Hero and Shadow / The Face Behind the Mask
Title: The Face Behind the Mask
Fandom: The Legend of Zelda series
Characters: Link, Dark Link, Kafei
Prompt: 098 - Writer's Choice: His power is yours.
Word Count: 3862 words
Rating: PG13
Summary: A silly rumor about a strange TV channel shows Link a power he never realized he had. Everyone has a face he shows the world.
Notes: This story is effectively a Legend of Zelda AU set in a world heavily inspired by Persona 4. No prior knowledge of Persona is necessary to understand this, nor are there any spoilers for that game in this fic.
Hero and Shadow Table Link
The Face Behind the Mask Chapter Listing
"I've heard several of the students talking about seeing monsters."
"Students are good at gossiping. They probably haven't seen anything."
I didn't even bother looking up from the magazine I was thumbing through. Did it really matter what the students were gossiping about now? There was always some rumor or another going around; that was what happened at high schools, after all.
"What are you two going on about now?" Sheik asked as he sat down at the table. "I thought we were done for the day."
"We are," Malon replied. "We're just talking about something we've heard the students talking about."
Sheik sighed. "All right, and what are they talking about now?"
"They call it the Midnight Channel," Kafei replied. "Have you heard about it?"
"No, I can't say that I have."
I looked up and sighed. Kafei looked like he had something he had to say. "I've heard the name, but that's it."
Kafei nodded at me. "Okay. Well, the method I've heard is that at midnight on a rainy night, if you turn your television off and then look at the screen, you'll see something."
"Something?" Sheik asked, sounding unimpressed.
"Well, different people say you're supposed to see different things. Some say you see your soulmate, others say you see a former life, and others say you see a monster from another world. I tried it."
Somehow that didn't surprise me. "You did?" I had to ask. "Then what did you see?"
"I saw a Keaton."
Sheik laughed and grabbed his briefcase. "Nice one, Dotour. I'm off; I've got to take care of some things."
"I did," Kafei replied as Sheik left. "I saw a Keaton. What, don't you believe me? Try it out. See what you see. It's supposed to rain tonight, so it should work."
"I'll think about it," Malon replied. "It's probably nothing, though."
He looked over at me. "What about you, Link?"
I raised an eyebrow at him. "If I remember, I'll give it a try. Maybe I'll see a Keaton, too."
---
I needed to get to bed; it was later than I thought. Wait... I glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight, so if I was going to try this, I might as well try. I turned the TV off.
Nothing happened.
That was honestly what I had expected. Just another silly rumor going around among the students. I shook my head and stood up. No point in staying up any longer. I headed towards my bedroom --
-- and stopped when I heard someone laugh. Where had that come from? There was nothing on but the lights. I turned around and checked, glancing at the TV even though I remembered turning it off.
Somehow, there was a figure there on the TV, a tall, broad, armored figure. He -- at least it struck me as a man -- stared outward. That was odd... Despite all of the armor he wore, he wasn't wearing a helmet, just a metal mask with the image of a smiling mouth full of sharp teeth that covered his nose and mouth.
"Wh... what in the world is this?" I said softly, staring at the image. This had to be some kind of trick, because the TV was clearly off, and how did something with no power have an image?
The figure on the screen turned to face me, and it felt like he was somehow staring out of the TV and seeing me. How was that...? No, this had to be a trick. This had to be.
"Thou art I, and I am thou..." the voice was low and deep, and muffled by the mask, but there was something almost familiar about it.
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
His eyes -- red as blood -- narrowed; he was smiling. "I've been waiting for you... waiting for you to wake up."
I leaned in a little closer, trying to figure out where the image was coming from. It was weird -- I could easily see the room reflected on the screen, but the figure was standing where my reflection should've been.
"Wake up, Link. Wake us up."
"What -- whoa!" I jumped back as the figure leaned forward and reached out of the screen, one gauntleted hand brushing against my cheek; the metal was warm. That only made me jump again, falling backwards and sprawling out on the floor. One hand landed on the remote, turning the TV on by accident. As the image of the documentary I'd been ignoring earlier appeared, the figure vanished.
I stared at the TV for a moment. That didn't make sense. None of that made sense. I turned the TV back off, but the screen was blank.
Maybe I'd just imagined it?
Maybe I had. I didn't feel like trying to figure this out; I was just going to go to bed now. I could figure this out later... if I cared at all tomorrow.
---
"Get in your groups and use this time to work on your projects. Remember that these are due Monday, and this is the last time you'll be able to work on them in class, so don't waste this time."
While my students pulled their desks together, I took the stack of quizzes and sat down at my desk. I might as well grade some of them while they worked.
