Take a Chance on Me – Chapter One

by taitofan

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some language

Disclaimer: I don't own Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, Four Swords, or anything else Legend of Zelda related. Trust me; I'm sure that many people are happy about that.

Author's notes: So, if you've heard that theory that Ghirahim became the Kokiri Sword (now the Gilded Sword), then you've already got the premise of this fic. This takes place eight years after Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, in the Child Link timeline which leads to Twilight Princess and Four Swords +. Twilight Princess won't play a single bit into things, but knowledge of Minish Cap and the Four Swords games will be very useful for the other part of the plot! There are basically two stories going on at once—one about redemption and the other about a fall from grace—and eventually they come together!

If you have any CC, please share and I'll listen. Please read, review, and enjoy! Finished 10-29-13

Link had been through a lot in his young life. He'd saved the world, only to apparently doom it. Then he'd traveled through time and back again to save it for good, only for everyone else to forget everything that had happened after he had met Princess Zelda as a child. Then he'd found himself in another universe while searching for Navi, where he had to save a new world and travel through time yet again.

Returning from that journey brought both good and bad news. Ganondorf was executed, but he was still in a world where most of the companions he'd made didn't know him anymore. It had taken a while, but over the years he sought out the friends he'd made—and treasures he'd gathered, he'd earned those—in an attempt to ease the disequilibrium the time travel had left him with. Every step he took towards that goal put his mind more at ease.

One thing from the lost future he hadn't been able to reconcile, however, was his sword. The Master Sword was locked away where it belonged, and the Biggoron was nowhere to be found to get a sword from him. All he had was the Gilded Sword, upgraded from the humble Kokiri Sword. Not that it was a bad sword, no, it was strong and durable, and he'd gone through a lot of trouble to obtain it. Surely there were stronger swords out there, but something odd always held him back from seeking one out.

He couldn't help but wonder if a sword could get… jealous. It was a ridiculous notion, he knew, but he'd seen and done plenty of ridiculous things over the years, so he supposed it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility for a sword to have some sort of sentience. He'd had that feeling ever since he'd picked up the Kokiri Sword, and it had only grown over time. The entire time he had to use the Master Sword, there seemed to be an angered aura surrounding the too-small sword, as if it couldn't stand the fact that he dared to use another sword, no matter how little sense it made.

He'd kept the idea to himself for years; it wasn't as if he was in any danger if it were true. But the older he got, the more he felt as if he was being watched. Or maybe not watched exactly, but he always felt another presence. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He headed out to the Kokiri Forest, hoping that his oldest friend would be able to help him.

Saria listened carefully to Link's concerns, a thoughtful look on her face. He was grateful that she didn't think he was crazy and laugh in his face. Not that he really expected her too, but he wouldn't have blamed her if she'd burst into giggles at the very thought of a jealous sword.

"Well… There is a legend that claims important objects can house spirits to make them stronger or give them magical properties. I'm not sure about the Kokiri Sword, but it's considered legendary in its own right, so I guess it could? The sword has been here longer than any of us, so I really have no idea. Maybe the Great Deku Sprout knows something?"

The advice was sound, and that was exactly where he went. Just as with Saria, the Great Deku Sprout did not brush away Link's concerns. If anything, he seemed even more thoughtful than Saria.

"The Kokiri Sword has been in this forest even longer than my old body. Though it's a weak sword by Hylian standards, there has always been a sense of great power lying dormant within. It seems likely that your suspicions are correct Link. I'm afraid I don't know how you'd communicate with the spirit though. But if the feeling is getting stronger, perhaps it will happen on its own in time. You are strong; maybe having a strong master is giving the sword's spirit strength as well."

That was the end of Link's leads, but it was certainly a good start. He'd just have to be patient a bit longer… He'd done so for almost seven years; he supposed that a while more wouldn't hurt him.

"I know you can hear me. Can't you answer me back, or are you choosing not to?"

Never was Link more glad to be alone than he was at that very moment, sitting in the middle of Hyrule Field, talking to his sword. Well, Epona was resting a few feet away, but he was pretty sure she wasn't going to tell anyone. Otherwise, he was even crazier than he already felt.

It had been a few weeks since he'd spoken to Saria and the Great Deku Sprout, and he was finally attempting to communicate with whatever was inhabiting his sword. It was all in vain, however; there were no signs that being—assuming there truly was one—wanted to talk. Or, for that matter, that it even could. Still, he was determined to try, if only for his own piece of mind.

"Can't you do something to give me a sign that you're there? I'll take anything."

Still, there was nothing. It made Link a little irritated. If the sword was sentient and Link wasn't just paranoid, then it was at least capable of projecting its frustrations. Surely, it could give off an aura of other emotions, just to let Link know it was listening?

"You aren't going to make this easy, are you…?"

'Now where would be the fun in that?'

