Authors Note: Hello everyone. I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out to you all. I know you're probably thinking I should have all the time in the world to write since this whole c-virus deal we are all going through right now, but actually my work has been busier than ever. I work in the energy sector for my day job so finding time to write has been hard. I apologize but I cannot complain since I'm blessed to have work when so many are going through rough waters right now. : ( I do hope this chapter does the wait justice. Please let me know what you think. It really motivates me to keep going when you leave a comment! As always, thanks for all the support and stay strong through this difficult time.

Chapter 23

Liberations Part 1

Zelda knelt upon the open plains of Hyrule field before the walls of the castle, eyes red with tears. The realization that Link could have been killed in the barrage that rained down from the sky seconds earlier shook her to her core. Though overwhelmed wiith the fear that filled every fiber of her being, in her heart she believed it not to be so. That could not have been his fate.

Not Link, she thought.

Line after line of soldiers rushed past, charging toward the breached walls of the city as she wept upon the ground. Somehow, she found the strength to pull herself together amid the chaos. If Link yet lived, he was going to need her help now more than ever. There was no time to waste dwelling on her fears. She clutched a grip of prairie grass tightly in her hands, tearing its roots from the ground as she rose from where she'd fallen. Slowly, determinedly, she found gathered her courage, pushing away her sorrows, and wiping away her tears.

The main bulk of the army's cavalry was already well ahead of her, storming through the blasted opening of the wall where the gate once stood. She needed to find a way to get to Link before it was too late. Zelda knew he'd embarked upon his mission ill-equipped, lacking real means to adequately defend himself. But the route to him was dangerous and would not be easy. Ahead of the gates lay open war.

Twisting through the multitude of advancing soldiers, the princess sought for any opportunity that might lend itself to her. She approached a nearby group of infantrymen, a single officer preparing them to charge into the fray. An officer, yes, if the draping white cloak he wore could be trusted. It was a tradition of Illiastar commanders to wear a vibrant white cape clasped to their pauldrons by silver adornments in resemblance to their liege. However, the Lord of Illiastar's would be of a more refined taste. Unlike his bannermen, his cape was vibrant and unblemished, almost like exotic silk, and the clasps that held it were of richly polished gold.

She hollered, grabbing the man's attention. "You there, sir! Please help me find a horse to ride into the city! I need to get into the city!"

The noise from the battlefield only grew, rumbling thunder of screaming men charging echoing throughout the air alongside the crashing and clanking of shield against sword.

The officer jerked in surprise at the sound of her voice. "Why, Princess! What are you doing here? This is a battlefield! It is no place for a royal maiden!"

Jumping to attention, he marched over and offered up his hands for her to take, speaking softly even as he turned to shout a command to a man in his retinue. "Come, let me escort you back to camp. Sergeant! You are in charge until I return. I will be escorting her majesty back to the safety of the rear. The infirmary would be best, I think."

With a wave of his hands, he instructed his subordinate to take charge and pointed in the direction of where he should lead. The other man obeyed with a bow and no questions.

Frustrated, Zelda reiterated her command. "You're not listening to me! I must get to the city! There is no time!"

With her words clearly passing through one ear and out the other, the officer continued to reach out for her wrist to pull her back to camp. "Come, my lady, you are frightened of the battle. It shall be alright. We must get you back to your own. This way, follow me."

Having none of it, and unwilling to be led like some prized mare at the market, Zelda tore herself from his grip and stomped back in protest, shouting with her hands firmly clenched at her sides.

"Damn you, I am the princess of Hyrule, and I am giving you an order!" she exclaimed. "I am done being polite! Either you find me a horse to take me into the city, or find yourself in chains!"

Struck by the sudden wave of authority, the man nearly fell over at her command. But he need not have bothered replying. At that very moment, Sylmoor was trotting atop his pale stallion, having overheard the struggle from nearby.

