“Link, I trust you know what a Palinon is, right?” Zelda asked.
“Yes, they’re the race of warriors that live to the east,” Link replied.
“Okay. As you may have guessed, Donovan is a Palinon. He’s a very influential Palinon,” Zelda said.
“What makes him so influential?” Link asked.
“Simple. He’s the former King of Palis, the Palinon’s homeland,” Zelda replied, “He stepped down from the throne around two years after our birth.”
“Wait, he doesn’t look no older then me!” Link argued.
“That’s been a mystery. Some believe that he made a wish to never age and to never catch a disease. It makes sense, because there are no records of him ever getting sick,” Zelda explained.
“So, he can’t age and he can’t get sick? That means he can’t die,” Link figured.
“That’s something I don’t believe. Another rumor I heard about him is that he can be killed, but only by his Honor,” Zelda said.
“What’s his Honor?”
“His Honor is a rival that Donovan chooses. The moment that the Honor is chosen, Donovan and his Honor are destined to fight to the death,” Zelda paced a little, “The funny thing is, Donovan came to Hyrule to find an Honor.”
“You would think that he would stay in Palis. The Palinons are the fighting race,” Link said.
“I know, but he came here,” Zelda said darkly. Avon flew onto Link’s shoulder.
“I have a Theory! Donovan’s after the Dark Triforce! Maybe he plans to use the Dark Triforce to find create an Honor!” Avon said. Link and Zelda both looked at Avon skeptically.
“Well, it’s possible…wait! That could be it!” Zelda said.
“See, I’m smarter then I act!” Avon gloated.
“Link, if you found out that someone defeated the most powerful being that the Dark Triforce could create, you would fear it, right?” Zelda asked.
“Of course!” Link said without hesitation.
“Link, if Donovan was to defeat something like that, then entire countries would fear him! He would easily rise up as a God that way!” Zelda said, “He could make every nation submit to him through fear!”
“Hmm, that sounds like something Ganondorf would do,” Link replied with a certain tone of anger.
“Yeah, but Ganondorf’s empire would have been the end of the world. Donovan is used to running a successful country,” Zelda admitted, “Palis was, and still is one of the world’s most dominate countries. Donovan whipped them into shape when he was running things.”
“Wait, so he isn’t evil?” Link asked.
“Link, everything isn’t always split between good and evil. Yes, Donovan’s a good leader, but no one is ready to lead the entire world,” Zelda reasoned.
“Zelda, there’s one more thing that’s bothering me. What did he mean when he said that he would avenge the souls of his fellow Palinons?” Link asked.
“I was hoping that you wouldn’t ask about that,” Zelda said.
“Tell me,” Link said slowly.
“Okay. The year before we were born, there was a worldwide conflict. A major demon had created and army, and was waging war against the entire world. At this time, Palis and Hyrule were allies, and fought alongside eachother. The battled moved to Death Mountain. Even with the Palinons helping us, we were still losing the war. Then, our father’s advisor ordered a different kind of strike. You see, we were over all the equipment of both the Palinon army and the Hylian Army. The advisor planted gun powder in all of the Palinon’s armor and weapons. On that day, the Palinon’s went into combat with the demon, but the Hylian fired arrows that were lit on fire at the Palinons. The gunpowder ignited and killed over seven thousand Palinons, along with many of the demon army. We won that battle, and it led to the end of the war…But Palis didn’t forget. As soon as the battle was over, Donovan, not only as king, but as a survivor, declared his outrage at Hyrule. Catalia tried setup negotiations with both us and the Palinons, but Donovan declared Catalia our allies. He was blinded by rage. He declared war on Hyrule and Catalia, and led one of the biggest assaults in history.
“Catalia was attacked first. The Palinons were unstoppable in these battles, and with the original Kitapos fighting, it was a massacre. Catalia’s population was halved in two days. The Palinons then used Catalia’s waterways to begin their assault on Hyrule. They came in during broad daylight, and began the assault on Hyrule’s front gate. It took only an hour before they had invaded the town and began killing soldiers.
