Samira sprang out of the trees. She froze when she saw Luith making his way back to his cave. She searched around for her Hylian partner. "Where's Link?"
Luith inclined his head towards her. "They're gone. It's fortunate, for them, that I didn't get to finish them off."
"Them?" She scanned the area again, before coming to a decision. She ran along the bank of the river. It didn't take too long before she found the faeries and got the full story from them. "Gerudo, fall back!" She cried, running back up the side of the river.
Luith entered the cave. "Good choice."
The Gerudo began searching for a way to climb back up the side of the cliff, and try to make their way back to their village.
Navi followed behind Samira as she joined her troops. Ivan floated after them, but stopped when she noticed the black Master Sword still lodged in the shore of the river. She flew down and grasped the hilt as best she could, and pulled. She managed to pull the blade from the moist ground, but carrying it was another matter. The tip slid across the ground, unable to lift any higher.
Navi glanced back at her, holding her arms around her waist. She watched her struggle with the heavy sword for a bit, then floated over to grab the other side. With them both carrying it, it was easier to keep the tip from dragging. Ivan glanced over at Navi, and wiped her face. The unspoken gratitude hanging silently in the air.
xXx
Link desperately wanted to curse his misfortune, but figured it'd be a waste of energy. That and the fact that it wouldn't do much good anyways. Even though he highly doubted there was a back way out of here, he held his breath in some hope that maybe something would come to him. He'd never fell into one of these things before, so who really knew? Knil's grip was like a vice around him, which didn't help too much for his lung capacity, but he wasn't going to tell him to stop, even if he could.
A hot pain tightened in Link's chest, making it far too difficult to hold onto what little air he had. His head spun in the vast darkness that surrounded him. This thing had to end somehow. It just had too. They couldn't die here. It wasn't right.
Just when it felt like his lungs would explode from the carbon dioxide building up in them, the water pressure increased, seeming to shoot them out like a canon. The two swordsmen hit something hard, knocking them apart. Link cried out when his still fragile humerus snapped again. An intense roar filled his ears, something cutting into his exposed skin. It was difficult to breath in this new surrounding, but at least he could. As much as the pressure around him prevented it, there was still enough oxygen in the air for him to breath.
He tried to look around when he heard Knil coughing nearby, but all he could make out was a dull heaving shadow through the whipping sands. Sand? Link took in his surroundings, though his eyes didn't want to fully open from the wind pressure pushing in on him. He couldn't believe it. They were in the desert. A collection of fluctuating water spouts caught his eye. They really did have a backdoor. These things were like mini worm holes in the water.
Unfortunately, it didn't help them all that much to know where they were when he couldn't really pinpoint where they were. Link managed to stand, trying to scan the area better. The winds were much harsher than usual, leaving almost zero visibility. There had to be a way out of here. He walked slowly out into the desert, cradling his hurt arm. Squinting through the sands, he thought he could see something familiar. As Link closed in on it, he was confirmed of his suspicions. He nearly leapt with joy. It was a flag. One of the red ones that the Gerudo had set up long ago, but it was still a guiding post.
"KNIL." Link called over the wind, making his way back to his dark counter-part. He knelt next to him, placing a hand on his back. "Knil, are you alright? I think I found a way out of here."
Knil's hand came up to smack Link's away. "Don't touch me."
Link drew his hand back, a bit put off. "Come on. We should be able to find our way back if we follow these." He gestured to the flag nearby. Knil followed his gesture, and started to push himself up to his feet. He hadn't realized how much that giant had damaged his legs until he stumbled under the weakness of them. Link grabbed his arm to try and help him stand, only to get it smacked away again. "I don't need your help." Which was only half true. He may not have wanted his help, but he kinda needed it. He was still shaken up from what had just happened, and his legs didn't seem to want to give him any support. Which really didn't make walking in sand much easier.
The flags were placed within close proximity to each other, making them far easier to follow than they initially thought. It wasn't too long, before they came across a stone structure in the middle of the desert. Link walked ahead of Knil to get a better look at it. He sighed. "End of the line. Gerudo village is back in the opposite direction, but at least we can get out of this storm." He headed towards it, Knil following close behind.
It was a decently sized structure, with a spiral ramp leading to the top of it. Instead of following the ramp, Link made his way to a small opening in the side, climbing down the ladder inside. It lead to a chamber deep underground, which left very little visibility. It was even difficult to make out the light outside from the bottom. Link made his way further in. He pulled Din's crystal from the pouch on his belt, and lit the two torches against the wall. "I actually discovered this place by accident, but at least it's shelter." He settled on the pedestal between the torches, fishing around in his bag again.
Knil merely stayed by the ladder, a blank scowl plastered on his face. He watched his counter-part, trying to keep as much distance between the two as he could.
