A/N: Well, for a make-up of not uploading in a long time, I present to you Chapter Nine a day after Chapter Eight was released!

I really enjoyed writing this chapter.


Tribulations of Twilight

Chapter 9

The Trio had finally reached the top of the mountain after a long walk up the elevated stairs. Once Link's foot left the cerulean step, the staircase faded into nothingness. He looked behind him at the distance they had traveled, seeing the Twilight Realm's full beauty at the top of the world. They had come a long way, and he knew nothing would be able to stop them. He felt conviction flood through his veins, as he turned his gaze forward.

The tundra withheld a Gothic-style Cathedral. Midna was in front of the golden haired warrior, and he could see the look in her eyes. It was unfamiliar to him... Was it.. Pain?

Midna was saddened, her arms behind her back as she floated in the air quietly. She knew that their quest was almost over... Again. That would mean Link would be leaving... Just after she got to see him again, it felt like. She had secretly hoped the quest would've lasted longer, but they had a job to do. Like always.

Zeke turned around, folding his arms as he faced Midna and Link. "Well... Here we are." He said, closing his eyes softly. "Are you two ready for what's ahead?"

Link clenched his left hand, a small pulse shooting through his body. "Yeah. Let's end this." He bit the inside of his jaw once he finished his sentence. He wondered. He looked to the form of the floating imp. Words swarmed through his mind, yet his voice was gone. Later. He would tell her later.

Link began to walk toward the great doors of the cathedral. Zeke following close behind. Midna was on the other side of Link.

Each step he took, he felt the doors move far away. Yet, soon his hand reached the door. He hesitated, building up his nerve as he threw the door open, drawing out the Golden Sword. Zeke latched onto his claymore, as Midna had an aura around her of sheer power.

Link walked to the center of the Cathedral, intricate designs filling the room as across them, a man sat upon a throne. This looks familiar. He thought, as he remembered encountering Ganondorf. He cast a glance to Midna, and saw the same trail of thought cross her eyes.

Divus had his hood up, as he rested upon the throne. "So. You've finally come." His voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Zeke growled, stepping forward. "It all ends here!" He called out. His emerald eyes blazed with fury.

Link stood beside his friend, his cerulean eyes radiating a more passionate fury. "You're going to pay for what you've done, and what you think you're going to do." Link remarked. "You will not destroy the Realms for your own gain and grudges!"

Divus rose from his throne, his hood falling down to reveal a sneer. "As if you could ever understand! You, Zeke, of all people should see it my way! How dare you stand up to ME! After what I've done for you!" He yelled out.

Zeke clenched his claymore. "This path is wrong, Divus! What has happened... Was over one hundred years ago! It's time you let go of the past!"

From beside the throne, a man wearing a brown cloak emerged. The hood was down, revealing shoulder length bronze hair, and bronze eyes. "Oh, but we are. And, we're going to create a new future. And sadly, you won't be apart of it!"

Zeke growled, "Gaia... You pitiful fool.."

Divus stepped down from the heightened area of the throne. "Fine. Challenge me, your God." Divus's haunting laugh filled the corridors of the Cathedral. "Your hope for true peace ends here. And your meaningless existence with it!"

Divus and Zeke began to walk toward each other. Divus held out his right hand, spirit energy forming to create a pure white Scimitar. Link took a step forward, wanting to assist his comrade when Gaia stood in front of the golden haired warrior. "Nah ah ah~" He teased. "Your fight is with me. Aeries was a close friend of mine, you see... And I will avenge his death."

"You will try." Link retorted, donning his Hylian Shield to his right arm. Midna floated beside Link, readying magics. Link looked at Midna from the corner of his eyesight, and Midna looked at him. "I told you I'm not going to be some helpless damsel, Link. We're in this together."

Link nodded, as Gaia held out his right arm. Rocks broke from the cathedral floor, rising up into a staff.

Letting out a cry, Link charged at Gaia. Slicing outward, Gaia blocked with his staff. Seizing the opportunity, Midna powered up and pointed her hand at Gaia, unleashing a fireball. Gaia slammed his foot into the ground, making a Stalagmite rise. The fire slammed into the stalagmite, causing an explosion of rock and flames, Gaia, stumbled from the shockwave, along with Link.

