A/N: Things are about to get tense.

Chapter 15: Coward

Cody:

I had never been the strongest person around growing up. In fact, I took pride in the fact that I was one of the only geeks in my little school. Even so, if I saw someone in some kind of trouble and I was the only person around that could help, I would have liked to think that I would come to that person's rescue. I mean, how can someone ignore a person in need? Do we not have the responsibility to do something regardless of how dangerous or scary things get?

As the Hero of Dimensions, I was stronger than I had ever been (maybe not super strong, but stronger none the less). I fought against a giant lizard, an evil wizard, werewolf like creatures, and a giant harpy. Did I not earn the title that was given to me?

That day in Kakariko, I found out exactly how unworthy I was of the title I had been given…

We were snapped out of it by the sudden screams of terrified villagers. Link immediately sprang into action and rushed into the burning village. Before I had a chance to follow, Zelda stopped me.

"I need the Staff of Sanctuary!" she said.

"What!"

"We need to get the villagers out of here, and the path to Goron City is too dangerous without an armed escort."

I nodded and quickly pulled the staff out of the Infinity Bag.

"We'll start leading the villagers this way," Malon told me, "you get in there and help Link."

"Right."

I started running into the burning village. Behind me, I could hear Malon calling out to the villagers that were running around aimlessly.

As I got deeper into the village, I noticed that a lot of the men were trying to put the fires out. Several people were gathering water from the large well in the village. But the fires did not seem to be affected, no matter how much water was thrown on them.

I could feel the heat emanating from the burning buildings. Sweat was pouring down my face and soaking my tattered clothes. Though there were many people trying to stop the fires, there were some who were standing there terrified, not sure what to do. Some people were recklessly going into the burning buildings, probably to save people or valuable possessions.

Some never came back out…

I could see Link running out of a building, holding a young boy in his arms. A tearful woman met him right outside the house, thanking the green-clad Hylian profusely as she took the child from Link's arms.

Just then, I heard a scream of agony as someone jumped through a window and landed near me. The man was ablaze and was desperately rolling on the ground in order to put out the fire. I was rooted to the spot. I could smell the man's burning flesh.

I wanted to throw up…

Someone nearby had a blanket ready and rushed over. He threw the blanket on the burning man and proceeded to pat the man down to put the fire out. Shaking my head to get a hold of myself, I ran over to help.

The fire was out by the time I got over there. When he saw me, the rescuer said, "Help me get him out of here."

I looked at the badly burned man, a feeling of dread welling up inside me.

"Don't just stand there!" the rescuer yelled at me.

My mind snapped back to the reality of the situation, and I helped carry the burned man to the village entrance. I tried my best not to breathe through my nose. The smell was starting to get to me.

Someone, a relative perhaps, came running over and took over carrying the burn victim for me. With nothing to else to do, I ran back into the village to see if I could find Link.

Everyone who had been fighting the fires had apparently given up and evacuated. I spotted Link, and we met in the center of town, next to the large well.

"I think that was everyone," Link said, wiping sweat and soot from his brow.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief, "Let's get out of here then."

Just then, a woman came running up to us in hysterics.

"You have to help me!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face.

Link grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes as he asked, "What's wrong?"

She pointed numbly towards a white building at the edge of the village near the mountain path, "My son chased his cat in there! He's trapped! You have to help him! Please!"

She collapsed to the ground, sobbing.

Link needed no further encouragement. At speeds that made wonder if he wore a pair of Zephyr Boots as well, he dashed for the burning building. I watched after him, not sure what I should do with myself. Should I go help him? Will I just get in the way?

Before I could decide on what I should be doing, Via suddenly burst from my hood.

"Cody! I sense s-someone in trouble!"

Without further explanation, she flew off at high speeds.

"Wait!" I called as I raced after her.

She flew straight for the biggest house in the village. Before I could stop her, she flew through one of the broken window and into the burning building.

I did not even have time to panic before Via flew back out and started dancing frantically in front of me, "Cody! There's a y-young girl trapped inside! We have to hurry!"

I nodded, and raced towards the front of the building. I got to the door and kicked it in. Immediately, a ball of fire exploded outwards from the sudden burst of air.

In a panic, I fell backwards and landed on my back. It felt as if my eyes were about to pop out of my head, they were so wide open. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and saw the fire roaring out of the doorway. I broke out in a sweat that had nothing to do with the heat.

It was at that moment, that all of the fear and terror of my situation came down and hit me like a ton of bricks.

Ever since I had come to this God-forsaken world, I had been fighting for my life. I almost died… died… several times. And for what? Some stupid world that I did not even belong in! I am no fighter. The sword gave me the ability, but it did not give me the will.

I could hear Via yelling at me to get up and go save the girl, but I could not move. If I did nothing, the poor girl was going to die. I did not want that. I did not want her to die, but…

If I went in there, I would die…

If I continued this journey, I will die…

…

..

.

...I'm going to die…

A green blur rushed past me and into the fire. I blinked, not entirely sure what I saw.

Moments later, Link rushed out of the fire, the young girl gripped tightly in his arms.

The moment he was clear of the building, I felt a sense of relief like none I had ever felt before wash over me. The little girl was going to be alright. Even though I did nothing, it all worked out. I could not help but smile a little as my panic attack from a moment before faded away.

