Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny of a Hero ❯ Blood Raven ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4 - Blood Raven

Link awoke very early the next morning. The sun hadn't risen and the world still was a dark and cold place. "This is the closest I've been to Hell," he muttered, suppressing a shudder.

Link looked at the sleeping Zelda, admiring her beauty. He decided not to wake her. Link stretched his back and arms and walked outside. Haze was waiting there. He held a pouch of coins.

"Link, if you are to be a true warrior of the light, you need to be able to fight in heavy armor. I believe a visit to the blacksmith is in order." Still groggy, Link none the less answered, "All right, I mean if that is what you think is best."

*****

The blacksmith was a brawny rogue. She wore simple garments and her blond hair and white face were covered with black streaks of soot. As Link and Haze approached, she ceased her work at the forge. "Hi, my name's Charsi," She greeted Haze and Link, wiping the sweat off her brow and extending her hand. "What can I do for you?" she asked. "This young man needs some heavy armor; give him the best you got." Haze said.

She walked into her hut and came out a few minutes later carrying a full set of chain mail. "I found this before we were forced to leave the monastery. It was buried deep within the catacombs. I believe it is Arkaine's Valor, though my sisters don't believe me."

"Who was Arkaine?" Link asked. "He was a legendary hero Link," answered Haze, "He was a great warrior during the Sin War. Some say when Arkaine died, he blessed his armor. Some believe it is inhabited by the spirit of Arkaine."

"I've been saving it for someone special. For you're help in ridding us of those demons, I'll give it to you as a reward," Charsi said, handing over the armor, "May the spirit of Arkaine protect you."

Link slipped the mesh over his head, finding that it fit him near perfectly. He did the same with the chain gloves and boots, the armored belt and coif, finding them all to be just his specifications.

He drew his sword and slashed at the air rapidly. "This armor is lighter than anything I've worn before," he thought. Haze put a hand on his shoulder. "Save it," he told Link, "you have a long day of training ahead of you."

*****

"All right Link, now you will learn to fight with armor on. It may seem odd at first, but you will adapt to it as you gain strength. You will now fight me. This fight will be to first blood, so you must strike a blow that draws blood. Don't hold back!" he yelled.

Link pulled his blade from its scabbard on his right hip and ran at Haze. He smiled inwardly. He knew the armor the smith had given him was as light as cloth, still allowing him the freedom of movement he was accustomed to.

Link lunged, thrusting the point of his sword at Haze's stomach, seeking a killing blow. Haze barely avoided the thrust by a strong beat of his blade, knocking Link's out of its path. He sprang back and was off balance for just the slightest instant. Link saw the opening and went for it.

Link thrust at him again, but Haze laughed and suddenly leaped away, knocking Link's blade away again. "You wield that blade well Link, but you have to learn to be patient."

Link smiled wickedly at him and attacked Haze furiously with a combination of overhand and underhand strikes, followed by thrusts and mad slashes. Haze retreated across the camp, meeting Link blow for blow. Link pressed him against the wall of the camp and prepared to end it.

Link thrust at him. At the last second, Haze nimbly leaped aside, Link's sword hitting the crude wall of the camp the instant after. Haze jumped past him and swung at his exposed back. Link narrowly ducked under the blow, and then kicked his legs out from under Haze.

Haze fell on his back, dust rising from the impact. Link grunted and swung an overhand strike at him. With one hand, Haze pushed himself up from the ground; Link's blade missing entirely.

He stood up and swung at Link. Link caught the sword on his shield and threw him off. They hit their blades together again and again until they stood locked corps a corps. They stared each other down. Finally they broke up and began to swing wildly at each other.

Link grunted in exertion as he swung his sword repeatedly, his strength slowly being leeched from his body. Haze swung his sword and knocked Link's mirrored surface shield away. The match was now starting to swing in his favor. Link parried the next blow, but he was failing fast.

Link looked into Haze's face. It was a mask of concentration. He hadn't yet broken a sweat. Haze closed his eyes, opening them seconds later with an eerie blue, as if some inner light was being released.

He swung once more and found the spot in Link's armor where he was exposed. Link felt pain in his right side. He clasped his side and when his hand came away, it was wet with fresh blood. Link's vision began to fade.

