Chapter 10; Ghirahim's POV
"Anita, Darling… please," I begged as I caught her staring at me with tear stained eyes from the bed. "Don't look at me like that…"
"You said he wouldn't find out!"
"I know…" I resumed my passing.
"You said everything would be fine! That nothing bad would happen! You promised!"
"I know, I know, I know!" I growled, turning on her, ceasing my passing across the room. She fell back onto the bed behind her, obviously surprised by my sudden movement. I sighed, my tone softening. She had every right to be angry with me… "I'll make it right, Love… I promise you!"
"That's what you said before…" she stated, curling up against the mattress. I could still see her tears shining in the candle-light…
I snapped my fingers-a golden band appearing in my hand. The jewels inlaid within the gold shined brightly. Anita took no interest… "Give me your ankle…"
"I don't want jewelry…" Anita sniffed, pulling her legs under her, "I want Link…"
"Oh, Anita..." I murmured, leaning down to plant a kiss against her cheek, "you heard Masters orders…" I had been instructed to chain Link down within the dungeons, and get Anita to her room before returning to him. "Everything will be alright… your ankle… please."
Reluctantly, she released her right leg, holding it out to me. I clasped the metal around her ankle firmly, whispering a few words before taking my fingers from it-the anklet glowing with a faint light as I did so.
Anita collapsed half-way onto the bed as it fastened itself tightly around her ankle, instant fatigue washing over her as I knew it would. "Wh-What did you do?"
"A Magic Reducing Charm, Love…" I answered sadly, "It will keep you from using your magic… Master requested it…"
"I won't use my magic! Take it off!" she tugged at the anklet weakly.
"It can only be removed by magic, Love… a special spell. It's staying. You might as well get used to it…" I sighed, turning away, "I have to go… Get some rest, Darling…"
"I want Link…" she continued to complain, but nonetheless followed my orders, laying herself against the mattress.
"I know, Sweet-Heart, I know… but I promise; I'm going to make it up to you, Anita!" I closed the door, making my way down the hall.
How could I possibly keep such a promise?! I couldn't help but scrutinize myself… I'd acted purely out of emotion rather than tactic… I seemed to be doing that a lot lately… but it didn't matter! I was no less the weapon I was initially created to be! Master was angry-understandably so… I'd gone against him so many times in one day… but everything would be fine… Master had rarely ever gotten angry with me, he'd never had a reason to… on the rare occasions that Master became harsh with me, it was never for very long… he'd made threats, but never carried them out upon me… taking his anger out mostly on the girl.
Oh, Anita…
I understand Master's reasoning, but I really couldn't help but believe her when she'd stated she wouldn't use her magic again. She'd known the consequences of her actions, and despite my protests, and my pride, they had come to light... I should have known Master would have sensed the Divine Power flowing within her once it had been released… I'd hoped the Darkness that rivaled it would have overshadowed such power, but certainly not in a place as fraught with Dark Magic as this…
I paused at the door, hesitating as my hand rose to knock upon it… I had to do this, I'd delayed enough in simply trying to comfort Anita in her distress… gulping nervously, closing my eyes, I finally gained the courage to knock upon the door. My fist rose… my own words rang clearly through my mind; 'I promise; I'm going to make it up to you, Anita!'
"GHIRAHIM!"
I cursed, hurrying into the room. My Masters throne room was large-certainly not the largest room within the palace, but it was enormous to say the least… it seemed even bigger as I stood silently at the door, staring down the aisle where he sat motionless within his throne glaring down at me… I took a few hesitant steps forward, bowing low. "Master, I…"
"Save your breath!" He hissed.
I gulped nervously, staying silent... Could he see me shaking, even from here?
"Rise." As I did, I noticed he had turned his head away from me, staring at the wall. It didn't calm me in the slightest, if he couldn't even bear to look at me… "You have a lot to answer for, my Sword… you've made plenty of mistakes in the past though they were trivial matters, but this… you've crossed the line."
"I…"
"You know how important she is to me." I gritted my teeth at his words, though there was truth in it...
Without Anita striking the deal, Link would have been able to deal the final blow to my Master… my Master had been weakened, unable to continue fighting… we'd both misjudged the boys strength, and especially the blade which he'd possessed…
"I promise; I'm going to make it up to you, Master!"
