A/N: I bet you weren't expecting another chapter so soon! That's ok, neither was I. I just got so excited that this came through in just a few days.


Portrait of the Self


Link remained curled up in that spot for some time, plagued by anxious thoughts. But a flicker of movement in the corner of his vision was enough to eventually snap him out of it. As he watched, the poe's flame rose just a few feet into the air, and then began to drift away, passing through the door behind the stage. Link carefully climbed to his feet, sniffling, and gathered up his things, following the flame through the door.

He passed through a long hall, following the fire in silence. It passed through another door, leading him back to a familiar room.

He was standing on an overhang, overlooking the big room with the unlit torches. One of those torches was lit now, a red-orange flame flickering gently. As he watched, the green flame he'd followed drifted through the room, stopping atop one of the torches.

On the far side of the room, a door flew open, creaking on its hinges. Mido came rushing through, looked around, and then headed towards the center. Link decided to jump down and join him.

Leaping from his perch, he landed with a roll, hearing Mido cry out in alarm as he swooped from above. The Kokiri let out a relieved sigh a few seconds later upon recognizing him.

"Don't spook me like that!" He called out indignantly. "I thought you were another poe out to kill me in revenge or something!"

Link couldn't help but laugh, giggling a bit at that. Before he could say anything, however, he caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye. A blue flame had entered the room now, slowly drifting through another door. The door creaked open not even a moment later. Skull Kid emerged and - catching sight of Link and Mido - waved one hand before rushing over, passing the flame in the process.

"Hey guys! You would not believe the day I've been having."

Mido rolled his eyes. "I think we can get a pretty good idea. Let me guess, a poe?"

Skull Kid waved a hand dismissively. "Aw, that's no fun, way to ruin the surprise."

Relieved to see his friend, Link began to look the two over, then suddenly let out a surprised gasp, pointing a hand at Skull Kid. "Skully! Your hand!"

The skull kid looked down on the blackened wood. "Oh, this? It's nothing, don't worry about it!"

"Don't worry about it? How am I supposed to not worry about it?"

"It'll heal with time," Skull Kid replied, waving his good hand dismissively. "Anyways, did either of you happen to come across Saria?"

Mido shook his head. "Only fakes."

Link shook his head too, thinking back to his encounter. He quickly pushed it out of his mind, not wanting to think about the creature that had tried to turn him evil again. How did it even know about his medallion? Had it been listening in since they entered, maybe?

"Well… there's still places to look," Mido said, turning back towards the edge of the room. "There's still a couple doors left to check out, right?"

Skull Kid nodded. "Guess so. So, what are we standing around for?"

Link turned his head to look out towards the outer edge. Then looked back to the torches. One was still unlit, and he couldn't help but wonder the importance of that.

Something moved out of the corner of his eye.

Link whipped his head to the side. He swore he caught a glimpse of purple light. But it was already gone.

"Which door should we go through? I say right seems like the best one to check out first."

"No way!" Skull Kid said. "We should work from the left first."

"Um… Guys?"

"The left? No way, that's close to where the poes were. I say we try somewhere away from there."

"Aw, why? Are you afraid of one little poe?"

"Have you ever seen poes like these?"

"Guys!"

When Link raised his voice, the two finally turned their heads, looking at him in unison.

Link took a deep breath. "I… I don't think we're alone right now."

The two just stared at him.

"What? Did I say something weird?"

No, they weren't staring at him, they were staring at something behind him. Slowly, he turned his head.

From the sound of things, the first three flames had been held by poes, each wielding a different color.

It only made sense that there would be a fourth.

Link yelped and sprang back as the poe approached slowly, menacingly, and methodically, holding a torch with a flame as purple as worn garbs draped over her shadows.

In response, she cackled, a sound that sent chills down the three boys' spines.

"Ehh he he, so it was you then! You three took down my sisters. How quaint."

Mido gulped. Link shivered. Skull Kid stepped forward defiantly.