“Now, everything branches out…The Ganondorf and the Gerudos saw this as their chance. They entered the fray, and began to kill the Hylians that the Palinons left alive. It seemed that we were facing total destruction. Dad was smuggled out of the country, and Mom was killed…and you went missing. Then, out of nowhere, the Palinons left. They just ended the attack and left, no treaties signed, no cease-fire notices, no nothing. It was rumored that the Palinon left because of the Gerudos. They wanted to settle the problem themselves, not with the help of an outside race. The remains of our army pushed the Gerudos back into the desert, and the war was over, but the Palinons didn’t feel like the seven thousand who died were avenged.
“Then, the Palinon found a way to get even. They came into a territory that we were scouting. You see, we had soldiers there, and they walked into the territory. The tries to claim it as theirs, and we tried to claim it as ours. Another war started, and the Palinons sent one forth of their army. Next thing you know, we, with our full army, was engaged in the bloodiest battle that the world had ever seen. I was five when is happened, and I remember seeing the battlefield…even to this day, I have nightmares about the cruel punishment that both sides delivered to each other. I saw more blood and bone than any living being should. My father said that the no living being should live with themselves after killing in the gruesome ways that we saw. Our full army was decimated, while the Palinons had sent in for reinforcement. It seemed that Hyrule would lose another war, but for some reason, the Palinons never attacked. The two sides stared at each other, neither making a move. It’s still like that now. That battlefield is still there, with both sides staring at each other. It’s like a reminder that we still hate each other.”
“Zelda, why did the battle stop?” Link asked.
“Well, Donovan’s wife had been assassinated, and Donovan stepped down from power to hunt the criminals who did it. The new leader, who was a young boy, about a two years older then me came into power. Him and his advisors ordered a cease-fire, and we’ve been negotiating ever since. It’s still a mystery as to why Donovan came back, though.”
“So, Donovan started a war between us and the Palinons…and that led to the Gerudo attack…which killed our mother,” Link said.
“No, we light the flame, Donovan carried the torch, and the Gerudos spread the wildfire. There was no good and evil then. It was all vengeance and hatred,” Zelda said. Link looked at the ground.
“How can anyone sacrifice others…and look at themselves in the mirror,” Link mumbled.
“Link, every race has moments like that. We all do things that we’re not proud of,” Ruto said.
“Yes, bro, we Gorons have set off many volcanic eruptions that have killed people. We live through it!” Darunia said.
“Yeah, well, your race hasn’t killed thousands of your own allies…” Link groaned. He couldn’t get the thought of the Hylians sacrificing the Palinons out of his mind.
“Link, I reacted the same way when Dad told me why the war started. I couldn’t look at our advisor for a month without getting angry,” Zelda explained.
“Wait, he’s still serving here?” Link asked, outraged.
“No, he passed away after you defeated Ganondorf,” Zelda said.
“Oh…I see,” Link said, “Zelda, I think you guys need to keep a close eye on Donovan. If he’s trying to avenge all those people…There’s not telling what could happen.”
“True, and those Kitapos could do the damage for him,” Zelda said.
“The Kitapos? Where they the shadow figures that came with Donovan?” Link asked.
“Yes. They are the Next Generation Guards, the Kitapos. They are the team that Donovan handpicked to test out his Honor. They are made of six people, and they are the best of the best. I’ve never seen their terrors, but I’ve received reports about the damage they can do. Those six can take down entire armies by themselves…and they can do it again the next day,” Zelda took a deep breath, “There’s Hadin, the Shadow-Slay. He uses his incredible sword techniques to deliver quick and decisive blows. Then there’s Jinten, the Chain Soul. I heard that he uses his chains and his claws to shred everything. He’s chained from head to toe, because he’s too dangerous to leave unattended. Next, there’s Zolick, the Zoran. He’s a man who’s fascinated by Zora’s, and he learned how to fight using this side armed blade style. Then, there’s Vexus, the Spearmaster. He wields god like spears without slow speed. He’s known for destroying towns by targeting the buildings bases with his spear. After that, there’s Alana. She’s the woman that hugged Donovan. She doesn’t fight, she’s their negotiator. She warns countries of attack by the Kitapos. She’s honorable for those warnings, but any way you look at it, she does nothing to stop the carnage that the Kitapos are known for.
