Motivation and ambition have always been at opposite ends of a spectrum for me when writing.

I started writing off of passion alone, it was the dedication and structure I did not have.

Nevertheless, I still think of this story. I try and brush off my rust once in a while to try and finish it but my skills never rise as high as I want them to be for the quality of the resolution of this novelle. I'm a computer science student after all–I've lost much of the time and practice I used to experience.

I still plan on finishing it and I'll have much to say about what I've learned over the development, including some of my regrets–some regrets I have gone back and edited in order to remedy.

I deeply thank those who still read this story, whether you read it years ago or are a newcomer after playing TOTK. I am aware I don't deserve any praise for this story due to the cobwebs, I too wish I didn't fall out of fandoms as quickly as I do.

While I muster the motivation and brush up on my literary skills, I'll leave this chapter here which was finished long ago but never released.

While this story is no longer on the pedestal of being my best writing, it is still the very first story I took seriously. Out of the dozens of fanfics in my storage, this one holds a special place in my heart. This story will come to an end one day–I'd much prefer not to half-ass it when I grow tired of the writing.


Streaks of sunlight dodged the encroaching clouds and warmed Zora's Domain, attempting to hide the atmosphere of the events it knew would occur. Every resident basked in the rays as they heated the water, calming and healing the Zora's after any stress they encountered during the day.

The sun was drifting towards the horizon, preparing to create a sunset as colours only just began shifting to orange hues.

Link and Mipha were by the stables, his outburst earlier having occurred an hour and a half ago.

Guilt still loomed over Link's consciousness as he and his beloved sat together, not wanting to separate in the slightest after earlier.

She was to his left as they sat on a bench, his sword having been resheathed on Epona. They sat a foot apart as he stared at the sword for a moment before looking away. He reached out his left hand to Mipha and she slipped her right into it wordlessly.

He brushed his thumb over her knuckles and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry, I know it wasn't you."

"But…" Link put a hand on his chest, "it was a part of me. The Malice… it isn't working just on it's own. I was convinced of things that weren't real. They weren't real thoughts but it was I who acted on them. Did… did I hurt you?"

Mipha opened her mouth to respond and say no but a part of her refused. She leaned back against the bench as she reached her left hand over, clutching Link's with both of her own. She whispered as she tried to recognize what she'd felt during his attack, "I… I don't know." She saw the guilt rise up immediately inside him and continued, "I don't want to lie to you, which is why I will say that I was scared. I was scared for my safety but more so yours. I don't care if you hurt me without meaning to, but I refuse to lose you to this-to anything."

Link looked over to her and saw the determination in her eyes, despite a tear in the corner of one of them.

"That's why I don't care about how scared I may be. I don't care what I'm feeling, you're more important. Right now, I'm fighting for you and I'm not giving up on you, not now, not ever. I can't imagine what it's like for you… knowing how your body, how your mind… is changing..."

Link took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he leaned back. He focused on her touch as he whispered, "thank you… you truly have no idea how much that means to me. It hurts just knowing what's happening. I almost wish I never found out but… it feels selfish to say such a thing. It..." He opened his eyes to meet her golden gaze.

Mipha always managed to seem so worried and concerned yet supportive when she met his eyes. She knew exactly what he needed and offered comfort to him in a neverending surplus. He knew that she deserved better than how he was treating her but he wasn't in the right state of mind.

Link knew how fragile he was right now, but he wasn't going to falter when she's so determined for him.

"It…" Link sighed in thought as he tried to describe what he was feeling. His eyes weren't nearly as red as when he'd been crying, but he still felt as if he should be sobbing despite having stopped long ago. "it feels like there's worms in my guts. My head spins at random times and just hits me with waves of pain." He looked up slowly to her, "the worst part is the anger. I don't know why but… I feel so enraged by the smallest things. I have the urge to just punch a wall, hard enough to break bone… simply because I can. The thought of tranquility sounds like the only solution to hide the pain. The scariest part is that I know if I put myself onto that path, I won't have the strength to step back off it."

Mipha squeezed his hand tightly as she began pouring some energy into his body to revitalize him out of worry. "That isn't the only solution, I'll help you off that path whenever you need me. I'll help you learn how to step off it on your own and eventually not step on it at all. You've got the armour, the energy helps fight back the corruption, it helps get rid of it. As long as you've got that, you'll be alright."

Link took a deep breath, "I don't think that's the case."

