Link sat up and looked at the crowd now surrounding him. His amazement of the Wall quickly faded into worry as he found himself surounded by men and women, both young and old, all clad in armor and leather, swords and bows drawn. All had fierce, but tired looks on their faces, as if they could either collapse or kill him in an instant.

But surprisingly, Link wasnt at all scared. Kais words echoed in his head that once they made it here, they would be safe. As if on cue, the soldiers all sheathed their weapons and backed away. Two men and a woman came foward to help the trio to their feet. A voice shouted over the murmuring.

"Alright, alright everyone back up! Give em space! Let me see em!"

Link recognized that it was the same voice he had heard just earlier in the Killing Fields. The voice that commanded the volley of arrows that saved them. It had to be the commander. He could hear her footsteps and see the soldiers parting ways as she worked her way to the front. And when she made it to Link, Zelda and Kai, she wasnt anything like he had imagined.

She stepped foward, and to his surprise, she was no older then he was. She was shorter then the men and women surrounding her, but her presence commanded respect. She sported short, red hair and tan skin. She was incredibly toned and muscular, and a plethora of scars dotted the landscape of her face and her exposed arms. She had bright green eyes that made Link shudder, and he instantly thought back to Charsdon, and the glowing green eyes he had seen their. However, instead of threatening, her eyes radiated a feeling of warmth and welcoming. When she spoke, her voice was sweet, but firm.

"Hey there folks, welcome to Mid Watch, the most depressing fortress in the entire Kingdom. How can we help you today?"

She stoped their with her hands on her hips. Was she actually expecting an answer?

Zelda spoke up, "We're, uh... here to pass the wall into Old Hyrule. We have buisness there that is our own. We dont want any trouble."

The girl turned to Zelda. "And neither do we! We'll gladly let you through our gates. But i gotta say, you dont look very well supplied to be crossing over into such dangerous territory."

"Well be fine," Kai assured her, as he tried to turn towards the gate to leave. "Thanks for the help but well take it from here."

"Not so fast sir, you cant leave this place until i authorize it, and theres no way im letting the three of you out there until you're well prepared."

"Why do you even care girl?" Kai retorted. "We can manage on our own."

On of the men stepped foward, hand on his sword. "No one talks to the commander like that boy. Apologize, now!"

"Now hold on Talon, its alright. They dont know the situation here. And besides, id hate to spill blood in front of the pretty lady here. She winked over to Zelda."

"But still, my soldiers follow me because they respect me. How long you think theyll respect me if i let an outsider like yourself talk to me that way?" She nodded to on of the women surrounding them. "Take the girl and the Hylian here and have them bathed and fed. And take this one here and toss him in the pit. A night there should help him find his manners."

Two men steped up from behind and grabbed Kai by both his arms and began to drag him away while he struggled to break free from their grasp.

Zelda shouted "Wait what are you doing!? Dont hurt him!"

"Dont worry beautiful, we aint gonna hurt him. The pit isnt meant to hurt or kill. Its just dark, dirty and uncomfortable. He'll realize his mistake by the time we pull him out tomorrow morning. He'll be fine. But until then, follow Serrene here. Shell have you both cleaned and fed. Well have dinner sent to your room. Try not to wonder alone ok? If you wanna take a look around, just ask, and well give you a little tour."

The girl began to walk away, but Zelda called out before she could. "Wait! We never thanked you, well, thanked you properly for saving us. We dont even know your name."

"Hun you can call me whatever you like," she winked. But then she flexed her arms and said with a smirk "But everyone else calls me Ilana!"

-

Link and Zelda were bathed and fed, and the met in a room together to discuss what the hell just happened.

"Well that was something else." Link said as Zelda sat down on the bed.

"Tell me about it. The Ilana girl, i dont like her."

"Thats funny, because she really seemed to like you," Link laughed.

"I know what a wierdo! A total creep!" She crossed her arms but Link could swear he saw her blush just a tiny bit.

Links expression got serious, "What do you think theyre doing to Kai? Think theyll hurt him?"

A voice from behind them spoke, startling them. It was Serrene. "Dont worry, the Commander said he wouldnt be harmed. The only injuries hell recieve are the ones he gives himself if he tries to escape."

"I know you must have a lot of questions. So please, feel free to ask. We have to take the proper precautions here, im sure you understand, but were not bad people. Please, ask away."

"Okay for starters, what exactly is this place? Like, yeah its a castle next to a giant wall, but what kind of deal are you running here?" Zelda asked.

"This isnt just any Castle. This is Mid Watch. The center most stronghold along the Wall. It seems like you don't know much about this place, so pardon me while i explain. This fortress is one of the only points to pass through the Wall. The men and women here, we keep the beasts on the other side at bay. We repair the wall when necessary and fight the mechanical nightmares back when we must."

