The Legend of Zelda:

The Gerudos arrived back at the fortress two hours later and the sun had already set. The desert, although flamingly hot in the day, had freezing, arctic temperatures during the night, and everyone was eager to get inside.

Dark Link had told Kat that he had some “business to attend to” elsewhere. She didn’t bother questioning him, she’d take any chance she had to be away from him. So, after taking her saber back to its stall, she headed into the fortress and poked around a bit until she found Rin in her room, Seth no where in sight.

Rin was sitting at her vanity trying to wrap a pink cloth around her arm. Kat could hear her quietly sobbing as she stepped into the room.

“Rin?”

The Hylian whirled around suddenly, eyes wide with fear. “Oh… Kat, it’s you.” Rin sighed in relief and turned back to her mirror. “Um… could you…?”

Kat stepped over to her knowing she needed help. “You’re going to need more then that, Rin. I’ll be back in a sec.”

Rin watched her disappear into the hallway, not feeling as safe now. She was glad to see that she was warming up to her finally. Seth had left without telling her where he was going and had left her to tie up her own arm. Most of the blood was dry by now, but it still hurt just as badly.

Kat reappeared in the doorway a few seconds later with a thick roll of gauze in her hand. She closed the door and sat on the edge of Rin’s bed.

“Come here and give me your arm.”

Rin eagerly sat down beside Kat and held her arm out. She saw Kat grimace and her nose wrinkled like Nabooru’s always did, but she figured it was best not to tell her that. Kat then unravelled the long brown cloth and started wrapped it around Rin’s arm carefully. Rin watched closely as it covered up her wound.

After a moment Kat looked up at Rin. “Where’s Seth?”

Rin continued to watch the cloth play around her arm. “I don’t know, he left without telling me where he was going.

“Hm.” That didn’t surprise her.

She quickly finished bandaging her arm and secured it tightly, just below her bracelet. “How’s that?”

Rin adjusted her arm, holding it out and bending it in all possible ways. She looked satisfied. “Perfect.”

Kat smiled. “Glad to hear.”

Kat looked around the room. Rin had added decorative touches all over the place; there was now pink curtains on the window, pink sheets on the bed, and doilies underneath everything on every surface.

“Wow…” Kat said, examining it still. “You really weren’t lying were you? …About your room, that is.”

Rin looked at her and then around the room. She laughed. “No, I wasn’t. It looks more welcoming, doesn‘t it?”

“Yes it does,” Kat said with a laugh. Then her smile faded back to her usual serious, stern face. Her smiles never lasted long. “How long has it been, anyway?” she asked, remembering when Rin had first arrived at the fortress.

Rin looked up in thought. “Almost… four months… maybe five?”

Kat raised a brow. “You’re right.” She bit her lip thoughtfully. Time had never seemed to pass so quickly before. It was funny; she’d known Rin for almost half a year, yet she still knew nothing about her. She didn’t seem to care anymore though; she no longer cared about the well-being of the Gerudos, especially Nabooru. Kat didn’t even care if Rin was planning on killing her, she was pretty sure she’d be happier dead, and in Hell.

In only a few months Nabooru would take over the rest of Hyrule, the Gorons atop Death Mountain and the Sheikah of Kakariko Village. The Gerudos would then begin building over it with villages of their own, making their population even larger over the years. They would then move to other lands outside of Hyrule and claim them, a massive revolution, making their presence gradually known and feared by all. Nabooru would go down in history alongside Ganondorf, which was the whole point of her plan.

Kat thought it was funny to think about if she’d be alive by the time they’d take over Hyrule, she didn’t know why, it was just amusing to her. Where would she stand by then if she was alive? The Gorons? The Sheikah? No chance, she was a Gerudo; there was no way they’d let her live amongst them. She couldn’t blame them. The Gerudos? Probably. She’d need a miracle otherwise, but she didn’t believe in that bullshit. And why should she? Look where faith had put her.

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes without a word. Kat had almost enjoyed having Rin around for the past while. Now she had Seth to look after her. Look after her. Yeah right. That was funny too. That’s what her life was: one big joke.

Rin looked at her Gerudo friend who was deep in thought. She had always thought of Kat as a friend, even if she didn’t return it; even if she accused her of things she really had nothing to do with, or thought she’d been lying about not remembering her past. She knew that had had naturally learned not to trust anyone. If the story about her parents was true, then she knew that the fact that she had to take orders from her aunt was getting to her. She was hallucinating and she just wanted an explanation for everything. She’d grown up learning that Hylians were horrible. Once Rin had shown up her brain naturally decided to make Rin the culprit of anything she didn’t understand.

