Chapter 9

Three more days left till Christmas! Here's a new chapter to put you in that holiday mood. What's better than bickering between a demon and an angry teenage girl? Anyway, just to warn you, Marissa's language might possibly get offensive when she's mad...

Well, you have been warned.

Disclaimer: I do not own LoZ.

Marissa's POV

I stood up, crossly brushing leaf dust off my pants. While my sailcloth had prevented me from an early demise, I still scraped the hell out of my knees on the way down. I ran a hand over my ruffled ponytail, looking around. Trees towered as far as the eye could see, blocking out the harsh sunlight. The forest was strewn with leaves, with the occasional flower or giant mushroom. The sounds of birds and small animals scuffling around in the undergrowth surrounded me. I couldn't help but grin as I realized where I was. Faron Woods, one of my favorite locations in the game.

"Cool," I breathed, slowly turning around. A twig snapped behind me, making me jump nearly a foot in the air. I whipped around to come face-to-face with three monsters I had seen hundreds of times in this game franchise. Bokoblins. Beating them in the game was one thing, but beating them in real life was liable to be a completely different matter. I drew my sword, but I doubted I could summon the courage to fight them. Sure, they were threatening me, but I couldn't bring myself to kill them. I could barely even kill a bug without feeling guilty. The crunch they made me feel sick. Not to mention with creatures like this, even if I managed to kill them, I would see the light leave their eyes, hear their final gasp, and see the injuries I had given them as I decided my life was worth more than theirs.

The monsters seemed to have other ideas, though. I screamed as one lunged at me. As I rolled to the side, I realized I would have to fight them. I lashed out at the closest one, but it blocked my blow with ease. As I dodged the next attack, I got an idea. When I swung my sword again, I changed directions at the last second, faking the bokoblin out. My blade left a nasty blow on its upper leg. The creature screeched, and crumpled to the forest floor. I used a similar strategy on the other two. Soon, the three were writhing with pain on the ground.

Remorse dug its burning claws into my gut. With a sigh, I reached into my pouch for a bottle of red potion. Perhaps if I healed them, they'd help me in return.

I reached for the zipper. Laughter filled the forest, making me freeze. Laughter that I was all too familiar with. I felt my blood turn cold as I heard the sound. Him, why did it have to be him? Of all villains in all games, it had to be this one. I half expected to start hearing his theme in the background.

I turned around, feeling a sense of dread in my stomach. I knew who he was before my eyes met his soulless, black ones. Ghirahim. The self-proclaimed Demon Lord, ruler of the surface, yada yada yada. I stared at his white, emo-style hair, covering his right eye. Everything fit. The molesting laugh, the pale skin, the purple eye-shadow…stuff. Yup, it was definitely him. And boy, everything about him was just wrong. He was wearing his typical outfit: His skin-tight white jumpsuit with diamond cutouts all the way up his legs, and two on his chest and stomach. They showed his tan skin. I hated to admit it, but he was more muscular than he looked in the game. As always, he wore his vermillion cape with two yellow diamonds connected by a silver chain. He wore his two long, snow-white gloves that almost reach his elbow. On his right arm, near his shoulder, was rigid ring of gold. And how could I forget his signature blue diamond earring? Or the golden sash around his waist, with a large red diamond just right of the center? He held his black rapier firmly in his hand. And the tip was pointed straight at me.

"Oh…" He sighed. "I was wrong after all. What a shame. Your name doesn't happen to be…Zelda, does it?" He asked. I admit, I wasn't sure what I expected his voice to sound like, but hearing it, I could imagine no better one for him.

"W-What..?" I stuttered. I took a deep breath. "Why would I tell you?" I asked, more confident this time. I casually stepped away from his blade.

"Because it is polite to tell someone your name if they ask." He said matter-of-factly, moving his sword back in front of me with the same cool, calm demeanor.

"You haven't exactly told me yours." I retorted.

"Oh you're right! How positively uncivil of me! I am the Demon Lord who presides over this land you know as the surface. You may call me Ghirahim. In truth, I would very much prefer to be indulged with my full title, Lord Ghirahim, but I'm not fussy. Now that I have introduced myself, you must do the same. It is only fair." He slowly moved closer as he spoke, smirking the entire time.

"Fine." I conceded. "My name is…" I hesitated. Giving him my real name would be stupid. No, I needed a new one. An alias if you will.

"What, is it hard to remember?" Ghirahim asked smugly.

"It's…" I spat out the first name that popped into my mind. "Hermione. Hermione Granger." Ghirahim tilted his head.

"What kind of a ridiculous name is Hermiongranger?" He asked.

"It's my ridiculous name!" I snapped.

Ghirahim chuckled, and then pressed his sword point to my throat. "Do you think I was born yesterday? Because I can assure you, I am no fool. Now tell me your real name."

I considered what to say carefully. I thought about my name, and it's meaning. Of the sea. Of the sea…

"Ocean. My name's Ocean." I answered.

