Chapter 17

We chose a place to settle for the night and made ourselves as comfortable as we could on the ground. Link had even made a fire and offered to share some bread he had stashed in his bag.

After a moment of silence and relaxing, Link decided to ask, "Do you want to sleep in shifts to keep an eye on things?"

"That sounds like a good idea," I said, mildly surprised. I had not even considered that as an option. I had planned to stay up the whole night so he could sleep. I was used to staying awake through the nigh anyway. "I can take first watch."

"Are you sure? You seem really tired."

"I will be fine for a while. I will wake you up if I get too tired to remain awake."

He nodded once before laying down on his back. "Wake me up if something happens or when you're tired, then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I mumbled quietly.

When I decided Link must have fallen asleep, I leaned back and looked overhead, thinking. I honestly had no idea where the palace was up there. The ground and everything on it looked positively tiny when I had dared look over the railings or when flying over. Landmarks were difficult to see, especially considering how few I knew. Vaati also had a habit of flying above the clouds when he flew me around. The palace could be anywhere.

I sighed in frustration. Even if I knew where it was it was still in the sky. It was impossible to reach without flying or teleportation, and Vaati seemed the only one who could do such a thing. Well, Hue could fly, but there was no way he could carry anyone up there. Poes were simply not that strong. I needed another way up there if I wanted to steal Zelda back or get Link there to fight Vaati before he had all of the Triforce. Vaati had to know who had the other piece, so I had to protect Zelda because Ganondorf definitely did not need to continue his reign of destruction.

I wish I would have paid more attention to Vaati's gloating and ranting. He probably gave away some important information. But, of course, I had not planned on betraying him. I had been completely willing to help him before I realized how much damage he could do. It was obvious that he would kill anyone that was in his way: Ganondorf, Link, Zelda, and likely even me.

There was no way he cared about me enough to keep me alive. Vaati only saw me as a convenient pawn, especially because of how well he seemed to know me. He always knew just what to threaten me with when I refused to cooperate. I frowned when I thought of how stupid I had been. I knew from the beginning that he was trying to confuse me but I still fell for it. I am still unsure whether to believe anything he said or did.

With a growl, I continued trying to think of ways to get to the palace and free Zelda or get Link there to defeat Vaati. Even after a few hours I had nothing. I felt myself beginning to nod off and decided to wake up Link and get some rest. At least I thought I was going to finally get some peaceful sleep, but when had things ever gone as expected? Instead I ended up reliving a memory I would rather have forgotten. Sometimes reality is far worse than nightmares.

It was still my first week in the palace. After the latest "training" session of Darknuts chasing after me, I was lost in the labyrinth of halls, levels, and rooms. I had no idea where I was or where I was going because it all looked the same. Hue had chosen to run off, leaving me without a guide or someone to even talk too. I was growing irritated enough that I had subconsciously begun wandering nearer to where I could faintly sense Vaati. When I noticed that I was drawing closer to him, I slowed my pace and tried to be quieter. Being as suspicious of him as I was, I could always try to spy on him to learn something useful.

I stopped, finally recognizing where I was. It was the room with high vaulted ceilings, large open windows, and rows of stone statues. I stepped back into the hall when I heard Vaati's voice. He had not been talking to me, but seemed to be carrying on a conversation with someone else, a woman judging from a second voice's pitch.

Peeking around the corner, I carefully glanced around the room to see who the other voice belonged to. Upon seeing the guest my eyes went wide. She had long red hair pulled back into a ponytail, dark tanned skin, and a cloth covering much of her face except her golden eyes. She was a Gerudo, but, more importantly, I recognized her clothing as belonging to the warriors that always guarded their King. Judging by how she was held back by two Darknuts and occasionally trying to pull away, she was not a willing guest.

Vaati was standing with his back to me, which seemed safe enough for me to continue watching. The Darknuts were more focused on holding the woman than any eavesdroppers. I concentrated to listen in on the conversation.

"My patience is wearing thin. I will give you one more chance to answer before I resort to other methods of interrogation." Vaati's voice was level and cold. "What does Ganondorf intend to do once the King of Hyrule is dead?"

The woman laughed quietly. "You think you threats will intimidate me? If I were to tell you, his punishment would be far worse. Your move, mage," she dared without a hint of fear. "What are you going to do now?"

"Well then," Vaati muttered in annoyance. He held up his hand, a bright, crackling spell forming. "I suppose you will make a decent decoration if nothing else."