She continued. "Because this is such a harsh and unforgiving job, we only accept volunteers. Unlike the Castorian army, or other places like Charsdon, everyone here is free to leave. But most dont, because outside these walls, theyre wanted criminals."

"What do you mean? Why would you stuff a castle full of criminals?" Link asked.

"Because as long as they devote theyre life to Mid Watch, theyre pardoned of their crimes. I mentioned before that most are free to leave. Thats not entirely true because once they leave and no longer provide service to the wall, they become wanted men again. Most come only seeking to escape imprisonment or death. However the longer they stay here, the more devoted they become. Were a family here. We watch out for each other. Thats something a lot of people dont have outside the castle."

"So what crime did the Ilana girl commit?"

"She didnt commit any crime. Her father was commander of Mid Watch. When he passed, her mother took charge. And when her mother passed, well, you get the idea."

"But shes so young. Shes my age and the other men and women look way older then her. Why do they follow someone half their age?"

Serrene smiled. "We follow the Commander because shes earned the right to lead us. She might be younger then most of us, but shes more then earned our respect. We didnt have to make her our leader. We chose to."

"But why?" Zelda gaped.

"Because shes strong. Shes smart. Shes a tactical thinker. She might be young, but knows how to lead and she knows how to keep those serving under her happy. She respects us and we respect her. Shes never known any other life. She was born here, and shes more then willing to die for this place, and any of the people in it."

"What about all those scars? Where did those come from?"

"From all the battles shes fought and won. Shes not the sort of person to hide in their office and send others out to fulfill her commands. Every expedition beyond the wall, every fight, every battle and every struggle, shes led the charge. Always in front to lead us into whatever hellish nightmare awaited us."

"She sounds like quite a woman." Link said.

"Aye, she is. Speaking of which, now that youre clean and fed, she asked to come fetch you so she could speak to you two in private.

"Im guessing we dont have much of a choice," Zelda sighed.

"Of course you do," Serrene said, looking a little surprised." Youre more then welcome to decline. However she said that if you had any intentions of crossing through the wall, it would be wise to see her."

Link and Zelda shared a glance.

"Ill stay here for now. Link, you go ahead." Zelda said, sitting back down on the bed. "She makes me uncomfortable."

"Alright." Link turned to Serrene and nodded.

"This way sir. Ill take you to the Commander.

-

Serrene led Link down several corridors, each with the same dark wooded look. They passed through the dining area, where men and women were eating roasted duck, cooked fish and varrious fruits and veggies. Eventually she led him up a winding staircase with a simple wooden door at the top.

"Here is where i must leave you. She requested that whomever decides to come, that she speak with them alone. Good luck." She began her decent down the staircase and Link was left alone. With a gulp he pushed the door open. Inside was a bland room with a desk in the middle. On the desk was a small book, some papers, a quill and ink, and a small stuffed horse. On the other side sat Ilana.

"So, she didnt wanna come huh? Just you?"

Link nodded. Ilana stood up and walked over to Link, and pulled him over to the window to the right hand side of the room. From here he could see he was all the way at the top of the fortress. He looked out at the Killing Fields, where he had only just recently ran for his life. It was oddly beautiful, with the moonlight shining through the clouds. The sky was something he was still awestruck by, even weeks later.

Jeez had it really only been a couple weeks? It felt like so much had happened. As Link pondered that, Ilana finally spoke up.

"Did i come on too strong?"

Link looked over and cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Did i come on too strong? With the girl, Zelda. Is that why shes not here?"

"Yeah, she said you made her uncomfortable."

"Damn. I was never the best at talking to girls. No one really showed me how. But by nature im very outgoing. Most girls like that. Guess i over did it though. Man, im so stupid."

Link frowned, "Wait, you... like Zelda?"

Ilana sighed, "Well i dont know if i like-like her yet. But shes pretty damn gorgeous- oh no, shes not with you is she!?"

Link couldnt help but laugh. Ilana had displayed such a confident persona earlier, seeing her worked up over over the thought of Zelda not liking her was hilarious.

"No shes not with me.

Ilana breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, good! One less competitor to worry about eh?" She nudged his arm.

"Im sorry," Link said, "but did you only call me up here to talk about Zelda?"

Ilana chuckled, "No no of course not. Just something I wanted to get out of the way. No i called you here because of your intentions to go beyond the Brink. Into Old Hyrule. Why are you going there?"

Link furrowed his brow. "Like Zelda said, its our own buisness."

"Well then, i guess its just my buisness not to let you through the gates and have you go back the way you came.

"Fine, were headed to Old Hyrule to find something.

"Find what?"

"Something to help turn my life around."

"HA! Nice. Lots of travelers come here looking for something like that. Most meet the same fate. Chunks of meat in one of those mechs jaws."

