Link walked for a time, wondering Hyrule Field, circling the Ranch that seemed to be mocking him. He remembered as a child armed with little sword and wooden shield having hours of endless fun playing kick-the-skull with a stalfos child. An easy cut severed the head and a punt sent it sailing, the hapless bone collection would wonder around either taking blind swipes at him or aimlessly searching for its head. When he would grow bored with the body he would kick the head like a ball for miles, laughing as is made pitiable sounds. This was all before he learned that child stalfos were the resurrected bodies of slain children.
Link suppressed a shiver. The Oni will find you and this kingdom will burn. Link was dreading that encounter, as much as he had dreaded facing Ganon and Majora. There had been a few besides them that gave him pause. A mad demon named Clithilia. Link remembered fighting him blindfolded because staring into his eyes meant instant death. A small little fae creature called Gisla and her keen, the ones whose touch seared his soul. He could even now feel their tiny little energies working to expel his soul from his body.
He had never faced the Oni in combat, only in his mind, but he had wielded its awesome blade and power, reveling in it. To face that would be quite a task. The question he wondered was, how it had made its way to this Kingdom? He had left it in the Lost Woods, hoping no one would ever find it again. He suppressed a shudder when he heard a faint voice in his mind. Where are you?
He shook his head, trying to discern where it had come from.
Where are you hiding? Why are you hiding?
He calmly schooled his features as he let his combat reflexes guide his body. The voice he finally recognized. It was the Oni's. He whipped his head around and drew his sword and shield.
Aren't their screams loud enough for you to hear? Why don't you save them? Where are you? The final question was a deafening roar in his head and he looked around, but found nothing but the silent grasses. Then dread swept over him when he looked back to the ranch. Ice froze his spine. "Malon." He whispered.
Speed was upon him as he raced through the field, adrenaline causing every fiber of his body to move. Like a blur he approached the fence, the sounds of battle coming from behind it. In a single bound he was atop it, blue eyes scanning the field, taking in the battle before him.
Horses were running mad and it looked like something had blown most of the barn away, leaving dead animals in pieces. Where the guards had set-up their tents, there was destruction and chaos and the sounds of battle. A thick knot of half dressed men was engaging a silhouette wielding a massive sword, while the Knight engaged it with one of his arms missing. They were all doomed if Link did not help soon.
He leaped off the fence and a body lying on the ground gave him sudden pause. Malon was laying on the ground, blood marring her features as a sword wound had opened her up from collar bone to waist, exposing her insides to the cold night air. Link could not move as despair and anger warred within him. Anger won over when despair was sent fleeing as her chest rose and fell. She was alive. The battle was dying in sounds and Linked looked up to see the Oni send a blue disc of energy into the knot of men, severing most of them. The Knight, Dorrin, lay unmoving on the ground, his head rolling away.
Where are you? Screamed the Oni. Then its baleful gaze swept his way.
Link quickly whistled Epona's Song, summoning the great stead to his side. With quick motions he lifted Malon's form onto her back as the Oni began marching towards them. He was torn. He needed to face this nightmare, but in that time his friend may die. He cursed and made up his mind. He mounted behind her and kicked Epona forward, just as an energy disc hurled towards him.
You can't run form me, Link. I'll find you and claim what's rightfully mine. What you stole from me!
Link ignored it as Epona leaped the wall, hitting the ground and not missing a beat, even when the wooden wall exploded behind them. For a moment Link thought of Ingo and Talon and hoped both had enough sense to run. He wished Malon would have had that much sense. The question he worried over was, how had the thing found him? That was something for another day because he could feel Malon growing colder as they galloped, and for an injury that bad, he needed faeries.
He sent his mind wondering to where the nearest fountain was, but he could not think of any nearby. He looked down and panicked when her breathing stopped. He reigned in Epona and whipped out his the blue Ocarina of Time. He looked to Epona. "Meet me by Kakariko Village. We'll be there." He actually did not know if he could warp more than a single person, and if this did not work he would be leaving her here to die. It was his only chance, though. He dismounted.
He wrapped her in his arms and proceeded to play the Nocturne of Shadow, willing the balls of light to enwrap both of them. The world became a bright purple and he felt suddenly weightless. Seconds passed before he was deposited into a gloomy graveyard, Malon's still form in his arms. He smiled in relief and jumped from the ledge, not caring how much she was jostled. Time was now much more important than adding any further injury.
He hit the ground and the past guided him to the right gravemarker. He dropped her body and hauled the tombstone back, ignoring Dampe's indignant cries of sacrilege. He scooped up her form and dropped into the waiting darkness. He landed and ran through the stone doorway, looking ahead to see the soft ambient light coming from the clear waters where pink bubbles of light danced. He ran among them, collecting two as he did, mentally pleading with them to help her.