"Aha. Found you." Link pulled the blue ocarina from his pouch. It sloshed slightly as he did. "Huh?" Link shook the ocarina, listening to the water sloshing inside. He proceeded to turn it upside down, trying to shake the water out. "Oh, come on. That's not fair." When only little droplets of water came out, Link placed the instrument to his lips and tried to play it, but all that came out were a few flat notes that sounded as if they were drowning. Link tried shaking the water out again, then sighed laying it down next to him. "Guess I just have to wait for the water to evaporate."
They sat in silence for a short while. Link's head rested on his good hand, playing with a small pebble with his foot. It wasn't until he kicked it over at Knil that he finally looked up at him. The dark haired Hylian had sat down as well, and seemed to be studying the pebble with great intensity.
"Hey, Knil." Even though he didn't seem to acknowledge him speaking, Link still continued. "What happened back there?"
Knil closed his eyes, trying to ignore him as best he could.
"I mean, you were doing pretty good back there." Link stood, and started making his way over to him. "Did Luith hurt you, when I wasn't looking? Or was it just that you fell into the river?"
Knil dug his nails into his arm to try and divert his attention further away.
"I know the current was pretty strong, and all, but I can't help but think that something was wrong?" He knelt in front of him, trying to see his face. "Are you ok?" Despite himself, he smiled like he was amused by the thought. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were afraid of the wa-"
"For the love of Nayru, do you ever stop talking!?" Knil stood sharply, startling Link to fall backwards. He composed himself quickly enough, standing to be even with his counter-part. Knil's breathing was raged, his nails cutting into his palms. "It seems like every time you open your mouth it just gives me another reason to hasten your death. So, for once, could you just zip it, or I'll zip it for you."
Near understanding dawned on Link's face. "Wait… Are you actually?" The gritting of those blood red eyes spoke volumes to answer the unasked question. Link started to feel a bit guilty. "Wow. I just."
"Just what?"
"I just think it's strange for you to live in the water temple for so long, and be scared of water."
"I'm not scared of anything!" He snapped, his entire body shaking.
"It's not a bad thing to be afraid of something."
"Shut up." Knil growled, clenching his eyes shut.
Link, however seemed to be on a role. "I just wish you'd told me sooner. Maybe I could've helped you."
"I don't need your help."
"Don't say that. Or at least I could've warned you about how much water was in that area. You know you could've refused if you wanted to. It wasn't a necessity for you to co-"
Link was finally struck silent, not just for the fact that he was slammed forcefully back into the stone wall, but Knil had done something he never expected him to. He kissed him.
Knil drew back and smiled viciously at the stunned boy before him. Even his ears were turning a bright red. "That shut you up, didn't it?"
Link's lips moved like he was trying to speak. However, the first sound to come out was a squeak. "Why-why did-you…?"
"Hell if I know." Knil's hand crept upwards, wrapping around Link's neck. His grip tightened, soon cutting off Link's air supply.
"Knil." Link wheezed, grasping onto the offending hand, trying to pry the fingers off. His broken arm made it difficult to move his other hand to assist.
"How about now, Link?" Knil's other hand joined in, testing the way his grip settled around his lighter side's throat. "Is my strength sufficient now? Am I strong enough to strangle you properly?"
"Knil, please." He gasped, nails digging into the leather of Knil's gloves. "Stop."
"You still don't know when to stop talking, do you?" Knil hissed tightening his grip.
Link couldn't quite wrap his mind around what was happening, or even why. Knil's breathing was harsh and ragged, a strange look sparking in his eyes. A near hysteric smile of triumph slid onto his face at the glazed look in the heroes bright blue eyes.
Link felt as is Knil was squeezing his head right off of his body. His face felt red hot, while everything from the neck down seemed detached and numb. His hand fell away, giving up on any attempts for sake of them being futile. Soon, his body went limp. He started to slide, soon only suspended by the ever tightening grip around his throat. In the dark haze, Link thought he heard Knil speak. A pained whisper simply stating, "I'm not second to you." Was it his imagination? The voice sounded near to a distant gasp, that he could have just imagined it.
Next thing the Link knew, his shadow released him. Before he could fall, a hand gripped onto his hair, and threw him to the ground behind him. The loose blonde hairs fell over his face, the tie having slipped out.
Knil's already weakened legs started to shake under his weight. They only seemed to have enough strength to allow him to slump in a nearby corner, banging his head against the thick stone.
