Sorry it took so long to update. I sorta forgot. I'm also putting up ch. 9 which is the last one I have right now. I've been a bit preocupied with this book me and my friend are working on. I'm also excited becauseI saw in this magazine that TP comes out May 16. > SO excited.

Chapter 8: The 'New' Hyrule

When Link woke up he was back inside the Temple of Time. The door to the catacombs was closed which eased Link's mind. He stood up and brushed himself off. He then took hold of the staff and walked out of the safety of the temple.

Outside the sky was black. Link thought that he had spent a long time in the catacombs and it was now dark. He looked up into the sky, expecting to see the moon and stars yet neither shined in the sky. He found it strange that this would happen. The new moon had passed a few days ago but there should be some showing now, as for the stars they always shine bright.

He was worried now and headed into the market. It was abandoned. Dogs usually run wild at night yet not one roamed free. No person walked quickly down the allies and not a single light shinned from the homes. A few buildings and stalls were even collapsed.

Manuko… He really did strike when I was in the catacombs. And I wasn't here to help stop him. Link thought. He looked towards were the Castle once stood and could see none. Terror struck him when he realized what could of happened to the royal family. He ran down the path towards the castle, worried for the Royal family and shocked that he cares.

The Gate stood only as a pile of ruble now. Link could see the crimson color of blood on some of them. As Link ran towards the pile he jammed the staff into the ground and pole-volted his way over the pile. He stumbled slightly as he landed then continued running.

Link stopped running. Stopped walking. Stopped moving all together. The castle no longer stood. The once proud castle of Hyrule was now a smoldering pile of ruble. Nothing stood anymore. Every one inside was dead. The King, Princess Zelda, the Guards and other servants, all dead.

Link stood in front of the pile, to shocked to move. So many thoughts were going through his mind. So many people have died in the few hours he was under ground.

If only I was here. I could of done something. I could of protected the Royal Family. But I promise, I will avenge you all. A cold stare was in Link's eyes as he turned and walked back towards the Market. As he approached the ruble he pushed the staff forward. The gem turned red and fire shot, clearing a path. The gem then shined blue and put out the fire he had just started.

Inside the Market it's residents had come out, more ReDeads. Link ignored their stair. He took out his Master Blade and killed each ReDead easily. As he reached the edge of the Market he collapsed on his knees. The rage he felt had subsided and the sorrow and grief for those who had died had hit.

Tears had started to fill his eyes. So many had died just here in the Market and Castle. What about the rest of Hyrule? How did Manuko affect the rest of Hyrule with his undead legion? He whipped the tears away.

Link took off his shield and put the Master Sword in it's sheath. He laid everything on the ground in it's place. He took up the Master Sword and fastened it around his waist. This way he could put the Staff on his back when Melee damage would be more affective. He then put the shield back on his back. He figured he needed to head back to his home village to get some supplies since the Market has been abandoned.

Link ran to Kakariko village, hoping it still stood. As he climbed the stairs leading up to the village he became more and more anxious. When he entered he was put at ease. It still stood. He noticed people from the Market had fled here as well.

"Link, you've retuned. Is Malon safe?" an old man asked as he walked up to Link.

"I hope so. I've taken my place back with the Royal Family Guards and am currently on a quest to save Hyrule. I haven't seen her since yesterday noon. I do plan to go to Lon Lon Ranch though. I just need some supplies," Link explained.

"The Bazaar owner from Hyrule Market is moving into a building by Death Mountain. Why don't you go and give him a hand, he might just have the things you need."

"Thank you." Link said, then bowed respectively. Good. So the owner is still alive. I can get my supplies from him and go see how Malon is.

Link hurried to the path were he saw the Bazaar owner sitting on top of one of the crates by his new store.

"Link. That shield save you ass yet?" The owner said when he saw Link.

"Countless times," Link said with a smile. The owner laughed slightly. "Need help moving in."

"More then anything. I just need to get this crate in. I can stock the shelves myself." The owner then hopped off the crate and stood at one end. Link opened the door, and placed the Staff against a wall, then stood at the opposite end of the crate. They lifted the crate and walk inside in the most ungraceful way imaginable.

"Also, I was wondering if you had a strap sheath thing for my new staff. It gets tiring if I have to always carry it in my hands."

"I see your point. I think I got something that'll do you fine." The owner said as he pried open the crate. He then started digging through it, pushing things inside. He cursed slightly when he poked himself with arrows. "AH HA!" he cried as he stood up, "Here boy." He then tossed a long, thin sheath with open ends.

It was made of soft fabric so it was flimsy, but it was made to hold, not protect. The two open ends had harder material so a Staff wouldn't have trouble sliding in. Link smiled and took off his shield and put the new sheath around his chest. He put his shield back on his back then grabbed the Staff and put it in it's new sheath.

"Thank you. How much do I owe you?"

"Just take it. Take it as a thanks for helping with the crate."

"Thank you." Link said, then left. He got what he came for, now he needed to get to Lon Lon Ranch.

As Link hurried out he stopped running. He was getting tired. All the running around and just coming from the catacombs. He needed rest. He went back inside the village and went to his home. Inside he a man inside.

"What the hell are you doing inside my house?" Link yelled.

"Your house? The owner of this house happens to be I, Link." The man said.

"How dare you claim to be me! I surprised my friends here haven't chased you out of town acting like this!" Link yelled.

"You mean your Link? The real Link?"

"Yes! My wife and I bought this house a month ago."

"Sorry. The old man told me to stay here to make sure no one tried to rob it or claim it theirs. He told me to say I was Link to anyone who entered."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense. Your getting the couch tonight. I haven't had a decent rest in awhile."

"Of coarse." The man said, then went back to his task.

Link went into his room and took off his equipment, then went to sleep. As the Cucco crowed in the morning Link was already gone. Link had woken up early and took off towards the ranch. He needed to see how the ranch was doing. The sky wasn't much brighter during the day as it was at night. He suspected it had to do with Manuko.

As Lon Lon Ranch got closer and still looked the same Link began to smile. He then stopped running suddenly. For a brief second, he felt something. It wasn't a bad feeling, just different. He felt the same now though. He grew worried again and hurried inside.

As Link entered the ranch he saw the horses running in the background. The ranch was still in one piece. Link was happy about this. But one thing was odd, no one was outside. He then went inside the main house and headed upstairs. When he opened the he saw Talon, Malon, and Ingo stairing at him over a bed. When they saw Link they let out a sigh of relief.

"LINK!" Malon cried and ran into his arms. Link caught her as Malon kissed him deeply. "I'm so glad to see your safe."

"Same here," Link said. "Why were you three huddled around the bed?" Talon and Ingo moved to show the fair, blond figure of a woman asleep in the bed.

"She came shortly after Manuko attacked the castle. She had lost a lot of blood and passed out shortly after we took her inside. She's been like this since. We hope she'll live." Malon explained.

"So she did live."

"Yes. But Zelda might not live much longer."