast as Epona but when it dashed… better not stand in its way. Link mounted the boar and headed for the temple. He remembered the monster he had to kill there. He remembered well how much fun he had to kill it. Riding the spinner on the walls had been a delight. "If I get bored searching for the secret library's entrance, I could always go enjoy a ride on the walls," he thought. Link entered the Arbiter's ground. He used the double clawshocks to get through the first part. Just before passing the door, Link looked back and gave a suspicious look at the moving sands. "Please, May none of those holes be the entrance," he begged. Link searched a long time through out the temple. He tried many tricks but nothing seemed to be the key to the secret entrance. Frustrated to not be, apparently, worthy enough for this secret library, Link went back to the entrance, where the four blue lights were remaining in peace. Link fell to his knees and cried in rage. He pounded the floor many times. "Nothing will stop me from being with her again you hear me!" cried Link, talking more to himself than someone else. All of a sudden, a light shined brightly and Link had to cover his eyes to not become blind. The symbols around him were lighting one after another. Link got up quickly and looked around him. His hopes were reviving. Slowly, the floor started to move down to form stairs in a circle. Link waited patiently for them to stop making a hollow sound. After a couple minutes, the stairs seemed to finally stop going down. Link looked at the hole. For a second, he hoped that he had enough oil in his lantern. He started to go down the stairs. The path was long and as Link descended, the air was getting colder. He could see his breath going out every second. He never felt so cold before. He was used to the bright and warm sun of his home. Fortunately, Link made it to the end of the stairs without his lantern to run out of oil. Link arrived in front of a giant door. There was no doorknob on it. Link advanced closer to the door to examine it. Symbols were covering it entirely. Link touched them and the door started to move. Slowly at the start, then faster while making a void sound. Link passed the door and penetrated in a room as dark and cold as the preceding one. Link was a bit disappointed. He wondered why this room didn't have any torches or other source of light. "Maybe this place is so ancient that nobody cares to keep it clean," he thought. He still walked but the weak light of his lantern only revealed a marble path that was extending in front of him. It took him more than ten minutes to finally reach a wooden desk. There was a chandelier on each corner of it. Each one of them contained one single candle. Link lit them and in one second, torches lit up on the path he just took. Then, from left to right, dozen of rows of books appeared under the light. Link was mesmerized. Shad would probably have lost consciousness. This thought made him smile and thanked Shad for being such a fan of literature. Link put his attention back on the desk. It had changed. The Triforce symbol was now on the front side. The triangle of courage was brighter than the others. There was a red velour recliner that seemed to invite Link to sit on it. That's what he did. As soon as he sat, Link felt hypnotised. His thoughts couldn't go away from Midna. Even though it would have been hard to make them go away, they were controlling him now. He could only think about the books he was so interested in, which wasn't science at all. He only said that to Shad to make him talk. No, the subject he was really interested in was magic. A subject that he was going to have a lot of pleasure to study.
--
The Palace of Twilight had been restored to its original glory. No more concentrated shadows were running down like waterfalls. Last time that Link came to the twilight realm, the master sword had returned the twili to their imp form. Now that Ganon was no more, they were returning to a more human-like form. Bridges had been constructed to reach other parts of the twilight realm. The princess was most respected. Everybody liked her. She had done so much for their world since she came back. The Twili noticed that she had changed. Not in her usual manner of talking with others but the manner in which she acted towards them. She was more listening to others and willing to give help for nothing in exchange. What they didn't know though, was that every night since she came back, she cried in her bed. Even after two months, she wasn't able to move on with her life. She couldn't forget him. Couldn't forget the love she felt for him. Quite often, she cursed the gods to have left the mirror of Twilight in the light world. She thought many times of what she could have done instead of breaking the mirror. But in the end, the mirror was too dangerous to be left in one piece. No, it was the best decision. The most painful decision she had made in her life. She even thought some times that she would have liked to be a light dweller. In a way she was. Wasn't she a descendant of those who were banished to the twilight realm? They originally were light dwellers. Whatever they had been, what was important now was what she was. She was the twilight princess and nothing was going to change that. However, other things could. That's what happened one day. Lightning started to break in the sky. They weren't that dangerous yet but they were there every day and they seemed to grow stronger as time passed. Midna was a little worried. She felt that the light world had trouble again. Their worlds were bound to each other so when one had trouble, the other one could feel it. But without the mirror, there were no possibility to help. Instead, the princess told her people not to worry. But one day, the Twili weren't that reassured anymore. The lightning took more importance. They started to hit houses, buildings and… people. In fact, some of them died from their injuries. The Twili were starting to be a lot more worried and they were expecting explanations from their princess.