Mipha leaned forward, trying to look into his eyes as she sidled closer, "what do you mean?"

Link brushed his chest, over where he knew he'd been struck by Dark Link's arrow. There was a small scar under his armour where it had penetrated his body but other than that it was fully healed physically. It's almost like he could feel the malice roiling within himself at just the thought of corruption.

"It's getting stronger, but we already know that. Your energy… your healing, it's not removing the corruption." Link took a deep breath before meeting her eyes in helplessness. "The corruption is growing with every hour. The armour and your touch is enough to empower me, giving me the fortitude to wrestle it back. But each time it makes itself known, it's more agonizing, larger in strength, than the last. My rational thoughts are beginning to break down and despite my knowledge of that, I can't stop it. Eventually, no matter how strong I am… the corruption will grow stronger."

Mipha opened her mouth, wanting to argue and refute his reasoning. However, she saw the logic. No one would know the corruption better than Link did-he was the one suffering.

She slumped down for a moment, sinking into the same hopelessness that Link did. A thought fluttered into her mind.

Squeezing his hand again, Mipha turned to Link. He noticed she had a new, yet familiar, twinkle in her eyes.

Hope.

"Corruption! We don't know how to fight it but if you're able to keep holding out, we do know of one person that can fight corruption-Zelda."

Link tilted his head at her but shook it after a moment. He leaned forward slightly and looked to the ground, his eyes out of focus.

"We can't go to Zelda, I already thought of that. We're practically under lockdown; leaving isn't permitted, especially for us. If we were to get to Zelda, our presence alone puts her at risk with the targets that are painted on our backs."

Mipha reached up with her left hand and turned his head towards her, making him meet her eyes. Her fingers were as gentle as an angel, her soft eyes blinking delicately yet with strong intent.

"Link, I'm not giving up on you. Don't you dare give up on me."

Link blinked a few times at the sudden forcefulness of his naturally demure beloved. He studied her face, seeing the determination as she clenched her jaw and stared into his pupils. He knew she wanted to help and he trusted her, he should hear her out.

Link nodded and Mipha brushed her thumb over his cheek bone as she spoke, "well, we can't exactly travel as is. We'd need some kind of guard troop or disguise but I know you're better at planning these kinds of things. If this corruption is really getting as bad as you say it is… if the incident that happened today or last night will occur only more frequently from here on out, what we're doing now isn't enough. We need Zelda, she can purge the corruption within seconds."

"She can but… the risk is too great."

"Link, think of yourself just this once. If what happens earlier happens again, you might not be able to come back. Zelda can defend herself from anything born of corruption, she is no easy target for Dark Link. Not only would you be lost… who knows how many others would be hurt if the malice is let loose."

Link sighed and studied her hand as she gripped his tightly. Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, he knew she had a point. Glancing back up to her, she had a gentle smile.

She was genuinely concerned for him, she truly wanted what was best for him.

Why don't I want what she does? Why am I against myself?

Link forced himself to roll along with her, gaining strength as he spoke, "well, it's a day of travel. We'd want to send correspondence of our arrival so they're ready to meet us halfway and provide extra cover. Hylian guards will know Hylian roads better."

Mipha nodded, "right! So, once we find a Rito messenger, we can-"

"Princess Mipha! Champion!" A voice interrupted the couple.

They both looked up to see a dripping wet Zoran Captain, as signified by his dual tridents. He was breathing heavily, looking as if he had swam the last portion of his journey with due haste.

Link and Mipha both cast each other a glance with a nod before standing up. Mipha addressed the captain, "yes? Has something happened?"

The captain nodded and regained his breath. He pointed out past the bridge, past a small hill and into a far forested area. "I was on patrol when I saw a Rito land in the forest. He must've been taking a break before completing his journey here but when I went to assist him, we got jumped by Lizalfols! They swarmed us and I lost the Rito in the haze."

Link scratched his chin as he studied the direction, "isn't the Guardian that way? Did it not help?"

The captain, who still had ragged breathing, shook his head, "it got swarmed too. There were simply too many for it to target."

Link frowned and looked to Mipha, "that messenger could be harbouring valuable information if it was sent by a Rito."

Mipha nodded, "and then we'd have our messenger for Zelda… that's perfect."

She was about to look around and start gathering a small troop of guards for this task before Link stepped up, "I'll go find him."

Mipha jerked back, "what?! You will not!"

