“We don’t like your kind no way!”
“Master, I say that we kill them all…”
“I don’t condone meaningless bloodshed…”
“It would be a good leader’s decision…”
“I say we do it for the good of the planet…”
“You want to make me happy?”
“You can do that by dying, and returning to the hell you came from!”
“What’s it been? Two years?


“You will be my honor!”


Link’s eyes snapped open, awoken by a flash of light. He bolted up, shaking and shivering. He was covered in sweat, and he was breathing heavily. He brought his hands to his forehead, wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked around as his eyes got adjusted to the morning light.
“Hello sleepyhead!” The voice had to have come from an angel. Link looked up, seeing the woman who made time stop for him. Malon was standing over him with a bucket of water, smiling mischievously.
“Did you pour that water on me?” Link stammered. It was hard to talk to her.
“A simple good morning would have been fine,” Malon said in mock anger. Link didn’t smile, he just stood, not realizing that all he had on were his underwear. Malon blushed when she saw his body.
“What’s wrong with you?” Link asked.
“Er…uh…” She mouthed. Link looked down, and jumped. He didn’t realized his predicament. He immediately clothed himself, and faced her again.
“You never answered my question. Did you pour water on me?” Link asked again.
“No, I was going to, but you were sweating enough already. You have a bad dream?” Malon asked. Link turned away from her, not wanting to look her in the eyes.
“You would never imagine…” Malon walked around to face Link.
“We had a room made out for you. Why didn’t you come ask us to show it to you?” Malon asked.
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I came late,” Link lied. He didn’t want her seeing his bloodstains.
“That’s nice of you. Well, let me show you the room anyway. I want to know if it’s to your liking!” Malon said with a wink. Link felt his face burn. The two walked inside of the house, and into a new room. The room was quite cozy, it was furnished with a large bed, a chair and a fireplace. There was a monument on the wall that caught Link’s attention. He walked to it, looking at the picture on top. It was a pictograph a young man in his teens, with messy brown hair. He had a cocky look in his eye.
“Malon, who’s this?” Link asked. Malon’s head fell when Link asked.
“That’s Toray, Pamela’s old boyfriend,” Malon said slowly.
“What happened, they break up?” Link asked.
“No, he died. He died about six years ago, but we never found a body,” Malon said, “We found his blood, which tipped us off. We made a monument to honor him.”
Link’s tilted his head as he laid his hand on the statue. The moment he touched the statue, he felt something. Everything around him went blurry, replaced by some kind of vision. He saw a vision of the Toray, holding a sword, looking back at Link. That vision faded into a scene of Link and Toray fighting. They both had an ecstatic look on their face, like they were truly having fun. They both were battered and bruised, but they continued to fight. Then Link saw a vision of Toray and Pamela, smiling in each others arms. After that, the visions stopped, replaced by reality. He turned to Malon, breathing heavily.
“Malon, was Toray a swordsman?” Link asked.
“Yes…but he could only use special swords. He had a hand defect,” Malon explained.
“It feels like I knew him,” Link said. He knew that Malon didn’t notice him having the visions. As Link backed away, Pamela came into the room. She looked troubled.
“Malon, did you hear?” Pamela said.
“What happened?” Malon replied.
“You know Clock Top Tavern?” Pamela asked. Malon nodded, “Well, they were carting bodies out of their. They say that over a hundred and fifty people were brutally murdered! The Chief of Security called it the worst act against a Hylian in history!” Pamela exclaimed.
“Oh dear! No one we know was killed, right?” Malon asked.
“Not that I know of. I know that they haven’t found a single survivor, and some of the bodies are too mutilated to identify,” Pamela said. Link walked out of the room, away from the conversation. He walked outside, and pulled out his ocarina. He concentrated on Zelda again.
“Zelda, you there?” Link asked.
“Yeah. Where are you?” Zelda replied.
“I’m at the ranch. I stayed here last night,” Link answered.
