The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess ~ Love of Light and Shadow - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

When Twilight Falls...

The next day was the day of the big delivery to Hyrule Castle. Lhikan was finishing his work at the ranch before he had to pick up the gift from Mayor Bo. As he rode down from the ranch, the mayor came out to meet him.

"Ah, just in time, Lhikan. The gift is ready to go. What about you?" he asked. Lhikan smiled, and nodded.

"I'm ready," he said. Ilia caressed Rukura's flank.

"Be strong, my sweet horse. The path before you is a long one, so bare Lhikan safely along it, ok?" she said, smiling. Just then, she noticed a small cut on Rukura's leg. "What's this? Lhikan! She's injured. You were pushing her too far again, weren't you?" she asked harshly. Lhikan didn't answer.

"Now, now, Ilia. No need to scold him," Mayor Bo said. Ilia quickly turned to face him.

"Father! How can you be so easy on him? You're the mayor!" she said. Then, taking hold of Rukura's reigns, Ilia led her away. "Come on. I'll take you to the spirit spring and your wound will be gone in no time," she said, leaving her father in a fluster.

"W-Wait! Ilia! Oh, without Rukura, there's no way you can make it to the castle in time..." Mayor Bo said.

"I'll go talk to her. I think she'll listen to me," Lhikan said, heading for the spirit spring. However, upon reaching his home, he was approached by Colin.

"Lhikan, wait. You're going to see Ilia, aren't you?" he asked. Lhikan nodded, and kept walking. "I'm coming with you," Colin said, following close behind Lhikan. The two of them walked to the spirit spring, only to find the gate locked.

"Dammit... She locked it to keep me out..." Lhikan grumbled. Colin tugged on his clothes, pointing to a hole in the rock face.

"I can probably fit through that tunnel. It leads inside, and I can maybe convince Ilia to open the gate for you," he said cheerfully. Lhikan smiled, ruffling the young boy's hair.

"Smart lad. Go on, then," he said. Colin ran to the hole, and crawled inside. Moments later, Lhikan could see him crawl out the other end of the tunnel, and run towards Ilia. The two began talking, but Lhikan couldn't make out what they were saying. After a few minutes, the gate opened, and Lhikan approached the spring.

"Lhikan... Colin told me everything. About how you rescued Talo yesterday," she said softly. Lhikan stepped forward again.

"I only did what was necessary. I would do the same for anyone in the village," he said. Ilia smiled, and looked at Rukura.

"She's all healed up, Lhikan. I suppose it's time for you to leave for Hyrule Castle, then," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Lhikan put his hand on her shoulder, and looked her in the eye.

"I'll be back. I promise," he assured her.

"Just come home safe, ok?" Ilia said, holding his hand. Lhikan nodded, but just then, the sound of thundering hooves filled the air. Suddenly, several large boars being ridden by bulbins broke down the gate. Ilia tried to run, but one of the creatures shot an arrow into her back. As Lhikan prepared to draw his sword, he felt a hard blow strike his back, knocking him to the ground. As the monsters picked up an unconscious Ilia and Colin, a larger bulbin entered the spring. Ignoring the unconscious Lhikan near his boar's feet, the beast blew a horn twice.

At the sound of the horn, a strange portal opened in the sky. Apparently satisfied with what he had just done, the large bulbin rode away, the smaller ones following him, taking Colin and Ilia with them. Moments later, Lhikan awoke, and quickly looked around.

Dammit! I gotta go after them before something happens to Ilia and Colin, he thought angrily. Quickly getting to his feet, Lhikan took off, following the hoofprints of the boars. They led him across the bridge and towards Faron Woods. But as he neared the border of Faron Province, he stopped in his tracks, his path impeded by a large barrier.

"What the hell..." he began. But before he could finish his sentence, a large black hand reached out from the barrier, and pulled him through it, causing him to scream. Lhikan struggled in the grasp of the large black beast that now had a firm grip on him. "Let... go of me!" he growled, trying to loosen the monster's grip, but having no luck. Suddenly, one of the tattoos on the back of his right hand began to glow. The black creature dropped Lhikan and fled deeper into the woods. Lhikan grunted in pain as he felt something happening to his body.

One by one, the turquoise arabesques that adorned his skin began to glow. He shut his eyes tight and gritted his teeth as black and grey slowly began to spread from the glowing patterns, replacing his pale flesh. Before long he reached his limit, and screamed as the pain overwhelmed him, and his entire body changed. His once pale skin was now black and grey, and his light brown hair had become orange like fire. His noble green eyes became a fierce red, and even the whites of his eyes changed, turning yellow. Only aware of his new body for a few moments, Lhikan soon lost consciousness, and passed out. He was then dragged away by the same beast that had yanked him through the barrier.

Little did he know that someone else was observing. Someone who had come looking for him...