New chapter time!


Chapter 2: Last Hopes and Nightmares.


Link shot up awake panting for breath and covered in sweat. Chest rising and falling rapidly he quickly looks around to make sure he's not in that frozen wasteland. Confirming that he is still in his room in Telma's bar, he brings his hands up and rests his head in them as he works to steady his breathing and calm his frantic heart. It's not the first time he's awoken like this. During his quest to defeat Zant and save Hyrule from the twilight there were many nights when the burden of saving an entire kingdom got too heavy and his sleep would be plagued by nightmares. Back then his companion, Midna, had helped ease his worries by reminding him he's not alone and that whatever happens she'll be right by his side. Now he has to deal with them all alone, ever since Midna went back to the twilight realm and destroyed the mirror of twilight. The only known way to travel between the two worlds.

Ever since that day he's been having odd 'nightmares'. Before they were just quick scenes of running past trees, trekking across an impossibly scorching and endless sea of a desert, standing on an ancient and oddly familiar flying island above a vast sea of clouds, or facing down shadowy monsters, too walking down the halls of a mysterious temple. They only happened a few times a week for the first three months. Now over the last four weeks they have been getting more frequent to almost daily, and much more detailed. With this one being the most vivid and clearest. shaking his head, he looks around the room to help focus. trying to take his mind off the nightmare he takes note of the space.

The room he rented from Telma was about an average size square room. Looking to his left he sees the door that goes out into the hallway that leads to the other rooms on this floor. On the right of it sits the desk piled with the books and scrolls he's been spending many a late night looking through. The wall on the other side of the door holds a chest to lock up his valuables, a clock rests on a shelf above it. On the wall directly opposite of that one is the door that goes to the bathroom. To the right of it sat in the corner is a basic light brown wardrobe that is currently holding his green hero's tunic and hat. On the last wall is his bed, a regular twin size with the end he lays his head on up against the wall, dark brown sheets and a white pillow adorn it. Right by it is an end table. At the foot of the bed is the window that looks out over the Castle Town square, but with the black drapes pulled closed only a small beam of light peaks through. Sitting under the window leaning against the wall is The Master Sword, with the Hylian Shield to the right of it, leaning against the bed frame. All of it sits on a floor of dark brown wood with gray stone walls surrounding it.

With one final shake of his head Link decides he's had enough time to calm down and that its time to get started on the day. Grabbing the blanket with one hand and throwing it to the side he stands up and heads to the bathroom. Opening the wood door, he sees that its floor and walls are switched. To the right sits the wooden bathtub, to the left is the stone sink and mirror, next to that is a wooden rack holding some towels. Walking over to the sink he waves his hand over the blue crystal on top of the pipe above the bowl, and water begins to fill the sink. It still amazes him that all of Castle Town has an internal water system. Nothing like this exists back in Ordon. Cupping his hands under the water he splashes his face a few times then looks in the mirror. His eyes are a little bloodshot and he's got light bags under them from the restless night, and his hair is a shaggy mess. Letting out a sigh he grabs a knife and begins to shave off the little patches of stubble that have grown.

As he does that he goes over his next move. 'The books I got from the public and royal library's all say the same thing: That the Mirror of Twilight was the only known way to get into the Twilight Realm. After two months of tearing through every book about portals and the Twilight Realm I can find, and spending two more months traveling around Hyrule looking through the old temples of the sages from the Hero of Times era, it's looking like there's only one way for me to be able to see her again'. Finishing up Link puts the knife off to the side, putting his hands on both sides of the sink he tilts his head down and lets out a sigh as he watches the water flow down the drain." If that truly is my last option, then I never will be able to be with her again." He says sadly. Standing upright he lightly smacks both cheeks with his hands and shakes his head. "No, don't start thinking like that!" he says to his reflection with a glare. "Just because I couldn't find anything else doesn't mean the others haven't had any luck." Link said with a not so small amount of hope in his voice. "We are supposed to meet in the bar later to go over anything they've found. So, no use getting discouraged. If Midna saw me like this, she'd kick my ass." He says with a small smile. turning off the water he goes over to the tub and waves a hand over the red crystal above to begin filling it to wash up for the coming day.

