author's note: Thank you ShiftingWinds125 for reviewing the prior chapter. I hope you all enjoy the next!

Sweet, Dark Lullaby
Chapter 2: Things Fall Apart.

It was a miracle she survived.

Somewhere, possibly her forehead, was dripping with blood. Opening her eyes, she watched the red liquid drip like rain and create a puddle below. Nothing hurt. Maybe the pain was too much her body had grown numb. Her flesh was torn and bruised, her eyes aching and head pounding–– but nothing really hurt. She was drunk with fatigue, however. In fact, Midna would have quite happily fallen back to sleep.

Of course once memories came flashing back, and she could finally register her surroundings, every ounce of tiredness vanished. Brick had fallen from the ceiling and walls, destroying half the Castle. She guessed she was a victim to the falling bricks, but she didn't care. Even if she was walking into death, Midna wouldn't have cared. All that mattered was the defeat of Ganondorf. That was all.

So when she witnessed the very man towering over her, the imp-girl was paralysed.

Could this be a dream? Or a hideous nightmare?

Hold on–– were they in Hell?

It was a silly thought, and revelation quickly hit. This was Hell, that was for sure, but it wasn't a dream. This –– everything –– was very real. The pain soon began to reappear, and suddenly Midna's entire form throbbed from the wounds scattered across her body. Her forehead stung, it stung so much she could barely keep her eyes open. Bowing her head, Midna held herself, casting her gaze away from the monster who was now chuckling.

'You're surprised to see me, but I expected nothing less. You have a knack for underestimating your enemies.'

Link. If Ganondorf was here, alive, but bloody, then where was Link? Midna raised her gaze, still refusing to look at Ganondorf. Fear rattled her mind and she shivered. Where was Link? So many emotions battled inside her, and she didn't know how to control them.

Fear, anger–– anger. Midna had never felt so angry before.

She looked at Ganondorf and hated him.

'As do you. I can tell you've been wounded severely... You're placing most of your weight on one leg. And I know it's painful to be standing. Take a seat if you feel you're about to collapse, old man.'

'Amusing. By now, you should have learnt that age is irrelevant when it comes to strength. Your little farm boy stood no chance against me. I'm sorry to say he was the man who collapsed.'

Midna's heart stopped.

No. No, she would never believe Link had fallen.

'Pity. He was so happy when he saw you. It's a shame you weren't actually there. Humans are so easy to deceive, wouldn't you agree?'

She couldn't hear him. Didn't want to hear him. Her vision, her mind and her hearing was clouded, her emotions clashed together and she trembled with such ferocity she was afraid she'd simply lose control. Again. Midna had lost control so many times when things didn't go her way.

Clenching her tiny fists, Midna attempted to remain calm. If Ganondorf was telling the truth, if Link was dead–– dead. Not dead. Fallen. Unconscious. Never dead. Even from the beginning, she found it impossible to imagine Link as a dead man.

How naïve she had grown though.

'You're worthless to me. I have what I need. Hopefully you'll be wasted away like your pet. Be quick about it, though.' The man smiled, but it was cruel and cold. Menace glinted in his eyes. 'I have many plans and I do not want you in my way.'

Midna would happily have ripped him in two, but was incapable of such power. It took her a moment to realise her head felt abnormally lighter than usual. Despite the headache, her head felt less weighty. There was a reason for that. The Fused Shadows were missing. They were gone. The object that granted powerful abilities to her had disappeared and she dreaded to know its fate.

If she ever would.

Her vision grew hazy. She was tired again. More tired than before. No, no, she was upset. Angry. Frustrated. So tired. Sleep. She had to sleep. Her body refused to move. Her body wanted to rest. Her body wanted to recover.

Just before everything grew black, she spotted a bright figure step beside the Dark Lord. She was beautiful, so bright and full of life. Midna had always found her captivating, a wonder to witness. A light.

Zelda smiled at her, softly. Yet her eyes were harsh and distant. As if she was no longer there.

It couldn't be clearer. Everything was so clear to Midna.
When she spoke, it was barely a whisper, but she knew they heard.

'I hate you. I hate every one of you.'

Finally, the Twilight Princess could rest.

There was chaos. Hyrule Castle was in pieces, and thousands pondered over who or what had survived. Whether the great evil within was finally banished, and Princess Zelda was their true ruler again. They all hoped for such glory, and when the Princess herself was revealed, relief and joy flooded the Town. Clearly, whatever menace had captured Hyrule was gone.

No one spoke about the boy in green, though. Upon seeing their Princess, the very idea of a Hero escaped their minds, and Ganondorf did not miss this fact. Soon, they would ask questions. Who saved the Princess? Who destroyed the Castle? Who was the man they should give thanks to?

Link was oblivious to the celebrations being held in Hyrule Castle Town. The boy was resting, or recovering. No one was aware of his whereabouts and only those he was closest to would start to worry.

The water was gentle, stroking his flesh and massaging his head. He floated, facing upwards, eyes closed, breathing. He was breathing. Link had never looked so at peace before. The tunic was no longer ripped. His clothing was arranged neatly on the platform, and the naked man floated in the water, the deep wounds healing quickly.

Opening his eyes wasn't a struggle.
Coming to terms with everything was.

