Chapter 16

We stood in silence, unsure of how to even begin discussing the past month. I avoided his gaze and chose to focus on looping the belt around my waist. My hands shook to the point the clasps were impossible to tighten, causing me to fumble helplessly. My nervousness only worsened when I heard Link take a step closer. A part of me considered that he would scream in my face. A part of me wished he would because I deserved his hatred.

Instead, he took the belt from my hands and effortlessly fastened the clasps. It was so simple, I was slightly embarrassed by how incompetent I was.

"You were never able to give me that sword lesson," I whispered, suddenly remembering that day that seemed so long ago. I smiled slightly when I recalled how much simpler it was back then.

"I guess I wasn't," he replied after a moment.

There was another silence. I glanced at him before retuning my gaze to the ground. Link seemed hesitant to speak, but also ready to ask numerous questions. If we were to travel together, it would be best to answer everything now, rather than later. It would be difficult, but it was better than being completely standoffish as we traveled. That was a level of awkwardness I did not want to deal with.

"We should… talk about this now," I muttered, somewhat hoping he would not hear. I dreaded his questions more than anything because the answers would show how rotten I was.

"Where did you go? Why did you run away after fighting that Poe?"

"I went to Faron to speak with the Poe Sisters in hopes they would… know why my appearance had changed. They…" I paused and took a breath, hoping to continue with minimal emotion. "They told me that I have the soul of another monster known as the Death Sword inside my body. When Gomess attacked, it, the Death Sword, allowed me to use its power to protect us, but also caused my appearance to change."

"So you're possessed by some monster?" he said in disbelief with a comparable amount of skepticism. "When did that happen?"

"Approximately when I was five. The Death Sword had challenged the Poe leader, Jahalla, and had lost. It fled to Ordan Village and attacked in search of a suitable body to hide in. It found a young human and possessed its body." I held up my hands and stared at them. "And I am the result. I am both human and monster. A creature that was never meant to exist."

"You're… You're still human." Link stated. "You haven't always acted like a monster, so you're not."

"Denial is only making matters worse. I am a monster and I have never truly been human. It was my mistake to act as a human and my actions have created this situation." I quickly said, not putting a second thought into my, no, Vaati's words. I had been trained well through his psychological attacks.

Link seemed taken aback by my refusal to believe my humanity existed. His eyebrows were drew together and his mouth slightly agape as he tried to find words to express what he thought. "What happened to you? You're acting so, so cold and emotionless!"

"Vaati."

Link paused, his face morphing from confusion to anger. "That would explain it," he said with absolute disgust and loathing. "You two were looking pretty close. Is that why you are helping him? Because you like him?"

It only took that one word to make me completely flustered. "I don't… I…" After stuttering I figured I needed to think about my answer before spouting out whatever came to mind. "It's more complex than that and feelings are of little importance."

"Complex? That's it? That's all you have to say? You are helping a demon!" He shouted accusingly. "I want to know why, because… because you're not a bad person. So why? Why are you helping a demon like Vaati?

"I have no choice!" I snapped back. "You cannot even begin to imagine what is going on, all of the things that can go wrong, and how much chaos will ensue. Vaati is willing to help me if I help him. In the end, he is a far better option than letting Ganondorf terrorize Hyrule. Vaati may be a demon, he may be untrustworthy, but he is the only one that can help me. He is the only one that could possibly save me."

"Help you with what?"

I laughed nervously a few times, trying to hide how I really felt. "Nothing of importance. Forget I mentioned it." He did not need to know that the Death Sword was slowly taking over. With all of his foolish compassion he still may be willing to help me, and he needed to focus on defeating Ganondorf and possibly Vaati. I was far less important than Hyrule. My life was nothing in comparison to all of the citizens that would be slaughtered by monsters if this battle continued.

He paused for a while, perhaps considering if he wanted to push the issue any further. He dropped that subject but brought up another in its place. "Why did you attack Zelda like that?"

"If I had not assisted Vaati, he would have gone alone and things would have been far worse. By disabling the guards and keeping hold of Zelda, less people would be in danger of being killed. The knife had a sleeping poison and was more for show than anything else. Please believe me when I say that my participation saved Hyrule from more bloodshed than if Vaati had done it alone."

"Why did you take her?" he asked bluntly.

I kept quiet for bit as I decided what I could tell him that would sound convincing but not giving away Vaati's plans. "Ganondorf does want the throne; I fully believe that is his motive. His followers have already placed a curse upon the king. Zelda is naturally the next target. Vaati took her somewhere that Ganondorf would have great difficulty reaching. It truly is for her protection."

"Where is he keeping her?"

"If I said a floating palace, is there any chance you would believe me?" His face caused me to stifle a laugh. "It is the truth. It is called the Palace of Winds and it is miraculously floating somewhere over Hyrule."

"All right then. I am not sure if I entirely believe that, but you seem awfully serious for it to be a joke or something."

