Legend of Zelda: Divine Vessel

- XIV: Ruby of Din - Part I -

The tall room had only one door, beckoning for Link, Nova, and Midna to enter.  Instinctively, the imp cowered into Link's shadow.  Both Hylians had to pull on the door to get it to open, and were greeted with a gust of wind.

Inside, there appeared to be a never-ending, narrow hallway, yet it was decently lit.  The floor was covered in a thin, foggy haze, and the eerie red aura had disappeared.  Noticing the trio's hesitation, Halo spoke from Nova's blade.

"There are no monsters in this area, but I do sense an evil presence." She mentioned, clearly not satisfying either of their nerves.  They exchanged a look of assurance, and entered the strange hallway.

The heavy door swung shut behind them, and there was no turning back.  Ahead of them, Nova could barely see the silhouette of a person.  Out of curiosity, she approached the form.  She could vaguely make out the golden strands of hair falling over the person's shoulders.

"Zelda!" Nova exclaimed excitedly.  "I thought you wou -" Her words were cut off when the woman turned with an angry expression on her usually gentle face.

"Get away from me!" Zelda yelled angrily.  The brunette was taken aback, she had never been treated this way by her.  "You are a disgrace to our race." She spat bitterly.

"Zelda..." Nova covered her mouth in shock, her golden eyes full of terror.

"I thought you loved me like family! And then you tried to kill me!" The blonde seemed just as horrified as Nova.

"I didn't..." She unsuccessfully tried to defend herself.

"Don't you ever take one step into Hyrule again, and don't you even dare to approach me, spiteful wench." The Princess's words were filled with venom.  Nova stepped back as tears pricked her eyes.

"Nova!" Suddenly, Link yelled, shaking the girl's trembling shoulders.  "Look at her neck." He instructed, pointing to a small design imprinted on Zelda's neck.  It was a red symbol shaped like a dragon, wrapping around the entire back of her neck and protruding into her hairline, suggesting it covered the entire back of her head.  "It's not really her." He said with assurance.

Nova blinked, comprehending the tattoo.  She then furrowed her brows in anger, addressing the false Zelda directly.

"I do love Zelda dearly, and I never tried to take her life.  And I know that she loves me as well." She stated.  "She is my sister, and you are not her!" She declared, and then pulled her blade from its sheath.  But before she could strike the falsified woman, she dissolved into the fog like an apparition.

And this is where the trio wished Halo could analyze their obstacles before they happened.

"The Ruby of Din represents Power not only of the physical state, but mental state as well.  The presence of evil has used that power to create apparitions personifying your deepest fears and worries, using those closest to your heart." Halo mentioned from the Divine Blade resting on Nova's hip.

"Thanks for mentioning that beforehand." The brunette rolled her golden eyes sarcastically.

"You are welcome, Vessel." She hadn't actually expected the dragon to respond to that, and they walked deeper into the temple.

Then, both Midna and Nova appeared before them, with their backs facing the real trio.  They seemed to be happily enjoying themselves, chatting about nonsense and giggling. But there was no apparition of Link.  Instead, the real Link reached his hand out to grab the false brunette by her shoulder, but was just short of reaching her.  He clenched his fists in defeat and tightened his jaw.