When the blinding light finally faded and Link was able to open his eyes, he didn't see the elegantly furnished room he was expecting. Instead, blades of grass poked into his face like tiny fingers, tickling his cheeks and bringing him to his senses. As he lifted his face off the ground and spit the dirt out of his mouth, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief to confirm what he was seeing. Instead of furniture and a fireplace, he found himself in the middle of a field beneath the night sky. A large mountain loomed in the distance with its peak surrounded by a silver halo reflecting some of the pale light from the full moon. The crickets had ceased their rhythmic chirping; only the breeze that whipped across the grassy field on all sides broke the silence. The air was nippy against his cheeks and the wind only intensified it, but he had endured worse.
The hero placed a hand against his stomach and braced himself against the ground. There was no ignoring the queasiness gripping his body. He didn't know how long they had tumbled through whatever that place was, but his body didn't like it. He felt the ground around him and sighed in relief when he felt the scabbard to his side. He made a mental note of its location and continued to observe his surroundings while he let his stomach settle. As he narrowed his eyes and looked around at the sea of grass waving in the wind, he realized that something was missing.
A slight moan and the rustling of grass nearby caught the hero's attention. Like a bat flying in broad daylight, Zelda picked her head from the field disoriented and confused. Her hair was frazzled and her eyes darted around like a frightened animal to observe the foreign environment.
"Where are we?" she managed at last. Her breathing was quick and her wide eyes gave away the surprise she normally masked.
Link furrowed his brow. His eyes scanned the landscape but failed to find a recognizable landmark. "That's a good question. None of this looks familiar."
Suddenly, a realization struck the monarch and she ducked on her hands and knees. Her elegant fingers frantically parted the grass as she searched. Panic was written in her eyes until she finally stumbled upon what she was looking for. With a sigh of relief, she lifted the Harp of Ages and tucked it safely underneath her arm. "Perhaps a better question is when are we."
Link nodded his head as he understood what she was getting at. "So is this the future?"
Zelda shook her head. "Or perhaps the distant past." She looked around just like Link had earlier. "But I have no idea where or when we are."
The hero stood and brushed off his rugged pants with quick swipes of his hands. "Well, I think it's safe to say we're not in Labrynna anymore."
Zelda rose to her feet as well. She frowned as she observed the accumulated dirt and wrinkles on the outfit Ambi gave her. "What a shame." The monarch sighed. "I really liked this dress too."
Link shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's not exactly a traveling outfit." He stretched his arms and let the chilly night air fill his lungs. "So, do we explore where we are? Or do we return to our own time?"
The monarch began to aimlessly finger the strings of the harp. "How would we return?" She followed the hero's eyes to the instrument. "You mean with this?"
Link nodded. "Yeah, that thing brought us here. We should be able to use it to return, right?"
Zelda nodded slowly. "I believe so. Maybe if I try the same tune, it will have the opposite effect."
Link crossed his arms. "It's your decision." He took another deep breath. "Honestly, I enjoy being out here. Palaces make me feel like a caged animal."
The regal young woman smiled faintly. "Yes, it is lovely here." The smile quickly disappeared. "But we must get back to our companions. If this is another time, we have no business being here. Our presence tampers with the very fabrics of history."
"That assumes we're in the past," Link said with a smirk. Zelda was not amused. "You know what? I almost feel like I'm reliving the legend of the ancient Hero. You know…traveling through time and all."
Zelda shook her head. "Even so, we should return." She rested the sacred instrument against her shoulder and began to strum a few stray notes to warm up. "Now if I can just remember that melody."
She looked intently at the instrument as she concentrated. She kept fingering notes, listening to the sound they made in hopes of triggering her memory. Link looked on in anticipation. He couldn't quite place it, but something was making his hair stand on end. He sniffed the air and listened intently, but his keen senses couldn't detect anything unusual. He looked around carefully but saw nothing but grass waving in the moonlight. Perhaps the time travel had just disoriented him.
"I remember now!" Zelda said excitedly.
The hero nodded. "Then play it quickly. The sooner we leave, the better." He didn't tell her about the ominous feeling shaking in his bones. His travels had developed an intuition for approaching danger; he just hoped he was wrong.
Zelda didn't hesitate. She began to play the melody in the same manner that brought them here in the first place. The notes seemed to echo across the entire field as the music enchanted the atmosphere around them. Like before, the harp shined with radiance comparable to the full moon above, basking the nearby grass in its mysterious silver glow.
Suddenly, a blinding flash enveloped Zelda and the surrounding area, causing Link to shield his eyes. Yet, his body was not pulled towards the sky like he expected. Instead, he was knocked to the ground and something heavy jumped on his back. All it took was a hand gripping his head and the cold feeling of a steel blade against his neck to alert the hero that something was drastically wrong.
Zelda's muffled cries reached his ears long before his eyes recovered. When his sight finally returned, he saw two pairs of feet standing by his face. The travel boots belonged to a struggling Zelda, but the second pair seemed to be an illusion, almost as if they blended into the shadows. If only he could move to get a better view.
