Fierce Deity, Awaken

Due to my obsessive nature of having ideas and being compelled to write them down, I made a couple stories last year, centered around the OoT/MM era, and recently started making a third part to it in a different era, but connecting the stories. I just felt like posting them here, and seeing how they fare. I'd like everyone to keep in mind, however, that these were written a year ago, so the quality is a bit lax, and I even hate a few parts of it. But by all means, enjoy the read

Also, because of the short length, I'm doubling each post with two chapters. Hopefully people will like these enough to get to my current work



Prologue


Years after his adventures in Termina, Link has returned to Hyrule Castle to spend his days as Zelda's personal bodyguard and head of the Hylian Army. Though he rarely speaks, he still manages to give moral boosting 'speeches', which are often a few sentences.

He has still kept hold of all his old keepsakes. Hookshot, Golden Gauntlets, even all of his masks from Termina. He doesn't use any of them anymore, however, but keeps them on display in the central foyer in Hyrule Castle. Below each one is a short description of each, giving interesting information, though even a few words is too much...

'When faced with insurmountable odds, this spirit aids in whatever task you are determined to resolve'

This is written below the Fierce Deity's Mask, which hasn't been used since that day years ago against Majora. Not to say Link hasn't tried to use it, it simply doesn't work anymore. His other Transformation Masks do, it's simply the Fierce Deity's Mask that refuses to grant him power, hence the assumption that it only is activated in dire need.

So, six years after his face off with Majora, seven since his face off with Ganondorf and his altar ego Ganon (fourteen, technically, as he was sent back in time), Link may set off in one of his most dangerous quests, and require the aid of a foe, long since thought dead...


Chapter 1


Hyrule, seven years after Link has been shoved back through time to his childhood years, remain ignorant of what could have happened. The only people who are aware of what happened are Link and Zelda, who have had direct intervention on the timeline, and saved it from a darker version of what it is now.

Two days after Ganondorf had vowed eternal loyalty to the King of Hyrule, which was moments after Link had been thrust backwards in time, Ganondorf was immediately taken into custody, the King having been told, from Link, what only a chosen man could know. The location of each temple, the sacred realm, the descendants of the original sages. This alone was enough to convince him.

Ganondorf, however, managed to escape three days before execution, two years after Link had left to find something dear to him, which was also his adventure in Termina. Swearing that he would someday have Link's head on a pike, he vanished into the desert, and hasn't been seen, or heard of, since.

Since Link had returned to Hyrule, he has since stayed in Hyrule Castle, quickly becoming a superior to the other soldiers. Each day, he trains with the newer recruits, teaching them the way of the sword, how to overcome a more powerful opponent with skill and cunning. To this day, every single morning, whether it be rain or shine, snow or sleet, he trains.

~~~

Link, as always, was wearing his signature green tunic, brown belt, and green floppy hat. He wielded a single sword, his Hylian Shield on the ground beside him.

Link was showing one of the newer soldiers how to combat using only a sword, and no shield. They were training in the Soldier's Court Yard, a massive training ground, perfect for fighting without interrupting someone else's training. The new recruit was wearing a brown tunic, basic clothing. He was told that armor was useful, but could slow down an otherwise agile swordsman.

"Alright." Link said, his sword raised to chest level. "You're learning the basics, and that is good. However, I expect all new recruits to give me at least one flesh wound. You are no exception."

The soldier challenging Link was gasping for air at this point, showing the difference in strength. "Fine, if that's what I have to do, I'll do it!" the soldier yelled, charging forward. He swing his sword in a wide arc horizontaly, which Link easily countered. Link followed up by hitting his back with the broad side of his sword, knocking him to the ground.

"I think that this is enough for today." Link said, holding out his hand in a gesture of good sportsmanship. The soldier gladly took it, with a slight smirk.

"Thanks..." he said as he stood up. "But you have to admit... I was pretty close." The soldier pointed out that Link's belt was on the ground, part of it sliced off. At this Link also smirked, glad that the new soldier was showing improvement.

"Well, I guess so. But now I have to buy a new belt..." Link said sarcastically. "Go rest for a bit at the bunkers, we'll train more at about noon." The soldier nodded, and walked off with his sword and shield.

Link, too, left, leaving his shield where it was. His usual weapon was, as always, a sword. But this was not the Master Sword, he had never needed to use it in the first place, as Ganondorf had never penetrated Hyrule Castle's defenses by promising a false alliance. His sword was now of a generic kind, which in his hands, though, was as potent as the Master Sword.

As Link entered the main foyer of the Castle, his gaze swept over each mask, each one giving him a different memory. The four that gave him the greatest memories, however, were his Deku Mask, Goron Mask, Zora Mask, and Fierce Deity Mask. One created from a lost child's poor luck in an underground passage, one from a Hero attempting to save his village from a perpetual snowstorm, one from a man fiercly trying to save his children, and one... that is unknown. There exists no evidence that the Fierce Deity ever had a spirit.

Every transformation mask could be explained, except that one. Was it an ancient warrior spirit? Or did it simply evolve yourself to your fullest potential? It was unknown. Theories could be made, but there was little to no evidence to back it up. Even Zelda, with her magnificent power, could not detect any hint of magical power inside of the mask. She believes that after the battle with Majora, the magic had left the mask, just as Majora's Mask had. Link, however, doubts this. Whenever he puts the mask on, he feels emotions that are not always his. Such anger... determination... vengeance... exactly the way he felt six years ago against Majora. But this time he does not transform in any way, and he feels normal after removing the mask. But still, that proves something. That the mask is not entirely powerless.

Link, while still looking over the four transformation masks, didn't notice as someone walked up behind him. "Link, still obsessing over that one mask? Don't." Link spun around and saw Zelda, in all her beauty. She has taken over the role of ruler of Hyrule as its princess, until she married, then it would be Queen Zelda. "Link, I have told you already. There is no magic left in that mask, it will does not hold any sort of magical properties anymore."

"I know, Princess Zelda. I was just... lost in memories." Link replied, in his usual tone of voice and well mannered speach. He addressed everyone by their proper title, even if he knows them personaly.

"Well, still. I don't like how you're always lost in those memories of yours. Live in the present, Link, not the past. What's done is done, and fawning over those memories will do nothing." Zelda replied, as usual in a miniature speech. "Link, I have a request of you."

"A request? What would that be, Princess?" Link asked, curious. He had not been on many trips, and the only times Zelda asks for a favor are when there's a problem of some sort.

"We've had reports of a lunatic attacking villagers in Kakariko at night for the past week. I'd hate to ask this, but..."

"You'd like me to check it out for you?" Link cut in, eager to catch this man. He, obviously, has a strong sense of justice. "I will leave immediately."

"Alright... just be careful, Link. We know nothing of this man, and I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing." Zelda replied.

"Don't be worried, I will apprehend him, and all will be fine again." Link said, and, without another word, left to prepare himself, and soon afterwards to Kakariko, it would be nightfall in the next seven hours.



Chapter 2


Kakariko Village, for the past week, has been plauged with assaults at night from what reports state seems to be a single man, though no real identification has been made. So far nobody has died, but at the rate of things, that won't be too far off. The last victim was tied to the tree in the entrance from Hyrule Field, viciously beaten and assaulted, close to death. He managed to survive, and is now at a stable condition, but he, like everyone else, could only hear a man speak a few words before striking.

'The link has been severed.'

~~~

"The link has been severed?" Link asked a woman. He had been in Kakariko Village for about an hour, questioning people who are relatives or friends of those attacked. People who were attacked refuse to leave their house from the shock of being assaulted. Eight people have been attacked so far, but Link hopes to raise that number to nine. Eight victims, and one counter attack.

"Yes, that's right. He says that that's all he remembers..." the woman replied. "That's about all my husband says anymore at night... The link has been severed, the link has been severed... he mutters that when he sleeps. I think that being attacked has really shaken him up."

"It's alright, miss. That's exactly why I'm here, to find out who is doing this, and why. Have a good afternoon now, miss." Link said. The woman nodded her head and walked back inside her house. Link managed to catch a glimpse of the man who had been attacked, he was laying on a bed. However, it was how he looked that was disturbing; he was so pale he was borderline white.

After the woman shut the door, Link let out a sigh. No leads yet, but there is a strange occurace; every single victim, at night while sleeping, say 'the link has been severed'. That's reason enough to suspect something other than random assaults. Now, the question was, where would Link go next, now that night is falling upon him, minutes away a darkness surrounding him?

Link walked over besided the Archery Range, where he reached into his bag. He pulled out a cloak of his, one that was slightly ragged, much like what normal citizens wore. It had a worn Shiekah symbol on its back, and the hood had the triforce symbol on it, though too small to see unless specifically looking for it.

Placing his sword in his sheathe, he swung the cloak over it, concealing it. He hadn't bothered to bring a shield, he was becoming quite adept without one. He left his bag at the Archery Range, not having anything of value in it, he knew that having it with him would only be a burden, even if only slight, it could be enough to create trouble for him.

Walking out from the side of the building, he started to simply pace around the village, waiting for any sign, which would be simple enough... all he could hear was some slight chatter from inside the buildings. A long night was ahead of Link...

However, hours past, and it was soon past midnight and nothing had happened. Was eight all the attacker wanted? Link was still walking with diligence, intending on doing his duty. His sword slightly bumped against his leg with each step, his hood nearly coming off whenever the wind blew. He couldn't hear anything except the sounds of nature at this moment, the wind blowing, the owls calling out in the night.

Link walked by the potions shop, and once again, saw nothing. He turned around to walk back to the Archery Range, and...

Clang!

Link whipped his sword out to meet another, locking them in place. He had almost been the ninth victim.

The attacker, too, was obscured with a cloak. His sword was completely made of metal, as though made completely by hand, melting together any chunks of metal objects to forge it. "The link has been severed." he said in voice, not unlike a normal persons' voice. Link had actually been expecting a demon of some sort, not a normal person. Foolhardy to think so, but Link had been through so much that he rarely thought anything out of the ordinary.

"What link?" Link asked, pushing forward slightly on his sword. The attacker did the same, pushing Link's sword just the same, keeping them in place. The attacker removed one hand from his sword, and slightly raised his hood, revealing a single eye, which was a deep blue.

"You tell me."

Omigosh, that's really awesome! Are you going to post the rest of it??? I must know how the rest of the story goes!

I hate to be an idiot, but I forgot to put the rating after the title, and this is just not quite a children's story, rather teen recommended


Chapter 3


"What?" Link asked in confusion. The attacker placed his hood back in place and shoved forward with his sword, causing Link to stumble slightly. The attacker arced his sword in a horizontal slash, which Link barely managed to counter, just before the metal touched his skin he stabbed his own sword in the ground, providing a quick barrier. "What do you mean by that?"

Rather than answering, the attacker thrust his sword forward, Link moving to the side, but this time he could feel the sword draw blood from his chest. "Aurgh!" Link yelled out, clutching his chest. The wound wasn't deep, so he ignored it for now. He yanked his sword from the ground and readied himself. The attacker did the same, almost mockingly, as he took the same stance as Link. "You can copy my stance, but you can't copy my skills." Link said, immediately charging forward.

He sliced at the attacker in a vertical slash, which was blocked with a horizontal slash. Perfect timing. Link performed a horizontal slash, met by a vertical slash, once again with perfect timing. Rather than conventional methods of attack, Link immediately dropped to one knee, his sword placed behind his back. His sword began to glow blue, then brown, then white. "Hiya!" he yelled, performing a spinning strike, his magic feuling its range to almost twenty feet. "Huh?" Link gasped, seeing the attacker standing just beyond the range of his attack. "Incredible speed..."

"My turn..." the attacker said, charging forward, slicing rapidly at Link, almost too quickly to dodge or deflect. The words 'such speed' continued echoing around Link's mind, as he also wished he brought his shield. The attacker stopped as quickly as he started, and rapidly began spinning. Almost as if by instinct, Link shoved his sword into the ground and pressed against it.

The attacker stuck out his sword, and almost replicating Link, a surge of magical power emerged from his sword, striking Link's own blade. However, rather than a blinding white, it was a deadly black color, not simply a color, but it looked as though it were an empty void within the blade. "Urgh!" Link uttered, pressing against his blade, attempting to his opponent's spinning attack.

"Not so powerful... how did you ever... I will always wonder..." the attacker said, walking forward, his blade seemingly shrinking with each step. As he walked up to Link, he released one hand from the sword. "Pathetic... I suppose... reverted back... no longer... chosen..." at that last word Link slightly loosened his grip on his sword, his eyes widening.

An oppurtune moment, the attacker stopped his current assault and kicked Link in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Link felt a searing pain in his chest at this kick. His sword behind the attacker, Link was weaponless. "What... what... do you know...?" Link tried to say, attempting to catch his breath. That kick knocked the wind out of him, and Link struggled to get up. The attacker leaned over Link, obviously in a sign of triumph.

"You have taken the bait... will not be able to stop.. next move." the attacker said, with a slight cackle of laughter. Link gasped at this, and threw his arm up, punching his opponent in the throat. The attacker, however, didn't budge. "How the hell did I ever... I'll never know." he said, grabbing Link's wrist and bending it backwards.

"Urgh!" Link clenched his teeth, and ripped his arm away before it was broken. "How the hell did you ever what?" Link said through gritted teeth. He could see a sneer under the attacker's hood, which only angered Link more.

"I'll bet you don't even remember me... I suppose... it would be awhile ago... to you, anyway." he replied, grabbing his sword. He rose it above Link's head, the tip pointed towards Link's forehead.

