A/N Welcome readers to another chapter.
Thank you for reviews/favorites etc.
This chapter will be very battle centric, although there will a very brief Zelink moment
Also I will admit I am not very good at fight scenes, however felt it was necessary going forward.
I will also like to mention in advance that the black and silver bokoblins will be easier for Link to defeat then they are in botw/totk.
Also, who has been playing Echoes of Wisdom? I'm loving it. It's super fun.
Chapter Warning: Battle scenes, Violence, blood & injury.
Chapter Seven.
The hot sun beat down upon the parched landscape as Link and Zelda rode their steeds in a frantic dash to escape the clan of bokoblin riders, the sounds of their galloping hooves pounding the ground and echoing through the terrain.
The bloodthirsty beasts continually advanced on the pair. Two blue, two black and three rather aggressive and fierce looking silver bokoblins. Their own mounts' thundered in pursuit, closing the gap with relentless determination.
Zelda's heart was pounding in her chest, her hair whipping across her face, her jaw set, as she remembered just what was at stake — their very lives.
"Don't look back, princess," Link called out over his shoulder from his position in front of her. "Whatever you do, don't look back!"
The princess caught a glimpse of Link's stunned face as he briefly turned. He was right though, she could not look back — could not falter once, or they'd most likely be dead. She gripped the reins tighter, urging Storm forwards in a desperate bid to keep up with him. "W-What even are those things?"
"Bokoblins," Link replied.
"Bo...what?"
"Goblin pig creatures," Link informed her. "Though I guess since you've been so isolated in that castle of yours, you've never had the pleasure of meeting one."
She grimaced. "I'm rather glad that I haven't."
"That's probably for the best. They're nothing more than vile, repugnant barbarians."
The first blue bokoblin leading the chase had a particularly wicked gleam in its eyes. Raising a spiked boko bow it nocked an arrow with practiced ease, aiming for its fleeing quarry.
Link could feel the dread rising in his stomach. "Faster, princess, faster!" he urged.
Zelda's stomach rolled and twisted and as her mind whirled with thoughts of their impending doom, she spurred Storm to greater speeds, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he strained to keep pace with Epona.
The bokoblin archer, with its keen eyes fixed intently on Zelda's fleeing form, loosed the projectile in a swift, fluid motion. The shaft soared through the air, it's wooden head glinting wickedly in the bright sunlight as it hurtled towards its innocent target with savage intent.
Zelda let out a panicked gasp as the arrow whizzed perilously close to her head, forcing her to duck at the last second. The projectile missed her by mere inches, embedding itself in the ground. Another promptly flew past her leg, narrowly missing her thigh by a single hairsbreadth.
In response to the attack, Link expertly drew his bow, skillfully nocking an arrow and taking aim at the blue-clad creature. With smooth, practiced motion he released the shaft, watching with satisfaction as it found its mark in the head of the weak foe. The bokoblin's shrill cry abruptly cut short as it toppled from its horse, death claiming the creature.
Undeterred by its fallen comrade, the remaining blue bokoblin charged towards them, swinging its reinforced spiked boko club ominously through the air with a savage roar. Unable to reload his bow in time, Link was forced to reach for his sword instead, ready to parry the oncoming blow. The air was filled with a sickening crunch of splintering wood and the bokoblin's agonized screech as the Hylian's skillful deflection sent the club flying from the creature's gasp. With the enemy now defenseless, Link used the blade of his sword to slice through its midsection with a single, devastating blow, skin parting to reveal oozing innards within. It then careered to the ground, landing in a pool of blood and gore
Both Link and Zelda breathed a sigh of relief, however that relief was short-lived as they beheld the approaching stronger and more aggressive black and silver bokoblins. They were more brawnier than their weaker counterparts, sporting thicker skins and fierce claws. They also brandished more powerful weapons and their cruel smile revealed mouths of sharp, jagged teeth.
"Oh this is not good. Not good at all." Link clutched his bow tightly, the ground beneath him shaking. "We need to move, princess."
Among the grunts and snorts of the ensuing mob, arrows started flying everywhere.