“Good thing you didn’t stay here. It’s been hell trying to cover this story up,” Zelda said.
“Wait, cover up? Why would you do that?” Link said, slightly frustrated.
“Link, threw are a lot of reasons. First off, the Kitapos you saw aren’t the only ones. There is another group in Palis that guard the King, Garibal. Those Kitapos are much more tame. If word got around that it was the Kitapos, the people would automatically question King Garibal’s Kitapos. That could turn out to be disastrous. Dad and me have worked hard to have peace with Palis. That could destroy that peace,” Zelda paused, “Another reason is that it could cause a strike against our castle. Donovan doesn’t want these vicious acts to go public in the first place. If we were to formally accuse him, it would give his Kitapos reason to attack castle. We don’t have enough proof to throw their name into the fray. Finally, the people who know about the Kitapos are already afraid of them! If word got around, it would cause a mass panic. I’m not ready to handle that yet. Dad could, but I don’t know how to deal with mass panic.”
“Wow, I didn’t know it was that deep. This act may have been a good tactical strike by Donovan,” Link said.
“Yeah…and we also are dealing with four additional murders. The only constant is that they were killed doing immoral things and they also were cut up into pieces,” Zelda said. Link instantly knew who it was.
“Mardan…” Link muttered.
“What? You think it was him?” Zelda asked.
“Let’s just say that the life has returned into his eyes,” Link said coldly.
“No…”
“Zelda, I think I should stop thinking about last night. If I continue to dwell on it, then Donovan has already won,” Link said, “Besides, there was something else that I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?” Zelda asked.
“A few minutes ago, I had these really strange visions,” Link said.
“Oh! That’s a side effect of Telepathy. The first few time you use it, you get visions of the past, present, and future,” Zelda explained.
“Zelda, I had a vision about a dead man that I never met,” Link said.
“Weird… Link, bad news. They need me to make a statement about the attack. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, Bro!”
“Love you, Sis,” Link then put the ocarina back in his pouch. As he did, Malon and Pamela came out of the house to join him.
“So, Link, what are you going to do today?” Pamela asked.
“I plan to go to visit a few places. I want to get to the Zora fountain, Kokiri forest, and the Goron home on Death Mountain. I have a few errands to do there,” Link explained.
“Wow, it must be great to see the world,” Malon said dreamily.
“It’s all right. Hey, you want to come along?” Link asked.
“Wait, are you sure?” Malon said, stunned.
“Yeah. It would really help keep my mind off things, and you could see most of Hyrule,” Link said with a smirk.
“I don’t think I could. I have work to do on the ranch,” Malon reasoned.
“No, no, no! I’ll gladly let you have the day off. Go ahead and have some fun!” Pamela offered. A huge smile appeared on Malon’s face.
“Okay, I’ll go!” She said.
“Perfect. Let’s not waste any time!” Link said brightly. The two began to leave when Pamela stopped them.
“Link, tell Avon to come here,” Pamela said. Link pulled off his cap and allowed Avon to fly to Pamela.
“Hey, what’s up?” Avon asked.
“How would you like to stay here with me?” Pamela asked. Avon did about twenty mid air somersaults.
“Of course! You don’t have to ask me twice!” Avon exclaimed. Avon and Pamela waved goodbye to Malon and Link, and the duo left to go see Hyrule.
“So, Pamela…What are we going to do first,” Avon said slyly.
“Oh, nothing. I really don’t want you here anyway,” Pamela said.
“What! Why did you ask me to stay?” Avon asked indignantly.
“I wanted Malon and Link to have some alone time. It’s obvious they have a crush on each other! I didn’t want you killing the mood,” Pamela explained, “You know, my girl hasn’t even kissed a guy before! She’s been single her whole life. Malon spends so much time working, and the rest of time she spends praying for a knight in shining armor. I hope that Link can be her knight.”
“Whoa. Deep stuff,” Avon replied.
“So, Avon, tell me about Link,” Pamela said.
