The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of Time

Nocturne

Picture credits: Tim Löchner https://www.artstation.com/timbougami

Chapter 48

Nocturne

Link reached the rocky ground after a laborious descent down the ladder, which creaked ominously with each thud of his boots. High above him, Sheik descended with feline stealth, her movements silent as a cat and just as agile. Had Link not been aware of her presence, Sheik could have effortlessly pounced on him.

Observing Link's lingering gaze on Sheik, Navi flicked his ear, a faint hint of a smirk playing on her face. "You might want to get the last of your gear out."

Link's cheeks flushed. He knew she was playfully teasing him to maintain his composure, but there was nothing more than camaraderie between him and Sheik. She was the sovereign of a shattered realm, and he was just a lad from the woods.

He retrieved his remaining gear from Saria's weightless—and seemingly bottomless—bag. Swiftly securing his gauntlets, Link triple-checked his inventory: the Mask of Truth, a small supply of food and water, and a stash of Goron bombs, a gift from Jemite that he hoped would remain unused. Lastly, he extracted the Zoran hookshot. Even if Sheik was uncertain of what awaited them, she must have sensed the necessity of having every available resource.

"Are you ready?"

Link nearly jumped, unaware that Sheik had approached.

"Yeah," he replied, reluctant to linger.

"Then let's go." Without further ado, Sheik took the lead, her spell's radiant glow illuminating the path ahead. It could have been mistaken for a fairy were it not for the absence of wings. The light appeared delicate, almost fragile, amidst the pervasive shadows, and it wasn't enough to dispel the darkness that pressed in on Link from all sides. It felt suffocating. Unclenching his jaw, he attempted to relax, but this only made him acutely aware of the tunnel sapping the warmth from his bones.

Link hadn't travelled far before sensing the distinct, unsettling feeling of being watched. Glancing over his shoulder, he almost stumbled on a rock, half-expecting to find a pair of red eyes fixated on him.

"What is it?" Sheik inquired, pausing to investigate what had captured Link's attention.

"It's..." Link hesitated, feeling foolish. "I... it's nothing."

"If you think you saw something, tell me," Sheik insisted calmly, her voice devoid of judgment.

"I... I don't know exactly," Link admitted. "I thought it might be Dark Link for a moment."

Sheik frowned, her hand not straying from the hilt of her dagger. "You may already be feeling the effects of the taint that runs through this temple."

"I can sense it too," Courage chimed in. "Malicious powers prowl these depths, and they stir even now."

"Great," Link muttered.

Navi whispered, "I think someone is following us... or something."

Sheik nodded calmly. "It may be that the Necromancer is aware of our intrusion. Stay alert. Both of you."

After Sheik's succinct and less-than-comforting words, they continued down the rugged cave, cautiously navigating the jagged rocks to avoid slipping. As they progressed, Link thought he discerned shapes moving within the shadows.

I'm never going to be able to fight properly if I'm jumping at shadows, he thought, attempting to will himself to calmness. He revisited Sheik's meditation in his mind, but the tingling unease in his gut persisted, offering no respite. Courage's strengthening presence, acquired with each passing day, prevented him from wavering.