Xyana was swept through the forest, carried in Dark Link’s arms. She did not struggle, knowing that her captor would keep his word and kill her brother. Tears of anger and bitterness sprang unbidden to her eyes as she thought of the grim future awaiting her. Dark Link winked at her again and whispered hoarsely, “Don’t cry, missy. I’ve no intention of harming a beauty like yourself.” Fury rose in Xyana’s breast as Dark Link pecked her mischievously on the cheek, but still she said nothing and turned her face away. He carried her to a huge, black stallion with blood red eyes and swung her into the saddle, still clutching her in his arms. Then the dark horse began galloping strongly away into the darkness.
Xyana observed her surrounding carefully during the whole of that horrible journey. She knew they would come in useful if she were to escape. But when they had reached their destination, Xyana knew that Dark Link would keep her from escaping at all costs, and that she had no chance of escaping anyway. It was a high, black tower with a single turret at the top. There were no windows or openings of any kind, except for one small, arching window and a huge, gaping entryway. The horse slowed to a trot and lumbered into a black and gloomy courtyard that very much resembled a graveyard.
Dark Link lifted Xyana once more into his arms and carried her through many dark halls and corridors and many, many spiraling staircases that seemed to never end. Finally, they came to the top of the tower, just below the staircase to the turret. A large door loomed before them. Dark Link carried Xyana triumphantly through the door and into a long, dark throne room. A few torches flickering from the walls dimly lit it, and at the far end of the room there were two marble thrones shaped like dragons. On one of them sat a dark figure, regally tall and icy, but the red eyes blazed with hatred at Xyana. It was her dark copy. She had been cursed with the same burden as Link had. She stared in cold fury at Dark Xyana. Dark Xyana stared back with burning red eyes.
Dark Link drew Xyana to him protectively, glaring at his dark sister warily. “I warn you, sister, that if you touch one hair on her head, I shall kill you!” Dark Xyana snarled, baring her teeth and spitting like an angry cat. “Why is this creature so special to you, Dark Link? She’s a hated enemy!” she hissed. Dark Link placed himself between Xyana and her dark copy. “She is to be my bride!” he grated out.
Xyana howled like an enraged Wolfos. She bit Dark Link savagely on the hand, making him release her. She bolted for the doorway, but was stopped by Dark Link as he raced in front of her, blocking her path. Being much stronger than she, he forced her to stay at his side. Xyana was horrified. She would rather die than be the bride of this creature. But she did not try to run away again. She knew that he would keep his word and kill Link if she did.
Dark Xyana snatched Xyana’s by the hair and began pulling her in close. Dark Link gave a concerted howl of rage and lunged at his sister, only to be sent sprawling by a hefty kick from her. Dark Xyana grabbed the collar to Xyana’s tunic and pulled it down a fraction, revealing six horrific scars in the shape of the Triforce on her neck. Dark Xyana gave a triumphant leer, baring her yellowed fangs at her hated copy. She smugly called across to her brother who lay stunned on the floor, “Hey, brother! Your bride is a friend of Zelda’s! I’ll bet she was going to the Gathering!”
Xyana then did a very brave but reckless thing. Now was her chance. Dark Link was too stunned by his sister’s savage blow to react, and Dark Xyana was not any stronger Xyana herself. Xyana wrenched free of her nemesis’s clutches and kicked out, catching Dark Xyana a harsh blow on the chest. Then, propelling herself backwards into the air, she did a swift somersault and landed behind Dark Link, making for the door. But Dark Link, having regained most of his strength, flung out his arms and the door closed.
Xyana whirled around, whipping out her sword, but once again Dark Link flung out his arm and the sword was wrenched from her grasp. The reluctant bride was caught up in her captor’s arms. He carried her past his sister, sneering at the dark copy of his bride with hatred, “Don’t harm this precious creature, or even more harm will come to you!”
Xyana was carried up more stairs until they reached a large balcony looking out over a lonely landscape. Xyana turned and saw moonlight glinting off of a wide, still sheet of water. The sea!
Xyana heard Dark Link moving behind her. She whirled around. He came up to her, removing her weapons and setting them down near the door. He turned back to her, stroking her cheek and saying softly, “You are beautiful.”
Xyana bared her teeth, saying, “You may have forced me to come here, but you can’t make me love you!”
Dark Link laughed cruelly, his hand caressing Xyana’s throat as he said, “You’ll soon see how fortunate you are.”
Xyana averted her eyes from Dark Link’s gaze, tears running down her cheeks. Dark Link shushed her soothingly, wiping the tears away and pleading with her, “Please don’t cry. I will make you a good husband. We can become a great power together!”
He forced Xyana to face him and bent down, kissing her mouth. Xyana shrieked and clamped her mouth tight, wrenching away from Dark Link. Dark Link smiled as he spoke in what he thought was a seductive voice, “You are a true warrior.” His gaze roved over her as he added, “And you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.”