With a swift, fluid motion, he brought the sword down, but not before Link swung his forearm sideways, diverting the blade's path. What looked like cloth on the outside, a rip revealed metal just under it, at least enough to be useful. The sword skimmed Link's head, drawing slight blood. At this, Link kicked his leg sideways, kicking the knee of the attacker. Stumbling at this, Link grabbed his ankle and swung it sideways, moving him out from above himself.

Link lept to his feet, and dashed towards his sword. He picked it up, and swung around to meet his opponent, face to face. "Enough vague talk!" Link yelled, raising his sword with both hands.

"But... I never talked before this." the attacker replied, an obvious satisfaction coming over him. He sheathed his sword, rather than preparing to attack. "Hand to hand... think you can handle it? Or are you so much of a coward to use a sword on an unarmed man?" he asked mockingly. At this, Link sheathed his sword as well. "Alright then. All you have, I will show you... and remind you."

Link ran forward and swung his left fist at his opponent, who retaliated with a right hook, their fists connecting. Immediately afterwards Link kicked with his right leg, which was blocked with a left kick. Swinging his body around, he swung his right arm with great force, but as he did that, the attacker duplicated him, swinging in the opposite direction and blocked with his left arm.

"Memories... surfacing yet? I will... give more time. Even though... you once... used time... as a way... of salvation..." the attacker said, still with a hint of glee in his voice. Though he seemed to be trailing off, it was evident that he was in no way out of breath, in fact, it seemed that Link was worse off at this point.

"More time? What do you mean by that?" Link asked, their arms still pressing against each other. Saying this seemed to give more joy to the other man, who chuckled slightly at this. Ducking down quickly, the attacker swung his leg and nailed Link in the stomach, who immediatly grasped it with his right hand.

"Remember." he responded, walking slowly backwards. As he did so, he seemed to vanish in the shadows of the buildings around him... the moon had vanished behind the clouds, and momentarily left the entire village without light. Enough time to escape.

"Damnit!" Link yelled into the air, running off towards the castle.


Chapter 4


Entering Castle Town yielded a surprise, nothing had happened. Link entered town running just as dawn broke, the draw bridge hadn't even been dropped fully before he lept onto it, causing a confused look from the guard. Charging into the town full speed, Link noticed that people were just waking up, some were already setting up shops for the busy day ahead.

Hyrule Castle was exactly as it was every day at dawn, soldiers were starting to wake up, some were up early and began training. "Open the gate!" Link shouted, turning around the corner. Recognizing Link's voice, the guard immediately opened the gate. Easier than his first entry into the castle by stealth. Rather than taking the path around the hill, he climbed the hill rapidly, leaping up into the air at the tip of it, rushing past a few guards talking about density of armor.

Stopping before the massive doors to enter the Castle, Link heard voices inside. He shoved the door open, and saw, to his surprise, Zelda a a bunch of guards discussing something. "Princess Zelda!" Link yelled, running to her. "What happened?" he asked, looking around. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

"Link, what are you doing back so soon? Did you... already catch that criminal?" Zelda asked, turning away from the guards and looking at Link. "Oh my goddesses... Link, you're injured! What happened?"

"Don't worry about that, what's going on?" Link asked, almost in a demanding tone, unlike his usual self. This alone was enough to concern everyone in the foyer, especially the princess, as they were friends since childhood, not once, but twice.

"Well... someone managed to break in here, not unlike yourself, years ago." a guard in blue armor replied, his blue armor representing his rank above the usual grey armored guards. "It seems that someone managed to sneak by each guard, go through the water sources, go through the hedge yards, and end up in the courtyard. He proceeded to open a window and enter it, find his way to the foyer, and steal something."

"And... what would that be? Tell me, what Mask did he take?" Link asked, fearing that he already knew the answer.

"The Fierce Deity's Mask." Zelda answered, clearly worried about this as much as Link was. "It wasn't just that he stole it... it's all he seemed interested in. I detected that a Hylian was in here, not a guard, and not you. I could sense exactly where he was... and he walked straight to the Fierce Deity's Mask, took it, and left the same way he entered."

"Zelda..." Link began, not bothering to use his usual manners at this point. "I would like to speak to you in private. I need to discuss something with you."

"Alright, Link." Zelda said. "Guards, please, do not speak of this to anyone, please act as you normally would."