*****

Link came too slowly, groaning as he did. The light of the sun that shone through the opening of the tent caused him agonizing pain, and he fought to shield his eyes from his tormentor. He looked to the right and saw his armor and weapons strung out on the ground. At his side sat Zelda.

She kissed Link lightly. "Well, it's about time you awoke. You took quite a blow, but Haze healed you. He said you are to "report to him at once"," Zelda said, imitating Haze's voice. Link and Zelda laughed harmoniously. Link stopped laughing when he noticed Zelda looked different. Her blond hair was shorter, only the length of Link's and spilling out from under a bandaged white cloth cap. She wore a predominantly tight blue cloth outfit emblazoned with a red eye crying one large red tear drop. "You look like a very feminine man Zelda," Link said, stifling laughter.

Zelda blushed. "Livia told me to wear something to cover up the fact that I'm a girl, so I transformed into my Shieka self. Put your weapons and armor on, and meet us at the bridge." She kissed him one more time and left. Link quickly grabbed his gear and ran after her.

*****

They were all awaiting Link and Zelda at the bridge with weapons ready, their faces grim and somber. Livia was the first to break the silence, "To get to the burial grounds, we first have to travel through the cold plains. I can teleport us to the beginning of the cold plains, but I can't go further. I don't want to risk teleporting into a group of demons. The rogues have a scout that is waiting to brief us further on what lay ahead."

Livia waved her hands in the air. As she arched a hand downward, a mystical blue light engulfed the party, and the next thing they knew, they were standing in a frigid wilderness. A rogue dressed in heavy furs walked over to them.

"Greetings, I'm Flavie. I'm afraid I bring grim tidings about what is up ahead. Blood Raven has made the cold plains her personal domain. No one has been able to penetrate deep within the bowels of this place, and no one has seen what kind of horrible demon she has become. I wish I could destroy this beast myself, but I have been ordered to stay here and report to Kashya. It's up to you to find and kill Blood Raven. Good luck." The party thanked her and stepped foot into the cold plains.

*****

For the majority of an uneventful day, the warriors plodded along the same never-ending dirt trail.

Finally, as night was beginning to fall, the trail branched off into two different directions. "I have traveled this way before," said Haze, "the path to the right will lead us to the burial grounds. If we keep pace, we should be able to reach it within the half hour." The party said nothing, following Haze into the darkness.

*****

A pebble bounced down the mountain, landing at the feet of Biluk. There was no hesitation as Biluk turned, pulling his sword from its scabbard. "It's an ambush!" he roared, bringing his shield to the ready. Link took up position next to him, Menadar's undead minion right beside him. Haze stood back in a defensive position, ready to guard the mages as they readied spells.

Silence filled the night air. There was a brief disturbance in the air, and then the sound of metal upon metal as an arrow was deflected from Biluk's shield.

Their tormenter, a grey figure on the mountain side, cackled and shouted something in an unintelligible language then charged down the hill, followed closely by others like her.

"Isn't this lovely, corrupted rogues," Biluk muttered.

Biluk and Link ran to meet the creatures head- on, Menadar's minion not far behind. Francine shot arrows into their ranks, and Menadar, Zelda and Livia slung their versions of magic, annihilating many of the demons before they reached Link and Biluk.

Link swung and brought two of the demons down with one swipe, leapt back, avoiding being impaled on a spear that was thrust at him by another, and lashed out with his sword, bringing the grey woman down.

Link charged and threw his shoulder into the stomach of a rogue that was headed to the blind side of Biluk. As his shoulder dug in, he received a blow to the back of the head. Link rolled to the side as a spear embedded itself in the ground where he head had just been.

Link kicked the demon in the stomach, doubling her over. Link leapt to his feet and slammed the hilt of his sword into the back of her head, stunning her. A sharp kiss of steel to the back of her neck ended her life. The battle had been won. Link fell back into the dirt, his energy leaving him as the adrenaline faded from his body. As he stare into the sky, the soft touch of rain began to caress his face.

*****

The ranch had been set ablaze. Ganondorf's minions had wasted little time swarming though the gap their master had set before them. The killed every living creature they could get their twisted hands on.

