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Chapter Text

Hyrule was once again freed from danger and the Princess returned to her people. It should be a time to celebrate but a silent sorrow filled the land. There was no festival to celebrate their good fortune. No parade or feasts. Instead the restless searches continued but no longer for the Princess, they now searched for the champion Link. Nobody was ready to face the reality that the champion that saved them for a second time was now nowhere to be found. All that was recovered were small pieces of his armor that were ripped off during his fight and a well worn blue hair tie.

His body was never recovered, giving Zelda a small bit of hope to desperately cling to that he would be found alive despite everything. It only took a few hours after she was saved for her to recruit a search team to start combing through Hyrule field searching for any sign of the lost hero. Hours quickly turned to days that turned to weeks, it had now been almost two months without a single sign of Link anywhere. If he was out there he did not want to be found, and his skill in the wild gave him the upper hand in hiding. It would have to be his choice to be found if he still remained.

Many people at Lookout Landing were starting to lose hope they would even find anything to bury. wanting to prepare a memorial for the fallen hero and lay his memory to rest. Despite the continued searches led by the Princess and her refusal to accept the hero was gone, a small shrine was created with the photo of all the champions before the calamity surrounded by a small handful of beautiful blue flowers and a tiny wooden figure of Hylia.

It was late into the evening. Zelda was sitting at her desk unable to rest despite being out with the search parties all day. one of the small scraps of Link's blue tunic lay beside her journal as she wrote. The scrap was only a bit bigger than her hand and burnt along one edge. It was both a comfort and a painful reminder of his absence. she kept it with her as she helped in the searches as if it could lead her back to its owner.

She glanced out the window watching the last rays of sun disappear over the horizon expecting one of the search parties she sent out to return at any moment. She watched a knight on horseback return from his search alone and her brow furrowed in worry, all the search parties were large groups to ensure everyone's safety while they were still working on reducing the monster population. He was carrying a small, thin bundle in his arms. She watched as he dismounted and frantically rushed into the building, moments later he was at her door knocking loudly "Princess we found something!"

That's all it took for her to leap from her desk knocking her chair to the floor and rush to the door dressed only in her white nightgown, a frantic expression on her face scared of what they could have found.

He extends his arms to reveal the contents of the thin bundle wrapped in grey cotton cloth that falls to the side allowing her to see. In the knight's arms he held the master sword. It was dirty with red smeared on the handle its scabbard missing. It seemed to have lost all of its shine as she gently took it from his hands carefully running her fingers over the dull blade. "Where..did you find this?" Her voice was quiet, shaking softly with anxiety.

"Not far from here actually.. At the edge of Hyrule field. There are some caves nearby that are currently being searched."

"Take me there. Now." She quickly turned on her heel gently laying the master sword on her table before throwing clothes on over her nightgown.

"But Princess it's very late and a storm is rolling in, we have people searching-" he was quickly cut off by her stern gaze

"We are going now if Link is there I have to find him"

The knight just nods quietly knowing the pain she's endured after losing her knight, there was no talking her out of it. closing the door to allow her to get ready quietly waiting outside. After a few moments, she burst out the door and down the hall leaving the knight to catch up to her.

It wasn't long before they were both on horseback riding out into the night, dark clouds swirling in the distance the smell of rain strong in the air.

-

Link had started to lose count of the days, too deep into a cave to see the light outside. He never knew if it was day or night. He purposely chose a cave with a large body of water separating him from the entrance figuring if anyone did bother to look for him they likely wouldn't go through the effort of crossing the large but shallow pool. he currently sat on a damp ledge next to the water a large bolder blocking him from being seen by anyone on the other side of the Underground lake, though it was so deep into the cave he doubted anyone would make it that far anyway. A small dying campfire his only light. He had a small bedroll laid out on the sand as a makeshift bed taking up most of the available space.

He looked down at his deformed right arm the flesh a dark red darkening to black at his fingers. He never thought he would miss the zonai arm he had been gifted. The entire time it was attached to him he had hated it, how alien it looked against his pale skin and the way people would stare. He constantly wished for his own arm back, it wasn't until seeing the twisted gloom ridden arm it covered that he had realized how much of a blessing Raurus's arm had been.

Immediately after defeating Ganon he was met with blinding pain like his arm was on fire, he had no control over his body and it seemed to move on its own, a voice that wasn't his coming from his mouth in a language he didn't understand. It didn't last long and the moment he was in control again he fled, tucking himself away in a cave like an injured animal to lick his wounds and try to figure out what had happened to him.

Since then every few days or so it happens again, usually as he's falling asleep or just waking up. Something takes over his body paralyzing him. The first few times it again spoke in tongues but Link was learning how to fight it, clenching his jaw tightly when he felt himself losing control. Whatever it was was getting stronger, in the beginning it was unable to force him to stand or move his body much. Now it could make him move a little despite him fighting it the entire time. It seemed to have the most control over his dominant right hand leading Link to the conclusion that it had something to do with his disfigured arm.

Recently during one of his episodes where he wasn't in control of his movement, he reached for the master sword, the moment his right hand made contact with its handle pain bloomed from his hand like it was burning him, causing him to throw it into the large body of water and get swept away by the weak current. He tried to shout, to jump after the holy sword but his body refused to move for what felt like hours. Forcing him to stare into the dark empty water. By the time he had control again, it was long gone.

He had tried looking for it, wading through the shallow water, it only came up to about his waist at the deepest part but found nothing. He cursed softly under his breath and followed the current that led outside the cave to a river. He silently slipped out into the cold night air expecting to see the master sword along the shore just outside but to his disappointment he found nothing, even if he did find it it had burned him, would it do that again? Was he no longer worthy of the blade? That wouldn't surprise him at this point. he'd been quite a terrible hero, he failed twice to keep the princess and hyrule safe, maybe this was Hylia punishing him for his failures.

The sound of people talking in the distance snapped him out of his thoughts, he quickly crouched down in the river thankful for the dark rain clouds collecting overhead to block the light of the moon. He knew he was too dangerous to be around people, something had been trying to control his body and he hadn't been able to figure out how to stop it yet. Slowly he sneaks back into the hidden opening at the mouth of the river making his way back to his hiding spot deep within the damp cave.

Once he made it back to camp he scrolled through his dwindling supplies with a heavy sigh, hunger pains in his stomach. he rests his left hand on his stomach trying to force it to settle, his ribs protruding out aggressively under his thin tunic. It didn't matter how much he had or how much he ate he was always so hungry. In the beginning he had a wealth of supplies and food, now not much was left but he didn't want to leave the cave to forage and hunt before figuring out a solution to his predicament. If he lost control while he was outside he had no idea what could happen, and whatever was trying to control him didn't seem to have good intentions.

His episodes were becoming more frequent and longer, he would claw at his arms and chest with his cursed hand leaving harsh red lines on his skin. Whatever was controlling him would talk using his voice. It had started to speak in Hylian, it would curse at him and taunt him for his insecurities. It wasn't anything he hadn't thought to himself at one point but hearing his own voice say it hurt more. It would threaten to force him to hurt more people, to hurt Zelda. The more he tried to fight it the more exhausted he became and the lack of resources was taking its toll on his body.

He took out a couple of mushrooms he still had leftover prodding at his fire trying to bring it back to life so he could rost them. After eating he tucked himself into his makeshift bed to watch the last embers die listening to the distant thunder outside. He was almost asleep when he heard footsteps coming down the cave, voices speaking softly about how they had looked here before and there was nothing. He recognized those voices from the search party for Zelda while she was missing, what are they doing here?

"The captain said someone found the master sword around here so we have to check again" a nasally voice echoed across the cave, they sounded tired and defeated

"He's been missing for too long there's no way he's still...." The second voice trailed off the two exchanging awkward glances. A long heavy silence followed before the first voice decided to change the subject, clearing his throat before he spoke. "I wonder if there's anything on the other side of the water.. It's too dark I can't see from here.. Last time we stopped here, could there be more over there?"

The second searcher peers over the water lifting a torch hoping to get a better view. "Do you smell..something?" The first searcher takes a deep breath pausing for a second before responding. "Now that you mention it yeah, that's really strange, like someone has been cooking"

Fear coursed through Link, he panicked trying to quickly and quietly snuff out the small red embers that remained of his fire. He should be blocked from view as long as they don't enter the water he should be safe-

There's a soft splash of water as one of the searchers steps into the underground lake testing its depth "It doesn't seem too deep we should be able to see the other side at least" There's a sound of agreement from the other as they also step into the water slowly taking each step careful not to go too deep, they stick together staying close to the wall where it's most shallow. It's not long before the dim light of their touches reach his hidden shelf at the edge of the water a soft gasp coming from both of them as they lay eyes on him frozen in place their eyes locked onto his.

Chapter Text

The rain was pouring down now, it had been hours since Zelda joined them in the field. She stands beside her perfectly white horse far from the group not wanting any of them to see her cry. She was holding the small blue scrap of cloth close to her heart, the rain soaking through her clothes her hair sticking to her cheeks. Her loyal mare nuzzles her cheek as she chokes out a sob. 

She got her hopes up too high, she thought they had finally found him but here she stands in the cold rain with dawn quickly approaching, they had been out here searching the area around where the master sword was found. She refuses to accept he is gone despite all the signs. She could feel herself growing weary after such a long night and the cold from the rain seeping into her bones. She pulled herself up onto her horse after a long pause allowing her horse to slowly walk them back to the landing so she could rest. 

Not even a breath later a member of the search team burst out of a cave just up a small hill a distraught look in his eyes screaming "HES HERE! HES HERE!" Zelda felt her stomach drop from the look on his face, something was wrong. regardless she immediately jumped from her saddle almost tripping in the mud as she ran over with multiple other members of the search team and guard. 

She steps into the mouth of the cave and is stopped by the one who announced he was found "Princess you... You have to know it's not good. My partner is down there helping him out we... We should wait here" his voice shook and his face was pale. She gave him a silent anxious nod fidgeting with her hands and she stared down into the dark cave. 

"H-hes alive yes?" Her voice shook more than she appreciated, right now it was hard to keep strong with the intensity of the situation. 

The search party member gives her a shallow nod looking down towards the sand. "Hes.. Alive but.. Hes not well" 

A few guards started to make their way down into the cave to help extract the missing hero, worry eating away at the Princess. "I-I have to go down there I have to help get him out" Nobody stops her from following the two guards, one of the search party members even gave her their touch before she made it too far down.

Link stood at the edge of the pool arguing in furious sign with the first search party member to find him, refusing to follow them out of the cave. his right arm was red and the flesh twisted it was clear it caused him pain as his signs using that arm weren't as clear or sharp as normal. The rest of his body was a sickly pale his dirty blond hair matted and full of dirt and small sticks. His blue tunic she had made to fit him perfectly now sat alarmingly loose around his body the right sleeve torn off. His face hollow and sunken in, she assumed he had hardly eaten since going missing. 

"no. I'm not leaving. I'm not safe" he repeatedly signed as the search party member desperately tried to convince him to follow them out of the cave. He looks over to Zelda a mix of fear and panic she had never seen on his face before.

He could feel himself starting to slip, a sharp pain shooting up his arm. He could feel it move and twist, a heavy pressure on the back of his mind. He was trying to fight it, his hands shook from the effort. he couldn't let anyone see him like that. he couldn't trust he wouldn't try to hurt them.

"Link... you're alive.." She breathed her voice barely a whisper. "Please come home... We need you.. I need you" 

"no. Absolutely not. I'm not safe you need to get away" 

"if something is wrong we can help you!" She pleaded her hands raising to her chest. "Please let us help" 

"No!" He almost shouted. everyone around them froze at hearing his voice. Zelda took a step back in surprise. He spoke with her on occasion but rarely and only in private, even then it was hardly more than a few sentences. The others standing in the cave had never heard him speak before, their mouths hanging open in shock. His hands were shaking harder and he kept glancing between the two guards, the volunteer and Zelda like a scared animal looking for an escape. Zelda now understood the warning she was given before coming down. 

He made a small pained sound lifting his right arm to his chest and cradling it with his left. "Leave." He took a step backwards towards the water a pleading look in his eyes, begging to be left alone even if it meant rotting away in a cave. It would be the safest for everyone.

He was losing control, pain shooting up his right arm his feet refusing to move away. He curls in on himself a bit still clutching his right arm clearly in immense pain.

Zelda watched as the whites of his eyes turned jet black his once Sapphire blue eyes an eery red. His movements were now different, sharper. He stood up straight his arms falling limply to his sides. He looks up to Zelda staring straight into her eyes an unnatural grin spread across his face.

"You should. Have. Let. Him die." his voice lower and coming out more forced. Everyone just watched in shock and horror as Link took a shaky step forward reaching out to Zelda with his disfigured right arm, he still stood a few feet away unable to reach her. In a blink, his eyes return to their normal shade of blue, though dim and lifeless, and he falls to the sand in a heap. 

"No!" She shrieks rushing to his side falling to her knees. She flips him onto his back panicking over him unsure of what to do. panic takes over as fat tears start to stream down her face. 

To her relief it's only a few seconds till he opens his eyes again, they remain their usual striking blue. She sobs holding his face in her hands as he weakly holds up his hands to sign his hands thin and bony "I'm okay, you need to leave me here" He closes his eyes again struggling to remain conscious after fighting for control over his own body.

"I'm not leaving you, Link, we can help you" he simply shook his head and tried to sit up again to move away from her. Zelda placing a hand on his chest to prevent him from getting up. She could feel how fragile his body was beneath her hand, what was once a strong healthy swordsman was now skin and bone. One of the guards steps forward to kneel at Link's other side. She gave him a soft nod and moved back a little allowing the guard to lift the hero into his arms. He struggled weakly against the guard's hold but was unable to break free in his current state. "no no no no" his voice was small only heard by the guard holding him. 

They slowly started walking back out of the cave, the volunteer search party member and the guard not currently holding the hero made it out first. Zelda refusing to let Link out of her sight, walked beside the guard holding him. As they made it out of the cave Link had gone limp, his breathing shallow.

The rain had stopped now, the sun peeking out over the horizon. Everyone out searching that night had gathered around the cave entrance eager to see the lost hero. Their excitement quickly turned sour when they saw him limp and lifeless in the guard's arms. His right arm dangled down allowing everyone to see the gloom-cursed flesh. 

"We need to get him back quickly" Zelda announced to the crowd. "You will keep what you have seen to yourselves." Her tone was stern knowing Link greatly valued his privacy and won't be very happy to discover how many people saw him so weak.

They got back to lookout landing as quickly as they could, Link still unconscious when they arrived. People were starting to wake up and start their day now that the sun was rising. They brought the unconscious hero to an empty room across from Zeldas, tucking him into the soft bed. 

She refused to leave his side though, sitting in a chair with her upper body laying on the bed beside him watching him breathe while the guard who carried him leaves to wake a healer. A second guard stands at the door preventing anyone else from coming in and to keep an eye on the princess and hero.

Chapter Text

The main healer rushes into the room let in by the guard who woke her. She was still dressed in only her sleepwear having only taken enough time to collect her things into a small bag before rushing to Links aid. "Let me see him," she says approaching the bed.

Zelda sits up in her chair fidgeting her hands watching as the healer starts to inspect Link's gloom-ridden arm without touching him. "The guard told me of what happened on the way here" As she spoke she started to dig through her bag pulling out a small jar of Sundelion salve. "It should be as simple as treating the gloom poisoning on his arm and seeing if we can get some of his strength back with a good meal." She said with a hopeful smile, opening the jar and dipping a finger in before starting to apply it to the red-twisted flesh of his arm.

The moment the salve touched his arm he was suddenly awake and screaming in pain. He scrambles to sit upright jerking his arm away to hold it to his chest trying to wipe away the salve in a panic.

