Link didn't have time to react before the dark blade was sticking out of Saria's back, red with her blood.
"No." He whispered, his grip tightening on his sword. He dashed towards his shadow, giving little time to react as he swung downwards, but it was enough to blink behind Link, swinging a kick around that connected solidly with Link's side, sending him spinning to the side. He landed with a thud and rolled towards the edge of the raised platform.
"Angry?" The shadow taunted, staying back by Saria. He pointed his blade, coated in her blood towards Link, who rose, clutching his side. Link didn't respond, only glaring a look of death at his other self.
"Good." The growl escaped the monster's throat as he lunged at Link. He raised his blade in anticipation, the sound of clashing steel reverberating around the room. Link quickly pulled back, swinging towards the shade's chest, again a clang sounding as the two blades collided. Link flipped back, sliding to a halt mere inches away from the edge. He looked back, precariously balanced on the edge. Link rose his gaze back to his double in time to see a black boot landing on his chest, the force pushing him over the edge. Link landed on his back with a thud, his head smacking the cold stone. He rolled away as the shadow jumped down, aiming to impale Link like a kabob. Link rolled and slid to his feet, his vision swimming from his fall.
"Problems?" The shade sneered, walking towards Link. Link blinked rapidly, attempting to clear his vision. The shadow lunged, Link barely managed to avoid the blow, the sword cutting through his tunic. In response he replaced his blade in its scabbard and through out a kick, his boot slamming into his double's forehead. Link reached into his pouch, removing a small, clear crystal containing a forever burning flame. He took it and slammed it into the floor, a large bubble of fire erupting around him, throwing his opponent away and into a wall. He hit it with a sickening crack. Link took the chance to run over to the stairs and fly over them, stepping 3 at a time. He landed harshly on the platform and sprinted over to Saria, collapsed on the floor. Link fell to his knees, cradling the small girl in his arms.
"Saria..." he choked, tears staining his cheeks.
"Please," Link pulled her closer, hugging his friend.
"Link?" A small voice escaped from the girl, her eyes barely open. She reached a hand up and placed it lightly against his cheek.
"You always were a baby." She whispered, hardly audible. Link forced a smile upon his face, tears still spilling from him.
"Hey, take care of Zelda?" She asked, her eyelids drooping.
"Of course." Link answered, never breaking eye contact.
"Good." Saria gasped, her hand dropping from Link's face and falling to the ground beside her, the joyous, friendly light he had known for all his life fading from her eyes. Link slowly and carefully placed her body on the cold stone, rising and turning to his shadow standing at the top of the stairs, holding his blade up in a silent challenge. Link glared at him.
"If looks could kill," The shadow taunted, but before he could finish an arrow was imbedded in his chest, inches from his heart. He looked down at the wooden shaft, black blood soaking it.
"Jerk." He said, looking back up at Link, who already had replaced the bow with a sword and shield in his hands. Link rushed him, both spinning and slashing at any opening they could get in each other's defenses.
"Do you forget?" The shadow grunted, blocking a slash.
"As your anger grows, so does my strength!" He pressed his blade against Link's, the hero sliding back.
"Strength," Link responded, drawing a small dagger and imbedding it into the shade's wrist, disarming him and taking the sword. Link then drew back and impaled both light and dark blades into the chest of his double.
"Not skill." He finished before kicking the stunned evil down the stairs, removing his own blade but leaving the dark sword planted in the heart of its owner. Dark rolled down the stairs, many sickening cracks sounding from his downed body. Link flicked his blade to his side, black blood flying off onto the cold floor. He replaced his own sword to it's scabbard, before returning to Saria.
"I'm sorry." He breathed, dropping his head. He collapsed to his knees, bringing her body to his chest and clutching her tightly.
"I promised I'd protect you and I failed." Link choked, tears again spilling from his eyes.
"And I'm sorry"
-----------------------------------
Several hours passed before Link finally placed Saria back on the stone floor, his tears long dried up. He stood and said a final goodbye before turning back and walking to the stairs. He stopped atop them and instead acquired his ocarina, pulling it to his lips and began playing a slow, ominous tune. As he played, a purple light surrounded him. He closed his eyes as it flowed brightly and opened them to find himself in Kakariko Graveyard. He fell off the raised grass platform, slowly passing through the quiet area, entering instead to Kakariko. He passed under the large sign, surveying the small village. To his left was the black, charred remains of Impa's home. Other then the destroyed house the town looked normal. He took a deep breath and began walking over to the well, sitting down on its edge.
"Hero?" A small voice came from behind him. Link turned and saw a small girl, barely six with red hair looking up at him with big, blue eyes.
"Hello." Link responded kindly, patting the stone beside him as an invitation. The child hesitantly made her way around the well, and hopped up onto the rock beside him, still looking up at him. Link returned the gaze, trying to hide his immense sadness.
"Are you okay, Mr. Hero?" The girl asked, sidling closer to him until she was pressed against his side.
Link hesitated, not wanting to scare the girl.
"You look sad."
"I-I just lost a friend." Link broke the girl's gaze, instead looking down at the ground.
"Oh." The girl too looked down to the ground, leaning against Link.
"Well, when I feel sad," the girl said, hopping off the well and taking Link's hand, pulling him up.
"I think about everything that makes me happy!" She exclaimed, pulling Link by his arm away from the well.
"Like grass!" She giggled, falling to the ground and rolling in the green, lush, grass.
"And pretty flowers!" The girl stood and plucked a small pink flower from the ground, holding it up to Link. He reached out to take it but she pulled back.
"Uh-uh." She grumbled, gesturing for him to kneel, which he complied. The girl reached up and placed the pink flower in Link's blonde, messy hair. Link smiled lightly before following the girl as she hurried off in another direction. He rounded a corner and saw her standing looking at another older girl.
"Shaylee! Where have you been! Your mother is looking for you!" The woman spoke, her voice was rough and stern, yet very soft to where Link could hardly hear though the pair were only a few feet away.
"I was with him!" Shaylee exclaimed, pointing up to Link. The woman looked up at Link, her eyes widening. Link's mouth dropped as he recognized the face.
"Zelda."
