Ch. 14- Night of the Blood Moon

Legend of Zelda (C) Nintendo

The sun had set beyond the west and the stars were just beginning to twinkle, but for some reason, the moon did not seem visible tonight...not that it bothered Link much. The light of the campfire provided him and the wolf with whatever light they needed. They had reached inside of Fort Hateno, but by the time they were halfway down the road, it was already starting to get dark, so they decided to stop and set up camp for the night.

It was a good thing Link found a few pieces of flint to use to light up the fire, and he and his companion were able to enjoy some nice roasted heron. As for Blackie, he was more than happy to graze on the tall grass. As Link tossed away bone that was picked clean of its meet, the wolf pocked at the roasted bird with his nose, as if asking for more. Link chuckled as he picked up their meal, then split the heron in half before he tossed some to his lupine friend, who chomped it right out of the air before he swallowed, then paced around on the ground, plopped down on his side, and let out a rather noisy belch. Link grinned before he put a hand to his chest and did the same, which seemed to make the wolf smirk at him.

At least out here, nobody would complain about you not having manners.

With their bellies full, Link piled a bunch of dirt on the campfire, stomped out any embers, before he lied down and started to fall asleep, as well.

~Dream sequence~

The interior of Hyrule Castle's throne room was nothing short of elegant. Banners holding the royal crest hung from the ceiling, sewn together with gold and white threads. Braham, Layla, and Link walked down the red carpet as men in suits of armor stood at the sides of the hall, all of them holding their Royal Claymores tightly in their fists and their noses held up high.

The family was dressed up in fine clothing, with Link wearing an elegant blue shirt puffed up sleeves, a white cravat, a pair of light green pants, and a pair of dark red boots with pointed toes. His hair had been brushed and combed (although he protested much during that time), and his face had been cleaned of any dirt and grime. Soon, they stood before the very man who had summoned them to the castle: King Rhoam, who sat in his throne as he greeted the family with a smile as Braham knelt before him.

"Ah, Sir Braham," King Rhoam said. "It's certainly good to see you, as well as your wife and son."

"Your Majesty," Layla greeted with a curtsy while Link bowed his head.

"I thank you all for coming to see me," King Rhoam said. "I know you probably had something better to do, though." He then glanced down at Link, who blinked up at him, which caused the king to smile. "Well...you must be Link, Braham's son. The last time I saw you, you were merely just 2 years old as your mother held you in her arms. It's been about 5 years, now. You probably don't remember me, do you, lad?"

Link only blinked up at King Rhoam, who chuckled warmly.

"You were always such a quiet child," he said.

"Begging your pardon, Your Highness," said Layla, "but why exactly did you need us to bring our son?"

"Ah, yes," King Rhoam replied. "To answer that, I want your son to meet someone." He then turned to glance back behind his throne room. "Zelda, present yourself."

Soon, someone stepped out from behind the king's throne: a young girl, about Link's age, with short, golden blonde hair and dressed in a royal blue gown with golden embroidery and white trimmings. Her neck and forehead were adorned with beautiful jewelry, like diamonds and sapphires.

"You remember my daughter, Princess Zelda," King Rhoam said.

"I see her almost every day," said Braham.

"Might I say, Your Highness," Layla began, "your daughter is simply nothing short of beautiful. A spitting image of the late queen, if you don't mind my saying."

"...I...thank you," King Rhoam said, although there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his voice, and even young Zelda seemed to look down, solemnly, which caused Layla to shrink back a bit.

"I-I apologize," Layla said. "I spoke out of turn and-"

"No need," King Rhoam reassured. "It is in the past. My queen is in a better place...but that is not what we are here to discuss. You see...I have a future proposition for your son, Link."

"Our son, Your Majesty?" asked Braham. "I don't understand."

"I have seen your soon's potential," King Rhoam began, "and it is my understanding you are training him to become a knight once he comes of age."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Braham as he ruffled Link's hair. "Link has always expressed an interest in following in my footsteps and joining the ranks of Hyrule's royal guard."

"Well, I think I know a job befitting of your son," said King Rhoam. "What would you say if I told you that when Link comes of age...I want him to be my daughter's appointed knight?"

The whole room fell silent, and Braham's jaw dropped while Link blinked up at the king in curiosity.

"A-appointed knight?!" Braham repeated. "W-why...Your Majesty! This is such an honor! I'm speechless!"

