Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own any of the characters of their respective franchises; Metroid and Legend of Zelda belongs to Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo, while Soul Calibur belongs to Namco Bandai. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

Whoa! Took me some time, but I managed! Let me however apologize for the long wait. I haven't been in the mood to write these last few weeks… Procrastination occurred. Still, I hope this chapter will make up for the long wait.

Enjoy :)

A Hylian's Harem

Chapter 15

Chaos Dance

"And that's about it," the Hylian Princess finished, smiling at her two Sheikah attendants. The members of the Shadow People smiled noticeably, to whom Zelda immediately shot them a pleading stare. "And please don't tell Link. I imagine that he will want to tell everyone himself, I merely felt that you two had the right to know."

"Of course, Your Highness," Impa replied. "I can sympathise with the lad. Love is not something someone, especially his age, take lightly. He deserves to have some time alone with these thoughts." She paused. "Though, I can't help but worry about him. This…impact must've been too much to handle at once, even for him."

Sheik nodded. "I concur. However…" Her eyes lost their firm gaze and softened in expression. "I truly wish for him to not delay. I… I would like to hear an answer."

"Of course you would," Zelda said with a giggle. She winked playfully at her former half, enjoying the slight hint of fluster in the younger Sheikah's eyes before turning to leave. "Oh, and before I leave; try not to push him. I'm sure he'll let everyone know once he's thought things through thoroughly."

"Naturally, Your Highness," the Sheikah attendants said in unison.

(break)

Pointed ears picked up the sound of footsteps and Link straightened and turned around just in time to see the Gerudo woman making her way towards Link with a knowing smile and waving. "Hey, Link!"

Ugh.

The sight of seeing her like this made him sick to his stomach. Those eyes were the same as everyone else, and it had Link see red.

The dark-skinned woman jogged up to Link, batting her exotic eyelashes. "Fancy running into you here. We missed you at lunch."

"Is that right?" Link said plainly, an unamused expression adorning his face.

This didn't seem to bother the Gerudo, who only stepped up closer to Hero – who stepped backwards –, smiling coyly. "It quite is… Say, now what we're alone like this…"

Tch.

"How about we ditch this place and head for the desert? I appreciate the princess' hospitality but there's something I really need to talk to you about… You know, between four eyes?" Aveil winked at him. "What do you say?"

Link took another step back, this time earning a puzzled stare from the redhead and he snickered at her. "What do I say? How about no? In fact, I think it's a better idea that you rode back to the desert on your own. I'm not interested in you, nor can I see myself ever being with you."

He turned to leave, smirking at Aveil's dumbfounded face. "Farewell. Do me a favour and leave me alone from now on."

´Let the eliminations begin…´

In the western courtyard, the British noblewoman had marched out of the gates, sky-blue eyes peering around, scouring, as she made her way through the rose-riddled garden with a quick pace.

´Tch. Where is he?´

Her brow furrowed, her plump and purple lips becoming a thin line of irritation that was boiling inside of her. Ever since word reached the guests that Link wasn't feeling well, and the fact that he wasn't in his room, everyone had eventually started to search for him in hope of-

…

Well, many things, some of which being raunchy, others more sincere, and the rest a mixture of both.

The pale-haired woman strode past the centre statue (depicting the royal crest) and headed for the exit-

"Ivy!"

- when she came to a halt and spun around. Her Grecian friend was running up to her, panting as she reached Ivy. "I'm glad I found you. Any luck?"

"No," Ivy replied and scowled. "I wouldn't be here by myself if I had, now would I?"

Sophitia released a sigh. "Don't take out your frustration on me, Ivy. It's bad enough as it is."

The taller woman nodded as her expression softened up. "I know. But as soon as the redheaded lass decided to go look for him, you can't expect me – or anyone else – to just sit there and roll my thumbs. I want to find him just as much as the next person."

