Chapter 10
Who is Donovan?
Link rose yet again, this time with all of his energy. He looked around the hall in dismay, still thinking about the broken sword. He looked towards the altar, and the three Spiritual Stones, all of which had lost their shine. Even the torchlight of the temple had dimmed. He pulled out his Ocarina, deciding to communicate with Zelda.
“Zelda, can you hear me?” Link asked through his mind. He heard nothing at first, until his sister’s voice broke through the silence.
“Link? How are you?” Zelda asked.
“Fine…winded, but fine,” Link said.
“How did you get winded?” Zelda asked.
“I just retrieved the Master Sword…then I did battle with Donovan,” Link said.
“Oh my Goddesses!” Zelda gasped.
“Yeah, I survived, but barely. He’s much stronger then what I was told,” Link said.
“Wow, so is he still alive?” Zelda asked.
“Yeah, I couldn’t kill him then. He deemed me his honor though,” Link said.
“You understand what that means, right?” Zelda asked. You could sense the fear in her voice.
“Yes, his words symbolize a blood promise. We’ll fight again. When we do, either he will die, or I will die,” Link said solemnly. Link could sense a deep sadness in Zelda’s voice. “Zelda, there’s more though. I need the location of a good blacksmith in Hyrule.”
“Why?” Zelda asked.
“Before I tell you, please promise not to yell,” Link said.
“What happened?” Zelda asked.
“At the end of the battle, Donovan destroyed the Master Sword,” Link said. Link wished that he could avoid the scream that escaped Zelda’s mind.
“He broke it? How do you break a legendary weapon?” Zelda screamed.
“He said that the gods intentions wouldn’t allow him to die by the Master Sword,” Link explained.
“This has been a crazy three days. I can’t believe that the Master Sword is gone,” Zelda said, “But the good news is that I know someone who can repair the blade.”
“Good, can you tell me where to meet him?” Link asked.
“He took the old Happy Mask shop. I’ll warn you, this man loves his work…and he’s an odd one about sword breakers,” Zelda warned.
“Then he’s going to hate me. I’ll talk to you later,” Link said.
“Good bye!” With that, Zelda’s voice faded. Link shook his head, and left the Temple. Outside, his eyes were forced to adjust to the light. After a moment of shock, he began to walk towards the old Happy Mask store. He walked up to the locale, which now was shaped like the hilt of a sword.
“Link, I got a question for you,” Avon said. He flew from under Link’s hat and in front of Link’s face.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Link asked. Avon sighed.
“If you’ve already become the Honor, then what will happen to the Kitapos?” Avon asked.
“I don’t know…it would be in the world’s best interest to destroy them,” Link said.
“I know that…but something about Donovan’s quote troubles me. He said that the Goddesses have chosen his intentions…” Avon said.
“I know…” Link muttered.
“Well, doesn’t that mean that fighting him means that we’re fighting the goddesses?” Avon asked.
“I don’t know…” Link said.
“And if we’re fighting the goddesses, what makes us better than people like Ganondorf?” Avon asked.
“I really don’t know. All I know is that Donovan is a threat to Hyrule, and it’s hard to believe that the Goddesses would throw their support behind him,” Link said, “He wants to have something, even at the cost of the entire world. There’s no way that the Goddesses would help that.”
“I hope that’s the case,” Avon said. Link sighed, and opened the door to the shop. Inside the dark room many swords and shields painted the brown walls. The smell of oil and fire tainted the room, as did the sight of dust and the piles of metal shards. The room was abnormally hot, probably from the numerous ovens lined across the back of the room. There was a counter in the middle of the building, and a man stood behind it. He wore a brown apron and a gray shirt underneath. His hair was white and was very untidy. He looked young, but his skin was covered in scars. His eyes held a mad glint. Link walked up to the man.
“Ahh, we have an established swordsman here!” He yelled. Link’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Err, right. I was told that you’re a capable blacksmith. I have a dilemma that you could help me with,” Link said.
“Capable? Link, I’m the best sword artist in the world!” He gloated.
“How did you know my name?” Link asked.