Unbeknownst to him, in the other room The Master Sword glows once with a faint pale blue light.


Coming out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and another drying his dark blonde hair, he looks at the clock to check the time. 'Eight thirty huh. we aren't supposed to meet in the bar for another hour.' He thinks. Setting the towel on his shoulders he walks over to the desk and lights one of the many candles. looking down at a single piece of parchment, his eyes scan over the writing on the page. On it is a list of places that might help him with his search to go back to The Twilight Realm. Already crossed out are the names of the many temples that dot the land of Hyrule. Taking a quill and dipping it in ink he crosses out the names of the two libraries. With that done only two things remain on the parchment. One being the resistance information network, and the other he doesn't want to think about. Finished with that he goes over to the wardrobe to get dressed.

Putting on his green hat he gives himself a once over. Dressed in his hero tunic with beige pants and brown boots he goes over to the wall with The Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Strapping both to his back he blows out the candle and exits his room.

The hallway for the rooms has a dark wood floor and stone walls the same as the rooms, with the path being just wide enough for two grown adults to walk side by side without bumping into one another. With two sets of stone steps on both ends, with one leading up to the third floor and the other one leading down to the first floor with more rooms and the bar on the ground level.

Walking down the steps into the bar Link takes a look around at the few patrons that are here this early. A hand full of mercenary's and town guards litter the tables. In the center of them is Jovani, still crying into his mug about his ex-girlfriend, all that's normal. What's not is someone sitting across from him, this person is wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled up, so that you can't see their face hiding in the shadow of it. 'Strange, Telma has a rule about hoods inside the bar.' Link thinks as he looks ahead to the women herself, behind the counter wiping out a mug. Walking over to her he passes behind Jovani and tries to get a peak under the stranger's hood, but he can't see anything, however the rest of the way to Telma he can feel eyes on him.

"Morning Sugar." Said Telma, a wide smile on her face as Link takes a seat at the bar. "Now, how is the great Hero, and most eligible bachelor in all of Hyrule doing this fine day!" She says with a smirk adorning her face.

Link shakes his head. "I'm fine Telma." He replies with a sheepish smile. Ever since he and Midna saved the kingdom from Zant and Ganondorf, his status as the 'Hero of Twilight' has been made public knowledge, much to his embarrassment. For the first Two weeks he couldn't go anywhere without a mob of people hounding him for one reason or another. Be it an autograph, or a fight to see if the new hero lives up to the legend. Not to mention all the marriage proposals from almost every noble house to wed their daughters, a lot of single young lady's as well as some men too. It got so crazy that princess Zelda herself had to step in and tell them all that anyone who continues to harass Link will be thrown into the dungeon for ten days, no exceptions. It pretty much stopped after that, and now he can walk around town without the threat of being mobbed again. Now it's just Telma and the other former resistance members who like to make fun of Link by reminding him of the whole incident.

'I should get Zelda a gift for doing that for me.' Link muses. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" Link says with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

"Not a chance in hell. Sorry honey." she says with a smirk that says she's not sorry. "With the reconstruction finally finished, your embarrassment is the best source of entertainment for me." After the invasion of the twilight, and the deaths of Zant and Ganondorf, the kingdom had begun the long process of rebuilding. Castle Town had worked tirelessly to repair the city and castle under the supervision of Impa and the Sheikah. Kakariko village and the Zora were hit the hardest. The survivors that fled were slow to return to the village, rebuilt it and morn those they lost. While the Zora and prince Ralis held a grand funeral for the late queen Rutela. The people in Ordon were the luckiest, there village being so far out in the countryside meant that it was little priority during the invasion, beyond the abduction of their children to keep the adults in line. Now that the danger had passed the chief of Kakariko, Renado, had procured a wagon and sent the young one's home. The children that returned to Ordon were not the same ones that left. Their experiences had changed them in one way or another. One brash and impatient boy learned to wait and watch for danger, his younger brother learned how to take charge and not let injustices take place. A young girl who only cared about material possessions, learned to care for others. One timid and frightened boy learned what it means to have courage and to save people. And with their new experiences they now work to make Ordon a better and safer village then it was before.

"So will it be your usual again today?" Telma asks, setting the mug in front of Link and getting to work.