"Struggle anymore and you will be killed," the assailant on top of him hissed in the hero's ear. His voice was deep and commanding; his breath heated Link's neck. The knife in his hand pressed ever so harder against the hero's skin to enforce his threat.
A chill raced down Link's spine. How had he been taken by surprise so easily? How had his senses failed him? Were these creatures even human?
"These Hylians were surprisingly easy to subdue." The assailant that restrained Zelda spoke. He looked to a third accomplice that Link couldn't see. "What should we do with them?"
There was a slight pause as the third member contemplated their fate. He seemed to be the leader.
The speaker's voice was surprisingly calm and confident. "I will take the woman. We can always use a prisoner." There was a slight pause as the mysterious man contemplated Link's fate. "Kill the man and meet me at the caves. We cannot afford to tarry here any longer. No doubt all this commotion will attract others."
Link's eyes widened. "Wait…this must be some sort of mistake."
His captor pushed Link's head hard into the ground with his hand. "Quiet Hylian! You have no right to speak."
There was a loud exhale from the monarch; the sound of her muffled struggling suddenly ceased. The man shuffled around as he hoisted her unconscious body onto his shoulder and grabbed the Harp of Ages with his other hand. Zelda's arms flopped against the man's back in rhythm to the soft patters of his footsteps.
Link's mind raced as the man's boots passed inches from his face. He had to stay calm and assess the situation. Even if they took her, she would be easy to track as a wolf. In the meantime, he needed to deal with his other two assailants. His scabbard was just out of reach, and his captor was watching him like a sentinel. If he could just find a way to reach his weapon, he could free himself.
"Evil consumed by the Goddess's ire," he began to mutter.
"You've said enough!" The pressure on the back of his head intensified. Anymore and his skull might collapse.
"Just kill him and end it." The second assailant muttered. His partner nodded and tightened his grip on the knife.
"Succumb to mighty Din's fire!" Link finished the incantation before his enemy could act. As he pounded a fist against the ground, a fireball engulfed the hero and his nemesis like a famished monster. The man jumped off Link in a hurry, fleeing frantically to reach the edge as his clothes burst into flame. He jumped out of the fireball in time to avoid serious injury and rolled frantically on the ground. His partner quickly came to his aid and beat at the carnivorous flames with his cloak. Surprisingly, neither made any noise except for the flapping of the cloak against the fire.
In the meantime, Link used the opportunity to roll to the Master Sword, grab it, and jump to his feet. As the effects of the spell diminished, he unsheathed the blade of evil's bane from its holding place and rested it at his side. The hero let the scabbard drop to the ground with a soft thud and braced himself for battle: a slight bend in the knee, a sharpening of the eyes, a tightening of the grip. Part of him felt naked without his trademark Hylian shield in his right hand, as if he had forgotten his pants. Nonetheless, he taunted his opponents with feral eyes, daring them to muster their courage and attack.
The third assailant was already off in the distance. His shadowed face turned to look back on his companions but his path continued away from them. He adjusted Zelda on his shoulder and quickened his pace.
Meanwhile, the first attacker had finally quenched the flames from Link's spell. His partner helped him to his feet and the two glared at the feral warrior with glowering red eyes. For the first time, Link observed just what his opponents looked like. They were similar in body shape, tall and lithe. The main distinguishing feature between them was their hair color: one had hair red as wine tied back with a piece of black cloth. The other had dark brown hair cut closer to the scalp. Small burns fastened themselves to the red-head's cheeks contrasting his otherwise pale skin. Both shinobi were covered by black rags tied down with violet cords to keep them in place. One wore a black beaded necklace while the other sported a small crimson ring on his index finger, both engraved with a large eye that seemed to stare into Link's soul. Both kept several sheaths on their hips for daggers while pockets hidden throughout their clothing concealed other weapons and items.
"Kivuli, it seems we underestimated him. Let's finish him quickly before he can use his magic again." The red-headed assassin spoke.
"I agree, Senka," Kivuli, the brown-haired accomplice, replied. "For all we know, that strange light we saw could have signaled more Hylians."
Link scowled at them. "Where are you taking Zelda?" They stared at him in silence. He felt his mind becoming clouded by frustration. "Answer me!"
Kivuli spat at him. "You Hylians have done nothing but harm to our kind. Now feel the strength of our hatred."
Without another word spoken, Kivuli and Senka split off and surrounded him on either side. Senka was the first to approach from his right, wielding a small dagger in front of him. Link easily deflected the blow with his sword, but the shinobi disappeared like an illusion before he could land a solid hit. The wolf man whipped around just in time to avoid Kivuli's attack from behind. Once again, he parried the dagger with his sword. Sparks flew as steel scraped against steel. Link attempted to counter, but the shadow was already moving again, causing his sword to slash at empty air.