This is your reality? No wonder you hide behind me. The voice laughed.
I glanced up; no, everyone was busy working on their projects. None of them were close enough. I shook my head and went back to grading quizzes. I was just hearing things, right?
Just hearing things, huh? So does that make me a "thing"? It was the voice I'd heard from the TV last night, only now it was in my head. What did that mean?
It meant that I was imagining things, that's what. After all, what had I overheard someone talking about right before class started? The Midnight Channel. This was just my imagination.
You don't have words for me, therefore I must be imaginary, huh? Nice logic, there.
"That's what you are," I muttered, looking around to make sure no one heard me. "You're just a figment of my imagination."
Another laugh. Yes, because something imaginary can't be real.
"It can't be. That's why it's imaginary."
Oh, really... It's not like people pretend to be something they aren't on a regular basis, is it? It's not like you ever pretend to be someone you aren't. The voice sounded proud of pointing that out.
"You don't know me," I hissed under my breath, glaring down at the stack of paper on my desk.
I know you better than you do.
"Shut up." I leaned my head on one hand, rubbing my temples. "I don't care what you know."
I heard a giggle from somewhere else in the room and looked up. Several of my students quickly went back to their work, whispering to each other. That was great, I thought with a sigh; they heard me. That was what I deserved for answering that voice aloud, I figured, but it was easier to keep straight what was me and what was that damned voice when I talked.
I forced myself to go back to grading, deciding it was probably best to just pretend that hadn't happened.
---
"Link, er, is it all right if I talk to you for a moment?"
I sat back down and looked over at him; Kafei looked nervous. "What is it?"
"I overheard a couple of students laughing about how you've been muttering to yourself in class. Are you all right? That's not like you."
"I'm okay, really. Things are just... hectic lately." What was I supposed to do, admit that I was hearing a voice in my head? I sounded crazy enough without telling anyone.
Kafei sat down next to me. "Did you try it? The Midnight Channel, I mean. You've been acting really funny today. Did you see something?"
I glanced around to make sure no one could hear us, and then I leaned in a little closer. "Yeah, I saw something." Actually, that was it. Kafei said he saw that Keaton... maybe he'd understand. "It said something to me, too."
"Whoa, it talked? What did it say?"
"'Thou art I, and I am thou.' And then something about waking us up."
Kafei paled a little. "R-really?"
"Is something wrong?"
He leaned in. "The Keaton said that, too. And then it tried to reach out and grab me."
"What?" I gasped.
"It happened to you, too!"
"Has anything happened since then?"
"Nothing at all. Why? Did that happen to you, too?"
I shook my head. Then again... the thing in the TV had actually touched me. Was that it?
Ooooh, look at you. You're starting to catch on to how this works, aren't you?
"Something like that," I replied, answering both of them at once.
Kafei nodded. "That's... wow. I've been afraid to say anything to anybody else because I figured they'd think I finally lost it. But it happened to you, too, so it's not just me..."
"Apparently not," I replied.
"Link, are you okay? You don't look so good."
I didn't know what to think about any of this, really. Even if Kafei had seen something similar to what I did, he still saw something different. And he didn't hear anyone in his head, which I did. That was what bothered me the most; I heard a voice in my head that wasn't my own, and I didn't know what it was or how to get rid of it.
I didn't even know if I could or should get rid of it, honestly. I sighed. "I'm just tired, is all."
"Then maybe we should wait and talk about this some other time then..."
---
I locked the door behind me and tossed my bag onto the table. This was... What had I done? Damn it. I was hearing a voice in my head now. Was I going crazy, or did this have something to do with the Midnight Channel? Was any of this real at all?
Worry, worry, worry... the voice said with a laugh; it was the first time I'd heard it since I left campus. Why are you so worried about this being real?
"I'm... I'm not crazy."
Of course you aren't. That's why I exist, after all.
"What are you talking about?" I fell onto the couch and closed my eyes. Why was I even doing this?
The voice laughed. Meet me inside and we'll talk.
"Inside...?"
Yeah. Inside. It's comfy in there.
I yawned. Why was I so sleepy now? No, it didn't matter. After today, some sleep would be good. Yes, that was it. Sleep would help...
I woke up somewhere other than my apartment. It was a field next to a forest, gently rolling ground covered in long grass waving in a breeze. This place was peaceful. Really peaceful. And it reminded me of being back home.
"Is that a surprise?"
I turned toward the voice and jumped back. The armored man was there! "What is this place?" I gasped.
"This?" He spread his arms, his armor clinking with the motion. "Welcome to the inside of your soul."
"What?"
