WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
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There will be at least one more part after this. The chapter was getting pretty long, so I decided to break it up. Thanks for reading!
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"Link… this burden is so heavy… how do I face it?"
"Just… keep smiling, Princess." Her smiles felt like the warmth of the sun, even trapped in a murky hole as he was.
"I will if you will." Her lips brushed his brow, gentle and soft, clearing his mind of all rational thought for a strange, euphoric moment.
And he smiled, for the first time in months, or perhaps years….
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A sudden dull rumble, a growl of thunder, the ground trembling violently. Link jerked awake, senses on high alert. His heart pounded and he lurched to his feet, remembering with a surge of gratitude that Zelda - the Princess - had refused to lock his wrists before leaving. Even so - What in Hylia's name is going on?
The stones beneath his feet were shaking so hard that he could barely stay standing. The walls were shuddering, too; dust rained down from the ceiling and all of a sudden a horrible fear gripped his limbs. An earthquake.
And I'm trapped here.
Stones began to fall from the ceiling, and his heart pounded faster. "Help!" he shouted, dashing to the cell door before the chains around his ankle snapped taut and he fell, smashing his head against the iron bars of the door and crumpling to the shivering ground, pain smearing across his vision. With a groan he pushed himself up, turning over and tugging at the chains around his ankles as hard as he could to no avail as dust and small fragments of rock dropped down all around him.
"Help!" he screamed again, giving up on the chains and trying to reach for the door. His fingertips were mere inches away. "Hey! I'm in here! Please!"
The air was rent with a dull roar, perhaps animalistic, or perhaps just caused by the violent shuddering of the ground. Link swallowed with difficulty, staring at the heavy ceiling above his head with fear. A disturbing crack - his stomach lurched, and he scuttled back to his bed and ducked beneath it, lying down on his back and gazing upwards at the rugged wooden plank, his chest heaving with panicked breath. "Help!" he screamed again, although the glimmer of hope with in his soul was swiftly fading.
A sudden tremendous crack, like a powerful thunderclap. There was time for a single petrified gasp and he closed his eyes as everything folded inwards -
Darkness.
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He awakened with a start, his heart hammering furiously, so hard that he felt nauseous.
I'm not dead… How was it possible?
He lay among rubble and splintered wood. The entire back wall of his cell had caved in; he could see outside, and at first his soul leaped with joy at the sight of sunlight and green fields in the distance.
Yet something was horribly off.
He could see a massive pillar, a gargantuan rectangular prism stretching upwards at an angle towards the castle. It seemed to be of Sheikah handicraft, decorated with many of the same embellishments he had seen upon shrines and guardians while travelling with the Princess.
But instead of pure blue, or orange, the embellishments burned a malicious magenta. Evil.
Wincing slightly, he dragged himself out from beneath the ruins of his bed. The mattress, crude though it was, had probably saved his life, offering a layer of cushioning between him and the collapsing ceiling. Most of the lockup, from what he could see, had remained intact, though chunks of rock littered the ground and many flagstones had split. His cell had taken the worst of the damage, losing an entire wall -
His heart learched, and he bent down to his ankles, pulling the chains that bound him free from the wreckage.
The wall was gone, as were the attachments securing his chains in place. Which means… I'm free.
His spirits lifted. I can get out. I don't even need the door; I can just climb out through the hole in the wall! I don't ever have to see this place again!
A faint glow caught his attention, and he turned to see the Master Sword lying in its place. The blade itself shone a bright, pure blue, something he had never seen from it before. The excitement in his soul began to fade, steadily replaced by a nauseating heaviness - a sense of foreboding. The earthquake. The pillar. And now the Master Sword displaying some new power.
Is it here? The Calamity?
Instantly he felt ashamed for wanting to run. Ganon or not, what had happened to Zel - the Princess?Is she alright? Is she safe? How did the rest of the castle fare?
I have to go to her.
No longer was it his duty to protect her. But he didn't care - if anything had happened to her, if she was hurt or frightened or anything, he would hold himself accountable.
