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by an awesome blossom

Sometimes the difference between real and imaginary is just perception.



I'm taking some rather extreme artistic liberties with this. So if you notice anything that doesn't line up with something that happens in the game, don't bother telling me; I already know.





I.



"Goddesses is it hot," Link groaned as he slumped against the warm stone wall from inside a fixture in the desert and touched his side gingerly. "I think I got sand under my bandages."



You should have killed that Gerudo bitch when you had the chance.



He dug around in his pack and produced a canteen. "Why? ...You worried about me?" Link asked with a smile.



No. You're just so fucking annoying when you complain.



"So vulgar! Are you in a bad mood or something?"



I don't know about you, but being lost in the middle of a Goddessforsaken desert doesn't exactly perk me up.



"Ahh," Link said holding the canteen in one hand and pointing triumphantly with the other, "but we're not lost. One of the ladies in the Fortress said to follow the flags until we see a stone structure, and then we'll find someone who will be able to guide us the rest of the way."



Did you see anyone here?



"No. But we didn't check all over."



It's not exactly a large structure. I think you could fit five Hylians in here at the most.



"Who's to say they're not on the roof? I think I saw stairs outside leading up to it..."



To be up there in this climate they'd have to be as crazy as you, Link.



"It's possible," he said with a good-natured shrug as he tilted the canteen up to drink. "Hey, I could have another twin running around up there. What do you say...you?"



I'd say your canteen is empty.



Link let out a small yet resigned sigh and silently screwed the top back on the canteen. "You know," he admitted with an embarrassed laugh, "I think it's only had water in it once. I keep forgetting to put some in..."



Silence was the only response, though Link could feel condescension and annoyance from him. It made his throat knot up and his heart beat a little faster. In a strange act of comfort, he carefully removed the cloth cap from his head, and ever so gently he pulled out a dull fairy. He cupped her in a strong hand and stroked her delicately.



You keep her in your hat where she could easily get lost and hurt? And here I thought you actually cared.



"It's her home!" Link retorted suddenly in a brusque tone colored with pain and frustration, "I'm not keeping her in a fucking bottle or anything like that..." With that he stared at him until he could feel no more scrutiny and see nothing but a void.



Just as carefully as he had removed her, Link set her back into the cloth and arranged it snug on his head. "The sooner we get to the Desert Colossus and that other temple, the sooner she'll wake up," he said with a soft voice full of optimism, "I know it... So are you coming?"



You talk as if I have a choice.



"Then come on."



So what, we venture blindly into a harsh and uninviting climate on words given to us by a malicious bitch in hopes that the Goddesses will take pity upon us and send someone to guide the way?



"Yep."



I knew there was a reason why I liked you.



A smile was Link's only response as he gathered his things and made his way back out into the dry heat and blinding sand. He strayed near the central structure as he found and climbed the stairs up to the roof...only to find a space as barren as the desert.



"Huh," he said with resignation. "I guess you were right; there's no one here."



As much as I'd love you to believe I was right, the fact is that there is someone here. A shadow of the living.



"One of those types?"



No, no...a Poe. This must be the guide that Gerudo woman spoke of.



"I don't see anything..."



Has your dimwittedness blinded you? It's hovering off the ledge...and it's moving, Link. Follow it.



"Follow what?" Link asked as he circled around. "This Poe that only you can see?"



Go! It's leaving us!



"I can't see it," Link muttered tersely as he gripped the sides of his head in frustration. "How am I supposed to follow something I can't see?"



Idiot! Face slightly to your right. ...Good, now jump off the ledge and run. We've got to catch up!



Link murmured a faint curse as he followed orders for only a few seconds.



Stop, stop! You'll pass it up, and it does us no good to be ahead of our guide.



"Fine," he said as he came to a halt and looked around at the stationary scenery. The only change was that the stone structure was slightly further away than it had been before. Other than that, it was just sand and more sand. "Where is it now?"



It'll be coming up on your right...



An involuntary shudder coursed through Link's body and his right shoulder tingled as it turned to a coldness that was unwelcome even in the desert's remarkable heat.



Did you feel that? It passed right through your shoulder. Heh. How did it feel? To occupy the same space as the dead?



"Stop being so morbid and tell me where it's going."



Just walk a gentle curve to your right...now left...straight...straight...left...left...left...



"Are you toying with me? Because it's hot, I'm getting dizzy, and I really don't appreciate it," Link stopped and blurted out in frustration at the slow instructions given to him.



Don't stop, you'll lose it. Go left and be quick for a few paces so you can catch up. And no, I'm not shitting you, as much fun as that would be. You forget, I have no desire to die out here in this Goddessforsaken land with you. Keep going straight.



"Hey...since you can see this thing and I can't, can you communicate with it? Ask it how much farther the Colossus is?"



...Can't. Your whining is the only thing I can hear. Go right. Just follow my directions and we'll get there eventually. Left.



"We only have an hour or two before nightfall, don't you think?"



Right.



Link trudged through the sand, following unseen guides through a nonsensical path, for what seemed like forever to him. He watched the sun gradually descend into the horizon with every few direction changes or so as his body felt like it was rapidly wearing out. Frequently he was chided for not having any water in his canteen. He chided himself on this as well.



Eventually, just as dusk was creeping in, he reached a post.



"Where do I go now?"



How am I supposed to know?



"W-what? Where's the Poe going?"



Back to where we met it. This is as far as we were taken...



"You're being an asshole, right?"



Yes, but not on purpose. I really don't know where we're supposed to go now. I can't see so well now that it's getting darker and the wind is picking up.



Leaning against the post with a faded red flag tied at the top, Link fiddled with his gloves nervously. "So it's getting darker and we're out in the middle of the desert where everything looks the same... It's okay. I've been in worse situations before, right? I can get through this one."



It's getting cold, isn't it? Now that the sun is abandoning you.



"The Ice Cavern was colder."



Was it? But you weren't so...alone then as you are now.



"I'm not alone. I've got you and Navi with me. And you said that you didn't want to die out here with me, so I know you'll help me out of this, even if it's with reluctance."



...Her light's out.



"It'll be back. We just have to awaken the last two Sages and then she'll be flying around, yelling 'HEY!' and telling me things I already know."



She was annoying, wasn't she? Is that why you...



"You can be as big of a bastard as you want, but I won't lose faith," Link murmured as he looked around, shielding his eyes from the flying sand before spotting something. "...Hey, is that another post out there like this one? Over that little dune?"



Huh. I suppose it is. There are probably other posts that will eventually lead us to the Desert Colossus. Hopefully.



"Then let's get to it! I'd like to reach there in time to catch some sleep and food."