The Beast Within Zelda ch2

The Beast Within Zelda
ch 2: Facing reality
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I laid there in horror, looking deeply into those eyes which once kept me safe. Tears trickled down my furry cheek, while the crowd came in closer, waiting for the kill.

- "Link, it's me... don't you recognize it in my eyes?" I pleaded softly, knowing he wouldn't understand. I concluded that every time I spoke, I growled in feline language, because the younger women seemed terrified when I did so. Link widened his eyes, and pressed the sword to my skin...

Why, of a people did it have to be him? Dear goddesses, please help me... at least let him know about the false princess... at least let him know that...I....

- "Back up everyone." Link said. Most of the town folk were surprised. Word around the street is, Link is not a man of many words...

       He got a rope from a hook nearby and tied it around my neck. The town folk were confused, until they saw him start to leave with me. They got angry and blocked the way out.

- "Let me through." he said. The angry mob pointed spears at his direction.

- "Why should we?" said a man in his 50's, apparently their leader. Link sighed.

- "If this thing is as dangerous as the royal family says it is, than don't you think it might be even more dangerous if it's not disposed of properly? If you let me through, I will see that it is taken care of." he said sternly. The mob grumbled between themselves. Then, one by one, they left, returning to their regular lives, leaving me and Link with their leader.

- "If that thing escapes, and something bad happens, it'll be your head." the man said before leaving. Link sighed in relief, and walked me out of the town.

- "Well, that went well." he said, apparently to himself. We kept walking, into a forest.


~0~


     About 30 minutes into the walk, we stopped at a lake to rest. He tied me to a tree, and kneeled down in the lake to take a drink. I looked at him with envy. I'd been hours since I'd last eaten or drank anything. My mouth... er-well...snout, was dry. I got up which, by the way, took a lot of effort, and walked toward the lake.

Oh, I could just feel the water trickling down my throat. I thought. Right when I was sooo close to the water, the rope snagged me. Great, -I thought- now I'm gonna die of thirst instead... I surprised myself. Wow, I'm being so melodramatic... this is so unlike me...

      I laid down, just inches away from the cool, refreshing water, remembering a time when Link and I used to play in this very lake, splashing and swimming along it's clear banks. Back then, life wasn't as complicated. We were best friends worrying about which game to play next, or if our curfew was nearing. No restrictions, no responsibilities, no hormones... Just us against the world.

      Link looked back at me, and I wondered if I was whimpering. I MUST have been, because he came toward me to untie my 'leash'.

- "I'm sorry, -he said- I forgot about you." as soon as he released me, I ran forward two inches and lapped up water, for what seemed like hours. My now long tongue cupped the water, and instinct so natural to the mammal world, yet so foreign and alien to my human mind. But the relief I felt was so strong, it overpowered that unusual feeling so I kept on.

- "You like that don't you?" he asked, his features softening. I looked up at him, my eyes glistening with gratitude. He kneeled down, looking straight at me. I felt my heart skip. I'm not sure if in joy... or in fear. "You feel so familiar..." he said, slowly extending his hand toward me. Just inches away from my face, he pulled away. He stood up to get my rope. My heart felt heavy at his reaction. In the distance, I aver I heard him murmur something...

       We continued our journey to the unspecified place, my soul still woeful from all this turmoil. Why did that crazy woman do this to me? I thought. There has to be a real reason behind all of this... I don't buy that ridiculous excuse she gave me. I mean, of all the ludicrous things that has happened to my family, this has to be the most absurd! A witch? Come on! It's like the dark spirits aren't even trying! I chuckled.

     Link glanced at me for a moment and sighed. My heart wrenched at this. "Oh Link, why are you doing this to me?" I said, almost in a whisper. He gritted his teeth, clenching his hands in the process. The look of distress on him killed my very being. "Link?" I said pointlessly. He groaned loudly, which startled me.

- "Why can't I get her out of my head?! What's wrong with me??" he said covering his ears. After a short pause he composed himself and continued, dragging me along with him. Another 30 minutes or so passed, and we arrived at our destination. Link reached out to knock on the door.

     This place feels so familiar... I thought. It was a small cobble cottage, not unlike the ones in the towns around Hyrule. It had a small enclosed area in the back, plain and simple. It was next to a clearing, but most of the sides were surrounded by thick forest. It must be dangerous when evil lurks around our Sacred Land.  Other than the location, there was nothing really out of the ordinary...but...something about it...