Pulling the reins of his horse closer, he moved up alongside the princess and the distressed soldier and spoke, interrupting their quarrel. "Princess, what are you doing here? This is about to become a warzone! We must get you back to safety."

Zelda turned away from the gilded officer she'd chastised, focusing upon Sylmoor. "No, I will not go. Please, Link needs my help."

"Link? I'm sorry, princess, but I saw the explosion myself. Nobody could have survived that. If he was on that wall when it went—"

"He is alive!"

"What certainty do you have of that?"

"Trust me, I just know he is."

"How can you know, princess?"

"I know in my heart he is alive and that he needs me now more than ever! If none will help me, then I shall save him on my own!"

"...very well. If you say he is alive, then I believe you, princess. No need to tell me twice, I've seen for myself what that lad can do. I suppose if anyone could survive a blast such as that, it would be him. What are you planning to do?"

"I need to get his sword to him. The sword that seals the darkness. He needs it. I need a horse now if I'm to make it to him in time. Please!"

"He doesn't have the sword?!" Sylmoor shouted, jolted by the revelation such that he nearly fell from his saddle.

"Please, I beg you!" Zelda pleaded again, voice wavering in the wind.

"Why in all that is good and blessed in this world does he not have his sword?!"

"He couldn't take it, lest the light of its power gives him away to the enemy."

"It is one thing to be brave, my princess, but this...this is insanity! Stupidity, some might say!"

"Some?" she defended with a snap, brows arching.

"I say!"

She shook her head, cutting through his words. "No, my lord. You do not understand!"

"What?"

"He hadn't any other choice! If he had brought the sword with him, it would have given him away to the dark powers that linger there, and the plan would have failed before it even began! The foul beasts have a sensitivity to it, as it does to them, and it shines like a beacon when near its foes. Like moths to the flame, they are drawn to its holy presence. He could not have taken the sword. Link knew this and acted accordingly."

Sylmoor was confused. "What do you mean? Shines like a beacon?"

"I mean that the sword glows with power and burns brightly when Ganon's phantom spirit is nearby, his malice!"

"But I thought you said Ganon has been slain? Was he not?"

"He was. But even with him defeated, those that are bound by his dark sorcery and who are bathed in his corruption are keen to its power. His minions could feel the burning power of the sword just by its mere presence if Link were to approach them. The sword casts off all evil. Like water raining over fire, it extinguishes them. And it is for that reason they cannot bear its holy light to shine upon them."

With every passing moment wasted having to explain the situation, the worry began to take its toll on her further. The princess approached closer to him, placing her hands now up to the side of his saddle, almost begging him. "So, please, now that you understand? Won't you help me help him?"

Acknowledging her, Sylmoor saw what sort of state she was in. Shook up, he could almost see the heart in her chest about to burst. "You really do care about this lad, don't you?" he breathed.

She just stood in silence at his question, looking away for just a moment as a gust of chill wind blew across her fair face. She didn't care anymore what others thought. What mattered to her now was Link. And with that, she quickly shot a fierce glance up at him, shook herself away from any doubts she may have had in revealing her true self, and gave a firm nod unequivocally at his words.

Without her saying a word and by her expression alone, he knew her answer. He leaned over on his steed with a bewildered stare. "But, I thought only he can wield the legendary blade of evil's bane? How can you bring it to him from camp if only he can carry it?"

"I believe," She paused to ponder her next words carefully, taking in a calm deep breath before continuing. "I believe the sword will allow me to do this one favor for him. It has done so before you see. Allowed me to carry it when times were dire. I know it will again. Please help me. You must," She pleaded.

Apprehensively, perhaps due to his own fear, Sylmoor cautioned as he listened to the desperate girl's plea. He so wanted to help her best he could but was frightened to death of the prospect of having to charge headfirst, past the front line, and into the thick of war. He was supposed to lead the reinforcement wave, not be the tip of the spear of the army.

"Please," she asked again, eyes ashine.