"Yes please." Link replies and Telma begins filling the mug with milk. While she doses that Link once again takes notice of the eyes staring at him. Looking over his shoulder he stares at the cloaked figure out of the corner of his eye. Glancing toward the table he sees that the mysterious stranger hasn't moved. There still in the same position. Head tilted down at an angle to block any light so to not show the face, hands probably folded in the lap and plane black cloak with the frayed bottom closed so that the only part of the body Link could see were the black boots. Normally he's not too put off at people burning holes in the back of his head. When you kill two 'Gods' some people do become a bit apprehensive of you. But unlike those times he couldn't sense any kind of intent be it good or bad. Turning his head back around he decides to ask Telma about them.

"Hey Telma, what's the deal with the guy in the hood at Jovani's table?" Link inquiries as he takes the mug from her.

"'Guy in the hood?'" Telma repeats furrowing her brow in confusion as she brings her eyes up to the said table. "Link, honey." Telma begins slowly like she's trying to solve a puzzle. "There is just Jovani at that table, no guy in a hood."

"...What?" Link says in confusion as he looks back at the table and just as she said Jovani is there all alone, no mysterious stranger to be seen. "You're sure he didn't just get up and leave?" He asks Telma as he turns his head back around.

"Link, I've been down here all day, and not a single person has come in here with a hood on, they all know the rules. Much less sit with Jovani." Telma says with a shake of her head. Her face then gained a concerned motherly look and asked the worried hero. "How are those nightmares? Are you getting enough sleep?"

Shaking his head Link tries to focus on her question. "Still bad. And no, not really. Between looking through every book related to the Twilight Realm and the nightmares I haven't gotten very much sleep." He says with a sheepish smile while looking into his mug to avoid Telma's disapproving stare.

Right before Telma is about to tear into him about getting the proper amount of sleep (again) they hear a women's voice shout form the main door to Links left.

"Well, if it isn't the fairy boy!" Says a black-haired young woman in her early twenty's. "They let your kind in here now!? A smirk makes its way onto her face as she walks into the bar followed by two men.

"Ashei please, must you be so rude to him every time?" Said a light brown headed man with glasses in his mid-twenties.

"Come now Shad, we both know she's just still upset that Link beat her in their last duel." Laughs an older man in his mid-sixties with dark gray hair.

"Oh, stuff it Auru, nobody asked you!" Said Ashei with a light tint of red on her cheeks.

"Yes, and nobody asked you to make fun of Link's surname being Kokiri." Auru says with a smirk.

"Auru, Ashei, Shad, it's good to see you guys." Link intervenes before they get into a round of verbal sparring that will last at least an hour (again). Getting up from his seat he gives them all a quick handshake and asks the question he's been worrying about over the past two weeks ever since he asked them for help. "Have you guys found anything?" Link asks.

All three share a quick look between each other, a silent conversation taking place. Then Auru speaks up as he's glancing around the bar at the other patrons. "Let's discuss this at our table in private." He says as he begins to make his way over to the back room with the others following behind him.

"I'll have drinks for you guys in a moment." Telma says as she heads through the doorway behind the counter. But not be for shooting Link one more look that tells him he's not off the hook yet.


As the other three of sit down at the table Link goes over to pull the curtain closed so they can talk in complete privacy, with that done he goes to sit down as well. In his seat he notes the placement of the others, Auru is to his left with his elbows on the table and fingers laced together with his chin resting on them, Shad is right across form him flipping through a book while muttering some things under his breath, Ashei is to his right with one hand thrown over the back of the chair while the other is resting on the table while drumming her fingers on it, with her seat being a little closer to Shad he notes. Link sits with his back to the curtain and both arms resting on the table. Nobody talks for a few minutes and Link is too nervous to start the conversation. These three are pretty much the last hope he has to seeing Midna again. Noticing a sound of rustling fabric and some movement out of the corner of his eye, Link turns his head to the left but there's nobody there. Two heart beats later Telma walks into the small room with the others drinks and his mug a milk he forgot. Placing everyone's drinks down and receiving thanks from the four of them Telma heads back out to man the bar.

'Strange, I thought I heard the fluttering of a cape.'

