Link opened the door to the small room, it not being larger than a supply closet. There was a bedroll for two and Link raised an eyebrow, and Ghirahim had been more than ready to sleep in his sword form.
"It seems that they called ahead for this, enough room for one of the candidates and a significant other." Link mused and felt an arm drape over his shoulders, the sheath empty. He untied the cloak and hung it up on a hook. There were two. Apparently cloaks were popular in this area enough to put hooks up.
"Or a whore. Remember, not all demons fall in love like we did. I fell in love slowly and you were lucky." He placed a hand on Link's stomach. "Hopefully you won't lose them."
"Playing dirty is fine in the area. In fact, they encourage it. If the next ruler won by strength alone, then the power would go to their heads. I'll try to keep getting in my opponent's face as much as possible. I have my bow and bomb bag. And fairies. They will revive both of us."
Ghirahim looked skeptical but shrugged it off and walked into the room. There was a low table with pillows to sit on and he knelt on one, snapping his fingers and a meal for two appeared. Link smiled, his stomach grumbling and they shared their meal.
They slept well that night, Link close to Ghirahim. Tommorow was the first set of fights. There were one hundred contestants aiming for the throne. And they were matching up everyone.
First round, fifty deaths. Second round, twenty five deaths, and someone is put down to even it out. Usually the weakest. Third round, twelve deaths. Fourth round, six deaths, fifth round... Three deaths and another put down and then it would be the last two and the winner gets the throne.
Link was not going to die. He was stronger now, and he had potions and fairies and his pouch was larger and Ghirahim had duplicated bottles that Link filled with Guardian plus potions and Heart Plus potions.
All Link had to do was stick his hand in it and think of the item and it came to him. He was going to use all the weapons he had gained on his journey and the people he was going to fight were going to see how the Chosen Hero who defeated Demise fought and defeated his opponents. His sword was testy and protective and would fight for Link if he needed a breather and Ghirahim was sadistic.
They woke early and Ghirahim helped Link dress in clothing that wouldn't restrict his movement, giving him tight pants that didn't hurt him when he wore them yet, and a dark tunic. Link wore a chest plate and arm guards. They shared a quick kiss before Ghirahim absconded into the sheath and Link buckled the pouch on.
Walking down to the coliseum, he met Gesang, sharing a few brief words before turning to the list. Link was in the first ten fights against a demon named Karo. The sixth fight. Adrenaline started to creep into his system and he went to sit down, wondering who Karo was. The announcer's voice rang out and projections were shown on the walls of the fight. Two beefy demons fought against each other with their bare hands, punching and kicking each other until one of them managed to break the other's neck after blinding him. Link bit his lip. Dangerous.
They were announced as the victor of the first fight and escorted off, slaves cleaning up the body. At least there wasn't too much blood... The projection showed the face and name of the demon. They were female and that terrified Link. Her name was Morder. Something about the name chilled him to the bone, almost freezing him where he sat.
He watched as the four before him passed, seeing the other victors as not as powerful as Morder had been and when Link strode out into the arena, fear shaking his body, but not enough to make his body freeze up, a woman strode out, pale skin the shade of the moon and silver hair to match. She looked quite attractive to say the least, her face thin and pretty, like Ghirahim's, but her jaw was round. Her form though... It promised death.
His opponent gripped a long thin blade that didn't look like the other traditional blades of the demon realm and raised an eyebrow as his hand went to his pouch, drawing his bow and quiver, placing an arrow between his teeth and placing one on the bow and nocking it. The fight started and Link quickly drew the arrow back as Karo started into a run, shooting a few arrows quickly. The young woman got hit in the shoulder and Link stowed his bow away quickly drawing the Demon Sword and hooking the shield off the sheath.
Thank you Lanayru. Link thought as her blade bounced off the shield just in time and he slashed forward, smelling blood and he sliced again, the woman partying.
"You are good, hero of light." She spoke, her voice fluid. "But do you think you can win against me?" Her inquiry peaked Link's interest.
"Why? Because you're older?" He asked, slashing forward, before hearing a clink, seeing purple patches on her skin. Oh shit.
Sword spirit! Sword spirit! Ghirahim chanted to him down the bond that was active when Ghirahim was in this form. Shit! Ghirahim wasn't one to swear in public, usually doing it in this form or behind closed doors.
Karo swung again and Link shoved the shield forward and bringing the sword down on her neck as she was stunned for a moment and with a clean swipe, catching on bone, but the force snapped it, her head rolled to one side and onto the ground, her blood splashing on Link's face.
He slashed the Demon Sword through the air and did his little show off movement he did after victories and when the Master Sword had been upgraded during his quest before sheathing Ghirahim. He was announced the winner and he had a few days to rest.
But as he was escorted away, all he could think was how close he danced with death and lived. He still had several rounds to go and facing off against Morder wasn't something that had no chance of popping up. Unless someone took her down, she was going to move on, but she appeared to only use brute strength.
Link sat with one of the thinner victors of the first round, who looked at him in surprise. "You're pregnant and doing this?! Are you out of your mind, Link?!" They snapped, using his name after he had won.
"I'm doing it because I stand the best chance with my situation. I defeated Demise and his sword is mine, although a lot lighter and more like my old sword." He drew the Demon Sword and lay it across his lap, smiling as he ran his hand along the silver flat before noticing he had to clean off the blood...
It flashed and he smiled as Ghirahim popped out, beaming and hugging him. The demon he sat beside looked slightly startled at his sudden appearance and Ghirahim waved before sitting beside Link and holding his hand. Link placed his head on Ghirahim's shoulder, the two watching as the other matches went on, some faster than others. Some drew on for hours and when they called it a day, they were on the thirtieth battle. Link wasn't needed to join the other candidates until the next round.
Gesung hadn't fought yet and he was worried for his acquaintance. Link looked up at Ghirahim in desperation before the other hugged him.
"Ghirahim, what if I face against Gesung next round or the round after?!" Link's violet eyes were wide and Ghirahim kissed him.
"Love, he will be fine. Let's go home, you two must be starving and tired." Ghirahim smiled, holding Link's hand tightly, snapping when Link nodded and yawned.
Three more days tops before the next round... I'm so scared. Link thought.
