Link is leaning against a wall in the Bonfire Square, watching one of the few genuine light sources in Beacon dance in the shadows, when he first hears it. It is a voice that seems to come from so deep inside that he can't be sure it isn't his own.

They don't deserve you.

He pulls away from the wall and wanders down the path from the great flame, frowning to himself. Intrusive thoughts are not new to him but this one feels incredibly strong.

What have any of them done for you? They're attached to this place, not like you. You have more important things to do than worry about them.

They're holding you back.

They're keeping you here.

Kill them.

Link stops abruptly in his tracks and tugs on his ears in frustration. What sort of hero fantasizes about killing everyone? What's wrong with him?

Slowly, he sinks to his knees, unaware that a green light flickering his lantern has suddenly grown more intense.

You are a hero chosen by the gods themselves! He Who Bears The Mark! The Brave One! These miserable creatures should feel honored to simply bask in your divine radiance.

"SHUT UP!"

With almost blinding speed, Link pulls the large sword from its scabbard on his back, wheels in place and thrusts the blade out into the darkness that seems to be closing in all around him.

The blade touches only air and the words from inside him suddenly seem to land on his ears from no direction in particular.

You've always been SO scary!

The voice giggles, a sound like glass shattering on a dungeon floor, then Link is aware of a weight at the end of the Master Sword. He can't see anything in the dark but it feels like an unseen enemy is perched on the flat of the blade.

"Who are you? Show yourself, you damned coward!"

He swings the sword downward and feels more than sees his enemy scurry away into the darkness.

"Bastard! I'll kill you!"

Link charges into the darkness after the demon that exists only in his own mind.

People may see him stalking around like a wild animal. Sometimes he is clawing desperately at his armor or has his hands wrapped around his own throat. Others, it may be someone else's throat he's suddenly lunging for.

Link finally lures his demon out into his mind's eye. In the green light of his lantern he sees his own face stare back at him.

The creature looks just light him, but dressed in black with jet black skin, silver hair and glowing red eyes.

Link lifts his hand and it mirrors his movements effortlessly.

"Are you the one doing this to me?"

The thing smiles toothily.

Is the Prince of Princes unable to face his own strength?

The voice seems to come from everywhere except the creature, whose lips never move.

Link turns his back on it and returns to town. There's no time for this... This thing, whatever it is, is amusing itself at his expense. Or maybe his own mind is starting to finally unravel. For a while now he's felt like, if he's not already crazy, he's going there in a hurry.

He heads back in the direction of the bonfire, looking around for anybody who might be struggling, anyone who could use a bit of help. It seems like the right thing to do. He can still be a hero, even if he's going mad, can't he?

Mercifully, Link's bouts of madness do sometimes lapse. Unfortunately, they only lapse when his lantern turns from green to a brilliant red.

Around the outskirts of Beacon people may see a big, black wolf with blue eyes and a slight green tint to its mane. It's trotting around with a lantern held in its teeth.