"W-wait a moment," Layla spoke up. "I don't think we discussed this. I mean...doesn't Link have a choice?"

"Father, forgive me for interrupting," Link began, "but I have to agree with Lady Layla." She then looked at Link with judging eyes. "This boy hardly seems fit to be my appointed knight, which, by the way, I do not need. I can fend for myself just fine."

"Zelda, that's enough," King Rhoam scolded. "I know this sounds sudden, but...I can't see anyone else to do the job. Please, consider this."

"My son would be honored to be your daughter's appointed knight, Your Majesty," said Braham, causing Layla to glare at him.

"Braham!" Layla exclaimed before she turned to the king. "I-I'm sorry, Your Highness, but...I think we should discuss this just a bit more before we decide, if you don't mind."

"...I understand," King Rhoam answered. "You may go home, now."

"Thank you," Layla bowed her head before she took her son by the hand, causing Link to look up at his mother in concern while Braham had a bit of a disapproving look in his eyes.

~Dream end~

Link was suddenly stirred from his slumber by the sound of Blackie's snorting and nickering, as if he were in some sort of distress. Not long after, Link heard the deep growling of the wolf, who was glaring in the direction of the forest. The boy followed the lupine's gaze and spotted a group of glowing yellow dots from the shadows. At first, Link merely thought it was just a bunch of pesky Keese: small, bat-like monsters with one eye that were more annoying than dangerous. However, he soon realized that these were too low to the ground to be Keese. Plus, whatever it was was bigger than your average Bokoblin, but at least half the height of a Moblin. Link glared before he stood up, whipping out his Soldier's Broadsword...and not long after, the creatures emerged from the darkness: three large beasts with wolf-like bodies, only more burly and muscular, their fur a dirty green with gray paws and three long, sharp claws, as well long, sharp fangs coming out of their long, snapping jaws.

Link gasped at the sight of the monsters while Blackie whinnied in fear. The wolf growled at the beasts, his eyes fixed on his opponent as they began to circle around them, and at first, it seemed like none of them were going to make a move...but then, all too sudden, it happened. The leader lunged for Blackie, who let out a cry of fright as he reared up on his hind legs and tried to run away, but Link had tied his reins to a branch to ensure that he wouldn't wander away while he was sleeping...but it seemed that in this regard, he might've doomed his steed.

"YAH!" Link yelled as he slashed his sword at the leader, who jumped away from the frightened horse, but it didn't relent. Instead, it went for Link, who quickly leapt to the side and swung at the creature's arm. There was a pained yowl as a gash formed on its shoulder before it turned and glared at the young hero, who backed away, but his eyes remained locked with his. As for Blackie, he was being defended by the wolf by the other two beasts, who growled as they hungrily licked their chops. The wolf did not back down, however, but instead barked at them and snapped his jaws as a warning to stay back...a warning that they did not heed. When one got to close, the wolf lunged forward and bit harshly on its muzzle, sending it yowling in pain before it stumbled back, but still, they persisted.

With Link, he continued to swing his sword at the leader, but it proved to be smarter than its subordinates, jumping back to avoid the swing, then lunging forward to bite, but Link also backed up, using the Traveler's Shield as his only means of defense...but it wasn't enough. The monster stood up on twos, towering over Link, then swung its claws at the young warrior, completely shattering the shield into splinters. Link yelled out in surprise as the force of the attack threw him backwards, right down on his back. Then, the leader lunged for Link, who quickly drew the sickle that he had confiscated from the Yiga assassin he had fought earlier today. With a cry, he drove the blade of the sickle into the beast's right eye, causing it to yowl loudly, but instead of backing down...it only seemed to enrage the beast even more. It lunged Link again, this time pinning him to the ground as it viciously snapped its large jaws at his head, threatening to crush his skull with a single bite, but Link grunted as he tried his damnedest to hold it back by the throat...but try as he might, the creature proved to be too strong. Its fangs drew dangerously closer, inch by inch...but then, WHAM! The beast was suddenly pushed off by a familiar blur: the wolf. Link gasped as the two rolled along the ground, but before the wolf had a chance to stand, the beast stood first before he lunged for him, causing him to yowl in pain as he felt its claws sink into his flesh...staining them red with his blood.

As if Link wasn't seeing red, already.

