To Xqueezme: Lol, I do try to put humor in here. Guess I'm succeeding, huh? But I am curious, who did you think was the blackmailer?
ZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzz
They reappeared within a seemingly black endless room. Random pillars of what looked like glass rose from a bottomless floor, while water flowed from the top and cascaded down the sides.
Is that water? It doesn't smell like water. Doesn't sound like it either.
Link could see no sky. Just the swirling blackness that had the occasional surge of energy that glided through the air, filling the area with a gentle blue light, until merging with one of the glass pillar's.
Is that even glass...? It's reflecting light more like water would. Like they're just giant pillars of water but how would they keep such a symmetrical shape without something solid underneath?
Despite his confusion and sudden arrival, this place calmed Link's nerves for some reason. The familiar atmosphere tugged at his memory but he couldn't quite recall where he could have visited such a place. He also took comfort in this experience by the presence of Sheik, who stood next to him. The sheikah's panicked grab after teleporting had become a firm hold, one hand laid against Link's upper arm while the other hung loose at the sheikah's side. His fingers twitched, ready to pull a knife at a moments notice if needed.
Sapphire eyes explored where they were currently standing. They stood on top of another pillar of glass with water flowing underneath it. As Link looked closer, he realized that the blue underneath looked more like the surges of energy he's seen emitting from everywhere in the area. It would explain why he didn't hear the rush of water despite having what looked like small waterfalls of it pouring over every pillar in the surrounding area.
Directly underneath him was something else. A white platform shaped like a triangle. Surrounding that was three other golden triangles that connected to form an image of the Triforce. He leaned forward, setting the toe of his boot on the floor outside of the platform. He moved it in a small circle, testing the texture of the floor. It definitely felt like glass, allowing his boot to slide smoothly over the surface but it wasn't slippery.
Link glanced around the platform he stood on, noticing several other things. Sheik actually stood on top of one of the connecting golden triangles. Surrounding their platform was six smaller circular ones, all with a different color and symbol of their own. Link stepped closer to peer at the symbol engraved on the golden platform that stood in front of them.
The Temple of Time had that symbol all over the place…
"What is this place, hero?" asked Sheik finally. Link shrugged as he took another quick look around.
"Beats me…but it does look familiar. I'm sure I've never been here though." muttered Link with a frown.
They both jumped when the same bright blue light that brought them here suddenly shone down from the ceiling and touched the floor in front of them. Someone suddenly dropped softly in front of them, as if carried by the blue light. Link's mouth hung wide open as he looked at the face of the stranger standing before him.
Oh my goddess…he's an older version of me!
"Hello there! You're here a lot sooner than I thought you'd be," said the other version of him. His hair was a brighter shade of blonde now that Link got a better look at him. He couldn't help but stare at this other Link as Sheik stood warily by his side, uncertain of what to make of this other Link. It couldn't be an illusion or any other kind of deceptive magic because he'd have seen through it.
"Wha…who…?" started Link but couldn't get the sentence out.
Now that the shock was starting to wear off something else was taking it's place. Link couldn't identify where it came from, but there was a feeling of compulsion that crawled under his skin. Urging him closer to this copy. His hand that bore the Triforce symbol began to itch.
The other Link laughed.
Goddess's! Even his laugh sounds exactly like mine!
"It's alright. I was quite stunned myself when it first happened to me. Of course, it only happened once so I suppose that it isn't that much of a triumph. Well...unless you count-"
"You're rambling."
Sheik stiffened at the new voice that echoed softly from behind the other Link. He narrowed his eyes, unease building as he saw no one there.
The other Link laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. An action that mirrored the way the hero expressed embarrassment or anxiety.
"Right, right. Sorry. Down to business! People tend to call me the Hero of Time. I don't care much for that. The last time something like this happened, the others just called me Eldest. Anyway-"
"Wait." Suddenly someone else seemed to step out from behind the other Link, showing no hint that they'd been standing there at all. Making the entire move look like an optical illusion.
Sheik did a double take as he caught sight of a familiar pair of red eyes. They held an intensity that made Sheik feel as if this stranger could peer into his very soul. They glanced at him only briefly and then turned to study the hero.
