N

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by an awesome blossom

Sometimes the difference between real and imaginary is just perception.



Violence and unnecessary language, probably.



II.



His breath came harsh and ragged as he clutched his left arm in pain. The Iron Knuckle, bigger and darker than the last, strode slowly towards its intended victim in a saunter weighted down by gravity and metal. The dull glean of the iron in the chamber well lit by torches was only present on select pieces of armor; the rest of the metal was dented by what few victories Link had on this iron warrior.



As Link looked down briefly at his injury, he saw that bloodstain had consumed his sleeve entirely and even crept up to his shoulder. He wasn't surprised since it felt as if his blood was pouring out in copious amounts. "I can barely use my left arm, and I'm losing a lot of blood, even as we speak. What are the odds of me surviving?"



Unless this thing keels over on its own, you're going to die.



"That's..." Link said breathily as he backed away from the slowly advancing Iron Knuckle, "that's what I thought."



The Iron Knuckle closed in on Link while he backed away, almost in a circle, trying to decide what to do as blood dripped from his left hand. Close enough to its intended target, the metal warrior then attacked, swinging its heavy and deadly labrys at Link.



In reality it was a few seconds before the blade came in contact with the new shield, but since Link's head was swimming from blood loss and pain, it was as if he only had a fraction of a second to defend himself. The labrys came crashing down, simultaneously crushing Link against the ornate and detailed carpeting of the floor now stained with his blood and sending him flying back a few feet into a sturdy column.



Link let out a sharp cry of pain as he felt at least a few bones in his arm break. In that moment he realized the weight of his situation, how helpless and useless he was on his own - he, the Hero of Time, who could not properly figure out an animate mass of metal's weakness and execute it. "Navi," he whispered, his voice cracking from pain and exhaustion, "help me. Please."



What about that ball of holy fire? You may not be in any condition to use it, but it's strangely powerful. Able to overcome darkness, even...



It wasn't Navi, but it was something.



For a few seconds as Link pooled his concentration swirling into an orb of fire in his hand, the approaching Iron Knuckle was forgotten. The only thing worth thinking of was the indirect power of Din flowing through his palm and fingertips, gathering such incredible energy that could make any enemy suffer. When the large, metallic hulk was but a few feet away, Link let loose the power of the Goddess Din, Her wrath in the form of fire.



Din's Fire did no more than stun the enemy momentarily, but once Link saw that the enemy hadn't perished, desperation and an almost animalistic instinct to survive kicked in. As he took his sword in his right hand, that was all the time he needed.



There was no real skill or finesse in Link's desperate and wild attacks on the metal armor with an arm he was unused to, but the alliance of the Goddesses was verified once more when he hooked the Master Sword underneath an iron armor plate - the first major blow to the Iron Knuckle's defense. Even with the enemy regaining mobility, adrenaline rushed to Link's head, handing him back his talents in speed and quick thinking as he made quick work of the outer armor. In an attempt to finally behead the iron giant and secure his victory, Link swung his sword upwards. His right hand, however, wasn't as skilled as graceful as his other and instead he managed to send the helmet flying off.



...Only to reveal, as the remaining armor of the Iron Knuckle fell to the floor in a loud clang, a Gerudo woman.



A sharp intake of breath was the only sound Link made as he stepped back slightly. His pain and fatigue was forgotten.



I told you not to trust those bitches.



"But...she may be..." Link murmured, almost inaudibly, on the defense as the Gerudo looked around the chamber wildly, finally setting her eyes on the man before her.



Her tongue was sharp and heavy in accent as she spoke to him in a panicked yet commanding tone, "Who are you? What have you done to me?"



"I..." Link began as the heavy sensation in his head returned and his bodily stress began to make itself known in his voice, "I..." But that was all there was.



"One of Ganondorf's lackeys, aren't you? I may have been found, but I won't let you or him or anyone else defeat me!" She did not have a weapon to attack him with and the labrys was too heavy for her to wield, but Link had to credit the Gerudo's resourcefulness when she darted off to the walls of the chamber and picked a torch from its holder.



"We're on the same side," Link said as he sheathed his sword awkwardly with his right hand. His slack arm's duty, tightly gripping the handle of his shield, was relieved as he took it back into the other hand. "I'm not going to attack you. See?"



She scoffed loudly as she cautiously drew a few feet closer to him. "Like I'll believe a man of Ganondorf's!" With that she attacked, casting the corner of the chamber from which she came into darkness as she rushed up to him and fiercely brandished the torch on Link. Though he put his shield up to defend himself from her, she made contact with his bloody arm almost instantly.



You shouldn't have sheathed your sword.



