“So, tell me, what was it like?” Avon asked as Link and Avon entered the empty market. The place was suspiciously empty, the only sounds were the moans from the dark clouds and Avon’s boyish voice.
“Hmm, now’s not the time…” Link said. His voice was a little deeper, and his eyes were narrow.
“You feel something?” Avon asked.
“Yeah…something is amiss. It’s like someone is waiting for me here,” Link said.
“Link…do you think it’s a Kitapo?” Avon asked.
“Knowing my luck, it’s probably the unknown seventh one,” Link said. He scanned the dark market looking for any trace of a living being. Everything was silent, but Link could feel the winds picking up.
“It’s going to rain soon…” Avon said. Link nodded, thinking about Pamela, who was still somewhere in the empty market.
“I’m really getting worried,” Link said. He clenched his fists, almost nervously. Avon gave a puzzled look, wondering why Link was clenching his fists so fiercely.
“Link, you’re alright?” Avon asked.
“Avon, get under my hat…” Link said. Avon cocked his eyebrow.
“Why? What are you feeling?” Avon asked.
“Just hurry! I feel something, and it’s real close!” Link yelled. Avon bowed his head, and retreated under Link’s hat. Almost on queue, a shadowy figure emerged from the depths of the alleys. He stood a good six feet with two swords held on his back in a cross position. His face held a large gash, one that was clearly done with a blade. His eyes were narrow and cold, almost lifeless. As he stepped towards Link, Link could feel the fierceness the man exhibited.
“I see that you showed up…” The man said, his voice dark and fearful.
“You seem to know me already. Why don’t you introduce yourself,” Link said.
“I am I am Drake, Shadow of the Seven,” The man answered. Link’s eyes grew wide as the man introduced himself. The man was the seventh Kitapo, the one that was hiding in Hyrule.
“What do you want?” Link asked.
“That’s simple…I want your life. You see, you did something I can’t forgive you for. Know I have to bring retribution upon you,” Drake said. Link could tell that he was in trouble. His man was probably a lot stronger physically then Link, and he also wielded two blades.
“What have I done to you?” Link asked, trying to buy time.
“Simple. You have permanently injured one of my apprentices. Because of you, he’ll never walk right again. I think it’s fitting that you feel the pain he feels…” Drake said in a long breath.
“Who was that? I haven’t done anything wrong to any innocent person…” Link began, then he remembered. It was the Palinon at the ranch, the one that hurt Malon. That was who Link had hurt so badly that he would never walk right for at least a month.
“You mean the thief who was stealing horses and cows from the ranch?” Link asked.
“I see you remember your victims. He has nightmares about the punch that injured his back…The shot you said would affect him for the month destroyed the bones in his back.” Drake replied. Link began to get agitated.
“So you’re a leader of thieves…and you want to fight me for doing the wrong thing?” Link asked.
“Of course. In this world, thieves are the only honest race left. When one is brought down, it is our duty to seek revenge,” Drake said.
“Hmm, I thought you were a strong person at first, but now I see that you’re weak…” Link said, “Thieves aren’t what’s needed, it’s people who wish to do good that are needed, not idiots like you and your apprentices. Now, where’s Pamela?” Link asked.
“She’s somewhere. Where is none of my concerns. I’m going to become a legend soon, so the ranch girl is the least of my concerns,” Drake said.
“A legend? You think that killing me will make you a legend? Hmm, Senseless thieves never become legends. They’ll have their names in the headlines, but over time their names are forgotten. Is that the fate you want? To be a forgotten thief?” Link yelled. As soon a Link finished, another clap of thunder shook the ground. Rain began to pour, leaving the two men drenched.
“I’ll be forgotten? Hmm, we’ll see. Here, take this,” Drake said. He tossed one of his swords to Link, “I never liked beating an opponent with an unfair advantage. Besides…I want to show you that I won’t be forgotten!” Drake yelled. As soon as Link unsheathed his knew sword, Drake swung at his head. He seemingly connected, but when the swing was over, Link hadn’t even moved. Link then glared at Drake, annoyed.