Sweat was beginning to form and trickle from their necks, dirt and dust sticking to their skin and clothes as their situation was becoming more perilous. Link knew if they stood any chance of survival they would have to take drastic measures. He reined Epona to the left, promptly steering the powerful steed off the road and into the open, grassy fields. "This way, princess!"
"We're never going to be able to outrun them all," Zelda cried, her heart pounding wildly.
She was right. Whirling Epona around, Link knew he would have to fight back. He gestured for her to hurry across the field to the main path. "Go princess, get to safety. I'll hold them off."
As Zelda eyed the feral beasts, she shook her head in disapproval. There were five of them and only one of him, the odds were certainly not in his favor. "Link, I really don't think that is a good idea."
"I am a warrior and will not run from these filthy savages. You, however are just a puny princess who needs to be protected at all costs. Believe me, Lord Ganondorf will not appreciate you being delivered to him in pieces."
Although she shuddered at the thought, Zelda still hated being made to feel like some kind of damsel and would rather help him face whatever peril lay ahead. However, Link's firm expression left no room for argument.
"I warned you princess, to do as I say. Now go...NOW!"
Wasting no time, Zelda clicked her heels into Storm's side and they took off at break-neck speed away from the impending battle. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she rode, unsure if either of them would survive this onslaught.
With Zelda out of the way, Link rapidly assessed the situation, his gaze darting between the advancing bokoblins. One black bokoblin immediately let loose a volley of arrows, which he deftly dodged. There was a brief moment of reprieve before the silver bokoblins, armed with their large, deadly looking dragonbone clubs swung them mercilessly towards him.
"Focus on the black ones first," Link murmured to himself, knowing the arrows they carried posed the most threat.
Link nocked an arrow in his bow aiming for the chest of one of the black bokoblins. However, he quickly realized that a standard arrow would likely not penetrate the monster's thicker hide. He needed something with more power, more impact. His mind raced, weighing his options, until he remembered the fire arrows that he had purchased from Botrick earlier.
With a deep breath, Link reached into his quiver and pulled out the arrow imbued with a flame. He then took aim and released the fiery projectile straight at the archer. The fire arrow struck the black creature with a resounding thud, it's flame searing into its flesh. At first it looked as though a single arrow would be enough, however the bokoblin's resilience proved formidable. Despite the damage, it refused to succumb and Link was forced to reload and try again. This time the fiery projectile struck with incredible force, the flame so intense that the bokoblin was quickly consumed, leaving nothing but smoldering ash and charred bone.
As if avenging his brethren, the second bokoblin dashed forward, twirling a menacing looking dragonbone moblin spear. Link's eyes widened as the the hefty weapon narrowly missed crushing his skull. Epona reared back, whinnying in alarm.
The enemy, taking advantage of the opening, spun the weapon with all of its might. Link tried to dodge, however he wasn't fast enough and the heavy weapon connected with his shoulder and sent him flying off his horse and sprawling to the ground. He landed hard in the lush greenery, the breath knocked out of him, his head spinning. He attempted to move, however his body was bruised and it ached all over.
The bokoblin dismounted its horse and stomped towards the injured Hylian. It snarled and grunted, it's large tongue drooling with saliva. With the weapon gripped firmly in its hand, the creature intended to finish Link off.
Link barely reacted, his eyes remained blank as he lay on the grass and faced the sky. As the bokoblin prepared to plunge its weapon down, Epona suddenly charged forward. The creature attempted to stumble out of the way, however it couldn't escape the overprotective mare. With a triumph neigh, Epona reared up on her powerful hind legs and then thundered down, pinning the monster beneath her massive hooves, the monster's squeals muffled as the horse's weight trampled and crushed it into the dirt.
"Thank you, girl," Link huffed breathlessly. "You just saved my life."
With the successful elimination of their fellow clansmen, the silver bokoblins were becoming more restless and agitated. With their red eyes glinting with cunning and intelligence that set them apart from their lesser brethren, they locked onto their next target: the defenseless princess. Their lethal dragonbone clubs ready to crush the princess's life from her body.
