Toys and Hearts

"Hey! Watch what you're touching, Mutt!" The imp hissed, yanking the blonde boy by the back of his tunic collar, the sudden action of his tunic collar digging into his throat forcing a cough to escape him. The skin on the front of his neck stings as thick cloth rubs into it, the large fiery hand forcefully dragging him away from the mysterious items. The tips of his fingers barely touched the glass panels, obviously placed there to keep wandering hands from the items inside the display.

The duo was cautiously clearing every room in the Twilight Palace in search of keys, weapons, and really anything that could be of use to them. It was no easy task, they'd been in the realm for days. Currently, they were in what used to be a library center, now turned into a safekeeping room for what they assumed were Zant's prizes or exterminations.

The room reeked of unearthly smells, it held a dreadful feeling of death. Cages caked in unknown residues were stacked against the farthest side of the room, most were filled with test subjects, alive or not, it was hard to tell. You couldn't figure out whether or not they were a wild animal or an unfortunate citizen of Twili. The ones that were alive in their cells were smart enough to stay silent, and the rest, well death only brings silence.

The Hylian was appalled, but ultimately not surprised at the state of this realm, that doesn't mean it didn't destroy his heart even more when he saw his partner's face crumble into horror and guilt. She was supposed to protect her people, but she neglected her one purpose, now having to see them suffer the costs.

'I should be the one in that cell.' She thought bitterly to herself. At the start of this whole mess, all she dreamt about was retrieving her power back, her throne. Bloodthirsty since the day he took what was hers. She had no care what it took to complete her goals, even if it meant leaving a whole world of people to suffer, she hadn't batted an eye. Greed had grasped her heart, and at the time she didn't mind one bit. Now, after everything that she has endured, all the people of the light realm she has encountered, their pain, suffering, and sacrifices. It brought fire to her heart and with it guilt.

How could she just leave them to that demon? How could she leave Link to this? If it wasn't for her, he would have been able to have a normal life, a peaceful one, and she took that all away from him. She could've prevented this, maybe if she headed the warnings, and listened to the damn legend, none of this would have transpired.

When they had first met, back in the cold dark cell, she had no idea just how much she would come to love him. Everything about him was just selfless, he didn't care for his life for one moment, and truly that scared her. No other Human was like this, so why was he any different? What made him so special? Hylia had chosen him for a reason, but what did the goddess see in him to put him through this endless hell? An endless cycle of pain and suffering, that was far worse than any prison.

The Hylian sighed, bringing her out of her thoughts, she turned her head to see him giving her a familiar look. The blond crossed his arms impatiently as he dangled from her strong grasp.

"Don't even think about it, any one of these could kill you in an instant when you touch them. I know you love to get new toys, but for goddesses sake can't you ever not give into temptation and just leave something?" She asked in annoyance, she was earned with a guilty smile.

"Don't touch anything!" She scolded, dropping him to his feet. The boy grumbled under his breath before surveying the room further, dropping the smile as he looked to the cages. Suddenly, a large rumble grew, shaking the ground violently, causing the hero to stumble for a moment. It was enough to jostle him into a table, blindly striking his hand out to steady himself before a sudden searing pain caught his attention. His eyes snapped to see his hand clutching a strange glowing black metal teal heart that had rested on the table, it was slightly smaller than his hand.

He quickly released his hold on it, or at least tried, the hand disobeyed his orders and clamped shut on the heart. Pain pulsed down his arm, his free hand reached for his blade as dark spots started smearing into his vision. Would cutting his hand off be the only option? He could do it in a single cut. His panic only grew worse as the heart slowly started to melt into his flesh, he bit down a scream that rose from his throat. Then suddenly it was gone, the pain and the mysterious object, leaving a freezing sensation and his palm oozed with his precious blood.

"What are you doing?! Get down!" He was yanked unmercifully out of the way for a monstrous claw, barely missing by a few inches. The blank inky creature continued its advancements, only to be met with a glowing blade as he briskly swiped at the claw. One slice and the appendage cleanly fell off before the ravenous creature released an ear-splitting screech. The blade quickly silenced the creature as it sliced through its meaty throat.

But of course, Twilit Messengers always travel in packs, the Hylian was met with at least five more of the slimy creatures, more than he had ever encountered at once. Instinctively, he grabbed the imp as he slid under a nearby table, darting to a hallway close by. If he were to fight all of them at once he needed more room in order not to get boxed in.

Luck wasn't on his side today apparently, for when he wrenched open the only door he was presented with a smaller room than before. No time can be spared, so he slammed the door shut as fast as he could behind him. He could hear from inside as the creatures were still sprinting after them. Quickly, he summoned a large blast of ice towards the only exit with an arrow, right as the first body slammed viciously against the door. His eyes snapped to his partner's panicked face for aid.

"There's no other way out! I didn't even know this room existed before!" She exclaimed as he quickly took in the room. It was mostly empty, not seeing even one window, only bearing one object, a mirror. One similar to the Mirror of Twilight, his mind was too busy racing to take it fully in. He slammed his palms against the ice securing the door, surging his magic through it to generate more ice to repair the growing damage. His efforts only gave them a few seconds before he was knocked harshly away.

The Hylian cursed silently to himself as he picked himself off the ground, retrieving his sword for the upcoming fight. The creatures trickled into the room like an avalanche, he put up a good fight. Slowly he was getting pushed back and back as he blocked every power punch and swipe, his back was met with the mirror. A small light started illuminating from the mirror, going unnoticed by the hero who had his attention on his opponents.

"Link!"

Then nothing, he wouldn't feel anything behind or below him, his eyes were suddenly opening to darkness, cold and unending. When had he closed them?

Idk if anyone would still read this story but I'm going to rewrite it for my horrible grammar and continue it mayhaps.