The Legend of Zelda: Spirit of Evil

The day seemed to drag by. Zelda did all her duties mechanically, just waiting for the Sages to contact her. Neela had tried to coax her into eating something to no avail. Zelda stood on the balcony facing the north, knowing Link would not reach there until early evening no matter how fast he was going.
“Zelda.”
“Yes, Eclipse?”
He walked up beside her. “You should go inside. There is a biting chill to the air. I do not want you ill.”
“Eclipse…Can you not sense it? It is early spring yes, but a chill wind such as this!”
“Another reason for you not to be in it. Come.”
“The clouds…The clouds gathering…Lightning flashing…They both were in my dream. Look to the north, Eclipse.”
Eclipse, realizing that Zelda was truly resolved to watch, did as he was bid.
The northern mountains almost always covered in mist. The great peaks were often covered by puffy clouds. This day, dark gray clouds circled the mountain top and even darker clouds were slowly spreading in the sky above it. Those clouds contrasted sharply with the blue sky that was over the castle and the soft white clouds that spread to the south.
“I agree. I do not like the looks of the mountains any more then you do. But, it is only early afternoon. The sages shall not call for about another three hours. You should save your strength lest something go astray.”
Zelda sighed. Eclipse would never stray too far from the original subject. No matter how important the second one was. “You speak truthfully.”
She started to walk back inside and glanced at Eclipse over her shoulder. “Keep in mind though, I do not like being overruled.”
He smiled slightly as he ushered her inside casting a worried glance toward the high mountains behind him.

***

Zelda was rigid. Three and a half hours had passed. The sun was almost fully set and darkness of the night was slowly gliding over the land. There had been no telepathic call from the sages.
Eclipse stood on the ceiling, watching her sitting on her throne, staring at nothing. The air felt heavy and cold despite the fires.
‘If this is her relaxed, I cannot wait to see her tense.’ Thought Eclipse, dryly. ‘I need to do something before she tears herself apart.’
He walked forward and detached himself from the ceiling, landing behind her. “Zelda.”
“Eclipse! Leave me to relax on my own!…Ungh!
Pinching a nerve in her neck, Eclipse gently eased Zelda into unconsciousness. “Zelda, You are draining yourself far more then necessary. Apparently you need my help to relax.”
“I’m glad you finally did something, Phantom.” Remarked Yenna, as she patrolled through the room.
“Same here.”
Yenna left, leaving Eclipse sitting at Zelda’s feet, pondering where Link was.
…… “Zelda…Speak, Zelda…”
Eclipse stood bolt upright. “Sages?”
“Eclipse, is it not? Where is Zelda?”
Eclipse inwardly cursed himself. “She was unnecessarily taxing her strength. She is asleep.”
“As soon as she wakes, you must give her a grave message.”
Something twisted inside Eclipse . “Let me hear it.”
As he heard it, Eclipse’s normal white pallor took on a gray tinge. “Gods help us…”

***

Zelda awoke to Eclipse’s face hovering anxiously above hers. “Curse you, Eclipse! There was no need…Eclipse! What is wrong?” Zelda sat up, bringing a hand to his gray face. “You are so cold…”
“Forgive me, Zelda. The Sages called while you were…resting.”
She frowned but, ignored the ‘resting’ part. “What news of Link?”
Silence.
Zelda stood, bringing him up with her. Raising his gaze from the floor, he looked into her eyes. They were an icy blue. “Phantom, what news of Link?” She spoke coldly, in the commanding voice of regal queen, using his formal title.
He sighed. “He contacted the Sages not too long ago. He said that the crack was small, and looked harmless. Though, he then said that the crack seemed to be pulling him toward the Seal…”
Zelda felt fear hold her heart in its cold clutches. “…And then?”
“…The Sages felt the Seal break…Then felt his mind in agony.”
“……The Seal…broken?…Link…!”
“They do not know what has caused Link pain. They are not sure that Ganondorf is free.” Said Eclipse hurriedly. “He may have drowned in his own evil a long time ago.”
“That is only a possibility.”
Zelda walked to the middle of the room, determination written across her face. “I am going.”
He followed her. “Where?”
She stopped, standing in the center of the Triforce etched into the stone floor. “To the Seal of the Sacred Realm.”
“Zelda. We may have lost the holder of the Triforce of Courage to Ganondorf. We cannot lose our Queen, the one with the Triforce of Wisdom.”
“I might be able to save Link if I get there quick enough.”
“You are teleporting?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you did not know the area well enough around there to be sure of a safe landing.”
She glared at him. “I do not. But, I am willing to risk it.”
“Take me with you.”
“Eclipse, I will not risk the life of another with an unstable teleporting. I need someone to keep the castle from erupting into chaos in my absence.”
“…I shall not fail you then.”
“Thank you. I shall do my best to return soon.”
Soft green light gathered around her form as she cried out: “Farore’s Wind!” It swirled around her as she faded from sight, then disappeared.

