Twilight Princess: The Guardian Saga: Twilight Falls

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

((A/N: So, to clear this up beforehand… I started this the day I returned to school from Christmas holidays, feeling the urge to write an LoZ fanfic, something I haven’t done before. This will be the first of what I hope will be a series of fanfics in the “Guardian Saga” as I call it. While it does start a bit before the events of Twilight Princess and focuses on my characters during the events of the game, this isn’t an exact novelization of the game. I cut down the size I write on paper from six pages per chapter to four in an effort to make it smaller and more readable for people who don’t want to sit through very long chapters. Comments and critiques are needed greatly on here, so I would appreciate anything.))

Chapter 1: The Children of a Royal Knight

The sun shined down warmly overhead on the courtyard of Hyrule Castle, a gentle breeze flowing through the towering spires on the beautiful spring day. The clashing of metal against metal filled the air, the source being two young men sparring against each other. Off to the side stood another young man with a girl in her early teens, the two watching the fighters. All of them were Hylians, their ears pointed and elven-like, and them men were clad in the armor of Hylian knights without the helmets. Each of them carried their own, unique weapon compared to the typical lances used by most of the knights. The eldest brother carried a long, two-handed sword with silver edges while the flat of the blade was dark grey on both sides. Embedded in the hilt was a clear crystal that sparkled in the sunlight. The young man himself was tall and handsome, his brown-hair messy and unkempt, clear blue eyes carrying a focused look while he wore a smirk on his face. He was Cale, firstborn son of the commander of the Royal Knights and an accomplished swordsman.

The one he sparred against was heavier built and muscular, the strongest of the three sons. He had short black hair somewhat slicked back, his green eyes sparkling with humor even as he struggled to land a blow on the quick-footed Cale. The warrior was swinging an ornate gold-and-silver colored axe with a crystal embedded below the axe head with ease, despite the fact it was of considerable size. Rurik, the second oldest, was known for his considerable strength but rather short temper, as was evident by the fact he was starting to get just a little annoyed at his brother’s speed.

Of the two spectators, the youth with the somewhat long black hair was the older one, the third son of the commander. He observed the match intently with narrowed green eyes, leaning somewhat on his silver-colored lance, a crystal just below the spearhead. He was well known as a strategist in the kingdom, having developed battle strategies in war games beginning at the young age of fifteen. Each of the three brothers was a year apart in age, the oldest being twenty-three, and they were infamous throughout the kingdom as soon-to-be royal knights and incredible fighters.

The youngest there was a girl of fourteen, sitting cross-legged in the grass, bright-eyed and excited as she watched the two spar. A plain iron sword rested in her lap, the girl wearing a simple long-sleeved white shirt and brown cloth pants. Her beautiful sapphire eyes were filled with wonder and admiration for her brothers, brown hair with a few blonde streaks tied back behind her head. Despite her tomboyish appearance, Danielle was actually a noble and the youngest child of Commander Greil. The only problem was that she always skipped out on her nobility lessons, much to the ire of both her father and her teacher. She had a fascination with swords and battle and detested the proper manners and etiquette of the stiff upper class. Due to that, her reputation among the nobility had taken a major decline, most of them viewing her as a rebellious child. So, Danielle had no friends among the noble children, prompting her to spend even more time with her brothers.

Above them, on a balcony overlooking the courtyard, stood the twenty-four-year-old ruler of Hyrule herself, Princess Zelda. Sapphire blue eyes gazed down at the sparring Hylians, her long brown hair streaked heavily with blond, an ornate golden headdress on her forehead with a single blue crystal set in the middle. Gold, ornately-designed shoulder guards were connected across her chest by a golden “necklace” of sorts with a single red gem in the middle with three blue crystals on either side. The top part of her dress was amethyst in color, with the bottom part of it white and bearing the crest of the royal family on the front with intricate designs in light grey around the bottom. White gloves covered both hands completely all the way up to the shoulder guards, her hands gently gripping the banister. A faint smile was on her face even as she heard the slight clanking of armor behind her. “Milady,” a deep voice rumbling softly.

“Please rise, Commander,” she spoke, not even glancing back at him. He rose and joined her at the banister, leaning on it slightly as he stared down at his sons. Commander Greil was much taller than her at six feet, his bulky and powerful frame made even larger by his heavy navy blue and gold trimmer armor. His tan hair was cut somewhat close to his head, emerald eyes hardened from countless battles and the war ten years previously he had fought in. “I see your sons are as skilled as ever,” she commented.

“Yes… although my daughter is shirking her studies,” Greil murmured dryly, his eyes flickering down to the young girl. “She’s more interested in sword fighting than her duties as a noble.”

Zelda’s faint smile grew ever so slightly. Contrary to her protector, she enjoyed seeing the child pursuing something that truly interested her, although she did somewhat agree that Danielle shouldn’t completely avoid her lessons. “I understand your desire to protect your daughter from harm, Commander Greil, but you can’t always force your daughter to do what you wish for her to do. Even I am not fond of acting noble-like all the time.”

Greil’s eyes flickered somewhat, a frown appearing on his face. “I am aware of that, milady… but I do not want my only daughter placing herself in harm’s way.”

Closing her eyes, Zelda let out a soft sigh. “If she wishes to choose the path of a fighter, then she is undoubtedly aware of the dangers before her. That is what fighters are trained for. If you continue to try and force her away from that path, then you will do nothing more than push your own daughter away from you. Encourage her and guide her gently before it’s too late and you lose your daughter.”

Greil didn’t reply for several seconds, and the princess opened her eyes to see him shocked but contemplative of her words. Finally, his shoulders slumped. “I believe I understand… Thank you, Princess.” He placed his right fist on his heart, arm horizontal across his chest as he stepped back and bowed to her. “I must return to my duties. Farewell, milady.” He turned away, striding off without another word.

Zelda smiled faintly once more, continuing to observe the siblings with renewed interest. Cale had won his match against Rurik, leaving the axe wielder to take on Blaine. Her gaze drifted to Cale himself, the young Hylian leaning over his younger sister, placing her hands around the hilt to teach her different ways of holding the blade.

Following in the footsteps of her brothers… She will one day make a great swordswoman… but she will have to wade through a river of mud to get there.

The princess’s smile slowly faded now, her blue eyes locking onto Danielle. Looking at that young, smiling girl, she saw flickering images in her mind, snatches of the hardships she would endure that would strip her of her innocence. She frowned, closing her eyes as she pushed the premonitions to the back of her mind and turned away. She had her own duties to attend to, so she couldn’t continue to watch Greil’s children today. Zelda opened her eyes and looked back one last time, her expression one of sadness and concern. Sighing softly, the princess walked off, leaving to return to her duties.

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Danielle held the iron sword in two hands, standing in front of Cale in the defensive stance he had taught her, the sword right in front of her and held diagonally from her body. Even though her sword was smaller than those that the soldiers used, it was still heavy for someone of her small stature. Cale stood a few feet from her, the longsword Durandal gripped tightly in both hands. She nodded to her brother, who grinned and sprinted forward. As his blade came down vertically, Danielle brought the flat of her sword up to block. The clang of metal striking metal filled the courtyard, the jolt of the blow rattling the very bones in her arm.

“Bad move!” Cale shouted, stepping back and kicking up at the sword. Still hurting from the jolt, Danielle couldn’t even hold onto her blade, which flew high into the air before landing with a soft thud on the grass. In an instant, Durandal was placed to her neck, the steel cold against her warm flesh. Danielle stared down at the blade with wide eyes. In two strikes he had managed to disarm her. “You’re not all that strong and you tried to block my hit? With your small size, you need to focus more on dodging hits than blocking them.” He lowered his sword, Danielle relaxing somewhat now while panting for air, a light sheen of sweat on her face. “If you face an opponent larger than you, don’t try to risk everything by on attempting to block him.”

Danielle sighed softly, managing to catch her breath now as she nodded up at him, the cold steel against her neck vanishing as Cale pulled his blade away and sheathed it. “Okay, I’ll remember that next time.” She crouched down to pick up her sword, arms still feeling sore from exertion. While wiping the sweat from her forehead, she looked towards the setting sun that cast an orange hue on everything. It was getting late now, approaching time for dinner. “When I get older, I’m going to be better than even you, Cale!” Danielle spoke with a grin, turning her eyes towards her eldest brother.

He laughed heartily, blue eyes glinting with humor. “Is that so? Well, I’m looking forward to facing you on that day, then!”

Danielle smiled brightly at him as Rurik and Blaine joined them, Rurik patting his younger brother on the back with a slight grin on his face. Rurik had barely won his bout with Blaine, and he was definitely going to be bragging about his victory. All four of them headed for the wooden doors to the castle, Cale’s hand on his little sister’s head as they walked, the young man ruffling his sister’s hair a bit. “So, see you at dinner?” Danielle questioned, looking up at her brothers with that smile on her face even though it was an unnecessary question to ask. Of course she would see her brothers at dinner. They always sat together.

“Of course. See you in a bit!” Danielle nodded to her brothers, watching them as they headed down the hall to their quarters before proceeding in the opposite direction to her own chamber. Since her mother had died not long after she was born, she didn’t share a room with anyone once she had turned twelve. She used to sleep in her father’s room, but Danielle had grown tired of him constantly nagging her to take her nobility lessons seriously.

Pushing open the door to her room, her blue eyes flickered about it as she placed her sword point-down and leaning against her dresser. Her gaze now fell upon the portrait in the room as it often did, the young girl stepping towards it a bit to look up at it. Her father told her that it was a painting of the former queen of Hyrule, who had passed away due to the same sickness that had taken the lives of her mother and several others within the castle and market.

She was beautiful… Danielle thought, examining the features of the woman with long, brown hair streaked blond with gentle blue eyes. I can only imagine what she was like in real life… Father said she was such a kind and caring person, that everyone in the kingdom had loved her dearly and was shocked when she passed away so suddenly… The king died not long afterwards of a broken heart, and Princess Zelda took the throne at a young age…

Danielle sighed now, turning her gaze away as she focused now on changing for dinner. She cleaned her face with a damp rag, wiping most of the grime and sweat from her face and around her neck. As tomboyish as ever, she merely changed into a cleaner and not-so-tattered white shirt, despite the fact it would probably raise her father’s ire to see the young girl dressed so informally at dinner. In all honesty she despised wearing dresses, preferring something more comfortable.

She headed towards the door to her room, stopping to glance once more at the portrait of the queen hanging on her wall. Her gaze lingered on the queen’s face before she finally turned away, walking out of her room and heading for the dining hall.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 2: The Arrangement

Supper in the spacious dining hall was as normal as it was on any other evening. Rurik was boisterous and nosy as ever, laughing and drinking from his goblet while bragging to his fellow knights how he had finally managed to beat Blaine and would eventually best even Cale. Blaine and Cale ignored him as usual, instead turning their attention to Danielle. Cale was trying to do his best to explain different fighting strategies while Blaine amended them to take into account Danielle’s young age and inexperience.

As Cale sat back in his chair while discussing the best way to swiftly avoid and best attack a slow but powerful opponent, Danielle glanced past him to see their father, Greil, staring at her thoughtfully. She felt somewhat surprised, figuring that he would be looking irritated about her skipping her nobility lessons for nearly a week. Instead he seemed pensive, almost apologetic as his gaze met hers. Danielle paused for a second before tearing her gaze away, focusing instead on finishing her meal while pushing her wonderings about what her father was thinking to the back of her mind. Suddenly, as soon as she set her fork down, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, startling her. She looked down to see a slender, white-gloved hand there. To her right, Blaine had also seen the hand and glanced back, his expression changing from one of thoughtfulness to one of great surprise. Danielle slowly turned her head to the right to look over her shoulder, but she could only make out part of an elegant dress. Whoever was standing there was directly behind her. Blaine, who was able to see just who it was, stammered somewhat just loud enough for the other children to hear. “P-Princess Zelda?”

Upon hearing her name, Cale bolted upright in his chair, nearly losing his balance while Rurik choked on his drink, spewing it back into his goblet. “I have not interrupted anything important, have I?” the Princess questioned from behind Danielle as Cale shifted in his seat and Rurik wiped at his face with a white cloth. Blaine managed to compose himself the quickest, shaking his head while answering with a quiet no. “Good. If I may, I need to speak with your sister in private. I will send her up to her chamber afterwards.”

Cale looked at Danielle in confusion and curiosity, his gaze asking her if she knew what the princess wanted. She merely shook her head in reply. She hadn’t the slightest clue why the princess would wish to pull her away from dinner to speak with her in private.

Although I know she watched over me when I was little… and she still does somewhat now, I don’t even know what she wants, either. I’m that noble child everyone looks down upon, so why does Zelda, the ruler of Hyrule, continue to treat me like her closest friend?

Danielle rose from her chair slowly, still feeling Zelda’s hand upon her shoulder as the princess gripped it gently. The young girl’s eyes locked with those of her oldest brother, who nodded slightly to her even as he looked at her in confusion. Zelda now guided her out of the dining hall through a side door, walking down the hallway at a slow pace. The moonlight filtered in through the windows, softly illuminating the corridor and the paintings that hung on the walls, glinting off the suits of armor that stood there. The dull chatter of the castle residents in the hall slowly died away, the hallway falling silent with the exception of their soft footsteps on the carpet. Danielle didn’t speak up, the silence making her feel somewhat awkward as they walked on. As her gaze flickered up to the princess, Zelda guided her over to one of the windows, not looking at her or speaking. She just gazed out of the window, which Danielle was too short to be able to see much out of, staring at the moonlit towers in the distance.

When Zelda finally spoke, it was in a soft voice as she looked down at Danielle. “Your father has told me of you skipping your lessons. It is causing quite a bit of worry to him.”

Danielle couldn’t help but frown somewhat. Did Zelda really pull her aside just to talk about a matter like this? “He tries to force it on me and forbids me to learn how to fight with a sword. I want to be a fighter, not a noblewoman.”

“I’m aware of that. I agree that your father should not try to stop your training in something you have dedicated your heart to.” Danielle snapped her head up in surprise towards Zelda, but the princess continued to gaze out the window. “However, I cannot allow you to continue to shirk your nobility lessons. Once I speak with your father, you will take them under my direction.”

Danielle couldn’t help but stare at Zelda in utter shock while turning to face her slightly. “M-Milady… you? But you are the princess of the entire kingdom, and I’m just the rebellious noble child everyone looks down upon, a noble in the castle…”

“Yes, but you are a noble of the castle.” Zelda knelt down now so that she was face-to-face with Danielle, taking her gently by the shoulders and turning her to face the princess. Danielle hesitated, looking up into her eyes. She had such a kind and loving gaze, much like the portrait of her mother. It was no wonder that the people of Hyrule dearly loved their ruler, even if she had not yet taken the official position as queen yet. “Hyrule had prospered for so long because it is established on a society, and you and I are part of that society. We each have a role to play, no matter how much we may detest that role.”

“I… I understand,” Danielle murmured quietly, lowering her head somewhat as she continued. “But the other nobles despise me, want nothing to do with me because of how I act and what I am passionate about. That very society has turned me away.”

“The other nobles see only what is on the outside. In time, they will come to know and understand who you truly are inside.” She placed one of her gloved hands beneath Danielle’s chin, gently lifting up her head so that Danielle’s sapphire eyes met her own. “In times such as these, we must hold our heads highest. We must remain strong and persevere through the hardships that we face.” She smiled softly, placing her hand against the right side of Danielle’s face now. “You are a strong young girl, Danielle. Hold your head high and face your trials head-on. And as for why I would take interest in you and heading your nobility lessons… I do it because you and I are not all that different. When I was but a child, I was not fond of my princess lessons, but I endured them because being a princess was my duty. If I had abandoned them as you did your nobility lessons, the kingdom would have fallen into disorder and chaos when my father passed away. Your assignment as a noble is also important. After all, it takes many to keep the society together… but just one has the power to bring it all crashing down.”

Danielle mulled over Zelda’s words in her mind. Was her role as a noble really that important? Maybe the princess was right, though. Maybe it was time for her to try and at least take the lessons seriously, especially if Zelda herself had taken to being Danielle’s teacher just for her. “Mm…” Her eyes flickered as she nodded just slightly, Zelda’s smile widening. She stroked Danielle’s cheek gently, the glove soft against her skin before the princess pulled her hand away. Now she pulled out a small necklace, a circular medallion on it with the emblem of the Royal Family, the sacred Triforce above a soaring eagle, in the middle of the medallion. The emblem and outer rim of the medallion was pure gold, the rest consisting of silver. Unlatching the clasp, Zelda reached behind her neck and placed the necklace on her, the medallion cool against her skin. “Uh, Princess…” she murmured as she looked down at it. The necklace was beautiful, the work of a master craftsman, and yet for some reason it seemed familiar.