Link turned to her and spoke softly, "you told me you're not giving up on me. Well, I'm not giving up either." He pat his chest with a fist as his resolve hardened, "I'm not going to just wait around and let this thing overpower me. We need to expedite getting to Zelda right? I'm one of the most capable here. This is one of your captains, the information is more than reliable."

Mipha wanted to argue but she knew he was right. She thought for a moment before leaning over and grabbing her own trident, "you're not going."

He frowned at her, opening his mouth to speak but she got her words out before him.

"Not alone."

Link grinned and took a deep breath. He turned and began assembling his gear, "I wouldn't have it any other way."


The sun had sunk lower, a portion of it melting into the horizon. Orange and red streaked across the sky, merging and mingling within the clouds overhead. The trees were beginning to block out the sky partially as they delved into the foliage.

It had been a twenty or so minute walk out of Zora's Domain as the captain led the way. He volunteered to go back out, seeing as how he was the one who had escaped-he offered it as his duty to the Rito. The metal structure was shrinking in the distance as they got closer to the area the captain had described.

They had decided against bringing any major reinforcements since the king still needed protection. Link and Mipha were the two most capable soldiers in the kingdom and would easily be able to take care of some Lizalfols. Worst case scenario, it wasn't a long way to retreat back to the Domain.

Link had brought all of his gear including his sword and bow along with his arrows. He was out of bomb arrows but he should still be alright. He kept his armour tight as Mipha had filled it with as much energy as she could muster over the walk.

Unfortunately, it left her feeling drained but she knew it was worth it for his safety. The only bokoblins and Lizalfols they've been seeing in the area have all been silver ones, so they needed to take extra precautions. She knew how efficient Link could be and wanted him at peak condition for whatever they ran into.

"It's up ahead! Should be seeing it soon any second," the captain announced as they crested a hill.

Link and Mipha immediately studied their surroundings, expecting the worst.

However, they saw the opposite of what they expected.

There was a large clearing with long green grass that came up to their ankles. The sun warmed their backs with all the light it was still able to muster as the wind breezed by with ease.

Past the clearing was a rock slope upwards with several crags and ledges on it.

There was not a soul in this clearing, except for the Guardian Stalker who dismissed the newcomers and went back to patrolling.

There weren't any signs of struggle either. No bodies or scratches in the earth. Link was expecting to see blood and upturned bodies of Ganon's minions or at worst, the Rito messenger.

Instead, Link and Mipha both ventured forward cautiously and surveyed their surroundings.

Link looked around in confusion, seeing nothing that the captain had described. He could see the same thoughts on Mipha's face as she glanced to him.

Turning back to the captain, Link voiced his thoughts, "hey, weren't there supposed to be-"

Link heard a familiar sound in the distance, across the courtyard. Wood scraping on metal-an arrow across a bow.

The bowstring drummed and he jolted to the side towards Mipha instinctively. He held up his shield in the direction he'd heard the sound, shielding the both of them from harm.

He heard it again as an arrow swished past where he had just been, slicing through the air a couple inches from his throat.

The next arrow slammed into his shield, slicing the metal partially, but still ricocheting off into the trees to the right, disappearing into the darkness.

Link held himself for a moment before lowering his shield just enough to peek over it.

As he did so, he saw the Guardian staring at them, a calculation running in its head. The machine had witnessed the second arrow strike and was currently analyzing the situation. An arrow had been fired at friendly units, so the archer must've been an enemy.

The Guardian took the initiative and swivelled to its left, firing up into the trees at the projected firing position.

A blue laser tore through leaves before striking a tree. The laser had been dimmed down in order to avoid lighting the tree aflame but it scorched the bark near the top of the tree anyways as it missed.

The archer must've moved.

"There's only one person I know who can fire that quickly," Link whispered to Mipha as he scanned for where an escape route could've been.

Mipha grit her teeth and began scanning their environment warily, "Dark Link."

"Figured that wouldn't work," a familiar voice rang out through the trees from their right. Everyone swivelled over to the direction of the voice but saw no figure there. The next sound came from their left as Dark Link spoke again, "can't blame me for trying, right?"

Link couldn't find him but his eyes settled on the disturbed captain. His eyes shrunk to a squint as he hissed, "what have you done?!"

The guard wanted to respond in a confused haste but suddenly he froze up. His entire body tensed as his eyes began glowing a deep scarlet. Link and Mipha both stared at him in shock as he began walking towards the Guardian who stood in the middle of the clearing.

