Chapter 4

To Fight Like a Demon

Caught in a state of forced genuflection, Link watched as the demon closed in. His hair was being twisted and his knees were digging into the dirt. He shivered. If the blazing fever had ever left his body it was now returning.

Freezing in place, Link listened to the soft rustle of velvet and the creak of leather as the demon lowered to his level. Their eyes locked. Link looked at his captor in trepidation, almost unable to distinguish his eyes from the surrounding darkness. The light of the sword had faded; even in the gloom, he could see the rage -

Not just in the demon's face, but in the hand that clutched the Goddess Sword. Mostly steady and controlled, his fist was tight and slightly shaky.

What in the world was the demon going to do with the sword? Beat him over the head with the fuller? Carve his initials into his skin? Behead him? The possibilities were endless.

Link's life was under siege; or at the very least, his honor. His mind slalomed with chaotic thoughts of escape - thoughts of the open air above Skyloft, of embracing Midna, of dancing with Zelda, of laughing and doing something pointless with Pipit. A vision of his warm bed cropped up, of a warm drink prepared by Henya's loving hands. He just wanted to sleep and recover, and...

Find Zelda. And bring her home. That's what he was here for, what he had come to the surface to achieve. Amid the horror of this night, he feared he had lost sight of that.

Now, an all-encompassing scourging with his very own weapon was coming. This can't be happening, Link thought. His first instinct was to call for Fi, but what could she possibly do for him? Link suspected that the Goddess had never intended for him and his guide to be caught by the enemy.

Why did the demon push him to his knees? Why did he want him here? Link didn't want to think about it.

He heard wrathful speech, words uttered in a foreign language, one that Link could only assume was demonic. It was harsh to the human ear. He blenched at the sound, wishing that he could reclaim his sword; escape was written all over it.

"How long must I endure his appalling lack of understanding, his outright disrespect..." Ghirahim snarled, dropping his head. "How long must I hold back…"

Link was wide-eyed. Sliding back under the force of the demon's hand, he squirmed, grunting as his back hit the tree.

"You are correct, sky child," Ghirahim said in a breathy voice, his head still hanging. "I tell you this if only to plant a seed of wisdom in that silly head of yours. While I am and always will be superior to you, I do have my own character flaws. Overzealousness is one. Trouble denying myself guilty pleasures is another." When his hair was released, Link took a relieved breath. "I am slotted in a battle of my own to tolerate you. Do not...tempt me..." He leaned further in, giving a wavering smile. "And I am going to teach you a lesson that you won't soon forget."

He grabbed Link's neck. A look of pleasure washed over him. "Do you know yet how I obtained my information from you, sky child? Have you sorted through that feeble memory of yours to reacquire what you've been taught as myth?"

Link quickly nodded, his parted lips just inches from the demon's. He stared as the tip of his black tongue slipped out like the head of a snake.

Oh, gods… Link thought despondently. No...

That tongue, it was... alive. Link gaped at it. Suddenly he knew why he had woken up to such odd sensations on that cold floor. He had been experiencing the after-sensation of a mind probe; the remnants of stimulation that had tainted him with the same poison that Ghirahim had accused Midna of having. He'd learned about this very thing as a kid, except then, it had been a joke.

It was grimly satirical how he, as well as everyone else in Skyloft, had only been taught about demons in the context of mythology. Folklore was full of stories touting the dangers of demons and their seductive talents; how they would titillate and lure humans into sexual traps. These stories were allegories, their purpose to warn young adults against poor judgment in the teenage years. Link had fond memories of laughing hysterically with Pipit over such preposterous tales. Today, however, the myth had become an ironic reality.

How dare he say I'm anything like him. I'd never enjoy his touch… Link's face heated up at the thought.

"I was merely trying to frighten you, sky child," Ghirahim said. "Not arouse you."

