Midna drags Link's lifeless form down a lower tunnel and into a smaller corridor. There she continues, and pulls him into a cell. On the wall she props him up, lifting his hands up and into shackles chained to the stone. She looks at his face briefly, and with a delicate finger she traces the curve of his cheek. "I'm sorry," she says and sighs. Quickly she gets up and returns to the hallway, moving the thin layer of sand on the floor so it's covered evenly, and then makes careful footprints in it, leading from the opening of the hallway to the cell.
She strafes the walls heading back down the corridor, and re-enters Link's cell. She leans down and searches him, noticing a small leather pouch on his side. She opens it, noticing an empty bottle inside. She reaches for her own bag, pulling out a bottle of her own, containing a very small amount of red potion. She replaces Link's bottle with her's, and with a fleeting and saddened glance she acknowledges him, before stealthily returning to the shadows.
Sheik stops as he hears a terrifying yell echo through the ruins. His heart races. He recognizes the voice.
Link?
He deliberates running back the way he came, but judging as how close Link sounded, he begins running forward, jumping over traps and and tripped wires, praying for a possibility that the two sections somehow connect.
He continues, the corridor seemingly never-ending. Finally, an alcove on his right appears, with steps leading up to a second level. Without another guess he leaps up them, and igniting a flame within his fingertips, he makes his way onward.
Cobwebs cover the ceiling and trail down the walls, and occasionally Sheik has to rip through them to continue. He shakes his head, as this is not a good indication of what is residing here.
With every step, he is pained more and more over his companion. He realizes now, that he sent Link on his own with no way to see in the persistent darkness. He curses at himself, and deep worry now shoots through him, as he fears the worst for Link and what might have happened to him. He thinks about all the things he should have done, should have said, even if at the time he weren't to show him or tell him.
'I've given my life for you, hero.'
Eventually he reaches an opening in the floor, one so nondescript he almost falls into it. He steadies himself, then leans over, lowering the flame into the hole.
Appearing below him, is another hallway of sorts, but in this one he notices cells, their entrances blocked by large gates. A dungeon, he figures, and peering more closely he discerns fresh footprints on the dusty floors. His heart jumps at this, and he leaps down quietly through the opening, landing softly on the ground beneath.
He walks cautiously, leaning in with his light source at each cell he passes by. It's eerie here and his footsteps, although very quiet, still echo a bit with each movement forward. The cells are empty thus far, with one remaining to the left to peer into before the hallway slants down, steps leading into an adjacent room. He looks into the cell, moving his hand through the bars, the flame dancing on the walls of the confined space.
He gasps as he sees a figure chained to the wall, arms up and above the head, locked in shackles. The form's green outfit torn at the shoulders, blonde hair clumped in pieces, some stuck to blood that had trickled down the forehead, now dry. The head is downturned, hanging lifeless.
"Fuck," Sheik spits out in its relative Sheikah translation, and he grasps at the bars, searching for any that are weathered enough to break free. None are, and he looks up above them, noticing an airway directly above, small but large enough for him to fit through. He leaps up and pulls himself into it, crawling through and landing on the other side. He rushes forward on his knees, crawling to the body that hangs motionless before him against the center wall.
"Link," Sheik whispers, lifting the hero's head up. "Link!" His eyes are shut, unmoving. He realizes then that he had been hit on the back of his head with force. He lets go and places his fingers at Link's neck, feeling for a pulse. One is there, but barely. In a moment of desperation, he searches through Link's bag, surprised that it's still on him, and finds little more than a drop of red potion in a sealed jar. He takes it, uncorking it, and lifts Link's head up. Sheik puts the jar to the other's slightly parted lips, and tilts it, the red liquid slowly trailing its way down and out the opening. It is such a trivial amount.
Sheik waits, resting on his knees. He looks up and imagines the night sky, sending a message to Nayru for guidance. He feels very much alone however, and he fears he has already asked too much of the Goddess.
A thought rushes forth into his mind, a memory:
"Sometimes I would go to the room with stars and practice without you." Link holds his ocarina tightly.
Sheik feels for the satchel on his back.
"I thought, maybe there is a song that could return someone somewhere, or bring someone to another place."
He brings out his lyre from it, placing it into his lap.
"For when the time comes that one of us needs to return to each other quickly.. we'll play the Prelude of Light."
Sheik places his fingers on the strings, and plays, plays the melody created by the hero for one another, from a time both experienced and from somewhere in future's expanse.
