**The Darkness Deepens**

A few days had passed since Link's condition had taken a turn for the worse, and the symptoms only seemed to be intensifying. He lay on his pallet, his body wracked with pain and his mind clouded with a thick fog. The sedative had worn off, but the discomfort remained, a constant reminder of the Shadow Rot's relentless march through his body. As he struggled to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back onto the pallet. Zelda, who had been sitting beside him, quickly moved to assist him, helping him to adjust his position and get more comfortable. But even as she cared for him, Link couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing inside him. He was experiencing urinary retention, a symptom that had added to his misery. The discomfort was excruciating, and he could feel the pressure building in his bladder. Zelda noticed his distress and quickly called for Elara, who brought him a special potion to help him urinate. The relief was temporary, but it was a small mercy in the midst of his suffering. But as the days passed, Link's confusion grew. He would forget things, simple tasks and conversations that had taken place just moments before. He would look around the room, trying to remember where he was and why he was there. The fog in his mind was growing thicker, making it harder for him to think clearly. And then, there were the thoughts. Disturbing thoughts that crept into his mind like thieves in the night. He would think of hurting those he loved, of lashing out at Zelda and Elara in ways that made no sense. The thoughts were alien, and they filled him with a sense of horror and dread. As he lay on his pallet, Link's mind was a jumble of fear and confusion. He felt like he was losing himself, bit by bit, to the Shadow Rot's insidious influence. And then, a moderate cough began to develop, a hacking sound that seemed to come from deep within his chest. It was a sound that sent a shiver down his spine, a reminder that the disease was spreading, infecting his lungs and weakening his body. Zelda noticed the cough and quickly moved to comfort him, wrapping a gentle arm around his shoulders. "It's okay, Link," she whispered. "We're here for you. We'll get through this together." But even as she spoke, Link could see the fear in her eyes. Fear that he might not make it, that the Shadow Rot might consume him completely. And he couldn't help but wonder if she was right, if he was already lost to the darkness that was spreading through his body.