Chapter 62: Under the Mist's Veil

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It was still heavily overcast the next day. The clouds were so thick and dark in the morning as they climbed up to the forest spring once again that it seemed hours earlier in the morning than it truly was. The sky was painted a pale gray, a shade that dimmed shadows and dulled the fledgling colors of the awakening springtime woodland. And the clouds seemed only to coalesce and descended as the morning hours passed, bathing the trees in light mist.

Perhaps, Link thought, it was just the overall darker aura of the forest, but he couldn't help but feel on edge. The air was thick and dead; no birds sang and not even the crows seemed willing to share their raucous cries. Although the mist helped him hide, encouraging the shadows to gather more quickly around him, he found himself wondering if it was hiding something from him as well. His head began to ache from the acute attention he paid both to his surroundings, wary of an incoming attack, and to himself, mindful of any movement or whisper of sound that could give him away; his ears strained to hear every brush of breeze-driven ferns against each other, and his eyes likewise strained to catch even the barest hints of motion through the mist - Impa's distant occasional pacing, the slight turn of Zelda's head either to listen to Impa's guidance or subconsciously find his position, the waving of thin branches wobbling in the aftermath of a gentle puff of wind.

Through the deepening mist he could just make out a hulking shape looming not too far from him, almost like a boulder. He didn't remember seeing anything like it on the previous days; a shiver crept down his spine at the mist's ability to distort a forest that had become so familiar over the past days. Nonetheless, it would make a good hiding spot; he inched towards it.

A whisper, hardly audible, cut through the fog towards him and he froze, his heart jumping into his throat. The words were indistinct, muffled by the thickening air, but they had undoubtedly come from the direction of the boulder he was heading towards.

A boulder that, he realized with a jolt, wasn't actually a boulder. Holding his breath, he slithered to a nearer tree with a small cluster of young ferns around its trunk just a pace or so from the looming shape in the fog. With growing trepidation he observed the dark bodysuit, just a shade darker than blood. The tuft of black hair at the top of the mask. The massive longsword fastened to a broad, muscular back.

Not just one, he realized, but two - a slightly smaller Yiga knelt beside the first, and with the two of them so close together they had, from the distance through the fog, seemed like just one massive boulder.

He swallowed thickly - and then the larger Yiga spoke. "Still don't see the boy," he whispered. "But all three came up here - I saw it."

"Maybe Kyati and Amyen already got to him," the smaller murmured. She shifted slightly. "Should we go ahead?"

"I don't like the idea of that whelp running loose," the larger Yiga growled. "Don't want him interfering again. It's getting close now - we can't mess this up a second time. She must die."

"So what are we doing waiting here?" the female breathed. "Can't be sure of anything with this fog -"

"We wait for Amyen's signal," her companion whispered. "If they find the boy, two chirps. If they don't, but they're in position, one chirp."

The female huffed in frustration but nodded slowly, and they fell silent. Waiting. Watching.

Link felt sweat beading on his brow despite the relatively cool temperature. I can't be in two places at once. And apparently Impa isn't aware of them yet - or if she knows there's someone there, she might think it's me. They could kill her and get to Zelda before I can reach them.

So I'd have to kill these two silently, so as to not alert their companions. But there's two of them - how do I kill two people quietly?

He chewed his lip, his mind feeling numb and blank. Come on - any second now they could receive the signal to move in! I have to do something!

Could he possibly behead them both in one swing? ...No; it was far too likely that in the attempt he'd give himself away, and since one was taller than the other their necks wouldn't be at the same height… He'd have to perform two separate swings, and no matter how fast he was, it was far too likely that one of them would cry out, alert their companions.

And even if I managed to dispatch both of them quietly, I don't know where the other group is. It would still technically be a successful ambush.

Frustrated, his chest tight with anxiety, he curled his hands into fists -

And a single distant chirp pierced high through the fog. In a moment of clarity Link made note of which direction it came from - just beyond the ridge behind the small pool that apparently housed a guardian spirit - and saw his path reveal itself.

