A drop of water almost appeared out of thin air and fell onto a desolate street. It was actually discovered that a raindrop did fall from thin air, or, at least, the dark and gloomy clouds of course.

And that was the mood of this day, not only dark and dreary, but full of pain and destruction. A fire was set to one of the houses of castle town, and spreading to others. People fruitlessly tried to put the fire out in vain, for it all seemed at no hope. A crackle of lightning filled the sky at their hopelessness.

As this great tyranny, another had started, for those in black barged into houses, stealing every last bit of money and shedding the blood of the owners. Soldiers were sent out to try and stop them, but they easily escaped or killed. A wrath they were, for no one could stop them.

A simple mother could especially never survive their attacks.

The door broke down at the one house. Inside a startled woman, with blonde hair in braids and panicking blue eyes gasped in horror as a man dressed entirely in black walked into the room.

The woman took a step back as the man grinned.

“Give me everything that’s not a piece of junk around here!”

The woman took out her money and held it out for him. He snatched it evilly and counted it.

“This isn’t all you have, is it?”

The woman sobbed. “Take anything that you desire, just please do not hurt a soul in this house. I beg of you.”

The man chuckled. “You and your pathetic roommates will die anyway. Even if I don’t kill you, I won’t let you out of the house, which will burn soon enough from the other fires.”

The woman gasped again. “Please! Don’t let me stay here! Don’t let him stay here!”

The man’s curiosity piqued. “Him?”

The woman bit her lip. “My baby… Please don’t let him die! Please! I’ll do anything.”

The woman took out a small boy out of the crib. He was asleep as if nothing was wrong. The woman showed the man her baby.

“Please don’t let him die.”

The man frowned. He then snatched the baby out of her hands. The woman was mortally shocked and froze. The man walked out of the house, deciding to keep it. He slammed the door shut. Pretty soon, the woman could hear a large piece of wood slam against the door, which mean she was obviously locked in. There to die…

Yet she didn’t seem to notice that right now. Instead she still dwelled on the man taking her baby away from her. She stood there, until her house burned down along with herself.

Hoang picked up the baby after he threw the large board on her door. He grinned evilly and picked up the baby. He finally looked at the boy, who seemed so peaceful and unknowing his mother’s death.

He walked through the pouring rain, trying not to wake the boy, for he did not want a crying baby on his hands.

He exited the castle town, smiling to see that if he had a baby, the soldiers would think he was on a rescue mission. How foolish were they…

He walked over to Kakariko Village and climbed down the dry well. He walked through the tunnel.

After walking through the almost impenetrable darkness, he saw a small purple light. A man stood there, never revealing his appearance. A few other men were there with battle scars all over their faces. They seemed wild and fierce in the eyes. The man finally spoke up.

“Phoenix, I never asked for a child.”

Hoang shifted slightly. “I know.” He dropped a large sack that was full of stolen money and jewels.

“This is what I got out of the fools. I was also hoping that we could train the boy to steal like us, boss. If, that’s okay with you.”

The boss of Hoang turned around. The man revealed his extremely scarred face. His eyes were totally black as was his hair and clothes. His skin was a pale gray as he walked up to Hoang and examined the baby.

“I sense a great talent of the sword,” he then made a face of disgust. “And justice.”

Hoang frowned. “Someone can teach the boy.”

One of then men snorted. “Hoang, you brought the boy, you should teach him. Don’t put the burden on us.”

Hoang growled. “Quiet Baeddan!”

The boss frowned. “I think boar has a point though. You brought him here phoenix. Surely you didn’t possibly think that you did everything in your power already.”

Hoang bit his lip. “I’m no father or teacher boss. You said yourself that the boy has talent in the sword.”

The boss nodded. “I believe you can become one though. Either raise the boy or throw him into the graveyard for the Poes to steal his soul. Although I would be more happier for the second one, it is your choice.”

Hoang sighed. “Fine, I’ll raise the boy.”

“Good,” the boss said, tuning around again. “Now that that debate is over, I’m curious to know what we’ll name him.”

“How about Colin?” said one of the men. The rest of them chuckled excluding Hoang and the boss.

“Shut it Dov,” Hoang growled.

“It will not be Colin, for that is an insulting name,” the boss said. “I am regretting that I ever taught you that Colin is a name that means childish. So no, bear, it will not be Colin.”

Hoang frowned. What would the boss have in mind? An elderly man spoke up suddenly.

“Check for something that might show the boy’s name. We might as well call him by that.”

Hoang handed the boy to the boss. The boss examined the boy once more, looking through the thick blankets until his pale fingers fell upon a golden chain along his neck. He removed it from the boy’s neck to see a name carved in the piece of gold hanging from the chain.

“Hmm… It says here that this boy’s name is Link,” the boss replied. “An odd name I confess, but we’ll name him that, for that you will call him, as I call him raven…”

The boss handed Link back to Hoang. “Now lets get back onto business…”

A flash of sparks entered the moist and almost dark room. Hoang twirled his sword trying hard to find a flaw in his attacker’s moves.

But his attacker was amazingly quick and skillful, just like Hoang’s boss said he was. Even as a child, Link slashed quickly, skillfully, and his moves were very tactic. Hoang was surprised by his great moves.

Link certainly was a small young boy. For he was short, with blonde hair and blue eyes… A black cone-shaped hat fell over his messy ponytail, and it matched quite well with his small black tunic. This was, obviously, the clothing of every member of the criminal that lived here in this dank dungeon. And although Link had much fear at first, he simply got used to his surroundings, knowing that he would have to live, sleep, and eat here for the rest of his life.

“You’ve been searching around the entire dungeon I see.”

Link nodded. “It’s a very good time-killer.”

Hoang smirked. “Seeing you alive you didn’t go near those redeads, have you?”

Link hopped back a bit to dodge a blow from Hoang. “No, I haven’t. I just avoid them. They are very dumb creatures, even more brainless than a moblin.”

Hoang laughed. “Yes they are dumb creatures, but that doesn’t mean they’re dangerous. You know if you get near them, they’ll paralyze you and suck the life out of you. It’s not a very happy thought.”

“I see,” Link said making a slash that was quickly blocked by Hoang. “So, they’re like vampires?”

Hoang nodded. “But you just die. They don’t let you become one of them, unless you were killed by powerful magic.”

“Phoenix,” said a voice. Link and Hoang stopped abruptly and turned around, knowing that the person speaking was Hoang’s boss. No one else called him phoenix.

“We’re heading out for Chenoa Town, outside of Hyrule.”

“Right boss.”

The boss walked away. Link walked up to him. “Can I come?”

“Nay Link, stay here. You’ll just get in the way. Wait until you’re older.”

“I won’t get in the way, I promise.”

Hoang sighed. “Look, you can’t come with me. I’m sorry but that’s the orders coming from Devlin.”

Link sighed and accepted. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”

Hoang walked away. Link waited a few minutes, tapping his foot, until he smiled and ran through the tunnel. He then reached the entrance and climbed up the ladder.

He poked his head out of the well, looking around for any of the criminals. It would be pretty obvious if there were a criminal there. They always dressed in black and stayed near the well. It was a perfect hiding place due to the rumors of the dangers inside. To Link’s point of view, it was just a rumor, but to a simple person with no skill of the sword would know it true.

Link climbed out of the well and looked around. This village was very peaceful and Link had to block out the sun’s rays to protect the brightness from his eyes.
Once he was accustomed to the sun, he walked casually, hoping that no one would notice him as a criminal.

He then decided that he had to change his clothes for now. He looked for a clothes guru and changed into a green tunic and hat.

He looked around more relaxed than before. He knew that he looked very innocent like this and decided to see everything around Kakariko. It was a very pretty town.

He waited once he was done, enjoying the freedom while he could. He then decided to have an idea.

The criminals weren’t getting back anytime now, so he had a chance to explore some more.

He went through the exit of Kakariko and entered Hyrule Field. Link knew that Hoang would kill him, not literally, but it was worth the sight.

Link decided to visit the castle town, being that it was the closest town. He walked across the bridge to notice guards near the gate. He casually, yet nervously walked past the guard.

He looked around the town to see that it was even better than Kakariko. The place was enormous with giant amazingly decorated buildings. People crowded the entire place and Link marveled the fountain that had a few green rupees at the bottom. Link had the desire to snatch them out, but decided not to, seeing that it was very hard to steal at such a place like this.

Link at first, liked the place a lot, but started to get claustrophobic at the crowds pushing by, knocking down others in the way. Link wanted to get out of there so he decided to take a large dirt path towards a very large building in the back of the town.

Link then began to realize that this was the castle, which was probably why there were so many guards around the place. Luckily, Link decided to hide behind a tree.

And then he, strangely enough, heard girlish laughter up above the cliffs. Link looked up and decided to climb the tree. Going up there stealthily and quietly, he saw what amazed more than anything else he discovered today.

Two small girls were playing around in a large field of pure green. A few flowers and bushes were scattered across the area, but they paid no mind to the plant-life. They seemed to be running around, playing a simple game.

Link looked at the girls. One of them had slightly pretty red hair with dark blue eyes. She was wearing a small white dress with strange blue markings on the hem. A red bandanna went around her neck and Link could notice strong arms, which meant she exercised a lot.

The other girl was more astonishing. She wore a beautiful headdress over her hair. A few strands of glowing golden blonde stuck out of the headpiece. She wore a matching pink and white dress that had the markings of Hyrule on the front. Link knew exactly whom this was and was shocked of this moment.

He saw the Princess of Hyrule, Princess Zelda. And what amazed him more is that he had a strange feeling about her in his chest.

Three little puppies than ran out of the bushes. One was white, one was brown, and one was black. Zelda dashed over to the white one and held it in her arms and giggled as it licked her.