The Guardian was transfixed by the captain, unsure of whether or not to classify him as friend or foe.

"Don't answer that," Dark Link commanded the captain.

The captain stood still and nodded to the command, awaiting the next one. He never got it as his eyes returned to a normal colour and he looked around in confusion.

"Wha-"

"You are free to depart. You've done your job," Dark Link spoke with a cackle. He knew his hold on the captain was waning, he had no idea if any further commands would hold.

The captain rubbed his head as if a headache now pained him. Mipha took a step closer to him but Link kept himself in front of her, refusing her to leave his safety.

Mipha cried out to the trees, "what did you do to him?!"

Dark Link's voice came from above them now, "a little manipulation here and there. It's trivial really."

Link reacted immediately as he raised his shield above his head to cover himself and Mipha. His senses cried at him to be wary of any and all sounds around them.

The captain looked up, "w-what? Where am I? How did I get here?" He began looking around, unsure of what to make of the situation.

"That doesn't concern you. I told you that you can leave. So, use your manners and say goodbye."

Link blinked a couple times but a sense of danger overwhelmed him as he studied the suddenly frightened captain. He was out completely in the open and now he understood why Dark Link had brought him out to the center of the clearing.

"No!" Link jerked forward but he was too late as an arrow sunk into the Zora captain's chest from above. It narrowly missed the guard's chest piece but the high vantage point still allowed for a killing blow, a blow that Dark Link longed to make with every shot.

Link and Mipha froze in shock as the Zoran crumpled to the ground, his lifeless eyes looking up into the skies.

The Guardian was the only one to move as it shifted its body back and fired again into the trees above them.

However, Dark Link already had his portal ready and travelled to a new spot. He peeked out from around a tree, watching as Mipha and Link both tried to come to terms with the sudden death in front of them. He knew Link would be accustomed to it but he wasn't entirely sure about this Mipha. Either way, this was another opportunity.

He drew back his bow and fired, knowing he was on the opposite side of Mipha, the side Link was farthest from.

To his expectations, she dipped to the side and behind Link as he dashed to her, their agile bodies looking as if they warped around each other at will.

The arrow head clanged as it blunted itself against the metal shield, falling to the ground in front of the couple.

Dark Link frowned, I'll just run out of arrows if I keep this up.

Link felt his arm jar as the arrow hit with more force than he expected but he didn't care; Mipha was safe. There wasn't anything they could do for the captain at this point but he could still protect her.

Mipha couldn't help but glance to her fallen friend. She'd known that Zoran and it shocked her to see him now lying lifeless mere meters away from her.

All their thoughts were broken as another arrow was drawn and fired. Link and Mipha both hid in cover from the direction of the sound but the arrow didn't touch Link's shield.

Instead, they watched as an arrow travelled with a dark streak out of the trees. It slammed into the Guardian, slipping between its neck and body, into the vulnerable inner machinery.

The machine immediately crumpled, losing all power. The earth shook for a moment and dust flew up from the impact as the six mechanical legs twisted for half a second.

Link pulled out his glowing Master Sword, realizing they just lost the upper hand. This Guardian was supposed to be a protection against Dark Link but he took it down with one simple arrow.

A dark puddle of corruption appeared atop the Guardian as Dark Link rose out of it. He held his readied bow towards Link and Zelda, wanting to fire at them. He kept himself restrained as the two huddled behind his shield.

Mipha shouted out, "what do you want from us?!"

Dark Link shrugged, "maybe for you to take a couple steps to your left? It's pretty simple." He spoke as he readjusted his aim for the spot he'd just suggested but Mipha stayed still with a frown.

Link growled, "you won't get away with this." He began backing up and Mipha stepped in line with him. He kept between her and his doppelganger in order to let her stay safe behind him. He glanced back to her whispering, "let's get out of here, back to the Domain. I don't like where this is going."

Dark Link whistled as the couple swung their attention back to him, "what? Leaving so soon? I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that."

Link froze and Mipha followed his lead as she heard snarls coming from the trees. They looked around to see a plethora of Bokoblins and Lizalfols emerging from the underbrush. Their escape was cut off as the creatures began approaching from every direction in the clearing. It wasn't long until a large circle was made around the couple, barring their escape.

Link took a swing but the creatures were all out of range as they snarled at him. He kept himself still between Mipha and Dark Link as she turned her back to his.

"Link? This isn't looking good."