"He isn't ready…I sense only his own power," replied the new stranger. Link couldn't believe it.
Another Sheik!
Link quickly noticed how this other Sheik seemed to have an air of experience that showed both in his stance and his gaze. The same shades of blue's and white made up his exoskeleton with that single red eye symbol on his chest. Unlike his Sheik, this one also had white bandages wrapped around his arms, legs and chest. He didn't seem injured so Link was uncertain of their purpose. Well made leather shin and shoulder guards allowed easy movement while still providing protection.
This other Sheik looked like he stepped off the battlefield. His gaze was hard, as if he expected to be back on it at any moment.
"What?! You didn't awaken the Sages?" exclaimed the other Link.
"What the hell is going on?!" shouted Link in frustration. He was starting to believe that maybe this was some kind of weird hallucination. That itch on his hand told him otherwise.
The other Sheik turned toward the Sheik standing by his side.
"Did you not give him his instructions?" asked the other Sheik. His gaze was strong with a confidence that almost made Sheik envious. Under any other circumstance, Sheik would have been in awe. Now he only wanted to shrink away from that hard gaze.
"I…I relayed what Goddess Nayru said to me before we came here," replied Sheik timidly. The other Sheik looked at him in disbelief.
"What? Were you not listening then? Did she not tell you to come here with the ancient power of seven? Good goddess," grumbled the other Sheik before he turned toward the Hero of Time.
"The Hero of Twilight will not survive with his current power." Replied the other Sheik angrily.
"Calm down Sheiky. We can fix this. We'll just have to wait a little longer," said the Hero of Time as he placed an arm around the other Sheik's shoulders.
"His guide is still a newbie, remember? There was a time when you were a newbie as well. Just take him and give him the whole 'guide speech' and I'll take care of things here."
The other Sheik sighed irritably and nodded. He strode over to stand in front of Sheik.
"Very well. Come with me then. You will need every ounce of instruction I can give you in the short amount of time we have," said the other Sheik as he held out his hand. Sheik looked at it cautiously.
"Go on, I have a feeling we need to do this," Replied Link warily as he gave Sheik a gentle nudge.
Sheik nodded back, and then took the offered hand. They seemed to fade into the shadows.
"Don't worry about your guide. He'll rejoin us soon, but there are important matters we have to discuss," replied the Hero of Time as he crossed his arms.
"I'm sure you've heard of the journeys that your brothers and I have taken, right?" asked the Hero of Time.
"By brothers you mean…?" asked Link.
"I mean our family. The direct line of Great Hero's. We are reborn within this bloodline every time the world has need of us." replied the Hero of Time. Link tried to wrap his head around that concept. After everything that's happened...after all the decisions forced upon him. Did he not have control over his own life either?
So...the only reason I was even born was to deal with the Twilight?
The thought nearly sent his emotions swirling out of control, making that strange primal instinct bubble to the surface.
I can't think about this right now.
He forced the emotions down and then locked them away. He'd deal with them later.
"I know of your journey. I know that Pigface first appeared in your time-" Link paused when the other Link suddenly burst out laughing.
"Pigface! Sheiky will love that. Well, actually he'll probably say something like 'that is an inappropriate moniker for the Bearer of Power' but really, he'll just be to dignified to admit the truth of how much of a gem that is." Chuckled the other Link.
Link's first impression of this doppelganger was that he truly was like looking in a mirror. Slowly Link was starting to notice subtle differences. There has always been a darkness in him. While many of his friends might say that the Twilight had created it, Link believed it had been there from the beginning.
The hero was carefree, friendly and loyal. As much as he could be anyway. Below all of that there was this...mass of writhing energy. He'd never been able to identify it. Never had the courage to even face it. He couldn't remember any time in his life before the Twilight that could have created such emotion.
There didn't seem to be any of that with this Link. At least nothing that deep. He was certainly no innocent soul. He had, after all, been the first to face Ganondorf and live. Regardless, this other Link had an almost child-like nature. All bright smiles and eager laughs.
He is my predecessor. History's example of what a hero is supposed to be like. What did he say to call him? Eldest?
