Two boys circled each other in unison, brandishing naked swords, deadly to both his opponent and to himself. One had jet-black hair glossed with wax and stabbing blue eyes just as sharp as his sword. His name was Ren. The wavy blonde boy had kind green eyes, glowing with determination. This was his first time using a real sword, and things were not looking up to him. His name was Link. In the background a lone figure stood with hesitancy. She was the reason this fight was going on, but she didn’t know what to do. She had never been put on the spot like this. Her hair glowed crimson like fire; her eyes burned an orange glow. Ren called the starting of the duel, “Ready?” he mocked
“You bet I am!” Link growled. He crossed two fingers for lying and for good luck. I’m going to need all the luck I can get!
“Go!” Ren yelled.

The duel had begun.

Ren lunged in and swung, Link blocked. They both took a step away from each other and measured each other’s stance. Link saw an opening around Ren’s rib cage, but decided to ignore it. How the heck can I win without hurting him? Ren lunged in once again, missing Link by a width of a hair. How the heck am I supposed to win without getting myself hurt? Ren released a series of slashes and blows, which Link parried, blocked or stepped away from. Ren didn’t realise how good Link was until he’d actually duelled him. The realisation hit him like a boulder. Link was very very good at swordplay. Time to add a little bit of cheese. Ren swung at Link’s legs, far enough so not to cut his legs off, but close enough to scare anyone. It worked. Link jumped away in surprise, swearing at his opponent’s insanity. When he looked back, Ren was gone. After several confused glances around him, a voice whispered,
“Behind you.” Link felt the sword tip coming to slash open his back even before Ren swiped his sword at him. A sixth sense took over, and everything went into a blur. Link ducked and rolled away from Ren’s upcoming blade and back flipped into the air; landing behind him. When Ren had turned to face his opponent, Link was gone, nowhere in sight. Instinct made Ren look up, and found something he didn’t like. Link was up there, diving towards him, wide open from any attack. Ren raised his sword in defence, confident that he could block any damage Link may lay onto him. Then the incredible occurred. Link was a metre away from him when Link spun in amazing speed, a small blue spark rose from the sword, and the two were enveloped in a an eerie blue light.
“Spin attack!”
When the light had gone the fighters were still standing, but Ren’s sword was discarded on a close patch of dirt, broken in two. Link’s still rested in his hand, poised in front of Ren’s chest. That was it. The fight was over.

Link had won.

The two boys were panting, from exhaustion or shock the others didn’t know. Ren was absolutely dumbfounded. He lost. He lost. If Link had won in a different way, Ren surely would have raved on about a re-match. But he didn’t have the energy. He was too amazed at this new kind of physical attack that he couldn’t help but have some curiosity.
“Where did you learn that?” he panted. Link just gazed at his sword and Ren. He was just as dumbfounded as everyone else.
“That’s what I’d like to know.” He gulped, “Honestly, I haven’t got a clue how I did that.” The boys gave out a coughed laugh. Link lowered his rapier and heaved out a sigh.
“Sorry about your sword.” Ren dusted himself off and shook his head. “No worries. I deserved that. I lost fair and square and I thank you for the match. And lady,” he turned to where Naia was standing, “I apologise for my rudeness. I’m sorry.” Naia smiled behind her scarf. This was turning out to be her best day in her life!
“Apology accepted.”
“So,” Link chuckled, and put out a hand, “How about a change of heart? I’d really like to be your friend.” Ren also laughed and firmly shook Link’s hand. A life long friendship was born.
“Ren!” screamed Nigel, “You can’t do this. This wasn’t part of the deal!” Ren just smirked
“Then I quit.” Nigel roared in frustration and hate.
“I’ll get you Ren! Just you wait!” he bolted with Tanji and several other boys behind him.
“I guess there won’t be any heart changing there.” The two boys yelped in surprise as a feminine voice rose just an inch behind them. It was Naia . . . with a slingshot.
“Nice stuff.” Exclaimed Link.
“The furry trio brought it here. Do you mind if a I hit a nutshell into their heads?” Ren chuckled at her request and agreed. So did Link. Quick as a spark, nutshells were released and bouncing off far off heads. The boys laughed, the girl stayed in silent amusement.
“So,” she asked, “How did catching up with work go Link?”
“Huh? Oh it went great!” he chocked out through his laughter, “The work here . . .” he froze in mid-sentence. “Oh shoot!” He grabbed at his books and started running back to the mansion just remembering what Mistress Clarinda had said: “return promptly after school . . .”