"I don't see how you can, my Sword…" Master glared down at me, "you betrayed me… I see now Hylia's reasoning for getting rid of you in the first place… your emotions are far too unstable, too unpredictable… unneeded. Perhaps I should return you to your blade… permanently…" he raised his hand, black magic swirling about his palm…
"NO!" I jerked up hurriedly from my kneeling position, backing away, "No, Master, please! I beg of you!"
"It's obvious that I have no more need of a Sword Spirit if you're simply going to disobey my commands…"
"Master, please! I can make this right!" I cried desperately.
"I've given you enough chances, my sword… what could you possibly do to make any of this right?"
I had to think fast-I had so little time! One thought and I would be trapped within that cursed blade forever! Something that would get my Masters attention-the one thing he craved most…
"Hylia's Soul!" I cried out suddenly, "The Triforce! I can get them both for you, Master!"
Master growled, his eyes glowing red, hair flaming; "YOU DARE TO MOCK ME?!"
"I would never dream of it! I'm telling the truth! I can get them both-Hylia and the Goddesses Treasure! Just… please, Master, I beg of you; hear me out!" I couldn't stop now… the damage had been done…
"… Very well. I'm listening."
A sigh of relief fell from my lips and I instantly relaxed. "A-Anita, she… she's broken our deal correct?"
"Not on her own…" he growled menacingly.
I gulped nervously before continuing, trying to gain confidence. "The… the deal… it was a trade, correct? Her soul in exchange for Hylia's… however, now that the deal has been broken… well, aren't we free now to get what you wished, originally?"
"You've forgotten about the Seal, Ghirahim." Master growled irately.
I winced. Although Anita's deal had been broken, that little Sky-Maiden, nor Link, or even Anita would be willing to take the Seal down… once Anita had struck the deal, Hylia had wanted to make the Seal permanent to keep herself and her people safe… only a Goddesses Power could weaken it in order to get through… it opened only for a moment at dawn-only to allow the magic from the Seal in to weaken us… "Anita… Anita could get us through…"
"She would never even try such a thing!" Master laughed, "as if she's even powerful enough to accomplish such a feat…"
"Anita could get the boy, me, and herself through the barrier…" I was thinking quickly now, all the pieces coming together…
"Hylia's little Chosen Hero?" he laughed, "As if the boy would allow you to come along…" Master was merely teasing now, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed possible… it could work…
"Master," I smiled for the first time since I had entered the room, speaking with full confidence now. "The boy trusts me, if you can believe it… he's said so himself-more than once in the short time he's been here…"
"He trusts you?" Master spoke hesitantly, thinking over the statement in his mind. I have to say I was, and still am baffled by it myself…
"Indeed. It would be no difficult task to persuade him… Quite simple really… as long as he believed my intentions were good…"
"And your intentions are?" Master smirked, already-thankfully-pleased with the plan I was laying forth.
"Releasing Anita from her life of torment, and slavery… ultimately ridding him of his guilt, offering her the freedom she desires."
"Indeed," he stood, moving forward, "perhaps you shall come through for me after all… however, you understand that it isn't simply Hylia I require… we can't take any chances this time… you toyed with the boy, allowed him to beat you-on many an occasion… you led him right to me… I have to say, I underestimated him myself… or, rather, the blade which he possessed… we have to ensure this time that there is no room for failure."
"Of course, Master."
"I want you to destroy the blade… leave the boy alive, for now. You'll need him… even after you've obtained Hylia's Reincarnation."
Well… neither of those things would prove to be a simple task… nonetheless, I'd find a way. "If I may be so bold… For what purpose could he possibly serve afterward, Master?"
"To lead us straight to the Triforce, of course… whether he wants to or not."
I couldn't believe this… all this time I'd wanted him in chains-locked away in my dungeon to do as I pleased with him… and now I was about to release him! … Well… I had to look at the bigger picture… I had to do this for her sake… I unlocked the cell, opening the door. The poor boy… he was already bruising and bleeding from different areas on his body-his tunic ripped and shredded. "Sky-child?"
"Ungh… G-Ghirahim?" the boy gazed at me through half-lidded eyes. At least Master had already had his fun with the boy… that made me feel a little better about the situation.
