Sheik then started to pick up the bodies of the criminals and laid them out of Lon Lon Ranch. Malon wrapped her arms around Link in fear of them suddenly waking up and attacking. Link was at least glad that Sheik wasn’t going all the way to lock them up. But he wondered if Sheik noticed that he was one of them.

They both started to walk inside, but Malon stopped before heading in.

“Do you want to come in? You can always sleep here for tonight.”

Link nodded. “No thanks. I like the fresh air.”

Malon smiled and went inside. Sheik followed her. Link sank as he gave him a look of suspiciousness.

Dameon and Adri then began to run over and keep him company. Link smiled as he patted Dameon and let Adri sniff his hand for a while.

After a while, Sheik walked out and looked over to Link. Link bit his lip, knowing Sheik wanted some answers.

“Malon tells me that you visited her one day in her youth and as a sign of friendship, she offered you Dameon.”

Link became suspicious, wondering what Sheik was planning. “That’s true,” he said honestly. He could tell from Sheik’s red eyes that he was a sheikah. Although Link didn’t know the sheikah that well, he could tell that they were very wise.

Sheik pondered on this. He knew Link was one of those criminals, but why would Malon know him as a friend?

Sheik then had an idea. He took out his two daggers and pointed them at Link, who immediately stood up and took out his sword.

Sheik smiled. “If you truly are Malon’s friend, then fight and win. Lose, and leave Lon Lon Ranch and never come back.”

Link smirked. “I accept your challenge.”

They charged and although it was hard for Link to fight against two daggers, his sword was much more powerful than Sheik’s. They both parried and blocked each other’s blows.

But what was more of a surprise was when Sheik used one sword to block Link’s and used the other dagger to attack him, only to realize that he took out his bow and blocked the sword with it.

Sheik became shocked at how Link had differed from the other criminals. Link was more skilled than them. After all, he trained a lot due to fighting with wall masters, floor masters, and other beasts deep inside his haunted home.

“You’re really good. Much better than those other criminals.”

“Thanks I worked hard to get that way,” Link replied.

Sheik then jumped back and took out a bunch of tiny needles. Link realized what Sheik was about to do and ducked just as Sheik threw them in the air. They flew into the wall of stone of the fortress and made a small explosion. The stone had suddenly turned pitch black.

That had Link’s attention for only a second, he now concentrated on Sheik’s whip that he now took out. Link sighed as he wondered how to get out of this.

He then had an idea and took out his bow and arrows. He dodged once Sheik tried to whip him. The chain only impacted against the ground and tore a bit of grass.

Link aimed for the chain and let his arrow fly. The arrow went through the chains and literally dragged it out of Sheik hands and into the wall. Sheik didn’t bother trying to get it back.

Instead, he dropped his weapons and held out his fists. Link knew what this would turn out to and dropped his bow, arrows, and sword on the ground. He also held out his fists into fighting position. They each started to fight, blocking each other. Until Link hit Sheik right in the nose and broke it. He then kicked him in the stomach, sending him to the ground.

Sheik wiped the blood from his nose. “Enough. You are surely a good friend of Malon’s.”

Link held out his hand and Sheik took it. Link pulled him up.

“Are you okay? Your nose doesn’t look good.”

Sheik waved it off and covered his nose with his hands. Link watched as they started to glow and Sheik put them back down to reveal a straightened nose. Only blood going down his facemask remained.

“Healing magic,” Sheik explained. “I’ll be fine.”

Dameon ran up to Link and put his front paws against Link’s chest. He happily patted his dog. Sheik frowned.

“You know,” Sheik said. “This isn’t expected from a criminal who steals and kills those involved. How did you get in that group?”

Link sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve been with them for as long as I can remember. I asked them about my real parents, but they said that they died a few weeks after I was born.”

Sheik nodded. “Ah… So they are your family?”

Link nodded back silently. He stood up and patted Dameon.

“Well, I better get going. Tell Malon that I hope we meet again.”

Link left Sheik and exited the ranch. He looked up and sighed.

“Now where are we going to get food?” Link wondered. Dameon panted. Link looked around and noticed a rabbit coming out of its hole. Dameon stood there ready to pounce on it. Link smiled.