Link tried to seize this chance by stabbing outward with the Golden Sword. However, he wasn't quick enough. Gaia leapt back, back flipping gracefully and landing on a handstand, sending shock waves through the ground and caused a minor earthquake where Link stood. Link was unable to keep his ground and fell. Gaia placed his boots on the ground and began to charge at Link, holding the earth staff. But Midna was quick, teleporting in front of Link. Midna let loose a powerful attack of Shadow magic at Gaia, that hit dead on. Gaia flew back, slamming into the ground as Link stood up, charging at Gaia and leaping into the air, attempting an ending blow. Gaia rolled out of the way, as the Golden Sword sank into the marble. Link's azure eyes cast at Gaia, who twirled the staff and lashed out at Link.

Link rolled away from the Golden Sword, however Gaia was light on his feet. He charged at Link, attacking with the staff. Link got hit in the head with the end of the staff before he held out his shield, blocking most of Gaia's onslaught. Midna charged up a lightning attack, electricity arcing down her arms before she lashed out at Gaia, lightning firing outward. It hit Gaia dead on, the waves of electricity coursing through his body as the Templar locked up. Link seized this time, right hooking Gaia, then twirling his body to gather momentum for a crescent kick.

Link's boot slammed into Gaia's head, causing the templar to shoot off his feet and land on the ground. Link ran to the Golden Sword, removing it from the marble as he cast a glance to Zeke and Divus.

Both were using high amounts of magic. Zeke was using heavy shadow magic, courtesy of the Shadow Temple. Or, so he thought. The Spirit energies and Shadow energies clashed, canceling each other out. Zeke's claymore and Divus's scimitar met many times, sparks flying as they tried to overpower the other with powerful magics. Neither gaining ground.

Link turned back to Gaia who had regained his stance. Link held up his Hylian Shield and Golden Sword, ready. In the background, he saw Midna ready up some magics. Gaia's gaze shifted from Midna to Link, before he looked like he was going to run at Link, before he began to run at Midna.

'Oh no!' Was Link's immediate thought. He ran as fast as he could, using his Triforce to enhance his speed. Midna unleashed a flurry of elemental attacks, along with her Shadow magic only for Gaia to use the Earth to block. Gaia lashed out at Midna with the staff, and Link intervened. He locked the Golden Sword with the staff, grinning. Secretly, Link used the Triforce to send a thin stalagmite from the ground, aimed at Gaia's chest. Gaia leapt away, Link using the moment their weapons freed themselves to slice Gaia along his cheek.

Blood trickled down the Templar's face. He scowled, standing up straighter. The Earth staff shifted into a longsword. Gaia held it up with one hand, the other readying magic.

Gaia slammed his hand into the ground, still charging at Link. From the ground, a ball of earth rose up, cracking the marble and breaking through as it charged at Link. Link feebly blocked with his shield. It would have utterly destroyed it and broke his arm if he hadn't magically enhanced the Hylian Shield. Once the rock made contact, a flurry of golden energy escaped, breaking the rock into shards as Gaia leapt, bringing down the Longsword. Link blocked with the Hylian Shield, Midna was about to fire a blast of magic when Gaia's boots met the ground. A large stalagmite shot up, ramming into Midna and sending her careening toward the ground.

Rage swept through Link. "MIDNA!" He cried, calling upon a massive amount of energy to overpower Gaia. Once Gaia had stumbled, Link slashed him horizontally, golden energy exploding. Gaia flew a couple feet, slamming into the ground and holding his bleeding chest. Link ran toward Midna.

She was still conscious, but she was in pain. Link dropped both the Golden Sword and Hylian Shield, wrapping his arms around her. He shook her gently, seeing her eyes shut tightly. She slowly opened them, but she was wheezing; clearly out of breath. Midna looked behind him, and her eyes widened to the size of ruby dinner plates. "Link-!" She was cut off by rock slamming into Link's back. He let out a yell, shielding Midna as he was pelted by blunt stalagmites and flying rocks. He let go of her, as she floated in the air. Quickly, he picked up the Golden Sword, and whirled around. He sliced the next rock careening toward him in half; diverting the course. He was panting hard, in pain.

Gaia was holding his chest with one hand, while the other was stretched outward at Link. He was panting heavily.