"So what if we did? What are you going to do about it?"

The poe laughed again. "Oh, how feisty! If you must know, I was planning on killing you, for daring to hurt my sisters. But I feel our boss would be disappointed by that, oh so disappointed. He's always scouting spirits and monsters like you, creatures looking to pick a fight."

She snapped and the flame of her torch seemed to grow just a bit brighter. "Perhaps we can strike a deal. If you agree to join us, I'll let you live. Anyone who agrees to serve master Ganondorf will be spared his wrath."

Skull Kid seemed unphased. Mido gulped again and stepped forward.

"You… You better start explaining!"

"With pleasure," the phantom said, sweeping forward in an arc.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Meg, the eldest of the poe sisters and servant of Ganondorf. We have guarded this temple for centuries. I used to be the high priestess here, serving Farore, the goddess of courage. But she abandoned us, leaving us as listless spirits trapped in this decrepit temple. Until Ganondorf called out and redeemed us, giving us a second chance.

"As the wielder of the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf is by far the most powerful man in the world. He's conquered Hyrule, defeated the Gorons, ensnared the Zora. The desert to the west is under his control, and the forest is nearly ours. He struck a deal with those of us that dwell in the temple, you see. Join him, and you'll be rewarded with power and safety."

She meandered forward. Link flinched as she placed a single, shadowy finger on his chest. "I believe one of you has already become a member of our ranks. Yes, I feel that mark on you, dear boy."

Link's voice came out as a squeak. "I didn't agree to anything!" he snapped, swatting her hand away. "He attacked me."

She drifted back to get a better look at him. "Oh, really now? And yet, the mark remains. I wonder, will you really be able to stand against him in the end?"

Skull Kid stepped in front of Link. "Oh, why don't you just go away. We have no need for your deal, or whatever it was."

The poe sighed. "How... unfortunate. I was hoping that you'd come along quietly. But it looks like you may need some convincing."

She snapped her fingers, vanishing at once. A moment later, she reappeared; but she wasn't alone. Now, four Megs stood in a row at the ready, staring down the trio. "Well, last chance, you can join us, or I will strike you down."

Mido stepped forward, pulling out his sword. "You... your master killed our father – the Deku Tree – then took our home and twisted it into a never-ending nightmare. Put Saria - put everyone in danger. I will never join the likes of you!"

The spirit laughed an ugly laugh, the sound reverberating in the chamber. "Well then... if you won't join, I have no use for you. You can join the spirits in the afterlife!"

At once, all four poes rushed forward. Mido screamed, lashing out at one of them. It disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What- AUGH!" Mido cried out as the torch struck his arm, sending him sprawling backwards. The other two poes vanished in similar smoke when they made contact, and the real poe vanished a few seconds later.

Mido let out a whimper as Skull Kid pulled him to his feet, looking at a nasty red welt that had formed where the fire had made contact with his skin.

"Only one of them is real!" Ren cried out, popping out of Mido's hat before rising up into the air out of the way of battle. He continued calling down to the trio. "You have to figure out which one is real, and strike that one!"

"Yeah, I got the idea," Mido grumbled. But he moved to stand back to back with Skull Kid, Link joining them to form a triangle as the poe and her duplicates reappeared, surrounding the boys and beginning to spin.

Skull Kid reached for his flute. "Pick one and take a shot!" he called out before raising the flute to his mouth, shooting out a dart. One of the four poes disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Link began to reach for the Master Sword, but a jolt through his body made him decide otherwise, and instead he reached for his new bow, fumbling to get an arrow ready.

Mido had sheathed his sword, reaching instead for the borrowed slingshot. "Ranged attacks seem to be the best idea!" he announced, letting loose a shot. The small seed hit a poe right between the eyes, making it vanish in another puff.

Link stood straight, pulling back an arrow, and released. But he hadn't pulled strongly enough.; the arrow seemed to wobble in the air. Fortunately, it was just enough to make contact with one of the poes, proving it, too, to be a fake.