The healer stares wide-eyed in shock for a moment before slowly closing the jar again. "O-kay... So I guess that's why he hadn't simply done that himself" she was talking to herself. She knew very well that Link knew how to treat gloom poisoning, he was the one who found a cure in the first place.

Zelda found herself standing now, ready to try and help in any way she could. Link quickly calmed after walking so suddenly looking around the room and taking in his surroundings, he looked over to Zelda bashfully before down at his hands in his lap. She was never meant to see him like this. he had failed to protect her once again, it was no wonder Hylia no longer viewed him as worthy of the master sword. 

"Link.." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her face was soft and full of love as she spoke. "Please tell us what's wrong. We want to help you" She held her hands up to her chest in a pleading manner, she had never seen this side of the hero before, he looked like he had just walked straight through hell. despite anything that happened to him he had always been so strong, never allowing anything to affect him.

"you can't"  he signed simply still not looking up from his lap. "tried everything. I can't stop it"

"Stop what?" She slowly sat back down trusting he wouldn't try and bolt.

"you saw! The thing, the voice! I can't stop it from coming" he signed with urgency looking up at her now an angry look on his face "It's dangerous and angry. I have to leave. you are not safe with me here. If I lose control it will hurt you."

"Link I don't understand" she pleaded "What is angry? What is it?" 

He sighs heavily and runs his left hand through his long loose hair pausing before shrugging. He fidgets with his hands for a moment seeming to struggle with what to say or how to explain it. He looks over to the healer who is standing there awkwardly. 

"I.. I'm sorry." She says softly and looks at the Princess. "He seems stable for the moment. I can wake Purah, she may know more than I do. I.. I don't know what I can do right now other than recommend he eat and wash." 

Zelda gives her a gentle smile and nods. With that, the healer steps out into the hall leaning with her back to the wall. If there was one thing the champion was known for outside being the hero chosen by the goddess to wield the sword of evils bane, it was just how shy and reserved he was. He only allowed a select few to get close to him and even fewer still truly knew him. Zelda and Purah are some of those few and are going to be the most equipped to help him she tells herself before walking down the hall to fetch the scientist.

Inside the room Link had gone quiet again staring intensely at his deformed hand as it rested in his lap. It didn't even look or feel like his arm anymore, Raurus arm had started to feel more like his own than what he was left with now.

"Link.. " she pauses unsure of how or what to ask. He closes his eyes a moment taking a breath before looking back to her. 

"I don't know what it is."  He responds knowing what she was trying to ask. He fidgets with his fingers a moment trying to find the right words. He glances at the door before looking back to Zelda studying her face for a moment. His jaw clenches and he sighs finally breaking. 

"what you saw in the cave.." There's a small pause as he thinks through how to explain it choosing his words carefully. "it's like something or someone else is in my body. I can only watch as something else controls me." He looks away not wanting to see her expression as he confesses how weak he is "It speaks. It knows what I think. It's dangerous and that's why I left. Till I could get rid of it."

"How often does that happen?" He gives a sort of half-shrug at the question. "It's happening more and it is getting stronger" he starts to pick at the damaged skin on his wrist between signing "It can last from a couple minutes to an hour or more. It has the most control over my gross arm"  his upper lip curled in disgust as he referred to his arm.

as much as she didn't like him referring to his own arm as gross she chose to ignore it for now. "What makes you think it wants to hurt me?" 

"it told me," he states matter of factly. He glances up from his lap watching her reaction to his confession. She seemed more curious than anything. "And that's what spoke to me in the cave? Saying we should have left you there to die?" He nods looking away again "you should have left me there. It was exited. It's going to hurt you"

Realization dawned on her, that's why he was so fearful. He ran away to protect them, fighting off this mystery being alone in a dark cave, starving and in pain the entire time. He was fully ready to let himself die, slow, alone, to keep them safe. She bites her lip letting everything sink in trying to brainstorm what it could be or how they could help.

There's some commotion outside a voice demanding to be let in while the guard holds his ground refusing to let them past. Zelda stands up slowly "That's Purah." she looks down at Link sitting pitifully against the pillows as he lies in the bed staring into his lap. "I'm going to let her in she might know something, do you want me to explain?" He gives a weak nod not looking up and with that Zelda goes and opens the door confirming to the guard that she be allowed inside.

"Linky!" Purah excitedly cries as she rushes into the room the moment the guard lets her pass. She pauses halfway to the bed staring wide-eyed at the champion laying there. Her mouth hung open a bit as she took everything in. He was always small but now he looked sickly, the skin on his arms clining to nothing but bone, his clothes covered in dirt and dried bits of what looked like blood hanging loosely on his frame. Now that he was in a well lit room and not torchlight in a dark cave it was painfully obvious how awful his condition was. If he wasn't sitting up and awake she would have mistaken him for a corpse. "Oh link.." she says now much softer as she continues her approach.

Zelda follows soon after coming back to the bedside. Link just stared down not looking up from his lap, picking at the skin of his gloom arm causing a tiny bit of blood to come to the surface.

Purah looks to Zelda her expression full of questions. She motions to Purah to follow her. "Let's go to my room.. I'll explain while Link washes up." the two of them silently leave the room going across the hall to Zelda's room.

Once he's alone he swings his legs over the side of the bed sitting up fully. He looks over to a closed door inside the room assuming it to be the bathroom and makes his way inside finding a small wash area and restroom. Some clean clothes were waiting in there for him already which puzzled him but he didn't dwell on it very long, stripping off the same clothes he had been wearing for far too long now, leaving them in a heap on the floor as he filled a small bucket with warm water and soap.

He tries to make this as quick as possible wiping away most of the grime and dirt from his skin so he looks at least somewhat clean-ish. He doesn't even bother with his hair, it's been so long since it was taken care of and he hasn't been able to tie it up since the fight so it's become quite the rat's nest.

He dries off and throws on the clean clothes left in the bathroom, just a simple pair of brown trousers and a white shirt the sleeves coming to just above his elbows. And steps back into the main room. The girls still were not back yet so he just sat on the edge of the bed waiting for them. He contemplates trying to run or escape but knows that will just cause him more problems. He doesn't have any of his equipment or the purah pad right now and Zelda would immediately start another search for him, without his things he wouldn't be able to hide for long and they would just find him again. Plus it would make Zelda even more upset with him.

It wasn't much longer before the girls returned, Zelda sighing as she laid eyes on him. "Did you even try and clean your hair?" She said with an amused tone a gentle smile on her face. "Will you let me brush it?" She was trying to lighten the atmosphere in the room, it felt as if the room itself was depressed and it was suffocating.

He looked up at her and stared for a long moment before nodding very slowly. She's brushed and played with his hair before why was he hesitating? Ever since she cut her hair she would beg him to let her braid his, he would never admit how much he loved it. She just smiled and grabbed a brush sitting on the bed behind him and very gently started to brush through his hair. It was a welcome distraction from what was about to happen next.

Purah comes up next to him leaning down to study his arm. "It looks like a really bad case of gloom poisoning," she says to herself with a hum her thumb and index finger coming up to her chin. "You've tried all the normal ways to clear up the gloom?" He nods not looking up to meet her eyes.

She sighs softly standing up fully, she couldnt see much of his arm with his sleeve covering most of it. She wanted to see just how bad it was. "I'm sorry linky, but.. can you take your shirt off so I can see where the gloom ends?" Now he looks up at her his lips pressed tightly together. He stares intensely at her for an uncomfortably long moment the silence thick as he contemplates complying. Zelda stops combing through his hair as they wait for him to respond holding her breath.

Right as Purah was about to accept his silence as a no he lifted his shirt over his head placing it on the bed next to him. He looks away from them both as they struggle not to react, zelda audibly gasps behind him covering her mouth with her hand. His stomach was so distended he looked hollow, ribs sticking out so far you could hook your fingers under them. He was a skeleton. long angry scratches cover his chest and sides that he had clearly done to himself, over a battlefield of scars both old and new. Small crescent shaped cuts on his upper arms from digging in his nails so hard.

"Link..have you eaten anything since you went missing?" He nods very slowly refusing to look anywhere near her "A lot actually, It wasn't until recently I started to run out. It didn't matter what I ate I was always hungry"

Purah locks eyes with Zelda who sits behind him equally horrified at just how bad it was. "You've.. lost way more weight than you should have been able to in that time" he just nodded again very aware and self conscious of his body "Just get this over with" he pleaded incredibly uncomfortable, his left hand moved to clutch the side of the bed. All the confidence he once had in his body and appearance was gone.

Zelda starts to comb his hair again slowly working out the knots as Purah clears her throat softly before continuing her observation. The gloom covered most of his arm, the main portion went a few inches below his shoulder but long red tendrils reached up and onto his chest. "Does it hurt?" He nods. "Where does the pain start?" He reaches up to touch the spot just above where the majority of the gloom had consumed his arm. "Did.. it cause these scratches while it was controlling you?" She gestures to the scratches along his chest. He pauses a moment contemplating if he should answer honestly. "Yes and...no...  it's very painful when it..takes over and sometimes when I try to fight it.." He trails off having said enough to get his point across.

Purah looks back to Zelda. "This might be a long shot but are we sure Ganon was the only thing sealed below the castle?.." that caused them both to look up at her their eyes wide.

"It's very possible there were once other things sealed away.." Zelda confirms looking down at his arm again.

"We wouldn't have known till now because of the zonai arm that covered it but it's clearly more than just gloom. It's like he's possessed" Purah gently takes his disfigured hand in hers flipping it over to look at his palm which was covered in burns that have blistered over. "What caused this?" She looks back to Link who was now watching her. He flinched at the memory closing his fist, pulling his hand back so he could respond.  "The master sword" 

Zelda froze mid brush "the master sword...burned you?" He nods and looks away in shame. "It had control and threw it away from me.. happened recently"

"What..does that mean?" Zelda asked looking up to Purah who was equally shocked.

"The sword is still in your room yes?" She asked to Zelda who nodded. "I'm going to fetch it quickly I have an idea" She brushed her hands off on her thighs before quickly turning and leaving the room.

She was back just as quickly as she left now with the master sword in her arms. She brings it before Link who stares intensely at the blade. "Link can you touch the blade with your left hand?" He hesitates before complying, the memory of it burning him still fresh in his mind. Slowly he reaches his left hand up touching the handle, there was no reaction, he was able to touch it just fine. He let out a small breath he didnt realize he was holding, maybe hylia hadn't been punishing him. "And now with your right." He complies faster this time, his confidence a bit higher, reaching up with his ugly disfigured arm. The moment it made contact with the handle it burned red hot. He hissed softly jerking his arm back.

"That might confirm my possession theory. There's something trapped in your arm that the blade is reacting too. It's only in your right arm right now but you can see where it's expanding across your chest. That's probably why it has the most control of your arm and not as much over the rest of your body"

"So how do we get it out of him?" Zelda asked her voice hopeful thinking Purah was onto something.

Purah brings her thumb and index finger up to her chin deep in thought. "I've never seen something like this before. We should look into the history and see if we can find any mention of something being sealed away or banished that fits this description. Someone should stay with him in case whatever it is takes control of him again"

Zelda nods in agreement and looks to Link. "Are you okay with me staying in here with you? I know we used to share a home but.." she trailed off as Link shook his head no adamantly. "If it takes over it will hurt you"

"Then we will have a guard stay outside the door so if that does happen they can help intervene." She said her mind was already made up. She finished combing through his hair and started to braid it. "I'll be careful I promise"

He groaned softly and grabbed his shirt eager to cover himself again when she finished the braid. He knew there was no winning this she was as stubborn as they come.

"I'm going to go get you some food and I want you to rest linky" Purah said as she put the master sword down turning towards the door. Link's long ears perked up a little at the mention of food causing Zelda to smile. She tied off the braid and allowed him to pull the shirt back over his head. "I'll be right back" Purah promised as she left to fetch him a hearty meal. 

"They should have recovered your things from the cave by now, I'm going to fetch them for you," Zelda said as she stood with a gentle reassuring smile on her face.

Link adverts his eyes, feeling guilty he caused them so much grief. He doesn't deserve their worry or help. It doesn't seem to bother Zelda at all when he looks away. "I'm sure you're tired too, Purah is right you should rest. I'll be back with your things" he just nods laying back down obediently watching the door as it closes behind Zelda eagerly waiting for the food he was promised.

Chapter Text

It's less than a minute before Zelda steps back into the room followed by a guard holding a small bag of everything they recovered from the cave. It's gently set down next to the door, the guard giving a small bow to Zelda and stepping back out of the room without a word. 

"This should be everything, if you find anything is missing please let me know so I can send someone to recover it" As she speaks she takes the Purah pad out and hands it over to Link who accepts it with his left hand. He flicks it on and starts to scroll through his inventory, anything important he kept in there everything else that was in the cave didn't have much importance to him. 

As he's scrolling through the Purah pad Zelda takes a seat at the desk pulling out some parchment and beginning to write. "Purah should be back any moment now, I'm going to write to the other kingdoms of your safe return so they no longer continue with the searches" 

He pats the bed beside him so she will look over at him before he signs "The other factions were looking for me?" he asked a bit surprised

"Of course, everyone was." She says it like it was obvious, he starts to feel guilt build in his stomach, he knew Zelda would probably try to find him for a little bit but everyone? And for this long? He was the cause of so much wasted time and funding with the searches, those resources should have gone into rebuilding. 

He lifts his hands again to speak but before he could respond there was a knock on the door and Purahs voice "I brought curry and rice!" She almost sang as she opened the door letting herself in. She brings the tray of food over to Link's bedside a big bowl of curry and two helpings of rice, there was even a small bowl of fruit on the side for dessert. 

It's hardly out of purahs hands before he's eating like a man starved, though that is an accurate description of him right now. While he eats Purah joins Zelda at the desk leaning against it.

"There's a lot of talk in town already, I don't think it was anyone from the search party but a couple of people saw as he was brought in this morning." She spoke quietly as she informed Zelda of the rumors spreading. "People are worried, eager for an official announcement. We are going to need to figure out what we plan on telling everyone." 

Zelda sighed and sat back in her chair closing her eyes. "We can't lie but I don't think it's wise to tell the whole story that will just cause more fear." She looks over to Link who is pretending not to listen as he finishes his fruit. "Until we know more we will just say he is in recovery from an injury to the public, Link if it's alright with you I do wish to fill in the other leaders of Hyrule with more details in hopes they may know something about your condition, is that alright?" 

He just nods not looking up from his fruit nibbling on a small cube of melon. At this point what did it matter? Maybe they would get lucky and someone would know something, he lost all care of who was told or how he was seen. Zelda and Hyrule were safe his reputation no longer mattered and if they did fix him maybe he could just live in the woods somewhere like a hermit so he wouldn't have to be reminded of how everyone in Hyrule saw him at his lowest. Well, maybe not his lowest, that spot in his life was already taken by the time he died and had to be resurrected 100 years later. 

Zelda pressed her lips together in worry, she wasn't sure what she was expecting from him but it did seem out of character for him to not care. She turned back to her parchment and continued to write to the other races that ruled over sections of Hyrule and brainstorm a copy she would share with the paper to be distributed across Hyrule.

Purah sighed softly at them both standing up fully again so she could take the now empty tray from Link. "it was a long night you should both rest before we do anything."

"There's far too much that needs doing it's only morning!" Zelda complained though she did lay her pen down and sit back in her chair a bit pouty. Link on the other hand wasted no time to lay down and get comfortable having slept on damp rocks and sand the last two months he was eager for a good rest.

"Link will still be here when you wake up won't you Linky?" Purah smiled over to the hero as he pulled the covers over himself without responding. 

