The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Novelization

Link reappeared within Lanayru Spring, but the moment his feet touched the ground, he sensed something was wrong. A dark presence behind him left him feeling empty and cold. Afraid. He turned sharply. An ominous figure stood before him, cloaked in flowing black robes. Serpent-etched pauldrons gleamed faintly upon its shoulders. Above them rose a helmet of jagged metal, shaped like the head of a chameleon. Its hollow reptilian eyes stared lifelessly, and a curled tongue formed the mouthpiece. Midna burst from Link’s shadow with gritted teeth. “Zant!” Link’s stomach dropped as he looked up at the King of Shadows. Zant stood before him, motionless and imposing. The dark power emanating from him was suffocating. Before Link realized it, he had already taken a step back. With a lift of his gauntleted hand, Zant dragged Midna toward him. His fingers closed around her neck as he cocked his head, the grotesque mask concealing his face. Midna clawed desperately at his arm, but she lacked the strength to loosen his iron grip. Link stood motionless, his fear holding him captive. Part of him wanted to rush in and help, yet his body refused to obey. Then another thought crept into his mind – one that sickened him. Was some part of him enjoying this? After everything Midna had put him through, was there some bitter corner of his heart that thought she deserved it? Do something! I need her. Link forced himself to move. Whatever doubts he had about Midna no longer mattered. Zant was the enemy. Without her magic, Link would never stand a chance. He drew his sword and lunged forward. Zant halted him in midair with effortless magic. With a dismissive grunt, he flung Link into the wall, leaving him stunned. His sword slipped from his grasp and plunged into the spirit’s spring. It sank into the water below. “Link!” Midna cried. Lanayru burst from the waters of the spring and roared at Zant. He did not flinch. With a slight motion of his finger, he crushed the Light Spirit’s power with overwhelming ease. Lanayru recoiled and vanished, his defeat casting the world into Twilight. As Midna’s true form returned, she struggled weakly in Zant’s grasp. He reached into her mind and found the Fused Shadows. With a flick of his will, he summoned them forth while Midna watched helplessly. The relics circled his head once before disappearing. The King of Shadows scoffed. “Did you honestly mean to take a withered and ancient power like this, and turn it against me? You’re a foolish traitor, Midna. Why do you defy your king?” Zant’s voice was calm and coldly confident. He released Midna from his grasp, but his magic held her in place. She was powerless to resist. “My king?” she snarled. “You, who do nothing but abuse the power of our tribe? You must be joking!” Zant laughed maniacally before his voice became cold. “How dare you? Are you implying that my power is the same as our tribe’s old magic? Now that is a joke!” The King of Shadows hurled Midna to the ground like a ragdoll. Link tried to stand, but sharp pain shot through his joints and he collapsed. He reached toward his companion, unable to speak as the agony of transformation seized him. Hatred swirled in his heart. A flickering orb of dark energy formed in Zant’s palm, swelling until it matched the size of a cannonball. He slowly turned toward Midna and held it out before her. “This power has been granted to me by my god!” Zant growled. “It is the magic of the King of Twilight. You will respect it!” Partially transformed, Link forced himself to his feet and lunged at Zant. The dark king turned and unleashed his magic on him instead of Midna. A moment later, Link hit the ground. Breaking free from Zant’s grasp, Midna rushed to Link’s side and dropped to her knees. Almost fully transformed, Link reached out with his twisting hand, but it fell limp as he slipped into unconsciousness. The shadowy object protruding from his chest slowly sank into his flesh until it vanished completely. “No! Link! Link, wake up! Talk to me!” Midna begged. She was jerked backward as Zant’s magic took hold of her once more. His telekinesis held her suspended in the air, its grip so tight she could not even move her eyes. The mouthpiece of his mask pulled back, revealing his angular, blue-skinned lower jaw. “My Midna, did you forget? That beast is one of the light dwellers that oppressed our ancestors,” he whispered. “No matter how much you desire otherwise, you’ll be nothing more than a shadow in their world. You cannot consort with their kind!” Midna grimaced as Zant sifted through her thoughts. She fought to shut him out, but his magic tore through every defence she raised. Feeling her resistance falter, Zant leaned closer, a knowing smirk curling across his lips. “But if we make their world ours, light will meet darkness at last. Our tribe will take back their realm, and sweet darkness will blot out this harsh light.” Zant bared his sharp, uneven teeth. “That is why I need you, Midna. For the good of your tribe, lend me your power.” “Screw you!” Zant let out a disappointed sigh. “So be it. I will return you to the world of light you covet.” Extending his arm, he cast Midna out over the spring. In that instant, she realized her peril. She tried to break