CHAPTER SEVEN

Link bolted toward where Epona had fallen, his heart pounding and lungs like fire. The sight that greeted him was gruesome; Epona's muzzle was stained scarlet with blood, and a large spear jutted out from her breastbone. Her body convulsed with violent spasms, her neck lolling side to side, with harrowing rasps spewing from her mouth as she roared and desperately tried to breath.

Link's sword clattered to the ground as he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face, and shouting in anguish. 'NO!' he cried, wrapping his embrace around her blood-stained body, numb with panic and despair at the sight of her grusome injury and agonising pain. Blood pulsated from the wound, spilling down her chest onto the grass below, staining it a deep red. Her whole body twitched and shivered with shock and pain. Link could only watch on in horror as her life ebbed away in front of him. Tears flowed relentlessly his down his face as he felt utterly, utterly helpless.

His soul cried out in agony as Epona's head lowered, her bloodied body starting to succumb to her harrowing wounds. The bright fires that once burned in her beautiful eyes, brimming with power and vivacious spirit, were now dull with pain and exhaustion. Her once glossy fur was matted with sweat and blood, her body now weak as blood poured from the gaping skin and flesh. The hoarseness in her breaths started to fade as her breathing shallowed, her eyes gradually beginning to close.

Link held her in tight, resting his chin on her neck. Holding his breath he tried to stem the ushering tears. Gently he rocked her back and forth, softly stroking her neck as she rested her head on his knee. She knew her time was short.

'Please don't suffer,' Link snivelled, gently running his hand down her nose as her occasionally head jerked violently. Wrought with an overwhelming sadness and he knew there was nothing he could do. 'Just go,' he sobbed, his voice little more than a whisper. 'Please just go.' He ran his palms across her Epona's cheek as gradually her body gave way and her movements grew still, the jaggered movements of her chest coming to a stop as the final breath left her body. Closing his eyes, Link crumbled beside her. She was gone.

The penetrating clamour of a bobokin horn suddenly resounded though the air. Link's head snapped upward, suddenly aware of the cackles and laughter of the monsters now circling. They appeared to revel in his anguish.

Link felt the blood in his veins begin to boil as sorrow soon gave way to a fierce anger. 'HOW COULD YOU?' he screamed, seething with an epic, and almighty rage; blistering with a savage hatred unlike anything he had felt before. Blinded with grief all he could think about was revenge: Epona deserved nothing less. His mind set on vengence for what they had done, he picked up his sword, eyes blazing with determination to succeed. He vowed to eliminate every single one. Letting out a fierce road Link ripped the arrow from his shoulder. Impervious to the pain he tossed it aside. He no longer cared if it killed him.

Then, with a war cry, he raised his sword, thirsting for their blood. He shifted his stance, silently daring them to come closer, and face him. The hatred in his soul was palpable.

The Bobokins, insplently sensing their advantage and again sounding their horns, turned charged at Link. He smiled. It was exactly what he wanted.

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