The Legend of Zelda: Spirit of Evil

Zelda quickly walked down the stairs, her light feet making only the slightest tapping sound. She was astounding with her almost-unearthly beauty. Golden-yellow hair fell down past her waist. Ivory-pink skin perfected her slender, almost frail figure. Startling dark, azure eyes sparkled like the purest sapphires, with rose quartz lips to accompany them. Her delicate, pointed ears were pierced and she had a miniature dangling gold Triforce on them. She wore a dress much like the one she had worn when she had fought Ganondorf. The only difference was she now wore a tiara of gold, marking her status as Queen. The Triforce at the top, Sheikah eye below it, a miniature Zora’s Spiritual Stone to the right of it and the perfect gold swirls of the Gerudo symbol of the moon to the right of that. Beside the eye, on the left, was were two more tiny Spiritual Stones. Kokiris Emerald and Gorons Ruby.
She reached the throne room and gave a small smile to find Neela, Her loyal Zora cook, waiting by her throne with her breakfast. “Good morning Milady.” She said, a smile twitching the edge of her mouth as she looked at her flushed ruler. “I was hoping you would be down before it got cold.” Neela set the tray of food on a small table by the high throne and bowed. “If there is anything else you require…”
“Please call for me.” Zelda finished, her smile getting even wider. Neela laughed and bowed again, then left.
Zelda walked up the steps and sniffed appreciatively at the plate. Neela always made sure Zelda ate well in the morning. A pitcher of warm apple cider with a bowl of fruit salad and a small loaf of soft white bread with a few fried cuckoo pieces lay on a small table. Pouring some of the liquid from the pitcher, she drank. She no longer bothered to spell the food. Zelda had recently learned that Zoras were very sensitive to poisons due to their harmony with water. Neela would be able to tell if someone slipped a little extra into the drink. And Neela herself, had Zelda’s full trust.
Four Sheikah warriors appeared in the center of the room and took their place beside Zelda. Two appeared with mist covering them, telling of their lower rank. The other two with quick flashes of light, one of the highest ranks. Only Zelda and a few others had reached Impa’s high rank. When she wished, she appeared in a explosion of darkness that stunned those with evil hearts.
She slowly ate her meal as she dealt with minor quarrels, signed agreements for new buildings and inspected some possible recruits for the special warrior rank.
‘Goddess, this throne is uncomfortable! Did I not tell them to find a cushion for this horrible gold surface?’ She continued to watch men show off their fighting skills. She knew that she would only accept one. She knew it was a Sheikah in disguise by the magic surrounding his form. Using her vast powers, she looked past the Shadow magic and saw…
Zelda gasped slightly and called the patrol to stop. Beckoning the young man forward, she stood and brought one arm up in front of her, then drew it away. His form shimmered then evaporated, revealing a slim, short young woman dressed in the tight black clothing of the Sheikah and the common Sheikah mask across her face.
“I can understand if you hide your heritage. Why do you hide your gender, young one? You know that I except worthy females.”
The young female looked coldly at the astonished commander. “He did not want a girl ‘distracting and slowing down’ the troop.”
“I see…” said Zelda. She raised an eyebrow and glanced coolly at the now angrily flushed commander.
“Commander Turo, explain yourself. You have gone against my laws.” Zelda said rather coldly. She was always sharp with this commander, considering he was the only human commander among the Sheikah and Gerudo ones.
“Majesty, I do not approve in taking females into my troop. It shows foolishness! Often my men are distracted because the women like to flirt with the them. Women are too weak and cause problems.”
