A/N: Okay, so I really didn't want to start the shadow temple until I get to playing it on my N64. Yeah, I'm old school. I've played that game a million times but I still have trouble remembering the rooms and puzzles and such in any temple beyond the water temple. So playing the game will help me remember how to write the rest of the story. I know I don't have to go into complete detail… but I think the shadow temple deserves it because it's the best. :D In my opinion, anyway don't think I'm stalling! I just want it to be good! Time for chapta 8! By the way, I had a rough day so sorry if this story seems a bit dark or not as good as the others. Um, maybe writing it will cheer me up and it will turn out super awesome! But… I doubt it. Let's see. ;)
I do not own legend of zelda or any of its characters.
Chapter 8: Clarity
Dark held his head downwards with his long dark bangs covering his face. His arms were crossed and he hadn't said a word since they'd started walking towards Goron City. Link did not force him to talk or ask him his matter; instead he preferred they walked in silence. He was not one for confrontation, he'd much rather have people come to him with their problems. It showed trust. Plus Link was more of a listener not a talker when it came to situations like this.
He began to hum a cheerful tune and lightly swayed his head side to side to the melody. Dark sneered at him from under his mop of hair. Why's he so happy….
"The weather is so nice today, Link." Navi stated as she fluttered through the air, her wings glistening in the sunlight.
"That it is." Link smiled.
"I'm glad you are alright. I was worried for a second there." She replied perching on his shoulder.
"You think too poorly of me." He said shortly, yet his good mood did not falter. He continued to stride on, his face beaming. It was as though the whole incident in Death Mountain had not even occurred. Link was living day to day and he was only happy to be alive. Being the hero of time, accidents like this happened on a daily basis. He always turned out alright and he thanked the goddesses for that. However, Navi knew the hero wasn't invincible. All the while, Dark walked about 5 paces behind grumbling curses about Link's chipper mood and Navi's annoying voice.
"Would you like to meet the Goron race, Dark? Or are you tired? The sun should be setting soon, but I'm sure we have plenty of time." Link asked politely.
"I don't care…" Dark muttered. Link stopped walking but Dark continued onward past him. Link sighed but would not let Dark's strange attitude bring him down.
"Very well, I suppose we will have plenty of time to do things after I defeat the Shadow Temple." Link answered smiling.
"I thought you weren't allowed to do anything except be Hyrule's little puppet?" Dark snorted hastily, "You don't have time to do anything except meet the needs of those disgraceful people. And what do you get in return? A pat on the back, and a 'good job'? What a joke." He continued, picking up a rock and chunking it at a nearby tektite to try and let out some anger.
"Hey! He wasn't bothering you." Link retorted frowning at the wounded spider-like creature.
"Link, he's a monster." Dark stated giving Link a look like he was the biggest idiot he'd ever met.
"Well, he wasn't attacking." Link replied but then sighed as the tektite started jumping towards them. Dark immediately slashed it into bits only leaving dismembered limbs in a pool of green goo, "Dark, I'm not saving the people of Hyrule because I expect something in return. I do it because I want to."
"I thought you did it because it's your destiny. What about that?" Dark asked crudely while sheathing his stained sword.
"Well, yes that's part of it but-
"But what?"
"Dark, I do not wish to argue with you about these matters. I'd appreciate it if you would let it be as it is." Link stated calmly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "Helping people makes me happy."
"Are you sure about that? And what do you mean you don't want to include me in these 'matters'? Is that only for you and your buddy Sheik to discuss?"
"I simply said I did not wish to argue. Is that what this is about, Dark?" Link asked seriously this time stopping completely and waiting for Dark to turn to face him. Eventually he did when he stopped hearing Link's footsteps against the dirt path.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Dark huffed crossing his arms and turning his nose to the air.
"I mean, is it Sheik that has been bothering you? You've been quite grumpy since we left the mountain." Link inferred. He did not want to ask Dark what his problem was but he needed to clear the air. It was polluted with Dark's bad attitude and Link was slowly suffocating. Dark did not answer at first. He was starting to push Link's buttons, "I will only ask you once more. What is it that is bothering you?"