"This is your safe place. Y'know, where you come and hide when things get to be too much for you."
I narrowed my eyes. "And just who are you to know this?"
He reached up and pulled off the painted metal mask. "Haven't I already said? I'm you."
He certainly looked like me. His hair was darker and longer, but... that was my face. The strange armored man I saw on a turned-off TV on a rainy night had my face.
"How can that be?"
He grinned at that. "A question first, Link: do you always show your true self to people?"
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Always? You never fake a smile to make someone feel better or hide your true feelings about something?"
"Well, I..." I did sometimes, but... "Sometimes it's just polite."
"And sometimes you don't want people to realize how lonely you are."
"I'm not lonely!" That was a lie. I did get lonely sometimes. It seemed like all I did any more was work, and even if I had time, part of me just wanted to go home.
I looked around again. Home. I looked away. "What are you implying?"
He raised his mask up, giving me a good look at the smiling mouth painted on it. "Have you ever wondered where the strength to keep smiling comes from?" He slid the mask onto my face; the metal was oddly comfortable, fitting snugly against my skin. It was warm.
"What is...?"
"I give you that strength," he said, looking thoughtful. "Whenever you need it, you wear my mask. It makes you comfortable, doesn't it?"
I didn't know what to say to that. It was true that I was good at faking a smile, but... I didn't want anyone to worry about me.
He slid the mask off my face. "I'm you, Link. Well, it's more like I'm the face you show the world."
"It's nothing like that!"
"Oh? So you don't try to be everyone's knight? The one who helps everyone out? The man who's always friendly and smiling?" He spread his arms again. A suit of gleaming armor... a mask with a smile painted on it...
"None of this makes sense," I replied, flopping down to the ground. "So you're like a mask?"
He nodded. "I'm your Persona. I'm the face you show the world, but I'm also the part of you that you hide."
The part I hid... the part that was lonely, or the part that really just wanted everyone to leave him alone? Everyone seemed to depend on me, but...
"You're starting to get it, aren't you?"
I looked back at him, noting the spikes on his pauldrons and the sharp teeth of the smile. It was mighty and gleaming and yet somewhat threatening. "So... are you something good or something evil?"
He laughed at that. "That is entirely up to you. I'll do whatever it is that you want me to. I'll defend you when you need it, and I'll destroy for you when you want that. But I think I've confused you enough for one day, so I'll let you get some real sleep."
"Wait. What's your name?"
"My name? I don't have one."
He didn't have a name? That wouldn't work. If this was real, then... I needed something better to call him than a voice or a mask. "You're me, right? But you're, er, darker."
And he was. His hair was black and seemed to just fade into the air at the edges and his eyes were red. Everything about him seemed darker and more dangerous than me.
He chuckled at that. "It seems I am."
"Okay, so if I'm Link, then you're Dark Link." That made sense, but it also sounded a little silly. Then again, it was something to call him.
"Dark Link, hmm? I think I like that. Yeah, that works for a name." He grinned again. "Now," he held a card out to me. "You need your sleep. Just remember what I've said, okay?"
I took the card, not knowing what else to do. "I'll try..."
"That's all I ask for. Now go to sleep."
---
I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing. I tried to roll over and ignore it, but all I did was roll off the couch.
"All right, all right, I'm up..." I muttered, sitting up and rubbing my head. What time was it? Oh, about nine. Damn, I hadn't slept very long at all, had I? It wasn't even close to midnight yet.
I grabbed my phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Link, it's Kafei. Are you home?"
"Yes, I am. Why?" That was an odd question.
"You are? Then why didn't you answer when I knocked?"
Someone knocked? That was odd. The sound of someone knocking didn't wake me up, but my phone did?
"I'm sorry, Kafei. I was taking a nap. I must not have heard you..."
He laughed. "Oh, then I should be the one apologizing. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Either way, I'm up now. Did you need something?"
"I just... this is going to sound pretty stupid, but I figured since it's Friday, we could maybe go somewhere and talk?"
About the Midnight Channel, no doubt. What would it hurt? "Sure. Are you in the parking lot? I can meet you down there."
Kafei chuckled. "Yeah, that works just fine. Then I'll see you down here in a min -- huh?"
"Kafei?"
"Just heard something in the bushes. Must be a cat or something. Anyway, I'll be waiting down here."
"I'll be right down." I hung up and grabbed my jacket. "I wonder how much I should tell him..."
That's your choice, really.
"I don't know how much he'd believe me..."
Then don't tell him. It doesn't matter either way.
