Next chapter... thanks so much for the reviews guys. Heeeh. Seriously, I love reading them~

Um, yeah, I don't have anything to say really. xD

Warnings: Umm I would just say that it's a bit more... hmm, what's the word... suggestive? Ghirahim and Link do share a few intimate moments here, though not necessarily in THAT sort of intimate sense. Nonetheless, there is some GhiraLink implied.


In physical and mental turmoil, the hero could only cry out. His voice was distant, snatched away by the noise of his unconscious plague. Sight had long since left him, but he could still feel. He writhed, gripping onto whatever he could find as he climbed higher and higher into hysteria. Something had to anchor him, make sense of all this chaos.

But then he heard something faint, yet deafening; a humming sound drifting to his ears. It rose above everything else, familiar in all of its dangerous undertones.

And it was… calming, though it had little right to be.

The touches came next, different from those who sought to rip and tear at his tortured mind. Hands massaged along his neck, skilled fingers kneading at his muscles and undoing their tensions. Those hands drifted along his torso, affectionately caressing the space over his heart. The skin against his own was pleasantly warm, prompting a miniscule shudder from the human. Slowly, very slowly, he found himself slipping, lulled back into the dark depths of unconsciousness.

His sleep was dreamless from that point on.

When he next awoke it was startlingly abrupt. His eyes flew open with a jolt as he drew in a small gasp, only for that to lodge in his throat as he dissolved into a fit of weak coughing.

The first thing that he noticed was that he felt like absolute garbage, a prominent ache resonating through his body, more particularly around his left shoulder. There was an uncomfortable pressure in his head and chest, as well as a horrid soreness in his throat.

The second thing he noticed was that he wasn't in the forest anymore, instead lying in what appeared to be some sort of cave. He could feel the heat of a nearby fire, yet he was still cold, a shiver wracking his form. He managed to raise his head, dully noting that the only clothing he had on were his trousers. His cloak had also been thrown over himself. Both were slightly damp.

At any other time he probably would have been horrified, but for now he was just too drained to care.

Link laid his head back down, groaning his confusion as he reached up to rub at his shoulder. Part of him wondered where his temporary accomplice had gone.

He didn't have to wonder for long however.

"It wasn't broken, but your shoulder was dislocated quite terribly…" The voice of the demon he knew so well spoke from across the hero. Link turned his head to see the white and red clad figure throw up his hands theatrically. "So I fixed it for you!"

The hero winced, the volume of the other male's voice too much for him to take in.

Ghirahim had perched himself on a low ledge jutting out from the wall, one leg crossed over the other. He lowered his arms, giving the boy a somewhat reprimanding look. "Can't have it healing in that awkward position now, can we?"

Link only stared at him.

The demon lord seemed to be expecting something, but when the youth didn't respond he crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. "Hm… I suppose it is a bit too early for manners."

Link rubbed at his eyes with one hand, blinking away the bleariness.

"What happened…?" He asked. His voice was scratchy and hoarse and he cleared his throat. Then, remembering his state, he reached down to pull his cloak up to cover himself more. "Why am I…?"

Ghirahim sighed, brushing his silvery hair from his face. "If not for your less than stellar condition beforehand, I don't think I would have been able to forgive you for getting utterly thrashed by that low life creature."

Link grimaced, remembering the little scuffle he'd had prior to blacking out. The creature sauntering towards him, his own blood dripping from its muzzle.

"I don't know why your first instinct was to go running like a maniac into the forest but I'm impressed you managed to kill it nonetheless, given your exhaustion."

The hero looked back at him questioningly. "… How did you deal with the other one?"

"Easily." Ghirahim shrugged, scoffing like Link was an idiot. "I don't know if you noticed but, much like you, they aren't very bright. I barely had to lift a finger to trick it into falling to its death down that stairwell we came up."

Link scowled, pressing his palms down against the ground and forcing himself up into a sitting position. His head spun and he groaned, but that groan soon turned into a small series of dry coughs. It felt as though his lungs had turned inside out by the time the fit subsided. Only then did he notice Ghirahim giving him a look.

"I'm fine," he muttered.

"Who are you trying to convince?" The demon lord replied. He smoothly rose to his feet and padded over to the hero. There was something in his hand, and Link didn't know how or when he'd obtained it but when he saw it he felt his insides twist.

"I know it's been a day since you've eaten, so don't even try and pretend like you aren't craving sustenance."

He was right. Link's stomach growled as Ghirahim held out the object to him. He recognized it as one of the many heart fruit that grew along the surface and Skyloft. But instead of accepting it, the blond narrowed his eyes, glancing back to the demon.

"… What did you do to it?" He rasped. Ghirahim's lip curled in irritation.

"You insult me, hero. I'm already losing count of how many times I've rescued you thus far, and this is how you show me gratitude?"

Link frowned and turned his face away stubbornly. For a reason that couldn't be placed, something felt strange about the demon and it put him off of trusting him – well, more so than usual. Perhaps he was being too superstitious, but even so he didn't feel up to eating, despite his body practically screaming for it. To starved to eat; how ironic. "I don't care. I'm not hungry."