She was… his friend. Perhaps even more than that. She had been a light reaching out to him in the dark, soothing his aching body, his aching soul, with gentle words and a gentle touch. He had sworn to die for her when first assigned to be her protector, but over the past months of loneliness and pain he had realized that not only was she worth dying for, she was worth living for.
To protect her, I'll need a weapon. And to get a weapon - my weapon - I'll need to get through the door.
Clanking armored footsteps sounded, distantly approaching, in his ears, as if summoned by his thoughts. Fantastic!
If it wasn't Ganon, someone would still have to unlock the door in order to move him to an intact cell. He could grab the Master Sword and run.
Hopefully.
The air whooshed from his lungs and cold waves froze his body as the knight came into view, a loaded crossbow in one hand, broadsword in the other. "Jassom!" he croaked out, taking an instinctive step away from the door.
His former mentor sneered as he approached, standing just beside the Master Sword. There was blood on his face.
"The time has come," Jassom scowled, his eyes hard. "Calamity Ganon has returned."
Link's heart nearly stopped. "And… the Princess?" he asked, barely managing the breath to speak.
"She is safe," Jassom answered slowly. "We were at the Lanayru Promenade when the Calamity appeared. She has sent the Champions to their Divine Beasts; Daruk and Mipha are already in place."
Link inhaled shakily. "Then… the earthquake…"
"It occurred the moment Ganon reappeared and was felt throughout the kingdom," Jassom tapped a finger against his leg impatiently. "You must have been highly… fortunate. Much of the rest of the castle is in shambles; the Princess and I have been finding corpses everywhere. Which is how we learned of the King's passing." His lip curled in disgust. "After seeing his body, her next thought was for you, and she insisted upon finding you herself. Naturally, I could not let her, as the state of the castle has become… exceedingly treacherous."
Link's heart had begun to pound. She's safe. She's alive.
And then another thought - I've been unconscious for at least a day if she travelled here from Lanayru and only just arrived. A sobering thought; he reached a tentative hand to the back of his head and winced, feeling a swollen lump near the top of his skull. Not good. Fear struck his heart; Jassom had said that the castle was no longer safe; if there was a second earthquake - Where is she? Can she get out? "You just left her alone?" he demanded angrily. "What if - what if something happens -"
"I am not you," Jassom sneered. "I am not a careless youth with no regard for his own safety, let alone the safety of others."
Link flinched.
"I left her in the first gatehouse with what remains of my men," the knight continued, leaning comfortably back against the wall. "She expects that when you and I return, you will lead them into battle against Ganon as she strives to seal him away and the Divine Beasts and guardians attack." He inhaled deeply, his gaze shifting to the gleaming Master Sword lying on the ground. "Unfortunately, her plan will encounter a complication. When I found you, you see, you had been killed by the earthquake. This left me no choice but to pick up the sacred blade myself and take your place as the Hero of Hyrule."
Link's pulse raced as the truth dawned on him. "You… you're going to kill me."
Jassom's features twisted into a grotesque mask of rage. "You were never meant to wield that blade!" he hissed. "I was the better warrior. I was the stronger man! It should have been me - it would have been me if you were never born, I am sure of it!" He raised his crossbow in his other hand. "I will unlock the door, boy. If you try to escape through that hole in the wall, this bolt will pierce your heart. Or your neck, or your skull… it doesn't matter which. If you try to fight back, I will end your life with my blade."
"Th-the King told me that the Master Sword never has a second choice," Link protested quietly, trying to force the knight's words out of is head, no matter how much he agreed with them. They would not have worked so hard to keep me alive if another could be chosen.
Jassom nodded slowly. "I am aware of that, fool boy. But I came prepared with a plan." Smirking, he jabbed his sword in the direction of the sacred blade. "They say that there is a spirit inside of the sword. I want you to tell it to accept me as its new master. You will lose blood every time you refuse, so if you want a quick death, I would recommend getting it right the first time."
Link's heart throbbed. Would that… would it work? "Y-you'll keep the Princess safe?" he whispered, trembling.
Jassom laughed, shaking his head. "You're giving in this easily? I suppose you're more of a coward than I realized. Of course I'll protect the Princess - what have I been doing for the past seven months?"