“Maybe if you used strength to do good, you could become a legend…but until then, you’re a lowly fool,” Link said. He began to swing the sword in a circle by his side, and he relaxed into a battle pose, still swinging his sword in a circle. Drake rushed forward to attack Link again, but this time Link blocked the attack. Drake stumbled back, but gained his composure in time to block Link’s attack. Drake leapt backwards, so that he could try and think about Link’s next move. Link took the initiative, and leaped into the air. When he neared Drake, he brought his sword crashing down on him. Drake raised his sword to block again, but the force of the strike knocked Drake on the ground. When Drake hit the ground, another thunderbolt echoed through the air.
The rain became more intense, and the winds picked up. As Drake rose, he could no longer see Link’s eyes, for his wet hair whipped across them. All he could see was his smile. The worst thing was happening to Drake. Link was beginning to have fun.
Drake ran forward again, trying to slash Link across the chest. Link arched his back to dodge, and he used his momentum to kick Drake in the jaw. Drake stumbled back, clutching his jaw as Link attacked again. Link swung his sword in front of Drake’s face, performing a feint. When Drake’s eyes followed, Link pulled his fist back, and launched it into Drake’s stomach. Drake flew back into a deserted food stand, breaking the sign in two.
When Drake stood again, he saw Link’s smile once more, but this time he could see Link’s narrow, devilish eyes.
“That’s the face of the Hero of Time…” Drake said, no louder then a whisper. Link began to swing his sword in a circle again, and he settled back into his relaxed battle pose. Drake stood, and stretched his arms and legs.
“Are you tired?” Link asked.
“Of course not…I’m just rusty. My rust won’t stop me from defeating you,” Drake bluffed.
“Relax…You’re only fooling yourself. You’re outclassed in this battle. You’re a talented fighter; your endurance is enough to prove that. The problem is that you want to use your strength for evil things. If you became a knight, or even a battle teacher, you could do a lot of good,” Link said.
“Well, all that doesn’t matter. I chose to be one the Shadow of the Seven!” He proclaimed.
“That’s a sad way to view this. You always have a chance to change. Maybe if you did, I wouldn’t look at you like an idiot,” Link said. Link then stopped spinning his sword, and he brought the sword straight out in front of him.
“You ready?” Drake asked.
“Of course. I was waiting for you to catch your breath,” Link said. Drake ran forward again, only to meet a knee from Link. Drake doubled over, and Link cracked the hilt of the sword on Drake’s back. Drake fell, but he stood again quickly. He tried to feint Link by splashing water on Link, but Link saw through it and he slashed Drake in his stomach. It was a shallow cut, but it was enough to shock Drake. Drake, in rage, swung wildly at Link, who nimbly dodged ever swing. After a moment, when Drake’s furious swings began to slow, Link stuck Drake’s sword, breaking it free from his grasp. He then delivered a kick to Drake’s sternum.
Drake fell near his sword, so he picked it up and tried to attack Link. As he neared, Link leapt into the air, as high as he did when he struck down Drake’s apprentice. Drake looked in the air, and prepared to dodge any attack that Link would make. As he looked into the sky, Drake could see the cloud swirling, and the rain stopping. The sound of thunder faded as Drake waited for the attack. Suddenly, Drake heard Link’s yell as he brought the sword crashing down on Drake. The rain dropped again as Link fell. When Link got close, he swung his sword, breaking Drake’s defense, and striking his back with the flat of his sword. Drake fell to the ground, lifeless, followed by a chorus of thunder.
Link looked down, watching as Drake laid in a puddle for a moment. Soon, Drake’s arms and legs began to move, and he turned himself over to face Link. Link then sheathed his sword and placed it by Link’s body.
“What you just felt was the Call to Arms, but it was a sword variation of it used for practice. Usually, I would use the blade, but that would have surely killed you. If I wouldn’t have used a sword at all, that would have been the same attack that crippled your apprentice,” Link explained.
“Fine, now kill me,” Drake coughed. Link’s eyes widened when he said that.
“No way! I can’t do that after just now sparing your life!” Link said.
“Yes you can. My honor won’t allow me to live, knowing that I was beaten so badly by a Hylian,” Drake said. He grunted as he felt a burst of pain from his back.
“No, I can’t bring myself to kill anyone who doesn’t deserve to die,” Link said.
“You said it yourself. I’m a fool,” He choked.
“Yeah, you are, but even fool deserve to live. Besides, this could be the time that you and your apprentices began to do good,” Link said.
“What? What could we do good?” Drake asked.
“First off, you can pass on your endurance to someone. You took a blade version of the Call to Arms, and you’re not crippled. You need to teach others how to do that,” Link said, “Then you need to teach others swordsmanship.”