“Well…”


Link and Malon walked towards to forest first.
“So why can’t the Kokiri leave the forest?” Malon asked.
“Well, they use the trees to stay young. Some of the Kokiri there are hundreds of years old. If they left the forest, their bodies would catch up with their actual age, and the rapid increase would kill them,” Link explained.
“Wow, I never knew it was so dangerous,” Malon said.
“Only one person can leave the forest as the please. That’s Saria, the Sage of Forest. The time stream thing doesn’t affect her,” Link said.
“That’s so cool! I never knew that the legends about the Kokiri were true!” Malon said excitedly.
“You’d be surprised at how many legends you’re going to find out are true today,” Link cackled evilly. The two entered the forest, and were immediately welcomed by a cloud of sprites. They circled around the pair, giving them heat with their light. When the sprites had dispersed, the entrance into the Kokiri Village was opened.
Malon gasped at the simple yet beautiful village. All the houses were trees that had been cut down. For a village of kids, it was surprisingly well kept. They had streams that crossed in between houses, flower gardens placed in the play areas, and an abundance of fairies.
“You know, Avon would’ve loved this place,” Link said.
“Why do you say that?” Malon asked.
“Well, he’s always looking for a girlfriend. He could find one of his own kind here,” Link said.
“Yeah, you’re right. Pamela told me what he whispered in her ear,” Malon laughed after she said that.
“What did he say?” Link inquired.
“What he said stays with me, Pamela, and Avon,” Malon said defiantly. Link laughed at he mock tough attitude. He was surprised that he could laugh at all, after what he saw. Link didn’t know what it was, but he couldn’t be sad around Malon. It was like her presence made him deal with all his problems with a smile. As he was about to retort, He heard some one call his name. Link turned to see a familiar face, named Saria.
“Link, how are you?” Saria asked.
“Fine. Sorry about the yesterday. I couldn’t stay long before Zelda had me on this mission,” Link apologized, “Saria, I’d like you to meet my friend, Malon,” Link introduced them. Malon kneeled to get on eye level with her.
“Hi there, little girl! I’m Malon,” Malon said brightly.
“Hello, I’m Saria…can I ask you a favor?” Saria said.
“Sure, anything for Link’s friend!” Malon agreed.
“Please don’t call me a little girl. I’m older then Link,” She said. Malon rose to her feet quickly, stunned.
“Saria, no matter how old you are, I’m still bigger,” Link joked.
“So what! That’s just because you Hylian and you work out a lot!” Saria said angrily. Link took it as a complement.
“So, Saria, I’d hate to rush you, but you know what I need,” Link said. He didn’t what to say what it was in front of Malon.
“Oh yeah! I have it hidden at my secret spot,” Saria said.
“Crap! I guess we can’t go,” Link said, guiltily looking back at Malon.
“Oh, it’s okay. She can come. It’s not like she’ll be able to find it again,” Saria said with a smirk. The group walked out a northern entrance, into the Lost Woods. Link had to admit, this was his least favorite spot in the forest. Even Saria had a tough time navigating through it. The only markers they had were the pools and boulders scattered through the path. After what seemed like eternity, They found the staircase that lead to Saria’s secret spot. They walked up the stairs, and into the open meadow at the top. The meadow had a temple entrance that was high above the trees, and a huge teleport platform.
“Okay, I left it under my tree stump!” Saria said. She walked over there, when Link grabbed her by the hand. He pulled her back, suddenly feeling another premonition. In this vision, he saw a shadow figure standing on the platform, with a sword raised at the group.
“Saria, there’s someone here,” Link warned. Link scanned the area, not seeing the shadow figure. Suddenly, someone appeared on the platform, looking at the group maliciously. It was Hadin, the Shadow-Slay.
“Link, I knew that you would come here!” Hadin said.
“Who told you? Donovan?” Link asked. Hadin looked amused.
“No, I just figured it. The forest is the best place in Hyrule to hide…and I know that you want to hide from me and the Kitapos!” He declared.