“This belonged to my mother, the queen of Hyrule. She gave it to me before she passed away, and it has been my most precious possession.” Zelda smiled once more, gazing at the necklace as she rested her gloved hand on it. “I wish for you to have it.”

Danielle stared at her in shock, her sapphire eyes growing wide. “But milady, this is yours! I can’t possibly take something that the queen had passed on to her only daughter, especially when it’s something of such importance to you!”

The princess took Danielle’s right hand with her own gloved hands as she slowly shook her head, still smiling. “I have watched you as you’ve grown and matured into a fine and strong-willed girl. I know how difficult in can be at this point in your life, when it sometimes feels as if the entire world is against you. Let this necklace be a constant reminder of what I have told you, and cherish it was much as I did. And please, do not refuse this gift that I have given you from the bottom of my heart.”

Danielle brought up her left hand to touch the medallion, feeling the hot sting of tears in her eyes brought on from the kindness Zelda had shown, but she fought back the urge to cry before the princess. “Milady… thank you,” she whispered. “How can I ever repay you for this though…?”

“You need not try to repay me, Danielle,” Zelda replied in a soft voice, rising to her feet now. “Come, I shall escort you to your room. By now, most everyone will have returned to their quarters, and I wish to discuss with you the arrangement of your lessons.” Lowering her hands, the princess motioned for her to follow as she traveled down the corridor, heading towards Danielle’s quarters in another section of the castle.

Danielle would meet Princess Zelda in one of the rooms typically used for meetings with her advisors and bring her training sword with her. For several hours she would have to study with pauses for whenever Zelda had to attend to her duties as a princess. This would be compensated by harder lessons and studying along with more time devoted to the lessons in general. Afterwards, if there was any time left during the day and her brothers weren’t busy, she would train with them in combat. It would be a rough schedule, but she had no other choice with the Princess of Hyrule heading the lessons.

Standing before the door of her room, Danielle reached her hand up and grasped the medallion around her neck. “Thank you, Princess,” Danielle murmured quietly, staring up at Zelda.

With a gentle smile, Zelda bowed her head slightly and opened the door to Danielle’s quarters. The teen entered in, a bit surprised when the Princess walked in after her. “Go ahead and prepare for bed. I wish to see this portrait of my mother.”

Danielle noticed her gazing up at the painting, deciding not to bother her as she took up her nightgown and walked behind the wooden partition in her chamber. When she stepped back out a few minutes later, her white nightgown reaching down to her ankles, she saw Zelda still gazing at the painting with a look of longing in her eyes. “Er, milady?”

Princess Zelda turned her head somewhat, smiling sadly. “Forgive me. I was lost in my memories.”

Danielle could see the shimmer of tears in her eyes before the princess turned away, starting for the door. “Princess, you miss her greatly, don’t you?” she questioned, even though she knew the answer to that just from the look that had been on Zelda’s face.

Zelda stopped, not looking back while lowering her head. “Yes, I do. Even though it’s been fourteen years, I still wish she was here.” She turned her head somewhat, looking at Danielle out of the corner of her eye. “And when I look at you… for some reason, I am reminded of her.”

Danielle hesitated, an expression of confusion and surprise crossing her face. She reminded Zelda of the former queen? She glanced up at the portrait, touching the necklace she wore around her neck. “Mm… I’m sorry, Prin—“ she stopped as she looked back towards Zelda, only to see that she had already slipped silently out of the room. Hand still on the necklace, Danielle stood there alone, the moonlight softly illuminating her room.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 3: First Lesson

The day seemed to wear on forever for Danielle as she endured her lessons under Zelda’s tutelage. Although nowhere near as boring and condescending as her former teacher, Zelda was strict as could be, scolding Danielle when her mind began to wander while she stared out the window and challenging her in her lessons to keep her mind sharp and focused, the lessons she learned remaining fresh in her mind.

The scratching of her writing on paper filled the silent room, her brow furrowed as she focused on what she wrote. The princess stood over her, reading what she wrote over her shoulder without expression. Apparently, Zelda didn’t care much about the fact that she was making Danielle anxious with her over-the-shoulder reading. If anything, the princess was probably finding this humorous as Danielle occasionally glanced at Zelda out of the corner of her eye.

“That’s enough,” Zelda spoke suddenly, startling Danielle and causing her to leave a black gash of ink across her paper. Danielle had no time to react before Zelda snatched up her work, her eyes scanning it intently. “Not bad, but you will need to improve. I don’t believe a random splotch of ink across a letter would impress a recipient.”

Danielle couldn’t help but cringe. Princess Zelda had pushed her so hard that she was getting tired of studying so much. “I doubt they would have to deal with a time limit and a person watching over their shoulder,” she muttered under her breath as Princess Zelda slowly walked to the front of the room.

“What was that?” Zelda questioned, making Danielle bolt upright in her seat. She had looked back at Danielle, one slender eyebrow raised. “Would you care to repeat what you said under your breath for me to hear?”

“N-No, milady… It was nothing.” She felt her heart pound in her chest, not keen on saying aloud what she had muttered. That would definitely end up giving her even more work, not to mention the princess wouldn’t be too happy about her words.

“As I thought.” Zelda stopped at a table at the front of the room, setting the paper down on the white cloth that covered the table. “Now, as I was about to say… despite your careless mistake, your mind is very sharp, although I noticed that you have quite the problem focusing and paying attention. Your mind wanders often.”

Danielle just sighed a bit, shaking her head. With how dull the lessons were to her, she couldn’t help but daydream about anything but her work. “Yes, milady. I’m well aware of that. My former teacher punished me often for it.”

“Hmph… punishing a child for having a curious and wandering mind…” She stood with her back to Danielle, lifting up the cloth on the table, messing with something that Danielle couldn’t see. “Take up your sword and join me. I wish to show you something.”

Danielle rose to her feet, the chair scraping the stone floor somewhat as she grabbed the hilt of her iron sword from where it rested on the table. As she went to join Zelda at the table, she couldn’t help but wonder once more why all the other tables in the room had been pushed against the wall, leaving a large space in the middle. Maybe it was a tactic designed to intimidate Danielle. If that was the case, then it was working. “What is it, Princess?”

Zelda lifted something up from the table, Danielle managing to catch a glint of metal before the princess was spinning to face Danielle, silver flashing in the sunlight. A sharp pain slashed across the right side of her cheek, Danielle stumbling back while shooting up her hand to grab at her cheek. Zelda stood there with a regal sword pointing towards her, the thin blade and polished, its ornately designed hilt gold in color. At its tip, a small bit of red dripped slowly to the ground. Danielle pulled her hand away from her face, her fingers stained slightly red from the cut on her cheek.

To say she was surprised was an understatement. There before her stood the monarch of Hyrule, the princess holding a royal blade mere centimeters from her face. The princess even wore a slight smirk on her face as a shocked expression crossed Danielle’s own. “Why so surprised?” Zelda questioned humorously. “Did you not expect a princess to know how to wield a blade?”

“Uh… er… in all honesty, not quite,” Danielle mumbled, feeling something trickling slowly down her cheek as she gripped her sword loosely, feeling numb with shock.

Chuckling somewhat, Zelda pulled her sword away and stepped back. “I can tell.” She stood up straight, her smile fading away into a more serious look. “I have decided to also take it upon myself to train you,” she spoke, lowering her sword to her side now. “I am skilled with a blade myself, and since your brothers are busy with their own training to become royal knights, I will train you in their place.”

Danielle blinked slowly, standing there without moving. The princess was going to train her? She had never even heard of Princess Zelda being a skilled fighter before, so she was she perhaps jesting about this? “Princess… you are not serious about this, are you?”

“I am very much serious,” Zelda replied without hesitation, her expression never once changing. “Now, since you are aware of my intentions, perhaps you should prepare yourself to fight instead of standing there looking dumbfounded, hm?”

Danielle snapped out of her dazed state as she saw Zelda raise the blade once more, the young teen gripping her sword with both hands and lifting it up. As soon as she did, Zelda rushed in with surprising agility despite her dress, blade darting towards Danielle’s right side. The teen moved quickly, bringing up her sword and placing her left hand against the flat of it to block the quick strike. The shock that jolted her arms wasn’t as bad as it could be, but before she could try to shove Zelda’s blade away, the princess slid past her. Sharp pain sliced through her back as Zelda’s sword cut shallowly into her skin, Danielle stumbling forward a bit. She went to turn and swing with her blade when a sharp blow to the back of her kneecaps sent her crashing to her knees, Zelda’s gloved arm wrapping around her forehead and pulling her head back as her sword went to Danielle’s throat. “I believe I have won this match,” she spoke, humor in her voice.

Danielle knelt there in stunned disbelief, amazed at Zelda’s superior skill. Everyone in the castle knew of Zelda’s tomboyish nature as she had grown up, and it would occasionally be displayed even know when she was older. But to be such an amazing swordswoman without anyone having the slightest clue? It was nearly unheard of for a princess to even take up a sword, let alone be so skilled with it. “Princess, you… how in the world did you…” Danielle couldn’t even form a coherent sentence right now in her still-stunned state, blue eyes wide.

She heard a slight chuckle from behind her as the blade was lowered and her head released, Danielle immediately rubbing at her neck to make sure it hadn’t been cut by the blade that had been pressed against it. Raising her head, she saw Zelda standing before her once more, the princess offering a gloved hand to her, a slight smile on her face. Danielle slowly reached up her own hand to take Zelda’s, the princess grasping it tightly before she was pulled up to her feet. “Didn’t expect me to know how to fight, hm?” she questioned, a glint of humor and amusement in her eyes. “The look on your face says it all.”

Danielle just shook her head, her sword still held down by her side. “Honestly? No, I didn’t, milady.” She stood up straight now, turning her sword to where its point rested on the floor, her hand loosely gripping the pommel. Taking a deep breath, she continued on. “You are even quicker than both Cale and Blaine, and from what I can tell about your skill from just that short spar, they may exceed even that of my oldest brother.”

“And, with time and training, you will be able to match me blow for blow,” Zelda spoke, lowering her sword to the same position as what Danielle’s was in, both of her hands atop the pommel. “Now, seeing as how that little fight is over, do you agree to be taught the ways of sword fighting under me? Seeing as how you are now willing to take your nobility lessons seriously, I have decided that this training is a proper reward for such behavior.” Before Danielle could answer, Zelda raised one slender finger and cut her off. “However, you must keep in mind that I will not hold back as your brothers do. I am aware of how young you are and the limitations you have, but if you are to become a skilled fighter at such an age, you must be pushed beyond those very limits. Are you still willing to carry through with this?” The question was asked in a somewhat challenging and taunting tone, Zelda smirking just slightly.

Danielle couldn’t help but take Zelda’s bait upon hearing the tone of her voice, her eyes narrowing as she nodded sharply, a focused look in her eyes. “Not meaning any disrespect, but I do not fear whatever difficult training you put me through, Princess.”

A slight smirk crossed the princess’s face at this, Zelda taking a step back to put some space between herself and her student. She raised her sword to point it once more at Danielle, her own sapphire blue eyes narrowing. “If that is what you truly believe… then come! Show me your determination.”

Danielle pulled up her sword, gripping the hilt with both hands and renewed strength, rushing forward as she jumped into the air, bringing her sword down at Zelda even as the princess brought up her blade to block. The real training had begun.

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Night had fallen as Danielle returned to her bedroom after a long day of both studying and training. She dropped her blade tip-first to the floor almost as soon as she stepped through the door, feeling thoroughly exhausted and eager to get some rest. During the entire time she had washed up and eaten dinner, she was struggling not to fall asleep. Princess Zelda hadn’t been lying when she said that the training would be difficult. She brought up a hand to touch the still-healing cut to her face, cringing somewhat at the slight stinging pain in both it and her back where Zelda had struck her during the first spar. In addition to those cuts, she felt incredibly sore in all of her muscles and could barely move, managing to reach her bed and collapsing forward onto it. Welts and bruises pretty much covered her body it felt like, throbbing in pain along with the stinging of her cuts. Now that she was lying on the bed, her body was at the point that it refused to move in the slightest.

She really wasn’t kidding about it being rough… and this was just the first lesson! By the end of the week I doubt I’m going to be able to move for an entire day at this rate!

She groaned slightly, forcing her body to move as she rolled over onto her back, bed sheets cool against her still-warm skin, hair just a bit damp and cooling the back of her neck a bit. The moon was somewhat visible in the distance, the night sky clear to reveal the stars that shone overhead.

These lessons are only going to get more difficult in time… but I refuse to give up. Although I despise the nobility lessons, I will endure them in order to be trained. I’m not going to let anything stand in my way of becoming a better fighter… and when I do get better, I’ll show father that I can handle myself just fine.

Danielle sighed softly, closing her eyes while resting her arm on her forehead, her thoughts beginning to drift as she grew too tired to focus on one particular thing. Yeah, she was tired from the long day and dreaded how she would feel come tomorrow, but she was also excited about her training. She had the princess herself supporting her desire to become a fighter, something even her father wouldn’t try to protest against.

Smiling faintly as she slowly began to doze off, she pictured the reaction that would be on her father’s face when she had grown and become better than even her brothers. She had no idea of what was to come…

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 4: The Fall of Hyrule Castle

Danielle had finished her lessons as fast as she could the next day, although her mind was continuously wandering while she worked. Finishing them in what seemed like record time to the young girl, she sat up straight and looked up towards her mentor, seeing Zelda smirking in satisfaction as if she had expected this sudden and unusual behavior from Danielle. “You seem more eager than usual to finish your studies today, despite the fact you have always complained about how much you despise these lessons,” Zelda commented, taking up the parchment she had been writing on. “Of course, I am sure the only reason you did so was to get to your sword training faster.”

Not even bothering to hide it, the young noble grinned and nodded. “I won’t deny that, Princess.” Zelda put aside the parchment once she was satisfied with what she read, motioning for Danielle to rise while taking up her royal blade from the table. She stood up from the chair, reaching for her own sword when Zelda’s smirk fell away and her head tilted just slightly to the side. Confused, Danielle was about to ask what was wrong when she heard shouting coming from the corridor. A knight suddenly burst through the door, startling her and causing her to jump a bit. “Ah…?”

“Princess! The castle is under attack!” the knight cried, Zelda’s eyes narrowing as soon as she heard these words. “These dark beasts have stormed the castle and overrun our defenses! We must get you to safety, milady!”

Zelda frowned, turning her gaze now to Danielle. There was worry and anxiety in her eyes as she wrapped her gloved hand tightly around her regal blade. “Danielle, remain here and hide,” she spoke calmly. “You should be safe here…” Turning around, the princess headed out of the door with the knight who had entered the room, the heavy wooden door shutting behind her.

Danielle stood in stunned silence, confused as she tried to make sense of what was going on. The castle was under attack? But by who? Who was strong enough to overwhelm the well-trained knights so quickly? And that knight had mentioned dark beasts, so did that mean mere monsters were coordinated enough to take the castle with such speed? Hesitating, Danielle now focused on listening to the sounds of battle outside the room while taking up her sword. The cries of pain from injured knights reached her ears, along with something else. It was a dark and inhuman sound that made her skin crawl.

Taking a step back from the door, Danielle raised her sword with both hands just as something slammed into the door with crushing force, rattling it in its frame. She cringed, something hitting the door again with even more force, the wood beginning to splinter and crack. With the third blow the door flew open, revealing a nightmarish beast stepping slowly through the doorway on its hands and feet. It was vaguely humanoid in shape, its skin dark grey with strange black patterns all across its body. Its hands were large with long, strong fingers, its body muscular with a strange magenta pattern on the front and back of its torso. Its head bore a flat headdress of sorts, no eyes visible behind it, long black tendrils extending from the back of the head-dressing while shorter ones hung down from below it. Despite lacking any visible eyes, the beast turned its head towards her, slowly approaching.

