Fan Fiction ❯ The Darkness Within ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

I sighed as a few days later I was pulling over the familiar Green Tunic that had been a constant companion to me. I was on my way back to Zora's Iced over Domain to get another one of the Blue Tunics...my last one in shreds. My mind skittered away from the memory of HOW it had ended up that way, but sooner or later I was going to have to face it. I had to go back. I had a mission to finish and though I wasn't completely finished healing, hell if I were honest, I'd barely begun, but I needed to get the world right and Ruto was still somewhere in that accursed temple.

Strapping on my belt and pulling my boots over my new tights I felt more like myself as I put my bow, hookshot and hammer in their proper places. Finally I picked up the Master Sword and looked at it. I shuddered as I realized no reflection gazed back at me from the blade. No - my reflection was out there, somewhere, waiting for me to come to him. It was a twisted concept but true.

I lifted my head as Sheik returned from wherever the Bard went during his stay in the village. I had wondered and once had even asked. He just went all quiet and told me that some questions were better left unanswered. I never asked again after that though my curiousity did sometimes wonder.

Sheik watched me dress and gather my things, and I knew there was a frown on his face even before I looked up. "You shouldn't be up yet," he scolded. I'd only been down a few days at most, and I think he'd hoped to see me stay put for a week, maybe two. He should have known better; in the short few months he'd come to know me, I thought he'd also come to know that there were very few things that could make me sit still for longer than a day. He'd said it was something he admired about me...

"Sheik, don't." And now, I'm sure it was one of the things that made him want to hit me. My eyes came up to meet his, and his protests fell away. I wondered what he'd seen.

"All right, all right," he sighed, acquiescing to what basically equated to a force of nature. I definitely know how to be stubborn. "But I'm going with you."

I scowled again. "Says who?"

"Says me," He retorted bluntly, folding his arms and glaring at me. "You told me he knew every move you were going to make before you made it, correct?"

I couldn't meet his gaze when he said that, but he didn't seem sorry he'd said it. "Yeah," came the barely-heard response. I hated admitting it. It was still under my skin, eating at me.

"Then you need backup. You need someone who can watch your back...who can help you if you get in a tight spot. Also correct?"

I clenched my jaw, teeth grinding. "Yeah," I said finally, "yeah."

What could I do or say? I didn't enjoy the fact that he was right. I was used to doing this on my own. This was my mission dammit. But now...now I had come up against an enemy who knew me inside and out....I'd met my match in my shadow.

I finally lifted my eyes to his crimson gaze with a sigh, "Get your things together then, I'm leaving out as soon as I can..I'll be using the son song alot too, I don't know why but I don't want night falling while I'm out there."

Sheik just quirked his lips slightly at that, "I'd hate to remind you but he's a shadow. I think he could probably follow us regardless. We'll just have to be careful."

"I know Sheik...I know all to well I just don't want him to get any chance for an upperhand." I picked up my wallet and went to the door. "I'm going over to the witches place, I need to stock up on some blue potions.....maybe even some bombs...cause if I find him I'm gonna stick one up his ass and happily light the fuse."

"Now, THAT, my friend, I would gladly pay to see."

I couldn't help but laugh at his statement.

"I'm ready whenever you are. I pack light, remember? And if you don't, I'll play the Sun's Song for you...I know I said he's a shadow...but I don't blame you. If it were me...I'd do the same thing." he shrugged.

Sheik cracked a thin, almost wicked smile. "You know...even if you'd told me no...I would have followed you," he admitted as we walked out the door. "I'm not going to let you face something like that alone. No one should have to face their own dark side alone. Especially not when it's turned into a living being and insists on filleting you."

I nodded. "I understand. I know how you think, remember?" I said, grinning.

He bowed his head, acknowledging my point. "Fair enough. Come on, you pirate," he said, putting one hand briefly on my shoulder, "let's get going."

----------

And so he came with me and that's how I ended up here again... We had fought through the temple. Alot I had already unconvered and so atleast I didn't need to a second time. But as I stood infront of the door that lead to the shadowy room my gut clenched. I knew what the trigger was, but if he'd left the temple...would the other side be open?

I calmly held my Master Sword in front of me nodding once to Sheik and triggered the switch to the room. And met a completely normal looking room with about two inches of water on the floor. I could hear water dripping from the ceiling somewhere. Where had the tree gone? Where had the reflective Lake gone? Was I going insane?

