Thanks for continuing with this story for so long!

Special thanks to miano53, Drake, Guest and Guest for reviewing!

To Drake: Indeed, an angry Zelda is a terrifying Zelda. I was so, so tempted to have Zelda go all furious and hold a grudge or something. I think I even made a draft where she shouted at him. Fairly sure she slapped him at one point, too. But I decided to have him suffer in a different way, instead.

I realise this has taken me absolutely forever. By the time I was finished with this chapter, my internet had stopped working! It has finally been returned, and so now here it is. I'm sorry for not having this up earlier.

Think I swapped tenses a few times in this one, but not entirely sure. I'm not great with that, for some strange reason. One minute it's past, the next present. Not sure if that sounds strange, or what, but...

Hopefully it's okay, even if it is a fair bit shorter than the others. As well as the beginning mainly being a monologue. Hope that isn't too annoying.

Disclaimer: Nu-uh. Not mine.

On with the story!

The Descent

Chapter 6:

Release

Life itself is held in the grinning fangs of death, yet men delay to obtain release from the world.

- Plautus

Link

I shuddered as I opened my eyes, fearful of what I would find. Would there be a massacre the beast was responsible for? All I had been able to tell was that the beast was wounded - by who? - and that it was in pain. That was probably the only reason why I had gained control.

I didn't really want to contemplate the fact that I was incredibly lucky to be back. That I had nearly let it free. That I was no longer keeping it locked within me well enough.

I had no ability to tell the time while the beast was in command, so seconds or hours could have passed. A moment could last the whole night. The night could feel no longer than a minute. Everything felt surreal and distant, dark and nothingness. I didn't dwell on that.

On the void when I lost myself. Like I was present but gone. Trying to look through a veil of mist with my eyes shut.

I had no way of knowing. Both what it was doing, and for how long I'd been...absent.

What was worse was to know that I could've killed the entire village and not even realise. That I was one of the reasons why they patrolled the village with fear and weapons each night.

They feared me. The beast. Me.

Which was which? Sometimes I struggled to tell. Especially when my mind and it's were so close, so entangled, that I wasn't sure if I was entirely myself or more monster than man.

Midna insisted it wasn't me, that the beast was something separate from me. I wasn't so sure anymore. I may have to fight it, but that didn't mean we were two completely different entities.

Since the changes became more difficult, and the beast became more aggressive, it's been harder to know if the beast was slowly infiltrating my mind. Day by day, night by night, creeping closer so slowly and silently that I wouldn't realise until it was me killing the villagers, with the beast merely observing.

Until we were the same thing. One creature.

If anything, this just proved I was gradually losing my sanity. I was losing a hold of my grip on everything as the beast grew ever stronger.

I didn't want to truly lose myself ever again. But I knew it was inevitable. Each time darkness fell, so did I. It was a horrifying thought. I had saved Hyrule, but now I was capable of undoing that. Wreaking damage to the kingdom. The village.

My home. I would easily harm everyone living in Ordon village when I lost it.

I was a disaster waiting to happen. A time bomb that was already ticking, counting down to some form of destruction - be it my own, or another's. I was bound to hurt someone eventually.

I opened my eyes, glad of the harsh sunlight. The wound might hurt, but it grounded me here. The beast would not have another chance. I was staying this time.

As a wolf, I realised.

The beast hadn't entirely released me, it seemed. It's claws were dug in too deep, refusing to fully relinquish control. How was it able to do this? Two months ago it had done little more than cower in a corner. How had it learned so much?

...How had it been with me for that long? When was the first time it wrenched the control of myself from me?

I took in my surroundings. I was lying on the floor outside of my house, sprawled in the glorious sunlight that had freed me. The ground near me was red with blood, the wound to my flank bleeding profusely and pouring my crimson life out. Apparently it was deeper than I'd originally thought.

Though I was still grateful for it. Without such an injury, I wouldn't even be here.

And the sunlight. It singed the beast, burning it until it fled and hid in the deepest corner of myself. It was barely noticeable in the sun, not even bothering to attempt and break free.

Though, evidently, it hadn't fled as far as it normally did. Considering I was forcibly locked in my wolf form.

I had started to dislike this shape, being pushed into it each night. Before it had given me a sense of freedom not allowed when I was human; a privilege few - if any - experienced. It had been a gift, glorious and welcomed.

Before this. Before it became my prison. I was constricted, fur tight around my haunches, canines sharp against my muzzle. This wasn't how I normally was as a wolf - normally I felt as comfortable in this form as in my normal one, but less restricted. The beast had changed that.

It wasn't as if I often voluntarily became a wolf nowadays, anyway. But here I was, trapped.

From beneath the shadows a figure moved into the harsh, shining light. It was a vaguely familiar form emerged, I was vaguely saddened to note.

Unfortunately, she was an imp again. She was her true colour - by which I mean not hiding in a shadow as she once did in the light - but instead seemed unaffected; almost content in the sun.

Strange, for a creature of twilight.

