A\N: Whoo! Another chapter! So, this is gonna be a rough weekend for me. I work tonight and Sunday and I'm going a funeral on Saturday SO... Plus, after that I have some school to catch up on (EVALUATION WHOOT WHOOT) and I want to work on more of my personal stories that are not fanfiction so I might take a little break from these stories. But don't worry, I'll be back soon enough!
I would like to thank: henslight, meijosui, HextheDaydreamer, Sideways Jill, daMikuofAZ, Cold Calico, ?, NeonDystortion, WolfRunner326, TNTKitten, WolfenAmphithere, zelda3469, Roowbin, OrangeDragonofDusk, and Mental Angel for multiple reviews! And I would also like to thank: Kyra, CheerfulBubbles369, Shora, TheMysticalQ, Leeyydybear, Some-One's-There, Whisperinmyear23, Kaiyt, Define Sugar, MangaGeek26, Natalie, Laureen lycan, and animefreak114 for reviewing this story! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! :D
Now, without further ado... PLEASE ENJOY, I LOVE YOU ALL, PLEASE REVIEW, AND GO! :D
"Ghirahim… Ghirahim…"
The voice came from a distance, and it held a worried tone. Vaguely, it registered in Ghirahim's mind that he should heed it, or at least try to make out what it was saying. But he was so tired… he was oh, so tired…
"Ghirahim…ake…kay…?"
His head throbbed, and the person speaking to him blurred in and out. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, and for some reason, he was panicked about something, though he couldn't put his finger on what. Everything was so dull and quiet.
"…him…up…!'
Something brushed against his arm, and he groaned, pain searing through his entire body and jolting him into a somewhat clearer stake of mind.
"Ghirahim, wake up. Come on, wake up!"
A hard shake sent more shivers of pain through his body, and he let out another soft moan, clenching and unclenching his hand as control over his senses returned to him. But… why was he in so much pain? And why did it feel like a heavy weight was crushing his legs?
"Ghirahim, it's Link. Wake up!"
Another shove, and his body convulsed without his consent, jerking him fully awake. "Wh-what? Where—" His voice was cut off by a violent cough and a cry of pain as he realized what his predicament was. Something sharp and metal had been driven through his abdomen, and his waist on down was covered by rocks from the avalanche. "Well… this is problematic…" he grunted, trying to raise himself from the debris.
"Can you teleport out?"
"And risk another avalanche? I don't think so, skychild."
Link fidgeted beside his head—or at least that's what it sounded like. It was too dark to see.
"I got the blood flow around the shrapnel to stop, but…" Link pressed his hands onto the cloth surrounding the impaling spear.
"I would be able to give much more assistance if we could see…" Ghirahim mused, trying to feel around to get a grasp on his surroundings.
"See?" Link paused. "Stay right here."
Ghirahim frowned as he heard the scuffing of boots and the sound of rocks scraping on rocks, but after a few moments, Link returned. He felt around for Ghirahim's shoulder, and upon finding it, travelled down to his hand and shoved something into it.
"It's wood. Can you try that fire spell?" Link asked, a slight bit of hope playing with his voice.
Ghirahim sighed, seizing the stick and trying to ignore the piercing agony that split his very core every time he moved. "I can try, but even when I had the book in front of me it wasn't working out too well." Ghirahim focused hard, gathering what little energy he had into the center of his being. He extended his hand, feeling a soft tingle travel down his spine to his fingers. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he brought his fingers together and snapped.
"Woah!"
Link jumped at the sudden shower of sparks, and Ghirahim sighed, shaking his head as the room receded into darkness. "We need flames, not fireworks."
"Try again," Link encouraged, the rustle of his clothing heard as he moved about anxiously.
"Very well…"
Once again, Ghirahim focused. Just like last time, he brought the energy down to his hand and prepared to snap. Then suddenly, he stopped.
"Wait a minute… let me try something a little different."
Ghirahim drew the power back into his center and held his hand to his collarbone, drawing the limb close to himself. He readied himself and inhaled deeply, snapping his fingers and throwing his arm forwards. The energy coursed through is muscles and spazzed at his fingers, spraying white-hot flames over the wood, igniting it instantly.
"Yes!" Link smiled, and Ghirahim nodded to him, both of their eyes quickly adjusting to this new setting of light.
Link took the torch and dug a small hole, planting it in the ground and stabilizing it before returning to the demon's side and rubbing his hands together.
