Well, I've had a lot more free time today than I expected. So I'm going to upload another chapter; this one will be a bit longer than typical. This will make up for my lack of activity for the rest of this week…I hope.

Feedback is appreciated! Tell me what you like. Tell me what you didn't…etc. I'd love to hear from any of you, readers :P

Things are still moving along pretty slowly, story-wise. Be patient and stick with me. It won't be long before this pot starts to simmer. I promise it will get much more exciting, but for now, I've got to let this thing run its course. And based on what I've got planned, I think any readers will come to miss these less eventful chapters…

To Nekotoko: Thanks for the feedback! That is the goal :)

Aaaand final note, Galvin – the captain of the Royal Guard – will now be Calvin. This is because I kept getting Galvin and Gydon confused as I read. Hopefully changing his name to Calvin will help things out because good Lord, that was infuriating…

Here we go:

– Vengeful Cam

Chapter IV

"Ah – lousy!" chided Calvin as Link crashed to the floor. "You're quick, and you've got good reflexes, but your form is poor. And don't try beating your opponents with mere force; you're far too small for that."

Link groaned and picked himself up, dusting his trousers off. Gydon stood above him, smirking triumphantly and twirling his wooden sword around. Link nearly struck out at him in that very moment – while his guard was down – but that would not be the honorable thing to do. So the young knight stifled his anger and raised his wooden bade to face his challenger once more.

"Again," Calvin commanded in his raspy voice. The three knights were currently situated in the Guards' Chamber, where the company of the Royal Guard – some forty strong knights – spent their free time and slept when the hours were dark. It had been almost a week since Link had been dubbed by the king – and two weeks since he'd pulled the sword. Since then, King Rhoam had explained to Calvin that he intended for Link to become one of the Royal Guard; so, when it was time for the guards to break their fast, Calvin and Gydon decided they would remain behind to train the young knight. Much to Link's disappointment: he was always rather hungry in the morning.

"You're not eating until you can knock me down," Gydon sneered.

"Neither are you," Link responded under his breath.

Gydon's wooden blade came flashing out, but Link stepped aside, thrusting his own weapon forward.

"Ha!" Gydon smirked as he swept Link off his feet with the flat of his blade before the young knight's counter could make an impact. Not for the first time, Link fell to the dusty, flagstone floor.

"Terrible stance," Calvin shook his head. He strode forward and took the boy's blade. "Watch."

The captain faced Gydon, planting his feet firmly, and nodded, his blade outstretched. Without hesitation, Gydon swept his blade out at Calvin's legs as he had done with Link. His wooden weapon cracked on impact, and Calvin remained unmoving.

"See?" he turned to Link after shoving Gydon to the floor.

Of course, he didn't fall, Link thought ruefully.

"You're wearing your greaves," Link argued, "and Marduk says that a knight should be light on his feet, able to move quickly. Not…what you did."

"Now, now, Marduk isn't teaching you anymore, is he? I'm your teacher, and I say you need to have a firm stance or find some other way to avoid being flung to the ground repeatedly," Calvin responded firmly.

Link frowned, stupid old man…he didn't know what he was talking about.

After fetching a new wooden blade, Gydon returned to the center of the room.

"Ready, Link?" he asked with his be-damned smirk.

Link said nothing. He retrieved his blade from Calvin and planted his feet as the captain of the guard had suggested.

Gydon whipped his blade out at Link, who managed to parry it – mostly. The blow still connected, glancing off the young knight's knee. Link let out a grunt, but ignored the pain, whipping his weapon upward. Gydon stepped back with a smile and continued assailing his opponent, waiting for him to falter. But Link had set his mind; he was going to have breakfast, and he was going to have it now. The transition from defensive to offensive felt unnatural, but the resolve in his mind helped to clear his frustrated thoughts. With precise movements and a clear head, Link was able to quickly get inside Gydon's guard, and he disarmed the knight without much effort. Calvin smirked his approval, but Gydon merely raised his eyebrow skeptically. Link gave the knight a beaming smile.

Suddenly a strange sensation came over the young knight, and he felt the hairs and the back of his neck perk up. Instinctively, Link glanced up at the doorway of the chamber to see a woman wearing tan and red robes watching him there. Her hair was a whitish silver, and her eyes were bright and red. There was no mistaking that she was a Sheikah. Upon noticing Link's petrifying gaze, the Sheikah turned and left, her head raised high.

"Who the hell was that?" Link asked suspiciously.

"Ah, that's Master Impa," Calvin answered disapprovingly.

"What's she doing here?"

Calvin shrugged, "She's the king's advisor, so she belongs here at Hyrule Castle. But, why she was here specifically, I couldn't tell you. Ever since you arrived with your magic sword she's been lurking about."

"I don't trust her."

Calvin laughed, "You're not the first. Impa has a mysterious way about her."

Link frowned, Hylia, damn the Sheikah.

