Chapter 9: The Rancher's Demise

He awoke inside a cave. Around him was nothing but darkness. His eyes eventually adjust and he sees the dark stone walls of the cave. He looks to his left and sees a large boulder on the ground. Suddenly, to his surprise, the boulder starts moving. This boulder was actually some sort of creature. He then notices that this creature is indeed a Goron. He hears a noise behind him. He looks to the ground and sees another moving figure on the cave floor. Whoever it was, was groaning in pain. He walked over to him and knelt down next to him. "Are you all right?" he asked. The figure moved and looked up at him. His breathing was shallow and pained. It was a Zora. The young Zora had been away from the water for too long and was dying. "He can't speak. He's already too weak" says a voice from the corner. He looks over and sees a Gerudo boy staring toward him. "We need to get him back to the water."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Zarandorf. Who are you?"

"My name is Mardon, young man." They heard panicked breathing from behind them. "What going on?" says a deep, shaky voice.

"Relax, Goron. You're not alone" Mardon replies.

"Who is that?" asks the frightened Goron.

"Peace, my friend. I am Mardon. This is Zarandorf. There is an unconcious Zora in here as well. I have no idea what's going on or why any of us are here, but we all need to remain calm. What is your name?"

"Noro" the Goron replies, shakily.

"All right Noro, what we need to do is-" Mardon suddenly stopped talking and began listening.

"What is it, Mardon?" asked Zarandorf.

"Shhh! Someone's coming." They all began listening and indeed could hear someone's footsteps approaching. They all looked to a nearby area of the cave and saw someone emerge from it. Here was a man. This man was dressed in regal robes and carried a staff with a lion's head on the top. "Who are you? Why have you brought us here?" Mardon asked. The man strode toward him. The man locked eyes with Mardon and they bore into him. "Do you not remember?" asked the man. His voice seemed familiar to them all. "I am Dark Link. Ruler of you're minds. I also rule the mind of this wizard. He is the most useful and powerful of you all."

"You! When we get out of here, we'll see to it that you get what's coming to you!" Dark Link simply chuckled. "You are such a fool, Mardon. If any of you show your faces near your homes again, you will be condemned."

"What have you done?"

"You don't know? You are all murderers." Their eyes widened in shock. "Well, the boy isn't, but the Gerudos don't take kindly to treason, child or not." Zarandorf's eyes blazed and he charged forward. Mardon held him back. "Easy, son. That will get you nowhere."

"A wise decision, Mardon. A fight against me would be futile, especially for a boy." Zarandorf continued glaring at Dark Link, and he smiled. "I will now take you all under my control. Do not resist, for pain will follow if you do. We are going to Lon Lon Ranch. I must check up on some things, and will need some reinforcements." Nalquiz closed his eyes as Dark Link concentrated his energy on the four people in the cave. They all relaxed, knowing the pain of resistance, and let Dark Link come. Soon, all of them were under the control of Dark Link. "Come. To the ranch." They all began to follow, including the Zora, Rapho, who got up from the cave floor as if perfectly healthy, even though his life was fading. They walked through the cave's winding path and emerged at the foot of Death Mountain. Nalquiz at the helm, the five posessees of Dark Link marched their procession toward the ranch and my family.

As they marched, Link and I were at the castle. Link met up with Zelda, who had tears in her eyes when we saw her. "Link... have you heard?"

"Yes, Zelda. I'm sorry I wasn't here. I just can't believe it."

"I know. This is terrible. And don't be sorry, Link. It's not your fault."

"Where is Marcus? Is he all right?"

"Yes, Link. The guards are watching over him right now."

"All right. Let's go to him." As we were about to leave, we heard a voice behind us. "Wait." It was that Sheikah I had come across in Hyrule Field. "Who are you?" asked Link.

"I am Rhan. I have come with a warning for Joran. Your family has been attacked. They were forced to flee and are currently hiding in Kakariko Village. It won't be long before Dark Link tracks them down."

"How do you know these things?" I asked.

"I am a pursuer of justice, and sworn to protect the Royal Family and those connected to them. Plus, with my mother's death, I keep an especially vigilant eye on things."

"Your mother?" interjected Zelda. She thought for a moment, and then hit on it. "Impa. She was your mother, wasn't she? She never mentioned having a son."

"I'll explain things later. Right now, I need to go with Joran to Kakariko Village."

"I'll go with you" Link said.

"No" I said "You must stay here, Link. If you leave, Dark Link may attack your family, too. I have to go now, Link. Stay safe, my friend."

"Yes, Joran. You too." I left with Rhan in tow. We ran out to Eldina, my horse. "Do you have a horse, Rhan?"