Fear held her heart in its icy grip, Danielle backing away until she hit the wall behind her, the young noble trembling so much that her sword’s blade quivered in her grip. It stopped just in front of her, tilting its head somewhat like it was examining her before one of its powerful hands shot forward with shocking speed, wrapping around her neck. Gasping, Danielle tried to pull the hand away as it slowly began to crush her throat, its head mere inches from her face. The beast peered at her intently, as if it was interested in watching her die, Danielle managing to raise her sword with her right hand while dizziness began to overcome her and her vision blurred. Baring her teeth, she drove the blade down at its neck, the tip piercing deep into its dark flesh. The beast let out an inhuman cry of pain as it released her and collapsed to the ground, Danielle falling back against the wall behind her as she rubbed at her throat with a trembling hand, her face pale. She had come so close to death at the hands of this inhuman monster, and it had scared her out of her wits. Taking a shaky breath, she nudged at its body somewhat with her shoe to see if it was really dead.

Without warning, the shadow beast’s body exploded into strange, square-shaped black particles that turned sharply a few times before vanishing into thin air, leaving no trace of the creature behind. Gasping and struggling to catch her breath, she stared in confusion at where the monster had fallen. Just what was that thing? A frown spread across her face, the young girl lifting her head to gaze at the broken-down door. It was no longer save in here, especially if more of those things were around the castle.

“They’ll be in the throne room,” she murmured, thoughts drifting to her family. “The rest of the castle is probably overrun by now. Father and the others will be making their stand there.” Her blue eyes flickered somewhat as she swallowed hard, that fear never letting up its grip on her heart. She wanted to run and hide, but she knew it would be pointless. There was nowhere in the castle that would be safe except for with her family, some of the best fighters in Hyrule. Getting to the throne room would be the problem. These beasts were powerful and terrifying, and the thought of running into more of them made her skin crawl. She had been lucky to kill the one that had attacked her, but if she had the misfortune to encounter another one that wasn’t so keen on watching her die…

Heart pounding painfully hard in her chest, the trembling young noble wrapped both hands tightly around her sword’s leather hilt, steeling herself for whatever awaited her on the path to the throne room as she stepped out into the darkened hallway.

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Greil held his massive greatsword by his side, wielding it with one hand despite its weight. The last few knights who had been able to reach the throne room stood in different spots within it, their weapons at the ready, determined to protect the princess they had sworn their lives to. His own sons were positioned close to him, Cale to his left and Rurik and Blaine to his right. Cale stood in his usual defensive stance, knees bent and longsword held horizontally with its hilt back near his head, eyes narrowed dangerously as he gazed at the entryway. Rurik wore a slight scowl on his face, axe resting on his right shoulder as he kept his body just slightly tensed up, a light sheen of sweat covering his face. Blaine, despite being the more relaxed-looking of the two with his lance held loosely in his right hand, was actually the most alert as ha also stared at the doorway, his expression one of focused thoughtfulness. A few of them, Greil himself included, had actually fought the strange “Shadow Beasts” that had invaded the castle and cut a swath through the knights with such inferior numbers. The rest had managed to rush to the throne room as soon as the alert was given that Princess Zelda had retreated there, avoiding the fighting for the most part.

My daughter is still somewhere down below, in the castle with those monsters overrunning everything… Goddesses, please… protect my daughter… I cannot bear to lose her, not when I cannot do a single thing to protect her…

His emerald eyes narrowed now, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. A dark cloud suddenly poured in through the entryway, Greil and his knights immediately preparing to fight as the Shadow Beasts charged in. The knights closer to the entry had no time to react to the sudden surge of enemies, the beasts slamming them aside with ease. Greil scowled as one leapt through the air at him, aiming to land on the commander, but he swung Exaccus through the air. The deadly sharp blade cleaved through its dark flesh, the beast crashing to the ground behind him. But even as he looked up, dread filled him upon seeing that most of the other knights had already fallen, the beasts holding several of the Hylians by their heads and necks. Quick glances to either side showed that his sons hadn’t been attacked yet, still holding their ground with a handful of knights.

Someone strode into the throne room flanked by two larger than normal Shadow Beasts, with silver head-dressings, strange black designs on them with two thin metal “horns” rising from the top, the tendrils present on the other monsters absent from these. The figure itself was very tall and clad in pitch-black robes with teal patterns covering it, the sleeves running down past its hands and hiding them. Across its chest and shoulders was curiously designed grey armor with a single crimson gem in the middle. The most disturbing feature of all was a tall metal helmet shaped in the likeness of some outlandish, terrifying demon. The figure was unarmed, striding down the carpet with a gait that expressed it was not intimidated by the knights.

Greil growled in anger, still determined to protect the princess at any cost. He brought up his sword and bent at the knees, preparing to charge even as the intruder stopped before them. With a roar, Greil rushed forward, just as a sphere of strange red energy and black particles formed in front of the figure’s chest. He was about to swing the greatsword and take the invader’s life with a single mighty blow when that energy shot forward in the form of a thin red beam, slamming into his chest and piercing through his armor. White hot pain sliced through his chest, the air rushing from his lungs while the mighty knight crashed to his knees at the figure’s feet with a clatter of metal hitting stone. He was barely aware of someone shouting his name, Exaccus slipping from his hand to the floor. Greil placed a gauntleted hand to his chest in a daze, pulling it away and seeing his black glove slick with blood.

Three knights rushed by him in a charge at the invader, everything around him seeming to move in slow motion. Even his mind seemed to work slower than usual, as it took him a second to realize it was his own sons making one last desperate charge. The figure didn’t even raise its hands again, dark energy slamming into his sons and sending them flying backwards, their weapons clattering to the floor as they fell still. Without even lifting a hand, the invader had defeated some of the strongest knights in Hyrule.

The figure turned its gaze towards Princess Zelda now, one of the Shadow Beasts by its side approaching the heavily injured Greil. He glared defiantly at it, each breath coming in ragged gasps, his face pale and blood covering his armor. The creature wrapped its hand around his entire skull, darkness filling his vision now. He couldn’t see anything, but he could hear that dark invader beginning to speak.

“It is time for you to choose: surrender or die.” The figure’s voice sounded strange and inhuman, distorted even further by the helmet it wore. Upon hearing these words, Greil felt his skin crawl, dizziness assaulting his senses from the loss of blood he had endured so far. “Oh yes, a question for all the land and people of Hyrule… Life? Or death!?”

As the figure spoke these words, the entire room fell deathly still. It seemed to him even the struggling knights had fallen silent. No one spoke a single word, and it was several seconds before a single sound rang out through the air: the clatter of a blade dropping to the floor. Princess Zelda had surrendered.

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Danielle ran up the winding steps to the tower, the stairs destroyed in several parts, revealing deep drops into the darkness below. Fallen guards littered the area at the top of the steps, evidence that a vicious battle had taken place here, a battle that the knights of Hyrule had lost despite their best efforts. Her stomach twisted into knots as she swallowed, trying to avoid looking at the fallen guards and making her way to the large door that was the exit outside. Upon stepping through, she found herself outside of the castle just below the throne room on the tower. Black smoke rose from the fires around the castle, the air unusually still, not a sound reaching her ears other than the fierce pounding of her heart. Her eyes flickered back over her shoulder to the top of the castle where the throne room resided, the young girl charging up the steps as she held her sword in a hand that had gone numb. She rushed into the throne room, only to skid to a halt on the red carpet with a gasp of surprise and fear. Several of the dark beasts filled the throne room, many of them holding struggling soldiers, ready to end their lives at a moment’s notice.

Among those captive soldiers was her father, his face hidden from sight by the massive black hand wrapped around his head. The blood on his armor glistened in the dim sunlight that filtered into the throne room, and she could see her brothers pinned to the ground beneath the monsters, their struggles to get free weak and futile. The fear that gripped her young heart was overcome by anger at the sight of her father and brothers injured and at the mercy of the Shadow Beasts. She had always looked up to them, thought them to be undefeatable in combat, and to see them like this made fury overcome her judgment. Not even thinking, Danielle ran forward towards the one who had to be the mastermind behind this whole invasion, the black-robed man with the evil-looking helmet, shooting him a furious glare as she raised her blade to strike.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 5: The Invasion of Twilight

Princess Zelda had hated being forced to surrender to the invaders, the action leaving bitterness in her heart. She couldn’t and she wouldn’t sacrifice the lives of her people just to defy this dark invader. Even if it meant Hyrule had to live under this evil man’s rule, at least her people would still be alive.

And a hero will be able to save us.

She wore a frown on her face as she gazed coolly at the helmeted figure, her frown deepening as she saw who had just entered the throne room seemingly unnoticed by the Shadow Beasts. Immediately she recognized the person who stood there, her heart skipping a beat within her chest.

No, Danielle! Don’t!

It was too late, as Danielle had rushed forward to attack robed man. One of the two large Shadow Beasts that served as his personal guard reacted quickly, its large hand wrapping around the back of her head before slamming her painfully hard into the ground, her momentum being added to the force of its shove. Zelda flinched inwardly as she heard Danielle’s scream of pain, sorrow tearing at her heart even as she tried to do her best to hide it. The man looked back somewhat, seeing Danielle there with her face pressed down against the stone floor. “So, one still tries to resist, even after Hyrule has surrendered? And a child no less?” the man questioned sinisterly. The Shadow Beast lifted Danielle’s head up slightly, revealing her terrified and pained expression as blood ran down her forehead and pale face. “Kill her.”

“No, stop!” Zelda cried as the creature began to crush her skull, Danielle’s screams filling the air once more. The man turned his head towards Zelda, the princess stepping forward. “Please, you are already victorious. Any more violence and bloodshed is unnecessary.”

The figure paused, that eerie mask sending shivers up her spine, but Zelda hid any expression of fear. “Hmph. Fine. I will spare this whelp from death. However…” The skies outside began to darken, an unnatural twilight beginning to fall across the land. “This one… and the four who tried to oppose me… I have a special fate in store for them.” The Shadow Beast now lifted Danielle from the floor with ease, the young girl trembling in fear.

Princess Zelda could only stand by and watch as the twilight entered the throne room. The knights that it touched became nothing more than spirits with the exception of Commander Greil and his children. As it reached her, she glanced to the sides and watched as the two knights who stood on either side of her also vanished and were transformed into spirits while Zelda herself remained normal. “Mm…”

The robed man raised his hands, which were out of sight beneath his long sleeves. As he did, the same energy he had used to attack Greil and his sons with began to crackle about their bodies, darkness forming along their armor and corrupting it, changing it into something else. The corrupted armor became black as pitch and cruel-looking, their skin paling considerably and their eyes dimming. When the Shadow Beasts released them, the knights rose to their feet with blank expressions. Greil turned to face Zelda, his injury and the damaged armor now recovered. This time she couldn’t help but flinch, realizing that the very magic this man had used to attack them with had corrupted their spirits and bent them to his will.

An icy hand gripped her heart as she now turned her gaze to Danielle, seeing the expression of pure terror upon her face. There was nothing she could do to help the terrified child as the man turned to face her. “And as for you… an ignorant child who dares try to face me… Let us see what kind of beast the Twilight will turn you into to serve me…” He raised a hand, placing it over her chest just as Zelda felt a powerful darkness coming from him.

Danielle cried out in pain, squirming within the Shadow Beast’s grip as her body began to change, her eyes shut tight. As Zelda watched, the young girl was twisted and transformed into a weak, frail-looking dragon. Her skin was replaced by scales that were dark and light grey in strange patterns, a curious mark upon her forehead. Small in size, her limbs were spindly compared to what one would expect when seeing a dragon. Her small wings were folded behind her back, her sapphire blue eyes opening for just a second before they rolled back in her skull, the transformed girl losing consciousness from the pain she endured.

“Pathetic,” the man muttered. “What a useless whelp, even now. Take the princess and lock her in one of the towers along with this useless beast. Make sure she is chained and unable to escape.” The Shadow Beast that held Danielle turned, beginning to leave the throne room, dragging her carelessly along the ground by her neck as another approached Zelda.

Forgive me, my people… for bringing this dark fate upon you.

--------------------------

Danielle awoke to a world of hurt, every part of her body pounding in pain, especially her head. She felt weak and groggy as she grunted, struggling to force open her heavy eyelids.

My body… why does it feel so different? Nothing feels right…

As she finally opened her eyes, she saw that everything was covered in a strange, somewhat golden light much like when the sun would set in the evening, but different. It was like an eternal twilight had fallen over the world, and it permeated even the inside of the room.

Danielle tried to rise to her feet now, but she was too weak to even stand, not to mention a metal shackle was around her neck, keeping her chained to a rough metal loop in the floor that had apparently been put in very recently. She went to grab at the chain, only to see a scaly claw on the metal instead of a human hand. She cried out in surprise, but heard something inhuman escaping from her mouth.

No… it can’t be...

Feeling numb now, she slowly raised both of her hands to examine them, seeing that they were now scale-covered claws instead of normal human hands. Danielle arched her neck now to look at the rest of her body, finding it more flexible than before, and saw the body of a dragon as her own. She opened her wings a bit and whipped her tail about, her eyes filled with both confusion and fear. Despite a body that was completely alien to her, every movement she made with her tail and wings felt like second nature to her.

What… what happened to me? Did that man with the helmet do this?

She shivered somewhat, lying down on the stone floor and curling up slightly as her eyes flickered about the room now. It was a bedroom, one at the top of one of the many castle towers if she remembered correctly, but she couldn’t tell exactly which one. It seemed like she was alone for now.

Father… Cale, Rurik, and Blaine… where are they at?

Danielle couldn’t help but whimper in fear as she laid there on the cold floor, shutting her eyes to try to get the image of the man with the evil-looking helmet out of her mind while fighting off the pounding headache that assaulted her injured forehead. She didn’t even want to touch the spot where the throbbing was the most intense for fear of making it worse. Despite being in a situation with so many unknowns and the grip of fear tight on her, the exhaustion and pain she felt overcame everything else. What seemed like only a few seconds of having her eyes closed ended up being even longer as she dozed off, her dreams filled with strange shadows that had no light to be created by.

“Danielle… Danielle… Danielle…” a familiar voice whispered, reaching her even in her heavy sleep. “Danielle, please… please wake up…”

Wincing, she felt a gloved hand resting gently on her forehead, a strange warmth flowing through her and easing the pain that she felt. The voice was comforting, but in her dazed state she couldn’t immediately recall its owner as she slowly forced open her eyes. A figure clad in a black robe with a purple section of it hiding her mouth and part of her nose was kneeling there, blue eyes peering out from the shadows of the cloak’s hood. “Danielle… you’re finally awake. I was worried.”

Danielle blinked slowly, looking up slightly at the person, a woman, as she took pulled her white-gloved hand away and took up a damp cloth. As soon as she removed her hand, the warmth in her body vanished and the dull pain in her head increased. The woman pressed the cloth gently to her forehead, pain shooting through it and causing her to flinch and try to pull back, but the woman used her other hand to hold Danielle’s head in place. “I know it hurts, but I must tend to the injury. The Shadow Beasts were not gentle in their treatment of you.”

Who is this…? I… I can’t remember the name… and my head hurts so much… what happened? I can remember charging at that man… but beyond that…

“You cannot remember who I am, Danielle? Perhaps they did slam your head into the ground harder than I thought.” Danielle’s eyes widened, her draconic face in an expression of surprise as she finally realized that it was Princess Zelda that she was trapped in the chamber with. Not only that, but somehow the princess had heard her thoughts. She tried to rise to her feet, only to collapse from pain and weakness. “Don’t move,” Zelda advised, placing her head once more on Danielle’s head, that strange warmth spreading through her. “I know you are wondering how I was aware of your thoughts… It is part of a sacred power I was chosen to bear. When Zant, that dark man who invaded the castle, brought the Twilight into this world, he used his forbidden magic to turn you and your family into beings touched by the Twilight, retaining your physical bodies instead of becoming spirits like the rest of our people.” She lifted her head somewhat, turning her gaze towards the window of the chamber, a look of sadness in her eyes.

Uh…? Sacred power? Twilight?

The princess shook her head slightly, continuing on now instead of answering Danielle’s questions. “Your father and brothers were clad in cursed dark armor, infused with Zant’s evil magic. They now serve Zant, following his every command as cruel, heartless soldiers. And you, Danielle… you were meant to be changed into a terrible beast by the Twilight, but Zant’s plans did not work out quite as he expected them to. Zant thus deemed you feeble and useless as a servant and imprisoned you here in this tower with me.”