The other girl petted the brown one and giggled. “Zelda, I guess that Michy really likes you.”

Zelda giggled. “I guess he does. I really like him too.”

The girl smiled. “Aww,” she coed to the brown one. “Adri is my favorite.”

The girl cuddled up with Adri the brown dog. Zelda stopped her giggling and looked over to the black one.

“Hey!” Zelda said noticing the black dog. “Why is Dameon over there?”

Link turned slightly red and tried to shoo the black dog away from the tree. In vain, he only made it worse and the dog started to bark playfully at him. Link wished he were invisible for that moment.

The girl stood up and giggled. “Hey there’s a little boy in that tree! That’s why Dameon is barking.”

The girl walked up to Link, followed reluctantly by Zelda. Link knew it was too late and jumped down from the tree. The dog immediately started to walk up to him, panting with eyes that desired to play.

Link chuckled nervously and fixed the back of his hat. “Hello,” he simply said. He couldn’t believe it. He was a student of a bunch of criminals, but now he was talking to the princess and her friend.

The girl seemed not to notice his nervousness smiled. “Hey! My name is Malon! What’s yours?”

Link frowned. “Umm, Link.”

Malon held out her hand. “Nice to meet cha!”

Link shook it, feeling more confident than before, but Zelda’s presence made his stomach twist in a knot.

Malon turned to Zelda. “Well Zel? Aren’t you going to say hi?”

Zelda didn’t seem to care about manners and her curiosity rose. “How did you get up here?”

Link frowned. “Well I wanted to get away from the crowds in the street and went down this path. There were so many guards here that I had to climb the tree.”

Zelda smiled. “Oh! Yeah! My father is so paranoid! I see that Dameon likes you. That means you’re special. Want to play with us?”

Link began to think. It was amazing that he was asked this question from a princess. He nodded, smiling with excitement. “What are we playing?”

Zelda smiled mischievously. “Well it sort of goes like…”

Zelda walked up to Link and jabbed him in the stomach. “Tag! You’re it!”

Zelda and Malon immediately scattered running as fast as they could. Link found out how to play and ran after them. It was really fun. He wished he could live lives like Malon and Zelda.

And soon enough, Link was gaining on tagging Zelda back, but she seemed quicker than he thought. Link decided to go into a leap whenever he dodged a very quick attack. He rose up and shocked Zelda by this sudden jump.

Link then regretted leaping because the next moment, he had hit Zelda to the ground along with himself.

Zelda winced from pain, as she tasted dirt. She got up with the saddest look on her face. Link panicked.

“Zelda I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to tackle you like that! I was just trying to tag you, and I’m really, really sorry!” Link said this as quickly as he could.

Zelda looked as though she was about to cry. Link bit his lip, thinking about how stupid he must have been, tackling the princess of Hyrule. He might probably go to jail, and then Hoang would literally kill him. He prayed to the goddesses hoping that she wouldn’t take this the wrong way.

But he was even more shocked when instead of crying. Zelda totally changed her mood in a matter of seconds and started to laugh loudly.

Malon noticed what happened and laughed too. But Zelda was laughing so hard that tears poured down her face.

“T-that was s-so funny!” Zelda laughed, falling back onto the ground. She held her stomach in pain, as she laughed so hard. “You, you should’ve se-seen your face!”

Link half grinned half frowned. “That wasn’t funny! I thought I seriously hurt you!”

Zelda giggled and waved it off. “Oh come on! I’m not a crybaby like some people think I am!”

Link turned his half frown upside down. “Aren’t we supposed to be playing tag? And if I’m correct, you’re it!” Link shouted. He quickly rose up from the ground and dashed off. Zelda then followed Link as quickly as she could.
Link realized that he hadn’t had this much fun in his life. He couldn’t have been happier, and for some strange reason He couldn’t help smiling around Zelda, and she couldn’t either.

When the sun began to set, Link gasped at the time.

“I have to go! Ho… I mean my mom will kill me!”

Link didn’t want the princess or even Malon to know that he lived with a group of criminals. Malon smiled.

“That’s okay! We can play another day! Today was even better with you around Link!”

Malon then picked up Dameon the black dog. “Here! I wanted to give Dameon away because he was always attacking the cows and horses! You can keep him as a gift, unless you have other animals at the house.”

Link wanted to reconsider, but looking at Dameon, he couldn’t help but say yes. For all of that time of playing, the dog followed him everywhere, and Link really liked the dog.

“Thanks Malon! I’ll take good care of him.”

“You promise?”

“I swear.”

“On your life and the goddesses?”

“Yes! I swear!” Link laughed. Malon smiled, satisfied.

Zelda then walked up to Link and blushed. “I had a really fun day because of you Link. Thank you.”

Zelda then began to walk closed and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Link knew he was turning purple and seemed dazed for a moment after that. But he then recomposed himself and picked up Dameon.

“Thank you, Zelda. I had a really fun time. I hope we meet again.”

Zelda nodded. Link snuck past the guards along with Dameon and headed towards Kakariko. He then felt a great surge of guilt and regret. He sighed as he picked up Dameon, who seemed completely calm, and slid down the ladder into the well.

Although Link could tell that Dameon was very suspicious, he still remained loyal to Link and followed through the well.

“Link?” said a voice. Link knew who this was and sank.

“Hoang! I’m really sorry, but I couldn’t stay in the well,” he stuttered quickly.

Hoang appeared from the darkness, very angry. Link bit his lip.

“You went through Kakariko and even in the castle town. I’m amazed that you’re not in jail because of that.”

Link sighed. “I changed my clothes so it wasn’t obvious.”

Hoang growled. “That still isn’t the point! You should stay down in the well until you’re told to! What! Did you buy this dog using our money that we’re saving?”

Link shook his head. “No I got it from a friend!”

Hoang snorted. “What! What friend?”

Link frowned. “I got it from a girl named Malon. I swear I didn’t pay for it.”

Hoang frowned. “You’ll be punished anyway. No matter what little girl got some present for you. That dog has to go.”

Link sighed. “I can’t I promised I take good care of it!”

Hoang shouted at the top of his lungs. “That’s not the point! You shouldn’t have gotten a dog at all! You shouldn’t have left the well at all! We keep you here so the guards don’t catch you! And now you enter the city that’s surrounded by them! Release the dog immediately!”

Link frowned and dug in his pockets. “I was hoping this would change your mind.”

Link took out a glittering object from his pocket. He held out a sparkling tiara encrusted with the most precious diamonds. He frowned, hoping that stealing from Zelda was worth it, but he felt himself shatter at this moment. He almost died when even thought about it. The pain was enormous.

Yet Hoang ignored Link’s internal pain and picked up the tiara and examined this. “The Princess of Hyrule… I knew you had talent in you. I can’t believe you did something this amazing on your first raid. I guess you’re more worthy of this crew after all.”

Link ignored his words and lowered his head. He had managed to steal from Princess Zelda. The Princess of Hyrule… The Princess of Destiny… The girl he had a strong love and lust for… He wanted to die right there, right now.

There was a slight shriek in the night, but it suddenly stopped as a man slit a woman’s throat with his dagger. Blood’s scent entered the air, as did revenge.

A man, with some armor on his shoulders, signifying that he was a soldier, drew his sword and growled at the murderer. He bared his teeth in rage.

“How dare you!” he shouted and charged. The murderer and the soldier clashed blades, but driven by revenge, the soldier gained the victory.

Link sighed in frustration. He couldn’t believe how thickheaded Jubal had been. He killed a woman in front of a soldier and now the soldier was mad.

Dameon, now a full grown long legged dog, made a slight growl, but it could not be heard over the sounds of blades clashing in battle. Link immediately petted his dog.

“Stay Dameon,” he whispered. “We won’t charge in there.”

As he said, Link aimed his bow, but decided not to have all the fun, but help his friend. He let his arrow fly and it impacted against the soldier’s gauntlets. This was just to be merely a distraction.

Link smiled as the soldier began to look around for the person who tried to shoot the arrow. This gave Jubal the chance to kill him right there, and slit his throat like the woman.

Link walked out of the bushes, swiping a leaf out of his extremely messy hair that was mostly under his black coned shaped hat. This time, Link was much older and taller, which was why he followed Jubal. He now wore a white undershirt and pants along with the same old black tunic. Link sighed.

“You’re way too thick headed to be in this crew Jubal.”

Jubal made a growl and glared at Link. “Shut up,” he barked.

Link ignored him and looked over at the couple. He and Jubal dug through the murdered man and woman, seeking any rupee. Jubal found a necklace made of gold with a small ruby in the middle from the woman, and Link found fifty rupees in the soldier’s pouch. He then looked at the gauntlets that the man wore on his hand and smirked. He removed them from the soldier’s hands and strapped the metallic gauntlets over his fingerless brown gloves.

Link looked over to Dameon, who began to wag his tail excitedly. Link smiled and took out a small biscuit for staying at his command. He then patted his dog and stood up. Then a sound caught his ears, but Dameon didn’t seem to care, so it wasn’t that important.

The sound was actually coming from Jubal. Jubal started to chuckle sadistically, to Link’s confusion. Link gave him a puzzled and suspicious look.

“I wonder what it look like with her clothes off,” Jubal said gleefully.

Link felt like he was going to throw up. He backhanded Jubal in the head.

“Pervert! We’re here to steal their money, not to strip them!”

Jubal made a face of disappointment and Link cursed as he began to lose his appetite. He looked at the pouch.

“This much?” Link sighed. “We won’t be able to afford money for food.”

He walked away, but when he realized that Jubal wasn’t following him. Link sighed and walked up to Jubal and grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away from the woman.