Darunia watched the fire from miles off. He had led one thousand of the Hylian soldiers away from the slaughter. Impa had only allowed them to steal a few hours march on the hordes of Ganondorf.

Darunia knew Impa had fallen. He was bound to her by the bond the sages shared. He felt as if a part of him had died with her. He looked toward the heavens and made a silent vow of revenge for his fallen brethren.

His gaze fell back onto the Hylian army. He looked from face to face. Each man was frightened. The remains of the once great army had been reduced to gang of dirty, hungry, and running rebels.

They could not rest. Ganondorf would soon turn his attentions toward the west. Darunia knew what he had to do. He would have to hold off Ganondorf's army until the fleet could be constructed. It was a hopeless battle, but if they could stall Ganondorf, the others might have a chance to cast themselves into the sea and escape his wrath.

Darunia began to march his men into the west, hoping for a miracle.

*****

The rain had quickly intensified, forcing the weary group to seek shelter in a cluster of trees. It offered little protection, but they had little choice. The group huddled together, each person's warmth giving comfort to another. Zelda pressed her lightly clothed body tightly against Link, her tired head coming to rest on his shoulder.

"Shall we make a quick camp Biluk?" Haze asked. "Nothing more than something to keep out the rain," said Biluk, "we don't want to attract any of those bastard demons."

Little more was said as night closed in about them, covering all like a dark blanket. Link and Biluk had volunteered to take the first watch. Both men stared intensely into the night, each knowing that attack could come from anywhere, and that with the rain pattering upon the thin hide which gave them shelter dulling sound, they would have to be especially alert.

Finally Link turned to Biluk. "I'm nearly falling asleep Biluk. Would tell me something of the north?" Link asked. Biluk didn't face Link as he spoke. "It is a cold and desolate place. The land is dead and full of dangerous beasts. But let's not speak further on this."

Link began to speak, but a hand to his mouth from Biluk kept him quiet. "Shh… I hear something," Biluk whispered. Both fell silent as their ears strained to hear past the sound of rain.

A steady sound in the distance grabbed their attention. "What's that?" Link whispered. "I don't know," Biluk hissed back, "let's move closer and see."

"Should we wake the others?" Link asked. "No," Biluk whispered, "let's go see what that God-awful sound is."

They snuck through the night, using whatever shadows they could find to mask their approach. As they neared the edge of the tree-line, Biluk and Link hunkered now. A camp was in a clearing before them, the same banners they had seen before the Den of Evil where planted in the ground around a group of dancing and chanting fallen circled around a great bonfire.

In the center of the camp was a fallen shaman with its entire body covered in green tattoos yelling a speech from a crudely hacked tree stump at the other shamans and fallen. At the end of every sentence, all the imps screamed in hellish delight.

"Let's get 'em elf boy," said Biluk, silently drawing his sword. Link followed suit. "What's the plan?" he asked. "That green fellow looks important. If we take him out, they will scatter. I'll move around and forced those other bastards into you. When y' hear them getting close, ready that spin move of yours and give 'em hell." Biluk ordered.

Biluk moved silently, surprising Link that such a man could move with such stealth. Link turned back to the camp and watched. In mere seconds, Biluk leapt from the concealment of the trees. Link moved behind a tree, readying death for any that came near him.

Biluk dashed at the green shaman, ignoring any blows dealt by those fallen that weren't dazed by his sudden arrival. The green shaman had no time to react. In an instant Biluk's great sword shined through the air, separating the head and upraised arms of the shaman from its body.

The fallen scrambled for their lives, pushing past each other to get away from their huge tormenter. Link spun from the tree, wheeling with his sword. The blue energy arched from the blade, tearing asunder the first group of confused fallen. Seeing this, the remaining imp creatures screamed and tried to run the other way.

Two of the imps turned to find themselves against the massive chest of Biluk. The barbarian grinned and grabbed the two creatures by the necks. Their shrieks were abruptly ended as their two skulls collided with one another. Biluk threw the bloody heap to the ground roughly and spat upon it.

"Little worms," He said, sheathing his sword. Suddenly there was a blur of motion as Link leapt past him. Biluk stepped back as Link lashed out with his sword, taking an imp in the throat.

