Painful Memories

<---Index 

The group had been traveling through Death Mountain for several hours, completely lost, since none of them could properly read a map. Stopping to rest, Shadow decided now was as good a time as any to catch a small nap. As he closed his eyes, he ushered a small prayer that for the first time in a long time the dreams would be pleasant ones.

A female voice yelled, “Link! Link!!! Wake up or you're going to get it!!!” The dark elf rolled over and muttered, “Not now... I'm tired...” He then got pelted repeatedly by slingshot launched Deku Seeds. He snapped into a seated position, yelling, “What did I tell you about shooting me with that damned thing?!?” opening his eyes, he looked around and say that he was in a small house... His house... In the Kokiri Badlands. Looking around in shock, he said, “What the...? I'm in my home?”

The female black haired elf muttered, “Uh... Yeah. Where else would you be?” His eyes widened with joy as he recognized the trigger-happy elf. “Saria!” he yelled in joy. Jumping out of bed, he ran and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. “Saria! You're okay!” The female stood there stunned, face completely red. “Yeah... Why wouldn't I be? You seem a little more affectionate than usual today. What gives?”

Wiping the tears from his eyes, he said, “Nothing. I just woke up from a nightmare.” Explaining everything that happened, from Hyrule Terminus to the encounter with his other half right up to Death Mountain. The female poured him a drink, saying, “Wow. That's quite the dream. It's early, but after that mess, I think you could use at least one shot of milk.” Taking the small cup, he shot it back and shook his head violently. “Wow. You broke out the good bottle, didn't you?”

Saria poured another glass saying, “You bet. Not only do you look like you need a stiff drink, but you have that trial later today in Hydra Castle.” Shadow looked at her in surprise. 'Hydra Castle,' he thought. 'In my dream, this was the day that the kingdom was destroyed and everyone turned into monsters.' he shook his head. 'yeah right. Like that can really happen. It was only a dream... wasn't it...?'

Another male walked into the room and said, “Link, isn't it a little early to be getting drunk? I'd put it off until just before the royal butt kicking.” Saria smiled at the Dark elf and said, “Hey Sheik. Read any good books lately?” Link laughed and said, “We wouldn't know even if he told us.” the group broke into laughter. Grabbing the bottle, Sheik said in an unimpressed tone, “So this is where my milk went. Ah well. Today's special, so I'm not upset. Today, Link becomes a Soldier in Lord Gannondorf's army! Rounds for everyone!” The trio cheered and took a shot of Milk. Feeling a little lightheaded, he couldn't help but wonder why this felt all too familiar.

After the worst of the stupor had worn off, the group started heading towards Hydra Castle, the capital of Dark World. Saria, who was still feeling the worst of the drunken effect their little party created, Said, “Link... I bet *hic* you'll look so *hic* cute in a military uniform.” Sheik laughed and said, “Oh, yeah. Real pretty!” In a drunk glare, she muttered, “Back*hic*... Back off. I saw him*hic* first.” The group broke into laughter and reached the city walls.

The Worg sentries glared at them as they passed and broke into laughter upon seeing a drunk elf, one of the rarest things to ever behold. Sheik sighed and muttered, “I guess they never saw a drunk Kokiri before. To be honest, I think this is my first as well.” In a cheerful voice, Link replied, “Hey. It's not our fault she can't hold her milk. Where's the trials going to be held?”

Sheik shrugged and said, “The proving grounds. They're repairing the trial fields after the firestorm last month.” They turned to Saria, who had now begun to snore loudly. The two males looked at each other and made a drinking gesture before breaking out in laughter. Sighing, Link said, “Maybe she'll do something to distract the tougher guys.”

The other elf smiled. “Yeah. Like the Macarena.” Link wanted to laugh, but everything was playing out almost identical to his nightmare from that night. Turning to his friend, he said, “Hey, Sheik. Do you believe in Deja Vu?” The elf shook his head. “Nope. Why?” The warrior sighed. “Because this is way too familiar for my tastes.”

Then he noticed the sky turning bright red, as if it were on fire. Balls of flames came from the clouds, yet everyone remained calm. Link yelled, “The Sky! It's on fire!” Sheik slowly turned his head to him and smiled. “Of course.” His from started to disfigure grotesquely. He turned to Saria so as to get her to safety. She looked at him with a crazed expression and then she, too, started to transform. Frightened, he fell off his mount and scuttled back.

More disfigured creatures started to approach him. In a panic, he drew his blade, and instead of a weapon, was a cluster of venomous serpents. Throwing the item to the ground, he scrambled to his feet and started running. The icy cold grip of fear plagued his body. He scrambled to his feet and started running, but everywhere he turned, there were only more monsters.

The creatures that only bared the faintest resemblance to his closest friend the the female who meant the world to him started moving closer to consume their prey. He could only cry, “SHEIK! SARIA! NO! PLEASE!!!” He could feel the Pelting pain hit his body. Pelting... Constantly, almost desperate pelting. The creatures along with the world slowly faded and he opened his eyes.

The three elves looked at him with worried expressions. He held his head in pain. Cradling her precious slingshot, Saria said in a hushed tone, “I'm sorry. You were screaming in your sleep and nothing else could wake you up.” He looked at her, but didn't pursue the topic. There was a strong look of pain in his eyes as he glanced at the three warriors. “What... What did you hear?”

Link replied, “Everything. I'm... I'm sorry. We didn't know...” Shadow let out a weak chuckle. “Stow it. There's no reason to live in the past.” With that he headed up the path they had initially took. Sheik said softly, “No, there isn't, but you can't run away from it either.” He then headed off after the dark elf. Saria turned to Link and said sadly, “He really is just like us.” Link nodded. “I know, and that's what worries me.” With that the two of them went after their teammate.