“So you’re just going to let me go?” Drake said, now trying his hardest to rise to his feet. He stood tall, gaining his balance after the shock of the Call to Arms.
“Yeah, go and start over. Besides, I really need to find someone. Good luck!” Link said. Link then turned and walked off, hoping to find Pamela. Soon though, as he began to scan the area again, he head Drake yelp. He turned to see what happened, and his eyes widened at the scene.
Drake was on the ground scooting away from the man, who held a sword to his throat. Link couldn’t tell who he was, until he saw the bloodstains on the man’s sword. He swung warningly at Drake, who closed his eyes in fear. The man then snapped his head in Link’s direction. It was Mardan Dark.
Link wished that he hadn’t put his sword on the ground, because he was sure that he was going to need it.
“Hello, brother!” Mardan greeted sickly.
“I told you, we’re not friends…” Link growled.
“Oh, really? You know, you’re a real drama queen, Link,” Mardan laughed at his own joke.
“There’s nothing to laugh about, you murderer. You’ve been killing Hylians all over the Market. Now you’ve turned your blade on a fellow Palinon,” Link said.
“Yeah, but he accepted sympathy from a Hylian. He’s an honorless dog now,” Mardan retorted. Mardan then dashed forward at Link, attempting to attack. Link’s eyes grew wider as he braced himself for another attack. All of a sudden, Link’s eyes went blurry.
A blurry vision crossed Link’s eyes. It was one a boy who sat in the corner, surrounded by a multitude of other children. They all laughed at him, poking and pointing at him mockingly. He sat in the corner, but instead of shedding a tear, he began to glare back, and his eyes lost their color. Then, as the rest of the children dispersed, a blonde haired girl with bright green blue eyes walked to him and sat next to him. She wrapped her arm around him, and tried to make him smile. After a moment of prodding he returned the smile.
The vision faded into a shot of the blonde haired girl years later, with a boy in all green. She embraced the boy in all green, and kissed his cheek. Another boy sat in an alley nearby, and watched. A single tear streaked down his face, but there wasn’t a sad mark on his face. He wore a smile, along with his dead eyes.
Then another vision came into focus. It was the same dead eyed guy as before, but this time, he was on all fours, in the presence of a shadowy figure. The shadowy figure placed a hand on the boy’s head, and all of his emotions seeped away. When the boy stood, he looked into space, as if his mind was dead. The shadowy figure handed him a sword. When the boy wrapped his fingers around the sword, and aura formed around him, a deep blue hue.
The visions all faded back into reality for Link. Now, however, Mardan was gone. Link could see Drake’s lesser apprentice help him into an alley, but he could not see Mardan. Link began to run through the alleys, searching for Mardan. As he neared the residential areas, he was suddenly grabbed and pulled into a small alley. Link began to struggle, the one holding him tried to calm him down.
“Link, calm down! Be quiet, or you’ll attract his attention!” He heard the voice say. Link nodded, and the person let him go. Link turned to see who it was who it was, and gasped slightly. It was Dierro.
“Dierro, where did you come from?” Link asked.
“I followed Mardan after I stopped him from attacking you. Mardan ran off, so I ran, knowing that you would come this way,” Dierro explained.
“Oh, well, where’s Mardan now?” Link asked Dierro.
“He’s disappeared. I think he’s gone back into hiding. Link, come back with me,” Dierro said. Link followed, hoping to find safe haven until he would resume his search for Pamela. Link followed Dierro to a house, one that didn’t really stick out any from the others. He walked in through the back door, as did Link.
The interior of Dierro’s house was very well furnished. It had delicate sofas and chairs, along with a nice white carpet, a rarity in Hyrule. Link took off his shoes and placed them outside, so that he wouldn’t get Dierro’s floor dirty.
“Link, you can have a seat right here,” Dierro suggested. Link sat on the sofa Dierro suggested. Link looked around, almost nervously. Deirro walked into a nearby bathroom, but left the door open. Link was sure that he was washing his face.
“So, this is your house?” Link asked.
“Yes. Victoria and me bought this house last year. It nice and cozy to us,” Dierro said.
“I see. So, where’s your wife now?” Link asked.
