Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams, Broken Soul, Unbound Love ❯ Consequences ( Chapter 3 )

By: Squall-sama

Warnings: Link+ Sheik for now, Angst, Link bashing, Sheik bashing

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Nintendo does.

Notes: I know Sheik has blond hair but he's special in this and he has Silver hair-so deal with it!

Extra Notes: * ~ * ~ * ~ * scene switch

* * * * same scene, different POV-sort of. ^_^

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~Part 3: Consequences~

Pain.

Dark.

Evil.

Silent screams.

Half-lidded ruby eyes barely revealed the horrid agony the silver-haired creature was in. He glanced up into the menacing eyes of his tormentor who smiled down at him viciously, ready to inflict the harshest without the slightest hesitation. Sweat mixed blood slowly ran down the red eyed one's flushed and bruised cheeks, dripping from his chin and splashing to the blood-stained dirt floor with a sickening 'plop.' Heaving a sorrowful strangled sigh of pain the silver haired slave dropped his head weakly, submitting fully to the pain, which had been so unremittingly bestowed upon him. His tormentor chuckled and leaned over the great distance it was to his small captive to lift the silver-haired boy's chin so as to bring those beautiful yet pained ruby eyes to seeing level for the horrid monster to gloat upon.

"Eternal pain and suffering is what I was condemned to, all because of that accursed boy…and you…lovely Sheik of the Sheikah. Or should I say, 'of the Goddesses!?' Hmm, yes I know about you and your little secret, that is why I brought you here to MY little kingdom-MY Hell…Which you so kindly bestowed upon me! If you had not interfered with your damn plan to protect that bloody boy-that 'Hero of Courage,' and given him the power to defeat me…then I would not be here now in this crumbling world, I would be above!! Draining the last droplets of life and soul out of those pathetic Hylians! And that damned boy would not be alive now, lavishing in the power of the Triforce of Courage……! But now, I have you… Sheik of the Goddesses. And you will feel the eternal pain and suffering that I have felt for so long. Hmm true pain and suffering without the one creature you truly love…correct?

Sheik, protector of Link, the 'Hero of Time and Courage.'"

Rube eyes closed painfully, a sad whimper escaped his lips and then…

Silent screams…

'Slipping away…'

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Link stopped mid-walk, coupling over in pain right in the middle of the old town square. A couple walked by staring suspiciously at the pained Link, whispering to each other they hurried off. Link fell to his knees, clutching his chest and whimpering from the excessive pain centered at his chest.

"Sh-sheik… Sheik…… wha-what is this…? I must hurry." Link finally steadied himself and pushed the burdened weight of his own body up with all the strength he had left. Wobbling slightly, he headed for The Temple of Time but the thought still hung heavily in his mind… I collapsed right in the middle of everybody, and not a single person even asked if I was all right…even the people who do not know of my status will not touch my presence…… Link lowered his head sadly and trudged off towards The Temple of Time.

Ascending to his fate.

Entering to his doom.

Memories washed over his mind as a terrible laugh echoed off the temple walls and reverberated off of Links sensitive head. He strained his eyes to see through the shine from the temple windows, who was there? Link walked forward, past the three sacred crystals from his childhood, through the fateful passage, to the alter, keeper of the Master Sword, which gleamed in the sunlight almost mockingly at Link who just stared down at it, beautiful face void of any emotion. Behind the silent boy stood the ancient sage who burned with a passion of fire and hate to quiet the meddlesome boy before him once and for all. Link continued to stare down at the podium, not even hearing the old Sage creep up behind him.

"STOP!!" Links eyes widened with fear and shock as he spun around to meet up face-to-face with Rauru, the Sage of Light, just as he was about to clobber Link. Link stumbled and fell back over the podium and onto his bottom, trying desperately to get away from the ancient man. Rauru's withered face contorted with rage at being found; he spun around to search for this person that revealed him so he could kill them, but nobody was there. He frowned in confusion and angered embarrassment flushed his face. He growled and turned back to Link, ready to rip the boy apart with all his anger, but stopped short when he saw the one that had announced his appearance-Saria…

Saria, the Sage of Forest, right there in front of him like he was nothing, and tending to Link of all things as well! This just absolutely infuriated Rauru and he straitened up, ready to push that little girl right out of the scene. But that 'little girl' wasn't anybody to be trifled with. The first step Rauru took was shielded by an invisible energy that could have only belonged to the little Sage. Rauru fumed, yet Saria just continued to mother over Link like Rauru wasn't even there.