***

Rings of light seemed to embrace her in the darkness of the teleporting void. Yet, she kept her mind on one thing. A small rocky area along side the path to the Seal.
Hoping that her memory was correct, she pulled herself out of the void.
Crack! Zelda’s metal shoulder plate collided with the mountain wall. She look around her. Yes, this was the right place, but so different from before!
The sky was a dark gray, hiding the comfort of the night. The pauses were slight between the lightning and the thunder, telling how dangerously close it was. Rain was just beginning to fall. The air was so thick with magic it was hard to breathe. Yet the worst part was coming above her. A powerful, evil aura seemed to almost push her back. The vegetation around her was wilting from the immense force, leaving nothing but black rock surroundings.
‘Goddess, do not let me be too late.’ She thought as she walked quickly up the winding, rocky path.’
The wind howled, blowing from all directions. Then, high above her, a cold mirthless laughter rang out, echoing in her ears. Forgetting her safety, Zelda ran up the path, unimaginable terror filling her.
Rounding the curve into the open space where the Seal was hidden she halted, trying to catch her breath.
The Seal had cracked badly, it went straight down the middle and was about four feet wide. Gray and white mist seemed to form a long tunnel. As she stared at the gaping breach, she suddenly felt as if she was being drawn in, and had a vision of herself in the Sacred Realm.
~~~
Cold…so cold. The dark landscape surrounded her, filling her with its emptiness.
Bones. Bones everywhere. Ancient skeletons of eons past. Skulls of every race.
Fools that fought for the power that could not be won. Corrupting the land with…
Their greed.
Cold…so cold. A black tree stands before her. It does not move. Nothing moves.
There is no sound. The wind blows cold, touching only her. Such an icy embrace.
There is no light. No sun. No warmth. There is no life. No dreams. No love.
There is no hope.
~~~