"You seem surprised, Sky-child." I chuckled, moving forward, raising my blade-slicing the chains in one swift motion, releasing him.
"What are you doing?!" he rubbed his wrists, and I watched as he uncorked a bottle-a tiny pink Healing Fairy flying around his wounds, instantly healing him. Darn those sprites! "I highly doubt Demise told you to…"
"He didn't." I answered sternly, watching as he downed a Red Potion, "I'm afraid your stay is going to have to be cut short… you're leaving. Now!" I turned on my heel, moving towards the door. Curiously enough he made no move to follow…
"What?!" he stood slowly, still slightly unsteady on his feet due to the chains, "What about Anita?!"
Ah, there was the cause for his delay. Easily remedied. "She's going with you, boy."
A pause, "What about you?" I could easily detect the suspicion in his tone.
"I shall stay here. I have nowhere else to go. My place is with my Master. As long as she is safe that's all that matters."
His voice grew quiet. "You know she won't go with me… especially now with all that talk about breaking that deal of yours… she won't want to take any further chances; she'll want to stay with you…"
"I certainly can't allow that… not now. She's better off with you than here. I can easily convince her."
Another pause on his part. Just when I had started getting used to his non-stop chatter! "I can't believe this… after all you went through for her-for the both of you-you're really planning on staying?"
"I have to… I told you; I have no other choice. I belong no-where else! I have no other purpose to serve…"
"Ghirahim… please," his tone was actually pleading, "come with us."
"Excuse me?" of course I'd been expecting this-planning this, as Master and I had discussed earlier, I was to play with his guilt and conscience-but certainly not so soon.
"If Anita is better off with me… you will be too. You're just as much a slave as she is."
At this I scowled, turning on him. "How dare you!"
"It's true though. Come on, he's given you a high social status-you're not the Demon Lord for nothing, but even that doesn't exactly change things… he could throw you away any time he wanted to. I bet he almost has on occasion… like today perhaps?"
Masters words rang clearly through my mind; 'Perhaps I should return you to your blade… permanently…'
I winced. Truthfully, it hadn't been the first time he'd threatened me with such a punishment… but… "I am no slave, Sky Child." I stated sternly, "insult me like that again and I just might have to be forced to cut out that foul tongue of yours!"
He smirked, "There's the Ghirahim I know. But really, she'll be much more willing if you were to come along…"
"I still can't believe you're really asking this of me… you, of all people! Have you forgotten about your little Sky-Maiden?" I smirked.
"No." he answered sternly, scowling harshly at me, "but I have to think about Anita right now… I made that mistake long ago, I won't make it again… I'll be saving her this time, not just Zelda… besides, I trust you. Or have you forgotten?"
I shook my head at him, "You never cease to amaze me at times boy, you really do…"
"You still haven't given me a definite answer… Will you come or not? Trust me, you'll be much better off without Demise… just think; no Master to hold you back."
"You're wrong about that, boy… I'll always have a Master whether you like it or not… I was created to serve. I know my place." Though the idea was intriguing… though it was simply a useless little fantasy, nothing more. I sighed, "Alright, I'll come along… but only for Anita's sake, mind you. Don't think I'm doing you any further favors…"
"Great." He seemed genuinely pleased with himself, as if he'd accomplished some great feat… oh if he only knew how much had been planned ahead of time… "Now, where's Anita? … How are we even getting out of here?"
"She'll take us through the Seal-she's the only one capable of accomplishing it."
"Are you sure?" He looked uneasy, his pride diminishing, giving way to worry once more, "do you really think she's ready for something like that? We don't even know if she can transport two people correctly-let alone three!"
"I know, it will be quite a strain on her, I can assure you… but we have no other choice. She'll be fine."
"I hope you know what you're doing…"
Considering the circumstances, I could have asked the same of him…
"You want me to what?!" Anita sat back against the bed, staring at me in shock. She'd certainly been pleased at my little surprise; having the boy present when she awakened. Once I told her of our little plan however, though not surprising at all; she faltered, becoming fearful. "Ghirahim… Ghirahim I can't!"
"I know you can, Love. It will be difficult, yes, but you have the capability. It will be simple."
