Chapter 8 - Part I
Link and Shadow attempted to go in opposite directions as Gannon released the attack. The binding jerked them back as the sphere hit full force. The duo flinched, currents of the Energy ripping through their linked forms.
They slowly got to their feet, swords in hand. "Pitiful," Gannon scoffed. Link's eyes narrowed. He was treading on thin ice. The Gerudo back-flipped as roots shot out of the floor. Fire consumed the roots, showering Gannon in sparks. Link glanced at his counterpart in surprise.
"What?!" Shadow snapped. Gannon struck.
* * * * *
Zalcite chuckled, enjoying every moment of her pain. Dark Energy ravaged Zelda's body and mind. She gasped as he intensified the agony. She struggled to stand. Zalcite's attack halted in astonishment. Weaponry appeared in her hands. The Light Arrow glowed as she notched her bow, taking aim.
"You would dare strike?" Zalcite inquired sarcastically, tauntingly.
"I would."
Zelda released. Zalcite raised his palm, a bolt of Dark Energy focused at Zelda's heart. The arrow pierced the neck of Zalcite's cloak, passing through. She sidestepped, the attack glancing off the armor on her shoulder. Zelda glanced at where she'd been. A section had been charred black. She looked back at Zalcite. The hood had fallen back. Her arrow had merely grazed him.
Blood trickled down his neck. Her eyes raised to his face. "You …" Zelda breathed.
* * * * *
Shadow jerked aside, pulling Link with him as Gannon's sword came within inches of them. They jumped back. Link threw his hand out, a water lash caught Gannon in the stomach. The lash struck again as their opponent stumbled back before splashing to the floor. Cool liquid ran along the almost chilled floor, pooling around the Gerudo's booted feet.
Gannon's form suddenly began changing. They slowly backed away as his greenish skin darkened to a near black, while growing larger. Sharp silver claws grew from his now paw-like hands. Gannon's face was now changing. Deadly, curved tusks emerged from his lower jaw as it stretched away from his face, becoming a beast's muzzle. The delicate gold circlet that held back his flaming red hair fell to the floor, the topaz clinking on the stone as Gannon's hair lengthened, sprouting out of his now immensely wide shoulders and down his back. A black and grey pelt rippled over him as his garb melded with him. A low growl came from his throat as he dropped to all fours.
The floor did not tremble, it shook. Link and Shadow took several steps back, Beast Gannon striding towards them. They back-flipped in unison as Gannon brought his wolf-size paw down, narrowly missing them. The blade of Shadow's sword was engulfed in a blast of fire.
Gannon roared in pain as Shadow plunged the blazing weapon into his upper leg. The crystal on top of Gannon's head began to shine; Shadow hastily pulled his sword out. Gannon charged them. Link sprinted to the side, his counterpart stumbled. He plowed through them, sprawling Link and Shadow on the floor.
Link pushed himself to his hand and knees with a groan, looking up at Gannon as he circled around. His foe broke in to a run. When Gannon nearly reached them, Link threw out an arm. An earthen wall shot up. It shuddered from the force of impact as Gannon crashed into it, pieces scattering the floor.
He stood as Shadow got to his feet, turning to him. "The only way we are going to defeat him is teamwork," Link said flatly, his icy blue eyes boring into Shadow's smoldering red ones. Shadow's bound hand moved to the unbound one, removing a coppery wristband.
"Take it," Shadow said as Din's symbol appearing on the item, glowing. The Flare.
Link nodded.
As soon as it was on Link's wrist a silvery glow appeared on Shadow. The silver light soon burst into a fine powder. The dark version of the elements appeared. Though he appeared astonished, it was only momentary.
A blood colored droplet hung from Shadow's silver earring. His wrist band was now a silver, with Din's symbol etched in ruby. A garnet colored sphere hung from a platinum chain, hanging at the same height as Links. The dark version of the Elements belonged to him now.
More of the earthen wall crumbled, cracks appearing. Shadow's eyes narrowed. Once again, his sword flared. Purple and maroon flames licked the air, the heat of dislike radiating from him. "Gannon may be powerful, but he is still mortal," Shadow snarled, rage blazing in his eyes.
Link glanced at the wall. It crumbled. They sidestepped, yanking their bound wrists in opposite directions. The chain suddenly snapped.
Temporarily, they'd set aside their differences, thus freeing them.
Gannon's amber eyes revealed his shock, momentarily frozen. The smell of singed hair hung in the air, blood beginning to seep from the charred wound. Shadow smirked, his gaze challenging. "Did you honestly believe that you could kill me so easily?" he scoffed, amused. "Something to consider: Never underestimate the dark side of your opponent."
The claws of Gannon's leg suddenly began to glow, horizontally slashing at the air. Link and Shadow instinctively raised their shields, sidestepping, as a silver, blade shaped substance flew at them. They winced as it cut into their unprotected legs. Blood was running down the outside of Link's left thigh, likewise on Shadow's right. The gashes were deep.
