-Awaiting-

Rinku and Link began to run toward the smoke. Sheik, Zeruda, and Rusl were behind them, knowing that stopping them was futile. It took them some time before they got to the steps that led to the village. They all ran up and stopped at the entrance. The rooves of many houses were on fire, as the smoke continued to billow into the air. They could feel the presence of darkness intensify. Having enough Link sprang forward.

"No! Link stay back," Sheik ran after him. She dashed after him, as a loud bang sounded throughout the village. An unseen entity pulled Sheik into the air. Zeruda, Rinku, and Rusl only took a few steps forward, unsure what to do. They watched in horror as the unseen entity tossed her around like a rag doll until she landed on the ground with a painful thud. Link ran and stood in front of Sheik. He had no idea what he was fighting until it grabbed him. The pressure against his body was scary because he couldn't see what it was. It threw him into multiple houses. He landed unconscious beside a tree in the middle of the village, as Rinku and Rusl ran to him. Zeruda ran to Sheik, as the two females felt the dark presence escape to the back of the village near the cemetery. Rinku gently picked up Link, as Zeruda helped Sheik to her feet. Before the two fell over a pair of strong arms held them steady.

"Impa," Sheik's voice was very weak, as she received a nod from the tall woman. Impa's eyes fell on the three males before she spoke.

"Follow me to my residence," she stated, as the group followed silently. They lay Sheik down and Impa looked over her injuries. Rinku silently placed Link down before he and Rusl began to look over him. The silence in the house was almost deafening, but they needed to ensure they were all okay.

After 20 minutes, Impa got to her feet. "Sheik will be alright, how is the hero?" She looked at the men, who were working on Link. She was slightly shocked to see Rinku for the first time and the resemblance was unmistakable.

The young hero raised his eyes to Impa. "Aside from his bruises, a nasty gash on his forehead, and a broken wrist, he is alright." The voice was almost identical to Link's, but Rinku had a slight accent.

"Young hero," she said in a gentle tone. Rinku rose to his feet and stood in front of Impa. He was slightly taller than she was and she smiled. "I want to thank you for your concern for Link and I also apologize for what Ganondorf did to you. Link was devastated and wanted to help you almost immediately when he realized what had happened. One temple was done and he was ready to fight Ganondorf to get you back." Rinu couldn't help but give a small smile and shook his head.

"The one thing I love about him is he cares for others more than himself," Rinku replied softly. "We have that in common."

"Definitely," Rusl commented, and the air tension eased just a bit. Rinku smiled at his father figure. "You and Link are two of the most selfless people I've ever met. I can see it even if I haven't spent much time with him."

Rinku scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "I suppose it's true." His eyes drifted over to Link and his heart went out to him. He was such an innocent soul and pure spirit who got thrown into a chaotic world and was told to defeat the king of evil by gathering all the sages. "I care for him a lot. He reminds me of myself when I was younger."

Rusl placed a comforting hand on Rinku's shoulder. He turned to the man he viewed as a father. "Could I have a moment alone with you?" The older man gave a smile, as Rinku nodded.

"You may use that room," Impa pointed towards a room where the two men could have a private moment. Zeruda took a seat, as did Impa.

Rinku watched Rusl carefully, as the older man had an expression that he wasn't used to. It seemed Rusl was concerned about something, but he couldn't be sure of what he was worried about. "What's wrong?"

Without words, Rusl wrapped his arms around Rinku and engulfed him in a much-needed hug.

After a few silent minutes, he pulled away slowly. "I thought I was going to lose you, Rinku. When I found out what Ganondorf did I felt helpless. I couldn't do anything to help you. That demon has terrifying powers, which you remember well." He only nodded, staring at Rusl. Rinku always admired him and he was the reason Rinku even picked up a sword.

"I know that he did something to me that caused me to forget all of you," Rinku replied with a look of fire in his eyes. 'Revenge isn't in my vocabulary, but he can't get away with what he did either. He could do that to someone else and that will not stand. I feel this anger in me and it scares me. I don't want something like that to rule or define me."

Rusl bit his lower lip. "You are not a bad person Rinku. Quite the opposite actually. You are the hero in our own timeline."

"I understand what you are saying, but I don't know if I can control this anger," Rinku whispered. "Yes, I'm human and yes I get upset. There is something dark about this anger and I don't like it. It reminds me of both Ganondorf and Dark Rinku. I have a feeling they aren't done with me." Rusl could see Rinku trembling but he didn't know why. He placed a comforting hand on Rinku's head. It caused the teen to look at him.

"We will do everything in our power to make sure nothing happens to you or to Link. You are both important not only to us but to each other as well. this anger that you are talking about isn't natural, so I'm sure it has to do with them," Rusl commented, wanting Rinku to understand his words. "It's them, not you. You're a good person, Rinku. One of the most important people in my life."

The teen gave a soft sigh. "Thanks, I think I needed to hear that." Know all they could do was wait to see when Link would wake up and be able to continue.

Author's Note: N/A

XYukiNoHanaX
10|09|2023
16:46 [4:46 PM]
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