CHAPTER FIVE

As the battle raged on, Link's sword was a blur of motion, slicing through his enemies, with each strike bringing a satisfying impact. It seemed every bobokin in the kingdom had gathered for this battle. But he moved with speed and grace, his shield acting as an impenetrable force that obliterated anything in its path.

Blood soaked his clothes as he hacked and slashed his way through the enemy lines, his breaths coming in short gasps. The clang of metal mixed with the roars of anger and pain and the shouts of the wounded. The weight of his sword felt like an extension of his own arm, and he moved with such fluidity that it was as if he was born for this moment.

He was alive with energy, fueled by the rush of adrenaline that came with the fight. It was a dance of death, and he was the master of it.

He pulled Epona up and let her rest for a moment. Her flanks pulsated with sweat. He could feel the steam rising from her body and see the hot breath blowing from her nostrils. As he caught his breath, he paused to reflect on what happened the beauty of the world around him. The grasses had been stained red with the blood of fallen foes. The air was thick with the cries of thunder and pain. Yet, before it had all been so peaceful and serene – a stark reminder of how quickly the world could change.

Returning his focus to the midst of battle, Link scanned the scene before him, his eyes burming with a fierce and determined gaze. So far as he could see only a handful of bobokins now remained. But these were by far the strongest, appearing unscathed having already survived a number of attacks from his sword and bow. They were also it seemed some of the wisest. As he stood they appeared to be co-ordinating their next attack.

Epona she shuffled and danced on the spot, throwing her head up and grunting impatiently. As battle-hardened warriors the two of them were made for battles like this, and Epona was ready to fight once again.

Link could do little to hold her back as she threw her head up, squealing as she lifted her front legs. The momentary pause was all they needed before suddenly launching into a full gallop, great clods of dirt flicking up behind them.

The gleeful roar of the bobokin's battle horn pierced the air, signalling their second charge.

Epona galloped toward them at top speed, nostrils flaring as she thundered on, driven again by the thrill of battle. The charging bobokins began to split their ranks, releasing a deadly hail of shock arrows in an attempt to unhorse Link. Switching to a moblin shield Link knocked them away, the static bolts unable to penetrate the thick wood. The earth shook as stray arrows hit the ground in turn and erupted in a flash of thunder. But there was one bobokin that released no arrows, and instead charged straight for him, gurgling hysterically and swinging its spear like a baton. Link knew he had to take that one down first.

Releasing a torrent of arrows made no difference to the charge. The armour the bobokin wore was thick and strong, with arrows bouncing off and falling to the floor. Sheathing his bow Link grabbed his Guardian spear. He arched forward as the distance between them lessened, Epona's hooves once again clattering over the rocky terrain under the Illumini Plateau. Wherever the battle went, blood soon followed. With a fierce look in his eyes, Link raised the spear and aimed straight for the chest. Epona snorted and squealed, lowering her head and flattening her ears back.

As the bobokin closed in, Link could feel his heart racing. He steeled himself, channelling all his energy and strength into the strike.

Link readied himself in three... two... one...

A searing pain suddenly erupted through Link's left shoulder blade and down his arm. His whole body lurched forward, nearly catapulting him out of the saddle. A sickening crunch ripped into his soul, and there was a blood-curdling squeal as Epona's suddenly head disappeared from under him.

Link found himself hurtling through the air, tumbling and ricocheting before slamming face-first into the ground. His body twisted and rolled, jarring with every impact, every knock and blow hammering at his ribs and bones, before finally slamming into a rock and coming to a complete stop.

For a moment, he did not move. Dazed, disoriented and barely conscious, he felt sickened. The world began to sway and darken.

Something had gone very, very wrong.