Chapter 10

A Hero's Blood

Raven ran into the mirror hall. He saw a figure sitting on the steps leading up to the mirror. Raven walked over. The person didn't seem to notice him or move. He had a feeling he knew who it was, but he wanted to get a better look to make sure.

"Link?" The figure looked up at him. He had dull blue eyes, all the light was gone. He stood up, a knife was in his hand. "So, they were able to get you after all. Damn them." He said nothing. The mind controlled Link went to cut at Raven. Raven moved back in time. He swiped the knife at him again and Raven moved back. "They didn't do a very good job thinking this through. They're making him use his right hand. He's left handed." Link slashed at him again, getting him against the wall. He went to cut Raven's shoulder, but Raven caught his arm.

"Link, you have to wake up." Raven said. Raven saw movement out of the corner of his eye as another knife came toward him in Link's other hand. He caught that arm too and slipped the knives out of Link's hands and into his own. Link backed up. A sword appeared in his hand. Raven tossed the knives aside and pulled out his sword. Link gripped the sword in both hands, he went to attack, but Raven blocked. He pushed Link back, making him stumble back. Raven moved forward and away from the wall.

"It's been awhile since I've sparred with anyone." Link stood his ground and so did Raven. Link jumped to the side, rolled forward and jumped to do the back slice, but Raven rolled out of the way. "You think I'd fall for that? I taught you that."

"Well, aren't you a proud child?" A female voice said. Raven looked up and saw Twinrova. Link stayed put instead of attack.

"Seems he was a perfect little distraction." Koume said as they were flying around overhead.

"What are you talking about?" Raven asked.

"For our spell. Your young boy should feel honored, he is the sacrifice to bring Demon King Ganon back to life." Raven's eyes widened. Kotake summoned an ice rope. It wrapped around Raven's stomach and sent him flying toward the wall. Raven's yells broke Link free from their control.

"R-Raven!" Link struggled to get over to him. He fell down trying to get to him because his legs could barely move.

"I knew that'd work. Seems like the young boy still cares for you despite how broken he is." Raven got up and went over to him. Link was sitting on his legs, he was looking down at the ground. He knelt down in front of him.

"Link, I'm here." He barely was able to look up.

"R-Raven… get out." Link ordered, barely able to speak.

"No, I'm not leaving you here." Raven said.

"Aw, how noble. You should have heeded his warning. Time for you to die." Kotake said. She made an ice crystal appear and sent it toward them. IT cut Link on his neck, cutting through the main vein. Whatever light was left in Link's eyes faded.

"Link, no…" Raven caught him as he was falling. He tried to stop the bleeding, but Kotake wrapped another rope around his waist and pulled him away. Koume flew over to Link. Kotake kept Raven back from going near them. "Stay away from him!" Blood was pooling out of the cut on Link's neck. Raven fought to get over there, but couldn't. He could only watch helplessly. Koume poured the ashes on the pooling blood. They started to glow. They started to gather and spin around eachother until a figure appeared.

"He's risen." Ganon looked around.

"This accursed place." Ganon muttered.

"Welcome back Demon King." Twinrova said.

"Koume, Kotake? You brought me back?" Ganon asked.

"Of course." Ganon smiled.

"Now I can take over once again." Ganon noticed what he was standing on and looked to where the blood was coming from. "So, he was the sacrifice that brought me back."

"That's not all. We have the Hero of Time here as well." Koume said. Ganon saw Raven being held back by Kotake's ice rope. He laughed to himself a bit and walked over.

"It's been so long since I've seen your face." Raven said nothing. "You've gotten taller, child." He grabbed onto Raven's chin. "I think, this will be an interesting fight. One that I will win."

"In your dreams." Raven said. Ganon let go of his chin. He stepped back. Kotake released him.

"We shall see. Will you meet me in battle?" Raven nodded. Ganon's sword appeared. "This won't be like last time."

"Of course not, we never fought sword on sword while you were human, fool." Raven rid himself of emotion. He had to pay attention to the task at hand and not on his sadness and anger. Ganon went for attack, Raven stepped to the side, causing Ganon to slice at the wall.

"Aren't you going to draw your weapon?" Ganon asked.

"No." Raven said monotonously.

"Cocky little bastard." Ganon muttered and spun around to attack, but Raven jumped to the side, rolled forward, behind Ganon, quickly got up and performed Mortal Draw Back Slice. A combo of his skills. It cut through the weak armor Ganon wore. "So, you were the one who taught that brat." Ganon turned around, his sword cutting through the air, about to hit Raven, but he blocked with the sword. "You're about as emotionless as ever." Raven had no comment to make. He kicked Ganon away from him. He jumped up and performed helm splitter, then did the large spin attack. Hitting Ganon's head and back. After just waking up, Ganon wasn't as strong as usual. Ganon was weakening, they both knew it. Raven didn't drop his guard though. Raven was about to stab Ganon, but Kotake intervened and froze him.