"You get a lot of travelers here?" Link questioned.

"Not so much anymore. Most folks are too afraid now. Which is why i was impressed to see you three had come all this way. But that still doesnt change the fact that youre ill equiped to travel out that way. Which brings me to why i called you here."

Link perked up. "Youre going to give us supplies?"

"No."

Links heart sunk into the pit of his stomach.

"Atleast, not until you prove yourself."

"What do you mean?"

Ilana walked over to her desk and sat down again. "I want to make sure that if we give you food, it wont end up wasted, and be eaten by a mech or left to rot with your dead bodies. I want to make sure youre the real deal. So im gonna test you."

"Test me how?" Link asked.

Ilana nodded to the doorway, and two men walked through and grabbed Link by the arms and began to carry him down the stairs, while he kicked and screamed.

"Throw him in the arena."

-

Link was dragged through the castle, never letting up his struggle. It was useless but he had to break free. He had to get back to Zelda, to warn her!

The men dragging him reached a large stone door, which opened with several thuds. Past the door was a giant opening, with walls surounding it. What appeared to be seats were lined along the edge of the walls, but all were empty. The men threw Link into the dirt and walked out, with the stone door closing beneath them.

Link stood up and saw Ilana standing atop the wall across from him.

"Youre probably wondering where you are right now. It should be apparent by now im sure."

Link looked around, he was in some sort of fighting arena. Stone walls surounded him, and the seats were meant for spectators.

"Go ahead, prove to me youre a sound investment. Prove to me im not wasting my time or recourses."

She pulled a lever and opened the opposite stone door. From the shadow he heard a deep, low growl. A gigantic, four legged mech emerged and sniffed the ground. Link felt for his blade but he didnt have it! It was still in his room with Zelda! The beast raised its head made eye contact with Link.

"Oh, and one more thing. Please try not to die" she laughed A giant clawed paw crashed into the side of Links head as he failed to avoid the charging beast. He used the force of the impact to help propel him out of the way from the machine.

"These beasts turned against your ancestors, Hylian! It didnt turn out so well for them. Lets see you do better!" Ilana yelled from her perch above him.

The mech charged once more and this time instead of running Link fell to the ground and used the strength of his legs, as well as the momentum accumulated from the mechs charge to push it upwards and throw it into the stone wall behind him. He got up and ran to the otherside of the arena. How the hell was he suppose to kill this thing with no weapon?

The mech charged again and this time its claws made impact and ran itself down links front side. His chest began to feel warm, and he realized it was the blood seeping out of his wounds and into his clothing. He began to feel woozy, and he knew he had to end this fight before long or else he would pass out from blood loss or become to weak to fight back and be ripped apart. The mech tried to bite at his limbs as it advanced and Link only barely avoided loosing his hands.

He felt his back hit against the stone wall of the arena and the sinking realization that he was now cornered dawned on him. He didnt have a choice now, he had to charge at the beast and hopefully catch it off guard. Otherwise he was finished.

The beast lunched at Links face, and just like before, time seemed to slow down for him. He was fully aware of everything around him. The spinning gears in the beasts mouth, the sweat dripping from Ilanas face as she watched the show. Things he shouldnt have been able to notice but somehow was. He felt a bolt of energy shoot up from his right hand palm and course through his body, and suddenly he felt like he could take on 10 men at once. In a blink of an eye, Links hands shot up and grabbed the lunching maws of the mechanical nightmare, and pulled them apart, throwing its jaws to the side.

The beast backed away but Link didnt let up, as he charged the beast and punched so hard his fist broke through the remains of its jaws, and smashed through the outer shell of the beast, and ripped its insides out. Wires and gears were torn from the beast as it struggled to escape but Link kept punching and ripping until only a hollow shell was left. He then lifted the remains of the mech and tossed it at Ilana, who was several feet above him in the stands. She only barely was able to avoid contact, and as a result, tumbled into the arena.

Link charged her and punched through her defences, grabbing her by the neck and pinning her to the wall. She kicked and clawed and eventually Link let her go. She pulled her dagger and lunged, but his hightened sense of awareness prepared him for this and he was easily able to parry her blow.

She jumped and wrapped her legs around Links head and neck and began to squeeze. For some reason his strength was rapidly leaving him, and the energy that shot through his body earlier was now retracing its course, leaving him and ending back in his hand before spurting out of existence. He fell to the ground as Ilana squeezed harder, until eventually his body went limp. She released her grip on him and stood up.

"Well shit, arent you full of surprises." She backed away from him as two guards moved foward to pull Link to his feet.

"Get him medical attention immediately."

"Commander why? He has no wounds?"

Ilana turned back with a puzzled look. When she approached Link tried to punch her and throw her to the ground, but the two guards stopped him with his strength gone, there was nothing he could do.