I slid my phone into my jacket pocket and stopped when my fingers brushed something glossy. What? I pulled it out -- it was a card, a large rectangular card with an ornate blue and white border ringing a full-body picture of Dark Link. He had a long sword in one hand and a gleaming shield in the other. He was left-handed, but somehow, that didn't surprise me. If he was me, then of course he was left-handed.
"What's this for?"
Keep it with you. You might need it.
"All right. What do I need it for?"
If you need it, you'll know. Your friend's waiting for you.
I sighed and slid the card into my pocket. "All right, I'm going."
It didn't take long to head downstairs and out into the parking lot. Weird; there was Kafei's truck, but where was Kafei?
"Kafei? Where are you?" The parking lot was quiet, the only sound that of the traffic from the nearby street.
"Get away from me!"
To the left!
I turned that way; someone was running across the parking lot. It was Kafei! Something large and black followed him. I started running after them, trying to figure out what that thing was.
Watch yourself!
"Kafei!"
"Link! Run!" Kafei managed to scramble on top of the dumpster; the thing clawed at the sides but couldn't climb up after him. He was safe, then.
The thing sagged down... and then it turned around. It didn't really even have a form, just two arms ending in jagged claws and a head with a mask on it rising out of what looked like a black puddle. What was this thing?!
A Shadow.
A what? I took a step back, but the Shadow had already noticed me. It started towards me, clawing at the ground to pull itself closer. If only I could get on the dumpster -- no, that wouldn't work. That would get us away from it, but the thing would still be there... and it might go after someone else.
Move, you idiot!
I yelped and jumped back as the thing swiped at me. Damn it, I was being careless! I didn't know what else to do, so I started running across the parking lot, the Shadow in pursuit.
"Dark Link, what do I do?" I gasped as I ran.
Let me out so I can kill it!
"How do I do that?!"
Use the card, idiot!
"How?!" I shrieked, right as I reached one side of the parking lot. Damn damn damn; I just ran straight down a dead end. What was I supposed to do now? I turned around so I could keep an eye on the Shadow and yanked the card out of my pocket.
"Any hints at all would be nice..." I muttered. The damn thing was slinking towards me, stalking me.
...I can't. You have to be the one to call me. I can't tell you how.
I grit my teeth and thrust the card towards the monster. "Get back, monster, or I'll use this!"
The monster didn't even slow down. It just kept coming towards me, the empty eyes of the mask staring at me.
I didn't know what I was supposed to do. How was I supposed to use a card? "Dark Link, please, help me!" I closed my eyes. "Defend me!"
There was a sound like glass breaking, followed by a blast of wind that swirled around me. I opened my eyes -- Dark Link was in front of me, charging at the Shadow. He raised his sword and almost effortlessly sliced the Shadow in half. Black blood splattered everywhere, quickly fading away, as the thing's body dissolved into a cloud of gray smoke.
"Wh-what...?"
Dark Link turned to me and smiled -- well, his eyes were smiling; he was wearing his mask again. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd figure it out."
"I just..."
"You asked for my help, and you pulled me out." He shrugged. "And here I am."
"Link, are you -- whoa!" Kafei skid to a halt nearby, staring at Dark Link in terror.
I moved to stand next to my Persona. "It's okay, Kafei! He's... um..."
"I am Link's power," Dark Link said with a chuckle, and then he faded away. The card reappeared in mid-air; I snatched it out of the air and held it close.
Kafei just stared. "That was... What the...? Wait, where'd that monster go?"
"He killed it," I said softly, holding the card out so Kafei could see it.
"B-but who is he, Link?"
I took a deep breath. I needed to admit it now. "He's the one I saw on the Midnight Channel."
His eyes got wider, and he moved in to get a good look at Dark Link's card. "He's the one you saw? Then how did he...?" Kafei looked at me. "Link, we have to talk."
I nodded. "Maybe we should just stay in my apartment. Then we don't have to worry about anyone overhearing..." Or seeing, for that matter. Oddly enough, it didn't seem that anyone had heard either of us yelling or seen the Shadow. Normally, that would bother me, but right now, that meant less to try and explain.
Still, we needed to get inside. "Come on, Kafei," I said, holding out my free hand. "Let's go inside."
"O-okay. Link, there's an explanation for this... right?"
What is he talking about?
"You mean the Keaton you saw?"
"Y-yeah."
Ah, I see. So your friend has seen his Persona as well... He isn't awake yet.
"Not awake?" I said under my breath as I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. "You mean like us?"
Yeah. We're awake, which means that you are both aware of me and able to call on my power. He isn't, not entirely...
"Link, are you talking to yourself?"
I laughed at that. In some ways, yes, I was. "It's a long story, Kafei. Make yourself comfortable, and I'll try to explain it as best as I can..."