Link manged to scramble to his feet and then leapt into Epona's saddle, wincing as he put pressure on his wounded arm. "Come on, girl, after them!"
When Link had sent her away for her own safety, Zelda's mind had been a jumble of fear, worry and a strange bittersweet feeling. It didn't matter that he had shown nothing but cruelty towards her. He was still a Hylian, and her heart ached for him. "What if...what if he doesn't make it?" her mind whispered, the thought sending a chill down her spine. "What if he gets fatally wounded?" The idea was unthinkable and yet it lingered, a dark possibility that she couldn't shake. "He's not my enemy...not really," she murmured, the admission a mix of sadness and resignation.
As she approached the main path, she spied a cave not too far in the distance and immediately set a course. She was nearing the entrance when she caught sight of the trio of silver bokoblins galloping towards her, their battle-cries roaring in her ears.
Zelda's heart raced as she stared at the determined looks on the bokoblins' faces. She urged Storm to go faster, the animal's powerful legs devouring the distance.
The bokoblins however remained hot on Zelda's trail, their menacing weapons raised and ready to strike.
Storm attempted to speed up, but the stallion was frothing from the mouth. The ensuing escape had taken its toll on the horse and he was clearly exhausted.
The bokoblins took this opportunity to close the distance and almost immediately they had surrounded her, cutting off any escape route, and effectively trapping the princess within their circle. With no hesitation, the creatures prepared to strike from all directions. One even raised his club high, intent on delivering the fatal blow.
Zelda's cry of terror echoed across the barren landscape, as the heavy club hurtled towards her in a downwards trajectory, aiming to crush her skull to a pulp. Sensing her distress, Storm reared up on his hind legs, nearly unseating the princess from her saddle. She desperately grasped the reins to prevent herself from falling.
"No!" Link gasped out. His eyes widened with shock and rage and he frantically charged forward, Epona's hooves thundering as he valiantly raced to the princess's rescue. His sword a blur of deadly steel connected with the bokoblin's neck and cleaved off the monster's head in a single, almighty swing. The head spun through the air, the body toppling to the ground with a sickening thud.
Bokoblins were ferocious fighters and usually cared little for their fellow comrades, even killing each other by mistake at times. However the second bokoblin seemed rather angered by the death of his brethren and in response surged forward, swinging its club at Link with full force. Luckily, the Hylian's agile reflexes were his saving grace as he managed to dodge the weapon. Without pause, Link's blade sliced through the air, however the bokoblin's tough armor absorbed the blow, leaving the creature unharmed. It snorted derisively as it lunged forward again, aiming for Link's head.
In one fluid movement, Link drew his bow with deadly intent. He pulled back the bowstring and with a firm aim he let loose another of the fire arrows from his inventory. It hurtled towards the bokoblin and struck its mark, igniting the beast into flames, the fire spreading rapidly across its body. With each arrow that Link fired, the bokoblin's health diminished, until finally it crumpled to the ground. The once menacing creature now motionless, engulfed in flames.
Preparing to finish the final bokoblin off, Link charged toward the monster. He was almost alongside it when an arrow sailed through the air, embedding itself in his chest, just below his left shoulder. The arrow tore through muscle causing a searing pain. It was then that he realized the bokoblin had been sneakily concealing a bow. Acting in desperation, Link swung blindly, hoping to connect with his target. The blade found its mark, hitting the bokoblin and knocking it from its saddle. Link, gingerly fumbled at the arrow, grabbing the shaft in order to remove the object, only to have it break off, leaving a good part of the arrow still embedded in his chest.
Zelda's frantic scream split the air as her piercing green eyes settled on the bright crimson of Link's tunic.
Pain coursed through his body, making it difficult to breathe. In fact each breath was excruciating, sending a sharp burning pain through his lungs. He wondered if this was how Zelda felt when he had trapped her under the water. Link was beginning to feel lightheaded. His vision blurred and he found himself slowly loosing consciousness. Despite his weak attempts to remain upright, he slumped further towards the neck of his horse. With a sudden lurch, the warrior felt his body falling, beginning its inexorable fall down to the hard, unforgiving ground below and landing with a sickening crunch. Epona neighed and whinnied, skidding to a halt beside her fallen master.
