Note: This story has been given an age rating of 18 by the author. It contains scenes of torture and violence and also of a sexual nature. Do not proceed to read if you find these themes offensive or distressing.

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Day 1 (Nightfall)

 

The tall man paced back and forth, grin on his face only widening further with every stride he took. He was pleased. So pleased, even from where I stood, I could see him nearly shaking with giddiness.

 

He turned to me, yellow eyes lighting up like a fire. “You’ve done it, then? He cannot escape?”

 

I nodded my affirmation. “Yes, my lord. I’ve taken all his weapons and chained him.” I made my statement short and brief, not wanting to bore him with too many details.

 

He seemed satisfied with my answer and he only chuckled deeply, placing his hands behind his back and turning away from me to stare out of a large window that gave him almost the entire view of Hyrule. “Excellent.”

 

I paused before speaking. Talking with him was very hard. It wasn’t easy knowing how to please him or what to please him with. “My lord…” I bit my lip.

 

He turned, staring at me expectantly. “What is it?” he snapped, apparently annoyed at me for breaking off.

 

“What…what are you going to do with him?” I really was curious. Don’t get me wrong, the guy I was ordered to capture had gotten on my last nerves. He was able to defeat me the first time I challenged him and I felt like a wimp afterwards. My lord wasn’t too thrilled either at my defeat and ordered me to go after him again, but this time, he added an extra feature: He allowed me some of his power which made taking down the Hero of Time almost child’s play.

 

He was weak. But I was weaker. And I hated him. But…for some reason, I was really curious as to what Lord Ganondorf had in store for him.

 

He smiled at my question, that kind of dark smile that made you silently quiver at the sight of it. “Ah…I’ve been thinking about it.” He turned his back on me again, but continued speaking as he once again began gazing out the window. “When you first brought him here, I just decided to kill him, but…” He paused almost dramatically before turning to me again, grinning (if possible) even wider than before. “I thought…why not have a little fun with him? That little pipsqueak has lit my last fuse and defiled my plans for the last time. I’m going to make him pay for ever having set foot in Hyrule.”

 

I gulped a little at his words. “And…what do you plan to do?” My lip was quivering and I didn’t know why. I suddenly had this strange feeling, this very bad and horrible feeling. It wasn’t towards the Hero, no. I didn’t care whether Lord Ganondorf chewed him up and spat him out, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling either.

 

The yellow eyes glowed ominously, like a cat’s in the presence of direct light. “That…will have to wait for tomorrow.” He laughed before striding passed me, causing me to shiver at the wind his cloak created. He stopped before exiting the room. “Before I retire, tell me something…”

 

“Anything, my lord.”

 

A long silence came before he spoke again. “How do you view this Hero? Do you detest him?”

 

“I do. I view him as a nuisance. A troubling gnat that won’t stay out of the way.”

 

His deep laughter echoed around the room, seemingly turning everything to ice. “Then, you will enjoy it, too.”

 

I whirled around to ask what he meant, but he had already disappeared. I turned back to face the window.

 

It was raining which was strange. It was way too cold for rain, but there it was, hard and thick. I shivered even though it was quite warm in the room. Perhaps the weather itself was agreeing with my foreboding feeling.

 

I crossed the room next to the large window and leaned against the wall with my arms crossed. I didn’t need sleep, so I only stood and waited for my master to return and shed some light on what his plans were.

 

Day 2 (Early Morning)

 

Morning came too quickly and it was still raining. The stone walls that surrounded me were very thick, but if you stood silently enough, you could hear the faint, dull sounds of the rain splattering against the roof. The drips were like music to my ears. I enjoyed the rain very much. Listening to it was very calming, but whenever morning reared its head up, he was back, slamming the thick wooden door open to voice his entry.

 

His smile was only the more troubling to me. I didn’t like it whenever he smiled. “Good morning,” he said casually as if we were old friends greeting after years apart from one another. “Did you sleep well?”

 

He knew very well I didn’t require sleep, and even though sarcasm was on the tip of my tongue, I was smart to not test him. “Yes. Do you need me, sir?”

 

“Follow me.”

 

I did so silently. He led me down a spiraling staircase that opened up to the many floors of dungeons that resided in this castle. As we walked, I could smell the death and decay of many souls who had been unlucky enough to get thrown into one of these dungeons. Most of them were here to hold traitors of my lord’s army, or the ones that went mad (which was a surprising amount), and the remainder held innocent folk who had been captured for their wealth.

 

The cells were either empty or held bones now. They haven’t been used in a few good years.

 

We finally reached the bottom of the staircase that was probably five floors underground. The darkest, most secluded part of the castle. Well…it wasn’t all that secluded anymore. Now that we had the Hero of Time, he gave it all the population it needed.

 

My lord opened the door at the bottom of the stairs. It creaked with old age, but swung open slowly due to its own heavy weight and banged loudly against the door, rattling the cells that rested behind it. A long hallway stretched before us and Lord Ganondorf gladly took the lead. I could tell he was beyond excited about whatever his plans were. His pace was quick and thorough.

 

At the very end of the hall that was lined with cells on either side, both sides which were either dripping with moisture from the ceiling, or filling the place with a rotten odor of expired bones, sat a door like the first.

 

I’ve seen this door many times before in my life. I’ve brought many people to this door, many innocent lives and many not so innocent lives. What lay on the other side was like a hell in living flesh.

 

My lord opened the door after extracting a large black key and turning the multiple locks that kept the door shut and he swung it open to reveal a sight that made even my stomach churn.

 

The Hero of Time sat in a wooden chair that was placed in the middle of the small, compact room. His wrists and ankles were shackled to the chair, his clothes (save for a pair of green shorts) were missing, his eyes were blindfolded, his blonde hair was slightly matted as if he had been sweating, and he was gagged with a leather strap. His body tensed as his elfish ears picked up the sounds of our footsteps entering the room.

 

Lord Ganondorf laughed condescendingly. “So, this is the mighty Hero of Time?” He began circling the young blonde like a hawk sizing up its prey. His eyes stayed glued to his bound body as if looking away was out of the question. I could see the Hero’s fingers curl and I could tell he was frightened. Without his sword and weapons, he was a regular human, a regular victim. “I never expected someone like you to be so vulnerable,” my master continued, tone drenched in mocking laughter with every word spoken.

 

He turned to me as if expecting me to say something equally degrading, but I stayed silent and he turned back, clearly enjoying himself and not minding taking it all for himself.

 

He reached out with a thick, muscular finger and just ever-so-slightly grazed the Hero’s bare shoulder, causing him to twitch slightly. “You stand up against the fiercest monsters, but without anything to protect yourself with, you’re nothing but a weakling. You flinch at the slightest touch.”

 

He finally tore away from the Hero and walked to the back of the room where a long rectangular-shaped table sat with a black sheet draped neatly on top of it. Multiple lumps of all shapes and sizes rested underneath.

 

I had been standing in the doorway the whole time and I finally walked into the room, closing the door behind me. I knew what was about to happen and even though shutting the door would probably do no good, it was an instinctive reflex. I stood with my back against it, my red eyes fixated on Lord Ganondorf as he took the sides of the black cloth and ripped it away from the table.

