Chapter 7: Fight Till Dawn
"And this is the shrine where our deity, Lord Jabu Jabu lives," explained King Zora XVI. His body was covered in a pale white rubbery skin that turned aqua on his back. His hands and feet were webbed and he had a pair of catfish-like whiskers on his face and gills on the sides of his neck. He had large, round, red eyes on his head that matched the color of the gemstone embedded on the crown atop his head. The only thing he wore other than his crown was a bright red cape with golden trim that was longer than he was tall. He was also quite fat, with gut that was nearly as wide as he was tall, and his head that was a third the size of his stomach, but just as rotund. Conversely, his arms and legs were normally proportioned making them useless to carry his bulk around. Instead, he had half a dozen of his loyal Zora soldiers carry him. The soldiers were dressed in light armor, the closely resembled fish scales in design on their shoulders arms and chest, but the rest of their bodies were back. Accompanied by Ganondorf, they waded through the ankle deep water in the corridor and into Zora's Fountain.
"It is truly an honor, your majesty," replied Ganondorf as he gazed around Zora's Fountain. It was outside and surrounded by cliffs on all ends. Save for the corridor they had entered from there was no other way to enter. Despite being called a fountain, the shrine was as vast as a lake. The water was crystal clear reveal the intricate designs covered in the floor below their feet as well as how deep the well was beyond the walkway. A bit further was a set of steps leading out of the water and onto a platform. As the reached the top they came face to face with the only living creature in the entire fountain, Lord Jabu Jabu itself. "So, this is your sacred deity. He is truly a sight unlike anything I have witnessed before."
Jabu Jabu was enormous, with the mixed appearance of a whale and a hippopotamus. Its mouth was as wide as the platform and his body filled up nearly half of fountain. Its body was covered in smooth, rubbery brown skin and he was draped gold and jewels from the top of its head and all along his back. On the sides of the deity's head were a pair or large blue eyes that resembled gemstones. Gently, the behemoth inhaled air and then exhaled causing water to spray from its nostrils.
"Yes," acknowledged King Zora. "Lord Jabu Jabu has lived in this Fountain for countless generations and we Zora's have personally taken care of it. In fact, it is the duty of Zora Royal Family to feed Lord Jabu Jabu. Speaking of, it is not time to feed it." Turning back to the corridor, the king waited and Ganondorf watched too, scratching his chin curiously. Several minutes passed and still nothing happened. The king quickly began to lose his patience and bellowed out, "Princess Ruto! It is time to feed Lord Jabu Jabu!"
"I am coming," she called back hastily running through the corridor carrying a large bucket filled to the brim with fish. Compared to her father and the zoras carrying him, she was a smaller and slender. She was not wearing anything, save for a necklace that had three blue jewels in the shape of hexagons on a golden frame. "Please forgive me daddy. It will never happen again."
"Poppycock," he scoffed. "I have grown almost expectant of your tardiness now. I had hoped that you would have at least been more punctual while we had an important guest."
"I was merely, a little late gathering the fish," she explained.
"Don't try and deceive me," he scolded. "What's his name this time?"
"Him? Him who?" she replied in an innocent tone.
"The boy you were flirting with," he answered. "Do not push my patience any more than you already have."
"His name is Mizu," she admitted blushing as she thought of the male zora. "He's so cute and charming. Oh, one day we will get married."
"You are far too young to even be considering marriage," he retorted.
"When will that be?" she asked.
"Once you are of proper marrying age and I have selected a proper suitor," he explained. "And no sooner than that."
"I'll be as old as you are by then," she pouted.
"Why must my child be filled with such insolence?" he sighed and shook his head.
"Please forgive me," she sobbed getting down on her knees and crying. "Please don't hate me daddy. Wah!"
"Oh, now my dear," he replied in a far calmer tone. "I did not wish to upset you. You know you are the light of my life."
"You really mean it?" she sniffled.
"With all my heart," he nodded. "Now come give your old man a hug." With the aid of the one the zora soldiers, Princess Ruto was lifted up to hug her father. As she did, a satisfied smirk spread across her face. When they stopped hugging, they turned back to Ganondorf who had been standing there in awkward silence. "Oh, I am terribly sorry you had to see that, Sir Ganondorf."
"It is quite alright," he replied. "But may I ask about the young lady's necklace? I am quite intrigued by it." Approaching the girl, he kneeled down to get a closer look. "I have never seen a sapphire quite like that before."