He plays each bar, resting a moment before playing again, waiting for an answer to illicit itself from Link's lifeless form. Time seems to drag on without hope, until he sees movement and slight rattling of the chains.
"Return to me," Sheik says.
The melody is heard slightly through his subconscious, wafting in through a slow current, dissonant as it pierces in succession at his cerebral cortex. It blanks out his vision and takes him to another place; his mind transporting out-of-body through the sound waves. Then, out of the blackness comes visions, blurry at first. It begins like living life in triple the speed, images flashing and bits and pieces of dialogue playing out in no coherent order. The memories overlay, actions.. conversations, all tightly grouping together in jumbled synchronicity.
He painfully relives seven years of his life in seconds, though to Link, it seems as if he is in a perpetual flashback. Memories unknown to him, things he lived that were wiped away, dramatize themselves beneath his eyelids; a visual feeding tube forcing the information at an incomprehensible rate.
A dark place.. a cold and lonely maze of rooms, hundreds of them. Flames, masked figures staring at him seemingly with no eyes. A tiny body, his own, trembling.. afraid. Impa.. Impa is there, but she leaves him. Why did she leave?
He is being pulled down a twisted hallway, eyes of the Sheikah on the walls, laughing at him. Then a room, in it he remembers the smell of incense, it's very strong. A man sits in the center, his eyes, they're red like fire, like blood. He taunts him, and he is tall and very serious and not friendly at all.
He's left with this man.
'Sheik' he says.
And it's just the two of them.
'You must remain here until you are seventeen years of age,' he's told, and he cries and wants to die. But the man Sheik visits him, talks to him, comforts him. Teaching him in the shadows, he is like a ninja; fast, slithering through corridors and hiding on the ceiling. He's not so scary anymore.
They fight but then he falls onto Sheik and stays there, crying and apologizing, not letting go. He smells the man, buries his nose into his hair. He smells like labdanum, myrrh and sweet rush; heady and ancient and a little bit like honey. He wants to belong to him. He's so very sorry.
They are playing music in a room. It's foggy and painted in blacks and greens, stars up above. It feels like the forest. 'Remember these songs,' he says. A golden lyre, fingers strumming. They play together, the melodies clear to Link. The bolero, the requiem, the serenade. A heated touch, he's reaching out to Sheik, wanting to feel the electricity in his fingertips. Denial. Sheik's leaving. Don't leave too.
Nausea then, feelings he's sure he isn't supposed to be having. He's given a Sheikah uniform. Will Sheik like him more this way? They train, and he tries very hard to impress. He's older now, he's growing.. he lusts for his teacher. It's insatiable. Will Sheik hate him for it? What would he say? He's terrified at the thought.
He ages so quickly and Sheik talks to him differently now. Respect filters through his cold exterior. A mirror is handed to him. He sees himself looking at his own reflection, young and naive. He must be only fifteen. Sheik is gentle with him. He watches him speak but hears no sound come out. He's teaching Sheik a song then. Link plays for him, a melody interlaced with his own secret desire. A song to reunite them, a song that binds. The Prelude of Light, he calls it, a song to trick time.
They fight as grown men, heated. Everything is glowing in red. He slams Sheik down, he wants to hurt him, make him bleed. He wants Sheik to hurt him too, wants to feel the pain so deliciously inflicted. He wants to devour him, encompass him, he wants to do things he doesn't understand. He throbs and groans with each pass of Sheik's dagger, wanting it to slice his very soul.
No..
It's tender and they are sitting beside one another. Sheik is talking, 'letting go', it sounds like he says. The man is holding a mirror then and his cowl is gone, his lips moving very slowly. Link wants to kiss him, but he is embarrassed, afraid of rejection. Afraid that he wants it at all. Their world starts shattering, walls start breaking. He sees the man dissolving away with the world. He runs and its chaos, being shook like a toy in the hands of a child.
It's all fading and it's beautiful and terrible at the same time, and Sheik is there.. staring at him. Sheik embraces him. He feels the other's lips on his own and it's the most amazing feeling in the world; heightening his senses to a level he was unaware could be felt. He feels love. And then he's lifting.. and Sheik is watching.. and the world is disappearing..
until there is no more.
Link groans, muffled, as he tries to raise his head. He speaks then, voice cracking. "The.. Prelude.. of Light." His legs struggle against the floor, yet he is too weak to continue, and thus, gives up.
Sheik's eyes open wide, and while nodding slightly he replies, "Yes..." Cautious.