“Oh, her and Hope are probably in the kitchen,” Dierro said. Soon, two girls, one a grown woman and the other, a little girl all walked into the room. The woman was very beautiful, but in a more sophisticated way. The little girl clung nervously to her mother’s leg.
“Hello there. I take you to be Link?” The woman asked.
“Yes, how are you?” Link asked.
“I’m doing fine. My name is Victoria, but I’m sure that Dierro has told you that,” She said.
“Yes, he has, and this must be Hope,” Link said gently as he squatted to meet her gaze. Hoped waved sheepishly before hiding behind her mother’s leg again.
“I’m sorry, but Hope and I need to go back in the kitchen. We’re entertaining another guest,” She said. Hope and her mother walked back into the kitchen. Dierro walked out of his room, with a towel over his hair.
“So, what do you think?” Dierro said.
“You are a truly luck man,” Link said, “I would love to have a family like this, and a house like this.”
“Hey, I’m not trying to sound weird, but tell me. I decided to go back to my original hair style, so tell me if it suits me,” He said.
“I think that your wife could do that better then me,” Link said. Dierro took down the towel, and a look of shock flashed across Link’s face. Dierro’s hair was a deep blue color.
“Wait, are you going undercover for something?” Link asked.
“No, this is my real hair color,” Dierro said.
“Hold up…” Link then began to remember something. He remembered Dierro sneaking up on him in the Tavern, and Dierro fighting Vexus. He then remembered Dierro coincidentally coming to his rescue when Mardan was about to finish him.
“I see that it has hit you,” Dierro said. Link bowed his head in thought.
“It’s you…” Link said. Suddenly, Dierro brought his spear to Link’s face, holing it an inch in front of his nose. Link didn’t flinch.
“You understand?” Dierro asked. Link grabbed the handle of the spear, and he looked Dierro in his eyes.
“You’re the seventh Kitapo…” Link muttered. Link pulled the spear from Dierro’s hands, and threw it to the side, knocking over a vase.
“Yes, you are right. I am the seventh Kitapo of the Elite Kitapo Regiment. I am Dierro, the Destroyer,” He said. His entire kind face was erased, replaced by the look of a fearful soldier.
“So, that’s why you’ve been helping me. You wanted to lead me here, so that you could kill me,” Link said.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Dierro replied, “I led you here to save you from Mardan Dark.”
“Like I haven’t heard that before…” Link growled.
“You’re right, you have heard that before,” Dierro said, “but before you try and defeat me, maybe you should hear my story.”
“What’ll that do?” Link said.
“It’ll give you a reason to attack me, because without one, you’ll be killing an innocent man in front of three girls,” Dierro said. Link turned, where Victoria, Hope, and surprisingly, Pamela all stood. Link’s eyes grew wide as he saw Pamela, who was there the entire time.
“Go ahead,” Link submitted.
“Well, where should I begin? Oh yes, first off, I know that you’ve heard about King Garibal,” Dierro began, “And you’ve heard about his platoon of Kitapos.”
“Actually, no I haven’t,” Link cut in.
“King Garibal has his own platoon of Kitapos who are used more like a Special Forces league of his army. They are sent to neighboring countries in times of trouble. I belonged to that troop,” Dierro explained.
“How can I trust that?” Link asked.
“It’s how we met…” Victoria explained. Link thought for a minute.
“Yes, during the time of Ganondorf’s rule, I was sent here to give assistance to the Hylian resistance. It was ironic, that the entire time I was here helping them, the Hylians who I protected looked down upon me. I wanted to quit, and leave the Hylians to fend for themselves…Then I met Victoria,” Dierro stated. He looked to his wife lovingly, “She was to only one who showed me any kindness. She opened her heart to me, and I gladly walked in. I swear, it felt like I found another half of myself in her. I was teased and taunted by my comrades, but they were happy for me deep down. I wanted to stay in Hyrule and be with her, even if it meant turning away from Palis. But soon, I would get called back to Palis.”
“When I returned, I continually wrote to her, but when I finally got a reply, it changed my life. She was pregnant with our child, but I was stuck on duty in Palis. I wanted to defect, and leave my home. I became moody and short-tempered, and my superior, King Garibal saw that. He called me into his office. I thought I was fired, but he instead listened to my case. When he heard, he allowed me to live in Hyrule, so that I could live with my new family. Needless to say, I gladly accepted. It’s ironic that the moment I returned, word spread that Ganondorf had been defeated,” He said, looking at Link with a smirk.