"Ok, that's cheating!" He couldn't move. Ganon turned around. He smiled and slashed down at Raven's side, giving him a large cut. Rave's breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened. The ice broke and released him. Ganon pulled the sword away. Raven closed his eyes and grabbed his side. He knelt down.

"Ha, I like you better this way. The pain doesn't feel so good, does it?" Ganon was about to go for Raven's head, Raven opened his eyes. He had the proper opening. He gripped his sword in his hand and before Ganon could reach him, he stabbed him in the stomach. Ganon quickly backed up.

"I'm not weak like you." He stood up. "I knew you'd be foolish enough to drop your guard while I was down. Let's finish this already." Raven slashed at him, and Ganon blocked. They were pushing against each other's sword, trying to use their force against the other. Raven got the upper hand, sliced at Ganon, causing him to fall. He used jump attack and stabbed Ganon in the heart. He pulled his sword out and stepped away. He looked at Koume and Kotake. "Get out of here, never bother us again. Unless you want to challenge me?" They both disappeared. Raven held his side. It really hurt. He took a deep breath in and let it out. He walked over to Link. His eyes were partly open. He knelt down next to him and turned him onto his back. The cut on his neck was very bad, he was still bleeding. Raven felt for a pulse and found none. His eyes widened.

"I knew it…" He tried to hold back tears. He hugged Link to him. "I couldn't keep my promise… I'm so sorry…" He started crying. He knew there was no bringing him back. His shoulders were shaking. Navi flew out and flew around them. "I failed…"

"Come on, there's gotta be some way!" The familiar voice of Farore sounded through the Mirror Hall. "He stopped Ganon again, even though he isn't a chosen hero anymore."

"It's very risky. We may be able to pull it off." Din said. Raven looked up.

"Y-you can bring him back?" Raven asked.

"Yes, but you must make a sacrifice." Nayru said.

"I'd give up anything for his life. He has so much more to live for." Raven said.

"Don't you want to know what you'll sacrifice? You may regret it." Din said.

"I only have one regret, not keeping my promise. If you can bring him back… That'll at least be enough." Raven said.

"You will sacrifice passing on and a part of your spirit. Can you accept that?" Nayru said.

"Yes." No hesitation in his voice.

"Alright. Let's get to work sisters." Din said. The three sprites flew down and spun around them. Raven closed his eyes. He felt weird. After the feeling disappeared, he opened his eyes. His side no longer hurt. He looked at Link who was now much younger.

"What did you do?" He asked.

"In order to keep his spirit there, we used part of your spirit. Your spirit caused him to age down. Not sure how far. He's alive, that's what matters." Din said.

"We knew he'd age down, so that's why we asked you if you'd be willing to give up passing on." Nayru said.

"You remember what we told you, right? 'We will grant you the ability to stay as you are as long as he needs you' He will need you for many years. Are you sure you have no regrets about it?" Farore asked.

"No. I'm glad he's alive." He hugged Link to him tightly. He started crying with tears of happiness. He couldn't stop smiling.

"You've also aged down as well. Not as much, but a few years. We'll go now. Take care." Farore said. They disappeared. Raven stood up, the now young Link in his arms. He had only his shirt to cover him up. It was long enough to do so. His hair was lighter, not as light as Raven's, but still lighter than before. The way Link slept in his arms reminded him of that day.

~Flashback~

A gold wolf ran through a forest. He had acquired a new body thanks to the Gods. He had heard that his descendant had gotten lost in the forest. His parents had just been killed. He had to find him before he died as well. He found the young boy on the forest floor. He was unconscious. The gold wolf transformed to his human form. It was only temporary. He picked up the child. He looked a little messy, but he seemed ok.

"I got to get him to the village." He knew of a village that was nearby, so he carried him there. The boy sneezed and woke up. "Hey."

"Wh-where's my mama…?" The tiny voice asked.

"She's not here. I'm sorry. I'll get you to safety soon." He was getting close to the village. "Link, I want you to stay strong for your mama and papa, ok?"

"Ok." He smiled.

"Good. I promise, I'll protect and watch over you." Link's eyes slid closed. He kissed Link on the forehead and set him down against a tree where someone would surely see him. "Goodbye my child." He turned back into a wolf and ran off to the shadows. Soon becoming a shade.

~End Flashback~

Raven was nearly out of the Arbiter's grounds without even realizing it. He had been so lost in thought. He couldn't go back to Ordon. They might not understand why Link was so young.

He made it through the desert and got back to Lake Hylia. It was a small drop from the top to the ground below. He jumped down and started walking. He'd have to find a place to live with Link. First, he had to get back to Epona.

Wow, so Link is young now. This isn't it for this story. There will be more chapters. Probably one or two chapters more and this story will be done. I'm surprised so many people liked this story. Feel free to review if you so wish.

See ya,

Hero of Twili :D