Chapter 19: Battle of the Yiga

Revali and I flew to the scene as soon as we had arrived at the tower, and even from the air, I had not seen anything like it in all my years as a Knight of Hyrule. All the races were fighting as best as they could, with even the Sheikah and some Hylians helping. But how did…? I turned to Revali who gave me a face of bewilderment as I gestured to the 2 extra races.

"I didn't invite them. It must have been Zelda. Where did your friend say she was anyways?"

It was then that I heard Zelda's terrified scream.

"Zelda!"

I veered left toward the direction of the scream, leaving Revali behind in my desperation. When I arrived, there was Zelda surrounded by 4 Yiga. I landed with a spin attack, dispatching all 4 of them with my sword and shield and finishing 3 of them off with an ending blow. The final was a bit tougher and teleported away before I could finish or even strike him. That was ok though, I knew what I could do, I calmly sheathed my sword as I waited for him to teleport nearby without focusing on him. He did so, and found himself greeted by an unblockable, lethal, two-handed strike as my sword left its scabbard, the mortal draw. I just stood there panting for a little bit, eyes darting this way and that in preparation for another attack. When none came, I sheathed my blade and ran to Zelda as Revali landed.

"Princess!" I said.

"Link!"

We surprisingly both ended up in a hug.

"I'm so glad you're ok!" I said.

"Me too."

"How did you get here?"

"I came here, and this wolf protected me."

Revali looked around.

"Uhh… what wolf?"

It was true, he was gone without a trace.

Zelda looked around in bewilderment. I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I understand and will explain later. Let's go."

"No, I'm not going back to the village! I may not be of use on a battlefield, but I am tired of being cooped up in a location unable to help while others risk their lives."

I smiled.

"I know, I know I can't keep you away, but I can protect you. As my former Captain said, it's dangerous to go alone."

"Maybe those magic sparkly sealing powers of yours could also be of some use." Revali remarked.

I thought about it.

"That could work, but I'm not sure if it will."

"Well it's worth a try, it's better than nothing." Zelda Chided.

Suddenly Revali and I both whipped around as we heard fast footsteps.

"Yiga dead ahead!" Revali cried as he readied an arrow.

Just as I had gotten my sword and shield out, he had already shot the two.

"Or there were, I suppose. You're welcome by the way."

I just shook my head with a groan.

"He's your brother." Zelda said.

Inhaled deeply through my nose as I stood up straight.

"Climb on my back." I told Zelda

She I helped her up as she mounted, hands around my neck for extra support. I turned to Revali.

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

Revali and I took off with 2 separate gales, directing our flight paths to the biggest battle I'd ever taken part in.

As soon as we landed, we were right in the mess as arrows were fired and swords and other weapons were swung and blocked. As I looked around, I could see people falling on both sides. Despite the different body types and combat styles which were prevalent, I could tell that the army was fighting as hard as they could as a united army. The combat of the agile Rito, the Fluid Zora, the Fierce Gerudo, the cunning Sheikah, the stalwart Hylians, and the strong Gorons began to push the Yiga back despite the losses. Never in my life had I fought so many Yiga, but also never in my life had I seen such bravery in a coordinated attack. Well, that wasn't necessarily true, I could think of one time where six individuals showed as much if not more courage that this army now did. Turned out that that courage was more than enough. Harth landed nearby as another Yiga assassin fell.

"The Yiga are in full retreat."

I turned to Zelda who was holding her own with the assistance of her powers surprising well, standing nearby, who shrugged. Harth was waiting for a response, but in terms of military experience Zelda had none. I nodded in understanding, then looked to Harth.

"Keep advancing, do not let them re-enter that hideout! Understand?!"

He nodded in understanding and took off. And it was true, the number of Yiga I was having to face I heard a poof from behind me.

"Look out!" Zelda shrieked.

I turned to have to duck under the weapon of the Yiga leader, followed by another few strikes that eventually knocked me back. He tried to swing again, but his time I blocked him, too bad I wasn't prepared for his leg sweep.

