Part 2 of Broken Memories: This fanfiction is currently rated E 10+ Sorry for the low quality drawing, I was both rushed and Scratch processed it weird, and I don't have time to fix it. Sorry. Also, please critique the drawing in the comments, that way I can grow as an artist. Anyways, enjoy the chapter... Royal Fights I stood there, surprised. *The king wants to see me fight his royal knights?* I nodded. “Of course, your Majesty. I will try my best." He guides me over to the sparring arena, where he and some of the royal knights were previously battling. "Take whatever weapons you wish." The king instructs, before walking away, most likely to go get some of his royal knights. I look through the weapons rack, carefully considering all the options, before landing on a simple short sword. I picked it up, and swung it around, trying to get a feel for the blade. It was balanced a little more towards the hilt, so I would lose some power there. Better to go for quicker, more agile strikes then. While I waited, I carefully took myself through the different sequences. *1 and 2 and 3 and 4, spin, and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8.* My body moved fluidly through the motions, for I had practiced them hundreds, no, thousands of times before. Eventually, the king returned, all of his knights in tow. After they all sat, the king spoke. "I wish to test some of you against this young knight..." He turned to me, "Link, was it?" I nod, and he continues, "Who will spar with Link first?" A few hands rose up, people who would want to prove themselves in what they believed to be an easy fight. I sighed internally, just hoping this all went quickly. The first knight stepped forward, pulling a two handed longsword from the rack. I quickly took in my opponent, looking for weaknesses. *He holds the blade well... and there is strength in those arms. But his footing is all wrong. One quick thrust and he's down.* I slowly nodded to myself, before stepping forward to shake hands with the knight. "May the goddess guide your blade," We both say, the common phrase before any fight, sparring or otherwise. I settle back into my stance, waiting. I stare at my opponent. I see the impatience in his eyes. I watch him shifting from foot to foot, preparing to strike. I follow his gaze, looking where he will strike at. Then it happens. He swings the blade around in a huge arc, meant to bypass any form of block, and destroy an enimies ability to swing their blade on that side. For a moment, there is triumph in his eyes, thinking he has won. I smile. Almost as if time slows around me, I carefully backflip away from the blade... before rushing in and unleashing a flurry of blows upon his left side. I step back, and deliver a strong thrust right into his midsection, and the combined force of all the blows toppled him over onto his back, the blade lying at his side. I place one foot on his chest, and my sword tip goes to his chin. "Do you yield?" I see his eyes go wide as his brain realizes what just happened. They dart towards the blade, so close to him. I already know what will happen. He snatches for the blade, only to find his hand being pushed into the ground by the short sword I wield. I repeat my earlier statement. "Do you yield?" This time he nods, and I release the pressure that was being exerted both onto his hand and his chest, before reaching out and clasping his hand to help him back up. I nod to him, and bow politely, before stepping back to where I was before the fight started. The knight put his blade back, and went to sit dejectedly on the benches. By this time, more knights-in-training had come in from the dining hall, and had seen the end of the fight. Several cheered and whooped for me, with one calling out, "Way to go Link, you showed him!" Another voice rang out, a big booming voice. "What a wonderful display! Now, who else wishes to fight Link?" The king called out to the rest of the royal knights. Every single hand went up. Some time later, after almost twenty fights, there was only one opponent left. The captain of the guard. Captain Hoz. Only a few years older than Link, he had become captain only a few months ago after the old captain was promoted. He smiled while shaking hands with Link. "Defeating all of my royal knights, eh? You must be as skilled as the rumors say." I simply nod, before wishing him a good fight, and settling back into a fighting position. My stance had not weakened throughout all the fights, nor my technique, but my mind was slowly growing tired. This would be a messy fight. We began with a sharp ring of our blades clashing together, and so began a song of metal on metal, chorused by my fellow knights-in-training cheering me on, while the royal knights cheered on their captain. The king stood in stoic silence, watching. As our blades met again, I grimaced with the force his blade exerted upon my body. He was strong. Agile. Confident. And he had years of training to back it up.
But lucky for me... I had an entire decade worth of skill under my belt. Thousands of hours spent honing my skills with the blade. Countless days of working so hard I nearly fainted. All that practice... would not go to waste. *I must make Father proud.* Slipping into an almost zen like state, my body moved perfectly, dodging, parrying, striking. Time seemed to slow as I landed hit after hit. Hoz was on the retreat, trying to parry my quick, powerful blows. As my sword swung through the air, Hoz moved to block it, and I quickly faked it as if switching directions. He moved there instead, and I switched back, hitting him in the side with enough force to make him sway. Seeing my chance, I followed up with a lunge to topple him, and then he was down. I knelt and planted my knee on his chest, getting close, and quickly disarmed him. "Do you yield?" He smiled, then laughed. "Yes!" I got off, and helped him stand, shaking his hand for a moment. "What a great fight that was, Link! That speed towards the end there... unlike anything I have ever seen! I am glad to have faced off against such a good opponent." I smiled, "You as well, Captain Hoz. Your skill is amazing! Truly made the fight memorable." He walked away to put his weapon back, and a bunch of my fellow knights-in-training came over to congratulate me. It felt kinda good, beating all the royal knights. *Are you proud of me, Father?* Zelda: I awoke to the sound of maids coming into my room, opening drawers and curtains, setting out clothes, makeup, and jewelry. I slowly dragged myself out of bed, wishing I could stay beneath the covers that had sheltered me overnight. *Time for another grueling day of praying to try and awaken this stupid power. I wish… why can’t I just awaken it already?* I let out a small scream of frustration, and a few of the maids looked over. I shook my head, signalling everything was fine. But it really just wasn't. I slowly slid out of bed, and wandered over to the maids with my clothes. As I was dressed in my formal gown, I wondered what was going on today that they were necessary for. And then I remembered. *Today is the day I am assigned a bodyguard... Ugh.* I sighed, frustrated. I had told Father time and time again I didn't need a bodyguard, but he insisted, saying I was the only hope of defeating the calamity, and I needed protection. It was stupid really. Once dressed, I left my quarters and headed to the royal dining hall. There I saw my father, talking with a knight seated at the table. Upon hearing the doors open, they both looked my way, and the knight rose from his seat, and went into a bow. I strode over, taking my seat besides my father. “You may sit.” I said, addressing the knight. I could see he was one of my father's senior knights, an advisor. It was then that my father spoke, “Zelda, this is Captain Hoz. The general of my royal knights. We were talking about a knight from training this morning.” *Ah. Captain Hoz, of course. But who is this other knight Father speaks of?* "Who?" I ask, "The knight's name is Link, and he defeated all of my royal knights in training. He would be a good royal knight for you, Zelda.” At this I startled, glaring at my father. “I have told you, I don’t need a bodyguard! I am perfectly capable of protecting myself!” At these words, my father’s gaze darkened, “Princess Zelda. This is not up for discussion. You will be receiving a bodyguard. Whether you like it or not.” "But father!" "No. As I hear it, Link would be a perfect fit for your bodyguard. You will meet him today, during the ceremony. That is the end of the discussion.”