"My princess, we can't continue to close our eyes on those lightning. Obviously, something is happening to our world. We must do something!" claimed a Twili.
Midna sighed. She knew something was going on. But what? She didn't have a choice. She had to tell her people. They deserved to know the truth.
"Those lightning are not the result of our doing. They are the result of the light world's fate," she explained.
"Is the hero doing something about it? Had something happened to the hero? Can we do something?" asked some Twili.
"No, I'm afraid not. All we can do is wait and hope that he is ok," sighed Midna. "Until then, stay inside; don't go out unless there is an emergency."
All the twili agreed. Without the portal, there was nothing they could do.
--
Link was reading the last book of the magic category. He had spent five years under the Arbiter's ground, reading one book after another. Never had he felt the need to drink, eat nor sleep. Never had he felt the need to go out for fresh air nor sun. It's only after reading the last book that Link remembered about his world. The red recliner seemed to release its control on him. Link got up and became dizzy for a few seconds. Link walked around the desk and began to leave. When he was at a decent distance of where he just spent five years of his life, the candles went out and all returned to its original cold and dark state. Link took out his lantern and returned to the entrance. He walked up on the stairs. The entrance was still open. Link got back into the temple. As soon as he stepped out, the secret entrance closed behind him. Link got out of the temple. It was day. Link covered his eyes. He had been used to the soft light of the library for five years. Link suddenly felt very sleepy. He started to walk slowly on the sand. The sun was bright and made Link wanting to sleep even more. Not even back in the Desert Province, Link fell on his knees and slowly fell on his chest. His eyes closed instantly and Link fell into a deep slumber.
--
Rusl was on his way to Telma's bar. As he was about to open the door, Shad opened it before him and almost walked into Rusl.
"Oh Hi Rusl," said Shad, a bit surprised to see him.
"Hi Shad. Have you seen Link recently?" he asked.
"Yes! He came here not to long ago. He went to the Desert Province to look for a secret library," explained Shad.
"The library of eternal knowledge..." whispered Rusl.
Without saying anything more, Collin's father left the bar without even entering it and leaved Shad confused. Rusl rushed to Lake Hylia. He paid the clown and this one launched him into the Desert Province. Once there, he ran towards the temple. Thinking that Link could still be in the secret place, he didn't expect to see him outside Arbiter's ground, sleeping. "Thank goodness! He escaped," said Rusl. The warrior took Link on his shoulders and began to walk back home. On his way, he noticed the bullbos. He smiled in relief and put Link on its back. He mounted the beast and kicked its waists. After a while of riding, Rusl reached the end of the desert. He could see Lake Hylia. By chance, someone constructed a bridge connecting the two lands. Rusl looked at Link still sleeping. "Thank you Link," he said. Rusl dismounted the bullbo and crossed the bridge Link made in his spare time. Back at the lake, Rusl paid the guy again to be launched, this time, to the exit. Link didn't even wake up when they were both flying in the air. He was in a deep sleep. A magical sleep. That's what Rusl explained to Ilia when he got back home with Link.
"Will he ever wakes up?" asked Ilia, worried as hell.
"I don't know. You see, the place he went was cursed. Only strong minds can hope to escape. The library is designed so that the person that enters it forget all about its life, except the one thing they are looking for in the library," explained Rusl.
"How can you escape?" asked Ilia.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure. I guess when you read everything about what you were looking for. But knowledge has no end. That's why someone can spend all its life there. Also, for Link, it may have been one year or ten, for us, not even a day passed. The time passes differently there," Rusl continued.
"From the look on his face, he probably spent a couple years there. He seems older...and so pale! I'm gonna stay at his side until he's better. No matter how long it takes! He did so much for me when I had lost my memory. Now it's my turn to take care of him," said Ilia.
"As you wish. Just remember that it can take one day to years before he wakes up… if he wakes up," sighed Rusl as he leaved Link's house.
Ilia nodded and put her attention back on Link. He was very pale. His skin had lost its gentle tint. He looked skinny too. Link was trembling. Ilia put a warm blanket on him and caressed his hair.
Link was in another world, the dream world. In his dream, he was with Midna. They were in each other's arms. They seemed overjoyed and nothing could divide them. Then something terrible happened. The land was crashing. Earthquakes were starting to be felt. Link and Midna were scared and they were running all over the place. But each time, they reached a ledge and there was nothing but flames in the abyss. They were trapped. Finally, when the earthquakes reached them, the part of land that Midna was standing on, fell. Each time, Link grabbed Midna's hand but could never hold on long. It was the same dream over and over. And each time, Link had to see the desperate look on Midna's face, falling into the flames.