By the Blade of a Hero
Link entered the door.
Beyond was a sea of gray sporting a solitary isle with the lone dead tree. The water was shallow, reflective. Or translucent? He moved forward and his rear was sealed off. Enemies trapped and locked, but he always got out.
But if he couldn't, could Hyrule live? The titans of the enemy were great, but would they destroy even the ground on which they stand? From the ashes of fire, trees grow and poison can be accustomed to. Even Ganondorf will pass. Couldn't he go back to his childhood and be a Kokiri with Saria? At least until he was needed?
She'd never let him. He had to. For her... For the innocence found even outside the forest. For Darunia. For Roto. For the Kokiris. And the hyrilians. And the Gorons and Zoras.
He waded through the mist tword the gray's naval. The mirror's edge reflected that black visage as green and voluptuous. Navi slipped out of his hat and fluttered around the rock, "Link! Look at the reflection! It's so pretty..."
Navi...She wouldn't let him either...
The fog held audience to the bent old wood. Where had it come from? There were no other plants within the temple. Doubtlessly magical, but who made it? Why? Was it the enemy?
Something crossed his vision startling him. But it was just his shade, no, reflection? Guard turned to curiosity and he continued to the green tree's counter part, where his other's other should be.
"Link, it's a trap!" but he looked so sincere... Link stepped off the isle and in front of himself. He wore black and had the hair of an old man, but his face was attentive. Ready. But faithful. Link envied that loyalty; that endurance and set his own face.
The dark Link drew his blade, parallel to the master and placed it were Link often would. As if the mirror were between them, they ran and tapped their swords. Link flinched back in surprise, but his other glanced it off and came again.
He came down on himself sword ready, but he shoved him off. Blades nicked flesh and sparks boar holes, but neither slipped their assault. A sword nearly decided when it's equivalent was narrowly dodged.
"Link...! Which one are you!?" Both foes paused and registered that they were both as gray as the mist. He, or was it his twin, renewed the attack with but more vigor. Link leapt and rolled out of a hammer's crush and launched his slice from the rear, but Link rolled forward and countered with a spinning slash that fanned the fog out, but missed home. The tigers circled and then both leapt into another blow. Link jumped and brought his weapon down with the earth's hand, but it was foiled as Link thrust out his shield and launched around in intent to slash off guards. Retreating, Link rolled out and made use of his own shield. Navi fluttered away from the mass of sharp edges whimpering cheers and fears among the new autumn leaves.
Links both held and faced each other. There was only one path to desision, they both knew. All or nothing. Win or die. Endure or relent. They dropped the heavy bucklers, held their blades in both hands and charged at full speed.
Link's blade cut into his flank. Link's sword pierced his side. Navi gasped as both bodies landed with a sodden reverberating flap.
This was it. What he wanted. A way out of this hell. A shadow lingered then slipped on into the mirror, to rest as Link passed the vernal blossoms and gestured to Navi. Just like her, he lost sight of the true Link. But now. Now he strode forward without a hint of doubt. Only he could melt the ice, quench the fire and cure the disease. Him, Navi and Shiek, and all of the sages would make this right.
And Ganondorf will pass by the blade of a Hero.