 

This was the hell. Metal, wood, and even plastic rested underneath the sheet. There were knives, metal pipes, and an assortment of different weapons. There were plenty of wooden devices that had many functions and several other equally terrible torture devices.

 

His hand floating over everything, as if deciding what to pick, my lord finally turned to me, a wooden box-type thing held in his hands. He handed it to me, grinning devilishly the whole time. “Why don’t we start off with something small today?”

 

I said nothing. I looked down at the wooden box and felt myself cringe. I usually dealt with the victims by myself, and I rarely picked this type of tool up. I looked back up at my lord who’s smile scared even me.

 

This was the Hero of Time, and Lord Ganondorf wanted to see him squeal.

 

He gave me an affirmative nod. “Do it. I want to see it.”

 

I walked towards the Hero in silence. He hadn’t moved much since Lord Ganondorf had touched him, but I could clearly see his tensed muscles and cold sweat pouring down his face.

 

He was frightened. No, terrified.

 

I reached down and undid the shackle on his right wrist, bringing it up to rest on the box I held in my hand. On the box, there were five straps, one for holding each finger which I fastened instantly where they were hopelessly bound, preventing absolutely no movement. At the ends where his nails rested, there was a flat, metal plate attached to a thin slope that sloped upwards to where the other side of the box was.

 

I was about to tear off his fingernails.

 

Before I could begin the process, my master stopped me. “Wait.” He reached forward and undid the leather strap from around the Hero’s mouth. His breathing was stiff and shallow, but he didn’t speak. “I want to hear him.”

 

I got on my knees where his hand was leveled with my chest and I rested the box with his fingers attached to the side of the chair. I looked one last time at my lord who nodded before I slammed my fist down on the first slope.

 

The Hero’s scream was dark and icy as his nail was ripped off. Blood oozed from his finger and he was already shaking from the pain.

 

I lifted my hand to break off another, but Lord Ganondorf gripped my shoulder tightly. “No,” he said, smile no longer on his face, but rather a dark, sinister grin. “You’re doing it too quickly. Savor it.”

 

I gulped, feeling the box quiver in my hand from the Hero shaking so much. His breathing had increased into a heavy, terrified gasp. He only screamed once, and it was probably from the shock since he couldn’t see, but now he knew what was about to happen again and without hesitating, I slammed onto another slant, popping off yet another nail.

 

He didn’t scream, but both of us could clearly hear him grunt from the pain. His legs were moving slightly in his seat from the pain. He was hurting, but he wasn’t going to give us the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

 

Or, so he thought.

 

My master once again leaned down to me, whispering in my ear, “Take off all of them at once.”

 

I did. Three more nails flew into the air and the Hero was screaming now. His teeth were gritting and he was grunting in pain, his body shaking and sweating.

 

And then it was over.

 

Lord Ganondorf was satisfied with what had gotten done today and without looking back, he turned and opened the door. “Gag him once more,” he called as he exited the door.

 

I looked up at the Hero who was drenched in his own sweat and whimpering slightly from the throbbing pain in his fingers. I looked down at them to see small amounts of blood dripping from each finger and hitting the box. I undid the straps around his bloody appendages and shackled his wrist once more before returning the torture device back to the table.

 

I retrieved the leather strap Lord Ganondorf had discarded and gagged the blonde once more. I turned to look at him before shutting the door behind me.

 

He was relieved. I could see it behind his bare skin. The muscles that were cringing from before were now relaxed. He was thanking the Goddesses for his given freeness.

 

I shut the door behind me and headed up the hall. I knew it, my master knew it, and the Hero knew it.

 

It was only going to get far worse than this from here on out.

 

Day 2 (Nightfall)

 

I was perched at the windowsill in the tower, staring out the window yet again. It was still raining and I could clearly see several large puddles leading down the road from the castle.

 

The castle itself was levitating over a large bit of lava. We were safe since my lord’s magic kept the place afloat, but the threatening gap between us and the rest of the world caused any brave soul to back away.

 

No one could get in, or out.

 

He came into the tower where I was seated and cleared his throat. I stood away from the window and at attention.

 

“Have you checked on the Hero since this morning?”

 

I shook my head. “No, sir. No order was given.”

 

“Well, I’m giving you one now. Give him some food, too.”

 

I almost glared at him. Even I thought this was too cruel. Giving the Hero food meant that he was wanting to keep him alive. Starving him would mean an absolute death. He wanted him alive as long as possible, probably for the rest of the unfortunate Hero’s days.

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

I descended the spiraling stairs once again, briefly stopping at the kitchen on my way down to grab some bread and water.

 

I felt slightly awkward as I reached the door that held the Hero behind it. I had never once delivered food to a captive since they were all guaranteed death, so this was something new to me.

 

I unlocked the door and swung the thick, wooden entrance open to reveal the Hero to me once again. He looked the same as he did this morning, save for the dried blood on his fingers. His head had been tilted slightly to the side as if he were just drifting off to sleep, but snapped it up once I opened the door.

 

He stayed still as a statue as I moved toward him with the food. I sat it on a nearby table before undoing his gag. “I have food for you.”

 

He was silent as I broke off a piece of bread and moved it to his mouth. He clamped his lips shut, refusing the food.

 

“It’s bread,” I assured as I pushed once again. He continued to reject the food. “What? You think it’s poison or something?” I found myself asking, feeling the tiniest bouts of laughter in my voice. Why would someone like myself be laughing? I hated this boy. Loathed him. I wanted to see him suffer.

 

I reached up and quickly tore his blindfold off, revealing his vivid blue eyes which were wide with either fear or fierce determination. They stared unblinking at me.

 

I held the food out for him to see. “See? It’s only bread. Come on, you must be hungry. When was the last time you ate?”

 

No answer. Guess I should’ve expected that.

 

I sighed, turning away from him to think. I faced him again, tearing off a piece in my hand and putting it in my own mouth. I didn’t need to eat either, but maybe this would convince him that I wasn’t up to anything.

 

He stared at me suspiciously before opening his mouth like a child. I plopped a piece in his mouth and he chewed slowly as if testing it, making sure it was alright, eyes never leaving mine. I gave him more which he chewed more vigorously.

 

As he ate, I stared down at his fingers that twitched every now and then as if uncomfortable from pain. “Does it still hurt?” Why was I asking? I didn’t even understand myself sometimes.

 

He slowly swallowed what was left in his mouth and turned away from me, staring at the wall and refusing to answer.

 

I stopped talking and gave him some water to wash down his food. I had a better chance of getting answers out of the floor.

 

Before  I left, I turned back to him one last time. “I’ll leave your blindfold and gag off for the night.” With that, I closed and locked the door before heading back up to the tower.

 

Day 3 (Late Morning)

 

The rain had stopped for the night, but when day broke again, it continued its downpour, but instead of a simple shower, it was accompanied by thunder and occasional lightning.

 

I was strolling through the many corridors of the castle, stopping every now and then to chat with a moblin or spar with a stalfos.