But nevertheless, he heard her cries for help and closed his eyes, swallowed his fear of battle, and reluctantly let out a sigh in agreement. "Oh, alright." What have I got myself into, he thought frightfully. "Well, if what you say is true, then there is no time. Which means we don't have time to return to camp."

"But the sword—"

Stretching out his hands to quickly calm her fears, he interrupted her. "He will have to use my sword princess," he said as he went to unsheathe his noble blade. The star-like glisten of the sword rang out beautifully as he pulled it out from his scabbard, holding it up proudly on display for her and all to see. "Illucifarr-the Lightbringer! This should do him more than well enough!"

"But my lord, what will you use?"

"Don't you worry about me. I have a lance that I can use instead. In the meantime, let me get this sword to him so you can return to safety."

"No, I must go to him myself." She said boldly. "I need to see with my own eyes that he is alright. Please." She reiterated with unwavering in her position.

Sylmoor shrugged, letting out a heavy breath at her request, looking ahead of them past the field to the city where the battle was raging. He saw the danger that awaited them, but he couldn't say no to her. She was desperate. And besides, he knew she would just go off ahead anyways regardless of what he had to say. Better for it if he accompanied her, he believed.

So, with that, he put away his sword and spoke. "Very well then, I'll be coming along with you. I won't let you ride off alone to uncertainty." Though he tried to find courage, he gulped again, afraid of the task laid before him.

"You don't have to risk yourself. I know that you're—"

"Now, I know what you would say and that you would say I am no warrior. And if you did so, it would be true. It is no secret to anyone here that I have no business being on this field of battle. And I know you know that." He said, turning himself to look at her as he spoke. "That much is undoubtedly plain by the look in your eyes right now. "

Face admitting, she turned away slightly from his gaze.

"But what sort of man would that make me If I were to coward before my own princess? Am I not to be at least as brave as her?" he sighed heavily again. "I'll be alright. And besides, we have Seabass and my men who will follow after us. Not to mention, I'm wearing the finest armor, the likes of which this world has ever seen. Crystal armor!" he said, forcing a smile of hope.

But before he could continue his speech of courage, his squire nudged him from the other side of his horse. "But, my lord, you know that you're only wearing the breastplate and grieves that we have recovered of the sacred armor. The other parts were fashioned only to match, but they are just plain armor," The lad whispered, reminding his liege.

Sylmoor's eyes bulged at his words, and away from Zelda's view, he kicked his servant into silence. The squire fell back a few paces, coughing from the blow to the gut. "Shhh boy, must you always spoil everything? At least let me pretend to be brave for once in my life. What matters is that I have some of the legendary crystal armor, whereas others have none of it. I would say that puts me at a great advantage. Wouldn't you say?"

"Crystal armor?" she asked hopefully, interest peaked by his expression.

"Yes, the very same ancient armor once worn by one of the greatest KNIGHT's of Hylia that had ever lived! Locke, the Valiant! The secrets of crafting such a pristine artifact such as this have long been forgotten to the memories of men. And I, Sylmoor of Illiastar, have one of the only three sets left in existence! So, you see, wearing this I'll be okay. Now, let's be off, we haven't a moment to lose." He said, encouraging himself as well as her.

Reaching out for her hand to grab while another infantryman ran up beside her to give her a boost atop his horse alongside him, Sylmoor continued. "Now, you may also have heard that my brother is considered one of the greatest warriors of our day, tis true, but what you may not know is that I am the best rider of our day! Even better than my brother! Always have been. So, don't you worry, princess. We'll be to your knight in no time. I promise."

"Thank you, Sylmoor," she breathed, forcing herself past the anxiety that filled her and offered up a thankful smile as she saddled up behind him.

Wasting no time before they were to ride off, Sylmoor shouted a final command to those soldiers around them. "Seabass, have you and your men follow me on foot! We are to secure the route of the princess to her knight. The rest of you stay and follow the rest of the army! Now, let us be off with all due haste!"

