Return to Twilight

Chapter 1

They were at the Arbiter's Grounds, standing on the platform beside the Mirror of Twilight. Although Link could sense Zelda's presence at his side, he only had eyes for Midna, who stood before them.

"So, I guess this is farewell, huh?" Midna was saying. "Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know."

Then, perhaps sensing Link's sadness, she said, "But...never forget there is another world bound to this one."

Something about that statement seemed strange to Link. It was as though Midna were trying to make a subtle hint at something, but was unwilling to elaborate in front of Zelda.

"Yes..." Zelda mused. "Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. One can not exist without the other." Looking at the Mirror, she went on, "I know the reason why the Goddesses left the Mirror of Twilight in this world. They left it because it was their desire that we should meet. That is what I believe," she added quietly, glancing sideways at Link.

Midna smiled, but there was something different about her smile. She seemed...sad. Link had seen her express many emotions in their brief time together, but sadness was a rarity. In that instant, Link felt his own heart give an unpleasant twist. It wasn't often that his instincts were ever wrong, and now he was afraid. Afraid, because Midna had only smiled like that once before- when she had attempted to face Ganondorf alone with the Fused Shadow. Now, Link was certain that Midna was intending to do something terrible.

"Zelda," Midna said. "Your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you, then maybe you'll do all right."

With that, Midna turned away and walked until she stood directly in front of the portal to the Twilight Realm. At once, a set of stairs appeared from thin air leading to the small platform before the portal's entrance. There, she stopped and turned towards Link for the final time.

"Thank you, Link," she said.

His throat too full of emotion to speak, Link could only nod.

"Well," Midna said. "Zelda's right. As long as this mirror's around, we could meet again."

"I..."

To Link's astonishment, Midna's eyes were swimming with tears as she said his name. In that instant, he felt an overwhelming wave of panic engulf him. The moment, he knew, was seconds away...

"Wait Midna!" he said, somehow managing to speak around the massive lump in his throat. "Don't-"

But it was too late- raising her right hand, Midna sent her tear floating through the air, towards the Mirror of Twilight.

"See you later," she said.

Everything happened so quickly- Midna's tear collided with the mirror, causing jagged cracks to appear within moments. Horrified, Link and Zelda turned their heads to catch one last glimpse of Midna smiling at them before light spilled from the mirror's surface, and she vanished from sight. Barely a moment had passed before the mirror disintegrated entirely, casting bits of pearly white light in every direction.

For several long heartbeats, Link stood rooted to the spot, until finally the reality of the situation hit him in full force. He collapsed to his knees beside Zelda, distantly aware of the tears that now streamed unchecked down his face and the forlorn howling of the dessert wind that echoed through these ancient ruins. Midna was gone. And she was never coming back.

.....

Then the dream changed.

.....

Link found himself in a room of intense blackness. In fact, it was so dark that there was no way to know if the room he was in had a ceiling, or walls. As he walked forward, the ground was solid beneath his feet, and as he glanced down, he could see his own reflection staring at him.