Ghirahim raised an eyebrow (or a brow rather, he had no eyebrows….weird), but he seemed slightly more convinced by this one. I realized it didn't really matter. I mean, he forgets Link's name by the second temple, so why would mine be different?

"Well," I said, starting down the path. "This sure has been a slice, but I should be going." Ghirahim warped in front of me, holding his blade inches from my throat. I swallowed.

"Whoa, watch that sword, Ghiraher." I said, a bit defensive in my fear. His eyes narrowed. I swallowed. I hadn't meant to say that, but it had kinda just slipped out. I had to be careful about this.

"If you wish to live, you should refrain from insulting me. Your life is in enough peril as it is." He said, a menacing note underlying his cool tone. I was almost shaking with nervousness, but I tried not to let it show. I was sure that would make things worse. He wanted me to cry and beg for mercy, but I would not give him that satisfaction. No, I had to be confident.

"Puh-lease. My Grandma's cat scares me more than you do." I lied. The demon looked confused at the word 'cat', but it was gone in an instant.

"That tongue will get you into trouble, Sky-Child. You should bite it before I tear it from your mouth." He hissed. Then he paused, and a considerate look passed over his face. "Though, I take that back. If I take out your tongue, your screams of anguish won't be quite as…satisfying."

I struggled not to let my fear show as I said, "You are all kinds of creepy, there, Graham." His eye twitched.

"For the last time, my name is Ghirahim. Geer-ah-him. It's not terribly hard to pronounce."

"Uh-huh…" I said, with mock skepticism. "Are you sure it's not Ghiraher? Or maybe Grahamie?" At this, Ghirahim's eyes blazed with rage.

"I assure you, I am indeed male. I choose not to dress like you Hylians because you truly look…pathetic." He spat. I fought back a smile. I would enjoy this if I weren't so dang terrified.

"Seriously, though. That outfit would be considered a crime where I come from. Ever heard of public nudity? And your hair, really what are you, Lady Gaga's twisted cousin? And I can tell you the only people who wear that much make-up are desperate females, and cross-dressers. And by the look of it, you sure are one of those." I would normally never say anything so cruel, but I couldn't help it. I was just so scared, and frankly, I was pissed.

Ghirahim advanced towards me, and I felt myself shake with fear. But with my censor off, words flew out of my mouth. "Seriously, even the way you walk is feminine." I said sharply. "And what do you want with me? 'Cause I'm pretty sure it's illegal." The demon continued to glare at me. "So if you would just move aside and let me get on with my life…" I walked past the 'noble', just for him to grab my arm.

"Being that you are not the Spirit Maiden, you are of no use to me. Yet, you have wasted too much of my time to go unpunished." He said, and I shivered at the prospects of what that could mean. He continued, "Not to mention your childish insults have irritated me beyond comfort. Do you know how that makes me feel inside?"

"Let me guess: Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" I said, dramatically throwing out my arms. Ghirahim glared at me, and then warped out of sight.

"Surprisingly, yes. Anyway, this unfortunate turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed." I heard him say, somewhere near my ear. He grabbed my shoulders, and I shivered. He lightly clutched my upper arms.

"Seriously? Personal space much?" I said, though my voice came out as more of a squeak. Ghirahim moved his face next to mine, and I shivered as his curtain of white hair brushed my jaw.

"Still…it hardly seems fair, being of my position, to take all of my anger out on you. Which is why I promise up front not to murder you…No, I'll just beat you within an inch of your life." He exclaimed, and flicked his tongue out near my ear. I struggled against his grasp.

"Seriously, keep your freakishly long tongue to yourself!" I beg, truly angry now. His hold remained firm, and I couldn't break free.

"Don't you like it? I saw you admiring my face for quite a while. Did you enjoy your view?" And then, he did something even worse than he ever did in the game. He licked. My face.

"What the hell! You perverted transvestite!" I shouted. I whipped around, and slapped him on the cheek. His head jerked to the side, and I caught him with a punch to the throat, and then kicked him hard between the legs.

He keeled over with a high pitched moan, proving he was indeed a dude. I turned and ran as fast as I could. I ducked behind a tree, breathing hard.

"What is that guy's problem?" I mutter. Of all people I had to run into in this world, it had to be Ghirahim. A cold blade touched my neck, making me gasp.

"Despite your attempt to neuter me, you will not be getting away so easily." He hissed in my ear. I jumped back, and drew my sword. He laughed in that over-confident, condescending way he was so good at. "Did you really just draw your sword? Foolish girl. Now I have no choice but to make you bleed."

I gritted my teeth, shaking my head. "You are so wrong, on so many levels." I said, shaking my head. Ghirahim smirks and a shadow darkens his face perfectly. I shake off my nervousness, and stand up a bit straighter. Even though I only reached his shoulder, I didn't let myself be intimidated. "Fine. If you are so eager for bloodshed, then come at me bro!"

Ahh, I couldn't resist. Anyway, you know the drill. Please Fav/follow/review if you can spare the time. Thanks! Catwhiskers24 out.