“I told you. Only the greatest in the world could know someone’s name before they tell them!” He said. Avon sighed.
“Are you sure that it’s not the fact that everyone knows who Link looks like? I mean, he is famous,” Avon asked.
“Silence, you insolent fairy! You’re simple mind cannot comprehend the powers of Sword Art I have! Non-believers like you never know how to accept greatness!” The blacksmith yelled.
“Well, Mr…er…” Link began, realizing that he didn’t know his name.
“The name’s Sanada!” he said.
“Okay. Well, what makes you a good blacksmith?”
“What makes me good? I’m a descendant of the sages that created the Master Sword. It’s in my blood to make beautiful swords that change the world!” He declared.
“Hmm, I guess that you’re lineage didn’t prepare you for what Link is about to request,” Avon muttered.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Sanada asked. Link placed the broken hilt onto the counter.
“I was wondering if you could repair this,” Link asked. Sanada’s eyebrows raised into his hair. His began to shake angrily, clenching his fists. His face began to turn a purplish hue.
“You…broke…the…Master…Sword…” He stammered. He looked at Link with a glare of death.
“I didn’t break it. Donovan did,” Link defended.
“It doesn’t matter who you fought when it happens! The safety of a sword is in the hands of the swordsman! What kind of hero are you! You broke the my ancestor’s prized weapon! How careless could you be?” Sanada raged.
“It’s not my fault. No one could have known the stipulation that was put on the sword!” Link continued to defend himself.
“Stipulation? You mean the fact that the sword can’t be used against someone who isn’t completely evil?” Sanada asked. Link nodded, “You idiot! It’s common sense!”
“Okay, I get your point. Can you just repair the sword?” Link asked, slightly annoyed.
“I can repair it, but to get the metal to the perfect state for a repair of this magnitude, it would take a few years,” Sanada said, “And besides, I wouldn’t give the sword back to you anyway!”
“Well can you give me a new sword then?” Link asked, this time, really annoyed.
“I can do that. I have one that not even you could break!” He said. Sanada ran to one of the ovens, and reached behind it. He pulled out a sword, and looked at it lovingly. He then strode back to the counter, placing the sword on the counter.
“What sword is this?” Link asked.
“It’s called a Razor Shadow,” Sanada said, “It’s a blade that uses a special metal that changes forms depending on the user. If you fight with this, then the intention you have during the battle decides which form this sword takes.”
“So this blade changes depending on what I want?” Link asked.
“
Yes. I have only seen one person transform it before, but it took him a while to finally do it,” Sanada said.
“Who was that?” Link asked.
“Donovan. He has the original, and in his hands, the sword became the Razor’s Soul,” Sanada said, “He still wields it to this day.”
“So that’s the blade that this sword will become…” Link said, “Okay, I’ll take it.”
“Fine, but if you break this one, I’ll never give you another sword ever,” Sanada said.
“Okay, I got you,” Link said. He then took the sword of the counter. He place it on his sword holder on his back, and left the store.
“Link, I hope that we never have to see him again,” Avon said.
“Ditto…he got on my nerves,” Link said. Link leaned against the store, catching his breath. He still felt the pain from his battle with Donovan.
“You know, it’s not wise to show your weakness in such a private place,” Link heard someone say from right next to him. It was a female’s voice. Link turned to see who was speaking to him. When he turned, he was greeted by Alana’s smile.
“Alana…one of the Kitapos,” Link said. His eyes narrowed.
“Yes that’s right. I’m Alana the Voice,” She said. She then raised her hand and placed it on Link’s cheek, “Fix those eyes, Link. I’m not a fighter. I’m not going to attack you. I won’t bite.”
“Why are you here?” Link asked.
“I wanted to find you…” She said slowly. Her hand began to move up and down the side of her face. No matter how much Link didn’t show it, he loved the feeling.
“Why did you want to find me? Did Donovan send you?” Link asked.
“Donovan doesn’t care what we do for now. He’s given us a three day vacation to do what we want around Hyrule,” She said.
“So Hadin and Zolick attacked me just because they felt like it?” Link asked.