That left only one, she rushed towards Skull Kid, leading with the fire.

He let loose a dart and hit her in the face.

The poe let out a startled noise and stopped in her tracks.

Mido took the opening opportunity, rushing forward with his sword drawn. He thrust forward jabbing into her cloak. She let out a pained scream before making an attempt to strike back at him.

"Look out!" Link called out.

Mido glanced back for just a fraction of a second before springing out of the way. As soon as he was clear, Link let loose an arrow. This time, he had pulled it back propperly. The arrow whizzed through the air and drove through the poe, striking the spirit right between the eyes.

Meg stopped in her tracks, her eyes flickering. Slowly, she lowered her arms to her sides. Then the torch slipped out of her hand, clattering to the ground.

"I... can't believe it," she said. There was silence for a moment.

And then she screamed. Flames began to flow up her body, burning and sparking and crackling.

And then she stopped screaming, jerking her head to look at the three boys. "Oh, how cruel you've been. Cruel indeed. But it matters little. In the end, Ganondorf will claim what is rightfully his. And you'll regret not joining him then!"

With one final burst of flame and light, she was gone, leaving nothing but the small purple flame in her place.

None of the boys said anything for a moment, silently looking between the place where she had been and between each other.

Mido was the first to break the silence. "So... now what? We still don't know where Saria is."

"Actually," Link said quietly, barely above a whisper, "I think I have an idea."

Skull Kid and Mido moved closer to Link, looking at him expectantly. "Well, Spit it out!"

"The... thing. The poe I fought said something about Saria being in the depths of the temple. Do you think they meant deep inside? Or is there maybe a basement?"

Mido brought a hand up to his chin. "Good question. Has anyone seen a way into a basement, or anything like that?"

Both skull kids shook their heads. "Nope," Skull Kid said.

"Then I guess deep it is. So... which door do we go through first?"

"Hold on," Ren said, coming down from his safe spot far above where the battle had taken place. "I think we should check something first. Look over there."

He pointed back towards where Meg had fallen. There, the flame had risen up, and was now drifting back towards the torch in the center of the room. Cautiously, the boys watched as it came to a stop.

The torch flickered to life.

As soon as it had ignited, there was a slight rumbling, and a grinding noise. They watched as in the center the unusual tile they had noticed before began to rise. Four pillars emerged from underneath. The movement stopped after a small platform reached the top.

"I think we just found our way down," Ren mumbled.

Skull Kid moved first, marching right over to the platform. He held off on standing on it, however, looking back expectantly at the other two.

Mido hesitated for just a few seconds before rushing over. Ren followed just behind him, protesting and reminding him of the dangers that they might face below.

Link was the last to move. First, he fiddled with his bow, trying to put it up but he realized how hard and slow it was with his shield in the way. Only then did it occur to him just how heavy all his equipment had become. After a second of hesitation, he dropped the heavy shield, letting it fall to a ground with a clatter. How often had he used it, anyways?

Then he moved to join the other two. That was one weight off his shoulders at least, but he still had so many more sitting in the back of his head. He pushed them aside for the moment, however. He had a friend to find.

As one, they all stepped onto the platform, squeezing into the small space. Once all their weight was on it, it began to slowly fall, drifting down deeper into the temple. The bit of sunlight filtering through the glass panes couldn't reach down here, leaving them with nothing but the light from Ren and the two skull kids' eyes to guide them.

The elevator brought them to a round, empty chamber. The marble floors made their footsteps echo as they stepped down. Slowly they took a look around. Laying on the side of the wall, Link pointed out the scattered remains of a skeleton. Near it, vines that had grown along the wall had wrapped around parts of the skeleton, and a few pices that had been cut free wilted nearby. They shared a look with each other.

"Stalfos?" Mido asked.

"Probably," Skull Kid replied.

Finally, they caught sight of an exit. Blue carpet heralded them through an open doorway and down a hall.

