PART THREE – THE THIEF OF THE SHIP
Link didn't wake up until the next morning. The infirmary was crammed with bottles of medicine and dusty books and a musty porthole that shined with light near Link's head. It reeked of a strong antiseptic smell that made her dizzy. There was a wet cloth on his forehead and a blanket brought up to his chin. His breathing was slow, soft with his mouth partially opened. Katie wanted to stay by Link's side all night but Abbie told her only a few minutes until she leaves for bed. Abbie asked if he's really the hero chosen to which she drily answered yes.
He frowned at that and she could clearly see his disbelief. He didn't voice out an opinion as he attentively placed his medicines away. "He's pretty strong for putting up with all this." He said, trying to lighten the mood. "He'll be fine so don't worry."
Katie wanted to hit him. Nothing about Link was fine. Bandages were wrapped around his arms and legs with skin in a ghastly shade of red and bruises that spotted on his legs and hands. Still, despite his state he seemed peaceful in his sleep without anger, hatred or a taunting smirk, almost as if an innocent child curled up into a deep sleep.
His heart is tainted. Desmond said with pain on his face.
Was he always like this? She thought. Was there a time when Link could smile friendly? When he was kind and good-hearted? All humans were born pure hearted and had, since the start, a tender, delicate innocence. She couldn't believe Link as a small, sweet child with no evil mind, playing actual games with toys with other children instead of beating them up.
She tried to imagine Link, an innocent boy, a kind boy, running through a green field with a cute smile and bright eyes with rosy cheeks and hair flying in the wind. How could one sweet child drastically change into something like this?
There must have been something that caused him to be this way. To be this hideous, cruel, bitter person. Something must have changed that little boy, that sweet naïve mind, and made him into something horrible. And now it's her job to help him but how?
Every time she looks at him it's filled with bitter regret. He's a disappointment and a disgrace to everything she's done in her tower, to Zelda's selfless sacrifice every year to assure that another year would follow, to all the heroes that have died for this land, to the Master Sword that is the very symbol of hope. How can she possibly make a hero out of someone so selfish, manipulative, and a proud sadist who doesn't care about anyone other than himself?
The world counts on him, the Goddesses, Hyrulians, everyone in this world is in grave danger and all he wishes to do is drink his days away and torture poor souls. How can anyone in this world be so selfish?
Wake up! She wanted to shout. He had the nerve to be resting there while the world was crumbling around them. Just wake up!
She wanted to head straight for Hyrule Castle, wanted to see Zelda and Impa and see her tower, which she took for granted, intact. Impa would talk to Link, she has a unique way of persuasion and she'll do much better than a fairy could ever do. Link will act like a man and defeat evil from this world and then they will all live peacefully.
She felt relieved when the doctor told her it's better if she gets some sleep. Any moment longer and she would've screamed into Link's face. She glanced down at his sleeping face and slow moving chest. Why was she cursed with a monster to guide? She had a better chance of drinking tea with Ganondorf than go anywhere with this boy.
The morning was when trouble started. Katie came back to the infirmary feeling a bit better from a surprisingly good night's sleep, only to find an empty bed. Abbie told her the patient left a while ago with Levin and Gonzo. How could they send him to work after he collapsed just yesterday? She was fuming at the doctor for letting Link walk around in that state, even after he told her, on average, the recovery from heat stroke would take about a week of bed rest. Link was an incredibly healthy young man and managed to overcome it in one night, Abbie said with pure awe.
He's a hero. He won't die easily. She thought.
Feeling jittered, she went outside to the deck where the clouds seem to bless them with shade. She's not going to let this go on any further. She'll talk to him. They could escape somehow. Go at night, take his weapons then use the sailboat that the crew tied up. Abbie might help. He's shown signs of sympathy when she filled his ears with her worries. They may be teaching him a lesson but Hyrule needs their hero.
On the other side of the deck, Levin seems to be telling Link something. Link, as she saw it, still had his bandages on with a reddish color on his face. The heat was still unbearable as evident on their shirts that were dripping with sweat.