"Things have begun to become hectic, hasn't it?" the blonde replied. "It feels as if we're a pack of wild dogs chasing a single rabbit. And the fight that we had…"

Ivy scoffed. "That's absurd, but not entirely inaccurate. I wouldn't mind the blood of that oddly-coloured sorceress to stain my blade…"

"Now that's an awful thing to say," a familiar voice remarked and the two friends turned to see the green-garbed blonde stroll over. "Especially when it's my future wife you're talking about."

It was as if time itself had ceased to flow as the two women were stunned into silence. Their expressions fell, warped with disbelief, but none more so than the noblewoman; her whip-sword fell with a clatter against the stone path below, her mouth agape.

"P-pardon?!"

Link grinned. It was a whole new side of him the two women had never seen before: cocky, arrogant, and perhaps to an extent, wicked. As if he knew that what he had said hurt them, and he was more than willing to say it again.

"Oh my, did I stutter? Let me re-phrase it then so you'll understand," he began, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'd appreciate if you didn't speak ill of my future wife, thank you."

"L-Link," Sophitia began, the look on her face being nothing but worry and anxiety. "What do you mean by that? Are you speaking of-"

"The lovely sorceress, Lady Veran of course," the Hylian replied with a haughty smirk which only grew wider upon seeing his friends' aghast faces. "And I intend on taking her as my bride. Be grateful that I even told you."

The two lady-friends shared a brief look – one of utter shock and further disbelief – as Ivy took a stand, her fist clenching around the hilt of her weapon. Her expression darkened, thin eyebrows knitting together as she angrily exclaimed;

"Link, what has gotten into you?!"

Though she remained silent – primarily due to being stunned into silence – Sophitia was clearly concerned as well, and she wanted answers.

And yet, the two friends got nothing but a short but boisterous laugh from the young Hero, the blonde young man who had been so caring and sweet before. Now, before them, there was only a man who had become a heartbreaker.

No – this couldn't be the truth. But it was Link standing before them, no doubt, but at the same time it couldn't be: no kindness, caring nature, or even the slightest hint of humbleness was there to be found, traits that one would always find merely by glancing at the young Hylian.

"I asked you a question!" the pale-haired warrior-woman exclaimed. "Just what the bloody hell has come over you! Do you have any idea just what kind of horse shit you're spewing out, lad?"

Link grimaced. "How crude… I've made myself perfectly clear, and I rather not have to deal with…" He paused. "Loose women who can't take a hint."

The Grecian's loud gasp was almost as high in volume as a shriek. "How can you… Link, why would say such a thing… I thought we…"

Her green orbs were on the verge of tearing up. They darted back and forth between her man of affections and the ground, unable to find the words to ask him, to tell him… Well, anything!

"Look at what you've done!" the noblewoman said. "The poor lass can't even comprehend this piss-poor new attitude of yours! And I," Ivy paused, unsheathing her blade. "Don't particularly care much for it either. And I for one am not going to let you walk all over me like this – especially not for some trollop you suddenly claim to fancy!"

Link raised an eyebrow, smirking still. "I'm appalled. I didn't think you would dare raising your blade against me, harlot."

"Excuse me?!"

"What's the commotion?" a voice remarked, revealing a certain bounty hunter approaching the trio. They all turned to the newly-arrived blonde who scrutinized them, her blue orbs narrowed into thin slits. "Link? What's going on here?"

The Hylian turned his attention towards Samus. "Oh, you. I'm glad you decided to join us – I've got something to tell you, unless these two cares do the honours?"

"Link says he's going to marry that awful woman, Veran!" Sophitia cried out. "And he's… he's…"

"He's being an absolute dolt about it!" Ivy added, fuming. "I don't know about you, but I'm not going to tolerate this!"

Samus turned to her object of affections, her face twisted into a scowl. "Is this true, Link?"

"Right on the mark," the young Hylian admitted. "So now that you people know, how about leaving me alone? I've grown weary of your fawning, and I have a sorceress to wed."