"It was a gift to my from my mother," Ruto replied defensively backing away. "I don't like anyone else touching it."
"Oh, forgive me," he said standing back up. "I didn't mean to overstep my bounds." Casually he walked around the platform as he spoke. "I have just been so captivated by the beauty of your domain. It is so different than the land where I hail from. Whereas you have such an abundance of water all we have tons of sand. I must admit I am truly envious."
"It is thanks to Lord Jabu Jabu," explained the King. "Legend says that if anything should happen to him untold disaster could befall the water's of Hyrule."
"That truly sounds frightful," he admitted plucking a fish from the bucket Princess Ruto had brought and turned his back to everyone. He watched it wiggle and flop in his hand before squeezing it, a dark aura swirled into the fish. "But I have confidence that you will ensure such a thing will never befall your deity." Tossing the fish back into the bucket he bowed to the king once more. "Well, it has been a pleasure, but I do not wish to overstay my welcome. I will take my leave now."
"You are going to leave now?" asked King Zora looking up at the sky. The sky was already nearing nightfall. "It will soon be dark and Hyrule Field will be too dangerous to travel at night. It would be safer to wait until morning to leave."
"I appreciate the concern," he replied. "But it is not needed." Proceeding back to the corridor he walked off, a dark grin spread across his face.
"We have to hurry," cried Malon as she dashed on her horse. "The sun has almost set and we still haven't found my father." She continued riding till Hyrule castle came into the distance, arriving just in time as the drawbridge was raised. "The gate. Nobody can enter or leave Hyrule Castle Town now. Then my father must still be there. I'm relieved, but now we are out here at the verge of nightfall. We had best hurry home while we still can."
Tugging the reins, her horse turned around and began to trot back home. The last light of sun vanished just as the light of the moon arose from the opposite horizon and the stars shined in the sky providing some illumination in the darkness. An eerie tension filled the air as Malon scanned all around her. She reached for her bow at her side and readied an arrow on it. "Stay calm," she spoke to herself. "Just take deep breaths and try to stay calm." Everything remained quiet as they continued forward. She then tugged on the reins of her horse as the ground all around her began to tremble. "They're everywhere! Where are they going to emerge from first?" Gripping her bow tighter she waited, her hands shaking.
Suddenly, boney hands popped out of the ground around her horse's hooves and grabbed at it. Jumping on its back legs, the horse panicked stumbling backwards. Taken by surprise, Malon fell off her tumbled to the ground. Hurt, she attempted to get to her feet, but it was already too late. The creatures below the ground had already emerged. They were as big as a child and despite being nothing but bones were able to move and walk freely. The only thing they wore was a cloth around their waste and their hands were equipped with long, sharp nails. Clumps of dirt, rocks, and bugs clung to the crevices in their body and fell off them as they moved. Despite having no eyes in their sockets glowed red. Their lower jaws were slack and their teeth were either chipped or missing.
"Stalchildren," Malon groaned as they surrounded her. Her horse stayed back fearful of the monsters, though they paid it no attention. More stalchildren began to emerge from the ground adding to their numbers. "Mom..."
"Mommy," called out a younger Malon as she hurried over to her mother who was saddling up a horse in the barn. She looked just as Malon would as a young adult, the only differences were her long, red hair, red skin, and golden eyes. "Mommy where are you going?"
"Oh, Malon," she replied as tightened the saddle. "I have to go on a quick errand in Kakariko Village to get some medicine for the cows to help cure their sniffles. I won't be long."
"Will you be home tonight to read me a bedtime story," asked Malon.
Kneeling on the ground, she looked her daughter in the eyes and gently smiled. "I'll try my hardest to get back in time," she answered. "But even if I don't your father and Mr. Ingo will be here. They can read you the story. Now until I get back promise me you'll be a big girl and help take care of all the animals."
"I will mommy," smiled Malon. "I promise."
"That's my girl," she stated. "And Sirona here would like it if you would take especially good care of her little filly, Epona for her while she is out with me."
"I'll take really good care of Epona for Sirona, mama," giggled Malon. "I'll go tell her right now." Malon scampered into the barn. "Epona!"
Smiling as she watched her daughter leave, malon's mother mounted Sirona and headed for the front gate of Lon Lon Ranch. As she neared it, there stood Talon and Ingo with solemn expressions on their faces. "I beg you," pleaded Talon. "It will be nightfall by the time you leave Kakariko Village and it will be much too dangerous to travel. If you are insistent on going now, please don't rush all the way back here. Spend the night there and come back tomorrow, at the crack of dawn if you want to get back here as soon as possible."