Link's hands trembled as he took a halting step forward. He's… he's right. She's safe - that's what matters. He swallowed thickly, feeling fear curl around his heart and weigh down his soul with the force of several large boulders. Is… is this it, then?
He hated himself. I'm a failure, and a coward, and weak. I deserve pain… I wanted death…
His heart ached. Do I want death now? The Princess was worth living for; he knew that much. She made him feel things he didn't deserve - love, safety, friendship, comfort… but in the moment, in her presence, basking in the warmth of her smile, he couldn't bring himself to believe that he truly didn't deserve such things. She thinks I'm worth it, and she is… she's intelligent and kind and… and maybe she's right?
He wanted to live, for her. And the thought of never again riding through sunny fields, smelling the wildflowers and listening to birdsong and humming insects… he didn't want that. I love this land - am I strong enough to leave it behind forever?
He turned his gaze to the Master Sword, sharp pain striking his heart - as if it was being torn apart. But if I fight… and fail… it will all be destroyed.
Better to give us the best possible chance of winning.
Jassom was staring at him solemnly. "It's the right thing to do," he said, his voice uncharacteristically free from malice. "I'm opening the door now - remember, if you try to resist…" He left the sentence hanging, and Link shuddered.
The battered cell door swung open with a painful creak. His heart thumping insistently in his chest, in his throat, in his wrist, alive and afraid, he stepped out into the corridor for the first time in months. Feeling Jassom's burning glare at his back, he bent down and placed his hand around the hilt of the Master sword and closed his eyes.
'I am pleased that you are not harmed, Master Link.'
He swallowed thickly. Fi… I've said this before, and… I mean it. I'm… not good enough. I shouldn't have been chosen.
'I believe that I, too, have responded in this way before: the Goddesses do not make mistakes. You have the Spirit of the Hero. You have borne the burden in your mind for many years without giving up. Besides possessing the finest skills in swordsmanship, you are devoted to this land, and to its people. The Goddesses do not make mistakes - you were meant for this.'
Link grit his teeth, feeling sick. This is proof that you're wrong, alright? I do give up. I'm… I'm giving up right now. You need to let Sir Jassom be your master now.
'To do so would be impossible. The Master Sword only ever has one wielder at a time. Even should you die, I could not choose another. I can only ever bind myself to the heart of a hero, as pure as fresh parchment. Sir Jassom has a heart of greed and power. He would die upon attempting to claim me.'
Link sucked in a sharp breath through his nose. You have to let him. I can't do this.
'You can. I will not suffer his hand.'
You must!
The cold brush of steel against the back of his neck. Link stiffened.
"Well?" Jassom demanded. "I've given you long enough."
His pulse quickened. "Just - just kill me now," he pleaded, shoulders sagging.
"Hah!" the knight barked out, pressing his sword more firmly against Link's skin. "No; I will kill you only after I hold the Master Sword. If I didn't, and you're just tricking me, I would have no way to get it to take me. So tell me, boy, is it mine?"
He inhaled shakily. "Sh-she refuses to let you wield it."
A sudden hiss of steel rushing through the air and a sudden streak of pain across his shoulder blades. Link gasped, his heart rocketing to new speeds, hot blood dripping down his back.
"Try again," Jassom growled. "I warned you - any resistance and I will not hesitate to maim you. Next time I'll cut off your hand."
Link inhaled as deeply as he could, trying to calm himself. Fi, please…
'I am not allowed a choice in this matter, Master Link. I suggest that you take up your weapon and dispose of this foe before making your way to the Princess. I am detecting Ganon's aura within the castle.'
Every moment I sit here is another moment the Princess is in danger, he realized. His heart hammered. I could fight. I've beaten Jassom before…
But now I'm half-starved and weak.
'You are not weak, Master Link. You have lost an unhealthy percentage of your body mass, but your strength has not declined.'
Link grimaced. He hadn't meant for her to hear that bit. "Sir Jassom, she… she wants me to fight you. I - I don't know what to do; she isn't listening to me -"
"Right then," Jassom grumbled, striding forward and slamming his fist into the fresh wound on Link's back. He cried out in pain, falling forward; Jassom lunged forward, slamming his knee against the small of his back and pinning him face down to the ground. With a massive hand he snatched Link's hand and forcefully stretched his arm out to the side, letting the edge of his blade rest against his wrist.