"Alright, let's see what we can do."
The once black world slowly faded into cool light, the room he presided in taking a bluish shade as sunlight streamed in from above. A skilled tongue ran over parched lips, and Shai raised his head slowly, scanning the room for any respite from the pain he was in. Water, food, warmth, fairies, healing potions—anything! Anything to decrease the agony he felt.
"What's the matter, slave? Aren't you comfortable?"
Shai refused to answer his tormentor, and instead examined the skylight, marveling in the glorious way it was constructed. If nothing else, his abductors knew wonderful architects.
"Hey!"
Shai grimaced as a fist sank into his shoulder, aggravating the dislocated joint and causing sparks of pain to prickle down his arm and chest. "Yes?" he asked politely, keeping his gaze straight ahead.
"I asked you a question."
"Yes." He nodded, but said no more on the subject, merely wincing when his hair was seized by a course hand.
"So answer it!"
Shai smirked at him, turning his nose slightly. "It's extremely probable you have no actual desire to assimilate my observation of the current situation and are merely looking for personal gratification derived from my futile struggling against what you believe to be your superior supremacy. So no."
The man gave him an odd look, the stench of alcohol emanating from his slightly opened mouth.
"Did you even understand what I just said?"
Shai tensed as a fist slammed full-force into his cheek and send both him and the chair he was tied to toppling onto the ground.
"Shut up, you little smart mouth."
"Well, it's a heck of a lot smarter than yours." Shai grinned playfully. It was an awful habit, this defiance, but he couldn't help enjoying the enraged look on the kidnappers face when Shai said the things he did.
The brute stalked over to him and raised him from the ground by the shirtfront, drawing their faces close together and glaring daggers at the small form in his hands.
"The boss man might want you alive, kid, but don't think I can't make you wish you were dead."
Shai shivered despite himself, but put on a brave front and merely asked, "Is that supposed to scare me?"
He let out a cruel chuckle, placing Shai and his chair on the ground and locking the legs of the seat in place. He clapped his hands together and a long, black whip appeared in his hands. "If that doesn't… maybe this will."
Shai maintained his poker face, but inside he was terrified. It had been nearly two years since he was whipped, and that was from Master, who knew Shai's limits and wasn't out to completely mutilate him.
Master… please hurry…
"Ghirahim, this isn't working…"
Ghirahim couldn't disagree with that statement. It had been at least an hour since they had begun trying to get the rocks off of Ghirahim, but it was obvious from very near the beginning that it was going to be little more than impossible.
If Ghirahim teleported out, the rocks would cave it, and they had nothing to replace the rocks with to keep it up. If the exit were slower and steadier, there was a chance Ghirahim could get out without causing another avalanche, but so far that hadn't worked because of just how many rocks were pinning him down. Add to that the fact that his blood loss was increasing, which weakened him and made him blank out every now and then.
"Dangit… it isn't working…"
Link sounded worried, and Ghirahim could see the panic flashing through the young hero's eyes. The demon's own gaze softened, and he tossed Link a weak smile.
"I'm quite alright, Link. It's Shai I'm worried about. I can sense a heavy aura of…" He shook his head. "Pure malice. It's radiating from this place."
Link bit his lip, looking down the tunnel, and then turned back to Ghirahim. There was a long silence between them, and then Link shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "What do I do?"
Ghirahim raised his eyebrow, smirking a little. "Asking me for help, are we?"
Link frowned. "Ghirahim, knock it off! What do I do?"
Ghirahim gave him a genuine smile, reaching up and fingering the blonde's cheek despite the vicious glare and pure agony searing through his body like white-hot fire. "Go down this tunnel and search for Shai. With Fi's help and the hero's blood you have running through your veins... you'll know what to do."
"Wait, you want me to leave you here?" Link shouted, grabbing Ghirahim's wrist and tearing it away as he jumped to his feet. "Why? And how do I know what I'm up against? I need your magic, and I can't navigate these halls alone! Besides, it's your slave, and you were supposed to help me—"
"Link!"
The hero went silent, and Ghirahim spoke in a soft but commanding tone. "I am of no use to you this way. Even if I did get out, my magic would be next to nothing and sword fighting almost impossible. You didn't know what you were up against when the Spirit Maiden went missing, but you went anyways. This is no different."
"Yes it is!" Link objected. "Shai doesn't have the powers Zelda does, and he doesn't have an Impa to save him if I'm too late. I almost failed so many times…" Link turned down the hall, glaring into the darkness.
