Chapter Seven: Aftermath

"…Just have faith for a little while longer…"

—Happy Mask Salesman, Ocarina of Time

The hazy room behind him seemed to stretch out forever. A dead tree on a small, sandy island stood in front of him. Water covered the floor, splashing into his boots every time he took a step. He could feel eyes watching him from somewhere, ever following him. Link pulled out his sword, tensing, at the ready for any sign of trouble. He heard a laugh behind him. "Heheheh…" He twisted sharply, turning behind him. Nothing was behind him. He turned quickly, looking all around him. Painted on the ceiling were a sun, a moon, and a wolf, etched in the twisting design of Anju's skirt and Kafei's sleeves. It was the symbol of the door in Ikana.

"Your true face..." The child with Twinmold's face appeared before him, sitting cross-leggéd in the middle of the air. His clothing was white, and his auburn hair was tangled and messy. Two horn-like pincers jutted out of a mask that had three eerie green eyes. They appeared to be staring straight into his soul. He cocked his head to one side, running his finger along the edge of Link's jaw line. He grasped something behind his ear, before tearing downward.

"What kind of..." Link screamed. The child continued to pull as Link struggled backwards, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to get away. It took enormous effort to shuffle his feet backwards on the water-covered floor. With one last tug, he pulled it completely off, leaving Link kneeling in the water, hands over his face.

"…face is it?" The Twinmold child held Link's face-mask in his hand, inspecting it.

"I wonder..." Link looked down. Dark Link glared back at him from his reflection in the water, which was marred and broken, shattered into a hundred thousand rippling waves by his feet. In frantic haste, he pulled out every mask that he had, placing them on his face to hide his red eyes. None of them would fit. He pulled out the Fierce Deity's mask and put it on himself.

"…the face under that mask..." He could feel the pain shooting up and down his insides as his form changed, twisting and turning, as the tendrils on the edge of the mask drilled into his skull, sucking, pulsating, sinking into his flesh, as the mask became his face. He tore at it, screaming, as his form solidified, unable to remove it, before an odd calm seemed to fill him. The moonchild put the Link mask over his own, causing Twinmold's mask to disappear. They stood before one another, Link and the Fierce Deity, and Link was unsure as to who was who. Between them, a ball of dark purple shadows appeared, shadows flickering and expanding, swallowing the Fierce Deity until all that left was a fading Link, smirking evilly with white eyes.

"Is that…your true face?"

Link woke up, sweating. He looked around to see where he was, noting in relief he was in the Inn. He ran to his mirror, clutching at his face frantically. His face was normal, whole. He shivered with relief, his arms shaking. He leaned on the edge of the table in front of the mirror, his eyes shut, trying to catch his breath. He felt a drop of sweat roll down his cheek, tracing the side of his nose, across his lips, dropping onto the back of his left hand, dead center on the triangle that graced it. He licked his lips, opening his eyes at the iron taste of blood.

He looked up into the mirror as blood streamed from his eye sockets, filling his sclera, spilling drops on the floor. He backed away frantically, pinching himself as the moonchild with Majora's Mask appeared in the mirror. He didn't wake up.

He barely noticed the wall behind him as he sank to the floor, eyes wide in terror. The child hovered in front of him, floating closer to him.

It spoke. "Let's play good guys against bad guys...Yes. Let's play that. Are you ready? You're the bad guy. And when you're bad, you just run. That's fine, right?"

He rolled underneath the apparition, hearing Majora laughing behind him. He ran, blinded, blood stinging his eyes. He knew the Inn like the back of his hand, yet none of the turns he made felt familiar. The air felt stale, cold somehow. He could sense it following him, coming closer. He bumped into a door frame, clutching his side as he stumbled into the wall. Picking himself back up, he continued to run down a hallway that went on forever. He felt it coming even closer. Pawing frantically at the wall, he felt nothing where a window should be. Leaning against one wall and holding his arm out to the side, he felt the wall on the other side of the hall, noting with shock the room was shrinking. The feeling came ever closer, encroaching upon him. With nowhere to go, he turned to face behind him...

