(A/N This chapter's short, I know. But it's more of a transition into the next chapter than one on its own.)
It wasn't the first time he was here, and because of recent events it won't be the last. But it was the first time he was at Hyrule castle for over thirty minutes, not risking his life. The room they offered him was huge, with two closets, a desk, a mini library, and a giant window with a view to Hyrule Lake. Link sat down on the massive bed, probably made for at least five people and began thinking about what he just put his self into.
At this very moment, an unknown enemy is coming there direction with an unknown amount of soldiers and who knows what else. For the first time, Link had to work next to the army of Hyrule, which he recently found out was different from the Hylian guard. The guards were made primarily for the defense of the castle and city, the army handled larger threats outside the city.
With the small amount of information, he came to the conclusion that this was not a good situation. The amount of politics needed for this situation made him wonder how Zelda was able to be a princess. After arriving at the castle, they were confronted by countless amounts of politicians and advisors trying to understand the situation and give alternative options besides war. According to Midna's reaction to it all, there was nothing better than fighting for our survival. The proof was injured advisors with broken limbs.
Link agreed, but it would be better if he at least knew what they were fighting against. His imagination wandered as he thought of giant monsters swooping down from the sky, or an endless wave of Shadow Beasts. Both sent a shiver down his spine, and neither was something he could handle alone. The Triforce of Courage gave him the strength and obviously the courage to stand and fight, but he questioned the ability of a single piece against such odds.
It was as if every one turned against him for a quick moment, his closest friends were holding him back. Zelda was held up in official business and denied Link the permission needed to leave the castle and retrieve the Master Sword until they had full reason to use it. Midna has fallen into a depression, that burning fire of a personality within her dimmed as her people died.
He thought of escaping more than once, but there was factors that would put his self and others at risk. Things such as the mile drop from his window without anything to break his fall, or risk of the Chaos soldiers appearing once he was away from the castle. He was a brave man, but stupidity and bravery are two different things.
The mattress that he was sitting on started to feel like something he'd never be able to sleep on again. Letting his bodies needs come over him, Link dropped backwards on top of his bed and closed his eyes. But as he slept peacefully, another person within the castle was turning in their sleep. Trying to overcome what felt like a nightmare, knowing it was a memory.
She knew that she was forbidden enter this place, but like all children, curiosity won against obedience. A young Midna stood before a place which was known as the Temple of Darkness by all, and going inside was the first thing she did. The seal which prevented Chaos from entering was not established at that time, it was only used to lock the temple in case of emergency. The lack of a lock allowed her to enter easily, entering through the doorway and breaking a law of her people.
The darkness inside was horrifying to little children, but to a adolescent of the Twilight. It was a welcoming embrace, the strange dark glow in the room providing light to see every detail and figure in the room. The elaborate markings on the walls were the same style that were on the Fused Shadow, each one depicting a story or event. She read the markings in her mind, translating them into words for her own understanding.
They told the story of the Light and the Dark, how all beings of the Twilight once were residents in the light. But they were banished by the goddesses, and sealed in their now beautiful home. The young Midna continued to read, and the story was further told. It didn't stop with the Dark Interlopers, it began to speak of a certain clan in the Light. A hidden family known as Hyrule's shadow, or the Sheikah.
Within that clan were two brothers, exceptionally powerful children that excelled in all forms of combat. But they had one devastating flaw, unlike the rest of the clan which were loyal to the royal family. These brothers wanted to be free, and use their power the way they wanted to.
After reading that much, her vision was shattered into pieces like glass. Two red eyes stared directly at her, and as the dim light returned, the rest of the image came back with it. Two young men held down by thick heavy chains, their heads tilted over as if they have been asleep for years. The younger of the two had black hair, which spiked backwards with red tips. His tanned skin was mostly covered by a massive black coat.
The second and older brother, was a giant of a man. Being at least seven-feet tall, his silver hair hung over his face and the rest of his body was clothed in a black vest with pants. They were obviously the Sheikah from the story on the wall, but they were in the Temple of Darkness locked away.
A small gasp escaped her lips and the younger brother instantly responded. His head rose and the same red eyes were fixed on her. A grin grew across his face and she recognized the face of Chaos, the same evil that sent her life to hell.
Awakening abruptly, she sat up and took deep heavy breaths. Sweat built up across her body, and the room felt hotter than it was supposed to be in the night. Everything was silent beside her gasps for air, and the occasional footstep of a patrolling guard. Cursing her self mentally, Midna regained her composure and calmed down.
"Damn it, I don't even control my own dreams." She said. Things have been going against her plans completely, her original way of life was falling apart. Things used to always work according to her will, even with Link, she always had him doing the work that she needed done. Even though the Twilight Princess regretted that decision now, it never left her personality.
But now, forces were moving beyond her control and understanding. As a princess, most things happened only with her permission. But as a victim of circumstances, the most anyone could do was play along until they had a turn to change the course of destiny. Playing along was not something she usually did, unless it was all a piece of her plan. Midna knew she was manipulative and deceiving, but it hurt the most when you know that your own game was turned against you.