"Shai doesn't need those things. Shai just wants you to try, and I'm sure we'll fill in the gaps." Ghirahim struggled not to black out as blood seeped into his once pristine, white hair.
"I'm… I'm sick of this, Ghirahim."
Ghirahim stopped, jerking himself awake and turning confused eyes to Link. "What?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore, and it's driving me crazy," Link said, as if that would explain everything.
"Skychild, you're not making any sense."
Link whirled on him. "How is it possible that my once sworn enemy who took away my freedom, tortured me endlessly, threw trial after trial in my way, and tried to stop me at all costs is a better companion than the person I was trying to save?!" Link gasped as soon as the words left his mouth, and he backed up, covering his open maw, eyes wide with shock.
Ghirahim watched him for several moments, slowly raising his head from the floor. "Skychild, what—"
"Nevermind. Nothing. Forget I said that." Link's face turned a heavy shade of red. "I'm going to find Shai."
Ghirahim heard his footsteps disappear down the long corridor, and he lowered himself to the ground again. Hissing in pain, he let his head hit the cold earth, and his eyes started to close.
I suppose… it was frustrating for him to do everything for her… and get next to nothing in return… And she never traveled with him. To have to adventure all alone… with only a mechanical sword spirit as a companion… is a truly lonely and probably scary experience. But why… why does he think I am any better?
Ghirahim wanted desperately to continue thinking about this and try to find an answer, but sleep was creeping in, and in a momentary lapse of vigilance, it overtook him, rendering him unconscious.
Zelda tapped her chin meticulously, watching Link's empty seat with a worried and slightly angry expression. It had been days since Link had gone to the Surface and still he wasn't back. It was both frustrating and frightening not knowing where he was, and after a few more moments of thought, Zelda excused herself, claiming she was sick.
After she stepped outside, she had a moment to gather her thoughts.
Missing Link, missing Loftwings, an eruption at Eldin… What could be causing all—
And then it dawned on her.
Ghirahim.
Shai gasped in pain as the whip befell him again, and he bowed his head as blood seeped into his pants, sliding down his torso and arms and pooling on the stones beneath him. Sweat poured down his forehead, and saliva dripped from his mouth as a scream ripped from his throat again.
The resounding crack filled the air again, heedless to the young demon's pain, and a shudder racked his body as tears mingled with the blood that stained his cheeks red.
I refuse… I refuse to beg for mercy… I will scream and cry, but I will not beg. I will not…
His resolve was strong, and though he could do nothing to stop his shrieks, his mouth made indecipherable sounds and no words.
I can hear… Green Link? Is that you?
A small spark of hope lit his eyes, but again the leather struck him, and he jolted away from the pain, hissing as a shower of blood splattered against the icy floor.
Where is Master, Green Link? I thought… I thought you would work together…
The whip ceased its oncoming assault, and Shai collapsed on the chair, panting as the sharp agony faded away, replaced by a dull, throbbing ache.
"Learned your lesson, Shai? Or wasn't three hundred lashes enough?"
Shai kept his mouth shut, having nothing to say to this man but hateful words, and not wanting to claim more punishments for himself.
"Answer me!"
A sharp kick sent him tumbling off of the chair and into a wall. He groaned, struggling to his knees and glaring through matted, ebony bangs at his captor. "Yes…" he ground out. "I've learned… sir."
A cruel smirk twisted the brunette's features, his yellow eyes like that of a devil as they leered at the broken boy before him. "You will call me Master, thank you very much."
Shai bristled, his fangs peeking out past his lips. His head snapped up, and he spat in the man's face. "Not on your life!"
A fist plunged into his gut, and he squealed like a wild dog, recoiling in pain.
"Fine. We'll keep this up until you change your mind."
Shai dragged a hand over his mouth, streaking blood over his cheek to his ear. "Do it."
Link's feet pounded into the dirt as he thundered through the halls, sword extended in front of him as he dowsed for Shai's aura with his blade. If Fi hadn't been able to gather a recollection of what Shai's presence looked like, Link didn't know what he would have done. This place was a labyrinth!
"Fi, how far away from Shai are we?"
"My calculations indicate we will arrive at Shaika's location within fifteen minutes, assuming we keep this pace."
Link panted, nodding his head and pushing his hair from his eyes. "Sorry for kind of ignoring you lately."