A large magical presence filled the room, as Link's, Midna's, and even Gaia's gaze looked to where Zeke and Divus were fighting. Divus had unleashed a powerful shock wave. Zeke's claymore flew from his hand and slammed into the ground. Zeke summoned what little shadow energy he had left, the black energy swarming around him. Divus pulled the Spirit Energy clustered in the Twilight Realm, as his Scimitar shined white. He stabbed at Zeke.

The blade pierced through the shadow barrier, and plunged into Zeke's chest.

Blood stained the marble floor, as Zeke's eyes were widened. Divus's face twisted into a grin from ear to ear. Divus removed the scimitar from Zeke's torso. The broken shadow magic around Zeke's form distorted, before ultimately dispersing. A gloved hand touched Zeke's chest, as his emerald eyes cast downward. There, he saw his hand coated in blood as his vision faded in and out. Blood then ran down the blonde warrior's chin. Zeke took two steps back, beginning to lose his balance; his vision dimming. Am... I dying? Was one of the only thoughts that crossed his mind before he fell to his knees. He felt a calm sweep through his body, as something felt off to him. He looked at his bloodied hand and saw it turn black, before turning into particles and seeping into oblivion.

He was dying a Templar's death. No body to be left behind as the element would consume the body before dispersing. Zeke's blonde locks covered his eyes as he fell forward, slamming onto the marble floor as blood leaked from his body, pooling. More of his body turned ash black, before fading into nothingness as soon, the Templar of Darkness was no more.

Link blinked, horror rising into his chest. His best friend had just died before his eyes. Reality was slipping, and terror filled his veins. But, after a long moment that terror was replaced by sheer rage. The Hero of Twilight's eyes were clouded. He bared his teeth, a low growl emitting. He clenched the Golden Sword, as it began to glow. He poured the Triforce's power into it.

Midna watched Link with widened eyes, seeing his expression change and watching his emotions wash over his eyes. She looked back to where Zeke's body once was. This was bad. If they didn't stop Divus here and now, both realms would be cast into Chaos. And more pain, like the one her wolf is experiencing, would consume.

Link sprinted toward Gaia. He needed to die before he could take on Divus. That much was clear – this just became on another level of personal. His friend, and temporary mentor had just died. Clearly, Divus wouldn't stop there. Midna... She would be next. His one and only love.

'I won't allow that!' His mind screeched, as he swiped at Gaia. The Templar of Earth was taken by surprise and blocked with his elemental longsword. Link removed his blade from the steel Gaia held, and brought up his leg and kicked Gaia on his chest wound. Gaia spat out blood from the kick, as Link brought the Golden Sword around, sinking it into Gaia's neck.

The Templar gurgled and sputtered, blood falling down and staining his cloak, and the floor. Blood leaked from his mouth and joined what blood was already pouring. Link tore it out, watching Gaia turn to stone, starting from his neck then spreading.

Soon, Gaia was completely stone with the expression of pain and horror on his features. Midna was scared of Link for the first time. Staring deep into Gaia's stone expression as the stone began to turn into dust left an impression on her, as she looked to Link. Soon, Gaia had crumbled into mere dust, falling onto the floor.

His wolfish instincts were taking over – screaming; 'Ravage Everything'. But the last sane part of his mind kept him at bay. He knew he had to keep his wits utterly about him. He looked at Midna, seeing a ghost of her last expression before her mouth formed into a thin line. She nodded to Link, knowing Gaia had probably murdered so much more people in more cruel ways. To her, it was Retribution.

He looked at Divus, who was beginning to regain his composure and strength after battling Zeke. He had to analyze Divus now, and figure out his seeming endless amount of Energy. He watched how his breathing returned to normal, and his Triforce twitched. He was sensing energy. 'Wait... That's it! He's using the spirit energies in the air around him to replenish his energy.' Link observed, figuring out one of Divus's many secrets.

He knew he was too exhausted to take on Divus, who was rejuvenated. He looked at Midna. It was now or never. He had decided to tell her the half-truth of his feelings for her. He took a breath.

"Midna, I need you." Link told her. "I can't do this without you." He then looked her in her crimson eyes.

Midna looked into his cerulean depths, finding hints of violet. "Need my help, huh, Mr. Important Hero?" She said with a toothy smirk, despite her exhaustion. "Let's do this together." She nodded to him, looking at Divus. Link smiled; looked downward, then back up to the Templar of Spirit.

Link twirled his Golden Sword, holding it with both hands. Midna readied Magic by his side.

