The Legend of Zelda: Transient (third book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 18

Smoke twisted and tightened around the image before him. The excruciatingly happy family faded from his view, and the only thing that broke the deafening silence that ensued was the taps of sharp nails against the glass that had portrayed such a unpleasant sight,
"My deepest apologies, Master," a shadow muttered hesitantly. A gravelly chuckle was the only response it got for several moments,
"You honestly think this was all I had planned? To take the castle from that girl's weak hands and trust the hero would just consent? You know, just as the peasant I tore you from does, that this cycle has repeated itself far too many times to be so foolish. I don't make Ganondorf's mistakes. However, the sight of their reunion has put a bad taste in my mouth. Bring me one of the survivors." The rustling of air signaled it's departure. In only a few moments, the doors at the far end of the room creaked open, and muffled protests could be heard as the shadow drug one of the unlucky Hylians left behind in the castle.
Glowing red eyes glanced over in amusement as the short man was dropped onto the floor, trembling,
"P-please, do not-"
"Don't waste what little breath you have left, fool." An impatient growl interrupted, raising a translucent hand as the pitiful excuse of a man was trying to sit up, sending him flying backwards, "What was the name given to you?" He asked with a bored tone,
"My name is S-Sarth." The man mumbled,
"How unfortunate. Well, you're lucky I'm in a decent mood." The man's hopeful eyes met the beast's. "I'll make it quick." He raised his hand once more, raising the man into the air. Glasses fell and shattered beneath him as he struggled for breath. He remained suspended for several long moments before a loud crack echoed off the walls and the corpse fell, hitting the ground with a thud. A content sigh followed.
"Now, all that's left is to watch his precious family tear itself apart." Dayfos said before whispering under his breath,
"The time is now. Break loose and join me."

~~~

"The Hidden Village is the safest place I can think of. I have already sent word to a friend of mine who can put up a shield of sorts around the perimeter. It will keep us safe while we come up with a plan." Zelda said, pulling Mira onto the horse behind her. Link nodded,
" I'll make runs to bring more people of Castle Town to safety." He responded, looking to a few of his men. Zelda looked away with a tight expression,
"Yes, well, we can talk about all of the details when we get there." She said vaguely, flicking the reigns. Link glanced over at her, but didn't push.
Instead, his mind drifted over everything that had happened. He had always been aware of how much things were changing while he was gone, but it never seemed real. Instead, it was as if the idea of time passing was merely that. His mind had almost convinced him that everything would be exactly as they had when he had left. Maybe it was a coping mechanism, but it had given him comfort. But when his troops once again stepped foot on Hylian lands, it was as if he was stepping out of the fairytale he had subconsciously beckoned, and was once again in the harsh grip of reality. He had been thrown into this foreign place, where his name had almost faded into mere legend.
No, he thought, people like me don't deserve legends. Those were reserved for people who truly deserved it, and if anyone did, it was his wife. She was left behind, forced to pick up the pieces alone, and she did so with unimaginable strength. That much showed in the two amazing children she had raised. Yes, if a legend was to be made about the events that had unfolded, it should be about her.
The Legend of Zelda, he repeated in his mind. It even sounded right.
All of those thoughts faded away as they neared the entrance. The horses stopped a good distance away, and Link unmounted, dust rising from the old stone as he landed on it, unsheathing his sword. He had been down this path many times when he was young, so he immediately remembered the few beasts he would encounter near the entrance. He slayed them quickly, though, and whistled for the others to come.
Once they had all gotten off, they patted the hips of the horses to send them off and walked into the cave. On the other side, everything was just as he remembered it, shy of the infestation of monsters. The now-stray cats immediately ran towards it, calling for his attention. Mira gasped and knelt to the ground, giggling with joy as the cats surrounded her. Link turned to give orders to one of his soldiers, but a gentle hand appeared on his shoulder,
"Come on. Everything will be handled, but you deserve a rest, and I haven't got to welcome you home yet," Zelda said with a smile. Link raised an eyebrow with a smirk, nodding immediately, "Erick, make sure your sister doesn't make any of the cats angry," she said with a chuckle.  Link turned to one of his men quickly,
"Tell me when the sorceress gets here." He turned to follow his wife but realized he better clarify, "but, uh, knock first." He added, before following her happily.
Erick stood with his arms crossed as he watched them leave,
"Uh, gross."