"I know all about you, but I don't have any siblings. At least none that I know of. What brother's do you mean?" Asked Link. Eldest, blinked confused. His hand raised and began gesturing in a way that actually reminded Link of Sheik when he got excited about something.
Well, I'll be damned. I was never one to do that, but here he is, talking with his hands.
"Huh? Come on! Are you messing with me? Unless...has history really forgotten about our brother's...? I mean, I guess it could have been possible if a long period of time passed but-" Suddenly Eldest hit his hand to his forehead.
"Oh, right. Duh. Because of the whole time travel thing-and then I went back-then I traveled-you know what? Forget I said that. Complicated timey-wimey stuff that I don't even really understand myself. The important thing to understand is that we need to do it right this time."
Link stared at him expectantly, not understanding what he was referring to.
"Do what right this time?" Asked Link. Eldest looked wary suddenly, his expression changing so fast that it made Link pause. Again, it reminded him of this other Link's childish nature. Flipping between his emotions without any real connection with them. Literally wearing them on his sleeve as most children would.
"Well, it's good that you brought up Ganon. He seems to be a major part of this. Anyway, what I was referring to was the last time our brothers gathered here. I don't mean those from our bloodline. I mean each other Great Hero that was born into it. Together, we are known as the Hero's Brotherhood. Like I said, it's only happened once and it was a brief encounter. Mostly because we didn't come together correctly." Eldest said this while rubbing the side of his index finger against his forehead, his expression worried.
"We gathered because a powerful foe appeared suddenly and was attempting to gain access to the Sacred Realm through the Temple of Time. It left the city in ruins. So many were killed. I never thought I'd have to see that again after the reset. Zelda reached out to me and said that she had a vision. This enemy was not one that we could defeat. I needed to 'gain the ancient power of seven and gather all of myself.'"
Link's eyes widened. That was the same message he'd gotten from Sheik. Eldest sighed and then shot him an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry brother. I think I had the chance to stop this myself but I failed. I already had the 'ancient power of seven' but I misunderstand what 'gather all of myself' meant. Zelda had said that we couldn't defeat it, so I thought to summon the other Great Hero's to the Sacred Realm so we could fight this enemy together. It didn't work. The others couldn't help. We were weakened the moment we all came within close prolixity to each other. The enemy got passed us. A man in a black robe that commanded such a powerful force of light that it near blinded me. His power was so intense and vast that it almost didn't feel like magic. It just felt like sheer energy that shone brighter then the sun." Eldest balled his fists as he glanced at the different colored platforms around them.
"It was only because of the Sages we were finally able to push him back out. He got what he wanted I believe though. Ganon's seal was weakened. That alone wasn't an issue since the Sages could simply strengthen it again. It meant that he made contact with Ganon though. We have no idea what happened when he did, and that despicable bastard certainly wasn't going to tell us. A taunt was the only thing he'd give us. 'Be ready. My time will come.'"
Link frowned as he listened. This was big. Someone was powerful enough to beat back not one, but several of the Great Hero's? Even weakened that was a feat if they were all at their prime. There was one point that he thought of that hopefully was good news.
"I already defeated him. Ganon is safely sealed away in my time. Or, at least his remains are. As far as Zelda can tell, he lost his piece of the Triforce. We weren't going to take any chances of him finding a way to come back, so she sealed them away," said Link crossing his arms. He suddenly winced, pain shooting across his arm like a lightning bolt when he put weight on it.
"Oh, man. I think my potion is wearing off." muttered Link as he gently placed his injured arm on top. The Hero of Time strode over to his side, looking worried. His face tightened, his left hand balling into a fist. Suddenly Link had an idea of what had weakened the others. That itch had turned into a burning sensation when they stood close to each other.
Would more of them confided into the same space increase the intensity? Or is the number irreverent and it was just a matter of time before the sensation kept building to unmanageable levels?
"You're wounded? From what? Can I see it?" asked Eldest as he reached his side.
Link began unwrapping his bandage. Once he removed it, he couldn't help but gasp.
"It...it wasn't that bad before." Muttered Link.
The wound was no longer oozing purple liquid, but it had grown twice as big. Almost covering the area where the bandage had been at. The skin surrounding the wound had bruised, turning into dark shades of black and blue. Eldest inspected the wound. He narrowed his eyes as he pulled out fresh bandages from his pouch.