Several paintings lined the walls, each with an ornate gold frame. But these forest dwellers had no appreciation for the fine arts. At least, not right now, not with their minds on their friend.

At the end of the hall was a set of stone doors. They had been carved with beautiful designs, and though the paint was faded and flecked, they still held their gold color in places. Here, the group paused for a moment.

Ren spoke up. "I... sense something beyond these doors," he admitted. "But I can't tell if it's something good or bad."

"Can't tell?" Skull Kid huffed. "Isn't that supposed to be your whole fairy thing, sensing evil or something?"

"I don't know what I don't know! Ren replied. "For all I know, they could be masking their intentions with magic. It is possible.

Skull Kid huffed but did not argue further. "Well, who cares. We're going to go looking for Saria either way, so come on, time's a wasting!"

Ren sighed, but did not argue any further. Mido offered his hand out to the fairy, who gratefully landed on it.

Then all three boys stepped forward and pushed with their shoulder, grunting with effort as they forced one of the doors open.

The doors opened into a swtariway wrapping around the edge of a round room. Mido, after a second of hesitation, drew his sword and took the lead, slowly and carefully making his way forward.

Link and Skull Kid followed just behind, Link anxiously reaching for the bow while Skull Kid held his flute.

The stairwell curved around the wall for a while. But as they neared the top, only bronze bars and red rope kept someone from hopping from the floor and onto the stairwell. Mido's stomach twisted in a knot as he neared the top. The room was better lit than anywhere else in the temple, torches on the wall illuminating a set of old, worn paintings. As he reached the top of the stairs, he squeezed his eyes shut for just a moment, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes again to take in the room.

And found exactly who he was looking for.

"Saria!" Mido called out. He bounded up the last couple of steps and rushed over to the Kokiri.

She sat on her knees in the center of the room with her back to the stairs. When she heard the group rushing in, she tilted her head up before twisting around to get a better look.

Link and Skull Kid rushed up the last of the steps, but before they could approach Saria, Mido held a hand out to stop them.

"Hey, what gives?" Skull Kid protested.

"Hold on. I need to be sure." Mido raised his voice to address Saria. "I need to know. Before you left for the temple, what was the last thing we talked about?"

Saria tilted her head, then stood, pausing for a moment to dust off her clothes before speaking. "Oh, you made a promise to keep people away from the temple, to keep them safe. Or something close to that. Right, Mido?"

Mido let out a relieved sigh and lowered his weapon. "Oh, thank goodness, it really is you. You would not believe the day I've been having."

"Ahem..."

The Kokiri glanced back to look at Skull Kid, who waved his injured hand indignantly. "The day. we've been having."

While the kids began to chat, Ren fluttered over to Saria's fairy, quietly conversing with her. Saria, meanwhile, carefully looked over the trio of boys, noting Skull Kid's burnt hand, and Mido's bruises and scrapes.

"Oh, goodness, did you have some trouble in the front of the temple? I thought for sure there were no monsters left."

"You could say that," Mido grumbled. But then he let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his head. "Oh, it's fine though, I'm just glad to see you're safe."

Saria smiled sweetly, tilting her head just a bit to the side. "It's good to see you all too. It's been far too long. I'm sorry I left on such short notice, but Link, when we last talked. You seemed so scared. I figured it must be urgent for me to get here."

Link averted his gaze slightly, running his hands along the wooden part of the bow. "Did I? I'm... sorry, I don't really remember."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as the group tried to think of something to say. Skull Kid was the first to speak up, much of the awkwardness lost on him.

"Soooo... Are ya gonna come back now that we found you?"

Another pause, then Saria laughed lightly. "Oh, Skull Kid. I'd love to! But I can't leave just yet. I think there's something I need to do here first."

Mido spoke up next. "Like... what?"

A perplexed frown crept its way onto Saria's face. "Well... I'm not sure, actually. I know I need to do something though. I can feel it. I just... can't figure out what."