Zelda just grumbled a bit and moved to the more comfortable chair beside the bed not wanting to leave Link's side to rest fearing he wouldn't be there when she returned. 

"I'm going to return this tray and then go to the library, see if I can find any old history books with any good leads, if I find anything I'll bring it back here for you" Purah turned to the door, looking back at the two before opening it "I'll be back later with dinner" she promised as she stepped out into the hallway. As soon as she was out of sight her face fell to a deep frown, biting her lip. She was determined to find some way to help him, seeing link in such a state shook her to her core but she knew if he thought she pitied him he would just push her away. She was reminded of his beaten bloody body those 100 years ago, a shutter ran down her spine at the memory and she sighed starting her walk down the hall to return the tray. 

-

It was late into the evening when Zelda woke up again, still sitting in the plush chair beside Link's bed halfway leaning on the mattress. She felt someone petting her hair and she groggily opened her eyes with a groan looking up at Link who was sitting up straight a huge grin on his face his eyes the same eery red and black they turned in the cave. 

She jolts up with a gasp pulling away from him, suddenly fully awake. This causes him to giggle amused by her reaction. "good evening your grace, it's a pleasure to finally speak with you."His voice is rough and gravely from disuse, an octave lower than he would normally speak.

Panic starts to set in and her breathing picks up as she scrambles to think of something, anything. She's about to scream when Link's gloom-cursed hand covers her mouth shushing her. "relax your grace, I will not harm you. Not yet. You are far too valuable to me. and even if I wanted to I am too weak" he continues to grin, making her blood run cold.

"you certainly know how to pick your heroes, this has been the longest a single soul has fought me and not gone mad. Though I would expect nothing less from the goddess-chosen hero." he lowers his hand gently caressing her cheek as he brings it back to his lap, as he does she notices how hard he is shaking. Was Link trying to fight back?

"He quite the interesting boy, for someone meant to be the embodiment of courage he is deeply fearful. The amount of secrets this mind holds, the carefully guarded walls around his heart." he closes his eyes and hums running his right hand up his chest. "And he is so deliciously angry~." 

"l-let him go!" Her voice cracks with fear and she clenches her jaw. He looks back at her maintaining fierce eye contact "Not so fast your grace, you wouldn't waste this opportunity to get to know your dearly beloved? I can tell you everything he was too much of a coward to say." She gasps softly her mouth hanging open a bit in shock causing Link to laugh loudly. "surely you are not naive enough to believe he didn't know. You are painfully obvious with your love for him. It's a shame he will never feel the same" he puts on an exaggerated fake pout, the expressions foreign on his face.

"you..you don't know that" Her voice was barely more than a whisper, she sat back into her chair watching him carefully. His entire body was shaking and his movements were choppy and forced, there was a battle for control going on just beneath the surface. The more information she could get the better, if she could keep it talking while Link fought back maybe it would give useful information about how to cure him.

"Oh, but I do your grace! I'm in his mind I see what he thinks I know who he loves. Who he hates. Who he blames for his pain." He says very pointed and matter-of-fact. She couldn't help it, her mind raced through options. there were so few people he willingly interacted with and fewer still he would actively seek out, who in all of hyrule?

"It is quite amusing how he denies it, even to himself he will deny his heart belongs to another." he says in an almost bored tone. She shakes her head and huffs softly. It was playing with her. Making her lose track of what was actually important. This didn't matter right now she needed to focus she needed answers. "You said you could tell me everything yes?" 

His ears twitched up a bit in excitement. "oh but of course. I can tell you every little secret he keeps so guarded. I can describe the nitty gritty details. Name all of the cliffs and islands he would walk along, stairing down to the surface wondering if it would be high enough to be painless. Describe every twisted, dark thought he had while alone in the wild. Every pause as the enemy charges at him as the thought of letting the hit land flashes through his mind. I can point to every scar and tell you which ones were not earned in battle but instead from his own blade. I can tell you about the times he wouldn't return home till far too late, when he would scream to the sky cursing Hylia for his continued living, cursed with the memory of the sweet release of death. I can tell you just how much he hates every breath he takes and blames you for each of them." venom drips from his words as he leans in closer to her. His left hand grips his right arm tightly digging his blunt nails into the red and black skin. "I can tell you that the only way to really save him is to lose him. Or you can help me and I will give you the hero you desire. I can make him love you." Her face twists in horror at his words unable to formulate a response before his eyes return to their usual sapphire blue and he screams raking his blunt nails down his gloom ridden arm.

The knight who stands guard outside the door bursts in his weapon half-drawn "Princess?! Are you okay?" He asks them both looking around the room confused, trying to see what could have caused Link to yell out in pain. 

"Fetch Purah! Now!" Zelda commanded and the knight gave a quick nod in response, sheathing his weapon and quickly leaving the room to find the scientist. 

Once they are alone again Zelda carefully reaches out to him, carefully taking his left hand into hers so he stops digging his nails into his arm. His entire body is shaking as he struggles not to break down into tears. "Link it's okay.. it's okay I'm here" she tries to reassure him. She places her free hand on his back rubbing in small circles.

He shakes his head. It was very much not okay. He sucks in a shaky breath fighting back tears trying to get his breathing under control. He should have left he should have run away. He should have had the courage to end this long before it got this bad.

Purah is quick to enter the room, not even bothering to knock. "What happened?" She asks quickly as she approaches the bed slightly out of breath. 

"He lost control.." She answered quietly looking up to purah with pain clear in her eyes. The silence is thick in the air, both of them unsure of what to do. Purah is quick to notice the new wounds on his arm, deciding that was as good a place to start then any. She gave a small nod to Zelda before she silently steps into the small bathroom connected to the room grabbing some bandages and a damp washcloth. 

When she returned to the room Link was crying. Silent tears rolling down his cheeks as his body shook. She pretends not to see as she sits with him on the bed. She takes his right arm in her hand dabbing away the bit of blood that had come to the surface before applying the bandage. Nobody spoke the three of them just sat in silence waiting.

It took Link a while to calm down wiping his eyes with his hands. He was the one to finally break the silence his voice rougher then usual from how much he was forced to speak. "I'm sorry..." 

"Link it's okay you don't have to apologize" Zelda is quick to respond worry eating her alive. She wanted to ask if what he said was true but decides that it may be better if she feigned ignorace to try and preserve his privacy. "What can I do?" 

He switches to sign, far more comfortable with the language. "you heard it-"

"Absolutely not!" She adamantly refused, cutting him off  "There has to be another way and we will find it" 

"Please don't make me..." he signed before he could stop himself. Zelda froze at his words her eyes wide as her mind jumps to the worst possible conclusion to that sentence.

"We will find a cure" Purrah jumps in, currently unaware of what was all revealed but can sense it was nothing good. "Can you tell me what happened?" 

The two of them sat in silence for a long moment, Link staring into his lap a faraway look in his eyes and Zelda not looking up from the floor. There's a long pause before Zelda nods and stands. Purah needed to know what was happening with the cursed hero, as much as she didn't want to leave him alone she didn't want to force him to relive what just happened. "Link.. are you comfortable with me sharing here or would you prefer we stepped into the other room?.." 

"I don't care" he signs quickly without looking up. Zelda steps away from the bed to the opposite side of the small room Purah following. She spoke in hushed whispers her voice shaking and cracking as she recalls the events to Purah. 

As they spoke Link swings his legs over the side of the bed staring at Master sword leaning gently against the wall next to him. It had been returned to its scabbard, cleaned up and beautiful once more. He reaches out and takes it in his left hand pulling out the blade and staring at his reflection. It hums with energy in his hands the weight comforting and familiar, even in his left hand.

He doesn't allow himself to think before he raises the sacred blade and plunges it into his right arm. It admits a brilliant glow as his flesh starts to burn and sizzle, his blood staining the bed and floor. He can feel the gloom twist and writhe in pain beneath his skin. He thinks he hears someone screaming his name but he can't hear over the ringing in his ears. He feels someone take the sword from his hands and put pressure on the new wound as his vision fades to black and his body falls limp.

Chapter Text

Almost a week had passed since the hero of Hyrule was found, he hadn't fully regained consciousness after plunging the master sword through his arm. He would stir and whisper nothings in his sleep but his eyes refused to open. Zelda struggled to be in the room with him, constantly reminded that she was a leading cause to his struggles. She would walk past the door multiple times a day, looking in hoping to find him awake, constantly checking in with Purah for updates. Her heart ached. the words repeating in her head 'he hates every breath he takes and blames you for each of them'. She desperately wanted that to not be true but she couldn't bring herself to believe it was a lie. She busied herself in the library trying to keep her mind off those words as she tried to find any information that could help them save him.

Purah was who stayed in the room with him as the one watching over him, reading through books Zelda brought to her that might be of interest and monitoring the hero. It was strange, after he turned the master sword agenst himself the main portion of the gloom seemed to end lower down on his arm. now coming up to just above his elbow the long tendrals no longer come up and onto his chest, only able to reach his shoulder. But the wound wouldn't heal. It continued to bleed despite days passing and every time they changed the bandage it looked fresh and raw as if it had just happened.

Every morning Purah would measure how far up the gloom covered his arm, it crept up a little bit every day covering more and more of his arm slowly over time, and recorded it in a small journal that detailed other notable things about his condition. She would try to make out the things he mumbled while unconscious and write them down, recording every time he moved or his breathing changed. He was starting to put on some weight again and looked less sickly, the color returning to his cheeks.

It was during this morning while he lay in the bed shirtless as she measured each of the long tendrils that stretched over his shoulder that his eyes finally opened, an eery red backed by blackness. He was perfectly still, watching her as she wrote everything down not noticing he had woken just yet distracted by her work.

"How disappointing" Purah almost jumped out of her skin at hearing his voice, looking up at him now her eyes wide in shock, the measurements long forgotten. "I was hoping to see her grace again, that was the most I've gotten him to react in all this time. I can starve him, suffocate him. Set every nerve in his body ablaze, and he accepts it all without a second beat. But being vulnerable about his feelings?" he scoffs at the question rolling his eyes. As he speaks he raises his right arm examining it and the bandage wrapped around it with a deep frown. "simply speaking with her caused him more pain and anger then I have this whole time!.. no wonder he's so silent. Truly an interesting boy~"

Purah watched him closely as he lowered his arm back down to his side, studying him. "What are you?"

"I'm shocked it took you this long to ask but I don't think you've earned that answer yet." He slowly sits up leaning in closer to her. "First I want something from you"

Before she could respond or react his right hand was pressed tightly around her throat, squeezing. "I want to make you an example of what I am still capable of." Her hands grasp and claw at his arm trying to pull him off. panic setting in as she's unable to take in a breath. his grip tightens as tears start to well up in his eyes. "Do not test me again. I can take them away from you. You are powerless agenst me, you can try to fight but in the end.." He was speaking to himself now. Tears started to pour down his cheeks his body started to shake violently but his hand remained tightly around her neck small pained gasps coming from her throat as she struggled to take in a breath. "You. will. give in."

Just as she's starting to feel herself getting weak from the lack of oxygen his eyes return to normal and he immediately drops her scrambling to get as far away from her as he can.

She falls to her knees at the side of the bed coughing a few times, her throat red a dark bruise already starting to form. But she lifts a hand to cover it. "Link it's okay it's okay I'm okay" she tries to reassure him her voice horse. he's already standing with his arms crossed over his chest holding himself tightly. His eyes wide in a panic his breathing sporadic. She pulls herself up as quickly as she can, her head pounding and takes a step toward him wanting to comfort him and prove She really is okay.

He backs away pressing himself against the wall and looking around the room for an escape route. She can see in his eyes he plans to bolt and she scrambles to come up with an idea that will make him feel safe again. "Link do not run. That's what it wants. It's okay, I'm okay, look at me." She spoke softly like she was trying to soothe a wild animal. His eyes meet hers, tears still streaming down his face and she offers him a warm, reassuring smile. "See? I'm okay..." she waits watching him as he tries to force himself to stop crying, to stop panicking. He would suck in a breath and hold it in an attempt to force himself to regain his composure. She takes small steps toward him, reaching out her arms to offer him comfort.

He fights with himself, still holding himself in a tight self-hug. As much as he wants the comfort being offered to him what kind of hero would that make him? Is he even a hero anymore? He hurt so many people, he let so many people die. he can see them, he can hear them, the screaming, the blood. it was his fault. He can feel the white hot burn across his chest, the smell of charred flesh. He wasn't enough. He wasn't worthy. Everything is burning. He's hurt someone again. A close friend who seconds after is trying to comfort him, He doesn't deserve it. He needs to run, the room is spinning. he can't focus, he can't breathe. There's too much he can't-

Purah pulls him into a loose hug breaking him out of the spiral, rubbing his back as he trembles in her arms. His breathing is coming in hard gasps as he comes back down. She's talking softly to him but he can't hear the words. She gently guides him to sit on the floor with her and holds him close. Tears stain the fabric covering her shoulder as he openly sobs his left hand clutching her other sleeve.

Slowly she feels his breathing evening out, the tears slowly coming to an end. They sit together like that for close to an hour in almost complete silence, both equally too afraid to move and ruin it. He closes his eyes and just allows himself to be held for the first time he can remember, it's so warm. he cant help but feel safe despite everything.

Eventually he shifts away and rubs his eyes, his cheeks still red and puffy from crying. He takes a deep breath and looks around the room noticing a lot of his things are now missing including the purah pad and master sword. He looks back to Purah who has been watching the hero closely. He flinches at the dark hand-shaped mark on her neck. "I'm sorry"

"Link I told you it's okay, I should be the one apologizing. You told us it was dangerous and we didn't listen. I'm sorry."

She stands up slowly and dusts herself off. Link stays on the floor shifting to pull his thighs to his chest resting his head on his knees. She turns to grab him a shirt which he quickly accepts and pulls over his head.

"Where is Zelda?" He signs slowly hesitantly looking up at her.

"She's in the library studying, she will probably stop in soon actually, she does that often. but I can let her know you woke up. Are you sure you'll be okay to see to her?"

"It doesn't happen so close together," he thought she was referring to his episodes. But she shakes her head and sighs softly giving him that concerned mom look he hated.

"That's not what I meant, I'm sorry linky but you've been a mess since you were found in that cave. You need to let yourself recover." She picked up her journal that was dropped when Link woke up, brushing it off and finished recording her measurements.

"I want to explain.."  his signs were loose and unsure. He wanted to explain what she was told, to apologize and assure her he didn't blame her for anything, that it wasn't true.

Purah sighs softly closing her eyes and looking down at her book trying to think of the best way to say it without making him feel worse. "What she heard that day really shook her. She's going to have a lot of questions, especially since she's been letting it brew for days. She won't even talk to me about it."

He stares at her in shock not realizing he had been asleep so long his mouth hanging open a bit. "Days?"

"It's been about a week. You hurt yourself pretty bad. Your body needed to recover." She sets the journal down on the desk, leaning back agenst it as she watches the hero absorb the new information.

"I want-" he pauses, hesitant to finish his sentence, and wrings his hands a bit before continuing. "I want to explain everything. Before it can."

Purah nods softly her expression softening. "I'll make sure she gets filled in on what happened and have her come in with dinner how does that sound?" He nodded in response, anxiety building inside him. He starts picking at the bandage around his arm again. "I'm going to go talk to her then. Will you be okay by yourself?" She watches his reaction carefully for even a hint he wouldnt be okay or was thinking about running away.

He nods in agreeance but can't help but feel like a prisoner trapped in this small room. he wants to go home, to run and hide again. but it's too late now and he needs to prepare himself to talk to Zelda and answer her questions.

Purah nods slowly, convinced enough he will stay put and turns to step out of the room. "You better still be here when I get back" she says playfully before stepping out to find the Princess.