Link slowly lowered his shield, glancing at his counterpart. Shadow's expression was that of a stony mask, though the slightest smirk was still playing about his lips. He nodded to Link.
He raised both arms, all three elements appeared around Gannon, in the shape of the Triforce. Flames licked at this left side, yet not burning the vines that were snaking around his body. A sapphire blue barrier prevented him from moving as Shadow charged him.
Three feet away, Shadow jumped. His sword cleaved the white crystal on Gannon's forehead in two as he landed, up to the hilt in carcass. Link lowered his arms as Shadow breathed a sigh of satisfaction, slowly drawing out the blade. Blood coated the metal. Gannon's corpse began glowing a deep scarlet, appearing to become less solid.
As the carcass vanished the glow retracted to a single, ruby red triangle. Shadow passed his hand over it, feeling the radiating Power. It vanished, reappearing as a golden glow on his right hand.
"… I believe you came to kill me …" Shadow drawled as Link started to walk past him, collecting the Spinner and sheathing his sword.
"No. I am more interested in finding - and disposing of - your overlord," Link said and continued. Shadow soon fell in step behind him.
"Great minds think alike, so it seems. I tire of taking another's orders, although you likely have a different reason … A reason named Zelda."
Link flushed slightly but walked on. "She is more than capable of fending for herself," was his reply. They both knew it was true, and continued in silence. Still, Link did not put it past anyone, seeking strength and power, to attempt to kill her.
"This way," Shadow said, turning into a passageway to the left. It darker and the ceiling was shorter than the rest of the corridors, likely a convenience path.
The passage then twisted upwards at an angle, coming to a lightless stairwell. Shadow stepped just inside, and then hit both sides of the entrance with his open palms. Link heard a grating sound as rough stone scraped against marble. Purple flames leapt up from the dead torches, casting ghastly shadows. Supplying inspiration for Shadow's thoughts.
Shadow smiled at the thought of Zalcite's blood soon spattering the dark floor, the ragged breathing slowly fading as his master's life spilled onto the dark floor.
Link, sensing the general darkness of his counterpart's thoughts, was careful to remain several paces behind him. The stairwell spiraled up as well, before sharply turning right.
Shadow stopped when the came to a wide, spanning set of steps. At the other end of the room two tall, black spiked crystals stood on either side of the double doors. On the door itself was a strange symbol etched in silver.
"Zalcite's domain," Shadow snarled, glaring at the symbol. He seemed completely oblivious as Link walked past him.
As Link reached the door, he turned. "Coming?" he inquired. Shadow moved towards him, placing the edge of his sword at Link's back.
"I shall be the one to kill him," Shadow hissed, the venom of a cobra in his tone. Shadow pushed open a door, calmly walking towards his now hoodless master. He stopped several yards away, sword still at Link's back.
Zalcite leisurely looked over. "Zant?!" Link gasped. Zalcite's yellow eyes narrowed in rage as Shadow lowered his weapon.
"You dare compare me to that pathetic Twili?!" Zalcite snarled, lashing out in attack. The gale of Dark Energy threw Link onto his back, several feet away from his counterpart.
"And you have already murdered my father," Zelda said icily. "Would you kill another for less of a reason? Simply to satisfy your already overlarge ego?"
"Hold your tongue!" Zalcite snapped as Link got to his feet. Link glared at Zalcite, coolly observing him.
Zalcite's skin had a tinge of Twili gray to it, and resembled Zant's in build. Only his eyes were much colder, an hundredfold more hate in them than Zant's. The same symbol that was on the door was on his forehead, only in black. A reverse of Nayru's symbol. Three black crescent moons facing inwards.
"If you are not a Twili, then what are you?" Link inquired, his tone coolly indifferent.
"I am of the Daruko tribe," Zalcite said coldly. "The Goddesses made a fatal mistake. And that was in sending us here. All that oppose me shall die."
"Then perhaps you would like the honor of killing him," Shadow said, nodding to Link, bored. Zelda looked at him, her eyes meeting his.
"You are Link, Shadow. Just his other side," she said softly, pleadingly meeting his gaze.
Upon being addressed as Link, Shadow's inhuman defenses seemed to crumble. The red of his eyes darkened, turning to a solid, warm black. His skin had also lost the grayish tinge, which left him with the appearance of a darkened version of Link. Yet just as lethal, if not more.
Link glanced at Shadow, then back to Zalcite. "Pity. He is not your bloodthirsty lapdog anymore … You shall have to fight your own battles now," Link said, slowly unsheathing his sword. The sound of metal scraping against metal seemed to prompt Zalcite.
The cloak faded as he drew an estoc, a sword designed mainly for stabs. Zalcite's garments were clearly designed for combat. Slate gray and close fitting. "Learn to keep your brazen tongue on a leash, wolf-boy. It shall make your death far less painful," Zalcite snarled, moving towards Link.
Zelda quick-changed to Tetra as Shadow raised his sword towards his former master. "Link is wrong about one thing: Your blood shall spill, and you shall soon be dead," he said icily, his eyes glinting red as Tetra unsheathed her scimitar.