“Bull. I want to hunt all of you down,” Link growled.
“How cocky…It’s a shame that you will die here…Maybe I’ll take down these women with you!” Hadin unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards the group. Link braced himself for an attack, remembering Hadin’s speed. Hadin laughed, and disappeared. Link looked around, stunned, but his confusion was met with a powerful strike to his middle back. Link fell over, feeling blood oozing out of the newly formed wound.
“Damn, he’s faster then I remember,” Link said. He knew that he was at a disadvantage. Not only was Hadin faster, but Link didn’t have a sword to use. Hadin appeared again on the platform, holding his bloody blade proudly.
“Link, have you realized that this is where you fall?” Hadin gloated. Hadin ran forward, wanting to finish Link off. Link closed his eyes, hoping that the attack wouldn’t hurt. Link’s eyes remained closed for moment, but noting happened. When Link opened his eyes, Hadin was sprawled out on the grass, like he was struck down.
“What happened?” Link asked. Hadin rose, with a cut on his forehead. He looked around furiously.
“Who dares interfere with my battle?” He demanded. Suddenly, a blue-purple figure came out of the trees and struck Hadin again. Hadin flew backwards, into a tree.
“It was me, the last male Shiekah!” Yelled the figure. Link realized that it was Shiek who was delivering the beating. Shiek looked different. His eyes were green now, and his hair was shorter. He also didn’t hide his face. Then again, this time, he wasn’t combined with Zelda.
“Hmm, I’m surprised that a creature like you would fight along side Hylians,” Hadin said. Hadin stood again, rubbing his chin.
“I will protect the royal family until my death, and past that if necessary!” Shiek declared. Link stared in awe.
“Don’t worry, I’ll grant you your death…and we’ll see if you can still protect him then!” Hadin yelled. He then ran into the woods, retreating. Shiek turned to Link, and pulled out a sealed bottle of red potion. He handed the potion to Link, and Link wasted no time in drinking it. Instantly, the scar on his back faded, after a moment it was completely gone. Malon and Saria both hugged Link in relief. After the hug, Saria ran off to get the gem and Shiek, Malon, and Link began to talk.
“So, Link…how have things been for you?” Shiek asked.
“Lack-luster…ever since yesterday night. You know the story,” Link said, trying to keep from hinting too much.
“Yeah, Zelda’s become a real stress case. She’s on edge like never before,” Shiek said, “Also, we got tipped off yesterday. In one of the murders,, after that big massacre, we found a note written in blood. It said that there was a seventh Kitapo residing in Hyrule…” Shiek said.
“Wait, a seventh one? Donovan only has six!” Link said.
“I know, and from what Zelda says about Donovan, it’s hard to believe that he would use trickery like that,” Shiek speculated.
“This is weird…well, it doesn’t matter. Brother, after today, I’ll have all the keys to retrieve my sword, then I’ll get all of the Kitapos!” Link gloated.
“Hopefully that works,” Shiek said. Link sighed but hid his worry when Saria returned, with a huge glowing green emerald in her hand.
“Link, I present to you, the Kokiri Emerald!” She said triumphantly. Link held it gratefully, smiling at Saria.
“So, Link, we’re are you going next?” Shiek asked.
“Malon and me are going to see Darunia in Death Mountain. Then we’ll go to the Zora fountain…Curse!” Link yelled suddenly. “I just remembered my engagement to Ruto! Curse, Curse, Curse!” Link yelled. He knew that if he asked for the Zora Sapphire again, Ruto would force him to marry her.
“Link? You’re engaged?” Malon asked.
“Er… um…Curses…Malon, I’m not really engaged, it’s just that the Zora Sapphire is an engagement present for Zoras… If I ask for, it’s like asking Ruto to marry me,” Link said ruefully.
“Malon, don’t worry. Link is still single,” Saria said. Malon face burned brightly.