After cursing herself more and more, trying to get a hold of her own mind. Midna returned to her sleep, intent on regaining control of her life. It was her life and she decided what was going on inside, not know that the next morning would bring about panic on another level.
"Now is the time brother, I shall cut them down with ease." An incredibly humongous man said. Towering above all others by at least five feet, his skin seemed to be made of leather wrapped around a puzzle of muscle and a bald head. His reddish skin was because of the training he would have in the blazing sun of the Chaos realm. His name was Slaughter, and it was easy to understand what gave him that name.
A broadsword which equaled him in size was strapped to his back. The blade was drenched in blood to the point where it looked as if it was forged from a red metal. A man of his size would have been considered the strongest thing to ever exist. But compared to the eldest brother, Chaos, he was nothing.
"Fighting is pointless unless your opponent is an actual challenge, Slaughter." The second oldest brother said. He was slightly taller than Link, but still shorter than Ganondorf. His entire body was encased in a black armor, which resembled traditional Japanese armor. A katana that remained in its sheathe at all times rested by his side, waiting to shed the blood of a worthy opponent.
A small argument started amongst the eight extraordinary men, and the subject was death. Each one trying to support their opinion of which way was the best to kill. The suggestions included things such as how many were killed, how powerful the opponent was, and even to the most brutal decapitations. Each man with their own way of raining death upon any who stand in their way. But the oldest, strongest, and most intelligent of them all, stood atop of a massive platform.
He looked into a giant ring before him, the swirling red vortex giving off an intimidating appeal. But being the creator of the portal, he knew exactly how to use it and its effects. It was the Invasion Gate, the same portal used to transport Midna into the Light realm, he planned to move an entire army. But as he remained motionless and silent, inside his head was a plan being formed. A plan that would allow him to reach a greater goal to wreak vengeance upon the impudent, insignificant creatures of Light.
"Brother Chaos, tell these fools that devouring those tiny creatures whole is the way to do things." The largest of them all said. This brother exceeded Slaughter in size easily, but in muscle he was at a overwhelming loss. This one was known as Rage, and his features resembled the human version of an oversized Goron. A large frame, protruding stomach, and spiked armor. The only thing that he enjoyed over battle was food, and to him everything, and everyone, could be considered food. A spiked club was his signature weapon, and it was considerably short compared to the rest of him.
"It does not matter how you kill them, as long as they are dead. While we are on the topic of killing them, I have an announcement to make." Chaos said walking down from the platform that rose to the gate. The eight brothers looked up and closed their mouths, giving Chaos the undivided attention he demanded. None of them knew anything beyond what Chaos wanted them to know, and he intended to keep it that way until all the needs to his plan were meant.
"We are listening, brother." A ghostly voice echoed. One of the most unusual of them all arose from the ground, passing through the floor like air. His face was covered by a black hood and the rest of his spiritual body was shrouded in a cloak of darkness. A ghost in every sense of the word, the only part of him which was able to be materialized was his fingers. Even though they only became blades used for assassination. He was Panic, the youngest brother and only one that didn't enjoy being surrounded by a mass of corpses.
"Tomorrow, we will fall upon their castle and present ourselves." The gleam in their eyes was obvious, the genetic ruby pupils seemed to reflect the strange light and glow. But Chaos wasn't finished with his speech. "But only one of us shall go, it will not be a battle to destroy. But simply to test their might against our own." Chaos finished and he was awarded with different remarks and complaints.
"But brother, if all of us go there will be nothing standing." Mayhem shouted. The Twin brother to Slaughter, they were equal in size but differed in weaponry. While Slaughter chose a massive blade, Mayhem decided upon a cannon and magical weapon that launched orbs of flames.
"Exactly, I want them to suffer. We will destroy them slowly, after every battle they will collect the bodies of their fallen in shame." His voice a low growl that forced his opinion into the minds of his brothers. They understood his pain, and none wanted to be in the way of his wrath. It was the way of the family, to answer all problems, and overcome all difficulties with force. Chaos once told his sons if they do not move out your way, then walk over them. But his plan was to make them suffer the way he suffered. "Brother Ruin, you will take our soldiers and go into their world. Fight them, kill them, and return to us." Chaos demanded.
There were no arguments, not even a second opinion. If he wished for it to happen, it was a threat to their lives to disobey. Ruin stood before his brothers and walked away, to form an army that would follow him into the Light. But as all this happened, Ganondorf stood in the Twilight Castle examining his mark of power. The Triforce which began to glow recently took away his attention, and using its ability, he was able to sense that the Courage and Wisdom pieces have joined forces once again.
"He probably already knows." Ganondorf said with a reluctant chuckle. If anything were to happen, Chaos would be the first to know, even if there was no way of telling. It amazed everyone, but his ability of prediction and omnipresent understanding was accurate as a Chaos archer. Sadly, the Chaos archers have yet to miss a single target and proof was every single arrow fired never pierced the ground.