"Hope you enjoyed your little break yesterday," Levin said, kicking the barrel to its side. He stood there as if superior, crossing his buffy arms. "Fill it up to the brim and carry it to my room."
Link didn't move, only glanced down at the barrel expressionless. His bangs weren't fixed and they covered his eyes.
Levin gave him a little shove on the shoulder. "I'm not talking to myself, boy. Don't make me say it again."
Gonzo just shook his head in defeat and exhaustion, decided to turn his attention to the ship's wheel. Niko peered over curiously but otherwise remained silent.
Levin took the silence as offensive and grabbed a handful of Link's hair. "I said move it!"
"I think you need to let go," muttered Link through gritted teeth. He was standing on his toes as Levin pulled him upward. Something changed in his eyes and they darkened.
Why isn't he doing anything about it? She felt angered by his unnecessary commitment. How could he let someone push him around? They nearly drowned him, let him roast in the sun, covered him in bandages and he still stays silent? Good gods, where's his unbearable pride when she needs it?
"What are you, five? Speak up or shut up!"
She found it when a devilish smile grew on Link's lips. His fist went back and smashed Levin's nose, taking the man that was three times his size to the ground. His sudden movement made her yelp in surprise. "Is that loud enough for you?!" Link shouted, voice trembling with anger as he grinned crazily down at the man.
Niko gasped, rushing over to the scene with Senza and Gonzo. Link started to kick the man on the ground with absolute madness in his eyes; his smile was far too wide with his perfect teeth showing. He giggled when Levin curled up to a fetus and wrapped his arms around his head.
"How do you like that?!" He shouted. "You like that, don't you?! Was it funny beating me around?! Was it fun making me your bitch?! Did you think I don't have anything to say about it?!"
He was furious when Gonzo and Senza held him back. Senza grabbing Link's arm and Gonza held the other as they both pulled Link away from their crew member. Levin coughed as he rolled at his side, holding his nose that was a mess of blood. In a storm of curse, Link snarled, yelling and screaming from the top of his lungs as he began to kick and punch out of his restrainment. Holding down a mere eighteen year old seemed to be a challenge for Gonzo and Senza and Katie could see their veins sticking out.
"Holy hell, how strong is he?!" Gonzo yelled. "You better calm down, boy!"
Link stopped all of a sudden but Katie could see that he wasn't done. He popped himself up in order for the top of his head to meet Gonzo's bearded chin. Gonzo shouted in surprise, and his grip on Link's arm loosens to which Link took advantage of to plunged his elbow right into Senza's gut. He broke free from their grip and sent his foot on Gonzo's face then grabbed Senza's hair to bring the man's face to Link's knee. The two grown men fell to the ground, both bleeding and in pain. They were no match for his fast agile movements and his impeccable strength.
Link tackled Levin to the ground; slamming fists on the man's face over and over, laughing maliciously as he did so. Levin slowly had the fight drained out of him as his hands slid off Link.
Link laughed until tears streamed out from his eyes. He didn't hold back. Every punch was followed by a crunching sound from his victim. Blood splattered on his shirt and the ground, his knuckles were red, and small droplets of blood splattered on his cheeks. There was absolute madness in those eyes, almost like a killer. A wide smile stretched from ear to ear and a drop of blood splashed on his cheek, giving him the impression of a psychopath.
A wooden oar struck Link on the side of his face, not nearly enough to throw him off or even leave a mark but it did get his attention. Archie's legs seemed to have turned into jelly, as they would not stop shaking. The oar was far too big and heavy for him as he failed to swing it again for a second strike. He could only point it at the attacker.
"Le-leave him alone," the mechanic stuttered weakly. He was so small, almost like a toddler against Link but there was courage in his stand with a straight posture and furious eyes.
Link stared at him expressionless, smile and madness finally gone and he looked lost for a moment as if he forgot what he was doing. His expression then darkened. "Hitting a man behind his back, eh?" He got up and clenched his jaw.