Link's head snapped back. "I'm not -"

"How would your little succubus feel about you going for an incubus instead?" The demon's grin was wily and malicious. Link shook his head. "I do believe your ears are turning rather damask, sky child. I must have made you feel a lot better earlier than I thought." He chuckled. "Does the idea of being hopelessly sex-addicted scare you?" Link said nothing. "Although that would require things of me which you are unworthy of." He dug his nails into Link's neck. "And right now, I have the pragmatic issue of your punishment to deal with."

The two exchanged glances in the hushed darkness. Link's heartbeat sped up again. The demon's eyes were roaming across his body. Link looked at the sword once more.

His hand darted for the weapon with the quickness of a falcon, but found nothing but air. The demon had lifted the weapon out of reach. A baleful smile spread slowly across his face.

"No, no, no, sky child," he chided, shaking his head. Link's shoulders slumped in disappointment. His sword was so close, yet so far. He shivered.

"I'll tell you one thing, sky child," Ghirahim said, looking deeply into Link's eyes. "Verily I say unto you…" Link gulped, his throat aching. "…When you finally get up, you will never, ever look at this sword the same way again."

Ghirahim had barely finished his sentence when Link hammer-fisted the side his head, knocking him to the left. The demon threw the sword behind him and reached out. Link rolled out of his reach and jumped for the blade. Slower than usual, Link was grabbed by the shoulder. With incredible force he was shoved to the ground. Pinned, he drew his knees up, thrust his feet into the demon's stomach and jabbed him in the nose with the heel of his hand.

As the demon pulled back, Link rolled out from under him and scrambled for the sword. Just when victory was at his fingertips, an arm wrapped around his neck, securing him in a choke hold. On his knees again, Link clutched the demon's forearm, dropping his weight to break free. Ghirahim sat back and smiled at the top of the human's head. "Isn't this the same pitiless grapple that you held your best friend in after you gave him a concussion?" He twisted Link's neck to force his ear up. His white lips brushed against the cartilage, sweeping across his sapphire earring. "Is that how a hero treats his friends? You're such a humanitarian, sky child." He took a nibble. Link gasped and wriggled in his grip.

Taking the sword in one hand and scooping Link around the middle with the other, the demon rose up, lifting the human with him and sending his head to the ground. Link caught himself with his arms. The chain hit the dirt with a clank.

Taken by surprise, Link flailed his feet. The pressure in his head seemed to explode into something almost unbearable. Already too weak to be in this position, he kicked, his arms quivering.

Growing angrier by the second, he struggled harder. A cloud of dust formed, sending grit into his eyes. He fought until his arms gave out and his head hit the ground.

He heard Ghirahim giggle. He opened his reddening eyes, bit his tongue and pushed against the forest floor. He was merely a plaything right now. And the demon was laughing at him.

"Did you really beg for my help only to end up here?" the demon teased.

Humiliation - that was all Link could feel. With blood rushing to his face and every limb fatigued, a mixture of fear and fury burgeoned.

"I don't think I need to tell you what I plan to do with this sword," Ghirahim said with a mocking sigh. "And I hope you don't mind if I rest my tired arm on your rump. I'm afraid our little nature walk has left me a bit knackered."

Link's jaw dropped. This couldn't be happening.

"Every convicted heretic of this realm empathizes with you right now, sky child." He rubbed Link's belt.

"You're...kidding," Link muttered, almost unable to speak.

"Hm. What do you think?"

"If this is…how you treat…those under your rule…then I'm glad I get to fight you."

"However, those who blaspheme their king are normally bludgeoned with a more spiky object. I can go find something truer to life if you like."

King…

"But I'd say that the smooth hilt of this sword is a much better option." Link's chest heaved. "In fact, one could argue that it might even be pleasant in comparison. Except this rather large pommel could serve as a bit of a problem for you."

"Let me down!" Link yelled, aiming a foot at the demon's face.

"I'm teaching you a lesson, remember? Unless of course you'd like me to exonerate you. Perhaps a plea bargain can be agreed upon." Link panted into the dirt. "Trouble is, something that you beg for more of can't possibly be considered a punishment."

"Why...are you…doing this?" Link breathed.