"I understand why you are so concerned," she said. "But the cows have been getting worse while we've been waiting for a cure to be made at the potion shop. If we don't hurry, it might be too late to save them."
"Then let us come along too," cried Talon. "Let us protect you from any monsters that come after us."
"Let us project you," begged Ingo as he started to sob.
"The two of you cannot ride as fast as I can," she explained. "And if something were to happen, we cannot risk none of us coming back at all. Someone has to stay behind to care for Malon. Me going by myself is the most practical option."
"But if anything happens to you," Talon cried. "I don't know what I will do!"
"I'll be fine," she answered. "I promise." Looking forward, she rode off, leaving the ranch.
"Why?" sobbed Ingo falling to the ground in tears. "Please come back to us."
The pitter patter of rain sounded atop the barn. Slowly, it awoke Malon from her slumber atop a pile of hay beside Epona. "I must have dozed off," she yawned. Standing up, she brushed off the straw clinging to her dress. Then she noticed Epona standing by the barn door, scraping at it with her hooves. "Epona? Is our mommies home?"
Pushing open the door, the two of them raced across the ranch, the cloudy sky still dark. They splashed in puddles as they reached Malon's home. There they saw Talon and Ingo standing with lanterns in hand just standing there. "Daddy!" she yelled. "Is mommy back?"
"It's Malon," whispered Talon as he turned to see her. "Quick, take her inside. We can't let her see."
"Miss Malon," called Ingo hurrying over to her. "You shouldn't be out here in the rain. You'll catch cold." As he attempted to pick her up and carry her inside, he slipped and fell face first into the mud. Malon quickly ran past him with Epona towards her father.
"Malon, please," cried Talon. "Don't come any closer!"
"But isn't mommy home?" she asked as she approached her father and saw what he didn't want her to see, her mother on the ground, her dress covered in claw marks and blood stains. Beside her was her horse, Sirona, covered in blood as well. Neither of them were moving. "M-mommy?"
"M-Malon," her mother managed to wheeze as she lifted her head up. "I am so happy to see you."
"Mommy," whimpered Malon, her eyes watering. "What happened to you?"
"I was careless," she coughed. "We ran into some trouble with the stalchildren that come out at night, but despite that we made it back home with the medicine. With this, the cows will be able to feel better. Isn't that wonderful?" Moving her arm, she gave Malon a medium-sized pouch filled with powder.
"But what about you, mommy?" sobbed Malon looking at her mother who was barely able to lift her head to speak with her and Sirona who didn't move at all. "Will you be ok?"
"Of course I will," she told her with a smile on her face. "I'm your mother... I will always be... here... to take care of you..." Closing her eyes, she lowered her head and become silent once again.
Malon cried out to her over and over again, tears pouring from her eyes, but she didn't get an answer. Epona approached her mother, prodding against her, but she didn't react. The heat from her body was already starting to leave her. Talon lowered his head, barely able to keep from crying. He turned to Ingo who was still in the mud bawling his eyes out. And the rain above continued to pour. coming down even harder than ever.
"It looks like I'm going to be coming to see you mother," spoke Malon, staring up at the Stalchildren. Thunderous hooves suddenly sounded followed by a loud battle wail. The Stalchildren turned to look and were suddenly smashed to pieces as Link rode through them on Epona sword singing in one arm while the other held onto her. Their suddenly attack quickly caught the attention of all the Stalchildren around, luring them away from Malon.
"Leave Malon alone!" shouted Link as Epona stampeded through them, smashing their bones underfoot with reckless abandonment.
Once she was no longer surrounded, Malon found the strength to get up and rose just as Epona stood on her hind legs neighing glowing brightly in the moonlight. On her back, Link held his sword skyward, a fierce look in his eyes unlike any expression she saw on his face before. "Incredible," she spoke staring at them in awe.
"Whoa!" cried Link as he lost his hold on Epona and slipped off, a Stalchild breaking his fall. "Ow, I did better than I expected, but I am going to need a lot more practice." Link then noticed the skull of the Stalchild he landed on was on his lap, still moving it's jaw and its red eyes still blinking. Tossing it in a panic, Link jumped to his feet, nervously getting his sword and shield ready.