Link tries to lift his head again, and this time he is able to. Through half-opened eyes he says, "The melody.. to return me to you." His eyes glaze over, tears forming, shock and complete understanding washing over his face. He begins breathing heavily, terribly upset and squirms forcefully, trying to free himself from his bonds. "Are you real?" he asks.
Sheik sets his lyre down, and in one swift motion he moves toward the hero, and removes his cowl. Link leans his head forward, nuzzling and feeling the other man. Sheik then holds Link's head in his hand, while using his other to carefully brush the stray strands of hair from out of the hero's eyes.
Link says, "I know you." His voice trembles.
Sheik looks at him. "I know you, too." Intense.
And with this, Sheik moves his lips towards Link's, brushing them carefully with his own. Waiting for that silent and physical response to his approach, he lingers there. Link's lips open slightly, and Sheik moves in, sealing their mouths together. He leans into him, gentle but with need, and Link kisses back, hands still chained to the wall. The kiss is frantic and messy, the two devouring each other, all the lost time rushing forth to a single moment. Link's arms flex around the shackles as he tries to release them but cannot. "Sheik".. the name mumbles out from Link's lips every so often, however muffled from the other's lips upon his own.
They separate for a moment to take a breath, and Link swallows while saying deeply, "I've wanted this.." And his eyes take in the other man, roaming and filled with intensity and need. Sheik breathes heavily, just staring in somewhat disbelief into the hero's gaze, his eyes unflinching, unmoving, insatiable.
Link then leans forward as much as he can, kissing the Sheikah again, slight moans issuing forth from his lips. Sheik moves on top of Link whilst doing so, straddling the hero's legs, running his hands up and down Link's sides. Their breathing is heavy still, and Link stuggles to break free from his restraints, the chains rattling as he does so. Sheik hurriedly brings his right hand down, and in between Link's legs, cupping hard. Link jolts a bit, legs sliding up, his head falling back against the wall, eyes closing. He moans deliciously - shackled and unable to move. He mumbles incoherently, unable to form any words.
Sheik feels and rubs, tantalizing him, enjoying far too much what he holds in his hand. He's large and Sheik wants it, wants all of him; the desire comes crashing down upon him, relentlessly so. However, their current predicament, the possibility of someone finding them, rushes forth into his mind. He can't have both of them captured!
Sheik woefully abandons the hero's rock-hard erection and brings his hands up to the shackles that prevent Link from escaping. Link watches intensely as Sheik leans over him, trying to figure out a way to unlock them. He pulls a needle from the wrappings around his wrist, and begins forcing the lock. Surprisingly, the hinge breaks free, releasing one of the hero's hands. Instantly, Link brings his free hand to the Sheikah, touching him firmly, wandering. Sheik jumps at this, biting his lower lip in concentration as he moves towards Link's other still-restrained hand. Sheik feels his knees weakening as the glorious hands have their way with him, and the hero notices this as well, smiling deviously.
"You have no idea what images your outfit brought to my thirteen year old mind," Link recalls aloud, feigning innocence. His eyes, ravaging the Sheikah man's form.
Sheik blushes fiercely, but attempts to negate the comment. "I am trying to concentrate."
The second lock breaks loose, and Link bolts forward, throwing the Sheikah down. Link leans over him, both hands propped beside Sheik's head. He stares intensely at the Sheikah, breathing heavily. He lowers his body down to the other man's form pressing them together, and brings his right thigh in between Sheik's legs, rubbing firmly, still kissing him hungrily. Sheik melts, all restraint gone as he opens his legs wider and allows this, mind somewhere in the heavens where he had longed for the Hero of Time, and could never have him.
Link stops, face close to Sheik's, and says breathily, "We've got to get out of here. Together."
Sheik only looks and replies, "I know. We will." 'You will', he thinks to himself with uncertainty.
They stare into each other's eyes for a moment, until both get up reluctantly, with Sheik heading out first, up and out the airway. He turns back toward the hero and says, "We'll continue this.. later." He lifts his cowl over his mouth and eyes Link, giving him a once-over before jumping down, disappearing on the other side.
The room is vast and opens up halfway to the night sky. On a ledge overlooking the canyon, lies a large carving atop a pedestal. Behind it, an open platform with a mechanism. Inside it, nothing.
Zant paces near the pedestal, hand to his forehead, grumbling underneath his breath. "Where are they?" he bellows.