No matter how many times Link had voices projected into his mind, the experience always surprised him, and this time was no different. This time it wasn't Zelda or a sage, or even anyone he'd ever heard before. And yet, it seemed familiar, as if maybe once, in a different life, maybe he'd known this voice far too well…

That realization threatened to fill him with dread, but it was quickly pushed away. The Kokiri Sword had been with him since the very start of his journey, and even after all was over, he had kept it. Now it was his faithful Gilded Sword. There was no way he could distrust his close companion, no matter what spirit might inhabit it. He ran a hand slowly up the broad side of the blade, wondering how many secrets it held.

"Either I'm really going insane, or you're finally ready to talk to me. Please, tell me who you are."

'Soon, master. Very soon.'

Try as he might, Link received no more responses. Well, he was at least glad that he wasn't crazy.

Probably.

The night before Link's eighteenth birthday went by without incident. However, when he awoke on the day of his birth, he was greeted by the alarming sight of a man leaning on the wall across from his bed and staring at him. Link's first instinct was to reach for his sword, and yet the Gilded Sword was nowhere in sight.

"My my, it seems that my Master is unarmed. How very… unfortunate for you. I'm afraid you won't be attacking me today. Or, preferably, ever. After all, I'm fairly sure you'll want to keep me around once you use that brain of yours."

It took a few moments before the haze of sleep cleared and it started to come together. That voice was the same one from the time the sword's spirit spoke to him. That meant… Yes, looking at the man, he knew it must be so. The colors and diamond patterns on his clothing was remarkably similar to that of the Gilded Sword. And something about the man felt… familiar. He knew they'd never met, but this was the spirit that had accompanied him for years. He supposed that in a way, they were old companions.

"You're the spirit of my sword… I've sensed you since you were the Kokiri Sword, and you're finally showing yourself." He looked the man over, amazed at how much he resembled his sword. But what had happened to this flamboyant looking man to make him be in something like the Kokiri Sword? "Who exactly are you?"

"Why, my Master, it's as you say. I'm the spirit of your sword. I am Ghirahim, and you are the descendant of a hero I once called my adversary." He chuckled, as if the thought was highly amusing. Link failed to see the humor. "My last master was a very ungrateful man, and between him and your ancestor, I lost my power and resided as the Kokiri Sword, waiting for a powerful master to lend me his strength. I was very lucky to have a destined hero to find me." His tone was teasing, and Link felt an odd sensation blossom up from within.

"Then, you weren't able to manifest or speak before because you didn't have the energy?"

"Precisely. The older and stronger you became, the more I was able to make my presence known." He chuckled again, and there was that feeling… "It was truly amusing seeing you think you were going mad."

"Should you really be laughing at your master's pain?" Ghirahim only seemed to smirk wider.

"Master or not, you share a striking resemblance to a past foe. Surely you'll allow me a brief moment of amusement?" Somehow, the very implication that he reminded Ghirahim of his enemy made Link frustrated and irrationally angry. Had he ever given the spirit any reason to think that he would mistreat him?

"If I look like someone you hated, should I be worried now that you can manifest your physical body?" He didn't really mean it, and deep down he could tell that Ghirahim hadn't really meant what he had said either. But teasing or not, it was very apparent that it was a sore spot for the both of them. The jovial and somewhat mocking smile was gone from Ghirahim's face faster than Link could blink. He stalked over to Link's bed, his scowl deep, but he didn't get close enough to touch him.

"I've done nothing to make you doubt my loyalty. Don't make me regret my prior assessment of you." He paused, his face not looking as angry as his words would seem. He looked more frustrated than anything. Link, very carefully, reached out and placed a hand on Ghirahim's shoulder. Somehow, it seemed like the right thing to do. When Ghirahim didn't push him away, that horrible feeling that had filled him before vanished.

"No, you haven't. You've been with me since the beginning, and I can't begin to thank you for your help. So how about we both start again? I'm Link, your master, and not any of my ancestors." Ghirahim's smirk was back at his words, and he nodded contentedly.

"And I am Ghirahim, your sword, and not anyone you should ever doubt."

It wouldn't be until later that night, when Ghirahim was back in his sword form to rest after they'd spent the day speaking of their time together and Ghirahim's time before becoming the Kokiri Sword, that Link realized exactly what he'd said. He'd told Ghirahim—standing before him as a very handsome man—that he was his master. Ghirahim had called him his master. He had control over this man and why couldn't he stop his face from flushing?

He sincerely hoped that Ghirahim couldn't still hear his thoughts.

'I can when you're touching me. But oh, don't worry, I'm very flattered. You have much better taste than your ancestor with that silly little girl.'

Link dropped the sword and groaned pitifully. Happy Birthday to him—now his sword knew that he thought he was attractive!

He had a very good feeling that his life was going to get quite exciting in the near future…

Far from the Hero of Time, a maiden sat in a shrine, praying to the goddesses to keep an evil force sealed away.

Or, rather, that was what everyone expected to be happening.

The shrine maiden was chosen every generation to keep the Wind Mage Vaati sealed within the Four Sword. After the seal had been broken many generations prior, the elders of Hyrule deemed it important to make sure it didn't happen again. What better way to assure that then to keep a shrine maiden with the sword at all times?