"Oh, Goddesses," Link whimpered, barely aware he was speaking. Jassom raised his blade, preparing to swing -
"No!"
Link's heart lurched.
Jassom got to his feet, landing a solid kick to Link's side and sending him into a wheezing coughing fit. "I had hoped you would stay put, Princess," he sneered. "This isn't something I wanted you to see."
Link rolled onto his side, arms curled around his stomach, and saw Zelda standing in the corridor, her face pale with shock. "Evidently it was fortunate that I escaped," she gaped at him. "You - you were about to -"
"Yes, I was," Jassom snapped. "We would have a better chance of winning if I were wielding the Master Sword."
"If you believe that, then you understand nothing!" Zelda shot back, anger burning her cheeks. "Without Link, I would not have discovered my powers. Without him, we would all die! He is our only chance! Step away from him and return to the rest of your men this instant - that is an order!"
Jassom took a step towards her. "My duty is to protect you," he seethed through clenched teeth. "I cannot very well do that if he is at your side. He is utterly mad! You know what he did to himself - what do you think he would do to you, or the rest of the kingdom, if given the chance? It's only a matter of time before he snaps completely."
Gripping his sword, hissing at the pain in his back, Link pushed himself to his feet, hurt stinging his heart. I'm not a lunatic!
Jassom whirled back around to face Link, raising his blade. "Hand over that sword. Now."
Link gulped, glancing from the knight to Zelda and back again. "It's… not my decision to let you wield it or not," he said quietly. "If you touch it, you will die."
Jassom's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. The sword budged when I pulled at it - it was almost free! It was meant to be mine! So give it to me this instant, or…" A wicked gleam entered his eyes. "The Princess doesn't need all of her fingers in order to seal Ganon, does she?" Like a striking snake his hand flashed out, dropping his crossbow, and snatched Zelda's wrist before she could run.
"Traitor!" she hissed, struggling furiously, yanking at her hand. Frustration glimmering in his eyes Jassom shoved her against the wall, teeth bared in a snarl.
"Leave her alone," Link growled, something feral stirring within him as he took a step forward, grip tightening around the hilt of the Master Sword.
Jassom looked over his shoulder at him, eyebrow raised mockingly. "Don't you order me around, boy. And I promise you, she will be perfectly safe as long as you behave. So I'll ask you once more - tell that blasted blade to accept me, or the Princess starts losing fingers."
Link's heart hammered. "I've told you what will happen," he warned, one last time.
It wasn't that he was particularly keen on keeping the Master Sword, or even his life.
It was fear - of what Jassom would do when he realized he was wrong. It was fear, in contrast, that it was Jassom who was right; it was fear that the knight would lift the Master Sword and prove to everyone, and to the Princess, that he, Link, was a complete failure.
And it was the guilt, the nauseating sickness spreading through his gut at the thought of causing the death of someone he knew, no matter how cruel that person was. It would be so much worse than killing any Yiga or monster.
Slowly, keeping a watchful eye on Jassom and the Princess, he lowered the Master Sword to the ground and stood, hands slightly raised defensively. "It's… your choice."
Jassom looked at him, hard, for several seconds. Then he chuckled slightly. "I think you're lying about everything," he muttered. "Not one of the men who wasn't me or you and tried to draw the Sword was killed. Why would this be different?" Rage carved deep lines in his face, accented by shadow. "Stupid boy. I understand now. This was the only thing you thought gave you worth, wasn't it? That's why you didn't want to let it go."
"You're wrong," Link said softly, before he even realized what he was doing. "That thing never… never did any of that. She did."
"Who?" Jassom leered, stepping closer.
Link swallowed tightly, glancing at the Princess and feeling warmth burn his cheeks. Especially when she smiled anxiously at him, tears glistening in the emerald depths of her eyes. You've said too much already, he scolded himself.