"Link," warned Navi. "You have to stay calm. Even if you destroy a few Stalchildren they won't stop coming. Not until the sun rises again and that won't be for hours. We have to hurry and take Malon somewhere safe before we get surrounded."
"Oh, right," replied Link running over to Malon. "Come on, we have to get going."
"Link, you came to save," she replied. "And you rode Epona. You really are amazing."
"It was thanks to your song," explained Link. "It let Epona understand I wanted to help you and together we came to save you."
"But how were you able to find me so quickly in the dark?" she asked.
"I lit the way," commented Navi. "I also felt a lot of evil energy gathering around here. Now hurry and get on your horses, the Stalchildren are gathering around us."
Calling for her horse, Malon quickly climbed atop it while Link ran to Epona, fighting back the few Stalchildren that stood between them. Once he was safely on Epona he called to Malon. "Is there any place around here we can go that we'll be safe?"
"Lon Lon Ranch," Malon answered. "That is the only area in all of Hyrule Field that they cannot emerge from."
"Why is that?" asked Link as they began to ride back towards it.
"The Stalchildren exist because of the countless soldiers who perished in battle during the last war," Malon explained. "They loyally fought for their king only to end up dead and forgotton on the battlefield. Their corpses sank into the ground filled with their regrets, sorrow, and hatred. It cursed the entire field with only one exception. Before it was a ranch, it was a fortress where King Daphnes Hyrule made his stand to end the conflict. He ensured that any and all soldiers who met their end in there was honored and given a proper funeral whether they were an ally or enemy. It kept that land from being tainted and cursed."
"How did the fortress become a ranch afterwards?" asked Link before he turned to avoid a cluster of Stalchildren.
"My grandfather was in charge of the fortress at the time and for all his hard work in supporting him, the king gave him it and the land once the war was over," she continued. "And now the ranch belongs to my father."
"Then let's hurry back," said Navi flying close to Link as he rode on Epona illuminating his way. She looked around the field observing as more and more Stalchildren continued to energy from the ground. "The evil energy covering the field is getting stronger. The number of Stalchildren is increasing!"
"There are too many in the way," Malon told them. "If we try and force our way through they'll overwhelm us. We have to find a way around them."
"If the Stalchildren keep increasing there might not be any way to get to Lon Lon Ranch," warned Navi. "It might be better to search for another safe place while we still can."
"Is there anywhere else that is safe?" asked Link.
"To the north is Hyrule Castle, but it raised its drawbridge for the night so we cannot go there," informed Malon. "And the only other safe place I know of is Kakariko Village, to the east, but it is across a river. It is too deep to cross on horseback and there is only a single stone bridge we can use to cross. That might actually be our best option."
"No!" cried Navi in a terrified tone. "We mustn't go that way!"
"What? Why not?" asked Link shocked by how terrified Navi suddenly became. "Is everything okay?"
"Another evil aura appeared in Hyrule field from the east," she stuttered fearfully. "It is far smaller than the one covering over Hyrule Field, but the evil in it feels fathomless."
"Where the heck are those kids!?!" cried Ingo galloping through Hyrule Field in a frenzied search for Malon and Link shortly after their departure. He fumbled a rake in one hand and held onto his horse's reins in the other. "They are nuts running around here in the middle of the night. I must be nuts too!"
A few Stalchildren suddenly popped out of the ground in front of him and startled his horse, causing it to stop abruptly and send Ingo flying forward. He was very fortunate that he crashed into some bushes to break his fall, but as he squirmed his way out shouting and griping, the Stalchildren quickly surrounded him. Fearfully, he swung his rake around him, keeping them at bay for a moment before he stumbled about dizzy, swinging his weapon about haphazardly. "Stay away from me you creeps," he groaned dizzily. "If you know what's go for ya."
As he regained his sense of balance, a large figure appeared in the darkness. It towered over him by nearly double his height and width. "You must be the leader of these things. I'll show you what happens when you mess with good ole Ingo!" Holding his rake above his head, he swung it at the large figure, but as he was about to make contact, he finally was able to make out the figure, it was Ganondorf! As the metal end of the rake connected with his armor, the rake snapped in two. Ganondorf didn't even flinch at all from the attack, his eyes just gazed forwards towards Ingo.