"This is dark magic…and it looks familiar, but I just can't place it. You should go see Saria. I'm sure you'll find her in Kokiri Forest. She'll know how to deal with this kind of magic, but this is all I can do for you," said the Hero of Time as he pulled out a potion that looked strangely familiar.
"You have that potion to? Who is making this stuff?" asked Link in wonder. Eldest looked up at him as he uncorked the bottle of the sparkling silver liquid.
"I have no idea who is making it. The guy who sells it is apparently to shy to meet me. I'm lucky that Sheiky just happened to be standing in the right place to run into him. He called it the Goddess's Tear's and it's been a life saver on more then one occasion." Said Eldest with a smile. He poured some of the liquid on his fingers and gently rubbed it on to the wound.
"I've found that drinking this potion it isn't as effective as applying it directly to the wound. It isn't like that for other potions though. Not sure why. Maybe it's designed that way?" Mused Eldest.
Link sighed, relieved when the familiar numbing sensation spread along his right arm. He flexed his right arm out and smiled when he didn't feel any pain. He really didn't care how the stuff got in him, as long as it did it's job.
He was curious about this potion seller now however. The Hero of Time was from an era before the Great Relocation. Logic would dictate that the man his Sheik had met was a descendant but to much of that encounter seemed similar to the man this other Sheik had met.
It wouldn't be the weirdest thing I've seen. The Skull Kid seems pretty old too.
Eldest frowned as he looked at the half empty bottle of the Goddess's Tears.
"Your wound used a lot of this potion. That's unsettling because I don't think I've even gone through a whole bottle yet and I've had this one for over a year. A few drops of this stuff is pretty much the equivalent of a whole bottle of blue potion. If your wound wasn't this bad before, then it's probably going to require more of this potion every time you need it," muttered the Hero of Time as he inspected the wound again.
Applying the potion seemed to have made the bruising fade and the wound itself has lost much of it's inflammation, but it didn't disappear. The potion seemed only able to stall the wound's growth. Not stop it. Most unsettling.
Link groaned, a sense of unease building at the prospect that he could run out of this potion before getting the wound healed.
"Well, we got two bottles of the stuff. Hopefully that's enough until I can finally get rid of this wound."
Eldest hummed in thought before wrapping his wound back up.
"Hopefully you or your guide will cross paths with him again if it is needed. I can't help but wonder how he is selling this...? It can't possibly be cheap. I've never even heard of it and he always gives it away for free. I can't imagine a potion of this magnitude is easy to create. Regardless, that is a matter that you'll have to discuss with your guide. Hm..." The Hero of Time tapped his chin in thought as he peered off toward the side.
"Also, what must it mean that Ganondorf lost his piece of the Triforce? Will our cycle finally end?" Eldest sighed and stepped back.
"That isn't the issue here though. For now, you must prepare yourself and awaken the Sages because you will need their power to summon us. Properly this time."
"What do you mean properly?" asked Link. Eldest grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck.
"My mistake cost us. I will make sure that you do not do the same thing. After we pushed the enemy back out of the Sacred Realm and into the Temple of Time, he simply vanished. His determination to dive deeper into the Sacred Realm makes us believe that while he did achieve something by making contact with Ganondorf, we don't think it was actually his main focus. Afterward I...found out that he had also stolen something precious from me." Eldest paused, the first attempt Link had seen of him actually trying to control his emotions. Link wanted to reach out, feeling bad. What could it have taken? Eldest took a deep breath and seemed to hurriedly move past the memory.
"Anyway, after speaking with Zelda and Sheiky we were able to figure out the problem. The power of the Triforce of Courage manifests only within us, each of the Great Hero's, but it is not mean to be active in more then one host. It didn't make sense at the time, because why would I need to 'gather all of myself' if all of us weren't meant to be there? Then we realized that the message was meant in a metaphorical sense. I needed our brother's power, but not our brothers. When we were fighting together, it was like the air around us was distorting. Heating to such a degree that I thought we'd all burn alive. At the time, I thought that it was the enemy's powerful light, but I actually think the sensation was coming from us." Eldest shuddered, crossing his arms and then rubbing his hands up them. He then gestured to Link's hand which bore the mark of the Triforce.
