Part 2: Andrew Aisbitt
As the knights made their hasty retreat, the Red 8 closed in on Link, fanning out to prevent his escape. It was hopeless, Link knew this, but his anger at his twin’s victory fueled his urge to fight. One of the Red 8 leaped at him, drawing a long, thin blade. Link slashed at him, but he vanished and reappeared behind Link, landing lightly. He delivered a kick to Link’s back, sending him sprawling forward. He rolled forward to recover and used a quick spin, holding the others at bay. They had now formed a complete circle around him, blades drawn.
One of them held a hand out to Link, palm forward. Dark ribbons shot out at Link, winding around him. He thrashed wildly as his shield arm was pinned to his side. The tendrils wound up his left arm now, but as soon as they hit the Master Sword there was a hissing sound and the tendrils were consumed in white fire, freeing him. He spun and hit the one who had tried to imprison him with his shield, knocking him onto his back. He leaped and prepared to plant his sword to finish him, but another member of the Red 8 swung his sword and a beam of light was projected from the end, knocking Link out of the air and onto his stomach. He gasped as the wind was knocked out of him, and these precious seconds cost him the fight. One of them stomped on his left wrist and he lost his hold on the sword. Two more crossed their blades over the back of his neck, pinning him down. The one with the dark tendrils bound his legs tightly together. Finally, utterly defeated, he lay still.
Slowly, carefully, blades still at his neck, they dragged him to his feet. The tendrils slithered off of his legs but wound their way around his arms instead, tying them together. They began to lead him out, past Zelda and the imposter.
“Coward!” Link spat at the imposter. His doppelganger’s eyes briefly flashed with intense anger, but it faded quickly, and he gave a small smile. Lightning crashed outside as the tempest roared on.
“You think the Master Sword could be changed by the defeat of a simple shadow? Do you really believe that?” He asked Zelda as he was dragged by her. She didn’t look at him; her gaze was firmly fixed to the side.
Link sighed, lowering his head in defeat. They led him into the dungeon, and there began to strip him of his weapons. The prison guards just stood idly by, watching with interest as an assortment of weapons was confiscated and put on a table. Everything from Deku nuts to his hookshot was taken. He idly wondered whether this stuff could prove his identity, but figured if the imposter successfully faked the Master Sword, none of this would be proof to Zelda or the others. His sword was still lying out in the hall, but they took the scabbard and his shield, too. Finally, their duty done, they swung open a door to a cell and shoved him inside.
He staggered back to his feet, turning around and looking out through the heavy iron bars. They were already leaving, taking his items with them. He grabbed the bars, testing their strength. Each was solid; not a speck of rust despite the gloomy conditions. If only they hadn’t taken his golden gauntlets…
He ran several plans through his head, none of them very practical. Finally, he settled on something so simple it just might work. He simply lay down, and closed his eyes. Now it got tricky; he focused on first slowing his breathing, and then his heart rate. He had learned this from an old man at the outskirts of Hyrule. His breathing became so shallow it was hardly noticeable, and his heartbeat became weak and infrequent. He felt extremely light headed, but he had to stay conscious to make sure it worked.
He had no idea how long he laid there; time had little meaning in his semi-conscious state. But before long, a guard had called down a few other guards and a doctor. They opened the door, with the guards being careful to keep it blocked. The doctor knelt by Link, putting his ear over his mouth. Link held his breath, not wanting even the slightest bit of air to tip them off. Finally, the doctor moved to his pulse and he resumed his incredibly shallow breathing. He had little control over his pulse, but it must have been weak enough; the doctor pronounced him dead.
This statement wasn’t met with any tears; the crowd simply dispersed like nothing happened. Two guards picked Link’s limp body up, and they ordered another to inform Zelda. They carried him outside, to the front courtyard. He dimly perceived himself being taken toward the moat, and with a sudden flash of understanding, he realized they meant to throw him in. The water was frigid cold, deep, and fast moving; to fall in would mean death. His heart leaped back to normal and he took a sudden raggedy breath. The guards screamed and dropped him, staggering back. He got to his feet and took advantage of their fear, kicking one to the ground and then grinding his heel into his face. He took a dagger and sheath from the man’s belt, slid it into his own belt, and took off into the night, leaving the other guard shrieking for reinforcements.
Cold, wet, and alone, Link ran into the market. It was now late at night, and coupled with the storm, no one was out and about. He continued running, right through town and out into the field. Equipped with only a small dagger, stripped of his freedom and identity, Link wandered away from the town and through the storm, and was swallowed by the shadows of the night.