"Don't worry sir, we'll be right behind ya! Alright, you men, you heard your lord! On the double!" Seabass exclaimed to the men.

And with a stiff kick to his pale stallion, the horse jumped to its hind legs and stormed off carrying the two riders toward the city and to the heart of the battle where her hero awaited them.

Armed with his father's memory, Link rushed out from the ruined blacksmith's shop. Up ahead of him were the broken and abandoned cobblestone city streets. Holding a dagger and ax in hand, he gazed around his position just beyond the door of the shop, glancing over both shoulders in all directions to see where he may have landed.

Still panting heavily from the fall and from the dust of war that clouded the air, he figured he must have landed somewhere among one of the many commoner's quarters that made up the city. This particular district where he fell into was of higher ground toward the middle of the city, just above the outlining inhabitants from where he hailed from a century ago.

From his vantage point, he could easily see the edge of the city where the outlying wall stood guarding Hyrule field. He saw the battle had commenced there and that the army had made their advance, breaching the main gate flooding into the first districts past the wall. The cavalry was ripping through the first line of the enemy defenses. But before he could join the fight, he knew he had to find Sidon and the others to make sure they were alright.

Turning his gaze now to the other direction, he saw the mighty castle to the north. Laying just before it were the Noble districts. He knew that is where his friends would be if they had survived. Now that war was upon them, they would be in hiding somewhere near the main gate leading to the castle. And that would more than likely be the Nobility quarter.

Tearing the smirk from his face as he wandered off in the happy thought of his friends surviving thus far, a swing of a Moblin's bat narrowly missed his head, smashing against the wooden door he stood next to. Lucky enough for him, he dodged it just in time from the side of his peripherals. Out of nowhere, the monster came. The beast must have been trampling the city streets heading to the front of battle when a lone and disoriented Hylian caught its attention, no doubt.

Splintering and sending shrapnel of broken wood flying everywhere, the bone that crowned its bat was firmly lodged into the large swinging door to the workshop. The red beast snarled and roared back ferociously, angered by its failed strike to the young warrior.

In a swift and synchronized counterattack, Link in full force with his ax slammed down the rind of the bat that was stuck. There he knocked the bat loose out from the monster's grip and in fluid motion with his other hand plunged his dagger deep into its throat, staining its putrid green blood upon the ground.

Gargling on his knife, the monster's body went limp, and its corpse slid forward onto his blade. The beast's eyes rolled back into its head. Leaving the knight nothing left to do but rip it back out from its neck. With the skirmish over, he wiped his blade clean by some nearby grass that had overgrown from a long century of neglect, before sneaking off toward the direction of the castle and to his friends.

Being careful not to engage any enemies until his group was found, Link leaped frog from alleyway to alleyway, all the way until he reached the collapsed drawbridge to the castle. As he entered the nobility quarter, he saw enemies all around him, scurrying to their positions. Most of the foul creatures nearby were in a desperate panic to mend the fallen bridge that had been disabled. Others were running chaotically and were disorganized, unsure of what to do next. The surprise had caught them all off guard.

Keeping his head low and hiding from out of view among the ruined buildings, he saw higher ranking beast in a fevering rage screaming orders to their grunts, frantically trying to re-establish order. He couldn't make out what they were shouting because they were barking back and forth to one another in a cursed speech.

He smirked in delight at their disarray, safely tucked behind some rubble that was left of a wall of some former home to a once high born Hylian. Apparently, the little sabotage he and his friends made to their defenses must have been a success after all. But this was no time to celebrate, he had to find the others, regroup and plan their next offensive. The war was yet to be won.

Stunning Link from behind as he crept behind the wall, he felt a mighty grip grab his shoulder, and in flurry rush reaction, spun around with his ax and dagger out, ready to slay whoever may have come over him. Fright immediately gave way to relief as he saw it was Sidon that had snuck up behind him so thoroughly.

"Whoa, easy there friend, I didn't mean to startle ya," the prince declared as he stood stiff, cautiously waiting for Link to lower the knife that he held firm up to his throat.