Fingers closed around the hero's jaw and his head was jerked back towards the other male, eye contact forced between them. Link blanched at the intensity of Ghirahim's glare.

"Eat it before I make you," the demon ground out.

But Link steeled himself, suddenly feeling a rush of anger so strong it made his vision blur.

"Touch me again and I swear I'll cut your fucking hand off," he hissed. "Don't act as if you can push me around like I'll just take it!" He reached up and slapped the demon lord's hand away with more force than necessary – and immediately felt the consequences of such an action. He had to lean back, bracing himself with one hand as his head pounded away like someone beating on a drum.

For a moment he thought that Ghirahim was going to strike him for such an outburst, but the hit never came. All of the hostility had drained from the demon's expression just like that. If anything, he looked amused.

"Tsk. I didn't know you were so grouchy in the morning, sky child…" he drawled, holding the fruit out, its stem between his thumb and index finger. "And I'm only insisting that you not starve yourself. I know that even you aren't that foolish… though, honestly, I'm beginning to question that." He let the fruit drop and it delicately landed in Link's lap.

Immediately, the boy felt stupid. He knew he shouldn't have because this was Ghirahim he was dealing with and he had every right to still be suspicious of him… didn't he?

Link chewed on his lip, raising his gaze to the demon. Even if he did feel somewhat guilty for how he'd reacted, he still couldn't shake a certain feeling, one that left a bad taste in his mouth.

"What is it?" He asked quietly but directly. "What is it you know that I don't?"

Ghirahim was still wearing that look, like he did know something but he wasn't about to share it; a subtle smugness evident in the curve of his mouth and the glint in his eye. "What ever do you mean?"

Another wave of dizziness hit the hero and he put his weight onto his side, leaning on one elbow and panting softly as spots swam across his vision. He wanted to talk but nausea told him that it wasn't words that would be coming out.

"I suggest you slow down…" Ghirahim spoke nonchalantly, "wouldn't want you hurting yourself now, would we?"

Link didn't respond, but he did hear the demon move behind him. The next second he found himself laying back, head resting in his supposed enemy's lap. He wanted to voice his confusion but the only thing he could do at the moment was blink. Part of him noted that it was a good deal more comfortable than lying on the cave floor alone…

He tensed when he felt hands slide to his shoulders, the gesture somehow familiar. He tried to move but the demon's grip, gentle yet firm, kept him down without much difficulty. With a sigh, he resigned himself to his current position. What else could he do?

"You know, you talk quite a bit in your sleep. If all that moaning and whimpering even qualifies as talking…" Ghirahim spoke lowly, peering down at the hero. "I suppose it wouldn't be too outlandish to assume that you're still having nightmares?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Link exhaled heavily. He felt so sapped of energy, like he would never find the strength or the will to move again. "Why do I feel… like this…" he added on in a murmur that was mostly directed at himself.

Ghirahim hummed, his hands feeling along his captive's chest and drifting up to his neck. To him, the hero's skin now felt unnaturally warm – yet the smaller male was shivering. He lifted a palm, placing it on the boy's forehead and pushing back his bangs. Link's eyes had a glazed quality to them, staring at nothing.

"There is a distinct probability that you may be falling ill… which would be highly inconvenient." Ghirahim's tone was unreadable.

"I'm not getting sick!" The hero burst out in a panic, attempting to sit up. The demon lord eased him back down with a scoff, much to Link's discontent. Fingers slid to the junction between his neck and shoulders, causing the hero to inhale sharply. He was well aware of what Ghirahim was doing, and he didn't know how to feel about it, but all resistance melted away when he felt those fingers begin to knead at his flesh.

"Calm yourself. Stress will only make your condition worse, and I'd just hate for you to become more of a burden than you already are," the demon said mildly, a hint of a sneer dancing behind his words.

Link would have shot back a suitable reply, but the words died in his throat. He hadn't realized just how knotted his muscles had become. Ghirahim expertly worked along whatever he was capable of reaching in his position, effortlessly unravelling the boy's tensions like they were nothing more than loose threads. The blond's eyelids drooped, his form going lax under the other man's ministrations. The cave ceiling blurred, the fire dimming to a small flickering light...

He could have let himself slip back under the waves of unconsciousness, but he vaguely heard the demon lord speak.

"I feel I should inquire. You said something in your sleep last night that caught my attention…" Ghirahim muttered to him, not breaking his rhythm. "Tell me, does the term 'red eyes' strike a particular cord with you?"

Link frowned at the demon's bizarre statement, almost inclined to not respond at all, but something stirred within him at those words.

"Why does it matter…?" He practically purred, feeling Ghirahim's watchful gaze on him.

"Just answer the question."

The hero sighed, attempting to think up an answer that didn't sound stupid. It was hard considering how it felt like someone was going at his head with a hammer. "… I see things sometimes… during those dreams."

