Chapter 12

I did not want to wake up because of how comfortable I felt. I was laying on something soft and warm, my aching body actually able to rest peacefully. It took a while for my brain to process the fact I had no idea where I was, and, even then, my body tried to deny needing to wake. Instead I remained in a somewhat lucid state, deeply relaxed but conscious.

My nose was tickled by a piece of my hair and I struggled to decide if I absolutely needed to move it. When I felt the lock brushed aside, I felt somewhat content. And, when I felt someone running their hand through my hair, I felt comforted.

But then I remembered I had no clue who was playing with my hair. Completely started, my eyes shot open and my body jerked away, causing me to tumble and hurt my knees on the tiled floor. Just below my ribs and across my stomach, pain flared, reminding me of how I had arrived where ever I was.

"Did you have a nice nap, Eivie?"

My head whipped around to the voice. Vaati sat on the couch, apparently where I had been laying with my head on his lap. He had that smug smirk on his face as he looked down at me, waiting for a response. He had chosen a new outfit since the last time I had seen him. He wore a purple tunic and cape with details in red and gold, dark gray to black pants and boots, and he wore a purple cap with a gold brim and a large red gem. It had a certain old-style flare to it, but it also screamed Vaati with how expensive and, well, purple, the ensemble was.

Instead of acknowledging him, I slowly stood up, looking around. The ceiling was incredibly high, decorated in elaborate arches, tapestries, and even a few paintings. Along the walls, stone statues of monsters and a few sets of armor, which looked very similar to a Darknut's, were placed. Much of the stone work was a medium dark gray with hints of purple. A majority of the floor was covered by plush violet rugs, only a few bare areas revealing polished tiles. The furniture stuck to the theme of purple and looked expensive with how much detail was etched into the wooden frames.

"Where are we?" I muttered in awe.

Vaati chuckled once before standing up. He put his arm around my shoulders. "Welcome to the Palace of Winds. Are you impressed by my home?"

"You mean to say you live here?" I glanced around again. "I do not want to believe you."

"Eivie," he sighed, trying to be dramatic more than actually disappointed in my denial. He took a step away from me. "You doubt that I can have ownership over such a magnificent place?" Vaati tilted his head to the side, his crimson eyes examining me as he waited for me to respond.

I shrugged, breaking eye contact with him. I did not want to debate with him over the Palace. "Where are we in relation to Hyrule?" I had never heard of such a place existing. To my knowledge, the only castle or palace in all of Hyrule was in Castle Town.

"Above the Faron Woods," he answered in a bored tone. "I thought that would be quite obvious, considering how I took the time to personally fly you here. Were you not paying attention?"

I rubbed my stomach, flinching when I hit a tender area. Of course I remembered; I likely had bruises from the rough treatment he gave me. Wait… "You were the one to bring me? But I thought I had been grabbed by a monster?"

He rolled his eyes, looking completely irritated with the question. "Have you not pieced it together yet?" His tone was condescending, like he spoke to a young child. "You were the one who had found the answer, even."

"Vaati, I have no idea what you are speaking of."

"Well, then, perhaps a demonstration is in order." He did not wait for me to say anything, instead he sauntered to the center of the room. Facing me, he gave a sly smile, hinting that whatever he was about to do would likely scare or displease me. That look always meant he planned to do something annoying.

For a second, nothing happened. Then Vaati became surrounded by a powerful vortex of wind. Within the blink of my eyes, he went from the strange Hylian with lavender hair to a horrifying creature. Before me now was a giant red eye, horns rising from its head, and rows of bat wings lining its body, as well as a pair of fearsome claws. What hovered a few feet away was they very creature depicted in the book describing ancient monsters that I had shown to Vaati.

"I see you understand now," his voice echoed, sounding slightly deeper and monstrous in this form.

When he flew closer, I stumbled back a few steps. I could not even find words to question him with. My mouth had gone dry. The only word running through my mind was demon anyways; more an observation than a question.