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Link was now at his new room, being lectured about being late was bad and it was like breaking a promise and therefore losing trust. It was dark outside and he had finished all his extra curricular lessons and was now ready to drop dead (and by that I meant sleep).
Some one save me! I know this stuff already; I just want to get to bed! His prayer was answered. Rachel had stepped in and had told Mrs Igbo (that’s the name Link has to call his foster mother from now on) about visitors.
“Oh!” she cried in delight. In that instant all the strictness was gone. Just plain excitement. Link shuddered at the sudden change of heart. This lady was definitely creepy in Link’s eyes. Mrs Igbo looked at Link with glee. You’d be saving me a lifetime of torture if you baked into cookies. Please bake me!! He silently mock begged in his head. Mrs Igbo straightened up and demanded,
“Bring them to me. I would like them to meet my new son.” Rachel bowed and walked away. Link was never going to get used to the word ‘son’. In seconds, two ladies were escorted into Link’s room. They were about Mrs Igbo’s age but wore different coloured gowns. Link didn’t really pay much attention to what they looked like. All he wanted to do was to go to bed and hopefully get into a coma. He didn’t pay much attention to their conversation either. They were soon out of his room with his new ‘mother’ and were strolling towards the dining room going for a quick cup of tea.
“You still need a bath remember?” mocked Rachel.
“Oh yeah . . .” he vaguely remembered.
“C’mon. I’ll take you there.” She heaved him up onto his half asleep legs, letting him take control of his body. Thankfully for him, it was right next door to his room. The tub was filled with hot water already and a bar of soap rested near bottles of perfume. Link made a face.
“I ain’t having perfume again, that’s for sure.” He moaned.
“Ok. Ok. Just freshen yourself up and get to bed Okay?” Link looked up at the maid with bafflement.
“First you’re tough, now you’re soft, does everybody have a split personality here?” he complained. Rachel whole-heartedly laughed and replied, “That’s for me to now and you to never find out.” She left Link to take his bath and do his teeth in his new bathroom.

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Once he was in bed, he recalled all the things that had happened today. His mind drifted through the events and suddenly stopped at Naia’s face. There was something about her that intrigued him. Something that made him recite the legendary stories of the Hero of Time and the destined knights, all of them named Link. About the people they had encountered and fought with to save Hyrule, other countries and the inhabitants of the countries. Link then remembered the war that occurred in his childhood. He really was fascinated by how his father and mother described the Gorons, Kokiri, Zoras, Gerudos and Sheikahs, who had supposedly killed the most resent
Hero-chosen-by-destiny. They were so different from the Hylians. Link’s parents had described them as good people, while others insulted the creatures from the bottom of their hearts. He wished with all his heart that he could meet them some day. Then his face screwed up in puzzlement.
What the hell has this got to do with Naia? Oh well. He shrugged it off and fell into the deep mist of sleep.

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Link woke at the crack of dawn, as this was his habit. At first he couldn’t remember where he was, when the memories of yesterday’s events leaked into his head. Considering he had broken a school rule, almost embarrassed himself in front of his class, almost killed himself by saving a kitten, three squirrels and Naia’s dignity and been growled at, it was a pretty good start. He smiled at the fact that he had made three friends in a single day. But then he frowned again. School starts at noon, and he wasn’t supposed to be out of bed till eight. He felt too energetic to go to sleep for another 3 hours. What in Hyrule was he going to do? Link smiled wider. Explore of course! He dressed out of his pyjamas and into his old clothes and hat. He took out his trusty rope out of his pack and tied it to the handrail of his veranda. As he abseiled down a story and was about to go down another, the worst noise pierced his ears.
“Farore’s wind!” Link quietly swore. Why?

His rope was snapping.