The Collapse (AU) (TOTW)

The Beginning of the End

By the time we got back to Gerudo Town, we were all exhausted. Except Riju, since... she didn't have to do anything. I mean I got stabbed, Zelda got beat, and the Guards were all knocked unconscious. But Riju just snapped her fingers and took out the "powerful" Yiga Clan leader.

I passed out at the inn and so did Zelda, the guards went home, and Riju slept in the Palace. Before I fell asleep, I heard Zelda muttering in her sleep. "Why... Thank goddesses..." She murmured, but I didn't stop to listen, I just went to sleep.

When we woke, we got ready, and grabbed some sand seals. Since Erin was... you know, it was just the 3 of us heading to back. It took us about an hour to reach the nearest stable, we snagged some horses, it was gonna be a long ride to the Fort Hateno...

About 3 hours later, we were half way there, and Zelda announced it, "We're half way to Fort Hateno. It will be a fierce battle, and lives may be lost, but we will win, and we will liberate the Fort Hateno soldiers. They've been battling these foes for a month now, it's time to take back the fort and save the soldiers."

We continued after her speech and after another 3 hours, we arrived at Fort Hateno. The battle was at a rest, and the monsters had multiple camps surrounding the opposite side. We hoped off our horses and climbed the ladder to the top of the gate. The soldiers greeted us happily, or as happy as they could be after a month of holding off these monsters. They had forced them back through the gate, and were barely holding the line as it was. More monsters had started to gather over the many weeks.

Zelda stood on the highest point of the fort and recited her speech, "Soldiers of Fort Hateno, you have fought valiantly and courageously, and have proven yourselves as the warriors of the Hateno Region. All that are gathered here today are now honorary members of the Hyrulean Army, whether you decide to support us on our continued journey or not. You will all have the title as Soldiers of Hyrule, and I declare that as Princess of Hyrule."

There was real cheers and applause among the 20 or so soldiers, I silently prayed that some of them would follow us.

'I can't protect the princess like Erin could, even though he was part of the Yiga Clean. I wasn't a knight, much less her appointed one.' But my thoughts were disrupted by explosions from the other sides of the wall. The soldiers shuffled around a bit, looking reluctant to battle. I couldn't imagine how scared and weak they felt right now.

I stood on the platform below Zelda and I called to her, "Princess! Come down from there, there's something I need to say." I whisper-shouted at her. She looked puzzled but nodded her head and began to climb down the ladder. Once she reached the platform she gestured at the ladder, implying for me to climb up. I managed to ignore my social anxiety and climbed up the ladder, I stood at the top of the fort and looked down at the weak soldiers below me.

I cleared my throat, "I... I understand that all of you are weak from the last month. And you deserve a break, so I will take on the monsters outside the fort alone. And the rest of you will be able to return to Hateno Village, and get the break you deserve."

The soldiers looked around expectantly, and then one shouted, "That's suicide!"

"Then so it will be," I said, "But you will be free, and that is truly what we are here to do." The soldiers looked at me in disbelief, then one man stepped out of the crowd.

"My name is Hoz, I'm from the Akkala Region and I moved to Hateno to support the fort. I will stand with you, and fight with you against the monsters." The man nodded his head at me, and climbed on top of the fort next to Zelda on the lower platform.

I looked down at Zelda and she looked a bit confused, so I continued, "If anyone else would like to continue with us on our journey please step forward." The soldiers looked around and three more men stepped away from the crowd. Then another two men stepped away, then two more men stepped away from the crowd. Seven total men would be joining us in our journey, while the other fourteen men would return to the village.

"Alright. Those of you that wish to continue with us, prepare yourselves. And those that wish to return to the village, are dismissed." I said, the seven went off to the side by the campfire and the other fourteen turned and began back towards the village.

"Link!" Zelda whisper-shouted, "Come down, we must speak to you!" I climbed down the ladder, and stood between Hoz and Zelda.

"That was... crazy of you." She said, looking a bit wobbly. "You just dismissed two-thirds of our fighting force."

"They wouldn't have been useful anyway. To fight, you need determination, you need a purpose to remain standing." I answered, looking at Zelda steadfastly.

"How would you know?! You've only been a soldier for a little while!" She said, in disbelief.

"Exactly, only a month and I was able to best the soldier assigned to defend you." I replied.

"Knowing how to fight and knowing how to lead is different." Zelda said.

"We still have seven soldiers and me. We'll be fine, those other soldiers were at their breaking point. Seven good soldiers is better than fourteen weak ones weighing us down. They could've gotten hurt fighting with us." I answered, still remaining steadfast.

"Riju has spoken highly of you, so I will trust your decision, but if we get defeated because we're lacking manpower... you're going back to Gerudo Town." Zelda answered, with her hands on her hips.

"We're gonna do this." I said determinedly.

"Uh... Sir Link, are we gonna start this battle soon?" Hoz said, looking nervously over the fort's wall.

"I'm not too sure, why?" I asked foolishly. Then a second later a boom sounds and the fort's wall shakes.

"Well... that." He replies, looking slightly anxious. I nod and climb down onto the ground by the other 6 soldiers, Zelda and Hoz follow suit.

"Are all of you ready?" I asked, and they nodded, getting into fighting position.

"Raise the gate!" I shout.