Link and Zelda were hurriedly rushed back through the castle's corridors, both equal parts ushered and shoved by Ganondorf and his lackeys. While Zelda quietly complied, Link did his best to fight them the whole way. Even if he had lost, he wouldn't let them have the satisfaction.

   The luxurious décor and atmosphere were eventually replaced by the old, stale air of the dungeon. It was all too soon when a Gerudo guard unlocked a cell door, ready to welcome the two Hylians back into the cell's dingy embrace.

   Ganondorf relieved the two guards of the still-struggling Link, saying, "Hold the vai out here. I can handle the voe myself." He then shoved Link into the cell. Link stumbled, righting himself and turning around to face the Gerudo. "What you did was inexcusable," Ganondorf said slowly and dangerously.

   Link unflinchingly stared Ganondorf in the eyes. "And I don't regret it one bit, you desert scum," he muttered.

   The general smirked, his hand clenching into a fist. "Words won't help you one bit here." Before Link could react, Ganondorf's fist smashed into his stomach. Pain erupted in Link's gut, and he stumbled back as he doubled over, gagging. He almost fell to his knees, the blow was so staggering.

   "What are you doing?" Zelda gasped from outside the cell. Ganondorf ignored her.

   "That is for disrespecting my women," he growled.

   Link dimly looked up at Ganondorf, bile and saliva bubbling at his lips, too shocked to even try and respond. He saw the Gerudo raise his fist again, and what he saw next were stars. A bolt of agony stabbed into Link's skull, right where he'd been previously struck, shocking and frying his nerves and jolting his sense of balance. He crumpled to the ground, his vision spiraling.

   "That is for disrespecting me," Ganondorf continued. He seized Link by the front of his shirt and dragged him to his knees. The jarring motion nearly made Link sick. "I want to do more, Hylians like you deserve so much worse, but I'm a kind and forgiving Gerudo," Ganondorf said.

   Link swallowed back vomit, clenching his teeth. "Kind and forgivin', my ass," he slurred, glad he still had enough awareness to give his words the bite they usually had.

   Ganondorf glared at the Hylian, reined-in anger clearly evident in his twitching eye. "You're all the same. Ungrateful, rude, disrespectful peasants. I truly don't know what King Daemos sees in any of you, not at all." He let Link fall to the ground, his head smacking the stone. That last blow did him in, knocking him unconscious.

   When Link came around, he was engulfed in a world of pain, its epicenter in his cranium. He tried and failed to clutch his head, the restriction of his arms and clinking metal revealing what he thought—he'd been chained up again.

   "Stop moving!"

   Link instantly scowled, glancing up at Zelda. She was kneeling in front of him, a hand on his shoulder and doing something with her other. Whatever it was, it made his head hurt even more. "The hell are ya doin'?" he snapped, jerking away from her touch.

   "I'm trying to wipe away the blood. You started bleeding when you hit the ground, and they didn't seem to notice it." She pulled back her hand, which was spotted with red along with her sleeve. "I had to rip apart some of my skirt to make bandages, so you're welcome for that."

   Zelda stood and walked to the other side of the cell, taking a seat and leaning against the wall. When she did, Link noticed that the skirt of her dress now reached to just below her knees. He couldn't help but feel a smidge of appreciation for what she had done, but then it was snuffed out by anger for Ganondorf.

   "You confuse me so much," Zelda muttered, shaking her head. "I mean, you could have avoided this." She shrugged. "How have you managed to survive as a thief for this long with a mouth like that?"

   Link wanted to scream, both from pain and frustration. "J-just shut up..!" he hissed, though there was no force behind it whatsoever. He felt like a wet rag, wrung out both physically and mentally.

Zelda frowned disapprovingly. "I would be quiet if you asked nicely," she said.

   For once, Link didn't snap back, just seethed while his head ached fiercely. Sweet Hylia, it hurts so much!

   "Also... I'm sorry about what happened to you," Zelda said. "He had no right to do that. If he supports King Daemos' ideals, then I don't know why he'd act like that..."

   Link scoffed loudly. "They're the same, all of them," he said. "Even that excuse for a king. He says he wants no violence, but he didn't seem to mind saying that Incineroar would flay me. So much for 'wantin' to instill an era of peace.'"

   Zelda stared at him sadly. "I... I don't think..." She shook her head. "Never mind." She looked to the cell door. After a few moments of silence, she said, "Um, I overheard one of the guards saying they would bring by some food and water in a little while."

That caught Link's attention. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten or drank anything, but he knew not to get his hopes up. If Ganondorf had no qualms with beating him senseless, then he'd certainly deny him sustenance. 

   True to Zelda's word, a guard soon arrived. She provided Zelda with both food and water while she gave Link a bowl of broth that to him was nothing more than tepid, slightly flavored water. It was horrid, but he still drank it, if just to quell his hunger pangs.