The spell was launched at the woman, her immediate reaction being a scream of pain. The Darknuts dropped her to the floor where she laid gasping for air between screams as she slowly turned to stone. Whatever Vaati had done, the spell was not instantaneous, but gradually turning her flesh to stone starting at her feet and spreading upwards.

"Of course, I could reverse this spell if you told me what I wished to know," Vaati added, speaking over her agony.

"He's going to take the princess and get some relic! He did not tell us a lot." She screeched once more as the stone crawled past her knees. "Please! Stop this! That's all I know, I swear! Make it stop!" she shouted desperately.

Vaati did not move to undo the spell. Instead he stood there and watched as she continued to beg for her life, the stone creeping up her body. Once her torso turned to stone, her heart stopped. Vaati must have been slowing the spell, because the moment she was dead, the rest of her quickly turned to stone.

"Eivie, come here."

My stomach lurched at the sound of my name. I came out from behind the wall but froze in place.

"Eivie, I said come here."

I hesitantly walked forward until I was standing beside him, avoiding looking at the recent addition to the statue collection.

He growled before forcing me to look at the statue. "Eivie, if I ever suspect that you are being disloyal I promise you a punishment far worse than this. I will be sure to destroy in the most painful manner possible. Do you understand, Eivie?"

"Yes," I whispered. "I will not betray you."

"Eivie? Is something wrong?"

I felt myself being lightly shaken awake. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Link kneeling beside me with a look of concern. It was nearing dawn and the sky was beginning to lighten. "I am fine," I mumbled.

"You were tossing around a bit and… I guess I would call the noises you were making whimpering. Were you having a nightmare or something?" He seemed genuinely concerned, as he always is. "You don't have to talk about it, but I just… want to make sure you're all right."

"It was just a memory I would rather forget. Do not worry about it. I will be fine in a moment." I sighed and rubbed my eyes, finding them damp. I had been crying it would seem. While awake it seems ridiculous that I would be crying at an event I had gotten over.

Of course now the threat Vaati had made had meaning. I was betraying him now. He could hurt me and anyone else he felt necessary. He knows my fears better than even I do. Once he finds out, I would suffer a fate far worse than being solidified. He would do everything in his power to traumatize me before I broke and begged for him to kill me. This was a far more dangerous game than I had even begun to consider. I needed a plan, but with Jahalla so close I needed to figure what to do about him first.

I stood up and brushed my clothes off. Link stared at me as I stomped over to the fire and kicked dirt onto it, eventually extinguishing the flames. "We are continuing on," I stated bluntly. Suddenly a familiar chill ran done my spine. "But first, I need to have a word with our guest."

"Guest?" Link asked nervously, glancing around. He took a quick step back when he saw a lantern floating nearby.

The old lantern that used to hang in my room was now lite with a green flame that waved back and forth with movements of the Poe holding it with its feet. It was similar to an Imp Poe, but also a creature all its own. It was shaded black, had glowing green eyes and wicked smile, as well as a short tattered cape. It rested a scythe decorated with a Stalchild skull on top of its shoulder.

"Gomess, I see you have finally arrived."

"Such a kind greeting from my monstrous human master. The courageous Hue did not mention how timely I needed to be. Excuse my behavior, oh-powerful mortal." His every word was sarcastic.

"Gomess?" Link reached for his sword. "But I thought he was dead?"

"As did I," I admitted. It was Hue that had mentioned the fact Gomess lived about a week ago. "It was only recently that I learned of his survival. Gomess, could you become visible for Link?" I could not help seeing how nervous Link appeared as he stared at the swaying lantern.

"If I must," Gomess grumbled. When Link took a half-step back I figured Gomess must have done as told.

"Explain how you managed to survive our battle." It was strange considering how sure I had been that I had killed him. I was also curious why he was now carrying the lantern that had been given to me by the Sisters. "I was sure that destroying that orb had had the same effect as crushing a normal Poe's lantern."

"It is no great secret, decaying mortal," Gomess chuckled. "Of all the questions you ask the one you have experienced. Such a strange creature you are, Eivie."

"Get to the point." I could see why Hue had seemed so annoyed when he had been trying to tell Gomess what to do. I could only imagine that is why it took so long for Gomess to show up; Hue had probably been telling Gomess to find me but being ignored. I also did not appreciate him calling me a decaying mortal. I only hoped he meant it as a joke and that I seriously was not decaying because of the Death Sword.

"It's simple: Poes are dead. We are wandering spirits without a physical body. Instead we are attached our souls to an object. Most often that is a lantern, but there are always exceptions. You destroyed the orb that I had formerly been attached to. The Death Sword had been attached to its weapon before it became a part of your flesh. If that object is broken, a more powerful, extremely desperate Poe may be able to switch to another object. This lantern had been near enough that I had been able to survive, but at the cost of some of my prowess." Gomess laughed a bit before adding, "I suspect this lantern was the alternate plan if your human body shall fail."