"Yes, Princess!" the guards all said simultaniously, saluting the two.

~~~

The Throne Room was baren and empty, two lone thrones situated at the back of the room. The room itself was positioned at the central tower, with a statue of the Triforce above them. Scattered around the room were perfectly square tables, each one able to seat five people per side.
Rather than sitting in the two thrones, Link and Zelda sat at the table near the window, mainly to be able to see the entire town and part of Hyrule Field. Facing each other, Link began to tell about what happened. Every single detail, another cloaked figure, self forged sword, and, most noticable, the attacker's amazing fighting style, able to counter almost every attack of Link's.

"Even more strange is the fact that he copied your spin attack, as well as infused it with his own magic... he managed to escape fairly quickly... and most likely managed to steal the Fierce Deity's Mask." Zelda said, putting every fact in line.

"However, Zelda... there's one more thing. He said 'I was no longer chosen' and that I manipulated time to my own benefit." Link added, and immediately after Zelda gasped aloud.

"But, only the two of us should remember what happened!" Zelda almost yelled, shocked at this.

"I think he was referring to when I spent time in Termina, how I went back in three days time, slowed it down to half speed, and shot forward six hours ahead at a time. He didn't say anything about the Master Sword, either. However... he mentioned something that seemed... odd. He kept asking 'How did I ever?'. He was referring to himself when saying that... no, it couldn't be... do you think Ganondorf's back, and knows what happened somehow?" Link asked, hoping he was wrong.

"I don't know... that seems likely, that he was keeping tabs on you... but remember, he didn't escape from prison until after you returned from Termina, how could he know that? That's the only thing that doesn't make sense..." Zelda pondered this. Ganondorf could know about Link being chosen, but not about him being in Termina, unless he had some sort of spy that he sent, before his capture. Unlikely, but possible. However, that spy would have to be immune to Link's ability to time travel, or be able to remember everything that they saw... Majora could be another possibility, but he was defeated, and most likely killed. The Happy Mask Salesman has not been seen since his departing in Termina. He was a mysterious person... perhaps he wanted to attain the Fierce Deity's Mask to compliment Majora's Mask?

All these thoughts raced through Zelda's mind, while Link tried to shake the feeling that he, at one point, knew that person he fought last night. His fighting syle was so similar, his voice, earily familiar. He was positive that he had never heard that man speak before, but he could easily be mistaken. Memories could be lost, but difficult to retrieve. But still... that blue eye... he had seen it before, somewhere... but his memories are so full, full of dozens of years of memories. He looked about nineteen, however, he has many more extra years of life than any normal man should have.

"..."

"Link?" Zelda asked, seeing him deeper in thought than herself.

"Zelda... I am going back to Termina. I will go back the same way I first entered, through the Lost Woods, under the Clocktower and into Clocktown. We are still not sure what Termina is, whether it is another country with people with striking resemblences to people here, or another dimension entirely. I am sure that going there, somehow, will help sort this out. After all... that's where the Fierce Deity's Mask once was."

"Alright, Link... please, be careful. I wish I could go with you, but I must stay, I need to manage this kingdom I have been entrusted. And... I assume you're leaving now?" Zelda asked, worry in her voice.

"Yes. I will take my old keepsakes. I will only need a few things, not many." Link said, as the two rose from their seats. Link looked outside the window at Hyrule, perhaps for the last time in a long while.

Dude, this is a great story, you gotta keep going!

Hm, reading your story the second time around is just as good as the first

You have a really awesome story idea here.

I love how you're taking the lore of the Fierce Deity mask, and sort of running off in a new direction with it. You also do very well with your characterization. I like the fact that you also try and add a layer of mystery to your stories. I haven't seen any glaring errors with your fanfic yet, but if I see any, I will let you know.

With that said, I await your next chapter.

As I originally posted, this is just me posting what I've already made about a year ago. At the moment, I'm making the third story to my plot (and WillowtheWhisp is making a sort of prequel). I just wanted to point that out, I'm not going to be editing anything, just wanting to give people something to read

That being said, here's more


Before reading, keep in mind I looked up the names of the characters, and only made up one name for the upcoming canon characters.


Chapter 5


Rather than risk another random encounter with another random enemy, Link set out on the path to Termina by himself. He wore his cloak from the other night, and had a large bag strapped to his back. His sword was concealed beneath the cloak, his shield under the bag, and under the cloak.

For hours on end he walked, attempting to remember the correct way he went to get to Termina. Of course most of it was luck. However, just as nightfall began to cover the forest, he managed to see something familiar... a large cave. Before the cave were skid marks... exactly where he fell from Epona, years ago, due to the Skull Kid whipping around a corner. Not a single thing has changed...

Walking into the cave, he came across the same mounds of rock and dirt he had to leap across to further venture into the cave. Simple, now that he was older. Walking further in, he found the immense hole he once fell into. A leap of faith, one might say...

And so Link plummeted below, confident that he would be safe. Rather than before, with odd shapes of objects that he owned and objects he had not, it was pitch black. For almost a minute he fell, until he saw a soft glow below him...

He landed with a soft thud onto the Deku flower, just as last time. Two lights shone from the ceiling, with no light source actually seen. Instead of a fear, a dread, he felt a determination this time. He had a gut instinct that he should be in Termina. Walking to the door, he opened it. He knew what was waiting for him, a small pit only a deku could cross. He slowly walked around the corner, and to his immense surprise, saw not a pit, but a bridge. Nothing had changed in the surrounding area, or above the minute long fall. But, who put a bridge here? Someone that had found this area, and decided to venture further, only to find a lone Deku flower?
Each room was the same, multiple bridges spanned the bottomless pits in the final room. The frozen corpse of the Deku child was no longer there, though. Only a few people that Link had known knew of this place... the Happy Mask Salesman, the Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael. And of course, the poor fated Deku. Five people... who else could discover this place? It was Majora's Mask that allowed the Skull Kid and his fairy companions to find that place, the Happy Mask Salesman and the Deku child were unexplained, however.

The passage ahead was completely the same. Clock gears, cogs, mounds of dirt... everything was exactly as Link remembered it. The hallway seemed to twist with every step, until he opened the door and was met with the familiar sight of twisting wooden beams and rushing water. Walking up the steps, he saw nobody, unlike last time. He opened the door to above ground with a creak...

"This is..." Link began, looking around. He saw that children were running around, people were dressed up, Zoras and Gorons were among town. "The Festival of Time? This is unbelievable! Of all days, I get here when people from all over Termina come together..." Looking around, he began to remember his way around town. He had a slight idea of what to do first... he walked to East Clock Town, and saw some people dressed in blue, and one in red. Six people in all. Five of them seemed to be in their late teens, just younger than Link, and one appeared to be about fourteen, fifteen.

Link walked past them, who were all talking. Each had a notebook, and seemed to quiet down as soon as Link went by. Stopping in front of the teenager in red, Link reached into his bag. He pulled out a book, and spoke to him. "34251." At this, each of the six teenagers looked at Link, now with interest. "I assume you still use that code, Jim?" Link asked the teen in red, who looked somewhat shocked.

"How... how did you know the secret code, and how do you have one of our notebooks?" the guy named Jim asked in amazement.

"You're base is located in an astral observatory, the one owned by the old man named Professor Shikashi. He owned one moon's tear, but eventually another one landed right at his doorstep. Six years ago you had a problematic member, who attempted to steal the moon's tear, and was kicked out of the gang. I only go on assumption, but I assume you have more members than six now, seeing as how another person is guarding the entrance to the observatory." Link said, noticing that Jim, the one in red, seemed to remember something. "I can see you don't quite remember. Six years ago, I was here. You challenged me to a game of hide and seek with four other members, which I won. You made me a part of your gang. My name is Link." he said, lowering his hood.

"Link... Link... Link... Link!?" Jim yelled out in astonishment. "I haven't seen you in years! Where the hell have you been all this time? I was always wondering what you were doing after the Festival of Time!" he said. He walked forward and shook Link's hand, and soon the other members that were there did too. "Man you did so much to help people here, it's unbelievable! All in four days?" he asked, looking at the notebook. "But, unfortunately, the Professor passed away a couple years ago. But, also, we have upwards of one hundred members, all over Termina."

"Allowed non-humans to join?" Link asked.

"Yup. After the festival of time, a Zora walked up to us and started to ask things about what we were up to. He challenged us to a foot race, one thing led to another, and soon we had people all over everywhere in our gang!" Jim said, showing his other notebook, one that had the name of each Bomber in it. It was almost half filled, having a name and a picture for each person. "So, whatcha doing back in Clocktown? We had Kody watch ya as you left on your horse during the Festival of Time." Jim said, gesturing toward the youngest one of them, who used to be the guard to their hideout. "By the way, you know, once a Bomber, always a Bomber. So, have ya come to join us again?"

"Not quite, Jim. But I have a favor to ask. Would you mind if I used your hideout to rest during nights and anything along that line? I might be here for awhile, and I have things to do." Link replied, hopeful.
"No problem! Just say that code to the new guard, and he'll let you in for sure! If you need any help, just say that code to someone you think might be a Bomber, I'm sure they'd help you too!" Jim said back. "Well, later Link, good luck on whatever you need to do!" he said as he and his fellow Bombers left into the hideout.

'Alright, got that out of the way, I have a place to rest now. Now... I have no idea where to go.' Link thought to himself, looking around at the crowds of people. 'But... strange... how did... nevermind, it's not important right now.' Link thought, forcing them out of his head and thinking of what to do next. He walked towards the exit and out of it, wanting to have a quieter environment. He looked onward to the canyon, and instead walked around the edge of the town to the west side of the field, mainly to see the ocean in the distance. Walking up to the left fountain, he sat on the side of it.

Looking out at the calm, gentle ocean cleared his mind, soothed him to an extent. He removed his cloak and shoved it into his bag, wanting to feel normal, rather than undercover. He placed his bag on the ground beside his feet, and lifted his legs to stretch out on the fountain. He placed his sword on his bag, the hilt facing up, and his shield below the blade. He could see some children of each race in the southern field. Some Zoras were still arriving on foot from Great Bay, they just passed right by Link without a word. Then again, the way Link looked at the moment, he looked like a homeless swordsman.

About an hour passed, and the only thing that came to mind at the moment that was useful was 'Wait and watch, eventually something will happen to him. It always does', the other thing was 'man, I'm hungry, haven't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon'. It was about dusk now, nightfall usually occurred around six at night.

Realizing that he hadn't had any sleep for almost forty hours, Link slowly rose to sit, and swung his legs to the ground, standing up. He equipped his shield on his back, swung his bag over it, and strapped his sheathed sword onto his belt, mainly just so he could get on with going to the Bomber's Hideout. He sighed heavily and walked towards the gate. He walked with his head up, looking toward the sky, thinking once again about his past journey here, how each person was oblivious to the danger, not the moon, but the one who summoned it. 'The moon..." Link thought looking towards it. 'Smaller than I remember... and it has no face now.'

"Hey... what?" Link said aloud, looking at the entrance to West Clock Town. The gate was closed off, no guard in sight. "Hey, anyone there mind opening the gate for me, please?"

Clang!

Once again, Link was locking blades with another foe. In an almost unimaginable speed, moments before the blade hit his neck, Link swept his blade from his sheathe and swung it in an arc behind his back, blocking it. He turned around, and was met with a familiar sight...

A grown man, his foe was wearing loose fitting clothes, mostly blue, white, and purple. His hair was a bluish color, a pendant around his neck, his face obscured by a mask...

The Keaton's Mask.



Chapter 6


Still locking their swords, Link quickly surveyed his opponent. A thin sword, most likely a custom katana. No shield. It seemed that he didn't have any items in any pockets, nothing was bulging. But still... sneaking up on Link as he did, with speed and stealth, suggested that he was highly trained. A moment too late countering and Link would have been sent on his final voyage.

"Who're you?" Link asked demandingly. He looked at the other man, his face obscured by a mask. It gave the illusion of no emotion, perfect for a stealthy assassin. Link shoved off with his sword, causing the man to stumble backwards slightly, but not too much; he immediately slashed again with his sword, which was repelled by Link's own sword strike.

"I have no more words to utter for you." he responded, obvious fury in his voice. He walked backwards a few steps, before leaping into the air above Link, arcing his blade in a spiral, which would have been deadly if Link hadn't ducked, his shield taking the blow on his back, the straps to his bag cut off, falling to the ground.

Link spun around to meet his opponent, who was standing sideways on the outer wall of Clocktown. 'His skills... are so much like a Shiekah...' Link thought to himself, waiting for the next attack. Sure enough, the man lept straight off the wall, straight into Link, his sword extended for a stab. Meeting blades once again, the new attacker was still in midair, pushing Link backwards, their blades almost sparking from the force of the impact. Pushing him to the ramp leading to the sand, the new attacker dropped his blade and spun around, kicking Link in the chest, sending him down the ramp.

Link landed with a loud thud, sinking slightly into the sand. He regained his senses quickly, and saw that the opponent has lept into the air to perform a downward stab. Barely rolling out of the way, Link did a sweep kick, knocking his foe off his feet, landing face first into the sand. Neither taking their time, they both returned to their feet and poised their swords to attack. Link was facing the town, while his opponent was facing the ocean behind him. Nobody was around them, the sun was beginning to sink into the horizon beyond their sights.

"Why the hell are you attacking me? What have I done to you?" Link asked, slightly panicked. Had he made so many enemies in his lifetime, that so many would strike all at once? Surely not... all of his former enemies should either be dead, or not remember what had happened in the erased future.

"You know damn well why I'm doing this, don't act stupid!" he yelled back, taking his arm backwards, his sword dragging against the ground behind him. "And now, I'm going to kill you, repent!" he said, his blade beginning to vibrate. Before Link's eyes, the katana began to glow a fiery red, and the small plants around his opponent began to catch fire. "Repent, and go straight to hell!"

He thrust his sword forward, the blade shooting a stream of fire at Link. Link reacted accordingly, whipping around one hundred eighty degrees, the flames struck at the shield at his back. This did little, though, Link could feel the intense heat as it struck the shield, as if it were melting the metal. Feeling the heat let up, Link spun around quickly, his sword raised. His opponent lowered his own sword, and rose his left hand. He showed his palm, lowered his pinky and index finger, and sliced his hand with his own sword.

His entire sword glowed a dull blue color after the final drop of blood fell upon it. He moved his sword to his left hand, which also began to glow blue. He let it drop to the ground momentarily, upon which the ground froze where it made contact with the blade. "Did you think I only knew a single elemental spell?" he asked, pointing the tip of his sword at Link, directed at his throat. "You may have gotten away before I could fight you before... but this time, you're as good as a corpse with a sword!"

He twisted the hilt of his blade with his right hand, which simply fell off, revealing a chain, twisted several times underneath the hand guard. He unwrapped them, and roped one strand of it around his left wrist. "Death comes naturally to a killer!" he yelled, throwing the sword at Link, who parried the blow with his sword. However, the sword immediately froze as they made contact. The katana returned to his opponent soon after being blocked. Another throw to the sword shattered it, shards of metal pattering off the ground. "Like your victims... loss of pride, loss of life."

'Ohh, crap.' Link thought, his eyes spinning around, trying to see something of use. He had no other weapons on him, and that icy blade would shatter metal in two blows... his shield was already compromised, almost melted completely. The only other items he had were up near the gate of town... completely out of reach. The only way he could win is if he had but a single item from his bag, one that would render the icy blade useless.

The man in the mask quickly threw his blade at Link, who managed to duck under it, Link could feel the cold emanate from the blade, his breath frozen. Link had a hunch, and took a chance. He quickly grabbed the chain and yanked on it, causing his opponent to stumble forward. Taking another chance, he whipped the chain around his head, sending the blade at its owner. It skimmed the Keaton Mask, which froze on contact. As Link thought... the only spot on his body that could touch the sword was his hand.

Link charged forward and punched the mask, shattering it, revealing the attacker's identity. Red eyes... a clear sign of a Shiekah. However, Termina had no Shiekah, not that Link knew of. The closest thing to compare were the Garo tribe, one that were wiped out, save a few lucky spirits that could manifest at will. His hair was blue, as noticed before, but it was shown now that it extended down to his neck, curving to multiple spikes away from the neck.

'Wait a minute...' Link thought, striving to remember. "Kafei? Last time I saw you, you were cursed... to be a child." Link said, momentarily forgetting about their fight. Kafei seemed taken aback by this.

"How the hell do you know about that damned imp's curse? Only a few people knew about that! That imp, my closest friend, my wife, and..." Kafei began, trailing off.

"Me." Link continued, dropping the chain from his hand. "Sakon's hidehout... he was such a cunning thief, setting multiple traps."

"Forget about that... you... why did you do that back there?" Kafei asked demandingly, clenching the portion of the chain he had in his fist. "Those people you attacked without mercy... why?"

"I didn't attack anyone, I just arrived in Termina this morning!" Link said, still confused about what happened. "What are you talking about?"

"Anju said she saw a swordsman with a flowing hat and green clothes, that fits your description perfectly!" Kafei replied, his fist still clenched, the chain beginning to crack under the pressure. "She would never lie! She saw a man in a green tunic slaughter a bunch of people waiting for the Clocktower to open up, so we could honor the four gods!"

"But... I was outside near the fountain for hours. When I left to go back into town, the gates were closed off." Link said, attempting to defend himself from these accusations.

"The gates were closed as soon as you attacked, to keep you from leaving... which didn't work... I saw you from the Swordsman's school, it seemed like you were taunting people, showing off that you escaped town so easily..." Kafei said, believing that Link was the killer, but still, beginning to doubt himself.

"I guess I have no real witness, but still... wait, Kafei." Link said, twisting his head to look at Clocktown. "If I was mistaken to be the killer... maybe..."

"The killer's still inside!? You expect me to believe a blatant lie such as that?" Kafei asked, the chain in his hand crumbling. "If that were true, why would two people, unknown to each other, wear the same clothing, use the same weapons, and from what I heard, look the same? Where's your cloak, in the bag I cut off you?"

Link gasped at this, realizing what's happening. Kakariko Village... that night, his attacker had a cloak, and fought reminiscent of Link's style. A case of mistaken identity, possibly on purpose. How could he convince Kafei of this? "Tell me, what... what did that killer say, if anything?"

Kafei paused, remembering what Anju had told him. "Something about a link severing, that's all I can remember. Why? What are you trying to prove by asking what you already know?"

Link struggled at this, he couldn't prove his innocence with Kafei, his strong sense of justice clouded his good judgement. He believed Anju, which wasn't a mistake, but it seemed to be a coordinated strike... one to possibly kill Link, to get him out of the way. But, Link wondered, is Kafei in on this too, or is he another pawn...?

Awaiting an answer, Kafei noticed something running down the ramp, into the sand. "Anju?" he asked in bewilderment, dropping what fragments of chain he had left in his hand. "What are you doing here, he's..."

"That man struck again, he just killed several guards!" she said, looking at Kafei with fear in her eyes. "What are you doing... what?" she asked, looking at Link. "You look... just like the man inside town! How did you get here before I did, I just saw you!"

"But, I was just fighting him..." Kafei replied, looking back at Link.

"Believe me now?" Link asked, running to the ramp. "C'mon!" he yelled, knowing that Kafei would be a good ally to have in town. On the way through the newly opened gate, he swiped his bag and put his cloak on, to allow himself to not be mistaken for the killer. Kafei trailed behind him, wondering what the hell was happening, leaving Anju, confused, in the sand.

Thinking about it, I may as well just get done posting everything in increments of two chapters per post, so I can get to the third.


Chapter 7


Entering through the gates of town, Link dove his hand into the bag, feeling around for a certain thing he brought. He ran straight to the Clocktower, rounding a corner, Kafei now right beside him.
"Alright, what the hell, Link?" he asked, a furious look on his face. "Are you going to even tell me?" he yelled, shoving link against the wall.

"If I could, I would." Link replied, removing Kafei's arm. He wasn't entirely sure, or even clear, on what was happening. 'The link has been severed.' Perhaps the 'link' is Link himself? In any case, there's a lunatic, possibly with the most powerful item in existance apart from the Triforce. The Fierce Deity's Mask is more powerful that the darkest god in Termina... Majora himself, even in its own domain it was almost powerless compared to the might of the Fierce Deity. If its power is unlocked, and its power abused by evil, the next dark god could reign over Termina, even Hyrule. 'Won't let it happen.' Link thought to himself, rushing around the last corner of the tower, emerging into the large open space in front of it.

However, rather than seeing it abandoned, like Link had thought, bodied littered the ground. Seven that Link could see, all fallen to a blade. "Well, well... look who's decided to show up. Pity... thought at least one of you'd be dead by now."

Link and Kafei looked around, looking for the source of the voice. Seeing nothing, they simultaneously whipped around, looking at the entrance of the Clocktower. At the base of it, another cloaked figure stood. "You son of a... why did you kill those people?" Kafei demanded, his teeth clenched. "Innocent lives are not to be toyed with as an object that can be disposed of!"

"For you, lives are important. For me... one who was banished... it means nothing." he said, raising his hand to his hood. "Link... remember... I said that before. It was not something I wanted you to remember that was forgotten, it was a message of sorts." he ripped his hood down, revealing his face. "Remember me?" he asked.