"How touching." Divus sneered, holding his Scimitar. "But this is where it ends, Twilight Princess, and Hero of Light and Twilight!" Divus yelled.

Link let out a yell, taking the lead in the onslaught as he charged at Divus. He raised the Golden Sword above his head, sending energy into it as it began to glow. Divus raised his Scimitar in a horizontal position, as Link brought down the golden blade. The two blades met, golden energy spurting from the Golden Sword, as from Divus's scimitar white energy was emitting, fighting against the golden power.

While Divus was preoccupied, Midna swarmed over to Divus's blind side, and readied shadow magic. She sent out an intermediate spell, a purple ball of shadow energy releasing from her palm as her cyan runes shined along her imp body.

Divus leapt back, a seemingly foolish move but then he leapt in the air, dodging the ball of shadow magic. Link let out a surprised grunt and swatted the ball away with the blunt side of the Golden Sword. "Whew." He released a breath.

Divus twirled in midair, firing a blast of spirit energy at Midna then twirling again to face Link as he descended. Midna dodged the energy, a small white explosion emitting. Midna shut one eye and covered her face from the debris of the explosion.

Divus used the momentum to strike down at Link, who tried to block with the Golden Sword. However, the Scimitar smashed through Link's defense, making Link stumble forward as the hilt of the scimitar met Link's chest. Link stomach back as Divus stabbed outward. Link barely dodged, the white blade grazing his arm as Link regained his footing and slashed out, cutting Divus shoulder as he leapt back, clenching it.

Midna gave him no edge, firing another blast of Shadow magic as it slammed into him, Divus stumbling forward as he yelled out in pain.

Link charged at Divus, lashing out at him which the Templar dodged. Divus sliced out in retaliation, but Link blocked. They battled against each other's strength, until Divus gathered in nearby spirit energy and let out a shock wave.

Link predicted this sometime in their fight, and devised a counter strategy. He used his Triforce to pull in the surrounding spirit energies to form a counter shock wave to cancel out Divus's. However, Divus was much more skilled as the shock wave was reduced in power, but Link still flew backwards with a yell. He slammed into the wall, cracking it as he slid down on his feet, then falling to his knees. He used his sword for support, and tried to regain his breath.

Divus's original intention was to finish off Link there, but a certain imp prevented him. Midna flew between Link and Divus, snarling. She pointed both arms out at Divus; "Umbra Internecionem!" Midna incanted in a loud voice. This, was an advanced spell. It was her original technique that she created in the four year span, only perfecting it recently.

Immense shadow magic formed in front of her hands, concentrating into a pure black ball. Red Twilit markings then swarmed all around it, coating it in red runes. She released it, as it moved quicker than Link could follow, and hit Divus dead center.

Divus let out a growing yell, as the ball expanded and consumed Divus. Then, it exploded in a massive amount of shadow energy, the pressure of it crushing down on Link and Midna. The Cathedral exploded in pure shadow magic, with Divus its center point.

The Cathedral was completely ruined, taking on a form similar to the Temple of Time, as dust from the stone fell. Link was utterly amazed that his Imp was this strong.

Midna was panting hard, seemingly not having the magic to even levitate. She fell down on her legs and then into a kneeling position. Link rose up from the decimated wall, and limped toward Midna. He crouched beside her, believing it was over and wrapped an arm around her to keep her supported. Midna looked up to Link with her ruby and amber eyes, before leaning slightly into the one-armed embrace. But then, he realized Divus's presence was still around. Link looked forward, and found Divus hunched, still standing. His cloak was gone, in tatters around him as was his shirt. All he was wearing was his black pants and black boots. His alabaster hair fell around his head, as his muscled body was bruised, and bleeding. Divus looked up, his eyes shining.

"Do not believe this is over!" He yelled out, sputtering blood afterward. He then stood up straight, stumbling slightly.

Divus clenched his hands rather weakly. "I... I will destroy... DESTROY EVERYTHING!"

He gathered in massive amounts of spirit energy, his body glowing white as he poured his being into this attack. He let out a yell, as the ground began to shake slightly as he was beginning to gather up too much before he began to focus it on one point, concentrating it with his years of experience.

Link knew they would not survive this. But then, an idea forged into his head. He looked down at an eye widened imp. "Midna, it's alright. I have an idea." He began.