Turning back around Link puts that thought out of his head. Taking a breath to brace himself, he clears his throat to get their attention, and addresses the behemoth in the room after they all drain about half their drinks. "I'm guessing by everyone's silence, that you guys have had as much luck as me."

They all stared down at their drinks hearing that.

Auru sighs and turns to face him. "I'm sorry Link, but are information network has come up with nothing about the Twilight Realm."

"Nobody we asked has even heard of it." Said Shad, not looking up to meet his eyes.

"Most of them thought we have gone crazy." Grumbles Ashei.

Link tilts his head down with a dejected look on his face. 'I had hoped they would find something, but it looks like it is truly hopeless. I'll never see Midna again.' Over the past two weeks he has been having them look for any information on the Twilight Realm with their network, even checking the other kingdoms around Hyrule.

Seeing the state the green clad hero is in, they all try to think of something to say to lift his mood.

Ashei leans forward to speak. "Hey common, it's not like we were your last lead. You said yourself that there was one more thing on the list, right? So, what was it?

Link didn't respond for a few moments. Slowly he begins to remove the glove on his right hand and speaks in a low voice. "After looking through nearly every book in both libraries and the temples of the sages. The only two ways I have found to get into the Twilight Realm were the Mirror of Twilight and the Triforce." Link looks at the back of his hand which has the mark of the three golden goddesses, with the bottom right triangle being a darker shade of brown then the other two, showing that the Triforce of courage rests within him. Bringing his hand up he shows the back to them. "But we don't know where the Triforce of Power went. After I killed Ganondorf, it did not come to me like it should have. Princess Zelda said that it either found a new host or it went back to the Sacred Realm. I had Rusl look into it, and nobody has been found with the piece, so it must have gone back. But the keys to open the door of time to get there were lost somewhere in the two centuries since The Hero of Time. So, I'm truly out of options now." He said looking back at the table.

"We are truly sorry Link. We know how much she means to you. But surely this isn't the end of it all? There's got to be something else right?" Said Auru hopeful.

"Don't worry Link I'm sure you will find a way. You have done the impossible before, why is this any different?" Shad said with a smile.

"YEAH, WHAT THE BOOK WORM SAID!" Yelled Ashei with a smirk of her own.

"Book worm?" Shad said under his breath.

Link lifts his head up and looks at his friends. Hearing the kind words they said, he remembers all the 'impossible' trials he went through on his journey, from freeing Hyrule from the blanket of twilight, to traveling across the scorching desert, frigid mountain, back in time, and to the sky itself. All leading up to when he faced and killed not one but two self-proclaimed gods. He didn't let anything stop him, not the hordes of monsters that where after his life, not the labyrinth like dungeons and the behemoth's at the ends of them. Not even Zant scattering the four mirror pieces to the ends of Hyrule and turning him into a wolf permanently could stop him.

He has let nothing stand in his way from achieving his goals from the beginning of all this, so why start now?

Letting a smile work its way onto his face Link speaks. "Thank you, guys. And your right, I'm not done yet. I will find a way to get back into the Twilight Realm, and I won't stop until I do. Even if it takes the rest of this life and my next one, I will see Midna again and nothing is going to stand in my way!" He says with a determined fire in his eye. The other three give a shout of agreement.

"So, what do we do next?" Said Ashei.

before Link can answer a clock rings out from somewhere in the bar and the four of them all look up at the sound.

"Well, it looks like we will have to continue this another time. I have a meeting to get ready for." Said Auru as he got up from the table.

"Ya and I have to report in to the general before the council meeting later." Said Ashei standing up as well. "What about you two?"

"I'm not too sure. I'll probably look over the books I have to see if I missed anything that can help me. But there is something I would like to speak with you about if you have time, Shad." Said Link.

"Certainly Link, I don't have to be back at the academy until tonight." Said Shad with a nod.

"Then we will leave you to it." said Auru as he and Ashei leave the back room.

After biding them both goodbye Link turns to Shad. "I had another nightmare." Link said cutting right to the chase.

Shad doesn't look too surprised at this, beyond the raising of an eyebrow.

"My, it must have been quite an ordeal then, for you to tell me about it this quickly. Ordinarily it takes some prodding on my end to get you to discuss them. So what happened?" He says giving Link his undivided attention.