Link and Kafei looked at him in awe, not believing what was in front of them. Link, beside Kafei, looked at himself at the base of the Clocktower. "What... what the hell? Why do you look like me?"

"Cliche, but, in the only real answer, I am you. Remember that day, that would have been only a few days ago, had you not traveled back in time." the other Link began, removing the rest of his cloak, revealing that he was a perfect copy of Link. "The Water Temple..."


"I was thought to be only a demon created by Morpha, who was in turn created by Ganondorf. You killed me that day... and I was dead, for sure. For those few months, I saw nothing, but I was living in a way... my own hell. I could sense things, I could think to myself, I was concious, but I was dead.

Then, after you banished Ganon to the Sacred Realm, you were sent back in time... everything reverting back to as it had been. As suddenly as I was swallowed by darkness, I was cast back into the light, the first image I saw was you, as a child. I suddenly had every memory you had at that moment... infiltrating Ganon's fortress, striking the final blow, everything, it was as if it had happened to me. But, alas, I am but a shadow of your own self...

Termina was a real exciting time for both of us... I had some fun, especially every time you were injured. I had hoped Majora would kill you off... but then, you put on that mask... amazing..."


"I tasted true power, and I will get it!" he yelled, pulling out his sword. "Hmmph. Look at the two of you. You both have that look in your eyes... that look of spite, that look of justice... all in one. I savor that feeling. However, you won't be savoring it for long."

The second Link rose his sword above his head, and said a few words, nodding every few moments. He then looked down upon Link and Kafei. "I will finish this quickly... this might be a personal vendetta, but I also have some other work to do." He swung his sword forward, and it suddenly shone a bright white. As the light died down, it revealed that the sword had been transformed. It looked like two blades, intertwined...

"The Double Helix Blade..." Link began, staring at the blade. "How did you activate the power of the Deity?" he asked.

"Honestly, I didn't fully activate it. I don't know how you managed to activate it fully on your first attempt... all I can manifest is the sword at the moment, but that's more than enough to finish you off!" he said, swinging his sword, sending a beam of energy at Link and Kafei, who both lept to the side to dodge it, the blast hitting the ground and creating a small explosion on impact. "Such power! I can only imagine what it felt like fully unleashed!" he said, staring at the crater. He looked around, and saw that only Link was still there. "Little friend run away, did he? I guess, even though he grew up, twice no less, he's still a child at heart."

Link reached into his bag and whipped out something, but he obscured it with his cloak. 'Need to get to a safe spot first...' Link though to himself, waiting for the moment to retreat for a moment. As his counterpart swung his sword again, he dove to the side, avoiding the inevitable blast where he was moments before. He rolled as he landed, and dashed toward East Clocktown running.

"Another coward? What happened to the Hero of Time? The Hero of Hyrule and Termina?" the copy said mockingly, smirking at this. 'First the blue haired freak and then this pathetic man I was created from.' he thought to himself, walking to East Clocktown. He walked as though he were enjoying a walk through town, not as if he were out to kill two men. Rounding the corner and walking up the steps, he saw that the square in the middle of the eastern part of town was deserted. "Don't make me chase you, Link. I'll level this entire city if I have to."

'Got him.'

As the carbon copy of Link looked to the left at the Stockpot Inn, he was met with a fist; a big one. The other Link slammed into the Archery Range, surprised at how much strength Link had. When his vision cleared, he was shocked; a Goron met his gaze. "Goron Mask... damnit, I should've taken all those masks..."

"Didn't expect that, did you?" the Goron asked, smirking slightly. He curled into a ball, and began spinning in place. As he did, the ground beneath him began to crumble. 'Better have enough magic to finish this...' he thought, as spikes emerged from his tough skin. He rocketed forward, charging at the other Link.

"Yeah, just try to dodge at that speed!" his foe yelled, swinging his sword, sending a burst of energy at Link. As the two forces collided, an explosion sounded, and dust obscured vision, and Link screamed in agony. "Well, I'll be, that was easy." he said, a broad smile on his face. He walked forward, intent on collecting his prize. As the dust cleared slightly, he rose his sword just in time to deflect two flying objects. "So... more masks."

The dust cleared completely, revealing a Zora standing in place of the Goron. His fins returned to him with complete accuracy, retracting as they did, making it appear as though he didn't have fins at all. He grabbed his chin and lifted up, screaming. In a flash of white light, Link stood there, a mask in his hand. He placed it back into his bag. "Yeah, I have a few." Link replied, sweating slightly. 'I can't fight a guy who's got the weapon of a deity...'

"Pity, really. That's the best you can do, distract me long enough to prevent me from fully attacking with my energy beam. That's not gonna happen again." he said, raising his sword. As he lifted it fully above his head, he grinned widely. "About time... you feel how it is in total darkness!"

He swung downward, but met another blade. "I didn't run away... I needed another weapon."

Kafei held a longer sword than before, but it looked strange; it looked like it had a long split down the middle, seperating two sides of the blade, a longsword. "I thought that was the power of a god, wasn't it?" he remarked, smiling. "Does that mean that a god can be killed by a mortal, if said mortal can deflect the attack of said god?"

"Little... damnit..." the copy Link stuttered, frustrated. 'This isn't the full power... I need to unlock more of it to be unstoppable... like he was...' He rose his sword again, and brought it down, but Kafei lept back, allowing the Double Helix Sword to hit the ground. "A god? I'm hardly that. But still, I like the sound of that. The new Fierce Deity! The Deity born of a dead Hero!"

"So full of himself... Link!" Kafei said, tossing a small metal rod to Link, who looked at it confusingly. "Twist the two halves, your right hand clockwise and the left counter!" Link did just that, and was shocked to see a spear head emerge from one side, and the other side to extend. "I have alot of free time!" Kafei remarked.

"Thanks." Link said, holding the spear in one hand. "I should've brought another sword, when I think about it, but I guess I shouldn't think about that now." Link walked forward to stand beside Kafei. "Got a plan?" he quietly asked Kafei.

"Kinda. I guess we'll see if it works. Just distract him for me." he said, and Link nodded, hoping he wasn't just attempting a half thought out plan. "Get his sword open for me. If my theory is right... well, we'll see."
"Right." Link said, looking back at his other self... but he wasn't there. "What? Where did he..." Link began. He saw something out of the corner of his eye, and rose his spear, just in time. His copy moved with intense speed to the side, and charged Link. Luckily Link had a good reaction time. Link retaliated by thrusting his spear at his opponent's chest, who sidestepped it.

The other Link swung his sword in a vertical arc, sending a sawblade like energy beam at Link. Link dove forward, towards the blast, and slid under it. Surprisingly, rather than creating an explosion, it acted like a saw blade, cutting into the ground, and out of sight as it continued moving downward. "New trick. Like it?" He swung his sword again, this time it was another exploding energy beam. Link rolled to the side and lept, just avoiding the impact and following blast.

'Now... Kafei better do what he said he would' Link thought, preparing his move. He charged forward, expecting a sword blow. Just as expected, his copy swung his sword, not shooting an energy beam, simply swinging the sword. Link sidestepped it, and thrust his spear into the copy's chest, nailing it to the wall behind him.

"AURGH! DAMNIT!" he yelled, yanking at the spear. However, Link kicked the handle of the spear, digging it deeper into the wall. "Pain... a sideffect of living as my own. It's not what I'd call... a good feeling." he said, trying to act calm. Well... no matter. I'll kill you in due time!" he lifted his sword, and stabbed at the spear, snapping it.

As soon as he did, Kafei charged as if from nowhere, and thrust his own sword into the space between the helix of the blade. "Confidence is a weapon unto itself." he said, pressing a small button on the guard of his sword. The two sections of the blade seperated, in a scissor fashion, and struck the inner parts of the Double Helix Blade, locking the two swords in place.

Kafei proceeded to twist the hilt of his sword, until it clicked. From the inner part of the sword emerged a long spike, over and inch in width. It sprung forward, propelled by a tightly bound spring, spearing the copy through the throat.

"Da... damn..." he stuttered, blood beginning to pour from his mouth. "Does... not matter. I know... recall... I am born of a hero's darkness..." he said, falling back into the wall, his double helix blade shattering. It seemed that he was merging with the wall, though he wasn't. He was merging with the shadow on the wall, vanishing into it. "When we clash swords again... your blade will break and my blade will sever your life." The copy finally vanished fully, leaving Link and Kafei, standing alone, in the darkened town.



Chapter 8


"Oh, damnit, get out of here! Go to Ikana, I'll meet you there!" Kafei yelled, looking
around. After the other Link fled, people began to come into that part of town. In a rather unfortunate bit of luck, people were already yelling about the killer being in East Clock Town, which was just Link. Taking these words into great consideration, Link grabbed his bag and ran through the gates which led to Ikana Canyon.

'This really isn't good...' Link thought to himself, passing through the several pillars marking the entrance to Ikana territory. 'Unlocked part of the power of the Fierce Deity... I have to wonder, why is it locked...?' Link entered Ikana territory, and was met with a very different sight than he had before.

Rather than the dark look, the way everything looked dead, things looked, dare to say it, normal. Grass was covering the ground, the gates that were normally up were taken down, and most noticeable, the cliff face that was normally only reachable with a hookshot, had a metal ladder leading up it. Link climbed up it, grateful of the easier scaling of the cliff.

Everything else looked normal, except for the obvious addition of a bridge and rope ladders leading up to the upper part of Ikana. Much easier than before, rather than the task of freezing octoroks and using a hookshot...

Looking around for somewhere to go, Link noticed that in upper Ikana lights were moving towards his location... torches. "Poes...?" Link said aloud, looking on. "No... I hear something... chattering... people?"

"Link!" someone said quietly behind him. Link spun around, and saw Kafei running towards him, and coming to a stop. He was wearing another Keaton's Mask. "I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen..."

"You tried to explain that there are two identical people running around? Hey, wait... didn't I shatter that?" Link asked, pointing at the mask.

"Yeah, I have a supply of them... anyway... I tried to say that I mortally wounded you in combat. But you know how mobs are... they want to see for sure that you're dead. Worse still... the postman from town warned people of Ikana Town before the town was locked up." Kafei said, confirming Link's thoughts of a newly built town in Ikana. "Damn... looks like those torches are from people coming to help people in Clocktown... WOAH!" he yelled, an arrow flying past his head. "I think they noticed us! Follow me!" Kafei said, running up the cliff side, towards Sakon's Hideout.

Turning his head back to look, Link saw several dozen people approaching them, most with torches and weapons. From what Link knew, there was no way to escape, no way to leave the area. They reached the hideout, which looked radically different. Rather than a single boulder hiding the entrance, the whole hideout looked caved in. This left no cover from the people of Ikana.

They walked over to the edge of the cliff overlooking the river hundreds of feet below. Looking back, they saw that the people chasing them were slowly approaching, a savage look in their eyes. There was a single man leading the group, a man similar in height to Link. He had reddish brown hair, and yellowish eyes. He was wearing chain mail from the neck down, a sword in his hands. "You... killer." he said, pointing his sword at Link. "Come to our own small town to deal out death? Or perhaps attempting to escape persecution, and execution, at the hands of our allies of Clocktown?"

"And who would be asking such a question?" Link asked back, glaring straight at the man's eyes.

"I am the man who built this town from scratch, and a man who deals in life and death does not deserve to know such a name." the man replied, almost as if he had thought ahead and prepared what to say. "But, I will tell you this, in a simple saying. You mess with Clocktown, you mess with Ikana." He walked forward, several other people following him.

"Kafei, who is his guy?" Link asked quietly, holding onto his bag. He hadn't any weapons left, his sword had been shattered, the spear Kafei had given him probably still dug into the wall, and broken from his copy.

"He's the man who gave the idea for a town to be build in Ikana, he once studies Gibdos here with his daughter..." Kafei answered. Link, as though a lightning strike had gotten him, instantly remembered who it was. "He was once a famed researcher, but eventually had gotten to learn how to wield weapons... he's now famed for his swordsmanship."

"Fantastic..." Link said, trailing off into thought. 'Does he even remember me, what I did for him? No... to him, it was simply a realistic dream, a nightmare.' Still thinking of what he could do to get away, the man lurched forward, his sword drawn. Kafei stepped in, deflecting the blow of the sword with his own custom sword.

"And who would you be, Keaton?" the man asked, looking dead at Kafei's mask.

"Just call me that. Keaton." Kafei replied, with an air of mockery. "Named after the mythical animal who knows everything... fitting for this moment. Gibdo Man." he said, and the swordsman backed off at this.

"Don't... don't ever call me that!" he yelled out. "My name is Croje, the man responsible for Ikana becoming another community!" He charged forward again, stabbing at Kafei. Kafei swung his sword downward, deflecting Croje's blade into the ground, making it immovable. "Who the hell are you, helping a murderer?" he asked, gritting his teeth.

"He isn't the murderer. But I can see you won't understand. And I can also see we aren't getting out of here alive." Kafei said, looking at the bloodthirsty mob.

"Kafei. Jump." Link said, pulling something out of his bag.

"What?" he asked, looking back at Link, who was looking down into the river. "Crazy, are we?"

"Trust me." Link said, grabbing Kafei's arm. "Jump three seconds after I do." he flung his bag over his back, securing it. He lept off the cliff, and screamed moments before hitting the water with a splash.

"God damnit Link..." Kafei began, stepping backwards to the edge. 'Why do I trust you so much?'

"Hey, hey, hey, don't jump, Keaton!" Croje said, walking forward slightly. "Suicide isn't a great option, we just want to get you to prison, nothing more at the point, so just, no, don't...!" he started, but failed, as Kafei thrust his body over the edge.

Chapter 9


Kafei dropped, falling silently without a word uttered. Slightly spinning in the air, he saw that everyone had rushed to the edge, intent on watching him fall. Staring into the raging waters below, he realized how idiotic this plan of Link's was. How can a mere man fight this current and live?

Splash

Kafei plunged into the water, nearly touching the bottom of the river bed. Kicking his legs against the floor, he propelled himself to the surface, breathing in fresh air, only to be sucked under again. fighting to the surface, he failed, unable to fight the undercurrent of the river. 'Damnit Link... why do I trust you so much?' he thought, the river leading him to a tunnel in the cliff a few hundred feet away.

'Damn... only two days before our anniversary...'

Kafei felt a change in the undercurrent, and took the chance to surface again. He refused to let himself die in such a manner as this, and in such a place. Less than a mile of where his former enemy resided, the one who almost ruined his relationship. Breaching the water, he sucked in all the air he could, and managed to stay floating. He entered the tunnel inside the cliff, which was devoid of life... one mistake in his already unstable swimming would result in ruin.

Though he couldn't see, he could tell when he was turning, the current slightly took him in the direction of the turn, so he fought against it as much as he could to stay on center. He managed to do well, until he made a miscalculation...

Not noticing a large boulder in his path, he couldn't tell if there was a current at all, it felt almost... calm. He passed the boulder, swimming slowly, cautiously... but not enough. The moment he passed the rock he was swept under the surface of the water, into total darkness. He spun through the water, his head bashing off the bottom of the river, his mask breaking into peaces. What protection he had against the current against his bare face was gone; he was utterly vulnerable.

He spun so much at this point he couldn't even tell where he was headed, his head throbbing due to the freezing water and spinning. Refusing to let go of his life, he fought to control... a failed attempt. He knew he couldn't fight such a current... he blacked out.

He periodically came to his senses. He saw the water surrounding him in dim light... felt something grab him... felt warm air... saw a face, one he didn't recognize... heard a scream... felt a warm sensation...

He came back to his senses completely, gasping, as if still struggling for air. He looked around, attempting to adjust his eyes to the light. He saw... trees. A forest. No, a swamp. The Southern Swamp of the Dekus. "Well, awake, finally, are we?" Link said, smiling from a stump nearby. He stood up, and tossed a bottle of water to Kafei. "I know, you've had enough of water... but you need to drink."

Kafei opened it and chugged the water, he was, ironically, thirstier than he'd ever thought he had been. "God... how the hell... what...? Kafei said, trying to find the right words.

"Last time in Termina, I found a route from Ikana to the Swamp... that river." Link said, looking over at the source of the stream near them, which was just a tributary of a larger river. "Sorry, took me awhile to find you, I forgot one important detail, can't see in the dark." he said, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

'How... the hell did he fight that current? He's acting as if he planned to escape unharmed all along... how did... who is he?'

Kafei slowly rose to his feet, and grabbed his sword, flinging it over his back, before realizing that his clothes were dry, not wet. It just doesn't seem possible... "Link... how are my clothes dry?" he asked, deciding to ask directly.

"I know some magic of my own." Link replied, taking his bag and strapping it over his back. He closed the opening of it, revealing a blue object slightly, but not enough to show what it was exactly. "Well, have any ideas as to where to go now?" he asked Kafei.

Kafei thought for a moment (though not entirely on Link's question) before answering. "I think that my friend can help us, in Clocktown. You know him already, am I right?" he asked. Link nodded at this, remembering the man who ran the Curiosity Shop. "He knows things... he might deal with shady people, but I know I can trust him, we've been friends for awhile. The only problem is, getting you in there without arousing suspicion..."

"Not a problem." Link said, smiling, turning his back to Kafei. "C'mon, I know how to get out of the Swamp from here. It's not far from Termina Field." Kafei was confused, how could Link act so calmly about entering a town that only knew him as a murderer? A town that would surely kill him first chance they got? Rather than questioning, Kafei only thought of one thing, which continued to circle around his mind during their trip out of the Swamp.

'Damnit, Link... why do I trust you so much?'



Chapter 10


"Looks like their on alert, still. I guess they're not fools..." Link said quietly, watching multiple guards outside the town walls. Link and Kafei were under a large wooden stump, which was hollowed out in the center. They were facing the southern entrance, which was just next to the laundry pool, Kafei's old haunting grounds. "It'd be better if they thought we were dead, though."

"It'd be nice..." Kafei replied, looking around. 'One... two... three... four... five. Five guards just at the entrance of Southern Clocktown.' Kafei thought silently. 'I can get in easily... they think I tried to kill him, and I was wearing my mask in Ikana. Link, though...'

Link noticed Kafei looking worried, and removed his bag. He rummaged through it, and moved it to the top. "Kafei, care to see a secret?" he asked, taking out a brown mask.

"Uhh, sure, Link." Kafei said, looking at the mask.

"Don't make a noise. I have to suppress the urge to yell, or else it'll look suspicious." Link moved the mask towards his face, waiting for contact. As the mask touched his skin, it instantly adhered to it, melding to Link's face. Link managed to keep quiet, only letting out small groans of pain from the transformation. In some dim light, he morphed from his Hylian self to a small, wooden creature, a Deku. "Man, that always hurts..." he said, in a slightly childish voice.

Kafei didn't respond, looking in awe, his mouth open.

"Don't worry, I can change back whenever I want. I'll explain later on, just hurry. It's annoying having stubby legs." Link said, walking forward. As he exited their wooden barricade, he stopped and sighed. "Kafei... this way... move!" he said, noticing Kafei not moving. At this, though, Kafei rushed up, confused.

"Link... what the hell?" is all Kafei could say at the moment. Seeing a man transform into a race of wooden creatures is odd by today's standards.

"Just... I'll tell you later at your hideout place." Link replied. "If the guards ask, we're friends, I've never been here, and you want to show me the Festival." Link said, and Kafei nodded.

Approaching the southern gates, the guards, expectedly, stopped them. "Halt!" one of them said, holding his hand out in a gesture of stopping. "What is your business here?"

"We've come to visit Clocktown for the Festival of Time. I've been here before, but my little friend here hasn't even been in town before." Kafei said, keeping a complete straight face, but not too serious. Slightly happy, as if glad to be there at the moment.

Link nodded his head, and acted childish. "Yeah, I've been in the palace most of my life, I wanna see the festival!" he almost yelled, hopping up, looking joyous. The guards looked at him with amusement, much like an adult looks at a child having fun.

"Well, alright. Just be cautious, there seems to be some trouble happening lately, some lunatic was here just yesterday. Don't worry, though, I doubt he's gonna cause any more harm." the central guard said, moving to the side, letting Kafei and Link pass.

"Thanks." Kafei said, Link skipping behind him, still acting childish. Inside town looked surprisingly normal... normal for a town that just had several people murdered. People were still having fun, to be sure, but there were more guards than usual around and on alert. Rather than taking the time to act normally, Kafei simply yawned and muttered about sleeping rather loudly, allowing people and a few guards around him to hear him. They then walked over to the laundry pool, which was empty, thankfully. Kafei walked to the bell at the edge of the pool, and rang it. Once. Twice. Pause. Once more.

The door at the end of the pool opened slowly, and then slammed open. Anju stood there, clearly looking relieved. "Kafei!" she yelled, running to him and embracing him. "I didn't know where you were... so I waited in town for you..." she said, squeezing him "What happened to the other man... Link?" she asked. Kafei looked behind him, and didn't see him.

"Right here, Miss Anju." Link said, walking from behind the tree near the bell. "I had to remove a disguise, obviously, I couldn't walk in town normally." he said, placing a mask into his bag and flinging the bag over his shoulder.

"Yeah, Link's innocent." Kafei added, removing his arms from Anju. "There's a man who looks almost identical to him, sounds like him, but doesn't act anything like him. We almost killed him in East Clocktown yesterday, but he got away. He's dangerous. Don't trust Link unless he's with me, or has proof. I don't want to have anything happen to you..."

"Seems reasonable." Link said, walking past them, to the open door. "Kafei, we need to discuss." Link walked through the door, leaving Kafei and Anju alone.

"Anju, please, we need to do some things. I'll stop by the inn later today, alright?" Kafei asked.

"Alright." Anju said, hugging him once more. "I love you..." she said, removing her arms and walking out of the laundry pool.

"You already know how I feel." Kafei replied, and Anju smiled, still walking.