Swallowing hard, Igno trembled and stuttered an apology. "I'm s-sorry sir," he whimpered. "It was dark and I couldn't see. Please forgive me!" Ganondorf didn't answer him with words. Instead, he drew on of the swords at his side, the blade massive and thick, like a sharpened slab of metal that no single person should have been capable of lifting on their own, let alone wielding, but he did so in one hand, swinging it back, preparing to attack. Falling to his knees, Ingo groveled and pleaded with all his might. "Wah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Pitiful," spoke Ganondorf as he swung his swung with a mighty scream. Ingo shut his eyes in terror, but the attack was not focused on him, but over his head at the dozens of Stalchildren that had begun to surround them. With one swing, Ganondorf pulverized them. "Lingering spirits full of regret. You feel compelled to drag others down with you to share in your hatred for the living. If you must hate, hate the fact that you are so pitifully weak. The likes of you cannot hope to defeat one as powerful as I!" He lifted his sword up over his head, his dark power flowing into the blade, covering it with a dark aura. Peeking an eye up, Ingo saw Ganondorf preparing an attack and in a panic scurried away while he still had the chance. "Now choose! Either submit to my power or be destroyed it!" Swinging his sword down, the attack hit the ground and exploded. All the Stalchildren with metered we hit with the shockwave of the attack and shattered to pieces. Ingo, barely out of range grasped the ground to keep from getting blown away. When the attack ended, Ganondorf lifted up his sword from the huge scare of left in the ground and returned it to his side and waited.
More Stalchildren emerged from the ground, but instead of surrounding the dark mane, they approached his front and then got on their hands and knees to bow, every single one of them. A smug grin appeared on his face as he walked forward through the gap in the Stalchildren towards Ingo. Seeing him, approach, Ingo got on his hands and knees and bowed as well. "Tell me, sir, who are you and where do you hail from?"
"Oh, uh, I'm Ingo from, uh Lon Lon Ranch," he answered.
"Keep this in mind then," he warned Ingo. "Some day soon, I Ganondorf will rule all of Hyrule and when that time comes you will have a choice to bow before me and live like today or die. You'd best remember that." Without another word, Ganondorf walked over towards Hyrule Castle.
"What about going to the west?" suggested Link. "Is there any place we would be safe over there?"
"I don't know if there is," replied Malon. "The only thing over there is Gerudo Valley."
"If all the other ways are too dangerous," stated Link. "Then this might be our only option. Navi, you said a power evil energy appeared in the east, right?"
"Yeah, but now it's gone," she told him.
"It vanished?" questioned Link. "Is it like how the Stalchildren didn't appear until nightfall?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But even if I can't sense it, it doesn't mean it isn't there. In that case, Link, perhaps we should go west."
"Then let's hurry," agreed Malon signaling her horse to gallop that way. Epona followed beside her. "But if there is no place we'll be safe, what will we do then?"
"Then I'll fight," declared Link.
"Can you even do that?" cried Navi. "Even if you fight, the Stalchildren won't stop coming until dawn. That's still hours away and you'll tire if you have to fight nonstop."
"If I need to, I'll keep fighting till the sun comes up," declared Link.
In awe for a moment, Malon then spoke. "If we keep riding on the horses we might be able to waste an hour before they tire out. After that, I'll trust you to protect us."
"Then it's all decided," agreed Link as they rode off into the night.
Navi illuminated their path as they traversed Hyrule Field. As Stalchildren emerged in front of them to block their path, they trampled through them and kept on riding. The further they traveled west they began to see the endless green grass on the ground began to to have brown patches. It started to become more and more frequent. Then the grass started to think out till they were galloping upon dry cracked soil. Looking further ahead, they could see the end of the flat field and the start of a rocky valley up ahead separated by fence made of wooden stakes in the ground and barbed wired stretched across it. As they neared it, Malon slowed her horse to a trot and then a stop and Epona did the same.
"That is Gerudo Valley," said Malon. "I've never been here before but I've heard from my father that my mother came from here. He told me she left because something happened, something bad."
"Do you know what it was?" asked Link.
"He never told me," she answered. "I don't think she ever told him the reason, but I do know she never once returned here. Admittedly, I have always been curious to see what was over here, but I've never been allowed to."
"Should we go across the fence?" asked Link.
"There isn't much of a point," stated Navi looking up ahead. "There's a ravine up ahead and the bridge is out. Even if we keep going there is nowhere we can get to."
"Our horses are getting tired too," added Malon. "It has nearly been an hour and they need some time to rest."
Looking towards their back, the Stalchildren were starting to close in on them. Unmounting Epona, Link took a few steps towards them and waited. "Just stay behind me. I'll fend them off."