 

Lord Ganondorf walked in as I parried a stalfo’s sword. He yelled for me and I was forced to quit my battle.

 

The stalfos grumbled irritably before sheathing his sword. “Yer a good fighter, ya are,” he said in an old, croaking voice. “It’s no wonder why yer the lucky one to watch the Hero fall.”

 

I pretended not to hear him as I followed my master through the corridor and down to the dungeons again.

 

“Did you feed him last night?”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Heh…this ‘Hero’ is so weak. He cannot even escape out of a simple fix such as this one.” His laughter echoed off the walls as we reached the wooden door again. “I overestimated him. He really is nothing more than a child.”

 

The door swung open and a different scene than before met my eyes. My lord had been preparing this for me like he did the day before. The Hero was no longer bound to a wooden chair, but was sitting on the ground in front of us, blinded and gagged. His wrists were tied together with a simple rope, but the biggest change was that a large chain, like one would use to hold a dog in place, was placed around his neck and he was completely naked.

 

I tensed, looking at the back of my lord’s fiery head. He was chuckling darkly for he had reduced the Hero to nothing more than a dog, and he walked into the room. “Look at him,” he told me. “Is this not funny? The great ‘Hero’ diminished to such a state?”

 

I closed the door behind me as I entered, actually feeling scared for what was about to happen. It was unknown to both the Hero and me what my master planned to do.

 

He practically skipped to the table, rummaging around through the metal objects before whirling around and holding up a large dagger. He tossed it to me and I caught it almost effortlessly in my left hand by the handle. “Cut him.”

 

I reached the Hero, undoing his gag before sitting on the floor with him and cutting off the rope that held his wrists together. Without being limited to a chair, his fear was even more clearer now. His breathing was quick, almost panting, and he was shaking again.

 

I sliced open his arm, causing him to wince loudly and back away on his hands and knees. The chain that held him was so short, he couldn’t stand and could only hope to escape on all fours like an animal.

 

Blood flowed like a waterfall down his arm and I grabbed his other arm tightly in my spidery fingers, refusing to let him move.

 

Lord Ganondorf laughed quite loudly as I ran the knife all the way down his arm where he had a line of blood leading from his shoulder to his wrist.

 

He screamed in pain, fighting to get his arm out of my grasp. Through his screams of pain and my lord’s evil laughter, I stood up, left hand shaking, threatening to drop the dagger.

 

My master was most annoyed. “What are you doing?” he hissed loudly over the Hero’s cries of agony. “That’s not nearly enough! You are to stop when I tell you to stop!”

 

I gritted my teeth, sinking to my knees and to the Hero who was nearly going wild trying to get away from me. My hands were shaking so badly, I couldn’t get a grip on his arms anymore and my lord finally grew tired of my feeble attempts.

 

“What is the matter with you, weakling?!” he yelled, snatching the knife away from me and kicking me in the stomach. I grunted in pain and moved away from him as he took my spot on the floor.

 

“I am sorry, my lord,” I said through chattering teeth. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

 

He mercilessly began slicing the Hero, cutting a gash on his leg, stabbing slightly at his arms, just enough for them to bleed, and ultimately trying to cut off a finger.

 

I don’t know why I did what I did when he tried to do that, but it was done and I’m very fortunate to still be alive. “Stop!”

 

The blade halted just above the Hero’s smallest finger and the yellow eyes that directed the blade turned to me, hatred spewing out. “Excuse me?”

 

I struggled to find the right words. “Forgive my interruption, but don’t you think that’s too extreme? At least for now?” I fought quickly to find my words.

 

He stared at me and I could feel my throat tighten from nerves. It felt like an eternity before he answered. “Yes…I suppose you’re right. For now anyway.” He stood up and placed the knife on the table. “We’ll have to have our fun slowly, don’t you think? The thrill would be over in a heartbeat if we do it too quickly.”

 

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Why in the world was I doing things like this? Did I actually care that what he was doing to the Hero was outright immoral, or did I have hemophobia and was just now realizing it?

 

I have done this to countless people in the past. I’ve tortured them for information, cut off appendages because they angered me, gouged out eyes with my very fingers because I didn’t like the way they stared at me, and even chopped off tongues because the screams were annoying me.

 

Why should I feel this way towards this person? Was it because he had done no wrong and was being tortured just for the thrill of it by two sick people, or was it because of another reason?

 

My lord had long since turned away from the table and was facing the Hero who sat gasping, arms and legs shaking pitiably. He was covered so much in his own blood, he didn’t even look naked anymore.

 

The tall man let out a laugh before he kicked the blonde in the stomach, nicking a wound and causing the youth to bend over and cough violently. He then grabbed him by his golden locks and forced his face up to his.

 

“You’re so pathetic, I should kill you right now. I ever expected the Hero to be such a…child.”  He seemed to be struggling with his words. Having said so many demeaning things to him, he was running out of insults.

 

He slapped the side of his face, catching a wound that was just healing and causing it to bleed once more. The thick red substance flowed down the blonde’s porcelain face.

 

He was done, finally done and he exited out of the room without another word. I went to follow him, but as if some invisible force had me wrapped around the waist, I stopped myself and turned to look back at the blonde who was breathing heavily on the ground. He was seated, but his hands were placed in front of him to keep him from falling over. His head was hanging and the blonde bangs were covering his face.

 

He knew I was still here. When he spoke, his voice was cracked and raspy like he’d been drinking sand. “Why…why don’t you just kill me?” he said, fingers digging into the ground, creating definite fists.

 

I could see tears fall from his blindfold. Lord Ganondorf would have eaten that up had he been here. I turned away from him, feeling a slight pang of guilt as I spoke. “I don’t know. That’s not my say.”

 

He sniffled a little. “I…I…” He broke off, shaking his head. “No.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“What’s the point of all this? Why doesn’t he just kill me and get it over with?”

 

I looked at him for so long, just staring and listening to the pants his breathing made as he tried ignoring the pain all over his body. “When you can tell me how a madman’s mind works, then I’ll let you know.”

 

I grabbed a wet towel from the table and began cleaning him up. My lord probably would’ve given me another kick for this, but I felt like doing it anyway.

 

“Your blindfold stays on,” I ordered. “You don’t want to see your body.”

 

I continued to clean him and hold pressure to his wounds until he finally stopped bleeding. The Hero was probably going to be scarred forever, but at least he was cleaned up now.

 

“Why do you do things like this?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

I found his shorts and helped him dress himself. “Why clean me up?”

 

I paused and looked at the wall. “I…I don’t know…” I stood up and walked out of the room without another word to him.

 

Day 3 (Nightfall)

 

I had just finished giving the Hero his food for the day. He was still chained to the ground like a dog and I didn’t have any orders to do anything otherwise, so he stayed like that. He would at least be able to lie down while he slept, if he slept at all, that is.

 

I returned to the tower, surprised to find my lord there, staring out the window as usual. The rain had stopped for the day, but a nagging feeling told me it’d be back tomorrow.

 

“Good evening,” he called, back still facing me.

 

“Does something trouble you, my lord?” I crossed the room, stopping halfway in front of a large fireplace that was ablaze with gold fire.

