Before the Wild

Blades of the Yiga

Link

"Open your eyes."

The last cry of a Blue Moblin died out as Link removed his sacred blade, stepping over the decaying carcass along the path to the throne room of Hyrule Castle. He was joined by other knights of Hyrule, the Sheikah, and the Guardians fighting through the dark army of Calamity Ganon to get the Hero and Princess to the evil one as soon as possible. Behind Link, Zelda wielded her bow, piercing her enemy with accurate shots. She wore a white dress, now caked with dirt and blood from battle. Link himself was dressed in a totally different attire than he remembered, a dark green tunic with a layer of chainmail underneath and a floppy cap on his head to match. He also had a new shield with him, the most ornate shield he had ever seen besides those of the Royal Guard.

"Link, c'mon! We must get to my father!" Zelda took the lead as they came around the last corner of the pathway, a straightaway to the sanctum. Link charged after Zelda, but hesitated as he looked back to the men and women forming a line of defense behind him. A part of him wanted to fight alongside his fellow brothers and sisters in arms, and that part of him was winning until a soldier looked back at Link.

"What are you doing?"

"I... I can't let you guys stand her and fight alone! I can help!"

The soldier cut down a Bokoblin then turned back to Link. "Link, we're counting on you! Oh, and Grannie had some info for you. The old girl says it'll take time for that bacon grease to regain its power completely! If you can take him down before before we get pulverized out here, we might still have a chance! I...I know you can do it! So...yeah! You've gotta do this! You're all Zelda's got! You've got to make this happen!"

Link stood, then looked to the Guardian standing beside him. The Hylians and the Sheikah could take care of themselves, but with the Guardians... Yes, Link didn't need to worry. "Okay, but you better be alive when I return!"

"You better bring Her Highness back alive or Grannie is gonna skin ya!" Link laughed as he sprinted to Zelda, who was impatiently waiting for her appointed knight. No words were traded as they began to run together across the bridge that connected the road to the sanctum of Hyrule Castle, and as they came halfway across the bridge, they both believed that everything would be alright.

"Open your eyes."

BOOM! A thundering explosion from somewhere beneath the sanctum knocked Link and Zelda off their feet. Link's ears began to ring from the noise as he searched for Zelda. "Zelda!"

"Link!" Link faced behind him, where Zelda laid on her back, pointing up to the sky. "Ganon!" Link faced where Zelda pointed, and saw the ghostly form of Calamity Ganon encircle the Castle. At one point it stopped, and if Link placed a bet, he would wager the golden eyes of the beast was drawn upon the hero and the princess.

"Is it just me or..."

"No, he's looking at us. It... It is like he knows us."

"Oh shit."

"Oh shit indeed."

As Link and Zelda attempted to get on their feet, Ganon's roar pushed them back on their butts. Link was glad the beast didn't produce saliva, or the situation would be a lot messier than it currently was. Ganon's roar proceeded to shake the sky as it reared its head back. Link turned to Zelda, whose face was full of fear. "Zel? Is he taunting us?"

"Link... I feel his power rising tremendously... It is like... NO!" More vibrations rocked the castle, dark purple plumes rocketing skyward. Four big ones escaped to the far corners, while smaller ones scattered near and far. They followed one as it came over their heads, landing on one of the Guardians behind them. The substance had a slimy look to it as it seeped into the interior of the Guardian as the others were immediately covered by the essence as well. Everyone watched as the Guardians shut down, falling on their bottoms.