"I'm sure you are feeling it now. Our pieces of the Triforce are one and the same and yet they act as opposing entities. Slowly distorting reality around them. Luckily the Sacred Realm is pretty resilient to this, but our realm is not. Zelda theorizes that only one of each piece of the Triforce is meant to exist in any given time. Makes sense I guess. They hold the very essence of the Three. To much of that can't be good for anything. I'm getting sidetracked though." Eldest gestured apologetically with his hands.
"Listen. Thanks to Zelda's prophetic dreams and Sheiky's love of books we found out a lot of stuff that I don't have time the tell you so here's the 'need to know' parts. Our power as a Great Hero is recycled within our bloodline. A very specific bloodline that traces back to the stuff that there's no time for. You're the last one. If you're killed with no heir, then our power dies with you. Zelda's dreams spoke of a 'shadow' that grows within your time. It seeks to destroy the very power housed inside you. I don't know if it is allied with the man that attacked the Temple of Time or if the man is this shadow that Zelda had dreamed about. After killing you, this foe will hunt down any heirs. A feat that will not be difficult if it was able to grow strong enough to overpower you in the first place." said The Hero of Time lowly.
Link felt dread welling up inside him. He now had an idea of what was taken from Eldest. He was also trying hard not to hyperventilate.
I might be confident in my abilities but what the hell am I supposed to do against an enemy that was able to hold it's own against not only several Great Hero's, but also the Ancient Sages?
"So, this shadow is still growing in strength right? What the hell am I supposed to do even if it is not at full power? It defeated a force far stronger then anything that I could do on my own." Replied Link in frustration. Eldest reached out and laid a hand against his shoulder, giving him an encouraging smile.
It would have been more effective if it didn't cause his mark of the Triforce to flair in pain. He wasn't imagining it. That sensation was growing stronger.
"You need to awaken the Sages. Then you'll have to gather the Pieces of Courage. We all will be there in spirit, if not in body. You won't be alone. This is the only way to face the shadow and win. You can do this, brother." Said Eldest with a grin. His confidence rolling off him in waves, making Link almost bashful that he had this much faith in him.
Then Link's right eye suddenly twitched as something tugged at his body. A wave of sporadic energy. Insistent. Aggressive. The blue surges of energy that had been calmly wafting through the air were now jetting around the realm like lighting bolts.
"I feel weird." muttered Link as his vision started to blur. The Hero of Time suddenly cursed.
"Damn it! There's not enough time! Our pieces of the Triforce must have caused enough of a disturbance that the Sacred Realm is trying to banish us back to our own timelines. Listen. First, you must find and awaken all the Sages. They all have a bloodline of their own. Well, except Saria. Anyway, then you must find a Piece of Courage from each of your brothers to create a link with them. That will allow them to join their power with yours without having to be summoned. With it, you'll be strong enough to defeat the 'shadow'. Finally-" Link stumbled back as Eldest shot forward to grab a hold of him when his form phased in and out of sight. They both grimaced in pain as their mark's of the Triforce of Courage flared so brightly that it was nearly blinding, sending waves of heat through their bodies.
Terror filled Link when another part of him responded to this heat. A part that has never been something else before. Something to worry about before. He could feel his senses enhancing. His teeth sharpening and such fury lingered on the edges of his awareness that it brought forth that darkness lurking in the corners of his mind.
The sensation alone wasn't new. He felt it whenever he had transformed into a wolf but he was never on the other side before. Being treated as if he wasn't a part of the beast anymore.
Eldest did not notice his inner turmoil, focusing on giving all the necessary information.
"Din Damn it! Lastly, there's a song! It's echoed in my dreams for as long as I can remember. Once you're ready to face the shadow, use the Ocarina of Time and play it in the 'Realm with no Master'. You know the song! Your guide knows the place! If either of you can't recall it now, then search for it in your dreams! Trust in your guide if you lose your way! But listen! You mustn't play that song without both the Sages power and the Pieces of Courage already active, understand?! That was my mistake! Sheiky!" Exclaimed Eldest.