"Well, that's delightfully ambiguous now, isn't it?"

Link half rolled his eyes. "I don't know… I didn't think it meant anything, considering they torture me to a bloody mess every time."

"They?"

"Them. Your kind. You know who I'm talking about; you're the one who showed me what happened in the first place." The blond was irritated. He just wanted to rest, preferably without these incessant questions being fired at him. For some reason he found himself talking again, as though some instinct needed for him to answer the demon lord truthfully. "But… there's one in particular that doesn't touch me… they just watch. I just… keep noticing them always standing there."

Ghirahim was uncharacteristically silent. Link tilted his head back slightly, catching sight of the demon's expression.

"I didn't think it meant anything, but you know something about it, don't you?"

"Perhaps I do."

"Then tell me."

Ghirahim offered a shrug. "Well, from your descriptions, it sounds like someone I knew of. I merely wanted to confirm it."

"Who?"

"Oh, he was merely a demon who oversaw the hero of Hylia when he was taken prisoner…" the hero's accomplice said aloofly, adding on after some consideration, "… Not an overly pleasant one either."

Link narrowed his eyes, not feeling as though he was receiving the whole truth.

"Does he appear often?" Ghirahim tilted his head a fraction. The boy nodded once, glancing away from him. "Hm… fascinating. I would tell you his name, but it's of no importance to you and the information may only spur on your little reconnections to the past."

"You knew him?"

"I said I knew of him. We were barely even acquaintances."

Link huffed. It was unfair how the demon lord had gotten him interested only to give him some short, and not very informative, explanation. After another few minutes had passed, Ghirahim's enthralling ministrations ceased – much to the hero's disappointment.

"What is it you're after?" The hero suddenly asked. He knew that at first he didn't care, but it seemed like this situation was growing to be bigger than he himself could comprehend and he felt it was best to know as much as possible.

"Hm?"

"I mean with your end of the deal," Link clarified. "You said something was taken from you and… you're trying to get it back. What is it?"

For a few moments the demon didn't say anything, but Link could feel the intensity of his gaze on him. Maybe he'd said something he shouldn't have, but he couldn't imagine what. Then, the boy saw a hand reach over him and snatch up the heart fruit that was still lying in his lap. Before he could react, one end of the fruit was thrust into his mouth, much to his bewilderment. "Mph!

"The situation isn't something that can easily be explained." Ghirahim started, casually holding the piece of food in place so that the hero had no choice but to take a bite of it. The sweet flavour flooded his mouth and he was unpleasantly reminded of how hungry he truly was. Not needing any more incentive to grant his body the sustenance it needed, he willingly began to devour the fruit. Meanwhile, the demon lord continued.

"This thing I am seeking is vital to my survival. Without it, my form will gradually deteriorate to nothing… an unfortunate end I'm not keen on meeting. Not after everything I've been through."

Ghirahim withdrew himself from the hero and rose to his feet. Already feeling stronger, Link was able to sit up with much less difficulty. He was watching the demon lord with interest.

"After you defeated the Demon King, and subsequently freed me from his clutches, I was granted a small window of opportunity to escape. Of course, I didn't have an abundance of time on my hands… or energy for that matter." The red and white clad figure got an odd look on his face, somewhere between a rueful smile and a grimace. He swept his arm out. "The only place of retreat I could think of in the moment was this very realm, and so here I was cast…"

He sighed wistfully, beginning to pace about the cave in his usual fashion. "Something happened – and perhaps it was my own fault for not having anticipated such an occurrence but I was so battered, so utterly exhausted at that point that my exquisite form had been fractured. I just barely managed the crossing, and upon arrival I realized that a part of me had separated, partially because I was too weakened to hold onto it and partially because the ties to my former master had been severed."

"You look like you're in one piece to me…" Link commented without much thought beforehand, carelessly tossing the core of the fruit into the fire. Ghirahim lowered his eyelids, unimpressed.

"Very funny – however, I'm being a bit less literal than that when I say a part."

'A bit…?' Link raised a brow.

"So tell me, hero, can you guess what it is that I seek?" The demon lord tossed his hair from his face. The blond realized that he was now holding something else in his hand. "I'll give you a hint…"

Ghirahim slid the hero's blade from its scabbard in one fluid motion, the metallic shwing punctuating the otherwise silent air of the cave. He dangled it before him, the hilt lazily held between two fingers. Link understood.

"A sword…?"

"Not just a sword. My sword. My blade… the vessel that has become so integral to my existence…" Ghirahim corrected, examining the human's blade distastefully. Link had had the sword the demon was currently scrutinizing made by Gondo shortly after his quest was completed. It was impressive (by the knights own standards anyway) but obviously didn't even compare to what he had previously wielded: the Master Sword.

But he remembered another… a dark, malevolent blade parallel to Fi in all of her holy light. Could that have been the sword Ghirahim was speaking of?

"And it was stolen from you," Link questioned, nodding slowly.