   "I wasn't in charge of who got what," the guard said when she saw Link's grimace between each mouthful. He didn't bother responding, knowing what he wanted to say wouldn't at all help him. At least she had unchained his hands so he could eat; he could still keep some shred of his dignity.

   Link stopped eating for a moment, looking at his left hand. The Triforce mark was still there, now merely a dark red outline like it was a scar. He winced. Was he going to be stuck with this thing? He felt an urge to scratch at it, as if the mark would fleck and peel like dried blood. But something in him told him that it wouldn't go away.

   The whole time this went on, Link noticed that the guard had a guilty look in her eyes, which became more evident when she saw his bloodied, makeshift bandages. Once the awkward event had concluded, the guard gathered up the items she had brought with her and took one more glance at the Holders.

   "I know it's cold down here. I'll bring back a blanket or two," the guard said. "And I'll try to get a healer down here as well." She looked at Link when she said that.

   "O-oh, thank you," Zelda responded, surprised, but by then the Gerudo had left. "She was... nice to us. I thought all the guards were like Ganondorf, but—"

   "They are," Link said. "I'm sure she was faking it."

   Zelda frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

   "How can you?" Link retaliated. "They're known as deceivers for a reason."

   The girl opened her mouth, as if about to respond, but paused momentarily. She then quietly said, "I don't know..." She leaned back and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She didn't make another move or sound after that.

   At her silence, Link held in a frustrated sigh. He confused her? That statement was likewise. She didn't actually believe the Gerudo's act, did she?

   Link then noticed something. For a fraction of a second he thought he saw a green light glimmering outside the cell. The moment he turned his gaze to it, however, it vanished. Had he been seeing things?

—~*~—

Firenz jerked back from the cell door, his wings fluttering rapidly to compensate for the abrupt movement to keep him aloft. He held his breath, expecting for the Holder of Courage to call him out. But nothing happened. The fairy sighed in relief and quickly darted into the empty cell next to the Holders'.

   No sooner had Firenz entered the second cell than he was practically tackled by another fairy. Her lavender glow flickered frantically, her worried expression twisting into confusion. "Were you spotted?" she asked.

   Firenz cast a look over his shoulder. "No, I don't think so..."

   "You dolt!" The female fairy abruptly grabbed Firenz's shoulders, startling him. "What if you were seen? You know what Resa said!"

   "Yes, Rosina!" Firenz squirmed out of his companion's grip. "You don't need to repeat it for the twentieth time!" He then frowned. "But I don't understand why we just can't help them now..."

   Rosina tried to look sympathetic. "Remember, Resa said it was too dangerous. And you also know that—"

   "We have to trust Resa," Firenz finished. "I do know."

   "Then let's report back to the grove. Kirlia's probably thinking we were caught."

   Firenz hesitated before reluctantly responding with, "Okay." The pair flew out of the cell and down the hall, vanishing out the first window they saw. Firenz's heart grew heavier the further they flew. Don't worry, he thought to himself. We'll be back for you soon.

——~*~——

Time seemed to crawl by at a Shuckle's pace after that. Link found it impossible to tell much had passed since his and Zelda's meeting with Daemos. Zelda had tried to talk to Link a few more times, but he never responded. He was too preoccupied with growing anguish that he tried his hardest to stifle.

   A healer had come by after the guard delivered a second meal. Link didn't care, though. Even after her treatment, there was still a scabbed-over gash by his hairline. And although the pain he'd felt there had mostly stopped, the pain in his heart didn't subside in the slightest.

  Link doubted Daemos' words on Luce's condition, but there was a chance that he was telling the truth. And if she was okay, for how long would she be? Link's punishments could have been carried over to her for all he knew. The idea of her being hurt so badly utterly horrified him. Tears started welling in his eyes, but he quickly put a stop to them. He clenched his eyes shut and bit the inside of his cheek as hard as he could. It wasn't until he tasted the sharp, metallic tang of blood that the urge had left him, after which he finally allowed himself to stop.

   Meanwhile, Zelda grew increasingly restless. She now spent most of her time pacing about the cell, muttering her thoughts aloud and asking frankly rhetorical questions. And today was no different... Whatever day it was.

   "What do you think is going on? That general hasn't returned for ages... Do you think they're just going to leave us in here? It's surely been days now. I wonder if Fira's been asking about me? I know he must be worried sick..."

   Link did his best to ignore her ramblings and tried to fall asleep yet again. He found it was the only escape from the torment that his reality had become. Thankfully, he found himself dozing off rather quickly this time around. But just as he was about to drift off, three warm, light auras filled the cell's dank air.

   You two are Link Renier and Zelda Harkinian? The Holders of Courage and Wisdom?

   Link's head jerked up, surprise jolting him awake. The feminine voice sounded like it had come from inside his head. He glanced over at Zelda, but she was too busy staring at the beings in the far corner of the cell.