Link considered for a moment, thinking back to his encounters with Rauru and Sheik. Then it hit him. "Oh! I think I have an idea!"

All eyes turned to Link. "You do?" Saria, Skull kid, and Mido said in unison.

Link nodded in response and turned to reach into his bag, fishing out the Ocarina of Time.

Saria let out a quiet gasp. "Oh, what a lovely ocarina, Link. Where did you get it?"

Link paused, trying to think back. But all he came up with was fuzz and a pounding headache.

A gift.

"I... think it was a gift?"

You found it

"Or... maybe I found it?" He paused to bring a hand up to his head, grumbling.

Saria frowned. "Is everything okay?"

You're doing great.

"I'm... Doing fine, thanks."

The Kokiri stared for a long moment, but eventually relented, letting out a sigh. "If you're certain, Link. So, what was the idea that you were talking about?"

"Oh, right."

Wait.

Link forced himself to ignore the slight flare of pain in his chest. "Sheik told me to play a song for you."

"Who's Sheik?"

"Some weird adult that followed us in the forest," Skull Kid answered. "I don't trust him."

"Well, he did give us that potion," Mido pointed out. "He can't be all bad."

"That's how they getcha," Skull Kid replied with a grumpy huff. "They give you gifts to try and gain your trust. And then they tell you that you can't play pranks anymore and try to punish you if you do. And they'll turn on you at a moment's notice!"

Saria blinked. "That... might be reaching a little. Are you okay?"

"I'm great! Amazing! All I'm saying is be careful about trusting him. Okay?"

"I... guess that's fair... Though if he's helped you before, he's probably okay. You have to remember that Hylians are different. They grow up. But they were kids once, too."

"Um..." Link started, raising a hand to try and get their attention, but no one noticed.

"Yeah, yeah and they forget all about it."

"Hey," Link tried again, speaking a bit louder.

"But adults also get really busy all the time and will just forget about you and tell you to go play alone."

Giving up on being heard, Link instead brought the ocarina to his mouth, experimentally blowing a couple notes as he tried to recall the song Sheik taught him.

The discussion in the room died away, all eyes turning to Link.

Link ignored the stares, instead letting himself become lost in the music. A slow, steady melody came from the ocarina. In some ways, the song felt playful and lighthearted. But at the same time, there was a sense of majesty to it. Saria took a step closer, a slight expression of surprise and confusion on her face.

It was more than just a song; the notes spun a tale of the forest, of the playful creatures that lived there, but also of the power woven into the very essence of the forest.

Link's music grew louder and louder as he relaxed. For a moment, while he played the minuet of forest, all was right with the world. He felt like he was back home, playing music with Skully. Climbing to the top of the trees to watch the clouds drift by. Following the fairies back to their fountain. Dancing late into the night.

But eventually the song came to an end. As the last note rang in the air, Link looked up to see everyone staring, transfixed by the music. But by far, the person with the most interesting reaction was Saria. While the others looked impressed and perhaps wistful, Saria looked blank. Or if anything, she seemed shocked. Slowly Link raised a hand to wave in front of her.

The Kokiri blinked a couple times, then shook her head to clear it. "Oh, Link!" She seemed troubled for just a moment, then smiled. "That was lovely. I..." She paused, frowning again. "I think I understand why you wanted me to come here, now."

She turned to look at Skull Kid and Mido. "Sorry to make you come here for nothing, but... I think I need to stay."

Mido stepped forward. "You mean... you're not coming back?"

Saria shook her head.

Skull Kid stepped forward now, hands clenched into fists. "Why not? Why can't you come back?"

She let out a sigh. "Sorry, I just can't. Not yet, at least. There's something I have to do here. But... Would you three stay with me for just a bit longer?"

"Of course we will!" Mido said quickly, looking to Link and Skull Kid for support. In response, Link nodded, while Skull Kid said nothing and turned away. He made no move to leave, however.