"You're not getting anywhere until you explain what's going on," the bounty hunter remarked. "Your words are bold, and your personality seems different. Are you being blackmailed?"

The flaxen-haired hero grimaced at that – his body-language changed drastically from being firm and steadfast to shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He was stepping back, as if preparing to run.

"Tch! Aren't you nosy… I want you lot far, far away before the sun sets, you hear me? Don't make me repeat myself! Return to your homelands, for I do not wish to lay my eyes on you ever again."

"Wait! Link, come back here!

´I don't even have a "homeland"… What is going on here?´ the bounty hunter mulled.

"Is something wrong, princess?"

Zelda snapped out of her reverie, her expression puzzled and perturbed. Azure orbs aimlessly strayed until they met the crimson gazes of her right-hand women and she allowed herself to relax a spell.

"I'm well, Sheik, Impa," Zelda began. "But I feel something is… amiss. I can't put my finger on it…"

"I know, Your Highness. I felt it as well. A nameless malice stirred just now."

The princess nodded. "Aptly put. We must investigate this right away – fear that this presence we just felt might be connected to Link."

"Link, Your Grace?" Impa inquired. "Surely the lad can take care of himself."

Zelda averted her eyes and released a heavy sigh. "Ever since his friends' arrival, we've seen more chaos for the first time since we sealed the King of Evil away. I'm not disagreeing with you, Impa, but these aren't monsters – we're talking about women that can't get along and are after the same man, one of which are dabbling in dark sorcery. We can't afford to leave things be. Not as long as they are around."

The large oaken door opened and slammed just as quickly shut with an audible slam before it was safely locked, allowing Link to catch a breather. He staggered over to the bed and fell onto his back, arching into the soft duvet with a groan.

"This is much harder than I thought. I was certain those fawning imbeciles wouldn't question Link if he told them directly."

The young Hylian sat up and rolled his shoulders with an audible ´crack´ before he got up and stepped in front of the full-body mirror on the opposite end of the room. His lips curled into a devious grin as azure eyes momentarily flashed fire-yellow.

/The Hero of Time fell to his knees against the cobblestone pathway, struggling in vain to escape an unseen and ethereal being. Whoever – or whatever – this was, it was overswarming his senses and his body began to feel numb. Sound was drowning out into complete silence and his vision began to darken, as if a thick black mist was curtaining his eyes whilst his mind was swiped blank.

´What… is… happening…´

"Do forgive me, dear," a voice suddenly pleaded in his head – a familiar voice that sent a small chill down Link's spine, had he not been numb all over. "But while I would've loved to gain dominance over your body in an entirely different way, this will have to do for now."

As his consciousness was drained – as if he was falling asleep – one name came to the young hero's mind before he fell into the engulfing darkness; ´V-Veran…´

Link's body remained still and loose for a moment, just sitting there on his knees, until fingers and joints began to twitch gradually before fully moving.

Joints cracked softly and Link rose to his feet. He staggered at first, swaying from side to side until proper footing was to be found, then straightened his back with a loud pop.

"Aahhh…"

Eyelids opened to reveal a slight yellow/auburn glint in otherwise azure orbs, and usually smiling lips were thinned and curving into a wicked smirk. "I had expected a bit more resistance… but then again, it's me we're talking about. The possession worked like a charm."

Link – now possessed by Veran – took a look around. The garden was peacefully quiet.

"Now, where should I go first?" She pondered, stroking her – his – chin as she did, her expression twisting into a scowl. "…That harlot with silver hair… I've got a bone to pick with her. And I'll deal with her young friend as well while I'm at it."

As Veran turned to leave, she staggered; it felt uncomfortable and a bit unusual to even walk properly with these clothes, and this body.

…And yet, the sensation of actually feeling Link's body to a 100% made the shadow sorceress simpering. The toned physique, the muscles, the difference in height-

…And his appendage between his legs, rubbing against the soft confinement of the underpants.