Midna came towards me, kneeling before me and cradling my head on her knees, running her hands through my fur.

"Sorry, Link." She said softly, stroking my head fondly. Her voice was soothing as she looked at my flank. "It was the only way to get you back."

I nod against her hands, and she smiles sadly down at me. I wagged my tail to show I didn't mind. She laughed, in that strange way of hers.

"Glad you're not mad." Her words are quiet, but my hearing was better as a wolf.

We sit in the calming silence like that for a while, enjoying the tranquility and serenity provided by this place as she distracted me from my wounds, gently parting my fur beneath her fingers. I felt soothed, glad for her presence. I shut my eyes, calmed, as my tail slowly began to wag.

Frankly, I needed to be calmed. I was trying not to have a mild mental breakdown at the thought of losing control in the day. Sure, not in sunlight, but the beast had never managed such a thing before. Normally it waiting patiently for twilight, testing my defenses every so often but never truly attacking. The few times it had tried, it hadn't succeeded.

It was harrowing. I pushed the thought away.

"Do you remember what happened before it gained control?" She asked tentatively, voice barely above a whisper. She didn't want to ask as much as I didn't want to answer. Her tone was serious, posture stiff and gaze looking into the forest. I tensed at her words, dreading delving into what happened. I opened my eyes, falling still. I considered sitting up, but when I moved even slightly my side hurt.

Vaguely I recalled the tearing of bones, the ripping of cartilage and the snapping of sinew. I thought about what happened before that, pushing through a veil of mist in my mind, shoving past pain towards my memories. My mind was hazy, but...

Then it struck me. I knew what happened before it gained control. I know who was there when it happened.

I was mortified at the thought. Had Zelda left in time? Had she seen the beast? I prayed that she was blissfully ignorant.

Though I knew she had been present for when I first began to change. So she would know something was up. At the very least, she would be worried.

At most, she would be terrified. I hated the idea that it would be my fault. That she would be frightened of me. I knew Midna would be more concerned over the fact that she might tell the villagers about the beast. About me.

I didn't want to be the reason why she would be afraid. I hated myself - or was it the beast? I couldn't be sure anymore - enough already. I prayed she was okay.

I pushed away the thought that she hadn't gotten away, that the beast had harmed her. Violently I shoved it out of my mind. It couldn't be true. It wouldn't be true. The beast surely wouldn't be able to do that. Zelda had left in time.

Hadn't she?

"Remember?" Midna asked, more confidently. She was looking at me, attempting to gauge a reaction and an answer through body language, as I was unable to verbally answer.

I nodded fervently, agitated now that I knew. I stand, wince slightly as it hurts my injuries but otherwise ignore it. Despite that I found myself pacing, barking, growling.

Midna raised an eyebrow, as if guessing. "Zelda?" She questioned.

I bark loudly, turning to look at her. She stood too, face to face with me - which wasn't saying much when she's this height. I bark at her, trying to convey my urgency. She must understand how important it was that we find Zelda immediately. I didn't want to worry about her, and the only way to stop was to find her. Make sure she was alright. But I was a wolf, now. I wasn't the Link she knew.

I had no idea where Zelda was, but I did know I had to find her. That was one of the few things I did know.

I don't know what has happened to her. She probably thought I was dead. Or crazy.

She saw me fighting the beast. Maybe she saw what was left of me once it gained control.

Maybe she thinks I'm the monster.

She wouldn't be wrong.

A rather pessimistic voice chimes in. I frown, but otherwise disregard it. I'm too agitated to be truly bothered.

"Was she there when you..." She trailed off. Midna, not normally one to feel awkward but I could understand now. I didn't want to think about it, let alone try and speak of it. I wasn't surprised to be the only one who didn't really like to discuss the stage where I went from beast to Link.

Or monster to not-total-monster.

When did I become so self deprecating?

Now wasn't the time to worry about it, though. I nodded, barked, and Midna shook her head.

"Well, that's not good." She muttered dejectedly, once more staring into the woods.

I refrain from rolling my eyes at her words. Obviously it's not good - goddess knows where Zelda is!

But at least she didn't swear. She has a penchant for that.

I lower my nose to the ground, sniffing for her scent. My sense of smell might be heightened when I'm human because of the beast, but it goes through the roof when I'm a wolf. Which was useful to find her.

I had no other method or idea of even looking for Zelda, certainly not a certain way of finding her. But this was the closest I was going to get.

Ignoring the fact that I was practically hunting her down. Like prey.

But I wouldn't hurt her. I couldn't.

Right?

I lifted my head, recognizing her scent almost instantly. From there I headed after it - hearing Midna begrudgingly begin to follow behind me - pain flaring at my side, unable to lope as effortlessly as I normally would. As it was I grimaced with each step, lip pulled over my teeth as a growl came from deep in my throat. I hoped her scent did lead to where I believed it was so far, but I couldn't exactly know - only that my nose was currently leading the way. I knew I shouldn't be walking with such an injury, but I pushed on anyway.