"Your right, this time was much different." Leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms Link stairs at the roof as he recalls the dream. "Everything was so clear and so vivid. It was like I was there. I could feel the cold of the snow, the pounding of my heart, the exhaustion in my limbs, and the fear of being hunted down." And so, Link tells Shad everything that happened in the nightmare.

"...Well, that is definitely something." Shad says with a wide eyed look after about ten minutes of silence.

"Yeah, I know. So, can you help me figure out what it means?" Asked Link looking back at him, but he already knew the answer.

"I'm sorry Link, but again this is out of my field of expertise." Said Shad with a shake of his head. "Six unknown figures draped in shadow, a frozen forest that I have never heard about, and a sword that could spell doom for us all if they get it. All this is so different from when I was just researching the Ooccoo and the sky races."

Link lets out a sigh expecting that answer. It's the same one every time. As much as Shad wants to help, prophetic dreams are not his strong suit, but it does help him to talk about them with someone.

'And he should bring her up right about now.' He thinks.

"I know you don't like me saying this, but I really think you should go see Princess Zelda about these dreams. She is the leading expert on the mind in all of Hyrule after all, and these nightmares seem to be getting worse." Shad says taking a sip of his mug.

It's true, Shad has been trying to get Link to go see the princess ever since he first told him about the nightmares. But Link has always refused, not wanting to bother the princess while she is trying to get the kingdom in order, with what he thought were just some bad dreams. However, thinking about the last one and it feeling so real, and so terrifying he reconsiders.

And there was one other thing he didn't tell Shad. The warmth from the sword felt almost exactly like Midna's magic.

"I think I will go see the princess. Your right, they are getting worse, and I need to get to the bottom of them so I can focus on finding a way into the Twilight Realm." Link said.

A relieved smile made its way onto Shads face. "A relief to hear. Do be sure to tell me what the result is. And hopefully you're sleep gets back to normal before you start hallucinating and seeing things that are not there." Shad says as he gets up to leave.

'Yeah, we wouldn't want that.' Link thinks as he stands as well and says to Shad. "I will, you listened to me the past four months, so it's the least I can do."

Shad gives a nod. "I have something to discuss with Telma, so I will see you later Link." He says as he gives Link a handshake and heads to the front counter. While Link gives a wave to Telma as he heads to the front door and out onto the street. Right before the door swings shut Link can hear Shad say something about Ashei.

As Link begins to make his way up the stairs he wonders when they are going to stop dancing around each other and get together. They have been like this so long he, Rusl, Auru, and Telma have all made a bet on it, Link has 200 rupees on them getting together before the festival of The Black Moon in three months.

Walking onto the south main street and mixing with the crowds of people going about their day to day. Link starts making his way to castle town center. As he's walking Link looks up at the clear blue sky and wonders not for the first time if Midna is doing alright in the Twilight Realm.

Unbeknownst to Link, from underneath the alcove where the bar door is. A black hooded cloaked figure's purple eyes watch him go.


It is said there exist both the Realm of Light and the realm of Darkness, two opposing sides that should never meet. One to represent good, the other evil. and like a magnet these opposing forces should never meet. But as with all things there needs to be an in between, something to connect the two opposite's and keep them in balance. And from that need for stability the Realm of Twilight was carved into existence.

Centuries ago, the Realm of Twilight was once used to house the worst criminal's the light realm had ever seen. From a tribe of mages who tried to use their dark shadow magic to take the power of the three goddesses by force, to a clan of shadow folk who turned against the royal family, to a king of thieves and the loyal members of his desert people. All of them have been judged and sentenced to eternity living in the light of dusk, never again to see the light of day. Over the centuries bathed in the eternal orange light of the days end, the people have become gentile and tranquil. The descendants of these criminal's came to be known as the Twili.


Midna, the princess of the twilight sat on her throne. Leaning to the side with her head resting in her hand, she stairs out the window counting the number of black clouds that pass along the orange sky in an attempt to distract herself from the report that is being given. It's been the same progress report on rebuilding for the last three weeks, 'everything is moving slowly but steady.' The Twili took some time to recover from Zant's coup and being turned into shadow beasts, but Midna's glad to see things are getting back to normal. Midna picks this time to tune back into the report.