Link and Jubal climbed down the ladder of the well. Dameon, with a great strength in his legs, knew how to get down from the well and easily dropped down gracefully, having no pain from the fall. They then walked through the dank dungeon.

Link looked around, and although it wasn’t exactly a life of luxury, it was the place he was kept all his life, protected by the men here who, at least, tried to be good parents, being that they all had the pleasure of murdering people and taking their money.

“Well, raven. I see your back with not much I presume.”

Link frowned. “It’s nighttime and no one was out. Sorry boss. We only managed to take fifty rupees.”

Devlin sighed. “We don’t usually do this, but we might have to go steal our food.”

Hastin, a buff and thick man heard this and frowned. “In the morning? With our energy deprived it will be hard for us to steal and kill, and there are no food stands at night.”

Devlin shook his head. “No, we won’t steal our food in the morning, elephant. We’ll just steal the storage from Lon Lon Ranch.”

Link became very curious. He had never been there before, but he heard that they stored food until Hyrule Castle needed it, made the freshest milk from healthy cows, and bred the finest and fastest horses of Hyrule.

“We’ve never stolen from there before,” Link said. “At least I haven’t.”

A man by the name of Brock laughed. “Oh come on Link! You’re just a good as thief as Devlin! I’m sure a simple ranch won’t be a problem!”

Link fixed his hat, blushing. “Well, I don’t know. I’m not that good.”

Devlin chuckled. “You truly are humble, raven. Even badger thinks so. I think you’re perfect for the job.”

Link nodded. Devlin then put his ghastly fingers up to his chin. “Stealing storage may be a little more complicated. I’ll have dragon, bull, elephant, snake, and phoenix come with you.”

Link smiled as he recognized Hoang’s nickname. He always liked raiding with his foster father. Since he was the one who spent the most time with him, training him, and teaching him. Although Link in his younger days spent most of his time, practicing his swordplay with the most dangerous and evil of monsters around the bottom of the well, he still was glad that he had at least a father.

Link also smiled because unlike Jubal, Drake, Dume, Hastin, Nyoko, and Hoang were all extremely smart, strong, and skilled criminals. They all were the opposite of thick headed.

Link patted Dameon and they both followed the group that was already starting to leave. He picked the dog up with one hand, which was always used to this and didn’t fight back like other dogs, and climbed up the ladder with one hand as he always did.

He smiled. Ever since he met Dameon, the dog never left his side, and he promised to take care of him. Dameon seemed to be the only one who actually hunted because his master told him to, not because he wanted to. He was a good and gentle dog, but could be ferocious when needed to be.

They walked through Hyrule Field and he immediately heard one of Link’s fellow thieves, Nyoko, sigh. Link gave him a puzzled look in reply.

Nyoko made a frown. “I think we should steal not only food, but horses too. That’ll make it so much easier than walking around. I’d kill for a horse.”

“Quit your whining,” Dume, another thief, growled. “If you’re going to steal a horse that’s okay with us, but we’re here for the food.”

Nyoko glared a Dume, who ignored him. Link became pensive, not even bothering to try and break up the fight. This happened all the time, but it never became violent. Or else Devlin would make all those who were involved in the fight eat their own hearts. It was a very disgusting threat and not a very good one, since most people would punish everyone, even those who weren’t involved, but Link knew that Devlin was a very lucky guesser.

They finally found the entrance to Lon Lon Ranch. Link looked at it with disappointment. It looked like a simple fortress with a very large house and a barn.

But as they walked inside the fortress, Link was more amazed, for a large field could been seen behind the two buildings. Nothing was there, but the field was huge. He couldn’t believe something so big just behind a small looking fortress.

“Come on guys,” Hoang informed the criminals. “The food storage is in the back of the ranch.”

They all nodded and sneaked to the back. Link looked over to the large house, which had lights in the bottom part. This meant someone had to be awake. Link frowned. They had to be really quiet if they didn’t want to get caught.

They walked past the house and barn and started towards the tall stone building on the right side of the ranch.

Yet a loud noise made them all jump. Link recognized it as barking and Link turned around, angry with Dameon.

What was more surprising was that Dameon was not the one barking. Instead, he was looking around, searching for the noise. Link turned around to see that a brown dog that looked slightly like Dameon was tied to a post near the large house.

The barking of the watchdog continued and the others started to run for the storage area, hoping that they would be lucky.

A door suddenly opened and Link knew he didn’t have the time to follow his friends. Instead, he dashed behind a small box, which happened to be at his left while Dameon ran off. He looked up from the hiding place to hear what was going on.

“Sheik! Adri is barking! What’s going on?” said a panicked voice. Link became confused, for he was sure he knew that name before.”

“I don’t know. I’m going to check it out,” said a male voice. Link couldn’t hear any footsteps, but he saw a man dressed in a navy bodysuit with bandages over his arms, legs, head, and was also used to cover his face. Link held his breath, hoping that the man didn’t notice him.

The man known, as Sheik didn’t notice Link, but walked forwards a bit. A girl walked up to him and grabbed his shoulder.

Link covered his mouth immediately as he saw this girl. He managed to prevent a gasp, but he became so shocked.

The girl had long red hair that went down to her back. She had blue eyes that matched the dark sky. She wore a white dress with blue markings on the hem, along with a red bandanna around her neck and a yellow apron around her waist. Link opened his mouth in shock. He remembered…

“Malon,” he breathed in silence.

He watched in silence as she gave Sheik a worried look.

“Sheik, be careful.”

Sheik grinned. “Don’t worry about my safety Malon. It’s yours that you should be worried about.”

Malon giggled. “I have Adri to protect me.”

Sheik nodded and walked over to the storage area. Link’s heart sank. His partners would be caught, and now he could only hope they could survive.

Now Link realized that he had another problem. He had left Dameon behind to wander, and that soon caught the attention of Malon. She untied the leash of Adri and Adri immediately ran to Dameon.

They both sniffed each other and seemed to become very happy. Both of them panted and wagged their tails. Malon walked over and smiled.

“A stray dog?” Malon wondered. “Adri’s never acted like that around someone she didn’t know.”

Link pressed himself as close as he could against the house in fear of being seen. He ducked as low as he could without Malon noticing someone behind the crate.

Malon walked up to Adri and Dameon, showing a face of deep thought. Link knew that Malon was trying to remember who this dog was. Suddenly, she gasped. Link’s heart sank.

“Dameon?” Malon wondered. Dameon wagged his tail faster and took a step towards Malon, panting joyfully.

Malon smiled and went down to her knees. “Oh Dameon! You remembered Adri and I! I thought…”

Malon frowned. “I thought you were with… Link! You were with Link! Ugh! I can’t believe he abandoned you like that! How dare he! Even after he promised to take good care of you!”

Malon growled in rage, then looked at Dameon with a grin. “Unless…”

Link gripped the edges of the box so tightly with nervousness that he clumsily tipped it over. Malon immediately turned around and Link wished he were invisible again. He began to feel his face start to turn pink, but luckily it was too dark to see that, but Malon could easily recognize him.

“Link!” Malon said and ran up to him with a cheerful smile.

Link stood up, fixed his hat, and chuckled nervously. “Malon… So good to see you, again.”

Malon giggled. “Silly! What do you mean again? It has been like fifty years! Where in Hyrule have you been?”

“Actually, I think about seven,” he corrected. Malon waited for Link to answer her question and Link did so.

“Oh, you know, around. Mostly working at night.”

He said this half-truthfully, not wanting to show Malon that he was planning to steal her food.

Malon looked at Dameon. “I can’t believe how great Dameon looks. He’s been exercising a lot lately. That I can see.”

Malon patted Link on the shoulder and grinned. “Much like you have, Link.”

Link smiled. “He, he. Well it has been seven years and you’ve grown a lot lately since I first saw you.”

Malon blushed. Suddenly, Link heard Sheik calling, but it wasn’t a plea for help. Link became worried.

Malon was also worried, but not for the same exact reason. She rushed over to Sheik and Link, curious as he was, followed her.

Link was even more of a surprise when he found all of his friends, unconscious. Sheik stood there, panting. Blood dripped from wounds in his chest, legs, and face. Malon rushed over to Sheik.

“Oh my! Goddesses Sheik! Are you okay?” Malon asked and rushed to Sheik, who was totally exhausted.

“They… They were… tough…” Sheik panted in breaths.

Link wasn’t paying attention to Malon or Sheik, but was utterly speechless at what happened to his friends. His family…

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.

Link sat down next to the fire, roasting four rabbits, thanks to Dameon. Link smiled as he bundled up in the warmth and looked over to his unconscious friends. They were starting to awaken finally.

Hoang was the first to awake. He seemed to have no memory at all.

“What happened?” He asked Link. Link frowned.

“Some sheikah boy came up,” Link replied. “I don’t know what happened exactly, I can tell you that.”

Hoang sighed. “We didn’t get any food did we?”

Link held up the four skinned rabbits. “At least Dameon provided us with something.”

Hoang smiled. “Thanks.”

Link shook it off. “No problem.”

“Where did you hide to?” Drake asked. Link put on a straight face.

“The crate behind the house. I saw him throw you out of the ranch and escaped when they went back inside.”

Hastin sighed. “Now what do we do?”

“This’ll definitely mean that Devlin will make us do a very big raid. He did it before. We actually had to burn Hyrule Castle Town, but that was seventeen years ago,” Dume replied.

Link frowned. He was born seventeen years ago. Did that have any influence on him? He decided not to question this and kept his mouth shut.

They all finished and left two cooked rabbits left for the others, although that wasn’t much for all of them, it was better than nothing.

They walked back out of Hyrule Field and into Kakariko. They all climbed down into the well, and in Dameon’s case, jumped down.