Fandom: The Legend of Zelda series
Characters: Link, Dark Link, Kafei
Prompt: 098 - Writer's Choice: His power is yours.
Word Count: 3862 words
Rating: PG13
Summary: A silly rumor about a strange TV channel shows Link a power he never realized he had. Everyone has a face he shows the world.
Notes: This story is effectively a Legend of Zelda AU set in a world heavily inspired by Persona 4. No prior knowledge of Persona is necessary to understand this, nor are there any spoilers for that game in this fic.
Hero and Shadow Table Link
The Face Behind the Mask Chapter Listing
"I've heard several of the students talking about seeing monsters."
"Students are good at gossiping. They probably haven't seen anything."
I didn't even bother looking up from the magazine I was thumbing through. Did it really matter what the students were gossiping about now? There was always some rumor or another going around; that was what happened at high schools, after all.
"What are you two going on about now?" Sheik asked as he sat down at the table. "I thought we were done for the day."
"We are," Malon replied. "We're just talking about something we've heard the students talking about."
Sheik sighed. "All right, and what are they talking about now?"
"They call it the Midnight Channel," Kafei replied. "Have you heard about it?"
"No, I can't say that I have."
I looked up and sighed. Kafei looked like he had something he had to say. "I've heard the name, but that's it."
Kafei nodded at me. "Okay. Well, the method I've heard is that at midnight on a rainy night, if you turn your television off and then look at the screen, you'll see something."
"Something?" Sheik asked, sounding unimpressed.
"Well, different people say you're supposed to see different things. Some say you see your soulmate, others say you see a former life, and others say you see a monster from another world. I tried it."
Somehow that didn't surprise me. "You did?" I had to ask. "Then what did you see?"
"I saw a Keaton."
Sheik laughed and grabbed his briefcase. "Nice one, Dotour. I'm off; I've got to take care of some things."
"I did," Kafei replied as Sheik left. "I saw a Keaton. What, don't you believe me? Try it out. See what you see. It's supposed to rain tonight, so it should work."
"I'll think about it," Malon replied. "It's probably nothing, though."
He looked over at me. "What about you, Link?"
I raised an eyebrow at him. "If I remember, I'll give it a try. Maybe I'll see a Keaton, too."
---
I needed to get to bed; it was later than I thought. Wait... I glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight, so if I was going to try this, I might as well try. I turned the TV off.
Nothing happened.
That was honestly what I had expected. Just another silly rumor going around among the students. I shook my head and stood up. No point in staying up any longer. I headed towards my bedroom --
-- and stopped when I heard someone laugh. Where had that come from? There was nothing on but the lights. I turned around and checked, glancing at the TV even though I remembered turning it off.
Somehow, there was a figure there on the TV, a tall, broad, armored figure. He -- at least it struck me as a man -- stared outward. That was odd... Despite all of the armor he wore, he wasn't wearing a helmet, just a metal mask with the image of a smiling mouth full of sharp teeth that covered his nose and mouth.
"Wh... what in the world is this?" I said softly, staring at the image. This had to be some kind of trick, because the TV was clearly off, and how did something with no power have an image?
The figure on the screen turned to face me, and it felt like he was somehow staring out of the TV and seeing me. How was that...? No, this had to be a trick. This had to be.
"Thou art I, and I am thou..." the voice was low and deep, and muffled by the mask, but there was something almost familiar about it.
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
His eyes -- red as blood -- narrowed; he was smiling. "I've been waiting for you... waiting for you to wake up."
I leaned in a little closer, trying to figure out where the image was coming from. It was weird -- I could easily see the room reflected on the screen, but the figure was standing where my reflection should've been.
"Wake up, Link. Wake us up."
"What -- whoa!" I jumped back as the figure leaned forward and reached out of the screen, one gauntleted hand brushing against my cheek; the metal was warm. That only made me jump again, falling backwards and sprawling out on the floor. One hand landed on the remote, turning the TV on by accident. As the image of the documentary I'd been ignoring earlier appeared, the figure vanished.
I stared at the TV for a moment. That didn't make sense. None of that made sense. I turned the TV back off, but the screen was blank.
Maybe I'd just imagined it?
Maybe I had. I didn't feel like trying to figure this out; I was just going to go to bed now. I could figure this out later... if I cared at all tomorrow.
---
"Get in your groups and use this time to work on your projects. Remember that these are due Monday, and this is the last time you'll be able to work on them in class, so don't waste this time."
While my students pulled their desks together, I took the stack of quizzes and sat down at my desk. I might as well grade some of them while they worked.
