Chapter 2: The Avenging Army
Link turned to me, grief written all over his face.
“It wasn’t supposed to end like this,” he moaned. “Like Ganon, I only wanted to leave a legacy. Now that is impossible. No one is left to tell my tale. The Kokiri wiped out by the Redeads, the Zoras forced into exile, and now Zelda…” He choked down a whimper. “I am alone. With Ganondorf slain, the avenging army will stop at nothing to see me dead.”
I did not understand.
“Oh, of course,” he realized. “You don’t know. The avenging army is Ganondorf’s ultimate security system. If he should fall by my hand, all his minions will gather together and will not stop killing and destroying until I myself have died.”
Just as he finished, the sound of a war-horn could be heard in the distance. “Speak of the devil,” Link whispered under his breath. “Here they come.” And over the hill came legions of monsters. Darknuts, Moblins, and all sorts of terrifying foes.
“What do we do?” I asked, horrified.
“This,” Link exclaimed and gripped my hand so tightly, that the Triforce on his hand glowed brighter than I had ever seen before!
“There is hope. I may still leave a legacy,” he said with a glint of determination in his eyes. “Although my name may not go down in history, my story can live on in another. Deucalion, will you…carry on my legacy? Mine, Zelda’s…and Ganondorf’s”
I was speechless. He was asking me too much. I couldn’t, but as I saw the desperation in his face, I knew I could not turn him down. So I remained silent, torn between common sense and compassion.
“Think about it,” Link asked. And with that, he let go of my hand. I watched him walk away, towards the vast hordes of villanous beings. I wanted to run out and stop him, but instead I fled as far as I could.
It’s okay, he’ll beat them, I thought to myself. He’ll kill them all!
I turned back to see the fight, but all I saw was Link standing in front of the Avenging Army, arms spread wide. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out when I tried.
Then, the Darknut in front raised his sword, preparing for the strike. This time I could scream. I gave a loud and clear “NO,” fully aware of the good it would do.
Before the inevitable, I could hear Link say, “You deserved her more than I.” Then the Darknut swung the blunt edge of his blade into Link’s temple.
Time seemed to slow down as he fell, at least for me. As he hit the ground, there was a flash of light. When my eyesight returned, Link’s body was gone
The Avenging Army slowly walked away. They had been stopped. But the cost was so great that I could not move. Link, the hero of the gods, was dead. Or in another realm, erhaps.
Suddenly a faint glow came from my hand. I looked down. I could make slightly make out the shape of the Triforce. Then my answer came. I looked to the sky and said, “I am the witness. I am the one who will tell the tale. Link, if you can hear me, my answer is yes.”
If only I could take those words back.
