Rest eluded Link that night, despite the profound exhaustion that weighed heavily upon him. The haunting echoes of the recent battle reverberated through his mind, each scene a painful reminder of his defeat. There was no solace in explanation, no comfort in rationalization. He had failed her again, and the realization clung to him like a specter, whispering reminders of his inadequacies.
Truthfully, Link's disappointment in himself originated from a grievous wound inflicted during the intense battle. The blademaster's vicious strike found its mark with alarming precision, the weapon thrusting deeply into Link's lower stomach. Undeniably weakened, his adversary was granted an advantage, an opportune moment to seize the incapacitated hero, rendering him in a position of utmost vulnerability. Despite Link's valiant attempts to break free by slicing through his foe, the blademaster's grip remained unyielding, an inexplicable resilience that puzzled him. It was more than skill; it was as if the soldier possessed an unnatural vitality, an inhuman tenacity that defied reason. His contemplations delved further into the unsettling aftermath of the battle, particularly the haunting manner in which the blademaster seemed to dissolve once its leader met his demise. Link couldn't help but sense that this mysterious occurrence held a deeper significance, a revelation that had eluded him in the heat of combat.
The notion that the soldier might be tied to the life force of its leader took root in Link's troubled mind. The pawn under its command, mere extensions of the master's technique, mirrored this symbiotic connection. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed plausible to him. The revelation struck him with the clarity of hindsight, a realization that gnawed at his conscience. The simplicity of the solution now seemed glaringly obvious – to defeat the blademaster, one had to sever its link to the leader. The soldier, mere manifestation of its master's skill, was a shadow doomed to dissipate once its anchor vanished. Regret twisted in Link's gut as he berated himself for not grasping this fundamental truth sooner. It was a strategic oversight, an oversight that might have cost them the battle.
He was soon brought back to reality when he shifted his position, wincing at the shooting pain from his abdomen. In his usual resilience, Link expected the wound to mend itself, as countless others had in the past. Yet, this time, he would realize it was different—something insidious had leaked from the blade, its sickening effect defying the natural healing properties of his body. It wasn't long before an overbearing headache installed itself, Link's mind gradually becoming distorted and unfocused.
Resting his head against the wall, trying to ignore the pain, Link's gaze fell on Zelda, his tired eyes tracing the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each tranquil breath. The moonlight bathed her in an ethereal glow, her face turned to the side, her neck exposed and vulnerable. She looked so innocent, so gentle… No. She was actually so strong, so powerful… so suspicious. Confusion set in, clouding Link's thoughts as he questioned the authenticity of the person lying next to him. How could she suddenly summon such high energy, one she was unaware of, one that demanded such great control. What was her purpose…? To kill. To kill him? As he observed her, his thoughts became incoherent, a noxious sensation infiltrating Link's consciousness. The harmful poison within him seemed to seep through his very essence, clouding his mind with a growing darkness that mirrored the infection slowly spreading within him. Voices echoed in his mind, his internal dialogue intensifying, the words 'kill' incessantly repeating, yelling, ringing. Link grappled with an unsettling truth; she had fooled him, deceived him.
In this altered state, his vision blurred, darkening his surroundings, and his mind started to become delirious. A sense of unreality settled in, and he quickly understood that his current suffering mingled with the familiar turmoil from the nightmares that visited him each night. His physical pain kept him awake, which allowed the visions to manifest as he remained in this state of near unconsciousness, casting complete chaos over his once indomitable spirit.
The urgency to save himself became a dominant force, the confusion amplifying the voices who were persuading him to take drastic measures. He was convinced she would inflict harm upon him, the fear intensifying with each passing moment. Link's descent into the dark recesses of his own thoughts reached a chilling climax, and in a moment of disturbing calm, he contemplated the act of taking her life. He struggled with the thought that it was the only means for securing his own survival, a visceral response to the conflicting emotions that tormented him. The question echoed in his mind: What if something were to happen to her right now? A detached coldness settled in as he grappled with the disconcerting notion that she might not feel a thing. The room seemed to close in around him, his vision hazy and dazed, fixating on her neck with an almost tunnel-like focus. It was as though he believed he could see through her, perceive the very essence flowing within her veins, hear her blood flowing through, her heart beating in her chest.
"Do it," voices echoed, pushing him towards the sinister thoughts.
A haze of confusion enveloped Link, his mind obscured and his vision tainted by red stains. In that harrowing moment, an unthinkable impulse overcame him. His hand moved almost involuntarily, reaching out as if guided by some hidden force. Gruesome images now unraveled in his mind—his fingers closing around her delicate neck, the ghastly scenes of her life draining away, her body growing limp beneath his touch.