The vision ended as suddenly as it started. Zelda stumbled backwards, almost falling. Raising a shaky hand to her face, she found tears pouring from her eyes, mixing with the rain as she raised her head. More tears stung her eyes as she remembered the awful loneliness and barrenness. Never before had she felt anything through a vision. This time was the first, and now she fully understood what the Sacred Realm was. A place of Nothing. Devoid of all feelings and emotions, it was like Hell, but worse. For, at least in Hell, you have anger, and hate. In the once ‘Sacred Realm’, you were unable to feel anything. It was impossible.
Trying to push away the ghastly memories that felt burned into her mind, she staggered forward, looking for Link once more.
Relief swarmed her as she saw Link floating above her in the center of the crater. He carried a strange dark sword that looked like the Master Sword, and his left wrist glowed a dark green.
“Link!” She screamed, trying to get him to hear her over the thunder and wind. ‘When did he learn magic?’ She thought. “Link!”
He turned in mid-air to face her. “Zelda…”
‘No…can this be Link?’ His tights were a dark gray and his tunic black. “Link…What has happened to you?”
His eyes flared a bright red as he raised his black bow and fired an arrow, straight at her!
Zelda understand it all at once. ‘This is not Link…This is…thing is evil…Link has been overcome by the evil flowing out of the Sacred Realm.’ She bowed her head, waiting for the arrow which upon Death had placed her name. She wanted that arrow…‘I…have failed him…’
Something seemed to fly by behind her, catching an arm around her waist and pulling her to the left.
The arrow hissed past her and buried itself into the rock wall. A horrible looking green liquid bubbled, melting the wall slightly.
Zelda tried to turn and look at her mysterious savior but, whoever it was held her tightly. ‘Eclipse?’ She thought, wondering how he could of possibly gotten here. Another hissing sound. Looking up, she saw a second arrow already flying at them…
…‘So fast! This person is going to use me as a sheild!’ She thought, eyes widening.
Yet this person was definitely agile, and opposed to her being hurt. Spinning to the left, the person held Zelda close. Zelda heard a faint sound as the arrow glanced off … ‘Armor? Then…He cannot be Eclipse…’
“You are most irritating. Give her to me and I will spare your pathetic, useless life.” Link’s voice was cold rasping and deep.
The person holding her turned, still holding her in front…Silence.
“You shake your head. Why? You have no use for her.”
Zelda did not care what they were talking about. ‘I failed to save his life…I shall not fail to save his soul.’ Gathering her tired energies, she formed them into a invisible ball of purifying light. ‘I am sorry, Link.’
She released the ball, trying to hold it invisible for as long as possible. But that helped little. The surge of power that accompanied it caused the water, gathering in the crater, to sweep away from her. Some of it going over the ledge and flowing down the mountainside. Though, there was an unseen problem that followed.
The intensity of her powers and the aftermath pushed her violently back. Unable to hold on, or perhaps in shock, the person holding her let go, and she felt herself flying backwards. She soared through the air and hit the wall of the crater, knocking her head sharply against a jutting rock.
Her vison blurred. She heard Link scream with rage and pain and thunder shriek above her…Then the sound of metal being dragged on rock.
She struggled, trying to get away from the frightening sound, Yet she was able to move only a few inches.
Someone grasped her under her arms and knees, lifting her up. “No…” She almost whimpered with fear.
The person clutched her closely, but gently. “You are safe…Zelda.”
Where had she heard that voice…? Darkness flooded her mind, and she thought no more.

***

Were…were they flying? She could faintly see rock and green vegetation…Cold wind across her face…gentle yet strong arms easing her down. Zelda slowly became awake laying on a small hill. There was a tuft of soft grass under her head and a rough but thick cloth over her body. She sat up and looked around.
She was still on the northern mountains and was sitting off to the left of the path. The clouds above were slowly receding, leaving the starry sky finally exposed. Dark clouds, lighting up often with lightning, still lurked over the Seal.
Zelda touched the fabric covering her. It looked like a light brown cloak, made of some rough, hardy material. She traced the blue and red patterns painted on top it with a finger. They seemed somehow familier…
She stood, leaving the cloak, tentatively touching the back of her head. It was sore and there was a minor cut, but she felt nothing seriously wrong. What concerned her most was the fatigue she felt. The spell she had used back in the crater had been very powerful, draining her already tired powers. Yet, Link’s soul should have been released to die in peace by the massive spell. Her weariness was worth it.
‘I wonder what happened to my strange hero. I would like to thank him.’ She thought.
She took a few unsteady steps and sat down on a large rock. It was then that she felt that her Triforce piece was cold. It had never felt so utterly cold. It was like ice, when it had once been warm and comforting. ‘What is wrong with it?’ thought Zelda, mystified. Hoping it was only because of the powerful spell she had used, she tried to heal the cut on the back of her head.
Her Triforce glowed a feeble blue, then stopped. Nothing had happened. Her heartbeat quickening, she allowed her eyes to see past physical forms, slipping into a magical sight.
Her left wrist was covered with a strong red glow. She could faintly see the blue color of her Triforce glowing underneath it.
‘Someone has put a hold on my powers!’ She thought, panic filling her. She focused on it, but it would not break. ‘Gods it is so strong! All I have now are my Sheikah abilities! How could anyone do that to the Triforce, relic of the goddesses!?’
“Zelda?”
She glanced around, looking for the source of the voice. It was deep and strong, yet quiet. She turned and looked up the path. What she saw filled her soul with horror and chilled her heart.
Ganondorf. The King of Evil.