´ Well now…What do we have here?´

Temptation arose and Veran's mind was rendered blank, her plan put on hold for now. Dared she explore what this new body had to offer?

Her smile grew wicked and lewd.

A rough hand reached down, touching the slight bulge that was barely beginning to show underneath the tunic. The simple gesture sent a slight jolt of pleasure through her newly acquired body-/

"Oh, yes. I had forgotten about that."

Veran – possessing Link's body – began to remove the green tunic as well as the cap before starting to unbutton the plain white shirt. Wicked mirth shined in her eyes and lips curled into a flirty smile as more and more toned skin became exposed in front of her. Link had a physique that made her – hell, any woman's – mouth water, and as much as she could stare at the Hylian's body all day, there was something else the Sorceress of Shadows had in mind…

Veran's eyes wandered downwards until she came upon Link's groin, her eyes now hungry with the idea of prospecting that particular area of her saviour's – and one-time enemy's – body.

"About time I get a glimpse of what you'll be offering me…"

Her hand had just managed to fondle his appendage through the fabric when her door was knocked upon, startling Veran to the point that she staggered backwards. "Who's there?!"

"It's me, Link," came the reply and the sorceress immediately knew – Zelda. "Can I come in?"

´Better try and play the role for this one… tch.´ "Of course. Let me just unlock the door…"

"You're keeping it locked? That's unusual," the princess remarked as she was let inside, along with her Sheikah attendants much to Veran's displeasure. "A new habit?"

"I suppose so," "Link" replied. "So what brings you here, Zelda? I'm still, uhm… thinking about earlier."

"Oh, I see," the blonde replied. "My apologies for disturbing you, then. But I wished to discuss something dire." Zelda paused before continuing. "I felt a… presence earlier. There was something ominous about it, and it disappeared just as quickly as it came… Did you notice anything?"

´Did my possession give off that much of an aura?´ "Can't say I have…"

Zelda nodded. "I see. Well, as long as you're aware-"

"WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS THAT PHILANDERING WHELP?!"

The group turned towards the door; several voices were shouting, though only one stood out as a form of spearhead that was leading them towards Link's room with such animosity in her voice that it startled them.

"What's with the ruckus?!" Impa shouted back, steadfast as always, only to be met by more shouting and louder yelling.

"Is that Miss Valentine?" Zelda asked. "What caused her mood to become so foul?"

Veran's teeth gritted. ´Damnation… Why now?´

"There he is!" Ivy yelled as she stormed inside the room and past the older Sheikah attendant and grabbing Link by the collar of his shirt. "You've got quite the nerve to just run off like that after saying such heartless things, Link!"

"Hold on, Miss Valentine!" Impa seized Ivy by the wrist, forcing her to let go of the young Hylian. "What are you talking about? What did the lad do?"

"Unhand me!" the pale-haired noblewoman demanded. "As for him, he claims that he's going to marry that horrific, teal-skinned witch!"

All eyes – widened and appalled – were on Link. While most looks were of anxious and spiteful nature, the sheer volume of bafflement from the Sheikah's and the princess only added to the sorceress' pressure.

Veran was backed into a corner.

"So the cat's out of the bag, huh?" Link stated with a semi-confident smirk as he crossed his arms. "What can I say? She stole my heart the moment I laid my eyes on her."

"That can't be…" Sheik said. The young Sheikah woman was almost trembling, her hands clenched into fists. "You can't have become enamoured by her – after what we did earlier-!" She quickly caught herself, cursing inaudibly at her error as attention (swiftly) shifted over to the former alter-ego of the princess.

"After what you two did, you say?" Aveil's voice was venomous. "I'd like to hear that story."

"I'm not obligated to discuss anything, Gerudo."

"You arrived shortly after I was talking with Link," Sophitia quickly chimed in, meeting Sheik's eyes with a dark look. "And it was…" She gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. "It was right after that that you arrived a bit later and Link didn't come for lunch!"

