Link thundered down the wide halls of the twilight palace, sword at the ready, the blade glowing with the light energy of the shadowed realm. The green clad warrior knew that soon he was going to face his final opponent, the madman behind the hostile take over of his homeland. He turned his fierce blue eyes to Midna who had slipped from his shadow and was hovering by his side. As he ran, he noticed her visible eye was filled with as much determination as he felt.
"The throne room is just ahead Link." Midna spoke in her disjointed speech. Her voice was low and serious, vastly different from her usually playful manner, but understandable given the situation.
Ever since they entered the twilight realm Link had noticed her acting different, as if being home unlocked her true nature some how. In a way he could almost see hints of the ruler she must have been before. Perhaps seeing her people in such suffering had turned her somber or perhaps all that time she was merely masking her true pain under a guise that better suited her current form.
The sound of Links boots across the floor reverberated off of the empty passage way and high up into the ceiling as the pair came to a massive door that held a magnificent lock. Shackles ran down the corners sealing the door shut. The aqua twili patterns along the door and walls seemed to glow faintly as they approached.
Midna didn't bother to stand on ceremony and used her hair to shove final big key into the lock, ripping it from the chains after the key clicked into place. The broken chain links clattered loudly to the floor, the massive lock hitting the ground with a metallic thud. The aqua patterns on the door suddenly sprung to life forming an intricate glyph that shot outward and enveloped the door before it ascended, allowing the two hero's entry to the room beyond.
A simple stair case rose up past the door and link darted up the steps, taking them two at a time before entering a rather large square chamber with another smaller staircase leading up to a dais which held the throne upon which sat the usurper king himself.
The air seemed to thicken as Link slowed to a walk, approaching the tyrant. Midna immediately lept in front of him, eyes ablaze.
"Zant." She began, "Isn't this ironic? Here we are, all thanks to the dark magic curse you placed on Link."
Her tone was serious but she let out a venomous smile. This creep was going to get exactly what he deserved and his downfall was all because of one little mistake he made. Her hands rested on her hips, chin high as if implying that even in her diminutive form she was still far superior.
Zant remained silent a long time. His helmet was still on but it seemed as if he was looking down either in thought or asleep. Before Midna could demand his attention he finally spoke, his voice low.
"You all speak of magic?" he stated, raising his head slightly. Midna's eyes narrowed, uncertain as to who he was talking about but she said nothing as the false king stood.
"Dark magic, light magic, even the magic of a god." The tall helmet Zant wore lifted, receding back into his armor revealing his golden eyes. Midna was shocked a moment, she had seen his eyes many a time, filled with a lust for power and coldness but now they held madness. As if he was teetering on the brink of insanity.
If Zant saw the look she was throwing at him he either ignored it or was too far gone to notice it as he continued on with his ramble.
"Why is it that no magic can seem to defy any of you? Not even the power of a god can deal with two mortal whelps such as this!"
The kings voice seemed to raise in pitch as he began to shake with anger and frustration. Midna glanced at Link who brought his sword protectively in front of her. The air in the room was suddenly alive with energy that crackled in the air like fire. A deep booming voice sounded that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
"It is not my power which is the problem, but your weakness and incompetence." The sound was malicious and caused Links hair to stand on end. Something about it echoed within him and it made the triforce on his left hand shine bright.
"Incompetence, arrogance, stupidity." The voice spat in annoyance as the energy seemed to take form into orange and black flickers of flame that danced around the air.
"None could accomplish what I did!" Zant immediately retorted, waving a sleeved arm to keep the embers from him. "I brought Hyrule to it's knee's. I took out most of the light spirits and I took the throne that was rightfully mine in both realms. What little power you gave me was nothing I could not have achieved on my own, yet when I did have need of it to take care of these two little insects, it failed."
Bitterness and rage flooded his voice that had somehow managed to get even higher. Zant looked ready to pounce at the air as if he could attack the offending voice and get it away from him but before he could make a move the voice thundered so loudly that Link had to cover his ears.
"Then, allow me show you the correct use of my power. ALLOW ME TO SHOW YOU HOW IT'S DONE!" All the little flames around the throne room flickered a moment before they rushed strait for Zant each ember embedding itself into him like a fiery veil.
The room began to shake and all the serene blue patterns started turning crimson. Shadows sprung up around the walls, sealing the windows and exits with a curtain of darkness. Link jumped in front of Midna who was momentarily stunned before darting back into the safety of his shadow.
Shield up, the hero waited as the ball of flame that had engulfed the king of twilight died down slightly leaving the flaming bipedal form of the twili in it's wake. The fiery mass jumped down the stairs in front of link and produced two long black swords from it's sleeves. Zant's helmet was back on but it was very clear that this was not the man they were just witnessing. His stance, posture and presence were completely changed. Whatever that fire was, it now had a hold of him and with the madness they had witnessed it was unlikely Zant was going to break himself out of it anytime soon.