Link frowned and thought for a moment. His frustration grew as he glared at Dark Link, "why are you here?! Who even are you?!"

Link knew if he could keep Dark Link talking, he'd be able to buy time for some possible backup. Maybe he'd even be able to think of a plan with the extra time. For as long as Dark Link spoke, he could think.

Dark Link fell for the bait as he relaxed his arms for a moment in thought. The creatures of Ganon halted, taking defensive positions around the couple to keep them exactly where they were.

Dark Link shrugged and reaimed at them. He adjusted for his blinded eye, which still shone brightly under his eyepatch.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm you."

Link shook his head, "no, there's more to it than just that. What is it you want from us?!"

Dark Link ignored the hostility, "what? You expect me to tell you my entire life story? I'm here to end you, not bond over a tale."

Mipha shuffled nervously, holding her trident out, constantly switching targets as her back touched Link's.

"He's just toying with us," she whispered. "We could still make a dash for it."

Dark Link tapped his foot in annoyance as he glanced down at the Guardian. He looked back up as he thought for a moment. He growled, "fine, I'll answer one question."

Link and Mipha both glanced to each other in surprise before looking back to their attackers.

This was unexpected. Dark Link had never wanted to talk before but it seems they were at a stalemate. Although, Link couldn't think of why Dark Link was hesitating. He had the chance to throw all these creatures at them immediately but he was choosing not to.

Link's frown grew as did his anger.

He really is toying with us. This monster just wants to watch us sweat.

Link sighed, not even thinking of a good question. One came to his mind, one that would hopefully keep his enemy talking.

"Are you some kind of… time… traveller?"

Dark Link just laughed for a moment, the tension on his drawstring lowering. He held the arrow in the same hand he held his bow for a moment while wiping his one good eye, "oh it's the same guess every time, never gets old. Technically, and with immense difficulty, yes. But don't think so narrow, time isn't the only thing that can be travelled."

Dark Link grinned, knowing this would take up not just time, but also their concentration. If he gave them enough information to continue guessing but never enough to find out who he is, they'll always be distracted by the curiosity.

Link and Mipha both thought for a moment but were still facing a wall of attackers.

One of the Bokoblins snarled at Mipha as she held herself back from striking it. She knew that once she struck, Dark Link wouldn't be able to hold them back any longer.

The wind came to a stop, waning as the intensity of the situation grew. The sunlight was beginning to falter, the light steadily growing dimmer as the sun almost grazed the horizon.

Link's mind raced, trying to think of something else he could ask. Dark Link seemed talkative, he may as well take this opportunity to find out more about their enemy. The more he figured out about how his mind worked, the better he'd be able to fight him.

However, as Link was thinking, an eerie sound creeped into the clearing.

The creatures of Ganon all fell silent as Dark Link began cackling. He lowered his bow before strapping it onto his back, replacing his arrow into his quiver. He held his hands out to the side as he began laughing like a madman.

Link didn't realize why until the Guardian began moving.

This entire time he thought he was buying himself time, but in fact it was Dark Link who had been stalling.

It clicked now for Link that the arrow that struck the Guardian must've been Dark Link's last corrupted arrow as he witnessed a sight he's never seen before.

Horror set into their minds as himself and Mipha were struck across the face with clarity.

The machine began twisting, calibrating itself as its legs twitched uncomfortably. Dark Link laughed and it seemed to almost respond, clicking its clawed legs in tune. His tone reminded Link of the way he laughed during the arena fight when he stood at an immense advantage.

Link could see why as a dark purple haze grew around the Guardian in the signature color of Malice.

Dark Link widened his stance and lowered his hands, glaring at the couple with a wicked smile along his countenance.

The Guardian began rising, tearing into the dirt as it calibrated and got to its feet.

"Today, your story ends! You have no escape, no help coming for you!" He reached up, pulling out his sword and shield. His blade seemingly sucking in the light around it–a black abyss with no bottom.

The Guardian rumbled underneath the darkened-hylian. It beeped as it finished standing, taking a moment to gauge its surroundings. Dark Link held up his sword and the Guardian followed where he was pointing and stared at Link and Mipha.

It was unknown if the machine was capable of feeling rage, but it certainly expressed it. The Guardian lowered itself slightly, charging a laser to maximum power as Link and Mipha both stared in mute terror.

Dark Link cackled out one last time before initiating the bloodbath.

"This is where you die, Link." Dark Link spat out his words within the calm before the storm, "your beloved can't save you this time."