“Yes, there’re loose cannons. Link, I’d rather not continue the conversation here. Why don’t we find a more secluded area?” Alana suggested. She grabbed Link’s hand and led him out of the market. Link could feel his face burn. She led him to a small patch of land behind the residential area. Link could see Dierro’s house in the distance. There was a small spring there.
They also weren’t alone. There was a man who held a large spear leaning against a tree. It was Vexus, the Spearmaster.
“So this was your plan, Alana?” Link said, bringing his hand close to his sword.
“What do you mean? Do you think I led you here to get slaughtered by Vexus?” Alana asked. Vexus looked at Link blankly.
“Lower your hand, Link. I have no intention of fighting you here,” Vexus said, “There is only one person that I want to fight in Hyrule…”
“Dierro…” Link said.
“I see he told you the story. He’s the only one I want to fight,” Vexus said.
“You see, Vexus is one of the more civilized members of the Kitapos,” Alana said. Vexus smirked, and closed his eyes.
“Alana, it’s comments like that…” He said.
“Oh, shut up,” She retorted. Link stood there, looking confused.
“Alana, what was the purpose of bringing me here?” Link asked. Alana sighed.
“Link, I wanted to know…why do you want to fight Master Donovan?”
“He allowed you Kitapos to kill all those people…and he’s willing to exterminated the entire world for no good reason,” Link said calmly.
“Link, what do you really know about Donovan?” Alana said. Link began to speak, but Alana cut him off, “Link what do you know about the things he seen and been through? He’s hurting inside, much more than any other man.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Link asked.
“Link, I know Donovan better then anybody. When I’m around him, and we’re alone, he’s always on the brink of tears. He lost someone important to him a long time ago…and he blames the entire world for their death,” Alana said.
“So he’s willing to destroy the entire world because one person died?” Link asked, “That’s his justification?”
“No…he’s willing to destroy the world because there’s no reason for it to exist anymore. Link, have you seen the world through the eyes of a king? He saw his own friends in the Hylians betray him and his troops, for a failed attempt at destroying the Deity…He saw thousands of friends and family fall victim to the bombs placed in their inventory, and he could only watch as his men were shot down by Hylian archers,” Alana explained.
“That’s war! He retaliated for it by invading Hyrule, and allowing Ganondorf to assault Hyrule at the same time!” Link said.
“Yes…but do you know what happened after all of this? The Hylians still called us their friends…and it completely destroyed Donovan. He couldn’t understand how you could betray thousands of people and still call them your friends. It opened his eyes to the truth about the living. We have no true sense of morals anymore. Everything is about personal material gain, and not about the morals of love and honor. Donovan learned that the hard way,” Alana explained. Link lowered his head.
“So because of that, Donovan’s sentenced us to death? Even those who still care about morals are sentenced to death. Even his own race is sentenced to death?” Link asked, “Can he really justify the deaths of all those people?” Link asked.
“The one’s who lead good lives and still believe in the morals will be protected by the Goddesses Will!” Alana said.
“I’m sorry to break your heart, but there are no Goddesses that wants their people to die…The Goddesses Will won’t allow Donovan to do this, even if he believes that they chose him,” Link said.
“Link, why is it so hard to believe what Donovan says? You and him are a lot alike! You shouldn’t be fighting each other!” Alana pleaded.
“I have to stop Donovan…” Link said.
“Link, I understand his philosophy perfectly. I come from a place where a lack of morals killed my family. Donovan was the only one who came to me, and helped me. The Goddess have to be behind him…because the moment he came into my life…he’s been my angel…”
“Alana…I’m sorry, but this is something that has to be done. I cannot allow history to repeat itself. It’s as simple as that,” Link said.
“Simple? Really? C’mon Link, you should understand Donovan better than anybody. All of the races have abandoned reason and hope. They all have abandoned their gods…” Vexus said, “And for that, the Goddesses Will is going to judge all of existence…”
“So you’re another one who wants the entire world to suffer?” Link asked.
“No…I just want this age of uncertainty to be over…and if the world has to die to make people’s suffering go away, then I’ll gladly raise my spear in offering,” Vexus declared. He stood and left the clearing. Alana looked at Link while Link watched Vexus leave the clearing.
