Chapter Text
Warm hands cupped her face far gentler than any had before. Thumbs raking across her cheeks like balms for her soul, seeping the tension from her shoulders.
Isha could barely open her eyes to see the woman holding her so softly. Too beaten and battered to utter a word of thanks, not that it was needed. Isha’s sacrifice had been enough.
“The risk you took, you saved my hero, child. Fully willing to give your own life in the pursuit of saving his.”
“He deserves to live,” Isha croaked out, voice hoarse as if she had been screaming. And maybe she had. Her head was full of cotton and memory hazy from the battle.
Link was a hero, a saint. Someone whose soul was precious, needed, to this world. Hyrule needed him more than it needed a dirty sinner like her.
“That he does, my child. But this is a great burden to hold on your shoulders. Being a vessel for the power he holds.” The woman said softly. Her voice was like warm honey, hymns like chimes of church bells. Isha almost wanted to sob at the sound. She never deserved to hear something so unearthly.
“I’ll find a way to save him or die trying. I promise. I will.” Isha murmured.
“You deserve rest. You have to forgive me, but I cannot gift it to you. Nor do I believe you would accept it. So, my dear child, wake up. Do everything you can to return his soul to its rightful body.”
Wake up.
———
Isha startled awake with a gasp, gripping her chest. Head spinning as she felt her heart beating out of her chest.
Taking a few deep breaths she let her head fall back against the tree branch she was resting on.
It’s been two months and six days since the calamity. It’s been two months and six days since Link defeated Ganondorf. It’s been two months and six days since he was struck down, the tether that holds his soul and body together severed. It’s been two months and six days since Isha grabbed Link’s soul and wouldn’t let go. Wouldn’t let it fade and get lost in the spirit realm. Refusing to allow for one more person she cared for to be lost to dark magic. It’s been two months and six days and she still hasn’t figured out a way to reverse the curse.
Isha’s thoughts were interrupted by the small flaming green orb nuzzling up against her cheek. With a grumble, she pushed him away from where he was trying to bury himself in her neck. Can’t he just let her wallow in despair in peace?
Wait, no, that was a dumb question. Of course he wouldn’t want the one person who was keeping him from fading into the afterlife from wallowing. Or, well, maybe it’s just because of his hero’s spirit. He was like that when his soul was still in his body. His body that was now an empty husk in the time temple because of her inability…
The sprite launched itself at her head, nearly knocking her out of the tree.
“Do you fucking mind!” Isha snapped as she grabbed the wisp, abet her grip being loose enough not to hurt the soul.
Did you always have this much self loathing? His voice sounded like how it was when the two used to temple crawl together, echoing and distanced. She could almost see him rolling his eyes.
Isha tossed the wisp away from her, ignoring the protest he made in favor of running a hand through her hair to remove any leaves from the dark strands. Frown pulling at her lips at how oily the dark strands felt. She really did need to wash it more than taking a dip in a lake, but that would mean going to a village. The very thought of hearing one more person calling her a hero made her stomach quinsie.
She wasn’t a hero, she was just a place holder. Just a vessel till she could figure out how to fix this mess.
Her eyes flicked back to the wisp as she huffed, “You’ve been tied to my soul for two months now. You tell me.”
Link didn’t have an answer to that but he did hover just a little bit closer as she climbed out of the tree. Boots landing softly on the grass below. Silent, just as they were trained to be.
——
Silent footsteps following two paces behind. Never getting closer as narrow eyes watch the woman talking to her husband. Her only mistake being that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If only she married someone else. Someone who’s head wasn’t worth their weight in rupees.
Silent footsteps were what closed the distance.
Silent footsteps were what left bloodied footprints from two crumpled bodies like they had many times before.
——
Isha blinked the thought out of her mind, shaking her head. Reminding herself to put a little more weight with each step away from the tree.
She didn’t need to be silent anymore.
With a groan, Isha stretched her arms above her head. Legs still half asleep, shoulders full of tension, and back as stiff as a board.
Well, that’s what you get for sleeping in a tree.
“Better than on the ground where anyone can just walk up and stab you in your sleep.” She murmured.
Debatable.
The huff of the horse grazing by the tree stopped Isha from whatever she was going to say. Epona, Link’s horse, was a beautiful mare who Isha has taken up as a travel partner as of late.
While she felt guilty to ride the hero’s horse when she had no right, leaving the horse at the stables left almost like a sin. Especially when it makes Link so happy to see his horse moving and in action.
With a sharp whistle, Epona gave a snort and walked over, nudging her snout against the woman. Isha gave in and rubbed the horse’s snout. “Come on, sweet girl, it’s time to get on the move.” She murmured as she grabbed an apple from her pack for Epona.
Link’s wisp floated around the two before starting to float off. Seems he’s ready to start their search for what spell would wake up his body.
She wasted no time climbing into Epona’s saddle, snagging the reins and pressing her heels to Epona’s sides. Pressing forward as the horse huffed and started off, following the wisp.
This was going to be a very long day.