"Because you humans consider your sexuality to be something so laughably sacred that it's the simplest way to break you, sky child," Ghirahim said. "Shall we give it a go?" Link didn't respond. Ghirahim tugged on the waistline of his pants.

"No!" Link cried.

"Beg, sky child," the demon purred. "Beg, and maybe I won't."

Link clenched up. "I'm...through asking you for anything."

"Then I suggest you brace yourself." Ghirahim gazed into the blade. "I think your witch may enjoy this." Link's eyes widened. "Has she ever told you about her fetish for boys in green?"

Appalled, Link craned his neck to look behind him. "Okay..." he mumbled.

The demon smiled and cocked his head. "Doth my ear deceive me? Dost thou beg, albeit indirectly?"

Link sighed. Pain was shooting from his shoulders to his head. "If it helps Fi."

"I would very much appreciate a sumptuous begging session, sky child. Let's hear it, then."

Link's lower half thumped to the ground. He was so relieved that he didn't care. With the smell of dirt filling his nose, he took a huge breath, laid out at the demon's feet.

"Did I not tell you that you would be begging soon? Oh, this is too lovely," Ghirahim said with a plummy tone.

Link started to push himself up, slowly catching his breath. "What will happen after? Will you do it anyway? Beat me some more? Steal my..." He swallowed. "Kill me?"

"No, no, not yet, and not exactly, to answer all of your questions. Your contrition has filled my happiness bank to exploding. It's smiles and fuzzy little kittens all around." Link sat up and curled his fingers around his chain. "I am willing to overlook your lamentable attempt at escape, after you show me how contrite you can be, as I mentioned." He grinned. "In addition, perhaps I can teach you a lesson of a different sort."

After much toil, Link finally reached an upright position on his knees. "What?" He rubbed his face.

"It means I've been visited by a brilliant idea; an epiphany of sorts, if you will. A fun little game for us to play before we resume our trip."

A pleasant picture appeared in Link's head: his violin. The idea of having total control over something so complex was unbelievably satisfying. Right now he needed it more than ever. The soft feel of Midna's hands wouldn't be so bad, either, even if she was a 'demonic enchantress'.

"Whenever you're ready, hero." Ghirahim held his hands out.

Daydreaming, Link looked at the ground.

"Come now, hero. I'm not so fastidious that you should have stage fright."

Brought back to the moment, Link chewed his lip. He told himself he was lucky not to be suffering through something worse. "What do you want me to say?"

"Be creative," Ghirahim said, crossing his arms.

Link closed his eyes. "Please -"

"Fold your hands," Ghirahim said. Staring down, Link followed his orders. "Hold them up. Come on, sky child. It's a classic begging pose."

Link considered the prideful words he'd said to Pipit before coming to the surface. What would his best friend think of him now? Ashamed, he held his hands up. "Please -"

"Look at me when you're speaking, sky child."

Link reluctantly looked up. "Please..." His throat wanted to constrict, not so much from the pain, but the words. "Please..." He knew his face was flaming red. "...don't do it."

"Please, spare me," Ghirahim suggested with a smirk. "And say it with feeling." His eyes bore down. "Actually, put your hands on the ground. I want you lower."

Link's limbs just didn't want to move. He felt guilty for coming to the surface. Why didn't I listen to Fi? ...Why? He felt guilty for feeling guilty. Why did I run my mouth? Why did I run away?

"Any day now, my crestfallen hero." Link's hands slammed to the ground. "Look up." He did. "Now say it."

"Please..." Link thought about Zelda. His eyes started to burn. "Spare me." His head sank down. The demon groaned with contentment.

Link closed his eyes. Was he breaking? The idea made him seethe. If he was going to break, he wondered which aspect of his current situation would be responsible for it: the possibility of being taken advantage of? The thought of never seeing his home or his friends again? The pain? Becoming sicker by the hour? The hunger? Thirst? The overall bleakness and hopelessness?

With so many things to choose from, he couldn't decide. Unbreakable, unbreakable... he chanted.