Link located Senka out of the corner of his eye and rushed at him. The nimble warrior avoided the oncoming stab with a quick handspring and taunted him from just out of reach. Infuriated, the hero was almost too late to notice Kivuli sneak from behind. He jumped to the side and rolled to avoid a fatal blow, but not before receiving a significant slash to the arm.
Link's grip tightened on the Master Sword. This would take too long. They were skilled, but it was the hero's own self-restraint that handicapped him. He had no quarrel with them, but he had to end this quickly. Already the haze of battle was settling on his mind, numbing his senses and allowing him to act on instinct alone. There was no telling how much longer he could restrain himself, especially with Zelda's life on the line.
Tired of this game of cat and mouse, Link held his position and let them come to him. He held his sword back and watched them take their expected positions on opposite sides. Kivuli run at him from the front and Senka from the back.
This time he was ready.
Pivoting on his left foot, he circled his sword furiously around in his trademark spin slash. The unsuspecting shinobi barely deflected it with their knives. Nonetheless, the impact sent both of them flying. They grunted as their bodies rolled through the grass and came to a halt. Jumping back to their feet, they looked at one another and gave an understanding nod. Had they not deflected that blow, they easily could have been cleaved in two. Almost simultaneously, they sheathed their daggers and reached for different weapons. Kivuli retrieved several throwing needles that he held between his fingers, while Senka favored a retractable chain that he spun around his arm. They would not risk close combat again.
Senka was the first to come at him. Keeping his distance, he whipped the metal chain at Link. Instinct moved the wolf man's muscles to dodge the flailing metal and close on his foe. Before the shadow warrior could react, Link shoulder charged him in the torso and knocked him to the ground. He jumped on Senka's chest and drove the air out of his lungs. While the shadow warrior was stunned, the hero blunted him hard with the hilt of his blade, drawing blood where the pommel made contact.
The hero knelt for a moment atop his unconscious foe savoring the taste of battle. No thought passed through his mind save the thrill of the fight and the inevitable feeling of triumph. Though his body was still human, the divine beast now firmly controlled his mind; its power clouded his reason and flowed through his body. As he looked at the blood dripping from Senka's forehead, he contemplated what fate should befall his defeated prey.
The decision was soon taken out of his hand.
Several needles stuck into the wolf man's back like angry hornets. He yelped in pain and turned sharply to see Kivuli standing a safe distance away. Link jumped to his feet, muscles ready for another hunt, his eyes calculating his target's next move. His already captured trophy would have to wait.
Link sprinted hard to close the gap but his opponent was too fast and agile. Kivuli continued to acrobatically elude him, maintaining a safe distance at all times. The hero's back felt on fire, but the pain only drove him harder. Several times he came within striking distance, but the shadow warrior was always one step ahead. His trusty sword slashed nothing but air; the prick of additional needles served as his punishment. Small spots broke out all over his skin, appearing as if he'd been attacked by an entire hive. All of his limbs ached as he moved. Even so, the hero continued his hunt.
"You will never catch me," Kivuli taunted from a safe distance. His charred face glared in triumphant vengeance. "Soon, the venom will paralyze your entire body."
The hero didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. His body felt on fire. His breathing was rapid like a panting dog. Sweat dripped down his forehead and into his eyes, but the wolf man refused to lose sight of his prey.
Without warning, he raised his left arm and hurled the Master Sword as hard as he could. The blade of evil's bane spun through the air like a tomahawk. Kivoli spun out of the way and watched the blade sail by him and stick into the ground. His eyes remained glued for an instant; slightly surprised by the absurdity of the maneuver. When he turned back around, he quickly realized his mistake.
The wolf was upon him before he could react. The mass of fur and teeth threw him to the ground, landing on his chest and growling at him ferociously. The divine beast sunk his teeth into Kivuli's neck like a piece of fresh game and shook his head violently. The shinobi's hand searched desperately for his dagger. His fingers felt along his pant leg for the pouch strapped to his hip. His hands gripped weakly for the hilt, hesitated for a second, and then dropped lifelessly to the ground.
The blood was still smeared on Link's chin when he returned to his human form and retrieved his weapon. His head spun faster than a whirlwind as he approached the still unconscious Senka. Standing over the fallen shinobi, the wolf man couldn't stop the trembling of his hands or the shaking of his feet. A tickling sensation manifested itself in his toes and fingers and slowly worked its way up his body.
Was this the venom's effect? Had he been that careless?
He looked to his unconscious foe and then to the sword in his hand. If the venom was affecting him, then he couldn't let his other assassin live. His legs were already giving out beneath him; there was no time for hesitation. Bending his knees, he mustered the last of his strength to raise the sword above his head. As the blade came down, it met its mark. Divine steel pierced through Senka's flesh like a knife through butter, quickly plunging the shadowy assassin into a quiet and eternal slumber.
