.Chapter 2.

The Carrier

It had been nearly a week since the incident with the infected feline and still no further sign of the illness. The goats were still separated even though the symptoms supposedly showed within hours, for everyone agreed it was best to take precaution on the matter. With everything slowly calming down and the barn in steady repair it would appear Ordon would go back to its serene self soon enough. However, even with this settling mood, Link stayed ever watchful at the nighttime hours. He'd stay in a rather hidden spot that was located right beside the newly built outdoor pen near the barn, alerting whenever something stirred. But perhaps this staying awake most the night was not truly necessary as first thought. After all, there had been no new news on the matter.

The two travelers, Ril and Urik, were often spotted in various locations in the woods, yet thus far no ongoing interaction had been made with the pair. It was in Link's suspicion that nothing had been discovered, for surely the village would be alerted since they raised livestock. That and often it was clear that both men were agitated, likely from frustration in no sign of the virus they were studying. Sometimes he could hear the sharp tone of Urik or the irritated sigh of Ril. And at this present time, the two were arguing. Link and Rusl were both near the Faron Spring in the woods, sitting calmly like they used to in the past before the Twilight incident. Neither were speaking, all eyes were upon the slowly setting sun as dusk settled. However it was hard to miss the low bickering from somewhere close by.

After a few more moments of the aggravated murmurings, Rusl would chuckle and mutter without looking away from the flaming sky. "I wonder when those two will leave. Surely there is nothing for them here any longer?"

Silently Link would agree, but his focus slowly drifted away from the sky towards the passage behind him. Intently he watched for a brief moment before shrugging his shoulders slightly and facing the heavens once more. Rusl, now looking at Link puzzled, would receive his answer before the question was even asked.

"We have company."

Simply stated, Link's eyes would close as Rusl chuckled once again and looked away from the pathway. Sure enough only moments later the two now quiet men would turn into the vicinity, walking the path towards where both villagers sat.

With a small grin, Rusl would glance to the hero beside him. "You're good. It seems you've honed more than just your fighting skill since we last sat here together."

Only a trace of a smile from Link before the blunt words of Urik fell over them both. "Look" he grunted, "We need shelter for the night and were wondering if your village would be kind enough to provide it. Your damn monkeys stole all our belongings."

Quickly Ril would speak up before either Rusl or Link could reply, apparently flustered by Urik's statement. "Erm…he means the monkeys…certainly no one owns such mischievous and badly behaved animals! So no offense meant or taken am I correct?"

At this, a full blown grin would fit to Link's lips, yet nothing was stated from him. The other villager went as far as to laugh a bit before standing to address them both, nodding his head towards Ordon. "Everyone is welcome to our village. We would be happy to assist you in any way we can."

Urik would grunt and Ril would smile tiredly before shaking Rusl's hand in thanks. Slowly Link would ease to his feet, stretching a moment as the trio began to head back to the village. Falling into step, he brought up the rear and remained silent the whole while Ril babbled about things he knew about this tree or that animal. Of course, being the patient man he was, Rusl would listen and comment when needed, genuine all the while. The stouter man, however, was just as silent as the hero, and only spoke up when they reached the very edge of Ordon. "Where are we to stay then?"

Rusl would pause in stride, and then give Ril a small glance before addressing Link. "Would you let them stay with you? I believe you have room…if not then I can offer them my home."

"I have room for one of them to stay. So whoever wishes is welcome to what I have."

But a slight scoffing sound would come from Urik as he stared towards the 'tree' house Link called home. Ril would speak up though before anyone else, merrily slapping Rusl on the back. "I think I shall bed down at your abode, my good man. Urik, why don't you stay here with this fine fellow? I'm sure you could handle that ladder better than me at any rate. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. Lake Hyrule. As I was saying…"

And off he went talking about fish life and water depths turning to walk off with Rusl towards his home. Chuckling, Link would turn to Urik, who grumpily watched them trod off. As Ril's voice began to fade, he'd nod to the shorter man. "I suppose I should give you a tour. Would you like to come inside?"

"Inside? Inside what? That primitive little…tree hollow you call home? I think I would have much rather gone with Sir Won't-Shut-The-Hell-Up and that peasant friend of yours."

At this, Link's good nature overall remained, but there was certainly a sharper edge to his features as he watched Urik. Calmly, he'd repeat himself. "Would you like to come inside? I can offer you shelter and food but I am not making you stay. So it is up to you where you slumber."

Urik would grunt, which was in his habit when irritated, but wordlessly followed all the same. Once inside, he'd huff and glare around the room. "So this is your home? I can tell you that you've been wrong ended by those village fools. Put all the way out here just outside the main part of town. It seems to me like they don't want you nearby, boy. And I can see why. Such a mess you are, goat herder."

"Then you are welcome to sleep outside on the dirt. If you don't think the village and our offer is up to your standards, than I guess you should go find elsewhere to eat and sleep."

