Link awoke in a field, it was bright green grass, no trees or end in sight, and a bright sun high in the blue sky. He wandered about the field, examining his surroundings but coming up empty. After several minutes of silence except for the wind and the rustling of the grass, everything stopped.
The wind and rustling silenced and the sky grew dark, covered in thick, black clouds.
"He's next." A voice breathed in Link's ear and he spun around to see Dark Link, mere inches from his face. Quickly, Link jumped and kicked both his legs out, launching his shadow back and landing hard on his back himself. Link rolled back and stood, reaching back for his sword, only to grasp empty air. Growling in frustration Link looked over to his shadow who slowly got to its feet, and grinned. It was a wicked grin that held evil amusement. Link stood before him, thinking of his words.
"Rauru." Link breathed, his eyes widening as he realized the shadow's next target.
"No!" He shouted, dashing towards the figure. He swung out a punch aiming for the monster's face but missed as the shadow disappeared into smoke. Link spun around, expecting the shadow to reappear and attack but to no avail. He kept searching until he was stopped by a voice.
"Link." It was a soft voice, female, but not one he recognized.
"Link, wake up." The voice whispered once more."
"Who?" Link asked, looking to the cloudy sky. He stared at the sky and felt his eyes droop, a sleepy feeling overcoming him, until he collapsed on the ground and blacked out.
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"Link." Zelda whispered, leaning over the hero's sleeping form.
He had been unconscious for several hours, tossing and turning as he slept.
"Wake up, please." She spoke softly, hoping to ease him awake, not jerk him. She rested her head on the bed beside his body, thinking over current events.
'Nabooru's gone.' She thought.
"Mm." Zelda's head shot up at the sound of Link's voice.
"Link?" She asked, watching him.
"Rauru, no." He mumbled.
"Link." She whispered, pressing her lips to his ear.
"Link, wake up." Zelda spoke quietly, lightly gripping his wrist. Zelda suddenly felt him move, fast. He sat up, knocking her off him, unto the ground. She hit the ground with a thud, her head smacking the hard stone.
"Zelda!" She heard, her eyes opening to see Link, sitting up in the bed, covered in sweat and his eyes wide. She stood up quickly, followed by Link, embracing her.
He released her and instead clenched her shoulders.
"Nabooru?" He said, staring into her eyes with fear. She felt sadness overtake her and she shook her head. Link inhaled sharply, and dropped his head. His hands fell from her shoulders and he let out a long sigh.
"Another one gone." He whispered.
"I'm sorry." Zelda answered, pulling him into a hug.
"Rauru." He breathed into her shoulder.
"Okay, let's go." Zelda whispered, trying to not let him dwell on the loss of another sage. He nodded lightly and moved away from her, reaching for his pack.
After only a few minutes they exited the room and made their way down the many halls in silence, finally exiting out into the desert heat and over to the stables. They walked past many gerudo women, some nodding towards them, some glaring at them, blaming the pair for their commander's death.
Upon entering the stables they were greeted by an enthusiastic whinny and the beating of hooves.
"Hey girl." Link breathed, placing a soft hand onto Epona's rough mane.
"Link, give me a minute." Zelda said, taking her sheikah clothes and entering a side room. Link turned and watched as she disappeared into the room to change. After she had left he pressed his forehead to Epona's neck and breathed deeply, inhaling her calming scent.
"Two down, five to go." He whispered, closing his eyes and letting images of Darunia and Nabooru flash through his mind.
"It's okay Link, we can do this." Navi said from behind him, making Link jump and spin to face the blue fairy. He quickly regained his composure and looked at Navi with a soft gaze full of pain and loss.
"I hope you're right." He answered.
"I know she is." Link spun to face Zelda, now Sheik standing there, her mask still hanging around her neck. She brought her lips to his for a quick peck before hopping up onto Epona. Link smiled slightly before climbing up himself, gripping the reins and feeling Sheik's arms around his waist.
Link slowly guided her out of the stables and into the desert sand and sun before hitting his knees to her belly, spurring her away from the fortress and to the desert entrance.