Link carried the girl past where I was sitting. He did not even look at me, which I thought was odd. I pulled myself to my feet. Via was fluttering next to me, silent. She did not even dive back into my hood. She was probably in shock about what happened to the village. I took one last look at the burning village, and then made my way towards the entrance, Via following after me.

I made it to the top of the stairs and looked down at the group gathered around the wagon and the Staff of Sanctuary. I remained at the top of the stairs and watched as Link handed the young girl, she could not have been more than four or five, to one of the frantic women. The woman hugged the girl tightly to her chest as she thanked Link profusely. He just smiled kindly at her and nodded his head.

There were several people who were in bad shape. I could see the man that I had helped carry being tended to by a weeping woman, probably his wife. Malon and Zelda were going around, helping out in whatever ways that they could. I noticed that Zelda had her mask up to conceal her face once again.

As I gazed on the scene below me, Link finally noticed me standing at the top of the stairs. He immediately started climbing the stairs. Noticing this, Via dove back into my hood to hide. I grinned at Link as he approached me. Yeah sure, some people died, but we saved the day did we not?

I did not have time to register the fact that Link looked angry before he hauled back and punched me in the face…

An explosion of light blinded me as the force of the blow twirled me around and sent me unceremoniously to the ground. I lay there completely stunned as I waited for my vision to clear up. Blood trickled from a cut on my lip where Link's gauntlet had cut it, and I could almost feel the side of my face swelling up. I was vaguely aware of Malon and Zelda shouting from the bottom of the stairs.

Strange though, I thought it would hurt a lot mor… never mind. There it is…

About that time, Zelda and Malon made it to the top of the stairs.

"Get up…" Link snarled at me.

"Link!" Malon said, shocked, "What's the matter with you!"

"I said get up," Link practically hissed at me.

It was the final straw. Link had been treating me like dirt ever since I got here, and now the pointy-eared jerk punched me in the face. How dare he…

I pulled myself into a sitting position and glared at him.

"What the hell!" I shouted at him angrily.

"On your feet," he said, returning my glare.

If he wanted a fight, he was going to get it. I was done dealing with him. I pulled myself to my feet and stared him down, just daring him to come at me.

Panicked, Via flew out of my hood and to safety.

"Link," Zelda said slowly, "don't…"

Link ignored her and ran at me. He came at me with an overhead punch, and I barely managed to block it. I quickly delivered a quick jab to his kidney.

That should have dropped him, but all he did was grunt. He spun around and clocked me upside the head. This caused me to stumble and he quickly pressed his advantage. He delivered two lightning fast punches to my stomach, driving the wind out of me.

I collapsed onto the ground, barely holding myself up with one hand. I was wheezing, trying to return air to my abused lungs. Some part of my mind that was still functioning properly noted that he did not try to finish me off.

As my senses started returning, I noticed that Zelda was holding Link back. He was struggling mightily, but Zelda was able to keep him off me. I became aware that Malon was kneeling beside me, her arms wrapped around me protectively as she stared in shock at Link. Even Via was flying about in a panic, forgetting all of her shyness for once.

"W-why is everyone f-fighting!" Via wailed.

"What's wrong with you!" Malon shouted at Link.

He ignored her and continued to struggle for a minute before giving up and forcing himself to calm down.

I was trying my best to hurry up and get back on my feet. I wanted so badly to punch his face in, I could almost taste it. I was in no condition to fight, but even so, I wanted to.

Link had finally calmed down somewhat, and Zelda felt it was safe to release Link. Link just stared at me as I continued to wheeze.

He finally spoke, "So… were you just going to leave her to die?"

With that one sentence, all of the fight in me went completely away. I looked up at him, not wanting to comprehend what he was saying, even though I knew the implications.

"She was burned…" Link said as he looked down on me, "there were burns all over her body. She's very lucky to be alive right now."

No… stop…

He took a deep breath and continued, "She's going to have scars from this day for the rest of her life. Not just physically, but emotionally as well."

All the energy in my body fled as he assaulted me with blows far worse than any punch or kick. What little progress I made in getting up was instantly lost as I sagged to my knees. Malon was barely able to hold me up as I became dead weight in her arms. Even though the rest of my body felt as if it had turned to jello, my eyes were still locked on Link's. It was as if he had captured me and refused to let me go.

He was silent for a few minutes as he looked at me emotionlessly. He finally spoke, delivering one last blow to my fragile mind:

"You are no hero…"

What? But I have the sword do I not? Does that not mean that I am a hero? Well? Doesn't it?

But it finally dawned on me. This entire time, I had been fighting to protect myself and only myself. I only went on this journey to collect the Elemental Orbs because Rauru told me that it was the only way that I could go back home to Earth. It is true that I do not want to see people to die, but…

Didn't I just resign some young girl to die an agonizing death by fire?…

Heroes never do things like that.

Link was right…

I am just a fake…

I do not deserve to be called a hero…

"Impa!" Zelda shouted suddenly.

Link and Malon turned around to look behind me, but I remained rooted to my spot on the ground.

"It… was… the wizard…" Impa muttered in pain.

I was vaguely aware when Impa suddenly collapsed on the ground beside me…