...And woke up, sitting straight up, heart pounding. It took a minute for the haze of sleep to clear from his mind. Link sagged with relief, realizing that he was truly awake. The surreal feeling he associated with dreams had left him. However, the images remained, clouding his mind, haunting him. The child with Twinmold's face, apparitions of a trickster God. In Hyrule, he had always dreamed in prophecy, when he had dreamed at all. Here, his dreaming was coded, a maze of meaning and symbolism.

He leaned over the side of the bed, searching underneath it. He raised his hand in triumph when he found his bag, before digging around inside, pulling the Fierce Deity's Mask and the Ocarina of Time out of his bag. He played idly with the blue ocarina lying in his lap, glancing at the mask. Its blank eyes stared back. He placed the mask on his face hesitantly, sighing in relief when he felt no change taking place. It still worked only in times of great danger.

He brought the ocarina to his lips, playing Zelda's Lullaby. The notes had always seemed to soothe him, no matter what. He played and faded away inside the music, becoming lost inside. He let go of his doubts, his fears, scaring his nightmares away, calming himself down, clearing his muddled thoughts.

"You play beautifully, you know. You should do it more often."

Startled, Link looked up and saw Kafei slouched against the door frame, with dark smudges underneath his eyes. "Thank you. How did you sleep?" he asked politely, knowing the answer.

"It was rough," Kafei admitted. "Yours?"

"About the same. Nightmares." Link grimaced. "Anyway, how is my double?"

"Alive, thankfully. The wound clotted before he bled out. He hasn't regained consciousness yet, but I changed his bandages and there was very little blood. It will still be a while before he wakes."

"That's good." He sighed in relief. "Kafei…I've been thinking about something. It's bothering me, and it's not only the fact that man looks like me. Have you ever been to Stone Tower, over in Ikana?"

"…No. Why?"

"There's a door there I've never been able to open. On its facing, it has the markings of your sleeves. Is that a family thing? Anju's dress has it too." Come to think of it, the Cucco Lady in Kakariko had it as well. Is there some kind of connection?

"She added it when we became engaged. Where are you going with this?"

"Kafei, what do you know about your family's history?"

"I—," Kafei started to speak, then hesitatingly continued, "….Not much. I know my mother's family is originally from Clock Town and that my father's ancestors hail from Ikana. They settled here in order to flee from the war a long time ago."

"Does your father know any more about it?"

"No, I don't think so. My father was an only child, and his parents died in a fire when he was very young. He ended up under the care of the Mayor at that time, someone by the name of Hagen, I think."

"I think you have the ability to open it. Kafei…you were originally from Ikana. I want you to come with me, after the Carnival is over."

"I'm not sure if that would be possible, Link. With everything that has happened, and sightings of monsters increasing the way they did seven years ago, I would be uncomfortable leaving Anju and Kona here alone."

"Something needs to be done. You need to come with me. I can't do this alone. Not this time."

"I cannot. I will not leave my family alone with a hostile stranger."

"That's the thing. I just don't think he'd hurt them, not really. You saw the way Kona reacted to him. There's a way this all ties together, and you are a big part of it, I just know it. Plus, he has the Triforce of Courage. That has to mean something. If not to you, at least to me."

"No," Kafei refused adamantly. "I am neither a fighter nor a warrior. Even if I were to go, I would be of no practical use to you. You know this. There's no telling if I can even open that door."

"Please, Kafei. Have I ever, in all my time knowing you, asked you to do anything for me?"

"No," he admitted. "However, again, my answer is no."

"Just this once," Link entreated. "Kafei, that door has a wolf on it. The wolf on that door has similar markings to the wolf-man that appeared last night. I swear to you by the Goddesses and all that is sacred that no harm will come to those whom you care about. If this oath is broken, may the pain inflicted upon you be reflected on me a thousand-fold."

"Link…," Kafei started.

"I am that sure that no harm will come to Anju and Kona. Besides, you owe me for helping you get the Sun's Mask back, right? I guess I could always casually mention the fact that you let it get stolen. I wonder what Anju would think of that?"

