AN: Greetings to whoever is bothering to read this. Just a quick note to say this is set in Earth temple, just before you fight pyroclastic fiend scaldera. Kinda gets more angsty from here.

Ghirahim sat on the Earth temple's dragon statue, legs dangling morosely off the ledge. His sharp, kestrel-like eyes gazed warily at the broken chain below, where the spirit maiden was meant to be held. His plan had faltered once again. He felt his stomach writhe with fear at the thought of telling his master of his latest failure. A lavender bruise was still visible beneath the skin of his white, translucent cheek – the result of his last mistake.

Being so tangled up in his own thoughts, he jolted upright at the sound of footsteps coming from below, his ear twitching towards the sound. Swiftly regaining his suave composure, he flicked his silver hair behind his eyes and peered down at the intruder. His glare softened to see a small, blonde haired boy panting up the pathway.

'Oh, it's you.'

Link looked up, and his breath hitched in his throat to see a ghostly white figure, draped in a blood red, velvet robe, his luminous skin contrasting with the earthy surroundings.

Ghirahim's lips curved into a composed smile as a hot flush of red blossomed beneath the boy's cheeks on remembering their previous encounter.

'How nice to see you, sky-child.' His delicate voice rang through the hot, syrupy air of the temple.

Ghirahim bent his knees, before leaping gracefully off the ledge. He glided down silently, his cape flowing around his tall frame, like wings, and landed softly in front of Link. Up close, he realised that the younger male certainly looked worse for wear since their initial meeting. His normally pastel pink skin was caked in ash and dirt, and deep purple rings of fatigue were carved beneath his jewel-like blue eyes. His garments were torn in places; soiled hands were scabbed and blistered.
Ghirahim felt an odd sensation from the pit of his stomach, which snaked its way up to his throat. Surely it couldn't be…pity? He tried to suppress it, knowing such emotional attachment was considerably dangerous. He remembered that owed his life to his master, and shook his head.

He sighed.
'To tell you the truth, I'm feeling a bit frustrated, and right now I just need someone to vent to. I heard my underlings had finally captured the spirit maiden, so of course I rushed over here. What can I say? I was excited, flustered even…' he stroked a blonde streak of hair out of Link's sky-blue eyes as he rambled, and Link shuddered back, suddenly feeling uneasy, despite the gentle gesture.

Ghirahim looked slightly hurt at the boy's obvious sense of distrust, but continued to speak. '…But what did I find when I arrived? That agent of the goddess…'
Ghirahim suddenly felt quite lost for words gazing into the mysterious boy's sky-blue, pool like eyes. Just their sheer sense of innocence was making him light-headed with compassion. Was it really right to be taking out his anger on him?
'…she had once again…you see, what I am trying to say is…'

'I hope you remember you have a duty to fulfil, Ghirahim. Stay focused.' a deep, booming, gravelly voice swam through the demon lord's confused thoughts. His features contorted into terror, then a struggled anger.

'I must have the spirit maiden in order to resurrect my master! I must have her!' He cried, his breaths shallow and wavering. Link jumped back at the unexpected exclamation. There was a look of despair in the demon lord's eyes - even, Link could've sworn, a glint of fear. He noticed the bruise across the otherwise flawless face. Despite the alarming words about his best friend, Link couldn't help but…pity…the other man somehow.

Cautiously Link stepped closer again, and nervously placed a hand on the pale figure's shoulder.
'Ghirahim…it's…going to be ok'. He didn't know where the words came from; he just wanted to bring the ice-white man some comfort.

Ghirahim's breaths slowed, and he looked up at Link, his calm gaze returning. 'Yes, sorry…I got a little carried away there, didn't I? I don't deal well with…complications to plans I've laid out so carefully. It's a flaw of mine. Now, as charming as your little affectionate gesture was last time we bumped into each other, I'm afraid my short temper means I'm not in the mood for such affairs today. I'd rather deal with you quickly if you don't mind.'

Ghirahim knew he was lying; he truly was starting to feel…something…for the boy. But this was just not acceptable for someone in his position. He knew he had to end this child's life, unless he wanted to be killed. Yet, despite normally possessing a strong desire for bloodshed, he really didn't want to be the murderer of such a pure creature. Instead, he racked his thoughts to think of a less direct alternative, and seemed to remember someone mentioning an arachnid-like creature that lived within the lava of the temple. Training his thought on the monster, it wasn't long before a grotesque, cylindrical form was emerging from the molten orange liquid.

'It won't take more than a few moments with my friend before you're charred to a satisfying crisp. And let me tell you, that will put a spring in my step!' He felt sick at his own words, but only hoped his master would be satisfied with the façade.

Link's eyes widened in shock horror at the sight, before drawing his sword. Did the demon lord really want to kill him so badly? He looked up at Ghirahim, baffled by his mood swings. The slender figure had returned to the ledge above.

'But…why, Ghirahim?'

The tall, marble-like demon only shook his head, mouthing and apology, before shattering into a dispersion of golden diamonds.