Of course, there was a limit to how much anyone could take, and thus this is why Link went out of his usual nature to retaliate. It was one thing to down size his home and his occupation, but it was a touch too far to insult the whole of Ordon in his eyes. Urik only seemed all the more irked and he wasn't to be silent on the matter. "So a lowly goat herder thinks he's better than a well renowned scientist? You believe that this shit hole you call home is good enough for humans to live in? Is that what you think? I think you are arrogant, boy. Someone 'ought to put you in your place when you talk back to your superiors. And I believe I am just the man to do it."

"Enough! I told you that you are not forced here and you have every freedom to turn and leave. Now since you obviously despise this place and my village, why don't you turn tail and simply go?"

Unlike Urik, he was not shouting. His tone was serious and low, a slightly threatening hint to the words as he stared down the ungrateful man. Link would not hurt the man by any means, but he would make him leave his home if this kept up. However, rather than just simply up and leave, Urik would growl and lash out in an attempt to hit Link across the face.

Easily the hero would block the maneuver, holding the other man's fist firmly in his hand and speaking in that same dangerous tone. "I am not going to fight you. Now I ask you again. Leave or I will be forced to remove you."

But suddenly, something Link had not been expecting took place. Urik gasped and staggered forward, falling against him and breathing as if wounded. Shocked, he'd catch him and was mentally sifting through all the possibilities as to what was going on when it happened. A sudden pain shot up his arm as Urik buried his teeth into Link's flesh, and he'd softly grunt from the sheer force in which the other man bit down. Yet it wouldn't end with a simple clamp down and release, no. Urik began to shake his head back and forth like some dog may when killing something, shredding the skin between his teeth. Link, seeing no other way, would strike Urik in the back of the head with enough force to knock him clear out of consciousness.

With a strangled yelp, Urik released and fell to the ground, but it was clear by the inhuman growls that he wasn't out cold. A horror woke in Link's mind, yet he ignored it as he firstly thought of defending himself and Ordon. Now back on his feet, Urik would stare Link down with hellish eyes of crimson hue, his teeth looking far too sharp for normal humans. And, right before Link's eyes, the man's hair was slowly lightening while his flesh darkened. Howling with feral rage, Urik seemed unable to speak much less comprehend anything, and therefore Link didn't waste his breath with talking. And, just as quickly he could draw his sword, the deranged man lunged. With a horrible shriek, Urik would crumple and then begin to writhe, having been fool enough to simply impale himself squarely on the perfectly poised blade. It was, undoubtedly, Link's intent for such a thing to happen, and would pull back and away as Urik collapsed once again. It was over.

Link would huff and shakily wipe blood from the blade, trying not letting his mind run wild with him. The paleness of the hair, the crimson of the eyes, the unexplainable lust for blood. It all was beginning to add up. He stared with a sort of horror towards the gasping man on the floor as he slowly ceased moving, cruel eyes hatefully locked on Link. It was not usual for him to fear…but at the moment he nearly felt terrified of this newly dawning horror. But it wasn't the man that was stirring cowardice within the bearer of the Triforce of Courage. It was what he'd done. Link's blue eyes would turn to the bleeding wound on his arm and a shudder rode his spine. Did this mean…? Turning on his heel, he'd suddenly bolt towards the door, yanking it open and launching himself outside.

Once in the crisp air, he'd tear down the pathway towards the village, his heart pounding in his ears as he ran. Ril. He had to find Ril. Hastily he sped onward until he had Rusl's house in his sights and he didn't slow until he was practically at the door. However strong his urge to simply beat relentlessly for and answer, he actually stopped and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath he tried to calm himself. It was going to be okay. Things were not over until he, himself, gave into panic and despair. It was never impossible to change things no matter how dramatic the alteration. Things were going to work. He would make sure to that. Now much calmer yet still sweaty from his brief streak of fear and physical exertion, Link would knock on the door.

Rusl would be the person to answer, and instantly his smile fell at the rather worn look to Link's expression.

"Link. Is everything…alright?"

"I am not sure….I need to speak with Ril."

"Oh. I am afraid our guest is unable to talk at the moment. How about-"

"No. This is urgent. Tell him it has to do with that virus he is studying. I think he is not going to like what I have to tell."

Puzzled, but moving to call Ril over all the same, Rusl would suddenly stop short and narrow his gaze upon the blood on Link's arm. "…Link….what…."

"Trust me, Rusl. I don't believe it's wise for you to treat my wound or for me to come inside. Please get Ril."

Nodding, Rusl would retreat and disappear from view to go get the man. Meanwhile Link would look away from the house towards the stars that now shone overhead. What did fate have in store for him now? Was it of the Goddesses' design for the bearer of the Triforce of Courage to tuck tail at the mere idea of being tainted with a lethal virus? Perhaps…but as Link looked deeper he knew that the fear was not for himself. It was for the people of Ordon. No, of all Hyrule. Urik had likely given Link more than just a gash. The virus had mutated and was apparently now able to transform humans too. The question was…would it hold no affect…or was not even the Hero Chosen by the Gods able to withstand such a taint? Oh, Link would have his answers. He just wasn't sure he was going to find comfort in what he'd discover. Sighing, he mentally prepared himself as he heard Ril and Rusl nearing the door. It was time.