Kafei could only stare dumbfounded at Link. "You are seriously resorting to blackmail?"

"No," Link said grinning. "Just asking an old friend to return a favor. No shame in that."

"You're evil. I don't care what they say about you or what you've done, you're evil," Kafei shook his head exasperatedly. "Fine, fine," he said. "I do owe you. You don't have to go that far. But you're absolutely sure no harm will come to them?"

Link's countenance turned serious. "I swear it on my life. I wouldn't ask you to do this otherwise."

Kafei searched Link's eyes, looking for any sign of doubt. "Fine. We'll have to make preparations. Can't have the Mayor and the Captain of the Guard leaving without some kind of explanation, especially with what happened last night. My father would be happy to resume mayorship for the interim, I think."

"Viscen's not so old as to be incapable, either. The city's in good hands. If anything happens, it won't be to this city. Call it a hunch."

He knew better than to question Link's hunches. As Kafei turned to leave, he noticed the Demon mask lying in Link's lap. "Link, is that what I think it is? That mask…You still have it?"

Link hurriedly stuffed it into his bag. "It's too dangerous to just throw it away. And after that dream I had last night…" Link shuddered. "I have reason to believe we'll need it in the near future."

Kafei nodded, and left the room. He hoped they wouldn't need it. Whatever was coming, it was something big, if Link were taking that mask out again. He didn't like the mask. It filled him with a bone-chilling cold every time he caught sight of it. He only hoped Link could still control it. Every time he put it on, he was playing with fire. The mythic legends of Ikana…he shuddered, a sudden cool wind in the air. He made his way into the Employee's Room to check on Anju and the stranger. As he peered in the doorway, he saw her just as he left her, hunched over a cup of tea. She dipped a cloth into the tepid water, wringing it out, dabbing it over the injured man's forehead. He appeared to be sleeping fitfully, his face twisted in a pained grimace.

"Anju, Anju," Kafei shook her gently. "Go to bed."

She jumped, startled by his hand on her shoulder. "Kafei…?"

"Sweetheart, you're tired. It's the morning. Please go to sleep."

"But…"

"Dear to my heart, you are beyond tired. I let you convince me earlier this morning. Let me take care of things for now, please."

"Okay," she yawned at him, in her exhaustion being easily defeated. She made her way to the bed where Kona was still sleeping; slipping her shoes off haphazardly, she crawled under the thin blanket. She was asleep in moments.

Kafei took this time alone to think. Should he tell Link? Kona's ability popped up every few generations in his family. It had something to do with the red eyes. He'd never heard of it being so clear so young. His ability hadn't developed very far, allowing him to see only shallow illusions. He couldn't read the soul, like she apparently could, not without help. And for it to manifest so young…He sat in Anju's vacated chair for a while, going over what he knew. His thinking just kept going in circles for a while, until he was interrupted.

The man in bed stirred, eyes opening drowsily. He sat up, only to gasp in pain as he pulled his injury. He was extremely pale, his skin appearing almost translucent in the morning light. Kafei spoke. "I wouldn't try to do that just yet. You're hurt. You can understand me, right?"

"…I can? Where is she?" the man asked, putting a palm to his temple, bewildered. "Who are you?"

"I am Kafei. Who is 'she?' Who are you?"

"Who am I?" The man looked so lost, sitting there, his face filled with confusion.

"You tell me."

"I was…a wolf? Was I? A forest? Weird smell," he frowned. "I…don't know," he rambled on, struggling with each word. "Green beast. Weight. Ruins. Pain, much pain. Broken chain on my paw. Chain link. I'm Link."

"Link?" Kafei asked sceptically, eyebrows ascending into his hairline. That's what Kona said. What's the connection? "Why did you attack?"

"Lights. Sound. Smell. Pain. Confusion, hurting. Wanted it gone," he mumbled.

"That makes sense. How did you end up here?"

He concentrated. "I…don't remember. Danger. Forest? A chase. I don't remember…"

"That's rather convenient," Kafei said coolly.

The man on the bed suddenly tensed. "Mean." Kafei looked behind him.

Link had appeared in the doorway. "You're awake, are you?"