"RAAAAAAAAARRGH!" the boy roared as he stood up and kicked the monster off his companion, then, without wasting another second, he held up his broadsword, then swiftly brought it down...lopping the beast's head right off it's shoulders. Then...Link turned, glaring at the other two beasts, who whimpered fearfully before they turned and fled back into the forest, howling in fear and defeat. Link seethed as he watched the cowardly monsters flee...but his anger was soon interrupted when he heard the sound of pained whimpers. Link gasped before he ran over to the wolf, who let out pained whines, his blood pooling beneath him. The boy gently put his hands on the lupine's side and stroked the blood-soaked fur, and already, he could feel his companion's breath, which came out in labored pants, slowly starting to ebb away.

He had to get help.

After he calmed Blackie down and untying the reins, Link put the wolf on the stallion's back before he mounted up on the saddle before he put his feet in the stirrups and kicked at the horse's side, urging him to run. Blackie neighed before he began to gallop away...his rider silently begging the wolf to hold on.

XXX

He didn't know how, but by some miracle, Link had found it: a cabin in the middle of the forest. He did see smoke coming out of chimney, earlier, but as soon as he rode up on Blackie, the smoke had dissipated, signifying that whomever was inside was asleep.

Still, Link didn't know how much longer the wolf would last, for he had just lost consciousness as soon as he had arrived. The boy dropped down from his horse and ran up to the door, banging his fists against it and yelling out in desperation as he prayed to the Goddess for somebody to answer.

"Stop that banging! Sheesh!"

The door flew open, revealing a woman in her 30s with long, dark blue hair, purple eyes, and wearing a lavender dress with a white apron. She also had on a pair of glasses over her eyes.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?!" the woman questioned. "My family and I are already asleep, and you're banging on the door, screaming like a banshee! What's wrong with you?!"

Link paused...but then he ran over to Blackie and gathered the injured wolf in his arms, and as he turned to face the woman, she gasped as she saw the deep lacerations in his side, and almost instantly, she felt remorse for her earlier anger.

"Hylia alive...!" she whispered before she looked up at Link. "W-well don't just stand there! Hurry and bring him inside! If we hurry now, we can still save him!"

Link nodded before he brought the wolf into the cabin, and the woman glanced to the left, then to the right before she slammed the door, locked it, and then barred it tight. Then, she led Link into a separate room, turning on the oil lantern before she approached a table with a white cloth.

"Place him here," the woman said as Link gently laid the wolf on the table. "It's funny you should happen to find this place. I happen to be a veterinarian. That's quite rare to see in these times, really. Generations ago, my great grandfather once worked for the royal family, tending to the horses...but after the Great Calamity...well...here I am, now. It's a bit remote, I know, but it's the best my family and I can do." She then took a look at the wolf's wounds. "Let's see here...we've got some bite marks...deep lacerations, but not too deep to hit anything vital...I've seen this before."

Link looked up at the woman in curiosity.

"It seems your wolf friend was attacked by a Wolfos," said the doctor. "They may look like regular wolves, but they're bigger and much more dangerous. They've only been known to attack at night and their diet consists of deer, boars, birds, rabbits, horses, donkeys...even Hylians."

Link gulped nervously at this.

"You're lucky that you arrived when you did," said the woman. "If you had gotten here just 10 minutes later...I'm sure this wolf would be dead, by now."

Link sighed in relief at this.

"Mummy?"

The woman gasped as she turned to see a little girl of 4 years with bobbed hair and light green eyes.

"Nella!" she exclaimed. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"Noises woke me up," said the girl, known as Nella, which caused Link to grin sheepishly at the doctor, who heaved a sigh before she went up to her daughter.

"Nella, you need to go back to bed," the mother told her. "It's late."

"But I'm awake now," Nella replied. "Will you play with me?"

"Nella, I'm with a patient, right now," said her mother. "Please, go back to bed. This young man's wolf friend is seriously hurt."

"Mum?"

The woman groaned as an older girl of at least 15 years entered the room with shoulder-length black hair (which was messy due to her being asleep) and dark brown eyes.

"What's going on in here-" she started, only to notice Link standing at the table, and almost instantly, she blushed. "A...a man?!"

"Libby, stop staring," her mother scolded. "Go get the bandages, medicine, and sutures. I need to perform surgery, immediately."