He exploded out from behind the bush he'd hidden behind, causing the shadows to flee from around him, startling the two Yiga - out of the corner of his eye he saw the smaller one lose her balance and topple onto her rear - and ran for the pool at full tilt, instantly drawing Impa's attention.

"Yiga!" he shouted, jerking his chin back the direction he'd run from before shooting his hand forward, pointing to the ridge.

Their cover was blown. Either they'd fall back, hide, bide their time, knowing they might not get another chance - or they'd act, driven to desperation just like the Yiga Link had killed outside of Zelda's tent. He knew what their next target would be.

He lunged just as Zelda, shocked, was rising to her feet. He curled his arms around her, one arm around the back of her head, when they collided, tackling her roughly to the ground just as he heard the twang of a bow, felt the wind stirred by the arrow's passing lift the hair from the back of his head before it thudded into the soft ground. In the next moment he pulled her to her feet. "Get back! Back against the ridge! They can't hit you if you're between me and the cliff!"

"Link…" she gulped, her voice shaking; he could guess what she was thinking as he urged her back, around the edge of the pool, before drawing the Master Sword from its sheath across his back and backing himself nearly right up against her, all but pinning her to the cliff face.

"Don't think about it," he said. "It'll just drain your strength. You might have to run."

He felt her shudder and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, facing the misty clearing with his blade at the ready, waiting. Impa stood slowly retreating towards them, facing the shadows Link had been hiding in, her own sword drawn. "Behind you!" Link exclaimed, remembering the archer. A moment too late - he heard in agony of suspense the bowstring's release, just as Impa turned her back on the clearing; he watched as if in slow motion as she began to run towards him, saw the arrow flying down towards her.

The archer had fired too soon, and hadn't expected Impa to move out of the way. The arrow clattered into one of the boulders lining the pool and went flying.

"Thanks," Impa said, a slight tremor in her voice as she joined him and Zelda against the cliff. Raising her voice, she shouted, "Come out and face us, cowards! I relish the chance of spilling more traitor blood! Or return to your masters and explain that you failed!"

The misty woods were silent for several moments. Link's heart thudded almost painfully against his ribs. He felt Zelda's hand slide up to his shoulder, felt her shuddering behind him.

Dark shadows coalesced in the swirling fog, and in the next moment the two Yiga assassins Link had crept up on emerged from the mist.

"Our argument is not yet with you, Sheikah," the female spat. "But you, boy… this is the fifth time you've interfered in our plans. Do you even realize how many people are growing to loathe your name? How many of us want to personally see you dead, make you suffer?" She chuckled humorlessly behind her mask. "If you don't die today, you'll have the entire Clan on your tail, thirsty for your blood. We'll get you eventually."

Link swallowed thickly, trying to keep up his emotionless facade while secretly doubting that he could hold out against as many foes as the Yiga woman implied. "I see you've had the courage to come out and fight face to face," he said, trying to imitate Impa's cold, merciless voice. "But where are the others? Kyati and Amyen?"

The larger Yiga started. "Heard that, did you? Heh. As if we'd tell you. They'll pounce when you least expect it - it's not cowardly; it's smart. Now - to business. Give us those whelps, Sheikah, and we'll let you live."

"You can't possibly think I'd agree to that," Impa snarled. "Now, seeing as we won't come to you, are you going to come to us or shall we just stand here at an impasse all day?"

Link felt a rush of cold down his spine. They won't have to - those archers are probably moving into position now. With this fog, we have no idea where they are - if their companions keep us talking, they'll have all the time they need to aim and not miss.

"Zelda," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth, no longer paying any attention to what the Yiga were saying back to Impa. "Which direction?"