"I couldn't retrieve it in time, yes." Ghirahim's response was laced with an appropriate amount of bite, as though he didn't want to admit to such a failure.

"I thought you were supposed to be the some sort of lord. Why would demons turn on you?" If demons even were those responsible, though Link assumed that to be the case considering they were in the aptly named demon realm. Some things were beginning to add up…

"They weren't – and still aren't – aware of my plotting if that's what you're implying, however…" Ghirahim sharply returned the sword to its sheath, slamming it in with his palm. A slow chuckle arose from the demon, as though recalling an entertaining memory. "Loyalty only goes so far. Demise's defeat was seen as a betrayal in itself – ah yes, of course, how dare the King fall to a mere mortal, a child of Hylia. It shouldn't have been possible but, as it were, a human trumped supposedly the most powerful demon in all existence. And so on, and so on…" He waved a hand dismissively.

Link's eyes widened a fraction. He could see what sort of position that must have put Ghirahim in, being Demise's servant. To be turned on by his own people…

"Without a king, without order, there is anarchy. I'm sure you can imagine. Though I would hardly grant a tyrant such as my former master the true title of 'king,'" the demon lord finished in a hushed voice. A thrilled smile then took root in his expression, chilling the hero's blood.

"I won't say anymore. You'll come to see the true nature of the demon realm yourself soon enough."


A sneeze flew from the Skyloftian's mouth, which he hastily covered. The hero wiped at his nose with the back of his hand before pulling up his cloak around the bottom half of his face, sniffling and feeling absolutely miserable. "Guh…"

It wasn't like he'd had time to let his body properly rest and rejuvenate itself. Mere hours after he'd awoken, they'd set out again, Ghirahim leading him deeper and deeper into the land.

Though they were bare, the trees seemed to close in from above, gnarled and grey trunks looming overhead threateningly. Now, without the rush of running for his life, Link could properly take in the world around him in all of its forebodingness.

The sky remained the same shade of pale grey, the clouds letting no hint of sunlight through – that is if there even was a sun hidden behind them. The atmosphere itself was thick with hostility, the scourged earth offering more than enough places for anything to lurk. The hero found himself constantly scanning the trees, searching for any signs of the monsters that had attacked them before.

The cold was perhaps the most biting aspect, seeping into his bones despite the layers of clothing he wore. There seemed to be no end to the snowfall, the white flakes gently drifting from above and settling on the blanket he was currently trudging through. He looked to Ghirahim, wondering how – in that revealing attire – he hadn't frozen solid by now. He supposed demons had to have some kind of immunity to the cold; this was their realm after all.

But even so, he couldn't help but ponder if this place was suitable for even them. There were hardly any signs of life anywhere; little growth and no animals. He could see how different it was from the vastly unexplored yet still familiar surface he'd come to know so well. Everything about this realm was wrong.

He didn't know how anyone, or anything, could survive in such a place.

The sky was darkening so it had to have been approaching evening, the clouds turning a dim shade of red. Nothing more had attacked them thus far, which should have brought the knight relief but it only made him more cautious. He felt as though something, someone, were waiting for them.

Hours of travelling only brought on more grim scenery and Link was already sick of it. His instincts were telling him to turn, run back to the portal, and cross back into his own world. Of course he knew that was a stupid, and selfish, idea. He simply couldn't do that. Whatever was happening now, both he and Zelda were already in too deep. He could sense that there was something strange going on, something beyond both of them, and they had to fix it somehow.

But, unlike his previous adventure where he'd had direction and guidance throughout the entirety of it, here he had no control. In this situation, there was nothing for him to stabilize himself with save for the being currently leading him onward.

Glancing ahead, Link was surprised to see the trees thinning, revealing something just beyond their midst. The wind picked up a bit, carrying a musty stale scent towards him. Though it was faint, he recognized it immediately and his eyes widened. He picked up the pace, moving ahead of Ghirahim and passing into a much wider space.

Dark shapes loomed all around him, their tops covered in snow. They were houses of stone and wood, charred and blackened, some still standing while others had collapsed inward. He didn't know what possessed him, but he went up to one, skidding to a stop before it, and reached out to brush his hand against the side of the dark entry way. His fingertips came back black with the unmistakable traces of ash.

Pausing, he slowly backed away, glancing at the huts surrounding him. A sense of dread was building within him.

"This is…"

"Spero, if I recall correctly." His accomplice's voice caused the youth to jump. He spun to see Ghirahim approaching, his feet crunching softly in the ashen coloured snow. The demon looked down in distaste as some of the blackened slush tinted his pristine white attire. "A mere farming village, hardly of any significance."

Link was only half paying attention to him as he gazed around at the ghost town. Somehow it was familiar in its decrepit state.

Fire, ominously blazing as it ate away at the structures surrounding him, the smoke so thick and acrid that he felt on the verge of choking. The hero could only stand, paralyzed as he watched the flames engulf the settlement of Hyrule and–

Link shook himself free of the vision. He wasn't on the surface anymore; he was in the eeriness of the demon realm, so why were such things inspired in him?