Xyana shook her head, backing up until she bumped into the edge of the balcony. She turned to look. It was a sickening drop, but she’d rather be dashed to pieces than become the bride of the loathsome creature before her.
Dark Link seemed too infatuated with Xyana to realize what she intended. He came towards her, looking like a panther waiting to pounce. Xyana made her move. Slamming into Dark Link, she did a quick forward roll, snatching up her possessions and running back to the edge, leaping onto the rail.
Bracing herself, Xyana tensed her muscles and jumped, trying to angle her body down to land on her feet at a diagonal angle even though she knew this jump was suicidal. She heard Dark Link’s cry of surprise and despair. Suddenly, a terrifying shriek rent the air and something hit Xyana from out of the air. She was caught up into a vice-like grip and the breath was forced from her body. Her arms were pinned at her sides and she could not move. She looked up and saw the gruesome head of a hideous monster. It was a large black dragon with great claws and fangs.
The creature placed Xyana in the crook of its sinewy arm and spiraled down toward the ground, flapping a pair of bat-like wings. It landed with a jarring bump and dropped Xyana to the ground. Xyana leaped up, drawing her sword and whirling round. Dark Xyana sat astride the huge black creature, her red eyes gleaming. She bared her fangs and barked out, “Fool! Did you really think you could escape?”
Xyana bared her teeth right back and growled, “You wish me dead. Why don’t you go ahead and kill me?”
Dark Xyana looked rueful as she answered, “I will not deny my brother what he wants. And he wants you. So you are his. And you can not leave.”
Xyana growled like a Wolfos, moving forward as if to attack, “You won’t take me alive!” Dark Xyana laughed wickedly and leaped from the creature’s back, shaking her dark head. “If you resist and refuse to please my brother, your brother, the so-called Hero of Time, will die.”
Dark Xyana whistled and the creature leaped into the air, beating its powerful wings and heading over the walls. “My faithful servant will make sure of that.”
Xyana moved like lightening. She snatched an arrow from her quiver and notched it to her string, aiming and releasing it all in one swift motion. The shaft zipped off into the night sky and was lost to sight. Suddenly, the dark mass of the creature began swaying crazily as it bellowed out in a terrible voice. It flapped vainly as it descended, and at last it fell to earth, its wings spread out awkwardly.
Dark Xyana gave out an agonized cry, despair and rage mixed. She drew her dark blade and advanced on her hated copy, anger in her eyes, “You slew my dragon! Now I will slay you!”
Xyana went to meet her, casting aside her bow and arrow and drawing her own sword. Both fighters began running towards eachother, and at last they met. Xyana went straight for her opponent’s throat, grabbing her and throttling her as she sought to impale her on her blade. Dark Xyana wriggled free and swung out at Xyana, trying to catch her legs. The Hylian warrior leaped high, easily avoiding it and kicking out, catching Dark Xyana a heavy kick to the chest. Dark Xyana went down, sobbing for breath. Xyana brought her sword down, but her adversary rolled over swiftly, leaping up and trying to stab at her unprotected back. Xyana somersaulted backwards over Dark Xyana’s head, landing on all fours and lunging out like a cat, tackling Dark Xyana. She rolled over on top of her and prepared to slay her, but Dark Xyana shot all four of her limbs out rigid and sent Xyana flying from her. Xyana recovered swiftly and redoubled her efforts, resorting to animal-like fighting tactics. She lunged forward, setting her teeth in Dark Xyana’s throat, clawing at her eyes in the process. Dark Xyana screamed in agony, trying to tear her off.
Suddenly, the fight stopped. Xyana was torn off of her opponent and flung down. Dark Xyana was held tight in Dark Link’s arms. He was holding his sister back as she tried to get at Xyana, speaking in a harsh voice, “Stop! Stay where you are!”
He at last let her go and she stumbled back, rubbing her bleeding neck and mumbling hatred. But she didn’t dare disobey her brother. Not when he was like this.
Dark Link moved toward Xyana. He made his move fast, grabbing her and placing her back against the wall of the fortress, his arms on either side of her. He spoke in a gentle voice, but his words were edged with impatience, “Listen, my sweet. I have the power to slay your brother if you do not consent to my desires. I will not let my sister touch you, but your brother will suffer.”
Tears squeezed from Xyana’s eyes as he spoke, her mind in a turmoil. She had no choice. Dark Link brushed his fingers against her cheek, cooing softly, “Do not despair. You will be treated with kindness and shall live the life of a queen.”
Xyana turned her face as he tried to kiss her. She growled out, “I don’t want to live like that! I’m a fighter, not a queen!”
Dark Link gripped her chin with his thumb and forefinger and forced her to look at him. He bent his head down and kissed her mouth. The hairs on the back of Xyana’s neck went stiff as he caressed her, his eyes shining. “You will become used to it. Don’t doubt it. You have to.”