"Link… are you all right? I'm sorry this happened to you…" Link just blinked at Saria as she smiled gently at him and calmly ran her small fingers over his muscular arm. Link was dumbfounded! He never imagined ANYBODY could care for him enough to check if he was well… or, At least that's what he thought she was doing. Link frowned at Saria; even though she had been his 'childhood' friend it was still hard for him to see any form of kindness coming from her-or anyone else. It was hard to believe when nobody had ever helped him to begin with… why would they start now?

Link began to open his mouth, to question the Kokiri girl but he was stopped when Rauru bellowed with rage at them.

"What do you think you are doing?! Foolish child, get away from that meddlesome boy this instant! He is of no more use to us and he must be disposed of! Stand away and put your shield down forest brat!" Rauru practically spat at them; face red as a cherry and fists clenched tight down at his sides. Saria merely looked up at him as if he were a passer-by, with calm and unworried eyes then back at Link as she continued to examine him. Rauru roared his anger at that, his loud deep-throated cry echoing off the temple walls. Link cringed back at the anger in Rauru's voice, he didn't want to be at the receiving end of that anger right now, and he knew that if he were to face the old Sage now he would never see Sheik again-if there really was even a 'Sheik.'

Link shuddered, then he heard Saria sigh softly, he looked over at her as she rose gracefully to her feet and turned to face the old and troublesome man. Rauru's face contorted with even more anger at Saria's defiance towards him of all people. Saria seemed unfazed by all this though, as she walked closer to Rauru and seemed to not even be looking at him, Rauru on the other hand was ready grab the green haired girl by her scrawny throat and strangle her. Link watched in horror as he saw Saria's shield go down and Rauru lunged at her… but they never met.

Link shook his head and tried to clear his vision at what he saw, Rauru, on his knees clutching his own neck as if he was protecting something important, and Saria, standing very still-very calm and unmoving in front of the kneeling old man and she stared at him with so much empty emotion that she made even the Great Ganondorf look like an innocent puppy. Link had no idea what was happening, he wanted to stop Saria but at the same time he was afraid to interfere. He pushed himself up and started to walk towards her but stopped when he saw her emerald eyes flash with an almost evil gleam.

"S-Saria……" Link's voice was barely above a whisper, but apparently Saria had heard his gentle voice because she looked almost as if she had snapped out of some sort of trance when Link whispered her name, and she turned back to Link with the most innocent look he had ever seen on her forever ageless features. Link swallowed hard and reminded himself to breathe, as he watched her face for a moment trying to analyze what had just occurred within her. Then seemingly out of nowhere she shook her head and blinked only saying, "Oh!" before she flicked her hand towards the almost dead old Sage. Almost immediately, the said man started coughing and heaving up blood, gasping for the air he so desperately needed.

Link hesitated for a moment, not sure if he should help the old man that was just about to kill him or not. Link decided on the latter of the two choices and stood there waiting for the next event to spread out before him. He didn't have to wait long.

"I am going to let you live, but only because you are a Sage and there has not yet been a predecessor chosen to take your place. We cannot be easily disposed of… like you seem to think the Heero of Time is. You are wrong though, he is very important and without the balance of his powers within the world, more chaos would erupt from the evil that still seems to brew upon our lands…. I think you can gauge from that the true meaning I convey. Next time I will not be so lenient and you may not receive such a kind pardon… now leave this place, or I will help you leave…… Sage of Light." When she said that last part Link could almost see the old man flinch back as if the anger in her words actually had a physical force to them and were thrown right at his face. He seemed to think on it for a moment-as if he needed to-then slowly pushed his withered body up and disappeared.

Link's brow furrowed tightly, that seemed almost too easy… What the… He-just left! What?! It can't be that easy… could it…? He halted his thoughts though as the small sage that had just bested the ancient sage Rauru, turned to face him with a small smile gracing her childish features and she laughed! Link was taken aback! Why is she laughing!! This is nothing to be laughing at! What, do I have something on my face? Saria seemed to notice the confusion splayed across Link's beautiful face and she laughed some more, this only seemed to confuse Link further. I'm so lost…

But suddenly the laughter ceased and in a flash Saria's smile disappeared and the most solemn and stern look Link had ever seen on someone, roamed dominant over her countenance. Link's heart stopped, he was afraid this would happen. No, I knew it! I knew it was too good to be true! She just came here to stop him… from killing me so she could do it… I should have known better than to trust that she really was my friend…nobody is……

Link's face fell and he prepared himself for the blow that he was sure was to come… but it never came! Link hesitated for a moment then looked up slowly through his golden bangs. Saria just stood there staring at him like she was waiting for him to start dancing or something; he hesitated.

"A-aren't you going to… kill me…?" He knew that was a stupid question but it just sort of came out. Saria looked hurt when he said that put on a dramatic pouty look to show like she was really hurt. Link raised a skeptical eyebrow and took a deep breath.