What did it mean for a man to break, anyway? Was it to crumple to the ground in an aggrieved heap of tears? To bend to the will of his captor without a single ounce of resistance? To lose all volition to fight back? To become so disheartened that the thought of escape would never cross his mind again?

Glowering at the ground, Link nodded to himself. He wasn't there yet.

"Do I truly have the Goddess's chosen one on his knees before me?" Ghirahim asked. Link raised his galled face. "It has been such a long, long time." He closed his eyes and grinned blissfully. "Although, last time..." He looked at Link. "He was begging for something else." Link sat back on his feet, confused. The demon leaned down and pulled him up. Link wobbled a bit. "You are quite fortunate that I am so gracious."

Link looked at the demon's hand around his bicep.

"One last thing, sky child." Link jerked his head up, finding the demon's face uncomfortably close to his. "Admit that you are at my whim." Ghirahim watched his own thumb pet Link's cheek. "Admit that I have the power to make you say, or do, anything."

Link gawked at him. He immediately wished he was back on the ground.

"Just acknowledge it," the demon said, his voice deep and calm.

Corralled by the demon's arms, Link had little choice but to nod.

Ghirahim's face melted even more. "It does my heart good for the honorable knight of prophecy to submit to me." Link cringed. The demon seemed so pleased that he expected him to wink. "Shall we move on to a more operative activity?"

Without taking his eyes off of him, Ghirahim placed the hilt of the weapon into Link's hand. He looked at it as though he hadn't held it in years.

His brooding was cut short when the demon sent a high-pitched whistle into the air. Startled, Link hopped back. The sound reminded him of a loftwing call.

He looked around guardedly, his heartbeat quickening.

"How good are you at facing certain death, sky child?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you'll see," the demon answered with a grin.

The ground began to vibrate.

"What is that?" Link took his sword in both hands. A throaty growl came out of nowhere.

"It's a couple of things, actually," Ghirahim said. "First of all, it's your teacher. Second of all, it's my entertainment. I hope you're ready, sky child." Ghirahim gave him a brisk pat. Link stiffened at the sound of a piercing cry.

With the demon watching him closely, Link stared ahead. Sliding his left foot back, he stepped into a battle stance.

From the depths of the forest, a body emerged. Link's eyes widened. He gripped the sword tighter.

As it crept from the shadows, Link stopped breathing. A huge, bony canine - skinless, with nothing but a tuft of matted fur cloaking its withers. From its rib cage to its spine, every bone on its body protruded into the air. It's sickly, glowing eyes were fixed on Link. What the creature was held together by was unclear. How the creature was alive at all was a mystery.

Link looked himself over - no shield and no armor.

The beast trotted up to the demon. Link watched in amazement.

Ghirahim placed a hand atop the creature's head. "Are you ready to learn something?"

"What..." Link began. "What is that?"

"Say hello to a stalhound, hero," the demon answered. "The most common critter in these woods. Capable of ripping a grown man or demon in half within seconds." Link's gaze flipped back and forth between the two. "I'm going to teach you how to fight." Ghirahim beamed with pride.

"I already...know how to fight."

"No, no," Ghirahim said. "I mean fight. Like a demon."

Link looked him in the eye. "But -"

"You do it or you die, sky child." His tone left no room for argument. "And besides, I believe you will be spending more time in this realm in the future than you realize. You had better learn and retain."

With a snap of his fingers and a pleased tilt of his head, Ghirahim sent the signal. In an instant, the canine, with sharp teeth bared, skulked toward its prey.

Standing his ground, Link let the beast come to him. His eyes shot from the creature's head to its feet as he planned, calculating, determining what its movement patterns were like. He flipped the sword in an eager circle and dropped his chin, ready for the clash.

A howl so ear-splitting burst forth that Link nearly dropped his weapon. He stepped back, dizzy.

Don't show it that you're afraid, Link told himself. The stalhound's feet sped up. It pounced.

Shouting, Link hauled his blade over his shoulder and swung it down, slicing through the creature's face. Link jumped sideways, gaping as pieces of its mandible tumbled to the ground.