Link blinked at the realization and quickly pulled back his blade, letting out a long overdue sigh of relief.

Sidon chuckled in a whisper. "I bet you have seen better days," The Zora looked him over from head to toe. The knight was a mess. If it weren't for the bruises and scrapes he was covered in that caught his eye, it was his clothes. They were ragged, ripped and looked like they've seen a half a dozen wars. Even Link's hair appeared grey for how much soot-covered it.

"Forgive me for saying so, Link, but you look like hell," Sidon laughed again.

Rattling his ribs in pain as a laugh escaped his lips, Link couldn't help himself but smile a big grin back at him. "Really, you think so? I couldn't tell." He said, letting out a grunt. "Seeing is I'm on my way there right now."

"You mean we are on our way there, my friend. I promised her I'd look after ya'."

"Huh?"

"Ya know, The princess." He leaned coolly, folding his massive red arms.

"Oh," Link scratched the back of his head. "Really?"

"Yeah, and trust me, I'd rather battle an entire army of Malrocs before I'd ever come back empty-handed to face an angry Princess! I'd be better off not coming back at all."

Link chuckled. "Yeah, you're right. You would be. Better keep your promise to her then, I suppose."

"Don't worry, I intend to. But, before we go off and dive into hell's pond itself, you should know the others are over here Link. This way, follow me."

"Right."

"Choke on this, you vile fiend!" The lead cavalier decried, rallying his men around him as he impaled a towering Moblin which guarded the blasted entrance to the city wall. Ripping his lance out from the throat of the monster, he leapt with his horse atop a broken ledge of the wall so he could be more easily seen by the entire army.

"The Goddesses are with us! Show these foul beasts no quarter!" Simon triumphantly raised his spear high up into the air, waving it proudly as a beacon of hope strewn across the early dawn-lit sky. "Send'em all back to the hellish scourge from whence they came! In the name of her holiness, Hylia and the Goddess Trinity, we shall have victory!"

Leading the reins of his steed, he pointed his long spear back around to the enemy and charged forward.

The Starlight cavalry roared in a cheer as they stormed behind him. The hooves of their horses charging through the first line of enemies rumbled like a thunder as they trampled them underfoot with ease. Smashing and slashing their way into the city, they tore through the beasts' delicate flesh. Tried as the monsters might offer up any sort of resistance, their efforts to drive them back fell apart as the overwhelming tidal wave of horseman overflowed over them. The minions of Ganon at the front were like snow melting before a volcano. They were no match for the heavily trained and battle-hardened soldiers.

"Keep up the advance lads! Don't stop now! It's all the way to the highest keep we go! Forward!" he commanded, stabbing and clearing out bokoblins,lizalfos, moblins, and whatever cruel apparition may have challenged him. One after the other, they would thrust themselves before him in a futile effort to stop him and his men.

From atop the castle in a towering keep, laying down on his monstrous horse-like legs was Malroc. Seemingly undeterred by the siege laid before his stronghold. He was trapped deep into a dark and hypnotic trance, in clear communion with an unknown demonic entity from way beyond their realm, mumbling in whispers, eyes closed.

A gangly lizalfos approached him from the side and spat with its forked tongue at him in a blackened speech. The creature was in a near panic at their situation.

"My lord, it's the hylians, they have mounted an attack against us! What are we to do? They have breached the city walls, and the front line is faltering. And it gets worse, my lord, our fortifications here at the castle have also been compromised. Someone must have—"

"I know," Malroc spoke, slowly opening his eyes from his ungodly meditation.

"Then?" the creature shivered.

"Let them come and send forth the eight to lead the battle for now. That should be more than enough to hold them back until I am ready. They will be dealt with soon enough," his voice rumbled cold and ominous. The low tenor of it shook the ground beneath the Lizalfos commanders' feet.