Midna walks casually beside him. "I've secured the hero in the cells. It's only a matter of time until -"
"Someone get him!" Zant yells in frustration.
His voice echoes throughout the large room. A few of the Sheikah turn to look at one another, before scrambling out, into the shadows.
"Where is Sheik?" he demands.
Midna walks to the vista, and stares out at the stars. "He is here," she says.
Zant turns to her angrily, however she continues speaking. "There is only one way out of the cells. Once Sheik finds him, the pathway will lead them directly to you, my lord. There is no way back."
"It's only a matter of time, then," he says and he walks forward, kneeling before the pedestal. He summons magic then, something dark and powerful. It radiates around him as he meditates in it, building its energy for what awaits when the two tread into his domain.
The two dart out the hallway running briskly through the corridors, Sheik leading the way, warning Link of any danger that they must avoid. There is an air about them both now, something special and tangible and rediscovered.
"You knew, this whole time?" Link calls out while running, his stomach still doing somersaults.
Sheik doesn't look back, but responds, "I did.."
Link keeps up his pace, but feels terrible all of a sudden. The thought slows him down. "I'm sorry.." he says, coming now to a halt.
Sheik looks quickly behind him, realizing the hero has stopped, and he turns back, jogging toward him. "You weren't supposed to remember. It is not your fault," he says.
Link hunches over, out of breath. "Did you want me to remember?" he asks, curiously.
Sheik wants to turn and continue running, avoiding the question entirely, like he is used to doing, protecting his emotions with a barrier. But instead he resists the habit, for he knew from his future self, that time is of the essence. And who knows what fate awaits them in this dreary place. He takes a deep breath, looking Link straight in the eyes, and says, "I could only hope that you would," and he urges Link to continue onward, motioning with his hands. Cowl down, Sheik smiles confidently, one that is true and clear to Link, who then smiles in return, returning to Sheik's side as they push on.
"We need to focus," Sheik reminds Link, who is wearing a grin that won't let up.
"I know," Link says, still smiling, "I'm sorry." While eyeing Sheik mischievously, he lets out a loud chuckle, and races in front of the other man.
The hallway eventually opens up into a large room, moonlight streaming in from the north, where the structure cuts away creating a stunning vista beyond. Columns and archways, what are left of them anyway, encircle the room, giving it an important and ethereal air.
Link walks in carefully, smile fading as he feels the negative energy the room evokes.
"Link, stop," Sheik warns, stretching an arm out, halting the other man. Sheik's eyes dart nervously to the shadowed corners, feeling a presence within them. "This is it," he speaks to Link without turning to face him. His eyes look sideways to the hero, relaying to him what he senses to come.
Link's expression is serious, and he nods bravely.
'Zant and I are one of the same, both Sheikah of the shadows. He will read my every move,' Sheik says within Link's mind. 'He will not be able to read you, Hero of Time. That is why he fears you.' Sheik nods to Link subtly, his lips set firm. And with his eyes he thanks him, the hero, for everything he has done in the past and will do tonight.
Link takes on another aura, and with his chin down, he looks up at the Sheikah, his blue eyes fierce and powerful. His body tenses and he becomes the warrior he is in every sense of the word, strong and fearless. He faces Sheik now not just as Link, but as the Hero of Time, and putting a hand on the man's shoulder, he speaks genuinely, from the heart.
"I would do anything for you," Link says.
He steps closer still, bringing his other hand on Sheik's opposite shoulder. Link now stands before him, holding him tight. "I shall rescue you now, Sheik of the Sheikah, like all of the times you have rescued me." He stops for a moment thinking, then continues. "I taught you how to love, Sheik, by the way. I remember." And he smiles, lips set tight. Sheik stands, red eyes peering into blue, communicating things between them that only they know and hear alone.
They turn, facing onward, taking the initial step into the last chapter of their journey here. And such dire times, they are.
Midna creeps through the shadows of the perimeter of the room, watching the two men carefully as they enter the main hall. She signals the remaining Sheikah to hold back, and they wait as well for their time to fight. Some glance at each other nervously, for their enemy tonight is none other than one of their own, and the hero of legend. Some already guess their fate.
She waits until the two reach the center, and that is when she reveals herself, unfolding from the shadows and stepping before them. Sheik remains still and calm, his entire face exposed and serious, unflinching, unemotional. Link slides the Master Sword from its sheath cleanly, and keeps it low at his side, ready.