"No thats impossible. I saw him get cut during the fight. Remove his shirt."

The guards did as they were told. His tunic was still wet with blood, but when they revealed his chest, the injuries he had sustained from battle were gone. All that was left were four small marks, and even those were begining to fade.

Ilana stepped back. "Take him back to his chambers. Call Talon and have him report to my office at once."

"Yes Commander." And the guards carried Link back to his room.

Link hadnt realized it, but the sun was begining to rise. How quickly time seemed to have passed for him. He was walked back to his room and inside was Zelda, still laying on the bed. This time Kai was also present. He was filthy, but alive. When he entered the room, they both ran to greet him.

Zelda threw her arms around Link as he stumbled in. "Where did you do? What happened? Why do you look like this? You tell me this instant!"

Kai walked up behind her, smiling. "You should feel special. She didnt show even half as much concern for me when i showed up looking like this." A slight chuckle passed his lips. "But still, what happened?"

Link squeezed Zelda tighter. "I dont wanna talk about it right now."

"Alright fine but sit down," she instructed, guiding him to the bed. "You look like you're about to pass out."

"Link, i know you dont wanna talk about it, but what happened? Are we in danger? Do we need to leave?" Kai questioned.

"With that tough mother, you aren't in any trouble or danger at all!" Ilana spoke from the doorway. The trio turned to look at her.

"This one here just garenteed you supplies for your journey. He managed to completely destroy our prized mech to make it happen, but you shouldve seen it. It was incredible!"

Zelda looked back at Link. "Is that true!?"

"Well i didnt have a choice after i was thrown in an arena and forced to fight without any weapons." Link growled.

Zelda and Kai shot up. "What the hell are you talking about? You threw him in a pit with a dangerous beast without a weapon!? What if something had happened??"

Ilana looked calm. "I would have taken the mech down before he had been too injured. But it didnt even come to that. He took care of it just fine. I only intervined when he threw the damn thing at me."

Zelda crossed her arms. "Serves you right for what you did." Ilana seemed to wince at that comment, but quickly regained her composure.

"Your supplies will be gathered for you by tonight. Until then, you are free to wonder the castle at your own whim. Tomorrow morning, we ride out."

Kai cocked an eyebrow. "We?"

"Aye, we. Im coming with you when you venture out beyond the wall tomorrow."

"Why?" Zelda huffed.

Ilana looked at Link, and didnt break eye contact for several seconds. She ignored the question. "Breakfast has been prepared for you. I have some buisness to attend to. Ill see you all later." And with that she walked out and closed the door behind her.

"Why do you think shes coning with us Link?" Zelda asked him.

"I dunno. But atleast we have our supplies now. We made it. Tomorrow morning, we head out. Come on. Lets go get breakfast. Im starving."

-

The day passed uneventfully, and by the next morning, all three were properly bathed, fed, and clothed. Links tunic was washed and repaired from his fight.

They gathered in the courtyard, where three horses awaited them, along with three soldiers carrying backpacks. They handed them to the trio and walked away. As they hopped on their horses, Link looked back to see Ilana mounting her steed as well. Talon stood beside her, looking concerned.

"Commander are you sure about this? Is it worth the risk?"

"Aye Talon, its worth it. I saw something happen in the pit. I need to make sure. Until i return, you have control of Mid Watch."

The two soluted each other and Ilana trotted up to make herself even with the three of them. They faced a massive gate in front of them. Ilana looked to the soldier on her right, and nodded. A horn blew over Mid Watch and the gears on the wall began to turn. Towers of steam and smoke began to rise and Link could feel the rumbling of the gigantic gate being moved.

With a rumble, the giant metal slab in front of them began to rise, being lifted by the spinning gears pulling the chains attached to the top of the gate. Slowly but surely the gate rose, revealing the landscape beyond. Even from this vantage point, Link could see a sprawling field in front of him, with several mountains dotting the horizon. This was it.

"Ready?" Ilana asked as she moved to the front of the group. Link and the others nodded, much to Ilanas delight. "Good, then lets get going!"

She spurred her horse and it shot foward, running under the gate and through the tunnel of the wall. Link, Kai and Zelda were right behind her. Everything went dark when he entered the tunnel, with the light at the end being the only think illuminating the way. The light at the end of the tunnel. A funny metaphor, Link thought to himself.

And then they were out. The four horses continued foward, and Link looked up at the sky. There was no going back now. Whatever fate awaited them beyond the brink of civilization, they had to accept, and embrace. They were no longer in the country where Link was hunted and hated. This was his land. He had never been here, but he felt a sense of longing he hadnt felt since Charsdon.

The land of his ancestors spread out before him. They werent Castor anymore.

They were in Hyrule

End of Chapter 11