Fan Fiction Friday: The Man Behind The Masks – Part 8

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“There’s still time to slip away,” I pleaded, stumbling after Guru-Guru.

He strode ahead, arms pumping and his sword swinging wildly from the hip. “Just shut up, do you want an arrow in your back? Cause that’s what they do to deserters.”

This revelation was most unwelcome, along with the ache of my neck and shoulders that were stiff from baring the weight of armor. Curse all this gear! “But you could make an appeal, tell them the truth –”

“No time, you hear that?  It’s the alarm — we’re at war!”

The Hyrulean army assembled with astounding speed. So many gathered; filed in perfectly straight rows, the clink and rattle of metal echoed as they stood to attention. I stood on tiptoe trying to see between the helmets of the two men in front until General Impa arrived on her bay warhorse. The horse’s hooves hurled up clods of damp earth as she came to a stop.  All heads twisted in her direction, and in a loud, clear voice she addressed the troops.

“Comrades, the time has come to defend the peoples of Hyrule.” Impa’s white ponytail whipped about in the wind. “If the Sacred Realm is breached and the Triforce falls into evil hands, it will be the end of everything we hold dear.”

Tension around me heightened. Men cleared dry throats and squeezed their leather gauntlets into fists. A trumpet call sounded and the thundering gallop of another horse could be heard. This one was stout and grey; its rider, a tall man in golden body armor. He lifted up his helm and excited chatter broke out amongst the soldiers.

“It’s the King!”

I had seen King Hyrule before, he often spoke to the townsfolk from a grand balcony on feast days. He dressed in red robes, a jeweled crown upon his head and a friendly smile. The landlady at the tavern often referred to the King as handsome, but in this dull light his pale face was stern and rather frightening.

“Heed the words of the General well,” he began in a reverberating tone. “This battle will change the course of history and life as we know it. No doubt you have heard of our enemy, soldiers we called friends have turned against us. I understand the fear in your hearts. Do not allow yourself to fall prey to sentiment for they will not hesitate to cut you down. They are now no better than the monsters of Ganon, and if they reach Castle Town or Kakariko, they will show no mercy to your families. Keep your wits and blades sharp, and with the Goddesses’ protection, we will prevail!”

The King raised his broadsword up high as an almighty roar erupted. Soldiers beat swords loudly against their shields and then they marched forward.

Swept along, I tried to stay close to Guru-Guru, copying the rhythm of his stomping feet. Left, right, left, right. Since nothing else made sense I focused on the pattern of each step. It felt strange being in sync with a hundred other souls, pounding the grassy plains of Hyrule field. We curled around Lon Lon Ranch and the fortifications I had seen from the watch tower, until the Gerudo Valley pass came into view.

“Halt!” King Hyrule gave the signal and Impa hastened away to where the other senior officers had gathered.

“Why have we stopped here? I was told the Interlopers were near the Gerudo Desert.”

One of the soldiers turned and gave me a withering look. “Hey Greenhorn, you don’t go charging down a narrow valley like that. There’s archers, be like shooting fish in a barrel.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t see any bowmen perched on the cliffs. My gaze wandered a little lower, to the entrance of the valley which appeared to be moving…

“Grunts, incoming!” General Impa warned.

The mob of black and silver Bokoblins raced across the field. They fanned out, launching at those closest on the front lines. Enraged high-pitched squeals rang through the air and great clubs swung in circles above their heads.

The soldiers surged forward to meet them, dodging to avoid being caught in the lethal rotation. Any protection from my comrades swiftly disappeared. Why can’t I move? I looked down to see my knees knocking together. The Bokoblins advanced closer and closer. A silver one had spotted me. Instinct screamed at me to do something with the pike in my right hand, but I could only lift my shield up higher. Nayru’s love protect me, please!

A harsh landing sent my helmet flying off and a jolt up my spine. I held onto the handle of my shield as a claw with jagged fingernails tried to prise it away. When that failed, the Bokoblin clambered on top, pinning me down. I struggled; a giant snout appeared over the shield’s edge sniffing frantically.

“Guru-Guru!” I wailed.

The monster jumped up and down, its floppy ears jiggling, along with the small skull it wore as a necklace. Other Bokoblins stalked over to see what fun could be had, but were immediately snarled away. Evidently, this silver haired fellow wanted me to himself. He reared his ugly head, tongue lolling and saliva dripping from crooked yellow teeth.

Those purple tribal markings look just like hammers, I admired. That would make a fabulous mask. Unfortunately, the Bokoblin did not share my interest in artistic design and instead seized a spiked club.

Bang! 

The club met with metal and its spiked barbs screeched. I had never been more grateful for the armorer standard issue. I drew my head down and knees up, using the motion to rock side to side. The Bokoblin squealed in protest but he couldn’t reach me without dropping its weapon. My rocking gained momentum and the troublesome brute struggled to maintain his balance. Just a little more…  When he made to grab me again, I threw my entire body to the left and sent him toppling.