"I am Vaati, the feared Sorcerer of Winds. I had once terrorized Hyrule centuries ago, before I was cursed and trapped in that blasted sword!" he raged, the wind picking up. "But with time the seal had weakened and I found a way to escape, however I lost a majority of my memories of the past in the process." The gales stopped and he narrowed his eye in manner that perhaps hinted pleasure. "You, Eivie, have been very helpful. With the information you found, I was able to find my Palace… And every book and journal I had kept from the past. Without you I may have remained trapped in the insignificant life of a human." He paused his speech, returning his Hylian form. He strode back to stand in front of me, using his index finger to tilt my head so I was looking directly at him. "And for that, I would like to give you my gratitude." He dropped his hand and paced a few steps away. "You found yourself ensnared in a nasty predicament with Jahalla, correct?"

"Y-yes," I stuttered, hopeful he offered his assistance.

"While I will not kill him myself, I would be willing to help you understand your abilities and how to use them properly."

"Why will you not simply kill Jahalla for me?" I wanted to plead with him to do it, but I felt he had some strange reasoning behind his decision.

"If you intend to take rule of the Poes, they need to have respect for you. Should I kill Jahalla, you will remain a weak, Poe-possessed human in their eyes."

"Why does it matter if they respect me? I do not wish to rule over them."

He glared at me. "Even if you do not wish to be their leader, you will be forced to confront Jahalla. There is no compromising between monsters once a conflict has reached the point it has with the Death Sword and Jahalla. You will either be defeated or victorious. My assistance will determine if you are even capable of defending yourself, and hopefully mean your success."

"Why do you even care? What does it matter if I am the one to rule the Poes or not?" My voice rose, almost beginning to border yelling. "Another monster is perfectly capable of replacing Jahalla if you kill him. I need not rule them, nor do I want to. I just… I just want this to end," I whispered, my eyes watering. My hold on my emotions had finally cracked. "I do not want to be a monster! I did not want to know about the Death Sword and how I am supposedly it in a human body! I just want to go home and live normally…" I did not continue even though I could have gone on for quite some time. My shaking voice and falling tears convinced me to quiet, not wanting to appear completely pathetic. "I am not a monster," I mumbled to myself as I wiped my face.

What happened next surprised me. Vaati hugged me. He held me close, his face pressing into my hair. I stood awkwardly with my hands at my side, sniffling as I tried to keep from crying. He pet the back of my head with one hand and rubbed my back with the other as if attempting to console me. I was so confused by the action I immediately became quiet and waited for him to perhaps explain himself.

"Eivie," he began, his voice muffled by my hair, "you are not human. You will never be human. They will not welcome your return, nor do they wish for it." He paused when I let out a shaking sob because of his harsh words. "Now, Eivie, I know you see the truth in my words. Do not delude yourself into believing your own lies."

I said nothing. His words were true and that was what devastated me. If it were possible to separate from the Death Sword, I am sure the creature would have done so. What good was my body now that Jahalla had knowledge of my existence? None. I was now left to defeat or be defeated by a creature more powerful than even Gomess. I could not return to Castle Town and threaten the lives of everyone there on the account of my own cowardice. Link and Zelda did not need to be burdened with my problems. They had enough problems to face with the other monsters. No matter how harsh Vaati's words sounded they were undeniably true.

"But remember that I am willing to help you," he continued, his voice still soft and gentle. "With me you will be safe and welcome." He paused briefly, waiting for me to rein in my tears. "If you accept my offer and agree to swear loyalty to me, we can help each other."

"What… what help would I be to you?" I placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away far enough so I could see his face. For the moment, my tears had slowed. My sorrow was overpowered by suspicion with how Vaati was acting. It was beyond strange considering his typical indifference to problems that were not his own.

"The Poes will be under your authority. While I could demand them to follow my orders, it would be easier and more effective for their leader to command them to fight for me."

"But why would you bother with making allies when you can force them into servitude? I know you better than that, Vaati. What exactly is preventing you from simply threatening them?"