Danielle listened silently now as she finished her explanation of what had happened, what seemed like a hundred questions running through her mind. How was she supposed to reverse this curse? Could her family be freed? Was there anyone who could stand up to Zant? She at least knew now why she was in this form. It had to be because she had tried to attack that man with the strange helmet, the one called Zant.

Zant, she thought, a hint of anger rising up within her. Now my family serves him…

Princess Zelda nodded her head slightly, taking up a wooden bowl filled with water. “While the situation may be hopeless, all is not lost.” She turned her head back to look at Danielle, removing her hand from her forehead and using it to lift her draconic head up. With her other hand she placed the bowl to Danielle’s mouth, allowing her to drink from it and wet her parched mouth while Zelda continued to speak. “A hero will come to free this land from the Twilight, I have seen it. A man who is blessed by the goddesses will soon come to lift the veil of Twilight from Hyrule and strike down the darkness. But there is something else I have seen… A vision concerning you.”

Danielle finished drinking the water, lifting her gaze to Zelda’s face as she grew both curious and confused. A vision about her? “I saw you carrying an ancient sword that has been passed down through the Royal Family, dark storm clouds rolling above you as four shadows swirl about you to engulf you. I cannot say the true meaning behind this vision, but this I know.” She closed her eyes, setting down the bowl. “That sword is the Champion Blade, one of the sacred treasures of this land. Legends say that long ago, the sword was blessed by the ancient sages and used to seal away six powerful demons who tore apart the land. The one who used it was an ancestor of the Royal Family, and as such, the blade was passed down through it. My father presented it to me before his death, and I have kept it safe since then.” As she opened her eyes once more, they locked with Danielle’s. “I know you are young and frightened, but you must escape from this castle. You must aid the chosen hero of the goddesses and restore light to Hyrule. The Champion Blade is still safe for now, and you will find it when the time is right. You will be the one to free Commander Greil and his sons from Zant’s dark magic.”

Me? But… My family has sworn to protect you, milady. I cannot just leave you. The thought of abandoning Zelda and leaving the princess alone in the castle with those creatures controlling it was something she did not even want to consider, even if she couldn’t do much to protect the princess in her current state.

She could tell Zelda smiled gently behind her cloak. “Danielle, please… for me.” What the princess did next completely caught Danielle off guard. Zelda wrapped both of her arms around the transformed young girl, embracing her. “I know you can be so much better. You were always a fighter, you were always tough, for as long as I’ve known you. It’s time for you to be free now, Danielle. No more nobility, no more castle… nothing holding you back. It’s just you and your dreams… You have to live for them. Make them into reality.”

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 6: Beginning of an Adventure

Zelda’s words hung in the air, Danielle trying to comprehend all of what the princess had just said. Before her waited that which she had always dreamed of: her own life without having to follow the rules of nobility and her father’s orders, a chance to do what she wanted and follow her dreams of becoming a fighter. But despite the fact that the chance of a lifetime awaited her, she was also intimidated by the unknown. Princess, I’m… I’m not sure about this. I mean, I don’t think I’m strong enough to do this. I am still learning to fight, so how do you expect me to do all this?

The princess smiled gently. “That is why I believe you are ready for this. You have long desired to become a fighter, and now is your chance, as I’m sure you are aware.” She let her arms slowly slide away and rose to her feet, gazing down at Danielle. “It is natural to be afraid with such a daunting task before you, but no one starts out on a journey completely prepared for every possible difficulty. Learning and becoming stronger to overcome challenges is part of growing up. Many now depend on you, Danielle. Hyrule needs your help if it is to be freed from darkness. Not only that, but you are the only one who can rescue your family now. You carry the power to do so inside of you, but it is up to you to unleash that power.”

Danielle’s eyes flickered as her words slowly sunk in, her uneasiness ebbing away. The only one who could save them? She loved her family dearly, and the thought of them relying on her filled her with determination to do all she could to help. If that is the case… then I will not let anything stop me. I will do everything possible to save both them and Hyrule. I have to. I can’t let that man control my family. But how will I get out of here…?

Princess Zelda smiled, nodding just slightly as she turned her gaze towards the door. “I know of someone who can help you with that. She may be unwilling at first, but I believe I can convince her.” Danielle lifted her head up, a curious expression on her face as she wondered who could possibly be the one who would help. But as she gazed at the princess, she saw a sorrowful expression in Zelda’s eyes. The princess turned her head slightly, meeting Danielle’s gaze with her own as she seemed to fight to hide the emotions that shone through her eyes. It was as if she fought to be as strong as she could for Danielle. “For now, rest. You must recover your strength before she arrives.” As she spoke, Danielle could still see the regret and worry in her eyes, as if something was gnawing at her heart, some deep sorrow. The princess quickly turned her gaze away, leaving Danielle staring at the back of her hood in confusion as Zelda stared once more out of the window. What was the princess hiding? Why did she carry such sorrow in her eyes?

Letting out a slight sigh now, she lowered her head to rest it on her folded forearms, the pain of the injury making her cringe once again. As she closed her eyes, she felt Zelda’s hand gently touching her forehead once again before sleep overcame her, Danielle slipping into a dreamless doze.

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“Midna, I have a favor to ask of you.”

Before Zelda stood a curious-looking wolf the same color as Danielle’s dragon form, its blue eyes unnatural but filled with kindness and determination. On its back rode an impish creature whose body was black and very light grey, wearing an unusual headdress that hid her entire forehead and covered her right eye, her left orangish-red and yellow in color. Her orange hair was tied back, her small arms covered in strange teal patterns. The imp gave a toothy grin, hopping into the air and floating in a sitting position. The princess had finished explaining to the wolf how the Twilight had fallen over her kingdom, and despite the fact that time was running short until the guard returned to make his rounds, she calmly continued on. “Heheh. The Twilight Princess asking a favor of little old me? I feel so honored!”

Zelda frowned slightly, but the expression wasn’t visible. “This child was transformed by Zant himself and imprisoned here when she did not become a strong enough beast.” She motioned to the still-sleeping Danielle, Midna turning her head sideways. “She is the one who the Champion Blade must be given to when she regains her human form.”

“This little dragon?” Midna floated over to her, peering down with a look of dissatisfaction on her face. “I see why Zant threw her in here. She really does look weak. Are you sure she’s the one you want that sword given to? I bet she can’t even protect herself!” the imp scoffed.

“Midna!” Zelda snapped, growing irritated, a rare occurrence from her. The imp raised her head towards Zelda, looking surprised that the princess had raised her voice, but the expression quickly faded. “She has lost her family to Zant. They now serve him as dark warriors carrying out his orders. They will hunt you down tirelessly until they find you. Danielle may appear weak, but she has a strong will. She is the only one with the power to free her family from the darkness. That is why I want you to get her out of the castle before it is too late and Zant figures out just what her power is.”

Zelda noticed Danielle beginning to stir as Midna hovered once more before the princess, the imp’s arms folded as she frowned slightly, a thoughtful look on her face. “As much as I hate having to babysit… I guess I could keep an eye on her until she returns to normal, but wolfie and I have some work to do. When she’s back to normal, don’t count on me protecting her anymore.” She turned her head slightly to the side, her eye locking onto the stirring Danielle. She grinned when she saw Danielle’s eyes beginning to open. “Looks like your little pet’s waking up, Princess.”

Nodding slightly, Zelda brushed past Midna and the wolf, glancing down at the blue-eyed beast for just a second before turning her attention to Danielle, speaking her name softly while crouching before her. Danielle’s eyes flickered open all the way now as she lifted her head just slightly, apparently still groggy. “It is time, Danielle. The one I told you about is here. She will help you escape from the castle and aid you in adapting to your new body.”

Danielle turned her gaze to Midna, the imp taking her seat on the wolf’s back once more. What… what is she? And what about you, Princess?

“That will take much time to explain, time we do not have. I myself must remain here. I cannot leave the castle.”

A confused expression crossed her draconic face while Midna just giggled in a child-like manner. “She’s Zant’s prisoner, you know. The only reason all those people still live is because he has her, the dear princess who chose Twilight over death.” She grinned, one sharp tooth exposed. “If she left, Zant would kill the people he holds in Twilight until she surrenders herself once more. I guess she feels like she owes something to the people she handed over to Zant. I wonder how many of them know she’s the reason all these monsters walk among them, tormenting them endlessly and—“

“Enough,” Zelda spoke, cutting Midna off while never taking her gaze from Danielle, who seemed even more confused by all of this. “But I will not deny the truth of her words. I cannot leave lest my people suffer even more for my actions. Already they live unaware of the fact they have passed on into spirit forms and fear a nameless evil. I cannot bring more misfortune upon them. You must escape quickly and work to defeat Zant before whatever dark plans he has next come to fruition.” She took Danielle’s claw between both of her hands, giving it a gentle squeeze before lifting her head to gaze up to Midna and the wolf. “Now, you must leave before the guard makes his rounds.” Lowering her hands, she rose to her feet and stepped back. “Midna?”

“Yeah, yeah. I got it.” She hopped to her feet on the wolf’s back as she held up her hands. Orange energy flickered into existence before the imp let loose her magic, a small blast slamming into the chain and shattering one of the links. Danielle rose unsteadily to her feet, still slightly weak but not as bad as before, bringing up one claw to touch the shackle around her neck, gaze drifting over to her new companions. “So, Danielle, huh? We don’t have all day, so let’s go.”

Danielle nodded, following Midna and the wolf as they exited through the door. She paused, looking back at Zelda, her sapphire eyes still filled with concern for her liege.

I will be fine, Danielle. Don’t worry. Wherever you are, I shall still be with you.

Zelda smiled gently, trying to encourage the transformed young girl. Finally, Danielle closed her eyes before looking forward, heading out of the room on all fours. The princess let out a soft sigh, turning to look out the window at the castle town.

“It is best she does not remain here… She needs to be as far away as possible to keep the Champion Blade out of Zant’s hands.” Zelda closed her eyes, lowering her head slightly as her thoughts drifted back to the vision she had told Danielle about. She couldn’t bring herself to mention all of the details of it, especially the look of pain and exhaustion that had been in her eyes and the grievous wound she had carried.

Be careful, Danielle… The kingdom cannot afford to have you and the sword in Zant’s grasp, lest the darker details of my premonition will come true.

--------------------------

Danielle soared over Hyrule Field, her wings flapping slowly as she flew towards Faron Province, torn between being irritated with Midna or being thankful. The imp had told her to fly alone to the woods while she “warped” the wolf to the Ordon Spring. At first Danielle thought her crazy for such a suggestion, since she had no idea how to even fly with this strange new body.

Turns out that she was right. This body may not be human, but my actions with it feel like second nature, even flying.

Her blue eyes flickered down to the ground, dark creatures roaming the field and occasionally glancing up at her as her shadow raced along the ground. So many times had she stared out across the lush green fields of Hyrule, and to see it now covered in the dark cloud of Twilight made her heart sink.

But it won’t stay like this forever. We’ll free Hyrule… and my family. I may not be the strongest out of my family, but… I won’t fail them. I won’t lose the ones I love forever to darkness.

The fields below gave way to dense trees now, a curtain of Twilight up ahead partitioning Ordon Province from the rest of the covered land. Danielle began to descend now, even as she heard a strange, mournful cry from somewhere within the province. Finding an opening in the dense trees was harder than she expected, but she finally found a spot and landed a bit roughly on the dirt path, folding her wings behind her.

The woods were completely silent, bathed in that eerie golden light. Not a single animal roamed about, but Danielle had the feeling something was hiding nearby, watching her every movement. No matter how hard she looked around, she couldn’t see anything.

Shaking her head, Danielle slowly delved deeper into the forest, the echo of her claws hitting the ground filling the silent air as she searched for her new allies. It was time to free Faron Woods from the Twilight.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 7: Twilight’s Curse

Danielle stalked forward slowly, crouched low to the ground, her blue eyes narrowed intently as she used her heightened senses to see the dark insect in front of her. It was the last Shadow Insect that carried one of the Tears of Light, the scattered power of the Spirit of Light Faron, which was essential in restoring the spirit and dispelling the veil of Twilight from Faron Province. She had worked alongside the wolf to track down each and every one of them, and this insect was the last to take out. She tensed up sharply before leaping forward to claw at it, only for it to try and dart away. That was when a dark shape shot in from the right, snatching the insect in its powerful jaws and shaking the creature viciously before tossing it aside, the insect’s body exploding into dark particles and releasing the Tear of Light within it. The wolf lifted his head, Midna holding onto his fur tightly with a slightly annoyed look on her face. “You know, you can be a bit more careful about that in the future. I nearly fell off! Considering you’re my servant, you should be more considerate of me.”

Danielle resisted the urge to roll her eyes as the blue light joined the others within the Vessel of Tears that the weakened Faron has bestowed upon the wolf. Suddenly, she felt lightweight and strange as bright light filled her vision, the two now standing before the spring of Faron. The Twilight had vanished from the land, everything once more back to normal as Midna hovered before them in a shadowy form. “Aww, but it was so nice here in the Twilight… What’s so great about a world of light, anyway?” She chuckled, grinning at them. “See you later!” Midna did a flip now, vanishing into the center of the spring as the stones behind it lit up with light blue patterns, a sphere of brilliant golden light rising into the air. A golden figure like that of a monkey appeared, wrapping its arms and legs around the sphere as its long tail circled it, reaching all the way behind its head.

Amazing… this is the light spirit’s true form!

“My name is Faron,” it spoke, its voice deep and sending shivers up her spine. “I am one of the spirits of light who dwell in Hyrule. I use the life force of the gods to protect this forest.” The spirit turned its head slightly towards Link now. “O brave youth… In the land covered in Twilight, where people roam as spirits, you were transformed into a blue-eyed beast… That was a sign… It was a sign that the powers of the chosen one rest within you… and that they are awakening. Look at your awakened form…”

Danielle looked towards the wolf, only to see a young man standing there next to her. He was clad in a forest green tunic over a long-sleeved white shirt and pants, brown leather gauntlets reaching up to his elbows while leaving his fingers exposed and brown leathers boots on his feet. He had blond hair mostly covered by a long peculiar green hat, but his blue eyes were the exact same ones as the wolf, a sword and wooden shield strapped to his back.

“The green tunic that is your garb once belonged to the ancient hero chosen by the gods… His power is yours. His is the true power that slept within you. Your name is Link. You are the hero chosen by the gods. Brave Link… A dark power rests in the temple deep within these woods. It is a forbidden power. Long, long ago, I and the other spirits of light locked it away. Because of its nature, it is a power that should never be touched by any who dwell in the light. But this world weeps beneath a mantle of shadows, and so there is no choice… You must match the power of the king of shadows. If you would seek this forbidden power, then proceed to the temple in the forest depths.”

A forbidden power, huh? Something so dangerous… and yet it’s the only way to be able to take on Zant.

Faron now turned its head towards Danielle, the still-transformed girl hesitating. “And you, o child of the great knight… You remain in your twisted state by the Twilight that has fallen over your home. But it is not merely the power of the king of shadows that has changed you into this. Surely, you have been charged by the gods to protect this land as well. You resisted the dark magic that turned your family into servants of the king of shadows and retained a physical body in the Twilight… A great burden rests on your shoulders, young one… Your brothers now scour the land for you and the Champion Blade to deliver to their new master. Even now, one approaches these woods… But you are still weak as you are now.” Suddenly, Danielle found herself floating in the air before the light spirit, her eyes widening in surprise.

Ah? What’s happening!? She thought frantically, looking around quickly as Link lifted his head and watched her in confusion.

“Do not fear, child… Deep within you is a sleeping power. With these desperate times, it must be awakened early.” A small sphere of light formed in the air before her, glowing softly. “We, the light spirits of the Hyrule proper, shall bestow upon you a portion of our power. Your body is young, and awakening what lies within you prematurely may take a great strain upon your body. Will you accept this?”

Danielle’s eyes flickered up to the light, tendrils of fear digging into her heart. But as her thoughts drifted to her family, that fear was slowly erased. She wanted to help her family, even if it meant taking risks that terrified her. She nodded slightly as Faron stared down into her eyes, the light brightening before shooting into Danielle’s chest, warmth spreading through her torso and into her heart. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before, strength filling her body. But at the same time, a white-hot pain ripped through her body, causing her to let out a slight cry of pain as Faron’s voice filled the air once more.

“For now, rest while this power becomes one with your body. You will be safe in this spring while the hero chosen by the gods seeks the dark power within the Forest Temple.”