Saria flashed a grateful smile. "Thanks. Will all of you just... stay right in here?" She turned, taking several steps until she was at the edge of the raised floor. For a moment, she stared up at one of the paintings in front of her and said nothing.

"I think I understand now, why the Deku Tree always shared so much with me. Do you think he knew? That I'd be destined to come here some day?"

Mido tilted his head, brow furrowing. "Destined... to come here?"

Saria clasped her hands together but did not turn around. "When Link played his song, I was reminded of the forest. Of all the wonderful things here. But also of how hurt it is. And... And I heard a voice. A voice that told me I can fix everything. All I had to do was listen."

She paused again before moving to sit down, letting her legs dangle over the edge. "I don't know why... but I trust that voice. And even if it ends up being nothing, I have to see if it's true. Tali, will you help me meditate?"

Saria's fairy turned from where she was conversing with Ren, jingling as she fluttered over to Saria. "Of course, Saria. Remember, take deep breaths." She paused, turning to the others. "And all of you, please stay quiet. It'll make it easier for Saria to focus. Okay?"

Each of the boys nodded in turn. Skull Kid moved to sit down on the floor while Mido stepped back to the top of the stairs so he could lean against the wall. Link found himself uncertain what to do, feeling a bit anxious as he watched Saria take slow, deep breaths. Was this how a sage was awakened? Was he done here? After a moment, he decided to sit down beside Skull Kid.

The other forest spirit gave him a curious look.

"Is this what's supposed to happen?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, Link replied. "This is the first time I've done this."

Skull Kid stared at him for a moment, then looked back over to watch Saria for a while.

"You're leaving after this, aren't you?" he suddenly said, voice quiet and sullen.

Link turned his gaze downwards. "I don't want to, but I have to. I'm sorry."

Again, Skull Kid went quiet for a few minutes. "All my friends always leave. You, Saria, and everyone else."

Turning his head, Link gave Skull Kid a worried glance. "You always talk the other friends you had before we met," Link said. "Do I know them?"

Skull Kid shook his head. He leaned forward slightly, tracing shapes in the floor. "No, they're... They're not from the forest. I doubt you'll ever meet them. The last time I saw them... They... I... They were upset with me. Told me I had to leave. I'd never seen them so angry. After that... I didn't have any friends for a long time."

Link was silent for a long moment, listening to Skull Kid's story intently.

"Skully, I... I want to stay so badly. But I can't. Not right now."

"I know... but..." Skull Kid paused, clenching his hands into fists. "Did you even think about me when you were gone? You quit talking, you never came back. I just thought that... That you abandoned me."

Without thinking about it, Link suddenly leaned over to wrap his arms around Skull Kid's chest, pulling him into a hug.

"Skull Kid, you're my best friend. I'd never abandon you!"

He could feel the older spirit's body tremble ever-so-slightly in his embrace.

"I know you've said it before," Skull Kid began, his breath hitching just a little, "but it's nice to hear it again."

The two sat for a moment, listening to the silence of the room. Then Link remembered something and pulled away. "Oh, right! That reminds me." He pulled his arms away reaching into his bag to dig around. "I got you something a while back. I thought I'd be back sooner, but that didn't happen... but I got you this while I was traveling around. I hope you like it..."

He wrapped his fingers around the cool, carved surface, and pulled out the skull shaped mask he'd stolen so long ago. It looked just as good as when he'd taken it.

"Here," he said, handing it to Skull Kid.

Wooden hands reached out to take the mask. Skull Kid turned it over a few times in his hands, inspecting the handiwork. "Wow, Link, I... This is really neat." Carefully, he brought it up to his face. His beak was just barely covered by the teeth of the mask. Amber eyes peeked out of the skull's eye sockets, and the odd horns managed to curve at just the right angle to not get in the way of the brim of his hat.

He took a moment to bring his hand up to his face, feeling the mask. "I'll have to get a look at my self later, but I think I like it!" He raised his hands up to try and strike a scary pose. "How do I look? Spooky? Scary?"