They all walked up to their leader and dreaded what might happen.

“You weren’t able to do it, were you?” Devlin guessed. They all shook their heads.

Devlin turned around and sighed in frustration. “Then you know what we’ll have to do.”

All of them frowned. The biggest of raids were harder to do and few lost their lives. But Devlin always joined in these groups, which always completed their success.

Link took a step up to Devlin in curiosity. “Where are we going for our raid?”

All of them expected to say Hyrule Castle Town, but he grinned evilly this time. “We’re going to the castle.”

They gasped, but made no protest. The castle was a big place for all sorts of riches. Devlin walked up to Link, but did not look in his eye.

“We’ll need all the help we can get. I will join this plan as will wolf, boar, bear, fox, dragon, bull, griffin, elephant, lion, coyote, cat, snake, cougar, phoenix, and raven.”

It was most of the group. Only Brock, Hart, Jubal, and Zuri remained. Of course, they weren’t exactly the best at stealing or fighting.

Devlin then patted Link on the shoulder, sending him a chill up his spine. “Now I can see how well you are at thieving with my own eyes.”

Link frowned. The castle… He remembered going there. How couldn’t he? After talking to Malon he couldn’t forget Zelda. He just hoped now that Zelda wouldn’t be caught up in these events.

Link still couldn’t get over the guilt of stealing her tiara. He didn’t know why he did it. It was just because he was worried about what Hoang would say if he found out where he was. He had total regret and couldn’t relieve himself of it.

He had this great feeling to go over there and tell her the truth, but he was afraid of what the consequences would be. The last thing he wanted was to end up locked up.

They left the well. Link followed the group with a frown. Devlin walked up to him, which gave Link a chill.

“You seem to be the first person who wants to stay away from the castle,” Devlin said. “Why is that?”

Link frowned. “I’m tired,” he said half-truthfully.

“Well don’t let that bother you when we head for the castle, or I’ll be very disappointed.”

He walked at a quicker pace to catch up with the others. Link looked up at the castle walls with great pain. He sighed and lowered his head. Dameon walked next to him, brushing his fur coat against his boots. He seemed happy to go to the castle. Link glared.

“You’re not helping,” he said to Dameon.

Dameon heard him and went into his emotionless state. This usually happened when the dog killed something.

They walked across the bridge. The guard, who became suspicious of this strange migration pointed his spear at them

“Halt! What brings you here?” the guard shouted. Hastin walked up to him.

He then suddenly and quickly grabbed the guard by the neck and bent it in an odd way. Link didn’t need a hint to know that Hastin broke his neck. Devlin smiled in glee.

They walked towards the castle, ignoring the desolation of the midnight town. Once they were near the path Devlin gathered them around.

“Okay,” Devlin said. “Listen up. We’ll go into two groups. One, including me, will sneak in and steal everything we can get our hands on. Those will be fox, griffin, cat, snake, and raven.”

Link’s heart sank at that. Devlin went on.

“Everyone else will distract the guards, so move out!”

So one group ran along the path, taking out their swords and started to kill the guards while Link and the others each climbed the tree that leaded into the garden outside the castle.

They climbed over the walls as some of the criminals distracted the guards by the gate. They immediately opened it and ran into the castle. Link and the others ran into their, shoving any piece of jewelry of money they could find in bags, pockets, and even their own boots.

Link dashed through the halls with Dameon at his side, biting guards at the neck each time one came near him.

He suddenly heard a scream coming from another room. Link became curious and barged into a room where the scream was coming from.

There he saw Crevan, a fellow thief, trying to pry a necklace from someone’s hands. What surprised him more was that the person who wouldn’t let go of the necklace was Princess Zelda.

“You will not take my mother’s necklace!” Zelda shouted. Crevan growled in frustration. Link almost driven by a new desire, kicked Crevan in the stomach.

Crevan retched in pain and released the necklace to recover from the blow, only to meet Link’s fist in the face. Crevan immediately fell over.

Zelda put the necklace around her neck again. Link was shocked.

Zelda, now with no headpiece around her head, had stunning blonde hair. Her face seemed perfect in every way as her violet eyes looked like beautiful tulips. She wore a simple and open pink dress with long gloves over her hands. She wore no crown over her head and the only piece of jewelry she carried was a necklace around her neck, which was a beautiful sapphire that sparkled just like her eyes.

Zelda looked up to see Link standing there in shock. She immediately grabbed a vase and held it up in rage.

“Don’t you dare come near me!” Zelda shouted. Link stood back in shock. Zelda did not recognize him.

Dameon ran into the room barking like mad. Zelda looked at the dog next to it. Link noticed the white dog next to Dameon and realized who it was.

Zelda did not recognize Link, but she did recognize Dameon. She gave Link a suspicious look.

“Who are you?” she asked. “What’s your name?”

Link stepped back. “Princess I mean no harm. My name is Link.”

Zelda dropped the vase so suddenly in shock. “Link! I can’t believe it!”

Link sighed in relief. “Yeah, I know it was long.”

Zelda snorted. “Seven years I believe. Where in the world have you been?”

Link smiled remembering that Malon asked the same question. “Well, I have been very busy.”

“Link!” shouted a voice. Link looked over as Zelda did too.

“Zelda,” Link said. “I have to go. Stay here.”

Link ran over to see Griffith, a fellow thief of his, trying to fight another woman.

This woman looked very dangerous, for she was well muscled with silver hair and red eyes, which meant she was a sheikah. She wore armor on her, which meant she was a great warrior.

Link knew not to toy with this woman. He took out his bow and aimed.

Zelda could not believe what had happened. Link, a boy she hadn’t seen for seven years had come back. She was shocked but looking at Michy and Dameon together, she believed.

Zelda also was amazed by how much Link had grown. He used to be the small boy who looked adorable. Now he had this strange demeanor to him. It was fierce and cold, yet kind and caring. She also blushed, for he looked like a very handsome man.

Zelda, being curious, knew she couldn’t stop herself from what was going on. She followed Link with the uttermost quietness.

She found out that Impa was fighting in rage to attack a man who was obviously a thief. She watched as Link took out his bow and aimed for…

He aimed for Impa. She had to stop him.

She grabbed a piece of wood from the ground and ran over to him. Link sensing her presence too late, she swung at him just as he turned around.

Everything went black for Link then.

The man looked over to Link in shock and back at Impa. He then quickly dashed away as Impa became unable to catch up with him. Zelda looked around. The castle looked like a bomb started off. Impa looked over to Zelda.

“Zelda! My goddesses! Are you all right? I saw you follow that man and I became so worried and I…”

“Impa,” Zelda interrupted. “Don’t worry. This is an old friend. I think he came here to save me.”

Impa searched the boy’s pockets and took out a couple rubies from his pocket.

“An old friend, huh? Just what do you think you’re doing trying to protect this stranger?”

Zelda opened her mouth in horror. “But Link… I know him!”

Impa sighed. “You must have mistaken him.”

Zelda frowned. “I know Link! Malon gave him a dog, named Dameon to remember him for. We played for a day in the gardens outside the castle. You remember Dameon.”

Dameon and Michy walked through the door, almost unaware by the look of the castle.

Impa sighed. “He’s still a criminal.”

Zelda frowned. “I won’t let him get sent to jail.”

Impa frowned. “Zelda that was seven years ago. People change. You saw him for a day.”

“But I can sense it in him,” Zelda pleaded. “Please! I demand that you do not bring him in jail! I beg of you.”

Impa crossed her arms. “Zelda, many times you have convinced me in many things, but this I will not cave.”

Zelda took off her necklace and showed it to her. “He stopped a man who tried to steal this from me.”

Impa looked into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

Zelda looked into her eyes with the most serious expression. “Link stopped a thief from taking my mother’s necklace.”

Impa then realized that she had caved. She looked over to the guard.

“Send this man to our physician.”

The guard nodded and picked up Link and carried him away. Zelda gave Impa a smile. Impa gave her a stern look, hoping that Link wasn’t what she expected.

At first, Link expected to lay on the straw mats inside the well where he lived all his life, then came the realization that he was under something extremely comforting. It was more than a straw mat, for he was sleeping in a very comfy bed for that matter. Silk sheets covered his shoulders.

Am I in heaven?

Then he remembered what happened. Zelda had hit him in the head with something. Link’s heart dropped when he realized that Zelda knew about him. But why would he be in this comfy bed? Was he really in heaven?

Link opened his eyes slowly. He sat up in looked around, speechless. He was in a small bed that had velvet curtain around it. The entire room looked beautiful yet slightly suffocating for some reason. Link knew it would be hard to get used to this, but he wondered how long he would stay here.

He removed himself from the bed, recalling the dream he had. It surely was a strange one. In which Hoang came and took Link away from a woman. He just told himself that it was a simple dream of nonsense.

“You’re awake,” said a voice when someone quietly peered through the door. Link went to take out his sword, but realized that he didn’t have his.

Link saw the woman he was trying to shoot the other day had come in. She walked in and tried to smile, but had suspiciousness on her face.

“Who are you if you don’t mind me asking and where am I?” Link asked. The woman sighed.

“My name is Impa and I am the guardian of Princess Zelda, which is why she attacked you obviously. But because of your righteousness of stopping a thief, and I am guessing one of your friends, she ordered that you would not be sent to jail. So you are in the castle.”

So that’s why this room looked so amazingly beautiful. He was in the castle, and in the guest room he guessed. He looked over to Impa wondering why she was not amazed by the fine work of art. Except he realized she must have been used to these fine luxuries.

“I only have one request,” Impa said. Link became curious.

“Please do not embarrass Princess Zelda by doing wrong.”

“I won’t,” Link replied, deciding that it would be best to bow. Impa chuckled.

