He awoke to the sound of the bells. The Jingle of the low chiming bells that stood atop of the watchtower. He stood knowing it was time. He quietly moved from the chair and towards the left of the house where the living room was. The northern wall was lined with pictures of his children as a memorial to them. So they would never forget. On the wall opposite hung a black leather sheath, and a metal shield. This shield had a history of its own. It was scratched and dented everywhere and still it stood. Deran looked at them, these weapons would secure his future. It would ensure that he lived. These items were close companions of his. They had saved him time and time again. Now it was time for them to be put to use once more. His hands shook a little as he picked them up. He anticipated the struggle that was going to happen soon. He hurried himself, strapping on the shield, but the sword, he held it in his hands studying it. He felt the weight of the blade. It seemed heavier now than it used to be. He used to be a general in the queen's army. One of the royal guards. His swordsmanship was surpassed by no other. He was great, but was he great enough to fight the undead. He shook his head, that he had no doubts about. These things which worried him were meaningless in the face of battle. He would have to stop thinking and start reacting. If he had any doubts now, they would all lead him to failure or worse, death. But there are far more things worse then dying on the battlefield. He knew this. He slowly walked to the front door. Filia rushed down the stairs. She had to see her husband, her last bit of hope for this world leave. She embraced Deran, she had to. It was the only thing she could do to hang on to the last bit of hope before it left. Probably for good. "Filia..." Deran whispered. He softly kissed her forehead. His confidence would break now if he saw her cry. He had to leave. But, he couldn't. How could he. He was all this woman had left to hold onto. Without him there would be nothing. He gazed into her longing eyes. It was obvious, she didn't want him to leave. She didn't want him to die. With the risk of her children out there putting their lives on the line, why, why did it have to be him as well.
How could the goddess' be so cruel as to take everything from her. Everything. This was all she had left, why,
why send him to die such a pitiful death. Or even endure death at all. He gave her another kiss,
this time on the lips. It was a deep passionate, sympathetic kiss. One that she had been longing for. This was what she needed. Tears began to well up in her eyes. She fell limp in his arms. Still standing she began to cry in his embrace, she felt protected from all things in his arms. Only his arms. He moved her he had to. He placed her in the chair. He had to leave, this was his final chance. If he saw those tears nothing would stop him from staying not even the most prominent death would keep him from staying with her. He loved her that much. "I love you..." he whispered as he opened the door to leave the house and her behind. Possibly even for the last time.
Deran looked to the sky the wind giving a cool subtle breeze as if saying it were sorry it couldn't help him. He gripped his weapons and made his way to the front of the village. He was awed by the many people that showed. Most were the army of Hyrule. Those who worked under the queen's service. Once they pledged loyalty, now they pledged vengeance. These were the brave men that came to fight for their village. Nothing would stand in their way not even the direful death that awaited them. They would keep fighting until every bone, every limb was ripped to shreds. This would be an unfitting end for them but still, they had to fight they had to continue, they had to have a reason for existing. Everything was made to exist. If nothing was made to exist what would be the point of living. What difference would it make that they were alive. Deran noted this and they were right What reason did they humans or creatures have for existing in the first place. The goddess made them for a reason and if there was no reason then why? Why would they allow such a war to go on? Why would they let this massacre of the things they created go on? Didn't they love the very things that they created?
He looked stopped walking, his thoughts being to much for him to handle. He looked to the sky. It was a dark blue with dirty clouds gliding slowly by. He couldn't beleive the beauty of the world he had once known was shattered in a blink of an eye. What had made the queen go mad? He needed to know. He wanted to know. He looked back onto the soldiers that stood in the field. Ready to defend their homes. He smiled with compassion. Was he nervous? Yes, it was obvious that he was. But he had to throw that fact aside. He had to be there. He couldn't let his mind wander as it usually did. Not this time. He watched the men line up and he did so as well. He saw the stern faces of the men around him. Deran knew it was time for battle. He took a deep breath. It would soon be time. Time for death, time for protection, time to defend all that he loved. This was his last thought before he heard the great kakariko bell ring its low tone over the vast town, and the deafening roar of the army that approached.