"...And with the west part of the city complete we only have the south and a few handful of houses left." Says a man with spiky pink hair and black eyes, dressed in dark brown pants and a grey tunic. With a bow strapped to his back, reading off a piece of paper.

"Thank you for the report, Max. If there isn't anything more, you can go." Midna said sitting up straight in her throne and trying not to give away that her mind was somewhere else for the past half hour.

Folding up the report Max replies. "There is one thing your highness. The outer islands have reported some strange activity on their outskirts. It seems some Shadow Kargaroks have been seen close to the towns."

Giving Max her full attention Midna mulls that over. While it is not strange to see monsters in the twilight, it is uncommon of them to venture to close to any city. A common Twili has enough magic power to deal with six of them by themselves, so any monsters just keep to the godless lands.

Crossing one leg over the other and threading her fingers together to rest in her lap Midna says. "Haves anyone been attacked yet?"

"No, from what we can tell the Shadow Kargaroks have just been stalking around the outside of the city limits." Max said.

Nodding her head Midna says. "If they are not actively causing harm then we will leave them for now, we are still trying to fill back up our ranks of knights after all, but make sure to keep an eye on them so we can deal with them should anything change. Now if that is everything, I believe your shift is over Max. So go rest, you have been up all night, you earned it." She says rising from her throne and walking to the door.

"As you wish your highness." Max says bowing as Midna passes and following after her. Max is the son of one of the knights of the royal guard and one of Midna's oldest friends. She remembers when they were kids playing together with Mia and Zant. Back then Max and Zant where like brothers. Always getting into trouble and being so inseparable her and Mia would joke often that they had a thing for each other. He was such a lively kid back then, always smiling and going on about how he would become the greatest knight and protect the people. But ever since Zant's coup he has begun to take his job so seriously Midna has begun to worry.

Walking out into the main hall Midna senses Max stiffing up behind her. Looking ahead she doesn't need to guess why. "Good afternoon, Princess Midna, Sir Max, all done for the day?" said a woman with long blue hair braided down her back and blue eyes, wearing a maid uniform.

An evil idea pops into Midna's head then. "Yes Mia, we are all done today. I was just telling Max here that he should go rest. He had the overnight shift last night and I doubt he has had anything to eat yet, right Max?" She looks back to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well..I..I..would..not say...nothing." Max sputtered with his cheeks a darker blue and not making eye contact. "I had some bread at the beginning of my shift so I'm fine." He gets out.

Going around the princess Mia gets right in Max's face with a fire in her eyes. "Oh no you don't! I know you didn't eat anything yesterday and got pretty much no sleep the night before!" Turning back to Midna who is holding a hand to her mouth, in an attempt to not burst out laughing, Mia asks the question that will decide Max's fate. "May I have the rest of the day off so I can make sure this dumbass takes care of himself?"

Midna takes a look at Max's frightened face, the faintest flicker of hope going across it, and drops the executioner blade. "Of course, Mia. Just make sure you make up any missed work tomorrow." She says with an impish smirk.

With his fate decided Mia swiftly turns around, grabs Max by the wrist and starts dragging him towards the mess hall. "We are going to get you some real food and then you are going to get some real sleep even if I have to tie you to your bed!" Max looks back at Midna with a look a betrayal while she just smirks and waves.

Lowering her right hand, she begins to rub the sore back a little. Heading to her room Midna feels glad that she could get them to spend some time together. She just wishes she could see the one she loves again. 'I miss you, Link.'


Somewhere far away from the golden light of the goddesses. Shrouded in shadows and darkness of night. Five shadows sit around a table with a map of Hyrule and the Twilight Realm on it. "The day of the prophecy draws near, soon the time of convergence will be upon us, and our revenge will be ours for the taking! After two centuries we will finely snuff out the golden lights and crush the spirit of the hero once and for all!


Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Now a bit of bad news. Due to me moving and going to a wedding I will not be able to update next Saturday. So the next chapter will be on the 30th.

Thats all for now! Join us next time for!

Chapter 3: Zelda's relaxing afternoon.