This is your reality? No wonder you hide behind me. The voice laughed.
I glanced up; no, everyone was busy working on their projects. None of them were close enough. I shook my head and went back to grading quizzes. I was just hearing things, right?
Just hearing things, huh? So does that make me a "thing"? It was the voice I'd heard from the TV last night, only now it was in my head. What did that mean?
It meant that I was imagining things, that's what. After all, what had I overheard someone talking about right before class started? The Midnight Channel. This was just my imagination.
You don't have words for me, therefore I must be imaginary, huh? Nice logic, there.
"That's what you are," I muttered, looking around to make sure no one heard me. "You're just a figment of my imagination."
Another laugh. Yes, because something imaginary can't be real.
"It can't be. That's why it's imaginary."
Oh, really... It's not like people pretend to be something they aren't on a regular basis, is it? It's not like you ever pretend to be someone you aren't. The voice sounded proud of pointing that out.
"You don't know me," I hissed under my breath, glaring down at the stack of paper on my desk.
I know you better than you do.
"Shut up." I leaned my head on one hand, rubbing my temples. "I don't care what you know."
I heard a giggle from somewhere else in the room and looked up. Several of my students quickly went back to their work, whispering to each other. That was great, I thought with a sigh; they heard me. That was what I deserved for answering that voice aloud, I figured, but it was easier to keep straight what was me and what was that damned voice when I talked.
I forced myself to go back to grading, deciding it was probably best to just pretend that hadn't happened.
---
"Link, er, is it all right if I talk to you for a moment?"
I sat back down and looked over at him; Kafei looked nervous. "What is it?"
"I overheard a couple of students laughing about how you've been muttering to yourself in class. Are you all right? That's not like you."
"I'm okay, really. Things are just... hectic lately." What was I supposed to do, admit that I was hearing a voice in my head? I sounded crazy enough without telling anyone.
Kafei sat down next to me. "Did you try it? The Midnight Channel, I mean. You've been acting really funny today. Did you see something?"
I glanced around to make sure no one could hear us, and then I leaned in a little closer. "Yeah, I saw something." Actually, that was it. Kafei said he saw that Keaton... maybe he'd understand. "It said something to me, too."
"Whoa, it talked? What did it say?"
"'Thou art I, and I am thou.' And then something about waking us up."
Kafei paled a little. "R-really?"
"Is something wrong?"
He leaned in. "The Keaton said that, too. And then it tried to reach out and grab me."
"What?" I gasped.
"It happened to you, too!"
"Has anything happened since then?"
"Nothing at all. Why? Did that happen to you, too?"
I shook my head. Then again... the thing in the TV had actually touched me. Was that it?
Ooooh, look at you. You're starting to catch on to how this works, aren't you?
"Something like that," I replied, answering both of them at once.
Kafei nodded. "That's... wow. I've been afraid to say anything to anybody else because I figured they'd think I finally lost it. But it happened to you, too, so it's not just me..."
"Apparently not," I replied.
"Link, are you okay? You don't look so good."
I didn't know what to think about any of this, really. Even if Kafei had seen something similar to what I did, he still saw something different. And he didn't hear anyone in his head, which I did. That was what bothered me the most; I heard a voice in my head that wasn't my own, and I didn't know what it was or how to get rid of it.
I didn't even know if I could or should get rid of it, honestly. I sighed. "I'm just tired, is all."
"Then maybe we should wait and talk about this some other time then..."
---
I locked the door behind me and tossed my bag onto the table. This was... What had I done? Damn it. I was hearing a voice in my head now. Was I going crazy, or did this have something to do with the Midnight Channel? Was any of this real at all?
Worry, worry, worry... the voice said with a laugh; it was the first time I'd heard it since I left campus. Why are you so worried about this being real?
"I'm... I'm not crazy."
Of course you aren't. That's why I exist, after all.
"What are you talking about?" I fell onto the couch and closed my eyes. Why was I even doing this?
The voice laughed. Meet me inside and we'll talk.
"Inside...?"
Yeah. Inside. It's comfy in there.
I yawned. Why was I so sleepy now? No, it didn't matter. After today, some sleep would be good. Yes, that was it. Sleep would help...
I woke up somewhere other than my apartment. It was a field next to a forest, gently rolling ground covered in long grass waving in a breeze. This place was peaceful. Really peaceful. And it reminded me of being back home.
"Is that a surprise?"
I turned toward the voice and jumped back. The armored man was there! "What is this place?" I gasped.
"This?" He spread his arms, his armor clinking with the motion. "Welcome to the inside of your soul."
"What?"
"This is your safe place. Y'know, where you come and hide when things get to be too much for you."