"Master will find out… he'll know…" she shrank in on herself, closing her eyes.
I tried instantly to calm her. She wouldn't be able to perform the magic if her mind was clouded with worry. A clear mind was needed to perform such magic. "Shhhh, Shhhh… Master will never know. Everything will be fine, I promise."
"You said that before!" she whimpered.
"You did say that…" Link crossed his arms.
"You're not helping, Sky-Child!" I snapped, taking Anita into my lap, wrapping my arms firmly around her. "Yes, I know what I said…" I spoke calmly, "I didn't take it into account that he'd be able to sense your Divine Magic, but I know now. Besides, even if he does find out… it will be too late. We'll be gone."
"I can't!"
"You can." I assured her, kissing her lightly against the cheek, holding her close. I moved my hand lower, to the anklet I had given her earlier. "Now… I'm going to take this off. We're going to let you rest for a bit, and then, I'm afraid I'm going to be giving you no choice. We have to do this tonight!"
"Link's leaving in the morning… why can't we wait until then?!" she whimpered, trying to pull her ankle away-but I held her fast.
"Master will be expecting something like that. He really wouldn't expect you to risk using your magic again, would he?"
Slowly, ceasing her struggling, she shook her head. "No…"
"Good girl." I placed my hand over the anklet, murmuring a few words before it unclasped, falling into the palm of my hand.
"MMMM!" Anita jerked within my hold, recoiling into my chest. "It hurts…" she murmured, shuddering in my arms.
"I know." I chuckled softly, petting her hair, "It provides weakness when worn, pain when removed. A nasty side-effect. It will hurt for a few moments… you have to let all that power begin recirculating." I laid her gently against the mattress, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she curled up in a fetal position. I turned to Link. "Boy, bring me that pitcher… yes, over there. Oh, and bring me a glass as well."
The boy nodded, obeying my command almost instantly. I couldn't help but smirk. If things had gone differently, if Master had decided in the first place to keep the boy, rather than listen to Anita's ranting to let him go… well, in time, he certainly would have managed to become a perfect little slave, same as she.
"Thank you." I took the objects as he strode up behind me, pouring the thick red substance into the glass. I set the pitcher aside before putting the glass to Anita's lips. "Here, Love, drink this."
Link gazed suspiciously at me, "What… is that? It doesn't look like the potions I'm used to…"
"You're thinking of your pathetic little witch concoctions boy; those Red Potions of yours," I smirked, "this is nothing of the sort."
"Yeah, I got that… that's a lot darker than Red Potions but… if it isn't that then what…?"
Anita opened her eyes, sniffing the substance, drawing back, hissing, her fangs coming out. "UGH! It's blood!" she growled, scooting away from me.
I ignored the nearly immediate gagging noise Link made, pushing the glass forward, "Yes, I know very well what it is, it will help you. Give you a little bit of strength… slightly take away the pain."
Link glanced curiously into the pitcher, before holding it out at arms-length, "Whose blood is it?"
I ignored him, "Drink, Anita."
"You're kidding! You seriously want her to drink that?!"
"She'll be forced to live on nothing but blood soon enough… come on, Love, we don't have time for this!"
Anita gulped nervously, sitting up, taking the glass in her hands. She sniffed it again, wrinkling her nose in disgust before bringing it slowly to her lips…
"Ugh!" Link turned away as she downed the glass, "how can you drink that?!"
Once she'd finished she took the glass from her lips, answering his question, "It… actually tastes kind of sweet…" Anita smirked, sounding surprised, licking her lips.
"I told you that the taste would grow on you." I chuckled. "Feeling a little better?"
She nodded, averting her eyes. "I'm still not ready though…"
"You won't have a choice soon..." I reminded her, "It's now or never."
"What if it doesn't work?" she asked suddenly, "What if I mess up… or if something goes wrong?"
"It won't! Now you're just stalling." I teased, her, before becoming serious again, "Everything will be fine. You have to trust me." I caught Link's worried look over her shoulder-now not only because of the blood drinking, but I knew he wasn't so sure of her abilities either… "You have to trust me." I repeated for his benefit, kissing Anita's cheek, "do you remember what to do?"
She nodded, sighing as she closed her eyes.