Her eyelids felt heavy now as she looked down towards Link, seeing him nod and smile just a bit. Unable to fight back the drowsiness anymore, she gave in to it, her thoughts slipping away.

--------------------------

Now is the time, child… One of the Twilit Knights approaches. With him he carries two of the ancient sealed weapons of legends: the Blazing Sword, Durandal, and the Gale Bow, Mugre. Time is short, and I cannot explain the importance of these weapons to you, only that you must retrieve them. But be warned… if you should fall and be returned to Hyrule Castle, the Princess of Destiny will not be able to aid you, and the king of shadows’ newest plan will be one step closer to completion. You must not fail, child.

Danielle’s eyes jumped open and flickered about quickly, her body tensed and mind alert despite having just awoken. Faron’s words echoed in her mind as she took in her surroundings. She was lying just on the edge of the spring, its water gently lapping at her right claw. Rising to her feet, she leaned forward and stretched out, wings opening behind her slightly as she let out a slight yawn. Link was gone, which meant he was probably still in the Forest Temple.

Clank, clank, clank.

Danielle lifted her head, hearing the clatter of heavy armor filling the air. Immediately, she took cover behind one of the large trees near the spring, peering out from behind it as a black-armor figure entered the spring. Even with the cruel-looking armor and pale flesh, Danielle instantly recognized her oldest brother, Cale. He slowly looked around, empty eyes narrowed as he stepped into the water of the spring. “So, someone has restored you, Faron. I wonder who that could possibly be.” Sarcasm and coldness dripped in his voice like venom as darkness began to spread through the waters, Faron’s cry filling the air. “But that will not last long. And this time, no one will be able to restore your light…”

Without even hesitating, Danielle burst out from her hiding place and slammed into Cale, tackling the knight roughly to the ground. She growled somewhat, jumping backwards and baring her teeth while Cale rose once more to his feet, cold blue eyes locking with hers. “Well, if it isn’t my dear sister. You’re the one who managed to restore this spirit? I never would have thought you had it in you.” He smirked cruelly, standing up straight and pulling Durandal out of its scabbard at his side. He pointed the blade at her now, sliding into his usual defensive stance. “Come. Lord Zant wishes to see you. If you go peacefully, then I won’t be forced to hurt you, sister…”

No… He may look like Cale, but it is darkness that is there. Brother never had such a look in his eyes and he would never consider hurting me.

Telling herself this was the only way she could bring herself to fight the brother she loved so much. Danielle took a step back, growling again and causing Cale to narrow his eyes. “So, going to fight me, Danielle? You sure have grown some backbone in such a short amount of time.”

With a snarl, she rushed forward along the ground, watching as Cale lunged forward with the tip of his sword. She leapt into the air, using her momentum to grab him by his head and slam him backwards into the ground, managing to catch him off guard as he grunted in pain. Quickly, she jumped away and landed on the ground behind him, turning to watch as he slowly recovered.

No… I didn’t catch him off guard. He’s trying to avoid killing me.

Cale stretched his neck, a slight crack being heard before he lifted his head and glared at her. “A lot of backbone… So, what’s with the change? You were always a coward, sister, never able to stand up for yourself. How did you manage to escape? I don’t doubt you had help, but from who? Even that stubborn princess refused to tell us, no matter how hard we tried to force an answer from her lips.”

This touched a nerve in Danielle. They had tortured Princess Zelda for details of her escape? Snarling, she leapt forward once more with a flap of her wings, shooting by Cale’s side, her claws raking Cale’s breastplate and causing sparks to fly. She landed on the grass, claws digging into the soft ground as she snapped her head sideways, hearing Cale actually chuckling. “That is what I’m looking for.” He leaned his head back, laughing once more. “Show me the anger… of the animal you’ve become!”

Danielle narrowed her eyes as darkness began to cover her brother, his body completely back as he began to change. Slowly backing away, Danielle felt her anger fading fast upon seeing the massive beast before her. It stood on three stout and muscular legs that ended in sharp spikes of bone with two in front and one in the back. Its massive, powerful torso rose up from the middle of the three legs, slimmer in the middle and becoming bulky at the top. Its right arm ended in a dark, corrupted blade, three jagged spikes jutting from the back of the shoulder while its left was some sort of crossbow. Its head jutted forward from its torso, eyeless with a maw of jagged and deadly teeth. Its entire body seemed to be composed of magma and volcanic rock, lines of glowing orange spreading all across its body, especially its torso and sword.

“Behold, little sister… the true power given to me by Lord Zant. I am now Atroc, the blade of Zant!”

Danielle was still backing away, her blue eyes wide as she stared up at the abomination that had once been her brother. This was the great and terrifying power of Twilight? It brandished its wicked blade, tendrils of fear slipping through her body as she realized she was alone in facing this beast. Link was still at the Forest Temple, and Faron was weakened from having just recovered its light that had been stolen by the Shadow Beasts.

“Do not fear, Danielle. Darkness cannot overcome light.”

Zelda’s voice echoed in her mind as Danielle suddenly held her ground, the fear in her heart melting away at the sound of the princess’s strong and calm voice. She narrowed her eyes as she stared up at Atroc, remembering all the times she had spent training with her brothers to become stronger…

No more running, not anymore. I will not run away!

With a powerful roar that shook the very ground beneath her feet, Atroc raised its blade to the air. Danielle made her move, rushing forward with bared fangs, determined to bring down this dark abomination.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 8: A Brother’s Fury

Danielle flapped her wings, lifting into the air as Atroc’s blade passed right under her with enough force to rock her small body in its wake. Regardless, she struck at its face, claws raking against its stone flesh. Its left arm swiftly shot up, swatting her away and sending her crashing to the ground painfully hard. She shook her head, grunting and rising to her feet, catching sight of its raising its sword. But instead of striking her as she tried to get her bearings straight, it struck the ground with the tip of its sword, darkness shooting out in a wave towards her. Reacting quickly, she flew into the air and avoided the attack, now making the thrust her claw at its chest. She had missed striking at the rocky skin though, her claw sinking slightly into the magma. Pain seared across her claw, Danielle quickly flying backwards and favoring her right claw.

Its body is solid rock, and any part of it that isn’t is instead too dangerous to even touch. How can I even hurt this thing, let alone defeat it?

Atroc was now raising its left arm, aiming the crossbow at her. Baring her teeth, Danielle dove down, trying to zigzag through the air to throw off its aim. She knew she could only buy so much time this way, trying to think of what to do next. A bolt of darkness shot from the crossbow, Danielle just barely avoiding it, feeling a chill brush by her side. Another came at her, forcing her to abruptly pull up to avoid getting hit. But being so focused on avoiding the shots had made her take her attention off of Atroc’s sword, which was swinging up from below her. The blade nicked her chest, searing pain tearing across her chest before quickly being replaced by a cold unlike any other. It was as if ice was forming within her body where the blade had struck, Danielle floating back and clutching at the injury while inspecting it. The cut was shallow and not bleeding much, but the cold wasn’t fading.

That sword… that is definitely no normal sword. It barely even cut me, yet it feels like my entire chest is frozen from the inside.

“Never take your eyes off your enemy, sister!” Atroc’s rough voice suddenly shouted, making Danielle snap her head up just in time to see the bolt of pure darkness that was shooting at her. It slammed into her chest with enough force that she was sent flying backwards and crashing into the tree behind her, the air rushing from her lungs. The darkness from the bolt didn’t dissipate but instead wrapped around her, holding her in place like some sort of bonds. “I thought you may have improved somewhat, but I can see I was sorely mistaken.” Atroc stepped forward towards the spring once more. “This time, I will take Faron’s light and hold it myself, and you will be brought before Lord Zant. You put up a valiant, if pointless, fight.”

Danielle struggled against the bonds of darkness as Atroc took another step forward. That was when Twilight shot down from the sky, forming together to reveal Link standing there. At first he looked quite surprised to find himself standing before such a strange and powerful-looking monster, but he quickly recovered from his shock and drew his sword in his left hand and shield in his right. Just as Atroc looked down, seemingly surprised itself at his arrival, Link swung hard with his blade at one of the thick legs, sword cutting only slightly into the stone and causing sparks to fly. He jumped to the side to avoid getting kicked by the leg, Atroc growling as it now shifted its focus to the threat at hand.

“He cannot defeat it alone,” Zelda’s voice spoke. “Only the power of light that Faron has indwelt you with can free you and damage it. You must learn to control that power.”

How!? I don’t even know how to use that power, much less control it! Danielle growled, feeling helpless while fighting to free herself from the unbreakable bonds. She could only watch as Link struggled against Atroc, the hero unable to pierce through its rocky armor and resorting to avoiding most of its strikes. He looked worn out from his encounters in the temple, gasping heavily upon backflipping to avoid a dark bolt of energy. His shoulders sagged a bit as he gritted his teeth, trying to anticipate Atroc’s next move.

“That… is something you yourself must discover, Danielle. I cannot reach you how to use that which belongs to you alone.”

Frustration welled up within her as Danielle pulled hard at the cold bonds around her, but to no avail. She watched as Atroc attacked with a weeping blow that slammed into Link’s shield and flung him to the ground with a cry of pain. Atroc’s front right leg pinned the Hylian’s sword-wielding left arm to the ground, its massive blade now resting against his neck as it gloated in triumph. It was savoring its victory before it executed him.

What’s the point of having power… if I can’t even use it to save my friend!?!

Suddenly, the same feeling that had overcome her as Faron had indwelt her with its light filled her, warmth piercing through the cold darkness as she found herself dropping down to the water. She shook her head, confused and uncertain about what was going on. Had her power finally awakened?

“Gaaah!” Link cried out now, Atroc pressing the blade tip down against his chest, just over his heart. It was going to kill him slowly, but it hadn’t seemed to notice that Danielle had freed herself. Seeing him at the mercy of the abomination, Danielle pushed aside her surprise and focused instead on Atroc. She charged forward now, water splashing underfoot while she focused that power within her into her claws. Golden light covered them now, the girl praying this would work as she delivered a powerful slash with both sets of claws, slicing easily into the black rocky leg behind it. This did the trick, Atroc roared in surprise as it stumbled back and released Link from beneath its leg. He rolled to his feet, shaking out his left arm before readying his blade once more. She had managed to strike fast enough that he wasn’t harmed by Atroc’s dark sword.

Light… That’s it! Its body is infused by powerful darkness, and so only light can harm it! That’s how we have to defeat Atroc!

Danielle joined Link, watching Atroc recover with a slight growl of irritation and anger. “So, you finally figured it out, eh?” It raised its sword to the sky, darkness wrapping around it. “I was holding back for fear of hurting that which Lord Zant asked for… but I’m sure he won’t be too displeased if I’m forced to take drastic measures.” Danielle narrowed her eyes, knowing that it was planning on using some type of powerful attack now. She glanced up at Link, seeing him watching Atroc carefully. Now she rose on her hind legs, placing both claws on Link’s sword as she tried to channel the power within her into his weapon. The golden light wrapped around his sword as her claws fell away, the Hylian looking down at her and nodding.

I can’t fight well, but he can. I hold the power he lacks to harm Atroc. It’s only together that we can defeat it.

Atroc’s blade surged with darkness that seemed to corrupt the very air itself, its eyeless head turning towards them. Link rushed forward, leaping up to land on its left leg before crouching and jumping up at its head, just as the beast performed a spinning attack. While Danielle was out of range of the blade itself, the dark energy that leapt from the blade surged outwards, slamming into Danielle. She let out a strangled cry as the darkness tore at her, flinging her back into the water of Faron’s spring. She rolled just a bit as she crashed into the water, grunting in pain and quickly turning her eyes to Atroc while struggling to rise to her feet. The abomination was frozen in place, sword still close to the ground as if it had stopped in the middle of its spin attack. Link stood atop its head, sword tip driven down through its head, both hands wrapped tightly around the hilt. He narrowed his eyes, pulling the blade up out of its stone head with ease and jumping down, rolling before coming up and turning to face Atroc. A strange moan escaped the beast’s mouth as its body turned completely grey, the magma hardening and its body falling apart. Its sword and crossbow crashed to the ground first, darkness shooting up from the weapons and leaving behind Cale’s sword and bow. As the rest of Atroc’s body fell apart in the same manner, Cale was revealed on his hands and knees, gasping heavily for air.

He managed to raise his head, actually smirking while a malicious look filled his eyes. “Maybe… I was wrong after all, sister… You really have gotten better. I’m impressed.” He closed his eyes now, head dropping low. “Until next time, Danielle…” His body dissolved into Twilight that shot into the sky, leaving Link and Danielle alone in the spring, the only sound in the air the trickling of water and the singing of birds as the evil presence left.

Danielle stared at the space where Cale had been, a look of sadness in her sapphire eyes. It hadn’t been easy to bring herself to fight and hurt her brother, but seeing that monster he had become… It worried her. What would happen when she faced Rurik and Blaine? She had the feeling that the entire time, Cale had been holding back. If that was the case, then would Zant order her other brothers to not do the same? She heard Link’s boots slosh through the water, the Hylian now at her side as he crouched down, checking over her draconic body for any injuries. Thankfully, the spring water’s healing properties had taken care of any she had sustained. “Are you okay?” he questioned, Danielle meeting his gaze with her own. She nodded now, her strength having returned enough that she was able to stand on her own feet without much trouble.

“So that was your brother, huh? Talk about a creep.” Midna popped up in her shadow form, glancing sideways at Danielle as she folded her arms. “I mean, really. To become a monster like that? He must have a really twisted heart.” She grinned, Danielle letting out a low, menacing growl. “Touchy subject, eh?” She noticed the admonishing look Link gave her, shrugging before turning her gaze to Cale’s fallen weapons. Midna had a curious look on her face as she hovered over to them, examining them. “Well, looks like your dear brother left his weapons behind.” Her hair took the shape of a hand, bolts of orange energy shooting into the sword and bow and causing them both to dissolve into Twilight. “I guess I’ll just hold onto these, then.”

Danielle saw Midna glancing back at her with a slight frown on her face before diving once more beneath Link’s shadow without another word. She wasn’t sure, but it seemed that the imp wasn’t too happy with her right now…

“Heroic Link, brave Danielle…” Faron’s voice filled the air, making them both lift their heads somewhat. “Do not think that Hyrule is now saved from the spread of Twilight… Leave these woods and go to the east, where you will find the land protected by the spirit Eldin. There you will find what you seek… But know that these lands lie in Twilight… They are now a dark realm covered by the clouds of dusk. If you set foot beyond the curtains of Twilight, heroic Link, you will revert to your beast form, so be prepared. Heroes chosen by the gods, leave these woods and go east, to the land of the spirit Eldin.”

The lands to the east… Kakariko Village and Death Mountain are in Eldin Province, if memory serves correctly. That is also where the Goron tribe lives…

Danielle noticed Link turning away, heading up the path that would lead them to Hyrule Field. Gazing back at Faron’s spring, her thoughts drifted to her brother and the words that Midna had spoke.

A twisted heart… Did that dark abomination really represent the state of his heart?

Shaking her head now, she turned and followed after Link as they headed out of the Faron Woods.

--------------------------

Greil strode into the throne room of Hyrule Castle, his entire face concealed by the wicked helmet he wore, his greatsword Exaccus in hand as his blood red cape flowed behind him. Zant sat upon the throne, remaining in Hyrule after his swift victory. Greil knelt before the king of shadow, head lowered. “The Champion Blade has been removed from the castle, and no trace of the prisoners can be found.”

Zant never moved, still as a statue while he spoke, voice distorted by the helmet he wore. “The princess revealed nothing of their whereabouts?”

“Nothing, my lord. But Cale came upon Danielle and a strong Hylian within Faron Woods.”

Zant lifted his head slightly at this. “And?”

“The light spirit Faron had been restored, and there was no trace of Midna or the Champion Blade, although it is my belief that both are with the two.”

Zant’s voice took on a tone of barely-contained anger now. “And why is the child and the other not here before me?” he questioned.

Greil bowed his head even lower. “Cale was defeated and lost Durandal and Mugre.”

Upon hearing these words, he rose to his feet in indignation. “Defeated? I gave you and your sons a fraction of my god’s power, and you could not defeat a mere child and a stranger?” Zant was seething behind his helmet. “Bring the girl to me in chains and the Champion Blade in your hand unless you desire a fate worse than death.”

