Day One - Part 2

[Illidan Stormrage]

The sun edged higher into the sky, their boots rhythmically slapping the ground on their journey. Link shifted the two satchels on his good shoulder, the rocket launcher awkwardly poking him in the back. He didn't mind; he had plenty of aches and pains to drown out the dull edge bouncing into him with each step. Once again, the battle was a victory for the unlikely duo. Once again, they thankfully didn't have to kill, although it came awfully close, but now Link and Ganondorf had added another contestant's survival gear to their own stores. It didn't look like they would die of starvation on the island. Not that it looked like being the likely cause before.

And yet, even though every mortal threat thus far had originated outside of Ganondorf's influence, Link still kept a wary eye on him. He had been true to his word so far, delivering some might attacks to their foes, never taking the opportunity to strike Link, and had even managed to let slip some deeply guarded humanity in the quiet moments of the morning. Still, seven years of unchecked destruction and enslavement didn't vanish from Link's mind so easily.

He still couldn't believe that the tusked boar monster, towering threateningly over him, gripping two blades as tall as Link was, had actually ensured his survival thus far. Had he managed to slay Ganon in their final encounter in Hyrule, would he still be alive here?

"So," Ganondorf said, breaking the stillness, "how does your bomb thrower work?"

Link cocked an eyebrow. That description of his weapon was as good as any he could think up. "Well, you just hoist it onto your shoulder, look down the sights like a bow and ... wait, you don't need to know this."

Ganondorf shook his head. "So mistrusting. What happens if your only good arm gets damaged? You'll need me to operate it."

Link sighed. "Point taken." He pointed to the trigger. "Aim, pull on this like a crossbow, bomb gets thrown."

It was ok. Link hadn't mentioned to Ganondorf that there was a hidden bounty in his claimed bag. It was a syringe filled with some mysterious liquid, but if it was anything like the needle Syla stuck in his neck, it would definitely be to his advantage to hold onto.

Indeed, it may be the perfect thing to put down Ganondorf for good.

But such thoughts were premature. Ganondorf's demise could only happen if the two strange bedfellows were the last remaining contestants on the island, and there were no guarantees of that yet. Ending the dark lord early would mean Link would be friendless in a hostile environment. His survival, as much as it may churn his stomach, relied on Ganondorf staying by his side until the very completion of the tournament.

So why was it getting easier to walk by his side?

"Your injuries," Ganondorf said. "how are they?"

"What?"

Ganondorf breathed out slowly. "How badly are you hindered from our battles?"

Link focused on his wounds. The damage from Samus' fiery bee swarm still clung to his skin, but other than the pain it wouldn't affect his ability to fight. The dislocated shoulder, on the other hand, couldn't be healed easily.

"Everything's fine, except my arm."

Ganondorf stopped, eyes fixated on Link's shoulder, and took it in his beefy hands. Stabbing heat flared instantly.

"Ow!" Link winced. "What are you doing?"

"Calm down," the Gerudo king said, focused. "I did much worse to you in Hyrule. Besides," he said with a smirk, "this will really hurt."

Ganondorf's hands tensed and Link felt a click in his shoulder, bone scraping across bone, and a volcanic eruption exploded in the joint. Link's knees went out from under him, but the Gerudo had him in his grasp.

"... why?" Link said through clenched teeth, the agony tightening his voice.

Ganondorf tutted. "There. It's not perfect. The pain won't be any better, but you should be able to move your arm with greater ease."

Fighting through the burning socket, Link tried. He was right. The movements were easier, less restricted, even if every pain receptor in his arm coursed with magma.

"I have the perfect diversion for that arm," Ganondorf said, eyes on the horizon.

"Oh goddessess, what? A kick to the groin?" Link said.

Ganondorf looked at him, a thin grin on his lips. "I have a feeling you'll enjoy this."