Chapter 5

The First Guardian, Horsehead

I cautiously stepped out of the hidden door, but as soon as I did so, the ra still saw me and at once began to shoot missiles to strike against me again. But luckily, as this was the first time I could truly observe this magic, the missiles were slow, like a floating blue sphere. But as I sidestepped around it, the missile changed direction and followed me! Suddenly, I was thankful that there was just that one ra, and not several others. I still had little trouble, and quickly left the spell behind.

I was already digging around for my key before I even reached the door at the end of the hall. Like I predicted, the key was a perfect fit, and the door frame creaked quietly open. Something was unsettling to me as I stepped in. I didn't know what, but it felt like the air itself was telling me to turn and leave. But I fought those urges and stayed, telling myself that there was nothing that I couldn't handle, and that's when I heard heavy clunking and breathing. As I slowly rounded a bend, I saw the tall statue where one of the crystals belonged, but I also saw the guardian in front of it.

Tremendously tall and dangerous, Horsehead was protected by really tough looking armor. Just as the name suggests; it stood upright like a human, but the head looked entirely like a horse's. It stared down at me like I was an intruding pest, and stood unsurprised like it knew I was coming. It already clenched onto a small mace, a tower of a weapon to me, but really still too small for a beast of such size.

I faced the threat by unsheathing my sword, The monster had to stoop low to attack me, which was a clear disadvantage for it, for I must still be careful, for now its legs could become an easier weapon to use. But Horsehead must have favored its tiny mace, because it bent down and tried to sweep me away. I used its disadvantage against it though, and was already gone before its mace touched the ground. I never stopped running until I was near its leg, and I leveled my blade and swept it back across. The monster was so tall, that I managed to only hit its knee. I had aimed for a seam in its armor, but still my sword bounced harmlessly off of the red armor. Must have been quite a protective armor, But surely it had a weakness? I was careful of the now swinging legs as I looked up. It looked like the animal like head was the only thing unprotected by the thick crimson armor. But how could I reach it?

I jumped back as Horsehead bent low again and swung the mace in front of me. But this time, Horsehead was relentless and swung back around again and again. I countered the first attack with my shield, and then quickly rolled under the weapon with his next strike. Now, before it could stand straight again, I made my move, and reached up to grab hold on its arm. This was a dangerous tactic, but it was the only one I could think of, besides, I was confidant of my strategy. I knew to hold on tight as I was bound to be flailed back and forth, but I managed to keep my hold and I then climbed up to the shoulder. The guardian then passed its mace from one hand to the other, but by the time it did that, I had already struck the face. The beast howled, and I knew it was going to crush me with its large hands if I didn't move out of the way. I had no fear, I jumped straight down to the ground.

The guardian let out a horse-like cry as red streaks lined its face. I brought my shield back up to block the swung mace, but it had a lot of power behind it, and I was shoved to the floor. The mace was coming down on me this time, and solid instinct was the only thing that made me roll out of the way in time for the tough mace to whirl next to me and crack the stone floor where I was just lying.

I quickly returned to my feet and sheathed my weapons to better take the opportunity to grab the arm again, but Horsehead wasn't about to let me strike again, and was more determined to try and grab me. My muscles strained when I struggled to pull myself up. I knew I had to move fast, but when I finally managed to stand up on his arm, his other hand was already wrapping around me. I couldn't let it take me, but there was little I could do to protect myself! I felt desperation screaming at me to do something, but I only reached down helplessly and tried to hold on to his armored limb. The intent was futile however, for I knew my arms were no match to the strength of the Horsehead's, and he just pulled back harder until I was forced to let go.

Horsehead glared at me angrily with rolling drips of blood painting its face. There was no escaping his grip! I still fought stubbornly, but only wished I had my sword in my hand. With every struggle I made, the grip around me became a little tighter, soon, I didn't even have the strength to fight. No, my blood began to boil and race, and I fought to hold onto my consciousness when I could no longer breathe. Darkness flitted through my vision, but yet, I held onto my pride. Don't let this monster kill you! I thought, you, Hero of Hyrule, have not been done in by the great Ganon! This mere beast didn't have the power to be rid of you.

But deep inside, I knew there was no way out. And that was a great offense to me. I was the hero, and can not be defeated or killed! But the monster was not loosening its grip, and there was nothing I could do to harm it.