“Finally, there’s Mardan Dark. He, by far is the most powerful of the Kitapos. He uses a sword style that is similar to Donovan. He’s almost lifeless; his eyes are empty. He stares at his victims as if they don’t exist. He kills without remorse, and he kills anything that is in front of him. I heard a story where he once let a person escape, only to hunt them down a year later. There, he shoved a knife in his shoulder, leaving him alive. Mardan Dark then forced his victim to watch as Mardan slowly slaughtered his family, which was his wife and three kids. Mardan then kept the man locked up, and didn’t allow the man to kill himself. When the man finally began to end his grieving…Mardan cut off his head, and sent the head to the King of Calatia, the man’s hometown. He’s ruthless, dangerous, and pure evil. I know that I would had to see the evils he could perform if his eyes ever had life in them.”
Link looked stunned as Zelda said the name Mardan. Thoughts of a young man with black hair and a sadistic style began to flood his head. He didn’t want to say it, but he had met Mardan a long time ago. He remembered his cold, murderous style. He thought that Mardan had faded away, leaving forever. He never would have figured that he would become a Kitapo.
“If the Kitapos are that good…then why doesn’t he choose one of them to be his Honor?” Link asked.
“His Honor must be of Hylian lineage. He won’t even consider attacking a Palinon,” Zelda answered.
“Whoa. This is a lot to digest. So let me get this straight, we have a long, never dying conflict between the Hylians and the Palinons, right?” Link asked. Zelda nodded.
“Then we have the psycho Kitapos who can kill a lot of people in no time at all,” Link continued. Zelda nodded again.
“Then we have their leader, wait, the Kitapos are strong, why don’t they revolt against Donovan?” Link asked.
“They are strong, but Donovan is stronger still,” Zelda replied.
“Damn, then he must be immortal,” Link said.
“No, because if he was, he would have no need for an Honor,” Zelda stated.
“Oh, you have an answer for everything,” Link said.
“Now that I’ve answered your question, I need you to do something for me,” Link did not like the way Zelda said that, “Link, I need you to try and find out what Donovan is up to. I know that there has to be some special reason that drives him to get the Second Relic.”
“Okay, if I find out something, you want me to take him down?” Link asked.
“Link, I’m sorry to say that you are no match for Donovan. He’s stronger then all the Kitapos put together. I wouldn’t send my own flesh and blood to die like that,” Zelda said, “We’ll deal with Donovan when we find out a good plan.”
“Wait a second, I have a plan!” Link said. He looked around the room, at all of the sages.
“Darunia, Ruto, Saria, expect a visit from me. I’ll be by there in the next few days,” Link said.
“Link, what are you planning to do?” Zelda asked.
“I’m going to get the Master Sword! It can defeat all evil, so with it, I will easily be able to take down all of the Kitapos and Donovan!” Link exclaimed. Impa cocked her eyebrow.
“Do you really think it’s that easy?” Impa asked.
“Well, if the sword could beat Ganondorf, I’m sure it can beat Donovan. Hey, I’ll even get the sword sharpened before I use it!” Link said.
“Hey, it’s the best idea we got!” Nabooru said. Everyone else nodded.
“Link, there’s one more thing…Do you still have the Ocarina?” Zelda asked.
“Yeah, right here,” Link reached into his pouch, (You’d be amazed at how much he can fit into it) and pulled out his glossy blue ocarina. Even when he just held it, Link could feel the flow of time.
“Link, you remember when I took the ocarina of time from you in the future. Well, since the timelines merged, I kept the ocarina, and you kept yours,” Zelda pulled another ocarina out of a conveniently placed bag. “And while you were gone, I learned how to use telepathy,” Zelda said proudly.
“So, you can communicate with your mind?” Link asked.
“Yes, and I can communicate with you whenever you hold that ocarina. Since we’re related, you can do it to. When ever you want to talk to me, just hold the Ocarina and concentrate on me,” Zelda said.
“Good. I guess we’ll be able to catch up on old times without actually talking!” Link joked.