"So even if you break a Poe's lantern it may survive," Link concluded in disbelief. "I'm actually kind of thankful not all monsters can do that."

I nodded at Link's statement. Poes were strange indeed, which is why I needed all the information I could find before confronting Jahalla. "Then Jahalla's soul is attached to something as well? Gomess, do you know what it is?"

"Not a clue." Gomess shrugged. His smile widened when he saw how utterly shocked I was. "No one has figured that out. Jahalla carries both a lantern and a mask, making it less obvious which he is specifically attached to."

"But the Death Sword had nearly killed Jahalla!" I formed fists at my side. He had to be joking. "How is it even possible no one knows which it is? Do you expect me to believe this?"

"The Death Sword hacked and slashed whatever it could. Both the mask and lantern were in poor condition following the battle. Mortal, you will have to find out which it is on your own."

"I see." I sighed and looked at the ground. This is not what I wanted to hear. I knew battling Jahalla would be difficult, but aiming to destroy two things would complicate matters further. "Gomess, I have a request for you. I…"

Gomess interrupted with "Mortal, before I assist you, we need to discuss my compensation."

"What is it you wish for? Our kind does not bother with conventional riches after all."

"When Jahalla is gone, I would enjoy a high rank among your regime. Being a peon does not suit me, you see. I am sure the Death Sword with find this favorable as well, human Poe."

"You will have your place, although I will not guarantee the Death Sword will respect my word."

"A game of chance then. That is suitable enough, I suppose." Gomess chuckled. "What is it you need of me?"

"I would like you to find the Poe Sisters and lead them here. After that, I would like to briefly discuss how we plan to defeat Jahalla."

"Understood." Gomess began to float off towards the trees. "I shall return shortly with the Forest Keepers."

Once Gomess was out of sight I sat back down on the ground. Hopefully the Sisters would have more information about Jahalla, the Master Sword, and what to expect from the temple they guarded.

"You act differently when you are around them," Link commented as he sat down across from me.

"Monsters live by a different code of conduct. Power is respect and weakness is a liability. If I did not act differently there would be little chance that they would respect me."

"Yeah, but, honestly, it reminds me of how you were when we first met." His tone sounded almost sad.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I guess… sad? Lonely, maybe? It was just… you seemed so much happier before. I understand that things have been difficult but…" He gave a heavy sigh. "I just wish you knew that you could count on me to help you. I wish you wouldn't have run off."

"I wish I had not run away either," I whispered quietly. I would have continued to be attacked by Poes sent by Jahalla and have maintained a monster appearance, but the things Vaati put me through were not worth the supposed advantages.

"Can I ask something?" He waited for me to nod before continuing. "Why did you stay with Vaati?"

"He gave me no option to leave. I was high above even the clouds without a way down." I paused before deciding to admit to a bit more. "He also offered to use his magic to change my appearance back to normal, as well as helping me understand how to use my abilities better. He even promised to help separate the Death Sword from me. While he certainly is not very nice, he can be helpful occasionally."

"I still have trouble believing that he is 'helpful,'" Link grumbled.

I nodded to show I knew what he meant. Even I was confused by Vaati's actions.

After that it was quiet as we waited for Gomess to return with the Poe Sisters in tow. When I finally sensed them drawing near, I stood up and faced where they would arrive from. Gomess was in the lead, followed by Meg, Joelle, Amy, and Beth. Gomess still seemed in a good mood, but Meg and Joelle seemed to look particularly angry when they looked Link and my way.

"Why if it isn't the Hero of Time," Joelle immediately snapped, flying into Link's face.

"Eivie keeps poor company." Meg glared at Link as well. "Inviting that tool of the Goddesses will surely bring misfortune to us."

Amy bobbed up and down, agreeing with Meg. Beth joined Joelle and the two hovered uncomfortably close to Link.

"What are you two chattering about? Have you met Link before?" They did not treat just anyone with such contempt.

"A past incarnation. The brat almost killed us on his quest to defeat Ganon." Meg's words had a hint of bitter hatred attached. "It is displeasing that another copy exists."

"You do not expect us to drag him with, do you?" Joelle scowled, already knowing that I did.

"He will be coming with. But, Meg, what do you mean incarnation?" This was the first I had heard of such a thing. "You mentioned Ganon as well."

