A Hidden Kindness

582 words

Life went on in Hyrule, as the seasons turned from spring to summer, then summer to fall. Zelda and Link were now going steady with each other, and they were completely head-over-heels in love. Kaikoura and Sheik had finally saved up enough money to buy a two-bedroom house in Kakariko Village. Rabia and Ganondorf still met in secret. Vaati had kept their cover and wasn’t planning to tell anyone any time soon.

Gideon watched all this progress from the shadows, never making himself known. He could see the jealousy growing within the mage, and felt it pulling at his own heart. He knew he’d have to act soon or the Gerudo king would have Rabia’s heart all to himself. That was not acceptable. However, someone else had entered the game; a perfect pawn for Gideon.

Gideon spotted him outside the gates of Henderson Manor, poised to ring the bell. His eyes narrowed as he watched the man fumble with a ring in his pocket. He knew this time, he had to make himself known. He materialized out of the shadows behind the man and grabbed him roughly. His claw-like black nails dug into the man’s shoulders ever-so-slightly.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he hissed, his voice gravelly and deep. The man nearly jumped out of his skin. Gideon clamped a hand over his mouth before he could let out a scream. “Quiet, worm. Answer me.” Gideon uncovered his mouth once he was sure the worm wouldn’t scream. The man’s eyes dilated in fear, breath coming out in sharp gasps.

“I-I… I was just…” he stuttered. Gideon came around so he was staring right into the worm’s eyes, white cape swishing around him.

“You were just… what?” he growled. The worm’s eyes hardened and the scent of fear left him.

“Visiting an old friend. And who are you?” The man raised an immaculately kept eyebrow.

“Who am I?” Gideon snarled. “It matters not. That girl is mine,” he hissed. The other man laughed.

“Yours? Does she even know who you are? ...You’re not a stalker, are you?” He wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Move along. There’s nothing for you here.” He gasped as Gideon grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

“Watch your tongue, worm,” Gideon said. “If she is yours, as you claim, you are too late. Her heart belongs to another.” Gideon set him down back onto his feet and slunk back towards the shadows. The man caught his breath as Gideon’s words sunk in.

“Wait… what do you mean?” he asked. Gideon snorted.

“An old friend, indeed…” he mocked. “Would an old friend not know of a friend’s lover?” Gideon circled around the other man again. “I could help you back into her life, you know. For the right price…” He grinned, showing sharp, white teeth.

“What is it? I’ll do anything,” the other pleaded. “If I don’t marry her, I don’t get my inheritance.” Gideon drew his upper lip back in a disgusted snarl.

“Anything? My price is your servitude,” Gideon let out a hideous laugh, pulling a contract out from under his cape. He unfurled it and handed it to the other man. “Sign it, and she is yours.” The other man snatched from Gideon’s hands and signed his name with flourish, then handed the scroll back to him. Gideon’s snarl widened into a grin and looked it over. “Welcome to hell, Finn. I hope she is worth it.” He laughed deviously and disappeared.