“Link, I think you best be on your way…Oh! Wait, there’s someone I want you to meet!” Zelda said, suddenly very excited.

Zelda grabbed Link’s hand and led him up to a tower. After an endless jog up the stairs, a locked door stopped them. Zelda unlocked the door, and inside, there was a beautifully furnished room. There was a huge bed in the middle, were some blonde-haired man was sleep.
“Link, do you remember him?” Zelda asked.
“No…” Link started. Then the man’s eyes shot opened. Link stepped back, “Wait, it can’t be!” Link said.
“Yes it can! It’s Shiek!” Zelda said. Link mouthed words of astonishment, “Link, in one timeline, I merged my soul and Shiek’s soul into one and Impa got rid of his body. You see, He was badly injured, and his only chance then was for me to absorb his soul. In the timeline without Ganondorf, Shiek still had a body and a soul. We restored his body, and I put the soul that I absorbed into the body as well. Then we healed the body. He’s still recovering, and right now, he can’t talk. Soon, he’ll be able to go back to his normal life!” Zelda explained.
“Wow, hey, tell him to find me when he gets better!” Link said. Link then turned and got ready to leave. Zelda escorted him to the castle gates. They embraced, and Link turned and walked away into the market.
“So, Link, where to?” Avon asked.
“Well, I’m looking for a tavern,” Link answered.
“Link, women don’t like drunks,” Avon said.
“I’m not going for me! I’m going to find Donovan,” Link stated.
“Sure, why do you think a warrior like him would be at a tavern?” Avon asked.
“Well, he obviously wants to find his Honor, and what better to find someone who thinks they’re strong then a tavern! Every drunk in there thinks they’re a world class fighter,” Link said.
“Okay. Link, why didn’t you tell me that you know every fine woman in Hyrule!” Avon yelled.
“Hey…I never took the time to notice them,” Link said, “But now that you mention it, they all were pretty fine.”
“Yeah! And I’m sorry, but your sister is a fox,” Avon said.
“Oh shut up,” Link said, “Besides, I’m not looking at every female I see. I’m trying to find one special girl.”
“You planning to settle down?” Avon asked.
“I wouldn’t mind it. I mean, I’m young, but I really want to feel love now. Knowing my life, I might not be around tomorrow to search for it.”
“Damn, that’s another thing to add to the checklist. One: Find info on Donovan Two: if necessary, destroy Kitapos. Three: defeat Donovan. Four: Get Avon laid, err I mean, get Avon with a beautiful female, then get laid. Five: Get Link a girl that he can fall in love with. Hard to do with a snore-job like you!” Avon said.
“Well, if your such a master of the ladies, tell me, why have you been swatted down three times in the last three hours?” Link asked.
“Oh, little rusty. Give me a night’s rest, and I’ll be able to get any girl in Hyrule,” Avon bragged.
“Have you ever realized that you’re just a bouncing ball of light?” Link asked.
“Did I say that you could ask me a question?” Avon replied.
“No, did I say that I needed your permission?” Link retorted.
“Do you realize who you are talking to? I am Avon the Woman-Slayer, that I am!”
“Why did the name Kenshin just pop into my mind?” Link said curiously.
“That’s besides the point!” Avon yelled.
“Okay, old Woman-Slayer, if you’re so great, tell me who I should get with?” Link dared.
“Well…I think the best girl would be that red-head! I think her name was Malon,” Avon said after a moments thought. Link’s whole face went red.
“Damn, you’re good,” Link admitted. Link and Avon continued their conversation until they arrived at the nearest back alley tavern. When Link opened the door, he was hit by the smell of cigar smoke and old cabbage. He looked through the thick smoke, hoping to find Donovan.
“Yo Link!” Link heard a familiar voice. Link saw Dierro come from the distance. He was out of his military uniform, and now he was in a casual shirt and in black pants. He still had his spear, which looked a little out of place. Link smiled to see a familiar face.
“Dierro! How are you?” Link asked.
“I’m fine. I came up here to pass some time. They’re repairing my street, so I can’t get home right now,” Dierro explained. He wore a very cheery face.
