Endless War

XXIV

"For you. Not for me."

-Unknown, found in husband's letter to wife

The princess groaned as she heard Yuri quietly laughing at something somebody had said. This whole mission had been a bust from the beginning, but Link made it worse. He constantly pointed out that this was why she should have stayed at the castle or returned home to Hyrule with Gaz and Griggs.

It was annoying, and she had snapped at him several times that this was her choice, but in her heart, she knew he was trying to protect her. He had tried to warn her not to come, hadn't he? It wasn't his fault he was here; it was hers.

But despite being starved of food and water and reeking of the BO, Zelda was glad to be here. She enjoyed talking to the soldiers, Yuri in particular. The man always had a lot of stories to tell, and he knew much about the Russian tribe that nobody talked about. 

The cell was tiny, which forced Gaz, Griggs, Hilda, Link, Reznov, Yuri, and herself to huddle together. She always ensured she snagged a spot next to Link (and Hilda was not next to Link). And when they judged that it was dark outside, huddling together turned into cuddling together, though Link wasn't aware of this; he was asleep most of the time, having nothing to do.

Well, there was one thing they could do. They could hope. They could plot.

After shaking her head a few more times, she cocked her head as she remembered what she had to do: she had to get into a fight with Hilda. The ensuing argument would most definitely grab the attention of a guard.

Well, that'll be easy.

Ever since Zelda and the others had been tossed in here, Hilda kept her distance from her. Well, as best as she could in a tiny cell. Zelda knew that it wasn't good. Hyrule needed to make amends with Lorule for what it had done, and this wasn't helping anybody. Maybe they could focus on what to do when they got out of there. It would be an easier time then.

There was something Mipha had said a few weeks back when she had been recruiting the Divine Beast pilots. What was it...?

Ah, yes. "Turbulent waters create strong fish."

Perhaps she should try now. Maybe this could be a blessing in disguise. After all, the soldiers here had the strongest bonds not because of privileged lives but because of tough lives.

She didn't want to talk to that violet-haired freak who looked almost like her. She didn't want to speak with somebody obsessed with her closest friend. But her kingdom needed her to. Her father would like her to. And so she would.

She would do this not for herself but for her kingdom.

"Hilda. Hilda, let me talk to you."

The other princess looked at her with suspicion in those red eyes. And there was pain—more pain than she had ever seen.

"No."

"Please, I -"

"I don't want to hear you talk!"

"We need to! Our -"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" And the purple-haired girl lunged at the blonde.

Hilda was weak and not exactly heavy, but she still pinned her down. Primal instinct took over Zelda as she struggled to free herself. She couldn't stand anybody lying on top of her.

Instinct and...something else. She felt it again and momentarily froze as something alien entered her mind.

Nausea. Blood running cold. Heart seemingly stopping. Skull-pounding headache.

No! Not right now! Please, Hylia!

But the beast was unleashed, and Hilda wouldn't see another dawn.

With unrivaled speed, power, and grace, she tossed Hilda off her and pinned her to the wall.

Distantly she was aware of the others shouting and yelling for guards. And at her.

"This wasn't part of the plan."

"We can still use it as an opportunity. I'm sick of this pit!"

"Hey! We need help over here!"

"Guards! Guards! We love you! We need you! Please help us!"

"Shut up, punk! This wasn't part of the plan. We'll try again some other time."

"Hey, why are Zelda's eyes red?"

"What is that red gas seeping out of her? It smells really bad."

"Is she foaming at the mouth?"

"She looks bigger than before..."

"Stronger, too..."

"Wait, this is going too far. The princess is in critical condition! She's gone completely limp!"

"Zelda, stop!"

"Stop it! You're killing her!"

"Let go! Let Princess Hilda go, or I'll... or I'll..."

Suddenly, she felt somebody restraining her from behind. It wasn't even that hard; more like the person was afraid of hurting her. But it wasn't enough to get Zelda off of the other princess.

Wait...she knew those soft hands. She had felt them on her face plenty of times.

Link.

Kill him.

What?! Who's in my head!?

She suddenly whirled around, all thoughts escaping her mind. Only the command remained.

Kill him.

She snarled, the sound surprising both her and Link. She had never done anything remotely like that. And then she whirled around, breaking free of his hold before placing him in a chokehold so fast he had no time to react.

"What are you doing? What are you doing?! Let go of him! He's your friend. Our friend!"

He was quickly turning blue.

Yes. Harder.

She was dimly aware of blows landing on her body, but they were as trivial as pinpricks. She had to complete her task.

She wanted to look him in the eyes as his life faded.

Link was dying by her hands.

She looked into his sky-blue eyes with her now-pink-red ones.

She saw a plea in those eyes. Desperation. Fear. Betrayal. Shock.

She could feel his pulse slowing through her hands on his neck.

Then, a single word said with his last breath.

"Zelda. Please...I want you...know...I...I...I..."

His eyes said the rest before they closed.

And just like that, her mind cleared. Her hands released him, forcing him to fall silently and limply.

And she cried. She cried. She cried as the guards came with their sickles and demon carvers.

She cried as her cellmates looked at her incredulously.

She cried as Yuri attempted CPR on Link.

And then the crying turned into a scream.