"You're no man," Archie retorted, trying to appear brave, but was taking a step back while Link forward, dropping the oar. "You're no hero."
Link smirked, shoulders shaking lightly as he chuckled. He pulled back his sleeve as he approached the young boy. Fists were out with raw red knuckles and blood dripping. Katie wanted Archie to run away and hide, wanted Niko to stop staring and do something, wanted herself to stop shaking with impotence and stop Link. This is a nightmare. How could fate be so cruel and leave them with this boy, this monster to be their hero? He might as well join forces with Ganondorf and kill them all.
Archie ran out of spaces and met the wall with his back, his face scrunched up in fear as Link grinned down, cracking his knuckles. Link's shadow was overtaking the small, trembling body. Link didn't seem to be displaying the slightest bit of mercy or guilt. As if it pleases him to bring pain and fear into everyone around him.
Katie wondered if kindness even existed in Link at all. She wondered, bitterly, how she dreamed of seeing him one day wielding the Master Sword with pride and honor, shield the weak and use his blade to protect the land. Such a day will never come as long as the Triforce resides in him. They're doomed. They're all honest to god doomed.
A large fist collided at the side of Link's head sending him almost overboard. Link groaned, hissing in pain when he placed his hand on his temple, which leaked out blood. Pushing himself off the railings, he glared up at the captain who grabbed him by the shirt and threw him across the deck past Niko and Katie. Link cried as his back crashed on the wall, he slid down and fell to the ground, weakly muttering a curse word.
"You just seem to love making trouble," Rick said, looking around to see the damage. Levin was unconscious and blood oozed from his face. She thought seeing him would satisfy her but it made her sick to the pit. She forced herself to look away, her body turning green.
Gonzo coughed as he struggled to stay on his feet with a stream of blood sliding down from his nose. When he saw Rick, his face seemed relieved.
The captain sighed at this as if tired by the mess he has to clean up, then walked over to Link and proceeded to drag him by the shirt. Link started kicking and his hands tried to loosen the grip. He was like a wild animal, growling and snarling. "Let me go, you son of a bitch! Let me go! LET ME GO OR I'LL FUCKING KILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"
The crew and Katie continued to hear his screams and rage as the captain took him down deck and slammed the door to his office shut. They couldn't hear anything after that.
Abbie climbed up the stairs and on deck. As soon as his eyes scanned the blood and his injured mates, his jaw dropped. "What happened here? Where we attacked?"
He rushed over to see Levin, Gonzo and Senza and was flabbergasted by their bruised faces. They were the biggest, strongest members besides the captain. He looked over to Katie in demand and when he saw the color on her body he immediately knew who did it.
"That's a monster," Archie said, his voice rose and spiked with venom. "That's not a human."
Abbie didn't say anything, bending down to Levin and gawked. Levin looked worse than anyone. His nose crooked, his lips were split, and his cheeks had deep cuts. Levin used to be in the army, he's the best fighter they had and a boy defeated him? It felt like a bad joke.
Katie turned to a flush of red, then pink, as she watched the men take to the infirmary. The nauseating, sickeningly sweet smell made her turn a bit green. Abbie demanded an elaborated explanation and Niko elucidated everything. Senza didn't say anything but his fingers clenched, unclenched as if they wanted to do something. Gonzo was rubbing the bandages on his face in deep thought and Abbie was attending Levin. The whole crew was silent but they were all thinking of the same thing:
What on earth did they let on their ship?
Katie could have said 'I told you so' or 'you should've let us go when you had the chance.' Anything to show that she's right. And she was. Link and her would have been miles from this ship and they would be at Hatino by now, maybe starving along the way but still none of this would've happened. The words couldn't make their way when she saw Levin's unconscious, bleeding face. He's always been a brute but no one deserves this, not even a lowly filth like him.
Instead of using his strength for people, Link was using it against them; even in his village. What would happen when they leave for Hatino and he is given the Master Sword? Would he decide to raise his blade on people too?
