Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a simple task. Just investigate the gloom seeping out from under the castle, maybe stop it if possible. That's it! That's all! Oh, of course it wouldn't be that simple.
_
"This is the Imprisoning War and the events that led up to it! Link! This is a huge discovery!" Zelda exclaimed, just itching to document this discovery with Purah's new invention. Almost dropping their only source of light in the process, which Link thankfully took control of before that could occur. "It's so easy to record. You point it and click" she babbled to herself before her eyes fell on the remaining murals. "Oh, It looks like the rest of them are obscured…"
"I knew I should've pushed harder for a new bomb rune…" Link added as softly as ever before handing their torch back. He stared at the rubble for a few moments, contemplating what options they had. "If you want, I could climb up it to see if there's anything, not blocked by the rocks."
"No, it's alright" The princess replied, wanting neither her companion to get hurt, nor the ancient artwork he'd be climbing on damaged. "Maybe we'll find more answers further ahead. And if not, then perhaps you can try on the way back." to which Link simply nodded, then slowly walked towards the staircase at the end of the room, Zelda close behind.
Step after step, weathered walls turning to cave, the tunnel downwards seemed to have no end in sight. Left with only the crackle of fire, and the crunch of each other's footsteps, Zelda's mind continued to race. 'How did this area come to be forgotten? They show an important part of our history, do they not? There has to be something we're missing, isn't there?"
Yet all that answered her was the gloom, thickening slowly with every step.
'Perhaps I'm just overthinking things, I'm sure it'll be fine' Zelda thought, glancing over at her companion who had not said a word since leaving the murals for some form of comfort, yet Link too, seemed tense. Maybe even… scared? No, surely not. …Although…
It was just then that a new sight appeared before them. A large circular chamber, and in the center a spiral of light–otherworldly teal, fading to green–originating from what at first glance seemed like an altar seeping gloom.
"What is this place?" Zelda said, breaking the heavy silence. Link however continued to remain quiet, his eyes kept trained on the scene ahead, ready for any sign of trouble. And although appreciated, it didn't help the lump forming in her throat. "Let's…" She paused considering their options. "continue, but we must be extremely careful."
The pair skulked over the precarious stone path leading towards the center. The closer they came, the more the scene before them came into focus. What at first seemed like a mere altar, soon revealed itself as the shriveled form of a person, pinned by a disembodied arm. Yet they continued to inch closer, the feeling of dread coiling deep in their guts, as if they were goading fate with their mere presence. As they took their final steps towards the body, the hand holding it seemed to go limp, dropping to the floor alongside a bead-like object that clinked as it made its way to the side of Link's foot.
He crouched down to pick up the bead while keeping his stance, his eyes only leaving the body for a second. Yet even that was too long, as right when it was in his grasp.
"Link!" Zelda yelled, rushing over, arm outstretched. Link looked up, seeing a tendril of dark red gloom heading right towards him. Swiftly unsheathing the Master Sword, he swung the deflect it. Then, feeling the princess's fingers grab the same hand to pull him away right before–
Searing pain shot up Zelda's arm as it was engulfed in gloom. She let out a scream, yet it sounded like it was from a mile away. She watched as Link swung once more, Master Sword shattering into pieces, and one piece nicking the mummy's cheek in the process.
"Was that the Sword that Seals the Darkness? It seems what I believed was true, that sword could never protect you against my full power." The still-living corpse said in a guttural whisper as it stood up and leered at them. "Link… And you at his side, are Zelda."
Link shifted backwards, grabbing the princess by the wrist, ready to escape with her at any moment. The mummy scoffed at the display, raising its arms up and unleashing another wave of gloom towards the roof. Quakes rocked the entire chamber. Debris fell, and the ground began to give way. Link sprinted towards the exit, hoping to whatever divine being crossed his mind, Hylia, The Lord of the Mountain, The Three Dragons, Anyone, to make sure they'd get out of this ok. Only for the ground to fall away right below them hurdling both into the void below.
Various things strewn in the air as the two locked eyes one last time.
The Master Sword, The Purah Pad, even their trusty torch, falling in a disordered array alongside them.
Then just as suddenly, Link was gone. Disappearing in a flash of light.
Zelda stared in disbelief as tears began to well up in her eyes. Yet that was short lived, as she soon felt a different hand reach for hers, pulling her up into a flash of light of her own, blinding her.
After that, all she could sense was the distant sound of water drops, as she slowly opened her eyes once again.
…
Zelda slowly scanned the room she found herself in as she tried to make sense of her unfamiliar surroundings. The floor seemed to have the same design as that in the chamber they found but she didn't remember it being this small, nor there being tree roots spreading from the ceiling that lined the walls.
Still lying on the ground she let out a sigh and instinctively brought her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. She had been through far too much today and honestly she didn't want to deal with whatever this was right now, but life refused to give her a break it seems as she caught a glimpse of her arm: Black in color, covered in unknown jewelry, and in desperate need of a nail trim for practicality's sake.
Then on top of that the arm started to glow.
"Ah, Zelda. Finally, you wake." Said a strangely formal disembodied voice "I've heard quite a bit about you from Link."
W-what…? W-who are you? Where are you? And how do you know Link??" Zelda replied in a frenzy, yet the voice continued on.
"Your wounds were severe. I am relieved to see you escape death. Your arm however was beyond saving. I had to replace it lest the injury endanger you further."
"Please, answer my questions!" Zelda pleaded, but her arm simply stopped glowing, and the voice was gone. She wanted to scream, but opted for controlled breaths instead. Who knows what was waiting for her outside this room, she couldn't risk anything.
After a few moments, the princess rationalized that she was as calm as she was going to be in this situation and finally stood up, surveying the room one last time before her eyes landed on a familiar looking hilt which pulsed almost apologetically as she made her way towards it.
"It seems like both of us have seen better days." Zelda mused, picking up the sword and giving it a once over to inspect the damage on the blade, before shifting to address the sword proper. "I know you prefer to be used by your master alone, but I fear I may need your help. Will you lend me your aid?" To which she received a firm pulse in agreement. Zelda smiled, "Then I will not waste your generosity." and stepped towards the vine-covered exit, ready to swing.