 

A small streak of lightning lit up across the sky as he turned to me, eyes looking at the floor. “Why do you serve me?”

 

I arched my eyebrows in confusion. “You created me. It’s what I was…born to do.” I hesitated as I spoke. I wasn’t really born, so it was strange to say it.

 

He nodded. “Ah, yes. You were…created for this purpose, to bring down the Hero of Time.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

He suddenly crossed the room and was upon me in a second, eyes bearing so coldly into mine, I flinched at them and at the sudden and unexpected move. He was almost touching me, he was so close. “Then why do you pause?!” he said, voice whispering, but clearly showing displeasure. He may as well have been yelling. “Why do you defy me when I give you an order?! Why do you hesitate to inflict pain upon the Hero?!” He scrunched his face up. “You are as pathetic as him. You flinch in my presence.” His mouth curled into a sneer. “I frighten you, do I not?”

 

I could feel my hands balled into fists, but my teeth were clamped shut and I couldn’t force them open.

 

My heart thumped in my throat and beat so loudly, I could hear it pounding in my ears and nearly deafening me as he reached up and roughly grabbed my chin, tilting my face sideways. I instinctively reached up and nabbed his wrist, but realized all too late that was a bad move.

 

He chuckled. “You have the same face, the same body, the same skills, but you are the opposite of him at the same time. His eyes gleam with the fiery light of justice whereas yours burn with evil intensity. His is good, you are evil. You are supposed to oppose each other.”

 

His hand moved down to my throat and he squeezed.

 

“I created you to corrupt him. Your evil is supposed to snuff out his good.” He squeezed harder and moved down to my ear, whispering so softly, had I not possessed elfish ears, I wouldn’t have heard him. “I promise you that if you go against my wishes again, I will send you back to where you came from. You’re nothing but a shadow. You follow my orders.”

 

He released me, but I didn’t falter. “I understand.”

 

The evil glare in his eyes disappeared and he stood tall again. “Good.” He walked out of the room and left me alone.

 

As soon as his footsteps were out of earshot, I collapsed to my knees, breathing hard like I had run a marathon. I reached up and tenderly massaged the sore part of my throat.

 

He was right. I was terrified of him. I was a weakling. It was time to erase all of these feelings I had towards this immorality and serve my purpose.

 

It was time to break the Hero of Time.

 

Day 4 (Midmorning)

 

I was outside this time, circling around what ground was attached to the floating castle to clear my head. The sun had not peeked through the clouds for days, but it wasn’t raining today either. The dark clouds that loomed above me boomed threateningly with thunder, but that was it. I had taken advantage of the dry spell to take a walk.

 

I could not rest throughout the night. I had made up my mind after my meeting with my lord that I would follow his orders through and get these silly feelings out of my system, but the more I thought of it, the more it ate at me and now I just couldn’t figure out what to do.

 

What was it I felt for the Hero? I couldn’t deny the feelings anymore. The more I ignored them, the more they reared their ugly heads into my face. I knew I didn’t pity him. I had mercilessly fought with him before he was taken prisoner and not a feeling in the world passed me then, but now that he was at the mercy of my hand, his very life resting in my hands, I was unsure about all of this.

 

And to see Lord Ganondorf torture him in front of my eyes nearly tore me apart. Maybe that’s why I yelled out. I couldn’t stand his screams anymore.

 

I would just have to gag him next time.

 

The stalfos from the day before rounded a corner and slammed on breaks when he saw me. “Oh…here ya are.” He held up a hand top stop me as I reached for my sword. “Naw. I didn’t come to spar. Lord Ganondorf told me to come fetch ya. Says it’s that time again.”

 

I nodded and walked passed him without a word.

 

“Hey…”

 

I stopped, back facing him.

 

“Ya know…ya’ve been looking pale these past few days. Are ya sick? Something bothering ya?”

 

I shook my head and stared at the sky. “No. Guess I’m just under the weather.”

 

The stalfos scratched at his boney head. “Well…if ya insist nothing’s wrong, then alright.”

 

I quickly made my way to the bottom of the dungeons again, wondering what in the world my master had in store for today. There were only so many ways to torture someone without killing them.

 

He stood in front of the door like a guard, easily covering it with his tall form. He gave me a hard stare. “Took you long enough.”

 

“Forgive me. I was outside.”

 

“Well, hurry up.” He grinned. “Today’s going to be fun.” He handed me a long black whip and opened the door, waltzing in to reveal that the Hero was now chained to the wall, his back facing us. His shorts were still on, but the blindfold stayed and his gag was already removed.

 

I paused. “Um…sir…?” I couldn’t bear it.

 

“What now?” he hissed, throwing me an irritated glare and crossing his arms. “What’s got your girly panties in a wad this time?”

 

I stared at the floor unblinkingly. “I think I know why I hesitated yesterday.”

 

“Oh? And how’s that?”

 

I gulped. “Can we cover his mouth this time?”

 

He didn’t answer, only smiled. “I guess that can be arranged.” He was enjoying this way too much. It made me want to take this whip and flail him.

 

I shook my head. I had to get these thoughts out of my head. I didn’t want to be one of those traitors and end up in this room myself. I took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled as my lord rummaged around the table, extracting a large ball that was connected to a strap. He crossed the room and shoved the ball in the blonde’s mouth, securely fastening the strap behind his head. He turned to me.

 

“There. Satisfied? Now, do it.”

 

Without another word, I placed myself behind the Hero and let the whip fly. A long gash appeared behind his back and he flinched. His knees quaked and he would’ve collapsed, but the chains that held him were far too short for that, and he was practically hanging as I whipped him over and over until he had about ten bloody marks on his back.

 

“Alright. That’s enough.”

 

I stopped. Only ten lashes? That was it? Was my lord growing bored with this continuous torture game?

 

The smile on his face told me otherwise. This was far from over. “We have a new addition today,” he announced, spreading his arms out like he was a host introducing the audience to something. He made his way to a dark corner and returned with a strange-looking device I had never laid eyes on.

 

It was a pole with two forked prongs set on either end, a strap held in the middle. What was this thing?

 

My lord was laughing like a maniac as he rushed to the Hero. “I’m going to do this one.” He ripped his blindfold off, revealing the wild blue eyes underneath that were watered from pain and ablaze with fear. “I want to see it.” He reached up and grabbed the blonde’s chin. “Lift your head up, boy, if you don’t want to die.” Even though it was a command, my lord himself forced his face to look at the ceiling as he dug one end of the prong into the blonde’s chin. Before he could scream in pain, he shoved the other end into his upper chest before tying the strap around his neck. Blood dripped freely from the new wounds and my master was beside himself with glee.

 

Even though it looked deadly, the truth was, the position that the prongs were stabbed in actually avoided any vital areas, trapping the Hero’s face in that same position. Should he try to move, the prongs would kill him.

 

He was breaking. I could tell it. Tears were flowing freely from his eyes and he was sniffling like a child. The position that he was in now prevented him from talking, but that didn’t make much difference considering he was still gagged and wouldn’t have talked anyway.