Screeching, the stalhound charged with jaws open and ready. Link twirled out of the way, raising his blade in the air and coming down with as hard of a vertical strike as he could manage. As the sword carved through its ribs, the beast shrieked. Freeing his sword, Link drew back and thrust forward with a vicious shout, sticking the blade in the stalhound's gut.

It fell, kicking and curling up against the stab of Link's weapon. Straining to counter the beast's immense strength, Link pushed until the blade disappeared. A satisfying crunch resounded as bones were broken and life was drained.

Sweating, Link yanked his sword free and jumped back, panting and watching the beast from a distance. Pleased with how the fight was going, Link glanced at the demon. Ghirahim stood with his arms crossed and a skewed grin on his face. What did he want from him?

The stalhound snarled. Link looked down. It was twitching, gyrating in a pile of its own bone fragments. Link sighed, believing the worst was over.

But the canine's eyes opened anew. Surprised, Link witnessed a creature who should have been dead spring to its feet.

Agape, Link looked to Ghirahim. He shook his head in disapproval, placing a gloved finger over his lips.

Before Link could say anything the stalhound bounded again, barking, clawing and swinging its head.

After landing two strikes to the beasts neck, Link took a blow to the chest. He stumbled back, barely stopping himself from falling onto his back.

Groaning, Link held himself, leaning forward. "Fi," he whispered, out of breath.

"Yes, Master," she answered.

"How do I kill this thing?" he asked. He turned a leery eye to the jaunty creature.

"My analysis is inconclusive at this time, Master," Fi stated.

"You're asking the wrong person, hero," Ghirahim called with a wave. Link looked at him. "Do you want to know what you're doing wrong?"

Indignant, Link set his gaze to the stalhound, lifted his sword and dashed forward, meeting it with a holler. The creature reared up, yelping as its skull was practically cleaved in two.

Thinking of the demon and everything that he'd done to him, Link twisted the blade, listening to the crackle of bone. With a huge breath he withdrew, leaping back as the beast fell to the ground once more.

Link wiped his sleeve across his forehead, stuffing his face into the crook of his arm.

"You will never strike down a stalhound if you continue to fight like a by-the-book Skyloftian knight," the demon called.

Ignoring him, Link ran for the prostrate beast, pushed off the ground, swung his blade around and plunged it into its ribs a second time. He reclaimed the blade and stabbed the beast a third time for good measure.

It's skeletal frame rattling, the stalhound whimpered, sending more bits of bone to the dirt. Link gave the demon another look. All he got from him was a shrug.

To his horror, the stalhound rapidly climbed to its feet.

"Would you like my advice?" Ghirahim asked.

Heedless, Link dived into battle once more, swinging and slashing with everything he had. Every time the beast fell, it regained its footing even quicker. Link didn't slow, but his energy was dropping. As his strength waned, the stalhound's seemed to increase.

Breathing hard, Link didn't know what else to aim for. He'd already claimed what looked to be several pounds of bone from the creature. Its head was partially hewed, one of its paws was crushed, its tail was gone, its pelvis and femur were ragged, both of its eyes were missing -

But it was still coming.

Faster still, the beast ran for the human, giving a feisty nip to his sword. The sharp sound of metal against teeth resonated through the trees.

Lightheaded, Link staggered back, fighting to clear his vision before it was too late.

He gasped as he felt his sword slip from his hand. As his fuzzy eyes focused, the demon appeared before him. "You won't be needing this," he said regretfully, deviously. Link stared at his hand. "Look at me, sky child." He slowly listened. The demon swaggered up to him. He put a finger beneath Link's chin. With gentle coaxing he took ownership of the human's gaze. Link looked at his lips. "I think it's time for you to learn a valuable lesson, my hero."

A roar and a shout rang out as Link was dragged backward. Aghast, he reached for the demon but was thrown onto his stomach. With pain flaring in his torso and head, he scuttled to get away. A heavy paw came down, flattening him to the ground.

"You know, hero, you just broke one of the cardinal 'Knight's Code' rules: never turn your back on an enemy."