     Suddenly, the door opened, a rotund man stepping out. His coal black hair was matched only by his large black mustache. His eyes were just like Link's; beautiful, blue and powerful.

I had never known a man's eye could be as stunning until I first got lost in Link's.

      How could a man's eye be so fierce, but just as warm and gentle all at once? It's beyond me... Well, they do say the eyes are the gateway to the soul... If that's the case, then it couldn't be more right! He's as fierce as wild cat, waiting patiently for you to turn your back. To let your guard down. But as docile as a giant. As warm as a wild fire. As mysterious as night. Would those pliable eyes cross you if you were to offend them?  .....

- "Link, my boy! It been ages since you've last visited me! Look how you left you dear old Alfon, son! I'm nearly ashes!" the man, I assume to be named Alfon said. He chortled loudly, pulling Link into a tight bear hug.

- "Uncle!" Link said. "It's great to see you" he said out of breath. His uncle let him go, plopping him to the ground. I didn't notice how tall he was, until I had Link to compare him to. Then I remembered.

    I used to come here all the time with Link! I remembered. Father once let me stay over here with Link to sleep, because it was late, and the roads to Hyrule are dangerous at night. It was the first and only time I did so, even if Link was one of his most trusted subjects... It was one of the most fun nights of my life! I thought with a smile.

  The only awkward part was when we woke up snuggled against each other... I thought with a small blush.

- "Uncle Alfon, I came to you in need of help." Link said, interrupting my train of thought. He turned to face me, and so did his uncle. I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

- "What in the name of Nayru is that?!" Alfon exclaimed. I backed up to the cabin wall.  Oh dear, please tell me Link isn't thinking what I think he's thinking... I swallowed.

- "That's what I need help with." he said. "I need you to hide it, and take care of it until I come back from paying a little visit to Hyrule Castle..." he said, his voice trailing of. I sighed in relief.

- "But isn't that thing dangerous?" he asked bewildered.

- "Well, when saved it from being executed all it did was cower, so I don't think you'll have a problem." Link said. Alfon's eyes widened..

- "How on Earth did you manage that!" he asked surprised.

- "Easy. All I said was that it'd be dangerous to try and dispose of it there, so I would lend them a hand and do it properly." he said smiling. "Of course, they never saw my real intentions." he said merrily.

- "If it was going to be executed by the town, I don't think it was for nothing Link. And what if they come looking for the beast? If they see it's alive it'll be both our heads." he said sternly. Link chuckled.

- "That's why I trust that you'll see that doesn't happen." Link said simply. His uncle sat down.

- "I still don't trust that thing." he said, slightly pouting. Link sighed at his stubbornness.

- "Uncle, your a swordsman for Farore's sake! If it attacks you than you'll have no choice than to defend yourself. But I really doubt you'll even need to. If it were so dangerous, it would have tried something while we traveled together don't you think?" Link said, his voice full of annoyance. His uncle stared at him reluctantly.

- "Why are you so pent up on protecting it?" he said suspiciously. Link dropped his gaze to the floor.

- "..."

- "Why?" he repeated. Link moved closer to his uncle and sighed.

- "Something a-about it... it reminds me of h-her" he said, trembling. Alfon gave him a comforting look, and placed a hand on Link's shoulder.

- "How does it?" he said gently. I'd rarely seen the man act so consoling in the time I've known him. This new 'soft side' to him was heart warming.

- "I-I.....don't really know" he said, closing his eyes for a moment. He opened them to look at me for a moment.

      I caught his gaze, becoming mesmerized in those deep blue orbs. I walked straight to him, stopping to sit right beside his feet, not taking my eyes of him for a second. He glanced at Alfon.

- "It's in its eyes." he said. "It h-has her eyes....even h-her scent... " the last part made him blush. I was baffled. Who in the world are you talking about Link?! I thought to myself. Then, I must have realized something. C-Could he mean me?....

       Link gathered all the needed supplies for the trip, including a gold pin I had graciously given him for all of his heroics. I suppose that's with what he'll pass through the castle with. He gave me a pat on the head before leaving.

- "Uncle, please stop worrying." I heard him say from the doorway. I perked up my ear, listening intently from the temporary bed Link had made for me. It was nothing more than a few sheets thrown on the floor, but the simple act spoke for itself.

- "Just.... be careful alright? See that your errand is  completed so we can discuss what to do with it" he said. I didn't like the way he said it at all. Slowly, I started panicking inside.