The hero rolled over, lying on his back and leaving the sword implanted within the shinobi's chest. His entire body was aflame with this strange numbness; he couldn't even move his fingers. In fact, breathing was the only thing he could do at this point. The moon in the night sky became awhite blur as his vision clouded. With his head pressed to the grass and his chest slowly expanding and contracting, the hero couldn't help but reconsider his actions.
What have I done?
These were the last words on his mind as the hero slowly closed his eyes. Off in the distance, he heard the faint sound of galloping hooves before sleep finally claimed him.
The ground was cold and damp beneath Zelda's head as she began to come to her senses. As she attempted to move her hands in front of her, she found them tied securely behind her back once again. Her body was sore in multiple places and her head was still hazy from her extended nap. She felt like a fish as she wiggled her body to try and gain a better view of her surroundings.
Wherever she was, the darkness made it difficult to see the layout of her prison. The only light came from an opening where the moon's light basked the outside world. A hollow wind from what she assumed to be a cave's mouth blew through the rocks and brushed against the monarch's cheeks. The occasional drop of water splashed against the rocky floor, sending echoes of sound through the dark enclosure.
"So you finally awaken." A voice called to her from the shadows.
Zelda had been trained to show no signs of weakness. Though her captor's sudden appearance startled her, she stared straight ahead into the shadows. "And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
The shadows themselves seemed to chuckle as her captor's laugh echoed off the various walls. "Not intimidated, eh? I must say that is a rarity among Hylian women."
The monarch raised her chin just a little. She had been kidnapped several times already; she was practically a professional. "I am no ordinary Hylian woman."
Several pebbles scuffled against the ground as the shadow seemed to change his position. "Is that so? Then who are you?"
Zelda's eyes were slowly beginning to adjust to the darkness of the cave. She thought she could make out a silhouette sitting on a flattened rock opposite her. "I believe I asked you first. And while you're at it, please explain why you attacked a young woman who was clearly defenseless."
There was a slight pause. The shadow seemed surprised by her directness. A smug grin worked its way onto the monarch's mouth.
"I attacked you because you are Hylian." His response came from the shadows.
This time, it was Zelda's turn to be surprised. She began to pull her wrists apart to test the snugness of her bounds. The rope refused to yield. "Because I am Hylian? What kind of reason is that?"
There was another pause from her captive. "Do you take me for a fool? My people are masters of deception, able to walk the thin line between shadow and darkness. Do you think I cannot see through your feigned ignorance?"
Zelda decided to play his game. "Well, then you should see I pose no threat. I'm just a lowly woman. Why not humor my question?"
Again, the shadow chuckled. "Your skill with words is impressive, Hylian. I will humor you." Zelda could hear a soft metallic clicking as her captor flipped his weapon effortlessly in his hand. "As you should know, your people have been at war with my people, the Sheikah, for longer than either of us can remember. As my comrades and I crept beneath the moon tonight, a blinding light caught our attention. Moving towards its origin, we discovered you and your companion conversing. We had no choice but to make the first strike."
Zelda's eyes flickered. That little morsel of information was just what she needed to narrow down the time period. If the Sheikah were still at war with the Hylians, and her studies were accurate, they were in an age that predated the ancient hero himself! This meant two very important things: Hyrule had not yet been unified and the Sheikah were not yet loyal to the Royal Family. She would have to tread very carefully.
The Sheikah's silhouette moved off the rock and walked a little closer. "Now, Hylian, it is your turn to tell me your name and what you and your companion were doing outside the city walls." He gave a deep sigh. "And please do not resist. I do not wish to hurt you, but I will resort to more painful methods if I must."
Zelda grunted. "You would not believe me even if I told you the truth."
The shadow moved closer. Suddenly, his red eyes were only inches away from her. "Try me. These eyes have been trained to see the truth."
The monarch wiggled backward until her back pressed against a rock. The red eyes continued to stare into her relentlessly.
"Very well," she said, her cerulean eyes returning the shadow's gaze, "I will tell you the truth. My companion and I arrived here accidentally from the future using that harp you stole from me. We were about to return to our own time when you attacked us."
The Sheikah's eyes blinked for a second and looked away. "Impossible."
The darkness hid Zelda's surprise. "Something wrong?"
"I have never seen anyone speak lies so effortlessly. It was as if you believed it yourself." She heard the clicking of steel as the shadow grabbed his dagger. Zelda's mouth felt dry as beach sand. "I asked you not to resist. You brought this on yourself."
The shadow shoved the regal young woman onto her stomach. Dirt from the cold rock floor stirred in her face, causing her to gag and cough. Her captor placed a firm hand on her back and kept the knife near her hands.
"What are you doing?" She asked quickly, trying to hide the fear in her voice. "Am I free to go?"
The shadow began to tighten the ropes surrounding her wrists, cutting off their circulation. "Not quite. I am giving you one last chance to tell me what you were really doing." His knife screeched against a rock to broadcast the gravity of his threat. "Lie to me again and I will cut off one of your fingers. Continue to give me false information and you will have no fingers left. I assure you it will be quite painful."