free, but it was in vain. With a sweeping motion of his hand, Zant revived the Light Spirit. The Twilight dissipated as Lanayru rose once more from the water. Midna felt her skin starting to boil in the light. It seeped into every inch of her being, tearing her apart from within. She released a final scream before vanishing from the spring in a beam of gilded light. Zant forced the spirit back into dormancy and turned to check on his furry adversary, but he too was gone. * Link’s eyes fluttered open as cold raindrops pattered against his snout. Where…where am I? He slowly pushed himself upright, blinking until the world steadied. He lay in a patch of tall grass north of Hyrule Castle, near the highlands. The night was dark, rain falling in sheets as thunder cracked overhead. Though the Twilight was gone, Link was still a wolf. Exhaustion weighed on him, and he struggled to draw a full breath. It felt as though something was squeezing him from the inside out. Link struggled to remember. For a moment, there was only confusion. Then everything came rushing back. Zant’s lifeless mask. His overwhelming power. Their defeat. The memories struck Link with such clarity that he almost wished they had remained forgotten. Zant has the Fused Shadows. What are we going to do? Everything Link had endured was for nothing. All that pain and hardship, just to lose. At the sound of ragged breathing, Link looked over his shoulder at Midna. Her usual dark skin was pale and blistered, and she barely had the strength to remain mounted. Each breath required effort she could scarcely muster. What did Zant do to her? Midna reached out weakly and rested her hand on Link’s head. “Please,” she strained, clinging to the last threads of life. “Link. Hyrule Castle… Take us to Zelda.” Link cast one last glance toward Hyrule Castle to the south. Despite the resentment he still harboured toward Midna, he knew he could not abandon her now. If there was even a chance he could save her, he had to take it. He would never forgive himself otherwise. With his mind made up, Link turned away from the castle and set out. Rain soaked his fur, weighing him down with every step. The growing pain in his chest only slowed him further. Keep going. Don’t stop, he told himself. Midna could not afford any delays. By the time Link reached the west gate of Castle Town, her condition had worsened rapidly. She slumped forward, barely conscious as she muttered to herself deliriously. Hold on, Midna. We’re almost there. Another problem arose when Link entered the city. The townspeople could see him. Cries rang out as they fled in terror, unaware that the wolf among them meant no harm. He ignored their panic. Only one thing mattered: reaching Princess Zelda. Link reached the central square, and chaos erupted. Townsfolk fled in every direction while soldiers at the checkpoint charged forward with swords drawn. Link snarled, which made them falter long enough for him to slip away. Behind him, soldiers gave chase while a captain shouted for the alarm to be sounded. Link turned south, remembering Telma’s casual mention of a secret passage to the castle hidden within her bar. He slipped into a narrow alley and waited as the soldiers thundered past. Suddenly, sharp pain speared through his chest, nearly driving him to the ground. It’s…it’s getting worse. I need to hurry… Link made his way to Telma’s bar, crept up to the open doorway, and glanced inside. Telma stood behind the counter pouring a drink for Jock. A small group sat at the back, but otherwise the tavern was empty. Link backed away from the door and scanned for another entrance. An upper window above the doorway hung open. That’ll do. He sprang onto the sill and slipped inside. Keeping low, Link crept along the upper walkway, careful not to make a sound. When he reached the spot above Telma, he paused and listened to her conversation with Jock. “Our friends are meeting here tomorrow,” Telma whispered. “They’ll share what they’ve learned.” Jock took a long drink from his ale. “They’d better have something. We’re running out of time.” “What do you mean?” “The Hinterlands are overrun. The enemy’s burning settlements, driving more refugees this way. It won’t be long before they push into the inner kingdom. What we faced last night is nothing compared to what’s coming.” Telma’s voice dropped even lower. “So…what happens next?” “We’re exposed, and the general knows it.” Jock set his mug down. “He’ll double patrols at first light, but that’s all he’s willing to risk.” Zant’s grip on Hyrule was tightening, and now he controlled the Fused Shadows. If he attacked the inner kingdom, the Hyrulean army would stand little chance of stopping the onslaught. The weight of Link’s failure hung heavy on his mind. Another stab of pain struck, worse than the last. Link stumbled forward, his vision blurring as his heart pounded in his ears. Just as the pain became unbearable, it suddenly faded. He blinked until his sight cleared and whimpered softly. Okay…I think it’s over. What is wrong with me? For the first time, Link wanted to give up. He was exhausted. Hurt. Insignificant compared to Zant and the terrible magic he commanded. Perhaps this was where his journey ended. Then Link looked back at Midna and forced himself upright. He could despair later. Right