Stepping out of the Temple of Time, Link was shocked to find the entirety of Castle Town in ruins. Death Mountain in the distance had gone mad with fire. Death and decay littered the streets. The central square and the shops that used to have so many people were now replaced by dead bodies and ReDeads. Sword drawn, he walked slowly, hyper vigilant about any threat that may come upon him.
He goes into a small alleyway. He happens to come across the body of a woman cradling a little girl. Further, he sees ReDeads feeding on the rotten corpses of long, dead people. People who were trying to escape the destruction. Looking around, he sees the destroyed buildings, the stench of death overwhelms him. He steps back a couple of feet before hearing a low, brutal, grunted sound.
Link turns, but it was already too late. A piercing scream rings in his ears and freezes his legs. He can't move anything. Try as he might, his body was completely frozen stiff. Then, he meets it. A slim, brown corpse wearing a brown mask. It looks at Link for only a moment before it raises its arms and lunges towards him.
Bato woke up to a blood-curdling scream. He shot up from the sofa. "What the hell was that?" Everything was dark; the windows illuminating parts of the house.
He dashed up the stairs, towards the bedroom, and opened the door. Link was panting heavily while sitting up. His eyes were darting around the room in the moonlight, rocking back and forth. He was also trying to break free from his wrappings. At once, Bato rushed over to the boy, "Kid?! What's happening? What's going on?" Link couldn't answer him. He continued to look at Bato with frightened, panicked eyes. His breathing became quicker.
"Hey, hey, hey," Bato knelt and rubbed his back. He held one of his hands. "You're okay. You're in a farmer's house, remember? You're not out in the woods by yourself." He felt Link's breathing slowing down as Bato continued to speak with him. "You had a bad dream, is all. You're awake now. You're fine. Okay?" The boy started to shake, and he could see tears welling up in his eyes. But he didn't make a sound.
Bato looked at him, continuing to rub his back and hold his hand. Finally, he felt Link falling back down on the bed. He was still looking at him. "Sleep now. You're safe." It took a while before Link's eyes started to droop, and he began to sleep again. Walking silently out of the room, Bato made his way down. He gave a deep sigh. "Nightmares. Well, considering all the fucked up things that he's seen and done, I'm not surprised at all."
Link was a hero. He saved two worlds, fought countless demons, saw the destruction of the world twice, and came back from it all. Regardless of that, Bato didn't want to meet a person that would look good after all that.
It was the dawn of a new day. Bato woke up early to heat some leftover soup. Taking the soup and the tray he prepared last night; he went upstairs to the bedroom. Opening the door, he saw Link already up. He was staring at the chamber pot. Bato put down the tray on the table. "You want to use it, don't you."
After using the washroom, Bato began to cut the wrappings off. The wounds on his arms and legs were almost gone. Looking at his chest, the wound was beginning to heal. His ankle was slightly swollen. "As one of the chosen, he's probably blessed with a healthy body. Do you mind if we test your range of motion?"
Link just stared at him. Bato sighed. "Can you move your arms?" He was able to do so. They were stiff, but he was able to. Bato held out a spoon and Link could take it from him. "Looks like you'll be able to eat again." Applying new wrappings on his chest, he took the tray. "I bought you some breakfast. I haven't gotten a chance to cook more things, but today I think I will. I'll have to be soft foods, of course." Bato left the tray on Link's lap, and he began to eat the soup silently. "You're going to have to keep off the ankle at least for another day. Hopefully, by tomorrow, you'll be good as new."
Link stopped eating. Putting down his spoon, he stared at him.
"What?" The two stared at each other for a moment before Link took the spoon and began to eat again. Soon after, Bato took the tray. "I'll bring up your stuff. No doubt, you want to make sure you have everything."
Link stuck his hand and rummaged through his satchel. There were moments he stopped for a moment before moving again. At one point, he stopped and made a sigh of relief. "Must have found the ocarina," noted Bato as he handed over his sword, back scabbard, tunic, and hat. Link glanced over the scabbard and hat. He took out the sword and inspected it, meticulously. When it came to the tunic, he examined it while holding it by its shoulders. He squinted when he came to the chest area; running his figures through where the claw holes were supposed to be.