The maiden had originally been decided to be a girl named Anju. She had hated the idea of being locked away for the rest of her life, but not as much as her best friend had hated it. So on her thirteenth's birthday, when her friend was merely ten years old, the guards came to escort her to the shrine and that same best friend stole her garbs and pretended to be her. The mistake wasn't noticed, as "Anju" was left alone at the temple almost immediately. For years, the maiden had nary a visitor. As long as Vaati was sealed, no one really cared who was watching the sword.

Kafei wondered if they'd care if they knew the sword had been watched over by a man for thirteen years.

If any of the elders knew, they didn't say anything. Anju knew, and she'd snuck into the temple once, right after he'd arrived, begging him to let her take his place. He'd refused—she had a life and a future. He was an orphan with deep red eyes that made everyone who met him weary. He had far less to lose than she did. Besides, aside from her, he didn't have any other friends. No one would miss him except Anju, and he would miss no one but her.

However, despite his insistence that he stay, it didn't mean he liked it. He surely didn't actually attend to his maiden duties unless one of the elders was checking up on him. He wouldn't even bother wearing the shrine robes if he had any idea when one of them might pop in. But since there was always the chance they truly were fooled, he thought it better to not risk blowing his secret. Therefore, he wore the dress and kept his purple hair long, but he didn't pray.

At least, he didn't pray to keep the demon sealed.

Often he prayed for some excitement in his life, or maybe for someone who wasn't Anju to take his place. And occasionally, much like the day of the Hero of Time's birth, he would feel particularly spiteful and actively pray that the seal on the Four Sword would break. After all, if Vaati were free, he'd have no need to be there, would he? He wasn't suicidal enough to mess with the sword and try to actually free Vaati himself, but if Vaati were to be released on his own… Well, sometimes Kafei thought that having to deal with a demon would be preferable to being alone for thirteen years.

"As if that will ever happen," he sighed, kneeling before the sword. "Even if you were freed, you'd likely just kill me, wouldn't you? At the very least, you wouldn't befriend me. How foolish… I must be insane to speak to a sealed demon!"

Part of him thought anyone would start to lose their mind after being all alone for as long as he had been. Another part of him said it didn't matter—Vaati was a demon and he should never wish that the monster were free, no matter what the reason. Today, the former part was winning.

"Still… It might be nice…" He reached out and touched the stone carving that lay before the sword. Engraved on it was the prayer he was supposed to say several times a day, as well as a picture of the demon himself. A large eye-shaped demon with wings… Vaati had been sealed long before Kafei's grandparents had even been born, but there were rumors that once, long ago, Vaati had looked far different—much more like a human. Even if he were a demon, something like that… It might not be so bad.

His fingers rested upon the carving of Vaati. He couldn't say for sure what happened, for it was over too quickly for him to even register something was happening. All he knew was that there was a glow, and the stone felt warm. Then the glow turned into a blinding light…

And when he could see again, Kafei was no longer alone. A large, floating eye was before him, radiating magic and power that Kafei's Sheikah heritage was instantly drawn to. It was a horrific sight, seeing a demon so close, and he could barely form a coherent thought…!

"…Are you the maiden who has spoken to me these past years?" Kafei stared silently before slowly nodded, unable to say a word. Vaati had heard him? "The false maiden… The one who has prayed to the goddesses for my release in fits of anger at your captivity…"

It was true, and Kafei knew he should feel ashamed now that this was happening… But even through the mixture of awe and fear and excitement, regret wasn't present.

"Y-yes," he finally spoke up, unable to look away from the demon. "I am Kafei…" If Vaati had a mouth, Kafei thought he might be smiling.

"Perfect. Then you, my false maiden, have released me with your prayers." His wings beat a few times, and he circled around Kafei, taking in his appearance. "Yes, even if you aren't a real maiden, you have magic in your veins. You can help me return to my last body… And as reward for freeing me, if you are useful, we can rule the world together, with you, my false maiden, as my false queen!"

Kafei hadn't honestly thought that Vaati would be free in his lifetime. He also had never thought that if he did get loose, it would be Kafei's doing. And he certainly had never dreamed that even if all that did happen, Vaati would recruit him into helping him, and then apparently decide they would, what, be married? Was that what he was implying? A centuries old male demon wanted to marry him?

If he hadn't gone crazy from the isolation, than this conversation had certainly taken his sanity away, because he actually was considering it.

"You... You want to make a man your queen?" Vaati chuckled, the sound deep and reverberating in Kafei's ears.

"We are both lonely creatures who seek much the same in life. You have spoken many times in the past about wanting excitement and companionship in your life, my false maiden. Help me, and we shall have the world at our fingertips…"

Maybe it was the isolation. Maybe it was the anger at the elders for forcing that upon people for generations. Maybe he'd just lost his mind. Either way, Kafei slowly got to his feet and looked confidently at the demon.

"Very well, Lord Vaati. How will we get your body back?"

As Vaati explained his plan, Kafei wasn't sure what he was getting himself into, but he could at least say one thing with certainty—his life would no longer be dull.