Link of the Dead II
Chapter 9:
The gang stood quietly, trying to figure out what was going on as the masked men surrounded them. Their first assumption was that the men were there to destroy the Redeads and suspected the gang to be infected. Just then, a man stepped from the group of men and approached the gang. He was very tall and had a large brown beard with long hair tied up in a ponytail. He wore a long, black trench coat and small boots.
"Hello," he said, "You must be wondering what exactly is going on. It will all become clear soon, but first, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kamor, and my colleagues and I patrol this Great Sea and preserve the peace and tranquility that covered it for hundreds of years. Our ancestors were given this mission by the gods themselves after Hyrule was submerged, and to this day, we have kept that tradition."
"Well," said Link, "If you guys are supposed to protect this land, then you did a pretty bad job of it."
Kamor approached Link.
"We heard a rumour that a murder was committed on an Oasis, sparking a Redead curse," began Kamor, "It was our first Redead case in almost ten years we did not know exactly where the island was located, but we were able to track down a relative of the island's owner, Lasar."
"Ms. Marie," said Link.
"Yes," said Kamor, "But she refused to cooperate. Plus, she had already given the deed to someone else."
Kamor pointed his finger at Link.
"Anyways," said Kamor, "We were forced to terminate her."
"So it was you who killed her!" snapped Link, "How could you?"
"We had no choice," said Kamor, "We needed the information, and since she didn't give it up, we had to punish her. We then staged her death to look like natural causes."
"You monsters!" shouted Mila.
Kamor simply smiled at Mila.
"We did eventually find the island, thanks to a little tip by a fishman."
"There," continued Kamor, "We encountered Ho-Ho. The Redeads were already dead and unfortunately, he did not know where Lasar was. Nevertheless, we imprisoned and executed him for aiding and embedding Lasar."
Link could not believe this. This secret organization had been going around killing everyone he knew, and no one was aware of it.
"Our main focus is to catch Lasar," said Kamor, "Only with his death will the curse finally end."
"And you think he is here?" said Link.
"Actually, no. We came because Ho-Ho informed us, before he died, that three survivors had escape the island and headed here. We can not allow Redead survivors to enter a populated place without proper inspection first. Unfortunately, we realized our worst fears had come true when we saw what became of this island."
"So," said Lenzo, "It was you who brought these things here! And we trusted you all this time, Link!"
The crowd began to yell and complain.
"SILENCE!" shouted Kamor, "It doesn't matter now who started this, what matters now is that there is a Redead invasion on this island, and we must put an end to it."
"So," began Link, "How do you plan on killing all those redeads?"
"Unfortunately," said Kamor, "This situation has spiralled out of control, and to ensure the safety of the Great Sea, we must take extreme measures. In exactly 2 hours, Windfall Island will be obliterated, along with everyone on it."
The crowd stood silent and stared at Kamor in shock.
"You can't be serious," said Mila, "We're not infected! If we work together we can defeat these things! You don't have..."
Kamor raised his hand in front of Mila's face, silencing her.
"This island is a breeding ground for Redeads," said Kamor, "We can't risk anyone leaving or entering the island and further spreading the infection."
"Can't you at least evacuate the survivors?" shouted Link.
"My decision has been made!" snapped Kamor, "We will not risk the future of the Great Sea to save a small group of people! Now, lead us to any other survivors..."
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With no other choice, Link and the gang lead Kamor to the town hall where the others were located. Kamor explained the whole situation to them and escorted them all to Windfall prison, where they shoved the entire town into three cells. After the final cell was locked, Kamor stood in front of the cells as the townspeople glared at him.
"As you can see," began Kamor, "I am a man of dignity and honour. I could have had my men massacre you all at the town hall, but instead, I have taken you here, so you can all say your final goodbyes and have a chance for one last prayer, as you wait for this precious island to blow up."
"People are going to know that Windfall was destroyed!" snapped Phil, "When they see that Windfall isn't around anymore. When they hear the blast..."
"Actually," said Kamor, "My men and I have already prepared a cover up plan. The next day we will announce that an undersea volcano had erupted near Windfall, completely obliterating the island. Of course, no one will check it out, once the area is made completely off-limits."
"You bastard!" said Phil.