The voice rang through one ear and to the other only to ping-pong back and forth in his head, all the while sounding as if he was underwater. It was the only sound he heard - not even Gerudo battle cries or his own screaming registered to him. Link still had speed in his favor, but his legs became useless once he put only a few feet of distance between the Gerudo woman and himself before collapsing. He quickly put his shield in front of him to help defend from any future attacks, though he knew it would be useless. The voice faded in his ears and was replaced by a dull and drone blip beeping erratically; his ears twitched as he wondered why the woman hadn't killed him yet. He didn't even have the strength to look over his shield at her to see her indecision as she stared between the hilt of his sword positioned like a beacon and the scrap metal she was born from.



Link counted forty of the blips before he felt his shield being gently pulled away and his injured arm lifted up slightly. The Gerudo woman talked as she pulled away his tattered sleeves and applied a strange salve to his wounds. He couldn't hear a word of it at first but slowly the burdening sensations in his head receded and her voice reached his ears, apologetic yet still retaining her pride.



"-nd o...des...act...ws in th...sha...o if you s...pla...wing, jus...sh it up an...b it wh...re you...jured. ...s girls alw...s kee...so...on us just in...se, bu...was a li...sed to fi..I still had...me. ...w are you...ling?"



"Huh?"



"I as...w are you feeling?"



"Alright I guess," Link answered as he stared at his charred wound. "My hearing's coming back, so thank you."



"Oh," the Gerudo said as she looked surprised. "I...n't realize you cou...'t hear. Then you m...ave missed my apology. I g...s in my panic I d...'t put together the...lian crest on your shield and hilt of...r sword, coupled with your injuries. The l...t thing I remember before suddenly being here was being f...nd by those two hags as I tried to steal the gauntlets that I see you now possess. The two...ags are Koume and Kotake, and they're particularly talented at brainwashing. It's no surprise that they practically advise Ganondorf."



Link looked up at his attacker-turned-savior as she finished applying the salve. "I take it they trapped you in that Iron Knuckle I fought."



She nodded and tore several strips of fabric from her flowing pantaloons. "That's the conclusion I came to as well, especially since it's not beyond their capabilities to do so. I was try...g to steal the gauntlets so I could get into the final chambers of the temple where his treasure and lair were rumored to be. While I was practically his right hand, he didn't trust me enough to let me into his most sacred place. I guess he knew after all that I was plotting against him. King or not, I didn't want him to oppress my sisters any longer. That and that dream he had of ruling even Hyrule was ridiculous," the Gerudo said as she finished wrapping his wound with her makeshift bandages.



"Ganondorf took over Hyrule seven years ago," Link said quietly.



Her expression was that of shock, but after a few moments it turned crestfallen. "I can't believe they stole over seven years from me," she said softly. "I...I could have done something to stop him..."



Although he knew it was inappropriate and he greatly sympathized with her, Link began to chuckle at her words.



"Why are you laughing?" she demanded suddenly, taking the defensive and prideful stance. "Who are you?"



"Seven years ago, I met the Princess of Hyrule who told me that she and I had to save the land from a man who she believed pledged false fealty to her father in an attempt to eventually overthrow him. To help her stop him, I would have to gather three semi-precious stones that acted as keys to the legendary blade of evil's bane. I was only ten at the time and underwent considerable trial to retrieve them, but as you can see," he said, gesturing over his shoulder to the hilt of his sword, "I did it. Unfortunately, when I pulled the sword from its pedestal, I went from the body of a child to that of an adult. A Sage told me that I had slept in the Sacred Realm for seven years - the seven years that Ganondorf used to ruin Hyrule - until I was able to wield the Master Sword and become a true hero. But I can't even try to stand up to Ganondorf until I secure the power of the six Sages, which involves cleansing the temples of evil to awaken them. So here I am, attempting to cleanse the Spirit Temple and awaken the fifth Sage."



The Gerudo took a moment to consider his words, but she appeared to believe him. "The Spirit Temple...that's where I figured we were. Since you have the gauntlets, we must be in one of the back chambers, the ones I was never allowed to venture to..."



"There are but few more according to my map," Link said with a hinting smile.



She gladly took the hint. "Well, you obviously almost died fighting me, so there's no telling what other trouble you could run into on your own. We seem to have the same goal anyway, so I'll lend you a hand. Speaking of hands, how's your arm now?"



Link carefully bent and stretched it. "A little sore, but that salve did an excellent job on it."



"Good because it's a Gerudo specialty," she said with pride, then she stood up and extended her hand to Link. "I'm Nabooru, one of the finest Gerudo thieves you'll meet."



He stood up and took her hand with a wide smile. "And I'm Link."



And what about me?



His smile quickly became strained.



"How 'bout we blow this joint?" Nabooru suggested with spirit in her eyes as she walked off a few feet, posing dramatically with good humor as she continued, "Teach those hags a lesson and see about that Sage!"



Link had been about to respond when a strangely high-pitched noise reverberated throughout the chamber, and both he and Nabooru quickly went on the defensive. The source of the sound soon manifested itself as two cackling old women circling around a shocked and angry Nabooru, hovering on brooms. Link tried to reach for his sword, but there was something strange in the air; he couldn't move. There was a numbness in the atmosphere, and from the looks of it, Nabooru was ensnared as well.