“Oh please, do that if front of the king,” Impa smiled. “I’m no noble. You’re not what I expected of a thief. I guess Zelda was right.”

Impa smiled and left, except Link could see a line of suspiciousness in her face. Link sighed and looked over to the vanity. He then realized he was wearing a blue tunic now, not a black one. His pure silky white undershirt and pants were now very clean, as for his hair that seemed combed now.

He then discovered that his hat was gone. He knew the tailor though, would not probably give him a strange shaped hat. His gloves were also gone as well.

Another person came to the door, except this time, this person knocked. Link walked over to the door and opened it. He almost gasped and instead raised an eyebrow.

“Princess Zelda,” Link said surprised. Zelda walked through the room.

“Link,” she said to him. “I wanted to thank you for stopping that thief from taking my necklace.”

Link forced himself to relax slightly. He felt blush creeping up his face and also the nervousness being in front of royalty.

“Your welcome,” Link replied. “And I…”

Link sighed. Zelda gave a look of understanding.

“I know, I know, you almost put my guardian’s life in danger, but you were trying to protect your friend. I admire that.”

Zelda walked closer to him. “Link, why did you become a thief? And please answer honestly. I promise I won’t lock you up.”

Link bit his lip in nervousness at first and sighed. “I don’t really know. All I remember was that I was one of them, for as long as I could remember.”

Zelda raised an eyebrow. “Oh so you were a thief when I first met you?”

Link nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to go to jail or frighten you or Malon.”

“I understand,” Zelda said. Link began to feel the guilt of being reminded of that day. He had to let it burst out.

“I’m sorry I stole your tiara from you,” Link blurted. Zelda looked up at him.

“What?”

Link sighed. “I stole a tiara before I left. I wasn’t thinking of the consequences and…”

“GUARDS!” Zelda shouted.

“Princess please!” Link panicked and put his hands up in surrender. The guards rushed through the room.

“Princess are you okay?” they shouted. Zelda smiled.

“Just checking if you were paying attention. Just a drill.”

Link sighed in relief as the guards left the room. Link frowned.

“You did that on purpose!” Link growled. Zelda burst into laughter.

“You haven’t changed Link I see,” Zelda giggled. Link frowned.

“You haven’t changed either,” Link said embarrassed, remembering the day she pretended to cry. “Why didn’t you send me away though?”

Zelda stopped giggling. “Oh please Link. I’m a princess. Do you think I need another tiara? I get all those junky gifts at parties all the time. It gets so boring and I never wear jewelry.” She looked down to the necklace on her neck with a more serious look. “Except for my mother’s necklace. I don’t remember her death, but I remember her giving me this right before she died.”

Link fell into silence as Zelda became sad. Link sighed. “You’re lucky. At least you have something to remember your parents by. I never knew anything about my mother or father.”

Zelda had a look of horror on her face. “You were adopted?”

Link nodded. Zelda frowned. She walked up to him and took him by total surprise. She hugged him. Link felt embarrassed at first, but relaxed as he hugged her back. He discovered that he never had a better friend than Zelda, maybe even more than that.

For the rest of the day, Link curiously explored the castle, almost laughing when the guards became paranoid and afraid. Link paid no mind to them and kept on walking, for they couldn’t arrest him unless he stole something or killed someone. But he had no weapons and stealing was the last thing on his mind.

He finally reached a nice courtyard. It had certain rooms where each had some sort of garden or fountains in place. It was truly a majestic area and Link walked into it, noticing more guards here.

He walked past the maze of bushes and into the next, which was a surprise.

There were no guards here, but the place looked beautiful. A moat surrounded the circular room and flowers grew along the island in the middle. There was no ceiling, so birds and bugs and other animals gathered around here.

Zelda was standing in here, trying to concentrate. A bow and arrow in her hands, aimed for a sack of grain with a target on it. Link understood and watched Zelda let her arrow fly.

She squirmed in pain as the bow hit her arm and the arrow hit a picture of a man in the other room. The picture fell off the wall with a crash. Zelda flinched from the loud noise and sighed in frustration. Link walked over to her, sensing that she needed help.

“Princess Zelda,” Link caught her attention. “Do you want help in that?”

Zelda smiled. “Yes! My father allowed me to fight with a sword, but he never gave me lessons of the bow and arrow. I’d be grateful if you’d help me.”

Link smiled and walked over to her. “Okay, first of all, stand at a forty degree angle so the bow won’t hit you in the arm.”

Link stood right behind Zelda and anchored her into the right position.

“Now pull the string leveled to your eye and tilt your head slightly with the bow.”

Zelda did as Link told her. She pulled the bow and tilted slightly to the right.

“Aim and make sure the notch is up to the target.”

Zelda aimed making sure her arrow seemed to touch the target.

“And release…”

Zelda released the bow to let her arrow fly. It struck perfectly true right into the target. Zelda looked up at Link and smiled.

“You’re a wonderful teacher Link.”

“You flatter me too much, princess,” Link said blushing.

“Love is in the air,” said another voice. Link and Zelda looked towards the entrance to the castle.

“Malon,” Zelda blushed slightly. “Good to see you.”

Malon and Sheik stood there. Malon smiled while Sheik looked pensive as always.

Zelda then realized what Malon had just said. Link did also… They looked to realized that Zelda’s back was just up against Link’s chest and they could obviously be mistaken for a couple. Link and Zelda blushed and took a large step away from each other. Zelda’s embarrassment drained and she ran up to Malon.

Zelda and Malon made a bright, cheery hug as Sheik smiled as he shot a glance at Link.

“Well, this is very strange, meeting Link in the castle,” Malon replied.

Link nodded, then began to think about what she said. Sheik walked over to him.

“I told her the truth after you left,” Sheik murmured. “She’s okay with you being a thief, just don’t steal anything from her ranch again.”

Link frowned. “I won’t.”

He began to feel doubt in these words. What would happen now? He couldn’t just abandon his family and live in the castle the rest of his life. All this confusion made his head hurt and he began to grow pale.

Zelda, who was just conversing with Malon, looked over to Link, who didn’t look like he was in good shape.

“Link?” Zelda asked, worried. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

Sheik, Malon, and Zelda directed their attention towards Link and he began to feel nervous.

“Umm,” Link stuttered. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just going to head back to my room for a while.”

And with that, Link walked away. All three of them were silent. Malon and Sheik began to talk about gossip going through towns, but Zelda couldn’t help but think of Link. She couldn’t take her mind off of him, and as seconds passed, she became more worried of him.

Link walked back to his room after asking a dozen guards where it was. He entered it and looked out the window and looked at the view.

It was a beautiful view as it shown the sight of the ranch, the river, the mountain, and Kakariko.

Link’s stomach churned as he became homesick. He couldn’t believe it. He was with Zelda, a girl that he secretly had a desire in him to stay with for all of his life, and his dank home under the well, where he wanted to help his family survive.

Link moved himself up from his bed as the morning light shined through his window. A rooster crowed nearby.

At first, like before, he expected himself to wake up in a dingy, dirty, and dark place like the well was, only surprised to see that he was in the castle once again… amazingly…

He was about to get up, when something black leaped on his stomach, surprising him and almost knocking the wind out of his body.

“Hey Dameon,” Link said. “Where’ve you been?”

Dameon made a small bark, as if trying to answer his question. Link patted him and he soon jumped off the bed, relieving Link of the weight on his stomach.

Link got up and stretched, after cracking a few bones and stretching his tightening muscles, he looked over to the chair by a simple wooden vanity where he put his tunic.

Of course, it wasn’t there anymore and a new clean tunic hanged from another chair by the door, folded neatly for him to change. He slipped it on with a final yawn.

After changing, his curiosity piqued again and he opened the door to explore again. Dameon, who almost danced around him, excited to see him, followed him.

Walking down the halls, he wondered where Zelda was.

“Maybe I should check the gardens,” he told himself. He tried to remember the way back to the place where Zelda and he last met.

As he and Dameon came nearer to the gardens, he could hear the clashing and slashing of swords in the air. Link followed the sound to see Zelda and Impa sword fighting each other.

Link watched in interest, surprised that Zelda could move so quickly with the blade. Dameon also watched with interest, not interrupting their battle.

Each parried attacks, flipping in and out of the battle to dodge attacks. Each seemed to jump higher than the other, as if their goal was to cut each other’s feet off by the ankles.

It seemed to be extreme redundancy as Impa always made the first move and Zelda amazingly dodged it with such grace and made another slash back which was blocked by Impa.

It sometimes switched back and forth, surprising each other, but still managing to overcome these attacks. Soon enough, both of them did a back flip and landed on the ground, exhausted.

Zelda and Impa then noticed that Link and Dameon had approached. Zelda smiled while Impa put her hands on her hips.

“Link,” Zelda said happily. “You’re back. Did you get enough sleep?”

“Yes,” Link lied, feeling that it wasn’t very important. “That was an amazing battle back there.”

Zelda smirked. “Yes I think I am much better than Impa at fighting, don’t you think?”

Link chuckled. “Umm…”

Impa smiled. “It’s okay,” she mocked. “I won’t chop your head off if you say Zelda is the better fighter because she’s younger and much more of your type.”

Link and Zelda became beet red as they glared at Impa. She smiled. Zelda then shook away her blush.

“I wonder if you would be able to chop his head off, Impa,” Zelda said, excitedly. “How good are you with the sword, Link?”

Link became embarrassed and didn’t want what he expected to happen next. “Well… I… I don’t know… I mean,” he stuttered. Zelda didn’t bother with his answer.

“Don’t worry! If you’re bad, Impa will go easy on you! If you’re good, in Impa’s eyes, then consider yourself a true swordsman.”