“Yo, have you seen any Palinons here?” Link asked.
“Yeah, there was this pack of them. Their leader is talking to the bartender.” Dierro said. Link walked near the bar, where he saw him. Donovan sat with his back to him, but even with his back turned, it felt like Donovan was staring at him. Link couldn’t tell if the feeling was fear or hate, but it was intense.
“Listen, if you’re not going to buy anything, then get out of here!” The bartender yelled. Donovan remained silent. Dierro walked away and left, while Link moved out of sight. Donovan turned around just as Link disappeared behind a nearby corner.
“Hyrule is so incompetent,” Donovan said.
“Listen, we don’t like your kind anyway! That comment just got you kicked out, you blue haired freak! Your kind can go to the dumpster to get your drinks! Hell, I know that your kind is used to it!” The bartender yelled. When the bartender yelled, The Kitapos came to Donovan’s side.
“You don’t talk to Master Donovan that way!” The tallest one yelled. He had a huge decorated spear on his back. He was Vexus the Spearmaster.
“Who are you talking to like that! This is Master Donovan, you fool!” A shorter one with a skinny sword yelled. He was Hadin the Shadow-Slay, the. One member, one that was chained and had huge claws growled. He was Jinten, the Chain-Soul.
“Donovan, I think that you should let us kill them all,” The one with the blades on his forearm said. He was Zolick, the Zoran. He spoke with a really watery voice.
That comment drew the attention of the entire Tavern. Link took the time to noticed that the tavern was huge. It had seating for over a hundred people, but they still had to have people standing. Many of the cocky drunks stood up to Donovan and the Kitapos.
“Kitapos, I don’t condone meaningless bloodshed. All battles I accept are only the most necessary ones,” Donovan replied.
“You cretins are just pathetic. You can’t even go a month without killing,” Alan said, while keeping her arm around Donovan’s waist.
“You Palinons need to leave now, before we make you leave! You’re not wanted!” Link heard a drunken yell. The man who yelled was a burly man, and he had a prostitute clinging to him like how Alana was clinging to Donovan, except she was holding rubbing his side and upper leg, almost touching his unmentionables. Link couldn’t get over how ugly she was. Link kneeled to hide himself better.
“Donovan, let us slaughter these Plebeians!” Hadin said.
“Oh, quit trying to sound so intelligent. It only makes you look stupid,” Alana said. Link could tell that Alana and the rest of the Kitapos didn’t get along.
“Mardan, what do you think?” Donovan asked. The last figure finally spoke.
“Master, you know my hatred for the Hylians. I personally hate every last one of them. But still meaningless bloodshed is a last resort,” Mardan said. Mardan scanned the room, and Link caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were an empty gray, no life at all. He wore a blue and black uniform. He had a blue and black shoulder-guard, with a black cloak draped around his unguarded shoulder. He looked like a commander. The Hylian drunks sounded really ticked off by Mardan’s statement.
“You Palinons think you’re so great!”
“You can’t do anything but start trouble!”
Mardan kept his lifeless gaze.
“Donovan, I think there are a few things that need to be said. First off, I think it would be a good leader’s move to allow us to fight. Even though I’m loyal to you till the end, I don’t think my brothers are the same. My brothers are obsessed with blood. To them, killing is a fun activity. By depriving them of that, anger grows in their hearts. They could stupidly attack you out of rage. If you allow them to fight now, you won’t have to kill them later.
“Another thing is that fact that these Hylians are detestable. Killing them wouldn’t be meaningless slaughter. It would be us fulfilling out God-given right to protect our planet. By allowing these Hylian scumbags to live would be a disservice to our planet. We need to protect our world and our race from these immoral weaklings. I say that we kill them for the sake of the world,” Mardan’s last comment brought everyone in the tavern to their feet. Link had never been in a tenser situation. Every Hylian was crowding around the Kitapos, yelling and screaming. Vexus was spitting at their feet, and Hadin had drawn a line on the wooden floor with his sword and dared anyone to cross it and get killed. Link then saw Donovan whisper something into Alana’s ear.