Ghirahim hadn't noticed his temporary lapse – or he simply didn't care.

"Well, it certainly has seen better days, hasn't it?" The demon commented mildly, pacing forward. "There's little point in dwelling here, hero. If what lies around you is any indication, there's nothing of use here." He strode past the boy, adding on, "Unless you fancy charred architecture."

Link didn't move, biting his bottom lip softly.

"Was it them…?" He asked, indicating the wreckage around him. "The ones who took Zelda."

Ghirahim halted, turning slowly to look over his shoulder. "Are you daft, boy? This place has been in such a state for years upon years. Does any of this appear recent to you?"

The hero blinked, rubbing at his eyes. "Oh… right."

He could sense the demon lord scrutinizing him and truthfully he didn't blame him for doing so. The youth couldn't even place what was wrong with him himself. He brushed it off, about ready to put this place behind him when something caught his eye.

A glint of gold was visible in the rubble, just under a collapsed beam. He drew closer, just barely making out a surface covered in snow and ash. He knelt down and swiped his hand across it, before squinting in confusion. It was a shield of some sort, burned and heavily worn from battle but still intact. An image of a wingspan was displayed on it; the unmistakable emblem of the goddess.

"I don't… understand…" he murmured as he examined it. What would such an item be doing in a place like this?

The audible crunch of snow signaled Ghirahim's approach. "Well, if memory serves, this was one of the first settlements attacked in a raid by Hylia's forces, but that was a long time ago."

"What?" Alarm flashed on the hero's countenance and he turned his head to look back up at the other male. "Why would they…?"

"Is it not obvious?" Ghirahim tilted his gaze down. He didn't seem to take any amusement in the boy's cluelessness this time. When Link remained silent, the demon let out a soft sigh, laced with disappointment.

"You truly are ignorant. The concept of war is simple; you attack your enemy. You assault them relentlessly and without mercy. You drive them into submission. A 'winner' is made clear only when one side has fallen. This village was targeted because it was one of the more easily reachable settlements, and didn't possess a whole lot in the way of defense."

Link shook his head. What the demon was telling him couldn't have been true, yet every instinct and the vibe he was getting from this place told him otherwise. The demons that lived here… they most likely did something to bring on such an ambush… but even so, did they really deserve this?

Ghirahim, who was eyeing the decimated village, suddenly grinned in morbid amusement.

"The irony of the situation is that I don't believe this place even had any involvement in the war. It certainly wasn't an encampment housing weaponry, nor soldiers, yet Her Grace had it pillaged without remorse…" Catching Link's disbelieving expression, he narrowed his eyes and bent at the waist slightly. His hands were on his hips in a rather scolding gesture, as though he were setting a small child straight. "Oh, I do apologize. Were you under the impression that it was only demons that did the attacking and the killing and the ravaging and all of those wondrous things?"

Link didn't have an answer. Truthfully he'd never given thought to such things in his lifetime. Well, up until now. He grimaced when he felt the demon lord slide a fingertip along his jawline.

"Does the slaughter of innocents by your own superiors disturb you? The goddess isn't as holier than thou as she seems, hmm?"

The blond turned his face away. "That… that can't be true." He protested, "Hylia always did what was best for her people."

Ghirahim made a noise of distaste, flicking his hand a bit as though he'd touched something gross.

"Your perception of morality is so… black and white." Lowering his arm back to his side, he exhaled in exasperation. "While it was true that Hylia was always so infuriatingly righteous, she perpetuated the very things she was set against. In war, everyone kills; everyone becomes the monster in each other's eyes. That is just how it is."

Link stared at the ground, an emptiness having settled inside him. He'd never even considered such a perspective. Perhaps he was too caught up in only following his obligations without question because he believed them to be right… but could his beliefs truly be in such blind faith?

He knew that he himself wasn't a part of the assault on this village, but even he felt somewhat responsible for it, as ridiculous as that was. Perhaps he was being too hard on himself, or perhaps the demon lord was simply feeding him lies to toy with his emotions in his usual fashion. Either way he felt bitter and resentful, unsure of whom to direct it at whether it be himself, Ghirahim, mere circumstance alone…

Or Hylia.

There was a sudden shift in the air. Ghirahim's gaze fixed on something beyond the hero, his sights narrowing. Link numbly turned his head to look, wondering just what it could be happening now. After what he'd experienced so far in the realm he didn't know what to expect, only that it wouldn't be good news.

Standing along the line of trees were less than half a dozen figures, all dressed in white, all standing perfectly motionless. They looked human enough, or at least humanoid in stature, but it was impossible to tell what lay underneath the robes they wore. Their attire was strange, to put it lightly, yet it made them blend in with their surroundings. The way they were cloaked in clothing made of snow coloured fur incited a sinister sense of familiarity within Link.

… Demons?

The knight rose to his feet, taking a few steps back to stand beside his temporary companion. Ghirahim seemed casual in composure, but there was a guarded atmosphere surrounding him as he regarded the newcomers. Link mimicked his partner.