-

Purah quickly made it down to the library almost running into multiple people as she sped walked through the halls Zelda being one of them a small stack of thick dusty books in her arms that she was going to bring to Links room for Purah to read. "Purah? Everything alright?" She asked looking over to the scientist with a look of worry, a moment later she noticed the bruise. "Oh my- Purah! What happened?"

"Everything is okay, Link woke up and it went.. poorly," she said but smiled nonetheless. "It's okay now, let's step into my room it's closest. I'll explain everything."

They turned and made their way down the hall Purah leading them, it only took a moment before they were in the wildly disorganized room and away from anyone who might try and listen. The public believed he was injured and in recovery, and that's why they haven't seen him around. They don't want any more rumors spreading than there already are.

Zelda set the stack of old books down on the cluttered desk and turned to Purah clearly very concerned and worried. "When did he wake up? Why didn't you tell me? And what happened to your neck?"

"Well.. he wasn't him when he woke up just like last time. He's been awake for about 2 hours and I couldn't tell you because.. well.." she gestures up to her neck with an awkward smile. "I'm okay I promise. It happened very shortly after he woke up. This episode was very short only a couple of minutes. It seemed like it was angry with him for using the master sword on himself, it didn't really seem like it was talking to me. It said I was going to be an example of what it was still capable of and it threatened.. worse."

Zelda furrows her brow looking down, taking in the new information. "I wonder if that means my hypothesis is correct, the master sword may be able to remove whatever this demon is inside him."

"And his arm in the process. We cant just amputate his arm without more information. we don't know if that will work, it might just anger it more or release it onto someone else. He's also very weak right now he may not survive the procedure. It's a last resort." Purah crossed her arms over her chest and sighed wishing she had more answers. "We do have to figure out something though, He's not doing well.. that was another reason I didn't come get you right away. After he was himself again he had a panic attack. a bad one. He.. completely fell apart." There was sadness in her voice as she recalled how he cried and trembled in her arms.

Zelda lifts her hands to her chest clasping them together, she couldn't even imagine him in that state. She hadn't even seen him cry till a week ago. He was always the image of strength and courage, he had always been very good at controlling his outward emotions.

"He wants to talk to you. he wants to explain things and clear things up." Purah said suddenly. Zelda bites her lip, a lump forming at the back of her throat. She wants to talk things through with him but now she worries about what she will learn. He always keeps everything so close and guarded she doesn't want him to feel forced to share either.

"Don't worry" Purah could see the anxiety eating at her all over her face. "He seemed confident in that decision, it will just be you and him. You'll be able to keep a secret" she smiles at the Princess trying to reassure her.

"And if it's true?.. if I'm the reason he hurts so much?" Her voice shakes and she stares at the floor

"It's not, he cares about you. It was just playing mind games."  She answers confidently, Link wouldn't do everything he does if he didn't care.

Zelda just nods pressing her lips tightly together in thought. "Even..if that isn't true, what if the rest of it is?.." she swallows hard around the lump in her throat. 

Purah pauses a moment looking away as she speaks. "Then. we will do our best to help him." She gives a little nod as if agreeing to her own statement. "He may be the hero but that doesn't mean he wasn't affected by the horrors he endured.. and still is enduring. " 

Zelda nods slowly looking down at her open palms, wishing she had done more for him when she noticed him struggling before the upheaval. Maybe if she had just said something or pushed him a little harder to talk to her she could have changed something. She closes her hands into fists with new found determination. "Let's go see him"

Chapter Text

"Hold on Zel, I told him you'd be coming with food, let's not disappoint him. He's still way too skinny."  She said that last bit under her breath, he at least didn't look like he was on death's door but it was a bit clearer now why he looked the way he did despite his abundant resources. From the little snippet she got it sounded like that thing had been torturing him.

"He's still gaining weight right?" She asked hopefully. Purah had been keeping her meticulously up to date on his condition but she still can't get the image of him looking like a corpse laying in that small bed out of her head.

"Yes, and quite quickly too. It will still take a while for him to be back to normal. but his weight loss wasnt natural, it had something to do with this curse. so Im hopeful his recovery will be quick, it should be if he continues at this rate." from what they have discovered so far its a miracle he'd lasted this long. They still weren't sure what the main goal of this mysterious demon was but it was going to extremes to try and achieve it. "It made a comment saying it was starving and essentially torturing him, which would explain how you found him. Link can handle things like that better than most but now.."

"Now it's going to use us against him, which is why it said the things it did.." Zelda finished with a sigh. "Im just glad its using less.. physical methods now." her shoulders slumped a little. She knew Link had struggles, when they lived together in Hateno village he would frequently have nightmares. it was very common for him to just not sleep or to leave in the middle of the night. Some days he struggled to eat or focus, staring off into space completely zoned out. He refused to talk about it brushing it off with a smile and the promise he was fine. Zelda had trusted him to talk to her if he really needed it. Now that he was forced to confide in her it felt wrong.

Purah was quiet a moment before standing up straight "Come on, let's go get him something to eat." Purah starts to make her way to the door. Zelda hesitated a bit, grabbing the stack of dusty books again before following her.

-

He can't sit still while he waits. Getting up multiple times and wandering around the small room. He poked around in the wardrobe that sits in the corner of the room finding a clean change of clothes, he took them into the small bathroom deciding to wash while he waited, needing to do something to keep his mind occupied.

They hadn't had a chance to truly talk after she was saved. He had run away too quickly and now there was the matter of his curse. So much has happened these last few months.

He recalls back to before the upheaval when they lived quietly in Hateno village, Link would teach the kids cooking and miscellaneous life skills, like fishing or how to mend clothing -skills he picked up from his time in the wild- in the school Zelda put together. That was the happiest he could remember being.

It all started when Zelda convinced him to teach the children sign language. A soft smile forms on his face as he remembers how she pleaded with him for weeks to join her in teaching at the school before he finally agreed.

The happy memory was soured as he thought what they would think of him now. The kids would probably be scared of his disgusting arm. He can already hear them scream and point, or run away. They would think he was a monster, and in a way, they would be right.

He fills the bath with warm water and soap washing off quickly trying to push the thought out of his mind. He unwraps the bandage on his right arm gently cleaning the stitches and burned skin still fresh and raw, and rewraps it in a new bandage.

He uses a small cup on a stick to wet his hair running his left hand through the long strands to detangle them. He lathers up his hair and rinses it out again. Once he's done he dries off and dresses leaving the towel on his shoulders to catch the drips from his wet hair.

He steps back into the main room to find Zelda already waiting for him, sitting alone on the side of the bed her nose buried in an old book while she waited. She looks up at him and offers a small smile, trying to hide her anxiety. "I brought you some dinner, it's tomato mushroom stew. I also grabbed some bread."

He signs a quick "thank you" and sits beside her. She hands him one of two bowls and the two of them eat in uncomfortable silence. Link refused to look at her and Zelda trys to pretend everything was okay and normal.

She would glance at him occasionally, his face completely void of expression. In the years since the calamity and his amnesia, she had come to know a completely different person than the knight her father had assigned with her protection. He would smile and express things more. he was even straight-up goofy sometimes. She remembered the first time she heard him laugh as he helped the children of Hateno village chase a frog. Even when he was serious He would let little things slip through his stony exterior. It was small but she had spent enough time with him to know when something was bothering him.

Halfway through their meal, she clears her throat glancing over to Link. "Purah said you wanted to talk to me?" He just nods not looking up from his bowl allowing the silence to continue for another long moment before he responds. "I want to explain. What you were told wasn't the truth. Not all of it."

"I..assumed that was the case" She sounded optimistic but that meant some of it was true, or at least partially true.

"I don't blame you for anything" he wanted to make sure he stressed that first, Purah had mentioned that it was bothering Zelda. It wasn't her fault, none of it was. She did everything that was necessary and he can only blame himself for what happened.

She felt her shoulders release some of the tension she didn't know she was holding. it was comforting to be told he didn't blame her but she couldn't help but think she still played a large part.

"You don't have to do this Link.. we understand" She wanted to offer him an out, he didn't have to tell her anything if he didn't want to.

He took a slow deep breath setting his bowl aside and finally looked up at her. She could see it in his eyes that this was bothering him. As much as he was doing this for her he was doing it for himself and his own peace of mind.

"I want to" his signs were slow his right arm still clearly causing him pain. He was unsure of how or where to start. "Ive.." He pauses for a long moment before continuing. "I've always wanted to. I think. I just don't know how to talk about it with you." Even before the upheaval and now his curse he had thought about telling her everything. The nightmares, the flashes of memories, the spiraling hateful thoughts, the deep ache in his chest that felt like his very soul was being squeezed. But she was the Princess she had her own problems she didn't need the added stress of his issues on top of everything.

She was surprised by his admission, she had tried to talk to him before but he always pushed her away. "Why.. didn't you say anything sooner"

"You were already doing so much" it's an awful excuse and he knows it. He looks down again ashamed. "I didn't want to make things harder for you. I tried going to the Domain but there was always something going on"

"Link.. you can always talk to me, I will never be too busy for you.." her gut twists in guilt. He was always there for her, always willing to listen to her woes or be a shoulder to cry on, and never once had she been the same for him. She bites the inside of her lip studding his face as he stares down into his lap. "Why..would you need to go to the Domain?" she asked after a short moment confused as to what the domain had to do with anything.

"I used to talk to Sidon before he was engaged and became king, he helped me a lot when I had no memories. He was one of the few people to know me from before" he may have been just a kid at the time but Sidon would tell him everything he could, stories Mipha would share with him about the other champions and who they were. It was comforting.

"If you needed to go you could have told me" While she was admittedly a little hurt but it made sense. He just shrugged and picked at the bandage around his arm.

She watches him fidget a moment before changing the subject. "Does it still hurt?" He nodded softly in response still not looking up. "What.. made you think to use the master sword on it?"

He pauses and thinks about it for a moment his brows furrowing as he realized he didnt really know the answer. At the time he didn't really think it through he was just so angry with this thing trying to take over his body and he knew the master sword would hurt it. "It hurts whatever this thing is. Was worth a try" he responded with a shrug. He had noticed that the gloom ended much further down on his arm now and he'd be lying if he hadn't tried looking for the sword again but he wasn't surprised to find it removed from his room.

His shoulders relax a little and he finally looks up at her again with a deep breath. Her face full of worry as he continues to explain. "I was also angry. I didn't think about it before I did it. It told you lies and half-truths to make things sound worse. I don't want to die. I don't blame you for anything that's happened. Some days are better than others but I'm happy overall."

He pauses a moment flexing his fingers, trying to think of what he wants to say. She just stares at him her eyes wide a mix of worry and guilt that she didn't do anything for him sooner

"The worst is the nightmares. But I'll get flashes sometimes too. From hard battles or sometimes a memory from before. You really hated me back then" he gives an amused huff and smiles trying to lighten the mood, a blush spreads over her cheeks and she looks away embarrassed at first but eases into a little smile.

"I did not hate you, Link. I just.. hm.." Her smile fades a bit as she recalls how horribly she used to treat the poor knight. It was complicated, he was a reminder of all her shortcomings, he was a child prodigy chosen by the gods but at the time she felt she couldn't do anything right.

"I know I'm sorry" he quickly apologized. She had more than made up for it in the years they had lived together. The fragmented memories he had of her from before the calamity didn't even feel like the same person.

She sits back a bit on the bed and sighs "I never actually apologized for how I treated you, Link, I wasn't sure what you even remembered.. I'm truly sorry, it was childish of me."

"You were already forgiven" he spoke softly, almost a whisper. She looked over at him in surprise. No matter how many times she hears him speak she still gets butterflies every time, the tips of her ears flushing red. He so rarely spoke that hearing him was an honor, not many people could claim. He smiled a bit always amused by her reactions. He would do it on purpose sometimes just to mess with her. Especially when she was completely engaged and focused on a task, just to see how long it would take her to realize he was speaking to her, she never found it as funny as he did.

"I wish I remembered more sometimes. But I'm happy making new memories." He looks away again, stairing into the floorboards. He would be a lier if he said it didn't eat away at him some days but he's come to terms with it for the most part over the years he's been back.

"It..it made it sound like you didn't want to..uh.. be.. here" she chose her words carefully, saying them slowly. She watched his jaw clench and relax as he throught through her statement. Theres a long pause before he raised his hands again.

"I want to be here. I am grateful to you for saving me. Some days are just bad." He flexes his hands a few times struggling for words"I dont know how to put it into words."

"I think.. I understand. You don't want to die but sometimes just ceasing to exist would make things a lot easier." She had experienced that herself after the calamity. Being trapped for 100 years in a semi conscious state after watching all her friends die really left a scar on her mind. She had thrown herself into work to combat it, building the school and leading the restoration efforts across Hyrule.

He looks over to her a bit concerned and nods surprised she was able to put it to words so easily. "I wanted it to stop. The pain, the nightmares, the flashes. For a while that looked like the best option, but slowly it got better. Im okay now. I promise"  He signed his promise with confidence, his eyes stern and serious. It may be a bit of a lie but he didnt want to worry her anymore then she already was.

Her eyes study his face a moment, taking in his expression. He worries a moment she caught onto his lie but if she did, she doesn't call him out, looking away before speaking. "I..I understand."

They sit silently for a few more minutes before Zelda speaks again. "Im..sorry I.." She's shushed by the wave of his hand. He didn't want her to put the blame on herself.

"You did everything right. Thank you." Her heart flutters and she gives him a small sad smile. He looks away briefly a pang in his chest seeing how much love her eyes held for him, but after a moment he looks back offering a small sad smile of his own.

He stands up from the bed and collects their dishes from dinner moving them to the desk. She remains sitting watching him as he uses the towel that had been resting on his shoulders to fluff up and dry his hair a bit more before discarding it with the rest of the dirty laundry.

"Does it still hurt?" she says after a pause gesturing to his arm, feeling like they were in need of a subject change.

"Less now"  the sharp pain now replaced with a dull ache as he moved his arm. The resulting wound hurt more now then the arm itself.

"You should get some more rest.. purah said you've been recovering well." He makes an annoyed grumbled huff sound in the back of his throat. he slept for the last almost week, he didn't care for the idea of sleeping even more, but she was right. She was always right. He had been feeling a little better since he woke up he felt more alert and didn't have as much pain. "I know you have questions"

She gave a short nod "Yes but you need rest.." she didn't want to push him any further. He needed a break, she knew this was a lot fir him even if she didn't truly learn anything specific, this was the first time he'd opened up to her at all. there is always tomorrow for questions.

He laid back down in the bed as she took the dishes to the door handing them to one of two guards that stood outside his door preventing anyone from snooping. "You shouldn't stay in here. I hurt Purah I could hurt you too."

"You didn't hurt Purah. It wasnt you... and I'm not as fragile as I use to be." She says as she puts out the light on the desk and sits down in the plush chair beside the bed. Purah had covered it in pillows reclining it back as far as it would go as a makeshift bed while she kept watch over him.

He stares at her a long moment before he sighs. He can't recall a single time he was able to convince her otherwise once she made up her mind. He'd never had an episode so close together before it should be fine for tonight, he'll ask purah tomorrow to talk some sense into her. For now he rolls to face away from her and closes his eyes.

She watches him breathe in the dim light of the moon. Grateful he didnt try to fight her. thanking Hylia for returning him to her and praying they can find a cure in time.

Chapter Text

He waited until he heard her breathing shift as she fell asleep before he opened his eyes again, ever so carefully sitting up in the bed. He glances over to the small window, the curtains kept tightly closed to prevent anyone from peeking in. Slowly he creeps towards the window and pulls it open just a smidge so he can look out into the night. Nobody was in the main courtyard the late summer night crisp and clear.