Zelda’s expressionless face suddenly tightened and her eyes narrowed. She stood and walked down to the commander, who was stunned at what he had just said.
“So. You think women are weak.”
“Majesty, please forgive me! I only meant…
“You meant exactly what you said.”
Zelda walked around the commander. Despite his training, he was trembling. Zelda had never punished one of her own. But, no one had ever insulted her so. Triforce or no Triforce, Zelda was the most powerful magic user in Hyrule, and one of the ancient and gifted Hylians to boot. All knew that the talk about her power was not an exaggeration.
But Zelda, gentle as she was powerful, forgiving as she was beautiful, did nothing but lay a hand on his shoulder. “Be careful with your words in the future. Look at the youth.” She said, nodding her head to the girl standing quietly aside. “You said yourself that she was doing well before I lifted the illusion. The illusion did nothing to aid her fighting skills.” He nodded, sighing with relief and continued drilling the troop.
“Come here, young one.” Said Zelda, sitting again on her throne. The girl darted forward and knelt at her feet. “Why do you wish to become a soldier?”
“I want to be worthy of being trained by Sheik himself, Majesty”
This surprised Zelda greatly. “You know that Sheik does not teach.”
“I had a dream that, Sheik was teaching me…”
Zelda was instantly alert. Not because the girl might be a Seer, most Sheikah were. But because what else she might of seen in her dream. She closed her eyes and searched the young one’s soul. She felt…honesty, awe, a small amount of fear and…hope.
Zelda’s eyes opened again and looked at her. The girl, who had been gazing at Zelda, quickly lowered her eyes respectfully. A gentle smile touched Zelda’s face. “Give me your name.”
“Enowa, Majesty.”
“Well met, Enowa…Yenna, Fawqe.” The two high class warriors beside her stood forward. “Take Enowa to one of the dormitories. You will take her to the Sheikah training with you every morning and evening. Please keep me informed of her progress.”
Enowa bowed, almost beaming with joy. Although Yenna’s and Fawqe’s faces were covered, Zelda saw their smiles in their eyes as they looked at the happy girl.
Zelda too, smiled. “Perhaps, I shall talk to Sheik. He might make an exception.” Hope flared in Enowa’s eyes and she bowed again. After they had left, Zelda halted the troop. “No other people will be chosen this day. You are all dismissed.”
Then, the eleven remaining men all tore off their shirts. Underneath, they had bloody scabs in the shape of the Triforce. This showed they were a rebellion group. The triangle carved on their left was very bloody indeed. The Triforce of Wisdom. Her Triforce. They were here to kill her.
Commander Turo immediately drew his sword and started attack one of them. Unfortunately they had been holding back their fighting skills, making him hard pressed with just two of the rebels. The two remaining Sheikah fighters fought two more, but still, seven warriors charged toward her. She grabbed the first and electrocuted him into unconsciousness. Another screamed with fear and pain as his clothes caught fire. But there were too many coming. A sword fell, about to strike her head… In a whirl of green light, she vanished, leaving a single whisper in the air. “Sheik…”
Dark light flashed behind them and wisps of black and purple mist swirled. A dark figure dashed out of the small cloud and almost danced among the men who, were still covering their eyes from his arrival. With a blur of movement, Sheik rendered all the men unconscious. A series of kicks, arm and leg swings, and pinches to nerves caused them to fall like logs. A lucky swipe caused a nasty slash on one of the young Sheikah. The man was about to finish him when a hand grabbed his arm and started to twist it. The rebel tried to break the powerful grip to no avail. He turned his head and glared at the attacker. Cold, flaming red eyes burned into his own. He heard a sharp crack and a flash of pain, then darkness…