I had suffered worse when I was the Hero of Twilight, after all.

After a trudge through the wood, I knew for certain where she was. The location made sense, and I was pleased by it. I myself had gone previously, in search of help and guidance.

Zelda was stood in the fountain, praying to the goddesses. Or so I assumed from her stance - head bowed, eyes closed, like an angel in repose. Though her expression was morose and lamenting. Her lips moved, silently communicating, words known yet unheard.

I began to step into the fountain, when I felt a familiar tug - though, this time, on my heart. Not like when the beast tried to gain control, but not terribly dissimilar. Almost like a warning. I raised my paw away from the clear water, and the sensation disappeared. When I went to place my paw down again, I felt the same tug.

Maybe the beast would be hurt by the fountain, but only when I was a wolf. When we were closer in kind, more similar to one another. When my jaws could clamp under its command.

I stepped forward, splashing the water. It was briefly disturbed, before returning to calm and gentle, lapping softly against my fur. The sunlight made the water shine with luminescence, both glorious and blinding. I felt the fur on my back loosen, no longer constricting - still holding me in this form, but no longer trapping me - and now it was comfortable, natural.

This was what I should be as a wolf. As if I were born a wolf.

The change was normally simple and swift, barely painful at all. But not anymore.

I shouldn't be what the beast made me.

I padded silently towards Zelda, before stopping. She wouldn't know it was me - there was almost no way to tell. The beast hadn't been pushed back enough to allow me human form again.

But at least I was in control. That way I could make sure it didn't go on a murderous rampage.

Make sure you don't go on a murderous rampage.

A voice inside my head corrected, both mournful and bitter. I frowned, once more surprised by such negative thinking, and the - almost venomously - way with which it was spoken. Swiftly, I disregarded it.

I lay in the water, carefully watching her from my position. If she turned, she would see me. But Zelda was transfixed in her silent speech, so much so that I had to wonder if the goddesses - or maybe even Ordona - were talking back.

A soothing calm fell over me as the water washed over my flank, dragging away my blood with swift, gentle hands as it knitted my skin and fur back together. With ease my wound was healed, as fairies fluttered past me, almost hypnotic as they shone with a violet and pink light, one alighting on my side before confirming that I was fine now. My injury was gone, breathing now far easier, lacking the sharp pain it had previously provided.

I stood, turning to see Midna behind me. She was cautiously waiting by the forest edge, obviously wanting to slip back beneath the trees where no one would see her. I didn't doubt that many would be shocked at seeing a Twili.

Then I looked back at Zelda. Her eyes were still shut, but she was no longer praying.

She might know me, though. There was always that. As the water had renewed my skin, it too renewed my hope. She'd know it was me, wouldn't she? I cautiously padded forward, silent as the water dragged at my fur, longing to slow me down. It was as if the world didn't want me to see her.

But surely she would recognise me. I wasn't that different from myself in this form - surely she would see that. I still felt the same. I was still me.

Even if I was now four legged, furry and with bone crushing canines.

I crept cautiously closer, doubt edging its way into my mind again. I'd terrified villagers on more than one occasion. I barely looked remotely like my old self - the only obvious indication were my eyes. Not that it helped. With horror I remembered the shouts aimed at me, the fire brandished before me, the attempts at keeping me from the door. As if I would harm them.

No. As if I would kill them.

Even Rusl hadn't recognised me. He had tried to fend me off, fight me as the beast I looked like.

Are.

I really wished that voice would shut up about now.

Midna was hiding, and I could barely see her. She beckoned me, trying to lead me away from the potential danger. It was only really then that I considered the true risks. The potential danger I was putting everyone in. Either from myself, or from the beast - it didn't matter who would be the one to hurt others, only that one of us would eventually.

There was one thing I knew. I couldn't put Zelda at risk. Turning up like this might put her in danger. I just couldn't do that. Anything to keep her safe.

So, with that one thought driving me, weighing heavily on my supine mind, I turned away. I refused to face Midna - she had suffered at the hands of the beast. I would handle this alone, or die trying. I would sooner take my own life than let it be controlled by the beast.

I was facing into a new direction; an untravelled path. With the hope that everything would be alright, and the blind faith that it would.

Doubt of this had been obliterated by the soothing calm I felt from the spring, and I knew that this was the best course of action. At least for everyone else. I could no longer bring myself to care what happened to me - only that I defied the beast, with the idea that I could rid myself of it completely.

Then I was loping off into the dark of the forest, where I could cause no harm again. Even if I never saw anyone again.

Even if it meant I never saw Zelda again. At least she would be safe from me.

I didn't love this chapter. It was okay, in my opinion. Could've been better, could've been worse. I'm undecided on the amount of internal dialogue, too. Was that alright? Or overkill? I know there was barely any external dialogue, so...sorry if that annoyed you!

Once again, I apologise for taking absolutely ages. I make no promises on when the next chapter will be posted, lest I be mistaken again.

Thanks for reading! Please review!

Scar