The story of a Shadow: chap 5

The Story of a Shadow

Chapter V

Farewells and melodramatics

Dark rested his head back against the grave stone. One knee was drawn up against his chest and the other one stretched across the dirt. Both his hands lay exhausted at his side. He closed his eyes and listened as the poes in the grave yard shifted restlessly in their graves. They didn’t bother him, and he knew why. The goddesses had not completely changed him in to a Hylian. He was still the waist of that accursed Hero. He was still just a shadow, only with Hylian strength and weaknesses.

How could he have been so stupid? He wondered. Thinking that he could have had a shred of moral decency. How foolish. He belonged in the Shadow realm. There was no place for him here. Malon would never love him now, not after what he did.

Dark got up and walked around to stretch his legs. The sun was falling fast and it was starting to get a little chilly. He had left his shirt and cap at the ranch, he had no rupees to buy anything, and after eating so well for so long his stomach was not used to no food. Dark decided to go up the mountain, that was just outside of the village. Maybe he would find some food there

Suddenly Dark found himself pushed up against the side of the wall, his back hurt from being forced so hard to it. A sword was at his throat and he looked up to see that Link was the wielder of the weapon. His fairy companion was hovering next to him, and by the look of it neither of them seemed to happy.

“I told you to stay away from her!” He roared

“But, but you knew.” whimpered Dark

“But I never thought you to do something so low, so sick!” He spat, the sword getting ever nearer to Dark’s throat.

“I only do what you’re capable of!” He retorted and Link frowned even more. (If that was possible)

“You said you’re not my shadow anymore so this is all you, Dark.” Dark said nothing but relaxed a little, his eyes grew dark and unemotional.

“Then just do it already, Hero. I’m sick of living.”

Link drew his sword away from the dark boy but kept it in his hand. “I don’t have time for your melodramatics, Shadow. I’m only doing my duty in protecting a friend. Unfortunately, the code stats that I can’t kill you without a fair trial.”

“Then why don’t I just leave?” Suggested Dark. Link looked at Navi and Dark, confused. Navi glared at Malon’s attacker. “I don’t trust him, Link. I say we take him back to the prison.” Link nodded and held out a rope. “Come on, Dark. Do as you’re told for once.” Dark, seeing no point in resisting, obeyed the knight and held out his arms.

Once again, Dark found himself sitting in a jail cell, only this time it was colder. It stank like sewer and rats scampered here and there. Dark touched his neck where Link had held his sword and noticed blood was dripping from it. He wondered why he had not felt it. Then he heard the main door to the cells creek open and then slam shut. When he saw it was Malon he immediately stood up.

“Malon-” He began, and didn’t remember that his feet were locked to the walls. He tripped and landed on his arms that were bound together by the rope, He winced in pain and could feel the stinging in his arms. Dark heard the sound of laughing but knew it wasn’t Malon. It was Navi. Dark struggled to lift himself up, and could only get as far as sitting. He could not look at Malon. Instead, he looked at the hard stone floor.

“Malon wishes to speak with you, before your trial.” Said a voice that was Links. He heard footsteps back away from the cell, then Malon began to speak.

“I just wanted to know why.” Her voice was meek and Dark could tell she was on the verge of tears. He looked up slightly at the girl, his face cold but not hard.

“Because it’s all I know.” Then he looked back at the ground. He heard the sobs coming from Malon and felt Link walk up again and he knew he was comforting her.

“Your trial begins at sunrise.” Link said as he walked away with Malon rapped in his arms.

The trial the next day was no ordinary trial. It was mostly just Zelda and Link warning Dark to never come back, and Navi trying to kick him.

“And don’t ever some back!” Hissed the fairy as she buzzed around Dark’s head. He swatted at her and missed and the fairy flew into Link’s cap.

“It’s to bad, Dark,” Said Zelda “You had a lot of promise.” Her eyes where sad and Dark couldn’t help but want to beg for forgiveness. But he would not. He would leave with the shred of dignity he had left. So instead of begging he looked at the princess and smirked.

“Sorry, princess. That’s just not my style.” Then he turned around and walked in the direction of the Gerudo valley.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Link?” Asked the princess when Dark was far enough away that he could not here them.

“No, but if what he said before is true, he only has eight days left to live.”