Both Sheik's seemed to unfold out from the ground at their feet this time. The other Sheik smoothly stepped up to stand beside Eldest, while the other hero quickly grabbed a hold of his Sheik and pushed him against Link's chest.
"Your first step is the Forest Temple. When the time is right, don't forget to use the Ocarina of Time! No other instrument will be strong enough. You can do this!" Exclaimed the Hero of Time with a reassuring smile. Link's grip tightened on Sheik as he took in the look of determination in the mirrored blue eyes and then nodded.
Then the feeling of being pushed increased and suddenly the blue energy of the Sacred Realm was crashing down on them, filling their senses with a heavy vibration. Blue light clouded his vision while a weightless sensation over took him.
"Good luck brother!" was the last thing Link heard before they suddenly hit the ground in front of the Pedestal of Time.
Link was lying on the ground with Sheik sprawled on top of him because of the fall. A sigh of relief escaped him as the burning sensation on his hand quickly faded away. It seemed to also snap his sheikah companion to attention however. He quickly jumped to his feet.
"H-Hero, forgive me…I have brought you here unprepared," muttered Sheik miserably. He stood to the side, his arms wrapped tightly around himself. His eyes stared hard at the ground.
The sheikah's mind was at war with itself. His emotions a whirlwind that he struggled to contain. He felt horrible that he had failed so inexplicably at his duty. What if his counterpart hadn't noticed that Link wasn't strong enough to face their enemy yet and he was killed for it? That would have been his fault.
Link groaned from his position on the floor, unwilling to move yet. He squinted, groaning even louder when the sunlight escaping through the canopy assaulted his eyes.
"Things can't ever be simple can they? It's okay Sheik. People make mistakes. Besides, I doubt I would have made it here on my own. Oh, right!" Link suddenly shouted as he sat up.
"Eldest said that this 'Saria' chick could heal my arm!" exclaimed Link excitedly. He jumped up from the ground and dusted himself off.
"I'm glad, hero. You'll be needing it…" replied Sheik softly. Link walked up to him.
"What's wrong with you? Hey, I'm not mad you know," replied Link. Sheik shook his head and looked up at him, frustrated.
"You should be! I did the exact opposite of what was expected of me! You even have an injury that can't be healed by normal means! Something that wouldn't have happened if I had just gotten there sooner-!" Sheik paused, shutting his eyes tightly as he held a hand over his covered mouth. He tried to contain his emotions, but they threatened to spill over. The effort caused his hands to tremble.
Sheik was startled, his eyes snapping open when Link suddenly pulled him into a one armed hug.
"Hey now, if you were truly a failure then I would be dead. You're not infallible. Neither am I. Or Eldest, or even your own counterpart. I certainly don't blame you for my injury either. You did however, save me from getting my ass mauled by those shadow monsters though. With an impressive entrance to by the way," snickered Link. He stepped back to look him in the eye.
"Also, I think we were supposed to be here now. Otherwise, we wouldn't know what the hell was going on or what we should be doing. Now, I have a game plan and none of it would have happened if not for you,"
Link patted his shoulder with a smile and then walked over to where the Master Sword laid already sheathed in it's blue and gold scabbard on the ground.
"You'll get better the more experience you get. That's the only way I learned." Replied Link as he picked up the sheathed blade. He grinned, feeling the radiant energy that felt so natural from the blade. He then buckled the strap of the scabbard to his chest. He moved the scabbard for his shortsword to his hip. Link hummed as he glanced down at the other sword. He wasn't used to drawing his blade from that position.
He shrugged.
If I'm in a pinch, I'd go for the Master Sword anyway.
The hero paused when he felt a pulse of energy that almost seemed...prideful. For once, such a strange occurrence didn't feel like it was coming from him. What was that?
Sheik had calmed, touched that the hero was comfortable enough to hug him. Perhaps he really could do this. He chuckled as Link stared down at his shortsword like it was a foreign object.
"Thank you…hero. I have faith that you will save us." said Sheik softly. Link blushed and then turned, eyes searching for something to distract himself and found a particularly boring plant in the corner.