Kafei turned to him. "He hasn't been awake long. He says his name is Link."

Link's eyes widened. "Really?" His face grew troubled. He picked up Anju's hand mirror from the dresser, holding it in front of the man's face, who shrank away as Link came nearer. He had a reflection. Good. He put it back down. He was not masquerading as Dark Link.

"My name is Link, too. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand. The man didn't take it, looking at it oddly. Link gestured at the man's sword wound. "I'm sorry for that. I thought you were a wolfos at first, trying to attack the town."

"From what I could get out of him, he was overwhelmed by the crowd at the Carnival. That's why he attacked," Kafei told him.

"…Attack? You remind me of…danger," the man said.

"I do? What danger?" Link asked.

"The green thing. Choking," he gestured to his neck, huffing with effort. "Death…pain. Green means hurt…"

"Like a Green Chu? A Wart? A Dinolfos or a Lizalfos? A Dodongo?" Link asked, grasping at straws.

He appeared to be gathering more strength to speak. "Horns like hoof-food—goats. Hurts to speak. Not you. Confused…Don't remember. Why can't I remember?" He began to get agitated, clenching his fists tightly against the bed sheets.

"Calm down," Link said slowly. "I've never heard of any monsters like that. Will you hurt us?"

"…Not first."

"You won't hurt us if we don't hurt you first?" Link asked.

The man nodded weakly.

"One last question, then we'll let you rest. What do you know about the Triforce?" Link asked intently.

"…Triforce…familiar…why?" With that, the man fell back against the headboard, past his limit.

"You have it on your hand." The man lifted his hand and peered at it, holding it against the light coming in through the window.

"I…do? What…is it?" He asked, his eyes closing. He was quiet for a long time.

"Link?" Link asked. He peered over the bed, noticing the man's deep and rhythmic breathing. "He fell asleep again," he said petulantly, failing to hide his disappointment.

"Link, he needs rest and food. He's lost a lot of blood. He's dehydrated," Kafei explained, crossing his arms. "I know he might have the answers you're looking for, but he acted very confused when he awoke."

"I know, Kafei. But I need to know…" The look on Link's face was heartbreaking.

"You need to be prepared for the possibility that he might not remember. He's been through a lot of trauma, not to mention the transformation, and we don't know what he went through before he came here. He kept saying 'I don't remember,' Link. It will take time, if he's telling the truth or even if he's lying."

"It's so close, and that makes it hard, Kafei. I know all this here," he pointed to his head, "But here doesn't want to wait," he pointed to his heart. "I'll try to be a little more patient."

"Anyway, I think you were right. I felt he was sincere when he answered us. I still don't trust him, though. So, wolf or man?"

"Man," Link answered definitively. "Wolves and Wolfos don't speak and wouldn't know how if they became human. He's capable of transformative magic somehow."

Kafei thought, how can you be so dismissive? but continued. "Before you came in, he mentioned a forest. I think it's safe to say he did arrive here using the same methods as you told us. The portal might be open again. What are you going to do, Link?" Will you leave us? An undercurrent of fear and uncertainty lay behind the words.

The wolf is obviously Farore's little lost one....Skullkid was trying to tell me. The wolf...no, Link, has the Triforce of Courage. And 'The Kingdom will fall...' What could that possibly mean? Peace for seven years, only to be in danger so soon? And midnight...what does the time of day have to do with anything? What am I supposed to do? "I honestly don't know. I mean, I can't just leave. I have obligations here. People who depend on me. I want to check out those ruins. I feel like they're important. If it's still open after, I guess I'll decide then. I've waited this long. I can wait a little while longer. My loyalty is here first," he continued stubbornly. "I have responsibilities here. I have none there. They don't need me. They haven't for a long time."

"When are we heading to Ikana?"

"Tomorrow. I hate to rush, but we need to hurry. The portal could close at any time."

Kafei nodded. "That's a little sudden," he sighed, "But if it needs to be done, fine. I'm going to head into town, to settle things, if you'll watch him."

"Yeah," Link said. Kafei turned to leave. "Kafei?"