"So here are the two runaways," she begins, walking slowly towards them. "Sheik, did you lose your cowl or have you just disregarded it as being a nuisance for making out with the Hero of Time?" It's odd that her taunts are both slightly malicious, and also downright curious.
"Hello, Midna," Sheik drawls, ignoring her.
"Well he is delicious, but I don't think he likes me," she continues, pouting. "Now I realize why. Such a shame."
Sheik sighs deeply, somewhat annoyed. "You do not need to act this way," he urges. "This isn't the Midna I know; the Midna I regard as a friend."
She is close to Sheik now, circling him and the hero, slowly. "Our friendship ended when you chose to abandon your people," she says, icily.
"It saddens me to see the corrupt influence Zant has had over you," Sheik adds mournfully. "You must know, somewhere beyond the veil he has shrouded you with, that you walk the wrong path."
"Don't try to save me," she says, getting slightly visibly upset.
Link watches the two interact, his grip on the hilt of the Master Sword, firm and unrelenting.
"You may think you have no way out," Sheik begins, "but there is always another route, always another path we can take."
Midna stops, facing Sheik, head downturned. "Do not school me on the just ways of the world," she says quietly, and with that she looks up and begins walking slowly backward, raising her right hand to the shadows. "Sheikah.. it is time." On her beckoned call, warriors begin emerging from the corners, predatorily stalking forward, until ten or more encircle Link and Sheik in the center of the room. Both men look at each other and then quickly around the room, their heads turning, formulating a plan as quickly as possible.
'It is a distraction,' Sheik silently notifies Link, who looks at him curiously in response.
And then all is clear as Zant steps forth from the north-most point, stopping at the pedestal, grandiose before him. He stands, dark and evil, almost akin to Ganondorf himself. In this moment, two things happen:
The Sheikah warriors dispense onto Sheik, and Link begins walking slowly toward Zant, Master Sword poised.
Link avoids the fray, tentatively looking back to Sheik, who in turn gives him a nod to go forward. He steps with calculation, his gaze locked on the enemy looming in the near distance. Zant raises both of his arms up at his sides, beckoning the Hero of Time. He laughs, his cruel mouth contorting, teeth sharp and vile.
Sheik aligns his needles to his knuckles, and begins elbow-jabbing the other Sheikah, coming back around for a final strike with the blades attached to his hands. They come at him ferociously, the once wise and noble Sheikah tribe, no more. Sheik moves quickly, darting and dodging, kicking low. Midna stands on the sidelines, trying to keep the horror from showing on her face.
Link reaches Zant, stopping a few paces short. His feet stand strong as he awaits the duel, he regards the Sheikah Lord unwaveringly, his breaths even, his mind formidable. It has come to this, he thinks, and he is both sad and relieved at once.
"Hero of Time," Zant begins, "we meet again."
"Let's get this over with," Link responds, coldly.
Zant laughs. "Oh no.. you won't be fighting me yet," he starts, "for I have found someone perfect for breaking the hero of legend into pieces so small they will be scattered across time for all eternity." He smiles, and quickly adds, "Let's see what breaks first, shall we? Your bones, or your heart?"
And then, a shape forms off to the right, glowing green specks of light dissolving into a somewhat human shape. It is huddled low to the ground, and as it materializes, it grows, standing tall. Link watches as his foe is presented to him, and he cautiously observes as the form shapes into a woman.
"Don't kill your mother again, Hero of Time. That would be.. unfortunate," Zant laughs now, uncontrollably.
Sheik hears this, and he turns and listens in slow-motion, eyes wide as he sees the figure Zant has procured from the dead.
She is familiar at first, the same woman Link had met in the market not long ago, and she is beautiful, alive. Link tilts his head and cautiously steps toward her, hand outstretched, as if to help. She reaches out as well, bright blonde hair curling around her like it has a life of its own. But she screams then, a scream so earth-shattering it shakes the room. It's deafening and Link brings his hands to his ears in defense.
Sheik ducks and brings both hands up, hard under another Sheikah warrior's jaw. He turns, yelling to Link, "She is not your mother! Do not listen to his lies!"
Link is frozen for a moment, wanting to run to her and save her like he was unable to do the first time. Zant laughs menacingly as Link readies his sword hesitantly. He looks behind him, to Sheik, who in turn stares into his eyes from across the fray. 'You can do this,' Sheik says to him silently. And in that second, Link thinks back to his time with Sheik that he had forgotten, the training that his companion had so unrelentlessly supplied him. He feels it, the vigor, the anger returning, and he yells as he runs forward, Master Sword pointed to her chest.