- "I already told you what I'm going to do, but thanks for your concern." he stated irritated. I could see Alfon made a hurt expression, causing Link to soften his. "I'm sorry" he said. "I just wish you'd trust me more." His uncle gave him a reassuring smile.

- "That's what fathers do." he stated. "Well at least, that's what I think they do." he said. They both laughed heartily.

- "Ah uncle... wish me good luck for my journey!" he said, his voice fading. I assumed he was starting to leave.

- "That, and much more my boy." he said softly to himself as he closed the door. My 'new body' had very keen and enhanced senses, one of them being earshot, which explained why I could hear him. But that wasn't the only thing I heard...

     I shot my head up and ran to the front window. I struggled to get on my hind legs, adjusting to movement, as I placed my forepaws on the frame of the window. I glared at the barely visible crowd moving toward us. Thank the Goddesses they hadn't bumped into Link. Or so I hope...

     I ran up to Alfon and meowed at him. Trying desperately to get his attention. After a few call's he finally noticed me.

- "What?" he said. "What is it!?" he said, sounding irritated. I lead him to the window, where he approached me with caution, and peered outside. He let out a gasp and frantically began to search for a place to hide me.


~0~


(Third person view)



Meanwhile, Link was walking toward Hyrule sword in hand. He was, of course, twirling it in his hand, a habit he had yet to break. The dirt road he traveled on was harsh, not that he minded. It helped distract him from his willful thoughts.

    The sun was harsh today, scorching his skin. Sweat trickled down his brow, plastering his blond hair to his forehead. Not that he minded that either. No, he was too busy daydreaming to notice.

"No, t-that would be wrong..." he said to himself, shaking away the idea. He had been arguing with himself for a while now. "But, I hope she understands. I know it was my fault too but..." he trailed off. He sheathed his sword and looked beyond the Hyrulean Fields, toward the Castle. "... Zelda" was all he said afterwards.


~0~



(Back to First person view)


There was a loud knocking sound coming from the door.

- "Open up!!! We know your hiding that beast!!" a voice said. Alfon had managed to hide me in a small, cramped closet. He threw some clothing over me and took out his sword, putting it close if the time came to use it. He let out a long breath, closing the closet door and preparing himself for what's to come.

- "You had better be worth this." was all he managed to say as he inched toward the door. The ruckus from outside was increasing.

- "Open up in the name of the Princess!!! If you don't concede we will be forced to take action!!!" another voice said. I watched Alfon from a small hole in the closet door as he composed himself, putting his hand on the locks. He opened them slowly, opening the door sluggishly to look at the crowd.

- "Yes?" he said lazily. "May I help you?" the royal knight frowned at his impertinence.

- "I've come here on an accuse of you housing a Dark creature and endangering the life of the royal family." the knight said. Alfon raised a brow.

- "I can't believe anyone would make such an outrageous accusation! Why would I house such a monster?" he said.

- "Well, several citizens have reported your nephew, saying that he took the beast into the forest claiming that he would get rid of it. But upon suspicious claims, we have been informed that it has instead taken residence here. Is the boy here?" the knight asked.

- "No. I have not a clue of what your saying. I haven't even seen him in year!. Where do people get such ridiculous ideas? I have no such beast, and I would appreciate it if you all left my home." he said, his voice ringing in annoyance.

- "Very well then, if you claim to have no such thing, then you wouldn't mind if we took a look around would you?" he said spitefully. Before Alfon got a chance to object, the room filled with knights, turning the place upside down. I couldn't breath. My heart pumped faster by the second.

no... please no... if they find me than..... it's over!! They'll kill Link and his uncle for sure!! Please Goddesses, help me! Protect your Hero from harm!! Let me escape this mess with at least their lives!!! I pleaded.

    Suddenly, the room felt stuffy and constricted. I gasped for air, feeling my lungs tighten inside me. My body started to ache, a sharp pain shooting up my spine into my brain. I felt dizzy, nauseous, desperate.

My paw started to glow, the Triforce gleaming yellow again.

- "What was that noise?" the royal knight said to the others. They stopped momentarily to listen.

- "What noise?" another knight asked. "I don't hear anything."

- "It came from over here" the royal knight said, inching closer to the closet door. The rest of them took out there spears, reading themselves. Alfon took a few steps back, taking his sword from where it rested. The royal knight reached out for the handle and yanked the door open.

"HALT!-" ...