Zelda's breathing increased rapidly. "But I am telling the truth. I swear to Nayru!"
The Sheikah sighed to himself. "That was not what I wanted to hear." He pressed the blade softly to her pinky. "Brace yourself. This is going to hurt."
Her forehead was drenched in nervous sweat. Her heart raced faster than a running stallion. "You have to believe me!"
The shadow smirked. "Not as composed under pressure, are you?"
Zelda's mind raced. Her body shivered. There had to be something she could say; something she could do to make this stranger believe her. Goddesses…Nayru…give me wisdom!
The Triforce of Wisdom began to glow a soft gold from her wrist. The divine light brightened up the cave, dispelling the surrounding shadows and halting the warrior in his tracks. He withdrew the knife from her hand and rested it in his palm. His red eyes stared at the sacred triangle in a mix of curiosity and disbelief. He rubbed them once to check his vision, but there was no mistaking the mark of the Goddesses on this woman's left hand.
"Where did you get this?" His voice was rough and uncertain now, no longer remaining the calm suave it normally carried.
"What does it matter if you refuse to believe me?" Zelda replied. She closed her eyes and tensed her body in anticipation of the pain.
"Calm yourself," the Sheikah said. "You are safe for the time being. I cannot hurt one chosen by the Goddesses without just cause, especially one who bears the mark of Nayru." The light from Zelda's wrist slowly began to fade. The monarch composed herself and resumed her breathing to a steady rhythm.
"What will you do with me?" she said as the last of the light faded and the darkness of the cave returned.
The shadow jumped on another rock and stayed there, kicking small pebbles onto the ground in the process. He looked anxiously to the cave entrance for several seconds. "Nothing for now. Things have become more complicated. I will discuss your fate with my companions when they return."
"Link." Zelda let out a slight gasp. She had completely forgotten he was still in danger. If he was still alive, she needed to find him; she refused to leave without him.
The shadow jumped off his rock and approached the cave entrance. His silhouette blocked the only light coming from the mouth of the cave. "It has been a while. I am going to check on my companions. You stay here."
"What if I decide to run off?"
The Sheikah shrugged his shoulders. "Then I will know if you speak the truth or not. If you hail from another age as you say, then escaping will not be to your benefit. You will sooner die from the foreign lands then from my hand. " He paused. "If, however, you are lying to me and decide to run away, we will find you and kill you without hesitation or mercy."
Zelda hesitated. She couldn't argue with that logic. "Can I at least learn your name?"
The Sheikah called back as he left the cave. "Only if I find you here when I return." And without another word, her captor was gone.
Zelda lay there in silence with her face to the ground and the darkness of the cave hiding her. She gave a large sigh and attempted to look at her environment, but it was hopeless. It surprised her how bored she felt despite the situation. After some time, when her neck started hurting and her mouth felt dry, she rolled over and squirmed her way to a sitting position. With her mouth away from the ground and the bugs, she busied herself singing fond childhood songs. As the off-key melody bounced off the walls and back into her ears, the monarch remembered why she never sang in public. Growing tired of hearing her own voice, she stopped. Once again, she was alone in the dark with nothing but her thoughts for company.
Inevitably, the monarch's mind drifted back to Link and their first meeting. He had still been a wolf then, but something in his feral eyes had caught her attention. Even now, as she journeyed with him, she spotted it on occasion. There was wildness to his gaze hidden beneath a gentle exterior.. It defied her understanding how he endured so much and yet still retained a childlike innocence. How could a simple shepherd boy be the same man that single-handedly saved her kingdom? Perhaps it was this contradiction, this seemingly impossible paradox, that intrigued her.
Ambi's comments from earlier that evening came whispering back to her mind. As she thought more about them, she began to realize just how much she thought about the hero when her mind wasn't already preoccupied. It had happened on her previous kidnapping, and it was happening now.
Was she interested in something more than just a friendship?
Surprisingly, the monarch shivered at the thought. She had never given much time for such childlike fantasies, and the concept seemed foreign and even frightening to a certain degree. She decided that was one thought better left unopened. She decided to focus her thoughts elsewhere.
Eventually, her eyes were drawn to the mouth of the cave. The alluring temptation of escape jumped into her mind. All she had to do was get on her feet and walk out. She would be free.
To go where?
As much as it pained her to admit it, the Sheikah was right. She had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. The Harp of Ages had to be somewhere in this cave as well, but even if she managed to find it and get her hands free, she couldn't leave Link in this forsaken age alone. They had gotten into this mess together, and they would leave the same way.
For now, she could only wait for her captors to return. In the meantime, she productively turned her thoughts on how to stay alive. If this really was a war, then as a Hylian, she carried a target on her head. Doubtless, her captors would bring her back as a prisoner unless she could think of something. If only she could alter her appearance to something else.
Zelda's eyes brightened as a stroke of divine inspiration reached her. Perhaps there was a way.