"Link!" Zelda ran to my side as the hateful assassin leader knocked her aside and held his scythe close to my throat.

"You! You!" He looked about ready to launch into a tantrum but quickly regained his composure, at least partially.

"You think this will stop us!? We can create other bases! No matter what, the Yiga Clan will always be there to serve Ganon! We will…"

He was cut off as something impaled him in the back. His body fell to reveal Teba, recovered enough to fight, and holding a recently used feathered spear.

"That was for my son and village, you masked monster."

He extended his wing to me in assistance to help me up as Revali came running.

"Link! Are you ok?!" He said.

I nodded, although I was wounded, my injuries were not fatal or serious. If there was anything incredibly wrong, it was that I was extremely tired. I turned to Teba.

"I'm surprised that you were well enough to fight."

He smiled.

"You know I've always been a fast healer."

"Tulin's with Saki, I imagine he wants to see his dad again. Go home, their waiting."

He nodded in gratitude and understanding before running off and taking to the sky with a big gust of… um… was that what I thought it was? Revali was even more shocked then I was.

"Was that my…?"

I patted his shoulder.

"Congratulations, you have a legacy."

Revali was still standing there, shocked at what he had just saw.

"It doesn't make sense. I mean I did tell him the secret when he asked one day. But that was because I never thought that he would actually…"

Then he shook his head and regained his composure.

"Well, no matter with me as a teacher, accidental or intentional anything is possible. And let's be honest, with my guidance, he will be an even greater warrior. Though nothing compared to me of course."

I shook my head in annoyance with a smile, but the chatter beak was still not done.

"Now let's go," he put his hand on my shoulder, "I think this victory calls for a small celebration."

He was absolutely right, but I should have known better than to drop my guard. The sound of mechanical clanking and panicked shouting filled my ears. I recognized that sound, but… no! It couldn't be! I turned to see my worst fears come true, there was a guardian, coming right towards us. It targeted me as soon as I saw it, and I raised my shield to prepare for the incoming laser as Zelda ran and Revali desperately groped for an ancient arrow that he hoped was in his quiver. I tried to block his laser, but I moved my shield too early due to physical and mental fatigue, making the laser hit me head on as the shockwave blew Revali off his feet. I felt my injuries heal as a soft voice filled my mind, thanks again Mipha. I quickly looked around. Revali was on the ground, dazed from the force of the blast and Zelda was watching from the sidelines in terror, seemingly powerless to help. I could tell Revali was wounded, but alive. The momentary distraction cost me though, as I got up to my feet just in time to receive another direct blast to the chest. That one definitely hurt; I could almost literally feel my very life force ebbing as I tried to get back to my feet. I could hardly hold my sword anymore, let alone hold my shield. I swayed on my feet as the darn thing targeted me again, I had no idea how I was going to get out of this one. Well, this is it. At least I died fighting. I tried to raise my sword in front of me as I teetered on my feet.

"No!" Zelda screamed.

I was shoved out of the way as she took the blast in full and I was thrown away from the explosion, landing painfully on my stomach.

"Zelda!"

With a strength and energy I didn't know I could muster, I recovered, dropped the Master Sword, and destroyed the guardian with 2 raged filled ancient arrow shots. As soon as the guardian exploded, the energy left me. I clutched my chest as I struggled to stay on my feet. I looked up to see Zelda lying motionless through my blurring vison. No… no, no, no, no. Summoning what was left of my strength I limped over to her as Revali shouted in protest.

"Link!"

I fell on the ground a few feet from her as Revali came running. I pushed myself up as much as I could in a weak crawl eventually reaching her and putting my blood red, molting wing on her.

"No. No! No! Please! Link!"

She was the last thing I felt with my hand as Revali's voice faded into the blackness I had been fighting. But it didn't matter, Zelda was probably dead herself. I had failed. And to me, that was worse than death that surely awaited me.