Link managed to push himself up on his knees, coughing and gasping for breath. His head was pounding, and it still felt as though it had detached from the rest of his body. Any attempt to stand proved fruitless since he still couldn't control any strength in his body. It was all he could do to stay on his knees. The small gleaming triangles on the back of his hand caught his eye. He wheezed, staring at the lower right one, which was glowing a bit brighter than the other two. The glowing hand came up to rub his sore neck, eyes drifting back at his shadow skulking in the corner.
His legs held his weight a bit unsteady as he attempted to stand. Fortunately he only had to take few steps before he crawled back up to the pedestal between the two torches. He picked up the ocarina, rolling it over in his hands, before trying to play it again. The note sounded a bit more distinct, but was still far too overfilled with water to make a coherent note.
Knil's eyes shifted back at the sound. He watched his lighter side, finding he was having a hard time breathing himself. Unevenly, he stood, heading over to the ladder. His legs shook under the weight still, but he willed himself to walk straight. Just when he'd started to climb up the ladder, an unexpected hand fell on his shoulder.
"Knil?" A small voice croaked behind him. A voice that sounded as if it was holding back every urge to scream. "Are you alright?"
Those three simple words were enough to fill Knil with rage again. Before he knew what had happened his fist flew back, colliding the back of his hand with Link's face with enough force to spin him around so he landed on his back when he hit the ground. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" He roared, having used the momentum to whirl to face him. "Why do you have to be like that? Don't you care about yourself for one second? Why do you have to be so stupid?"
Link sat up, rubbing the blood from his lip. "I'm not stupid." He stated flatly, his head still down so that his hair covered his face.
"Oh, you're not, are you? Then explain why you're such a tool." Knil dug his nails into his palm, hoping to ward off whatever was trying to rise up inside of him. Why was he starting to feel sick with seeing him in pain?
Link gripped the throbbing pain in his broken arm, hoping the pressure would push it back. "Why's it so bad to feel concern for the well-being of others?"
"Because maybe you should worry about your own well-being for once."
"I'm well aware of my own pains. You're another story." He looked fully up at him, his eyes soft and pained. "I have no idea what's going on with you."
Knil was stricken speechless for a few seconds. "What's going on with me? Y'know, if you don't want me to think you're stupid, then maybe you should stop saying shit like that. You don't need to worry about me. I want to kill you, remember?"
Link's head fell again. "You keep saying that, but I'm not sure I believe you. I don't think you really want to hurt me at all."
"What? What the hell are you talking about? Do you not realize what I just did to you?"
"I am well aware of what you did to me." He growled, sending a chill through Knil's body that was almost as frightening as the sky blue daggers gleaming through his hair. Link sighed, his gaze shifting back down. "It just… I dunno, doesn't feel like you really wanted to. I felt like you were just frustrated, upset… maybe even scared of something. And being aggressive is the only way you know to express it." Link shook his head. "I'm just not sure what it is."
They were both quiet for a few moments more, until Knil started laughing, diverting Link's attention. "I'm upset huh? My whole purpose in life is to kill you. It's all I've wanted, even before you almost drowned me. I hate you. I WANT YOU DEAD! Why can't you get that through you're skull?"
Despite his best attempts to try and convince himself, the look in Link's eyes told him flat out that he wasn't buying a word of it. "I still don't believe you. Although, I do hope you've gotten it out of your system. And if you're intending to try something like that again, I might have to tell one of the Gerudo." That comment scared Knil more than having to face that giant again.
Link managed a weak smile at his expression. "Ok, then."
Knil quickly regained himself, and remembered why he was angry in the first place. "That still doesn't explain why you let everyone walk all over you."
"Excuse me?"
"When was the last time you ever did something for yourself? If I had to guess, I'd say never. The Deku tree asks you to kill some spider bitch inside of him, you go without question. The Zora's ask you to save them, you jump right in. The freaking Gorons need you to help them, you have to do it."
"But I-"
"And all of this is because of that damn princess."
"You leave Zelda out of this."
"On the contrary. She's the very center of all of this. Because everything you get into is because she asked you to. You nearly get yourself killed doing all this for her. And for what? A pat on the head and a, 'good job'? It's bullshit, and you know it. So why the hell do you do all of this shit?"
"I do it because I have to. Because, if I don't do it, no one else will." Link snapped, seemingly angered by this notion of his heroics. "Don't you think I wanted to say no? Don't you think I was scared? Of course I was. I'd have to be a fool to do half the shit I did, and not be scared, but I did it because I was the only one that could."
Knil took a step back against him. He didn't think he'd ever heard Link swear before, but it was slowly becoming apparent that he wasn't angry at him.