He felt her hand tighten on his shoulder. "Those two aren't the danger," she breathed, hardly audible. "But… to either side of them…"

Link nodded - that was all he needed. "Impa," he muttered, and although she didn't turn his way he knew she was listening to him, not the Yiga. "I know where the archers are. Protect Zelda."

Her eyes slid in his direction for an instant - stunned, but trusting. And she dipped her chin.

Link sprang forward and felt rather than saw Impa lunging to take his place in front of Zelda. Holding tight to the Master Sword he sprinted towards the Yiga, his feet crashing hard against the cold ground, cushioned only slightly by matted old grass and hopeful new ferns. The Yiga drew their swords in preparation but he didn't slow; he heard the soft twang of a bowstring from beyond them, beyond the aspens he'd hidden behind the previous day, and had half a second to make a choice - let it hit him, or dodge and let it continue on, possibly to strike Impa or even Zelda - and then he grunted from the impact at the near point-blank range, missing a step and stumbling from the fierce and immediate flare of pain in his left shoulder, inches from his heart.

With a growl, not breaking stride, he plunged the Master Sword between the thin space between the aspens and felt it strike something soft, meeting only minor resistance. Yanking it out with a spray of blood he whirled around in time to deflect a powerful swing from the larger Yiga warrior - of course they would have pursued him. Another whoosh of air ruffling his hair as another arrow, from a different direction, passed harmlessly over his head; hardly realizing he'd dodged it Link backpedalled away from the female Yiga as she swiped at him with her scythe before bringing the Master Sword over his head to deflect the larger assassin's blade, only to leap backwards once more to escape the scythe.

His foot landed and rolled on something soft and for a frightening moment he felt his balance waver until he took another step backwards to solid ground. The other archer's body - if I could get its bow and arrows to Impa – looked like they had about the same build -

And then once more he was on the defensive as the two Yiga drove him further backwards into the woods and he began to fear an arrow in his back at any second while the one already deeply embedded in his shoulder sent waves of pain through him with every movement he made. Teeth clenched, he threw himself forward, into the oncoming Yiga - a move they didn't expect - catching them by surprise and managing to bend down with his left hand and snatch the bow from the dead Yiga's hands. Forcing himself once more into a sprint he dashed back the way he'd come, sprinting away from the assassins hot on his heels. "Here!" he shouted, hurling the bow the last several yards and biting back a scream at the resulting agony in his shoulder before the Yiga caught up to him; he glanced back just in time to see Impa catch the bow.

She would have one shot, using the arrow that had embedded itself into the ground not far from them. He hoped it would be enough.

Teeth bared in a pained grimace he raised the Master Sword to block the bulkier assassin's blow. If you can kill them in one hit, do it! Impa's voice roared in his mind, and as the female assassin's scythe ripped towards him once more, clawing for his gut, he lurched to the side and lunged for her with a horizontal swipe of his blade - a blow that met her neck and bit clean through. Fighting back a wave of nausea he returned his attention to the bulkier assassin in time to hear words whispered in anguish and fury - "You'll pay for that, boy!"

And once more he sent his longsword crashing down over Link's head, reserving none of his strength; Link scrambled out of the way and in the instant the man took to recover from such a powerful blow he lunged for his heart -

And instead found the man's foot driving into his stomach, kicking him away as if he were no more than an annoying dog. Winded, his chest aching and his left arm on fire, he felt a moment of fear - he couldn't breathe, couldn't move; for that single moment he was utterly helpless and the assassin was raising his sword for a killing blow -

Then an arrow buried itself in the man's side, sending him stumbling away with a surprised shout of pain, and Link rolled away, wheezing, and scrambled to his feet, plunging the Master Sword forward towards the man's gut, but with a wild, desperate swing the man knocked his blade askew - instead of running him through the Master Sword merely clipped his side. Scowling, Link rushed him again - If you can kill him in one blow, do it - eager for the battle to be over, this time expecting the Yiga's counterattack and ducking under the man's swing, turning on his heel and driving the Master Sword through his back. The man tripped forward half a step, stumbling to his knees with a breathless grunt, and Link yanked the Master Sword free before striking again, piercing through the back of his neck. Wish I was taller - couldn't reach his vitals when he was standing .