Now however, Kat seemed to be warming up to her, she just didn’t want to admit it to herself. Rin wasn’t as stupid as she seemed; she could see how things really were behind the masks that people wear. Still, there was no convincing Kat that she was right.

Right now Rin thought Kat was acting differently, like she was finally realising that being violent and mad didn’t help most of the time. Kat even seemed to be calm and composed right now, when she knew who she’d have to spend the rest of her life with. It was strange; uncharacteristic. Maybe she was thinking she could get out of it somehow?

“I rather be dead then deal with this shit.”

No, Kat wouldn’t kill herself… Would she?

She frowned, still looking at Kat. She really had no idea if she would or not, but she didn’t think she would. She was stronger then she thought she was. Looking at her now Rin realised how beautiful Kat could be when she didn’t have that constant angry look to her face. Her hair looked nice when it was down, and it was longer too. Time really had flown by.

Kat quickly looked towards Rin, the sternness back to her face instantly. Rin turned away shyly.

“What’s that?”

The door to the room flew open and Seth stood there in the doorway. His hair was a complete mess and his clothes were ripped and tattered, bruises on his skin visible between the holes. His pale eyes met with Kat’s.

“What the hell are you doing in here?! Get out of here now!!” he roared.

Kat paused, then quickly rose and headed past him and into the hall, glancing back one last time at Rin.

The door slammed behind her and several locks clicked into place. The hallway was dark with only an occasional torch lighting it up slightly. A single guard passed by, briefly glancing down the hall before continuing on. It was unusually quiet, but Kat figured everyone was eager to begin “restoring” the population of the Gerudos. Well, at least Dark Link was still gone.

Kat slowly headed to her room, the next door over beside Rin’s. She looked inside; three candles were already lit around the room. The guards were in charge of keeping the fortress lit during the night, so that was odd.

Seeing nothing more out of place, she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She swivelled and clicked one of the locks into place.

“Trying to keep somebody out, Kat?”

Kat jumped and spun around, seeing Dark Link standing before her. He too looked as if he’d just gotten into a fight. One of his eyes was half closed and badly bruised, making him look even scarier then normally.

“Wouldn’t we rather go to my room in the top floor for a little more privacy…?” he slithered, stepping closer to her.

Kat stepped back, her back bumping into the door. “No. You can’t force me into anything.”

Dark Link bared his teeth, fangs digging into his own bottom lip. “You must do whatever I say!” His voice was louder now, demanding.

Kat raised her voice also. “You heard Nabooru! You chose the ring, not the bracelet! I am still my own person and I am not being forced to listen to you!” Kat was shocked at herself for standing up to him. She was just so tired of listening to Nabooru that she wasn’t going to accept having to listen to him too. Still, she glared back at him.

Dark Link’s pupils grew smaller. How he had wished to take the bracelet; how he had wished that that would’ve surprised Ganondorf. But he had been wrong again. He had met with Seth only a few minutes ago and they’d gotten into a fight about who was more worthy of being beside Ganondorf. Seth had won, and now he felt worse then ever. But now, there was no one there to judge him. His breathing became heavy.

Scared now, Kat dodged past him and into the open of the room, her hands ready at her sides.

He turned to face her, his red eyes seeming to flow in the candlelight. “You are still mine…”

Kat moved slowly to the opposite side of the bed. “That may be, but I am not your slave. I never trusted you from the beginning, you worthless piece of scum. You disgust me, I want nothing to do with you.”

Without warning Dark Link grabbed a glass vase from Kat’s dresser and held it in his hand at his side. Maybe now she’d shut up.

Kat obviously noticed this, but she was just getting angrier now. “What? Go ahead, throw it. Let everyone hear this riot you’re starting in here.” She managed to pull a clever smirk, although she was shaking inside. He could really hurt her if he wanted to. Her face was still puffy and purple from earlier.

Dark Link snarled and drew back his arm. Kat decided to go for the door. She leapt onto the bed and felt the vase whiz by her head. There was an ear-splitting smash right next to her head as it crashed against the headboard. She stopped, arms raised tensely in front of her face defensively. She closed her eyes, waiting for something to strike her.

There was nothing but silence and the pain never came. She lowered her arms and opened her eyes. Dark Link was still standing there looking at her, still angry, but he made no move.