Everything was quiet, he could still feel the presence in his mind, listening, watching. But it stayed quiet. That was unusual, usually, it was doing everything it could to make him uncomfortable or upset. Brining up old memories or reminding him of his failure as a hero. Especially since his mind was scattered after their conversation, it had so much it could bully him for. he hadn't even built up the courage to tell her everything. He tried not to dwell on it too long just grateful to have a moment alone. 

He ran his fingers over the textured skin of his right arm, studying it in the dim moonlight. There were multiple spots along his wrist and lower arm that had scabs where he would pick at the twisted black and red flesh. He swore he could feel it, moving and climbing up his arm, pulsing under his skin and it itched terribly. 

He flips his hand over staring at the burns left by the master sword, they had started to heal, the skin flakey and peeling. He starts to pick at it exposing the freshly healed skin underneath. His mind raced with questions and regret from his conversation with Zelda. He stays by the window for hours unable to rest watching Zelda sleep in the reclined chair. He contemplated trying to sneak out to find the master sword again feeling its pull, It felt wrong to be away from it. 

There was no way he could just leave through the door, Purah and Zelda have kept two guards there since he was placed in this tiny room. If he opened the window he might wake Zelda and she would be furious with him. And what if someone saw him? He wasn't trying to get away he just wanted the security of his blade. He cursed himself for being so impulsive that the girls thought it necessary to take it away. Though he didn't blame them at all.

He leaned his forehead against the window his breath fogging up the glass. He wanted this to be over, he wanted to go home where it was always quiet and calm. Or maybe he could go to the Domain, Sidon had put together a room for him and said he was welcome any time. He could go for a swim in the cool water right about now. 

Closing his eyes he swears he could hear the sound of the many waterfalls cascading down from the crystal-like pathways. The bright sun on his skin the spray of water carried by a slight breeze. The sent of fish in the air as different zora bring in the day's catch. He takes a deep breath and smiles taking it all in.

He feels safe and at home walking up the bridge to the main square, children Zora laughing as they chase each other in a circle around him. He feels himself smiling as he hears his name being called, he looks over and sees Sidon waving to him a dumb massive grin on his face but when he calls his name again it's different. it wasn't his voice, it was higher, more feminine, and sounded panicked despite his smile. 

It was Zelda's voice.

"Link! Link wake up!" 

He opens his eyes again and he's back in his tiny room at Lookout Landing laying on the cold floor by the window, the morning sun just starting to peek in through the parted curtains. Zelda hovers above him tears collecting in the corners of her eyes as she breathes a sigh of relief as his eyes open and they remain their striking sapphire blue. 

He sits up slowly confused as Zelda wipes her eyes. He looks around and sees Purah sitting on the floor with them not too far away with a look of concern as she watches them. How is it already morning? He doesn't remember falling asleep, he doesn't even remember falling to the floor. He only closed his eyes for a moment.

"I'm so glad you're okay" Zelda sits back on her heels allowing him to sit up fully. "What on earth were you doing? Why were you sleeping on the floor?" She pleaded, he had scared her half to death when she was abruptly woken up as Purah opened the door yelling out to her when she found the crumpled hero at the bottom of the window.

He lifts his hands to respond and hisses softly in pain, his right arm hardly moving. It was more stiff than normal and the sharp pain had returned, resistant to being moved making signing almost impossible with that hand. He cradles it in his lap with his left hand looking up to the window and back to Zelda. 

"Did.. you want the window opened?" She asked trying to understand his gestures. He shook his head softly and opened his mouth to speak.

"I couldn't sleep. I was just looking out the window" he spoke softly almost a whisper swallowing hard. The realization he couldnt sign washing over him like a chill.

"Link your arm.." Purah points to his shoulder, the end of the gloom now much higher up. it was now completely covered by the sleeve of his shirt when just the night before they could still see the end of it just a few inches above his elbow. Zelda gasps raising a hand to her mouth in shock. 

"Come on let's get you up" Purah stands as she speaks offering a hand to Zelda who takes it standing up as well. She extends her hand to Link to help him up mostly to not be rude not really expecting him to need help. She's a bit surprised as he takes her hand with his left and actually leans into it a bit as she pulls him up. He's wobbly on his feet and stumbles a bit, Zelda reaching out to wrap her arm around him instinctively so he doesn't fall again. 

They take a few steps to the bed, Zelda helping him keep his balance. His jaw is clenched tightly in shame the tips of his ears flushed red. He sits down on the side of the bed leaning on his left arm to keep himself upright. He's uncomfortably warm his mind a bit fuzzy. He stares intensely down at the floor not wanting to look at either of them and see their reactions. Ashamed of what he's become, not long ago he was able to take down hundreds of enemies and defeated Ganon for the second time, now he couldn't stand properly on his own or even lift his arm. 

Both of them try to remain as neutral as possible and instead focus on his arm and assess the damage. The night before he was active and alert, now he was struggling seemingly out of nowhere. Purah grabbed the journal she used to record his symptoms scribbling down some notes. Zelda steps back over to the window pulling the curtain shut once more before returning to his side.

"Link.. can we look at your arm please?" She asked softly, knowing he was probably in a fragile state right now. He was used to being in full control of his body, being agile and strong. Right now he was none of those things. He gives a jerky nod and tries to pull off his shirt, he makes a small sound of pain as he fails to lift his right arm high enough to pull it over his head. Zelda steps a little closer and silently helps him pull off his shirt moving his arm as little as possible. 

The gloom covering his arm seems to pulse and angry red having climbed all the way back up to his shoulder. Everyone in the room stops and stares, time itself seems to hold its breath. 

Purah steps closer and goes to reach out to him before pausing her eyes running up and down his arm. "What happened?"

He clenches and relaxes his jaw a few times grinding his teeth before he speaks again. "I saw..the domain..not a memory or dream. I was there." 

"Zora's domain?" Purah clarified and he nodded. She brings her hand up to her chin in thought. "Do you remember falling asleep or falling to the floor?" He shakes his head no and she hums softly. "Besides the level of pain has anything else changed?"

He nods in response looking from the floor to his arm. "It's quiet."  

"It..talks to you? When its not in control?" He nods again. "And now it's not." Another nod. He closes his eyes his breathing starting to get heavier his eyes unfocused. Purah recorded everything in her journal. 

Zelda comes to sit next to him on the bed hoping to provide him some comfort. "Can I change the bandage?" She asked softly and he nodded, slowly lifting his arm to allow her to remove the bandages. She has to help hold his arm up as he sways unsteadily. Once they are off they see the wound had started to rapidly heal, no longer a fresh wound and has scabbed over nicely. Zelda gasps softly her fingers hovering just above the new scab. "Its..healing" after seeing no progress for close to a week it was probably the only good thing in the current moment.

"Zell.." He starts as his head starts to spin. She catches him with a hand on his back before he can fall backwards onto the bed keeping him upright as She stands up again gently guiding him to lay down fully. His eyes squeezed shut as his breathing started coming in heavy pants. He hears one of the girls step into the bathroom and slowly opens his eyes to see only Zelda still standing next to him.

He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out, he doesn't even know what he wants to say. The bathroom door opens again and he makes a strangled gasp as a cool wet towel is placed on his forehead.

"He has a fever, I'm going to fetch some hearty elixirs from my study, will you be alright?" Zelda asked Purah directly, last time she was left with him he attacked her, the hand-shaped bruise still clearly visible around her neck.

"I'll be fine just be quick, he's going downhill fast." Zelda just nods and quickly steps out making her way down the short hall to her study where she put together a variety of different potions and elixirs, experimenting with different ingredients found across Hyrule. 

She gathers up a few elixirs in her arms and starts to make her way back, as she passes her room she hears a familiar soft chime. she blinks a moment not sure if she really heard it or not till it rings out again. It was the master sword. She slows down to an almost complete stop as she hears it again as if it's calling out to her. She looks between her door and Links just a few feet down the hall, she hears it again, beckoning her.

She shakes her head softly pushing out her curiosity and continues past the door choosing to investigate it later. Right now Link was her priority and he needed her. She quickly slips back into his room and hands purah one of the elixirs setting the rest on the small desk. 

Purah takes the damp towel off his forehead and helps him sit up, he is awake but not very reactive, his eyes glazed over. The elixir is placed into his left hand and he stares down into the red liquid. "Drink this it will help." He's slow to comply but brings the small bottle to his lips after a moment. When he's done she takes the bottle back from him and lays him back down pulling the blanket up to his neck. 

"We need to do something fast" Purah looks over to Zelda who has started to fidget nervously with her fingers and takes a long deep breath punching the bridge of her nose under her glasses in frustration. Frustrated they hadn't found a single clue or hint anywhere on what this curse could be or how to fight it.

She sighs softly and closes her eyes tilting her head down to the floor. "If he doesn't improve we might be forced to try taking the arm off," she whispers quietly to Zelda. They had discussed amputation after he used the master sword against himself. She had been strongly against it when Zelda first mentioned it. there were a lot of risks, They didn't know if removing the possessed limb would kill the being or if it would simply transfer to someone else if it even got rid of it at all. The risk of normal amputation was already high on someone strong and healthy, Links sudden turn for the worse didnt help in his chances. and let alone how Link may feel about it. It was his dominant sword hand and his main form of communication.

Zelda stood there silently not responding, watching the hero breathe slowly in and out unsure of what to do. Purah gave her an apologetic look before turning toward the door. "Let me know if anything changes, I'm going to get some water and see if anyone can make him some soup." and with that, it was just the Princess and her knight.

She sat down beside the bed, his face was still flushed pink with his fever. He looked so calm, his breathing had normalized after taking the elixir and now he seemed to be asleep. She clasps her hands together and holds them close to her face praying, begging Hylia for answers.

When she opens her eyes again Link is watching her through half-open eyes. He smiles a little when he sees her look down at him.

"Zel.. can I ask you something?" His voice was barely a whisper, raspy and tired sounding. 

She lowers her arms to lay on the bed her full attention now on him. "Of course.. what can I do?" 

"The Master sword.. I can hear her calling.."

Her eyes go wide as she suddenly remembers the chime she heard in the hall, he could hear it too. 

"Link, you hurt yourself very baddly.. I don't know if that is wise." She assumed he was asking her to bring it to him. But he shakes his head softly and closes his eyes. 

"Not for me.. for you. I dont know how much longer I can hold on" He admits. Her blood runs cold and she tenses up. If he gave in that would mean this thing would get full control, someone would need to take it down..

"Link I cant-" she starts raising her hands in a confused panic. That same chime rings out again and she sucks in a breath. She watches as links breathing slows indicating he was asleep again. Slowly she stands looking at the door.

Purah steps through the door making Zelda give a soft yelp in surprise. The scientist studies her face confused. "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing nothing I.. was just spaced out and you surprised me." She reaches out to take the bottles of water from Purahs hand, allowing her to set the bowl of soup on the desk. 

"Is he awake?" Purah asked quietly stepping over to the bed. Zelda shakes her head no and Purah simply nods. "I'm going to try and get a better look at his arm while he sleeps. Can you re-wet the washcloth? It's already warm." 

Zelda eagerly nods taking the small towel and going into the bathroom. While she does that Purah gently pulls back the blanket on his right side. He was still shirtless from earlier which made it easy. She carefully measures the gloom covering his arm trying her best not to wake him and records it in her journal. 

Zelda steps back into the room and gently places the fresh cool towel to his forehead, he doesn't react at all and continues to sleep a peaceful expression on his face, he looked almost happy.

"I'm going to go get the master sword" she blurts out of no where causing purah to look up at her shocked.

"Zelda I don't think that's a good idea." She said simply looking back down at the hero, specifically at the large wound on his arm that had only just begun to heal. 

"..it's calling out. I can hear it. I.. it wants to be in here." She clenches her fists a few times and bites the inside of her lip. "Link can hear it too.. he said he.. isn't sure he can hold on much longer.. and if that happens..we need it." 

"When did he say that?" She lowers her voice to just above a whisper, any louder and she fears it would crack.

"Just now when you were gone.." zeldas voice softens to match Purahs the seriousness of the matter heavy in the air.

Purah nods and looks back to her journal, things did not look good for the hero and she was afraid to say any more, afraid that if it's said aloud it will come true. If Link loses this battle over his mind and body they would need to make a quick and difficult decision.

Zelda takes that as permission and quickly steps into the hallway. Slowly she walks past the two guards placed outside his room and stands infront of her own door. She stands there a moment her hand on the handle, trying to collect herself before slowly opening it and stepping inside.

 The master sword lays on the small table in the corner, she feels a pull in her chest urging her closer. Hesitantly she walks forward stairing down at the blade, it starts to pulse a soft blue glow, not unlike a heart beating. Carefully she lifts the blade, she can feel it hum with power in her palm a bright glow lighting up the room. Her fists tighen around the handle. each time she's heard the voice inside the sword its never been words exactly, more like concepts swirling in her mind, A strong feeling that was just understood. 

She lifts the handle to her forehead the blade facing down. Tears stream down her cheeks as she feels it speak once again, a promise. A promise to always protect her master.

Chapter Text

Authors note!

If you are returning to this story, I have made some massive changes to some of the chapters and encourage you to go back before reading on!

Thank you for being patient with me, I have a better idea of where I want this story to go. My hope is to have somewhat regular updates every other week or so.

If you have any ideas theories or questions you can reach out to me on Tumblr! I love reading everyone's comments, you are what motivated me to fix this story and continue writing it. thank you!

https://www.tumblr.com/drengr8?source=share

Chapter Text

He felt so warm. He was wrapped in a soft blanket laying in the lap of a woman. Thin long arms covered by simple white cotton wrap around him holding him close. He smiled and leans into the comfort, snuggling his head into her chest. He fit so perfectly in her arms.

He felt so small. He could smell a faint sent of flowers encompassing him. Slowly he opens his eyes, his arms were that of a child, shorter and fatter. Completely smooth with only a few freckles dotting the pale skin. Not a scar in sight.

He felt so safe. Looking up he can't make out her face, blurry and distant. Like an old memory long forgotten. Long red hair falls around her face and he sees her smile down at him with so much love.

"I'm so proud of you"

Her voice was so soft, he knew it from somewhere but his memory was failing him, all he knows is its familier and safe. He felt her squeeze him tighter, holding him close. He giggles softly as she kisses his cheek. His voice light and childlike, without the scratchy rasp.

"Stay with me, my little hero" 

Something pulls in his chest, beconing him closer and he leans into it. warmth spreading across his chest and down his arms. She hums happily above him and cups the side of his face with her hand rubbing his cheek gently with her thumb. 

"Let go" 

He felt so much pain. He tries to pull away but she holds him tightly. He raises his arms to try and push her away and gasps softly when he sees the ugly twisted flesh covering his right arm. His arms where back to normal, long and thin, covered in scars and marks.

Pain shoots up his right arm and he clenches his jaw tightly. He can feel the gloom twist and move under his skin. The woman holding him looks so hurt when he tries to push her away again, tears streaming down her blurry face. 

"Let go"

She repeated, begging, holding him tightly. He felt the pull in his chest again, this time trying to fight it. He shoves her away roughly and she falls back away from him. Her soft, gentle demeanor changes as she scowls at him. 

"Why must you be so stubborn" he heard his own voice say through her as she stood. "You can't fight forever, you already know you lost. Be kind to yourself and. Let. Go."

He feels the gloom start to spread across his chest and up his neck, he struggles to take in a breath as it crawls up his face. The edges if his vision go red before slowly fading to black as he feels himself be consumed. 

-

Zelda was curled up asleep on the plush chair, holding a small blue and white stuffed sand seal that was ment for Link, the color matching the tunic Zelda crafted for him. Riju sent it not long after she received the letter about Link's condition, she had no answers for what it could be, but wanted to send him something to brighten up his room while he tries to recover. It had arrived just a day ago, having taken some time in the newly established postal system. but Link hadn't been lucid enough to accept it, his fever starting just before it would arrive. so now it serves to comfort Zelda. 