Sheik is crouching low, several of the other Sheikah warriors gravely injured, in heaps on the floor. He surveys quickly who remains, just a few, and he stands, rising slowly. He flexes his right palm facedown, and a black orb fuses itself from out of it, a static charge of elemental twilight. He closes his eyes and focuses the energy, it then pooling onto the ground before him. There it opens up, the black and otherworldly portal; Sheik, intent on finishing what he has been given the task to do. The injured Sheikah are picked by the inky weaves that tangle free from this, and they are slowly pulled by their feet or arms into the pit. The few who remain unscathed, they see this horror. The tales were true. They try to run but are no match, for the portal chooses them too, grabbing them and dragging them inwards.
Midna stares in horror as her fellow Sheikah are eaten by the twilight. She yells loudly and makes for Sheik, running to him as he concentrates on the portal. He looks to her quickly, and remaining unphased, he lifts his right hand up momentarily towards her, sending a purplish-black mass her way. It hits her in the stomach, sending her reeling backwards. It charges around her body, pixelated bits trying to dot out her existence.
"What is this?!" she screams as she frantically tries to get it off her.
"The Twilight Realm," Sheik begins, letting go of the portal and walking towards her, "the Goddesses have created it as punishment for the betrayers of the royal family and of Hyrule."
She looks at him, terrified. "And you have the power to open and close it as you choose?" She is confused, shaking her head.
"It fills the part of me that I surrendered to them. It replaces my soul.. which was given to them to aid the Hero of Time." He says this unemotionally, only looking at her sadly.
Her eyes shake. "Am I.. to go there as well?" she asks.
"Not yet. There is something you must do for me first."
The woman, once created to look like his mother, now rears its head, monstrous and cruel after suffering tremendous blows from the Master Sword. Link jumps through the air, bringing the sword again up and through her, ignoring the terrifying screams that issue forth. The magic that created her flickers, losing its potency, and Link lands, out of breath. He looks to his shoulder momentarily to see a blackened gash across it, the pain pulsates. He winces, then tries to shake the pain off. The creature continues to scream before dissolving away, falling to the ground like grains of sand.
'Or ashes..' Link wonders, mournfully.
Zant yells angrily, it echoing throughout the room, quaking the walls and the floor beneath. Link remains standing near where he fought the creature, and Sheik runs over to him quickly. The Sheikah then kneels, touching the dust that lay where it had once been. He picks up a bit, feeling it between his fingertips. "It is only magic, Link, and that is all it ever was," Sheik says, assuredly.
"Let's finish this, then," Link says, nodding to the Sheikah.
Sheik turns toward the other end of the large room. "Midna," he calls.
She comes, running briskly over, looking fearful yet at peace at the same time. She nods without a word and raises her arm forward, almost as if she is to take Sheik's hand. She looks to Link. "I've had a change of heart," she says. And Link watches nervously as an inky charge courses through Sheik's arm, and as he touches his fingers to hers, it transmits. Midna yells in pain as it cripples her, pulsating up her arm and around her form. It begins changing her, taking her halfway between human and shadow.
"Go!" Sheik cries, and she does, staggering toward Zant at the north end of the room.
It seems so far for her, and the pain is immense, but she carries on, the twilight surging within her.
"She will die!" Link says to Sheik, grabbing his arm.
Sheik shakes his head. "She will go to the twilight either way. She is only halfway there, now," he says looking to Link, his eyes saying 'please understand this'.
Zant stands defiantly still, bulked and laughing at the woman who staggers towards him. "You fool!" he yells. And the ceiling and columns begin to shake and crumble, tearing apart at the seams from his anger manifested.
"N-no," she says, clutching at her heart and shaking her head defiantly, "you brought as all to our deaths! It is you who is the fool!" And with this she shuts her eyes and lets the twilight grow, until it bursts from her and outward, a dazzling and horrifying spectacle of purples and whites and blacks. It races toward Zant and latches onto him, seizing him and squeezing him. He yells loudly, twitching and writhing in agony.
"Now, Link!" says Sheik, motioning to the Master Sword. "Send him to the shadows."
And Link understands, bracing the sword, pulling it back and holding it firm, as he races towards the crippled Sheikah Lord.