***

“Damn! He’s losing too much blood! Sheik, where is Milady Zelda?”
Commander Turo was bending over the young Sheikah while the other one, the wounded Sheikah’s sister, held his hand.
Sheik dropped the unconscious man and kicked him aside. “Commander, leave the room. You too, Syie.” Said Sheik quietly. Commander Turo looked surprised but nodded and left.
“I want to stay with him.” Said the young girl.
“You must go.”
“I must stay with him.”
Sheik saw the fear and love burning in her eyes and knew he would not win. “Then you must swear by the Eye that you will tell no one of what is about to happen.”
Syie’s eyes widened and she nodded. “I swear.”
Sheik knelt near the young man and felt his pulse. “So faint…” Knowing that he did not have enough time to disappear and change into Zelda, he reached a decision. Sheik held out his right hand and placed it over the wound. He glanced at Syie, reminding her of her oath then closed his eyes. Feeling the weak life force, he poured his energy into the wound. But he knew, that was not enough. Hoping that he was doing the right thing, his began to use the Triforce of Wisdom. The healing was rapid from there. Sheik opened his eyes to see that the mark of the Triforce, on his wrist was glowing though his clothing. The left triangle flaring almost white in its brilliance. He then pulled back, feeling the heartbeat return to normal.
“You……h…how …did …” Syie was lost for words.
Sheik stood and glittering light surrounded his form. When it receded, there stood Princess Zelda. Beautiful and smiling sadly.
“You will tell no one, Syie. Sheik is my disguise for the world.”
“You…you won’t…erase my mind?”
She laughed. “No I won’t. I trust you. After all, my Sheikah disguise will not last forever.”
“May…may I tell my brother?”
“Yes. But no one else.”
The sweet sound of ocarinas filled the room. (She had insisted that the guards use them instead of trumpets. After all, this was a time of peace.) A perfect smile graced her face and she ran from the room, lifting her skirt slightly so as not to trip. She entered the castle courtyard and ran all the harder when she saw the familiar green figure dismounting his chestnut horse.
Link laughed and swept her around before hugging her and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Zelda. I didn’t think it was possible but, you have grown more beautiful since I saw you last.” Said Link, grinning.
“You…You are so… annoying!” Said Zelda, blushing at his praise.
“I know. But I am at least, honest.” He said, brushing his lips across her neck.
Zelda pulled away from his kissing. She felt rather uncomfortable, so close to him. ‘What am I thinking? We are in love, meant to be together! Perhaps it is because we are not married?…Gods, I do not know!’
Two flashes of light and Yenna and Fawqe appeared by her side. “MILADY!” They cried, falling down to their knees at her feet. “Please warn us when there is an attack!” cried Yenna.
“We thought the worst when we came back to find you gone and Syie tending her unconscious brother.” Said Fawqe, sounding very shaken.
Zelda had never seen her personal guards look so pale. ‘They must truly care for me.’ Thought Zelda, smiling inwardly. “Forgive me, there was no time. Please, no harm was done that cannot be undone. Rise.” They did, still shaky. Zelda touched a hand to their faces, showing her thanks for their loyalty. They smiled and bowed, and fell behind her as she walked with Link to the throne room.
“Syie knows my identity.” She stated
Fawqe was startled. “My lady, she is a little young…”
“I had no choice. She would not leave her brother.”
Link thought about it and shrugged as they entered the throne room. “There is little to worry about. The only ones in the castle who know are she, the Elite Sheikah Guard, myself and…”
“Me.”
Excluding Zelda, They all froze and turned to find a tall, completely black figure behind them. Blazing red eyes, pale white skin and black hair. Face covered with the typical Sheikah mask and the red Sheikah Eye on his chest.
Yenna and Fawqe bowed deeply. Link was too startled to do anything and Zelda just turned and looked at the leader of all Hyrule‘s defense. “Eclipse.”
“My Queen.”
Link flinched at the rasping voice of the Phantom. His throat had been torn while defending his village in the Seven Years of Darkness, causing him to speak in a rasping, hissing voice.
The Phantom noticed the flinch an turned his burning eyes to Link. “Does my voice disturb you, Hero of Time?” Link actually started to draw the Master Sword, angered by the mocking tinge in Eclipse’s tone. The Phantom’s eyes challenged him, daring him to try…
“Are you truly planning to fight in front of me?” Said Zelda, coldly.
Link turned his angry gaze to Zelda. The Phantom’s eyes widened and he bowed in apology. She regarded both of them. She knew there was a silent yet open rivalry between them, more on Link’s side than Eclipse’s. Link had thought he was the best fighter and swordsman in Hyrule. Eclipse had beaten him easily in a hand to hand fight. Link’s pride had been badly damaged. It was not repaired when he beat the Phantom with the sword. He had been furious with Zelda when she had accepted Eclipse into her best line of fighters. He didn’t speak to her for three days when she put him in charge of Hyrule’s army. Eclipse was different then Link. He didn’t care if he was the best swordsman. He was often angered with Link who tried to futilely to enrage him into a fight. She thought she should fight Link herself as Sheik, to put him in his place. ‘No’ she decided. ‘I would kill his pride.’ Yet, Zelda was curious about how a fight between Eclipse and Sheik would turn out. ‘It would be very interesting…’
“Link, I cannot have you jumping up and down whenever a chance to fight Master Eclipse arises.” Said Zelda rather coolly. Link’s ears turned red and he bowed slightly.
“Eclipse, I will ask that you show more respect to Link. He is the Hero of Time. We owe Hyrule’s very existence to him.” Link’s ears reddened even more with the praise.
“You are all dismissed to your other duties.” They all bowed to her and walked off.
“May I have a word with you, Master Eclipse?” Asked Zelda.
“Of course, Princess.”
Link smirked as Zelda called the Phantom back, thinking she was going to give him a private lecture. Zelda and Eclipse both looked at him with emotionless eyes. Acting like he had just remembered something, he hurried off.