I narrowed my eyes. "And just who are you to know this?"
He reached up and pulled off the painted metal mask. "Haven't I already said? I'm you."
He certainly looked like me. His hair was darker and longer, but... that was my face. The strange armored man I saw on a turned-off TV on a rainy night had my face.
"How can that be?"
He grinned at that. "A question first, Link: do you always show your true self to people?"
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Always? You never fake a smile to make someone feel better or hide your true feelings about something?"
"Well, I..." I did sometimes, but... "Sometimes it's just polite."
"And sometimes you don't want people to realize how lonely you are."
"I'm not lonely!" That was a lie. I did get lonely sometimes. It seemed like all I did any more was work, and even if I had time, part of me just wanted to go home.
I looked around again. Home. I looked away. "What are you implying?"
He raised his mask up, giving me a good look at the smiling mouth painted on it. "Have you ever wondered where the strength to keep smiling comes from?" He slid the mask onto my face; the metal was oddly comfortable, fitting snugly against my skin. It was warm.
"What is...?"
"I give you that strength," he said, looking thoughtful. "Whenever you need it, you wear my mask. It makes you comfortable, doesn't it?"
I didn't know what to say to that. It was true that I was good at faking a smile, but... I didn't want anyone to worry about me.
He slid the mask off my face. "I'm you, Link. Well, it's more like I'm the face you show the world."
"It's nothing like that!"
"Oh? So you don't try to be everyone's knight? The one who helps everyone out? The man who's always friendly and smiling?" He spread his arms again. A suit of gleaming armor... a mask with a smile painted on it...
"None of this makes sense," I replied, flopping down to the ground. "So you're like a mask?"
He nodded. "I'm your Persona. I'm the face you show the world, but I'm also the part of you that you hide."
The part I hid... the part that was lonely, or the part that really just wanted everyone to leave him alone? Everyone seemed to depend on me, but...
"You're starting to get it, aren't you?"
I looked back at him, noting the spikes on his pauldrons and the sharp teeth of the smile. It was mighty and gleaming and yet somewhat threatening. "So... are you something good or something evil?"
He laughed at that. "That is entirely up to you. I'll do whatever it is that you want me to. I'll defend you when you need it, and I'll destroy for you when you want that. But I think I've confused you enough for one day, so I'll let you get some real sleep."
"Wait. What's your name?"
"My name? I don't have one."
He didn't have a name? That wouldn't work. If this was real, then... I needed something better to call him than a voice or a mask. "You're me, right? But you're, er, darker."
And he was. His hair was black and seemed to just fade into the air at the edges and his eyes were red. Everything about him seemed darker and more dangerous than me.
He chuckled at that. "It seems I am."
"Okay, so if I'm Link, then you're Dark Link." That made sense, but it also sounded a little silly. Then again, it was something to call him.
"Dark Link, hmm? I think I like that. Yeah, that works for a name." He grinned again. "Now," he held a card out to me. "You need your sleep. Just remember what I've said, okay?"
I took the card, not knowing what else to do. "I'll try..."
"That's all I ask for. Now go to sleep."
---
I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing. I tried to roll over and ignore it, but all I did was roll off the couch.
"All right, all right, I'm up..." I muttered, sitting up and rubbing my head. What time was it? Oh, about nine. Damn, I hadn't slept very long at all, had I? It wasn't even close to midnight yet.
I grabbed my phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Link, it's Kafei. Are you home?"
"Yes, I am. Why?" That was an odd question.
"You are? Then why didn't you answer when I knocked?"
Someone knocked? That was odd. The sound of someone knocking didn't wake me up, but my phone did?
"I'm sorry, Kafei. I was taking a nap. I must not have heard you..."
He laughed. "Oh, then I should be the one apologizing. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Either way, I'm up now. Did you need something?"
"I just... this is going to sound pretty stupid, but I figured since it's Friday, we could maybe go somewhere and talk?"
About the Midnight Channel, no doubt. What would it hurt? "Sure. Are you in the parking lot? I can meet you down there."
Kafei chuckled. "Yeah, that works just fine. Then I'll see you down here in a min -- huh?"
"Kafei?"
"Just heard something in the bushes. Must be a cat or something. Anyway, I'll be waiting down here."
"I'll be right down." I hung up and grabbed my jacket. "I wonder how much I should tell him..."
That's your choice, really.
"I don't know how much he'd believe me..."
Then don't tell him. It doesn't matter either way.