Link groaned and moved, swimming towards ground. Upon reaching stone, he heaved himself up and collapsed, his heart pounding against his chest. Link sent a hand slowly, hesitantly, towards the wound, the gaping hole in his chest. To his shock, he felt nothing but skin. The wound was gone.

Someone –– or something –– had saved him.

Link sat upright and rubbed the back of his head. His vision began to focus and he soon realised where he was. The Lanayru Spring. How did he get here? Link narrowed his brows and stood, wobbling a little by the sudden force of gravity. He felt dizzy, but okay. Strangely okay. He shouldn't be okay, though. He was stabbed, he was killed. The boy shouldn't be alive.

Yet he was, and he was here.

'You have awakened. This is pleasing to us. We are so glad you're all right, Chosen Hero.'

The voice. Link recognised it. Turning to the Spring, Link waited for a moment, before uttering words himself: 'What happened?' Nothing added up. Nothing. 'All–– All I can remember...' Link trailed off. He couldn't remember. His head hurt.

'It is of no surprise your mind is hazy. Rest. Rest is the most powerful remedy a man can have.'

'Please. You have to tell me what happened.'

'The Dark Lord Ganondorf deceived your vision. You were tricked, Chosen Hero. The Princess Zelda, our Ruler, is not what she seems. The possession Ganondorf has placed her under remains, and she is, and always will be, in his mercy.'

Then it all came back to him. Ganondorf's defeat, waiting for the Evil to die, turning, Spirits, the brightness, her. Link had been running for her, but once he reached the hilltop, she wasn't there. If there was anything he remembered clearly it was the agony. The blade had ripped through his body, torn at his flesh and mind. The Princess' eyes would always scar the man.

'I lost.'

Link fell to his knees. Then released a heavy sigh.

'That does not mean you have surrendered.'

'Were you not there?' Link was never an angry man. He was always calm and collected. Right now, though, something snapped inside him. Something sharp. 'I saw you.'

'Please do not perceive us as the enemy. What you saw was not truly there. The Dark Lord had you fooled. Anyone would have become victim to such tomfoolery.'

Link closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. If everything was a trick, then what of Midna? Obviously she was not there, miraculously waiting for him. There wasn't anyone. So what had happened to her?

Was she alive?

He didn't want to think about it. Not now. It was too much, and his body was already shaking under the pressure of registering what Lanayru was saying. Everything was too much for such a young man.

'Dress, Chosen Hero. You will freeze if you do not.'

Link wasn't even aware of his nakedness. Standing, he approached his attire and began to pull the clothes on, head still dizzy, but more informed.

Dead or alive, he needed to know where Midna was.
No–– she was alive. She had to be.

It seemed his tunic had been sewn together. The hole created by the blade was no more. His body and clothes were healed. As if nothing had ever happened.

The Goddesses still believed in his courage and strength.
And Link would not disappoint.

Dressed, Link was disgruntled to discover his Master Sword and Hylian Shield were missing. Ganondorf clearly still possessed the Blade–– it never left his body when Link stabbed him. As for his Shield, Link wasn't so sure. Had Zelda taken it from him?

Somehow the Spirit read his thoughts.

'The Blade of Evil's Bane is no longer in your custody, but do not concern yourself. Ganondorf is incapable of handling the Master Sword. Darkness controls his heart and he cannot use the Sword for his own use. However the only way you can have it returned to you is if you approach the Lord yourself. I have kept your Shield with me, waiting for your awakening.'

Out of thin air, Link's Hylian Shield appeared which slowly settled into his grip. It was comforting to know that at least something survived.

'For now, you are only equipped with the sword you obtained from the Village you grew up in, and this Shield. Let it not diminish your confidence, though. The Goddesses remain on your side, and Evil shall falter.'

Like the Shield, Link's sword appeared and he sheathed the blade, strapping the Shield onto his back. Already he felt better, but he knew once he was alone thoughts would begin to enter his mind and bother him. The reason he was here, collecting his tunic and sword, was because he failed.

Failed. It was a harsh word, but true.
Link had failed.
It would take years –– if at all –– for him to forgive himself.

Where do I go?

It was funny. He never realised how lost he would be without Midna, and now she wasn't here he was troubled. But really, who could blame him? After losing to Ganondorf, did that mean Link simply wasn't capable of destroying him? Facing the entrance, Link inhaled.

He hated to think what that man was planning, what he would do to Hyrule. If not, the world.

Link was desperate to know if Midna was okay. After everything they had been through together, the thought of losing her was unbearable. However he had to put others before him. Even if he felt strongly towards the imp-like creature, there were many who relied on him.

There were many who had no idea about what had occurred.

'––Thank you.'

Those were the only words which escaped his lips before he hurried out into the broad, bright daylight. Lanayru said nothing in response, watching the fallen hero leave, knowing emotions would soon begin to torture his surprisingly fragile and young mind.

The Hero of Time has finally returned, only reborn as another man.

'Wake up.'

Silence.

'Please wake up, Princess.'

Nothing. No sound.

The voice was pleading now.

'I need you to wake up.'

'––I'm so tired.'

'There isn't anymore time for rest.'

'What's the point? Time has been lost. I... we lost.'

'No, not lost. You both made a mistake; it was planned. However, now you must wake up and find the Hero of Time.'

'I don't know any Hero of Time.'

'You do. You just haven't heard the man addressed as such before.'

'... Link?'

'You must find him, Twilight Princess. For what use is a Knight without a Queen to protect?'