Purah was awake sitting at the desk and thumbing through some ancient texts found deep within hyrule castle. The pages brittle and faded. She took a couple notes in her journal but it was looking like this book, like all the others, held no answers. 

His fever hadnt let up all night. he would wake up and be awake for small periods, enough to eat and drink but not much more. He wasn't very responsive while awake, not able to answer any complex questions or hold a conversation. His eyes glazed over and brain foggy. Sometimes he'd nod or shake his head to a couple of their questions but for the most part he just slept.

He makes a small noise, mumbling something, and shifts a little causing Purah to look up from her book. His eyes slowly open and stare straight ahead at the wall, her blood runs cold and she grips her pen tightly as she sees the red and black instead of blue. They seem to look through her, glassy and unseeing. He stays unresponsive just like each time he's woken up before. She sits there tensed, panic running up her spine and collecting in the back of her throat, she feels like she's going to vomit.  

His blank stare continues, when he doesn't move or speak she slowly relaxes, carefully standing up to shake Zelda awake. She grumbles a bit, annoyed to have been woken up in the middle of the night. When she looks up at Purah in sleepy confusion she lifts a finger to her lips telling her to keep quiet and points over to Link who continues to stare blankly into the wall. 

Zelda gasps, now fully awake after seeing the black and red eyes, the main tell that it wasn't Link in control. She slowly sits up trying not to make a noise, neither of them take their eyes off the champion. Instead Zelda picks up the master sword, awkwardly holding it in its scabbard to her chest, and moves to be on his right side to see his arm. Her eyes widden in horror at what she sees and she has to cover her mouth to avoid making a sound.

The flesh was twisting under his skin, like something was trapped underneath and trying to escape. It was causing more of the twisted texture that consumed the majority of the gloom covered areas of his arm. She felt the hair on her arms stick up and start to itch at the sight. tightening her grip on the sword, she tries not to look away keeping her eyes on Link.

He shifts a little causing them both to freeze. He opens his mouth and speaks "Stay with me. My little hero" his voice his nothing more then a whisper, they almost don't catch the words. It was so soft and not directed at either of them.

As soon as he speaks the gloom starts to rapidly expand over his shoulder. the master sword pulses in Zeldas hand as she watches the gloom consume his shoulder. Too paniced to react she just watches in horor as it starts to cover his chest and side. Purah takes a few steps away from the bed, ready to make a run for it if he sits up.

"Let go" 

He speaks again, a little louder this time but still just a whisper. His eyes unmoving stairing blankly into the wall. His fingers twitch, then close into a fist. The gloom pulses an angry red small wisps of red smoke coming off his arm as it expands further onto his chest. 

"Let go" 

He repeats, desperation in his voice, pleading. He starts to shake, the expanding gloom slowing to a stop as he starts to fight back. The right half of his torso now covered by the curse, the edge of the gloom stopping just before where his ribs still stick out. 

"Why must you be so stubborn?" His face twists into anger, scowling at the blank wall. "You can't fight forever, you already know you lost. Be kind to yourself and. Let. Go." His entire body starts to shake violently tears running down the sides of his face and into his hair, he makes a strangled gasping sound clenching his eyes shut tightly. He starts to fold in on himself and screams out in agony every muscle in his body tensing up. 

When he falls back into the pillows and opens his eyes they have returned to normal, clear and blue. he stares up at the ceiling his breathing heavy. He bites down on his bottom lip to stiffle a sob. closing his eyes he focuses on his breathing trying to settle himself.

Zelda takes a small step forward, still holding the sword to her chest so tightly her knuckles have turned white. "Link..?" She starts but before she can ask if he was alright the door swings open as both the knights who stand guard outside his door hastily enter the room fumbling a bit in a panic. 

"We heard a scream, is everything okay? What happened?" The taller of the two guards asks as they both frantically look around the room. Their gase lands on the skinny hero laying shirtless in the bed, trying not to cry, with his right side covered in red gloom. Both of them fail to hide their shock at seeing his condition. They knew a little of what happened to their hero, having been told the bare minimum required to stand guard at the door and be ready to help if something happened inside. But actually seeing it was different. 

"We are okay" Purah moves to stand infront of Link, blocking him from their view so they stop gawking. They sheepishly look away the shorter of the two reaching back to awkwardly rub the back of his neck. "O-okay, just.. let us know if you need anything?" They both turn to step back into the hallway faces flushed with embarrassment. 

Just as the door is about to close again Link's raspy voice rings out making them freeze in their tracks. "Don't. Leave." He forces the words out and tries to sit up, Zelda scrambling to set the master sword down and help him up. 

"Link, what's wrong?" She lowers herself down, crouching beside the bed. Her touch was gentle on his back, like he was made of glass and she was afraid to break him. He shakes his head weakly, the two guards watch frozen in the doorway. Fear creeping into their expressions as they realize they just heard the hero speak for the first time.

He slowly looks over to the guards meeting there eyes as he speaks. "Get.. everyone into the bunker.. and close it" He could feel himself losing control again almost immediately after gaining it back. He knew he didn't have much more time and he refuses to be the reason more people get hurt. 

"Link what's going on?" Zelda reached out to squeeze his hand gently as he started to shake harder, he could hear the fear in her voice. she already knew the answer. 

"Please" he whispers, begging. The gloom started to move again, twisting under his skin. he makes a small pained noise that seems to snap the guards into action both of them quickly splitting up and shouting to everyone to wake up and seek shelter in the hidden bunker immediately. 

He looks over at Purah who stares at him with a lost expression, she didn't want to leave but she was terrified to stay. "Go." He gives her a small, sad smile. "Thank you.." He whispers, she had done so much for him, she had taken care of him and tried so hard to save him. He didn't deserve all she did for him yet she never left his side, helping him back up no matter how far he fell. 

She bites down on her bottom lip, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. She couldn't think of anything to say. She knew this was likely goodbye, they had lost. They weren't fast enough to save him. She nods and turns away before he could see her cry, running out the room to join the others. her mind racing through everything they could have done, everything they could have tried. She blames herself.

He watches her leave, waiting for the door to close behind her before he turns to Zelda. She watches him carefully tears already streaming down her cheeks, she knows what's about to happen and she isn't ready, she can't do this. Her eyes squeeze shut and she shakes her head no. She can't watch him die again and she surely can't be the one to do it.

His left hand comes up to cover hers and he squeezes tightly. "Zel.." she cautiously opens her eyes and looks up to meet his, he was smiling but there was sadness there. "You will be okay.. " His words were slow, his shaking creeping into his voice. The gloom was spreading again, albeit slowly, across his chest. 

"I can't lose you" She pleaded, sniffling as she sobbed trying in vain to rub the tears away.

"Please.. don't let me.. be the reason..more people..get hurt" his words came in small quick bursts, not use to saying more then a word or two at a time and the effort to stay in control making it all the harder. he was shaking harder now, the effort to stay in control quickly starting to become to much. The Master sword pulses a soft blue glow, a chime ringing out seemingly to try and reassure the Princess. She gives a weak nod and let's out a broken sob, squeezing his hand one last time before helping him lay back down. picking up the blade again she holds it close to her chest pressing the pommel to her forehead.

"If I could.. be so selfish..to ask.. to be myself..when I die..?" He looks up at her his sapphire blue eyes watery with tears yet to fall. He was ready. ready for it to be over. Ready for the pain to stop. He'd been here before, felt the relief after the pain. He wasn't afraid to die.

She nods carefully, tears streaming down her cheeks, with shaking hands she slowly draws the sword of evils bane from its scabbard, the sound echoing off the walls. She can do this, she has to do this, to let him have his mind in the end. He smiles and closes his eyes a single tear rolling down his cheek. It was quite poetic wasn't it? The hero succumbing to his own blade, In a way it made him happy. He hears her shift above him and he lefts out a smooth, calm breath, finally relaxing knowing the nightmare was coming to an end.

He let go.

There is the sound of metal hitting the floor, and Zelda cries out in fear. His eyes fly open as gloom starts to seep out of him, covering the bed and dripping onto the floor. A large hand with a piercing yellow eye in its palm springs up from the puddle, and pins him down onto the bed.

A second hand emerges as he feels himself slipping away, he starts to desperately fight back, weakly punching at the arm pinning him down. But it was already too late, his edges of his vision fading into red as he's lifted from the bed and dangled in the air by the gloom hand. 

"Zelda. Please.. it's not me.... its.. not... me..." those were the only words he could get out before losing himself completely. His face twisting into a grin.

 "Finally."

Chapter Text

The gloom hand gently sets the hero down on his feet, standing just in front of the Princess. He stretches and flexes his fingers a few times watching his hands move with an unnatural grin across his face, his eyed back to black and red. "I was starting to worry I lost my touch after all those years. But alas I was looking at this body in all the wrong ways." 

He takes a step forward his movements confident and controlled, looking up from his own hands he stares into zeldas eyes. "I should have known your chosen hero would never submit to pain and suffering. No no.. your dear scientist friend reviled the secret to make his mind fall apart. It was so simple looking back. Someone who has known nothing but pain and fear, with the world apon his shoulders.. they need a gentle hand.. someone to hold them close.. a reminder of a home they long for but think they can not return." He tilts his head to the side and chuckles darkly. "After I figured that out, it took no time at all."

The gloom continues to pool and spread across the floor a third gloom hand sprining to life hovering around Link, they twist and move around him menacingly, like guards but don't move to attack, just watch with their big disturbing eyes and twitching fingers. Zelda takes a step backwards only to be stopped by the wall pressing into her back. 

"I'm quite disappointed in you, your grace. The incarnation I knew wouldn't have hesitated. She would have striked her hero down the moment she discovered I had taken hold. Heros they.. are a dime a dozen really." He reaches out with his gloom covered hand and gently strokes her cheek. She pulls her face away and swallows hard, doing her best to glare at him through her fear. 

His grin softens to a sweet smile as he takes another step forward. The expression eerily reminiscent of the real Link, causing her to pause. It was easier to seperate them when his face was twisted into such large expressions, the hero was always so reserved they look alien on his face. but now it was harder, he looked like Link.

He was so close to her now she could almost feel his breath. "I feel you are deserving of a reward. You treated my body so kindly as I waited for its mind to free, gently nursing your champion back to health. I will give you a choice, You can die softly and painlessly in the arms of your beloved hero, I'll even let you say goodbye. Or I can let you pick up his sword and die slowly, painfully, fighting in a fruitless battle to save a hero already lost." He leans in closer, his hands going to either side of her head as he's only inches away from her face. "What will it be..your grace?" He whispers agenst her lips. A shudder runs down her spine, in any other circumstances she would be exited. She had fantasized about him returning her feelings and doing exactly this, pinning her to the wall. Whispering sweet things into her ear, his voice only for her to hear. but this wasnt him, he didnt love her back. That wasn't what was happening. 

She presses harder into the wall trying to put some distance between them. "The sword." She spits, scowling at him. He returns the expression stepping back to glare daggers at her. 

"Fine. Pick it up." He takes a few more steps back, allowing her to scramble for the blade on the floor. She holds it tightly with both hands pointing the blade at her hero who simply laughs. 

"This is going to be fun.~ I don't know about you, but I'm tired of this dreary room. Let's get some air, shall we?" He gives a small wave with his right hand and the three gloom hands wizz past her, slamming into the wall beside her making the entire building shake. They reel back and fly forward again the wood cracking under the force. 

On the third pass the wall fails, the hands grabbing at planks of wood and ripping them away leaving a large hole going into the courtyard. To her horror, there are still people there. The bunker door was not closed. The two guards Link had begged to get everyone to safety stand on the side trying to usher everyone down into the bunker. 

With wide panicked eyes people start to rush into the hole in the center of the courtyard, pushing and tripping over each other. Link grins and steps into the grass with bare feet, the gloom hands swirling around him and making grabbing motions in the air trying to evoke the most fear. "Oh what a surprise! I had assumed the hero begging on his deathbed for the safety of those around him would have pushed you to move faster. Oh well." He turns back to Zelda who holds the master sword in shaking hands. 

Grinning wildly as he asks "How about a fun game of keep away to get this started hm?" One of the gloom hands lunges forward grabbing a random hylian woman who shrieks in fear. twisting and pulling at the fingers holding her as the gloom starts to sap away her health, draining her of life. 

Zeldas feet move before her mind does, running forward and slashing at the hand, forcing it to drop the woman who falls in a heap to the ground. She stands between the twisting gloom hands and the small crowd trying to reach safety. The sword pulses in her hand, admitting a soft blue glow. It's lighter then she remembers, easily slicing through the air.

The shorter of the two guards from earlier bravely runs forward, scooping up the now weakened woman into his arms, half dragging her as he backs away carefully. Zelda stood her ground, ready to defend them. "It's such a shame, not a single one of you was able to fulfill the heros dieing wishes. The countless times he's saved you. The sacrifices he made for you. The blood he's spilt for you. He died for you! and you couldn't even do so little as getting everyone into a hole in the ground before he lost himself. " He teases watching the guards face go pale. 

Two gloom hands charge forward, one on either side of zelda trying to reach around and grab at the innocent people behind her. She was ready this time slicing upwards at the first hand before stabbing the second in the eye causing it to shreak out and sink into the puddle of gloom surrounding Link, who steps forward closing the distance between them. 

"And you, your grace, are worst of everyone. All you had to do was free him. Release him from his pain. He begged you for peace, for death. And. You. Hesitated! You had the power to change his fate and you wasted it. Was it so wrong of him to wish for a painless, quick death by the hands of someone he trusted? Or are you just weak?" The gloom hand lunges for her again while she is distracted by his words, frozen in place as they sink into her mind like needles. It grabs her by the waist, and lifts her off the ground, shaking her around as she struggles to break free. She feels her strength being sucked away, a pull deep within her as it drains her of life. She lifts the blade and stabs it into the gloom hands wrist making it drop her with a loud thud.

The air gets knocked out of her lungs and she sees stars, her vision blurry. She feels the master sword pulse in her hand, urging her to get up, to keep fighting, it's only just begun. 

The bunker door seals shut with a loud thunk, glancing over she sees that the courtyard is now empty, free of innocent bystanders. A weight is lifted off her chest knowing that everyone in the landing should be safe inside. Her thoughts are brought back to Link as he let's out an ominous laugh. 

More gloom hands spring up around him, totaling five now, the gloom on his body fully covering his chest and neck, creeping up onto his face. "What a shame, I was hoping for an audience as I make your pretty little hero rip you to shreds." He lifts his right hand palm facing twords her as it splits open with a sick wet sound, reveling a matching yellow red eye in the center of his palm, blood dripping from where it split open like tears down his hand. 

She forces herself to stand again, reading herself for his next attack, her head still spinning, her heart beat pounding behind her eyes. She's watched Link fight countless times and tries to mimic his stance. The sword buzzes in her hands, she feels the power radiating off the blade in a way shes never experienced before. 

He's still in there.

She tenses a little as the thought swirls in her mind. She can't tell if it's her own wishful thinking or the blade Whispering secrets into her ear. She doesn't have time to think about it before the gloom hands are lunging at her again. she allows instinct to take over following the guide of the master sword as it swings gracefully through the air. It felt as if the blade was wielding her more then she was wielding it, following the pull and push like a dance she never learned. 

She takes down two more gloom hands, the remaining three circle around her trapping her. She can't watch all of them at the same time. They move slowly creeping closer before starting to back away. She watches them confused until Link steps forward again grinning. 