Two giggles later they wrapped around both of them and Link could feel his injuries melting away and watched as the gaping wound in her chest seal itself back up. Link dropped to his knees and began to cry with relief. He carried Malon away from the water and set her on the ground. For a panicked moment he wondered if the body was healed and the soul already gone, but he saw her chest rising and falling, and he sighed in relief.
He walked away and again entered the fountain, removing a glass bottle from his pack he cajoled a few dancing fae into it. That was one thing special about this kingdom; the fairy fountains found here. If he was to face the Oni it would be a nice comfort to have one or two of them. The last one he had used was against the demon Clithilia two years gone.
As he stoppered the bottle he heard Malon move. He turned around to witness her sit up and pull her shirt over he exposed chest and stomach. Her eyes were distant as she asked, "Where am I?"
He cleared his throat and put the bottle away. "In a fairy fountain." He waited. The memories would soon hit her.
She swayed where she sat on the ground. Link walked over to her, knowing what she was remembering. The loss of her home to evil. He had seen the same reaction a hundred times cross a hundred faces. She would stutter in shock then cry from the sadness, and as he had done countless times, he would offer her a shoulder.
He sat down beside her as she spoke in a monotone. "All the horses gone…daddy…oh Naryu." At last tears crawled from her eyes. Seeing her friend next to her she gripped his tunic and buried her head in his, weeping from the loss.
Link felt saddened now. "Talon…he didn't run away?"
"No." She sobbed. "He went to hold it off while I got the horses out, but…it…" Her words became broken as the scene was too much for her talk about.
Link temporized Talon's body must have been in the barn, that's why he had not seen it. If Talon had tried to fight it then Ingo must have as well, his room was in the barn after all. Link was no fool either, the demon would not stop at killing just the guards. He would destroy the whole place and slaughter the animals. Malon's home and family were now nothing but pieces strewn in the middle of Hyrule Field. He gripped her then, offering what comfort he could, going farther than the automatic responses he had offered her before. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop it." He whispered.
She made an intelligible sound and wrapped her other arm around her no longer carrying if her ripped clothing covered her womanly curves.
Alone they sat next to each other. Malon lost to grief and sadness and Link sat torn. He felt intense anger for what it had done to Malon and her home. He wished then to seek out the demon and exact retribution on it for her sake. Yet, something stayed his hand. Fear. The Hero of Time felt the slightest tremble shiver its way through his body at the prospect of facing the Oni again. Of facing death again.
For the first time in his life Link could not push the fear aside, and he wondered pathetically what had happened to the sea of courage he had always known.
***
The next day found them emerging from the grave, Malon wrapped in her ruined dress and Link's cloak. He himself was still wrapped in unneeded bandages. A gray sky greeted them and sent a wind to chill their haunted minds. Slowly, they made their way into town after a broken night's rest. A few of the construction workers were already at work on another shop due open at the end of fall. A few women were about and heading to the small market they had there, gossiping as they walked.
Link carefully found a clothing shop, dropped a gold rupee on the counter and expressed his wishes for secrecy and discreetness. As the man fell over his counter to abide to the lady's wishes, Link gave him a full view of his armament. The man gulped, easily seeing the threat. "You treat her well and forget about us and I'll leave you another gold one in a few weeks. Just to make sure."
The man nodded his agreement and escorted Malon to the back, saying she would look so much better in blue or green. She balked and said all she wanted was a sturdy set of working clothes. He hastily changed his tone and said that a fine woman like her would do well in a plain texture with strong sewing.
As they talked in the back, Link thought of his next action. Obviously, he was now on the run, because it was clear the Oni could track him, he just did not know how. Why had the demon not followed him after he left seven years ago? Then like lightning a few pieces fell into place. He left and suddenly almost unstoppable raiders are threatening Hyrule. The know of the Oni. He sighed. It was obvious for some reason the Oni could not leave the kingdom and somehow contrived to have the raiders attack. It was clear the evil mask's plan was to stir trouble here and lure him back.
Yet, why did the Oni work through agents? Why only appear when he...came back. Because it could only manifest when he was here. He dropped his head in his hands and groaned. They shared a link between their bodies from when it tried to possess him. He did not understand how, but it made sense, since he could hear its voice in his head. And it only manifesting when he returned. He would have to face it, but he would need to find his courage again.
He balked and tried to convince himself he was not afraid, but dread filled him at the idea. He became sweaty and his hands trembled. It did not matter the fear he felt, he had to face it! His fears calmed some, but the terror was still upon him, crouching in the shadows of his mind. He could not face it like this. He needed to be calm and battle ready. He needed someone to talk to, someone who would understand. That left the sages or Zelda. Zelda was out of the question, he did not know how she would react.