Link wrenched his blade free, letting a fountain of blood spill onto the ground. "Watch your back big guy," Link teased, "this monster was ready to stab you in the back."

"His wee blade would have done nothing to hurt me," Biluk scoffed. Link flicked the blood from his sword and returned it to the scabbard. A piece of paper lying by the dead leader's body caught his eye.

Link picked it up, but when he went to read it, he found the language written on the piece of paper was nearly unintelligible. "Biluk, can you read this?" Link asked, handing him the paper.

Biluk quickly scanned the paper. His face turned pale as he finished. "Aye, I can read it. But I wish I hadn't."

"Why? What's wrong?" asked Link quickly. "This was a scout force for a giant offensive. That bloody bitch Andariel wants to have the rogues annihilated forever. This note says that these imps were to sabotage the defense of the rogues."

"What shall we do?" Link asked. "We should warn the rogues, but that can wait. Our first priority is to kill Blood Raven. We must hurry to the others. There is no time."

*****

Darkness hung over the party, following in their wake. Their pace quickened down the rough dirt path, a hurried trail of footsteps leaving no concealment from those that could be hunting them.

Then, there it was. The cemetery. It was an ancient plot of land surrounded by a weather worn iron fence. Broken stone tomb stones dotted its surface. Link thought that at one time it would have been marvelous to behold, but now in its current state of decay, it was nothing short of an eye sore.

As they drew closer, undead things swarmed out from behind the rusty gates or pulled themselves from graves. The party drew their weapons, instantly ready for a fight.

Link slashed at one of the skeletal creatures, his sword ringing off the creature's skull. "You have to take out their neck and torso!" Biluk shouted at him while leveling a savage blow at neck of a zombie.

Link nodded and complied, his neck swipe breaking a skeleton into pieces. Working as a unit, the group smashed their way through into the center of the cemetery

Rogues hung limply from an oak tree that had been planted ages ago in the center of the graveyard. The party tried to hold its ground around it, but the undead came at them in never-ending waves.

A cackle arose over the din of battle. There atop a rock stood her. Blood Raven. That which had once been a beautiful woman has been twisted into a vile mockery. Her discolored body, now that of rotting grey flesh, was garbed in red leather. Thin black hair covered the stretched flesh on her skull. She laughed maniacally as she pulled back on her bow. "It is time for you mortals to join my army of the undead," she said, her voice poison to mens ears.

Link fought with a fury that bordered on madness to free himself from the undead surrounding him. He broke through the ranks and charged at the demon.

Blood Raven let loose with her first arrow. She growled low as the elf dodged easily. She pulled more arrows and shot at Link. Link raised his shield and felt the arrows bounce off. The world around Link became black; the only figure in his vision was that of Blood Raven.

Link closed in on her and swung, the Master Sword cutting first through the ebony wood of her bow, then through the leather, then finally through her putrid flesh and bone. The blood of the demon dripped off the blade, as if the sword did not want to hold it.

Blood Raven's body violently levitated and shimmered as she screamed in terrible agony. Link watched in awe as she erupted in violent lightening. Almost immediately, her minions fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Now that Blood Raven is dead, we have to report to Kashya. Menadar cast a portal," Haze ordered. A shimmering blue portal appeared in front of Menadar and the party stepped through. Kashya was waiting for them on the other side.

"What has happened? Haze, Biluk report!" She barked. "All of you leave us be. Rest now, tomorrow we will find Deckard Cain." Haze ordered. The group wandered around the camp. Guards were posted at the portal to prevent any nasty surprises from coming though.

*****

As Zelda and Link arrived at their tent, Zelda turned to him and said, "Link, don't ever do that to me again. This isn't Hyrule, you can easily die. Just promise me that you won't ever run off to face a demon like that alone again."

Link sighed. He knew he couldn't promise her that. He looked into her eyes. The sapphire orbs were full of fear, near the verge of tears. He decided to alleviate her fear. He held her hands in his. "Zelda, I promise that I won't fight these creatures alone again." Link finally said.

Tears came freely to Zelda's eyes as she held him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered softly.

The young lovers said no more; slipping quietly into bed, to enjoy the comforts of one another once again.