“Everyone shut up!” Alana screamed. The room quieted, but the tension stayed, “Master Donovan has proposed a deal for the Kitapos. He, himself, will not be part of the fight, but he is allowing the rest of the Kitapos to fight. Any Hylian wishing to live needs to get out before Donovan does! If you are not out of the room by that time, then you will not be spared! This is your official Kitapo Warning!” Alana’s proposal sent shockwaves through the crowd. Donovan and Alana then began to walk towards the door. When Donovan got close, he snapped his fingers, and the chains around Jinten were released. As soon as Donovan touched the door, all of the Kitapos smiled devilishly. When Donovan’s body crossed the doorway, a huge scream echoed through the tavern.
The Hylian drunks all ambushed the Kitapos, trying to get as many cheap shots and sucker punches that they could. They had piled on the Kitapo group, seemingly pounding them to death. Then, the room was flooded with blue and black light. The bodies that were on top of the Kitapos flew in all different directions. In the center stood Mardan, glowing blue. He unsheathed his sword, and turned to the nearest Hylians. The drunks tried to attack, but Mardan attacked first. Mardan sliced his sword into one’s chest, sending his sword all the way through. He then pinned the body to the wall, and pulled the sword out.
Hadin unsheathed his skinny sword, and turned on a group of buff Hylians. He ran by them once, seemingly not touching one. As soon as his body settled, all of their bodies exploded in blood and screams. Hadin then turned and sliced his sword through the throat of a young drunk. He twisted it, and smiled as the blood splashed his face. He then removed his sword, and continued to attack more people.
Vexus swung his spear, cutting several bodies in half. Some tried to run out of the reach of his weapon, but when they did, he would make a dash to their side. When he did, he would swing his spear again and cut them in half. One strike was so close, that it splattered blood on Link’s face. Link wanted to fight right then, but it felt like his body was frozen. For the first time, he was so scared that he couldn’t move.
Zolick used stealth to kill his victims. He would hide under tables, and when anyone would stumble near him, he would use his forearm blades to cut into their necks and chests. He laughed his liquid laugh after every person he killed. He then took his blades off his forearm, and threw them into a nearby crowd of cowering Hylians. The blades acted as grotesque boomerangs, tearing through the bodies of every soldier in the pack. When the blades returned, Zolick wiped them off on the pants of a nearby corpse.
Jinten, free from his chain confinement, was now using his chains to throw around people’s necks. When the were latched around someone’s neck, he would tug the chain, beheading them. People ran from him, not knowing that he would also jump on their backs and stab their chests dozens of times with his claws. He would jump from person to person, clawing away at their chests until he could pull something out. When he pulled out a rib, Link felt a gag reflex in his stomach.
The barkeep went behind his bar and pulled out a huge scythe like weapon. He tried swinging it at Mardan, but Mardan dodged. Mardan, who looked slightly annoyed, swung at the handle of the scythe. He cut the scythes blade away from it’s handle, and then shoved his sword clear through the man’s face. The worse part was that it didn’t kill him immediately. The barkeep screamed and hollered, flailing his arms around helplessly. Link covered his ears, not wanting to hear the man scream anymore. He was about to cover his eyes, but before he did, he looked at Mardan’s face. He saw his lifeless eyes…
…and he also saw his smile.
Link closed his eyes, cursing himself. He felt totally helpless. He was supposed to be a great hero, but he was so scared that he could only watch as over a hundred people got slaughtered. The fighting lasted about seven minutes, but when it was done, over five hundred years of people’s lives had ended. The walls were stained in blood; the ceilings were the same. The ground was submerged in about a three inch deep pool of blood. Link still hid, but he saw that all was not done. All of the Kitapos had crowded around the prostitute from before. Mardan was holding his sword to her chest while she begged for her life.
“Please let me live! I’ll do anything for you!” She placed her hand on Mardan’s knees, rubbing it softly. “I can make you a happy man! Please, it’s all I have to offer you,” As she said that, her hand moved up his leg, near his unmentionables. She moved up, but when she did, Mardan cut off her forearm. She shrieked in pain, and Mardan grabbed her hair to quiet her down.