"Come on, kid," Gydon interrupted, shoving past Link with a humored grin, "let's get some food."

––––––––––––––––––––

The screams were swirling about him – ear-shattering, helpless screams. He could feel them whistling about his hair, piercing through his skin. And they were so loud. Link put his hands to his ears.

Make it stop!

The screams did not heed his plea, and they began to take shape. Shadow-like, they appeared, but still nothing distinct formed. Link swiped at the shadow as if he were some animal, but it did no good. The screams persisted. He looked down and saw that he was bleeding – everywhere. He clutched at his stomach where most of the blood seemed to be coming from. Quickly his hands became wet with the sticky stuff, and his tunic continued crying the red water.

So much blood…

Link glanced up and saw that the swirling shadows about him had retreated, and the screams had subsided. But then the shadows took on a new form. This form looked Hylian with its pointy ears and long hair, but its skin was purple and its eyes were glaring red. Link stared at it for some time, confounded before the realization hit him.

It's me.

The shadowy Link smiled, then raised its hand high. A shadow sprung from its palm and hardened into a blade. Link turned to run when a sudden force took hold of him. His arms began to pull back, but Link was determined to fight. He pulled against the strange force, keeping his arms forward as best he could. Something crashed into his legs, and he fell to his knees. His arms snapped back with sudden force, and he felt pain like nothing he'd felt before as his arms split backward. He didn't dare look at them. He could only imagine there was exposed bone and tissue. He hung his head in defeat, unable to move, when the dark Link approached again, his shadowy sword held outward.

Link looked up in terror, his lip curling back in a cry as the blade came down upon his neck.

And then he awoke. As he did, a resonating cry sounded in his head: Ganon!

He leapt from his cot in the Guards' Chamber, wiping the sweat from his brow. He rushed out into the hall, trying to catch his breath without waking his fellow knights. He doubled over and wept in the hall, praying that no one stumbled upon the pathetic sight.

After a near hour of letting free so many tears of terror, Link rose.

Ganon. What had that word meant?

He didn't know yet, but he was determined to find the answer. That could not have been just an ordinary nightmare. Link had experienced nightmares before, but none nearly as memorable and striking as this. And the nightmare's coming – just after The Master Sword had been pulled – was most definitely coincidental.

So he rushed down the brick hall, to the library. Perhaps he could find his answer there. Link wasn't one for reading, but, since no one else would explain to him what in the hell was going on, he would have to find out for himself.

Link entered the library and gasped. Though he had known the library had been here, he'd never once entered the room. It was a massive room, with a vault held up by towering buttresses and wooden arches and beams. Bookshelves were set up in multiple rows, running the length of the wall. The room was captured in darkness, with only a few candles set upon strewn about tables.

Link took a deep breath. So many books…this might be harder than he'd originally thought. He began perusing the shelves, looking for anything of interest when he heard a loud clang!

Someone had entered the library.

The young knight ducked behind a nearby bookshelf, catching his shout of surprise before it escaped.

"We don't have time, your grace. Monsters are being spotted in every corner of the realm. Every day they grow bolder. The Rito complain of Bokoblins destroying their crops and attacking their young. Even the Zora are under threat. They tell stories of a great, red-maned beast that watches the mount beyond their kingdom, threatening any passers-by. Stalling is folly," spoke a strong, female voice.

Link did not recognize that voice.

"They are just children, Impa. Surely we have some time left before we throw them into the jaws of the beast," a deep voice responded.

That was King Rhoam, Link was sure. And, he was speaking to Impa, apparently.

"Ganon does not care whether they are children or not! Your grace, the time to act is now. We are unprepared for what is to come," Impa pleaded.

"And I suppose you think my daughter is to blame!" King Rhoam roared.

There was no response for some time.

"Your grace–"

"I'm sorry, Impa. I know you don't think that," King Rhoam sighed deeply. "How is your knight doing?"

"He is a slow learner, but he is learning," Impa responded.

"Good."

There was silence for a time before King Rhoam sighed again, "I shall retire to my study and write letters to the races of the realm. Counsel – and unity – is needed in these times."

"I think that is wise your grace," Impa agreed.

Link listened as heavy footsteps retreated, then there was the slam of a door.

"I suppose the Royal Guard has taught you nothing in the ways of stealth, Link," Impa spoke suddenly.

Link started, nearly jumping from his skin.

"Come here," the Sheikah commanded.

Link stood and approached cautiously, attempting to find something – anything – in those cold, red eyes.

"Does his grace know I was listening?" he asked worriedly.

Impa sighed, and the vicious look she'd previously displayed melted, "No."

Link stood there for a moment, wondering what to say. Wondering what she would say.

"Go to bed, Sir Link. And never eavesdrop on me or the king again." Impa spoke harshly, but there was a sympathetic look in her eyes.

And then she turned away, leaving Link even more confused than before.

What was going on?