I slid my phone into my jacket pocket and stopped when my fingers brushed something glossy. What? I pulled it out -- it was a card, a large rectangular card with an ornate blue and white border ringing a full-body picture of Dark Link. He had a long sword in one hand and a gleaming shield in the other. He was left-handed, but somehow, that didn't surprise me. If he was me, then of course he was left-handed.
"What's this for?"
Keep it with you. You might need it.
"All right. What do I need it for?"
If you need it, you'll know. Your friend's waiting for you.
I sighed and slid the card into my pocket. "All right, I'm going."
It didn't take long to head downstairs and out into the parking lot. Weird; there was Kafei's truck, but where was Kafei?
"Kafei? Where are you?" The parking lot was quiet, the only sound that of the traffic from the nearby street.
"Get away from me!"
To the left!
I turned that way; someone was running across the parking lot. It was Kafei! Something large and black followed him. I started running after them, trying to figure out what that thing was.
Watch yourself!
"Kafei!"
"Link! Run!" Kafei managed to scramble on top of the dumpster; the thing clawed at the sides but couldn't climb up after him. He was safe, then.
The thing sagged down... and then it turned around. It didn't really even have a form, just two arms ending in jagged claws and a head with a mask on it rising out of what looked like a black puddle. What was this thing?!
A Shadow.
A what? I took a step back, but the Shadow had already noticed me. It started towards me, clawing at the ground to pull itself closer. If only I could get on the dumpster -- no, that wouldn't work. That would get us away from it, but the thing would still be there... and it might go after someone else.
Move, you idiot!
I yelped and jumped back as the thing swiped at me. Damn it, I was being careless! I didn't know what else to do, so I started running across the parking lot, the Shadow in pursuit.
"Dark Link, what do I do?" I gasped as I ran.
Let me out so I can kill it!
"How do I do that?!"
Use the card, idiot!
"How?!" I shrieked, right as I reached one side of the parking lot. Damn damn damn; I just ran straight down a dead end. What was I supposed to do now? I turned around so I could keep an eye on the Shadow and yanked the card out of my pocket.
"Any hints at all would be nice..." I muttered. The damn thing was slinking towards me, stalking me.
...I can't. You have to be the one to call me. I can't tell you how.
I grit my teeth and thrust the card towards the monster. "Get back, monster, or I'll use this!"
The monster didn't even slow down. It just kept coming towards me, the empty eyes of the mask staring at me.
I didn't know what I was supposed to do. How was I supposed to use a card? "Dark Link, please, help me!" I closed my eyes. "Defend me!"
There was a sound like glass breaking, followed by a blast of wind that swirled around me. I opened my eyes -- Dark Link was in front of me, charging at the Shadow. He raised his sword and almost effortlessly sliced the Shadow in half. Black blood splattered everywhere, quickly fading away, as the thing's body dissolved into a cloud of gray smoke.
"Wh-what...?"
Dark Link turned to me and smiled -- well, his eyes were smiling; he was wearing his mask again. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd figure it out."
"I just..."
"You asked for my help, and you pulled me out." He shrugged. "And here I am."
"Link, are you -- whoa!" Kafei skid to a halt nearby, staring at Dark Link in terror.
I moved to stand next to my Persona. "It's okay, Kafei! He's... um..."
"I am Link's power," Dark Link said with a chuckle, and then he faded away. The card reappeared in mid-air; I snatched it out of the air and held it close.
Kafei just stared. "That was... What the...? Wait, where'd that monster go?"
"He killed it," I said softly, holding the card out so Kafei could see it.
"B-but who is he, Link?"
I took a deep breath. I needed to admit it now. "He's the one I saw on the Midnight Channel."
His eyes got wider, and he moved in to get a good look at Dark Link's card. "He's the one you saw? Then how did he...?" Kafei looked at me. "Link, we have to talk."
I nodded. "Maybe we should just stay in my apartment. Then we don't have to worry about anyone overhearing..." Or seeing, for that matter. Oddly enough, it didn't seem that anyone had heard either of us yelling or seen the Shadow. Normally, that would bother me, but right now, that meant less to try and explain.
Still, we needed to get inside. "Come on, Kafei," I said, holding out my free hand. "Let's go inside."
"O-okay. Link, there's an explanation for this... right?"
What is he talking about?
"You mean the Keaton you saw?"
"Y-yeah."
Ah, I see. So your friend has seen his Persona as well... He isn't awake yet.
"Not awake?" I said under my breath as I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. "You mean like us?"
Yeah. We're awake, which means that you are both aware of me and able to call on my power. He isn't, not entirely...
"Link, are you talking to yourself?"
I laughed at that. In some ways, yes, I was. "It's a long story, Kafei. Make yourself comfortable, and I'll try to explain it as best as I can..."