For a moment he paused, feeling that Saria would be the one to help. She always had a better understanding of him over anyone else. His path decided he stood. A moment later Malon returned with the shopkeeper, sporting a new functional dress with a cloak to match. Why the cloak? He wondered. He spied a traveling belt and bedding tied to her back. "No," he said preemptively.
Her eyes grew furious. "No what?"
"You're not traveling with me." She would hamper him.
"You arrogant bastard! I'm traveling back to my ranch, not with you." She accused, storming passed him.
Link hung his head. Smooth move, moron.
He gave the shopkeeper a hard look before following after her. "Wait!" He called.
"Yes?" She asked, her eyes again watery, but her tone was vehement.
"It's not safe right now to travel the field, not with the Oni on its way here."
Her mouth fell open. "Why is it coming here?" Her voice trembled.
"Because it's after me. It wants my body. I'm sorry for bringing into your home."
Her shoulders went slack. "It's not your fault, Link. I just…need to bury my father and see what's left." She looked away.
Link breathed uneasily, reluctant to reveal what he knew. "He'll make sure there's nothing left."
"The horses? The shed? The house?" Each question was met with a shake of his head. She broke down again, the tears coming easily.
Link put his arm around her and guided her into the shadow of a house; there they sat until the waves of sadness stopped roving through her frame. "Don't worry, I'll…stop it." She missed the hesitation in his voice. "Is there anyone in town that you could stay with until I get rid of it?"
She shook her head. "I have an aunt down south, but no family friends here." Link sighed. He really did not want to leave her alone like this, but he only had a few days. "Okay, I'll get us a couple a rooms at the inn and I'll stay for a few days. After that, I need to go." He emphasized the last sentence to her.
"Thank-you."
"Once I head out it'll be safe to go back to the ranch and…take care of things."
She shook her head, knowing she did not have the strength to do the task alone. "Please, when you're done will you come back here and help me?"
He nodded. "Yeah, we'll bury your father, hire some people and you'll start over. I've got some rupees that I can use to help you."
She hugged him in gratitude. "I can't thank-you enough, Link."
He stood, helping her up as well. "Let's grab a couple rooms and get some breakfast."
She murmured another thank-you before the two of them made their way towards the Feathered Hat's Inn.
***
The day passed slowly, with both of them wondering off to see what had changed in the village. In seven years there had been a few shops added and a few dozen homes. It was as idyllic as he remembered last seeing it as child. He wondered about the market as smiling residents argued over home-grown herbs and woven baskets. The town silver-smith was having a special on silverware, but it seemed no one was willing to pay. A few flocks of chickens and children wandered through people's feet, usually one following the other. When compared to the raging market in Hyrule Castle Town, this one was quaint.
As his feet lead him away he took note of the guards milling around, their spears sharp and glinting in the light. A few gave him respectful nods, even though most of his weapons were hidden from sight beneath his cloak. It was probably the way he held himself that they suspected something of him. Then he noticed his tunic and smiled. The Knights each dressed differently, though brightly it seemed, and his green tunic did stand-out somewhat.
Link found himself eventually gravitating towards the front gate, a small unease within him that feared the Oni traveled faster than he thought. As he approached it, he saw a knot of guards conversing with their captain, and from the way he was dressed he was a Knight of Hyrule. Link drew closer to eaversdrop.
"Two hours have passed and Telis' not back. I smell trouble and not of the good kind." Link frowned. It could either be the Oni or more raiders.
Several of the guards grunted in agreement. "Which way was he supposed to go, sir?"
"From the south."
Link released his pent-up breath. It was more raiders then, for the Oni would come from the east.
The Knight continued. "I want the gate barred and the oil on the fires. I'll not have them breaching my walls again. And don't worry about bombs, Telleria put a few spells on the wall. I'm more worried about which group this is. If it's Trevin's Hammer we're going to need Goron support. Dres, I want you to go and get them just in case. I'd rather play it safe…and since Dorrin took our reserves we're down twenty men."
Dorrin and those men are also dead. Link thought. He strolled forward and casually opened his cloak to reveal his sword. Dres exited the group to go ask the Gorons for help and as he passed Link he raised his eyebrows in question. Link ignored him and approached the Knight, flipping his necklace out as he did. Three taps to it made it glow green. The Knight gave a relieved smile. "My name's Okler."
"Link. I hear you guys are expecting an attack?"
He nodded. "My scout's two hours late from the south. They went to go check out some suspicious movement from last night and were expected back by now. I think it's Trevin's Hammer."