"In my hands," began Kamor, "Is a bomb, which is set to explode in exactly 1 hour." Kamor held up a cylindrical metal object with a long fuse sticking out of it. "If you have something to say to your loved ones, do it now, for afterwards, you will all be dead, and I will be long gone. So long, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoy your last few moments in this world."
Kamor and the soldiers left the building.
"I don't believe this..." muttered Link.
"You better believe it!" shouted Phil, "This was your fault! You brought this horror here! Now we're all gonna die because of you!"
"It's not his fault!" snapped Aryll, "No one knew this would happen..."
"Shut up!" ordered Phil, "No one was talking to you!"
"Hey!" said Link, "Don't talk to my sister like that!"
"You destroyed us!" said Phil, "You and your sister!"
Angry yells could be heard throughout the prison from the crowds.
"ENOUGH!" screamed Mila, "I know you're upset, but blaming others for our problems aren't helping. We have to stick together in this dark hour."
"But," began Lenzo, "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him!"
"You haven't even heard the full story!" said Link, coldly, "I spent three days on a tropical island, fighting these things off. Out of tons of people, only three of us survived. But I was happy, because it was the two people I love the most: My sister and my fiancée. When my fiancée revealed she was bitten, we had already arrived at Windfall. I tried so hard to cure her. When she transformed, it was the most devastating moment of my life. I didn't want any of this to happen, but more importantly, I didn't want to have to kill her..."
"I know how you feel," whispered Linda, who was sitting on the floor, stroking her stomach, "My husband, Anton, is dead because of these things as well. He'll never get the chance to see our child." Linda began to cry. "No one deserves to have to watch their loved ones die, especially like this. I admire your dedication to her, Link. You would have been a good husband."
"Thanks," said Link, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I can't take this anymore!" snapped Sal, "There has to be some way to escape!"
"Unfortunately," began Phil, "There isn't."
"Don't you have a key of some sort?" asked Sal, "After all, you're the mayor!"
"I don't have any key!"
"But I do!" said Link, suddenly.
Everyone turned to face Link, who was holding up a small key.
"Is that..." began Mila, "The key Miss Marie gave me?"
"I completely forgot about," said Link, "Until now! She must have known that Kamor and his cronies were after her! That's why she gave me the cabana deed. That's why she gave you the key!"
"Yes," said Mila, "But will the key work here?"
"Only one way to find out," said Link, as he inserted the key into the lock and turned.
The jail door quickly swung open.
"YES!" shouted Sal, "We're saved!"
"Not yet," said Link, "We still have to stop the bomb."
"How are we gonna do that?" asked Aryll.
"I'll go," said Link, "On my own this time. I want the rest of you to get to the docs and take Kamor's ship. If I can't stop the bomb, at least the majority of us will escape...And Kamor and his friends will be dead."
"But Link..." began Mila.
"I started this mess," said Link, "Let me end it."
"We better head outside," suggested Lenzo.
"First we need some weapons," said Link.
"But Kamor left them all at city hall," said Mila.
"There must be some weapons here...Search the prison, everybody!"
After gathering the few weapons they found, the gang reassembled in front of the door.
"That's it?" said Link, "Anyways, be careful, everybody!"
Link slowly opened the door and looked outside.
"There are two guards there," whispered Link.
"So?" asked Aryll, "We can take 'em!"
"Wait!" said Link, "Wait until they get close."
The gang stood quietly in front of the door waiting as one of the guards approached...
"NOW!" shouted Link.
The gang immediately burst through the door. Before the guard had any chance to react, several people tackled him down. Link swiped the man's spear and rammed it into his throat, spilling blood all over the ground.
"Hey!" shouted the other guard, who was further away, "Stay right where you are!"
He came running at them. He fired at them with a crossbow but they immediately dodged the shot. As the man reloaded his weapon, Link charged at him with the spear and plunged it into his face. After the man died, Link picked up his crossbow and tossed it to Aryll.
"Now," he said, "Go to the docs and take their boat. Wait for me. If I'm not there in half an hour, leave without me, got it?"
"But Link!" said Aryll.
"I'll be fine..." Link said, "Trust me."
Link began to run into town. Mila suddenly came running after him, calling his name.
"LINK!" she shouted.
Link turned around to face Mila, who stopped running.
"I love you..." she called out.
Link simply nodded and smiled before running away.