Remember When...(Link x Reader)

|| Chapter 54 || Into His Mind

Edited 06.13.23

"Link...We're good on draining his magic. I need to try reaching his mind...Now..."

Before he can respond, you grab his arm and, in a blink of an eye, the two of you are ducking behind a large pile of rubble, completely hidden away from Cody's line of sight. Glancing over the top of the pile, you can see him already furiously searching for you on the other side of the room. You've bought yourselves some time, but it won't be much. Even if this is a big area, you doubt it'll take him long to locate you which means you'll have to work quickly.

"He's putting less focus on guarding his mind right now - I can feel it. If I want any chance of reaching him telepathically, this would be the time to do it. I can attempt the spell from right here first, but I'd have better results by finding an opening to get physical contact with him; that would strengthen the spell. If I manage to succeed, I'll be able to enter his inner thoughts and hopefully calm him down that way -"

"- And if you don't succeed?" You meet Link's worried eyes. He hesitates before shaking his head, "Look, I'm not doubting you - I don't want to doubt you because I know you know your stuff and you're clearly talented with magic - at least I think so any ways - it's just...I need to know you won't get hurt doing this. Y-You don't sound convinced yourself and if something were to go wrong and I can't get to you in time I'd never be able to -"

He's cut off by Cody's roars which cause you both to flinch. After checking to ensure you're both still in the clear, you sigh heavily, sitting down with your back rested against the broken rock and your eyes closed.

"Link," You breathe his name in something close to another sigh, "...I'm just gonna be honest with you...I don't know if I can do this...I haven't used a spell like this since before the Calamity and that isn't just a problem because I'm 'out of practice' or anything - I mean, that's part of it, but...You remember how I said magic draws energy from its user, right? A single sorcerer can only use so much magic before they start to wear themselves out?

"The thing is, our energy is increased when around our own people. It's like...sharing the burden and thus lightening each other's load. That's why our magic came so easily and was so powerful before the Calamity. There were so many of us in Hyrule, I barely felt the toll of using my magic even with more complicated spells, at least in comparison to what it feels like now. It's just Cody and I and there's something off about his magic right now, I...I don't know how to lean on it. I'm alone..."

You bow your head and curl your knees to your chest sadly. Link quietly kneels beside you while the room echoes with the sound of Cody tearing rubble apart across the way from you both. Ignoring that fear for now, he places a hand on your shoulder as a silent argument to your words - a way of saying that you aren't alone. He knows it's not the same and doesn't necessarily help you here given the fact that he's just a simple Hylian, but he can still offer you his support even if it's just moral.

You don't look at him, however you tilt your head in his direction, placing your hand over his, "...Frankly, I have no idea if I can do this. I've never tried to pull it off without any help, but I have to try. There's - There's something wrong with Cody. I refuse to believe that's my brother. Every sorcerer has unique magic, sure, but his feels nothing like it did before the Calamity. Originally I dismissed it as being possible to change, however after witnessing him lose control like that, I'm not so sure that's the case. I need to find out what's actually going on. I need to help him."

Link nods distantly, checking over the rubble to see that your enemy is growing closer. He'll likely find you both any moment now. Letting his hand linger on your shoulder for a few seconds longer, Link meets your eyes with his best smile, not caring how forced it might look, "I can get you an opening if you promise to be as careful as you can. If the spell doesn't work, then you have to get out of there, okay? No pushing your luck."