Part 8: Encounters in the Night

Chapter 49: Defeat

One swung high, the other blocked. The metal rang as the blades separated, only to be jarred again by another heavy blow. Another swing, this one from left to right. The shining sword snapped to the side, deflecting the attack swiftly, before swiping up towards Ganondorf's chest. Ganondorf snapped his other blade up with inhuman speed, blocking the would-be killing blow.

While blocking, the Gueredo brought his other sword around at Link, aiming for the Hero's head. Link dropped into a crouch. The blade sliced off the tips of some of his hair. Link pulled his sword inwards, and then lunged at Ganondorf with astonishing strength. Ganondorf leaped back, dodging the attack by centimeters.

Then Gar-Mallig, the new Big Brother, leaped into the fray. He had also lost something to this monster; his father, Tab-Nedoc, had been killed in the battle. With all of his strength, he swung a massive fist at the traitor. But in the moment of impact, Big Brother was shocked to feel nothing meet his fist but air.

And then he felt a searing pain, followed by agony from his wrist. His hand had been chopped off. He slumped to the floor, cradling his stump arm.

Ganondorf's eyes gleamed. "Now both kings are crippled." He growled.

Link suddenly felt a surge of anger, and gave himself to the fight. He weaved a web of steel before Ganondorf, a web so swift and so precise that not even the traitor's superhuman speed could penetrate the defense.

And then Link suddenly jabbed at Ganondorf thrice, forcing the Gueredo into defense, before unleashing a move he had thought of in their journey through the passage.

He brought his blade up into the air, as if he was going to strike downward. Ganondorf used the sudden opening to stab forward, but Link was already back pedaling, and the Hero brought the hard pommel of his sword down upon the traitor's sword. Whether by some hidden imperfection in the metal of Ganondorf's sword, or perhaps just fate, the blow snapped the sword blade in two.

Half of the blade fell down, down to the floor, and clattered on the cold stone. Ganondorf could only stare at his remaining stump of a sword. This was the second time Link had broken his blade.

"Now you, too, are crippled." Link growled, and with a great shout, gripped his own sword in both hands, and swung with merciless strength. Ganondorf was forced to use his remaining sword to block, and tossed the broken one away. It was useless now.

The battle in the market place had moved closer to the Keep. The Rebel army advanced methodically, killing mercilessly and mopping up survivors with vicious stabs. Ganondorf's army was always forced back, and they no longer even tried to charge. Their numbers had been dramatically lessened, and now it was they who were outnumbered.

Elnor had brought with him his hunting bow. His shocking reappearance had not yet been explained. Not to anyone. Only Zelda had a faint idea of what had happened.

But for now, Elnor's mind was not on the dark memory. His mind was in the forest he lived in. The buildings surrounding him were the trees. He climbed one, and got into a good firing position. The enemies were dirt boars, nothing more. He selected one from the crowd, took aim, and fired.

The chosen prey, a large Moblin, died with the same squeal as a dirt boar.

Elnor smiled. He had not fought for twenty years.

And two decades had done nothing to lessen his skill…

Finally, Ganondorf's soldiers, as one, saw that they had a choice. Run, or die here.

All but two Bokoblins, who were lopped apart in the next moment, chose the former. They ran. They ran with all possible speed to the keep, and with tremendous force, shoved the gate open. They were in the throne room. Then they suddenly stopped in their tracks. They could not believe their eyes.

Ganondorf was on his knees. A boy clad in green stood with his sword point pressing into their leader's chest. Both of Ganondorf's swords lay on the ground, one broken in half.

But upon seeing them, Ganondorf seemed to be encouraged, renewed. His lips moved silently, and the boy opened his mouth to speak, but they saw no more.

Elnor's jaw dropped. Ganondorf, along with his entire army, had vanished. They had been there one moment, with the Rebels pursuing close behind, and then had been nowhere.

He saw Link stand, and sheathe his sword. Zelda pushed through the crowd of confused Rebel soldiers to his side.

"What happened, Link? Where is Ganondorf?" She asked.

Link shook his head. "He used the same spell he has used many times. He proved that he is a coward." He said.

"But where is he?"

Link looked at her, and the look was strange to her. It was not the Link she knew. Someone else peered out from those blue eyes, someone older and wiser, yet still, deep inside them, was the young, smiling squire she was best friends with.

"I know where he is." Link finally answered.