The time passed quickly as she focused her magic and figured out the details. She had figured almost everything out when she saw the silhouette of her captor in the mouth of the cave. He was still alone.
He walked slowly towards her, stopping when he stood in front of her. His shadowy figure loomed over her; his solemn red eyes bore into her heart. "Both my companions are dead. Your fate rests in my hands alone."
Zelda's heart jumped. Link was still alive!
Yet, as she looked into the Sheikah's eyes, her spirit was moved to compassion. His somber voice and expression sobered her. She did not know what it was like to lose a close friend, but she had lost many loyal soldiers and subjects in the Twilight War.
She was able to muster a weak condolence. "I am sorry for your loss."
Her words took the Sheikah by surprise. He looked away but his voice was softer. Why bother feigning compassion? "Why not just ask about your companion?"
Zelda shook her head. "All life is precious. We all share the same creator."
The Sheikah nodded his head. "This is true. Then you will be glad to hear I could not find your friend. I can only assume he escaped."
Zelda nodded. A nervous smile curled on her lips. "So where does that leave me?"
The shadow hesitated for a moment. "I am afraid even if you do possess Nayru's mark, I cannot let you go free. Especially now that your companion has killed my comrades." He looked away. "However, if I bring you to my village, they will surely demand justice. I cannot guarantee your safety." He shook his head. "I am afraid there is no middle ground."
The monarch's eyes brightened. "Perhaps there is a way. What if I became one of your people?"
Her captor eyed her curiously. "How is that possible?"
The monarch nodded. "What if I could somehow alter my appearance with magic: eyes, skin, and even hair? If I could somehow acquire Sheikah clothing, no one would know the difference."
The Sheikah grunted. "My people would see through your disguise instantly. You know nothing of our customs."
She looked at him imploringly. "That's why I need your help."
The Sheikah shook his head. "What would I gain from harboring a Hylian? Nothing but trouble I tell you."
"What wouldn't you gain? I know how Hylians think, how they act, how they live. You could gain a valuable tactical advantage. Plus, you would be doing the will of the Goddesses by protecting one of their chosen."
The Sheikah was clearly hesitant. His eyes flickered around the room as he thought the proposal over. At last, he took out his knife.
"Lean forward," he directed. She complied. The knife cut through the ropes with ease, causing the monarch's bondages to drop to the floor like fallen branches. "You are a very crafty woman."
Zelda moved her fingers and circled her wrists in a newly appreciated freedom. "My name is Zelda." She extended her hand in a gesture of friendship.
The Sheikah looked curiously at her extended hand and shook his head. "This can't be mere coincidence. That was the name Her Grace took when she founded Hyrule and left us to care for the Triforce. If you possess the goddesses' mark and bear that name…" he paused. "No, it does not matter. That name is too Hylian. From now on, you will answer to Sheik." He paused. "I am Akime." His eyes darkened. "And In case the thought of betrayal passes through your mind, know there will be no place to hide from me or my people."
The monarch swallowed hard and awkwardly retracted her hand. "Well then, I suppose you will just have to have faith."
"Look. He's finally coming around."
Muffled voices whispered in the background as the hero's spirit slowly rose to the surface from the deep waters of unconsciousness. Bit by bit, the feeling in his body returned. He could feel the weight of his arms and legs as he tried to move them ever so slightly. The voices were clearer now; he could even distinguish the sound of footsteps brushing by him. With one last push, he opened his eyelids. As the bright lights slowly dimmed and images came into focus, he was greeted by the surprised stares of two helmet clad soldiers.
"As the sun doth rise over the hillside, so is this man's return into the realm of consciousness."
One soldier looked to the other. "Shutup, Vagmin, now's not the time."
Vagmin was more subdued. "As the animals retreat during winter's wrath, so the poet's tongue is silenced by those around him."
The hazy hero observed his two rescuers. "Who are you? Where am I?"
The other soldier lifted his helm and placed it in his shoulder, revealing a confident man with ruffled brown hair and matching eyes. His cheeks were hardened from battle and he had a scar just to the right of his mouth. "You, good sir, are in the wonderful city of Hyrule. I am Kieran, the bravest warrior in all the land," he pointed disinterestedly, "and this is Vagmin."
Vagmin took off his helmet, revealing a dashing blonde haired individual with blue eyes. All of his facial features were groomed to perfection, including his trimmed eyebrows. "Though they hail from different origins, the westerly and easterly winds merge paths and travel together over the great fields."
Link stared at him dumbfounded.
Kieran shook his head. "That means it's a pleasure to meet you." He shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention back to Link. "So what's your name, warrior?"
The hero paused for a moment. He remembered Zelda's words about disturbing the flow of history and reasoned he shouldn't give his real name. He carefully sat up and wiggled his toes; at least his finer muscles still worked. He rolled his arms and noticed a bandage covering his left shoulder.
"What happened to me? How did I get here?"
