The Demon Lord's Inner Battle

Chapter 14

When I wake up it's still bright. Or again... I can't tell... I head outside and have to realize I actually slept an entire day. Damn...

I guess it's time to head to the surface again even if that means it's most likely I meet him again... his words come back to my mind... I don't want to fight him...

Somehow I drag myself to the goddess statue and put in the tablet with the yellow gemstone. This time a yellow light beam thrusts through the clouds and I take a deep breath before heading to get Crimson.

He sees me from far away already and comes to me. He can sense I still feel gloomy so I try my best to make him less worried and pet his beak with a smile.

"It's alright, Crimson. I'm okay. Did you and Sapphire already ate?"

As I ask this, instructor Horwell comes around the corner.

"Oh, Link! Finally back on your feet, huh? I already fed him an hour ago and just wanted to train with Sapphire. How are you?"

I turn to my instructor and nod.

"Hello, Instructor Horwell. I was just wondering about that. Thank you. I will head back to the surface. I rested enough. How is Sapphire's training going?"

He has his hands folded behind him as he walks towards me and stops infront of me. An expression on his face, I can't quite make out.

"I see.. he's doing well. He will defininitly be back in shape once Zelda is back. Now to you..."

I eye him surprised when he hands me a paper bag.

"You went through a lot the past few days and I can see you're not eating well. Link. You can't save her like this. I already told you this. You have to take care of yourself, too. Atleast eat this once you arrived at the surface, alright?"

I take the bag from him and nod.

"Thank you, instructor. I will."

He nods satisfied as I put the bag into my pouch and look at Crimson. He also seems more calm now. I still can sense his worry for me but he feels, I actually will take care of myself.

I grin at him.

"Race to the clouds, buddy?"

He squeaks and flaps his wings for take off. I nod to my instructor a polite thanks again and dash towards the wooden platform.

Of course Crimson beat me but who would have thought otherwise. He immediatly heads to the new light coloum in the clouds and I take this time to clear my head as I lay down on his back.

Okay, Link. You can do this. Zelda needs you. No thinking about what will happen when you arrive at the temple. He will be there but I musn't think about this now. I must focus or my life will be in danger out there.

Crimson's squeak tells me we arrived and I pet his beak.

"Thanks, Crimson. I will be back soon. I promise."

He snuggles his head into my palm like always and I smile before I jump off into the unknown territory.

As always, once I land Fi appears before me, giving me a full report of the area.

"Master. We arrived at Lanayru Mine. This place was transformed into a desert over the course of several hundred years."

I nod at her and look around. A mine, huh? I spot a little rusted robot at the ground. Poor thing... As I continue I spot more of them. They must have lived here those hundred years ago...

I head through the old tunnels of the mine while eating the sandwiches the Instructor gave me and come across a large purple gem stone of some sorts. It feels like it's calling me. Yeah, alright. Now stones talk to me? I'm going insane.

I shake my head at myself as Fi speaks up from within my sword.

"Master hit the stone with your sword."

I cast my eyes to her and shrug. Well uh. Why not? Here goes.

Once I hit the ominous stone, a strange light engulves the area. The desert turned back to life again?!

The little robots are walking around like nothing happend and grass and flowers bloom everywhere. What just happend??

"This stone is a timeshift stone. With hitting it with your sword, a small area went back to life. You will need to work with these stones as you continue through Lanayru."

I listen carefully to Fi's words and nod. Okay. Weird but will work I guess? I proceed through the mines with the help of the time stones and soon I gaze upon a giant open desert.

"Master. We have arrived at Lanayru Desert. The terrain in this area changed dramatically as climate forces rapidly turned it into a desert. There is numerous area of sinksand. Should you step into it, you may be swallowed by the desert."

Sigh. Really? Sinksand? Gotta be careful where I step then. I don't feel like being 'swallowed by the desert' right now...

Luckily I manage to avoid it most of the time as the sand looks different in those sinking areas. If I can go around, I do that but in some cases I'm forced to dash through it, which barely works but hey,  what works works.

Not too soon I finally find the entrance to the 'Lanayru Mining Facility' as Fi called it. Atlast a break from the endless sand... I take a deep breath before heading inside.

I'm faced with more sand than outside. How can that even be? I frown as I proceed deeper into the mines. Making sure to drink a lot of water.

I try to focus on the enemies and the surroundings but it's damn hard when you sense being watched. Why is he watching me now? Is he hoping I will die so he can take Zelda?

"Master! Watch out!"

Fi's words tear me out of my thoughts as infront of me is a giant tower with one eye, shooting a lazer directly at me. In my panic I quickly hide behind my shield and luckily got away with only a wound at my arm.

After I knocked some sense into the machine and make sure I'm safe for now I treat my bleeding wound.

"Master Link. You must be careful. You musn't let your thoughts and worries get to yourself."

Fi floats infront of me while I sit on the ground resting.

"I know... I'm sorry, Fi..."

Fi sighs.

"He doesn't want you dead."

I lift my head up to her in surprise as she continues.

"Demon Lord Ghirahim. He watches you from a distance but I don't feel any threat from him. I believe he's in discord because of what you told him, master. However I can't fully analyze his behaviour. So please. Still be wary once you actually face him."

I nod absently. Does he actually feel the same as I do? Is it even possible?

For now, the only thing I can do is to push my thoughts and feelings aside and continue...