I looked to Sheik, and the confusion had to be clear on my face. Did this mean my worst fears were true and that the bastard was out there somewhere in the world just waiting for me? I walked cautiously across the dimly lit room and to the now open door. He was gone. I heaved an unconcious breath of relief. I wouldn't have to face him this soon.

I looked back at Shiek who was just staring warily around the room as if trying to probe the shadows on the walls. I cleared my throat to catch his attention and he nodded to show he was listening but otherwise kept up his vigilant watch. "I think I'll have to take the rest from here....this is my mission and I'm supposed to do it on my --- "

"Like hell you are.....just because he isn't here..doesn't mean he isn't around and until he's dead and I'm dancing on his grave you've got yourself a constant companion..." he almost snarled. Amazing how someone can snarl yet whisper at the same time isn't it....well Sheik was a man of many talents it seemed.

I sighed in defeat and stepping through the door I looked around.and noticed the rather large chest and a block with the sun insignia on it. I pushed open the chest and shielded my eyes as the magic that had sealed it shimmered briefly before dying out. I picked up the newest addition to my weaponry. It looked like a red version of my hookshot. I shruged and went to put it next to the hookshot but frowned when the other weapon was gone. I don't think I'll ever get used to Hyrulian magic.

Well atleast I could handle the block. I pulled out the Ocarina that Zelda had launched at me from atop the horse with Impa and played a few notes before closing my eyes. I knew Sheik was watching me then as the power flowed through my viens and I played the notes of the "Song of Time" the block flaring in blue magics to disappear into the floor leaving a gaping hole in the floor.

I looked at Sheik as the last notes died away and put my Ocarina back. He merely raised an eyebrow and gazed over the edge of the hole I'd just created. The sound of rushing water came up to meet our ears and I just shrugged. "After you...?" I almost laughed at his bland expression.

"I don't think so, Hero of Time..this is purely in your realm of expertise. I'm just along for the ride. If I hear you spatter below I know not to jump." he said with the barest twitch to his lips.

I laughed at that pushing off the side and into the darkness below. I landed a moment later a bit hard maybe on a platform overlooking a rapidly rushing river. Moments later I heard a thump and an "oof" behind me. I turned to see Sheik standing and brushing off his knees. Seemed that maybe the Bard had landed a bit harder than me.

"You okay?" my voice echoed a bit in the cavernous area and his snort echoed even louder. "Well don't get all angry at me you're the one that wanted to come al--"

"Just shut up and get on with it..." Sheik could really be pissy when he wanted to be couldn't he. I just smirked and nodded my head again and looked at the area. This was going to be fun....and I dived in.

-----------

A couple of hours? -days?- passed before we emerged shakey with victory from that temple. Shiek was waiting for me as I appeared in the portal of blue light having payed my visit to the sage of the Water Temple. I don't think I was too surprised when it ended up being Ruto.

I walked over to him and watched him as he watched the crystal water rise up just as another sunrise crested the edge of the mountains. I sighed looking over the once again peaceful lake and heard Sheik mumuring something about the Zora's. I just nodded absently. It was the first time since meeting the darker me that I had felt at peace. The last guardian of the Water Temple had been more of a pain in the ass than anything difficult. Sometimes I had to wonder at Ganon's insanity when he made them. Living Water controled by a core of ....goo was the closest I could come to describing it. I just shook my head in remembrance.

I looked at the stone I was resting my foot on and read the Hylian scripture there.....and raised an eyebrow. Hell it was worth the shot. I pulled my bow from my shoulders and knocked an Arrow gazing at the sun as it crested the mountain tops and fired straight at it. I heard Sheik grunt as a shimmering Arrow appeared in the sky and landed on a little island off the side of our current location.

I grinned over at Sheik, "Feel like getting wet and getting that for me?"

"Not on your life...I'll wait right here thankyou....Just be quick, we can't afford to stay anywhere for to long..." he said and I could hear the tremor of worry in his voice. So much for my calm lake. Ah well.

I jumped into the water shaking it from my eyes as I surface and swam out to the island grabbing up the arrows and sinking below the surface to swim back to the other bank and Sheik.

I broke surface again. That's when it happened and a hand seized in my hair hauling me out of the water and the crimson gaze so full of hatred pierced me. I could see Sheik a few feet away crumpled to the ground, possibly dead. Fuck this was not my day.