For the first time in the blistering heat, Katie shivered. For centuries heroes have always saved them from harm and she always believed they would continue to save them. But now she wondered: Who will save us from the hero?
"That should do it," Abbie said, taking off his glasses to rub his nose, unknowingly leaving a smudge of blood on his face. "Let him rest for awhile, and he'll be up and running." His face still seemed troubled as he sat down and wiped his hands clean.
It was Senza who voiced out their collective thoughts. "We shouldn't have let him in here," Senza spoke with a low tone, gravely. "He shouldn't be here."
"What is the captain doing to him?" Abbie asked.
Archie's eyes darkened which is so unlike him. "Something horrible I hope, like put a hole on his head."
His statement surprised everyone, even Senza. "Whoa, dude, that's a little bit over," Niko said, trying to make a light out of this with a nervous laugh. He hooked an arm around him. "If the captain wanted him dead he would've done that on the first day."
"If he was that strong," Abbie started, getting up from his seat, "then why didn't he fight back if he knew he could? Why didn't he just take over the ship while he's at it?"
Gonzo took a moment to answer. "The captain took him down in one go," he said.
"Yeah but Link didn't see it coming," Niko pointed out.
Gonzo's brows raised up to his hairline. "You think that boy can take down Rick? Did he hit your head or something?"
Katie didn't want to intervene in the conversation. Embarrassment and shame and anger and frustration all weighed down on her. There was nothing she could say, not even sorry. She could only flutter there, silently hoping that the goddesses would choose another hero. A kinder hero. A gentle soul. Someone who would never raise a hand on anyone unless it's to shield them.
She's terrified. Her mind wouldn't take down that image of that horrifying smile, that laugh. How could anyone be so evil? Wasn't Ganondorf the one who was supposed to be evil? Maybe the roles have reversed and Link is the king of evil and maybe Ganondorf is the hero. A strange thought and it was disturbing.
"Katie, can I talk to you in private?" Abbie asked, his foggy glasses looking at her with concern.
Senza shook his head. "You have something to say, say it here. We shouldn't trust her."
Niko frowned. "She couldn't stop him even if she wanted to." Ah Niko, always saying the brutal truth as always.
To her surprise even Archie took her side. "Yeah, if anything she was more scared of him than anyone else."
The older man scoffed. "I'm not scared of that runt. He just surprised me is all."
She didn't know how to feel, whether to be less guilty or happy that no blame was pinned on her. It would've made her feel worse but to be perfectly honest, they should be blaming her. As his adviser, his problems were also her problems and seeing as how he snapped, she should've taken control of the situation instead of floating there, ogling at the sight like a fool. She should learn to take more responsibility over her role but no one ever told her how to do it in this kind of situation. All her job ever was, was to give him pointers on battle and such, not to stop him from attacking people.
Abbie rolled his eyes. "Fine. I was going to ask her if she could stay with us." He turned to her flushed orb. "I don't want to leave you alone with him."
Senza became querulous and Gonzo shut him down, staring at Katie curiously. "We would need to ask—"
"Awesome! She's staying with us!" Niko clapped in delight.
Senza slapped his head. "No, she is not."
She felt uncomfortable. She knew that Abbie meant well but staying here on this awful, dirty ship with crooked wood and messy halls won't save Hyrule. She can't imagine herself staying here.
"Thank you everyone, except for you, Senza, but you know I can't stay here." Katie looked over at them and felt herself sigh. They have every right to be concerned. What is she getting herself into by staying by his side? What if he keeps trying to hurt people and forces her to watch? It's not like she can stop him herself.
What if he hurts me next?
The thought left her quivering.
Her answer left the mechanic shaking his head in disapproval. He turned to leave slamming the door shut. No one said anything afterwards and soon they all returned back to their chores. Niko was in the kitchen, Abbie organizing his medicines, Gonzo behind the wheel and Senza polishing every ounce of dirt down. It seems that everyone is trying to keep themselves busy from hearing that shouting voice from the office.