Link gasped in mock fear, then giggled, a smile spreading on his face. "Terrifying!"

Right now, Link wished things could stay like this moment, the two of them happy and laughing and just being themselves.

But fate couldn't allow that.

"Um, guys?" Mido said, interrupting their jovial mood. Link looked back to Mido and saw him pointing at something. He followed the direction Mido's hand was pointing, turning and tilting his head up slightly. In front of one of the paintings directly in front of Saria, some sort of rift had appeared, glowing a pale blue. It shimmered and wobbled in the air for a moment.

Then a hand emerged.

Link and Skull Kid both uneasily rose to their feet as an arm followed, then a torso. Then a leg. In seconds, an armored figure had emerged. One hand was empty. The other carried a wickedly long lance. He wore a mask as well, surprisingly similar to Skull Kid's new mask. But the horns on this mask were much longer, and it also happened to have an orange gem stuck in the forehead.

A feeling of dread crept into Link's stomach, yet his chest fluttered with excitement. His head pounded, anxiety setting in as he looked the figure over and realized he recognized him.

Ganondorf was here.

The figure floated in the air for several minutes, surveying the scene. It took note of Mido, who had stepped away from the wall now and drawn his weapon cautiously. It took note of Skull Kid, the creature wearing a mask like his and staring uneasily. It glanced back to the still-meditating Saria and her fairy, who had flown protectively in front of the young girl. And then finally its eyes settled on Link.

"I should have expected to find you here," Ganondorf said. "Perhaps this will make things easier."

Uneasily, Link reached for his bow as Ganondorf sized him up.

"Master Ganondorf has been looking for you, boy. Your disappearance was quite… disappointing."

For just a second, Link hesitated, lowering his now-drawn bow slightly. "Wait... I thought-"

The creature laughed. "You thought I was Ganondorf? How quaint. You flatter me so. But no, I'm not Ganondorf. Consider me a... phantom projection of his power. Now then."

He twirled the weapon in the air before lowering it threateningly towards Link. "Are you going to come back easy, or will I have to use force?"

Come back...

Link winced as he felt something in his chest constrict. But he stood his ground, raising the bow once again. "No way I'm coming back!"

The phantom Ganondorf stared for a moment. "A shame. But I suppose it was inevitable. Very well." He rolled his shoulders for a second, then rushed forward towards Link.

Link yelped and released the arrow. But he didn't get a chance to see if it connected. He was knocked off his feet by a powerful blow and heard something rip.

As he looked up, he felt his chest constrict again. And then it burned. And the burning spread. He was burning. He felt like he was burning.

Come back to me.

He let out a pained gasp.

He could hear someone calling his name, but they sounded distant, his ears ringing. Hands scraped against the cold marble floors. Were they his hands? Had he dropped to the floor? His vision blurred, all while a voice continued to whisper in his ear.

Give in, and I will give you power

Why did you leave?

Did that cruel, cruel man take away all your power?

You are mine.

The world has been cruel to you, hasn't it? If you behave, I'll give you a way to get revenge.

Link tilted his head up, trying to focus on the floating phantom above him. It made no motion to attack for a moment, watching him curiously while hovering just out of reach of Mido's sword.

And in one hand Link's bag hung loosely, the strap broken. His bag. His stuff.

The medallion.

"No!" Link tried to call out. But it came out choked.

You don't need that anymore, the voice whispered.

But it's mine, Link thought hazily. I do need it.

You can have it back later, the voice promised. All you have to do is... behave.

Behave

Behave

Relax

Give in

Behave

Link watched as the phantom carelessly tossed aside his bag towards the stairway, contents scattering and clattering down the steps.

Then he stood, slow and unsteady, and pulled out his bow.


The next chapter, Blight, should drop by December 6th, but may not drop in November as I'll be investing my time in writing for NaNoWriMo.