For a few long, surreal moments no one moved. No one dared break the silence that the standoff produced.

But then a man stepped forward, lowering the hood of his cloak. The first thing Link noticed about him was how piercingly yellow his eyes were – they seemed to cut through the snowy haze. His features seemed human enough, but upon close examination they appeared to be unnaturally sharp, something unidentifiably deadly about them.

The way he carried himself was unlike what Link had come to expect from this journey thus far. He seemed almost friendly, but there was something off about his demeanor. His smile was too wide, too crooked, and his eyes were feral.

"Lord Ghirahim, do my eyes deceive me?" The stranger exclaimed as though the two were old friends, holding out his arms. It was very clear Ghirahim did not share the same sentiments. "You're the last person I'd have expected to see here. I didn't think you had it in you to drag your sorry carcass back to this realm, yet here you are!"

He paused for a moment before crossing his arms and continuing. "Yes, yes, of course you don't know me but, my, how far word has travelled of your failure…"

Link glanced to his companion, unsure of what to make of this.

The demon lord shifted his weight, looking utterly disinterested in the confrontation. "Don't bother with introductions. I'm afraid I don't care much for who you are."

The man genuinely laughed, not at all intimidated by the other. "Oh, you have little right to act so arrogant in such a situation, my friend! I heard the stories of how you were utterly stripped of your prowess after the fall of the king… and yet you still act as though you're deserving of the title of demon lord!"

A few of the other hooded figures chuckled along with their leader as well. The strange man pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "It's very humorous…"

"Much like your getup." Ghirahim responded without missing a beat. Link saw his fingers subtly curl at his sides. "Now, I would suggest that you simply turn around and forget that your pitiable little assembly ever crossed paths with us. I can't promise that you'll leave in one piece otherwise."

The hero frowned slightly at his accomplice's comment. The odds were against them – two on five – and they were at a great disadvantage. Was acting arrogant really the wise thing to do right now?

The other demon just rolled his eyes at Ghirahim's threat. His sights then set on the only human present, expression turning to that of surprise and puzzlement.

"My, my… what do we have here?" He said, squinting. And then he sniffed at the air. "Is that… is that a human? I knew I wasn't just smelling things. Why do you have a human with you?"

Link narrowed his eyes back at him, his hand subconsciously going back for his sword. Already he knew that he didn't like this guy at all, and judging by Ghirahim's reactions, his companion felt the same way.

The demon lord sighed loudly, highly unimpressed. "You bore me with your incessant inquiries, demon. My patience has already been worn to the quick and you are treading on very thin ice. However, since I'm feeling slightly less merciless than usual, I'll give you one more chance to walk away."

'What are you doing?' Link thought, staring at Ghirahim out of the corner of his eye. He had his doubts about them taking on the other demons in their current state.

"Ha!" The stranger barked. He seemed more on edge now, probably since none of his jeers had even remotely fazed the demon lord. He shook his head, his rictus still in place. "No, no, no, you see I can't do that…"

Deep, inhuman growls arose from the forest beyond him, shapes moving among the trees. Link took a step back as he saw creatures identical to the ones he'd fought before emerge from the woods. There were more than two of them this time; a lot more.

"You waltz into my territory, slaughter two of my pets… I know because I can still smell their blood on you." The white demon said. "And you… you expect to simply 'walk away?'"

Some of the beasts began to move around the outskirts of the village. Link saw them slipping past houses, surrounding them, boxing them in. He looked around worriedly.

"I don't remember stuttering in my oh so generous offer, you inferiority." Ghirahim's response came swiftly. His expression was the complete opposite of Link's uncertain one. "I won't waste my time repeating myself. This is your final warning."

Apparently that was enough for the other demon. All of the mirth drained from his countenance, his smile turning to a snarl. Dipping his head, he lowered his voice a few octaves. "You won't leave this area alive, Ghirahim. And your little tagalong…"

His eyes travelled to the hero, a very different smirk of sorts appearing on his features. He eyed the knight as though he were a piece of meat. Link shuddered but held his ground, despite how uncomfortable he felt.

"Mm… I think I'll have a little fun with it first. Admittedly, I have a – ahem – terrible habit of playing with my food, and I haven't tasted human in a long time…" The demon then threw a command to the rest of his pack. "Kill the demon, but spare the mortal!"

All at once, the stillness shattered and chaos broke out. There was movement all around them, the thunder of monsters closing in on them. They rushed in from all sides, launching themselves at the two with deadly intent. Link reacted on instinct alone, readying his blade and preparing to fight, but his mind was frozen. There were simply too many for him to determine what to do next. Even if he could deal with a few, another would surely catch him while he had his back turned.

Something seized his arm and he panicked, thinking it one of the demons. It was a demon, but not any that could currently be considered the enemy.

There were teeth and claws everywhere, so close to tearing them apart. Even between the two of them, there was no way they could handle this many. They were mere steps away now and Link could only brace himself for the worst. He could almost feel the beasts upon them, sharpened extremities slicing into his flesh.