“There’s not always a right and a wrong…” Alana said.
“I know, it’s just hard to see where your motivation is coming from…” Link said.
“If you want to know all of my reasons, then I’ll tell you,” Alana said.
“Sure. It would help me sleep easier,” Link said.
“Okay, but I can’t tell you here. Have you heard about the ball Hyrule’s having in a few days?” Alana asked. Link shook his head, “In four days, Hyrule will be having a huge ball to celebrate the eve of the Demoball Finals.”
“Demoball? What’s that?” Link asked.
“Where have you been? It’s a very popular sport where two teams play each other on special shields that skid across a playing field. It’s addictive to watch. This week, the two best teams in the world, the Hyrule Lancers and the Palis Slayers. It’s a worldwide event, so representatives from across the globe will be attending this match, and of course, the Ball that precedes it. Master Donovan and the rest of the Kitapos won’t be attending, and the guards won’t notice me because they’ll be patrolling the grounds. I’ll just pull you into a dance and I’ll tell you everything you need to know,” Alana explained.
“Why are you doing all this?” Link asked.
“I’ll tell you that when you arrive. Remember, it’s in four days at sundown,” Alana informed. After that, Alana took Link by the hand and led him from the clearing after a moment of walking, they were at the spot where they first met, in front of the Happy Mask Shop.
“I’ll be waiting, okay?” Alana said. She winked, and ran off into a crowd of people. Link stared after her as she left. Avon hopped from Link’s left shoulder to his right.
“So, you’re really going to go?” Avon asked.
“Yeah, it’s for the best. Besides, we have some time to blow. I want to learn about this Demoball sport,” Link said.
“Yeah, it sounds fun. Besides, if a problem with the Kitapos arises, we’ll just strike them down!” Avon declared. Link smiled. He turned, preparing to leave, but all of a sudden, a hand came swinging for his face. Link leaned back to dodge it, and tried to see who was swinging at him. It was Pamela.
“Pamela, what are you doing?” Link yelled. She swung again, and this time her palm connected with the side of Link’s face. Link’s eyes widened in shock.
“You pig! How dare you pounce around with some other bitch! I won’t let you lead my friend on!” She screamed. Link’s face went red as she understood what Pamela said.
“Wait, it wasn’t like that! Honest, she was just telling me what I needed to hear!” Link said, while dodging another slap.
“Yeah, right, you filthy cheater!” Pamela screamed. Avon flew to Pamela’s shoulder. He calmly whispered something in her ear, and a look of shock crossed Pamela’s face.
“Link…that was a Kitapo?” Pamela asked.
“Yeah. That was their negotiator…she just does things in a really touchy-feely kind of way,” Link explained.
“Oh my Goddesses, I’m so sorry! I thought that she was some random girl!” Pamela exclaimed. Link smiled as Pamela understood.
“Yeah, she was just trying to set up a meeting date. She’s helping me,” Link said.
“Okay, that’s good. I was about to kill you! I thought that you were going to betray my best friend…” Pamela reasoned.
“Huh? Betray Malon?” Link asked.
“Yeah, when I got home and got changed, all she could do was talk about you. You two must have had one hell of a date yesterday,” Pamela explained.
“Really?” Link said, his face getting hotter and hotter.
“Yeah, she’s been gliding around the ranch like an angel,” Pamela confirmed.
“Wow…” Link muttered.
“It’s odd…Malon’s one of the best looking women in Hyrule, and yet she’s never even had a boyfriend. I’m glad that you have come into her life. Don’t make me regret those words, though,” Pamela said. She smiled, and began to leave the market. Link could only stare in wonder.
“Avon, I remember Malon telling me that Pamela’s old boyfriend died…and it seems odd that she’s single too,” Link said.
“What’s wrong?” Avon asked.
“I think that Pamela is feeding off of Malon’s happiness to fulfill her own wants. Avon…I don’t ever want to leave Malon like that. A walking prisoner to love,” Link said. He shook his head, and followed Pamela back to the ranch.
