Lost in Time- A Zelink Story

Chapter Twelve

The hallways are dark, and our footsteps echo in the quiet. The sun has already gone down, and the last bit of light is fading from the darkening sky over the tranquil plains. Link's sword is in his sheath on his back, and although it's not the master sword, I do feel safer with it- and him- around.

We walk awkwardly and silently until we reach a large stone archway, stepping out into the still warm evening air. The large balcony we're on looks out over Hyrule, giving us a stunning view of the rising full moon. Tall, rectangular pillars and small garden plots yielding flowering bushes line the walkway towards the lookout. Queen Sonia is already waiting for us, looking out at her kingdom. Something about her posture makes me realize how nervous she really is.

She hears us coming and turns to face us, trying her best to make her expression as neutral as possible.

"Zelda- and Link, too," she says, "I didn't realize you were coming."

"Yes, your majesty," he replies politely, "but only as a safety measure. I am princess Zelda's appointed knight, after all."

"Yes, I suppose that is smart. The, um, other Zelda should be here any moment, so I would suggest you two stay out of sight for now so it doesn't immediately flee. And I- I'm not entirely sure how this will go down but... protect Soleil, always. Do you promise?"

"Queen Sonia!" I protest, but she shakes her head, looking away.

"Please, just promise me," she whispers.

We nod reluctantly, and I find myself even more nervous than before. I never really thought of a possibility like that. She sets her jaw, steeling herself. We silently move behind one of the large pillars and position ourselves so we're not visible from the doorway. Crickets chirp and the stars start to come out above us, clear and beautiful as ever. That's when we hear the footsteps, quick and hollow sounding on the hard stone floors. My breath quickens, and I feel Link tense beside me.

"Princess Zelda. We are alone, as you requested," Sonia says, stoically keeping a straight face, "what was it you wanted to speak with me about?"

A laugh, sharp and piercing, cuts through the quiet night, and chills run up my spine. It sounds exactly like my laugh, but different. Cold. Evil.

"You are far too trusting," it says, and I hear the sound of a weapon being unsheathed.

Before I can think, something golden flashes through the air, heading directly for the queen, standing helpless against the backdrop of the full moon. Golden light flashes, filtering through my secret stone, and time stops.

I open my eyes, and there, hovering in midair, mere feet from Queen Sonia, is a Gerudo dagger. Its golden handle is encrusted in beautiful, sparkling gems that shine unassumingly as it floats, the sharpened edge pointed menacingly at Sonia's heart. I step out from behind the pillar, my arm held out in front of me for more control. I can feel Link beside me the whole time.

Letting out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding, I allow the dagger to drop to the floor, clattering loudly on the stones. Sonia looks pale and terrified, but unscathed.

"Oh, my," Sonia says. Her hands shake visibly, but she manages to keep her voice even. "That is quite out of character for the Zelda I know."

"You really thought we hadn't recognized your deceit?" I ask it, stepping out from behind the pillar. It stands in front of me, grinning in a sickening way. It's like looking in a mirror, only there is something extremely wrong and inexplicably repulsive about your reflection.

It begins to laugh once again, if you can even call it that. Then it vanishes. A red and black substance, almost like a thick, blotted mist, drifts from where it once stood, disappearing into the night sky. I step protectively in front of Sonia, and Link draws his sword, but it doesn't reappear. Instead, there is a sickening sound from behind us, one of a blade being buried in flesh.