 

My lord clapped me on the back. “Well? What do you think of my new toy?” he asked, smirking in satisfaction. “He’s even crying! The Hero of Time is crying like a baby!”

 

I nodded and said through gritted teeth, “Yes. Very attractive instrument.”

 

“I would leave him like this for the day, but there is one last thing I want to do before I’ve had my fill and with that thing in him, it could kill him.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“You’re going to do it.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

He jerked the forked thing out of the blonde’s chin and chest after undoing it from his neck and threw the thing to the floor like it was a disgusting insect and afterwards, strode over to the table once again, chuckling darkly.

 

I looked at the Hero. His knees were buckling together and he was shaking something terrible. His blue eyes were staring at me in an almost begging way. He looked ready to pass out which I didn’t blame him for. He hung his head as Lord Ganondorf fiddled around with his toys.

 

I couldn’t see what he was doing, but I knew it involved fire. I could see sparks flying as he used his magic to light up something. “Why don’t you pull up a chair for the Hero?” he called back to me. “He must be tired from standing up so long. Undo his chains and tie his hands behind his back once he’s seated, then remove his gag.”

 

I did as I was told.

 

“Cover his eyes again, too.”

 

I did that, too.

 

When I was finished, I turned to face Lord Ganondorf who was holding a large metal hammer which was burning from fire he had used to light the flat end with. He handed it to me. It wasn’t even heavy.

 

He leaned in to whisper to me so that the Hero would not hear. “Break his legs.”

 

The blonde was shaking in his seat, no longer having sight to see what was going on. I stood in front of him, rearing back the hammer to crush his legs. I could hear the metal sizzling next to my ear. I swung with all my might to his side and hit his right knee.

 

There was a sickening crunch that was barely heard over the Hero’s screams of agony. I had broken his knee. Not his leg, but this would suffice. Without pause, I reared to the other side, breaking his other knee.

 

Laughter and screams deafened me as I dropped the hammer. It sizzled and smoked as it hit the floor.

 

What had I done? I felt so guilty. I was about to cry, but I couldn’t; not in front of my lord.

 

He made his way to the blonde, ripping off his blindfold and forcing his face down to his legs which were burnt from the fire and horribly bent in places it shouldn’t have been bent.

 

“Aww,” the redhead cooed mockingly. “Does it hurt?” He threw his foot up and slammed it on the Hero’s knees, causing him to scream even louder. “Don’t worry, Hero,” he said darkly as he made his exit. “Before tomorrow’s over with, you’re going to be begging me to take your life.”

 

He turned to me upon closing the door. “You rest some, too. You’re a vital part for tomorrow’s show.”

 

I nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

 

As soon as he slammed the door shut, I fell to my knees and wept. I had never before been so disgusted in myself in my life. I felt like taking that hammer and breaking my own legs, I was so ashamed.

 

“Link…Link…” I coughed out his name through the haze of tears and looked up at him in the chair, he himself crying, but staring at my broken form in confusion.

 

I crawled over to him like a writhing insect and gently grasped his ankles, setting my forehead on his foot. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please…please…I’m sorry.”

 

He couldn’t kick me away, but if he could’ve he would’ve. I knew. I was his shadow, after all.

 

“Wh…what’s your deal?” he said, gasping through the pain. “You hurt me one second and then apologize the next. You’re crazy!”

 

I looked up into his blue eyes, the innocent, electric blue orbs that sparkled with a taste for justice and a passion for prosperity. How I envied those feelings, the feelings of wanting to do something good.

 

I was created for evil, but my lord seemed to have supplied me with a little too much. I had a mind that could think all its own, and I had feelings that couldn’t be ignored.

 

I felt ready to burst, but I could only laugh at Link’s statement. How ignorant the mind of a child was. It was so laughable. I stood up and gently touched the side of his face, tears still streaming down my face as I smiled. “You’re right. I was created by my lord to be your opposite. I am Dark Link, the great Hero of Time’s very shadow. I was born from the bowels of darkness and provided with a human body, mind, and soul in order to destroy the Hero. I followed every order without question, but…even as a shadow…I cannot ignore my feelings.”

 

He was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say to me. He only glared, tears still slightly falling down his face.

 

“I cannot hurt you anymore. If I do, I’m going to kill myself.” I stared into his eyes. “That being said, I can no longer allow him to hurt you either.”

 

His eyes widened in confusion at me, but he still didn’t speak.

 

“I’m going to get you out of here tomorrow, okay?”

 

“Why?” he asked, glaring at me suspiciously. I didn’t blame him. I found it hard to trust myself sometimes. “Why are you going through all this trouble? If you’re afraid of him, you know that if you do this, he’s going to kill you.” The blue in his eyes blazed like fire.

 

I nodded. “I am quite aware of that, Hero.” I placed my hands on his thighs and squeezed just slightly. It was time to use what magic I still had from Ganondorf and put it to good use for once.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Healing you.”

 

“Why? You’re crazy.”

 

The bones mended themselves and popped back into joint. The process was painless. “I said I was getting you out of here, but you can carry yourself.”

 

“Gee, thanks.”

 

I grazed the wound on his chin and chest and healed them as well. All that remained was a round, pink scar. I untied his hands and made him turn around. “I’ll do what I can with your back, but I’ve used up almost all of this magic, so I won’t be able to heal much.”

 

“Then don’t.” He turned around. “Save it for when you really need it.”

 

I nodded.

 

He leaned into me suspiciously. “You still haven’t told me why you’re doing this.”

 

“Do you really want to know that much?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Can’t you just write it off as a simple act of goodness?”

 

“No. You’re too psychotic for that.”

 

I had to laugh. He had a point. I took a breath and faced him. “Fine. I’ve been mulling this over for awhile and I finally figured out why I can’t take this torture business anymore.”

 

“Tell. I’m all ears.”

 

I paused. “I love you.”

 

He reaction wasn’t what I expected either. I expected him to throw a fit at the least or punch me or something, but he merely gave me this odd look, like he was studying me before he nodded. “Oh,” was all he said.

 

“Was that too much?”

 

“A little.”

 

Day 4 (Midnight)

 

I was back at the dungeon. No, I wasn’t here to deliver food; I had done that hours ago. No one knew I was here, not even Link knew I was coming, but he certainly knew I was here once I made my way through his door once again.

 

He jumped. He was standing up, no binds or anything for once. He looked as if he had been wandering around the room, trying to figure a way out, or either studying the instruments of torture. He was fully clothed in his usual green tunic and even had his hat and shoes on. Yes. Definitely going for an escape.

 

I shut the door behind me. “There’s no way out of here.”

 

He arched his eyebrows. “How’d you know?”

 

“I’m you.”

 

“No, you’re not.”

 

“Fine. I’m your shadow, but still you in a way.”

 

“Whatever. Kinda weird that myself loves myself, don’t you think?”

 

I laughed. “Yeah. Weird.”

 

He shifted uncomfortably. “So…are we getting out tonight?”

 

I felt guilty again and sighed as I answered. “No. I can’t. Ganondorf doubles the guards at nighttime. This is usually when the prisoners plan their escapes.” I had to laugh at his incredulous expression. “Yeah. You’re not the only one who’s tried, Link.”