"No, silly! Why would I kill you!?" The way she said the last word in that sentence sent chills down Link's spine, he didn't want to think about anybody else dying at the hands of the once 'sweet and innocent' girl before him. She had really changed a lot over the years.

"Y-you're not…?" Another giggle and Saria rolled her eyes.

"Of course not! Why would I have stopped Rauru otherwise?" The tone to her voice was so childish, but then it took on a note of maturity and pain. "I meant what I said to him Link, you are too precious to have any harm come to you… I am sorry that so much has already. You do not deserve the pain and anguish you have suffered through…. You saved us-all of us, including that ungrateful man…… and… myself, yet we all treated you with so much disdain…. I have come here to help you in your quest in finding the one called Sheik…" Link took in a sharp breath when Saria said that name… He is real…! "He helped us when we needed him and now it is our turn to help him… and you." Saria's eyes took on so much pain in that moment, Link didn't know what to do; he just stood there confused and lost.

"I understand now… that you never did and never could love me… like I wanted you to. But, that is all right… he has captured your heart as you have his…" Link's eyes widened, His… "Link, Hero of Time, your love awaits you in the Demon World; he awaits his rescue from the one he loves, that is you, Link, he needs you and you must save him… or, he will die, complete and eternally…. He is no longer bound to this world or the Other World, but his spirit is caught between the dimensions-in a Limbo you could say…" Link started to take on a look of panic and utter fear, and Saria quickly continued…

"Sheik, is neither dead nor alive, he has been held back from dying peacefully because of you." What? "Sheik did not die a righteous death or happy death and his life was incomplete and unfulfilled; let me explain……

* * * *

Before you were sealed away, to become the Hero of Time, you met a small boy… a small silver-haired, ruby-eyed boy named Sheik. As you had guessed he would become the Sheik-the man you fell in love with, but not completely! His appearances to you came with a price…

After you were sealed away, Ganondorf broke into the Temple of Time and then, into the Sacred Realm. You were asleep by then, so you were not aware of the occurrences that took place during your slumber. He tried to kill you, Ganondorf, but he failed because Sheik protected you. But, as the price for that, his life was lost and he died… for you.

Being the Earth-child of the Goddesses, Sheik was to be given the gift of life once more-given a new body, but something went terribly wrong and he was not able to receive that body that would bring him to you once again… Instead, only his Soul was allowed to live on this plain for the promise that he would disguise another. Zelda… Only then would he be allowed to see you Link, and yet, he was still not of his true self… He gave everything for you Link, even his soul…

He disguised Princess Zelda with his soul and made many-even the Great Ganondorf, believe she really was Sheik and in a way, she was. He helped as best he could, without having any harm or knowledge come to the Princess; it was difficult for him, he loved you, and wanted to be with you, by your side at all times… but even that request was denied.

When the time came for you to face the man that had destroyed our land and our lives, Zelda once again took control of her body and pushed Sheik from it, causing his restless soul to wander. At that moment when the Princess was revealed to you, Sheik was lost, and had nowhere to go…

Sheik tried to find a way back to the living plains of this world, but he was caught… by the one man that had started this all…

Ganondorf found Sheik's soul and captured it! Taking it away to the realm of the Demons, where the lost souls of the dead became the un-dead-receiving unearthly bodies so that they could be tortured and killed over and over again by that sick and twisted man, Ganondorf.

Sheik was taken by Ganondorf, now, the Lord and Ruler of the Demon World, and he has tortured and beaten Sheik's soul inside and out…

Sheik is dying… he is in eternal and maddening pain… and, if he dies down there, again, he will never have a chance at a life with the one he loves-ever.

Second chances are for those that are loved and that love back… You love Sheik so immensely that it is without question that you should have that second chance, to save the one you love-to bring him back.

* * * *

"That 'Second chance' is for you Link, and it has been given, to save Sheik. But, it comes with consequences…" Link heaved a great sigh, trying to process everything all at once… Second chance? Consequences? Link snapped out of his daze and looked at Saria, strait in the eye… You had better not be playing with me… Saria smiled sweetly and stretched to reach Links face, Link leaned over for her and she gently laid her small fingers on Links hot cheek.

"I would never lie to you Link. I want to help you; I wish to do everything in my power to help you, and Sheik. Do you trust me…?" Her eyes pleaded with Link, hoping he did trust her. Link looked away, deep in thought. If I agree to let her help me, I might just be able to save Sheik… but, it might not work. What if it doesn't work? What if her power isn't strong enough, or someone tries to stop us, or I get lost, trying to find Sheik, or- Saria had said something… There she said it again.

"Link? Are you listening? I asked you, if you would accept my help! Link!" Saria 'huffed,' then pouted, crossing her arms-very child-like. Link, blinked and stared at Saria for a moment then raised innocent eyebrows at her. Saria smiled slightly, and bowed her head.