"What?" Libby asked, confused. "But Mum, it's so late-"

"Now, Libby!" the woman ordered, causing her elder daughter to gasp before she ran to gather the materials while Link sat in a nearby chair before he glanced over at a clock hanging from the wall. The time read 11:23 PM. Upon seeing it, Link let out a rather big yawn before he shook his head while Libby returned with the items her mother had told her to bring.

"All right, Serra," the woman muttered as she had finished washing her hands and put on a pair of gloves. "Time to get to work." She then picked up the medicinal salve and began to rub it on the wolf's wounds, cleaning up the blood from the gashes. Once she did that, she then proceeded to pick up a surgical needle and threaded it with the sutures, then began to stitch up the lacerations.

Link stared at Serra before he got up and walked out, feeling as though his watching would only distract her from her work...but when he walked out into the drawing room, he found Nella, who was standing on a chair, looking out the window, which her sister soon noticed, as well.

"Nella, what are you doing?" Libby asked. "Mum told you to go to bed!"

"Come and look at the pretty red moon!" Nella chirped...which caused her sister's blood to run cold and her face to grow pale.

"R...red moon?" whispered Libby in horror. "What do you mean, red moon?!"

She then rushed to the window and looked up to the sky...where she saw strange-looking embers rising from the ground...and the full moon, shining an eerie crimson...almost as if it were bleeding.

"...Oh, no...!" Libby whispered. "M-Mum! MUM! THE BLOOD MOON! IT'S HERE!"

"What?!" Serra questioned as she looked up. "It's tonight?!"

Link only stared at the mother and daughter in confusion and concern...but then he heard a familiar calling out to him.

"...nk...Link...Link!"

Link gasped, realizing that it was Zelda's voice.

"Be on your guard!"

XXX

At Hyrule Castle...Ganon roared as he rose from the castle, the malice around it beginning to rise.

"Ganon's power...it rises to its peak under the hour of the blood moon."

All around Hyrule...there were these strange puffs of ominous smoke...as monsters such as Bokoblins, Moblins, Keese, and Lizalfos began to appear.

"By its glow, the aimless spirits of monsters slain in the name of the light return to flesh. Link...please be careful."

In the forest, where Link had left the dead body of the alpha Wolfos...its head suddenly rolled towards its body...then reattached itself to its shoulders. Soon after, the beast growled as it opened its good eye, the other having been gouged out when Link stabbed it with his sickle. Then, it unleashed a powerful howl into the air...and soon after, other howls responded...MANY other howls.

XXX

"Oh, this is bad," Serra whispered as she looked out the window. "Very, very bad."

Link looked over to Serra, as if to ask what was the matter, causing her to glance over to him.

"Sorry," she said. "I don't mean to worry you. You do know what the blood moon is, don't you?"

Link only shook his head no.

"You're kidding me," Serra muttered in disbelief. "The blood moon is a terrible omen that happens once every few nights. Once in a while, the moon glows a bloody red, and when it reaches the middle of the sky...any monsters that have been killed come back to life. I don't know how to explain it..."

Link blinked at Serra, worriedly, but the doctor only shook her head and smiled up at Link.

"Don't worry too much about it," she said. "I'm sure we'll be fine. I'll just continue with the surgery...hopefully without anymore interruptions."

Link nodded his head while Serra went to continue the surgery on the wolf.

"Despite the fact that he's conscious," Serra began, "he's still got a pulse on him. If this continues, he should be fine."

Hearing that caused Link to smile in relief.

"In the meantime," Serra said, "please, get yourself some rest. Your friend should be awake by morning. There's a bed you can use upstairs. Please, help yourself."

Link nodded his head before he got up and walked out of the room...but as he did, he heard something in the distance: the long howling of a wolf...in fact, it sounded like many wolves...and it sounded like they were headed in their direction.

"That does NOT sound good," Libby whispered as she looked out the window...and saw many eyes glaring at them from the forest. "That does not LOOK good either!"

Link gasped as he looked outside and realized...it was the Wolfos again...but this time, there were more of them: at least 10, all of them glaring at the cabin. One look at them and the young hero knew what they were after: him, the wolf, Blackie, and the mother and her daughters inside.

"Doggies!" Nella cheered as she went to open the door. "Yay!"

"No, Nella, not yay!" Libby shouted as she pulled her little sister away from the door. "This is bad! Very bad! Those 'doggies' want to eat us!"