 

He arched his eyebrows, crossing his arms. “Well, fine. What’d you come done here for if we aren’t getting out?”

 

I crossed the room so quickly, I caught him off guard and I grabbed the sides of his face. “You.”

 

“Wha--?”

 

My mouth was on his and he was pushing me away. I pushed towards him harder until we were against a wall where I could trap him. My tongue flew out and danced with his in our enclosed mouths.

 

“D-Dark!” He managed to pull away from me, but I had my spidery fingers clamped tightly to his wrists, binding them to the wall and my chest pressed to his where he couldn’t move. “What do you think you’re doing?”

 

“I said I’d get you out of here, but make no mistake, Link.” I chuckled darkly. “I’m still a follower of Ganondorf’s, so I don’t have to play fair, do I?”

 

“You really are a psycho!” He glared at me, but I could see the slightest glow of blush on his face.

 

“You seemed to be enjoying it, tonguing me back like that.”

 

“I was trying to get you out of my mouth!”

 

“Shh.” I kissed him again. “You wouldn’t want a guard to hear, would you?”

 

His glare could probably kill, but he clamped his eyes shut, seeming to submit to me since he knew he wasn’t getting out of it. I was the stronger one now. He was weak from the past few days.

 

“Good boy.” I moved to his neck, causing him to gasp as I began sucking, creating hickeys.

 

“Stop…” He whined. “That feels weird.”

 

“Really? Want me to go lower?”

 

“No!”

 

Ignoring him, I pulled down the collar of his tunic and kissed his scar, causing him to flinch. He really was innocent if kisses like this were making him uncomfortable. Well, I guess it didn’t help matters none that I was a guy, but whatever.

 

I looked up at him from my kisses to see his eyes still clamped tightly shut. “I’m sorry for everything we did to you.” I licked the scar.

 

“No…stop apologizing…”

 

“You can look, you know. It’s not like I have cooties.”

 

His face turned red. “It’s not that! I just…I can’t.”

 

I nodded. “Okay. If you don’t want to look, I won’t force you.” I moved to his nipples which had grown hard from my tongue touching his neck all over and I touched them with my fingers.

 

“Hey! Watch where you’re groping!”

 

I laughed. “Oh? Would you rather I play with this then?” I touched his naughty spot and that nearly sent him spiraling through the roof. I laughed loudly at his reaction. He nearly melted in my arms, his knees buckling and shaking, face redder than a tomato.

 

“I swear, if you do that again, I’ll freakin’ kill you!”

 

“Fine. Killjoy. But, I’m still playing with these.” I moved back to his nipples and lapped at them with my mouth, sucking and tickling them with my tongue.

 

“Ah…no…”

 

“Come on. Admit it.”

 

“No…”

 

I undid his belt and reached upwards through his tunic, touching his pale, flat stomach. His breath caught in his throat at my touch and I forced both of us to the floor where he could lean back against the wall while I played with him. I ran my fingers up, down, and all around his bellybutton, brushing over his scars and sealed wounds, reaching up to touch a hard nipple every now and then. I forced him all the way backwards and leaned down, kissing his thin stomach and tickling the sides which made him jerk whenever I would hit a sensitive spot.

 

“Come on, Dark. Haven’t you had your fill? This feels freaky.”

 

I almost laughed. Innocent bodies were the best. “No. I need more.”

 

“Well, if you’re thinking of that--!”

 

“What if I am?”

 

“Dark, no! I don’t want that!”

 

“Aww, come on. I’ll make it good for you.”

 

“I said no!”

 

I leaned up to look at him. His blue eyes were wide open and he was staring at me almost pleadingly. I sighed. There was no way I could defile that face.

 

“Fine. Have it your way.” I smiled mischievously. “But, you have to kiss me in return.”

 

He frowned displeasingly. “No way!”

 

I forced him down to the ground after crawling on top of him. His wrists were held firmly in my hands and I pressed my mouth to his once again. His eyes slammed shut upon impact and stayed that way well after I had leaned up to breathe. “Too bad. You got one anyway,” I said through a smirk.

 

He turned away, cheeks flaming red. “You suck. You play dirty.”

 

“Yeah, I do.”

 

“Freak. I wouldn’t be like this if I had my strength back.”

 

I shrugged, getting up off of him. “Yeah, but…” I turned to smile at him. “Even then, I’d be forcing you down.”

 

He slugged me in my arm. “Jerk.” He rubbed at his mouth embarrassingly and turned away from me. “What’s the escape plan?”

 

“Don’t worry.” I balled my hand into a determined fist. “I’ll use his own magic against him. Hopefully, it’ll be enough for us to bail and find your weapons before making a break for it.”

 

“Hopefully?” he repeated, staring at me in disbelief.

 

I shrugged. “Well…I’m not…entirely sure he’ll be subdued by his own magic, but don’t worry. If it fails, I have a Plan B.”

 

He didn’t look convinced.

 

“Trust me.” Okay, maybe that was a poor choice of words. “Just…leave it to me, okay?”

 

He nodded. “Alright. It’s all you.”

 

I hugged him before leaving. “Thank you. You really are too kind of a person, Link.”

 

“I should be thanking you. You came to your senses and you’re helping me.”

 

“Heh. You’re thanking a person who just sexual harassed you?”

 

He blinked. “Yeah, what am I thinking? You’re horrible!”

 

We both laughed. I think that was the first time I really ever saw him smile. I kissed him goodnight before heading back to the tower.

 

Day 5 (Early Morning)

 

I was ready.

 

Ever since I got back from the dungeons, I had since then been silently standing in the tower, eyes never leaving the window.

 

The weather wasn’t looking any better than it usually was. There was no sun, only dark clouds and the threatening boom of thunder here and there.

 

It probably wasn’t even passed six before he slowly opened the door, causing me to whirl around. I was usually more collected than this, more calm, but past events had caused me to become more clumsily it seemed, so I nearly tripped over my own feet as I turned to face him.

 

His face was strange. Like he was X-raying me. Those yellow eyes bore into mine, causing me to physically shiver. “What’s the matter with you?” Even his tone was slightly on edge. It was as if he was a parent catching a naughty child doing something wrong.

 

I tried to look innocent. “I do not know.” I turned and motioned toward the window with my head. “Perhaps the weather is getting to me. I haven’t been feeling well lately.” The words came pouring out as if it was natural to lie to my master.

 

His face never changed. “Come.”

 

I followed as usual as we repeated the routine that had become almost second nature. As we made our way down the spiraling staircase, I couldn’t help but ask him. “What are your plans for the Hero today?”

 

His deep voice throbbed with sinister laughter. “It’s a surprise.” He opened the all too familiar door and walked through. I shut it behind me, following after him down the hallway toward the door that had Link trapped behind it. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

 

I gulped, suddenly having that gut feeling come back to haunt me and I felt sick.

 

I was terrified for what was about to happen, but I couldn’t bear to see Link go through anymore torture. I had to get him out. There was no room for failure.