"No, Joran. But, I've no need of one. I'll be at the village when you get there." I nodded and jumped into Eldina's saddle. I snapped the reins and she took off at full sprint. I had to reach the village soon. To add to my woes, I looked to the sky to see the sun sinking

fast into the horizon. I'd be changing my shape, soon. Now was a race against time.

As I reached the village, I found that all was quiet. No one was out and not a sound could be heard. It had a feeling of emptiness. I could see smoke billowing out of several chimneys, so I knew that people were still here, but I couldn't figure out why everyone was hiding. I soon saw why as several figures strode toward me from the mountain trail. In that group was a Zora, a young Gerudo boy, a Goron, and a man I recognized. It was Mardon, and they were all being led by the wizard, Nalquiz. I saw the wizard holding on to someone, carrying them by the neck. They continued toward me, and didn't stop until they were only ten feet from me. I saw who it was that Nalquiz was holding and my knees almost buckled. It was Talon. The old man's breathing was shallow and pained, and he looked to me with pleading eyes. "Hello Joran. You know who this is, don't you?" I said nothing, as the sun sank deeper into the horizon. "Of course you do. He gave us quite the fight a while ago. Very noble this one is. He gave himself up for your family, Joran. So, now I'll show you what you've caused."

"Dark Link, if you harm him, so help me-"

"What, Joran? What can you possibly do to me? I'm dead, remember? Now, just sit and watch." In his hand appeared an axe. He lay Talon on the ground and raised the axe above his head. I drew my sword and tried to charge him, but his possessees got in my way. As I saw the axe lowered, part of my spirit died. The axe came down on Talon's neck, taking his head off in one blow. This time, my knees did buckle and I crumpled to them. "You killed him, Olan! I'll..." I could say nothing. I had nothing to threaten him with. There was nothing I could do, and the feeling of helplessness was unbearable. "I didn't kill him, Joran, you did. You, with your foolishness. If you had just kept to yourself, instead of helping Link, none of this would've happened."

"If you hadn't gotten involved with that Malon, she would still have a father, living happy and carefree on her ranch. Haven't you put this family through enough? Causing an entire war, making them flee for their lives at every turn? Why don't you just leave them now, before you do any more damage." I almost believed what Dark Link was saying. He was exploiting my loyalty to my family, and my need for their safety and happiness. But, I knew what he was trying to do. "My spirit is as strong as ever, Dark Link. You'll never break it."

"Oh? Just wait and see what you're family thinks of you when they see the beast!" Olan gave an insane cackle, and he and his entourage disappeared in a cloud of smoke. I ran over to Talon's body, and knelt down next to him.

"I'll see to it you're buried with honor and dignity, sir. I'm sorry." I bowed my head and closed my eyes. I felt the burn of tears as Dark Link's cruel words sunk in. I suddenly felt something inside me stir. I looked to they horizon to see the sunset.

"Oh no." I then felt the pain. Pain throughout my entire body. It went on for several minutes until I slumped to the ground and lay there. I knew I was a red wolf again, so there was no surprise this time.

Suddenly, I heard a shriek from not that far away. It was Malon, who had come out of Pollo and Daleen's house. She saw me laying next to the body of her dead father. I ran toward her, forgetting about my new form, in order to apologize for not saving him. I saw a look of terror on her face, and it pierced me to my soul. To see that look on my love's face was heartbreaking. She screamed in fright as I approached, and fled back into the house. I was crushed. This was my wife. She was frightened of me. I suddenly realized that Dark Link's plan was indeed working. My spirit was indeed breaking down, because seeing those I care about suffer because of me was too much. Dark Link knew my weaknesses, and exploited them viciously.

I heard someone approach me from behind. It was Rilon. He was holding a rolled up parchment in his hand, and he looked at me and nodded. I approached him, and he did not fight nor flee, to my surprise. He merely held out his hand and placed it atop my head. He said something, but all I heard was a series of grunts. It was then that I noticed Rhan standing there next to him.

He said 'don't fret, brother. I know it's you, and I have a way to get you back.' I was stunned.

"Who said that?" I said.

Peace. It is I, Rhan. I have created a mental link between your beast form and myself. Your brother has the secret to getting you back to normal. Go with him and rest. Tomorrow, you must get Link and set out on your journey. Rhan suddenly disappeared in a blinding flash.

"Wait! Journey to where?" I asked. But my question was unanswered. Rilon then beckoned for me to follow him. I did so, and followed him to his home. He let me in, and I walked to the middle of the floor, and collapsed. This day had drained my energy, and I was asleep in seconds.