"It's okay, I know this must be very overwhelming for you, I understand that you must be a little skeptical about all this… but I promise you, I would not trick you… never…" Link watched Saria for a moment then, slowly he nodded his head in acquiescence. Saria smiled happily and clasped her hands together against her chest.

"Thank you Link! You won't be let down, I promise!" Link still looked a bit skeptical but let Saria help him, besides, who else would help him-he was all alone, except for Saria…. Then the thought occurred to him…

"U-uuum… S-Saria? How am I… going to get to him…?" Saria stopped, lifting her head-back to Link, but the tension visible in her small frame. Link's fear grew visible as well, What? What do I have to do? Saria slowly turned back to Link, her sweet face fallen again.

"Link, you remember I said there were… consequences…?" Link furrowed his eyebrows again and tilted his head slightly. Consequences…What kind of…consequences? Saria sighed and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Link, this is your decision, and I know you want to help Sheik but, you might change your mind…"

"What Saria, tell me." Link was starting to get annoyed and nervous at the same time.

"There is only one way to get to where Sheik is being held… and, that is… to kill yourself." Link snapped his head slightly, blinking a couple of times, darting his eyes around and mouth shut tight. Link shook his head and leaned forward slightly, mouth now gaped open and just staring.

"Kill…… myself…. D-die? Die…" Link's tone was so unbelieving and sorrowful it almost made Saria cry.

"Link… I know, I know that's what you fought against for so long… but, it's the only way…. You don't have to…"

"I don't… have to…? I-you, S-Saria… What, it's the only way…?" Saria dropped her head and nodded slowly. She looked back up at Link her eyes filled with pain and tears.

"Link, I-it's the only way you can see him again… I'm sorry… I tried, I really did-I tried to find another way for you to help him but… this was the only way." Link turned away and took a deep breath, closing his eyes sadly.

With his back to Saria, "It's… the only way…? Th-the only way I can save him…?" Link turned back to Saria slowly, with pleading eyes. "Is it…?" Saria nodded and started to chew on her bottom lip.

"Can-will I… be able to come back… and Sheik? What will happen after I save him?" Saria lowered her eyes for a moment, deep in thought. Then she looked back up at Link quickly and tried to smile reassuringly.

"There might be a way… but, I need the help of the other Sages…" Both Link and Saria's faces fell at the mention of the others who had said they were Link's friends, only to betray him with their greed and cold-heartedness.

What are we going to do now…?

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Ruby eyes flew shut as another lash met his bleeding and bruised back; the skin tight clothing that was the Sheikah's style, falling in pieces from his tattered body like he wanted to do right now. Silent screams escaped the dry and cracked lips of the beautiful silver-haired boy; even after all the torture he had endured he still looked breathtakingly beautiful. Maybe this was the price he had to pay for looking the way he did; maybe it was for being the child of the Goddesses; maybe…it was for letting Link die… The beautiful boy was still alive, yes, but he wasn't alive. The perfect Hero of Time had died a long time ago, with the loss of his home, the people's trust and respect, and… Sheik.

Now Sheik knelt on a bloody and rotting floor, chained up, like a feared and hated beast would be and he was at the mercy of a man-a creature so foul and evil, nobody could ever hope for freedom and sanctuary, only more pain and more suffering and more loss in this Hell called home by his captor, the 'Great' Ganondorf. Sheik sneered at the mass of muscle as he walked up in front of the withering boy and a wicked grin crossed his face.

"Not, having fun? But I thought you would enjoy being punished for your sins… isn't that what you wanted, to be tortured and whipped, and beaten to the point of insanity!!? Isn't that what you wanted!?! Tell me boy, or I will be certain you never leave this room again!!" Ganon all but ripped Sheik's arms off as the hulking brut hauled the poor Sheikah up off the dirty ground and brought their faces only centimeters away from each other. The ruby-eyed creature tried his best to not to show any emotion or shy away from his… master, but he failed miserably at it and succeeded in enraging Ganondorf even more. Ganon threw the frail boy to the ground and turned away, snorting angrily as he stalked off. Sheik tried to push his weak body up but he could barely keep his eyes open as he watched Ganondorf stop abruptly then turn to look over his shoulder with a sly grin on his face again.

"Or… do you think that little bitch of yours is still going to come and save you…? Hmm, well, I can arrange that for you… Then I'll get to have two playthings to toy with! HAHAHAHAHAHA……" Sheik winced at the use of words Ganon chose and reeled even further into his pain at the thought that his precious 'Hero of Time' as Ganon liked to call him, would ever be in the position Sheik was in now…

"Never…"

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

~tbc~