“You want to make me happy?” Mardan said, evilly.
She nodded.
“You can make me happy by dying, and burning in the hell that gave birth to you!” Mardan yelled. He then cut off her other arm, dragging out her death. She looked up at him pleading. He placed the tip of his sword in-between her eyes. Link stood, finally broken from his fear. He had more hatred in his heart then ever. He wanted to make each one of them pay, right then and there.
“Mardan!” Link yelled. Mardan turned to face Link’s gaze. When their eyes Connected, Mardan shoved his sword down, sheathing it in the prostitute’s head. He the pulled out the sword, and looked into Link’s eyes. As he stared, Link’s eyes narrowed. That action set something off. A large grin crept across Mardan’s face, and color began to return to Mardan’s eyes. He looked sadistic, and he sheathed his sword. Life had returned to Mardan’s eyes.
“Link, brother!” Mardan greeted. His face was happy, but his eyes held hatred.
“Don’t call me brother! We’re not friend, we never were!” Link spat.
“Oh, pity. As you see, I have a real family…the Kitapos!” He said. “So, how long has it been since I last saw you? Two years?” Mardan was toying with Link, getting inside Link’s head.
“Who cares…it’s not like you changed!” Link yelled.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m still the same murderer! Face it, I like to kill!” Mardan gloated. “Well, I do believe that it’s time to leave, brothers!” Mardan said to his Kitapos. They all walked out, but Link followed.
When link got outside, he was surprised to see Dierro pointing his spear at Vexus. The rest of the Kitapos had left, leaving these two to fight. Dierro swung his spear, but as soon as he moved, Vexus moved to Dierro’s side. He hit Dierro in the ribs, sending Dierro flying into a nearby trashcan. Vexus then ran to catch up with the other Kitapos. Link ran to Dierro’s aid, and was relived to see that Vexus had spared his life. Link then pulled his ocarina out, and concentrated on Zelda.
“Link? How are you? Having trouble finding Donovan?” Zelda asked through telepathy. It was weird to hear something, but not actually hear it.
“No. I found him fine…Zelda…I found him just fine,” Link stammered. He didn’t want to think about what he saw.
“Link, what happened…”
“They’re all dead!” Link said.
“What?”
“The Kitapos…they killed everyone! No one’s alive, their all dead!” Link could feel his fear coming back.
“Where? Link, who did they kill?”
“Everyone in this tavern! Everyone inside is dead! Not one survivor!”
“You saw it all?”
“Yes! I saw it all…Those Kitapos must pay!” Link knew he was rambling, but it was the best he could do.
“Link, get to the castle and get some rest! I don’t want you to think about this…just come here and rest. Please, hurry here…” Zelda pleaded.
“Don’t worry, I have a place to stay. I just have to hope that the drawbridge is open,” Link replied.
“Link, just get there and rest. Don’t even think about Donovan and the Kitapos for a few days. Please, do that for me,” Zelda asked.
“I will. I’ll do my best…but I will get those Kitapos. I swear it,” Link said. He then put his ocarina in his pouch, ending the conversation. He kneeled to Dierro, seeing if he needed help.
“Link, I’m okay. Hey, I can even get myself home,” Dierro replied. He stood, stumbled, then regained his balance.
“Dierro, why were you fighting a Kitapo?”
“Hey, see me when my injury clears up, and I’ll tell you,” Dierro replied. He then limped away, heading off into the night sky. Link walked towards the Drawbridge, which was thankfully open. He walked all the way to the ranch, almost lifelessly. When he got to the ranch, he went to the side where the clothes wash was. He took of all his clothes and washed them, not caring that he was nude. He knew everyone was asleep. He wouldn’t care if they were awake. He didn’t want to smell like blood. He washed his clothes, and had Avon use his natural heat to dry them, a technique that Avon and Link mastered while traveling together. Link then put his clothes back on, and tried to go to sleep.
His eyes closed, but all he could see was the Tavern.
He kept his eyes open, and he could hear the cries of drunks.
He dozed off, still haunted by the visions of the dead.

He would never have peace. He knew it. He failed all those people.