 

The locks jingled loudly and Ganondorf swung the door open, bringing Link into our view. He looked as if he had jumped up from sitting on the floor. His eyes widened with slight fear as Ganondorf strode in, taking in the blonde’s tattered state quite happily.

 

“I see you’re as filthy as ever.” He kicked him in the stomach and it took ever fiber of my being not to let loose right then and there and kill him myself. I had to stick with the plan. I couldn’t afford to butcher it.

 

Link coughed and hunched over, cradling his sore stomach, but the redhead grabbed a handful of his hair and lifted his face up to his, squinting his eyes as he studied him.

 

“You look a bit different.”

 

I cringed. I had forgotten all about healing his wounds from the night before. I was certain to get a beating for that.

 

The yellow eyes turned to face me and my mind began racing with excuses. He knew I had done it.

 

“Had I left him as he was, there would be no more room to inflict pain, wouldn’t you agree?” There it was again. I was speaking so naturally, I even spooked myself.

 

He took my bait. “Ah, yes. Of course.” He released Link’s hair and let his leg fly, catching the youth by his ankles and causing him to fly in the air before landing hard on his back. “You,” he boomed in an authoritative voice. “Take off your clothes.”

 

I had to wait, I had to wait. There would come a right moment to put my plan into action.

 

He suddenly turned to me, pointing at me with a thick finger. “You. Do the same.”

 

I actually blinked in confusion. “Excuse me?” I heard myself ask, voice barely above a whisper.

 

“You heard me. Take off your clothes.” His mouth slid into a most unpleasant grin and he gave me an expected look. “I told you that you would play a vital part for today’s show.”

 

I could only imagine what this maniac planned for me to do. Whatever it was, I refused to do it. There was no way, no possible way I could ever bring myself to hurt the one person I loved again. “Forgive me, but could you elaborate?”

 

He seemed more than happy to. “Why…of course.” There was poison in his tone. Something told me he knew something that I didn’t and it was making me uncomfortable. He pointed to the blonde who had complied and was now sitting naked on the floor. “I can leave even the most prominent scars.” The grin widened. “You’re going to taint him.”

 

My throat had tightened so much, it was difficult to breathe and not any easier trying to speak. I could hear the fear in my own voice. “You’re…you don’t mean…”

 

He nodded. “I know what you’ve been up to, Dark. Do you honestly think I’m that simpleminded?”

 

I backed away. Not in fear, but defiance. I was ready for him should he come at me.

 

He stepped forward, eyes darting about, studying my movements. I did the same. He wasn’t poised to attack and neither was I, but both of us were practically on our toes, waiting for the other to make the first move.

 

“It seems I made a fatal error in creating you.” He took a step forward.

 

I backed away.

 

“The mind is something I can easily overpower. However…I believe I cannot penetrate the soul and that causes traitors like you to make their way into my legion.”

 

Instinct kicked in and my left hand reached up to nab my sword, but he was just a tad quicker than I, and he was on me in a second, thick hand wrapped tightly around my neck.

 

“No need to fret.” His laughter echoed in my ear. “I know how to deal with creatures like you. You’re all the same.”

 

It was then that I felt a surge of what could only be defined as electricity pulsate through my body. I was screaming, it hurt so much. It was like every cell in my body was on fire, screaming for the pain to stop.

 

Link was screaming to, but he could do nothing. He was too weak.

 

Throughout the screaming and sparking of electricity, I could hear him laughing at me, squeezing my throat even tighter. “Do you understand now what it means to defy me?”

 

The pain stopped, the noises stopped, and I was finally free. He released me and I stood tall, eyes burning with some new-found hatred.

 

“Yes, master.” Wait…I didn’t want to say that. Why did I say that?

 

“Remove your clothes.”

 

“Yes, sir.” No…no, no, no. My black tunic was off before I could stop myself. My boots had been removed, my hat off, my cap flown to some part of the room, my sword and shield discarded.

 

I walked toward Link who sat on the floor, eyes staring at me in fear, pleading for me to stop. “Wh-what’d he do?” he asked.

 

I could hear the redhead’s overzealous laughter. “Take as long as you like.” He crossed his arms. “I want to see the Hero squeal, and you’re going to make him.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Do it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Why was I doing this?! I didn’t want to do this! My hands were shaking. I was trying to stop myself, but no matter how much I fought, my body moved on its own.

 

I was at Link and he was shivering, not knowing what I was about to do. He was innocent, unsuspecting, but I knew far too well what was about to happen. I couldn’t do this to him. I wanted to scream to him, yell for him to run, to get away from me, but I was trapped. I was trapped in my own body.

 

I grabbed his arms and could feel his sweat coat my hands.

 

“D-Dark?”

 

I stared at him with pleading eyes before I pushed him down hard, forcing his wrists down and sitting on top of him, trapping his body to the floor. The innocent blue eyes filled with tears and stared at me, begging me.

 

Ganondorf was beside himself with excitement. “Do it now, Dark.”

 

I leaned up off of him long enough to draw his legs back where they rested on my shoulders, giving me easier access.

 

“That’s it.”

 

No, no! Stop it right now! You’re not really going to rape the person you love, are you? Stop it! Wake up, wake up, wake up!

 

“Dark?” He was crying. “What are you…please…” He sniffled like a child. “Please.”

 

I could feel tears fall down my face as I shoved myself into him. His cry of pain was like shattering glass, ringing in my ears and cutting through the still silence in the room, destroying peace.

 

Ganondorf was laughing. “This is hilarious. Look, Dark! He’s crying again! Do it harder!”

 

I did. In and out, in and out. I couldn’t stop myself. My tears blinded me and there was no way to stop my body from moving. I was a puppet.

 

“Dark!” Link screamed. “Please, stop! It hurts!”

 

He was bleeding and Ganondorf was laughing. The redhead was leaning against the wall, beating on it with his fist while shouting out commands to me. “Wait, you’re not in far enough! Go in further!”

 

This was torture for both of us. I was never going to be able to forgive myself for doing this to him.

 

A pale hand suddenly reached up and slapped me directly across the face. The sudden and unexpected sting of pain jolted me out of what I was doing and my body was mine once more.

 

“Link…” I pulled myself out of him, breathing heavily. We were both coated in sweat from nearly head to toe. I was still crying. “I’m…I’m sorry.”

 

“Dark…that really hurt.”

 

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I couldn’t…he shot something into me.” I reached down to hug him. Ganondorf didn’t see. He was too busy laughing his head off. “I didn’t want to do it.”

 

He hugged me back.

 

I released him and gave him a determined stare. “It’s time to put my plan into action.” I clenched a fist. “He’s forgotten that I still possess some of his magic.”

 

He nodded and I stood up, turning to face the redhead who stopped laughing once he saw me. “What do you think you’re doing? I didn’t tell you that you could stop!” He shot an arm out at me, but for the first time, I was the faster one, the better one. I whipped my hand out before he could, feeling a warm and powerful jolt of magic explode out of my hand. It shot toward him like a bullet and hit him dead center in his face. He fell over backwards like a tree after it had been cut down and he hit the floor, completely unmoving.