"Look at the desert rat, Koume! She appears to be free from our spell, doesn't she?"



"That she does, Kotake! See the way she glares at us? With fire and ice in her eyes!"



"Fire and ice! That's good, Koume! That gives me an idea, even!"



"Oh an idea, you say? This wouldn't happen to involve this nice, strapping lad here, would it Kotake?"



"Stripping lad? Koume, my dear, your eyes appear to have gone! I do believe he's fully clothed!"



"It is not my eyes that have gone, dear Kotake, but your ears! I said strapping! Though that gives me an idea as well!"



"Oh ho ho! Does it, Koume? Well, let's take this traitor back and deal with her. Perhaps this lad will come for her, and then we can put both our ideas into effect!"



The one called Kotake said this as a purple mass of dark energy spiraled underneath Nabooru, and she slowly sank into the floor as if caught in quicksand. He didn't know which one was which from sight alone since they circled around in a confusing manner, but Link wanted to tear out of his invisible bindings and rid the world of the both of them. Koume or Kotake or Koume and Kotake...it didn't matter; he wanted their existence erased.



"Splendid, Kotake, splendid! Perhaps we can work up a surprise for him as well!"



With that said Nabooru, the two witches, and the binding air vanished from the chamber, casting Link into darkness once again.



Just as he had found some light to take with him in his journey...



So...big hero that you are, are you going to save her?



Link didn't even answer as he rushed to the virgin door behind the remnants of a throne, trying to pull it open with all his might, and then beating on it profusely once he realized it wouldn't open.



Link.



He didn't recognize his name as he continued to beat against the thick door, not caring that his hands had begun to bleed where they pounded against rough edges or that his injured arm was in no way prepared to withstand such treatment.



Link!



The voice rang loudly in his ears, and Link at once stopped.



That's no way to treat yourself! What about that medicine that woman gave you? So you're going to hurt your arm again and have it all be for naught?



Leaning against the offending door and sliding down until he hit the worn and filthy carpet, Link seemed to take this into serious consideration. "...You're right. That's no way to repay her kindness."



Farore. You can't do anything without someone nagging you all the time, can you? Would you die within five minutes of becoming totally alone? Are you really that useless?



"Shut up! I'm not!" Link growled defensively as he cupped his injured and throbbing arm. "I just...I don't know, get carried away..."



You passionate sorts are no good at thinking things out.



"Maybe not...but that doesn't make me useless."



No, you're not. You're of great use to the Goddesses. Is that what you want?



"That doesn't matter."



Perhaps not...but what a fine job they did, choosing someone foolhardy like you to deliver this land salvation.



Link chuckled and remarked, "Anyone not foolhardy would have quit a long time ago."



Very true. So, I suppose you're going to jump back up and try to break the door to rescue that woman?



"Not just yet. I think if I had to fight just immediately...I don't think I'd make it. I could probably fight with my sword but only for short periods. I mean, I need a break just now from pounding on the door before I can do anything with it."



What we need is a plan to compensate for this handicap of yours.



"I was planning on defending a lot and using other weapons. Preferably long-range attacks with the bow and such."



Sounds like the most we can do at the moment.



"Hope it's effective and that those two witches don't have anything too devilish planned for me..."



Heh.



Link smiled almost sheepishly and took off his hat, emptying its lone content into his hand. He silently examined his dull friend for injury and life, and when he was done he replaced the fairy inside her home.



The voice, with its surprising softness and reflection, startled him.



So...what do you think you'll do when we're finished cleansing the temple?



"I don't know. Go find the next one, I guess."



I meant as far as the Gerudo woman goes. You two seemed to hit it off well...



Link shrugged and leaned the back of his head against the door, resting the tip of his hat over his shoulder. "Nabooru's pretty and all, and Gerudos do have a reputation...but I don't see anything between us. The most we could be is friends, I suppose."



I didn't mean like that. I only meant the drawbacks and consequences of her joining us.



"Huh, really?" Link asked in amusement. "I think Nabooru and I will just go our separate ways. I don't really see her joining me for a cause that doesn't directly relate to her. So rest assured, I won't be abandoning you for her, or knowing her, any time soon."



Why the hell would I care if you slept with a loose Gerudo?



"Loose? You wound their entire civilization! Their reputation isn't that bad. Besides, I meant knowing in the sense that I might have the opportunity to interact with her more if she were to, say, decide to accompany us and all," Link replied with a smug smile.



Lies don't become you, hero.



"That may be the case, but you're still jealous."



Ridiculous! Jealous of what?



"The possibility that my affections may be placed on someone other than you."



Why would I want that? Hurry up and get to cleansing this dump.



"Can't. Door's locked. Hey, since you seem to be jealous of anyone I'm in any way interested in, what do you think of Sh--"



Fucker. You've got a spare key on you. Break's over. Get to it.



Link simply smiled in perverse satisfaction and stretched his offending arm.