"I am not one for jokes," I muttered with a hint of a smile. Then I glanced at the sky and frowned. "It would be best if we make way for Faron. When we reach the woods' edge, we should set up camp and wait until morning. I would rather not deal with the Poes at night."

"I guess," Link mumbled. He still seemed displeased with having to go to Faron for some sword. He began walking up the stairs, picking up his bow he had carelessly thrown down earlier. "I need to get a few things before we go off on some ridiculous quest for a magical sword."

"Understandable."

I quietly followed behind him. Once I was on the grass of the fields, I saw the horse Link had been riding now peacefully grazing a few feet away. He had mentioned a horse a few times, though I could not recall its name. He patted its shoulder before mounting it. Then he waved me over and held out his hand, offering for me to ride with him.

I hesitantly went forward, and, as I reached for his hand, the horse suddenly reared. As Link tried to get the horse to calm its stomping and angry grunts, I stepped back, baffled. Even animals feared me. They knew I was a monster.

"I guess we can walk." He dismounted the horse and patted its side. "It's okay Epona," he whispered. He began walking forward, leading the horse.

This time I stayed a distance away from them. It was a relatively short walk to the gates of Castle Town. We parted far enough away that I would not be seen by guards. He said that he would be back after leaving Epona at the stables, grabbing some things from home, and making a vague note to his father.

It was then that Hue let himself be seen. The ghost had arrived after Vaati had departed and had been silently trailing me for some time now.

"He sent you here, yes?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes. The sorcerer said that I should help you." He rolled his eyes behind his mask. "I am obligated to ask what you want me to do."

"I want you to fetch the lantern in the potion shop. It is still there, correct?" I tilted my head, hoping it had not wandered off in my absence. I was amazed he was still there to be honest. A month hiding in a dusty attic must have been absolutely demeaning to him.

"You want me to deliver it to you? I doubt it needs an escort," he huffed.

"No. Just tell him it is time for him to assist me and the Death Sword. Afterwards, go back to the palace. I want to know exactly what Vaati is doing and if Zelda is safe or not. Report back of there is anything worthwhile. Stay if you find nothing. I know you would rather avoid the impending confrontation with Jahalla."

He growled a bit at the jab at his cowardice. "As you wish," Hue muttered bitterly as he faded away.

With Hue off to do his errands, I was left alone. I decided to sit on the ground as I waited for Link to come back. The sun had recently set, the burning reds slowly giving way to the blues of night. The silence was absolute. Aside from a few insects chirping, there was no noise. The townsfolk must have become more wary of nighttime and made sure to be home well before the last light faded away. Or perhaps they were hiding at home, cowering in fear at the thought of the two monsters returning to whisk them away like they had the princess.

My thoughts suddenly turned to the kindly witch. I had no idea how she had been since my absence. It was well in my ability to sneak into town and visit her, but I was not sure if I could stand seeing her. She would point out how stressed I seemed and be right. She would try to convince me to stay and that everything will be all right. I did not need add to the guilt I already felt. Syrup also did not need to be included in this fight any more than necessary.

I looked at the sky, trying to escape my doubts. I needed to focus. In order for this to work out how I wanted, I needed to concentrate fully. If I messed up Vaati's plans, there would be no future to worry of.

"You ready to go?" Link asked, suddenly interrupting my thoughts and causing me to flinch.

I nodded as I stood up and brushed the grass off of my dress. He mumbled an okay before we began walking in the direction of the woods. For a while no one spoke. I decided to ask the question that now decided to nag at me. "Link, how is Syrup?"

"Worried, obviously. The few times I saw here she asked if anyone had seen you yet. If she wasn't busy brewing potions to help all those injured by monsters lately, I think she would be a wreck." He glanced over his shoulder. "I left a letter for my father. I told him to tell Syrup that you were at least alive."

"Thank you," I muttered quietly. She had treated me as her own, even after knowing that I was likely possessed by the very monster that had destroyed the village. She willing took me in even if the villagers were to shun her. Syrup was a witch only in name, not in action.

"What are we fighting?" Link asked some time later. "Do you have any idea of what we are up against?"

"Groups of monsters will often follow the strongest of their kind. For Poes, it is Jahalla. And, as for Jahalla, he follows Ganondorf. It could be anything, but likely only Poes and ReDead."

"Why does this Jahalla want to kill you so bad? I mean, it wasn't really you who attacked him."

I laughed a few times. "Jahalla is a coward. His battle with the Death Sword had nearly killed him as well. He thought his greatest threat was dead, only to find out it was very much alive. Now he wishes to kill me before the Death Sword fully returns." I frowned and bitterly added "Grudges between monsters last until death, and sometimes beyond."

He gave me a look before continuing. "Do you know anything about where we are going? How many enemies will be there?"