Zelda pulled Link into battle with Impa and handed him a sword. He became very nervous. He had no idea why, but fighting a girl sheikah, and especially a skilled one seemed to destroy all the odds of being a good swordsman.

Zelda and Dameon then backed away as Impa smirked. “How good are you with the sword, really?”

Link held his sword out in a defensive position. “I think I’m quite good, but I don’t know if I’m a swordsman in your eyes.”

Impa put her sword in an attack mode. “Lets just see.”

She dashed with speed as Link prepared for her first attack, with a block. Of course once Link realized the attack didn’t come head on, he immediately turned to his left to parry Impa’s attack.

Impa jumped back. “I feel a speck impressed. Most amateurs never block those attacks.”

Link frowned. “I’m not a swordsman in your eyes though?”

“No,” she replied simply. They both charged as Impa viewed the extent of Link’s skills. Both quickly dodged and blocked attacks.

But Link was actually going easy on Impa, but little did he realize that she was too.

They both jumped back, neither even broke a single drop of sweat. Link smirked.

“Were you going easy on me?” he asked. Impa nodded.

“I’m guessing you were too,” Impa replied.

“Exactly,” Link said. They both charged again.

This time, instead of making simple slashes against each other they attacked with many different and creative ways to attack each other, but mostly ending up blocked or dodged anyway.

After that, they both jumped back again, slightly sweaty from the heat and exercise.

“Still going easy,” Link said, wiping his brow. Impa nodded.

“You are too,” she replied. They charged again.

Link went for a lightning fast slash, which took Impa by surprise at first, but she luckily pushed it away with the tip of her sword and went for a kick at Link’s stomach. He saw this coming and grabbed her foot.

“This is turning into more than just a swordfight,” Link said. Impa nodded.

Soon both went not only attacking with swords, but with fists and any body part. Any body part including Impa’s head, which she used to head butt Link when their swords connected.

They charged once more and as Impa went to attack, Link, instead dove down and skidded underneath her. She was shocked as Link came up from behind and pointed his sword at her back.

“Drop,” Link said firmly. “…Your. Sword…”

Impa obeyed with a smile. Link lowered his sword.

She then turned around with a look of surprise. “Well Link, you have completely stunned me, which no one has ever done in my entire life. Because of that great performance, I announce that you are not just a swordsman, but a master.”

Link raised an eyebrow. “Thank you. I have been practicing.”

Zelda and Dameon walked up to them and smiled at Link. “I really think you’re great with the sword. That was an amazing battle, Link! Never in my life has Impa lost a match.”

Link blushed and fixed his cap. “Thank you.”

Dameon leaped up and put his paws on Link’s chest, as if to congratulate him. Link patted him on the head and he happily ran out of the room as a bark entered.

Adri walked in and Dameon happily ran to her. They soon ran off, leaving Link, Zelda, and Impa.

Impa turned to Link and Zelda. “Well I have some paperwork to finish off. I’ll see you.”

Link waved as Zelda smiled. “See you Impa.”

She walked away, leaving Link and Zelda alone. Zelda looked over at Link. “Were you really tired yesterday,” she asked suspiciously.

“What?” Link said, shocked. Zelda frowned.

“Were you really just tired yesterday? Tell me the truth.”

Link sighed. “I’m sorry I lied. I wasn’t really tired. I was just…”

“Just what?” Zelda asked curiously.

“…Home sick,” Link replied.

“Oh,” Zelda said, saddened. Link frowned.

“Hey, I still like it here, it’s just that they’re… you know… my family.”

“I understand.”

Zelda lowered her head. “We’re not keeping you here as a prisoner. You can leave whenever you want to.”

Link raised an eyebrow. “I said I was home sick. I never said I wanted to go back.”

Zelda looked up in surprise. “You really want to stay here?”

Link nodded with a smile. “Unless you want me to leave, I’ll stay.”

Zelda smiled. “I do want you to stay, Link.”

They both looked into each other’s eyes. Link took a step forwards, as did Zelda. They both became so close that they were only an inch away from each other. Link hesitated, realizing now what was going on, but Zelda understood what was happening immediately and went for it.

Zelda’s lips touched his, as he was stunned at first. Then he kissed her back discovering that Malon and Impa were right all along. They did love each other.

Link wrapped his arms around Zelda’s waist as she caressed his cheek. They soon broke apart, smiling at each other.

After that amazing kiss Link had no doubt in his mind about his love for Zelda. He hadn’t remembered being this happy.

Then, strangely enough, a beeping sound could be heard. Link at first, was confused, but then realized that only one thing could make that beeping noise.
Link immediately held Zelda and leaped off as a bomb exploded, crashing a wall in the castle. Screams could be heard and the clanging of swords echoed throughout the place. An ambush on the castle had happened again.

Although Link survived, the explosion, had indirectly hit him giving him a lot of pain to put up with. But because he shielded Zelda, she was okay.

Once the fires of the explosion died away, a man walked into the newly made entrance.

Link looked up. “Hoang?”

Hoang held out his sword. “Come on Link. I’m taking you home.”

Zelda stood up. “You’re not taking him anywhere,” she said fiercely.

“Want to make a bet princess,” Hoang replied coldly. She bared her teeth and took out her sword, as did Hoang.

They charged at each other. It was speed against power, and both of them had a larger amount of the other, with skill to back it up. Zelda could quickly attack as Hoang could parry it with great force. Both attacked in rage, and drew some blood, but not good enough to kill.

Link stood up, crying out from the burns on his arms and back. He picked up a sword lying on the ground and limped over to the battle.

As soon as he got close enough, he put his sword up to block an attack from Hoang, and grabbed Zelda’s sword arm, making her unable to attack.

Zelda was the first to struggle. “Link let me go!”

Yet Link ignored her, and looked at Hoang, who growled.

“What’s it going to be,” Hoang bellowed. “Will you go back with us or become a traitor.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Zelda shouted. “Link, you not this type of person! You’re not a criminal! You never were! It’s just not who you are!”

Link looked at Hoang with a glare. “I would hate myself if I ever became a traitor.”

Zelda gasped in horror. “Link, no!”

Hoang smiled. Link still gave him the piercing glare.

“But I cannot leave,” Link finished. “I made a promise that I wouldn’t let Zelda down.”

Zelda made a sigh of relief and smiled at Link, who released her from his grip. Hoang was not too happy with this though.

“Traitor!” Hoang growled. Link frowned.

“Listen Hoang,” Link said. “I know what happened seventeen years ago.”

Hoang became confused. “What?”

“I know what you did,” Link said. “You saved me that night. You shouldn’t be a criminal either.”

“I am one, and no one can stop me or any of us!” Hoang growled.

“It’s not who you are!” Link shouted. “This is Devlin’s work! He is a manipulating monster who persuaded you into this!”

“Devlin’s our leader,” Hoang bared his teeth in rage. “How dare you say that in front of me!”

Link pushed his sword back as hard as he could, separating himself from Hoang. Link panted in pain while Hoang seemed a little shook up.

“You told me,” Link said between breaths. “…You told me long ago… That you had a family a couple years ago… They died before you joined with Devlin.”

Hoang stopped suddenly from charging to attack, and lowered his sword. Link took a step forwards… His sword fell to the ground with a clatter, from either pain or trust in his foster father.

“You’re not a criminal,” Link said, smiling. Hoang froze stiff. Those words resounded in his mind and heart. He relaxed a second later, and dropped his sword, realizing what had happened to him all this time.

He then suddenly shot Link a happy grin. It was something he usually never did, and this one wasn’t any way sadistic or cruel. The evilness cleared from his eyes as he walked up to Link and gave him a pat on the back, forcing Link to wince in pain, and bite down the urge to cry out.

“I’m sorry Link. I’ve made a terrible mistake that changed my life for the worse, when I thought it was for the best. I’m proud of you.”

Link smiled and looked up to see the face of a compassionate father. But before he could make his own comment, Zelda interrupted.

“Link, I think you should see a medic,” she said, breaking the happiness of the moment. “Those burns look real bad.”

Hoang frowned. “Sorry…”

Link made a weak smile. “It’s okay. Just don’t bomb the castle again.”

Hoang nodded and grabbed his arm to relieve him from the weight of his own body as Zelda took his other. They half-carried half-dragged him to the doctors.

Zelda rushed to one of the guards. “What happened?”

“We managed to capture most of them, but from our information, only eight remain.”

Link quickly limped over to the guard. “How many were there all together?”

The guard thought for a second to calculate the amount that were in jail and those who escaped.

“Eighteen,” he answered. Hoang frowned.

“That means mostly the best seven thieves Devlin has and including himself have escaped. We have to go back down and give them the beating of a lifetime.”

Link nodded, wincing. One of the doctors walked up to him.

“Sir, come with me,” the doctor said. He looked at him and lowered his head to mutter under his breath. “Such a reckless boy.”

Link followed, wincing at every step, as they were soon gone. Zelda watched with a smile as Hoang frowned.

“So are you going to put me in jail?” Hoang asked. Zelda smiled and looked up.

“No,” she replied. “I trust Link, and he trusts you. But if you don’t bring your partners to jail, then I might change my mind.”

Hoang smiled. “I don’t think they’re my partners anymore.”

An eerie glow, due to the moon, entered a certain room, as a certain boy clutched his icy sheets in his bedroom, forcing himself not to cry out, as it seemed.

Link then regained all senses as he became conscious again and immediately popped up from his bed. He gasped as cold sweat dripped down his face.

He looked around and made a sigh of relief. He got up and put on a robe, flashes of his dream entered his mind and could be seen in his eyes every few seconds.

“Just,” Link whispered to himself. “… A nightmare… Just some stupid nightmare.”