“Why did you have to say it like that?” Link asked. Link then turned to Malon and smiled, “So, you ready to go?” Link asked.
“Sure, you said I would see more legends! I’ve seen two, I want to see more!” Malon jumped in excitement.
“Well, Saria, I’ll see you later, and Shiek, will you be coming with us?” Link asked.
“I want to, but I think I have to go back to Zelda. Curse the Kitapos, you never know when they’re going to strike…speaking of Kitapos, let me speak to you in private,” Shiek said. Link and Shiek walked away from Saria and Malon, who were looking puzzled.
“So, what’s wrong?” Link asked.
“Link, I want you to know something. An hour before I got here, there was another murder. The man was cheating on his wife. He died by a stab wound to his heart…and the woman he was cheating with got it five times worse. Her head was resting in the man’s lap,” Shiek described.
“That’s awkward,” Link said.
“Yeah…and they found the rest of her body two blocks away,” Shiek said. Link’s eyes widened when he heard that.
“Well, what’s new? Zelda told me that these murders are becoming common,” Link said, almost heartlessly.
“Yeah, well, this body came with a unique message. Your name was written on the wall, along with a challenge. It said ‘I am waiting in a place colder then your heart,’” Shiek said.
“Mardan…” Link growled, “This is his doing…I think I helped create a monster,” Link admitted.
“You know him?” Shiek asked.
“Yes…we have a history. I humiliated him before he became a Kitapo, and now he wants revenge,” Link said.
“How did you humiliate him?” Shiek asked.
“That’s a story for another day. I’ll tell you some other time,” Link replied.
“Well, whatever happened, Mardan needs to be stopped. He can’t be allowed to continue killing people,” Shiek declared.
“I know…it’s just, I don’t have the nerve to fight him yet…” Link said, “If you would have seen his face, his sadistic smile, you wouldn’t be able to face him either.”
“I know that your afraid right now. Curse it, I’m afraid of those Kitapos myself…but you are the one who needs to stand up against them. If you can cast away that fear, then you’ll be able to defeat them.” Shiek then patted Link on his shoulder, like how a brother would. Link looked down, thinking about what Shiek said.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Link said. He looked up, but Shiek was gone. Malon and Saria both walked to Link’s side, and stared at him.
“Link, what’s bothering you?” Saria asked.
“Nothing…I just need to do a little soul searching,” Link said, “Malon, let’s go,” Link said. The two left the valley, and traveled into the forest.

“Okay, so that’s the type of person he is?” Pamela said.
“Yes…but there’s something holding him back from being happy. Whatever happened to him outside of Hyrule really damaged his heart,” Avon said.
“Hmm, I wonder what it could be,” Pamela thought out loud.
“Whatever it is, it has to do with Mardan Dark, one of the Kitapos,” Avon replied.
“Wait, he’s already had business with a Kitapo?” Pamela asked.
“I don’t know. I just know that him and Mardan are connected, and now they’re going to fight,” Avon speculated.
“So Link’s preparing to go head on against a Kitapo?” Pamela asked.
“No. I know that he would avoid fighting Mardan at all costs…but he has to beat Mardan to get to Donovan. That’s what the Kitapos are really around for,” Avon said.
“What do you mean?” Pamela inquired.
“Don’t tell Link that I know this…but only Donovan’s Honor can kill him. To become an Honor, you must prove yourself to Donovan, a feat that is only possible in two ways. Impressing Donovan, or defeating all of the Kitapos,” Avon said.
“Wow…you’re smart for a fairy,” Pamela commented.
“No, because if I was, I would stop Link from getting himself killed,” Avon said.
“Now what do you know about the Kitapos?” Pamela asked.
“I know the strengths and weaknesses for all seven,” Avon said.
“Wait, you said earlier that there were only six!” Pamela exclaimed.
“No, there is a seventh in Hyrule,” Avon said, “And Link has met the seventh…”
“Who is it?” Pamela asked in awe.
“The seventh is…”