The cretin gulped in fright at his master's power. He dared to speak a word again in edgewise. "And there is more, my lord! Scouts from the front have reported that She is among them and that she is heading this way toward the city! The one who carries the blood of the goddess! Right now, as we speak!"

The great titan's eyes widened. Malroc stood tall on his hooves and spun around with a devilish smirk. He was filled with delight as if he tasted the sweetest delicacy. "So, she comes to me and thinks she can tempt fate, huh?" he laughed again as he began walking the edge of his castle keep atop the tower. Peering over the stone ramparts, he got a good look at the battle ensuing below. " Do the fools think they can really win? Do they not know that it was I that allowed them in?"

"My lord?" the little monster was stunned by the revelation. "But Why?"

"Silence, I don't give my reasoning to slithering scum such as you!" he said with a twisted chuckle. "And yet, she comes to me. This is a most pleasing turn of events indeed. A most treasured gift she brings us," he grinned even more. "We shall have our blood and spirt very…very soon," He laughed again.

"But my liege, what of the witch? They aren't to arrive here until nightfall. And what of the ritual? And they also say…" he gulped again.

"And what do they also say?" Malroc grew impatient and shoved the smaller lizalfos with his broad chest.

"They say, that he who defeated the Dark Lord is among their ranks as well. What are we to do against a champion such as that? Without the great power of the witch, how can we possibly win? "

Malroc growled in anger at the lizalfos's lack of vision. "Leave him to me. I will deal with this hero myself and show you all he is just another weak man like the rest."

"But the Dark Lord was-!"

"Enough of your pitiful drivel! Surely, a mistake has been made!" the towering monster of terror out of nowhere in a swift rage snatched the scrawny lizalfos by the gizzard and choked him high up above his head. Held tightly in his grip, the lizard squirmed and flailed about, kicking and clawing at his clenched fist around its throat.

"Is that a tremble of fear in your voice that I hear? Are you doubting my abilities to lead this army? If it wasn't that I needed every last one your pathetic lives to fight in this war, you'd be dead already," Malroc said, whispering to the lizalfos as he suffocated him.

"On second thought, I'll take my chances," he gleamed.

The lizalfos eyes bulged in fright as the monstrous king of Lynels with a slight flinch of his fist, snapped his neck, killing him instantly as he hurled his lifeless corpse from the tower like a rag doll to fall far down to the cityscape below.

Malroc twisted out from the opening of the keep and faced those left present that were a part of his wicked council. The others were stricken with fear that his rage could be dealt upon them next. None dared to contest him any further. "For all to see, I will break this puny Hylian myself. I will crush him once and for all! He shall fall to his knees and beg for mercy, just like that miserable waste of flesh you saw before you now."

He continued to address them further with a predatory smirk. "They will remember the name of their so-called hero and that he died under my feet wailing in agony!"

Those beasts present in his chambers cackled in delight at his promise.

"Now, prepare the pearl! We don't want to keep her Majesty waiting, do we? And as for the witch, I suspect everything will go according to our plans. Now, go, send forth the eight and fetch me the pearl. We have a big night ahead of us now," the lynel roared as he laughed, invigorated with devilish delight at himself.

Lying comatose back at the infirmary, Riju 's condition was worsening. All that Buliara and the others could do was watch helplessly.

The silence of everyone's seriousness was all that Teba could stand. He was growing restless under the tent.

"Where is she? The princess? Surely, she should have been back by now?" Teba said, unfolding his wings in anticipation, pacing around.

Buliara groaned softly as she sat bedside of Riju.

"You don't approve?"

The powerful woman leaned where she sat. "The princess is still young. Just like our chief," She said, gently moving her red bang to the side where she lay. The black disease was spreading fast. Like corrupted vines, it spiderwebbed over her flesh and glowed a crimson red that pulsed dark light. Time was slipping away, and even Buliara couldn't hide the fright in her eyes. She feared the worse was going to happen if she wasn't cured soon.