Link made a frown and put down the tunic. He looked at Bato and the farmer sensed a sadness and longing in his eyes. "Of course, he would know who repaired it. Saria probably did it all the time when he was with the Kokiri. I had someone repair the tunic. A forest dweller. I think you know her: Saria." Link started to grip the linens tightly, super focused on Bato. "She was also very concerned about how you were. When I told her what happened…well, she wasn't in a good way last I saw her." Link stood silent. "Saria told me about the history between the two of you. You guys were good friends, once? She regrets not being able to speak to you. I know this isn't any of my business. But I could see she was genuinely worried about you. Felt bad about not reconnecting, you know." Link stood still while Bato grabbed the tray and headed towards the door. "Anyway, I'm going to put this stuff downstairs. Then, I'll be out in the field. I'll check up on you in a few hours. Remember, no movement on that ankle. Unless you want to spend more time in bed." At the corner of his eye, he could see Link reaching out for the satchel.
Digging dikes was hard. As expected, his entire crop was ravaged. There was hardly anything to salvage, so he tore the ground open and began to plant some new seeds. He was halfway through when he heard the soft sound of 'Saria's Song' play out of the top floor. Closing his eyes, he hoped that their discussion would bear any type of fruit. For the rest of the morning, and in the early afternoon, he spent time planting new seeds and digging dikes. By mid-afternoon, he decided to break for a late lunch. He feeds Epona some hay while stopping by the workstation.
Bato made his way into the bedroom. Link was gone. Not only him, but all his belongings as well. He growled in frustration. "Must have used a warp song to get out of the house. But he kept Epona here." Did Link intend to come back at some point? Did he go back to the woods?
But what concerned him most was the state of his body. While the minor injuries were healed, the ankle and the deep cuts still needed time to recover.
Bato couldn't chase after him. Even if he could, he would have been lost trying to find him. Shaking his head, he headed downstairs and took a seat on the sofa. By the Goddess' mercy, he prayed that Link would be just fine.
After dinner, Bato fed Epona again and stared at the woods. While he knew that Link was a seasoned adventurer, he couldn't help but worry about the little guy. He was a teenager with a legendary sword when he became a hero. Now he only has a glided sword and no shield. As the sun dipped into the horizon, he could feel the rumbling of the sky. Another rain shower. At least he was able to get a lot done on the farm. He would now be prepared for it. Suddenly, the stone around his neck turned into a blood-red.
"What the hell?" A great, green, shining light illuminated the forest. It was near the bench at the back of the house. Having a sinking feeling that things were about to go downhill; Bato grabbed his sword and scabbard and fixed it to his hip. He ran out of the house, towards the Lost Woods, with the rain starting to fall from the sky.
Bato saw Saria who had a face of both concern and determination. When she saw him, she ran up to him. "Bato." She called him with a shaky voice. "I need help."
There was an authority in her voice he never noticed before. No doubt, she was pushing all her feelings away to get a task done. "What is it?"
Saria swallowed and continued to speak. "Monsters have appeared in the Kokiri Forest. They're starting to destroy the village!"
"And Link is there by himself." Grabbing Saria and carrying her under his arm, he started to run towards the forest. She was momentarily surprised but recovered quickly. "I can guide you. Open your mind and I'll show you the way."
"Understood." Bato was now in a race against time. How many monsters have infiltrated the forest? How was Link faring? The most important question: would he make it in time?
A half hour had passed before the two spotted a familiar bridge. "That's the bridge into the village." Running through the night, almost tripping on some fallen debris on the forest floor, Deku Shrubs suddenly appeared and barred their way.
Bato took his sword out and slashed hard. "MOVE IT, BITCH!" Saria covered her ears as they crossed the bridge and entered the forest proper. The once, peaceful and beautiful Kokiri village was being reduced to overturned earth and wood scraps. All the houses there were destroyed; nothing more than tinder. Deku Babas dotted the Forest. Octoroks prepared to aim, and Mad Scrubs were converging on them.
