The Twilight Princess

Ten

Aria slowly opened her eyes. She got up. Silence and darkness was all that was near. She heard whispers. Her knees locked. She felt light-headed. She looked around, unconscious. She was still in the labyrinth. Some kind of eerie cold air pinched her cheeks. There was just something off about this atmosphere. But she couldn't tell what it was.

"Greetings," called out a ghostly voice. Aria nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw the transparent little girl from behind her. She opened her mouth, terrified, but no words came out. "Don't be afraid," the voice said, somewhat soothingly. Aria was silent, and just stood there staring. "You can call me A. You're Aria, right?" Aria nodded hesitantly, unsure what to do.

"Your friend, she, she, was looking for you....." Her voice drifted off. She looked around. Aria suddenly felt at ease again. "Zoey!" She shouted with relief. "Thank goodness she's okay! But, wait, how did you know—

She looked up, but A wasn't there. She had mysteriously vanished. Aria kicked a pebble on the floor as she followed the light at the end.

Aria peered around the corner of the opening. She eyed the throne room, affiliated with Zeru. The Twilight Princess was hard to miss. She stood in the middle, arms raised up, cackling. She wore a long, silky spiked dress with a long train in the back.

Her raven black hair was pulled into a half bun half ponytail, a few strands of hair in the front oozing down. On her head was a shiny silver headpiece. Engraved in the center was a black jewel. Around her neck she wore a necklace with the same jewel attached.

Aria tried to lean in a little to eavesdrop on their conversation, but was careful not to be seen. "Oh when I'm through with that little pest, it will be the last thing she ever saw!" The princess cackled. "Why, that'll teach these citizens who not to mess with." A Zeru slowly approached her from behind. "Madam—

"Not now." The Zeru scrunched his lips. "But madam—

"I said, NOT NOW!" Her majesty let out a lash of anger. She clenched her fists, then turned to face her minion. "Fine. What?" The Zeru gulped with nervousness. "It's the Falcon. He would like to see you now." The Twilight Princess, swallowed, trying to calm herself. "Very well." She stepped out of the room, her heels tapping against the stone floor.

Aria leaned back. Cold wind blew through, and she assumed a door had been opened. She wondered, who exactly was 'the Falcon?' Her eyes darted towards the open room. Only a few Zeru lingered. One paced back and forth, unsure what to do without his master. Aria frowned. She couldn't wait all night. She had to find Zoey. Before the Twilight Princess did.

Aria sneaked around the corner into the throne room. Step by step she walked, staying close to the wall, hugging onto it. Each step was taken with caution. A Zeru sneezed. Aria got to her feet, startled. The Zeru rubbed his nose. Luckily, he didn't notice her and the little gasp of surprise she had made.

Aria sighed with relief. She kept on making her way towards the door on the other end. The throne room doors slammed. Several Zeru entered, carrying someone all tied up. Aria's eyes lit up with fear. It was her older sister, Ro! "Ro!" Aria called out, not even thinking. She reached out her arm. Ro squirmed in her shackles, squealing. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

Before she knew it, Aria was face to face with the mistress of all evil. All the Zeru drew their swords from behind. "Poor child. Living in this big.....dark......world." Aria backed away. "Scared yet?" The Twilight Princess cackled. Aria pushed up her confidence. "I'm.....I'm......not afraid of you." She puffed up her chest, and looked the princess in the eye. Her Majesty burst out laughing. Aria scowled at her. "You're.....I'm.....I'm going to stop you. You won't get away with this."