~~~

"Alright, give me the truth. All of it. Everything you know about this guy." Kafei said, grabbing a bottle of water and throwing it to Link, and taking one himself. They both sat down at a table, facing each other.

"Alright... about seven years ago I fought him once before." Link said, taking a swig from the bottle. "He was a fierce opponent. He copied each of my moves, strike for strike, eventually countering each of them. Even if I thrust my blade at him, he lept onto it and sliced at me. Eventually I out maneuvered him by spinning my body at high speeds and sending pulses of magic out the tip of it, making the reach much longer than any real sword. He vanished then... no explanation to him. He was just there."

"Alright... but what happened after that?" Kafei asked.

"I was sent back to my original place." Link continued, not revealing anything of time travel or goddesses. Even that might sound unreal at this time, despite what has happened. "After that, I guess he was revived, as my shadow. He told me, he said after dying, he revived after a long journey. Then came my first trip into Termina..."

"Where I met you." Kafei said, and Link nodded. "Thank god you were there. You saved my relationship with Anju."

"After Termina, he seemed to become erratic, wanting to escape." Link said, not including the fact that he once became the Fierce Deity. "He struggled, but couldn't. However... a few weeks ago... he escaped. He attacked a town near my home called Kakariko Village, and attacked several people to draw my attention. It worked. I traveled there, and fought him. Of course, I didn't know it was him. All I knew was that I knew him once before."

"Did you defeat him?" Kafei asked.

"The opposite. He nearly killed me, and left towards my home. He broke into it, and stole a single artifact."

"The Fierce Deity's Mask." Kafei answered. "But how did you get such an item?"

"Don't worry about how I got it... worry about how much power my double can unlock from it. We can't even hope to battle him with that power fully unleashed." Link said, avoiding the question. He couldn't hope to explain all that happened to him in Termina, in three days time. "If he can unlock it all... we're all dead. He'll take me out first, to 'sever the link' fully. And then you, for helping me. And of course... all of the people close to us. He wants all ties cut off from us, so nobody could continue our work, and challenge him."

"Still, there's alot of questions... but I suppose I can find that out later, after this demonic excuse for a human is dead." Kafei said. "He manifested only the weapon of the spirit in the mask. What if he could unlock everything?"

"There'd be no chance." Link replied. "But now, I have a question for you. Where are you from?"

"What?" Kafei asked, confused.

"You remind me so much of a clan of warriors in my own home... called Shiekah. Red eyes, ninja like reflexes, ingenuity, magical skills... you're almost identical." Link said.

"I've been in this place my whole life that I know of... Clocktown is my home, I was born to the mayor and his wife. They don't know magic or anything, though, I taught myself everything I know." Kafei replied.

"That's the thing... you're adept at magic. Without anyone teaching you, you learned. without anyone against you, you flourished and created your own style. Nothing influence you... you just learned." Link continued. He wasn't sure, but he wanted to get this question out of his mind.

"I may be, but I'm from this land. I've been to many places, but I'm native to Termina." Kafei responded. "Trust me, I have no reason to lie."

"I know, but still, you're just like them." Link said. "Well, now that that's out of the way, any ideas of what to do? Any local lore to point us in any directions?"

Kafei thought for a moment, then answered. "The graveyard." he said, standing up. He walked over to a cabinet, and pulled out a map. "It's near Ikana, rather than going up into the new town, turn left... there's some old ruins there we can look at, there's legends about darkness in man's hearts. Not much, but all we can hope for right now, until our buddy makes a move."

"Right. Meet Anju at the inn, we'll meet at the pillars leading to Ikana territory." Link said, standing up as well, and grabbing a mask from his bag, this time blue.

Chapter 11


A few hours from dusk, Kafei walked through the eastern gates, stopping to talk to the guards on his way. Link stood behind a pillar, waiting. Finally, Kafei met up with him. "What took so long?" Link asked.

"Got some gear from my little workshop of happiness." Kafei replied, showing a bag strapped to his back. He reached into it and threw a hilt of a blade to Link. "Here, consider it payment for that last sword I broke on you." he said. "Just twist the hilt and be sure not to point the end where you don't want it. It has about a three foot reach, kinda a prototype I made. You told me about your spinning attack with magic infused, and I instantly thought of having you wield this weapon."

"Really? Why, what's so unique about it?" Link asked.

"Focus magic, and magic, through it, and it tends to shoot out a blast of magic. But I think you can control it better than I can." Kafei replied.

For about an hour they conversed, comparing magical tactics and mechanical tactics (though Kafei talked more with technology). Link's new sword was engineered to harness magic, storing it in the diamond inside the metal casing, which is the outer sword. Storing it up over time allows it to be a potent weapon, but Kafei warned that storing too much and not letting the pressure out can be disastrous.

"Finally... the gates." Kafei said, jumping up the small ledge, Link beside him. It was nearing dusk, about an hour off. Inside they could see a man sitting on a chair, a shovel beside him. "Hey, Dampé!" Kafei yelled, approaching him. "Been awhile, hasn't it? Dampé? Damnit, drunk again, no doubt..." he said, walking beside him. "Yeah, looks like he's asleep, or passed out..."

"What, you know him well?" Link asked, walking up beside Dampé as well.

"Yeah, we're friends. I usually help him dig graves for a weekend every month, next week is the weekend I'm supposed to be here."Kafei replied. "Dampé, get up, yo, c'mon. Man, he's really hammered..." he said, reaching for his arm. He grabbed it, and immediately dropped it, gasping.

"Kafei, what is it?" Link asked, staring at Kafei's shocked expression.

"D...Dampé's... ice cold..." he stuttered. "He's..."

"Dead." a voice called out. Kafei jumped at this, and looked around. In a dead tree, near the edge of the graveyard, someone sat. The man had white hair, pupiless eyes. However, he wore a green tunic.

"Damnit! Why the hell did you kill him?!" Kafei yelled out, drawing his sword. "He has nothing to do with anything!"

"That, my little annoyance, is where you're wrong." the man lept from the tree, down to the ground. He seemed to smile constantly, and always had a hint of cheer in his voice. "That foolish gravekeeper had important documents on the ancients of Ikana... I disposed of them, before you could see them." Link gasped aloud at this, realizing what had happened. "That's right, my double. I was watching. Waiting. When I found out what you two were planning... I was already here. He didn't put up much of a fight. Strangulation... so easy when the man is already passed out drunk."

"Damnit, you demon, you'll die for this!" Kafei shouted, his blade glowing a subtle red. Link, however, stepped between them, causing Kafei to dispell his magic.

Link looked at Kafei, a sympathetic look on his face. "I know how you're feeling. Having a friend lost to a mad man."

"Excuse me? Demon? Mad man? Do I not get a name suitable for my stature?" the man interrupted.

"How about I call you a son of a b-"

"Now now, no call for such words." he said, interrupting Kafei. "Demon... do you really see me as a demon, my dear blue haired friend? Pity... I thought we were friends!" he said, chuckling, which made Kafei clench the hilt of his sword so hard he could feel the metal dent. "Well, what cheap weaponry. Or are you so angry you gain the strength of a goron?" he asked mockingly.