Jassom chuckled again, but his voice was tense with an undercurrent of nervousness. "You're bluffing again, aren't you. Stalling. It won't work." He knelt before the Master Sword, switching his blade to his left hand and reaching downwards. His fingers trembled - with fear? All at once his gaze snapped upwards. "Get down here and hold the sword!" he demanded. "Might be able to confuse it… Do it, boy!"
Link jumped, looking again towards Zelda. She looked worried; she had taken a step forward, one hand outstretched as if to intervene somehow. With a deep breath, Link knelt down, taking the pommel of the Master Sword in his hand.
Jassom bit his lip hard, glaring down at the blade. "I am your wielder now," he growled, sliding his fingers around the hilt. Link's heart hammered wildly in his throat as he waited - a second, then another, and another… and nothing happened. Jassom smirked, gripping his wrist and yanking his hand away from the Master Sword. "Well, well… you were lying." His grin only widened as he got to his feet, holding the sacred blade in one hand, raising it skyward. "Finally… all is set to right."
Link looked away, clasping his shaking hands together and bowing his head. Unexpected tears stung his eyes, and he made no effort to will them away, feeling numb and cold. They… changed their mind. The Goddesses changed their mind.
I've done it again - I failed Zelda.
"Alright, boy," Jassom chuckled, sounding much more confident. "You've officially outgrown your use to me. Better not defile this blade with your blood."
"No!" Zelda shrieked; he heard her footsteps.
And an earsplitting snap rent the stale dungeon air and an invisible force hurled Jassom through the air; he screamed, a howl of unspeakable agony, before slamming into a cell door and falling limply to the ground.
He did not move again, not even to breathe, and the Master Sword clattered to the ground.
"Link," Zelda gasped breathlessly, rushing towards him and throwing her arms around him, holding him close as she shuddered from fear. Link tensed for a moment before slowly curling his own arms around her, his heart accelerating almost painfully. "Link, I…"
"I'm glad you're safe," he murmured.
She laughed tearily, sounding slightly choked. "I - y-you were almost killed, and that's all you were worried about?"
He gulped nervously, raising his head. It's what matters most to me.
But before he could say it, she looked up at him, eyes glistening with sudden agony. "L-Link, how… how did it come to this?" she whispered, pulling away from him. "I… I saw, f-from the gatehouse, two of the Divine Beasts… they changed. They were… they were corrupted, and th-they moved away from their posts… I believe that… that Daruk and Mipha are…" She blinked rapidly, features twisting in a miserable grimace as she looked away. "U-Urbosa and Revali c-couldn't have r-r-reached theirs yet, but… but when they do… I'm afraid of what will happen…"
Link's heart thumped with a different ferocity than before. An icy trickle dripped down his spine.
"That's why I came," Zelda wept softly, curling her hands into fists. "I thought that - that s-someone could have gone after them, provide reinforcements, if Jassom gave the command - they would not listen to me… And then - then when I got away, the guardians… Link, th-they've all turned against us! I thought - I thought I was going t-to die; the other guards - th-they came after me, they saved my life, but they… they're all dead now…"
She let go of him entirely, curling her arms tightly around herself. "Everything - everything we've done up until now… it was all for nothing. We've lost everything - the Divine Beasts, the guardians, the army, my father most of all…"
Link swallowed tightly. Summoning his courage, forcing his doubts out of his mind, he put his tremoring, nervous arms around her. "We haven't lost everything," he murmured, leaning down to her ear. "W-we still have you. And - and I will fight beside you as - as long as necessary." Until I die.
She looked up at him desperately, her face inches from his. "H-how can we still win this?"
He shifted nervously. Th-there is still hope, right? Even though… even though she's… even though she doesn't think so?
Maybe… it's my turn to be her light…?
"The heroes of old didn't have any technology on their side," he told her, gently brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "They just had each other. S-so that must be all we need to defeat Ganon."
She blinked slowly, her eyes widening before hardening into determination. "Alright," she murmured, getting to her feet and pulling him with her. "Ganon is - is in the Inner Sanctum. Are you ready now?"
Link inhaled deeply. "As long as you are," he told her honestly, bending to retrieve the Master Sword and pausing at the sight of Sir Jassom's corpse. Shuddering, he took Zelda's outstretched hand and together they left the lockup, emerging into smoky afternoon light.