She breathed. "At times, I fear emotion could take hold of her and cloud her judgment. Such heavy burdens placed on the shoulders of such a young spirit. How can anyone choose the right path to lead?" Turning to face Teba, who gazed from across the tent, she let out a sigh. "But even still, it isn't my place to go against her wishes. I must always be there for her."

"Are we…still talking about the princess?" He glanced, waiting for her response

Buliara spoke softly back. "Fly."

"What?" Teba questioned.

Buliara quietly chuckled and glanced over him again. "Go. I'll keep watch here."

Having an understanding of each other, Teba nodded with a smirk, "Right."

Grabbing his bow from a nearby table, he gave a farewell look before leaving. "And besides, it isn't my style to sit back and roost during a fight!"

Buliara grinned back.

"I mean, it's the least I can do for Link. After everything he has done for me and my people, I owe him my life and then some. So, if the princess isn't going to come back here for me to protect, then I'll just have to go to her. It's what Link would want me to do."

Teba nodded goodbye as he left the safety of the tent. Making his way outside and wasting no time, he flapped a gust of wind beneath his talons and shot up high into the sky. Caught up in the tailwind, he quickly scanned the entire battle up ahead of him for a better view of the scene unraveling. With his telescopic vision, he caught sight of Zelda as he spot her from her afar, galloping head, past the external walls, and into the thick of the city.

High up in the air, he squeezed his feathers into a proud fist worthy of his tribe, and boldly declared to himself. "Don't worry, Link, help's coming! Hold on, princess!"

In an epic nosedive through the low hanging clouds, he spiraled right for her position like a piercing arrow. Only chancing a glance over his shoulders to his quiver for just a second to evaluate his situation.

"Seven arrows, eh? That should be more than enough." He said sarcastically under his breath, begrudgingly smiling, knowing full well that it wasn't hardly what he needed to wage a proper fight. The proud rito warrior was no coward, though, and held all the honor of his tribe in his heart, and he knew he needed to be there for his friends.

Well, if all else fails, at least I have my sword if things really go sour, he thought. The time is now. For the Rito, Link, Zelda, and all Hyrule!

Keeping hidden amongst the shadows of ruined buildings, Sidon carefully led Link to a forgotten alleyway of the nobility district where the others were hidden. Safely nestled just above a stone staircase entrance to the sewers, they were out of view from the mob of monsters running a rampage just beyond their position. They had to speak in hushed voices.

As they made to their approach, Bjorn jumped up to his feet from kneeling next to Dimm, who was grievously wounded leaning up against the stone wall.

"There you are, so you're alright, master Link?"

"What happened?" Link bolted toward Dimm and took a knee beside him.

"I'm sorry, Sir- Link... I really didn't mean to mess things up so bad," Dimm said with a cough as he held his abdomen tightly. The man was in shock, face pale with a cold sweat.

"It's alright. Just take it easy." Link glanced at the others. " What happened to him?"

"We did exactly what you told us but-" Bjorn replied, shortly being interrupted by a panting Dimm.

"It's my fault, really. " the wounded soldier explained as he coughed, laying against the wall. "You would think I had a great story to tell. That, perhaps, I fought an epic battle and took on the devil Demise himself. But that would be a lie. I'm no hero. I'm not like you. The sad truth is...I fell. That's it really...We set the fuse, and I tripped on the chain coming back as we ran and fell on some old iron rod." he sniffed, eyes beginning to well up with tears of disappointment.

"Shhh, nonsense. You came here and did a very brave thing. Nobody else in camp was willing to risk their skin and come do this. But you did!" Link said back, calming the man who was fading fast where he lay against the wall.

Dimm smiled as he held his side to his belly. The flesh wound was slashed deep and his tunic was soaked with blood.

