Hello all! I'm back again, with another riveting chapter for you! Now don't you whine and say I took too long because I've recently acquired a job which has been taking up a lot of my time. I also started playing a new game (Jak II) which has been beat now but I just don't have a lot of free time for writing. I'll tell you what I do have though... FANART!! Drawn by me and posted at this website! It's at DeviantArt www . deviantart . com/deviation/9847771/ I had to space out the dots or else it wouldn't show up... I don't think you're allowed to post URLS on this website... I don't know why...
Comanderlink: Ooh... giving me demands now are we? Maybe I just won't post this one! Nah... I'm not that evil, at least I get the chapter out! What if I just never posted another one, ever?
Atchika: blushes well... I'm sorry I just forgot how young I specified her age to be... just assume it's like walking with help, like not on her own yet... .
Dark Zelda: Thank you! I will!
Sora: Thanks, I take the time because I care about awesome reviewers like you,
Babydoll72489: Hey, hey, hey.... Tef'La isn't old... he has silver hair because silver hair is hot, think Sephiroth from Final Fantasy 7 or Yue from Card Captor Sakura.
Iam junior gil: Um... no I can't promise that... just keep reading...
Lost Soul 01: It'll get happier don't worry; this is just working its way up to the climax that's all.
Persephone's-Child: I say this again... He is NOT old!!!
LadyofDemons45: Wow... I guess I should have explained this more in the past... Ok, say he's like, 25 or something ok?
Hylian Heroine: Awesomeness! I'm glad you liked it. Lol, it seems we both have a one-track mind, I used ancient Hylian in my story too. Just not spoken, only written.
Chapter 8: Dangerous Risks
The last thing Link remembered was the feeling of ultimate defeat as he watched the most hated man take away the two things that had meant more to him than life itself. He figured he should be dead, the antidote never reached him and he had failed to save them. Was he really doomed? Was he on his way to the other world?
Link... Link...
Link found himself standing in what he thought was the Hylian field but it was a lot greener and a soft warm breeze was blowing. A dream? He could only ask. "Where am I? Not living I presume..."
You're mistaken... you still dwell in the land of the living. You still have your quest to fulfill.
Link looked up and was surprised to see the three goddesses kindly looking down on him. "But I failed... the antidote didn't reach me, how am I still alive?"
Your life was spared; the powers of the child have saved you.
At first Link might have considered this to be untrue but he had been through too much to dismiss anything unusual. "They have...?"
Link, you know what you must do now; the evil must be stopped and the child saved.
"...and Zelda, I must get to her! It may already be too late!"
Maintain a clear mind Link; trust in the triforce of courage which dwells within you.
"I understand."
Now Link awaken!
All of a sudden Link's eyes snapped open and he sat bolt upright. His gaze focused on something unexpected; a pair of big brown eyes belonging to a certain hylian girl. The overall shock of it almost caused him to fall out of the bed he was in. "....Malon?! What am I doing here?"
The cinnamon-haired girl responded by hugging him while squealing. "You're alive Link!"
Link, who was still in a small amount of pain, groaned causing her to release him. "What do you mean? Haven't I just been unconscious?"
Malon's gaze on him turned to one of sorrow at that moment as she began retelling the past 24 hours. "I found you lying on the Hylian Field. I was so... afraid you had died so I had Epona bring you back to the ranch. You weren't breathing Link..."
Link's stony gaze softened. "I'm sorry I worried you."
Malon hugged him again burying her face into his shoulder. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
A glowing ball of light rammed into Link's head squeaking. "Yeah! I hate it when I think you're dead!"
"Ow... I'm sorry Tatl." Link said rubbing his head. He attempted to stand but needed to hold onto the bedpost for support.
"Oh no, you shouldn't be up Link, you need rest." Malon said.
"I have to go, he must be stopped." He began pulling on his shirt and slipping on the boots.
"You mean the silver-haired man?"
"Where is he?! Have you seen him?"
"He's in the castle, in the past 24 hours he's taken over most of Hyrule, everyone knows him. My father... he was captured and beaten because he opposed him..."
"Malon... I will stop this man; this is my promise to you and every member of this land." He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
"Thanks Link..."
He was tightening his belt and sheathing his sword when he heard an odd request.
"Take me with you."
He shook his head. "It's too dangerous; I could never forgive myself if something happened to you. No, you must stay here."
"Please, Link" She said forcibly. "Yesterday I thought you were dead, all the hope I had was lost. What if that was to happen again? I could never forgive myself if I knew there was something I could have done to prevent it."
Link did feel a bit ashamed that he had worried everyone so much but he had a mission to carry out. Involving someone like Malon was not logical; he shouldn't even have involved Zelda or Taira in this. Maybe if he hadn't... they would be safe right now.
"Hey..." Malon said interrupting his train of thought. "You know, I can take care of myself. Trust me, you have before..."
Knowing that a further argument would just waste more time he decided to comply. "All right, but we have to go NOW. Get whatever you need and meet me at the edge of the farm."
In five minutes they were already headed on their way to the kingdom. Dark clouds flashing with lightning loomed above the castle. It was slightly raining as they entered through the unguarded drawbridge.
"It's cold..." Shivered Malon.
"What has he done...?" Link asked to no one in particular.
The sight that lay before them was one of destruction and dismay. Small fires were burning in the street and upon the houses. A few people, deceased lay upon the grounds. No life was present upon the usually bustling marketplace or in any of the houses.