"Wait!" Zelda hissed, pulling him back inside.
Link's heart raced. A guardian stalker paced restlessly just outside the outer entrance to the dungeon, its body alight with glowing magenta designs. He looked at Zelda. "That thing is designed to kill with a single hit," he whispered. "Without a shield…"
Zelda gulped. "Th-through the castle, then?"
Link nodded grimly, turning to the right. The narrow, torchlit passageway stretched on into the distance, small, slitted windows high up on the walls, peering into the cells on the other side. He shuddered. "I… I can't believe I'm out," he murmured, hesitating in the hall.
Zelda had not released his arm. "I wish it wasn't because of this," she sighed. "I… I wish that it would have been because I finally convinced my father to let you go, or… something else. Then… we would have celebrated… with the Champions, with…"
Her voice wobbled, and Link instinctively pulled her close, trying to offer whatever comfort he could. You're not alone. I will never leave your side. It was one of the things he knew about himself - he could not bring himself to abandon her. Not ever. "I - I'll celebrate with you," he said hesitantly, struggling to keep his voice steady over the uncertain throbbing of his heart. "After - after this is over. Which is - which will be soon."
"I hope so," Zelda murmured, her voice slightly muffled by his shirt. He could feel her tears, and sadness ached in his heart. I wish I could protect you from that.
They continued through the smoky darkness. At the end of the hall, a wall had caved in, creating a gaping hole to the passageway on the other side. "This way," Link said, trying to sound confident for her sake. Straight through the hole, then beneath an arched doorway, and the sound of rushing water met his ears. One of the many waterfalls spilling down the sides of the castle to the moat below, and the only one inside of a building, tumbled over a massive wall. The humidity of the room made it a less-than ideal place for storage; as such, it was more a place for holding private trials than anything else, which made the proximity of the lockup highly convenient.
Link stopped at the wall. Two sets of ladders led upwards, and at the very top of the room, far past the ladders, was a fenced-off platform leading to other areas in the castle. Every other way out of the room was sealed off. "Alright," he murmured, hurrying to the first ladder and gently guiding Zelda into place. "I'm right behind you. The wood's slippery - please be careful."
Zelda nodded, stepping steadily upward. Link kept close behind her, ready to catch her if she showed any sign of falling. They reached the first platform without incident and headed up the second, step by step, one hand over the other. At the top, there was only a narrow ledge and a small office, with part of one wall crumbled.
Zelda gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth and turning away. Link swallowed tightly; the limp, battered arm of the clerk who had owned the office emerged from beneath the pile of rubble. Killed in the earthquake.
Gently he turned Zelda away from the sight. "It'll be a bit of a climb - I… I think you'll have to hold on."
Her cheeks flushed red. "Oh - alright; I can do that. Will you be alright?"
He forced a smile. Something he had grown unaccustomed to. "I think so." Bending down, holding his arms out to the sides, he waited for her to climb onto his back. "Try not to hold onto my neck if you can." Slowly he straightened, taking a cautious step forward along the edge. He had never been afraid of heights, but now, looking down, knowing that if he fell Zelda would die, too…
Swallowing tightly, he faced the wall. It was not smooth, which would help him find handholds, but at the same time… the stones and wood were slightly damp, and it was a perfectly vertical ascent. He hadn't done anything of the sort in so long…
No. I have to do this. I will succeed - for her!
He began the climb, grateful that his feet were bare, allowing him to get a better grip. Up and over wooden framework, up smooth stones that he was only able to hold because of how many there were, and the small spaces between them. Zelda clung tightly to his shoulders, her cheek pressed against his. Sweat trickled down his brow and beneath his arms; it was certainly one of the more difficult climbs he had ever attempted. Can I do this?
I must.
The higher he went, the less damp the stones were, but his fingers were aching, unaccustomed to this kind of exertion. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself higher and higher, until at last he was on the same level as the platform; carefully he sidled around the corner and pulled himself upward, reaching for the bannister and carefully climbing up and over, breathing a sigh of relief as his feet landed on level wooden planks.