His brow scrunched into a frown, his annoyance showing through his supposed compassion briefly. He then sighed, sharing a bit of information for one. "Because I am not the only monster seeking underlings. One with strength comparable to my own has enlisted many of the monsters to serve him instead. Jahalla is one of them, but, if you replace him, I would gain the assistance of the Poes and other undead creatures. While I would prefer threats and violence, I have been forced into a more political battle in order to obtain what I wish for."

"What is it you wish for?"

Instead of answering, he examined me without any show of what he had on his mind. He finally released me from the awkward embrace, taking a step away from me. "Your questions have certainly gained an irritating quality to them," he commented before turning and beginning to walk away. "Come along, Eivie. You look ready to collapse; I will allow you time to rest."

I reluctantly followed after him, soon arriving to his side. He surprised me again by draping his arm across my shoulder as he guided me to a great staircase leading to the upper levels of the palace.

"I will be expecting your decision tomorrow evening at the latest. If you chose to leave, I shall count you an enemy." I was sure I saw a slight smirk form before he darkly added, "You will be welcome nowhere then: a monster among humans and human among monsters."

I focused on the ground after he said that. Had I really any options? Go back to Castle Town and threaten their lives with Jahalla's vengeance? Stay with Vaati and help with whatever unpleasantness he had planned? Both were horribly unappealing. No matter what I did, I would not be happy. Maybe that was it then; a creature like me was never meant to be happy. My eyes threatened to tears with wave of sadness that hit me from that thought.

"Shh, do not fret, Eivie." He tightened his grip on my shoulder, trying to assure me that he was there for me. His voice returned to the soft, supportive tone he had taken earlier. "I can help you. That is why you should accept my offer. If you swear loyalty to me, you can stay here and I shall provide you with whatever you desire."

I made no attempt to respond. While his words, tone, and body language all showed his concern and effort to comfort me, I could not believe him. Anyone else and I would have not questioned of having ulterior motives, but Vaati was different. It was not in his character to show this level of kindness. I needed to doubt his outward show of compassion no matter how much I longed for his actions to be perhaps true. He was Vaati and he always had some selfish motive behind his actions. It always became a game of deciphering his actions and words, which I was usually slow to catch onto.

After walking down a hallway, I sensed a Poe nearby. Vaati let his arm fall to his side and he stopped to address me.

"I have had one Poe serving under me recently. He will be escorting you to your room and assisting you with anything else you may need." A sly smile came to his face. "Or you can return to my room with me."

"No, you lowly creature," I hissed. My eyes widened in shock after the words escaped my lips.

Vaati seemed as surprised as me. His wide eyed expression was quickly replaced by a narrow glare though. "So this must be the Death Sword. You overestimate your ability if you think you can insult me in such a way." His words sent chills done my spine with how his voice was filled with a threatening hatred.

My mouth involuntarily pulled into a crooked smile. Once that emotion crossed my face, I quickly broke eye contact with Vaati and focused on the ground.

I had been taken by surprise. I thought it would be gone so long as I was not in danger, but the monster seemed very much present. How much of my actions and words were my own and how much were the Death Sword's? How much of a division was there between me and this monster? I had yet more things to worry over now.

Vaati laughed once, seemingly dismissing my… the Death Sword's words. "I will await your answer," he said one last time before departing. He teleported elsewhere.

I slowly lifted my gaze from the tiles and to the direction of the Poe, who was perhaps a few halls away now. Soon enough a partially visible creature drifted through a wall beside me.

"Hue?" I backed away from the yellow ghost. "What are you doing here?" He had seemed loyal to Jahalla, his presence here was bizarre.

"That sorcerer threatened me with imprisonment in a bottle," he grumbled. "I had not wanted to spend eternity on a shelf."

"And… and you just abandoned your loyalty to Jahalla for that?"

"He also threatened to inform Jahalla that I knew you were the Death Sword from the beginning," he added bitterly.

