He was insanely strong. Every time you parried his attacks, you feared that your own blade might shatter under the force of his blows and after few minutes your fingers already begged to be allowed to let go of the hilt. Yet you were well aware, that the pain you felt now would be nothing compared to what would come if you were to let go of the sword.

After your miraculous hit you didn't even manage to get anywhere close to striking him again, as you were completely occupied with dodging and parrying Ghirahim's attacks. Panting you clung to your sword with all your might, regretting for not having trained more while you still had had the chance. Of course, in Skyloft you had been a fairly good fighter, but compared to the Demon Lord? Even some of the strongest knights wouldn't be able to beat him.

Muffled yelling and clattering noises coming from the door indicated that Link was trying to get inside, well aware that you were probably in trouble. Part of you wished that he would break down the door and come to help you, but at the same time you wanted him to run away, flee back to Skyloft - Link was good, but even he wouldn't be able to stand against the demon for long.

"Quite the impatient one, isn't he?"

For a moment Ghirahim stopped with his attacks, his gaze directed towards the door. Gratefully you took the chance to catch your breath again, arms trembling from exhausion already. You knew that you should attack now while he was distracted, but in all honesty, you were scared. You didn't want to get close to him as long as you didn't have to, and you doubted that you would manage to do any damage, even if you were to hit him again - your first slash hadn't even scraped the fabric of his clothes, much less his skin.

Ghirahim didn't seem to care wether you attacked or not. He was still looking at the door, an expression of annoyance on his face. Clearly he wasn't too fond of Link's attempts too get inside - which didn't exactly made his already foul mood any better.

Then, with a theatrical sigh he turned towards you again, his next words dripping with false pity as he spoke again.

"I am afraid I will have to end our little game sooner than I intended to, dear skychild. A pity, truly..."

He eyed the black blade of his weapon thoughtfully for a moment, before suddendly he shot forwards, his blade aimed at your chest. His movements were too fast as though you would be able to raise your own sword in time, and with a surprsed yelp you stumbled backwards.

For the first time in your life it was your clumsiness that saved you. While stepping back you quite literally stumbled over your own feet, causing you to fall. If you wouldn't have, then he would surely have gotten pierced by him, but like this the demon missed you by a hair's breath, only grazing your shoulder and tearing the fabric of your green tunic.

You couldn't tell who was more surprised, Ghirahim or you yourself, but you didn't waste any second and immediately scrambled away from him, pointing the tip of your sword at him while getting back onto your feet. Ghirahim observed you for a moment, before his expression changed once more, as though he had suddendly remembered something.

"Ah. I did say I would not murder you, didn't I? Forgive me, it seems I forgot for a moment. In this case the boy will have to wait a bit longer, after all..."

Right, you remembered that he had said something along those lines before your fight started. Sadly you also remembered the words which had followed to that promise of his... perhaps it would have better to let him kill you now, quick and clean...-

No! You couldn't allow yourself to think like this. After all, didn't you come down to the surface to help saving Zelda? If you died now then you'd be even more of a burden that you already felt like you are! And there were still people in Skyloft that needed you...!

Swallowing you gripped the hilt of your sword harder, trying to suppress your trembling. You were scared, that wasn't something you could change this easily. But you would endure what ever was to come now. This was the least you could do!

The Lord's next attack came as fast as his last one, but this time you were prepared and had your blade ready to block the blow. The force pushed you back, making you suppress a pained moan as your arms once more felt as though they had just broken.

You couldn't say how you managed to avoid getting hacked to bits the next few minutes, but like a miracle the worst that happened was the tip of his blade occasionally digging into your flesh, yet never especially deep or hitting any vital points. By now, as strange as it sounded, the pain had gotten bad enough for you to already ignore it again, your body moving on it's own. Dodging, blocking, taking a step back. Dodging, blocking, stepping to the left.