As his fingers grazed her skin, an ethereal surge of electricity coursed through Link's body. It was as if the dark essence within him had collided with the radiant light she embodied, two opposing forces meeting and igniting an innate reaction. It was a sensation both freezing and burning, an otherworldly force that left him paralyzed in the intensity of the moment. The touch triggered a cascade of emotions, like a drug passing through his veins. His eyes closed involuntarily, and his head fell back, mouth agape, the desire to surrender to the darkness persisting within him.
It wasn't just violence that now lurked in his thoughts; an insidious craving began to gnaw at him—a longing for her, for the essence of her being. In the throes of this mental turbulence, his inner conflicts seemed to open the floodgates to a torrent of lustful images, each sensation uncomfortably vivid. In his delusion, he envisioned his hands grabbing the curves of her hips, his lips exploring the delicious crease of her neck, his fingers digging into her skin with a possessive fervor—all his suppressed desires seemingly surfacing, manifesting as feral instincts that threatened his control. It was an intense hunger that begged to be satiated, one that would consume his sanity.
While his mind surrendered to the forbidden musings, a tangible sensation enveloped him, leaving him in a state of pure bliss. It was as if these thoughts held the power to entrance him, offering a twisted tranquility that numbed the searing pain within him. A perverse manipulation, it seemed, causing him to yield little by little to the darkness that lurked in his mind. He wanted all of her, her taste, her life, her love… In his subconscious, a sudden rebellious whisper from his heart rationalized that she would never bring harm to him. And he could never harm her. Why?... In that moment, he took in the entirety of her—her scent, her soft skin, her gentle breathing—a paradoxical delight juxtaposed against the dark intentions that clouded his mind. His thoughts coursed with adoration for her sweetness, admiration for her strength, and desire for her beauty. Why?... Because–
"I love you," he confessed, an unexpected declaration escaping his lips, the words carrying a weight that contrasted sharply with the sinister thoughts that had plagued him just moments ago. Link found himself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions, forming a kaleidoscope of feelings that threatened to overwhelm him. Murderous thoughts warred with a love that struggled to emerge from the shadows, casting Link into a profound internal struggle as he grappled with the complex tapestry of emotions that surrounded the person lying beside him.
The headache that had been a constant companion intensified, its painful throbbing acting as a pulsating reminder of the agony that waged within him. It acted as a grounding force, momentarily pulling him back from the darkness that tortured him. It was a conflicting symphony, one that allowed him to realize the dissonance between his thoughts and the Link he knew himself to be.
In the depths of his delusion, Link was painfully aware of the moral abyss that yawned beneath him. The recognition of the wrongness of his thoughts only intensified the magnetic pull they exerted on him—a darkness that seemed to tangle with the very fabric of his being.
In the frenzy that gripped him, Link's instincts screamed at him to put distance between himself and Zelda. He knew all too well that proximity only worsened the turmoil within, allowing the volatile thoughts to gain more control over his actions. As he attempted to move, a guttural groan escaped his lips, the pain in his abdomen intensifying as if the blade were still lodged within him. His trembling fingers, seeking the source of the pain, encountered a disconcerting wetness.
The chilling realization gnawed at him—was this the end? In this fragile state, Link found himself at the crossroads of existence, confronted with an agonizing choice. Death loomed on one path, a cold and final cessation of all that defined him. On the other, the alluring call of the darkness beckoned, promising a twisted form of survival that he had fought against for so long. The dichotomy hung in the air, a palpable tension that mirrored the struggle within his own being.
He knew the consequences of giving in, the complete surrender to the darkness that would render him lifeless—no heartbeat, no pulse. A complete maniac, prisoner of the very darkness he had fought so hard to escape. It mirrored the existence he had endured before, guided by his every desire, feeding on his pain and hatred. It was so exciting, he was free, strong. The memory of that life, completely controlled by the darkness, played out in the recesses of his mind. A scoff escaped him as he relinquished those memories, the unsettling dilemma between right and wrong, a constant presence.
Each breath was a heavy struggle, and with considerable effort, he managed to muster the strength to rise. The room swayed as he stood, his head pounding, and a feeling of lightheadedness washing over him. Drained and disoriented, he knew he had to escape the voices that clamored in his mind, a chorus amplified by the deep, festering wound he bore.
With unsteady steps, Link staggered towards the door, his body protesting with each movement. The internal turmoil manifested physically, aching in his muscles, jolting through his nerves, and seeping into his bones.
As he traversed the room, his disoriented steps collided with objects strewn against the wall, creating a disturbance that roused Zelda from her slumber. She called out his name, her voice a distant echo amid the deafening ringing and incessant screaming that enveloped Link's consciousness.
