Rise of the Antriforce: Chap 2

Chapter 2: Confrontation

The air was heavy with tension; Link couldn't move at all, it was almost as if he could see through the wood, seeing the tall, imposing silhouette of the dracon guard, clad in red armour with a menacing face under his helmet.

"Must have been a rat" the guard breathed, so close to the wall that Link flinched.

The armoured man went back up the stairs, and exited the store. As soon as the wheels started to roll, Link took a deep breath, and got out of his hiding spot.

"How could I have been so stupid? I almost got caught!"

The rage that had built up inside him exploded.

"I'm such a coward! I should have saved my parents and killed those goons! Dang it!"

He fell to his knees and punched the soft ground. "I could have taken them on for sure!"

He walked up the stairs to see the mess that the soldiers have made. He turned on himself looking at the toppled chair and tipped table. He saw the medicine bottle on the ground and went to put it back in the cabinet. Opening the cabinet, a small paper fell on the ground. He picked it up and as he opened it, he recognized his father's handwriting.

Dear Link, if you're reading this, we were found out. We had meetings with several other families to discuss something. You might have figured it out already... In any case, we would like to say to you that we love you so very much, and I hope you haven't suffered too much in our spars...

Link grabbed a chair and sat to read the rest.

But we have to tell you something. We raised you as our own but we are not your real parents.

"What?" Link choked. He never thought he was adopted. Although recently, he did find it strange that both of his parents had brown eyes, Kaffei had dark hair, Sanju had red hair... Yet  he was blond and blue-eyed...

15 years ago, you were but a year old, it was the night of the Usurpation where the actual King dethroned the reigning king of the royal bloodline. Someone knocked on our door during the night, we opened it and this blond haired woman gave us a little bundle, you, before collapsing on the floor in front of us. She had been fatally wounded. We tried to save her, but in vain... The only word she said before falling was Link, your name... I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you this before, but I wasn't too sure if you were ready... Go to Elias' house, he'll be able to protect you.
I love you son, Kaffei
I love you my dear, Sanju

A drop landed on the yellowing paper.
He quickly wiped away his tears. Tears meant weakness. A wave of determination overwhelmed him; he would save them. "I'll get you out... for sure..." Link swore.

He thought of breaking into the castle to save his adoptive parents. Link waited for the cover of night to move. He devised a plan to get to the castle, head to the dungeons and release the prisoners facing unjust punishment. He put a cloak over his shoulders and put on the hood. He walked out, locked the door, and turned for the castle.  The air was cool, but the night was dark, and surprisingly, the storm had not come. It was a half an hour walk to the castle. He followed the road and walked through the forest to dodge any patrolling soldiers. He arrived near the walls of the city; and crept close to the doors, listening for anyone who might be there. He pushed the large wooden door slightly open, peered inside and saw three guards all asleep. A strong scent of alcohol emanated from them. Link crept by but his hand got caught by one of the guards.

"Hey, the guard said in a groggy voice, wut do ya thank ya doin'?"

He fell back asleep. Link, calming himself down; gently released his hand from the guard's grip, and went through the second set of doors. The streets were empty, the only sound came from the crackling of the fire on what seemed to be a dried fountain in the center. The buildings around it all had red drapes with black symbols showing a split Triforce with the triangles pointing down. There must be a curfew in the city, Link concluded about the emptiness. He carefully walked towards the castle, looking everywhere for signs of life. At the castle gates, a guard stopped him. But he, on the other hand, wasn't drunk.

"You know that there is a curfew, don't you?"

"No, I am a stranger to this city, but I have information that might interest your sovereign."

"Very well, I'll escort you to him."

"Dang," he thought, "I wasn't planning on that! I needed to get to the dungeons. But I guess I'll have to face the King anyway."

They walked up the many stairs to the throne room.

"I'll have to ask you to remove your sword, sir." The guard said, putting his hand out.

"Why?" He cursed himself for almost blowing his cover. "A...Alright." He hadn't planned this, that sword was his only defense.

The soldier showed him in. At the long table sat four men and a woman.Three men sat on both sides of the table and wore dark grey cloaks with hoods hiding their faces, while the woman was dressed in a pearl white cloak. The one at the end seat was the king, no doubt about it. With heavy jewellery, dark menacing eyes and a strong stature, Link feared he might not to be able to complete his task. "Dad was right..." The five looked at him at once.

"What is this?" The king said under his short grey beard

"This man would like to share information with you."

"I don't share information," said the king, "I take it. What is this about?"

"It's about..." Link said through his teeth; the anger inside was boiling. "It's about...my parents!"

He grabbed his sword from the guard's hands, kicking the guard to the ground and turning to face the King.

"Release them now!"

The four hooded characters rose and unsheathed their swords.

"Stop! Everybody out!" The king yelled, and with an evil grin under his short beard he added: "I've been longing for a duel to the death, although this will not last long..."

The four went out, passing by Link with light cackling, making Link nervous. In fact, he was so nervous that he was already shaking.

"You seriously think I would release your parents? I'm not that easily convinced, you know... I am King Dragomir, bow down to me or die right here and now!"

He was advancing towards him.

"Come on, you're trembling like a leaf. Give up now."

Suddenly the window glass crashed as two little balls came in from the window and exploded, creating a smokescreen. Link was tossed aside by someone, tripping and falling on his side.

"Die, murderer!"

This new voice sounded to be an ally... Hearing the yells and swords clashing, he tried to decipher where the combatants were. The smoke cleared a bit and he could make out a man clad in a black cloak and white pants, holding the King's massive blade between his twin swords.

"Who are you?" King Dragomir said.

The man didn't reply. He let Dragomir's sword fall as he spun around him to hit in the back but he was thrown away, to the wall, by an invisible force. Link shook his head to ignore that unknown force and took his chance as Dragomir raised his sword to finish the man, and sent his sword straight into the king's body.
Splashed with blood, the man stared at the King, astonished.

"I did it!" He thought while backing away.

"So, you think you've won, kid?"

"What? The sword went through the heart! How could he still be standing, even less talking?!" Link thought.

Link watched in horror as the gash closed up on itself, expulsing the sword.

"Haha, didn't your petty army have a code where rule number one was to not underestimate your opponent? Bwahaha, they should really have kept that one to heart!"

"Run kid!" The unknown man yelled as he jumped out the window.

Link started running towards the door as the four from before re-entered. Another smoke bomb exploded and a hand grabbed Link, pulling him out the door.

"Get the boy!" Dragomir yelled.

Link finally looked towards his benefactor, seeing a young girl, his age, in a blue tunic, under a dark blue cape.

"What were you thinking?! You can't face the king, he's immortal!"

"Immortal?"

"Quick! This way!"

They turned a sharp corner and entered a room.

"They're here somewhere!" A deep voice yelled.

The girl pulled a lever and the far wall moved to reveal a hidden staircase.

"How did you know that?" He asked.

"Shut it! Let's go!"