***

“Forgive me for not being there when you were attacked. About what did you wish to speak with me?” Asked Eclipse.
“That is fine Eclipse, you have other duties…What do you think of Link?”
Eclipse was startled. “You ask my opinion?”
“Yes. Your honest opinion.”
He sighed. “Forgive me, my Queen. I believe he has grown arrogant. When the evil Ganondorf was defeated, and we were celebrating, I met a different Link. Elated, kind and deeply in love.”
Zelda flinched at this part. Most people knew that Link was madly in love with her.
“Over time he began to change. Where I once admired him, I now disliked him. Pride began to rule him and he started to boast about his deeds more. I challenged him in hopes of lowering his pride. I only made him more angered.”
“I too, thought of challenging him just now.”
“I would advise against it, my lady.”
“Yes, I know…” She said, sighing.
Eclipse looked concerned. “Is there something wrong, my lady?”
“Well, you could stop calling me, ‘My lady’ or ‘My Queen’.”
Eclipse laughed gently. If Zelda hadn’t known him so well, she would have sworn that his laugh was cold, unfeeling and even mocking. “I am sorry that it disturbs you so much. It is a mark of your status…If you wish, I shall try to call you by first name.”
“Yes. I do wish. You are starting to be like a brother to me. You always seem to be there when I need help. I hope we can be on first name terms.”
The Phantom looked at her, a smile in his eyes. “Thank you, my la…Zelda. I am honored.”
They continued talking as they walked toward the dining area. She told him of Enowa and the attack then wanted to tell him about her desires to have a spar with him but found it very difficult.
“You grow quiet, Zelda. Have I said something troublesome?”
“You will, in all probability, say a emphatic ‘No’ to this but… I was hoping we could spar.”
Eclipse laughed again. ‘More like a chuckle.’ thought Zelda. “Impa said that you might want to spar someday.”
“I do not wish it because I want to know who is better.” Said Zelda, slightly offended. “I thought it would just be something interesting…”
“You wish to fight me as Sheik?” he said, lowering his voice to a faint whisper.
“Yes.”
‘She has much courage.’ Thought Eclipse. ’ But I cannot agree to a fight! What if I slip and strike her? Ahh, that would be horrible…’
“Eclipse?”
He smiled, knowing that she could sense it. “It will be very interesting.”
Zelda gave a pure smile and stood. Extending her hand she said: “At sundown?”
The Phantom pulled his mask down and kissed the hand instead of shaking it. “I shall be there.”

***

Link heard that there was to be a fight between Sheik and Eclipse. A part of him was happy for Zelda. He knew that she had wanted to fight Eclipse for a long time. Another part of him was angered. With not much reason behind it. ‘How can she let him fight her?! I don’t trust him! He’s so strange and dark. What if he gets the opportunity to hurt her?’ Link decided to go and stop the match.

***

The setting sun cast pink and lavender glows across the sky, and Sheik and Eclipse made ready for their spar. They warmed up, jumping, stretching and overall, ignoring gravity as they ran around the room, up the wall and stood on the ceiling of the Throne Room (which had been cleared of all the rebels.) The Elite Sheikah Guard, some other bystanders, Syie and her brother came to watch. Sheik detached himself from the beams on the ceiling, flipped and landed silently beside them. “I am glad to see that you have recovered, Autien.” Autien frowned, still not believing what his sister had told him. “Thank you, Master Sheik.”
Sheik bent over and whispered in his ear. “You still doubt me, don’t you? You doubt the one that saved your life.” He leaped away and continued his exercise, leaving Autien with those troubling words.
A few minutes later, Neela ran into the room. “The sun has set.”
Sheik and the Phantom leaped from the ceiling and landed in the middle of the large room. They bowed deeply, then to up fighting positions. The match had begun!
Like an arrow, Sheik dashed in. Eclipse was surprised at such a aggressive attack and dodged to one side. Hooking his foot around Sheik’s as he ran past, he dragged it to the side hoping he would trip. Sheik bent backward until his hands touched the floor. Using his powerful leg muscles and unique skill, he lifted Eclipse from the ground and over his head. Undoing the foot lock, Eclipse landed on his hands and flipped, waiting for the next attack.
The battle went on and on. They moved from ceiling to floor to walls. They both started to sweat slightly. How long would it go on? Sheik started to laugh quietly, knowing that they were getting nowhere. Eclipse heard the laugh and knew its source. He too, started chuckling. Yet still they fought on, neither one wanting to finish until the other collapsed.
***

Link watched Zelda and the Phantom battle, feeling very jealous of Eclipse, who had lighted the fires in Zelda’s eyes. ‘He has no right to fight with my Zelda. He shouldn’t be so close to her, either.’ He thought, watching them fight close at hand. ‘He is laughing with her! What is so funny?…Is there something between them?…’
Suddenly, Sheik’s hand cut through Eclipse’s defense and posed at his neck, very close to the nerve that, if hit, would cause unconsciousness. Yet, Sheik froze to find Eclipse’s hand in the same position. They were at a standoff.
Link pushed through the crowd. He would end this now.