The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of Time

Into Darkness

Picture credits: https://www.deviantart.com/keirii-of-celts/art/sheikah-eye-wallpaper-147289445

Chapter 47

Into Darkness

I really have to stop with this fainting thing.

Link awoke, feeling sore everywhere and badly bruised. For the longest time, he lay there, slowly regaining his senses. His limbs and skull throbbed in a steady, unpleasant tempo of pain.

What happened?

He wanted nothing more than to sink into the pillow and drift back to sleep. Maybe he'd feel better if he did. Knowing that wasn't likely, he tried ignoring the pain, focusing instead on his breathing. Moaning weakly, Link struggled to open his heavy eyelids. The incessant pounding in his head intensified, drumming painfully against the inside of his skull with each beat of his heart.

"Link?"

A soft, feminine voice caught the edge of his hearing. He squinted at the wooden ceiling above, his eyes struggling to adjust to the light streaming through a grimy window.

Now where am I?

The slightest movement caused a wave of nausea to swirl around his head. There was a strange metallic taste in his mouth, and he was parched, making swallowing difficult.

An azure light seared across his vision, pricking his eyes like dozens of tiny needles.

"Oww... Navi," he groaned, bringing a hand to his face. "Watch the eyes."

"Sorry," Navi said, quickly relocating to a post at the bed's head. "How are you feeling? You took quite a beating."

"It certainly feels like I did," Link croaked. "Was I out long?"

"Not this time," Navi answered.

There was an odd tension in her voice, and he met her worried gaze, knowing she didn't believe him.

"I'm okay," Link lied. In truth, he was sure that being run over by a horse would have left him in less pain. He didn't want to cause Navi any further worry, so Link did his best to hide that he was hurt.

Another figure came into view, peering down at Link. It was a rather grim-faced Zora. Startled, Link pushed himself onto his elbows and reflexively reached for his weapon, nearly launching out of the bed and causing his limbs to spasm in protest. He quickly relaxed, pressing his back against the wall.

Surprised by Link's reaction, the Zora had taken a step back. "My apologies," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Who are you?" Link asked, trying not to sound rude.

"He's a healer," Navi explained quickly.

"My name is Muran," the Zora said before Navi could get another word in.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Link asked.

"You need rest," Muran replied. "Those are Lady Sheik's orders."

"Where is Sheik?" Link persisted.

"She is well," Muran answered, and something in his tone made Link realise that the Zora wasn't going to tell him anything. That didn't make him feel better, but surely, Muran must've known he'd ask Navi?

Muran turned and took a potion from the nightstand. He studied it for an instant, swirling its bright red contents.

Link tried a different tact. "Where's Ruto?"