Rin had been right about Kat; she was learning how anger wasn’t always a good thing.

Maybe now was her chance to calm him down, something she’d never even consider before a few months ago.

Kat relaxed herself and looked away from him. She sat back onto the bed and sighed, giving him a moment to hopefully take a breather.

Dark Link eased his breathing and he looked over at Kat. What was she doing? What was he doing? He suddenly didn’t want to harm her anymore. What was wrong with him?

Kat looked back at him. He looked very confused. Had she found his weak spot?

For the past fifteen years or so, Dark Link had always been in command alongside Ganondorf. But after being defeated by Link he was shunned by Ganondorf and he was forced to create Seth. He had never been beaten before; it was like he finally realised just how weak he was. He hated Link more then anyone else ever. He felt inferior, and now he felt like he had no reason to be harmful. Ganondorf now had his eyes set on Seth. The only question was, why exactly did he feel so concerned? Why did he actually question not hurting Kat? Even now, after realising how much this doesn’t make sense, he still had no intention of hurting her. Why had it felt wrong to throw the vase at her? Why? What was happening to him?

No, this was stupid. He was making himself out to look like a weakling. He had been fully dedicated to Ganondorf up to this point. He could still prove himself differently, better then Seth.

But... right now… no one was there, no one could see this. It was as if his actions only mattered in front of others, like Ganondorf, Seth and Nabooru. But here, it was like he was free in a way, no one could see him. He didn’t have to be so vicious for no reason at all here.
Was he worried about his reputation? Of course, but Kat was the only one here. He couldn’t force her into anything, he knew that from the moment he had picked the ring. He could just tell Seth that he had had a great time with Kat that night. He could tell him that even though she was not his slave, she still wanted to please him. That would piss him off for sure. Yes. He could still do it.

He left it at that, although questions still flooded his mind.

“So, what are you going to do?”

Dark Link’s eyes met with Kat’s. His heart skipped a beat. Was he in love? No!! Sure, he found Kat attractive, but he didn’t love her! How could he? He was from the Dark Realm, the evillest of places. His heart was as black and as cold as a piece of coal. He did not love her. He could not love her.

Kat raised a brow at him.

Dark Link's eyes shifted back to her. “Come with me.”

--------

The Spirit Temple… Down the hall, dazed, dreamy, into the central chamber… Turn, up the right staircase, through the door, the door which she couldn’t get through before… Down another hall, left, another hall, a dead end… Faint chanting coming from behind the wall… Then it was gone, the wall was gone, and down the stairs went, into the darkness… Forever it seemed, they drifted down, further and further… The chanting was louder now as the darkness grew thicker… Down, down, down, until finally they stopped… And there she was, in the darkness… The chanting...

“Mori’ka nahé rule… P’ru irä Drusilia…”

Kat shot up, quickly glancing around the room.

She was in Dark Link’s room. She looked over and he was lying on the other side of the bed, sleeping silently, chest rising gently as he breathed.

Her bearings gathered, her thoughts went back to the dream before she forgot it. The chanting… her mother’s name was in the chanting. Drusilia. But she could not understand the language being spoken. What was down there? Her mother? If they were chanting her name then that means that she must have been the sage… But what…? What the hell was down there? She’d have to find out, she wouldn’t be able to live if she didn’t. She trusted her dreams.

The only problem was that no one was permitted to go out there without Nabooru’s permission. And what was with that glowing knob? Did something not want her to find something? Or was it simply trying to keep her there? Would it be there again if she were to go back? Who was responsible for it?

Dark Link stirred slightly beside her. Kat quickly laid back down and turned away from him.

She felt the bed shift and then he stopped, snoring lightly.

The good thing was that he hadn’t done anything to her that night. One of the rules was that all couples had to share a bed, but thankfully nothing else happened. He’d actually been quite nice for him, and had just simply let her go to sleep. She was a light sleeper, so if he’d tried to pull anything while she was asleep she definitely would have known. She thought it was weird for him to have been so nice, but she could not complain. As long as he was like this she may actually be able to stand it.

Kat laid there for the rest of the night, not gaining a single wink of sleep. She’d get to the temple somehow, with Nabooru’s permission or without.

--------

“Rin? You there?”

Kat felt awkward knocking on Rin’s door when she knew Seth was in there, but Nabooru hadn’t been specific on if she’d still have to train her or not. Frankly, Kat still did want to spend time with Rin. She’d kept her company time and time again. Kat could hear someone moving around inside and whispers, but no one came to the door.

