Ghosts of the Past

by tir-synni

 

This fic is not related to my other Zelda games.  It's still a yaoi (boy/boy romance), so if you don't like that sort of thing, leave now and don't flame me.  Spoilers for Majora's Mask, so if you haven't finished the game and don't want the end spoiled, don't read this.

 

Prologue: Darkness Rising

 

      Sometimes...Link could still feel it.  On the edge of his memory, on the edge of his life.  A darkness slithering, threatening to drown him.  His title proclaimed him the legendary Hero of Time, a symbol of the Triforce's blessed light.  Like a shadow, the darkness crept over him, blackening the golden shine.  Its tendrils snaked through crevices never known to exist, exploiting all.

      Even his dreams provided no sanctuary.  The menace simply became more tangible, its mocking figure clear to one whom could never challenge it.  Previous victories meant nothing.  Legendary skill with a blade had no consequence in their deadly game.  Helplessness was a foreign concept, quickly becoming a familiar agony.  No stranger to silence, his secrets grew.

      Only once had his eyes seen the enemy's face, yet years later, the hated visage remained etched clearly in his memory, as vivid as any of his songs or spells.  Its cold, echoing laugh as familiar as his own, it resounded through his consciousness, hidden meanings behind every tone.  No humor lit the sound, only grim challenge.  Every chilling laugh meant another victory, more of his focus drifting to it.  With memories of love and tenderness, Link always forced it away, but it always came back.  A standoff, seemingly permanent, destined to remain until the wall separating them was shattered.

      Never once did that nightmare become imaginable.  The darkness a forbidden secret, locked away from friend and foe, it remained hidden.  Living his life, never once hinting at his dilemma, he fought his fight against evil and protected his beloved land.  His secret remained just that, barred like a prison and tossing away the key.

      He never imagined that one day, the key would be discovered.