   One of them was a Pokémon, a Kirlia, evidenced by its green and white body, slender frame, and the pose it had that made it seem like a dancer ready to begin a routine.

   The other two beings were far more interesting and unusual than the Psychic-type. They resembled orbs of glittering green and lavender light with vaguely diamond-shaped wings. If one were to get closer, they would be able to make out Hylian-esque beings that were hidden within the light. Faeries were depicted in many books and such, but it was a rarity to see one in person since they never left the depths of the Akkala Province's forests.

   The Kirlia took a step forwards. Link Renier and Zelda Harkinian? The Holders of Courage and Wisdom? the voice asked again, and it became clear to Link that it was the Kirlia who had spoken, through telepathy, as many Psychic-types could.

   "I-I guess we are," Zelda said quietly. "But how do you know that?

   "Overseer Resa told us," the green fairy said.

   Zelda frowned. "Overseer?" she echoed. She looked like she wanted to say more, but she remained silent.

   "What do ya want from us?" Link asked. He was shocked at how weak and raspy his voice sounded.

   "Ah, I think we're getting ahead of ourselves," the lavender fairy spoke up in a soft voice. "I'm Rosina, that's my brother Firenz, and that's Kirlia. We were instructed by—"

   "Long story short, we're here to rescue you," Firenz cut the other fairy off. "Kirlia here can free you and Teleport us out of the castle. We can explain further once we get out of here."

   "Wait." Link stopped Firenz. "I'm not leavin' without Luce."

   "Fira, too," Zelda added. Link didn't believe her concern for one second.

   Of course. And don't worry, I've already Teleported them, Kirlia said.

   "How can I trust ya?" Link asked, wary.

   Zelda sighed. "Don't do this," she said in annoyance. "They're not Gerudo, and since when have faeries ever worked with them, or any race outside the Kokiri?" she questioned, referencing the illusive children of the forest who were said to be akin to faeries themselves.

   It's not Gerudo, just people in general... Link thought to himself. "Answer me," he said, ignoring Zelda.

   "We don't have time for this!" Rosina hissed, seeming to agree with Zelda. Link didn't relent and demanded an answer again.

   Kirlia looked from Link to Rosina, then to Link again. She tilted her head. If you're so insistent, I'll show you. She walked over to Link, her feet almost seeming to glide across the stones underfoot. She stopped close to Link, then raised one of her petite hands, placing it on his forehead and closing her eyes.

   At first nothing happened, but then Link's vision distorted and changed. Images of a forest clearing surrounded by fog appeared before his eyes.

   This is a clearing in the deepest parts of the Great Hyrule Forest, Kirlia said. Your Lucario was teleported here by me not too long ago, and I promised her that I would be returning with you soon.

   The image changed, and Link's heart leapt when he saw Luce lingering near the clearing's edges, her eyes trained on a nearby Braxien. Distortions warped the sight of his partner before it faded altogether. His eyes focused on the Kirlia that was standing before him.

   See? she asked, removing her hand. We're telling the truth. She's there, and she's safe, I promise.

   Any other time, Link would have rebuked "evidence" like this as lies. But there was one detail that proved the images true. Link knew to never enter a forest clearing without first checking the areas around it, a tactic Luce herself had taught him. "Fine, I-I'll trust ya," Link muttered, his throat closing up as emotion threatened to choke him.

   Fantastic! Now hold still... Kirlia grabbed hold of Link's cuffs. She gave a small grunt of effort and the slight screeching of twisting metal sounded. The cuffs then broke, and Link was freed.

   He fell forwards, collapsing onto his front. It took him a few seconds to actually try to move. His hands and arms were completely numb, feeling like the limbs weren't there at all. He easily could have believed that if he couldn't see his appendages. He found it a nearly insurmountable task to gather enough strength to push him up to his hands and knees.

   "Do you need help?" Zelda asked, reaching out for Link. He clumsily slapped her hand away.

   "No, I'm fine," he refused.

   Zelda shook her head and took hold of Link's arm. "Well, I'm not going to let you flounder about like a Stunfisk, so sorry for you." Before Link could protest, Zelda threw herself backwards, letting her weight pull him up.

   As soon as Link was on his feet they both stumbled back, Link collapsing against the wall for support while Zelda merely had to catch her balance.

   "That wasn't so hard, was it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "What? No 'thank you?'"

   Link's only response was a glare. He had to scramble for any sort of handhold to keep himself upright. His legs felt like they would give out at any moment, and his head spun wildly, making his stomach thick with nausea.

   "Thank Hylia we won't have to do too much walking, for a little bit," Rosina said as she and Firenz flitted to Kirlia's side. "You can Teleport now, Kirlia. And as a bit of a warning, if you haven't ever teleported or warped anywhere you might experience a little discomfort."

   "Like what?" Link asked, frowning. Just then the sound of footsteps began echoing down the hall, coming closer.

   "Forget it! Teleport now, Kirlia!" Rosina urged.