"...Yes?"

"I promise it'll be okay."

Kafei's features softened, and he smiled. "Yeah," he nodded, deep in thought, before heading down the stairs to the lobby. Would it be all right to leave him here while they were gone? "Link" wouldn't hurt his family now, but what would happen when he healed? Would they be safe then? What if he perceived something they did as an attack? If there was even a hint of a possibility...he knew that part of him was using it as an excuse, but still. Romani was leaning against the counter, tapping her fingers against it as he entered the lobby.

"Hey Mayor, what's goin' on?"

"Good morning, Romani. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to watch the desk for a little while longer. You will, of course, be compensated for your troubles," he said. Romani made him a little uncomfortable. Cremia and Anju were once best friends, but something happened after the events of seven years ago, and now they had almost nothing to do with one another. Kafei had an inkling why, and it made him a little uncomfortable. He loved Anju, always had, and he hated the choice Cremia had made to spare herself the pain, even though it was selfish. Anju missed their friendship. Kafei did too, though he couldn't offer more. He didn't know how to act with the very forward Romani. Cremia was demure, practically a saint in comparison.

"With all due respect, Mayor, I wanna know what's goin' on and I wanna know now," she demanded. "That's my compensation."

She held his gaze steadily. It was clear from that and the stern set of her jaw she would not be dissuaded. Kafei gave in. "Fine. But you can't tell anyone, at least not right now."

"I don't care," she said. "I just wanna know why I'm doin' this. And who was that screamin' last night? Disturbed a couple a customers."

"Remember that wolf?" Kafei asked her.

"Yeah. Cremia said Link was actin' all crazy about it, fightin' it, then wantin' it to be healed. She said it was all holed up in the Clock Tower and came out of nowhere. Some people think it was put there as a prank or somethin'. Most think you got rid of it, but I know Link, and the way he was actin', he woulda never stood for it." Romani said, looking at him pointedly.

"You're right," he admitted. "Anju and I were going to confront him, ask him why he was acting so strangely. Link did," he paused for a second, looking for the right word, "something, and the wolf transformed into a man. He was in pain. We were disinfecting the wound."

"It turned into a man? If you don't wanna tell me, then don't make up stupid stories," Romani harrumphed.

"Romani, it's true. I'm only telling you because for some reason Link trusts you. He came from the same place Link came from all those years ago," he noticed her about to speak and cut her off, "not my secret to tell, and Link looks just like him. They even have the same name. Whatever's happening is just as strange, if not stranger than what happened seven years ago. I feel like it's the beginning of something big."

"...Okay. Let's say I believe you. What are you gonna do about the townsfolk?" she asked.

"Tell them the wolf is gone. It's true, technically," Kafei answered, shrugging.

"How are you gonna explain the fact that a mysterious man injured in the same spot as the wolf just so happens to be in your inn?"

"Ah," Kafei thought about for a moment. "Pray to the Goddess that no one asks that question? I'll get to it when it comes up and not until then. Link swears up and down he's not dangerous to us. I haven't had a reason to doubt him yet, so I won't."

Romani nodded. "Fine. I'll trust Link." The "if not you" was left unsaid. "Oh, and by the way, here're the check-ins and the check-outs, just so you know."

Kafei glanced at them, handing them back to her when he was finished. "Thank you. It won't be for too much longer, I promise."

"It'd better not be; I need sleep too," she grumbled as he walked out the door. "Wait, I'll still get s—" Slam! The door closed behind him. The morning sunlight felt good on his shoulders, easing some of the stress off his bones. He walked through East Clock Town, doing a patrol of the city. For all the people that were awake at the Carnival last night, many more were awake early this morning, looking for deals at the markets. He descended down the stairs, almost dreading what he was going to find at the bottom in South Clock Town district.

Surprising, things were quite cleaned up, and the stalls were doing business much like they were last night. Kafei could see pieces of debris here and there, stacked up into little neat piles, but other than that, it almost looked like nothing had happened last night. He sighed in relief. People waved and nodded at him, and he was able to walk through with little trouble.

