Chapter 3
Link turned to face Ghirahim. As Link spun around, Ghirahim cast his weapon aside, making it disappear with a snap of his fingers. Drat, that was the last of his power for now. How shameful, he overused his ration of dark power for the day.
"Ghirahim!" Link reached behind his back for his trusty master sword, only for it not to be there. How shameful, he forgot he didn't have the master sword.
"I see you are without a weapon…" Ghirahim said with a smirk, then bowed mockingly, "May I present a solution to your... predicament?"
"How? Making it so that I have no arms to wield one with?"
"That sounds absolutely delightful, but no, not today. You see, after the … passing of my old master, there simply isn't any purpose in spreading darkness. As you can tell, there is nobody to rule this world in terror like Demise. I decided to bring myself… closer to the light. Seeing as you don't have a sword spirit, or anything that even shades in comparison to a sword, I would like to accompany you on my new journey- A journey to enlightenment," He looked up from his bow and stood upright. His tongue protruded from between his lips for a split second and swiped across them, Ghirahim held his hand out to Link as his tongue retreated. Please work, work, work… yes, you shall "take" me, Link, and "use" me, but I shall prevail… I shall bring you to meet demise in hell, where he shall rule over you as king and bring the weight of his pain tenfold upon your shoulders! Ghirahim smiled, more in glee than in a reassuring manner and his fingers twitched in excitement. He tried to compose himself, but his plan seemed to be making an impact on Link; Ghirahim could practically see the gears turning in Link's head as the boy searched for a decision.
"I don't know about this. As happy as I am to see you come towards the path of good-"
"I said nothing of the sort," Ghirahim scoffed, "but if you are reminding me of my will to accompany you, I will do so without hesitation." Ghirahim retracted his hand, "Unless you'd rather go weaponless forever, there are bound to be more monsters in the future. Even a keese would be able to take you in this pathetic state. But, if you have a sword, you can eliminate that keese, and many more and larger monsters to come."
"As I was saying, you tried to kill me… three times. Are you really over the whole evil thing?"
"I never said that, you are simply putting words in my mouth. I said I would join you, and if you ever so happened to choose the path of evil, I will follow you there as well."
"Okay, stop being cryptic. What is the real reason you want to 'join' me?"
"Didn't I say I was coming closer to the light?"
"That is the same thing as being good!"
"They are completely separate."
Link facepalmed. He had no idea what Ghirahim was getting at, but he knew the Demon Lord had a point. Link was completely unarmed, and any monster could get him, if there were any left. He had no idea about the strange getup Ghirahim was wearing either, but it may just be a phase. I mean, red's out of season, right? Link tried to figure out if Ghirahim was bluffing about the monsters having a chance of return, but his masked face added to his mystery, and Ghirahim's lips were motionless as well.
"I don't know what you want, but you are right. Are you sure that there are even any monsters left though?"
"Positively certain."
"...Fine. I'll use you as my sword, but only so that you can help me defeat the monsters that survived. After that, it's back to wherever you came from. And if it's the forest, find a new place to stay."
"I will be your sword with pleasure, and pledge my allegiance to you." As he bowed once more, he kept his crossed fingers out of sight.
"Are you ready, master?" Ghirahim asked, with an emphasized pronunciation of the latter word.
"Ready as I'll ever be. And stop that, it's weird when you call me 'master'. Just call me Link," Link hesitantly said. Truth be told, being called master reminded him too much of Fi. Link held out his hand expectantly, waiting for Ghirahim to become the sword. Ghirahim smirked, and took off his cape with a swish, which disappeared in a cloud of diamonds. His jumpsuit was the same, except dark purple. The only new addition to his look was a pale pink scar sliced vertically across his chest, slightly off center. Link realized with a gulp that the scar was placed directly over Ghirahim's heart, and was ragged from what looked like a serrated blade. Ghirahim concentrated, and Link jumped at the sight... Ghirahim's sword came out of his chest- it came out of his scar! The hilt protruded from his chest, and the jagged blade slowly came out as well. The sword flew out of his chest in one last burst, and floated towards Link. Link gingerly held the blade, and realized how heavy it was. Demise was, well, quite large in muscle and stature… and Link was not. His arms trembled under the weight of the dark steel. "I don't think this will-"
He was interrupted as a thick black fog consumed the blade. Link shielded his eyes and turned away as the fog rose into the air. The fog became thinner in width, consuming the surface underneath, then faded away. When Link took his hand away from his eyes, he was greeted with a strange sight. The sword had changed itself to be lighter and more narrow, almost like the master sword. The hilt still had its shape, but the actual handle was fit to Link's hand. Ghirahim looked down his nose at the sword in disgust. He had hoped it would have changed to suit himself as well, but that was not the case. He would have much preferred a curved blade or a thicker, barbed one, but it'll have to suffice for his plan. He had to make the hero happy to get Link to trust him, after all.
"Did you think I expected you to have been able to carry the original blade? Of course it changed to your size!" Ghirahim retorted. He was actually surprised the sword part of him did that, however. He did not think through this part of the plan, but he was glad it worked out. Otherwise something other than Ghirahim might have killed Link, as the spell Zelda casted worked only on human-like minds and bodies. Ghirahim realized that Zelda probably had him in intent when casting the spell. He shifted uncomfortably.
"How did you do that, anyways?"
"After my old master, Demise, broke the seal that kept the weapon inside my body, I have been able to invert my forms at will," Ghirahim answered. He leapt into the air, and did flips as he barreled towards Link. Link, in surprise, held up the sword with both hands in a block. Ghirahim never hit Link, however, and simply disappeared inside the blade. "Do you want to put my competence to the test? I will show you what I can do," Ghirahim's voice echoed metallically through the blade.