“So, you don’t work for Donovan,” Link confirmed.
“Yes, but I still do receive intelligence from His Excellency. Moments after I met you, I received a letter. I told me that He would come after you,” Dierro said.
“And who’s He?” Link asked.
“Vexus…my Sect Brother…” Dierro said.
“I pray to the goddesses that he be saved…” Victoria said. Link cocked his eyebrow.
“Saved? What’s wrong with him?” Link inquired.
“Vexus was my best friend growing up. He and I always aspired to be Kitapos. One day, when our training sect was broken up, Donovan appeared, and enlisted him as a Kitapo in his newly formed regiment. Even then, we stayed good friends…but he couldn’t take some of the horrors of the battlefield. After Victoria and me got married, He sent me a letter saying that he wished that he would never have to fight again. Then, two years ago, He returned, this time with Mardan Dark. Mardan Dark cast a spell on him, one that would make him forget his horrendous acts on the battle field through a type of mind control. To test it, Mardan used his control to make Vexus cast a spell on Hope…one that erased her voice,” Dierro said, his head down, “I tried to stop him, but Mardan held me and Victoria back…all I could remember was Hope’s scream…and the moment when the scream faded away…”
“Yes…we want Vexus to be saved so that we can have him reverse the spell,” Victoria said solemnly.
“What a story…now, I have one more question. What’s Pamela doing here?” Link asked.
“Oh, that’s simple. I came here searching for the Seventh Kitapo,” Pamela said.
“What would you have done if he would have killed you?” Link asked, slightly agitated.
“If I wanted to, I couldn’t have…She’s the daughter of a famous local detective. If she were killed, the Kitapo’s cover would be blown,” Dierro said.
“Oh…” Link stuttered. He knew from hearing Dierro’s speech, that he could trust him.
“So, Link, what do you say?” Dierro asked.
“I say that I can believe you. Besides, if you betray me, I could easily kill you,” Link said with a laugh. The two laughed heartily.
“Okay, that’s settled…Link, why don’t you stay here for the night?” Dierro offered.
“Sure, Pamela, are you staying here, too?” Link asked.
“Yes. Avon, could you do me another favor?” Pamela asked.
“Sure, anything for you!” Avon chimed, flying from Link’s hat. Dierro’s eyes widened when he saw Avon.
“Can you fly to the ranch and tell Malon that me and Link are staying in the city with Dierro’s family?”
“Sure! I’ll be back tomorrow morning!” Avon said. He flew out of a window, and headed for the ranch. Pamela yawned, and followed Victoria upstairs.
“So, Link, want to play a game of cards before I head upstairs?” Dierro asked.
“Sure, and you can tell me more about your Kitapo regiment while we’re at it!” Link said.
The two played till the middle of the night, with no more secrets.
The next morning, Link awoke, his eyes narrow already. He walked to the bathroom and took a bath. When he was done, he put on his clothes and armor, and he tightened everything. He clenched his fists, and swung a few punches in the air to warm up. He saw Avon outside, scrapping at the window. He let him in, and Avon immediately landed on Link’s shoulder.
“So, this is the day!” Avon yelled.
“Yes…today marks the beginning of the end for Donovan and his Kitapos…” Link said, clenching his fists, “Today, my sword returns to my fists…” Link growled. He walked out the front door, and began to walk to the Temple of Time.
“So, you feel like you’re ready?” Link heard Dierro say behind him. Link looked over his shoulder at his friend.
“I don’t know…all I know is that a lot of people are depending on me…and I don’t want to let them down…” Link said.
“If you want, I’ll help you…Besides, no matter what your mission is, Vexus is MY target, I will save him,” Dierro said.
“Dierro, I may not be able to accept your help to become Donovan’s Honor. Besides, there’s a lot of danger involved. I might not survive this ordeal. I don’t want you to fall with me,” Link said that, and he started striding to the Temple of Time again.
“Good luck…” Dierro said.
“I won’t need it, brother. Hopefully, I’ll return in one piece,” Link said. He waved over his shoulder one last time.
“Hmm…Only time will tell…” Dierro then walked back into his house.
“Today it begins…” Link muttered one more time, as he turned to corner to the temple. He looked at the structure, and he hesitated one last time. He gripped the door, and he opened the large temple doors slowly.
He knew that this upcoming moment could change his life.
