A/N: Please, please, PLEASE go back and reread chapter 8. I've revised and updated it, now that I know where I'm going. Unfortunately I don't think this site notifies followers of revisions, so I just want to give everyone a heads up. A big thank you to everyone who has been patient, I'm sorry this story was taking so long to continue. Hugs to all those who have favorited, followed, and reviewed! :)
Ghirahim sat atop the Skyview Temple, brooding. He really didn't sense any evil energy from the boy, but he couldn't help his uneasiness.
"She really does make a good mother, doesn't she?" he remarked to himself, as he watched Link and Ganon play in the field below. The little boy had attached himself quite easily to Link, and while he mourned his mother, he had no problems springing back into daily life.
"Gan, do you want to play hide and seek?" Link asked after being beaten in a card game for the fifth time. At least with this game, she stood a chance.
"Yup! But you gotta give me more times cause I don't know all the good spots yet."
"Okay. You can hide anywhere but inside the temple. I'll give you until 150. Ready? One, two, three..."
Ganon waited until he was sure Link wasn't looking, before turning around and bolting for the temple entrance. Ghirahim scoffed. Someone doesn't know how to listen. But instead of running inside, Ganon climbed up a patch of vines growing along the entrance arch and ducked down behind the flower crest.
"Hee hee, she won't find me here!"
"You're right, she won't. Especially not after you fall through the crumbling facade and get crushed beneath these stones."
Ganon yelped as Ghirahim plucked him up by his collar, and for emphasis, the demon stomped down on the loose stonework. "See that fallen brick? That could have been you. Not that I care, but it would devastate Link to find you crushed and bleeding out."
"Aww, lemme go Ghiraham, you're gonna make me lose!"
"It's GhiraHIM, you twerp, and I will not have such a weakling ordering me around. You want to win? Fine, I'll help you." With a snap of his fingers, the two teleported to the very top of the temple.
"Waaah! Too high!" Ganon shouted, clinging to Ghirahim's neck. "I wanna go back down! Back down!"
"Man up, kid, this height is nothing. If you want to be able to protect the ones you love, and stop another tragedy like the one that took your mother, you'll need to be brave." Ghirahim pointed down at Link, who was running around the field upturning every rock she came across. "See Link down there? I can tell even from up here that she's scared something might have happened to you, because she hasn't found you yet. But is she crying in a corner? No. She's working through her fear. You need to follow that example. Now climb down on your own."
Ghirahim disappeared, leaving Ganon clinging to a spire. The boy immediately started crying and shouting for help. Ghirahim stayed close and ensured nothing happened to him, but refused to intervene. Let's see if you have any of his strength in you.
When he realized no one would save him, Ganon hesitantly tried climbing down. He made a little progress, until one of the outcroppings crumbled under his feet and he tumbled down into the temple interior.
Ghirahim made sure Ganon landed with minimal pain, but at the same time he wanted to push the little boy. So he cleared the temple of enemies, reset all the traps and puzzles, and then teleported away so that if even the tiniest amount of Demise lingered inside the boy, it wouldn't sense the demon's presence.
"That should do it," he mumbled as he emerged from the temple, only to be grabbed and shook by a teary eyed Link.
"Oh, Ghirahim, there you are! You have to help, I can't find Ganon, and I'm worried he might be lost!"
"He's in there," Ghirahim motioned behind. "On purpose. Don't fret, he'll come out in one piece."
Link's eyes widened, and she gasped in horror. "For Goddesses' sake, he's no more than five years old! Move, I'm going in after him!"
"No you're not." Ghirahim grabbed Link's collar and lifted her up, just like he did with Ganon. "I cleared the aboveground temple of monsters and spiders. All I want to see is if the boy can handle himself."
"But why? It was hell doing those temples when I was twelve, imagine how scared he must be..."
"Have faith in the boy," Ghirahim sighed as he held Link close. "When he comes out, I'll tell you why I did this. Just trust me."