When Vaati awoke, he found himself in a strange environment. If you could even call it that. It essentially was just a blank space, literally every direction he looked was just white. Where was he? And how did he get here? The last thing he remembered was flying over Lake Hylia with Zelda, and then. And then...he didn't know. Well, something happened, that much is certain, or else how would he have ended up here? He stood up from his sitting position, finding his body was a little bit sore all over. He stretched, relieving the tension in his arms and legs and began to walk around. Perhaps he might run into someone here, perhaps the one that took him here.
As he walked, his steps echoed throughout the place, but that was the only sound there was. He continuously looked around, hoping to find someone, or at least a different place that wasn't just constant white. It was starting to hurt his head, and that is the last thing he needs right now in this strange situation. Vaati searched and searched for a while, but it ended up fruitless. He must have been wandering for at least an hour at this point, but he found nothing that could help him. Finding himself a little weary, Vaati sat back down and rested up.
"Oh, you are here. My apologizes, I had to rest up. Allow me to change this blank scene into something a little less of an eyesore." At the sudden voice that echoed quite loudly, Vaati jumped a bit, to which the mysterious person laughed. Before his eyes, Vaati watched as the endless scene of white change into what looked like the fields of Hyrule. He stood up, and jumped when a very, very familiar appeared behind him.
"You…!" Vaati began, but he couldn't form the words, to shocked to even process how this is possible.
"Me?"
"G-Ghirahim…" Vaati mumbled out, his eyes never leaving the source of his previous depression and despair. Without giving it a second thought, Vaati ran at him, and straight up tackle hugged him. Ghirahim, obviously surprised at the action, stumbled, but caught himself before he could fall over. He smiled down at Vaati, and hugged him back.
"It has been a while, hasn't it?" Ghirahim asked. Vaati didn't say anything, and he could feel tears of happiness form in his eyes.
"You're...alive?" Vaati asked, and pulled himself away, wiping his eyes, not even ashamed he was about to cry in front of him.
"No, not quite." Ghirahim responded, which confused Vaati a bit.
"You see, where we are is, well, it's kind of hard to explain. Yes, this is no place for the living to be, but it is also a place where the dead do not belong as well," Ghirahim explained. It did nothing to help Vaati's confusion.
"In a way, it is a realm in between life and death," he added.
"Well, first question, why am I here then, if this is no place for the living?" Vaati asked.
"Well, to be honest, I am not sure myself. I am just as surprised to see you as you are to see me. Although I am not disappointed," Ghirahim added, and Vaati blushed a little bit at his last remark, to which Ghirahim smirked.
"And if this no place for the dead...what are you doing here?" Vaati asked, his voice going soft, almost not wanted to hear the answer.
"Ah. That is a little complicated. Well...while my physical form is dead, my consciousness is not. That is all I can say, for I am unsure of the rest. Even I do not know why I am here, nor what my purpose is for residing in such a place. Perhaps the goddesses placed me here, or maybe this is a sort of punishment from Demise he placed upon me. I do not know," Ghirahim explained.
"I see…" Vaati said, his voice soft and quiet.
"Zelda must be quite worried about you," Ghirahim said suddenly. Vaati looked up at him in confusion.
"What?" he asked. Ghirahim smiled at his confusion, and turned away from him. His hand glowed for a brief second before the scenery around them changed, much to Vaati's shock. In front of him, he could see Zelda hunched over his drenched, unconscious figure. She was begging him to wake up, occasionally shaking him as if that would do any help.
"You can see what is happening in the real world?" Vaati asked, both shock and fascination in his voice.
"Of course I can. Though I have to admit, I mostly just observed you and your behavior for the most part since my death," he explained. It took Vaati a moment to realize just what exactly he said, and he has never felt more embarrassed in his life. Ghirahim actually saw his behavior since his death. He has seen Vaati basically become a dead man, hardly ever moving, to depressed about losing his rock that he couldn't even get out of bed.
"Oh goddess…" Vaati said quietly, and his face took on a blush. Ghirahim chuckled, knowing what Vaati must be thinking.
"I have to say, I am quite flattered that my death took such a toll on you. I had no idea you cared that much about me that it would render you incapacitated for a while," Ghirahim said, to which Vaati blushed more. He hid his face in his hands.
"Oh goddess," he said again, and Ghirahim laughed. It was nice to see Vaati so flustered, if he were to be honest. He hasn't seen such behavior from him since before the battle, and it was refreshing than watching him as he was before. He smiled once more, even though Vaati didn't see it, and turned his attention to the real world. Zelda was quite worried about Vaati, it seems. Honestly, he didn't think the two would ever become friends. It was a shock when he saw Zelda taking it upon herself to care for his previous master, and he was happy he had someone that would take care of him. His opinion on her changed when he saw this, and he has to say, he does quite enjoy her. She was nothing like he thought he was, and honestly, if he were alive, he wouldn't mind her hanging around. Not like he would ever admit that, of course.
