Clearer in Time

XXI. The Light in the Darkness

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The organ music was deafening on the other side of the door. It was against the wall, the Evil King at the keys. Against the opposite wall, bound in chain, was the princess. She appeared to be asleep.

As Link took in his surroundings, his sword already drawn, the organ music stopped. The room fell silent, except for a faint humming sound.

Link felt a sharp pain in the back of his left hand. He doubled over, clutching at his wrist. He undid the straps of his wrist guard, inspecting the backside of his hand. There was a faint glow emanating from it, a golden aura, like a halo around his hand. Upon it was the sigil of the Goddesses, the Triforce. The lower left corner of the triangle glowed brighter than the others, signifying Farore’s presence.

The Triforce of Courage. It was with him all along. He stared in awe. Somehow it all made sense. Ganon held the Triforce of Power, and Courage was housed within himself. He could guess where Nayru’s shard rested.

He looked over to the princess. Across the room, Link could see a faint glow surrounding Zelda’s right hand, identical to his own. The energy of it had apparently woken her. Their eyes locked for a moment, her light, sapphire eyes to his deeper, ocean blue ones.

Then it was over, Zelda dropping her gaze. A laugh echoed throughout the room, and Link turned his attention back to the Evil King.

“The Triforce is unifying…” Ganondorf said. “It longs to be one again. Who are we to deny It’s wishes?” He stood from his organ and turned to face the Hero, his long cloak swirling dramatically.

“You’ve caused me far too much trouble over the last seven years, Hero,” Ganondorf continued, his voice rising, eyes burning into Link’s. “You’ve thwarted my designs time and time again. But in the end, it was your fault.”

“You led me to the Triforce,” Ganon cried. “You and your beloved princess are to blame. I infiltrated the Sacred Realm, I killed all who stood beside me, I touched the Triforce. Me! Alone! The Triforce is rightfully mine! You and the princess are unfit to bear the shards! I demand you return them to me!”

Link said nothing, only clutching the Master Sword tightly in his hand, the Mirror Shield held in the other. Ganondorf’s lips curled into a sinister grin.

“Very well,” Ganon said. “If you won’t hand it over, I’ll be glad to take it by force.” Ganondorf outstretched his arm. A golden light flashed from the back of his hand, and when it faded, the Evil King was holding a massive sword. He took hold of it with both hands, watching as the Hero took stance.

The Master Sword thrummed with energy in Link’s hand, the blade glowing brightly. It longed to serve it’s purpose. Link charged at Ganon, sword trailing behind him, shield held in front. Ganon remained motionless as he approached, watching his movement.

Link swung his sword low, trying to force Ganon to drop his defense. Before Link could comprehend what was happening, Ganon had blocked the swing with sword in one hand and had taken hold of Link’s neck in the other. He raised the Hero off of his feet, strangling him. Ganon smiled at his pain.

Even while being choked to death, Link was amazed at how fast Ganon was, how powerful the Triforce had made him. He had parried the blow in the blink of an eye, and with one hand. That giant sword looked like it weighed a ton, yet Ganon was holding it in one hand, as though it was a feather.

“Don’t disappoint me, Hero,” Ganon said, half mocking, half insanely furious. His eyes burned intensely, as if they were literally on fire. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for seven years.” He swung his arm back and hurled Link against the wall. He landed directly in Ganon’s lavish throne, the seat cushioning him from most of the force that would have likely broken his back. He gasped for air, clutching at his throat.

He looked up to see Ganon already standing over him, titanic sword raised above his head. Link tumbled sideways out of the decorated chair, the blade coming down a second afterwards, crushing the throne. Ganon swung as Link tried to get to his feet. Link blocked it, his shield arm buckling under the weight of the giant sword. If he had been using his old shield, rather than this enchanted one, it most certainly would have shattered.

Link tucked and rolled away from Ganon’s feet, springing upright to face his adversary. Ganon sneered in triumph, the battle already decided in his mind. The sacred blade thrummed energy into Link’s arm, fueling his courage, strengthening him. The battle wasn’t over yet.

…

The world was upside down. Two deep, crimson eyes stared into one, dull gargantuan one. A few feet below where he was suspended, his hat lie on the ground, having fallen off of his head.

The fight with Vaati was intense. Ever since the Hero had continued on towards Ganon’s chamber, he had been flying through the air, flung by the infinite amount of smoky tendrils, tendrils that he couldn’t chop through, but solidified when they wanted to wrap around his ankle or midsection.

It was all over to Dark, however. He knew the monster’s weak point.

The tentacle wrapped around his ankle loosened, and Dark fell to the ground unexpectedly, knocking his head on the stone floor with a loud thwack. The world spun for a moment, before he regained his bearings. Already he could feel another tentacle slithering around his midsection.

The tendril solidified, and Dark Link took his chance. He sliced his blade through the tentacle, crying out victoriously when he felt the slight resistance of solid form, rather than smoke. The tentacle flopped on the ground a moment before dematerializing into a dark haze.

Dark Link had the upper hand now, slashing at the tendrils as they touched him, charging full speed towards the black orb, that levitated in the center of the room. The giant red eye watched him.