Vagmin opened his mouth to speak but Kieran quickly cut him off. "One of our watchmen saw a bright light over Hyrule Field. When Vagmin and I went to investigate, we saw you collapsed on the ground along with two dead Sheikah. You must've been hit with their poison because you were cold to the touch when we found you."
Both men laughed when they saw the horror on Link's face.
Kieran placed a hand on the hero's shoulder to calm him. "Relax, it won't kill you. Those bastards use it to paralyze their enemies, but the effects wear off in a few hours."
"So those were Sheikah? Why did they attack me?" Link asked while staring at the ceiling in a daze. An image of Kari jumped in his mind. It just didn't match the shinobi who had mercilessly taken Zelda and kidnapped him.
Vagmin laughed. "Methinks the poison still lingers within his blood like a disease."
Kieran shook his head. "You must've been hit pretty hard to forget we're at war with the Sheikah. But you're safe now among your fellow kind." He crossed his arms and nodded approvingly. "I'm impressed you held your own against two of those demons. Not many men besides myself can boast that. You even killed them."
Link placed a hand on his aching head. A hint of red painted his cheeks. "The whole battle is a blur. I was just acting on instinct."
"Mighty good instincts I might add." Kieran nodded towards the door. "Which reminds me, when you feel better, the General wants to speak to you."
Link tensed. "General? What would your general want with me?"
Kieran laughed aloud. "Well, why don't you ask him yourself if you're feeling well enough?"
The hero jumped off the table that had improvised as his bed. The stone floor was cold against his feet and his knees were a little shaky. He also noticed for the first time he had been stripped down to to the waist. "Well, if you get me my clothes and my blade, I'm ready to meet him now." He had to marvel at how well his body had already recovered. There was a slight pain in his arm from the battle, but the rest of him was ready to go. Suddenly, a thought jumped to his mind. "Wait. There was someone else with me. Were able you to find her?"
Both men's face darkened. "Was she captured?"
Link slowly nodded. Their expressions did not comfort him.
"Those people are like a steep canyon whose depth cannot be measured, or an ocean whose width cannot be fathomed." Vagmin offered an explanation.
Kieran's mouth tightened. "In other words, you might as well forget about her. None of their captives have ever been seen again."
Link's fist curled tightly as he slammed it against the table. "Din's fire! It's all my fault. I should have protected her."
"Hey! Hey!" Kieran interrupted. "Don't talk like that! You couldn't have done anything else. You're lucky to still be alive." He placed a hand on Link's back and gently guided him. "Here, let's get you clothed and then pay a visit to the General."
The hero took one last look at where he had laid only a minute ago. Everything was happening so fast; he felt like he was being pushed against his will in a surreal dream. Was it really all that long ago he had just entered Labrynna with all his companions? With a heavy sigh, he began walking and followed Kieran's gentle guidance.
Link was amazed at how the Hero's Garb seemed to practically repair itself. After all the battles and trials he had endured with it, it still looked good as new after a simple washing. The blood stains seemed to come right off, and any rips in the fabric practically stitched themselves back together. It pressed firmly against his chest, providing warmth while not restricting his movements. An adventurer couldn't ask for a better traveling outfit. Back in his clothing of choice and with the Master Sword once again in its scabbard, the hero was finally ready to meet the general.
This general, as it turned out, was smaller than he expected, maybe a few inches shorter than Link but still stout and muscular. His hazel eyes were firm and confident and his gaze demanded respect. All of the hair on his head was shaved with the exception of a black twin mustache. For now, he reclined in his quarters of the barracks sporting a leather jerkin and matching pants. The room itself was a small attachment off the main quarters with little more than a large wooden desk filled with maps and charts, a wooden chair to sit in, and a few oil lamps. In the corner on a mantle stood his decorated armor, plated with gold and other ornaments. Just above it stood a silver sword with the general's name inscribed on it, Daltus.
"So, you are the warrior who killed two Sheikah singlehandedly?" Daltus said calmly, his feet propped on the desk and his body leaning back in the chair.
Link looked to Kieran and Vagmin on his side. The two soldiers encouraged him on with a wave of their hands. The hero fiddled with the strap of his scabbard and tapped his boots nervously against the hard ground. "I am."
The General leaned forward and scrutinized the swordsman. "Where are you from, lad? Your clothes look like something you'd find on those forest folks I've heard stories about."
Link looked up to the ceiling as he tried to think of a believable response. "I'm more of a wanderer. I don't really call any place home."
General Daltus's brows raised slightly. "A wanderer? Don't you have any parents?"
The wolf man paused for a few seconds. "They were killed by bandits when I was young. I don't have many memories of them. Instead, I was raised by some close friends in a rural farming village until I left on my own."
Surprisingly, this wasn't far from the truth. His parents had been attacked by a gang of bandits on their way to Castle Town when he was only five. When the tragic news was brought back to Ordon, Rusl and Uli had been kind enough to adopt him as their own son. For several years, he was their world until Colin was born. Then, they became like brothers. In the meantime, Rusl and Uli had been kind enough to maintain his parents' former home so that Link might inherit it when he came of age. As the hero thought back, he knew he wouldn't be where he was without their love and effort. It made the loss of Rusl all the more difficult to endure.