"Had you known?" I could not help but ask. The Sisters had known the entire time; had Hue been the same?

"The blue Forest Keeper mentioned you may be the Death Sword, but also tricked me into watching you by saying Jahalla had requested it." He sighed. "And I had believed her," he mumbled.

"For how long have you been serving Vaati?"

He remained silent for a moment. "The two days prior to Gomess' attack. I had been going to inform Jahalla the sorcerer told you he was leaving the city." When I opened my mouth to interrupt, he added, "I was there in plain sight, but apparently that sorcerer had hidden me from your view."

I nodded, remembering that the ladder had been invisible as well. It was not outlandish that Vaati had done the same with Hue, for whatever reason.

"He suddenly appeared before me and demanded I follow his orders. Now quiet. Your voice is still nauseatingly annoying," he snapped.

I obeyed only for the fact I felt he would answer no more questions. If I had been allowed to continue, I would have asked what orders Vaati had given Hue. Hue had still informed Jahalla and accompanied Gomess after Vaati confronted him. Vaati could have told Hue not to tell Jahalla, but he did not. He let Gomess attack me. Yet here I was with him trying to convince me to join him. What did Vaati have planned that he went out of his way for so many things? I could not be that important to his schemes, could I? Only by knowing what Vaati had planned could I even begin to know how I was to be involved.

Hue began to float down the hallway lazily with me following close behind. We made way to a staircase, and, after climbing up many flights, we arrived to another wide hallway filled with doors. We continued on to where I assumed my room was. As we passed a doorway, I noticed a suit of armor across the hall. While at first I made no connection, thinking it merely to be decoration, when the armor moved I noticed it was a Darknut, much like the one I had met in the fields.

As we passed by it, I stared at the creature, wondering if they served Vaati. Or rather why they would serve Vaati. It was doubtful that they followed a leader like the Poes; they were solitary creatures from what I had learned. Had he simply threatened them like Hue?

"Why are there Darknuts here?"

Hue glanced over his shoulder, acknowledging my question. "He summoned them here. That is all I know about them."

"Summoned them?"

"He cast a spell and they appeared," he answered with obvious annoyance. "You are still quite dim-witted."

"And you are still rude," I muttered, a small smile forming. Even if he was irritating and had abandoned me, Hue offered a sort of familiarity I had not had… since yesterday. It seemed these last days had been a lot longer.

Hue glided through a door. I stopped, examining the dark wooden door. Should I really accept his offer to stay here? Hesitantly I reached for the handle. Should I place any trust in a demon? I gripped the handle and turned the knob, slowly pushing the door open. What option did I have? I was far above the ground with no way to escape. I had been made a prisoner by Vaati.

The room was more extravagant than I had even imagined possible. There was a large window opposite of the door, dark drapes barely open to revel the lightening sky of day. A large bed sat against the right wall, very much the vision of luxury with how plush it looked. Not to mention how the warm and soft the blankets looked. Against the opposite wall was a wardrobe, mirror, and table.

Out of curiosity, I wondered to the wardrobe, opening the doors. Of course it was lined with expensive looking dresses in a variety of dark colors, but most a shade of violet. Vaati was showing off. I glanced at my tattered dress before closing the wardrobe.

"Hue, find me something more suitable to wear."

The Poe sighed moodily. "What is wrong with those?"

"I do not like them, as simple as that." I glanced around the room. "And I fear accepting too many gifts from him," I mumbled truthfully.

"Fine. Something similar to what you have?" Hue flew around me, taking note of what to look for. "Will your morals be damaged if I steal?"

"No, just do not hurt anyone." I was too tired to fight with Hue over stealing; as long as he got the clothes I would be fine with it.

He grunted in response before passing through the window, off to complete his task.

Once I carefully looked around the room, I took off my dress completely to examine myself for injuries. The scratches and bites of Gomess' bats had healed for the most part, leaving no scars surprisingly. The other wound from the scythe had scabbed over; this one I knew would scar. I also noticed the deep purple bruises, in areas already yellowing, across much of my torso. He had really been rough carrying me up here, and it was likely not a complete accident.