"Uh, yeah, sure. How will I even test you though? I mean, there are no monsters here that I have seen!"
"Just look under the bridge. There are hordes of keese in there, I don't think they'd mind if you sliced just a few."
"Alright." Link took a breath from deep inside him. He took the sword and swung it horizontally, then vertically, and was surprised at how easy Ghirahim was to wield, The… what was this sword called? "Ghirahim?"
"Yes… Link?" He seemed to be thrilled at being swung again, Link wondered if Fi felt the same way when she was his sword.
"What is this blade called? Does this form of yours have a name?"
"The sword of Demise, but I suppose this name is not suitable for your purposes. Oh, whatever shall we do about that," Ghirahim's voice sarcastically echoed through the sword.
"Can I… name you something else?" Link asked politely, a tint of unease in his voice.
"Go ahead, like I care or anything of the sort. Just rename me whatever you fancy, Include the words butterfly or rainbow if you please. Oh yes, the Rainbow-powered sword of butterflies. Such a suitable name for a weapon of terror like myself!"
"I asked you nicely! I'll name you, since you oh so politely requested me to name you anything I want, The Blade of Dusk."
"I'm not so sure if I enjoy that name quite as well as my last one, but if you really want to…"
Oh Demise, what an idiot. At least soon I can live up to that name; shrouding his hope in this darkness, like the darkness of dusk, as I take his life and guide him to his damnation!
"Well, I enjoy it, so you can just be quiet. Now, to take out those keese." Link swung his sword in a great arc, continuing his warm-up. He had been working hard at maintaining the grounds and his muscles, but he was slightly rusty from not having actually "wielded" something besides tools this whole time. He ended with a finishing blow, and heard Ghirahim grunt as he stuck the sword in the ground.
"Watch it, child," Ghirahim growled. If Link could see Ghirahim, he would have seen the flash of hatred towards the hero in Ghirahim's eyes.
"Sorry," Link mumbled. He pulled Ghirahim out of the grass, and walked to the spot where he first re-encountered Ghirahim, under the bridge. Keese shrieked and opened their eyes from their upside-down perch, and hurtled towards Link, spinning upright midair. Link swung at one, slicing its head off, and then sliced another's wing. He grinned in glee from the exhilaration and continued his frenzy. He killed the last keese that lunged at him. Whoops, he killed all of them.
"NIcely done, but a bit unpolished. however, you truly have talent," Ghirahim said, an invisible smirk. He was absolutely disgusted by having to compliment the hero, but it was his key to acquiring Link's trust. One compliment a day, and Link's head will soon roll away. Ghirahim flipped out of the sword, and it flew back inside of him, blade first. He landed on his feet in a catlike manner, then waltzed back over to Link. He went to test his ability to touch Link, by trying to pat him on the back, but felt that searing pain in the palm of his hand as he got within a half inch of touching Link's skin. He withdrew before the hero turned to face him.
"You ready to head back for the night?"
"I thought we could camp here, under the protection of the tree, since I believe it will rain tonight," Ghirahim said supplicately. Link laughed.
"Why be here in the forest when we have a temple in the sealed grounds?"
"We?"
"Well, I thought we could stay there with Zelda. Since, you know, you're my sword now."
"That sounds marvelous. Let's take our leave then," Ghirahim said politely, but Link did not catch his sarcastic undertone. Ugh, Zelda. The goddess brat reincarnate. Ghirahim wished Demise would reincarnate soon as well, but knew the chances were very slim for the next few years.
They stood before the worn stone door, the door at the side of the temple. Ghirahim was not a huge fan of the architecture, but even he had to admit he admired its sturdy yet aesthetically pleasing build. Like himself. Ghirahim smiled at the thought, they were indeed very similar. Link struggled with the door, and Ghirahim pushed him aside. He opened the door with ease, but immediately jumped several feet back. Standing inside the temple waiting for Link was Zelda, arms crossed and foot tapping. She saw Ghirahim, and her position tightened, brows lowering.
"You're late, Link. And I see a rat followed you." Link turned around, but saw no rat. However, Ghirahim had his arms crossed as well, an annoyed yet bored look on his face.
"I assure you that I am an ally now, and I have no intention of straying from that path," Ghirahim said in a calming manner, and lifted one of his crossed forearms to brush a stray hair from his face. "At least not very far from it."
"You told me your purposes when you had your despicable servants chain me. And you did use me to those purposes. Thank goddess Link destroyed the vermin you summoned, and that Groose was there, you don't realize how much damage you caused! I had bruises for weeks!" Ghirahim shifted in his position, pointing one foot away from Zelda and returning his forearm to its original place.
"Zelda, please listen. He is my sword now, there are some monsters left. He'll go away when we defeat them, I promise," Link pleaded with Zelda.
"And how do you know he's not going to try anything destructive?"
"Hey, I have a question, why do you always do this? You always act like I can't make my own decisions! I want him to be my sword, and he will be. That's final!" Link shouted. Zelda backed away, her arms falling to her sides.
"Link…." Zelda said quietly, "If you really feel like this is the best option, then I'll let him be your weapon. But…" Zelda strode across the doorway and gestured between herself and Ghirahim, a peace sign that flipped horizontally between the two. "I will keep an eye on you. One screw up, and it's out with you. You get to choose, Ghirahim, either you leave on your own or I'll make you wish you never decided to mess with me or Link." She snapped, and a bow of light appeared in her arms. She tested the string, and satisfied, she looked back up at Ghirahim. "I'll let you make your decision," She said, a fire in her eyes as she met his eyes directly. She spun around and marched back into the temple.
"Zelda! Wait!" Link shouted, running after her.
Ghirahim sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought
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