Finding somebody willing to lend him a real sword did little to lighten Link's mood. The truth of Sora's death hit him harder than it had all day when his nurse closed the door behind him as he entered the room. The intercom's message fell on deaf ears as stared at the empty bed. They hadn't even placed food on Sora's desk.

Leaning heavily against the now closed door, Link sank to the ground, unable to tear his eyes from Sora's bed. That damnable tightness had come back to his throat, and breath came unsteady. The same words that had been playing all day in his head were back to repeating: Link had failed. He hadn't been strong enough. Sora was dead. An innocent boy was dead. Link slammed his fist against the wall, ignoring the pain that shot up his arm. What kind of a hero couldn't even keep one innocent boy alive?

He wasn't hungry. He didn't want food. He'd been holding it in all day for the sake of everyone else, but goddesses help him, he couldn't any longer. He just needed a moment on his own. The others couldn't see him so weakened. Link was unsure of exactly when tears started collecting in his eyes, but he paid them no mind, now.

Just give him a moment. He could pull it together. There were still other people who needed help. His help. This wouldn't happen again.