Chapter 3

"Zant"

As he was running down the hall with Midna (that was the name of the thing on his back) on his back he started to wonder what she was doing here. He knew how he got there, although he didn't know why; but that didn't matter now. Apparently, there was something following them although they didn't know what it was.

As they were entering the next hallway a colony of bats flew away. Urging Link to go faster, saying that those aren't the regular type of keese (bats); they're twili keese. They don't fly away at a slight disturbance, and only at something large do some fly away, but to cause a whole colony to fly away? It meant that they needed to get out fast, like really fast. Skidding to a stop so that they didn't hit a wall, Link changed his direction and went down the left hallway: All the turns have been per Midna's instructions. They had to get out else at the very least they will both get captured and thrown back into the dungeons (which Link would rather die than go back: wasn't sure about Midna). Feeling the sudden shift of weight on his shoulders, he lifted his furry head to hear what Midna had to say. "Hide now!" she hissed as loud as she dared with there being people and/or things pursuing them. Looking around feverishly for a place to hid, he started to whine because one didn't appear. When he passed a hole on the side, without thinking he dove into it. Since it was too small for him and Midna to fit in she just melted into his shadow. Shaking his head in bewilderment wondering what happened to her, he did the only thing he could think of; he sent his thoughts out. Midna, Midna where are you? He broadcasted with his thoughts so he was surprised when she answered. I'm in your shadow, whenever you need to talk to me when I'm like this just sent your thoughts as you just did. I'll answer immediately. She explained, although the last part of her explanation was lost to him as his attention was directed elsewhere. Three figures were walking down the hallway. The ones on the left and right were black; tentacled bodies covered in strange red marks much like those on Midna. With a strange shield like thing on their faces, and a slouched posture with tentacles coming out of the back of their head and hanging down from what looked like their head. Those are shadow beasts; grunts. The one in the middle is the one to blame for the state of things. At that he turned his head and hatred towards the one in the middle. First of all you could immediately tell he was royalty. He had a full-body cloak on that was shredded around the hands and extended to his legs. Along the arms of the cloak were intricate green designs of snakes and different twili markings (ones like the ones on Midna and the Shadow Beasts) with four lines of the same color on each side of the chest looking like ribs. In-between that was a long scarf that wrapped around his neck and came down his front and his back. He wore simple, yet complicated shredded pants, with simple pointed shoes. His body frame its self was thin but Link was able to tell that underneath the clothing, he was well defined and muscular. His face was well defined; small nose high cheek bones. His gait was that of a person who knew how to get power and keep it and his facial expression was that of someone who knew that he was in charge and wouldn't let you forget it. As they walked closer he heard Zant ask of the Shadow Beasts. "So have you found where our prisoner went?" his tone unsettled Link somehow: like he already knew that Link was trying to escape and planned it. Talking in some guttural language that Zant seemed to understand, whom just shook his head in evident satisfaction. "And has he met the former Twilight Princess?" after another bout of grunting Zant said calmly but with authority, "Good, make sure they get out but that they don't meet the princess. If she explains everything to the hero it could spell my master's doom." Without even pausing he said with finality "Go and make sure it gets done." Without looking back he teleported away.

As soon as the Shadow Beasts passed, Link crawled out and looked around. Midna what did he mean? He asked her with worry and confusion I don't know Link, I don't know. And with that happy thought they continued on.

Everything went along okay for the most part. There was a point where they encountered a floating ball to which Midna said Look into your wolf senses. When he did he saw that it was not a ball but actually a person. When he inquired about this to Midna she simply said, Humans that do not possess wholesome spirits are transformed into the ball you saw before when he asked if they were dead she left him with a cryptic message. They aren't dead, but they aren't alive either. And with that they continued on in silence.

Upon entering a room with a high ceiling Midna appeared making it the first time she came out since they had to hide. Looking around with disdain on her face, she teleported to a place upon the broken spiral steps leading up. When she floated down onto it and put her weight on it, it broke. "Well it's going to be hard to get up there now." She commented as Link was getting a drink from the water. Although it was dirty, it was the first water he had had since he had gotten put in this place. Floating up so as to not cause any more to rubble to fall she hovered and hovered… and hovered, when all of a sudden Link lunged at her, making her leap off the platform. What was that all about, she rebuked. It's just that…that you floating made me want to jump and try to get you, he answered back not completely sure if she would reprimand him or not. He wasn't completely sure how he felt about Midna. On one hand he liked her and she hasn't tried to ask him to do anything crazy or anything, but on the other hand all she's done is order him. Floating up to the next highest platform she whistled for him to come get her, and him being a canine he obeyed; and so that continued till he got to the top. Just as he was going to go into the door that hopefully lead outside Midna stopped him, "Before we go in there's something I need to tell you," the way she sounded so distant bothered him for some reason; not to mention she had this forlorn look in her eyes. "Whatever you hear or whatever happens, please don't hate me, please." Then in an undercurrent she whispered, "You're the only person I have left…" upon hearing this Link cocked his head towards her direction, but before he could question her about it, she walked through the door and so he followed her into whatever waited them.