Destined for Calamity (zelink)

Chapter 34

Rest eluded Link that night, despite the profound exhaustion that weighed heavily upon him. The haunting echoes of the recent battle reverberated through his mind, each scene a painful reminder of his defeat. There was no solace in explanation, no comfort in rationalization. He had failed her again, and the realization clung to him like a specter, whispering reminders of his inadequacies.

Truthfully, Link's disappointment in himself originated from a grievous wound inflicted during the intense battle. The blademaster's vicious strike found its mark with alarming precision, the weapon thrusting deeply into Link's lower stomach. Undeniably weakened, his adversary was granted an advantage, an opportune moment to seize the incapacitated hero, rendering him in a position of utmost vulnerability. Despite Link's valiant attempts to break free by slicing through his foe, the blademaster's grip remained unyielding, an inexplicable resilience that puzzled him. It was more than skill; it was as if the soldier possessed an unnatural vitality, an inhuman tenacity that defied reason. His contemplations delved further into the unsettling aftermath of the battle, particularly the haunting manner in which the blademaster seemed to dissolve once its leader met his demise. Link couldn't help but sense that this mysterious occurrence held a deeper significance, a revelation that had eluded him in the heat of combat.

The notion that the soldier might be tied to the life force of its leader took root in Link's troubled mind. The pawn under its command, mere extensions of the master's technique, mirrored this symbiotic connection. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed plausible to him. The revelation struck him with the clarity of hindsight, a realization that gnawed at his conscience. The simplicity of the solution now seemed glaringly obvious – to defeat the blademaster, one had to sever its link to the leader. The soldier, mere manifestation of its master's skill, was a shadow doomed to dissipate once its anchor vanished. Regret twisted in Link's gut as he berated himself for not grasping this fundamental truth sooner. It was a strategic oversight, an oversight that might have cost them the battle.

He was soon brought back to reality when he shifted his position, wincing at the shooting pain from his abdomen. In his usual resilience, Link expected the wound to mend itself, as countless others had in the past. Yet, this time, he would realize it was different—something insidious had leaked from the blade, its sickening effect defying the natural healing properties of his body. It wasn't long before an overbearing headache installed itself, Link's mind gradually becoming distorted and unfocused.

Resting his head against the wall, trying to ignore the pain, Link's gaze fell on Zelda, his tired eyes tracing the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each tranquil breath. The moonlight bathed her in an ethereal glow, her face turned to the side, her neck exposed and vulnerable. She looked so innocent, so gentle... No. She was actually so strong, so powerful... so suspicious. Confusion set in, clouding Link's thoughts as he questioned the authenticity of the person lying next to him. How could she suddenly summon such high energy, one she was unaware of, one that demanded such great control. What was her purpose...? To kill. To kill him? As he observed her, his thoughts became incoherent, a noxious sensation infiltrating Link's consciousness. The harmful poison within him seemed to seep through his very essence, clouding his mind with a growing darkness that mirrored the infection slowly spreading within him. Voices echoed in his mind, his internal dialogue intensifying, the words 'kill' incessantly repeating, yelling, ringing. Link grappled with an unsettling truth; she had fooled him, deceived him.

In this altered state, his vision blurred, darkening his surroundings, and his mind started to become delirious. A sense of unreality settled in, and he quickly understood that his current suffering mingled with the familiar turmoil from the nightmares that visited him each night. His physical pain kept him awake, which allowed the visions to manifest as he remained in this state of near unconsciousness, casting complete chaos over his once indomitable spirit.