"Damn you... bastard..." Kafei said, trying to find the right words. "I'm going to kill you."

"Oh, and almost forgot... happy anniversary, to your lovely bride." he responded, which only made Kafei all the more furious. "Beautiful woman, she is. Lovely to be around. Shame, really. She would have been better off without you."

"Kafei, don't let him get to you." Link said, trying to prevent any unnecessary moves. "He's only trying to get you to make the first move. Don't fall for it." Link could hear a faint mutter, including the words 'slit his throat'. "So, what are you planning on doing now?" Link asked.

"Like I'd tell you!" he replied, laughing. "This isn't some old hero's story, where the hero asks a simple question and gets all the information he needs. This is life, not a book of tales and adventures. If you were thinking I'd divulge all me secrets to you, you're dead wrong." Taking a single step forward, this was enough to provoke Kafei one step too far.

Kafei charged forward, pushing Link to the side. His sword was glowing an intense red, any vegetative life catching fire around him. Link could feel the heat from where he stood. All Link could say was 'Kafei, don't!' before it was too late. Link's double grabbed Kafei's blade and swung it around in an arc, Kafei still holding tight to the blade. He let go after a full spin, causing Kafei to land at Link's feet.

"You see, this is the power of a god, you can't hope to fight... me..." he began, noticing something. Kafei wasn't in fury, in fact, he was smirking. "What's so funny, brat?" he asked, the answer he got was a simple point to the ground directly beneath his feet. At his feet was a single red ball of metal, one that was cracking.

"Go to hell." Kafei said, the small metal orb depressurizing in a fiery explosion, engulfing Link's double. "Say hi to your victims for me." he said, getting up. He sheathed his sword, and looked at the inferno before him. Before he could say another word, though, an orb or light shot from the fire, nailing Kafei in the chest, knocking him back several dozen meters.

"Oh, I insist..." a voice began, the fire dying down, revealing an uninjured clone of Link. "After you."

"Aurgh!" Kafei yelled, ignoring the pain he was feeling. He drew his sword, which began to glow blue. He charged forward, his sword becoming heavy. He thrust it forward long before he reached his target, sending ice pulses at him. They hit, causing him to keel over in pain.

"Damn... why does this... hurt so much?!" he yelled out, leaping into a tree, out of the way of the ice pulses.

"Introducing cold temperatures to a heated person causes an adverse reaction, causing the nerve endings in the skin to scream in agony, if the change is sudden and extreme." Kafei revealed. "I planned this on our walk here. Direct confrontation isn't going to work, so I use strategy." While Kafei spoke, Link drew a hilt from his belt, which he twisted, and extended a blade.

"Damn you... I'll send you on to the afterlife now! Screw prior plans!" he yelled. He swung his arm in an arc, and a blade appeared in a flash of white light, the Double Helix Blade. As he prepared to swing it, however, he dropped the blade. "Now... now... now? Why not later? Damnit!" he yelled, grabbing the left side of his face. He lowered his hand slightly, revealing his left eye was now blue. "No, I will still finish this!" he yelled, grabbing his sword and swinging it, releasing a large flash of light, stunning Link and Kafei.

He proceeded to swing again, before he once again dropped his sword, which disintegrated upon hitting the ground. "Damn this... transformation process..." he muttered loudly. "Lucky day, guys. I'll visit again real soon. Prepare for it." he said, as he walked into a shadow and disappeared, like last time, leaving Link and Kafei, both figuratively and literally, in the dark once more.


Chapter 12

"One problem after another..." Link said, looking above Dampe's home. Several skeletons were gathering, and walking off it, gathering around Link and Kafei.

"Link, I already told you..." Kafei began, clutching his chest, which was throbbing. "Don't bother them. Besides being dead, they're pretty much people, just like us." Kafei rose his shirt to examine his wound, which was slightly blackened, like he was burnt. Not much damage, that much was good.

"Well then, I guess we should go..." Link said, walking back to the entrance of the Graveyard. Three steps to it, however, he was halted by a skeleton blocking his path. "Umm... could you perhaps, move, please?" he asked, looking at the skeleton. It's skull was rounded and had a sort of head dress, with flowing red 'hair' coming out of the top. It was wearing tattered leather armor, and had a chipped broadsword skewered through its ribcage. It was as large as a normal Stalfos, not a Stalchild. Another notable feature was a medallion attached to its armor, to the top center of its chest.

"No." he replied, grasping the hilt of the broadsword, the sound of a rib cracking was heard as he did so. "Tell me first. What is your involvement?" he asked, slowly pulling his sword from his ribcage. "Quickly. Before my temper cracks."

"Involvement, you mean...?" Kafei began, realizing it. "We had nothing to do with it, we actually attempted to prevent it! It was a man with white hair, and a twisted blade."

"If this is true... then show me your possessions. Empty your bags, then I may consider believing you, if only slightly." the Stalfos said, pointing at the two bags. Kafei began first.

He poured his contents out, obviously nothing fragile was in it, the way he did so. He sorted each individual item, showing he had an assortment of small metallic orbs, several metal weapons resembling spears, swords, even a crucifix. This must have been sufficient, as the Stalfos nodded and turned to Link. Link slowly put down his bag, and pulled out some items. Masks... more masks... more masks... Kafei looked on as all Link showed were masks. Were all these imbued with a spirit to transform him into another being? There were some other things, a few bottles, and a small ocarina. Not as large as the Ocarina of Time, it was slightly pink, surely the Fairy Ocarina that was a gift from Saria years ago.

The Stalfos looked slightly baffled for a moment, before nodding. "Still, you will come with me. This does not mean that you did not pass it on to another man who fled before dusk." Link and Kafei nodded, knowing that they were severely outnumbered by the legions of the undead, numbering into the hundreds by the look of it. Five Stalchildren moved behind Link and Kafei, and the Stalfos walked forward, Link and Kafei right behind.

"Where are we going?" Link asked, noticing that they were entering Dampe's shack. "Where will this take us?"