She sighed deeply. Maybe her days with Rin were over. She hoped she was okay; things probably hadn’t gone that well for her last night.

Kat turned and headed down the hall and out into the grounds.

The sun was rising over the desert, blinding Kat as she walked outside. Today she was supposed to go on her rounds around the outside of the Valley, making sure everything was where it should be. She was looking forward to taking Rin out. It was amusing to watch Rin on top of a saber as it would aggressively toss her about. Already she was beginning to miss her like she was gone forever, even though she knew she definitely was not.

Kat saw Dace emerge from one of the doors to the fortress nearby. She started towards him at a jog.

“Dace!”

She stopped in front of him, feeling like she hadn‘t seen him for weeks. “How… are you doing?” She decided to spare him the grief and not mention Shianne’s name.

He frowned. “Since when were you so nice?”

Kat laughed. It was probably the fact that Dark Link wasn’t as bad as she thought he was that put her in this mood. Yet still, she was upset for Rin and what she had to deal with with that bracelet on her arm. That dream had set her off too, but she still felt fairly good today, a rare thing for her.

“I just, well, you saw what happened to Rin… at the ceremony… and I know you were starting to care for her…”

“You’re fucking right I care for her! You don’t have to remind me what shit she’s going to have to go through with that bastard! Do you think I’m happy?! How am I doing?! Not fucking good, that’s how I’m doing!! Fuck!!!” Dace roared and stormed back into the fortress.

Kat stood there for a moment. She’d never accepted being yelled at like that before, but it didn’t bother her now. She knew how he felt and he was obviously very upset. It was as if everyone else was getting it badly when she finally had a moment’s peace to herself. “Hm…”

She turned back to the grounds, the sun slightly higher now. It was time for her to go, she had no time to wait for Rin anymore.

Kat quickly got a saber from the stalls up the hill and slapped a saddle onto its back. She led it out of the stable and passed by the archery range’s hut. Two Gerudos were inside talking lazily. Kat accidentally overheard them as she led the saber past.

“Word’s in that the Shadow Sage was restored by the Hero of Time last night.”

Kat stopped, ears strained.

“Are you serious? How’d the dirty bugger manage to pull that off?”

“I don’t know, but we have nothing to worry about. It’s only a matter of time before he tries to come up here. But as long as Nabooru has the Spirit Medallion, he’ll never succeed in bringing Ganondorf down. If the Sage doesn’t want to give up the Medallion, they don’t have to. Plus, she’s got Ganondorf’s power beside hers, the power of the Triforce. No one can even come close to overpowering that.”

“Yeah, no kidding. It feels awesome knowing that no one can stop us.”

Kat rolled her eyes, mounted the saber professionally, and headed down the hill. She really wondered how Nabooru would take it if the Hero showed up here. She'd probably be stupid enough to take him in with us. She laughed out loud at the thought. Now that would be tragic.

Rin stood out like a soar thumb amongst the rest of the Gerudos, her blonde hair shining in the morning sun. She was facing away from her. Kat saw her immediately as she came down the hill.

“Rin!!” Kat called to her as she rode over eagerly.

She didn’t turn around. Kat stopped behind her. “Rin, I’ve been looking for you, I knocked on…”

Rin turned around, eyes drawn to the ground. She looked absolutely miserable, her face empty and emotionless. She said nothing.

“Oh my god, Rin!” Kat slid off the saber and placed her hands on Rin’s shoulders. “What did he do to you?!”

Still, her eyes stayed on the ground, saying nothing.

Kat bent down. “Rin, what did he do to you?” she said, her voice calm and slow.

Nothing.

“RIN!!” Kat yelled, really worrying now. She shook her shoulders. “What did he do?!”

Rin looked up at her. “Nothing… he didn’t do anything…” she said calmly.

Kat’s mouth was open in worry, her eyebrows slanted dangerously. “Rin…”

“RIN! Come on, we have to go.”

Kat looked in the direction of the voice. Seth stood there mockingly, holding out a finger, calling her over. “Rin, my dear, come.”

Rin slipped from Kat’s grasp and headed over to him without hesitation.

Seth took her under his arm, wrapping it around her back and clamping his hand on her shoulder. He turned and headed back into the fortress.

Kat watched her go gravely. Everyone seemed to be happy when she was not. When she was, everyone else suffered. Kat wasn’t normally superstitious, but she was starting to believe in bad luck; she was the bad luck.

Kat mounted the saber again and headed off silently into the Gerudo Valley.