"The meadow!" Saria cried. She pointed towards the hulking mass that was the corpse of the Great Deku Tree. "Link's there!" As Bato ran, carrying Saria and avoiding all incoming attacks, he spotted something that froze him to the bone. Three corpses of Moblins were strung on the floor. Three of the spears were broken in half. Pauldrons and spiked helms lay scattered, and one of the pig-like men had a grievous wound on his neck. Another one was full of arrows; most of them hit the chest, with two on each eye. The final one was a blackened, smoking, charred corpse.
Bato had a feeling of dread and now bore an eyewitness account of the child hero's ferocity. This was his home, after all. He would defend it; regardless of whom it might be. Speeding past the corpses, they entered the Deku Tree Meadow. There, in front of the Great Deku Tree, were two Moblins. One of them was a regular grunt, while the other was a hulking giant. Its blue helmet and pauldron, as well as the weapon of its choice, distinguished it immediately. Club Moblin.
He put Saria down and assessed the situation. The two Moblins were ganging up on Link; both trying to hit him with their weapons like an ant. The moblin feinted an attack, which drew Link in. Out of his field of vision, the Club, Moblin swiped him with the strength of his giant club. The attack sent Link reeling with such force up against the root of the tree. He wasn't moving. Saria gasped as Bato moved in quickly. Running, he cast spells with both of his hands.
"Lighting Storm!" At once, a stream of shocking magic flew from his hands and into the back of the unsuspecting Moblin. It started to scream with rage as it tried to turn its body. The Club Moblin didn't notice; he was busy eyeing Link. Bato kept the stream of lighting going, fighting the urge to drop his arms, until the Moblin disintegrated into a white pile of ash. He felt his lungs giving way, panting after using such an attack. But he forced the fatigue aside. "MANSWINE!" Bato bellowed. The Club Moblin perked up its ears and turned, in curiosity. "WHY YOU SO BIG? YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE ME?! LET'S GO, MOTHERFUCKER! I WILL KNUCKLE FUCK YOU SO HARD THAT YOU'LL BE A MUPPET BY THE TIME I'M DONE WITH YOU!"
The Club Moblin stared at the two for a moment. He then made a terrible, horrendous roar. He started to move towards Bato who gave instructions to the Kokiri. "Saria. Go to Link. Do whatever you can to help." She looked at him briefly before nodding, and she ran towards her friend. The Club Moblin tried to intercept, but he was met by a face full of fireballs. "Over here, big man! Your fight's with me!" Enraged, the Club, Moblin started to lightly jog, holding his club over his head. Slamming the club down, a tremor of earth was created and headed towards him. Jumping to the side, he saw the moblin preparing for another attack.
Bato kept on pelting the Moblin with fireballs that only served to enrage it. He felt dizzy; his strength draining. Using so many spells at once was costing him. He fell on one knee, panting on the ground. A slight grin came up upon the moblin's face as it jogged over towards Bato. He raised the club high. At the last second, Bato used all his strength to jump high into the air. The club smashed down causing another tremor. Running up to the club, Bato jumped and used his sword to slash the moblin's throat. Its great body released the club, and it fell right on its back. Still panting, Bato wearily moves to the Moblin. Raising his sword, he continued to cleave at the neck, parting the head soon after. He spat on the Moblin, out of spite.
After catching his breath, Bato moved towards Saria and Link. Green magic was coming from her hands as the Kokiri concentrated. After a few more moments, she put her hands down, tiredly. She looked up at Bato, with quiet resignation. "I… I did all I could. I brought him back from the brink… But…" He looked upon the battered body of Link. He was in much rougher shape than when he first found him. His breathing was slow, his frame showing multiple bone fractures, caked again in mud and blood.
Link was going to die unless he got immediate medical attention. His life was in the balance. He saw the satchel close to him.
The farmer sighed. "Can you make your way back to safety?"