"That man treats you like a dog." Dark stated bluntly, "Go fetch the princess and be a good boy." Link's eyes narrowed and he clenched his teeth. He would keep his composure.
"I beg to differ." Link said curling his fingers into a fist.
"You only feel that way because you are obedient. An obedient dog pleasing its master. Only you're worse than a dog; you don't even get a treat after you fulfill your duty." Dark then turned from him and started to walk away.
"Don't you dare disrespect me like this…" Link warned his voice suddenly deep and stern. His blood was starting to boil and his eyes had a menacing look to them. Dark could feel his threatening presence even with his back turned.
"You disrespect yourself." Dark muttered closing his eyes with a sigh, "You disrespect the both of us, letting him talk to me the way he does and then bowing to him like he's a saint."
"Dark, I don't think you understand…" Link muttered lowering his head to hide the irritated expression upon his face. He was trying so hard to keep his cool
"They don't understand, Link! They expect so much out of you, not even regarding what you have to go through day after day. They don't give a shit that they stole an innocent child's life in order to do their dirty work for them. I understand perfectly. I'm just surprised you don't." Dark shouted pointing an accusing index finger in Link's direction. He was still looking at the ground clenching his teeth to hold back his fury. His fists were balled up so tight that blood started to seep from his hands from his finger nails digging into his skin. Yet, there was something else… a small pool was starting to soak the dirt beneath him. Link was crying.
"Dark, next time you want to come preaching to me about my choices and my life… don't." Link muttered and slowly walked away from him.
"Link, you can't ignore this forever! You have to have an idea about where I'm coming from. Don't pretend you don't feel the same way!" Dark yelled after him.
"What other choice do I have?" Link shrieked turning around to stare deep into Dark's soul with pure agonizing pain. His eyes were narrowed and bloodshot, glazed over and puffy, "I will not sit and watch innocent people die for my own selfish reasons! I'm doing this for the people who can't do it themselves! I'm doing this for the people I care about most! I'm doing this for my mother who died trying to save me from this cruel world! I'm doing this for YOU! So that everyone can be free from the evil of Ganondorf and so that the chains that bond you to him can finally be broken. I will not rest until he is dead!"
Dark was speechless as he watched Link tremble. Link took a few deep breaths, turned and wiped his eyes and continued walking. He slowly regained his posture and the shakiness in his voice subsided.
"I must get going now…" Link mumbled. He knew Dark was trailing behind although trying to be silent, "I need to return to the past to get the item Sheik was talking about… I don't care what you do until I return. And I don't care if you're waiting for me when I get back. You're handing me a head full of conflicting emotions that I cannot carry with me on my journey. It will only make me weak. I'm sorry."
Dark hadn't even realized that Link had the ocarina in his hands until he heard the beautiful music notes floating through the silent air. He started to run towards Link in hopes to stop him before he was gone. Link turned to face him one last time and to Dark's surprise, it was a smile. A weak and pained, yet sincere smile.
"Farewell, Dark." Link whispered.
"Link, no! Please!" Dark screamed but just as he dove to grab him Link already disappeared into the beam of light, traveling to the temple of time. Dark landed harshly on his stomach on the hard ground. He brought himself to his hands and knees and punched the dirt with a single fist, "NO!" he screeched loudly, his voice bellowing throughout the mountains, "Damn you Link! DAMN YOU!" He then weakly collapsed and sobbed into his arms. Don't leave me…
A/N: Awww so sad. Sorry, I'm feeling kind of devious lately. Mwahahaha I think it needs to be a little more dramatic than it has been. It's was kind of too happy and sappy for a while… I wanted to mix things up. Anyway, that's what you get Dark for being such a poop head! *sticks out tongue* Oh and I will probably post another chapter tonight but I won't promise because every time I do… I don't. lol