But was the battle over? No, I told myself, don't think so foolishly! But my lungs burned for air, and even my bones felt grinded. But just I lost focus, the hand suddenly and unexpected flung me to the wall with all its might. I was hardly aware of the act though until I felt soaring pain from colliding with the hard brick wall. The room became dark as my vision was blurry, and I felt like I was going to faint, but I denied such a weakness, and shook it off. Through my lightheadedness, I saw the tall guardian approaching. But then something happened.

A ripping anger took place, and I felt driven to attack! Like it was the only thing that mattered in the world. I pushed off from the wall and sprinted right towards it, not feeling much of the severe pain that no doubt was there. A crumbling explosion sounded behind me where Horsehead struck the wall, but I didn't look back as I ran under the legs, and until I was at the back of the giant beast. It turned around and brought its mace before me again. If I was in the right state of mind, I would have focused on casting "Shield" to protect myself from further damage, but I was so angry, I didn't even think of it. Horsehead was already so close that the monster bent low in another attack, but I saw an opening, and if I can avoid the weapon and run around it, I could reach the head without climbing up its shoulder.

I waited for the moment, and took off once more. The mace breezed nearby, but I made it past safely and struck the flesh of Horsehead. Without hesitation, it then stood straight again and tried to kick at me, but rather than running, I took the risk and jumped onto the foot. When it couldn't shake me free, It bent down and swung the mace in attempts of shoving me off, but with the sword still in hand, I took hold of the guardian's arm again.

And when it raised its arm to fling me, I was high enough that I held on with one hand and stabbed the face with my weapon. The yell followed more of a whinny this time, and Horsehead leaned forward and became limp. As it fell down to the floor, I jumped safely away from the impact and the heavy beast seemed to rumble the entire chamber and probably cracked the floor underneath it. Even after its death, the trouble it has caused me still held my rage. In my maddening anger, I did not celebrate the defeat of the first guardian. I felt hate for the beast since it glared down at me like I was nothing to look at and was not even going to offer much of a fight. Well, look who won, I thought, and kicked at the beast's head.

It was then, as I stood there, that the pounding of my heart started to settle with my anger. With a clear head, I pondered on what just happened, and why I felt the way I did just a second ago. Now, I felt the severity of my wounds, and deep inside, I pushed away the realization that Horsehead almost killed me. The entirety of my body felt throbbing and sore, my back hurt to remain upright, and I felt small trickles running down from what felt like painful scrapes.

But my ego wouldn't let me collapse there, even if I was alone. And I knew there was one last step to follow before I left that place. I reached into my bag and pulled free one of the small clear gems. The statue that remained waiting was of a large face without a body. It was quite expressionless, but stern. I moved forward to it, feeling every strain and bruise the more I walked. Just like the ancient scroll said, a small hollow was carved out of the forehead. And as I came close enough to it, I found myself quite surprised on the statue's condition, judging from what the scroll said, it was quite old, but the stone face was perfect! It was not in the least bit weathered, and I would have been less shocked if I was told someone carved it just the other day. But I suppose the rest of the palace didn't seemed very old as well.

I reached up and slid the gem into the hollow. The jewel started to glow a colorless light when it was in place, and I turned to leave. A staircase that looked like it could lead outside was conveniently placed in the wall next to the statue. If it hurt me to walk, then every nerve in my body reacted with every step on that flight.

But I pushed myself all the way up the stairs to a door that was locked from the inside. I swung the door open and stepped outside onto another brick patio. Perhaps it was a good thing that I pushed myself up the stairs despite my wounds, because almost as soon as I was safely out of the palace, the land was struck with an earthquake! Pillars, walls, and rooms of the temple one by one collapsed. Each loud tumble and chaos followed the other until the quaking stopped when Parapa Palace was completely destroyed and unenterable. How did that happen? Was my timing a coincidence? I would have been more stupefied about it all, but my injuries pulled me down and didn't allow emotion. I could fight it no longer, even if I wanted to, I fell to the brick and was instantly asleep.

Author's Note: Hey, thanks for reading! And this is where things get even more interesting. Well, I think so, but hopefully for you as well. I know not much happened in this chapter, but now that the first palace is done, things are starting to get spiced up. This was originally part of chapter four, but I split it up at the boss scene to shorten the last chapter a bit.

Thanks to Irene T447, who honestly reviewed every chapter so far and is changing the way I see this story for the better!

Onward to my next chapter, "An Unexpected Visit".