Midna shook her head, regaining her composure as she looked up, "what is it?"

Link then wrapped his arms around her, following through his idea. The Twilight Realm was just full of shadow. But, there was something else. Something Link felt from the beginning.

There were two primary energies in this realm. And they were constantly intertwining. This realm was the Fusion of Light and Darkness. A realm in between the Light world, and Dark world.

Link pulled the Light Energy into his being, and focused the Shadow energy into Midna. She was amazed, feeling herself become empowered as she began to levitate once more after feeling surprised and slightly embarrassed from Link holding her. Link stood up, feeling the energy course through him.

He didn't have time to explain what he had figured out, and looked at Midna's floating form, seeing her tremble slightly at the massive energy Divus was forming.

Link grabbed her shoulders, making her face him. "You're going to have to trust me, Midna. Can you use that one skill you did earlier?"

"Y-Yeah, but even with it's massive power, it can't-" Link cut her off.

"Exactly. So, let's combine Light and Shadow."

Midna looked dismayed. "Are you insane, wolf breath! The energies are polar opposites, they can't-"

"Trust me, Midna! It will work." He said, his voice zealous.

After a moment, and realizing they were out of options, she complied.

She began to form her spell again, closing her eyes. "Umbra Internecionem.." She incanted, the massive ball of shadow energy forming.

Link concentrated on his Triforce, gathering the Light energy he had absorbed. He held out his left hand, watching a small ball of gold form. It began growing in size, and radiating a powerful light.

Divus was finished, his body having a strong sheen as he held out both arms infront of him. "THIS IS IT! DIE!"

Unexpected to Divus, Midna had completed forming her spell as Link was finished forming the Light counterpart to Umbra Internecionem. Link looked to Midna, and Midna looked to Link. They both nodded, and unleashed the powerful spells.

Divus unleashed the power he had been forming, a strong wave headed for the energies of the Light and Shadow spells. The two balls met.

They joined each other in energy, a powerful wave unleashing that made Link tremble slightly. It was dark amber in color, as the two waves collided. The Powerful fusion of Light and Shadow was too much for the Spirit wave, as it was utterly consumed. Divus's eyes widened in shock. "No!" He screamed, the wave consuming him as well, creating a powerful explosion of raw power never seen until now.

It was finally over. Link beamed, then fell on his knees and closed his eyes softly. He remained like that for a moment, before turning his head skyward and looking into the Twilit sky. It was indeed beautiful, as he broke out into a smile. 'It's over, Zeke. It's finally over.' He thought, standing up.

Midna had a toothy grin about her, looking at Link and about to say something when she felt white energy surround her. It swarmed around her form, as she reverted to her True Form.

Link turned his gaze at her, sensing magical prowess when he saw Midna back to her beautiful self. She, like last time, was in the skimpy cloak that revealed her slender legs and her stomach. She pulled down the headdress, undoing the ponytail as she let her hair fall down around her shoulders, stretching.

Link, once again, was dumbstruck. Her hair seemed to shine in the Twilight, her body radiating beauty to him. He felt himself flush once more as he just stared at her.

Midna felt eyes on her, like back then. She turned around and saw Link, once again, speechless. Deciding to be nostalgic, she thought for a moment before breaking out into a mischevious grin. She walked toward Link slowly, making sure to move the right places as she wrapped her arms around his neck, shifting weight to one leg. "What? Say something!" She giggled, leaning in closer to his ear. "Am I so beautiful you've no words left?"

Link could have died then and been happy. He felt himself turn beet red, as he bit his lower lip and shied away from her seductive embrace. She placed a hand over her mouth and suppressed laughter after teasing her hero.

Link wanted to say something, but decided he had something to do before he did it. He turned away from her, scratching his head and trying to get images from his mind as he scanned the destruction of the Cathedral.

Midna watched him curiously, as Link walked around and picked up Zeke's claymore, looking down at it sadly. She frowned.

Link sighed, walking toward the front of the mountain – Toward the Sunset. He crossed Midna's line of sight, and she couldn't resist but look at him.

Link knelt in front of the Twilit sun, raising the claymore and stabbing it into the earth halfway. The blade was given a light sheen, as Link stared at the sword a long time, before standing. 'I guess this is where we part ways, huh?' He closed his eyes, before turning and facing Midna, who just finished bowing her head from respect of the recently fallen warrior.