Kicking her heels, the princess spurred Storm over to where Link lay motionless on the ground. Panic overwhelmed her, stifling her breathing, sending her limbs quaking in terror.
Link groaned softly as his head slowly lolled from side to side. His chest hurt and every attempt to draw a breath took a monumental effort. Lifting his head, he attempted to gaze around at the endless vastness of his surroundings, but his head throbbed, causing a wave of dizziness. His head wearily fell back down against the harsh earth. As he lay there, Link wasn't sure how he would survive this. His body felt broken and he was unable to breath. He abruptly began to cough violently, wheezing as he tried to draw in more air. Under any other circumstances he would have welcomed death, but not like this—failing his master.
Zelda quickly slid to her knees beside him and assessed the situation. His skin was sickly pale, his eyes glassy and unfocused. She stared at the partial arrow still buried in his chest, grimacing at the growing pool of blood beneath him. She quickly removed the cloak and used it to help staunch the bleeding. "It'll be okay, hang on in there Link," she whispered.
As he gazed up, he dimly registered the figure looming over him. It was the princess, her voice gentle, the timbre as beautiful as summer sunset. He flinched as her hand suddenly touched his head, gently stroking his hair. Despite his better judgment he allowed the touch to wash over him, relaxing him, helping him to calm down. "It's okay, Link, just relax. Deep, slow breaths."
His chest continued to rise and fall with shallow breaths. "Am...I dead?" his weak voice rasped, the words barely audible. "Are...you...a goddess?" The questions seem to take great effort for the wounded man to utter.
Zelda shook her head. "No, Link, you're not dead, you're just hurt," she insisted, her voice trembling with emotion she couldn't quite grasp.
Seeing the worry already clouding Zelda's geen eyes, his confused mind drifted to the question of why she would care so much about his well-being. Why would she, the princess show such concern for the man who had treated her with such brutality? The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.
"It's okay. You're going to be okay," she continued to reassure him, her warm breath whispering against his face.
Her words were comforting, yet his mind was foggy and he was still rather puzzled. "Why...do you...care what happens to me?" he croaked, his voice hoarse and weak. It felt as if the question was coming from a distant part of his mind that he couldn't quite access due to the pain and blood loss. "I'm the enemy. You should be glad to see me suffer. Shouldn't you be wishing to see me dragged down to the depths of hell?"
Zelda shook her head vigorously. Her thoughts echoed Link's, but from a different prospective. She knew that as the Princess of Hyrule, she was expected to embody the virtues of her station — kindness, compassion and wisdom, well beyond her years. It was her duty to lead with an open heart and a generous spirit. "You are not the enemy, Link. I believe you are just misguided. Deep down I know you are a good person, I can feel it."
With a look of resolution and inner turmoil, Link offered a slight smile. Although he despised her presence right now, lying there, slowly dying, he didn't want the last words he ever said to her to be that of hatred. "Princess I—" He was cut off mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as the silver bokoblin who he had failed to take down had managed to creep rather stealthily towards Zelda, intending to deliver a sneak attack. Link's breath caught in his throat as he watched the scene unfold behind the princess's back. "Zelda...watch out!"
At the last possible moment, Zelda twisted around, gasping in horror as the bokoblin's massive club prepared to slam down. She closed her eyes bracing for the impact. However, before the weapon could make contact, a brilliant golden light erupted around her, shimmering with an otherworldly intensity. In a flash the bokoblin disintegrated, leaving nothing but a pile of ash.
Stunned, Link's eyes widened in astonishment, followed by a slightly confused expression on his face. " What is that light? It's so beautiful," he murmured before his vision swam in darkness and he was sent into oblivion.
Finally, the light yielded, her shield collapsing. She let out a rattled breath before crumpling to the ground, her eyes rolling back into her head. She tried to speak but no sound emerged from her lips. The last thing she saw was a flash of red and then her eyes slipped closed.
A/N More to come...