Midna gets up, twilight still detectable on her but lessened nonetheless, and she runs to the large pedestal. From her satchel she brings forth stone tablets, and fits them in place onto it. She keeps her hand upon it, powering it. "The key to the Sacred Realm," she says to herself reminiscent, and the pedestal vibrates, sending power to the mechanical structure behind it. The gears rotate, creating electricity, until a clockwork series of large round portals open, blue and shining alive with light. "The Gate of Time," she says in wonder, blues from the doorway reflecting in her eyes.
Link brings the Master Sword's blade into Zant's face and through his brain, twisting it deep. Zant cried but no longer, as he falls to his knees, unmoving. The twilight races through the metal of Link's sword, and it electrifies him. He yells in pain as it sends him reeling backwards, sending him hard to the stone floor.
"Come!" Midna yells from the gateway, motioning with her hand for the hero and Sheik to enter its rotating door as she keeps it open. The room continues to crumble, the ruins of the ancient structure dilapitating further as seconds pass.
Sheik runs to Link, helping him up, and they both stagger to the Gate of Time. They stop just before it, Sheik letting go of the hero and using his right hand again to call on the Twilight Realm. The inky portal reopens, reaching out first for Zant, weaving its tendrils around his motionless form. Sheik looks then to Midna, sadly. But before sending her as well, he faces Link.
"Go," he says.
Link begins to move but then stops in surprise. "What?" he says in disbelief.
The twilight portal starts to gravitate toward Midna, weaving its way around her legs, trying to pull her from the pedestal. The rooms shakes still, bits of the floor falling away.
"The twilight is taking her and someone has to keep the gateway open!" Sheik cries hurriedly. "Now go!"
Link shakes his head frantically, teetering on both feet as he knows he has little time to decide between his heart and his mind.
Midna's hand is pulling away from the pedestal as the twilight eats her; she reaches to maintain hold on the gateway, but cannot. Her fingertips stretch, grasping only at the air . Sheik runs over to her and replaces her hand with his own on the tablets. He looks at her, her face barely visible from beneath the inky weaves. "Goodbye, Midna" he says quietly, for what else is there to say? She cannot answer back as she disappears, and finally, is dissolved into nothingness.
Sheik hurriedly looks to Link as he keeps his hand firm on the pedestal. The Gate of Time rotates, glowing, the doorway inside; black with no foreseeable path in sight.
"This isn't how I wanted this to end," Link says desperately.
"I know," Sheik says, voice trembling, but firm. He thinks deeply for a moment, finally saying, "I will always be with you, Hero of Time." He tries to smile. It's fake. "There is no way out of the ruins, and you have your destiny to fulfill. You must go and save Hyrule, Link."
The twilight grows still, not satisfied with Midna, and it creeps onto Sheik moving hungrily. The Sheikah looks down nervously as he sees his time is fading fast; the twilight acting upon its own will. He looks up to Link then again, alarmed. "Go!" he yells.
Link tries to walk towards him but cannot, the twilight mocking him, threatening him. His face, expression full of millions of different thoughts, looks up to Sheik, his eyes wavering.
"I.." he starts.
"Don't," Sheik says, shaking his head, his eyes piercing into Link's.
And Link turns then, unable to reach the Sheikah surrounded by twilight, and heads toward the Gate of Time. He turns his head back sadly to Sheik quickly, hesitating, before stepping through the rotating doorway. His body disappears into dark beyond. However, just as Sheik thinks he is gone, Link's hand reaches back through it, waiting to take Sheik's hand in his own.
Sheik wants to run and take a hold of the hero's hand, but if he is to let go of the pedestal, the doorway will close. Just as he ponders chancing it, he hears Midna's voice through the air.
"Silly Sheik. Let me help you."
And out of the twilight appears an impish creature with large eyes, covered in twilight swirls. It floats to the pedestal and replaces Sheik's hand with its own. "Be with him," it says.
Sheik's heart races as he stares in surprise, then he kicks off the twilight threads that had wrapped themselves around his legs. He runs to the gateway, and takes Link's hand. Sheik looks back to Midna before stepping through, thanking her with the most sincere expression; one of which cannot be explained, but must be seen to understand. She laughs at him, her new form's eyes twinkling. "So the Hero of Time chooses you, the Last of the Sheikah," she muses and continues, "Time has a funny way of working itself out, doesn't it?"
He smiles at her, happier than he has ever felt in his life, and Link tightens his grip on Sheik's hand and pulls him through, disappearing into the darkness with the Hero of Time..
To a future Hyrule, and the adventure that lies ahead.
Together.