"Thank you," Zelda murmured, sliding down from his shoulder - not that he was particularly tall, but it was still an inch or two to the ground.
There were two ways to go - outside, through an open archway, or on through the castle, into an elegant hall with a glorious vaulted ceiling. "Which way?" Link asked.
Zelda's arms curled around his once again. "G-guardians can get through that door," she whispered with a shudder. "Link, I… they're everywhere. All over the palace. Including ones I've never seen before - they fly; they - they k-killed the… the…"
She was breathing heavily, her eyes glistening with tears. Link swallowed tightly, bringing her into another gentle hug. This is happening more and more often…
Don't get used to it. It's only because everyone's been killed. That's it.
He inhaled deeply, tears stinging his eyes. He hadn't ever been particularly close to anyone at the castle, but the thought of their deaths… the clerk, all of the other knights - people he had grown up with, had trained with, had taught - Jassom, the King, and goodness only knew how many servants…
All of them gone.
And more will join them if we fail.
He gulped. He did not doubt Zelda's ability - only his own.
When she said she was ready to move on, they entered the hall, taking a right away from a caved-in corridor (and more bodies). Midway down the hall was another exit - a spiral staircase leading steadily upwards, opposite yet another collapsed passageway.
"Onwards?" Zelda asked tentatively, inching away from the stairway. "Through the castle?"
He looked at her, biting his lip. "Th-the fastest way to the Sanctum will be outside - I don't remember any other way there going through the castle itself." He blinked uncertainly. "I-is there? A… a way, I mean…"
Zelda turned her gaze down the hall, quiet for several moments. A low rumbling growled through the air, and the ground trembled. Link tensed.
"The beast is restless," Zelda murmured. She turned to him, her gaze determined. "We… we'll go outside."
Link nodded shortly, gently taking her hand and guiding her towards the stairs as the rumbling intensified, shaking dust from the ceiling as the world shuddered beneath their feet. Grimacing, he stumbled to the side, sliding into the wall; furtively he looked at the ceiling, his heart jumping in his chest as he saw cracks in the ceiling, cracks that bulged like a living creature -
We need to get out of here now!
Tightening his grip on Zelda's hand he all but dragged her up the stairs as fast as he could, catching her when she tripped on the vibrating steps, shielding her as much as he could from falling chunks of the ceiling. Even the central pillar around the stairs were crumbling, bits of it cracking and breaking away. "Almost there," he muttered, guiding Zelda just slightly ahead of him as they dashed upwards. At last a gleam of dusty sunlight; with a gasp of relief he followed her out into the open.
And almost wished he hadn't.
A massive creature, a cloud of dark magenta light with two evil glowing eyes and tusks, swirled high above them, sending jagged bolts of lightning striking down on the castle, destroying everything in its path. Pools of sludge the same color oozed over the castle ground. Green grass was gone, replaced by black, scorched earth. Trees, too, had been burned to mere skeletons. Smoke hung heavy in the air.
And… the guardians. Crawling all over, climbing over walls, pulsing blue eyes always searching within swivelling domed heads.
It was apocalyptic.
"Link…"
He turned at Zelda's desolate voice and at first thought she was talking about Castle Town. Smoke billowed up from the city, turning his insides cold; several buildings still burned, and he could see even from a distance the guardians swarming all over the place. It was completely destroyed.
But he followed the direction of her shaking finger and saw Divine Beast Vah Medoh glowing a cruel pink, flying aimlessly in circles around the massive eyrie. And to the south - Divine Beast Naboris was turning away, magenta replacing the blue.
"They're gone," Zelda whispered, seeming to wilt before his eyes. "All of them… they're all dead…"
Link didn't hesitate this time to put his arms around her. It was difficult to comprehend - difficult for him to truly understand what had happened. He felt numb, empty, cold. A few tears escaped his eyes and he blinked rapidly, willing himself not to give up, not yet, not while the Princess was so shaken.
And then a mechanical skittering, and a high-pitched beeping from behind. Link whirled around, his heart skipping a beat as he saw a red target glowing on his chest and saw a guardian bearing down on him. Horror seized his limbs.
"Run!"