A tentacle formed, making to wrap around his leg. Swiftly, he leapt atop the arm, rushing still towards the center. The creature seemed to realize it’s mistake, the tendril converting back into mist. But it was too late. Dark Link used the last of his footing and took a leap towards the eye, sword clutched in both hands, ready to be driven into its target.

The monster mad no sound as the blade pierced it’s nexus, but the air in the room stirred violently, knocking Dark to the ground. He watched as the wind visibly swirled about the chamber, a miniature, confined tornado. The black mist comprising the beast was slowly wisped away, tentacles first, then the black orb in the center. The last of it was blown away, and all that was left was a crumpled figure kneeling on the floor.

Vaati winced, clutching hard at his midsection. Blood trickled through his fingertips. He felt something cool and sharp touch the nape of his neck. The mage looked up to see his opponent standing over him, sword ready to deliver the mortal blow. Vaati was too weak for anything quick. It was all over.

“Well played,” Vaati said dully, his one red eye locking with both of Dark Link’s. Even when slowly bleeding to death, he seemed unattached. “Just as well, I suppose. I’ve lived far too long, anyway. Finish it.”

Dark Link nodded, raising his sword to deliver the kill. As he held his faux Master Sword above his head, his mind began to spin. He looked at Vaati, kneeling on the ground. Looking into the young mages eye, he could see something similar. Was this how he had looked when the Hero had prepared to kill him?

Dark shook his head. Don’t distract yourself, he thought. You’re no hero. You know who you are. Dark steeled himself and, with both arms, brought the sword down.

The hit resounded with a dull, metallic clanging. Vaati eyed the blade that had struck the floor just next to him. His singular gaze traveled back up to the double.

“Gone soft, have we?”

Dark Link’s eyes were wide and thoughtful. He couldn’t do it. And what was worse, it had nothing to do with the fact that he saw himself in Vaati. It was what else he saw in the mage’s crimson eye. Sadness. A strange, resounding sorrow that hurt just to look at. No wonder the boy seemed to have no emotions, if he felt anything close to the look of misery that was always visible within his eye.

Dark raised his sword, sheathing it behind his back. He kneeled down and retrieved his hat.

“I’ve spared you,” he said to the bleeding mage. “You’re in no condition to keep fighting. I suggest you get that wound taken care of. You‘ll live if you hurry.” Dark Link turned and headed for the door, leaving the puzzled wind mage bleeding on the cold stone floor.

…

It wasn’t so much a fight as it was a choreographed beating. Link fell to the ground once more, bruised and bleeding. Ganon’s attacks were ruthless and unrelenting. The Hero was trying his very best just not to be killed. As for actually turning the tide of the battle, it seemed impossible.

He got to his feet again. Ganon was already upon him, hitting him broadside with his giant cleaver, sending the Hero skidding limply across the floor. The Gerudo King laughed, approaching the fallen young man.

“This is the Hero chosen by the Goddesses?” He trivialized. “What a waste of flesh and blood. You‘re pathetic.” Ganon stood over Link’s helpless body, massive sword ready to behead him. A maniacal sneer of triumph cracked his face.

“The Triforce is mine,” Link heard him say to himself under his breath. The sword came whistling down.

The parry resounded throughout the room. Ganondorf’s eyes were wide with shock. The imitation Master Sword had knocked the trajectory of Ganondorf’s blow, sparing the Hero. Ganon’s eyes traveled up and met with the scarlet eyes of his creation, the doppelganger, Dark Link.

“You…” Ganondorf’s voice was deadly quiet. “You TRAITOR!!! How dare you!” I created you! I am your MASTER!” Dark Link only smirked, his canines showing.

“Not anymore, you aren’t.” Ganondorf smiled wickedly at this.

“Is that so?” Link, who had just stumbled to his feet, watched as Ganon waved a hand through the air. Immediately, Dark Link fell to his knees, screaming in pain. He clutched at the sides of his head, his eyes squeezed shut in agony. Ganondorf waved his hand again, and Dark Link stopped, dropping to his hands and knees.

“I created you, you worthless fake. I wove you blood, made you from practically nothing. A difficult task for even the most skilled sorcerers. Don’t you dare assume that you can just do whatever you wish. You are mine!” Ganon waved his hands again, and Dark Link was magically lifted to his feet. Against his will, it seemed, he positioned himself in fighter’s stance.

“Now,” Ganon said. “Let’s see how your free will serves you now. I order you to kill the Hero of Time!”

Link’s eyes darted from Ganon to his double, whose crimson eyes were locked to his with a deep sorrow in them.

“I’m sorry…” Dark Link said. “I can’t control it… I have no choice…” Link nodded, reluctantly taking his own stance. Ganondorf, with another wave, magically repaired his throne and sat down, his malevolent grin full of joy. He snapped his fingers above his head.

“Now, begin!”

…

Zelda watched as the duel unfolded. Never, from any of the elite knights of Hyrule, had she ever seen such swordsmanship. Link’s technique was flawless, every swing and every sidestep an fluid, graceful motion. His fighting style was fierce and flowing.