Link glared at the Wolfos pack with intense hatred and anger before he got up and looked around and spotted something mounted up on the wall: a shield with gray curvy lines in the center.

"What are you doing?!" asked Libby. "That's my grandfather's shield!"

Link quickly grabbed the shield off the wall before he walked toward the door.

"W-wait!" cried Libby as she held Nella protectively in her arms. "What are you doing?! You're not really going out there to fight them, are you?!"

Link removed the plank of wood that barred the door, then unlocked it before he forced it open, walked out, and then slammed it shut behind him. The Wolfos pack growled as their prey came out to face them. The blue-eyed hero glared at them as he drew his sword, causing them to growl even more, as if the sight angered them. On that, they went in for the attack, but Link let out an angry battle cry as one lunged at him as he swung his weapon, landing a clean gash on its underbelly, which caused it to yowl in pain as it fell to the ground. However, its packmates were further enticed to attack from this action as one tried to slash at Link with its claws, but he quickly side-hopped out of the way, then he swung his sword at the beast's shoulder, chest, arm, and finally its neck before it fell limp and lifeless. A third tried lunge for Link from behind, but the boy turned around and with a swift swing, he sliced its neck open, causing it to let out a pained scream as it succumbed to the same fate as its underlings.

That's when the alpha had decided that it had enough. It stomped on the ground, causing Link to turn and face it as it let out an unearthly growl, to which Link responded with a growl of his own as he pointed his blade at the beast, the point trained on its heart.

The other Wolfos soon formed a circle around the two, and it was at that moment this meant only one thing: a fight to the finish.

As the blood moon's light shined on, the alpha Wolfos charged, leaping at Link with jaws agape before he sunk his fangs into the hero's shoulders, causing him to scream in agony as he felt them pierce through the Hylian Tunic and into his flesh. Fortunately, the tunic served as some sort of padding, for Link felt that if that wasn't there, the alpha's fangs would've surely shattered the bone. Thankfully, the boy managed to push the alpha off before he went in for the swing, but the beast jumped to the side and tried to lunge for Link again, but he jumped away and slashed his sword, but the blade shattered against the monster's shoulders. Link gasped before the alpha Wolfos lunged for him again, but Link managed to raise the shield, just in time.

The alpha snapped his jaws at Link, trying to reach for his head, but then, Link reached into his pack and pulled out his recently acquired weapon: the sickle, which he drove into the beast's other eye, causing it to yowl in pain as it reeled back, blood spraying from its socket as it whirled around, blindly. Then, Link yelled as he swung the sickle and then SHUNK! He stabbed the alpha in the throat...right into its jugular vein, causing it to howl in agony before it fell to the ground...lifeless.

The pack gaped before they looked up at the young man who slayed their leader, who looked back at them with a ferocious glare. That was more than enough to send them fleeing for the hills, yowling in fright and defeat, once more.

Inside the house, Nella and Libby gaped in absolute awe at what had just transpired. Never in all their years had they ever met someone who possessed such skill with a weapon and shield or such courage in the literal face of danger. Most Hylians would run and cower at the sight of such beasts, and yet here he was, standing tall and proud as the furious light of the blood moon faded and gave way to the calming silver rays, which Link was bathed under.

After calming down Blackie, once again, Link headed back inside the cabin, where he found Libby and Nella waiting, the former staring up at Link with pink cheeks and bright eyes.

"Wow...!" she whispered. "You were...amazing out there...!"

"Yeah!" Nella agreed, causing Link to smile, but then Libby gasped.

"Your shoulder!" she cried, causing Link to look over at his bloody left shoulder...and it was at that moment that the adrenaline had subsided and he was suddenly met with a sharp pain, which caused him to grunt as he put his hand over the wound.

"Hang on!" Libby exclaimed as she ran to get some bandages. "Don't worry, I know what to do!"

Meanwhile, Serra was in her examination room, sighing in relief as she looked out the door that led to the drawing room, where she saw Libby beginning to tend to Link's injury by having him strip himself of his tunic, then staunch the bleeding with a damp washcloth, which caused him to seethe in pain, and all the woman could do was smile.

"That young man sure is something," she said before she glanced over at the table...where the wolf lie asleep with bandages wrapped around his stomach and sides. "...Now all that's left is for you to pull through."

To Be Continued...

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