"Its been so long since Ive had a host capable of handling my presence, Lets see what this body can do." His flesh starts to twist unnaturally again, muscle filling in the hollow spaces of his body, the indents left by his protruding ribs soften and fade. Replaced by the definition and muscle he had lost. He holds out his right hand, a long slender sword forming from the gloom in his palm. His movements are quick and graceful as he lunges forward, a wild crazed look in his red eyes as his blade meets hers. The force of his attack sends her realing back, she barely has enough time to dive out of the way as he brings his blade down again, embedding it into the ground where she was just standing.

The sword pulses in her hands, urging her to strike while she has an opening. She raises the blade again but hesitates, her heart screaming at her to stop, she can't bring herself to hurt him, he's all she has left from before. She knows he isn't there anymore, that he was gone. At least a small part of her hoped he was free, not watching behind those red eyes, trapped and in pain. But he still looked like Link. 

Aim your strikes at his arm. Your chances of saving him increase to 5% if you can remove it without harming any other part of his body.

The thought rolled over her brain, calculated and analytical. That time she was sure that wasn't her own, but she still clung to it. She could save him, he was still there behind those eyes. Doubt swirled in her mind, the gloom had consumed most of his torso at this point, would cutting off his arm be enough? She's ripped from her thoughts as the demon steals Links voice to speak again.

"Focus your grace. It would be a shame if this was over too quickly, Im having so much fun." He rips the blade from the ground and swings it lazily in a circle. "I could not have wished for a better outcome then this. The body of the chosen hero... and the blood of Hylia on my blade!" He lunches forward again with a sharp, high pitched laugh. Her breath gets caught in her throat as she lifts her blade to deflect his attack. 

He recovers quickly, too quickly. His blade swings forward again before she can move away, grazing her side. The cut is shallow but she feels the affect of the gloom immediately, weakness seeping into her arms as her dress is stained a deep red. Instinctively she puts a hand over the wound, flinching at the pain. 

Link stands up straight, grinning as he watches her struggle with the pain he Inflicted. He waits for her to look up at him again before raising his sword to his lips licking her blood from the blade. "Oh how I wish you could hear his screams. It's such a shame he hid his lovely voice for so long. It's so beautiful when he begs for mercy" his voice drips with venom as he speaks, relishing in the look of horror on her face.

Her focus was so trained on Link that she had all but forgot about the gloom hands around them, twitching and howling. She is quickly reminded of their presence as one grabs her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides as she's lifted off the ground again. She struggles weakly in its grasp almost dropping the sword in her hand. "Let me go!" 

With a small flick of his wrist she is lowered down, but the gloom hand still holds on tightly. Link takes a few small steps forward so he is only inches from her face. She can smell her blood on his breath as he speaks again. "If I let you down. You better start fighting back instead of just defending. I'm growing bored" 

The hand releases her and she stumbles a bit, her legs shaking, knees threatening to give out. She watches as all three of the gloom hands retreat back to the gloom puddle around Link's feet. He raises his blade again and waits, raising an eyebrow at her. "Come on now your grace, you've already seen him die before, this really can't be that bad." 

Rage bubbles up from her stomach, she could feel the tears starting to collect on the corners of her eyes at the mention of the memory. It haunted her dreams, consumed her thoughts. She was not going to let him die again. Her grip tightened on the hilt of her blade, a pulse of blue light runs down its length in response.

She lifts the master sword and quickly strikes downward, aiming for his arm but he easily blocks her attack. "You are far to predictable. You can not save him so stop trying. He gave his soul away. He abandoned you! and now he will be the one to snuff you out." He swings again and she jumps back, the very tip of his blade catching on her dress, cutting away a large hole over her shoulder. 

"You can't run from your fate, there is already blood on your hands. You are the reason they died. The champions who put so much faith in their dear leader. Why not finish the collection." He starts to walk in a circle around her, she follows him with her blade pointed at him, jaw clenched tightly shut as she tries to push his words out of her mind. As she watches him she notices a small stutter in his steps, barely there but the perfect grace he had in the beginning was fading. 

With a slow deep breath she tries to settle her racing heart and lunges forward to attack again, she can't bring herself to put her full weight into her strike making it easy for him to deflect and push her back. She swallows hard and raises her blade again quickly, This time aiming for his left side. closing her eyes as she brings the blade down.

Theres no echo of metal striking metal. She doesn't feel the reverberation of steel agenst steel.

When she opens her eyes again all she sees is red. 

A wild laugh rips out of his throat as he stumbles back, a large gash across his left side. Gloom starts to climb up his leg and cover the wound, stopping the bleeding. She is left to recover from her shock, watching the blood -his blood- drip down the master sword and staining the sandy rocks, the sound echoing through her mind at a deafening volume. 

When she looks back up she notices a small shake in his right hand, reminding her that Link is still there, just beneath the surface, trying to fight back just has hard as she was. She tries to push out the thought that she hurt him, she was told there was a tiny chance she could save him if she was able to take his arm off without hurting the rest of him. Now there was a huge wound on his good side, did she just sentence him to death? Could she still save him? She could feel the uncertainty in the blade, either it didn't know or wasn't willing to answer. 

She wasn't allowed to dwell on it to long before Link is closing the distance between them again, blades clashing together. Her side throbbed as she moved, trying to ignore the pain. She thinks back to all the scars decorating Links body, all the times he was hurt and kept fighting. She pushes out all other thoughts and just focuses on Link. The real Link, and how hard he fought to save them. She uses that image to muster the courage to push forward through the pain, through the weakness in her arms from the gloom.

He lunges forward again, this time she's able to predict his movements and perrys the attack forcing him to stumble back. She hooks her foot around his ankle knocking him to the ground. She's moving faster then she can think. She stands above him. her focus glued on his arm as she raises the sword with both hands, preparing to plunge the blade downward into his forearm. It was that moment his eyes flashed blue, his true voice calling out. "Zelda..." 

She hesitates, stairing down at him with the master sword still raised high, ready to strike. He stares back his blue eyes wide with fear, tears streaming down his cheek. He opens his mouth to say something again but instead his expression of fear twists into a grin once more, his eyes returning to black and red. "Got you" 

In an instant they are flipped over, the gloom covering the ground cold and wet on her back. She can feel the pull in her chest as it weakens her. He grabs her wrists and pins them above her head with one hand, his right hand coming up to her throat but doesnt press down, fingers ghosting over the skin in a silent threat. "Should I let him watch as the life drains from your eyes? How will you use your last breath? To apologize for failing him? To beg for your own pathetic life?" 

The overwhelming feeling of dread washes over her as she stares up at him, she was helpless, a failure. Tears start to collect in her eyes as the pain from her injuries starts to catch up to her. She was still clutching the master sword in her hand despite them being pinned above her, a soft chime rings out in the pause between them. Strike. strike now. Strike hard. 

She yanks her hands down to her sides breaking his grip on her wrists, and pushes her knees up to throw him off. Her limbs feel heavy, reluctant to move and allow her to stand. It feels like she's moving through molasses as she forces herself up again. 

He stands quickly scowling at her for throwing him off, rage filling his eyes. She pushes through, raising the sword above her head and striking downward with a yell and all the force she can muster. 

The sword embeds itself in his right arm, just inches below where it connects to his shoulder. He shreaks in pain the wound hissing and burning, the blade caught on the bone. The more he tries to pull away the worse it burns him, the gloom rapidly retreats from his chest, almost as if the master sword is absorbing the gloom. She steadys herself her grip on the hilt tightening as she forces the muscles in her arms to move. To push harder. With a scream she forces the blade through, feeling the bone crack and give under her blade, the flesh gives way to the sword, removing his cursed limb from his body.

He falls to his knees, the gloom around them slowly disappearing into soft red smoke. There's a short pause before he falls onto his left side and stays there, unmoving. The gash on his left side starts to bleed profusely as its no longer covered by the gloom. She is frozen in place, watching as all the gloom leaves his body, the arm she cut off shrivels up and crumbles to dust. 

She chokes out a sob and falls to her knees beside him. Dropping the master sword and carefully moving him onto his back. He was cold to the touch, and completely still. She lays her head on his chest, clutching his shoulders and starts to wail.  

She is deaf to sound of the bunker door opening, the sound of fighting having stopped. A few people bravely poke out there heads to see the outcome. They are quiet as they watch her mourn, covered in blood unsure if it was his or hers. A few strangers slowly start come forward hoping to offer comfort and medical attention. 

Before anyone can get to close to the two of them she suddenly stops, going completely silent as she sits up stairing down at her hero. 

A raspy, gargled sound echoing through the landing as he takes in a breath.

Chapter Text

Nobody moved, time seemed to drag on for hours despite only seconds passing. 

A second gargled breath echos though the landing and then suddenly everything was moving too fast. Gentle hands pulling her away from the hero, allowing others to swoop in and try to stop the bleeding, people are shouting, running around for bandages and medical supplies. All she can do is watch in shock, her ears ringing, eyes wide. 

Shes snapped out of it as Purah grabs her shoulders and gives her a firm shake. "Zelda!" 

She gasps softly blinking a few times as she looks up to meet Purahs eyes. "I..I thought.. I.." 

"Thank the goddess... Zelda you are wounded. We can focus on Link after but you are bleeding. They are taking care of him okay?" She tries to sound confident and reassuring, it took her calling out multiple times to finally get Zelda to respond. Pressing some white gause to the cut on her side applying pressure to stop the bleeding. 

She flinches away, suddenly reminded of the pain. Her entire body feels heavy and sore, she knows it's only going to get worse tomorrow. "Is-..did i..?.."

"You didnt kill him... Hes.. breathing?" Purahs voice was unsure. she glances over to where the hero lay, surrounded by a small group of paniced healers fussing over him. One of the few zora to join them at the landing runs over, proclaiming they have healing powers, albeit weak and unpracticed, they can try and help. "They are getting ready to move him I think..can you stand? Once your wounds are adressed we can follow them okay?"

She gives a small nod and tries to stand, her body weak and tired. She shakes and stumbles a bit but she's standing. Purah leads her sit on a small bench out of the way.

The taller of the two guards from earlier makes an appearance, walking over with one of the healers not currently occupied with the bleeding out champion. He was holding a small bowl of warm water and some bandages. He sets them down on the bench beside her, a nervous look on his face. Her wounds are not severe, the cut on her side was not very deep. she was covered in small scrapes and bruises in places she doesn't remember getting hit, but overall she was going to be okay.

"I'm going to clean your side.. is that okay?" The healer asked as they dipped a small cloth into the bowl of warm water. "Clean it up, give you a couple stitches and bandage it up." She said with a small, hesitant smile. All Zelda can do is nod and try not to hiss in pain as the cloth is pressed to her side, gently cleaning it of any dust or debris that could cause infection. 

While her wound is being dressed she watches as Link is moved onto a large plank of wood and lifted, the blue zora trying to heal him kneeling on the plank off to the side. It takes multiple people to lift them onto a small cart. "Where..where are they taking him?" She asked as fear starts to bubble in her chest. 

The taller guard follows her gaze and looks over to the cart as they are hooking up a horse. "I can- I can ask, I'll be right back." He quickly jogs over and asks one of the bystanders, talking with them for a short moment before returning to the Princess. "They are going to zoras domain, they..uh.. said we dont.. have the resources to uh...save.. him..here.. but! The zora was sure the healers in the domain could save him." He said with a small nod, nervously scratching at his cheek not looking directly at the Princess as he spoke. 

"I'm going with." She said with new found determination, standing up on sore legs. Purah grabs her arm before she can start walking twords the cart. 

"Of course you are going with, but you are still hurt too. we will catch up to them okay?" Purah gently pulls her to sit back down, allowing the healer to quickly look at, clean, and then bandage the rest of her small scrapes and wounds. The cart containing the hero makes a quick exit, a few people sitting beside him making sure he continues to breath as the blue zora continues to use their weak healing powers to keep him stable for the journey.

The moment the healer is done with her wounds she stands, flinching softly as her stiff body is reluctant to move. She ponders a moment, this is likely how Link felt all the time during his quests. It pangs in her heart and she has a new found sympathy for his journey to save her and Hyrule.

"Okay let's get you something clean to wear and we can work on catching up to Linky" Purah offers her a hand, which she accepts leaning into her a bit as they walk to her room, a little too slowly for her liking. She grabs a top thats lose and comfortable as to not irritate her wounds and ops for some pants so she can ride a bit more comfortably. Before she steps back out of her room she closes her eyes and takes a long, deep breath. She was exhausted and everything hurt. She glances at her bed for just a moment before turning to the door and stepping out to meet Purah, who was waiting in the hall. 

Her horse was already saddled up and ready to go by the time they made it back outside. A few other people were getting on horseback, preparing small bags of supplies to bring to the group who left with almost nothing but the hero. It didn't take long for everyone to be ready and for them to be off, moving at a quick pace to try and catch up to the cart that left hours earlier. 

-

They where about halfway to the Domain when they finally caught up to the cart. Everyone looked a bit more relaxed then when they left, which was a good sign. They slowed down to a stop when the second group caught up, allowing Zelda to step up into the cart. Link was breathing a little steadier now, no longer gargled and forced but still shallow and uneven. the blue zora was still working to heal him looking exhausted, but he wasnt bleeding out anymore. His wounds were severe but the steady rise and fall of his chest gave them all hope.

She was offered to lay down on the bench, a few people getting up to make room. She was exhausted and it was obvious in her face. She was almost falling asleep in the saddle on the way to them. grateful for the chance to lay down, she quickly accepts and is asleep in seconds, not waking up till they are close to reaching the domain. 

Shes woken by a hand on her shoulder, giving her a small shake. She opens her eyes slowly and groans, looking up at the stranger who woke her. "We are almost at the domain.. a couple people are going ahead to warn them, tell them we are coming and why. figured you'd want to be awake when we got there" he gives her a small smile as she slowly sits up looking around. He was right, they where close to the Domain now, in a little less than an hour and they should start to see the bridges. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and looks down to Link, he was pale and sickly from bloodloss, eerily reminiscent of when she found him in the cave. She looks over to the exhausted zora still healing him, they can hardly keep their eyes open. "..thank you" She says softly, causing them to look up and smile wide. Their tired eyes light up. "You don't have to thank me! I'm just glad I was there to help. He is the hero of the zora and our kings most treasured friend. I'd do anything to make sure he was okay."

Shes a bit surprised by their enthusiasm but finds herself smiling a little. She looks to the road ahead, a few horses a good ways ahead of them so they can get there earlier and warn the zora of their arrival. The air was getting colder as the sun started to set, it would probably be just getting dark when they arrive. She looks back down to Link and spends the remainder of their trip watching him breath, slowly in.. slowly out.. slowly in.. slowly out. 

When they reach the bridges that lead Into the domain, they are greeted by a few guards and multiple healers. They quickly take over healing the injured hero, letting the exhausted zora rest. Not many words are exchanged as they immediately jump into action, whisking him away to the infirmary. 

Zelda shakily stands and follows, the muscles in ler legs screaming with every step. He's brought into a closed off room, the door shutting tight before she can follow them in, a zora guard holds up his hand for her to stop before she can even reach for the handle. "Let them work, they will open the door when your able to visit him."  

She's about to open her mouth and protest when she sees a large, heavily decorated, red zora sprinting down twords them. "Zelda! What happened? Is Link okay? Are you okay?"

"Sidon! I.. I'm okay. They just brought link in.. its.. quite the long story but it seems we have time" she glances at the locked door before looking back up to the huge red zora. "Can..we sit?" 

"Yes yes of course, follow me." Sidon is quick to lead her to a quiet room where private royal meetings are usually held, a servant is quick to bring her some tea and a seat before leaving them alone. 

"Zelda.. please tell me what happened" his voice was soft, almost pleading. Concern and worry evident on his face. There's a long pause as she stares down into her cup. 