The double, for his part, was equally skilled. He matched Link’s strikes blow for blow, parry for parry. It almost looked as though the counterpart knew exactly what Link’s next move would be.

She could see the reluctance on both their faces as they fought. Neither were holding back, yet neither wished to fight the other. They were friends, pitted against each other. She looked to Ganondorf, who watched the battle gleefully from his throne. How she despised the man.

Then, for the first time since she had awakened, Zelda heard a familiar voice.

“Well, if you hate him so much, what was all that before?” A feisty, mocking voice, full of anger and spite. Sheik’s.

“Is that really important right now?” Zelda thought back sharply, her lips not moving, her eyes still watching the duel.

“It will be when this is all over,” Sheik retorted. “Although I’m sure you won’t mention it to Link when your grubby little paws are crawling all over him.”

“That’s enough!” Zelda shot back. “It’s easy for you to say anything. I gave you my body. You’ve been living through me for the last seven years, while I was a slave to my own subconscious. I had no idea what I was to think or feel when I had my body again. There were so many feelings and emotions barraging me at one moment. It’s all new to me. You’re not being fair.”

There was silence for a moment, Sheik considering what the princess had said. Finally she replied again.

“I’m sorry…” it sounded like it was physically hard for the stubborn Sheikah to say. “I suppose I can see your point. But even so, you know as well as I do that you’d be taking advantage of him. He thinks that we’re the same person, Zelda. You know better, so you better not touch him.”

Zelda sighed out loud. She knew the girl was right. About Link, at least. As for them being two people…

“Sheik, we practically are the same person. I created you. You’re a part of me. If were not the same person, if were separate, what does that make you? You’re not quite real…”

Zelda immediately realized how insensitive her words had been. Now it was her turn to be sorry. It was true, what she had said. Sheik, in a matter of speaking, wasn’t real. As long as Zelda existed, Sheik didn’t. Of course, the Sheikah girl probably knew that, all too well.

“Sheik…” she tried. “I’m so sorry…” Sheik answered, and even though it was telepathic, Zelda could hear that the girl’s voice was choked with tears.

“Isn’t there a way?” She asked quietly. “Can’t we be separated, somehow?” Zelda couldn’t answer. In the physical world, she could feel tears coursing down her cheeks and under her chin.

“I’m sorry, Sheik…” Zelda said. “I don’t think there’s a way…

…

If they had both been in their prime, the fighting terms would have been infinitely equal. The fight, however, was gradually slanting to one side.

The previous fight with the Evil King had drained the Hero. He swayed on his feet, unable to keep up with Dark’s advances. He would’ve stopped, had he the choice. His actions, however, would not obey will, no matter how hard he tried. He truly was a slave to Ganon’s power.

With an involuntary swipe of his foot, he knocked Link onto the ground. The Hero rose to his knees, locking eyes with the double standing before him. How ironic, Dark thought. I used to wish for nothing more than this.

“You win,” Link said tiredly, dropping his eyes from Dark’s. The counterpart pulled his arm back, preparing to drive the blade through.

“I’m sorry, Link…” he tried. “I can’t stop…” Link nodded, not meeting his gaze. Dark Link gathered all of his strength, trying with all his might to stop his body. But it was no use.

His arm rocketed forward, stabbing his blade through Link’s torso. The Hero cried out softly, not a terrible scream of agony, just a light exclamation. Blood gushed from his wound. In the background, Dark could hear the princess screaming Link’s name. He withdrew his blade, and watched as his dying friend and rival collapsed onto the ground.

Suddenly, Dark felt something clasped around his wrist. He looked just in time to see Ganon’s arm, having clutched Dark Link’s own. Ganon lifted Dark’s arm, sword in hand, and drove the blade through the double’s chest, causing him to gasp. He knew without looking, that somehow, his wound was identical to Link’s. It always turned out that way.

He felt Ganon’s breath on his ear as the Evil King whispered to his dying creation.

“Look what you’ve done. You’ve killed your own friend. Your dying by your own sword. This is what happens when you defy me, you worthless creation. You have no free will.”

Ganon released his hold on Dark Link, and the double fell to the floor. His vision was rapidly fading, slipping away. He thought of Malon, of how she was probably upset with him for leaving without saying goodbye. I can’t die, he thought to himself. I promised her that I’d see her again.

I promised…

The thought faded, and Dark Link’s heart stilled.

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*Well, dave, you called me on it, but it was already planned to happen. Dark Link is dead :'( Very sad, I know.
*To address those who seemed concerned that I've simply squeezed Sheik out of the story, don't fret, I have not forgotten her.
*It looks as though, within this one chapter, I have put into action a lot of the events that people were worried would happen. Just remember that this is the climax of the story, and there's gotta be a lot of of plot twists and stuff before the ending. Just keep reading, and I'm sure most of you will be pleased : )
*To "jarty," "JBails," and "dave," thank you for the reviews. Always motivation to keep on writing. I hope to recieve lots of feedback from readers in these ending stages of the story. If all goes as planned, there should only be two chapters left, plus an epilogue.
*Read, Rate, Review, and ENJOY! 'Till next chapter!