Chapter 7: The Wild Heart

As the nurse and guard worked to free Link from his restraints, they were met with a ferocity they had not expected. Link's eyes, once glazed and lifeless, now blazed with a primal intensity, and his body tensed with a strength that belied his weakened state. He growled and snarled, his hands flailing wildly as he struggled to break free. Nurse Elara took a step back, her eyes wide with concern. "Guard Thane, we need to sedate him, now!" But Guard Thane was frozen in place, his eyes fixed on Zelda as she approached Link. "Your Highness, please, do not touch him," he warned, his voice urgent. "He's...he's not himself. He's become nearly feral." Zelda, however, was undeterred. She reached out a hand, her voice soft and soothing. "Link, it's me, Zelda. I'm here to help you." But Link was beyond reason. He lashed out at Zelda, his fist flying in a wild arc. Zelda dodged easily, but Guard Thane stepped forward, his hands outstretched. "Your Highness, please, do not touch him. He's a danger to himself and others." Zelda ignored him, her eyes locked on Link's. She took another step forward, her voice calm and gentle. "Link, stop fighting. I'm here to help you." But Link was beyond hearing her. He snarled and snapped, his eyes flashing with a feral light. Nurse Elara and Guard Thane exchanged a worried glance, and the nurse took a step forward. "Your Highness, perhaps we should-" Zelda cut her off, her voice firm. "Let me handle this. I know him, I can reach him." Guard Thane's face went pale, but he tried again. "Your Highness, please, do not touch him. He's not safe." Zelda barely acknowledged him, her focus on Link. She took another step forward, her hand extended. "Link, please. Trust me." Link's eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, there was a glimmer of recognition. But it was fleeting, and his face twisted into a snarl once more. He lunged at Zelda, and Guard Thane shouted, "Your Highness, no!" But Zelda stood her ground, her eyes locked on Link's. She reached out, her hand closing around his wrist, and Link's wild struggles ceased. He looked up at her, his eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and fury, and for a moment, Zelda thought she saw a glimmer of the Link she knew. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a feral intensity that made her heart skip a beat.