Saria looked at him, confused for a moment, before answering. "Yes."
Bato dug into Link's satchel and brought out the ocarina. He gingerly picked up Link and held him in his chest. "Then, I'm going to take Link to Castle Town. I'll find a doctor there. And by Goddess' grace, we'll make it through this mess."
"Castle Town is far away from here," Saria said quietly. "Even on ahorse, by the time you reach there, it'll…" But she couldn't finish that sentence as Bato played the 'Prelude of Light' and they both disappeared in a blinding, yellow light.
It worked. The 'Prelude of Light' warped both to the Temple of Time. But there was not a moment to lose. Bato rushed out of the temple doors, carrying a wounded Link with him. He made his way to themain street and a couple of on-lookers caught a glimpse of the tragic sight. There were varied reactions of horror, disgust, confusion, and anger. A whistle was blown, and Commander Cobn and another guard ran up to them.
Cobn looked both up and down, dumbfounded. "Bato? What's going on? What is this?!"
Bato's response was punctual. "Doctor. Now."
"Make way! Move!" Cobn shouted the crowd away as the other guard and Bato rushed over to the nearest clinic. As soon as the three rushed through the door, everyone was running to make room for the barber-surgeon and his team. Bato set Link down gently on the table and the surgeon got to work. The surgeon's apprentices prepared splits to prevent movement and aid in the healing. They also ushered Bato and Cobn outside to a waiting area. A little while later, there was a scream; then crying.
Cobn looked at the farmer who had his hands on his face. He, too, was in rough shape. His clothes were ripped; mud and blood covered his body. He was breathing heavily and whispered swears. Cobn put his hand on Bato's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Bato. I know you're thinking about the young lad. But I must know what happened with the two of you. How did you end up in such a state?"
"Link was beset by monsters in the Lost Woods. I defended him from them, but he was already hurt badly by the time I arrived."
The commander nodded his head. "Then, the goddess' was smiling at him this day. That you would deliver him from death."
"Whatever they're doing in there, he'd wish he was dead," Bato said, deadpanned.
"The people are here to help. They will do whatever they can."
Bato thought silently for a moment. He was so still that Cobn thought there was something wrong with him. "I need to talk to you. In private."
Cobn and Bato were shown a private room. The two of them sat down on chairs, with a table between them. Bato looked at Cobn, in earnest. "Cobn, do you trust me?"
The guard thought for a moment, before answering. "Yes, I do. Completely." Bato looked around the room to make sure no one else was there. "Then I trust you too." He reached into Link's satchel and took out the ocarina. He placed it on the table, while he took a scroll, an ink pot and a quill.
Cobn's jaw dropped. "That's… That's the Ocarina of Time! One of the Royal Family's greatest treasures! Why do you have that?" But Bato was busy writing something on the scroll.
After a moment, he folded it and handed the scroll and the ocarina to him. "Take this to Lady Impa at the castle. This note is for her eyes alone. Moreover, take this with you. Can you do this?"
There was a blank stare on the commander's face. Then, he took both items, stood up and saluted. "Upon my name as Cobn, Commander of the Hyrulian Guard, I will honour your request."
A few hours later, the surgeon emerged from the room. He spoke with Bato about Link's status. "We had to reset a few bones and dress the wounds as best we can. He's no longer in any immediate danger, but he has a long road of recovery in front of him."
"Can I see him?"
"He's unconscious right now. But you can sit with him if you'd like." Nodding graciously, the surgeon led Bato into a room. Link was on a bed. He had stints on his left leg and right arm. His arms, chest, and legs were wrapped. An odour of medicinal herbs filled the room as the apprentices quickly cleaned up the area. The surgeon took his leave and closed the door. Bato took a chair and sat down at Link's head. He sighed heavily; his hands covering his face.
"Goddammit. Goddammit."
An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Commander Cobn walked through, with Impa in tow. She looked at Bato, who greeted her with tired eyes. "You. It is you." She walked up to him; both staring at each other. "Bato, I presume. I received your message. Brief me."