Link was shaking his head in disbelief when he heard a small cry. Looking upon the rubble he found a small boy, he was dirty and frightened but all right. Link pulled the child into his arms wondering what to do next. A woman exited one of the houses and cried out in joy when she saw the boy.
"Thank you..." She said as she took the boy from him.
"What happened here?" Link asked.
"There was an attack, many of us escaped but I wouldn't leave without my son..."
"You better get out of here now then... go to the Kakariko village. I believe he hasn't touched that place yet."
The woman nodded and ran out of the burning town. Link slammed his fist upon the ground in anger. "How dare he... all those innocent lives..."
Malon tapped his shoulder nervously. "We have to get to the castle."
Link brought himself to his feet and looked towards the castle. It seemed the fires were now burning within his eyes as he walked.
Malon slowly followed glad to leave the horror behind.
The castle was heavily guarded except for one place which is the one Link used as a child the first time he saw Zelda. Nobody saw the two sneak into the castle using that side entrance.
They lightly touched down upon the stone floor. Link whispered his plan to Malon careful to avoid any unwanted attention from the guards.
"Please, find Taira for me. I'm going to look for Zelda, when I find Tef'La I am going to kill him..."
Just as he was about to leave Malon pulled him towards her to give him a small kiss. Link tried not to act too surprised as he pulled away.
"Malon..." He said wondering how he was going to say this. "You know Zelda and I..."
"You're involved I know, that kiss was for good luck. Now go save the kingdom... and come back alive." She said, turning the other way.
Link stood there for a few seconds not knowing if he was more shocked that she kissed him or that she knew about his relationship with Zelda. He quickly decided more important things were at stake here and hurried off to find his princess.
Malon was smiling to herself knowing she might not have had another chance to do what she just did. Being brave didn't come naturally to her; it was just something she acquired over the years. She needed it then, but she had a feeling she'd need it more for the events to come. Walking along she soon heard cries; her pace quickened as she turned down corridor after corridor unsure of what she would find.
Link had made his way to the throne room doors. He drew his sword, bracing himself for anything about to happen. Almost without thinking he flung open the doors...
Malon reached a strange temple-like room where the cries were coming from. She slowly entered the room and immediately ran to Taira who was laying on the altar in a pillar of light. Taira quieted upon seeing Malon's friendly face, she reached up smiling. Malon was about to pick her up when she was grabbed from behind and dragged into the darkness.
–Empty, Link had just burst into a completely vacant room. Link cursed to himself, wondering where the hell they all were. It suddenly dawned on him when he remembered seeing a room with the ancient Hylian writings upon the walls.
"No... Malon!" He said to himself realizing she would be in grave danger. He turned and broke into a sprint, hoping he could remember where the room was located.
Malon's screams were muffled with a cloth as her hands and feet were bound. She was roughly thrust against the wall when Link entered the room.
He turned, casting a glare like a jagged knife. Sword drawn he strode up to Malon's attacker and knocked him unconscious with the hilt.
At that moment Argryos had appeared holding a curved blade with markings up one side. He brushed his short silvery hair away from his seemingly calm face, an evil smile curled upon his lips.
"Ah, the hero of time, you have come to save them have you not? I'm sorry you won't succeed but you're welcome to try."
Link approached Tef'La his eyes showing no fear. "When I'm done with you... not even Hell will want your worthless soul..."
"I wouldn't be making foolish threats if I were you... the others you have involved, I hold their lives in the palm of my hand. All you have to do is say the word and their souls will be at peace."
"You leave them out of this, and I just might make your death quick and painless..."
"Again with the threats and your boundless courage, I fear even that won't be enough to save them."
Link had just about had all that he could take but he knew he had to keep his cool. Out of control anger is just what Tef'La wanted. He would take advantage of the blindness that comes with the rage.
"Are you going to sit there and talk all day or are we going to finish this..."
"Oh by all means we can finish this right now..."
Link pulled back his sword and stabbed, there was a clank of metal as the move was quickly deflected by Tef'La's blade. He jabbed to the side but again he remained untouched.
"You're not going to 'beat' me that easily." Tef'La said and with a quick slash Link's right shoulder was cleanly nicked.
Link held onto the stinging wound for a second or two, upon removal his hand had a thin line of blood.
"You're gonna pay for that..."
Link did a running stab but spun around at the last second to catch him off-guard and slice his left leg.
Tef'La attempted to doge this but realized he fell a little short when he felt pain in his leg.
"You're better than I thought... but don't celebrate yet. For every injury you inflict on me, your princess pays the price."
Link heard Zelda cry out in pain, the guard had slashed her leg in the exact place he had slashed Tef'La. The searing anger in him grew as he turned to look at the silver-haired man with piercing hatred.
"Leave her out of this..." he said between clenched teeth.
"Surrender and I just might listen to you."
"Never..." he said before lunging with his sword once again.
"You're tampering with her life, Link!"
The Hero of Time wasn't listening anymore. All he knew was to fight and win, in a flurry or sword moves he inflicted many cuts and bruises upon Tef'La. However, his heart was felt like it was being torn in two every time he heard Zelda cry out.
Malon had been wriggling her hands out of the bounds she was in. She couldn't stand seeing Zelda abused by this guard while Link remained helpless to save her. Summoning all her strength she broke free and quickly freed her legs and removed the gag from her mouth. She looked around for anything that might hinder that guard. She soon came across an axe; seeing how it would do nicely she moved towards the guard. Slowly lifting the weapon over her head, she moved ever closer.
A/N Ok! I'm Very VERY sorry this one took so long but in the future I'll try and get the next one out sooner! The fic is drawing to a close so keep checking please!