The dark knight rose to his feet and saluted. “Yes, my lord.” Turning, he strode out of the throne room to seek his sons. Cale had failed, but Rurik and Blaine would not make the same mistake.

“And after… it is time to pay a visit to the princess once more…”

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 9: One Step Closer

Whoops.

Danielle looked at the ruins of the building she had just barely escaped from, black smoke drifting slowly into the air. Hunting the Shadow Insects had led her to some kind of storage shed. Unfortunately, whatever was being stored inside also happened to be highly flammable, as lighting a fire in the fireplace to smoke out the insect had resulted in it catching aflame and spreading to flames to everything about it. Within a few seconds of her escaping, the entire building had exploded.

Fortunately, the three insects were killed that hid inside… although at the expense of someone’s home.

Without warning, something landed roughly on her back. Danielle snarled, thinking it was a foe as she snapped over her shoulder, only to have two small hands grab her snout and snap it shut. There sat Midna, rolling her eye as she held Danielle’s jaws closed. ”Jumpy, eh?” She looked now to the rubble, releasing Danielle while folding her arms. “Wow, you did a number on this place. Guess it was a good thing I came to check on you. Link looked pretty worried when he heard the ruckus.”

Still somewhat irritated, Danielle just looked forward and prepared to head down the hill, only for Midna to lean forward and grab her neck, pulling it back so that her head was brought to the imp’s own. “Link can handle gathering the rest of the tears,” the imp spoke into Danielle’s ear, eye flickering towards her. “Now, let’s talk about your brothers for a minute.”

Danielle narrowed her eyes as she heard this, neck bothering her slightly from being pulled back in such an uncomfortable position. Her brothers? For some reason, she really didn’t like the tone of Midna’s voice when she had said this, either. “I know Zant is sending them after you and only you for now, at least. He still wants you and that sword, and he won’t stop until he gets both. Of course, he’s also after me as well…” She released Danielle suddenly, hovering in front of her with the back to the transformed young girl, arms folded. “I’m sure he’s figured it out by now that I helped you get out of the castle, so it’s likely they’ll now be looking for me the next time one of your brothers comes after you. I told Zelda I’d watch you, but getting the rest of the Fused Shadows is more important than babysitting you. And with what your brother turned into back there, well…” She shrugged, seemingly changing her mind abruptly on what she was about to say. “Link had more trouble with that thing than Diababas in the Forest Temple. If it weren’t for you, he may not have survived.” Midna turned to face her once more, arms still folded as she frowned. “Of course, if it weren’t for you, that monster wouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

A shiver ran up her spine at the tone of the imp’s voice. Danielle took a step back from her, slightly tensed now, but Midna hovered over to the girl and rested her left arm on her draconic head. She was looking down at her fingers idly before leaning forward to whisper in her ear. “If you being around us puts what I’m doing at risk, I won’t hesitate to throw you out to your brothers, got it?” Danielle hesitated for a split second, realizing just what she was saying. The young girl nodded slowly in reply, wondering if Link had the slightest clue about this. It wasn’t like she could tell him, either… “Good,” Midna spoke with a grin, patting her head. “If you can manage to hold your own against your precious brothers and not get Link nearly killed again, then maybe I won’t have to hand you over to them. With that settled, let’s meet up with Link and get the rest of those tears.” She hopped onto Danielle’s back, holding on at the base of her neck. “Get going!”

Danielle couldn’t help but let out an annoyed growl, heading down the path to the village. Midna’s words echoed in her mind, continuing to send chills running through her even now. She knew the imp was deadly serious about this, which worried her. Would her own ally be the one who turned her over to Zant?

--------------------------

They stood before a great owl of golden light, Link in his human form and Danielle still stuck as a dragon. The pair had hunted down every last Shadow Insect, even up on the dangerous trails of Death Mountain. Just as when she had seen Faron for the first time, Danielle stood staring in amazement at the spirit of light while the spirit turned its attention to Link. “My name is Eldin. I am one of the light spirits of Hyrule. I am the spirit that guards these lands. O great hero chosen by the gods… The dark power you seek lies in the sacred grounds of the proud mountain dwellers. But already those grounds have been defiled, draped in shadow and seeded with evil. You must go to those sacred grounds and cleanse them.”

That explains why the Gorons were so on edge while we hunted the insects… but what could have happened? Danielle thought idly to herself, stretching her neck slightly as a crick began to bother her.

“And you, child… I feel the power of the spirit Faron within you already, and now I shall add mine.” Snapped out of her thoughts by finding herself being lifted into the air, she turned her gaze to the light spirit as the majestic owl stared down at her. “Another of your brothers comes to capture you, young one. You must defeat him as you defeated the eldest and take the weapon that he holds.”

Curiosity filled her face now. His weapon? What was so important about the weapons her brother carried? Why were the light spirits tasking her with retrieving them?

As if Eldin detected her unspoken question, it continued to speak. “The weapons you brother carry are not ordinary tools of war. The tale of their origin has been lost in the tides of time to the people of Hyrule, but we know of the forgotten truth. But now is not the time for their origins to be revealed to you, as time is short. When you are to know the truth, it shall be revealed to you.” Light formed before the great owl, taking the shape of a small sphere the size of her fist. “Now, accept this portion of my power to awaken yours further.”

Still confused by the spirit’s enigmatic words, Danielle nodded just slightly. The light shot into her chest, the same warmth as before filling her entire being along with a deep drowsiness. Eldin gently lowered her to the ground, her eyes beginning to close. “Your body has nearly adjusted to the power within. Only one final piece remains,” the spirit’s deep voice rumbled. “Rest well, child.”

As sleep overtook her, one final thought crossed her tired mind. The light spirits were hiding the truth about the weapons from her right now, but why?

--------------------------

“It looks like one of those monsters that invaded Kakariko.”

“It does, but it is curious that when all of the beasts vanished, this one appeared tucked away in the spirit’s spring and sleeping no less. It is possible that it is not one of the creatures at all.”

“Maybe, since I’ve never seen one as frail as this before. Could be a genuine dragon, but I could also be wrong.”

Danielle was awakened by the sound of two men’s voices near her, a soft grunt escaping from her mouth. Water sloshed nearby, the ring of a sword being drawn from its sheath filling the air. Slowly she opened her eyes, keeping her body completely still. The man with the blade stood nearly six feet tall, his ears pointed like a Hylian’s but his skin unusually tanned. He wore heavy chain mail beneath his light armor, and the way he stood hinted at an experienced warrior who was no stranger to battle. The one behind him bore long, black hair and lesser-tanned skin, clad in the robes of a shaman. “Hold, Leon. Stay your blade.”

“You sure, Renado? It could be one of them.”

The shaman, Renado, nodded just slightly and stepped past the warrior. “I do not see rage in its eyes, but fear.” Danielle recoiled away a bit and her heart pounded in her chest as Renado approached, the clear water swirling about. He seemed quite interested, crouching down before her. “A dragon has not been seen in this land for many long years, let alone a fledgling such as this. It bears no hostility against us, which is a good omen.”

“A dragon is a monster regardless,” Leon snorted, lowering his blade just slightly while Renado held out a hand to Danielle, as if he expected her to sniff at it and inspect it like some animal. “I saw go ahead and kill it now before it grows up and decides to feast on the people of Kakariko in the next few years.”

They really do think I am some mindless animal… Danielle thought. But that Leon fellow is already testing my nerves.

With a snort in return at Leon, she surprised Renado by reaching out her claw and pacing it against his outstretched palm. His eyes grew wide briefly as the shaman stared down at her, Leon himself looking startled. She held her claw there while the shock set in on the two before pulling it away and stepping back, sitting down with her head held proudly. “Perhaps you should watch your words, Leon. This fledgling is no fool.”

“Hmph. So it understands Hylian. Big deal.” His surprise had quickly faded, the dark-skinned Hylian turning while sheathing his sword. “We need to be securing Kakariko in case more of those dark monsters come instead of fawning over some dragon… unless you want a repeat of that kid Colin’s kidnapping.”

Renado turned his head just slightly so he could look back at Leon, a deep frown on his face. Apparently Leon’s words had brought up some less than pleasant memories for the shaman. “Perhaps you are correct in one concern.” He slowly rose to his feet, staring down at Danielle for a second before tearing his thoughtful gaze away and following Leon.

Well, that was interesting, she thought, tail curled around her slightly. Never a dull moment I suppose. Thank the goddesses the brute didn’t try to kill me.

Stretching, Danielle let out a slight yawn and closed her eyes for a few seconds to enjoy the crisp, cool water lapping at her body and the warm sun shining down on her. It was during those scant few seconds that she failed to notice the shadow that fell over her. Before she had even opened her eyes, a powerful blow slammed into the back of her head, everything fading to black in a single burst of pain.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 10: Battle on the Bridge

“Wake… up… Wake up!!”

Danielle’s eyes jumped open, coming to her senses with a jolt. Immediately she realized she was being dragged roughly along a stone bridge by the chain around her neck. Gazing around quickly, she saw a green goblin-like fiend with a tunic of animal fur and metal shoulder guards, a worn brown leather cap and navy blue bandanna around its mouth on its head. It held the chain in one hand and a decent-sized club in the other, another of the creatures walking beside it. They were heading towards a black-armored figure with an axe in hand out on the middle of the bridge.

Rurik? Wonderful. I get knocked out and dragged to the middle of some bridge while Link is still up on Death Mountain! Gah, curse my luck!

Aware that the goblins had no idea she had awoken, Danielle flexed her claws before digging them into the stone and lunging forward, ripping into the creatures’ backs before they could so much as turn their heads to look at her, muffled cries escaping from behind their bandanas. The chain attached to the shackle around her neck was now released, the two fiends going to fact her when she made her next move. In one swift strike she had rushed past them both, delivering slashes simultaneously at their chests. Both stumbled back, letting out cries as they pitched over the side of the bridge. Danielle gazed coolly at Rurik even as he grinned, axe resting on his shoulder. “I heard from Cale you were getting to be pretty bold, but I had to see for myself. Heh, the way you struck down those two Bulblins proves it. Little Danielle’s growing up and showing the savagery inside.”

Danielle growled, every muscle in her body tensed as she watched him slowly walk forward. Running wasn’t an option. She could tell from her surroundings that she was currently on the Great Bridge of Eldin with Kakariko to the south of her, but she couldn’t just run back to find Link. He wouldn’t always be there to help when she was in trouble. Rurik read the expression in her eyes, stopping now while his grin grew even wider. “So, you’re going to stay and fight, eh? That’s the spirit!” Rurik lifted his axe from his shoulder, cracking his neck. “We’ll have a nice, fair battle just like when we trained you… and you needn’t worry about me turning into some monster like Cale did, either.”

Now she faltered just slightly, sapphire eyes growing wide. There was no malice in his voice as there had been with Cale. Rurik didn’t sound a bit different from before Zant’s dark power had cursed him. He acted as if this was another playful spar in good faith instead of a battle that would determine Danielle’s fate. This made her heart ache in yearning to rush into her brother’s arms, but she mentally chastised herself for such thinking. Rurik was now a servant of Zant. She couldn’t allow her feelings to deceive her, no matter how much she desired otherwise.

Rurik stopped a few feet in front of her, eyes flickering as he noticed Danielle’s hesitancy. “Sister, we need not fight… Battles are terrible affairs, especially between members of a family. You will not be harmed if you return with me to the castle… you will be safe with us, safe from harm or death.” He smiled now, outstretching his gauntleted left hand. “Come, Danielle, please. Return to us, your family.”

Danielle couldn’t help but walk forward now, staring up at the kind face of her older brother, feeling so very young. Every single part of her wanted to just run up to him, and it was only after she slowly began to reach out her claw that she stopped. Princess Zelda had entrusted her with the task of aiding Link in restoring the light to Hyrule. She was determined not to fail such an important mission that the very monarch of Hyrule requested her to complete. Lowering her claw, Danielle stepped back, claws ticking against the stone as everything became silent. It was her duty to the princess before her desire to be with her family once more.

Rurik paused, his expression one of mild surprise. “I see. You do not trust me.” He lowered his hand in disappointment, staring at it for a second. “You are wise, sister. I am proud to see you have grown. Loyal to the princess to the end.” His voice had taken on a strange tone with these last words, Danielle noticing his right arm tense up suddenly. She had little time to react before the side of his axe, Armads, slammed into her, flinging her to the edge of the Bridge of Eldin. Her claws scrambled to grasp the stone, the transformed girl just barely managing to stop herself from rolling over the edge and into the yawning chasm below.

A ploy… it had all been a ploy from the very beginning, and I nearly fell for it!

Pulling herself up quickly, she rolled to the side and barely avoided Rurik’s axe as it slammed into the bridge, sparks flying through the air. Her eyes flickered to the side, Danielle lashing out quickly with her tail at the back of Rurik’s knee. With a grunt, the knight stumbled and fell to a knee, giving Danielle some time to put a bit of distance between herself and her brother. A few seconds later he had recovered, standing up straight and resting his axe on his shoulder while watching her calmly. He was the slowest but the most powerful of all her brothers, which meant she had to avoid getting struck by one of his stronger blows. Already her small body suffered from the last strike she had taken, her side throbbing sharply and each breath a heavy pant.

Rurik suddenly grinned, stretching his neck slightly before he charged forward, axe swinging downwards at her. She shifted to the right to avoid, growling and lashing out with her claws as light covered the tips, the strike catching him in his armpit. Crimson blood trickled down slowly from the gashes where she had managed to pierce the dark armor, Rurik now stepping backwards from her. Upon inspecting his arm, he grimaced, turning his gaze once more to his sister. “You put to use what Cale taught you pretty well.”

With a snort, Danielle crouched low, her belly just barely touching the bridge. Rurik charged forward, letting out a fierce cry as he brought the axe crashing down towards her. Instead of dodging to the side, Danielle lunged forward, claws raking the armor of his right leg. This time Rurik cried out in pain, stumbling and falling to a knee, dropping Armads beside him. Spinning around swiftly, Danielle watched him seethe and clutch at the injury, her brother turning his head sideways to look at her out of the corner of his eye. “Enough toying around…” he growled, abruptly lunging at her despite the wound that Danielle thought would cripple him. In a split second his hands latched onto her neck, grasping tightly and cutting off her air. Danielle’s eyes widened in surprise as she now found herself at the mercy of her powerful sibling, forced to the ground on her back, his bulky frame allowing him to pin her with ease. “You may have been taught… how to best fight against a slower opponent…” Rurik was panting, an intensity in his eyes unlike anything she had seen before. “…But speed isn’t always enough to defeat sheer strength!”

Danielle flailed about weakly, struggling to gasp for air. Rurik’s gaze was merciless, his grip as strong as iron and never weakening despite Danielle’s efforts to pull his hands away. Desperate, she latched onto his chestplate with both claws, darting her head forward and sinking her teeth into his neck. His sharp cry was one of surprise and pain, his hands releasing her neck as he tried to grasp at her jaws and pull them away. Taking her chance, she mustered all the strength she could even as darkness crept forward at the edge of her vision and threw him back over her head and the side of the bridge. She heard his screams slowly fade before suddenly cutting off, Twilight shooting up from below the bridge and into the sky.

She laid there on her back, gasping heavily while her side and neck throbbed painfully, the coppery taste of blood in her mouth. Disgusted, she turned her head slightly and spat repeatedly, the taste of her brother’s blood nauseating her greatly. But despite feeling sick to her stomach, a sense of pride and relief slowly filled her. She had bested Rurik on her own, a feat she wouldn’t have thought possible before, especially with a body such as this. Closing her eyes briefly, she managed to catch her breath after several seconds. After that ordeal, the peace and quiet that now filled the air was a much welcomed change.

That is both Cale and Rurik defeated now. Blaine and father are left. I wonder, though… Why was Cale so very different while Rurik seemed mostly the same with the exception of him trying to bring me to Zant? Could it really have been something deep within Cale’s heart, just as Midna said?

The sound of a horse’s hooves beating against the ground reached her ears, Danielle now opening her eyes and rolling over onto her belly. From the south came a reddish-brown horse with a green-clad rider she instantly recognized as Link. Her tensed body relaxed once more as she slumped back down to the bridge’s surface, Link pulling up next to her, his powerful steed coming to a quick stop. Jumping down, he ran over to her while Midna popped up from his shadow. The imp took a single glimpse at the axe nearby before she turned her gaze to Danielle. “Lemme guess: family issues?”