Straightening up again, Ghirahim took a look at the blade in his hands, eyeing the blood which stuck to the metal, making it look even more frightening than without - before bringing it up to his lips. His gaze now focused on you again his lips curl into a smirk as his tongue slips out between them, slowly sliding across his sword, cleaning it of your blood.

All blood was drained from your face, leaving you as white as a sheet as you returned his gaze, unable to look away. Even if he wouldn't have been a demon, this moment would have made you realise that you are fighting a monster.

Ghirahim evidently enjoyed your expression of terror, taking his time to lick his lips, still smirking at you. Playfully he rotated the sword in his hand, giving you a thoughtful look before readying himself for another attack.

Instinctively you raised your blade in a defensive pose, ready to block rather than to attack yourself - which was exactly your fault. With incredible speed the demon came at you, sword ready in his hand to slash, only to shift his pose in the last second, too late for you to react anymore. Rather than striking again the Lord's free hand shot forwards, grabbing your blade and tearing it from your fingers. Since you had expected to hold against his strenght you had directed your own strenght outwards rather than towards you, making it all the more easier for him to disarm you.

And so you stood there, completely bare-handed now while your opponent was wielding two blades now. Ghirahim eyed your weapon lazily, before dismissively clicking his tongue, slightly shaking his head.

"I am surprised you could defend yourself against me with this disgrace of a blade! But, then again, I was merely playing so far... This excuse of a weapon would not have lasted long if I hadn't."

Like he wanted to demonstrate the low quality of your sword, Ghirahim smashed it against the marble wall, not holding back in the slightest. Crash.

In horror you watched as your weapon shattered like glass as soon as it made contact with the wall, tearing out a hunk of stone. Splinters and shards rained down onto the floor with quiet clutteting noises, nothing but the hilt being proof of it's original state.

The Demon Lord looked at the remains of your sword almost offended, as though it shattering so easily had been an insult towards his own person. With a huff he threw the hilt onto the small pile of shards, stepping away from it, slightly grimacing like it was something disgusting rather than a broken blade.

Then he turned back towards you.

By now you had retreated as far as the small room allowed you to, desperately trying to figure out just how you should possibly defend yourself now. Some old jars stood around, and for a second you contemplated to just throw those at him, but if a sword hadn't been able to damage him, then how would pottery? Far away you could hear Link calling your name. How would he react to seeing you, once the Lord was done with you? Would you even be recognizeable afterwards?

Ghirahim slowly approached, taking his time as he did. Why should he hurry? There was nothing left for you to do anymore, and even running away would only give you a few more seconds.

You wanted to take another step back, but immediately met with the wall, making it impossible for you to back away any further. Ghirahim chuckled, twisted joy visible in his gaze once more.

"My, that is quite the delicious expression you have there, my dear."

His tone of voice was light, as though he just stated what beautiful weather it was. You swallowed hard, praying to the goddess that she would help you. Save you. Anything.

Another playful swing of his sword, the blade making a whirring sound as it cut through the air. Come on. Please... Anything! Anything to help you!

A few meters away from you he came to a halt, eyeing you from head to toe once more before raising his swordshand, pointing the tip of it at your face. Then he dashed forwards.

And you closed your eyes.


*cackles quietly* I like ending my chapters in such moments, really~!

But rather than laughing, I should probably apologize for the late chapter! Some of you may have seen already, that my old computer blackscreened on me, meaning that for the time being all my work is gone... so I had to completely rewrite this chapter OTL

Except for the second chapter of ItEotS I will probably rewrite the other drabbles and then upload them here... so that I finally have them done :'D

But yes... I'd be very happy if you guys would leave me some critique~!

QuothTheRaven: I have played ALBW, yes, and I will think of something for you! I can't promise anything yet, but I'll add it to my list for now! And don't worry; you aren't the only one with those 'secret pleasures' ;)

Which reminds me that of course everyone else can request a readerxcharacter oneshot too! Just be warned that it might take me a while... and that, of course, I have to know the character ;)