Then there was no more. Everything vanished, dissolving into darkness.

Oddly enough, it didn't feel like any regular blackout. He realized he could still think and feel, though he had not a clue where he was.

His surroundings came back in fragments. The hero found himself sitting with his back against something solid, aware of the cold rush of air around him. He opened his eyes, having no recollection of when he had closed them, and was met with… red. A presence hovered over him, carefully balanced on whatever surface they were both perched atop of – which appeared to be rounded slightly. It didn't take him long to piece together what had just occurred.

The proximity between them was no less than uncomfortable, the demon lord's body framing his own. The hero, with his face nearly pressed into the soft crimson material of the other's mantle, could feel the demon's cheek just barely touching against his. Breath ghosted along his ear, audibly laboured. He could only imagine how taxing teleporting two beings could be, as he had no knowledge of magic of that sort.

"Ghirahim," he muttered lowly, shifting a little so he could rise to his feet. To his surprise, the demon lord hushed him and didn't budge an inch. He figured out why in the next moment.

Voices arose from far below along with a chorus of angered animalistic noises. They hadn't gone far from the village at all.

Link leaned to the side a bit, turning his face to see Ghirahim's fixed gaze on him, sternly cautioning him not to move. His eyes were lidded slightly, whether from physical stress or simple disdain for the hero – it wasn't quite clear.

The knight sighed through his nose and shifted back into place as he didn't have much of a choice. However, he kept his head angled away from the other man, trying to gauge just how high up they were from his very limited view. He couldn't see the ground, only the expanse of treetops stretching out in every direction. Beyond that, far in the distance, lay mountains and other land masses Link couldn't identify.

His attention was drawn beneath them, where the voices only grew more aggressive. There were jeers and orders barked, however it didn't seem like they were able to locate them. The branch that they were situated on was so wide and high up that from down below there was no way they could be seen. Even so, the hero's heart pounded – not necessarily with the fear of being caught, but with fury. He didn't like how that demon had looked at him, or that they were being delayed like this. And more so, he didn't like the fact that they were currently cowering in a tree.

All they could do was wait for them to leave.

The hero saw Ghirahim slump forward slightly, felt his weight bear down on him a little more. A grimace came over Link's expression. He wasn't blind, he could see how drained the demon was. Perhaps it was because he'd been saved by his supposed enemy so many times already – he was perfectly aware that Ghirahim had only done so because it suited him but regardless, a part of him, a small part, held a shred of sympathy for the other male.

Slowly, his hands came up to brace against the demon's broad shoulders and held him upright. Ghirahim said nothing but Link could feel his watchful, even suspicious, stare on him.

Link looked upwards, towards the sky, anywhere but his accomplice. It seemed like the demons below were taking their sweet time in sorting out whatever it was that they had to sort out. He could hardly make out what they were saying, but it didn't sound like any language he could understand. Eventually, with nothing else to visually occupy him, his eyes settled on the being before him.

The high collar of the demon lord's cloak was tilted towards him, and he could see down it for it was hanging off of him a bit. It was less awkward than gazing at his face at such a close distance, though only slightly. Link exhaled as quietly as he could, cursing himself for being flustered. He couldn't help but be thankful that Ghirahim wasn't of the opposite gender.

Still, like the curious human he was, he allowed his eyes to drift lower, following the black markings that ran over his otherwise pale skin. Something about them intrigued him and, enthralled, he traced the jagged lines with his gaze. They were like cracks running down the demon lord's neck, over his collarbone, his torso…

The Skyloftian's sights finally settled on where they converged; the very center of his chest, over where his heart would be (or could be?) It was also the spot where, in his final form, the fiery jewel had rested. A vision of the demon king harshly wrenching out a dark blade from that jewel flashed in his mind for a fleeting moment.

"Not just a sword. My sword. My blade… the vessel that has become so integral to my existence…"

Ghirahim didn't seem to notice Link inspecting his form so thoroughly. Perhaps he didn't mind.

The hero's eyes quickly flickered to his face and back, pausing, deliberating. Then, unable to help himself, he inconspicuously slid a hand underneath the frontal part of the mantle, his fingertips just barely brushing against the spot where the demon's core had been embedded in. It was like touching an old scar that hadn't quite healed properly. The texture felt odd; like skin and metal meshed together. There wasn't anything covering the area aside from the red cloak, and the white attire Ghirahim wore underneath merely framed it like it was something put on display. He found it strange how the demon lord didn't bother doing a better job of protecting it, considering that it seemed like such a great vulnerability…

A throaty sound arose from his accomplice; it could have been a growl of displeasure, or of warning. But then, much to the unsuspecting human's shock, he shifted against the hero, bringing their figures into much closer contact. Link inhaled sharply, gaping in cautious bewilderment.