Vaati took a few moments to gather himself. Although he still was mortified that Ghirahim had seen his behavior over the past month or so, he could ignore it for now. He also turned his attention to the real world, and watch Zelda worry over his unconscious body. He observed it for a few moments, when it hit him.
"That was you calling my name in the forest!" he exclaimed, and Ghirahim jumped a
little at the sudden shout.
"Yes, of course, who else?" he responded, confused that Vaati didn't know it was him.
"And...what about the time where I thought I saw you for a second?"
"Also me…" Ghirahim said, still confused. Who else in hell did Vaati think it was?
"So...does that mean you can speak to me from here? And manifest yourself in the real world?" Vaati asked, and Ghirahim thought he could see hope in his eyes. He was saddened to say this, figuring it would rid his eyes of that adorable eagerness.
"Not quite. Trying to manifest my form in the real would saps my energy in seconds. I couldn't hold it for more than that brief moment. Speaking is also the same, but it takes a little less. I won't be able to say more than a word or two, and that is if I have full energy. In this realm, I do not have my previous magic, but instead a pathetic amount of energy that I can barely even use here," he explained, and Vaati slumped a little in disappointment.
"But, perhaps, you might find your way here again. I do not know how you were able to, but maybe you might find yourself here once again," Ghirahim said.
"I suppose so. Maybe Zelda can help figure out a way," Vaati responded. Ghirahim glanced back at the scene between unconscious Vaati and Zelda, and sighed.
"I think it is time for you to go. I don't know what will happen to you if you stay here any longer, but I don't want to figure out. Besides, Zelda is worried for you." Vaati looked up at him, disappointment once again filling his eyes.
"I...I guess so," he said sadly. Ghirahim almost changed his mind at how sad Vaati sounded, but knocked the idea out of his head. Yes, of course he wanted Vaati to stay with him, hell he would love it, but he had no idea if staying here could harm him, considering he was very well still alive. He wasn't willing to take the risks and find out. And besides, Zelda was growing more scared and worried by the second. It wouldn't be fair to keep him all to himself.
"I am sure you will figure out how to get here, you are a brilliant man, Vaati. Do not think this is the last time you will see me," Ghirahim said as he approached Vaati. Vaati blushed lightly at the small compliment, but didn't say anything. Ghirahim rose a hand to Vaati's forehead, and a glow appeared at his fingertips. He smiled at Vaati as his figure began to fade. With his free arm, he brought Vaati in for a brief hug before he disappeared completely.
"I'll be watching, Vaati, do not forget that," he said, knowing Vaati heard him.
Vaati's eyes shot open suddenly, and he found himself at the same scene he say earlier, except this time he was actually in his body. He sat up, and immediately, he felt Zelda wrap her arms around him.
"Oh, Vaati, I was worried! What in the goddess's name happened to you!?" She exclaimed. She let him go, and looked into his eyes.
"I...honestly have no idea. But…" he started, but drew off at the end, remembering what transpired just a few moments ago. He had actually saw Ghirahim. He spoke to him, he hugged him. He would have thought it was just a dream if he hadn't heard his voice just as he awoke.
"But what?" Zelda asked, prompting him to continue.
"I...saw Ghirahim. We spoke…" Vaati finished. Zelda looked shocked at his response, and almost in disbelief.
"Are you serious?" she asked, and Vaati nodded.
"It seems, that voice we both heard was actually him. And remember the first time we strolled through the woods? How I thought I saw something? That was actually Ghirahim for a split second," Vaati explained. Zelda took a moment to process it, and she responded with, "Well, I guess that solves the mystery. But...how could you have spoken to him? He...he died…" Zelda said, growing a little more quiet at the end.
"I honestly do not know. But I want to figure out how. If there even is a miniscule chance I can speak to him again, I will find a way," he explained.
"Would you help me, Zelda?" he asked, a little bit of desperation in his voice. He was unsure if he could figure it out on his own, but he would try his best if he had to. There was no way he was going to say no to another opportunity to see Ghirahim again.
"Of course I will, Vaati," she replied, and Vaati let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Zelda smiled at him, excited to see him so motivated after such a long time. Finally, he had found passion in his life again, and honestly, he deserved it. He had been through so much lately, she thought. She would do anything to allow him to be happy again, and if that meant trying to find a way to converse with the dead, then so be it. Besides, even though it was no where near what Vaati felt, she honestly missed the sarcastic and sassy demon herself. He was a little bit to handle, sure, but it was such a change than what she was used to. She could bear with his attitude. Plus, it would make her friend happy, and that is all she has wanted for him since Ghirahim's untimely demise.
