Link x Princess!Reader-Escaping Royalty part 22

The steel heavy door shut tightly behind Link as he stepped into the canon.There was no going back now.He was going to save the Twilight Realm and face Nicolei.The haunting vision his master had shown him previously still played in the back of Link's mind.He had to do whatever it took to stop that from becoming his reality.

Before Link knew it,he was being catapulted through the air and landing in the cooling sand of the desert.he stood straight and stared out towards the mirror chamber.There lay his fate,whether he dies or lives,he must go there.Without hesitation,Link began trudging through the sand and towards the mirror chamber.

"At this rate,it will take at least a day and a half to reach the mirror chamber.."Link mumbled to himself.He looked around the evening desert and sighed."Damn..if only I had  Epona or even a boar.."Suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps were rushing at Link at a fast pace.

Quickly Link drew his sword and turned around just in time to see the dark nut riding on its dark horse towards him.

"Hmph,you again?"Link smirked.The darknut dismounted it's horse only a few feet away from Link before approaching him.Link stood firmly and watched the darknut as it drew nearer to him.The two stared at one another for a short moment before the dark nut swung it's mighty sword at Link.

Quickly,Link jumped back away from the darknut before clasping his sword tightly and charging back at the darknut.The two clashed their swords against one another.Link pushed against the darknut's sword with all his might until he knocked the dark nut off it's balance. The darknut stumbled backwards allowing Link to thrust his sword at it continuously. Armor cracked and shredded as Link’s blades repeatedly slashed against it. In one swift movement, Link swung his sword in an upwards strike, knocking the helmet of the darknut off completely.

“Hmph, sorry buddy. But I cant afford to lose to you here-“ Link suddenly gasped as black hair flew around the darknut’s face before it collapsed to it’s knees. Quickly, Link dropped by the aid of the darknut and gripped it’s shoulder’s tightly. Golden eyes soon lock onto Link’s blue ones.

“T-Thorn?”Link gasped. Thorn coughed and stared into Link’s eyes.

“L-Link..What..happened?”Link helped Thorn stand up and he looked around.

“You were a darknut. Nicolei must have done this.”Link said. Thorn placed a hand to his forehead and growled.

“Ow..my head. Did you have to be so rough?”he growls, shooting a glare at Link. Link sweatdropped and held his hands up in defense.

“Hey, you were a darknut! How was I suppose to know it was you?”he asked. Thorn sighed and looked around.

“Okay, so where are we?”he asks.

“The Desert Province. I’m on my way to face Nicolei.”Link says. Thorn stares at him.

“Really? Well it will take about two days to get there. We should get going..”he says looking towards the now setting sun. Link nods and the two set off through the desert together.
~~

As the sun set, the ari around Thorn and Link began to grow colder. Thorn was the first to stop and turn back to Link.

“What is it?”Link asks.

“We should rest. We’ll likely freeze to death if we try to go straight through.”Thorn says. Link sighed and plopped down on the sand beneath him.

“You’re right. I’m pooped anyway..”he says. Thorn smirked.

“Some hero you are.”he says. Link glared at him.

“Hey! Part of this is your fault! You were no weak darknut you know!” he snapped. Thorn merely chuckled and sat down across from the raging blonde.

“My bad. But It wasn’t my fault..”he sighs. Link pouted and turned away from the brunette. His gaze focused on the six pillars that represented the mirror chamber. Link bit his bottom lip and turned back to Thorn who was currently starting a small fire to keep the two men warm.

“Hey..Thorn. Can I ask you something?”he asks. Thorn looks up from the small starting flame and nodded.

“Shoot.”he tells Link. Link inhaled deeply and stared intensely at Thorn.

“Nicolei..he’s your brother right?”he asks. Thorn nods.

“Yes, my older brother.”Thorn replies.

“But..I have to..you know..stop him. In other words, I have to kill him. Are you okay with that?”Link asks. Thorn inhaled deeply and stared at Link.

“Link. You are the hero. My brother is the villain. It is true him and I are connected by blood but darkness has already consumed him. Once he got his power, Nicolei was no longer my brother but a mere obstacle that stood between life and death of our world. Even if he is my brother, I have no doubt that Nicolei wouldn’t think twice about casting me off. He’s used me like a weapon and I let him. Nicolei as far as I’m concerned, isn’t even human anymore. I can’t stop him. I won’t stop you from killing because..it’s what needs to be done.”Thorn explains to Link. “DO you understand?
“

Link nodded.

“I do..I just..wanted to make sure you were okay about it.”Link says. Thorn yawned and shifted his weight onto his arms behind him as he leaned back.

“SO Link. Are you really ready to face Nicolei? For good this time?”Thorn asks. Link nods and stares deeply into Thorn’s golden eyes.

“I am. True there was a time where I gave up. I thought Nicolei was too strong for even me. But then, I underwent hard training. Now, I’m stronger. I must be. I’ve got so many people counting on me. SO many people I need to protect. I can’t let Nicolei scare me away. I must face him even if I’m killed, I know in my death, Hyrule as well as the Twilight Realm will be safe. And when that happens, I’ll meet ______ in heaven where we will watch down on Hyrule from above.” Link says. Thorn chuckled a bit.

“Sweet little ending but you won’t die Link. You’re the hero. The hero always prevails.”Thorn yawns and lays back against the sand. “Now get some rest.” Link nodded and turned away from Thorn as he drifted off to sleep. Once again he found himself gazing upon the six pillars of the mirror chamber. Link brought his knees to his chest and rested his arms upon them.

“If that’s true then why? Why do I continuously  see my own death in this fight? I fear, this fight will be my last..”