He looked down at the burnt marks on his arms and back from the explosion. He frowned as he recalled the burning of a certain house with a woman trapped inside.

“Just a coincidence,” Link told himself once again. Then he felt very stupid, talking to himself in the middle of the night. He made a sigh and dropped onto his bed.

He then lifted his head to the door. He had to find out some information, and he knew who to talk to. Putting on a simple pair of slippers, he walked through the dark hallways. The guards that stood there became suspicious, but didn’t interfere. He then walked to another room like his and knocked.

“Come in,” said a voice. Link opened the door to Hoang’s room.

He was also dressed as if was going to bed, but he didn’t look like he slept at all, instead he had his back turned towards the window. Link took a small step forwards.

“Hoang?” Link said to get his attention. Hoang’s pointed ears perked and he turned around.

“What’s wrong, Link?” Hoang asked simply. Link lowered his head.

“I just wanted to know what happened to my real family.”

Hoang raised an eyebrow and gave Link a look of both surprise and guilt.

“Before I explain this to you, I want to say I’m really sorry, Link. If I had been myself, this would’ve been totally different.”

“You didn’t kill them did you,” Link asked with a tone of dread in his voice.

“Not exactly,” Hoang answered. “It started out with this…”



Link sighed as he took all this in. He realized that he was wrong. Those nightmares were showing him something… His past… which was the same thing Hoang had told him. Everything fit now, and Link realized how evil Devlin truly was.

“We have to stop him!” Link said, slamming his fist on a nearby table. “I swear he’ll get what he deserves after all the people he’s hurt, manipulated, and killed!”

Hoang crossed his arms with a grin. “Pretty big words for someone wearing pajamas.”

Link became embarrassed and angry at the same time while Hoang chuckled. If steam could possibly come out of his ears, it would’ve been just now.

“Not funny,” Link muttered. “I’m getting changed.”

Hoang raised an eyebrow. “Tonight? You’re still recovering.”

“I don’t care,” Link said stubbornly. “The more time we waste, the more people suffer from Devlin’s wrath.”

Hoang accepted this and smiled. “Sounded like a true hero. I’m coming with you.”

Link nodded with a smile and rushed out the door. He ran into his room and changed into his old clothes that had been repaired from all the rips and stains.

He opened the door to see Hoang in his usual thief attire as well. All black that covered almost everything but his head.

“Ready?”

“No,” Link said sarcastically. “I changed my mind. We’ll do this in a month, or a year, or a decade.”

Link walked out of his room as Hoang ignored his sarcastic comment. They acted casual to the guards and walked towards the exit of the castle.

“Hold on one minute!” said a voice.

Link and Hoang froze. At first, Link thought it was the sound of a guard becoming paranoid, but the voice sounded much more recognizable.

It wasn’t Zelda or Impa, since it was male. Link turned around to see Sheik standing there.

Hoang bared his teeth. “You!”

Sheik smirked. “Yes it is I.”

“Sheik,” Link became confused. “Did you sneak in here?”

“No,” Sheik replied simply. “I have no reason to sneak into the castle. I was invited in here in gratitude in my assistance of the ambush.”

“Ah,” Hoang interrupted. “So you are the one who captured the guards. I was confused when they announced that they captured the thieves. They couldn’t possibly catch any thief.”

Sheik grinned. “Very invective, I say. Anyway, I overheard your conversation and I want to help. I’ll assist you in putting this murderous criminal Devlin in his place.”

“What!” Hoang growled.

“Thanks Sheik,” Link replied. Hoang became frantic.

“Surely you cannot let this sheikah boy come with us,” Hoang said annoyed.

Sheik was about to make an angry comment back, but someone else interrupted him.

“What’s wrong with bringing a sheikah boy, since a sheikah girl is coming.”

Link looked towards the exit to see Impa and Zelda in her training attire. Impa had her daggers out while Zelda held out two sabers.

“We’re all coming,” Zelda replied, looking directly at Link. “Two or three people cannot fight eight of the toughest criminals in Hyrule.”

Hoang sighed. “All right. Link, you agree?”

Link frowned. “Zelda are you sure you are coming? I don’t want the Queen of Hyrule to die early because of me.”

Impa smirked. “The blame won’t be put on you. I’m her bodyguard and will protect her with my life. That’s why I’m here.”

Link nodded. “Let’s go then.”

Link dropped down to the bottom of the well, as did Hoang, Sheik, Zelda, and Impa.

“This is it,” Link said. “This is the place where Devlin’s hideout is.”

Impa became curious. “You don’t mean that you lived in this place did you?”

Link nodded. “My whole life… This has been my home until I saw Zelda again.”

“No wonder you’re skilled with the sword,” Sheik said, astonished. “Many monsters and puzzles lie waiting for an unprotected life in this place.”

Link blushed at this comment. Zelda became impatient.

“Lets go… We should try and find them first before they find us.”

“Right,” everyone said. They all entered the tunnel to the well. Upon doing this, they immediately heard the voices of others.

“He said that they would come and then disappeared.”

“Why’d he leave?”

“Because he’s a bloody coward, that’s why.”

“I would shut it, if I were you. He’s our leader. Have some respect.”

Hoang looked at Link in the pitch-black darkness. Link sensed this and gave a signal for everyone to get ready.

“Yeah,” Hoang then called, startling the thieves. “Have some respect for the damn piece of dirt.”

Link, Zelda, Sheik, Hoang, and Impa charged out at the seven thieves.

It was all too easy with teamwork. Link managed to knock out two thieves, as did Impa, while Sheik and Zelda took down one and Hoang finished the other two in a couple of thrusts in their swords and daggers.

Zelda and Impa then took out some rope and tied up the unconscious and stunned thieves. Link smiled at Zelda and Impa’s preparation.

Link then looked around. “That was too easy, but where could Devlin be?”
“I’ll go check the other dungeon rooms,” Hoang said. Link nodded and looked around. Sheik did as well.

“I sense the presence of another,” he muttered in fear. Link wondered why he was afraid.

“Is it Devlin?” Link asked. Sheik frowned.

“It couldn’t be, unless he was…”

But he was quickly interrupted as a black figure shot out. Link, acting on quick instincts, reached out and grabbed the man before anyone else could touch him.

Link then realized that this person was going straight for Zelda, and he immediately grabbed her.

“Impa!” Link warned her immediately, but everything suddenly went black and he became confused. He then felt a jerk in his stomach that made him want to vomit for a second.

A sword then almost appeared out of thin air, while Link realized that he was sword-less. He couldn’t block the attack and it slammed onto his chest with such a force that it knocked him to the ground.

Ground… A vibration was sent through Link’s body as he landed on a strong paper-like ground.

Link then recovered his sense of sight and looked around. Darkness swirled around the entire room and he looked down at the strange ground, only to realize that he was actually on a giant drum almost floating on darkness.

Link then stood up, remembering what happened with Zelda. He looked over to the man who had his back turned on him. A woman laid next to him. Link, to his horror, realized who it was.

“Zelda!” Link shouted and started to run towards her. But the black figure raised his hand, a black energy echoed through his hand as he made one command to Link.

“Stop!”

It happened so fast. Link immediately lost all control over his body, and he froze. Link’s eyes widened in horror...

“I,” Link stuttered in shock. “…Can’t move. Zelda!”

“She’s not dead,” he replied. “If you’re wondering.”

“Devlin,” Link bared his teeth. “What did you do to Zelda?”

“I merely put her in a deep sleep,” He answered. ”She’ll wake soon. But that’s not the point. You are calling me by the wrong name, Raven. You always have.”

Link bit his lip. “You’re not my boss anymore Devlin. I only rule myself, and you can’t force me to do anything anymore for you.”

Devlin only replied with silence for a while, as Link tried fruitlessly to break the spell over his paralyzed body.

“My name is not Devlin. Be honored Raven, for you are the only one who has known my true identity in a long time.”

Link became suspicious. “What are you talking about?”

“I knew you were somehow related to the legendary hero. You fight like him, you look like him, and you’re even named after him.”

Link realized what he was saying. He heard the few stories of the Hero of Time. He was the hero in tales that came out of nowhere and saved the Land of Hyrule when darkness was prevailing, but Link usually never believed those stories. He was a murdering thief back then, and darkness did seem to prevail, and no one came to stop them.

Unless he or one of the thieves was the Hero of Time…

He snapped that out of his head. The Hero of Time was a legend and he was talking to a madman. He couldn’t listen to his words.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about but you’ve definitely gone mad. The Hero of Time is a myth.”

Devlin chuckled. “You know so little.”

Link growled. “Devlin! This is over! Come and fight me like a man unless you’re going to hide in the shadows and use your stupid magic tricks to save you!”

“I told you, my name isn’t Devlin,” he said. “But I never run away from a fight. I hope you’re just as good as the Hero of Time, or else I’ll be sorely disappointed.”

“You will be disappointed, but not because of my skill, but because of your defeat,” Link said in confidence.

Devlin made a loud crack of darkness that covered his body. Before Link had realized that he was not Devlin after all, he changed into someone different.

His white skin grew much darker as his hair went to a dark red. His clothes switched from a simple black cloak to black armor covering his entire body. He grew taller and his nose pointed out in a sneer. A brown cape flowed from his back.

“I’m not Devlin,” he said. “My name is Ganondorf.”

(A.N) Ehh, before you get confused, I vaguely remember being knocked off the drum while fighting Bongo Bongo, the boss in the Shadow Temple, and then started losing hearts out of nowhere. So if you’re bored when playing OOT, and want to seriously put Link in pain, I think that’s a good way to do it (Ack! Off the subject!)... Anyway if it isn’t (I have a terrible memory and haven’t played OOT in a while) please email me (and be honest! Please!). It’s just to let you know. And it inspired me to create this part of the story. That’s all!


