Dad came to my side as I recovered from the connection of our two powers, he held concern in his expression, but was also alright, using Zekon to protect us from a lightning bolt, directed from Link.

“Are you alright?” He asked.

“I saw it all,” I responded. “He truly has suffered and still is.”

“We need to somehow restrain him to start purifying the crystals, perhaps seeing us destroying them might allow him to realise what we are here to do,” said dad.

“Can’t even get close,” I commented.

Zekon absorbed another attack. “Master, his attacks are getting stronger.”

I focused on Link to see energy from the dark crystals transferring directly to him, fuelling him with endless energy, but also feeding off his anger.

“How the heck are we going to restrain him?” I wondered.

“Your sync rate with Larana is high enough to create a seal on contact,” mentioned dad. “An advanced skill where you trap them within wind.”

“I think I did that to Kiba during my test to become their leader.” I thought about it when I restrained Kiba. “Not sure if it will be strong enough to restrain Link, he is fuelled by the dark crystals, and I haven’t really used it enough to master.”

“It is alright, I am here, I can guide you,” said dad. “The seal all depends on the will of the master, the stronger your will to seal him, the more powerful it will be.” I nodded, taking in everything he was saying as Zekon took another hit. “Once restrained I will start to purify the bigger crystals, during this time I will be defenceless, your seal will have to be strong enough to stop even his power.”

“You’re relaying on me to do that much,” I said, not sure I could live up to what he expected of me.

“I’ve seen your power in battle, I know you can do this,” he smiled.

“Alright,” I nodded.

“Stay close behind me, I will create an opening then you come out from my blind spot,” instructed dad. “Ready.”

“Ready.”

Dad gazed at me for a moment, his expression was one of pride, I’d missed that look he used to give me as a child and now I got to see it again and fight beside him as equals.

Dad waited for the next strike of lightning to strike before making his move. Dashing forward, he moved with purpose, heading straight for Link.

I quickly followed, hidden within his shadow. I knew Link’s main target would be dad, they had been fighting for a few years now. I wondered how long and would I being here make any difference, but I had faith in dad’s plan, this would work.

Stolen novel; please report.

Dad thrusted forward as he came into contact with Link, I could sense the spark of dark energy as Link defended himself, trying to push dad back. I quickly sheathed my swords then placed my hands upon dad’s back pushing him forward.

Together we pushed through Link’s defence, dad shifted out of the way, allowing me to come forward. Link held an expression of surprise, he had not foreseen this attack coming, he braced for impact.

I built up Larana’s energy into my right hand, pushing forward I made contact with him, placing the wind seal around his body as I pinned him against the rock behind him. I saw Larana’s winds circling around him. I kept my hand at his chest keeping it strong.

“This will not hold me,” he snarled, the dark energy growing fiercer around his body, he was already trying to break free.

“Dad hurry, start purifying the crystals.” I glanced back at him.

“On it, hold him as long as you can.” I said dad running over to one of the biggest crystals.

“Don’t touch them!” shouted Link. “I won’t let you touch them, no one will, not again!”

As soon as dad’s hand touched the crystal it was filling up with white light, at least now he could start doing what he came here to do.

“You are going nowhere,” I said my attention returning to Link. “We are here to help you, to free you.”

“You’re lying!” The dark energy began pulsing around his body. “They said they would help our village, but they didn’t, knights of Cathopia killed them all!” The pulses spread out agitating the crystals.

“No, they were not sent on the orders of the royal family.” I tried to get the truth through to him. “They were following the orders of the eternal dragon.”

“There is no such thing, only the destruction you brought. I won’t let you hurt them again!” His energy forced itself against mine, I could feel it pushing through my entire body, I needed to hold on, his will was so strong, what was he protecting, it couldn’t have just been the dark crystals.

I felt my crip on my seal weaken a little, I couldn’t let him break it, I had to defend my dad. All his battles with Link, the injures he had sustained while here, he was coming home today, I would make sure of it.

I summoned more of Larana’s power, my body glowing more intense than it had before. I wouldn’t let this seal be broken.

Our wills clashed in the form of our power reflected in the energy pulsing around within the crater, from dark pulses to clashing of raging winds and for a moment I felt more connected to Link than before.

Within himself was the child Link, still holding on to the pain of the past, watching his friends die, they were still here, he was protecting what was left of them and his family who passed away in this place before.

The storm above worsened, lightning striking all around, almost out of control, like a child having a temper tantrum.

“Arata, protect dad,” I said.

“My duty as your talisman is to protect you,” he commented.

“Just do it,” I ordered. “Protect him.” Arata huffed but headed off in dad’s direction.

“No one can protect you or Yamato!” snarled Link. “I won’t let you leave this time; no one will hurt them.”

I could hear the lightning striking all around me. My body tensed as some came close to hitting us, sparks flickering around us. The instinct to run was growing within me but I held strong, fighting it off with the will to protect dad from this nut job.

All the hairs on my body stood on end as the air became supercharged with all the lightning. I saw a smirk cross Link’s face as my body felt the currents of lightning course through. I’d been hit, my body feeling like it was burning, then complete numbness, struggling to hold on, to stay conscious but I blacked out from the pain, only hearing the voice my own screams.