now, Midna needed him. He would reach Princess Zelda. Whatever it took. Reaching the passage, Link stepped into the darkness without hesitation. The path sloped downward before branching into a network of old maintenance tunnels. Soon he emerged beside a wide sewer, the very tunnels where he had first met Midna. The stench made him cringe, but he forced it from his mind and followed the foul waterway. Link moved as quickly as his failing body allowed. Stepping out of the sewers onto the castle walls, he squinted through the rain at the distant tower where Princess Zelda was imprisoned. Battling the swirling wind, he pressed forward, keeping low so Midna would not be swept away. Thankfully, the storm had driven the sentries to shelter. Link reached the tower without resistance and slipped through the open window. Dropping onto the winding staircase, he raced to the top. To his dismay, the bedchamber was empty. A fire still burned in the hearth, but the princess was nowhere to be found. Link suddenly felt lighter and turned at the sound of a soft thud behind him. Midna lay curled on the floor, her breathing shallow and uneven. He nudged her gently with his snout, but she was too far gone to respond. A gentle warmth spread through Link, and he slowly lifted his gaze from Midna. Princess Zelda stood in the doorway behind him, her face hidden beneath her dark cloak. Kneeling beside Midna, she brushed her cheek with the back of her hand. “Please…please tell me. How do we break the curse on this one?” Midna asked, reaching up at Zelda weakly. A low whine escaped Link as the princess grasped Midna’s tiny hand in hers. She closed her eyes, mourning the fading aura within her. “He…is the one,” Midna said. “He will save your world! Please, Your Highness, you must help Link!” Link’s eyes widened. This had never been about saving herself. She had already accepted her fate. In a final act of selflessness, she had brought Link to Hyrule Castle so that he could live. Princess Zelda turned her gaze to Link and extended her arm toward him. The golden triangles on the back of her hand began to glow, as if sensing the darkness within him. His own mark answered, its light pushing the shadows from the bedchamber. “What binds him is a different magic than what transformed him when he first passed through the curtain of Twilight,” Zelda said. “It is an evil power.” Midna rolled onto her side to look at Link. “What…what can we do?” “Our world is one of balance. Just as there is light to drive away darkness, so, too is there benevolence to banish evil,” Zelda said. “Go to the Sacred Grove that lies deep within the lands guarded by Faron. There you will find the Blade of Evil’s Bane that was crafted by the ancient sages. The Master Sword.” I’ve never heard of it. I wonder if Rusl knows about it, Link thought. “The Master Sword is a sacred blade that evil can never touch. Malevolence cloaks you like a dark veil, and that blade is the only thing that can cleave it.” Zelda’s steady gaze faltered, but only for a moment. She lifted her hand once more, the glowing mark of the golden triangles shining upon it. “Link… Hero chosen by the goddesses…” she said softly. “Like you, I have been granted special power by the goddesses. As long as that divine strength remains, I know you will prevail.” Link looked down at Midna as she placed a hand on his paw. She gave him a weak smile, the effort clearly almost too much for her. “Fine…you can reach the forest…on your own, right?” A quiet whimper escaped Link. I’m not leaving without you. He refused to let Midna die. Not here. He would not fail again. Midna looked back at Zelda. “Princess, I have one last request.” “Of course, Midna.” “Can you tell Link…where to find the Mirror of Twilight?” Zelda gasped softly before falling into uneasy silence. For a moment, no one moved. Then the princess clasped Midna’s hand again, and warmth flowed through her. “Midna, I believe I understand just who and what you are. Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead. These dark times are a result of our deeds, but it is you who has reaped the penalty. I hope you can forgive us.” Zelda took a slow, deep breath. “Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you.” Her form began to glow with golden light. The radiance spread to Midna, lifting her into the air as it enveloped her in brilliant energy. Her eyes widened as she tried to ward it off. Realizing what Zelda intended to do, Midna turned desperately to Link. “No! Link! STOP HER!” Link glanced at Zelda, but he could not bring himself to act. Midna’s pale skin returned to normal. Imbued with the princess’s lifeforce, she did not revert to her shadow form. She was no longer bound to the shadows. As life returned to Midna, it slipped away from Zelda. The princess paled and fell back, the light in her eyes slowly fading. Revived, Midna watched solemnly as Link sniffed the princess’s body. She was cold. Utterly lifeless. “We go back, Link,” Midna whispered, breaking the silence. “Back to the Faron Woods.” She leapt onto Link’s back and studied her hands. Before leaving, she turned to take one last look at the fallen princess. Closing her eyes, she clenched her hands into fists as Link carried her away. “Zelda, I have taken all that you had to give, though I did not want it…”