 

Link was the first to speak after an uncomfortable silence flew through. His breathing was shallow. He was still hurting. “Did you…did you kill him?”

 

I wiped at the sweat on my forehead and let out a laugh. “It’ll take more than that to kill someone like him. He’s only knocked out. Quickly.” I gathered up our clothes and my weapons and we redressed faster than lightning striking. I grabbed his wrist and we raced out the door. “We’ll have to make a quick pit stop to retrieve your weapons.”

 

He stumbled as we flew up the stairs and I looked back at him questionably. “I’m sorry,” he said, face scrunched up. “It still hurts.”

 

I felt like kicking myself. “I understand if you hate me for that.”

 

He smiled gently. “You weren’t in your right mind. It’s okay.”

 

“No. I could’ve stopped myself.”

 

“Please, don’t worry about it.”

 

“How can I not?!”

 

We stayed silent for the remainder of the trip up the stairs. I threw open a door on the way up where his weapons sat and quickly handed them to him. He reequipped them as we ran, sweating, tired, and pumped purely on adrenaline.

 

We passed several guards along the way, but we were running so fast, I wasn’t surprised that they didn’t have time to assess the situation.

 

It was almost like seeing the first light of life as we reached the entrance and I nearly flew us out the door and we stumbled out onto the ground, breathing heavily, our breaths of air coming out in thick puffs of fog, and shaking.

 

“Dark…look…”

 

I looked up and smiled. “It’s snowing.” Indeed it was. It had already coated the ground somewhat, but whatever hit the lava below the castle was doomed to melt. “Have you ever seen snow?”

 

“No.”

 

“Come here.” He came close to me and I grabbed his arm, calling upon my own power that I alone possessed and we sank into the shadows, popped back up on the ground opposite to the floating castle. I released him and bent over, weak and exhausted from earlier. We both were.

 

“Thank you.” He looked up at the sky that littered the ground with cold whiteness. “I could’ve died if it wasn’t for you.”

 

I laughed sarcastically. “If it wasn’t for me, you would’ve never have had to go through that in the first place. You owe me nothing.” I stood up straight and pointed to my heart with my thumb. “I wouldn’t blame you if you ran me through right here with that sword. It’s not nearly enough for what I deserve.”

 

He smiled, the blue in his eyes softening, looking peaceful for once. “Anyone who regrets what bad they’ve done aren’t evil. You’re a very good person.”

 

“Stop talking about me like I’m normal. I’m a shadow.”

 

“But, you still have a mind and a soul. Isn’t that good enough?”

 

I moved into him and embraced him, pulling him close to me and holding his head into my shoulder. “Why must you be so kind? I can’t stand it.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

I laughed and pulled away from him. The snow had grown thicker and we both had snow resting on our heads and shoulders. “You need to go now. Ganondorf won’t be subdued for much longer.”

 

He nodded.

 

I smiled at him. “Go rescue the rest of the sages and get stronger, then when you face off against him again, I want you to give him what he deserves.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“And Link?”

 

“Yes?”

 

I kissed him and hugged him once more. “I love you.” I released him and he turned around just as quickly, racing down the path that led to Hyrule Field. I closed my eyes, embracing the cold that surrounded me. It was strangely peaceful.

 

I could feel his power surging, awakening, growing angry. He was coming. I clenched my fists and could’ve sworn I heard his scream of anguish all the way from the dungeons. There was an explosion in the castle (probably blew up something in anger) and I turned around to face the castle again, spotting him flying towards me with incredible speed. He halted when he spotted me, a black speck in the sea of whiteness, and he dropped down, landing hard on his feet and moving towards me, punching me in the face.

 

“Are you trying to kill yourself?!

 

The force of the strike was so severe, I had fallen to the ground and was sitting up, spitting out a tooth. I didn’t answer and that only further angered him.

 

He grabbed me by my hair and forced me to stand, his yellow eyes blazing with absolute anger and hatred. “You’re such a worthless creation!” He reared his arm back and socked me in the face once again before he tossed me to the ground like a rag doll.

 

A portal of darkness surrounded me and trapped me to the spot on the ground.

 

“You’re going back where you came.” He chuckled darkly. “And don’t even think that you’re getting back out.”

 

I closed my eyes, smiling tranquilly as the darkness washed over me like water and then everything went black.

 

 Months Later(Afternoon)

 

Link had long since defeated the King of Evil and had brought peace to Hyrule once again. Tribes had gathered, people had celebrated, and parities had ensued once everyone realized that they were safe once more.

 

Yet, many had not even realized that their savior had been the Hero of Time himself and so, he walked by unnoticed, just another citizen living in Hyrule.

 

He was still roughly around 17 years old and had been giving a task to return the Master Sword to its resting place so that he could regain the past 7 years of his life that were lost, but he still had unfinished business.

 

He wasn’t even sure why he was dillydallying around. A small voice in the back of his head told him to wait. Wait for the right moment to return the sword and stay where he was for awhile.

 

The air around him was warm and serene, glowing with the first signs of new life as flowers and trees once again began to bloom and flourish, a sure sign that Spring was gracing them with its presence once more.

 

He was returning to the Kokiri Forest, his home. He didn’t know why. That nagging voice was back again and it was telling him to go about his business as usual and return home, so he listened to it.

 

Many of the children from the forest rushed to greet him as he made his entrance. They shook his hand, patted him on the back, and hugged him, thanking him for all he had done. They were well aware of who he was and what he had done and were eternally grateful for it.

 

After escaping the mob, he returned to his house and happily snacked on some food while he sat on his bed and stared out the window. It was quiet times like this that made his mind wander and he found himself thinking about the events that happened a few months ago.

 

He had almost been killed, but a certain someone had helped him escape and couldn’t thank that person enough. Unfortunately, whenever all of the fighting was over with, he no longer was able to locate that person. He had spent the past week or so searching for him all over, but no trace of him ever showed up.

 

He sighed and leaned back against his bed, chewing on an apple he had grabbed from a bowl on his table. He looked over at his mirror that was next to the bed and stared at his reflection. It was strange to look at himself, but think of it as someone else.

 

In fact, the more he looked at himself, the stranger his image got. His blonde hair was slowly turning darker and darker. His green tunic was dulling until it was a charcoal black and his blue eyes were melting into a red color.

 

He stood off his bed like it was a hot stove and dropped his apple, not being able to believe his eyes as his reflection stepped out of his mirror, dripping wet with some sort of darkness that resemble black water.

 

The red eyes stared back up at him in a playful way. “Hello, Hero,” Dark said.

 

Link tackled him, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Where have you been?! I was scared that you were dead or something!”

 

The shadow laughed as he hugged him back. “You can’t get rid of your shadow that easily, Link. Don’t you know that by now?”

 

“Whatever. I’m just glad you’re back.”

 

“I am, too.”

 

Dark released him long enough to kiss him fully on the lips and he smiled before hugging him once again. “You don’t know how long I’ve been in darkness. It feels so great to be in light again. I’ve missed you so much.”

 

“I’ve missed you, too. And, Dark?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I love you.”

 

He laughed lightly, finally feeling peace wash over him. “Me too.”

 

The End

 

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