Since you came along

Missing

Short, quick breaths escaped Link as he attempted to calm himself down. His hand gripped the fabric of his tunic above his chest. He was on his knees and the Master Sword lay in front of him on the floor. He could see his reflection in the steel. He looked panicked and helpless.

Being a hero, no one would expect him to have a panic attack in a situation like this. They'd expect him to take it on the chin and go look for her immediately. However, he couldn't. His best friend disappeared without a trace. There was no clue, no indicator of who took her. There was no way for him to even begin to think of a way to save her. Tears flowed from his eyes but he paid no mind to them as he mumbled incoherent insults at himself. He blamed the entirety of it on himself. He should've been looking at her, she should've been by his side, in front of him, just where he could see her. She was gone and it was his fault.

At least, that's what he told himself. Anyone else could see it was the work of something sinister.

Once he had calmed himself down enough to make out a rational thought, he picked up the Master Sword, sheathed it, got up from his knees, and bolted out of there. All he could think of was her, finding her and tearing apart whoever put their hands on her. His mind flashed scenes of red and he had to stop himself. The urge to hurt them, to end them, was something that unnerved him. He had never had feelings like this, not until recently. He nearly killed Harley despite knowing he was no longer a threat. He could recall his mind going blank and the only thing he focused on was his neck. His jaws snapping shut on his it and hearing the sound of his bones crushing and blood splattering.

Link was worried about himself now, too. The Princess's warnings sounded out loud and clear now. The urge to kill came from the need to protect Y/n. He would go to any lengths if it meant she was safe. That she was okay, she was happy. He had to because what else matters but that? What else could fulfill him like she did? He had to fix that, he couldn't think like that. It made him sound-

"Obsessed."

He turned around, the sword in his hands in an instant, pointing the tip to the neck of an imposter. It was him only it wasn't. A shadow identical to him with blood-red eyes and an eerie smile. "You're obsessed with her. Why else would you chase a girl around Hyrule for months on end?" Link stood his ground, his face never changed. He was ready to run down this fake.

"Kill me if you want. I have to warn you, though, you'll never see her again if you do." At this, he let out a scoff. "You would say that. Make me believe you can help me yet you're the one who took her."
"Believe it or not, you should be glad it was me. A lot of people want her because of you. I happen to want her for reasons apart from you."

"Such as?"
"She's valuable. She is a direct line to you. If someone gets her, you'll be there to save her. They'll pay a high price for her, and not just in rupees."

"You took her to sell her?"
"Just give it up. Even if you find her, she despises you. Either way, I never said I intended to give her up." Just as instantaneous as he appeared, he vanished.

He didn't want her because he liked her or because he found her beautiful. She simply intrigued him. She had a reaction to the sword in the Sacred Grove, something that could indicate power of some sort. He was just hoping it was one he could use.

Link wasted no time in running back to Castle Town. He never slowed down even when his body screamed at him to take a moment and catch his breath. He ran all the way to the castle to the Princess.

"How is that possible?" Link shrugged at her question, his words now escaping him after he explained the situation at hand. "I'll have all my guards on the lookout for her and any suspicious figures. This will not be taken lightly, Link. I assure you of that." He nodded.