"Just don't push yourself too hard," instructed Navi. "Just keep them from getting too close."
Holding up his sword and shield, Link stayed on guard as the Stalchildren moved towards him. With a quick strike he cut off the head of the first and blocked the second with his shield. The beheaded one's body didn't stop moving and swiped at Link. Quickly jumping back, Link dodged and countered it and slashed at the other one making sure they wouldn't get up again. Taking a few breaths of relief, his victory was short-lived as move began to approach him and others began to emerge around him from the ground. Stomping his foot down on the skull of one, Link planted his sword in the head of the other before turning his attention to the others. More Stalchildren continued toward him.
"They just keep coming," cried Malon.
"I don't know how long Link can last," commented Navi. "He'll tire out fast if they keep coming in groups."
"I have to help him fight," said Malon drawing her bow.
"How many arrows do you have?" asked Navi. Taking a look, she counted a dozen. "Wait, not just yet."
"But Link needs help," pointed out Malon. "I can help he from a distance."
"But you won't be able to do anything once you run out of arrows," explained Navi. "Wait for now and when he really needs support you can attack."
Hesitantly, Malon put down her bow and watched. Time passed as Link continued to fight the endless army of the undead. Link fought them back, little by little tiring out while the stalchildren came in greater and greater numbers. They clawed and scratched at him, their attacks cutting his flesh. Ignoring the pain, Link fought back even hard, Malon firing her arrows sparingly for support.
"How much longer?" panted Link as he cut down enemy dropped to the ground.
"Just a little longer," answered Navi looking up at the sky. The sky had become a lot lighter and the stars had vanished. The moon was barely visible as well. "Dawn is almost here."
"Then we did it," Malon sighed with relief. "We survived."
The sun began to peek out over the horizon and bring about the dawn. The stalchildren still standing began to crumble into dust where they stood and returned to the earth one after another till they were all gone. Slowly rising to his feet, Link approached Malon and Navi. Then the ground beneath their feet began to quake, a massive bony hand burst out and began to pull the rest of the body out. It was a massive stalchild that towered over them. Turning its sight on them, raised its arms and started to swipe at them. Link held his shield out to intercept the attacks.
"Why did this thing come out?" cried Link as the monster scratched and tore away at his wooden shield. "The sun is out, but it isn't stopping it."
"This one is too strong," answered Navi. "You have to beat it!"
"Beat one more," panted Link. "I can beat one more." Lunging at it, Link slashed at the skeletal creature, but it proved much studier than the others. It shrugged off the attacks and swatted Link to the ground.
"Link!" cried Malon worriedly. "He's too tired. He doesn't have enough strength left to find it."
"No," he groaned, the determination not gone from his eyes. "I can do it." Getting back to his feet, Link lashed out, swinging his sword in a flurry of attacks at the stalchild, but it still wouldn't fall. It simply hit him away with startling strength and then lifted up its foot to stop down on him.
Frantically, Malon searched for another arrow and found her last one. She placed it on her bow and aimed it at the stalchild, striking into its back and stopping its attack. But in doing so, it turned its attention on her. Stomping towards her, Malon backed.
"Link you have to get up," cried Navi.
"Too tired. I can't even get up." groaned Link. He watched as Malon continued to back away from her attacker, but it was closing in with each step. His mind raced, then he recalled the bottle of milk from earlier. Taking it out of his pack, he downed the remaining amount, a bit of strength turning to his body as he did so. Rising to his feet, Link charged the giant stalchild once again, leaping as high as he could at the monster and slashed its body down the middle. As he landed, Link hacked and slashed at it with all his might, cutting it to pieces and only stopping when he became exhausted once again.
"That's enough right?" asked Link to Navi. "I don't have to fight anymore, right?"
"Yes, Link," answered Navi. "You beat them all."
"Good," he spoke before collapsing from exhaustion, instantly falling asleep.
"Link, he's incredible," stated Malon. "He said he'd protect us and he did it."
"He's got to be," replied Navi. "He's got an important job to do even though he's so young. All I can do is support him any way I can even if I can't fight with him."
"I want to help him too," smiled Malon, walking to Link and gently attempting to lift him up. She lugged him over to Epona and carefully tried to secure him to her. "At the very least, I can help him to Hyrule Castle and take care of him till he's ready to continue."
"Thank you," said Navi in place of the slumbering Link.
