Forged in Malice

Chapter 9

Link recalls how easy it was to slice clean through the various bokoblins with his sword on that beach. He could have sworn his sword was humming with energy with each strike, with blood spilling out from their wounds and staining the sand, and with each dying breath as the monsters succumb to the oblivion that awaits them. He could also recall how difficult it was to wash away the blood out of his cloak afterwards, the sea becoming stained in vivid reds and dark purples. It would need to be properly washed in order to get rid of the salt and any lingering stains.

As the last monster fell, Link was left feeling...empty. So he continued down the beach as he knew a talus was east from the monster camp he cleared. The talus managed to land a few hard blows on Link, but was swiftly taken down after using bombs from the slate and smashing the rock outcrop on it's back with an iron sledgehammer.

This began Link's journey of wiping out every single monster in his sights, causing him to cross over Mount Lanayru and to Lanayru Bay within a few days. Link hardly slept, only setting up his bedroll when he got tired and eating various fruits and mushrooms whenever he got hungry or needed to heal a little faster. At this point, the others might be concerned about him since he didn't plan on such a lengthy hike to clear his head, but Link couldn't find a reason to care about it.

Right now, as he lays on an equally blood stained shore as the one he left at Hateno Bay, he could only feel exhaustion finally settle in his bones. The sun felt warm on his skin, and with the gentle waves of the bay, he couldn't help but start to doze off once his mind was finally calm. That was, until he heard something splashing around close to the beach.

Link lifts his head, thinking it was some fish jumping out of the water until he saw the large shadow looming from under the surface. Did he miss a lizalfo and it was lurking under the water up until now? He is not willing to risk such an error, jumping to his feet and drawing a bow out from the magical storage of the slate. With an arrow nocked, Link silently watches as the shadow lurks closer and closer before it goes still. Time seemed to slow as his heart pounds in his chest, waiting for the creature to breach just so he could send an arrow right between their eyes. All he needs is one well timed shot and he can go back to resting. It felt like hours passed before it finally surfaced, but Link hesitates to fire when familiar red scales shimmer in the sunlight.

"Link? Are you alright?" A stunned Prince Sidon speaks, his golden eyes catching on the arrow drawn back in Link's bow. Oh thank Hylia that Link's instincts weren't too razor sharp!

Without answering the Zora prince's question, Link shakily releases the breath he didn't know he was holding as he sinks to his knees, lowering his bow. He hears Prince Sidon swim closer, about to get out of the water before Link raises a hand and shoots him a look that stops the Zora in his tracks. "F I N E," was the only word that Link fingerspells, hoping that it was enough to ease the worried look on the prince's face.

Prince Sidon lets out a sigh. "Link, you're covered in blood and guts, and you nearly shot me with this crazed look in your eyes. None of that makes me think you're just "fine", my friend."

This causes Link to take a look at the state of his clothes, seeing that Prince Sidon was right. He must look like a complete mess. Setting his bow down, Link signs "This is just a normal Tuesday for me." He adds on a smile, thinking that the Zora prince would take the joke and not press further.

It apparently didn't work as Prince Sidon crosses arms and began to speak. "Link-"

"Prince Sidon!" A voice distracts them both, causing them to look over and see Bazz swimming towards the prince. "You know it's not safe to just dart off like-" He cuts himself off after seeing the state Link was in. Link just waves at the captain in return. "...as I was saying, your Highness, it's not safe to wander off in this area. Normally it's riddled with monsters when a certain hero isn't around."