Viscen, Dotour, and Mutoh were talking. Dotour spoke first as they saw him approach, clapping him on the back. "Hello, son. Rough night?"

"Yes," Kafei said dryly. "How were things after I left?"

"The crowd calmed down quickly, once you left to release the wolf in the wilds outside of town," said Viscen. "Admirable job of young Link, by the way. Brilliant fighting. I wish some of the other men had his skills and his compassion. Perhaps the wolfos population will come down now that true wolves have been seen again."

"Yes, right," Kafei said. "What about the damages?"

"The vendor stands closest to the Clock Tower had the greatest damage. We got some vendors hounding for reparations, but that weasel Kota is claiming at least three thousand rupees, and I know his tourist trap knickknacks are not even worth a third of that. Then of course, this man," he said, pointing at Mutoh, "is complaining about how he is going to repay his carpenters for the extra hours of work rebuilding the stands."

"BAAH! What are we supposed to do, work for glass instead of rupees?" Mutoh argued.

"You should be proud to help your town for free in a crisis. If my men had half the funding—" Viscen began.

Kafei interrupted hurriedly, "Don't worry Mutoh, you'll be paid for the cost of construction from my personal coffers," Kafei said.

"Fine, that's all I ask," Mutoh harrumphed, taking his leave now that he had his way.

"But—," Viscen began again.

"As for the vendors themselves, have them submit their inventory of their wares. Cross-check with what was found broken and destroyed, and compensate them the exact price of the item. If they cannot prove the item's existence, then don't compensate them. You and your men will be paid overtime. Also, Viscen, if funding is as bad as you say, we'll talk about it when I come back," Kafei said. Viscen nodded, pleased.

"Come back? Kafei, what are you talking about?" Dotour asked.

"Link and I are taking leave. Something came to his attention this morning, and he asked me to set out on a quest with him. Viscen, would you mind becoming Captain again while we are gone?"

"No, not at all Mayor," Viscen saluted smartly.

"Thank you, Viscen. Now, if you will excuse us, my father and I have many things to talk about. Please Father, follow me." They made their way to a small alcove in the Laundry Pool, away from prying eyes.

"You are leaving, so soon after being elected mayor," Dotour said.

"Yes, Father. It can't be helped. I feel like this has to be done. I know I have responsibilities, but I need to do this. Please resume mayorship until I return."

"I will, but where are you going, son?"

Kafei took a deep breath, "Stone Tower."

Dotour's eyes widened. "No! I will not allow you to go. You know I warned you against that place!"

"Yes, Father, I know enough. Yet, there is no escaping it. I go nobly and for a friend."

"Kafei," Dotour said gravely, "You will not like what you will find. Even with the best intentions..."

"I know, Father, more than you think I do. More than you, actually. I've been through the old archives. I can see past the illusions and spells written inside them. You know my vision is much stronger than yours. I know what I am getting into. Genocide, the wrath of the Gods..."

"Kafei, there are still some things that you are better off not knowing. Please, I do not want to lose my only son!"

"Although I do not look it, I am more than a grown man, Father. I can take care of myself. And if I cannot do it, then Link can," Kafei tried to make his father see reason. "He saved all of Termina, Father. It can't be hard for him to keep one man alive."

"That man is a bad influence on you! You were never this reckless," Dotour argued. "To think! A sweet boy grown into such a troublesome man!"

"Just as Keeta is a bad influence on you," Kafei countered, "And you have no excuses, old as you are."

Dotour truly had no answer for that. "And if you die, setting foot inside that curséd ground?"

"Then I die, per the will of the Goddess."

Dotour slumped, defeated. "And your wife and child?"

"...Have numerous extended family to take care of them. But it will not come to that. Link will not let me die."

"You have such faith in him?"

"I do."

Dotour searched his son's eyes. "Then I have no choice but to let you go, do I?'

"Dad, it's something that I have to do. I owe a great debt to Link, far greater than he will ever know."

He hugged his son tightly. "Be careful son...And at least say goodbye to your mother."

"I will, Father."

No matter what, tomorrow Link and Kafei would set out for Ikana. Gods alone knew what they would find.