"Do not worry." the Stalfos replied, opening the door. "You will not be harmed if you are innocent." They entered, and saw a spacious room with not much there, a few boards covering up holes in the walls, a small bed, a desk, and a book shelf. The Stalfos knocked on the second wooden board from the door, which fell down, revealing a tunnel. "Follow."

~~~

"Isn't there a torch or something you can light, Stalfos?" Link asked, trying to see where he was. Barely able to see a thing, he could only tell they were in a tunnel dug into a mountain of rock.

"Do not... call me Stalfos as if it were a name." the Stalfos hissed, obviously angered. "We are dead, but do not call each one of us by a generic name? Do you call a Goron Goron? Or do you see a random Zora and call him Zora? No. You ask his name first, as is traditional and custom."

"Well, then, what would your name be? Mine would be Link, and my friend would be Kafei." Link responded, asking properly.

"That's better. My name in life is forgotten, but you may address me by the Left Arm of Du Ikana." he replied. Link let out a small sigh of grief, why had the Stalfos gotten angry at not being asked its name, if he didn't have on in the first place?

"so, Left Arm of Du Ikana..." Kafei began, taking his time to pronounce the name correctly. "where exactly are we headed towards?"

"We are going to Ikana Castle, to speak with Igos Du Ikana." he responded immediately, obviously pleased that Kafei was speaking with well manners. Suddenly, the Stalfos stopped, and pushed forward, revealing light. Adjusting to the light, Link saw a massive stone structure, one that he knew well. Ikana Castle.

The entrance was completely open, the inside of the castle full of dancing Gibdos. Straight through the castle was an open room, with three thrones, the center being the largest, and two being occupied, both by Stalfos. The one in the center immediately stood up as he saw the seven enter, pointing his finger to the exit, directing the five stalchildren to leave. "You!" he roared, pointing at Link. The Stalfos at his right lept into the air at this, his sword drawn, and the other Stalfos who led them into the castle drew his sword from his ribcage and swung it around, stopping inches away from Link's neck, with such speed he had no time to react. The other Stalfos from the throne landed, his sword inches from Kafei's skull. "You survived?" he asked, walking forward to Link, placing his hands on both of his allies' swords, lowering them. "Majora, he did not kill you as you killed him?"

"No, I did not die, King Igos Du Ikana." Link replied, smirking slightly. "Your two bodyguards are bloodthirsty."

"I apologize." he said. "At ease, you two. They are not enemies of us. I believe that we can trust the one called Link."

"I have to ask, how do you remember me so easily?" Link asked.

"We do not get many visitors here, as you can plainly see. I can remember living people from centuries past." the King replied, his glowing eye sockets scanning over Link and Kafei. "Who is this man?" he asked.

"An ally. But, before we answer anything else, we ask something. What are your men doing, taking us here, almost by force?" Link asked, thinking about this whole situation and trying to make sense of it.

"Such a mouth on this one! Sir, allow me to silence him!" the Left Arm of Du Ikana yelled out, raising his sword, only to get a piercing glare from the King, making him back down.

"I do apologize for that, but, we have had something stolen from us." the King replied, walking back to his throne, Link and Kafei following. "You two! Make use of yourselves and patrol the area! I have no doubts about this now." The two quickly ran out, muttering, no doubt about Link. The King sighed, and sat down at his throne. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I have much to explain."

"You are aware already of a man possessing the power of a god, correct?" he asked, receiving nods in response. "Like you, Link, he is not of Termina. I believe he is from your land, a land called Hyrule."

"How do you know that?" Link asked, shocked.

"I had my bodyguards examine this, when we discovered that a being has attained godly power. They found an ancient tunnel, and managed to traverse pits and traps to get to the end. They found the end, but seemed to be stuck, until they decided to spend two days climbing to the top of a large cavern, exiting in your own land."

"Those bridges, they were from your men? Under Clocktown?" Link asked.

"Yes." the King said. "They found information on it, and discovered that a man from your land was practicing magic eerily similar to one of the gods of our land. Dark magic. Powerful magic."

While the King talked, Kafei listened, trying to absorb each detail. Link, however, found something amiss. Didn't his double only have the Fierce Deity's Mask for a night before going to Termina? How did Igos Du Ikana know about this, and take two days to reach Hyrule, if all of this happened in one day?

"This document was a story combined with a experimental process, involving the combination between two forces, the force of fury and the force of insanity. Even we aren't sure about what it meant, but surely, it must be important if that man stole it, and killed the man we trusted it to." he said, looking at Kafei's puzzled look. "Ahh, yes. Dampe was the man we trusted it to. He was a good man, we trusted him, as he trusted the dead. However, he was killed... shameful. That act he put on for all other people was a false identity, he was actually quite intelligent. He may have been merely human, but that was the point, who would suspect a human gravekeeper, one who's appearing to go insane, to have documents on powerful magic?"

"Surely a good idea, but it failed." Kafei replied, looking away for a moment. "He was my friend, and that bastard killed him."

"Believe me, I do regret that as well. A man as upstanding as Dampe deserves better, but alas, the drawback of life is the eventual death each man experiences... save a few." he said, glancing over at Link for a split second. "These documents were trusted to the Royal Ikana Family centuries ago to prevent evil men to acquiring these powers. Unfortunately, the scribes of the family were all killed completely, not able to revive as a Stalfos, so we have no idea what it means, as it was written in ancient words."

"So, these documents, they detail how to attain godly power?" Link asked.

"Yes." the King replied. "This is dangerous, as if this man can decipher the hidden meaning behind the text, he will know how to become a god himself."

"Damn. That's not good... Link, have any clue what this guy's gonna do next?" Kafei asked, looking at Link. He thought for a moment before answering.

"He's transforming more... it seems that there's a period of time that he loses his power... perhaps to transform he must be vulnerable during the process. That's why he couldn't finish attacking us..." Link began, thinking it through. "But this is also troubling... he can vanish through shadows, I assume that's because that's what he originally was. He can be anywhere, anywhere we aren't."

"Troubling, indeed..." the King cut in. "Unfortunately, we cannot help you. We are cursed to be dead in sunlight, and cannot aid you except in night. I will gladly allow you free use of this castle, but other than that, I regret that I can do no more." he said.

"That's alright." Link said. "Now we know what that demonic man has. We know what he's trying to do fully. We just need to fight him and win next time."

"Easier said than done... "Kafei muttered.

"Sir! Sir!" a voice rang out, clearly panicked. The Left Arm of Du Ikana ran in, looking shocked. "Assault on the castle, sir! We have all of our troops fighting, but it's not looking to be in our favor!"

"What's the enemy count?" the King asked.

"O-one!"

Chapter 13


"What?" the King yelled, rising from his throne. "A lone man is carving a swift path through my massive army?"

"I'm so sorry, sir, but almost a hundred of our troops are in pieces!" his bodyguard replied, showing his sword. "I struck him myself, and he drew no blood! No mark from this blade shows on his skin! This man is surely not a man at all!"

"Calm yourself, and order the troops to maintain a defensive position around the castle, and the well in case we need another stronghold!" the King began, before getting interrupted.

"But sir, that's where the man entered, the well! He swung his blade and the entire entrance to the well collapsed! As if an invisible bomb had been set, neigh, a powder keg!" the guard replied, groaning.

"Link!" Kafei said, drawing his own weapon, a Katana with several spits in the metal, as if it were segmented.

"I know, it must be him again!" Link said. He looked at the King. "The man who stole those documents. He must be here to kill both of us, maybe decimate this castle to find more information on what he wants."

The King looked down for a moment, and drew his own sword. "As if I would allow such a thing to happen, allow a man of such dishonor to intrude upon the stronghold of the Ikana! You!" he yelled, pointing at the Left Arm of Du Ikana. "Where is the other one?"

"He's out there, directing troops as we speak!" he replied.

"Tell him of this new strategy, and order a group of soldiers to open the path leading to the new village of Ikana, but do not reveal this until we are there ourselves!" the King said, brandishing his blade, a faint blue light emitting from his mouth. "You two, come with me, and tell me of this threat." he said, Link and Kafei leading him outside, the bodyguard of the King already gone.

The outside of the castle was almost like a war zone; bones of soldiers littered the ground, skulls of those fallen yelling encouraging words to the remaining soldiers. A few hundred feet in front of the entrance of the castle was a man, wielding a familiar blade. The Double Helix Blade. As last time, he appeared different than being a clone of Link. White hair, white eyes, but this time, a white tunic, and no hat upon his head. He saw the three exit the castle, and laughed in excitement.

"Link, Kafei, I knew you were here! And King Igos Du Ikana! What an honor to meet again, this time in person!" he yelled out, still combating the legions of soldiers without being struck. However, there were still many soldiers holding their ground at the base of the castle, and a group of nearly one hundred soldiers near the large blue block near the other end of the courtyard, attempting to remove it. A challenge to all but sunlight, which could easily dispatch it.

"Damnit, why are you here, demon?" Kafei shouted over the roars of the army, wielding his sword with his right hand. Link also drew his new weapon, twisting the hilt to create the blade, which shot out. The King himself started breathing heavily, some blue fire leaking out of his mouth.

"Why am I here? Just to pay a visit." he replied, swiping at another soldier, shattering him into more pieces than bones. "And what a sight this is, the Ancient Castle of Ikana, a stronghold that was infiltrated by a band of Garo... and a lone child centuries later." he said, making the King himself twitch with bad memories. "How many of these men are from those days, King?" he asked, slicing another soldier into pieces. "I have to assume alot of them, as that was the last of the Ikana..."

"Wretched little man!" the King roared, inhaling deeply, and exhaling a stream of blue fire at him. The flames made contact, however, he simply stood there, unaffected by the blue flames.

"Is that it? I read somewhere that the last king of Ikana's blue fire breath was devastating... yet another fictional tale..." the copy said mockingly, brushing the remnants of the flames off his white tunic.

"Damned little rat... you two." the King said quietly. "Make your way to the exit, I can see that my soldiers are about to make their way through. I will make sure that this man will not bother you. I know that if he is this eager to kill you, you must have something he is afraid of. Nobody would challenge an army they have no quarrel with simply for revenge on two men."

"King Igos Du Ikana... thank you." Link said, watching the King walk toward his double. The King said some words that were inaudible, and Link's double laughed. They then clashed swords, one with anger in his eyes, the other with amusement. While this happened, Link and Kafei made their way around, to the exit of the courtyard.

"You two, hurry!" the Left Arm of Du Ikana said, gesturing the way out. "We will block this exit again with a powder keg, now go! We will be fine, we are already dead!"

"Alright." Link said, Kafei nodding. They ran through the small tunnel, and Link noticed several other Stalfos in the tunnel walking towards them.

"It will be fine, there are no other humans out in the town, they all appear to be in their homes. You can easily make your way through with not much trouble." one of them said.

Link nodded, and kept running. Behind him, he heard the roars of the Stalfos and Stalchildren, and heard the King's roars as he spat blue fire at the copy. He heard a fuse that was lit... the powder keg. "Oh, damn! Link, that's a short fuse!" Kafei yelled, looking back at the keg. He saw that the small fire on the fuse was exceptionally close to the keg, and the gap was closing. Running as quickly as they could, they saw the faint torch lights of dying lamp lights, they were near the town. Reaching the exit, they heard a tremendous explosion, and, barely managing to dive out of the tunnel, it collapsed completely, blocking the entrance and the exit of the tunnel. However, this also brought some unwanted attention from people, Link could see some lights from candles from the windows of houses. It was still dark, maybe around two in the morning, but people aren't going to be heavy sleepers when there was an explosion.

"Oh, god damn it... c'mon Link!" Kafei whispered, running to the bridge at the edge of the cliff, leading to the lower part of the canyon. They could hear voices among the streets, clearly from confused citizens. They had no idea that less than a mile away, there was a small war going on.

They ran down the bridge spanning the canyon, not caring to try their luck with the villagers of the new Ikana. "Kafei, I know of a place to go!" Link said, running down the path, seeing the sign mentioning the entrance of Ikana Village. They nearly lept down the entire length of the cliff leading to ground level, and kept running until they reached Termina Field. Rather than heading straight, though, Link headed left, towards the observatory. He could see a person at the door of it, just past the fence.

They reached the fence, and saw that the man was sitting down, leaning against the door. Link rattled the fence, making alot of noise in the process. "Hey, wake up." he said, but the man didn't move. While Link rattled the fence more, Kafei picked up a rock. He tossed it at the man, and nailed him in the head. "Kafei!" Link said, looking back at him. The man, however, still didn't move, but simply fell to his side, limp. "Kafei... we should go..."

"What?" Kafei asked. "I thought we came here for something."

"Get to town!" Link yelled, running off, grabbing Kafei's arm and dragging him. Link saw what Kafei didn't. A large slice running across the fallen man's back. "Damnit! He always knows!"

"You mean your twin?" Kafei asked, running alongside Link. "Do you mean that guy's dead? That your plan is ruined before it started?"

"Yeah, that means that this part of the Bombers have been wiped out, most likely..." Link began, stepping onto the stone surrounding the town. They ran into the entrance of East Clocktown, despite Link not being in disguise.

"Link, down!" Kafei yelled, pulling on Link's collar, yanking him to the ground. As he did, a straight beam of white shot right above Link's head. "Son of a *****! He made it here before us?"

"Not much of a challenge, King Igos Du Ikana." a voice said. A man walked out from the entrance of town, revealing himself to be Link's double. However, he now wore armor, with two marks on his chestplate, a crescent moon and the Triforce. The full appearance of the Fierce Deity. "He fell within five minutes. As did his army."

"Damn you!" Link said, getting up, and drawing his sword, twisting the hilt to cause the blade to extend. "The Bombers?"

"Only a few are dead, mostly lookout... don't worry, the original five are all alive... but not faring so well." He said. He rose his arm, and the Double Helix Blade appeared, glowing a soft blue light. "Would you like to know something interesting?" he asked, smirking.

"What would that be?" Link asked.

"Majora had set up its domain on the moon. But, where shall I put mine...?" he asked mockingly, causing Link and Kafei to gasp simultaneously. "That's right... six years ago, you had not unleashed the full power, because you were already in another god's domain. However, in this mortal plane, the power is fully unlocked, free to create another domain as he chooses. Mine... I think... I choose..."

For an excruciating moment, for the three second long pause, Link and Kafei waited, hoping, praying, that he was lying, bluffing his way into frightening them. Unfortunately, it was beginning to work.



Chapter 14


"Mine... I think... I choose... the Castle." The new god thrust his sword into the ground, down the the hilt. A bright light emerged from the hilt, contorting itself into an image... an image of Hyrule Castle. "I fitting castle for one as mighty as a god." he said, as he stepped over the hilt of his own blade, his body seeming to shatter into individual pieces. "Care to follow me? Go ahead. It would take days otherwise to get back to Hyrule." the man finally vanished, but the hilt of the blade was still visible. Seeing no choice, Link lept into the image of the castle, as did Kafei.

Excruciating pain flowed through each nerve of Link's body as they entered the warp point, warping from one plane of existence to another. 'This is too much! More for a normal man to handle!' Link couldn't move a single muscle, unable to even blink. He could see the land around him flying past him, as if they were quickly moving from Termina to Hyrule.

Link landed onto the ground, hard. He attempted to get up, but he couldn't seem to move. He was still in pain, too much to move efficiently. "Link, you okay?" Link looked up, and saw Kafei, standing, perfectly fine. He lowered his hand to Link, and helped him to his feet. "What a ride... intense."

'How is he... even moving?' Link wondered to himself, moving his arms, stretching them, regaining feeling. About as good as he could get at this point, he looked around. "This is... the middle of the field. Hyrule Field. Dawn."

Indeed they were, as the two gazed upon the majestic Hyrule Castle, watching the sunlight reflect of it's white stone walls. Everything seemed normal... which wasn't exactly what either of them expected. "Uhh... shouldn't the demon guy be around here somewhere? He took the same warp we did... or did he send us somewhere different?" Kafei asked.

"No, this is where the image was. He must have left as soon as we took the warp. He's somewhere, perhaps he isn't finished with his transformation yet." Link said, beginning to walk towards the castle. "Kafei, c'mon, we need to speak to the princess of this land."

At the drawbridge, they met the guard of it, who greeted them with a friendly 'good morning'. Trying to appear normal, they walked in, trying not to look like they were just through a living hell. Through the town, life went on as always... children beginning to play outside, adults setting up shops. An average day.

The castle... the same. At the front gates, there was a single guard on duty, as the nightwatch, clearly eager to leave his shift. He spotting Link and jumped up. "Sir Link!" he yelled, waving. "Welcome back! Back sooner than expected!"

"Yeah..." Link said, walking up to him. "Don't mine him, either. He's a friend of mine from where I just came back from. We need to speak to Princess Zelda, is she currently in the castle?"

"Yes, sir. She's currently in the throne room, speaking with the head soldiers about today's schedule. There's been an outbreak of crime all over Hyrule, and several squads of soldiers are assigned to each crime spree... Sir Link?" the guard asked, Link and Kafei rushing past him.

"Kafei! You know it too!" Link said, running through the halls of the castle, towards the throne room.

"Yeah! This must have been planned, to weaken the defenses of the castle!" Kafei replied, running slightly behind Link, as he didn't know where he was going.

Six floors up, they burst into the throne room, seeing Zelda and some guards conversing. "Link!?" she asked, confuses. "What's going on?"

"Zelda, we need to discuss something. Guards! Wait outside the room, keep your weapons at hand!" Link ordered, the guards saluting and leaving. When they were outside, Zelda walked over to Link, and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Zelda... trouble."

"What he means to say is, we might be in some trouble real soon." Kafei stepped in. "My name's Kafei, by the way. Pleasure to meet royalty of this land." he said, shaking her hand.

"You're from... Termina?" Zelda asked, looking at him. 'He looks... like a Shiekah. But he isn't... I can sense it.' Zelda looked back at Link, who was staring at the ground, trying to figure out the right words to say. "Link, please. Start from the beginning."

"Not enough time for that, Princess. Long story short, remember my clone in the Water Temple? Apparently, he wasn't just a doppleganger, but he was actually my dark half. He stole the Fierce Deity's Mask, and, piece by piece, is unlocking the full power. He finally has... and said that his domain would be this castle. We believe that the recent crimes in Hyrule, causing the guards to scatter around to them, is part of his plan to weaken the defense of the castle."

"My goddesses..." Zelda said, glancing out the window. "But... I haven't sensed any real danger in Hyrule... none at all, none stronger than the occasional mob of criminals, which is very frequent since... you... you're right. This cannot be simply a coincidence."

"We need to think of something, quick. He already killed many people in my homeland, I don't want any others to die because of him." Kafei said.

"Well, might not be so easy to stop that handsome man."

"No..." Link said, turning to the window. The Fierce Deity stared back at him, smiling widely.

"So easy to fool, Link... you think I warped here as soon as you did? Let me ask you, where was I before I escaped your shadow? In it." he said.

"You mean... you..." Link began, realizing it.

"When I was 'gone' I was simply in your shadow. Well, most of the time. Sometimes I left to have some fun, and train this power of mine. When I was transforming more, I hid in your shadow, the one spot you'd never think to look. The first time I tried it was back in Clocktown, when your little buddy stabbed me through my throat. If I didn't hide in your shadow, I would've died right there. Lucky me."

"You bastard... that's how you knew where we were going each time!" Kafei said, drawing his sword.

"Of course... it was fun, watching you come up with a plan, only to have it fail so miserably, just because you didn't know I was inches away from you. I could have killed you at any time I wanted... but where would the greatest revenge be? Watching you die a silent death in your sleep? Unaware that you have passed on? No. I wanted you to suffer, both of you. I wanted both of you to die at the hands of my blade, in my own domain, my own castle!" he shouted, raising his arm, his Double Helix Sword materializing, thrusting it down to the ground.

Running to stop him, Link, Kafei, and Zelda all froze, literally. They could see all, but move nothing. They were frozen in time, unable to stop their foe. The new Deity smirked at this, walking over to Link. "Well, looks like I'm simply a shadow of your former self... surpassing the light of your current self."

Link, though not able to move, was shaking with anger, fury. "What? So angry? Why? This is a momentous new day... the day that the people of Hyrule get a new god, one that isn't simply a legend of today, one that watches over the land, rules this land, not hide away in another realm!"

'Damnit! I can't... do anything..." Link thought to himself, watching on as his double ranted on about becoming the god of Hyrule, overthrowing the current religion. 'Total bull... he wants to rule this land with an iron fist, he want nothing but raw power.'

His eyes gazed over to Zelda, who had her eyes closed in prayer... even Link, who swore eternal loyalty to the goddesses, saw no point in this. However, unknown to either Link or Kafei, Zelda wasn't praying... she was casting. Moments later, Link could feel movement return to him, and saw a dim blue light, followed by Zelda's words. "Love of Nayru, protect us..."

Nayru's Love had been cast on all three of them, but Link's double was too absorbed in his monologue to realize it. He instead walked back to Link, and tapped his face with the palm of his hand. "How's if feel, myself? Does it hurt, knowing that you will soon see the demise of your closest friend, the dear Princess Zelda?"

"Screw you." Link muttered, swiftly stabbing him in the stomach with his sword. He screamed in pain, cursing at Link. "Hurry!" Link said, guiding Zelda and Kafei to the window, and leaping out.

Chapter 15, Finale