The man crumpled when Link pulled his blade loose, expiring with a rasping moan. One left - the last archer. And draped in mist, the woods were still doing a stellar job of hiding the surviving Yiga from view. Once more Link envisioned them crouched low and perfectly concealed, pulling his bow back, aiming carefully -

He stepped quickly to the side and kept moving, pacing in front of Zelda and Impa, hoping to disrupt the archer's aim as much as he could. It won't work - they're bound to have enough arrows for multiple shots - sooner or later they'll try something -

A thought whispered quietly in his mind, a thought that wasn't his own - alien, and yet familiar. His breath caught in his throat at its presence - The attack will come from behind that boulder.

His gaze snapped forward, and though there were several large stones ringing the pool and further on, deeper in the woods, he could tell at once which one the assassin would be hiding behind - a smaller boulder at the base of a small stand of young elder trees - enough to provide some cover while still allowing plenty of room to aim. And, indeed, as he broke forward into a run towards the boulder he could see a dark crimson shadow kneeling behind it. He saw, in adrenaline-fueled clarity of vision, the tip of the arrow as the assassin drew back the bowstring.

There was no room for thought. Rotating his grip around the Master Sword's hilt to its crossguard he pulled his right arm back and hurled the sacred blade towards the gap between the small trees, feeling his heart freeze in anticipation. His sword sailed true and struck; he heard a breathless grunt and the Yiga keeled backwards from the force of the blow. Link hurried nearer, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in as he saw the Master Sword sticking out from the assassin's ribcage on her lower right side, several inches of the blade buried in her flesh.

But she was still alive, clearly in pain, her breaths shallow and strained. Link pulled his sword free, wincing at her wheezing cries of pain, and raised his blade over her heart to end her suffering.

"You'll… see," she coughed, her chest shuddering. "You can't… stop us. Our… master… will see you… burn…" She coughed again, groaning weakly, convulsing on the forest floor, and Link bit his lip, thrusting the Master Sword down with a sickening crunch of bone. The Yiga let out a final sharp breath and went still.

Link inhaled deeply, freeing his blade and wiping it clean on the mist-dampened undergrowth before returning it to his sheathe. "It's… it's over," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. At least for now.

He turned away from the body and began the walk back to where Zelda and Impa waited by the cliff, and as he neared he raised his voice to them. "The last one's dead."

Impa nodded slowly, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "You did well," she said quietly. "We might all be dead if not for your actions." But her gaze turned stern as she shifted her attention to the arrow in his shoulder, and the growing bloodstain on his tunic. "What I don't understand is how you knew where to find those other two assassins, and why you couldn't have told me instead, and let me deal with them."

Link hesitated to answer, meeting Zelda's eyes as she stepped shakily out from behind Impa, pale and fearful. She drew in a trembling breath. "Could we… could we speak about this in the village?" she asked meekly. "Once we… erm… get that taken care of?" She nodded towards Link's shoulder.

"Of course," Impa agreed quickly. "Forgive me - yes, that's what we need to deal with right now." She regarded Link carefully, her brow deeply furrowed in concern. "You're… you'll be able to walk back?"

He nodded glumly - as the adrenaline faded, so too did the realization of four more dead - humans, not monsters - on his hands take its place. The further he got from Janin and his influence, it seemed, the more strongly he realized the value of human life, and the more demoralizing it felt when he was left with no choice but to kill or let those he cared about be killed.

He took his place beside Zelda as they began the trek back down into the valley.

It's… it's the fifth battle she's seen, he realized. The moblins, the first encounter with the Yiga in Gerudo Desert, the monsters attacking on the road to Death Mountain, the night when Choice died… and now this.

But she can still count her battles on one hand… that's a good thing, right?