Trapped within the relentless nightmare of his own mind, Link's trance appeared unyielding. Yet, a touch on his back shattered the cacophony, a warmth coursing through him and provoking goosebumps in its wake. In his distorted state, the sensation resembled another dose, a cunning trap ensnaring its prey. The touch persisted, trailing down to his side, a gentle nudge urging him to turn. However, it got too close to his wound, a searing pain shooting through his body and compelling him to react.
In this critical moment, faced with the stark reality of his own mortality, Link felt the inexorable pull of the only option that seemed to offer a chance for survival. It was a choice he had dreaded, a fate he had tirelessly sought to elude, and yet, it stood before him as the only lifeline in the sea of impending darkness.
With a forceful grab, Link seized the hand, and with great effort, he turned his back against the wall. His head hung downward, the hand still captive in his grip. As consciousness ebbed and flowed, he mustered the strength to open his eyes, slowly lifting his head to meet Zelda's sudden fearful gaze. His eyes had turned into the radiant crimson red he bore when he had first met her.
In a fluid motion, he brought her hand to his face, the moonlight softly revealing the evidence of his blood that clung to her fingers. His semi-closed eyelids parted slightly, revealing a smirk that curled his lips. In a surreal and unsettling gesture, he licked the blood from her fingers. Link's actions, both erratic and disturbing, unfolded in a macabre dance between the darkness within and the flickering remnants of his former self.
"You think you can change me? Or perhaps, kill me?" Link's voice, tinged with a grim resignation, echoed in the stillness of the room. He led her hand to press against his jugular.
"Do you feel that?" Nothing could be felt.
"I'm already dead."
The words hung in the air, a somber admission that bore the weight of the internal conflict that had plagued him. In embracing the darkness, Link would cease to be the person he once knew. The battle against his own nature reached its climax, and the choice he made in this pivotal moment would irrevocably shape the course of his destiny. The room, bathed in the eerie glow of his crimson eyes, bore witness to the unfolding drama—the struggle for survival in the face of an inevitable transformation into the very darkness that sought to claim him.
But instead of withdrawing, Zelda unexpectedly closed the distance between them, the air in the room seemingly crackling with an intensity that defied explanation. Their faces mere inches apart, she defied the haunting crimson stain in Link's eyes, her gaze unwavering and determined. Breath mingled in the narrow space between them, a tangible connection that transcended the tumultuous circumstances.
In that charged moment, Link's eyes fell to Zelda's lips, a surge of desires coursing through him like an electric current. Unable to resist the magnetic pull, his lips pressed against hers with an intensity that mirrored the struggle within his conflicted soul. Waves of pleasure ran through Link as his hands instinctively explored her figure, pulling her into a rough yet passionate embrace.
Caught in the tempest of conflicting emotions, Zelda reciprocated with equal fervor. The taste of blood lingered in their shared saliva, a macabre reminder of the darkness that now bound them together. Link's hand found the back of her head, fingers entwined with her hair, a silent acknowledgment of the fervor within him. As their kiss deepened, the hand that had rested on his neck lowered to his chest, pausing above his heart. Their lips briefly parted, and in the charged silence, Zelda spoke.
"No," Zelda uttered, her voice firm, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions swirling around them. With a swift motion, she tapped her palm against Link's chest. The physical impact itself was not forceful, but an unexpected surge of energy accompanied the touch. The effect was profound and immediate. Link's heart, silent and still moments ago, jolted back to life with a sudden, thunderous beat. The pain, once suppressed by the encroaching darkness, surged through his body with an intensity that left him gasping for breath. He crumpled to his knees, the weight of the pain bearing down on him like a relentless storm.
The shock of the revived pain acted as a brutal wake-up call, pulling Link back from the brink of his own transformation. The vivid crimson glow in his eyes began to flicker, the darkness that had consumed him starting to recede. Trying to catch his breath, Link clung to consciousness, his senses reeling from the abrupt shift. The agony, so unprepared for after the temporary reprieve of his transformation, coursed through him with a brutal and unrelenting force.
The pain proved too much to bear, and as the world around him blurred, Link succumbed to the pain that had threatened to claim him. His body went limp, and he passed out, surrendering to the unconscious realm where the battle between the darkness and the remnants of his true self continued to play out in the recesses of his tortured mind.
*** Helloo! I wanted to let you guys know that I will be uploading every two weeks on Tuesdays! I used to publish more frequently but life kind of became hectic all of the sudden so I hope you understand 3
Also, I slightly changed the ending to the last chapter just so it fits better with this one.
Please please please leave some feedback if you wish, I'd love to hear what you guys think :) ***