Danielle snorted slightly and gave the imp a “what-do-you-think” look, rolling her eyes. Link stood over her while looking around quickly, remaining on alert in case anything else decided to try and attack. “Some fighter in Kakariko had mentioned seeing Bulblins dragging off ‘a wretched dragon’ north of the village. Seems you didn’t leave too good of an impression on him.” Once more Danielle snorted, a smirk of sorts creeping across her mouth. “At least you managed to handle things yourself. I was worried we would get here too late.”

Midna had used her magic to turn Armads into Twilight particles, now floating over to Danielle as Link spoke. With the world restored to light, she had to remain in that strange translucent form. The imp wore a grin, folding her arms. “So, you managed to actually beat one of your brothers by yourself? Maybe you aren’t that weak after all.” Her grin widened despite the raised eyebrow that Link gave her. “I was thinking that by the time we even caught up, you’d already be long gone and kneeling before Zant.”

Danielle’s smirk fell away as she glanced sideways at Midna, growing a bit irritated. She seemed almost disappointed that her theory wasn’t the case. Midna apparently noticed the irritated look in her eyes, as she chuckled before diving back down under Link’s shadow, her voice filling the air. “Well, what are you two waiting for? There’s one last Fused Shadow to get.”

Link just shook his head, mounting his horse without a word while Danielle flapped her wings and rose into the air. To the west was Lanayru Province, the last area still covered in Twilight. Not only that, but it was the heart of Hyrule and her home.

Home… I’m finally home. It is time to end this once and for all.

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 11: The Legend of the Guardians

That is nearly all of the Tears of Light, I believe. But where is the last one?

Danielle soared through the sky, head turned downwards slightly so she could peer down at the Twilight-covered land. She had taken to the sky to help Link hunt the Shadow Insects, and now only one remained. While Link’s senses allowed him to see a short distance in front of him, hers were better suited at long distances. Working in tandem, hunting the insects in this province had been pretty easy so far, except for that last one. Circling over Lake Hylia once more, she caught a glimpse of some disturbance on the now-filled lake’s surface. Diving sharply, wings tucked in behind her, Danielle narrowed her eyes and noticed Link fighting a gigantic Shadow Insect unlike any other they had faced before. It was now on its back in the water, flailing about while Link jumped onto its stomach. With the aid of Midna’s powerful magic, he struck all of the legs in quick succession, causing the monstrosity to be defeated.

I forget that Link can easily take care of himself. He doesn’t need my aid. He is the chosen hero of the gods, after all, she thought. That fight against Atroc was mostly just because he was unprepared.

She pulled up now, no longer diving down as she hovered in the air and watched the final Tear of Light drift down to Link, the wolf claiming it. Bright light filled her vision as the Twilight was dispelled, her body now feeling light as a feather suddenly. Unlike previous times, however, she found herself alone in the spirit’s spring with Link nowhere in sight. Confused, she glanced about slowly before she realized that something else was different besides Link being missing.

“Behold, your awakened form,” a mighty voice spoke, filling the air. Danielle jumped a bit, surprised at the words that were abruptly spoken before she stared down at her hands, seeing crimson red leather gauntlets with gold trimming that left most of her fingers uncovered instead of black-scaled claws. Realizing that she was once more her human self, she quickly examined the rest of her body and her new clothing. She was clad in a tunic of similar style to Link’s, but the color was bright red and silver-trimmed compared to the forest green of her ally’s. Pants of the same red color reached down to her brown leather boots, a strap across her chest holding a scabbard with a sword on her back. Stepping forward to the edge of the ledge, she peered down to examine her own reflection in the spring. The face that stared up at her carried a stranger expression than the young girl had always seen before, a determination in her eyes that usually was absent.

A shape burst forth from the spring, causing her to recoil and cover her face as cold water splashed against her. Slowly she lowered her arm, gazing up at the golden serpent that now towered over her, a sphere of light grasped in its jaws. The light spirit lowered its head down to her, eyes staring into her own. “Fear not, child. I am Lanayru, the spirit who guards this province. The brave efforts of you and the chosen hero have rid the land of Twilight. Now, draw your blade.”

Curiosity purked by the command, Danielle drew the sword she carried and finally observed it. It was truly the work of a master blacksmith, surpassing any other blade she had glimpsed before. The hilt was wrapped in navy blue leather, the guard stretched out slightly diagonally and upwards. At the middle was a strange triangular symbol, with a single topaz that glittered like fire, the golden crest of the royal family set into the gemstone. The blade itself was polished and sharp, the length considered a one-handed sword, but Danielle had to grip the blade with both hands to hold it. Hylian letters, engraved in gold and in a dialect ancient and beyond the young girl’s comprehension, lined the middle of both sides of the blade.

“The sacred sword you now carry is the legendary Champion Blade, treasure of the Hyrulean Royal Family. Your family is tasked by the king of shadows to retrieve both yourself and the blade.”

“But why?” Danielle questioned, relieved to be able to hear her own voice once more. “What is so important about this sword and me that Zant is determined to capture both, great spirit?”

Lanayru lowered its head closer to her, the light from the sphere it clutched warming her body. “Now the truth lost to the tides of time shall be revealed to you. Listen well, child.”

The scene around her twisted and morphed, total darkness now surrounding her. Even Lanayru was gone, buts its voice still filled the empty air. “The goddesses formed Hyrule and brought law and life to the land with their own hands. We light spirits of the Hyrule proper watched over the newly formed land, as did another set of creatures that the goddesses created.”

Shapes shot by her now in the dark abyss, massive beings passing by the shocked girl. Flames swirled together, merging to take on the shape of a mighty dragon with piercing crimson eyes. It raised its head to the sky, those eyes filled with benevolence and caring despite its fearsome appearance.

Another darted by to the left, an entity composed completely of strange water. As it rose up, a muscular torso formed with long, powerful arms tipped in claws, the only solid part of its body being a skeletal “helmet” in the likeness of some sort of bull. It clenched both hands into fists, the liquid of its body turning to ice with a crackling sound, sharp spikes covering it.

Something soared overhead now, Danielle lifting her head to see a brilliantly-colored bird. The feathers of its wings were a rainbow of colors, its main body covered in vibrant green feathers. Its tail was long and serpent-like, and it lacked any talons. It hovered in the air to the right of the dragon, fiery orange eyes narrowed.

The next creature darted by even faster than any of the others so far. At first glance she thought it was a wolf, but it was nothing more than a blur of colors due to it moving so fast. Finally it stopped, rising up on its feet. Its features resembled that of a wolf, but it stood on its back legs with powerful muscles in its legs and arms. Jet black fur contrasted its mane of lightning around the back of its neck, the beast’s tail whipping around behind it.

What came next was probably the most human-like of all the creatures, yet also the most curious looking. It looked like a human, but was clad entirely from head to toe in gold armor that was painted in various colors around different sections. The painted white eyes made it appear to stare endlessly without blinking at all things around it, moving swiftly despite the fact its armor had to weigh a considerable amount.

The final figure to come was a brilliant being of light, the most spectacular thing Danielle had ever seen before. Clad in silver armor with silk robes over parts of the armor, it walked forward slowly with its six white wings wrapped around its body, an aura of light radiating from the figure and illuminating everything near it.

Each of the figures, despite their differing and sometimes intimidating appearances, appeared nearly as majestic as the light spirits, and they encircled a group of young Hylian children, smiles on the faces of those that could express emotions. They enjoyed watching the children, laughing and talking to themselves.

“They observed the fledgling races and provided for the tribes in their territories. Peace reigned in Hyrule… until whispers of the Sacred Realm and the power of the goddesses that resided there. Greed began to stir within their hearts as brother fought brother. From the beginning of the skirmishes, the Guardians saw the evil in the hearts of men while blood soaked the crying earth. To ‘save’ the land from the flames of war, the Guardians took it upon themselves to destroy the defilers.”

The angel, apparently the self-appointed leader, stepped forward towards the children, malice replacing the joy that had been on its face moments before. Unaware of its change in demeanor, the innocent children laughed and ran to the angel, even as its hands latched onto their throats. Danielle shut her eyes but couldn’t block out the sound of their screaming, which abruptly cut off and was replaced by hooves beating against the earth. Upon opening her eyes, she discovered that the scene had changed once more. A cavalry of humans and Hylians rode powerful war horses towards the dragon of flames, Gorons rolling along beside them while bird-like humanoids flew high above the ground. But the battle was going poorly for them; several warriors had already fallen on the scorched battlefield.

“Once torn apart by a war to gain the Sacred Realm and its power, the races united to fight valiantly and protect their lives. Hylians, Gorons, Yeti, Sheikah, Watarara… but the Guardians proved to be too powerful, even for the allied army.” The dragon let out a mighty roar as it raised its head to the sky, its body breaking down once more into flames before shooting forward to engulf the attackers completely. Those flames surrounded her, her ears still ringing from the sheer force of the roar. As the flames finally died away after several seconds, all that remained was a scorched, barren wasteland with the beast reforming and roaring in triumph. “The goddesses heard the cries of the people, the land torn asunder by the war. To save the people of the land, the goddesses gave to an ancestor of the royal family a sacred blade imbued with their power. Blessed by the six ancient sages, the warrior and the remaining tribes made their final stand against the Guardians. In the darkest hour of the land, the dark sorcerers who would later become the enemies of all the races lent stepped forward and lent their power for the decisive battle.”

Dark figures cloaked in strange robes stood just ahead of the ranks of the allied army, the six Guardians ahead of them. The angel’s once-brilliant light had dimmed considerably, an expression of malice still on its face. It shouted out in an unknown tongue, the other Guardians roaring and charging forward. The allied army shifted nervously and looked towards the dark sorcerers, who stood there without flinching as they stared down the Guardians. In one motion they had raised their right hands towards their foes, a strange dark power building up.

“The Guardians still believed that the goddesses would be on their side… and it was only during that final battle did they realize they had been abandoned, for their bodies had been made vulnerable to damage.”

Unusual but powerful magic shot out from their hands, a barrage of dark magic slamming into the Guardians. Where there had once been confidence in their chances of victory, the array of creatures looked shocked and in great pain. The angel was the one who had taken the worst of the damage, crashing to his knees. With a battle cry, the leader of the allied army pointed a familiar-looking sword towards the Guardians, the ragtag group of fighters charging past the sorcerers. Severely weakened from the magic of the sorcerers, the Guardians were now the ones fighting to defend themselves, but it was no use. Their fate had already been decided by the goddesses. The leader stood over the fallen angel, who glared spitefully at him and cursed the Hylian in that ancient language. Without flinching, he raised his blade and brought it down at the angel’s head, and the scene faded to black.

“But instead of allowing the Guardians to die and throw off the balance of the world’s elements, the goddesses separated their spirits from their bodies and sealed them in six ancient weapons created by the sages. Their bodies were buried deep beneath the earth, never to see the light of day again, while the Guardians themselves were to remain imprisoned for eternity within the weapons.”

Danielle stared in shock at the six weapons around her, the auras from the weapons matching the colors of each of the Guardian’s elements. Not only that, but the weapons she saw were the very ones that her brothers carried. Durandal, Mugre, Armads, Malte, Animus, and Exaccus were the weapons that the spirits of the fallen Guardians were sealed in.

“Now you see, child, the dark origins of these weapons,” Lanayru spoke, the scene returning to that of the spring. She stood there feeling numb, jaw dropped slightly in disbelief as the great serpent continued to tower over her. “The sealed weapons contain their spirits and their power, and the sword you hold now was used to defeat them. With the king of shadow’s invasion, that power is close to being unleashed. He needs only to reclaim the weapons you carry and the Champion Blade. The blood of the royal family must be shed by the sacred blade for the weapons to be unsealed.”

Slowly, Danielle looked down at her sword, her young mind trying to comprehend all Lanayru had told her. Ancient creatures from the beginning of Hyrule’s creation? The weapons of her family containing their spirits? All of this seemed so farfetched, so out of this world… How was she supposed to believe it all?

The blood of the royal family… the only person left is Princess Zelda!

“Long have you desired to become a warrior as great as your brothers,” the light spirit continued, the words similar to those Zelda had spoken in the tower. “The chosen hero seeks to defeat the king of shadows, and now your destiny has revealed itself. If successful, the king of shadows will hold enough power to defeat even the chosen hero. Child of a royal knight… will you take hold of your destiny and fight to protect that which you hold dear? Will you prevent that dark power from falling into the hands of those who would use it for evil deeds?”

Danielle wrapped her hand tightly around the Champion Blade, determination burning in her young eyes. Before she had believed she would never have the strength or courage to take on such a daunting task. All of that had changed since travelling with Link. Fighting to protect her liege and save her family had given her power she never thought she held, even with the power the spirits had granted her. No longer was she a timid child; a warrior was beginning to emerge. “I will.”

“Then take the power I grant to you.” Light gathered in front of Danielle, the young girl holding both arms out slightly to her sides. It shot into her chest, the power that filled her making her feel… complete, for a lack of a better term. Closing her eyes, Danielle allowed sleep to overcome her while Lanayru’s parting words rang in her ears. “Let not fear gnaw at your heart, but stand tall in the face of darkness, and you shall overcome.”

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 12: Home Again

Danielle slowly stirred to the feeling of lying on something far softer than grass with warm blankets spread over her. Gradually opening her eyes, she stared up at a wooden ceiling, immediately growing confused. Obviously she was in a building instead of the spring, but where? How did she get here?

“It’s not like you’re treating her, doctor. She just needs a place to rest until she wakes up,” an oddly familiar female voice spoke. “The young man who brought her to my tavern was kind enough to offer to escort my wagon to Kakariko and ask the shaman for help in treating the Zora child. At least he has some guts, unlike you and those cowardly knights.”

“Hmph. If you expect to guilt me into taking care of this girl for free, then you are sorely mistaken,” a snide voice retorted. “I demand payment for my services.”

“Payment? Don’t even get me started on payment, or do I nee to remind you of just how much you owe me?”

Danielle slowly sat up in the bed, the blanket slipping down off her chest. A doctor? She knew of only one doctor, Borville, who resided in Castle Town and charged large amounts of Rupees for simple treatments. “A doctor’s house, huh…? That would explain the smell,” she murmured under her breath, wrinkling her nose at the pungent odor in the air. The voices came from beyond the wall by her bed, two sets of footsteps walking slowly across the wooden floor while they argued. Turning her head, Danielle watched as the two came into view. One was a somewhat heavyset tan-skinned Hylian woman garbed in the clothing of a tavern keeper, her dark red hair pulled up and peculiar small jewelry around her eyes. Beside her stood a considerably shorter Hylian, pale and hunched-over, his glasses thick and causing his eyes to appear abnormally large. “Telma?” Danielle spoke up now, eyes a bit wide.

The woman looked at her in surprise for a split-second before a warm smile spread across her face. “Well, it’s good to see you awake, honey. I was worried when that young swordsman brought you in and you weren’t moving. Afraid you were still in the castle when those beasts attacked, too.”

Grumbling, Doctor Borville turned and shuffled off without a word, casting a backwards glare at Danielle. She pulled the covers off of her, swinging her legs over the side of her bed. About to stand, she was stopped by Telma laying a hand on her shoulder. “Stay here and rest some more, sweetie. I’m about to leave to take a young Zora child to the shaman in Kakariko.”

“Kakariko?” The Bridge of Eldin was now missing the middle section of it, and the bridge out of the east gate was also destroyed. The only route would be out of the west gate through the lands of Lanayru and Faron. “There are many monsters out in that path you’d have to take… I’ll go with you. You’ll need help.”

Telma smiled but shook her head, removing her hand. “It’s too dangerous for a child like you, Danielle. I know you’ve tried to train under your brothers, but battles are ugly affairs.”

Rising to her feet, Danielle looked up at the barkeep, eyes burning with determination. “Telma, I’m not a mere child anymore. I can handle myself.”

She paused, her eyes flickering down to the Champion Blade in its scabbard resting against the bed. It was a second before she shook her head once more, speaking in a quieter and more somber voice. “You’re the only person from the castle I’ve seen alive. Not a single knight, your family included, has come out of that castle. All the soldiers in the town have become nothing but cowards. If something were to happen to you, I couldn’t quite forgive myself.” Telma turned, about to head out, looking one last time at Danielle. “Just wait for me in my tavern, Danielle. I’ll be back soon. My friends there will keep you safe and in good company.” With this, Telma left Danielle standing there alone.