"Hmph."

"You're even more of a thief than me," Aveil spat. "And now you've scared him right into that woman's arms!"

"I've done no such thing."

The British noblewoman scoffed. "And we are supposed to believe that, right after what Sophitia has told us? Pray tell, what else are you hiding from us? I knew I couldn't trust you people!"

It spiralled out of control. Insults and accusations were flung left and right, threats were made, and the Hylian Princess was losing control over the situation – it was chaos, and it was spreading like a wildfire.

And on the inside, Veran was mad with joy.

´Why don't you just draw your weapons and complete the circle – kill each other!´

"Are you taking joy in this, Link?"

Link, startled, jolted backwards as the flaxen-haired regent stepped closer with a frown. "W-What? No, of course not, princess…"

"You had the look of a brigand who'd just found his loot just now," Zelda continued. "Your friends are on the verge of fighting and you're enjoying this?"

´Damnation…!´ "T-That's a horrid accusation, Zelda! I would never-!"

"Link, whom I spoke with earlier, was beyond himself with doubt! Just who are you?"

"What kind of q-question is that?! You can see perfectly clear-"

"You're not Link," Zelda stated loud enough to silence the room in seconds. "You look like him, but I know the real Link. So who are you?"

"Tch. Have you lost your marbles? I'm Link – I just made up my mind and went with the obvious choice."

"There was nothing obvious when we last talked," the female Hylian remarked. Her azure eyes narrowed – focused – and she extended her right hand towards the hero as it began to faintly glow. "And now you're all for marriage? Speaking of which, where is your bride?"

Link blanched. "I… My guess would be in her room-"

"You would think she'd be here to share the news." Zelda paused. "No, in truth, you're a bad actress, Veran."

Before Link could even utter a single word, the glow grew brighter – its shine akin to that of a miniature sun – and the flash shot straight into the Hero of Time, whose scream turned several pitches higher to the confusion and astonishment of the women.

The light, though blinding, revealed a silhouette – flickering like a candlelight and as ebon as the night – hovering above Link's body. Its eyes were baleful and yellow and though it lacked a set of lips, its shriek was ear-piercingly loud.

"NO!"

"You're the only one who would sink so low, especially after having witnessed your earlier actions, Veran. If you're going to possess someone, at least act the part."

The Sorceress of Shadows, now in her physical form, fell to the floor, gasping for air. And the sight of her set the whole room in an uproar.

"You're saying that this witch was possessing Link?!"

"And to think I thought she couldn't sink any lower!"

The sorceress barely managed to get up on her feet; you could tell from the naked eye alone that her body was weakened, drained of energy, at least for the moment, and Zelda knew it.

"I am not as forgiving as Link, Veran," she said, her voice sharp and cold. "Your actions towards the Hero of Time and the land of Hyrule are a crime that I can't turn a blind eye to – you're a threat, as much as Link would like to think otherwise, and I cannot risk the safety of my kingdom anymore."

Was this it? Would this be the final judgement? Everyone was silent, waiting (hoping) for the verdict to come, to remove the villainess from the kingdom and to a further extent, Link's life.

One rival less.

"In the name of the Goddesses that shaped this world, I hereby-"

And that's when it happened; though weak and dry, a familiar voice called out; "Don't…"

"Link!" the princess exclaimed, her face now ridden of its previous dark look and instead sporting a beaming smile. "Are you alright?"

"I'll manage…" he replied, grunting. "But… don't hurt her…"

Zelda paled at the request. "Link, I cannot-"

"I know, but… Ugh." He winced in his attempt to get up. "I have something… something to talk to you about. Until then… please…"

"…Impa, Sheik. Escort Veran back to her room, in shackles."

The older Sheikah sighed. "As you will, Your Grace."

As the Hero of Time was escorted out by his entourage of suitors, he mulled things over with what little strength and consciousness that remained.

`I know now what I have to do…´

To be continued.