Held Onto By A Thread

Chapter Thirteen

Mipha awoke to a dimly lit space, ash and bright red specs floated overhead-malice. The walls were covered in ancient Sheikah engravings and in the middle shrieked the evil that they sought to kill. Ganon. It had its glowing eyes set on someone-Link. Her first instinct was to call out to him, though her voice could not overpower the clash of weapons ringing out. Link pushed for offense, but forced to retreat a few steps. His dodges were getting more sloppy, a few grazing him just slightly. He jumped to the side, getting in a few solid hits and the Calamity hissed. The tides started to turn, it slashed its weapons blazing fast, Link moved accordingly however caught off guard by the leg that kicked him off his feet. It sent him flying into the wall, landing hard on his back. New cuts and bruises were visible. "Link!", she wanted to yell, help him, do anything but she couldn't move at all. It was like she was being forced to watch. Ganon readied his charged weapon, while Link hastily pulled out his shield deflecting the beam just in the knick of time. It precisely connected, hitting it square in the face. The Hylian Champion rushed at Ganon while it was down with a flurry of attacks in retaliation. This was what it must have wanted, it rose on its back legs and came down with a smash sending Link into the air. Ganon created small vortexes of wind to limit his movement and in the chaos hit him on the side with its massive flame blade. Link limped up to his feet, his body in critical condition, painted in blood, still he would not back down. The beast picked him up and threw him against the ground. Twice. Each of Mipha's pleas became more desperate as they went unanswered and with every hit her heart sank lower. A giant blinding spear was held high to his head. The same one she had seen in Ruta. She crumbled to her knees in agony, watching the scene unfold, her breathing shortened. He could not get up, nor move, he realized he had failed. "Mipha, Zelda, ..I'm sorry.. I wasn't...strong enough..", he groaned. It went straight through him.

The Zora shot up in her dark bedroom, screaming. Her mind spun in chaotic circles unable to comprehend what she had seen. She screamed and screamed, crying out his name in fear, the haunting terror refusing to subside.

A Zora Guard pounded on the door. "My lady, are you alright?! What is going on?!"

"Leave me alone!", she shouted. 'What is happening to me?' She never yelled at anyone. Mipha could not control herself, so many emotions surged within. She felt as if she had lost a part of herself. An irreplaceable piece of her soul.

She grabbed the blue fabric off its resting place and held it close to her heart. Under the sheets, muffled sobs slowly lessened as her stinging eyes drifted shut.

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That same night, the guard made his way to the throne room where Dorephan decided to stay longer than usual. He sat there pondering on how to approach his daughter after the loss of her beloved. The king himself was also rather fond of Link and saw him as the son he never had the way he would bring dear Mipha such happiness. It almost felt like it was yesterday he was still learning how to swim. Boy, how he needed help.

He was well aware of every time she stole Link away to be alone with him. Not to mention her impatience whenever he was said to be paying a visit to the Domain. A knowing grin spread across his face oftentimes as he was sure of why his daughter's behavior shifted dramatically around him. Overall, Link was a very caring person who was willing to help anyway he could, and possessed a great amount of talent in the art of being a swordsman. The Hylian was all she talked about with him at times, and what a joy was is it to learn of the overflowing affection she had for him was reciprocated. He couldn't be more happy.

However, disaster struck when he heard of the news what happened to them both after the defeat of that damned ancient evil, he knew of the everlasting effects that would lay present.

The very last thing he wanted was for his daughter having to experience the heartache of letting go of a lover. A pain he endured many years ago.

The armored Zora entered the room with a bow. "Your Majesty, I am sorry for the late intrusion, but I was finishing my rounds when I heard a terrible scream from Lady Mipha's room!"

"Continue."

"She had cried out Master Link's name and told me to leave!", he said puzzled.

Dorephan's head lowered at the message brought to him.

He spoke earnestly, "Thank you, I will see to it in the morning, you may report back to your rounds now.", the guard bowed and left at once.