Link tried not to smile. "No, it's not. I heard from Dorrin that Trevin and his men were killed just north of Lake Hylia. They don't know exactly how, but they found them in pieces. Atop that the settlement in Lake Hylia has also been broken."
Okler looked both shocked and relieved. "We lost some good knights to those bastards, it's good to know they won't be killing anyone else." He laughed suddenly. "It just might seem that Hyrule has finally weathered this storm."
Link looked away, knowing the Oni was still out there. "Still want some help?"
Okler nodded vigorously. "Why not, it still may be a good-sized force. Though, now I wished I hadn't sent for the Gorons." He shrugged. He then looked up to a man standing guard on the wall. "What do you see?" He called.
The guard shouted down. "Nothing! No dust or anything. They may have just killed them and moved on."
Okler grunted. "Keep watching either way!"
The guard yelled down an affirmative.
"Hres!" Okler yelled to another soldier.
"Sir!"
"Send word through the town to be at the ready, and inform the mayor we may have an attack on our hands. Tell him not to worry because they are two knights here to keep them back and the Gorons have already been informed."
"Yes, sir!" The guard saluted and ran off.
Okler turned to Link with a smile. "Care for a drink at the Inn while we wait?"
"You drink before an attack?"
Okler grinned. "Liquid courage, helps to calm my nerves."
I'm coming, Link. I sent some friends to say hello while you wait. The voice receded from his mind and he tensed. "They're here." He stated.
"What?" Okler asked confused.
"They're here!" Link roared throwing off his cloak and drawing his sword and shield. Okler's eyes widened as he saw the hookshot, quiver of arrows, bow, boomerang, and various pouches, hanging from Link's belt. In a blink Link was out the front gate.
Okler quickly recovered and barked out commands. "Lower the gate and get the oil out here! Send word to the mayor to get everyone in their homes! Call forward all guard stationed in the town and man the walls. Get the longspears out here. And no we're not going out there sally the enemy, we'll remain behind the wall!"
Link heard the orders as he raced outside, his senses keen. He was alone, but could probably expect arrow support from some of them on the walls. It did not matter, because he would end these like he ended the others. Minions of the Oni were nothing but fodder to him.
He stopped twenty meters from the gate, poised on his balls of his feet, but all he could see or sense was the vast expanse of Hyrule Field. He worried for a moment, but he felt sure that the Oni would have sent someone. How he got the message across the plains he was not sure. Then the air wavered and horde of horseman sprang into existence, their yells for blood deafening.
Something sprang from Link's mind, telling him that somehow these men were a memory made real. He pushed the thought aside for further exploration later. He scanned the stampeding horsemen closing in on him, and it totaled around twenty, but if they could appear like that then others could also. He looked for a leader, but found none. He grunted. Almost too easy.
He charged his sword and as they were mere feet from him, he leaped and unleashed the power, killing five horsemen instantly. Chaos reigned in the ranks and Link let his boomerang fly as he dodged a horse. Seconds later he emerged from behind them as they tried to stop their charge and wheel around. He put five arrows across their ranks as his boomerang cut two of the down. That left eight who were looking very hesitant.
They rallied their strength and surged forward, only to have arrows from the men at the wall rain down on them. Between them and Link they were soon dead.
Link, not even winded, went to collect his arrows when again the air rippled. A band of raging men rushed forward on foot. They were dressed in furs and leather armor with axes and maces raised high in rage. Again it felt like a memory unfolding. His sword was in his hands in a second, quick slashes and hectic parries the only thing saving his life from the dozens of opponents. Seconds ticked by and they died, but not fast enough. Calling upon a deep magic within himself the world seemed to slow as a fire grew in his palms.
He slammed it on the ground as a dome of radiant fire bloomed from him. Time resumed to normal as the wall of fire incinerated everyone around Link. The few survivors struggling with blacked wounds succumbed to Link's brutal killing stabs. He did not bother to sheathe his weapon, knowing the Oni would again try something. He blinked as the horizon faded and he remembered a raging battle in some time-forgotten kingdom.
He paled when he felt the memory unfold within him. He took a few cautious steps back before turning tale and running for the gate, just as the air rippled, revealing a massed army of five hundred men. They ranged from cavalry to archers, to siegeworks, all arrayed against the wooden wall of Kakariko Village. Link heard the commands of the enemy general being bellowed across the field. He scanned the army and fear shot down his spine at the overwhelming odds. At Lake Hylia he had taken them by surprise, but these were armed, ready, and attacking in seconds. He leaped from the ground and landed at the top of the wall in a single bound.
Okler rushed over to him, his face pale. "What the hell is happening?" He demanded.
Link looked over the advancing forces and frowned, watching as the siege works were pulled forward by large beasts of burden. "Your storm isn't over, yet."