Then a streak of white suddenly pounced onto his back, making him shout out in surprise and fall over. Sheik laughed softly when Link turned over to reveal Seshat now rubbing her face up against his cheek. She spun her head in his direction when she heard his laugh. She then bolted over and lifted her upper body to rest her front paws against Sheik' leg, meowing.
"Forgive me, Seshat…I didn't think to grab you. Then again, that wasn't a place you should have been going to anyway," muttered Sheik as he bent down to pick her up. Link grumbled as he picked himself up off the ground.
"Why does she always have to pounce on me? She never pounces on you! Why not just a simple rub against my leg like normal cats? Scared the shit out of me…again!" exclaimed Link. He rolled his eyes when the cat just burrowed her way closer to her owner's chest, completely ignoring him.
He then stretched as far as his injured arm would allow. Sheik allowed a small smile when the hero's leg jerked once during his stretch, making Link stare down at the offending leg, as if angry at it.
"Perhaps we should return to the Sacred Grove?" Asked Sheik. Maybe this area was the Sacred Grove. Regardless, he was just a bit wary of this clearing now. Red eyes occasionally glanced up in case any more random pillars of light descended down on them.
The hero frowned and then shook his head.
"Nah, we're done here. Feel free to stay if you want though." Said Link with a yawn. He ran a hand lightly over his bandaged arm, certain it must be what was draining his energy.
It has to be the wound that little prick gave me. I don't tire this easily. We haven't really done much today. I certainly don't want to discourage Sheik from a good healthy exploration though. I could just nap next to the howling stone until he's done. After all, it's not to often you find a place with this much historical value.
He was so focused on his wound, that he missed how Sheik's whole demeanor seemed to fall.
"As you wish…I will take my leave of you then. It was an honor to have been by your side," said Sheik softy. He bowed his head, and then turned and hurriedly walked away. He needed to get away before he embarrassed himself. He already felt the tears clinging to his eyelash's.
Link blinked, surprised.
Wait, what…?!
Sheik was passed the archway when it finally hit Link that he was really leaving. He panicked, bolting in pursuit of the retreating sheikah and then tackled him to the ground. Seshat went tumbling forward while Sheik hit the ground face first.
Link laughed nervously as he hurriedly helped Sheik up.
"Goddess…I'm so sorry. I thought you were going to teleport away! Ah, why…ah…I was just…um…oh, hell with it. Look, how can you just leave? I thought we were, you know, beginning to be friends?" asked Link. Sheik paused from trying to rub the dirt away from his face and shawl to look at him in confusion.
Link felt his heart sink when he noticed the tears that Sheik hurriedly wiped away.
"I was leaving because you asked me to," muttered Sheik sadly. Link gave him a puzzled look but then remembered their talk back in Kakariko.
"Oh, man…you really think that's still true? I barely knew you then! You also had just attacked my friend and I hadn't known about any of this yet!" exclaimed Link as he gestured to where they just met their own ancestors.
"That was also when I was angry. I do stupid stuff when I'm angry. I take it back, okay? You should stay. I mean, if you want to." Replied Link as he scratched his head in embarrassment.
"You…really want me to stay with you?" asked Sheik hesitantly. Link nodded eagerly. His companion looked so hopeful and timid that he wanted to reach out and pull the sheikah closer. The half hug from before was instinctual, but now he was hesitant. It felt like it would mean more now. The last thing he wanted was for things to get awkward between them at a time like this.
"Well, yeah. What would I do without you, Sheik? I'd never be out of bed in time. I'll most likely run right into a trap without your awesome eyes there to watch over me and those shadows! They all but wiped the floor with me, but you took care of them like it was child's play!" exclaimed Link as he stepped closer to the sheikah.
"And Seshat! How can you do that to her!? She wouldn't know what to do with herself if I wasn't around for her to mess with! Come on, what do you say? Partners?" asked Link with a smile. He offered his hand toward the sheikah.
Sheik couldn't believe it. The hero was trying to convince him to stay…he must mean it right? He surely wouldn't go through the trouble if he didn't. Truly smiling for the first time in a while, Sheik shook the hand offered to him.
"Partners," said Sheik firmly.