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"You are a weak fool." Impa's words echo through the spring. "Brave, yes, but stupid. You hold a little stick of mortal steel, and think yourself equal to forces older than memory."
Link's grip tightens on his sword, as he glares at the woman keeping him from Zelda.
"I do not mean to insult, Link of Skyloft. My Lady has told me of your unwavering support and friendship, and for that you have my thanks. I am simply telling you the truth."
Her hand twitches, and he's suddenly blinded. When the spots clear from his vision, Impa has vanished from sight.
"Your presence on the surface will only cause problems," Impa continues, though from where, Link can't say. Whirling left and right, he sees no sign of her. "My Lady will be distracted with thoughts of your safety, when her focus should and must be on her mission."
A fist comes down on his left hand, knocking his sword from him as a boot impacts at the back of his knee. The first hand moves to his shoulder, shoving him down further before she grabs his hands and pulls them behind him. Not roughly, because she doesn't need to be. It took her all of three seconds to disarm him, to have him completely at her mercy.
"Return home, Link of Skyloft. If I see you again, I will break your legs."
She slams his head into the ground, and everything goes dark.
______________
She's right, is the thing that aches most as he limps back to his little camp on the mountainside, leaning on his battered sword for support. His sword…Link’s mind returns to Skyview Temple, to the Demon waiting at its end.
He didn't win that fight, not really. He just survived–amused Him long enough that he lost interest. His sword, the finest he's ever made, glanced off the Demon's bare skin like he was hitting diamond with straw. He was left stumbling, bruised, and bleeding, barely on his feet after only three minutes without getting a single hit in. He simply wasn't strong enough, and neither was his sword.
So how does he fix that?
Because listening to Impa never even crossed his mind. He's not going to abandon Zelda because some stranger told him it was too much for him. He's not strong enough to help her? Fine. He'll get stronger. His sword is too weak?
He'll make a better one.