"The.. disease.. I wrote to you about, where Link seemed to be.. cursed in some way. It progressed quickly. We were.. never able to find a cure. He kept having episodes where he would lose control. He developed a severe fever.. It started to manipulate his mind.." she pauses and bites her lip. Sidon stays silent, waiting patently for her to continue. 

"It.. it.. won.. in the end.. Link used the last of his control to get everyone to safety.. and he.. he..i.. I couldnt-.." her grip on her cup tightened as she remembered his last moments before being consumed by the gloom. He was so calm the entire time, His focus had been on everyone else. making sure they where safe and comforting her while it was him who was about to die. 

She hastily rubs at her eyes and takes a shakey deep breath, willing herself not to cry. Her voice shook and cracked with emotion as she continued "I.. wasn't able to.. end it...him... before it took over. And there.. was a fight.. i fought.. him.. I-I had the master sword i-it told me.. spoke to me.. if i could get rid of the arm.. I could save him.. so.. i-i.. cut off his arm.. but i hurt him.." her voice was barely more than a whisper. "I..thought I killed him.." 

The silence is deafening as Sidon waits to see if she will say anything more, slowly he reaches out with both his massive hands to gently take hers, making her look up with red, tear stained eyes. "From what I heard.. You saved him Zelda. And I will be forever grateful for that. You were his hero." He smiled wide and goofy leting go of her hands. "When Link wakes up I'm sure he will agree with me."  

She gasps softly at his words, having almost expected him to be angry despite how irrational that thought was. She bites her lip again as she starts to cry softly, the days events catching up to her now that she's had time to process. Sidon kneels down beside her chair and pulls her into a gentle hug. 

Pulling back he rests his hands on her shoulders looking her in the eyes "It shouldn't take the healers long, I requested all of our very best to be at his side when you arrived."

"Hes.. going to be so angry with me" she looks down again her mind racing through all the possible reactions he could have when he wakes up. "I took away his arm. His sword arm. He needs that arm to talk. He..he won't be able to talk to any of us without.." she trailed off, looking down to the floor. 

"If I know link, and I like to believe I do, he will find a way. I would not be surprised to see him climbing up walls and swinging around a sword with only one arm in the very near future." He chuckled softly recalling all the stories link would tell him of his more.. creative.. solutions to his problems. Especially after receiving Raurus's arm and powers. "And we can create a new language for him, one that would only require one hand. Some signs already only need one. Link will not be upset, and if he is then it isn't Link." His smile is wide and his voice filled with confidence. Zelda smiles a little, reassured by his words. 

"Now, I'm sorry Princess. But you look like you are in desperate need for a good rest. I can show you to Links champers, I had a room prepared for him for when he stays in the domain. I'm certain the inn will be full to bursting with all our new guests this evening." He stands up fully and starts to make his way to the door, waiting for her to follow. She hesitates a moment before standing and following him, feeling a bit torn at the thought of taking links room, but it's not much different then the last several years they lived together so it should be fine.

She follows him down long halls and down several flights of stairs, through parts of the domain she has never seen before. They turn down a hall with two sets of massive ornate doors on either side of the hall. "Links room is here on the right, across from my personal quarters." He explains as he pushes open the doors on the right. The room is massive, filled with shiny trinkets and brightly shining luminous stone. The tile covering the floor is complex and lined with silver. An enormous bed sits up agenst the wall, a canopy of blue silk matching the bedding. Massive paintings of landscapes adorn the walls. On the floor aposing the bed is a large pool of water, different soaps and lotions lining the shelf beside it. "It use to be miphas room.. but after seeing it go unused for so long. It seemed fitting to offer to my dearest friend for when he visits." 

Zelda stares up at him, her eyes wide with shock. She was expecting something nice, quiet, comforting, like links home had been. Not a room fit for zora royalty. Her expression seems to amuse the larger zora, he laughs loudly tipping his head back. "You made the same face he did when he saw it for the first time" 

She can't help the small smile as she steps into the room. It was nice to see link was cared for here in the domain. It made sense now why he liked coming here so much, why Sidon had been the one he confided in. "Thank you Sidon.." 

He flashes his signature grin, his sharp teeth twinkling. "If you need anything I'm just across the hall, now get some rest" he closes the large door behind him as he leaves, leaving her to explore the room. She poked around in some of the drawers, finding jewelry to small to fit most zoras. And a few sets of clothes very clearly belonging to Link. As well as an alarming amount of weapons and resources stashed away.

she takes one of his longer tunics and uses that to sleep in, climbing up into the huge bed that could easily fit 3 or even 4 people comfortably. Staring up at the ceiling she tries not to think about the days events, it had only been a few hours but it already felt like a lifetime. She takes a deep breath and reminding herself over and over that Link is alive, he is alive and he is getting the best care hyrule can offer, he was going to be okay. 

With a slow long breath she wills herself to relax, closing her eyes and letting sleep overcome her. 

Chapter Text

Everything was dark, he couldn't see through his own eyes anymore but he could feel them open and blink. He couldn't hear his words but he was aware of his mouth moving. His mind felt like it was floating gently through the abyss as everything happened without him.

He tries to flex his hands, wiggle his arms but there was nothing, it was like he was no longer attached to the body he inhabited, but could still feel how it moved without him. His chest felt tight, he could feel the cold gloom spreading across his body but it no longer hurt. 

This was different from all the other times he lost control, before it was like he was a puppet on strings. Able to see and hear as his body moved and spoke without him, now he was lost in darkness, cut off from the rest of his body. A small part of him wonders of this was what death really was. it wasn't like the last time he died, but he didn't remember much after the blinding pain and sudden calm.

He feels his body lurch forward, taking on a fighting stance. Panic swells within him as he realizes his body is attacking something. His mind immediately falls to Zelda, The fear in her face as he was taken by the gloom was seared into his mind. He latches onto it, focusing with everything he has left of his mind and soul to try and take back control. 

He starts to thrash in the empty void, trying to reach out into his arms and legs. Anything he can think of to try and force his way back to the front, back into control.

"Please! Please no!" He pleads into the void, looking around helplessly into nothing. begging for this to end, for mercy. He wasn't even sure if anyone was listening. A failure of a hero begging to be set free after having fallen a second time. His failures burn in his heart The feeling of dread washing over him. 

A sharp, stinging pain erupts from his right palm. Like a knife had been drug across his hand and the wound spread open. He tries to look down at his palm but sees nothing but empty darkness. His breathing picks up as he starts to panic. Pushing harder into the emptiness as if he could reach back into his body. 

He can feel the grass and small sharp stones under his bare feet. A sensation that was missing in the empty void. It grounded him in the vast nothing, connecting him to the real world. A step twords control. 

The darkness starts to lift like a dissipating fog, into a dark gray haze with vague blurry, irregular shapes he can't make out surrounding him. Everything was moving in slow motion none of what he was seeing making sense. He tries to make out the shapes of buildings and objects around him, trying to figure out where he was.

Slowly things started to come into focus, he could see the center of the landing, in blurry black and white. Through a hazy fog, he can make out a blurry figure, dressed in a white nightgown splashed with red holding a blade. he knew it to be his princess. He can't make out the details of her face, everything a blurry haze of shapes and dull color. The blade she holds pulses, a chime rings out. the shape of the holy sword coming into sharp focus as it comes twords him. He feels his body move to block it easily, throwing her back. 

The blade comes back down quickly, this time on the opposite side. He wasn't ready, wasn't expecting her to aim to the left. The blade easily slices through his side, pain erupting from the new wound. He struggles for a breath, unable to yell out. Everything returns to darkness as the cool spread of gloom covers the gash, soothing the pain. 

Theres a long pause, the wound on his side singing as his body continues to move without him. Suddenly he's thrusted forward, back into control. He's on his back, the sting of the gloom puddle he's laying in making him feel weak, the taste of blood heavy in the back of his throat. He opens his heavy eyelids, everything crystal clear. Zelda stands above him, master sword pointed down twords his body as she lifts it up to strike, the shine of the moon glimmering off the blade, the light catching on the red blood decorating his sword. A terrifying look of determination painted across her face.

"Zelda..." his voice shook, his expression filled with fear. She catches his eyes, her stance faltering as she hesitates. He opens his mouth to say more, to tell her it's okay. Before he can force the words out he falls back into the darkness.

The wound on his side is deep, he already knew it was going to be fatal if not adressed immediately. Even in the endless darkness he could still feel the throbbing in his side. The gloom at least stopped the bleeding but he could feel his body struggling to take in a breath. Each intake of air causing lightning bolts of pain through his body.

Sudden, intense pain in his right arm, just before his shoulder, breaks him out of the void. Neither he nor the gloom had control, both of them reacting together as the skin burns and sizzles in his ear. he looks to the right watching as the master sword embeds itself deeper into his arm catching on the thick bone, unable to pull away without intensifying the burn. He hears zeldas scream of courage as the sword slices through his flesh, the sword absorbing the gloom that cursed his body. The moment the arm is off he feels so much lighter, a weight lifted off his mind. A euphoric feeling spreading across his chest for a brief moment before the agony of his wounds sets in.

The feeling was familiar, the blinding light behind his eyes. He feels himself fall to his knees, gentle hands laying him down a moment later. The sound of zeldas dispare fills his heart like a vice as she sobs over his body. The pain fades to a gentle calm his body relaxed. he tries to push through, even if for just a moment he tries to delay the inevitable.

Opening his mouth as if to say something, wanting to comfort the Princess as he bleeds out on the grass. All that comes out is a garbled breath as blood fills his mouth, he doesn't have the strength to move, to open his eyes. His lungs burn from the lack of oxygen, he tries again to suck in a breath of air only to fill his lungs with more blood, making a disgusting gargled noise. 

He feels himself starting to slip away. his thoughts sluggish and incomplete his body warm and relaxed, his mind foggy as he settles into the familiar feeling, inviting in the promise of calm.

He is brought back to himself as too many hands are suddenly all over his body, he tries to gasp and flinch away from the onslaught of attention but he can't get his body to move. Pressure is applied to his wounds the pain blinding, he can't force another breath into his lungs. Bindings are wrapped tightly around his side and the stump that remains of his arm, keeping the pressure on the wounds limiting the bloodloss. magic fills his body as someone takes over breathing for him, manually pumping air into his lungs. 

The Healing magic was heavy in his chest as if someone took his heart into their hand, manually keeping beat forcing life through his veins. He can't maintain consciousness as his body is manhandled by multiple sets of hands, slipping into a dreamless sleep as he's quickly carted away.

-

He wakes up slowly, his body sore and unwilling to move easily. The light was blinding through his eyelids, a small groan slipping through his teeth as he comes too, scrunching up his face in discomfort. 

He hears a small gasp and wet sounding footsteps rushing to his side. "Easy master link, dont move too quickly.." gentle hands are placed on his left shoulder, silently asking him to not sit up. 

Slowly he forces his tired eyes open, the light in the room was kept dim, a few luminous stones casting blue shadows over the small infirmary room. It wasn't the first time he'd seen this room, having come to the Domain a few times when gravely injured, but it wasn't where he was expecting to wake up. He glances over to the zora beside him, giving her a questioning look.

"Ah.. you are in the domain infirmary, as I'm sure you recognize. You where heavily injured." She pauses a second glancing over his body before meeting his eyes again. "Are.. you aware of your injuries?"

He gives her a questioning look that slowly gains realization as he slowly remembers what happened. Panic swells in his chest as he twists to look at his right arm, a startled gasp as he finds only a short stump remains. His breathing starts to pick up as he starts to spiral. Shakily lifting his left hand to touch the bandages wrapped tightly over what remains of his right arm. 

"Ah please don't move to quickly, your still healing" she frets, gently guiding his hand away from what remains of his arm and having him lay flat again. "Are you in any pain?" 

It takes him a moment to register he was asked a question, slowly shaking his head no. His body was sore but not in pain, he was mostly in shock trying to grapple with the idea his arm was gone. His eyes were blown wide and he stares up at the intricate ceiling, she asks him a few more questions but he doesn't hear her over the ringing in his ears, giving half answers to what he thinks he was asked. He hears the door open and close, leaving him alone in the dim room.

He wasn't sure what he was feeling, unsure if he wanted to cry, vomit, or laugh. He brings his hand up to his right shoulder, stairing straight ahead at the ceiling as his fingers drift down over the bandages. He has to remind himself to breath as his fingers find the end, pressing down harshly. the pain confirming the limb was indeed gone.

The door opens again and he quickly pulls his hand away, twisting to see his new visitors, a small sigh of relief as he sees the familiar faces of Zelda and Sidon entering his room. He lifts his hand giving an awkward little wave, causing Sidon to grin happily.

 "Hello my dear friend! I'm glad to see you are feeling better then when you arrived." Sidon is quick to hold Link's remaining hand in both of his own, smilling down at the injured hero. "Are you feeling any discomfort or pain?" Link gives a little shake of his head, shifting a little to take his hand back from Sidons, giving a small wave so he will watch his hand before starting to finger spell "S-I-T. U-P."

"Oh yes! I can help you sit up." He steps back to grab a few pillows gently helping the hero into a sitting position tucking the pillows behind him. Link clenches his jaw tightly to try and mask the pain of moving, settling into the new position the best he can. 

Now that he's sitting up he glances over to Zelda offering her a small smile, she was pale with worry, guilt eating away at her. In her mind she was the reason he was in this situation, the one to hurt him. A glint of fear in her eyes expecting him to be angry and upset with her. She fidgets with her fingers, picking at the skin around her nails.

Sidon takes a small step to the side, looking back to Zelda with his signature bright grin, beconing her closer to the small stone bed. Hesitantly she comes a bit closer, meeting Link's eyes after a moment. His small smile remained and when she met his eyes he lifts his hand to sign a quick "thank you." The sign only requiring one hand.

She can't help the tears that start to swell in her eyes, her anxiety reaching a tipping point. "I'm so sorry.." her eyes fall to the bandages wrapped tightly around his amputated limb, flicking down to the matching set of bandages around his torso. His smile falters and he shakes his head no. He reaches up to grab one of her hands giving her a stern look, Trying to communicate to her that she shouldn't be apologizing.

She sniffles softly rubbing away her tears, the guilt she had building up slowly starting to fade a little but stubbornly didn't disappear. She was relieved he wasn't angry, or at least wasn't showing it. "I'm so glad your okay... I was so worried I had-..." she trails off looking away again, biting her bottom lip. She had been so sure she had killed him that day.

A mischievous smile spreads across his face, letting go of her hand to speak, pointing at himself and then fingerspelling "U-N-K-I-L-L-A-B-L-E." Sidon let's out a small breathy chuckle at the dark joke, shaking his head a bit. Zelda takes a moment before starting to smile herself, the moment bittersweet.

Sidon speaks up, shifting the focus to links recovery. "They would like to keep you in the infirmary another day, just to be safe. And I do ask you listen to them link." He adds firmly, knowing Link is probably going insane from how long hes been bedridden "Tomorrow you should be fit to get up and start moving around. Your welcome, and encouraged, to stay in the domain as long as you like." As he speaks Sidon takes links hand between his own again, a gentle loving look on his face. Link looks up and nods, smiling genuinely as the same gentle loving look is reflected in his eyes. 

Zelda let's her shoulders relax, smiling at seeing the love and respect the large zora held for her hero. He was in good hands and she could trust the care he will receive here as he recovers. "How about we get something to eat hm?" She asks softly, smiling as links long ears perked up at the mention of food. 

"A wonderful idea!" Sidon exclaimed, a goofy grin flashing his sharp teeth. The anxiety link felt apon waking up and finding his arm gone subsided just a bit, he was safe here with Sidon. he was going to be just fine. He hoped.