"It's alright, Master. I quite like this turn of events. Your relationship with Ghirahim is—"
"Woah!" Link exclaimed, turning down a hall to the right. "There is no relationship between Ghirahim and I! We're just doing this for Shai. That's it."
"Master, that is not what my readings indicate."
"Well my readings indicate you're wrong."
Fi paused, and then propelled from the blade and appeared in front of him, her blue eyes flashing with a sort of emotion he had never seen in her before.
"Master, this nonsense has to stop! The truth of the matter is this: You have seen a new side of Ghirahim, and you very much enjoy it. You are having second thoughts about his status as an enemy, and the longer you deny this, the worse your confusion will become. As the chosen Hero you do not have the option of holding grudges. You need to realize Ghirahim is no longer to get you, and let it go!"
Link blinked, still breathing heavily. Fi had never raised her voice at him before. Not only that, but what she was saying was… Dangit, it was making sense.
"I don't know, Fi… He's… He's Ghirahim."
"I know, Master, but you can't deny what you've seen."
Link sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No, I guess I can't, but…" He shook his head. "Let's just find Shai."
Fi frowned at him disapprovingly, but nodded her head and returned to his blade, the pull of dowsing once again directing his movements. Link saw a door in the distance and picked up his pace, grinning when he saw the aura emanating solidly from just beyond the barrier. He ran to it and grasped the door handle, pulling the heavy, solid stone out.
"Shai! Shai—"
Link gasped, his heart plummeting when he saw Shai's belt securely tied around a pole in the center of the room.
"Oh no…"
Fi levitated out of his blade and approached it. "I don't understand, Master… somehow, they must have devised a spell to take what little of his aura was on his clothing items and belongings… and amplify it so it appeared to be his entire body."
Link doubled over, exhaustion setting in. An hour and a half of running for a belt? Where was the real Shai? Was he even here?
"What… now?" he panted, leaning on his knees.
"Master… I'm afraid, considering this maze… our only option is… to follow every dowsing lead we find until we end up with the real Shaika."
Link's head bowed. "Story of my life…"
"I'm sorry, Master. If you would like me to attempt a stronger dowse, I can, but that may result in—"
"No, I can do it." He nodded, righting himself and cracking his joints. "We can do this."
Fi nodded and returned to his sword as Link turned and started down the darkened halls again.
Don't worry, Shai. I'm coming for you!
Ghirahim gasped as pain roused him from his sleep, and he attempted to roll over, clutching at his afflicted stomach with tears in his eyes. The agony only increased, and something was pinning his legs to the floor.
Oh, right… the rocks. The avalanche… Link… the blood…
The fire had gone out, and he was all alone in the pitch black. Shai was who knew where and dealing with who knew what, and Link was trying to find him with who knew how many difficulties.
A low chuckle formed in his throat, slowly growing in pitch and volume until a shrill laugh filled the air, echoing down the hollow passages.
"So much blood, teehee!" He splashed his hands in the crimson that pooled around him. "Blood loss is ruuuuuushing to my head!"
His voice cracked, head lolling to the side.
Everything hurts… I'm slipping… it's all… black. Everything is just going black.
A loud rumble caught his ears, but he didn't have the strength to panic. He knew another aftershock was coming, and he knew it meant he was going to be crushed beneath a flood of rocks and debris, but he couldn't bring himself to care.
The stones around his body began to shake and move, and blackness surged through his mind, pushing him into an odd state of semi-consciousness. The shaking and roaring increased, pounding against his eardrums and rumbling through his chest. Agony blazed through his nerves and twisted his body furiously. A scream ripped from his throat and then—
Silence.
Then footsteps, and soft voices.
"It's Lord Ghirahim!"
"Look at all that blood!"
"What do we do?"
"I don't know, but we have to help him?"
"Where's the Hero?"
"I don't see him. Hero? Hero! Oh, what's his name?"
"I'll be darned if I remember."
"Let's just worry about Lord Ghirahim!"
"Wah! The blood is scary!"
"Shh! Don't cry! It's alright!"
Gentle fingers brushed against his forehead, and a soft voice whispered in his ear, warm breath tickling his ears.
"We're going to get you back on your feet. Don't worry about a thing."
Ghirahim's lips parted, a 'thank you' dancing on his tongue, but unconsciousness claimed his mind before he had the chance to say it.
A\N: BLEH! Cruddy chapter... *dies* Oh, well... I tried! I liked the end but there were some parts in between that were just AUUUUUUGH. BLEH.