"A brief word of advice, Love… try to make it close by, as close as you can possibly think of really. It will make it easier for you-less of a strain."
"Please, Ghirahim…" she was whimpering now.
"Anita, don't you dare start crying!" I'm ashamed to say I actually snapped quite harshly at her-normally I would try to comfort her during times of such unease, but Master had made it clear that he wished for me to leave as soon as possible… I hardly minded. The quicker Anita was released from his clutches the better. "This is best for everyone, Love, especially you."
"I'm scared." She whimpered, "I've never done this before… I just got used to my magic this evening and you're already expecting me to do something like this… Ghirahim, why can't you do it?!"
"I don't have any Goddess magic harbored within me. Master ridded me of it centuries ago, Love, you know that! You were there!"
"Centuries?!" Link gaped at me, "Anita, just how old are you?!"
She ignored him, "Then why can't Link…?"
"He has no magic-and even if he did, he certainly isn't trained for this!"
"And I am?!" she scowled up at me.
"Partially yes, it isn't that much more difficult, transporting more than one person. It's more of a strain as I've said, but in this case I certainly believe it's worth it! You're the only one with any Divine Power housed within you! You're the only one capable of getting past the Seal!"
"Ghirahim…"
"Enough is enough, Anita! We're done discussing this!"
"Come on, Anita, I'm worried too…" Link spoke up in a much calmer tone towards her, "I'm terrified even! I've never been teleported before; I don't know if this is going to work anymore than you do. But I'm sure you can do this. I believe in you."
She stayed quiet a moment before hanging her head, obviously a gesture of defeat. "You really think I can do this?"
"Positive." He smiled down at her, "Ghirahim and I wouldn't be doing this if we thought it would really end up badly… we just want to get you out of here. Let us try."
Hesitantly, she nodded her head, closing her eyes, sighing. "Alright… I'll try…"
"Good girl." I smiled up at Link-a silent thanks on my part, but that was all he would receive from me. "Now… do you remember how to perform the spell?"
Again she nodded, and yet still hesitated. I understood; she was awaiting for the pain to go fully away-so that she could use all the power required. Either that, or she was still trying to convince and encourage herself into completing the task assigned to her…
Link shuffled his feet nervously after a few painstaking minutes... "Anytime now…" his full anxiety was finally showing after actually admitting it.
We couldn't have that… we'd just gotten Anita to relax herself!
"Don't rush her." I growled. "You can do it, Anita. Just relax…"
Her brows furrowed, her hands shaking as she snapped her fingers-sparks of fire flying from her fingertips…
I awoke within the Sealed Grounds, my head slightly pounding for a moment… I gazed to my left, snarling at that blasted Seal and its Key glowing faintly within the darkness. The trees of Faron Woods surrounded me… I could just faintly make out the boys silhouette in the darkness as he lay crouched against the ground, breathing hard. The transportation had taken little to no effect on me… merely a minor headache, and a slight pain in my chest, easily ignorable. "Are you alright, Sky-child?"
"Anita…" he gasped, the first word he uttered, seemingly the wind had been knocked clear from his lungs, "where's Anita?!"
"She's fine." I cradled her in my arms, "poor girl simply passed out… I told you it would be a strain on her." I knelt on the ground, placing her gently against the grass. "You should both rest."
Link gazed at the pedestal in the center of the ground-the only light source available save for the stars… no moon out tonight. The Goddesses even graced their Surfaces terrible night with such beauty…
"Are you sure he can't follow us?"
"I'm certain."
He looked at me then, kneeling down on the ground beside Anita. "Why did you do it?"
"You invited me, or don't you remember?"
"Not that… you were wanting to stay but… even still, although I invited you, you didn't seem that upset about leaving… it… kind of surprised me."
"It surprised me that you would even ask me to accompany you, boy. You say you trust me, though, I know not completely…" I grinned, "I still see the fear-the hesitation in your eyes… especially now." The boy was bringing me to the one girl he would do anything to protect…
"Anita needed you." He sighed, "What else could I do? Besides, after the lengths you were willing to go for her… giving Anita her freedom-especially now…" he shook his head, "you have no regrets?"
I shook my head, "Anita is safe… that is all the matters. Once she awakens we can travel to that little Goddess Haven of yours."