The General seemed satisfied with his response. "And what did you say your name was, lad?"
The wolf man froze. He knew he couldn't reveal his real name, so he said the first thing that came to mind. "Ordona, sir. My name is Ordona."
Daltus clasped his hands together and rested his elbows on the desk. "Well, Ordona, you're probably wondering why I wanted to speak to you. Yes?"
The feral warrior nodded his head. "I'm very curious."
The General rose from his chair and began to pace back and forth, his boots clomping loudly against the hard ground. "As you must know by now, we have been at war with the Sheikah for quite some time. Lately, I've been receiving pressure from the King to end it and conquer them once and for all. However, to do that is easier said than done, and I'm looking for an advantage." His eyes flashed towards Link. "Your ability to kill two Sheikah singlehandedly testifies of your skill with the blade. What do you say? Will you join us?"
Link took a step back. The image of the two dead Sheikah instantly flashed in his mind, filling him with a flood of remorse and regret. His fighting ability had effortlessly taken innocent lives. Yet, at the same time, his tongue whetted at the prospect of a new challenge. For as much as he wished to deny it, the hero's spirit, the divine beast, was born for the purpose of conflict and the chaos of the battlefield. As long as there was evil threatening those he cared about, it was his duty to stand against it. It was simply who he was; the destiny given to him by the goddesses.
"I'm really flattered by your offer, but I don't know if I can accept." His boots tapped against the ground once again. "I've always been a loner."
The General could tell that the reluctant hero needed just a little more persuasion. "With your talent, you could rise through the ranks in no time. You could even be a lieutenant or a captain someday."
Kieran stepped forward. "Think of the riches and the glory. All of the honor of being a knight could be yours. People would tell stories of your bravery for years to come."
The hero shrugged his shoulders. He could satisfy his hunger for combat elsewhere. "None of that really interests me." He looked towards the door. "Listen, I'm grateful that you nursed me back to health, but I really should get going." He turned around and began walking towards the door. Kieran and Vagmin stepped aside to let him pass.
"Ordona, wait!" The General called out to him. "My subordinates told me about your captured friend." The hero froze right where he stood. "If you join us, we can help you get her back. We share a common enemy."
Link turned around. The General had his attention now.
Daltus smiled to himself. It was only a matter of time. "The Sheikah have killed and captured thousands of our loved ones over the years. We know the pain and guilt you feel." He paused for a second. "You will never find her on your own. Fight for us, and we'll look together."
The hero thought over the General's words. All he cared about was finding Zelda and leaving this forsaken age; nothing else mattered. If he had to help these men defeat their enemies in the process, then so be it.
"Very well, General, I will fight for you on one condition: as soon as I find my companion, I leave at my own convenience. I refuse to be tied down by your rules and regulations."
Daltus looked to his subordinates and back to Link. "Very well, I will accept your terms." He turned around and reached for his sword on the mantle. "Now, kneel Ordona, and I will perform the knighting ceremony."
Vagmin widened his eyes in surprise. "Is that not the divine right of the king?"
The General laughed aloud. "There's no need to trouble His Highness. Besides, Ordona is just a lowly soldier for now, though I anticipate that not lasting long."
Link said nothing and knelt as instructed. General Daltus hovered his sword over Link's shoulder and spoke. "Ordona, repeat after me: I do solemnly swear by the Three Golden Goddesses, and in free and voluntary desire, to serve as a Knight of Hyrule of the most holy Order. I do swear by the Eternal Power of the Trinity, to be both a true and chivalric Knight, to obey my Commanders and to aid my brethren. I also swear by all that is holy and dear unto me, to aid those less fortunate than I, to relieve the distress of the world and to fulfill my knightly obligations. This oath do I give of my own free and independent will!"
The hero repeated the oath as instructed. When he was finished, Daltus tapped each of his shoulders with his weapon.
"Sir Ordona, rise, for you now stand as a knight of Hyrule." Link did so.
Kieran punched him playfully on his good arm. "This makes us brothers in arms as well as archrivals."
The wolf man nodded and faked a smile. How long he would be able to maintain this pleasant charade, he was unsure. The only thing he knew for certain is that he would find Zelda no matter how long it took. He didn't care who he had to kill or what political game he had to play. All restraint would be thrown to the wind; anyone foolish to stand in his way, Hylian or Sheikah, would be trampled by the mighty power of the divine beast.
A/N- Yay! I'm still alive. I know it's been a while (this might even be my first update of the new year…how depressing) but I assure you this story is still going. The next chapter is almost done, and if all goes according to plan, I should have consistent updates for the next month or so. This and the following chapters have taken longer to write because they are crucial and I want to ensure they have the quality they deserve. A few of my more perceptive readers may have an idea where this is going...but I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeves.
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! As usual, reviews are always appreciated!