"I just wanted...for once in my life to be remembered for something. Ya know? To really make a difference. And I thought... I thought that if... If I could just be alongside the legend himself. The one who beat back the darkness. The one that the men say is champion. Link...That maybe, perhaps, a little bit of hero from him would rub off on me. Nobody knows me where I am from, nobody would miss me. That's why I came, you know?" his eyes met Link's as he explained, heaving and holding onto what little breath he had. "To show those back home that I can be somebody. Even my family too. That maybe...If they heard about me in the army, they might remember me. Remember that I even existed," he said, choking and hacking into fits that interrupted his own speech.

"You are a hero. You did even what I couldn't. You blew those charges and made the bridge fall here. Because of what you did, we can take the castle back, Dimm. You hear me?" Link chastised. The others present nodded and reaffirmed.

"You really think so?" Dimm forced a smile, gagging on the blood that began to fill his throat.

Link smirked. "Ya, and don't you go to sleep on me now! You gotta' get back and hear the songs they are going to sing about ya, remember?" Link glanced to the other two who stood by and watched. "Ain't that right?"

"Right!" Sidon and Bjorn confirmed.

Dimm lifted his hand, forcing a thumbs up, glad that he finally had their kinship and approval. For once in his life, he felt that he belonged and that he had friends. Link reached out both his fist to grasp his quivering hand.

Dimm spoke again, voice trembling and weak. "You...You really think so? You really think they would sing... sing...sin..." His lips stopped moving, and the lonesome alleyway went quiet. The light in his eyes faded away into darkness like the night.

Bjorn knelt and took his vitals. " He's gone..."

Link tucked his head into himself, angered by his failure to keep the others safe. Without even a moment to grieve, Biorn shot up from where he was and pointed toward the castle.

"Look! What's that!?"

Together as one, Link and Sidon's attention sprung to the highest keep. A gruesome act of violence. Up high to the top of the castle, they saw a Lizalfos corpse being thrust through the air as if it was refuse. Tumbling down, bouncing from tower to tower, hitting every rampart and stone wall until its body slammed into the courtyard with a dull thud.

"Malroc...You think they have it? The pearl?" Sidon turned to Link.

"If they have the pearl, then I have to get it back. I have to stop them before they use it."

Link glanced over to Bjorn. "You have your mask still, right?"

Bjorn nodded back, afraid from the menacing power he just witnessed come from the top of the castle.

The knight continued. "You're not much good here on your own, and I cannot risk you too. Stay low here until the army arrives and wear the mask. You should be hidden until then. I'm going!"

Sidon stepped up behind Link before he could bolt away. "Not without me, you're not. I told you, we're in this together friend. Til the end." the Prince smirked.

"No, Sidon, not this time. I'm sorry, but I can't have you risk yourself. It's too dangerous. I already have enough blood on my hands to last me a lifetime. Because of my own weakness, Dimm died, and so did those maidens. Not only that...but the others too! How many more must pay the price? Revali, Daruk, Urbosa... Mipha." Link said as he squeezed a fist of frustration. His eyes watered.

Sidon spoke solemnly. "Nonsense Link, you can't beat yourself up over what happened a hundred years ago. And you can't blame yourself for what happened to Dimm and those poor girls. The plan was shocked from the get-go. He knew what he was signing up for."

Link just stood facing the other way, slowly hearing his words swirl around his own thoughts.

"Mipha, above anyone would understand. You know this...And, so would the princess!" Sidon declared hand-stretched for his shoulder.

The prince leaned. "I know what I signed up for when I swore my oath to you and her. I'm not about to abandon it now!"

Link listened, eyes glancing from the bottom of the fortress to the top to where they needed to go.

"And this may sound a bit unbecoming of a prince and may not quite be what you're used to hearing from me, but I can't find any other words to say it. So, I'm just going to say it." He took a few steps closer to Link. " What do ya say we go and slay the bastards, once and for all! For Mipha, and all those who've sacrificed!" Sidon proclaimed, red fist alongside him in the air clenched.

The knight, after hearing his pep talk, just slowly faced him and gave a smirk, realizing he indeed had a friend in him. "Alright then, Sidon. Let's go."