Epilogue
Princess Zelda stands before Link, both surrounded by a bright otherwordly whiteness high up in the sky. Far below, Ganondorf had been slain, and Hyrule had been brought peace; Link fulfilling his destiny as the Hero of Time. The princess looks upon him, both relieved and guilty, for she knows what she must do.
"Thanks to you Ganondorf has been sealed inside the Sacred Realm. Thus, peace will once again reign in this world.. for a time," she states quietly, eyes downward. "All the tragedy that has befallen Hyrule was my doing." She meets the hero's gaze, bringing her hands together near her chest. "I was so young.. I could not comprehend the consequences of trying to control the Sacred Realm." She reaches for Link, taking his hands. "I dragged you into it, too."
Link only shakes his head softly. He opens his mouth to speak, but the princess hushes him.
"Now it is time for me to make up for mistakes," she says.
"That's not necessary.." he manages.
Zelda nods, her eyes watering. "You must lay the Master Sword to rest and close the Door of Time," she says. "However.." she pauses, "by doing this, the road between times will be closed.."
Link's eyes open wide. "What does that mean?" he asks.
The princess reaches out her hands, palms face up. "Link, give the ocarina to me." She looks at him sincerely. "As a sage I can return you to your original time with it, so you can regain the seven years you lost. Return to where you are supposed to be, the way you are supposed to be." She waits, watching him.
Link doesn't move, doesn't place the ocarina in her hands.
"I never lost seven years of my life," he says.
Zelda looks at him with a very confused expression. "What do you mean, Link? You were sealed, sleeping for all those years. You missed out on your childhood.. you lost an important part of your life. I cannot live with that."
"You're wrong," he begins, shaking his head gently, smiling. "I was awake, and I was alive, and I learned more then about myself during that time than I ever could have, any other way." He knows she doesn't understand, but he continues anyway. "If it weren't for those seven years, I wouldn't be the hero you know me as today. If it weren't for those seven years, I would never know what it is like to care so deeply, so strongly about someone, that it makes saving the world more bearable because you know that someone is in it."
And Zelda knows he is not talking about her, and she feels lonely, but she smiles nevertheless. "I see," she says. "I asked Sheik to watch over you as you slept. I had no idea the true power of the Sacred Realm, but Impa had advised me it was for the best. Now I realize that you weren't asleep at all, not literally, anyway." She pauses, looking at Link strangely. "You do know he traveled back in time to see you, when you were awakened in the past? He waited for you in the Temple of Time, but you did not appear, so I sent him back myself as soon as I heard. Doing so made him forget some things, but it seems as if he remembered, eventually. The same goes for you, I take it?"
Link laughs softly. "You really are something else." He smiles.
She smiles back warmly, shrugging slightly.
Link raises his right arm to his shoulder, extending his thumb, pointing to the horizon behind him. He looks at it briefly before returning his eyes to her's. "I'm going to go.. now," he says, unsure of how to exit on the princess.
She nods slowly. "Go to him," she says. Then, she walks to Link, bringing her arms around him. "Good luck," she whispers in his ear.
He looks at her warmly, before letting go of her, and he turns, walking into the clouds.
"Link!" Zelda calls out, her hands around her mouth to project her voice.
He stops, turning back around slightly.
"Thank you," she says.
And he waves at her before turning back around, exiting through the misty whiteness, until he disappears from sight.
Link appears, materializing like vapor near the entrance to the market in Hyrule Field.
The sky is bright, sunny with large white clouds scattered across the horizon. Sheik waits, leaning on one of the columns supporting the drawbridge. Epona waits beside him as well, happily chewing on some grass. Sheik pats the horse gently before sitting atop her, and he leans to his right slightly, outstretching a hand out to Link. The hero is beautiful as he looks at the Sheikah, carefree; the weight of the world behind him. They smile at eachother, time stopping for a moment. He then takes Sheik's hand and mounts Epona, sitting in front of the other man. Sheik rests his head on Link's shoulder, breathing the scent of the forest on him, and puts his arms around the hero's waist. Link then kicks Epona's sides gently, sending her galloping forward, to wherever their journey may take them.
The End.
Here we are at the conclusion. A long chapter, but purposefully, because I wanted you to feel involved until the very end.
I hope everyone has enjoyed Time I & II, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy lives to read them.
I am a huge supporter of the Link/Male Sheik genre here on fanfiction, and I hope my stories will eventually earn a loving spot amongst the other amazing tales other authors have written.
I have a new story in the works; a new adventure for Link and Sheik. Something very different. See you all soon.
Until then!