Born a Weapon: Twilight Princess

Arrival

"The Hero's Shade? What does that mean?" Link asked. He had been called a hero, was this skeleton some kind of metaphorical shadow of him? The thought that a skeleton might represent him in some way worried him. Or was it a ghost? His ghost? That didn't make any sense.

"Later," the skeleton said. "You adapt to situations well and are very flexible. That will undoubtedly help you. But your skill with a sword is pitiful." Pitiful? Didn't he just give this skeleton a tough fight? How was his skill pitiful? Although, he never did get a hit with his sword, and the skeleton had little trouble blocking him. The only hit he got was the surprise kick he pulled off at the start of the fight. "If you are to survive, that must change."

"Well, what am I supposed to do about that? Are you offering to teach me?" Link said, gesturing to the warrior.

"Yes. You will learn and learn well, or you will perish. Assume a combat stance," the shade ordered.

Link was still confused and fumbled a bit at the sudden command but shifted his position to match how he stood when the fight he lost so easily started. The skeleton sheathed his sword on his back in a scabbard that didn't exist and attached his shield to it as well, just like how Link put away his weapons. The shade approached Link and adjusted his grip on the sword, making Link uncomfortable with the menacing breathing right next to him. Not to mention the skeleton towered over him.

Link practiced his swordsmanship for an unclear amount of time, taking the shade's criticism and advice to adjust his movements several times. Between sword movements, the shade told Link how to use his shield effectively. When the skeleton finally decided Link was performing well enough, he instructed Link to fight him again.

Link made the first move again, opening with a high slash that was quickly blocked. The blow was much faster and more precise than in the previous fight, and although it was still easy for the shade to block, it was not as easy as last time. When the shade retaliated, his sword came at Link with much more speed than before, forcing Link to use his shield to block because there was no time to dodge. It became clear the skeleton was holding back in the last fight and was likely still holding back now. If the shade beat Link so easily while holding back, Link did not want to fight him at his best.

Link kicked his opponent's leg, knocking it out from under him, making him fall to one knee, and tried to stab his face. The shade swiftly pinned Link's sword with his own, pulling Link forward with the sudden motion and bringing his shield up into his face. Link stumbled back, grabbing his face with a grunt.

"You didn't teach me to block with a sword!" Link grumbled.

"You are not ready for that move," the shade said as he stood, "If you try it before you improve further, you will likely get yourself killed. However, your enemies will not match your skill to allow a fair fight."

No, but I'm glad you are, Link thought. The shade lunged forward quickly with his sword pointed for a stab, but Link ducked and quickly rose shield first and smacked the shade's sword as hard as he could, sending it flying. Link promptly followed up with an upward slash which was blocked, but then used his shield to bash the shade, knocking him back, and swung his sword through his neck. The swing should have removed the skeleton's head but did nothing.

"Very good," the shade spoke, "that was a pinpoint strike. You have improved in the short time I have been teaching you, but you will still struggle against skilled opponents." Link gave a nod and put away his weapons. He knew he wouldn't become a swordmaster in one lesson and was content with the results of his training. "Before you leave this place, I have one more tip for you. When you knock an enemy down, make sure you finish it off before turning your attention elsewhere. Clever foes may fake their deaths to surprise you, and more skilled enemies may quickly recover. Never overlook your opportunity to finish a fight quickly, so long as it does not compromise your effectiveness."