~~~
The doors open... one last time. The light of the sacred realm pours over the relic, the relic once used by the Hero of Time. The Master Sword.
~~~

As soon as they touched the ground, Link, Zelda, and Kafei made a break for the Temple of Time, the holiest place in all of Hyrule. Zelda's spell, Nayru's Love shielded them against the impact of hitting the ground. The people around them looked confused as they ran by. Why would the princess be running away from the castle? They entered, and Zelda hummed a quiet tune. The Song of Time. This opened the Doors of Time, revealing the Master Sword.

"Link, I can only hope that this sword has the power to challenge a god." Zelda said, walking a few steps behind him, next to Kafei.

"His power isn't truly that of a god. He merely thinks it is. Let's see how he fares against the true blade blessed by the goddesses." Link replied, walking up the stone steps leading to the blade. He grasped the hilt, and pulled upwards, the blade smoothly releasing itself from the stone, the blade itself glowing with a dim white light. "At least it didn't trap me for seven years again." Link commented, giving Kafei a confused look.

"Alright, after this, give me every detail about who the hell you really are." Kafei said, looking at Link, with his old keepsake, the Master Sword.

"Right. After this..." Link repeated, hoping that all would go in the favor of the goddesses. If his double did indeed possess the power of a god, Link has no chance to survive by pure strength. A fight based on strength would be suicide for him.

As they turned to exit the temple, they were met with a lone man. "*****! You cast a spell of a Goddess, didn't you?" he yelled, raising his sword.

"What's the matter, did that stab through the stomach hurt you?" Zelda asked in a defiant tone.

"Ridiculous! All that happened was a shock to me, I didn't expect you to use the spell of a goddess. That won't happen again. I know each spell, don't forget, I have all of Link's memories up to a few weeks ago, because at one point, I was part of him. I know each of his most advanced moves, I know his mind better than anyone. However, I am not him, and am not bound by his moral fibers."

"Wait." Link began, walking forward, pushing Zelda and Kafei back. "We should leave the town. How about this. We go to a remote location and fight. After that, should I die, you win. If you die, I win. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?"

The Deity thought for a moment, and thrust his sword into the ground. "Fine. I choose the location. A fitting place for a final battle between a man and his alter ego. Step in, and I will follow. If either of you attempt anything, I'll forget this entire challenge and move straight on to killing everyone in this city."

Link and the Deity walked into the aura above the hilt of the Double Helix Blade, vanishing in the blink of an eye. However, unlike last time, Link felt no pain. In fact, he felt as if he knew the feeling from one time before. Landing on solid ground, Link realized where his other self had taken him.

"This shall be my new domain after your death." the Deity said, looking around the large, limitless room. The floor had six raised tiles, each with a symbol representing a different element. "Such a suiting place, the Chamber of the Sages, isn't it, Link? Situated in the Sacred Realm, it's the perfect place for a battle for the ages."

"I guess you have some fine taste... it's been awhile since I was last here." Link replied, looking around, gaining the memories of his friends turned sages. Each sage was not there, however. "Where are the sages of this realm?"

"I made sure they wouldn't interrupt us. I sealed this whole realm, just for our battle." he answered, and was met with a shocked look. In just a few seconds, he managed to seal the Sacred Realm from the guardians of the Sacred Realm themselves? Perhaps this was a hopeless battle. But still, Link must try, as the Hero of Time. "Now, prepare your blade."

"With pleasure." Link said, raising it up with both of his hands, giving it both extra power and speed this way. "You may be more powerful than I had ever been, but that will not stop me from killing you and making sure that that mask will never be used again."

"So you think!" the Deity exclaimed, charging forward, slicing at Link, who blocked with the Master Sword. He attempted to counter attack, but failed; his enemy was simply too fast. "See what I mean? You can't even hit me, you're simply too slow to actually have an attack connect!"

Standing on opposite ends of the platform, and with no area to run to, Link stood, vulnerable from every angle, no way to defend, almost impossible to attack. He had only one hope, and that hope was slim.

'The Sword of Evil's Bane, the Master Sword... he was once a shadow, evil at heart. That's the key to victory, but can I possibly manage it in time? He's just toying with me now... if he didn't want me to be humiliated, I'd be dead already. He's just humoring my request, to make himself seem more powerful, and it's working, too.'

"So, Link... I've been thinking. You have your name, but I don't. Why would a man's shadow need to be named? What do you think a name of a god should be?" he asked, waving his sword side to side mockingly, slowly walking forward.

"Would it matter? If I beat you, there would be no need, and if I die, you'll simply kill anyone who gets close to you. I can tell, deep down, you only want to be called God. But, there's always going to be one problem for you." Link began, also walking forward, towards his alter ego.

"And what would that be, Link?"

"There are already three goddesses, and you're in their realm, the Sacred Realm. Their domain is the Sacred Realm, and so long as they exist, living, you cannot control this land."

"Very good analysis... but why do you think I came here in the first place? I know the exact location of the Triforce, and I will possess it, wishing to be the only true god of this and any other land. but first, I will fight you, and allow you enough life to see the precious golden artifact fall into my possession, the last words you hear will be 'I wish to be the only god of existence'. And then, nothing."

"I've heard such talk before... when I was this old last time, from another mad man. Except, rather than a god, he wanted to be the ruler of all of Hyrule. You have more ambition. What do you think will happen when the goddesses realize you wish to over throw them? I doubt they would simply grant your wish. They seem to only allow us mortals-"

"I am not a mortal! I am a GOD AMONG MEN! I will not stoop to such a level as yourself, with a lifespan of less than a century! My life is eternal!" the deity cut in, yelling, furious.

"Allow me to finish. As I was saying, they seem to allow us mortals to live life among ourselves, and whoever possesses the triforce will be able to alter their lives, their land. But not all of existence, I don't view the goddesses as those who would leave existence simply because someone wishes it, they themselves built this land." Link finished, stopping only a few feet in front of his double. "Still, I don't see yourself being the type of person that wants to give up just because another person says it isn't possible. You'll try, whether it's possible or not. Whether you want to admit it or not, you're like me, you were born of my own psyche. Two sides of the same coin, one might say."

"We are not alike!" he yelled, thrashing his sword around erratically. "That is what I'm trying to do! When you die, I won't be like anyone! I'll just be myself! Born of your sins, living to surpass you! And I succeeded!"

"Born of my sins?" Link asked, slightly lowering his sword.

"That's right. I'm born of all your negative emotion. Anger, hatred, guilt. When the Great Deku Tree was fallen due to Ganondorf's curse, hatred filled you. When that Kokiri kid Mido blamed you, you were guilty, guilty for not succeeding. When Princess Zelda fled with Impa from Ganondorf, you felt depression. When Ganondorf attacked you, you felt helpless. When you saw what Ganondorf had turned the country into after seven long years... you felt a fury unlike any other."

"But how did you escape from the confines of my shadow?" Link asked.

"The Master Sword. You were indeed chosen, but to be the full hero, you needed to be purged of all sins. Thus, I was dumped where you grasped the sword. We were still a single person, but split, all of the negative emotions were mine to simmer with. At the Water Temple, we fought, but I lost, and was dead. But I still lived, alone, in total darkness."

"Then how are you still here, alive?" Link asked, almost a demand to know.

"When you were thrust back into time, it was as if nothing had happened... for everyone but you and Zelda, that is. However, who am I, but a part of you? I was revived, but kept all memories, and power... except the cursed power to escape. Having given up the power of the Master Sword, you were no longer required to have another vessel for your sins. The cut off from my power. However, in Termina..."

"What about Termina?" Link cut in, eager to know the whole story.

"Such emotions you went through... I felt all of them. When you lost your horse. When you were transformed into a Deku. When you found out what Majora was up to. When you tried to help Kafei and his girlfriend. Emotions ranging from happiness, fury, confusion, hatred, depression... all of them in three days. Well, give or take a few months. But the moment the Fierce Deity's Mask was on your face... I felt far more power than you could ever provide. Intense fury, vengeance for what has happened. That was the spirit within the mask. The spirit felt remorse. For what? No idea. He felt fury. For what? I can only assume that he and Majora had a past together, which is why Majora had his mask in the first place. Perhaps Majora sealed him. Perhaps he sealed himself. I don't know. And I don't care. We are now completely fused. And I can only feel one emotion from him right now."

"And what would that be?"

"Happiness."

The Deity slashed at Link, slicing into his chest. Link staggered to the side, working up the nerve to play his plan out. He tossed his sword at the Deity, who grabbed the center of the blade, laughing to himself. "You hope that this thing would be the bane of my existence? Hardly. You need to be chosen to actually wield it properly. And, correct me if I'm wrong... but you don't have the Triforce of Courage."

"Don't need it." Link replied, charging forward. He grabbed the hilt of the sword, shoving it forward into the Deity's chest, who simply put his own sword in the way to block it.

"Idiot... you may be an adult, but you're so childish. There's no such thing as a happy ending. Want your sword? Take it." he said. He grabbed Link around the throat and held him against himself, positioning the tip of the Master Sword against Link's chest. "Well? What's the matter? Take your blade."

"Fine." Link replied, grabbing the middle of the blade. "I'll take it with pleasure." Link pulled the blade, piercing his own chest, sending the blade into the chest of the man behind him as well, binding them together.

"Aurgh! Bastard!" he yelled, pushing Link. However, Link reached around his own back and the Deity's back, locking them in place. "Let go, damnit! I'll kill you!"

"Keep thrashing, and you'll bleed to death... I imagine the blade is close to both of our hearts." Link retorted. "I may not be able to win... but you won't either. I don't care if I die, with your death, the power of this god will be sealed in the Sacred Realm."

"Link! You son of a *****! I refuse to die at your hands! It's like suicide!"

"Suicide... another sin... however... I believe that if suicide is used as a way to protect others, it's considered a great deed." Link said, as he began to feel slightly dizzy.

"Insanity! You're willing to die just to kill me? Was this your plan all along?"

"Only when... I... saw where we were. I took the chance... you gave me..." Link continued, beginning to lose feeling in his legs.

"Son... son of a... damnit, Link..." the Deity stuttered, falling to one knee, causing Link to fall to both of his. "As long as you die first... I guess... it's better... than... nothing..."

"I won't give that pleasure to you..." Link replied, turning around slightly. He removed his hands from the Deity's back, and punched down on the blade between the two of them, causing the tip of it to lurch downward, widening the wounds of both of them, but more of his double. "Shame, though, wasn't it? No epic battle... a war of words, and a single trap... would have been better suited to a normal... loca... location..." Link began to show signs of death, he was turning pale, the blood around the two thick, and spreading. "You know... with your death... the Sages will... return."

"I know that, foolish man! I will kill them all!" he yelled, clutching his chest. He kicked Link forward, removing the sword from his chest. The wound was bleeding profusely, and even the great new god knew he had been bested by a mortal, at the cost of a single mortal life. No, not bested by any mortal. Bested by himself.

"You know, it's like you say... the link has been severed." Link said, recalling the first words he had been told. He fell forward, one final breath passing through his lips.

"Bastard... at least... I wi... win..." the deity said quietly, falling to his side, he, too, allowing one last breath to pass his lips.

They lie there... for how long, nobody can tell. There is no sense of time in the Sacred Realm. The Deity's seal on the Sacred Realm lasted quite awhile, not allowing anyone passage to it, not even the leader of the Sages, Zelda. Link's last thought was sorrowful, not being able to tell Zelda he was sorry for causing this. It was his emotions, and his interference in Termina, which ultimately caused this. In the back of his mind, he wanted to apologize for Kafei. He missed his anniversary with Anju, it was past the Festival of Time. In the end, he had caused almost all of this trouble.

In the Deity's mind, he was joyous to the end. He had, in the end, surpassed Link. His only regret was not being able to live and look back on this moment. But... one thing confused him. Link was mortal, no longer a man of the goddesses. How could he had won? In the end, nobody would know.

~~~

Awaiting at the Altar of the Temple of Time, Zelda and Kafei waited, hoping, praying, that Link would return, victorious. This, however, would not come to pass. How long would they wait, until they realized that both the hero and the villain were dead in the Sacred Realm, the Chamber of the Sages?

They remain silent, Zelda, attempting to make her way into the Sacred Realm by pure force. Kafei, simply praying, praying for that single man who had saved him from a life of solitude, would be seen once more, so that he can repay the favor.

~~~
However, from a dark corner of a cavern, deep in the mountains, there is a man, gazing into a thick mist water watching these events unfold, watching, smirking... laughing.

"Foolish. He played his part well. Time to do our part now." the man said, turning around, looking at another man, who had an insane look in his eyes.

"Yes. We will do this now."



Ahh, finally, I hate reposting my stories

Expect the sequel to this story to be posted within a week or so.

Very nice!

Wow, this story is really good!

It was like one of those stories when you get started, you don't want to stop. Can't wait for the sequel!

(I know this was posted last month but I had to reply)

I can't believe it that was so good. -I knew it would be -
You need to get that published somehow...It was just amazing....
A game should be made based on that story...ya that would be cool.

Please keep writing *Flies away to read the sequel*

Amazing story! It is alot better than most of the books I've read and I read alot. I'll read the sequel as soon as I can. You cn really write! I've been planning to write a story and post it here for a while and now you have risen the bar for me, and that's a good thing. Thanks to you I might be able to write a really good story, though not as good as this is.