"L-Link? Is that really you?" Navi asked.

Those words stung, cutting deep into his heart. His own fairy was not even sure who he was.

"It's me, Navi," Link replied, keeping his voice even to hide the hurt at her doubt. "Who else do you know that wears a floppy green hat like this?"

His jest was meant to break the awkward confusion that hung between them. It didn't make him feel any better.

Link turned to deflect another blow, pushing away a sword that went scraping off his shield, barely missing his midriff. He turned to run and yelped when he realized the legless stalfos had him by the ankle. Its white bony hands clawed into his flesh, leaving bloody rivulets. With a yell of pain and a frantic kick, Link shook it off.

He turned and distinctly heard the angry stalfos yell, "Come back here and I'll bite your legs off!"

Then, the Zora cursed as the demon's fingers twitched, mere inches away from its blade. The demon leaped up with frightening speed, flicking one spear aside. Link had seen it twitch before it jumped. He lunged for his sword and slammed it straight into the demon's chest.

Dark Link looked down in surprise at the blade protruding through its heart.

"You were wrong," Link said, struggling to maintain a hold on his sword. "I am the Hero of Time and I can kill you."