It felt good to be free. The Bokoblin was sprawled on his back, engaged in some sort of hissy-fit. Serves you right, trying to bash my head in! But the thrill of victory was short lived as the gang of eager observers saw their chance.

Breathing hard, I fumbled with the hilt of my sword. “Stay back,” I said. “I will use this if I have to.” I yanked out the blade and pointed it at the group.

The Bokoblins considered my shaking sword for a moment and then burst into fits of laughter. They made a ring around me.

Five against one? Hardly seems fair. At once, the silver Bokoblin jumped back up from the damp ground and retrieved his dragon bone club. Ah, make that six then.

This was not how I imagined my day to turn out. What was it Akisin had said before I dashed out the door? Don’t do anything stupid. I laughed despite everything. If this was where it ended, the inscription on my gravestone would make for an interesting read. ‘Ronri Okane, hacked to death by six Bokoblins, may he rest in pieces.’

Some of the Bokoblins had spears and took great delight in jabbing them at my ankles. I hopped further into the middle of the shrinking circle. They lobbed rocks, one connected with my cheek which stung, another smacked the back of my head. I was cruelly reminded of my lack of a helmet. The squealing ruckus intensified as a black Bokoblin to my right swung at me. I ducked, only to be hit by another makeshift missile on the nose. The sudden explosion of pain made my eyes water. My left glove clutched at my nose and came away dark and wet.

“That is the last straw!” I swept my right leg back. “I have powers that you would not believe.” My recollection of the spin attack from the training grounds was hazy at best, but I needed to do something, anything.

The Bokoblins paused, scratching their single horned heads. I took advantage of the confusion, grasping my sword with both hands. “I hate you,” I yelled at the dreaded creatures. “I hate you all!” Such words tumbled too easily from my lips, which unnerved me. But focusing on that anger brought a tingling sensation to my fingertips. Is it happening? It had been so long since that day in the woods. I dared to hope as faint golden sparks spluttered into life.

Smack!

Face down, the earthy smell of grass was overwhelming. I coughed out some dirt, the grittiness mixed with the taste of iron on my tongue. Everything hurt. Something flipped me over with its foot, a familiar set of monstrous glowing eyes bored into my own.

“Why, hello again.” I grimaced.

More squealing and a surreal halo of Bokoblins hovered above me. I had to wonder if I’d banged my head a little too hard. Any movement brought fresh waves of crippling pain; breaths became hisses. I grasped blindly for my sword that may as well have been a world away for all the good it would do me. Clubs were raised. Spears drawn back.

I never did get to travel across Hyrule; I’m sorry, Yasei. A whimper followed this thought as I curled into a ball.

“RRRAAAHHH!”

In disbelief, I saw the Bokoblins catapulted towards the sky as a sudden squall swirled around me. Upon landing, they gave a shriek before disappearing in a puff of purple smoke.

What is this?

Another piercing battle cry came from a swordsman hacking and slicing at Silver Hair. They circled each other. The man wore an amused grin as he provoked the Bokoblin with a fake opening only to block the hopeful strike with his shield.

The monster reeled. It shook its head trying to clear the dizziness from such an intense bash to the brain. But the enemy was not to be outdone yet. It jumped up high, ploughing the force of gravity into a devastating smash attack.

“Look out!” I called, but there was really no need.

The swordsman side skipped right. He glanced at the impressive crater that Silver Hair had inflicted upon the landscape, the site of what should have been his grave. With no hesitation, he plunged his blade into the back of the disorientated Bokoblin. Another puff of purple smoke signaled the end of the confrontation, and my savior sheathed his sword.

“Who do we have here then?” he asked, tilting back his helm. He brushed away some strands of my matted brown hair. “Is that you, Ronri?”

“Carter!”

He let out a great belly laugh. “Wow, you’re a tough one, not many could take hits like that and live to tell the tale.”

“I must look quite the sight,” I said, pinching the bridge of my bleeding nose.

Carter picked up my helmet, now missing its red plume, and began to dust it off. “What did I tell you about keeping this on, eh?” When I winced at the reminder, he looked curiously at my hands. “You see some pretty strange things in battle, don’t you?”

I met his scrutinizing gaze with an awkward smile. “I wouldn’t know, seeing as this is my first time, sir.”

It was just a moment, but a flicker of something passed over Carter’s face. Silence stretched between us. Rolling dark clouds smothered the sky. Rain, much heavier than before, bounced off my shoulders as the grass was dyed a deep shade of pine.

“Come on, can’t stick around here. We have to catch up to the others.”      

In the distance, I could see soldiers locking swords with other monsters that had spawned. I wanted to turn and run, get as far away from this nightmare as I could. But there was one teensy-weensy problem: Guru-Guru was still out there. I took a steadying breath, and with no other choice, traipsed after Carter.    

 

Featured art: Alison Brunyee via Canva.com

Alison Brunyee is an Original Content Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time. You can check out more fan fiction from her alter writing ego – Otwl.