CHAPTER SIX

Link lay on the wet ground, his back covered in blood, unable to move, with darkness closing in around him and threatening to drag him to his bloodied doom. Should he succumb, he knew his enemies would have their kill. Hyrule was safe at least from The Calamity, and his family and friends were at least avenged. He could only hope that other knights would emerge to avenge his death, and that The Sword would choose another to carry on the legacy of the Hero. He knew he needed to get up and fight, but his eyes were closing, and he now just wanted to sleep...

The sound of bobokins cackling in the background broke him from torpor.

A fierce anger mixed with a wave panic began to build through his veins. His eyes snapped open, his head lifting with an intense focus. He could feel the sticky warmth of blood running down his nose and temple, taking his breath away for a moment. A bone-splitting ringing reverberated through his head and entire body, rattling him to the core. The pain in his body was excruciating. But he pushed the pain aside, knowing that he could not let it hinder him in the midst of battle.

With his heart pounding in his chest, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to push his hands under his torso before pushing himself up. The ground beneath him was cold and soaked with rain, and he knew he couldn't afford to stay down for even a moment longer. Bobokins were the merciless embodiment of Ganon's malice, and he knew they would not hesitate to deal the killing blow if given the opportunity.

As he struggled to stand, Link felt the world spin around him, adding to the already dizzying nausea he was experiencing. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself, ignoring the lightheaded feeling that threatened to completely overcome him. Sweat and blood mixed with rain, and his vision went in and out of focus as the intensity of the battle and the impact of the fall took their toll on him. Stabbing pains shot through his ribs and threatened to take his breath away. His shoulder burned with the ferocity of an undying sun. But he was the hero, and would fight until his last breath if he had to.

He could hear the bobokins circling in the distance, their mocking laughter scratching his eardrums like nails on a chalkboard. As he clutched his shoulder he bagan to move forward slowly. His tunic was steeped in blood. An arrow had embedded itself behind his shoulder blade, with fresh blood oozing from the wound. He knew that removing it could be fatal. Dark spots danced in front of his eyes, but he had to move quickly. Stooping low he picked up his sword with shaking hands. He could just about make out the shapes of galloping horses, wavering around him like a blur of clouds as they turned back towards him. But they were not his concern.

All he could think about was Epona. Something was wrong. She should have found him by now. She always ran to him when he fell. Something really wrong. He ran towards where they had fallen his heart heavy with dread.

Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks.

'NO!' he screamed, the sound of utter devastation in his oice ringing out across the battlefield. Forgetting all injuries and summoning every breath in his body, he sprinted forward as fast as he could.

Epona was yet to get up.