Preview

…

Dreams give us a rest from our world.

Both young men looked out at the sky in front of the ship. As the ship rose above Sky Line, they saw the island much clearer without the incredible torrents of winds warping their view. The silhouette of the new island bore the feeling of a mirror; the topside held the sharp angles of tall, square towers while the bottom looked like a singular, jagged tooth, and both appeared to stretch through the air at the same heights in the same places. As the sun rose and the ship drew nearer, they saw that the towers were far more numerous with the tallest central to the island's landscape. No banners were visible to indicate who claimed the island, nor were there any sign of airships in the neighboring sky.

"Looks deserted," one of the young men commented.

"Let's hope not. This may be our only stop."

Without sleep, our bodies can fail us.

"Sorry, Captain. Been having a hard time getting to sleep."

The captain sighed and said, "Take three hours. If you can't get sleep then, take another three. Find another airman to fill in."

Airman Gillam opened his mouth in surprise. "But… Captain—"

"Do I have to make it an order?"

For a moment, Gillam appeared to want to argue some more. Such was his dedication to his job, the captain knew. But he relented and signaled a passing airman. "No, sir."

But what if…

He could almost feel the confusion oozing off his fairy companion. However, it was Airman Cale who asked, "Wait, ah you suah you read that right?"

The hood tilted to one side. "Why?"

"Because that pahticulah phrase translates to 'moment of sleep'. It has nothing to do with dreams."

"Is it that important?" the captain asked.

"It is if you want it to make sense," Irleen told him, flying a circle around his head.

"As it is, it speaks volumes," Chief Line commented, giving his captain a bored look.

…something in our sleep…

He took the princess's hands, not even thinking that it might not be appropriate. However, she allowed him to examine the bandages wrapped around her fingers. "Wha-what happened? Your-your hands are all cut up!"

…decided that we don't need sleep?

The princess leaned forward to look him in the eyes. And when they met, she let her concern show through strong enough that Link was surprised.

"I had to find you again. To warn you."

…decided we don't deserve peace in our rest?

The girl tilted her head to one side, her large eyes made even creepier by the grin covering the lower half of her face. "Yeah, I suppose you could say that. Although it's really the loss of good dreams that it causes; the nightmares are just a side-effect."

…decided…

"What's causing it?" Link asked.

…to take our dreams?

She opened her arms wide, and Link could swear that they lengthened. "The Night encompasses this whole island. Anyone foolish enough to sleep when the Night comes out to play slowly begins to lose their sanity."

– From the writer who brought you The Legend of Zelda: Sky Lines.

Line followed Link down the street. "Are you telling me the night is what's causing our nightmares!?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet," Link replied, adjusting the strap on the shield. "That's what I'm going to find out."

– Written with hours probably better spent on other things.

Link looked hard at the eye peering at him from between the white bands. He wondered if he should really be doing that, as he really did not know much about this shield.

Then the shield blinked at him.

"Yikes!" he immediately shouted, tossing the shield as he jumped backwards. The shield clanged loud against the stone floor, the sound almost mocking as it came to a rest.

– The concluding adventure of Captain Link and the crew of the Island Symphony.

He craned his neck to see into the darkness. From the different angle, he could see a shadow against the wall. One hand on the hilt of the sheathed sword, he called out, "I am Link, captain of the Island Symphony."

A pair of red eyes opened in the shadow. Then the figure stepped forward, revealing a sword already held in his ashen hand. "What a coincidence," it replied in a voice spoken as if underwater.

"So am I."

– This time…

Link quickly drew his sword. "Oh, no, not you again."

Dark Link's smile grew to an unnatural width, almost bisecting his cheeks. "Who else would you expect to find in your worst nightmares?"

"Wow," the fairy next to Link commented with a giggle. "Man, you've got some issues…"

Then Dark Link lunged forward, sword already swinging in a horizontal arc angled towards Link's neck.

– No one…

A field of flowers. And not just any flowers. Link found himself gazing across a whole field, reaching beyond his vision, made of folded paper flowers.

– …will…

As he swung through the air, Link held his sword thrust into the dark mist. He could feel the blade penetrate something soft, and a quick glance backwards revealed a black liquid gushing into the sky behind him.

– …rest.

Link continued running, across the open dock, towards the departing vessel. He had to catch up to them. He needed the Island Symphony. He leapt up the steps leading to the outcrop which supported the dock's lighthouse. One hand dug into his trouser pocket and pulled out the bent roc's feather he kept there. After rounding the lighthouse, he used the last of his strength to tear across the tip of the outcrop. He could see the retreating form of the Island Symphony's stern. He had to hurry, or he would never make it. His ship was already steering towards the Sky Line.

When his foot hit the last bit of island, he jumped.

…

…

The Legend of Zelda: Dreamweaver's Shield – Coming to FFN… eventually.