"I know how to reach the general area of the temple and one of the Poe Sisters will lead us the rest of the way. They may assist us as well, especially considering how Jahalla knows of their betrayal. I have no idea how many other Poes and ReDead will be there, but expect the worse. I cannot imagine Jahalla will be unguarded."

I heard Link give a heavy sigh and mumble "of course this can't be easy" under his breath.

Conversation was dropped as we focused on walking and avoiding hazards hidden in the low light of night. The forest was coming into view when we reached a horde of Bokoblin. They at first did not notice us, but one squawking monster that happened to see us alerted the entire group. Link quickly drew his sword and charged forward without hesitation. I did not move, instead waiting to see what the monsters intended to do. Three of them decided to take on Link while the other four split off in different directions to attack me.

I awkwardly pulled my own sword out. It was so light in comparison to what I had grown used to using. The sword felt like a spindly stick when I thought of what the Death Sword's weapon would be like. I chuckled a bit when I pictured my bony arms holding a massive sword, if I even could lift it that is.

It did not take long for the two of us to kill off the weaker monsters. I ignored most of what Link had done because I was too busy dismembering my little group. They were no challenge when compared to the Darknuts Vaati had sent after me repeatedly. The Bokoblins were easily sliced to bits because they lacked armor. Vaati had sent so many monsters after me I eventually grew numb to killing them. Now I maybe even enjoyed it to a degree. Obedience was law. And, when broken, the weak were killed. The Death Sword had ingrained that law into my mind. I only wished the creatures death because the world was better off without them.

"Have they always been so bold?" I asked Link when the last Bokoblin fell. "And social?"

"Lately they have been grouping together like this." Link looked at the carnage, paying particular attention to me. The bodies disappeared with a puff of smoke. "You really have changed." He mumbled sadly.

I glanced at the blood on my sword, knowing what he meant was true. The apprehension was almost gone. I would kill at slight offenses if in the correct mindset. "Vaati taught me not to bother showing mercy to them. They are mindless worms with little to offer than distraction." I frowned. Being with Link really showed how much Vaati had affected me. His bad habits were infectious because acting otherwise would be punishable.

"What… happened between you two?" He asked slowly and carefully, without the accusative tone from earlier. He seemed genuinely worried.

"Nothing," I whispered softly, focusing on the ground. "He only made me see the truth of my situation."

"Vaati is a liar." He suddenly commented. "You know him better than anyone, so you must know that. Whatever he told you, I doubt it was the full truth. Eivie, you have been jumping from emotion to emotion and you seem very confused right now." He paused and took a breath. "I just want you to know that I won't lie to you. I hope that you will forget about severing Vaati or whatever. I'm sure Zelda and I could help you with this possession thing."

I smiled weakly at his words, but did not reply.

"Oh, and," he added, digging around in his bag for something. "I want you to remember that everything before this was real. You used to be a nice person. Only recently have you been acting like a villain." He held out a necklace. "I never got a chance to give you this. I picked it up at the festival before… you know."

He dropped the necklace into my hands. It was the one I had been looking at. The pale green stone reflected moonlight as I looked at in awe. A stray tear might have slid down my face, but I did not care. Link had bought this for me without me asking and just because he noticed that I liked it. I slid the necklace over my head and let it fall limply against my chest.

I remained quiet as I stared at the stone. Even Link was still willing to give me a chance. After all I had done and said, he would help me. Vaati may have thought that I was completely his, but I still had a mind. I could still make my own decisions. Vaati was not my only option to protect what I cared about.

"Thank you," I mumbled, a wicked smile attempting to form with my happy one. Vaati had been right, I was a monster, but he sorely underestimated me by thinking I would forever be his puppet. If it was the last thing I did before losing my mind to the Death Sword, I would see that he would never become a god of destruction.

"Yeah," Link said hesitantly, likely seeing my expression. "I'm still mad though."

"Understandable." I smiled again, happy to have the opportunity to redeem myself. "Come along. Soon enough we will be in a good place to make camp for the night."

He mumbled an okay and we began walking again. I could not help but notice a glaring sentry some distance away. A final devious smile formed before I became emotionless, hoping Vaati would not get too suspicious. He would not have been expecting me to betray him. Poor, weak Eivie bowed to his will, but it was time to forget that. I was not gone just yet.

A/N- And now off to Jahalla~ He will be dealt with at long last, but how will that go, I wonder? Eivie is also done mopping and ready to go against Vaati. I feel like things will pick up again and will be less dialogue and more action. Thank you all for reading! Thank you Hyuuga Reborn and Zetra Shink for following/favoriting! Thank you to the reviewers as well!

Zetra Shink- I'm glad you like it! It must be pretty good if it kept you up reading. Your encouragement is very welcome and I am so happy you like my writing! Thank you for your words and reviewing!

LostSoul- Thank you for taking time to review! I'm always happy to hear people enjoy this story. I hope you enjoy the rest of it!