"Right… about that…" I saw the hesitation, he was terrible at hiding it… I knew his fear.
"Your little Sky Maiden will not be harmed. Hylia will be safe, I give you my word."
"It's Zelda." He scowled.
I shrugged, "They are one and the same, boy… I see no difference. She is still the same person as she was before her reincarnation…"
"I don't understand your reasons for hating her so much… Demise, it's just for greed and power, I understand that-but she never did anything to you."
"Is that so?" I couldn't keep the venom out of my tone.
"She's never done anything to harm you! It isn't like it's her fault you sided with Demise in the first place! If it weren't for her…"
"If it weren't for her, I never would have 'sided' with my Master in anything! If it weren't for her, Anita wouldn't have lived in torment-even before she met you. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have to go off fighting these battles for a useless girl! She did plenty! She replaced me!" I snarled, "She created me, told me I was destined for greatness… that I was her perfect weapon… that I had no equal. It was all lies." I growled, "Before I knew it that blasted blade of yours was created… I was nothing. I had no more purpose… she cast me aside... You can't say my hatred isn't justified." the boy stayed silent, "Demise took me in… made me whole once again… forged me into a new weapon… gave me a new purpose…"
"Yet he still threw you away." He finally spoke, "you weren't so perfect to him as you thought…"
"I chose to leave, boy. Never forget that!" I snapped, "I wasn't thrown away! I'm not some useless trinket that can be disposed of!"
"Alright!" he put his hands up, "I'm sorry…"
"Your little Goddess isn't as perfect as you make her out to be. She knows it too! She's used you, me, Anita… all of us! All for her stupid little Game of Destiny!"
The boy went silent once again, staring at the ground. "She didn't use me… I chose to go after her… we've all made our own choices, Ghirahim."
I rolled my eyes, "Very well then. Believe whatever fantasy you wish to, boy. I for one am not so easily fooled."
"Whatever… come on, let's get up to the temple. It will be warmer in there."
"Here," I picked Anita up in my arms before handing her to him, "you carry her. I don't wish to put even more stress on her body by transporting us there."
He nodded, hurrying up the winding slope of land. "Race ya."
"Stupid, childish games boy." I rolled my eyes, "I shan't play them." Instead I snapped my fingers, transporting myself to the Temple above.
I gazed around. It was just as I remembered it… the Gate of Time stood open on the platform before me… stray leaves and petals fell in through the windows, spiraling down to the stone-paved floor beneath my feet… there, at the very end of the room sat a single, lone pedestal. Lodged deep within the stone surface stood the near cause of my Masters defeat…
The Blade of Evil's Bane… The Goddesses Chosen Weapon…
The Master Sword…
My Replacement….
My Sister…
I stepped up to the pedestal, reaching out a hesitant hand… I had time, though little… how was I to go about this? How could I do this?
Goddesses, how could I do this? A sudden regret filled my heart… my sister, asleep forever within her blade… such a cruel fate… one my Master had threatened me with no more than an hour before… aside from her being an obvious nuisance and a threat… well, that really was it… the only creature like myself in this entire world, and I had never even gotten a chance to actually know her… now it seemed I never would…
I glowered at the blade, the Holy Light it emanated angering me. Clenching my fists I mentally chastised myself for even hesitating with the little time that remained! Why should I even bother to care now? Had she even cared? No. The only times I had ever heard her speak in that sultry, yet rather robotic voice of hers, it was merely to give the boy aid in vanquishing me! This had been exactly what my Master had warned me of; my emotions.
No more! I knew my task! I wasn't going to let petty emotions impede me from accomplishing it! Aside from my sudden nagging feelings, there also lied a technical scheme to this task I held… How exactly did you destroy a blade blessed by the Goddesses themselves?
My hand reached forward once again… mere inches from the hilt of the blade…
"Ghirahim!" I heard the boy cry out behind me, his voice echoing against the Temple walls.
My arm snapped back, and I turned to see Link attempting to close the large stone door behind him whilst simultaneously trying to keep Anita's limp form within his grasp.
It certainly had taken him long enough…
As the door closed I stepped around the Time Gate, greeting him with a rather smug smirk across my lips, my arms crossed over my chest. "I win."