Devlin, now known as Ganondorf, removed his sword with a smile. Link held out his sword in determination. The need to save Zelda burned like a fire in his eyes, and he had no fear in this battle. He would save her, no matter what happened. He would not give up.

They both charged, and Link gave no mercy to Ganondorf. He concentrated on every attack and made sure each had no regret in it. And he could tell that he was winning, for Ganondorf was becoming frustrated already, even though he was silent.

And then it happened when Link was parrying an attack. As soon as he hesitated, Ganondorf pounded his fist onto the drum. A large vibration rumbled due to the power and Link was shocked. For he was abruptly thrown back by the mere force…

And Ganondorf didn’t stop there, for when he was clear, his hands crackled with dark magic again and Link could feel the pushing of dark waves against him. He looked around to see that he was trying to knock him off the battlefield.

And Link bit his lip and rebelled against the waves of darkness. He forced himself to slowly take a step away from the edge, magic pushing him back almost like a hurricane.

Soon Ganondorf raised his sword again, and the magic had calmed a bit, allowing Link move around more freely, but he could still feel the darkness weakly trying to push him back.

They charged and clashed swords.

“You’re stupid cheating magic is useless,” Link said. Ganondorf smirked.

“We’ll see about that.”

They both leap back and started to attack again, and Link still had the advantage, for he was both just as strong as Ganondorf and much quicker and smaller. It was much easier to avoid Ganondorf’s attacks than Ganondorf avoiding Link’s.

After what seemed like forever, Ganondorf did another magic trick that surprised Link once more. Ganondorf had retreated and wrapped himself in his brown cape, and then disappearing all together.

Link looked around in frustration for only a second before his senses exploded in warning and he went into a roll before Ganondorf could stab him from behind.

Unfortunately, his long sword was quicker and managed to slash a piece of burnt flesh from Link’s back.

Now usually, Link would either bite down intense pain like this that he expected to come to him and keep fighting fiercely, but this time, the shock was what caused Link to scream from this great fiery wound.

He didn’t stand up this time, but landed on all fours and winced once again as a few drops of blood trickled down his wounded back. It was a second before Link could ignore and block out the pain and stand up again; ready to fight with energy and determination coursing through his veins once more.

Ganondorf smirked as he found another one of Link’s weaknesses and charged. Link got ready to parry his attack, but once again he disappeared. And this time Link knew what to do…

Link put his sword sticking out behind him as Ganondorf appeared, causing Ganondorf to groan in pain as his sword cut through flesh in his stomach. He disappeared again and reappeared in front of Link. Blood dripped on his black armor.

“This,” Ganondorf said. “Is nothing…”

He raised his right hand revealing a glowing majestic Triforce on his hand. He then slowly put it against his stomach that suddenly stopped bleeding.

Link bared his teeth. “You can heal yourself.”

“You cannot kill me, Link,” Ganondorf said with an evil cackle. Link put his sword up in attack mode.

“I’ll just have to find a way to defeat you,” Link said. They charged again, but this time, at the very last moment, another vibration entered the drum as Ganondorf pounded the ground with his fist once more.

And due to this force, Link was lifted off his feet and knocked far away again. Only this time, the force was much stronger, and he was knocked off the giant drum and also their battlefield.

He did luckily land on ground and was glad that he could only just take a few steps over to the battlefield to fight again. But the relief of this was only temporary.

And then it felt like white-hot knives had started poking his feet and then entire body as he could feel some sort of invisible pain rushing through him. Ganondorf smiled, as Link made a cry in pain.

“The land around us is cursed,” he informed. “Only beasts of shadow can set foot around the field.”
Link ignored his words and bit down the pain as he neared towards the drum and felt relief when he pulled himself up to the battlefield.

“Ganondorf this isn’t over,” He panted. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take the pain anymore and landed on all fours. Ganondorf smiled at his triumph.

“Well, you said I was disappointed,” Ganondorf smirked. “And you’re right, but not because of my defeat, but because you gave up so easily. I was hoping that this would be a longer fight to the death.”

He raised his long sword and swung down at Link, but his sword only bounced against the thick paper of the drum.

Link had made a smile before Ganondorf attacked and rolled under his legs just like he did to Impa. He then quickly stood up and drove his sword straight through Ganondorf’s back.

Ganondorf smiled. “I told you already that I can heal. This wound is only temporary.”

Link glared at him. “Not if you’re unconscious.”

Link then kicked Ganondorf off the platform with his sword still in his back. Ganondorf made a growl in frustration as he embraced the pain before him.

Like Link had said, Ganondorf had fainted from the intense pain in his back, which made him unable to move, and the cursed land around the giant drum.

Link smiled. “You’re not a shadow beast either.”

Link then dragged Ganondorf back onto the drum and on his back. He had to find what was making him heal himself, before he awakened.

And his answer directly pointed to his hand as a glow appeared in Link’s eyes.

He felt that he knew exactly what to do and immediately raised his sword and removed his right hand from its hand. Link picked the disconnected right hand and threw it far away in disgust.

But as soon as Link threw his hand far away, Ganondorf’s eyes shot open in fiery hatred. His left hand raised and lunged at Link’s neck, causing him to choke from no air in his lungs.

Ganondorf growled. “All… I… wanted…”

Blood seeped down his lips as Link felt that Ganondorf was about to break his neck.

“All… I desired… was it…. And you… you took it away…”

Ganondorf closed his eyes and his powerful grip of Link’s neck released as he gasped for air.

He crawled away from Ganondorf as a scent of a rotting body entered the room and he coughed in disgust.

As soon as he checked that his neck was okay and he was able to freely breathe air again, he looked over at the dead body of Ganondorf.

But it was not as he expected, for only a skeleton covered in black armor remained. Link frowned in disgust and relief.

And it was relief that washed over him. The man known as Ganondorf and disguised as a criminal named Devlin was finally defeated… Dead and gone from this world…

Link then turned and crawled over to Zelda’s slumbering body. He heard her stir and he smiled.

“Zelda,” Link said, hoarsely. “Zelda wake up.”

As he predicted, Zelda’s eyes fluttered open. She smiled.

“Link,” Zelda said happily. “Let me guess… You saved me.”

Link only nodded, feeling that he wouldn’t be able to talk normal for a week.

Zelda sat up and looked at the disembodied hand that still seemed quite preserved.

“His hand,” Zelda said, almost entranced. “It has the piece of power of the great Triforce.”

Link remembered the story of the amazing Triforce, an object left in the sacred realm by the very goddesses themselves that granted any wish to the beholder. He looked over at the hand.

The hand disappeared then, revealing a small triangle, shining in all its glory. Link neared towards the golden power and curiously picked it up.

For a moment, it didn’t seem to have any power. It was as light as a feather and seemed as delicate as glass.

And then a flash of white appeared in Link’s eyes. Through the blankness, Link could see a mirror, but his reflection seemed different.

A seventeen year old stood before him, who looked exactly like him, except for all his clothes were black and his hair was whitish platinum, but what was the most odd was the piercing pupil-less red eyes, filled with hatred. He made a sadistic smirk that Link could easily compare to all the other criminals from his group.

And as he looked into those eyes, memories swirled past him. It was memories of all the people he killed for money. It was all the people that suffered in those years of a criminal…

But instead of feeling terrible for all the people he hurt, he felt fake warmth inside him, almost telling him that he should do more of this, and removing the lives of others to steal their money and live was worth it.

~He felt fake warmth inside him.~

Link shook his head, trying to remove himself from this horror that was trying to manipulate him from the inside. He had to find some way to fight this. What stopped him from these crimes in the first place, he asked himself.

~Sara… Tina… Zelda… Nikki…~

“Zelda!” Link voiced out and he forced his hand to chuck the golden piece to the ground. In doing so, he regained consciousness.

“Link! Are you okay?” Zelda shouted in worry. Link opened his eyes to see Zelda in front of him. He was kneeling on the ground, shaking from both the pains of the fight, and the strange hallucination that he had met up with.

“What happened,” Link asked weakly. Zelda gave him a worried look.

“You picked up the Triforce of Power and then stopped moving. What happened to you?”

“I,” Link started. “…I was somewhere else. I saw myself… My darker self… And something was telling me to kill, but I thought of you…”

He looked deep into her eyes. Zelda made a smile but then looked at the Triforce piece that was thrown to the ground.

“Do you think this did it?” she asked curiously. Link nodded silently.

She hesitated at first, but then picked it up and waited for something to happen. But nothing did…

“Zelda, are you okay?” Link asked. Zelda became confused.

“I’m fine… It’s just strange that it doesn’t do anything to me, but has such an effect on you.”

Link lowered his head. “Devlin was evil and so am I. That is why it happened to me.”

Zelda frowned at his sadness. “Hey,” she put a hand on his with a smile. “You used to be evil. I know you, Link. The piece didn’t control you because you’re not evil. You just were directed wrongly in the past.”

Link smiled. “You right Zelda… You’re always right…”

She preened mockingly in reply as Link made a chuckle. But their happiness grew stronger as another voice echoed throughout the room.

“Hey! Link! Zelda!”

They both looked up to see Sheik in a small hole. He jumped down and landed gracefully onto the drum.

“What is going on? You and Zelda suddenly disappeared. Impa and Hoang almost had a heart attack. You’re lucky I calmed them down.”

Link smiled. “Thanks Sheik.”

Sheik gave him a thumbs up and looked around. “How are we going to get out of here? I used all my magic to track you two down.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not the only one with magic spells,” Zelda said. Her hands glowed a bright light, lighting the dark room and in a flash of light, they were gone.