The demon lord's spine curved slightly, his shoulders pushing against the hero's and causing the hand in between them to press flat against his chest. For a moment something kept him immobilized in that position; a small ripple passing between them like a current – or a spark. With his palm lying flat, he could feel the other male's skin in much greater detail. There was a throb, so faint he'd thought he'd imagined it, but it came again, stronger. It was like a heartbeat though more of a pulsation of energy, not physical yet still tangible against his own skin.

Link went to withdraw his hand but, to his surprise, felt another gently slide up to assertively clasp over his own and hold it in place. He glanced back up, expression one of confusion, but Ghirahim wasn't looking back at him. Instead, the demon's eyes had fallen closed, his lips parted and his breathing shallow. He appeared to be entranced in the contact between them just as much as the hero was puzzled.

Was… was he deriving pleasure from this?

Link made a small sound, a whispering attempt at catching the demon lord's attention. He didn't know what else to do, or say.

But the taller man didn't appear to want to listen to him. He moved in closer still, and Link felt the tip of his nose brush against the corner of his jaw, the demon's face comfortably nestling against the side of his neck. The hero held his breath, feeling Ghirahim's lower half resting against his legs, nearly straddling him. He swallowed as a shudder ran through him, indistinctly one of discomfort or… otherwise.

He felt as though he should move, and he knew that he was perfectly capable of getting the other off of him, yet his muscles wouldn't allow him to. He was sure that Ghirahim could sense it as well, the sensation travelling between the two of them, holding them both captive in their embrace. It could have been minutes or a mere few moments that they remained in that position; it was impossible to tell.

Finally, the demon lord seemed to regain himself. Without any sort of acknowledgment, of his actions or of Link, he simply moved off of the teen and stood.

"It's you that they smell that creature's blood on," he said, eyes drawn to the ground far below. It took the hero a moment to realize that all had grown quiet, no more sounds of that clan of demons; they must have moved on.

He regarded his temporary accomplice carefully as he rose to his feet, hands braced on the tree trunk behind him. He was so stunned over what had just taken place that he couldn't find the words to speak at the moment. He tried to shake himself of the feeling, with little success.

Ghirahim leaned over the branch somewhat, peering downwards as he continued. "I wouldn't doubt that they're going to pursue us relentlessly now… at least until we leave their supposed territory." His scowled. "What a bothersome congregation of imbeciles."

Still keeping one hand on the trunk for support, Link leaned over as well, spotting the village just a bit to the right of where they were. Something didn't seem right. The hero turned his head back, throwing the demon lord a skeptical look.

"How did you pull that back there?"

Ghirahim lazily inclined his sights towards him. "I can draw upon my remaining power occasionally without it being too damaging to my condition. Really, sky child, do you think me so weak?"

Link gave a wry smirk. "'I can't promise that you'll leave in one piece' huh?"

The demon didn't like that. His features twisted in a sneer. "Don't be mistaken. They would not have walked away so easily if not for my having to ensure your well-being."

"Oh, come on, I could have handled myself!" The hero shot back incredulously. He flinched as Ghirahim reached a hand out, swiping a finger across his cheek. It came back red, much to Link's surprise.

"Yes, that I can see quite clearly." Ghirahim said smugly, bringing the finger to his lips and lapping the blood away. Ignoring him, the knight touched his own face, feeling a small gash. It didn't sting, he didn't even feel it nor did he remember when it had been inflicted upon him. Then again, it was freezing cold and he'd been so caught up in the chaos that he must not have noticed that one of the demons cut him before they'd had the chance to teleport. That had to be it.

"Your reflexes are becoming slow, hero. I don't remember you being this distracted when we first crossed paths." Ghirahim smiled condescendingly. Link hated that look. "Oh, don't tell me freezing up under stress is how you 'handle yourself?'"

Despite the frigid atmosphere, the hero felt the heat rise in his cheeks.

"Well I'd have loved to see you take them all on." He stepped forwards, fists clenched at his sides. "I'm sure that would have turned out so well considering how winded you looked just a few moments ago from one little jump!"

A hand clamped down over his mouth because long before he'd finished his voice had risen to a shout, the echoes of it fading away into the silence. Ghirahim was looking at him disapprovingly, mouth pressed into a thin line.

"I'm not in the mood for this at the moment, sky child. Any other time I would be highly entertained, but for now I do believe that we have work to do." He withdrew, crouching for a moment before gracefully launching himself off of the tree branch. He landed flawlessly, straightening his knees and beginning to strut away without so much as a glance backwards. Link watched him go, so angry at the demon for what he'd put him through in such a short amount of time that ultimately he felt nothing but exhaustion. Ghirahim knew exactly how to bring out the worst in him.

The hero's eyes fell on the snow that had settled on the branch, and then they shifted back to the demon lord. Still within range… it wouldn't take much, just a handful… a short throw…

It was tempting, immaturely so.

He sighed, ultimately deciding against it, and reached for his sailcloth instead.


Yeah, he was gonna throw a snowball at him.

Guh, sorry if this is boring... or seems rushed. I'm not entirely satisfied with the writing in this chapter.

Well, anyways, feedback appreciated... really.

R&R