Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Zant's War - Attack on the Temple

-Link-

Link meditated in his own way, but rather than sit alone or work, he wandered the streets. He saw life in the capital and let his mind blanking. Being from a merchant plantation, he was amazed by the glamor of everything sold, and how people dressed, but he also recognized that this was partially illusion. The silk looked delicate and noble, but it was grown by worms who ate berries. The people wore makeup, but it was to cover something up. People were dirty and worked, and others were clean and didn't.

What was his role in all this? He always said he was destined for greatness (much to the annoyance of most of his village), but to have it stated by someone who knew things... It made it something a touch more real. As a war orphan, he was left with the message that his parent was a great general. As a boy, soon to be a teen, he trained and was filled with so much energy and resolve he didn't always know what to do with it. (When he wasn't training or working, he was usually doing something stupid, like most boys.)

"Pft... Like I need a talking fly to tell me I have a destiny. I already know that." Link smirked despite the butterflies in his stomach.

As he walked, he bumped into some cloaked men. He made an effort to apologize, but he stopped mid-word when he saw the blood-stained weapons hidden beneath.

"Watch it, brat." A gruff one shoved the boy aside.

"Wait. Look at his sword." Their leader said. He didn't look as ugly and gruff as the others, but had a dangerous beauty to him. The kind of man who could woo women one minute and throw them away the next.

Seeing the shock in Link's eyes, he knew the boy was alerted, and with a blade that fancy, the boy either was a thief, or had connections... Namely in the palace. They couldn't take the chance. He reached out as quick as a snake and put a gentle hand on Link's shoulder. Link tried to pull back, but the man's grip was firm. "Let's go for a walk."

"No, no. I'm good." Link chuckled nervously. His eyes avoided the man's sharp gaze as he looked for an exit, but he was surrounded. "I've already walked. I was actually just thinking of sitting down. Besides, I don't know you."

"Then let's go sit." The man smiled. "I'm Kei Ki. Now you know me."

"Hey, that rhymes!" A man said.

"Shut it."

They took his sword and shoved him between them. In their midst with tight hands on him, Link found himself walking through the capital back alleys, far out of sight of the main streets... and the soldiers that patrolled them. Link gulped. Was his supposed destiny to die in the crevice of society?

He could imagine Midna shaking her head in shame, and the whole world laughing at the son of a general rotting in trash heaps amongst the rats.

Link resisted and tried to get away, but the men held him tight with his arms behind his back. Try as he might, he was a boy. A strong boy for one his age, but still a boy.

To his surprise, they did not kill him. Even the men were surprised by this, whispering among each other why Kei Ki didn't just turn around and behead the boy as he had so many others. They figured there was a purpose behind it, or maybe Kei Ki was trying to find just the right place to do it. Link didn't much like either option.

The alley opened up to reveal they were approaching the temple from the back side. The men climbed atop each other to get over the wall. Link saw his chance and tried to dash away, but Kei Ki was already on him, literally throwing him to the ground and sitting on him. Link bit his ankle and received dizzying punches to the face in turn.

"Someone throw me their cloak! The boy is a fighter." Kei Ki laughed.

Kei Ki rained punches down on Link until the boy stopped resisting. Link wanted to continue, but he felt his brain churning with each blow. He could barely see straight. With his eyes spinning, he felt Kei Ki lift him and wrap him. A moment or two and he was wrapped in a cloak and tied in someone's belt.