"You weren't the only one that was locked up. I pull out the Master Sword, and the next thing I know, I was sealed away for seven years all because I was still a child. Because I was too young to be some great hero that destiny said I should be. All because I was preordained by some kind of destiny, or blood-line or whatever. I lost my child-hood. I lost my friends because of this. And on the other hand, I had monsters, and people, like you, trying to kill me, all because Ganondorf told them to. So who's the real tool here, huh?" Link was starting to sound winded. His throat still felt compressed. Between that and running his words down to the last breath, it was taking great effort to speak. He had to stop and take a few breaths before continuing. Knil could do nothing but stare in shock. He never expected this. After all that had happened, Link still didn't hate him. He hated his fate. He was angry at what all he was forced to do for it. Through his own shock, he almost didn't see the tears flooding the young Hylian's eyes.
"It doesn't seem fair that Ganondorf only wanted me dead because of this destiny. I hadn't done anything to deserve his hatred, other than the fact that the Gods said I was supposed to be his enemy. I wanted so many times to just get out of it, but I knew I couldn't do that." His head drooped, maybe to try and hide his face from Knil. "I knew that if I said no, then Hyrule - No, the whole world would be destroyed, and it'd be all my fault for not stopping it. DO YOU REALIZE WHAT KIND OF PRESSURE THAT IS!?" He took a few deep breaths to try and stabilize himself, and wiped his face. "Knowing that, if I failed, it was all over. That I had to succeed no matter what. I couldn't even die a hero's death, because that would mean I failed. It would mean everyone else was going to die along with me. I have to live to do what people tell me to. I can't say no. I have to succeed in everything I do. None of them seem to realize what this is doing to me. I'm only one man." He wiped his face again, his voice dropping to a near inaudible whimper. "I'm only human." Link sniffed, grasping his arm again. "I'm not a tool. I just don't have a choice."
Knil leaned back against the ladder, just watching Link shake, wondering if he was even aware of how fragile he looked. It was an odd sight to see. This being he was created and grown to hate, bearing his soul at his feet. Even though he was technically the same age, it was easy to forget that Link was still a child. Physically he was about 17, but mentally, he had to be so much younger. Never fully given the chance to grow up, like he had. His eyes shifted to the hand shaking against his arm. Knil sighed, pulling off the shirt, under his tunic, and ripped off the sleeves.
Link looked up at him, when he heard the sound. "What?" He had to clear his throat to talk clearly, wiping his face again. "What're you doing?"
Knil didn't say anything. He just grabbed two of Link's arrows, (that had somehow made it through the torrent of water) and broke off the tips. One of the sleeves was used to tie the make-shift splints to his broken arm, the rest put to work securing his arm in a sling.
Link couldn't help but smile at the gesture, his eyes trying to tear again. "See. I knew you didn't hate me."
"Yea well. I kinda owe you for trying to save me. Even if you didn't quite get it right." His eyes drifted up to the large finger shaped bruises blooming across Link's neck, and diverted his gaze. Damn it. Now he really was feeling guilty for hurting him. What was wrong with him? Knil finished tying off the sling, making sure his arm was in place. "Oh, look at that, you failed at something, and the world didn't come to an end."
Even though the world threatening crisis had nothing to do with their current situation, Link couldn't help but let his smile widen. "Yea. I guess it didn't." He glanced down at his patched arm, running his hand over the gray fabric. "Thanks, Knil."
"Don't worry about it. You just stay here."
"What?" By the time Link looked back up, Knil was already starting up the ladder. "Hold on." He stood up, reaching out to grab one of his legs. "Where are you going?"
"The Gerudo probably think we're dead. I'll just follow the flags and let them know where you are."
"You can't go out in that storm. You're injured too. I can't let you."
Knil kicked his leg to get the hand off. "Well, we don't have that many options, do we? We can't stay here for too much longer, and there's no telling when this storm's going to let up. Besides, I'm in better condition than you are."
"But, if you just wait, then we can get out of here. Once the ocarina's working again, I can get us out of the desert, then somewhere to get ourselves healed."
Knil backed down a few steps, eying him skeptically. "How is that little thing going to do all of that?"
Link smiled. "You'll just have to wait and see. If nothing else, the curiosity should keep you around."
"Don't be an ass." He dropped to the ground.
"That's your job, right?"
"Haha. Seriously, how's this work?"
Link picked up the ocarina again, shaking it. His smile at Knil broadened. "You'll just have to trust me."
##
AN: Reedited- 08-04-2015
Yea, been meaning to redo this one for some time. So, there it is. ;)
Apparently i was making people scream in Japanese, so figured i'd let you know where they are. Link's rant faulted by adamwestslapdog on Youtube, who made this awesum video entitled "it's not easy to be Link". (i just wish the song wasn't intended for superman XP)Is it sad that this scene was the whole reason i even wanted to write this story? and i still don't even know if it worked as well as i liked. oh well, we'l'l see what ya'll think.
