the legend of zelda Age of Calamity

chapter 8 **Title: The Quiet Before the Storm**

The towering walls of Hyrule Castle stood before them, silent and imposing in the moonlight. Zelda moved swiftly toward the gates, but her attention was divided, constantly flicking to the figure behind her. Link walked with obvious difficulty, each step heavier than the last. His usually unwavering posture was now compromised, his form slumped as if the weight of his injuries had finally caught up with him.

As they reached the castle grounds, the weight of exhaustion seemed to crush him more with every step. Zelda's heart tightened. Despite his insistence that he was fine, Link was clearly anything but. Blood still seeped through his tunic, and his movements were growing more labored.

"Link," she called, her voice quiet but filled with concern. "You can't keep pushing yourself like this."

Link said nothing, his lips set in a thin line, his gaze trained straight ahead. His determination, though admirable, was becoming dangerous. Zelda knew him too well—his stoicism, his refusal to rest, even when his body screamed for it.

They walked in silence through the corridors of the castle, Zelda keeping an eye on him as they made their way deeper into the halls. But it was clear he wasn't going to make it much farther. His steps slowed, each one more hesitant than the last. As they approached the staircase leading to the royal chambers, Link's knees buckled suddenly.

Before Zelda could reach him, Link collapsed to the ground in a heap, his body giving way beneath the weight of his wounds. His breath came in shallow gasps, his face pale as he lay there, his sword still clenched in one hand.

"Link!" Zelda cried, rushing to his side. Panic gripped her chest as she knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch his shoulder. "No, no, stay with me."

But his response was weak—his eyelids fluttered, but the strength he had once carried was slipping away. Zelda's heart sank as she tried to shake him gently, urging him to stay conscious.

"Link, please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Stay awake."

But it was no use. His body went limp, and with a soft exhale, his eyes closed completely. Link had blacked out.

Zelda's heart raced. She couldn't afford to lose him—not like this.

Without hesitation, she shouted, her voice ringing through the halls. "Guards! Help! Someone, please!"

It wasn't long before two guards arrived, rushing toward them at Zelda's frantic call. "Your Highness, what happened?" one of them asked, but Zelda didn't answer. Her gaze remained fixed on Link, who lay still in front of her, his face pale and contorted in pain.

"Take him to a room," she ordered urgently. "Get him somewhere he can rest. Quickly."

The guards moved immediately, carefully lifting Link's unconscious form and carrying him toward a nearby chamber. Zelda followed closely behind, her mind whirling with worry. She could barely focus on the steps she was taking, her thoughts consumed by the sight of Link lying unconscious, his injuries too severe to ignore.

Inside the room, the guards gently laid Link on a large bed, their movements cautious but swift. Zelda stood nearby, her hands clasped in front of her, fighting the rising panic in her chest. She watched as the guards began to assess his wounds, but the weight of helplessness settled over her like a thick fog.

One of the guards spoke up. "We need to leave, Princess," he said softly. "We'll need space to tend to him."

Zelda hesitated, her eyes lingering on Link's unconscious form, but she nodded reluctantly. She couldn't stay here, not when there was nothing she could do to help. With a final glance at him, she turned toward the door.