"All three pieces of the Triforce, gathering for one purpose," Tetra began as she joined them. "To halt your advance."
Zalcite glanced around him, smirking. "Triforce or no, you cannot defeat me," he said flatly.
"Is that a challenge?" Shadow inquired softly, the blade of his sword flaring.
"Possibly." Dark Energy formed around the estoc.
Shadow charged him. Zalcite sidestepped, bringing the flat of his blade across Shadow's lower back, sprawling him on the floor. He turned, his blade clashing against Tetra's as she struck. He pushed her away, bringing his blade across hers, placing all his weight behind it. She stepped back as his sword grazed her neck.
Link attacked, vertically bringing his sword down. It clashed against Zalcite's. A pale green glow surrounded Link's sword. "Fool," Zalcite muttered. The Dark Energy lashed out like a whip. Link stumbled back, a thin red mark left across the left side of his face and neck.
Shadow brought his sword upwards. The first blood was his. Zalcite's right sleeve gave a satisfying rip as Shadow's blade met flesh. The wound was not deep, but enough to make his former master curse. Shadow was on his feet again, feinting. Zalcite parried every strike, both Tetra's and Shadow's.
Shadow sidestepped as Zalcite's sword nearly plunged through his neck. Zalcite struck again. His blade slashed through the shoulder of Shadow's tunic as he ducked. Zalcite snapped his fingers. Two of the lavender eyed creatures appeared, immediately attacking Link and his counterpart.
"Droids shall keep them occupied for a bit," he drawled, and attempted to behead her. Tetra stepped back, feeling the breeze from his weapon. Her eyes narrowed menacingly. She struck, the blade of her sword slicing across his ribcage. Blood ran down Zalcite's side. He glared at her, and suddenly knocked her feet out from under her.
As she tried to get up her kicked her in the ribs. Continuously. With every kick, the breath was knocked out of her. A sharp crack and another searing pain told them a rib had broken. Painfully gasping for air, Tetra moved her hand towards the dagger in her sash. Seeing what she was about to do, he kicked her again. Another sharp crack.
"I suggest you stop, before all your ribs break," he drawled, listening to the sounds of his droids facing off with Link and Shadow, looking down on her. Tetra's hair was coming loose from the bun, falling in wisps around her face and down her back.
Taking in shallow, less painful gasps of air, she glared at him in reply. In one motion, Tetra removed the dagger and plunged it into Zalcite's knee, bringing the curved blade down his leg.
He swore, and clubbed her with the flat of his sword. Tetra fell motionless. "Headstrong wretch," Zalcite snarled. Dark Energy gathered around the wound, partially mending it. When it vanished the wound was over half healed. The droid facing Shadow suddenly attacked Link. Zalcite glared at Shadow as he killed the creature, turning to face him.
Shadow knew that, if they failed, they would all suffer greatly before Zalcite would kill them. He strode towards his former master, ignoring the rosette of red forming on his arm.
Seeing the blood on Zalcite's leg, Shadow smiled. "Power versus Dark Energy … This shall be interesting," Shadow drawled, the purple and maroon flames shrinking to a red glow.
He attacked. Their blades clashed. Red and black sparks emitted from where the two weapons met. Shadow pushed Zalcite back, pressing his slight advantage. Zalcite's estoc pressed against it's wielder's chest, opening a long, deepening gash. Crimson flourished around the angular gash.
Dark Energy suddenly channeled into Shadow's weapon, sending a sudden spasm of pain through his body. Shadow stepped back, hardly eager to re-experience it. One of Zalcite's brows arched. "Losing your nerve so soon, O Powerful One?" Zalcite taunted, sarcasm dripping from his tone, yellow eyes locking on black. Shadow's suddenly flushed scarlet again as his temper flared. Cursing his former master, he brought his blade across Zalcite's face.
"A reminder that I am not your pawn," he snarled, eyes flashing. A long gash ran horizontally across Zalcite's face, blood already running down the sides of his face. As it touched the edge of his mouth Zalcite slowly ran the tip of his tongue over his bloody upper lip, as if savoring the taste.
And lashed out in attack. Shadow parried the blade to the side. He heard the hiss of the droid being defeated, and saw Link out of the corner of his eye.
Zalcite plunged his sword into Shadow's stomach. And twisted. Shadow's mouth opened slightly in a gasp of pain as his former master carved his intestines. Zalcite slowly withdrew the blade, smirking. Shadow staggered back, scarlet soaking his tunic and trousers.
He fell to his hands and knees, coughing up blood. The thick, warm, metallic substance coated his lips. It sickeningly dripped into the puddle forming beneath him.
As Link came within ten feet of his counterpart he saw how severe the wound was. Blood was seeping down his back as well. He half-jogged to where Shadow was. His counterpart looked up at him as Link knelt. Blood was starting to slide down his chin. All traces of scarlet rage were gone from his eyes, but the black depths were beginning to glaze as his life poured onto the ground.
End Chapter 8 - Part I