Part of Your Realm: A Twilight Princess Fanfic

Worth Fighting For

*Ordon Village*

The atmosphere in Ordon was dense with the suspense of danger. The bitter, howling wind only helped to promote the unease in the environment. Link took a minute to recuperate, not a moment longer. If he must fight the fused shadow within Ilia, his only chance would be with the Master Sword.

That is, if it would still choose him as its master.

Link had to get to Zelda promptly. There was no telling where Ilia was lurking. Dread trickled down Link's spine as he thought of Y/N and the shadow's harrowing warning. 

As Link made his way towards Fado's ranch, he constantly found that his gaze was scattered about his surroundings. The paranoia he felt was almost as crippling as being in the presence of the shadow itself.

He approached Epona, who was peacefully tucked inside her stall. "Hey girl, I know it's late. But we have some work cut out for us. Are you ready?" Link stroked Epona's mane in that familiar way he knew always pleased her. She huffed in response. In horse lingo, this was considered a response of reluctance. The equivalent of the human response: "Oh, alright."

He gave her a few more pats of appreciation until he noticed something streak across her eyes, startling her. Without hesitation, Link pulled his sword from its sheath, swirling around and aiming his blade at Fado's throat.

He lifted his hands in surrender. "Goddesses Link!" Fado exclaimed, visibly petrified.

"Fado!" Link growled, lowering his sword. "For the love of Hylia, why are you up at this hour?"

Fado's face remained frozen in its molded expression of terror. "I couldn't sleep. I'm actually happy to see you. I haven't seen you much, what with helping Zelda and all."

He leaned closer to Link; his voice was muffled by stutters of fear. "I-I've been wanting to talk to you, L-Link. Um." Link watched as Fado's Adam's apple danced up and down his throat. It was apparent he was reluctant to say whatever was on his mind.

"Fado," Link toned down his defensiveness. "Speak whatever it is you wish to speak."

"R-right. " He rubbed his temples in exasperation. The speed at which he rubbed accelerated as he spoke. "I saw Ilia jump from your window. I saw her... bend into a creature." His gaze flickered frantically around the stable. "She ran away. Well, she didn't run. She hobbled. Goddesses, Link, I've never seen a human body contort into such a shape. On all fours, she hobbled, Link." He shivered at the ghastly image of Ilia that Link himself had just come face-to-face with.

"Did you see which direction she went?" Link thought the question silly as soon as it left his mouth. As if it weren't headed towards Y/N or Zelda. And he knew it was Zelda he must go to, not Y/N.

The shadow had to be obeyed. At least for now.

But what if he couldn't save Y/N in time? Link looked down at the unresponsive Triforce on his hand. He could feel rage tapping on the door of his heart, asking to be let into its chambers.

Why had Hylia forsaken him?

Abandon me if you must, but please, please, I beg that you protect Y/N. Do not let her meet such wickedness. She doesn't deserve it. Just like she doesn't deserve me. The failure of a hero she thinks so highly of.

He clamped his eyes shut to block the tears threatening to descend upon them.

"Link?" Fado questioned. "Did you hear me? It isn't my place, but what is going on? Things have been strange since that day. When Y/N fainted, she disappeared in front of me. No one else saw." He hesitated at his next question. "She's not one of us, is she? She's not of this world."