I pulled a blanket off of the bed and wrapped myself tightly in it. I finally could tell how much my dress reeked of blood. It was beginning to nauseate me so I threw it in the corner as far away as I could get it. Then I laid on the bed, staring at the wall blankly.

What would I decide to do from here? I honestly did not like either of my current options. Returning to Castle Town and facing Jahalla by myself would likely cause the death of a number of people, the further destruction of Castle Town, and my own demise as well. Staying with Vaati offered a chance to defeat Jahalla, but Vaati would not allow me to simply leave afterwards. That other monster he mentioned must be very troublesome if he was so desperate ally with the Poes by me becoming their leader.

I glanced at my nails. And then there was the Death Sword to worry of. I still could not fathom the implications of being a human possessed by a monster. Vaati could at least help me control its powers, if I stayed. After battling with Gomess, I no longer trusted myself. The way Death Sword behaved scared me, especially because I was the one technically behaving in such a deranged manner.

I sighed in defeat and closed my eyes, no longer wishing to be awake. Maybe sleep would help me sort out what I wanted to do. At the moment nothing seemed like the right decision.

A/N- Awkward hugs and words are likely as close to "romance" as I get. In all honestly I am not really sure how to write romance, which is why the genre is drama/tragedy (I think those are the correct ones anyways). I absolutely loved creating Vaati's dialogue this chapter for some reason. Hue's back as well. And what will Eivie decide, I wonder? Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited last chapter! I am so happy you all seem to enjoy this fanfic! I had not thought that I would hear so many compliments in response to my writing and it means so much to me. You all have my undying gratitude, seriously.

Guest- You were right, it was totally Vaati! He snatched her right up and nearly crushed her; such a romantic, that one. I'm glad you are liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

Awkward passerby- Is Eivie a villain now? Well, this is hard to answer without giving things away because the line between good and bad is major theme to the story, I think. Link will be back though! He is not merely a side character and has an important role to fulfill. Thanks for reviewing again!

Miss Ominous- You could say the same thing every chapter and I would be happy! I mean you took time to do so and that is what matters! And reading late at night… I do that quite a bit too. The Death Sword is scary but I absolutely love that temple! The atmosphere of that place was eerie and creepy, and then you battle a screaming goat-ghost with a giant sword that bursts into insects when defeated; favorite mini-boss ever (and Stallord was awesome too)! …You can probably tell how much I like that place… Thank you for reviewing again!

MrsTippet- Thank you so much! I'm glad you think so highly of this fic here. I'm happy you think I've been doing a decent job with details. Details are one of the things I've been trying to improve in my writing. And yay, my characters are believable! I always worry about that for some reason… I know there are typos; there always are a few that escape my notice. If you ever find something horribly wrong, please mention it, I would be grateful. Thank you for your review, favoriting, and following! I hope you continue to enjoy the fic!

This is not a good Name- Perfect? Really!? Wow, thank you! I try to catch typos before posting (and go back and fix things sometimes) but there are always some that escape me. If you see any particularly bad ones, please feel free to mention them, I would appreciate it! And… it was the summery that was off-putting, wasn't it? It does not really mention the canon characters… or Eivie's connection to the Death Sword so she probably seems fairly clichéd, especially near the beginning. I'm really happy you gave it a chance though! Thank you for the review and following!

TheBigOne- We do make self-fulfilled prophecies, don't we? I don't really have much else to say… I hope you enjoyed the chapters following your reviews! Thanks for reviewing and sharing your thoughts!

OtakusRBest- Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I don't think many people review it because this is my first fic and the summery is very OC-centric. Although I am very pleased to have every review that I do have! Writer's block hasn't been the problem luckily. The end of the semester has. I have been so busy with other papers and finals, thank goodness I'll be done soon. Hopefully then I can return to updating more often. Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you'll be sticking around!