"Your sorcerer did not mention?" Joelle laughed when I shook my head. "You are really stupid, you know. The green one, the princess of light, and the king of darkness are all incarnations. We have seen them before, battled with the knight even. Some of the most ancient monsters have mentioned them being reincarnated several times over the centuries."

As I opened my mouth to spout out more questions Meg interrupted. "The older Poes have also mentioned an ancient demon guised as a Hylian mage. The sorcerer has been resurrected a few times himself. Hue could tell you more than I, if you can force him to talk that is."

"Hue?" I stared, enraged that he never mentioned knowing of Vaati's past, but also not surprised. He was never very truthful.

"That one's older than you could imagine. Of course, his avoidance of danger is why he still lives. Sad little coward." Joelle rolled her eyes.

"Hue is an odd Poe as well. We have never seen another similar to him. Some rumor that he was summoned by that demon is some sort of conjuring gone wrong." Meg added.

I growled, accidently summoning a jinx spell that's flames surrounded me briefly. Hue. That lying, conniving creature had known far more than possibly anyone else yet he cleverly neglected telling me a thing! He would pay for this. Vaati's threat of putting the damned ghost in a bottle seemed a very appealing punishment right now.

"That aside," I hissed, "What do I need to know about the temple? The quickest route to Jahalla, the amount of resistance on the way and during the battle, anything you can tell me beforehand will be helpful."

"The outside is not guarded, but the inside of the temple is filled with various Poes, ReDead, and even a few Gibdo. Because we are the keepers of the temple, we will be able to lead you almost directly to Jahalla. Your human will create the most trouble considering he cannot phase through walls, but we should be able to reach Jahalla with him. Jahalla keeps several Imp Poes and a few ReDead with him, although I suspect he will have a number more because he knows you will be coming." Meg paused and looked over her shoulder at Gomess. "A few more may join your cause based on their alliance to Death Sword. Otherwise it is my sisters and I, Gomess, yourself, and the Hero."

I nodded once, believing that information to be enough for now. "I am also to help Link locate the Master Sword. Do you know where it is?"

Joelle hissed. "Does he really need that thing?"

"Quiet," Meg snapped, knowing I was in no mood for interruptions. "It is behind the temple. There is a set of passages that lead there which you would be able to use after Jahalla is defeated."

"Before we leave I have one final question. Vaati informed me the Death Sword's weapon is being kept temple. I wish to know how Jahalla came to possess it and where it is."

"I have already explained of how our souls are bound to an object," Gomess told Meg.

The purple Poe looked relieved that she did not need to explain that subject. "After the Death Sword melded with the human, we brought the sword to Jahalla as a sign of our loyalty. Without your presence attached to the sword, Jahalla thought the Death Sword had been killed."

"Jahalla actually believed we had finished you off," Joelle cackled. "The fool, with all of his cowardice, wanted the Death Sword to be dead because he feared facing it again. Jahalla knows he stands no chance."

"Jahalla treats it as a trophy and has it displayed in the center of the temple where he spends most of his time. You shall have your weapon back soon enough."

"Link, we will be going now. Are you ready?" I turned to him, acknowledging he existed for the first time in a bit.

"Yeah, sure." He stared at me for a moment longer. "Do you… know anything about this reincarnation thing? I mean…" He sighed. "It's really weird to learn something like that."

"I do not," I lied. If Zelda, Ganondorf, and Link all were reincarnations and Zelda and Ganondorf held a piece of the Triforce, odds were Link did as well. Vaati had never mentioned who the last holder was, but it was obvious why. He knew I would outright refuse to help him because he would kill Link. I believed he could take the piece without harming Link, but he would not. Vaati hated Link too much to let him live, not to mention Link was the only threat to his power.

If it was not obvious before, I now knew that the only way I could protect my friends was to betray Vaati and help them defeat him. Even if he was the only one that could possibly save me from the Death Sword, Vaati needed to be defeated.

A/N- I was originally going to include the battle in this chapter, but I would rather have that be its own chapter. I also thought this as getting sort of long. Gomess is back! For some reason I liked him so I decided that I could use the lantern to bring him back and explain how I think Poes are attached to things. And that dang Hue, he always seems to be doing something. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing. Thank you to everything105, paula-fricking-polestar, and Shadow-Shinobi666 for favoriting and/or following!

Zetra-Shink- Thank you for reviewing again! It makes me happy that you like my writing and reading this story. I'm glad you liked Link giving her the necklace last chapter. The lantern from the first chapters has returned too now; I like including things from other chapters because they make nice details, I think. Once again, thank you for reviewing and I hope you continue to enjoy.

-AwkwardBlackCat