There was a fell voice in the air. Everything went cold as she stood there, nearly frozen as a peculiar sensation prickled down her spine in the most discomforting way. It was an uneasiness she could not place, something she had not felt in a long while—but different. Turning around, and she was certain that the courtyards were warmer when she had stepped outside—
“—Who goes there?” Whirling around at the sound of a low voice, as if the shadows themselves had manifested into a form to trick her eyes in the dark gloom of shades that cast long figures upon the ground. Her senses were on edge, wary of an intruder, and how right she was. For in the gloom, the princess spotted two red eyes that gleamed in such a way that spoke of fathomless evil. Regretting she had not equipped her sword, though magick was as good as a weapon as the blade, the matriarch stood on guard as the figure approached.
And what twisted fate this was, as before her stood what appeared to be the hero, though he was different—much different from when she last saw him. Their time spent saying their goodbyes as Midna sealed her realm from the kingdom forever was forever burned into her mind, becoming something the princess would never forget. However, the appearance of the hero was not like what she saw now; garbed in black and with slate hair, the hero, or what must have been his antithesis, had made himself known and the princess felt even more so wearied than she had at the beginning of this night.
“How did you enter here? These are sacred grounds…” Oh, but she knew, for what gate was a match against shadows? Zelda knew, better than anyone that gates and stone walls were nothing to what shadows and nightmares could do—living embodiment of her greatest and deepest fears. “I know not of what you speak. Leave now!” She sorely wished she had her sword, but even steel against what was the opposite of one of the greatest warriors would be no match—and she had heard tales of a mimicking shadow that had once battled the Hero of Time in a sacred temple belonging to the proud Zoras.
Magick would then be her companion throughout the night, the beacon in the darkness that would keep this malevolent force at bay. Fear had been replaced with instinct, but it was still there, as a reminder that this new foe was not one to be taken lightly.
“Leave–?”
Oh, but he hadn’t even had the chance to make a proper introduction!
Feigning hurt, the shadow rose from the lowly bow that it had assumed previously, observing the taller woman through dark strands that had shifted to partially block his vision.
“Such harsh words are terribly unbecoming of a woman of your station. Why do you hold so much hostility towards that which you do not understand?"
Could she be blamed, though? Zelda was wise to react so negatively to his presence, for he was - by his very nature - only capable of ill intent… Or so most would assume.
Despite this, he made no move that could be considered threatening; his very existence already managed that much. The creature only offered a tilt of dark features as it’s attention drifted, now noting every little detail about their environment. This new world was utterly fascinating, something that Dark Link felt keen to explore… But not yet.
Not until he’d had his fun.
"I am no threat.” He falsely assured, sword drawn from it’s scabbard in one swift movement - but only to be tossed aside. “My purpose was to face the Hero of Time in battle, and him alone. Without his presence, I have little reason to pose a threat to you, or the inhabitants of this land.”
–But he was certainly bored enough to do so from sheer free will alone.
Perhaps if he could gain her trust, he’d be able to get close enough to cause some devastating damage. Carrying the Hero’s image - even one as hideously corrupted as his was - sometimes led others to believe that they were similar in other ways than just their physical appearance… And since it seemed as though he was trapped here, he would have plenty of time to act as such before he struck.
It was much better entertainment than staring at the same room for years on end, by any means.
