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

Chapter 19

"The time is now. Break loose and join me."

His vision blurred and swayed as the message overwhelmed him. His breathing became labored as he struggled to remain conscious, recognizing the sickening feeling that was flooding over him. Erick vaguely recognized his sister's voice, the sound seeming to echo from far away,

"Yeah, its fine. Just...feeling a little tired." He muttered, not even quite sure that was the correct answer to whatever she had said. A burning heat overwhelmed his senses and he struggled to push it back down,
"Are you sure?" She asked again. He grit his teeth,

"I said I'm fine! Goddesses, fuck off!" He growled, storming off into one of the abandoned buildings, slumping against the wall as soon as he was out of sight. He forced back the bile that rose up in his throat,
"I..will..not." He said firmly. His eyes flickered downward as he caught something dripping peripherally. Dark red liquid stained the earth below him, and he touched his face instinctively. His sharpened canines had cut through his lip, and his nose had started bleeding as well. Now he looked like he had been attacked, and in a way he felt as if he had.

Eventually, the feeling began to pass, and Erick hurried to clean himself up. Once he was presentable, he turned and walked back through the open doorway.

Right into his father.

Erick flinched back with a start, looking up at him. Anything he was going to say left his mind when he saw his expression,

"What is wrong with you?" He demanded quietly,

"Huh?" Erick replied, confused,

"When your mother finds out-"

His comment was interrupted by a door slamming,

"ERICK!"

"Goddess help you." Link muttered, turning around. His mother took no time to find him and rush over. He didn't get the chance to say a word before her hand flashed out, latched onto his ear, and he was being dragged across the camp towards one of the only buildings with a door.

He was shoved inside and the door slammed behind them.

"Mom-"

"What was that?" She demanded, crossing her arms,

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He insisted,

"You screamed at your sister, cussing at her in front of everyone for caring about your wellbeing!" Erick sighed, ignoring the dull sensation beginning to prick at the back of his mind,

"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. I'll apologize." He said, trying to walk around her. Zelda's arm shot out and cut him off,

"Don't you dare think you are getting off the hook so easily. Mira is seven. Seven years old. She should not be exposed to that."

"Have you seen the world? It's not the worst thing that I could have done, and I said I'm sorry. Can I please go?" Zelda merely looked at him for several seconds, astonished,

"No," she took him by the wrist and led him into one of the back rooms of the withered house, "You will be staying here for the rest of the night."

"But-"

"No arguments! Get in there and stay put! Now!" He did as she said and turned to see her walk away fuming.

Now, alone with his thoughts once again, prick began to overwhelm him again. Apparently whoever was messing with him wasn't giving up so easily. He closed his eyes and put his head in his hands, slumping against the wall and sliding to the floor. The cold metal of the dagger on his hip was suddenly very noticeable to him. Peeking through his fingers, he looked down at the blade, and the crowd of voices quietened immediately. They were all focused on gently encouraging him, and the relief was so nice that he humored them by unsheathing it. The hilt rolled around in his palm for several seconds as he looked at it.

He stood up, eager to keep them quiet, and slowly stepped toward the doorway. His mother's back faced him as she worked to clean a few things up. The voices were almost giddy as his grip tightened around the knife.

A smile stretched across his face as he took another step.