“I know she’s worried, but she needs to believe in me,” she scoffed, snatching up the sword and strapping her scabbard onto her back. “I can do this, I know I can… even if she doesn’t believe it.”

Her thoughts now drifted to the words Telma had spoken. She had no doubt that the swordsman who had brought her to Telma was Link and that he would help escort Telma and the Zora child she had spoken of to Kakariko. Despite the fact he was more than capable of protecting her, Danielle still wanted to help. Telma owned a tavern in the southern thoroughfare, a place her brothers frequented and often brought their little sister along to. The barkeep had treated her with motherly love, Danielle her favorite out of the four siblings. Because of this, Danielle felt she owed something to the woman, and so she made up her mind to aid them.

Ignoring the grumbling doctor, she headed out into the town itself. The doctor’s building was in the eastern thoroughfare of Castle Town, the streets crowded with people. Oddly enough, most of the citizens seemed unconcerned with anything other than their own lives. There were a few soldiers roaming about, but she could tell by their gait that they weren’t the most trained of guards or were enthusiastic about their job. As she walked through the crowds, she caught snatches of conversations amongst the townspeople.

“Not allowed into the castle? Why won’t they allow any of us in? Where’s the princess at?”

“The Zora child… I heard he was taken to the bar on the other side of the southern road…”

“Hm… Telma’s always got her hands full…”

“All the guards are good-for-nothings! …but I heard Commander Greil and his knights were all wiped out.”

“Have you seen that man in that green tunic like what the legendary hero wore? He can’t possibly be from around here, dressing like that…”

“I heard Commander Greil’s youngest daughter was found… they say she was near death when a swordsman brought her in.”

Danielle stopped in the central plaza, gazing up towards Hyrule Castle. Princess Zelda was in there, Zant’s captive until the evil man could be defeated. “So close, yet so far, as they say…” she murmured quietly under her breath. With a frown, she wracked her mind to think of what to do. The stables were not too far from here, the horses used by the cavaliers kept there. Cale’s steed was among them, the same horse he had taught her how to ride on. With it, she would be able to catch up to Link and Telma.

Everyone has told me that it is time that I make my own decisions… and that is what I will do. I will not just follow in the footsteps of others, but I will forge my own path.

Determination burning in her eyes like fire, she strode through the streets towards the stables, raising a hand to her necklace and brushing its surface gently. Despite the fact she was young, she walked with her head held high, ready to face what was ahead.

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“You sure you’ll be able to handle Jaraci on your own?”

“Cale taught me to ride her many times. I will be fine, Aidan.”

Danielle sat atop a powerful white horse, gripping the leather reins in her hands. The soldier who helped her to the saddle was a friend of her brothers and one of the lucky soldiers to not be in the castle when the monsters invaded. Although he wore a helmet that covered his face, his tone conveyed his feelings of worry. “Danielle… what about Blaine and the others? I know you were in the castle when those things came… so do you know if they’re okay? I mean, you’re usually always with them…”

Aidan trailed off, Danielle shifting in the saddle to get comfortable as her blue eyes flickered. “To be honest… I don’t know, Aidan. I haven’t seen them since. I barely managed to escape myself.”

Aidan took a step back, falling silent for a second as he looked up at her. “Doesn’t seem right sending out one as young as you, but I won’t stop you. There are a lot of monsters roaming Hyrule Field now…” He paused then made his way out of the stable, holding up a finger to tell her to wait. Raising an eyebrow, Danielle sat there until he returned, carrying a bow and quiver of arrows in his hands. “It may not be the quality of Cale’s bow, but it’s served me well. If you’re going out there on Jaraci, you may need something better to fight with. No offense, but you’re a little too small to hit something with your sword on horseback.”

Danielle couldn’t help but grin at this, taking the quiver from him and strapping it across her waist so that it was on her left side before grabbing the bow in her left hand. She wasn’t good with an over-the-shoulder draw, but she could manage from her hip. “I appreciate this, Aidan. I’ll return your bow, I promise.”

With a dry chuckle, he shook his head. “Keep it. You’ll use it better than a coward like me ever could. I can’t even force myself to step out of Castle Town for fear of those beasts. Yet you… you go to face them without a trace of fear in your eyes, like a true knight…” Danielle’s smirk fell away at this, the soldier stepping back. “Go, Danielle… Go and fight to save our precious land!”

A focused look filled her eyes, the girl giving a curt nod before kicking the horse’s flanks lightly to get her started off. Riding out of the stables, Jaraci galloped across a short stone path and came out right before the west gate. Night had fallen, the streets deserted except for a few guards who gave her curious glances. She rode across the short wooden bridge out to Hyrule Field, leather reins gripped tightly in her hands. Moonlight shining down on the field, Jaraci raced across the earth while her rider leaned forward.

Ahead, flaming arrows streaked through the night sky…

[Stormsworder -ACE-]

Chapter 13: To Conquer the Strategist

He rode atop a pure black steed of unnatural size and strength, its eyes burning like coals. His short, messy black hair waved a bit in the breeze, green eyes narrowed dangerously. At his sides were several mounted Bulblins, bows in the hands of the second rider while the first held the reins of the Bullbos they rode. Blaine drew his lance, raising it to the night sky. One Bulblin archer stepped forward with a longbow, notching a flaming arrow. It aimed not at the wagon, but farther ahead. As the arrow soared through the sky and hit the grass, the oil poured out in a semicircle to block the way to the gate caught aflame, a raging inferno springing forth.

The frightened neighing of the wagon’s horses reached his ears, Blaine now pointing his lance at the target. Immediately the Bulblins surged forward, swarming in behind the wagon and its green-clad guardian. Blaine held his ground, watching as his plan was carried out flawlessly. The guardian had no time to even draw that boomerang that summoned the wind, firing arrow after arrow at his attackers. Soon, he and the wagon would be overwhelmed.

Unexpectedly, arrows shot one after another into the backs of the Bulblins, the mounted archers falling. Blaine growled, turning his head to the side and seeing his younger sister riding forward on Cale’s horse Jaraci with a bow in one hand and the other reaching for more arrows. This was something he hadn’t planned for. He had thought Danielle wouldn’t be able to catch up in time, let alone be a skilled enough archer to take out the Bulblins. He lifted his left hand, a golden gauntlet with a clear crystal in the middle of the top covering his whole left hand. Clenching his hand into a fist, the strategist urged his dark steed forward. Zant had ordered Danielle to be retrieved, but the shadow king never stated she had to be unharmed.

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Danielle felt searing heat graze her left cheek, her hand grasping another arrow. Her attacker rushed by on the boar-like mount, the girl plunging the arrow she held deep into its rider’s chest. “Link! How many arrows do you have left?”

The Hylian had dismounted Epona, taking arrows from the fallen archers while Danielle drew their attention. “Enough!” he called back, his blue eyes narrowed. Even with Danielle’s help, a handful of riders remained, but their archer partners had been taken out. In one swift move, Link had notched an arrow and let it loose, striking the throat of one of the creatures. The flames illuminated the area, casting an orangish glow over everything as a young blonde girl in the back of the wagon looked out towards them with worry in her eyes.

“Watch out!” Telma shouted, also observing the battle from where she sat. Danielle snapped her head sideways to see the Bulblins fleeing but a black-clad knight riding forward past them.

“Blaine,” Danielle growled, immediately recognizing her brother by the lance that he carried. “Hurry and get the wagon to Kakariko, Link!”

He nodded, running over to Epona and leaping into the saddle, pulling out his Gale Boomerang. As soon as it left his hand, wind wrapped around it and blew out the fierce flames in front of Telma’s wagon. Not wasting a single second, Telma urged the horses on while Link unlocked the next gate.

Bringing Jaraci around, Danielle faced her sibling and notched an arrow. Quickly letting it loose, she frowned as it merely clanged harmlessly off Blaine’s armor. She quickly drew another arrow, taking note that it was her second-to-last one, and aimed not at her brother but his steed. The arrow pierced deep into its chest, the horse letting out an otherworldly screech before abruptly bursting into darkness. Danielle was frozen in shock as that darkness took on a will of its own and slammed into her, feeling like a thick liquid that carried a piercing chill. The blow she took knocked her clear off Jaraci, the darkness covering her chest and part of her neck as it lifted her into the air. Her horse let out a frightened neigh, quickly racing away from the strange creature that had attacked its rider.

“Amazing, isn’t it? Perfect for following people in secret, too. It was how I managed to track you so easily and send Cale and Rurik right to your location. Pure darkness, animated by the power of Animus.” Blaine slowly walked forward, a humorous look on his face as he held up his gauntleted left hand. “Argyris is indestructible, all weapons useless against it.”

“What, you had to send this thing to find me? Guess you aren’t that bright, or else you would have figured out where I was each time we returned light to the provinces!” Her philippic tone caused irritation to cross Blaine’s face as she glared down at him. The strategist motioned with his left hand, Argyris slamming her hard into the ground and pinning her there while Blaine crouched before her.

“Seems you’ve even developed a sharp tongue, Danielle.” His gauntleted left hand grasped her by her chin, Blaine jerking up her head so that her eyes met his. They were cold and calculating, the eyes of a deadly and efficient strategist concerned only with accomplishing his mission at any cost. “My plans were perfect. I just failed to take into the account the possibility of you using your power or actually turning down Rurik’s offer.”

“Seems to me that they weren’t as perfect as you thought, then.” Danielle narrowed her eyes, the oily darkness wrapping tendrils slowly about her arms and numbing the skin with cold. “I’m not a child, Blaine, and I’m no fool. I’ve changed.” She released the bow she held, both hands resting on the cool grass. Argyris flowed over most of her body, keeping her pinned and immobile, unable to reach for her sword. “You may be my brother, but I won’t hesitate to fight you. I can defeat you and your twisted creation!”

At this he laughed, releasing her jaw and rising to his feet. “With what? Your power? Do you even know how to control it or why you have it?” Danielle paused, her eyes never leaving Blaine’s face. He turned his back to her, still chuckling a bit. “I guess she hasn’t told you anything at all, has she? She’s just using you as a pawn and never revealing the truth, manipulating you every step of the way.”

“If you’re trying to turn me against the princess, it will not work, Blaine.” She gripped her right hand into a fist, fighting against the powerful darkness wrapped around her arm as she began to reach up towards her back. “I almost fell for Rurik’s lies before, but I won’t make the same mistake again!”

Blaine looked over his shoulder, his expression quickly changing to one of amazement. Danielle was fighting against Argyris and winning, her hand managing to grasp the hilt of the Champion Blade and drawing it from its scabbard. Channeling her power into the sword, brilliant light shot along the steel. An inhuman screech of anguish filled the air, the darkness instantly releasing her and darting off, much to Blaine’s dismay. He immediately raised his hand, Argyris sliding along the ground and wrapping around him slightly. As Danielle rose to her feet, a sickening stench of something burnt filled her nostrils, but she didn’t drop her guard. Apparently the light had harmed the twisted creation, causing it to disobey Blaine’s orders for a second to save itself.

Her brother turned his cool emerald gaze back to her as he gripped his lance Malte with both hands. “So, you do know how to use your powers after all. Maybe I was wrong about you. But you still don’t know the significance of them.” Blaine pointed his lance at her while Danielle stepped back and held her sword out in front of her with both hands. “But I wonder just how much control over them you really have.” Moving swiftly, Blaine lunged forward and brought the tip of his lance around in a swing at her head, Danielle leaning back to avoid the strike. Straightening herself, she ducked down and swiped the back of Blaine’s leg while diving past, rolling and coming up in a crouch. The moonlight illuminated a slight stain of crimson on her sword as Blaine hissed, falling to a knee and holding the back of his right leg.

Danielle quickly turned to face Blaine, seeing a mass of darkness shooting towards her face before everything turned pitch black. Argyris had leapt forward from Blaine and wrapped around her head and neck, squeezing her neck slowly in an attempt to suffocate her. She kept her mouth shut tight, for if she opened it, there was no telling that the dark creation would do. Collapsing to her knees, she used her left hand to try and pull the oily darkness from her face, but her its body slipped through her fingers like water. If she didn’t do anything, the unnatural being would incapacitate her and leave her as easy prey for Blaine.

A metal-covered hand latched onto her left wrist, Blaine’s chuckling muffled and barely audible to her. He was taunting her, waiting for her to succumb to the lack of oxygen as he prevented her from trying to pull away Argyris with the hand wearing Animus…

Animus… it brought this thing to life…

Knowing this was the only chance she had, Danielle grabbed her sword tightly by its blade and brought it up, thrusting the tip as hard as she could into Blaine’s arm, managing to hit it despite being blinded. As soon as he released her wrist and yelped in pain, she grabbed Animus and pulled it off before he could clench his hand into a fist. As soon as it came off, the darkness around her face released her and fell away, dissolving into thin air and leaving no trace behind. Gasping heavily for air, she stumbled away from Blaine and watched as he held the crook of his arm, crimson flowing from an opening in the armor. He glared furiously at her, letting out a cry of rage as he charged and lunged at her side with his lance. Danielle dropped Animus and sidestepped, using her left arm to wrap it around the lance while slamming the pommel of her blade at his jaw. He grunted, releasing his lance as he sunk to his knees and clutched his face with his right hand. Tossing away Malte, Danielle stared down at her defeated brother as he hissed in pain through clenched teeth. “Give up, Blaine… You don’t have a chance of winning.”

Too late she saw the smirk at the corner of his lips, pain ripping through her right shin as her scream filled the night sky. Blaine had taken the final arrow from her quiver when she struck him in the face, and his left hand had plunged it deep into her flesh. Crashing to the ground with tears of pain in her eyes, she wrapped her left hand around the injury. Her brother made his move as a tiger pouncing on wounded prey, his left hand going to her throat. “No, you are the one who has no chance of winning, Danielle.” A savage grin was on his face as he throttled her. “And when you awaken again, you will be kneeling before the king of shadows!”

Her hand wrapped tightly around the Champion Blade’s hilt, the strength the spirits blessed her with filling her. “Sorry, brother,” she managed to gasp out with narrowed eyes a second before she slammed the hilt as hard as she could into the side of his head. An expression of shock crossed his features one last time before Blaine crumpled sideways to the ground, knocked unconscious by the blow. Danielle gasped a bit for air once more, having barely recovered from Argyris trying to suffocate her before Blaine did the same. The sharp, stabbing pain in her leg made her want to whimper in pain right there in the middle of the field.

Have to get to Kakariko before Blaine wakes up...

Danielle returned the Champion Blade to its sheath, whistling to Jaraci. The horse trotted over, neighing worriedly and pawing at the ground with her hooves. “I’m okay, Jaraci… I’m okay.” Grunting, she put her left knee under her and crawled over to where she had dropped Animus and Malte. Even the slightest movements of her injured leg brought fresh spikes of pain, her teeth gritted tightly while she used the lance to support herself and rise to her feet. Gasping, Danielle quickly grabbed onto Jaraci’s saddle and struggling to stick Animus in the leather pouch tied to it. That was when magic shot into both weapons and caused them to disappear right out of her hands. “Ah?” Startled, she shifted her weight to her good leg and looked around quickly until she spotted the unmistakable shadow form of Midna.

The imp floated there with her eye narrowed, an unreadable expression on her face. Her eye flickered to Blaine before going back to Danielle, who had finally pulled herself into the saddle with a grunt of pain. “Getting yourself into trouble again, eh? I’m not at all surprised.” Danielle frowned, not saying anything in reply. The arrow was still embedded in her leg, as she didn’t want to risk pulling it out right now. With no way to treat the injury and the chance of damaging her leg even more by pulling out the arrowhead, it was best to leave it in and deal with the pain. She peered down at the injury, grimacing before looking forward and jumping in surprise upon seeing Midna right there in front of her. “Thanks,” she spoke, causing Danielle to stare at her in surprise. “Thanks… for saving Link back there.”

It took a few seconds for Danielle to respond, grinning wearily. “I couldn’t very well let the hero die, now could I? He’s the one who’s supposed to save Hyrule and defeat Zant.” Closing her eyes, she let out a soft breath, sitting up straight in the saddle and taking the reins in hand.

Midna seemed to be thinking about something, glancing once more at Blaine. “About earlier in Kakariko, I…” She paused before shaking her head, diving down into Danielle’s shadow and leaving her statement unfinished as a cool night breeze blew across the field.