"It's an ambush!"

As soon as that statement was shouted, figures leaped down from among the cliff walls, sickles raised to strike.

Shit.

Yiga Clan.

He should've known. Those traitorous idiots were everywhere. Andnow,they choose their moment to strike, right when he was launching an attack on them!They must have known somehow.

Never mind.There was no time to think about it right now. Drawing his master sword, Link leapt into the fray.

(Zelda's POV)

"Come on, Let's go."

A quiet voice yanked Zelda out of her sleep. Rubbing her tired eyes, she looked around to see who had awoken her.

A palace guard.

She should've known. Her paranoid father must have sent a couple after them, for fear that Link would fail.

"Come on."

His voice sounded again, before she felt a firm grip on her forearm. "Excuse me!" She exclaimed, yanking her arm out of his grasp. "What's going on! Who evenareyou!"

The guard knelt down beside her before speaking in a low voice. "I'm Sooga. Your father sent me. We need to go now, the enemy knows you're here."

Zelda's heart skipped a beat. If the enemy knew where she was, then that meant Link was...

Captured? Dead? She didn't quite know how to end that sentence.

No matter what it was, however, it wasn't good.

Making a quick decision, she hopped out of bed and pulled on her boots.

Nodding to Sooga, she followed him out of the room and into the darkness.

(Link's POV)

Link pushed onward, clashing swords with the nearest Yiga.

His arms were sore, his face was sweating, and Gerudo were falling all around him. Gritting his teeth he pushed forwards. Slaying the Yiga, Link left his body to fall to the ground.Phew.Good thing that, try as she might, Link had NOT let Zelda come along. He glanced around for his next foe.

Yet, to his great surprise, there were none.How? When had they all left? And, was that a good thing?

Then he saw them. The red-clad Yiga were solemnly standing on the cliff walls around him, chanting like some sort of cult."Sac-ri-fice, sac-ri-fice, sac-RI-FICE! SAC-RI-FICE!Their chanting reached its apex, then it suddenly stopped. All was silent.

"Link. Hero of Hyrule."

A deep voice sounded behind him. Link whipped around, rolling his eyes. Who the heck was ready to dienow?

His eyes were met with a tall, burly Yiga. His white mask was shining in the moonlight, the single eye staring Link down. The voice sounded again. "I am Sooga, Right Hand of the Inverted Eye."

"Enough theatrics." Link growled, glaring his eyes. These Yiga and their showboating. None of them ever actually amounted toanything.

And Link didn't want anything to do with them. Especially Sooga. His so-called father'sfriend.

"I challenge you. To a duel." Sooga drew his massive katanas, seeming to stare Link in the eyes. Link grunted. "What are the conditions." There was always something. Every time. Every single time he had ever dueled someone, they had wanted something from him. Jarvis had wanted rupees, Orgin had wanted training, Kleth had even dared to ask for his flippingautographof all things!

"Hmm, smart boy." Sooga spoke again. "The condition, is something I think we both care aboutverymuch." He stepped aside to reveal a shadowed figure, head bowed down. It only took a moment for Link to recognize the long blond hair, pretty face, and blue dress.

Shit.

The princess of Hyrule stepped out from behind Sooga, hands bound and mouth gagged. Zelda looked up at him, fear written all over her face, beautiful green eyes tearing up.

Thoughts ran through Link's head. How the heck did that asshole catch her? What was she doinggagged?There was no way he was letting them keep her for more than a minute.

"Let. Her. Go."

Sooga seemed to smile through his mask. "I will,ifyou win. If you don't, she will be sacrificed to the CALAMITY!" The thousands of Yiga on the Clifftops cheered. "Don't let him win Link!" A Gerudo soldier shouted.

I don't plan too.

Link raised his glowing Master Sword, and charged.

WHAT THE HECK. WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HECK.

A fierce battle had followed after Link had charged, but it had only taken a few hits for the behemoth to topple, before releasing Zelda with a grunt and disappearing.

Link rushed over as fast as the sand would allow him, and dove, barely catching Zelda as she fell towards the ground.Phew.She was safe.

"L-Link?" He looked down. Zelda was laying in his arms, blushing furiously. "Um, do you mind putting me down?"

Link felt his cheeks heat up as well. "I'm so sorry Princess." He gently placed her on the ground.

"Let's go."

Link sighed. It was good to be back at the castle. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. It was a perfect day.

The King had just summoned him to his study, and Link was on his way. A few moments later, he reached the hidden study, stuffed deep within the library's walls. He raised a hand to knock.

"Come in." The King's deep voice sounded from within the walls. Opening the hidden doorway, Link stepped in. The tiny study had but one window, letting the sweet afternoon sun in. King Rhoam, in all his glory, was standing in front of his desk, a small smile creeping up his wrinkled features.

"First," the King spoke, "I would like to congratulate you for a mission well done."

Link rubbed his head. It wasn'tthatwell done...

"While yes, the Yiga attacked you" Rhoam spoke again. "You managed to survive the ordeal,andprotect my daughter through it all!"

Link blushed. "I-I guess. Thank you, your majesty."

"Second," Rhoam's voice dropped to a more serious tone. "Our soldiers found a lone Yiga roaming the hills. He was carrying this." He stepped aside to reveal a long katana, the hilt was wrapped with their symbol. "I believe they call this a Windcleaver."

Link nodded.

"I just want you to know, if you seeanyonewith this weapon, steer clear of them."

"Yes sir. Thank you." Link knelt.

"You are welcome. You may leave" Rhoam turned around and began to pace.

Link stood up and left, closing the door behind him.

It had been a long week.