Chapter 25

Tactical

Mere seconds ticked by, each taking with it Link's time to act. To safely dodge to the side would be impossible at this rate and that was where his dilemma came in. If Link died now, the opportunity Kiani had given him would go to waste. Serapis could now die with no thought whatsoever of teleporting away and healing himself, but killing him was going to be a problem. This Serapis would not hesitate to throw his strength around.

Link's eyes pinpointed on the small gap between Serapis and the ground… 'If I could just make that…' Link shook his head; this was no time for pondering his options. He had to take it and go, and go he did.

Link did not bother with any fancy somersaults and dove flat on his stomach so that he went sliding right under Serapis to the other side. Serapis hissed as he made contact with nothing but wall and braced his arms against it so that the rest of him would not crash into it.

Link acted quickly and whirled around, stabbing the golden blade he wielded deep into Serapis's leg. He was not willing to take any chances just now by stabbing Serapis in his back and hitting a hard spot. He worked his sword free again and took off running before Serapis could swing around and nail him. Serapis, however, did not wait to run off after him.

'Coward,' Link thought to himself. Link knew running would not last-Serapis was too fast…and the next thing Link knew was absolute pain as Serapis knocked him to the floor and held him there with one hand, digging his claws deep into Link's back. Link could feel blood spilling across his skin and hot breath on his neck as Serapis's teeth bore down on him.

Link fought the dejecting idea of the hopelessness in this situation and turned the sword hilt in his hand before stabbing backwards with as much force as he could muster while raising his arm in that direction. Serapis let go as Link's attack found purchase and Link did not take the time to get his sword back and left it lodged in Serapis, wherever it was, and squirmed away.

Link turned to face Serapis in a defensive stance and yanked his bow free and notched an arrow, training it on Serapis's head. He could go for the eye…or the throat. Link's sword had struck right through Serapis's jaws and held them immobile with a slight gap in between. Link swiftly acted and fired.

The arrow passed through the opening and Serapis choked out a growl and yanked the sword out first, opening a free flowing river of blood in the process. Next he proceeded to stick a clawed hand into his large mouth and pull the arrow free. 'Well,' Link thought, 'I guess he isn't that stupid…'

Link made to dive for his sword, but Serapis anticipated this and stomped his foot down in front of it. Link would have thought this intelligent for the state of mind Serapis was now in, but this act seemed like an animal protecting its shiny treasure more than anything. Well in this case, blood crusted shiny treasure.

Link pulled free the extra sword from its hilt across his back and backed up slowly. This room was too open, and Link wasn't fast enough to escape this primitive creature with nothing to dodge around.

Serapis lunged in with claws outstretched and Link attempted to dodge, but this was to no avail. Serapis grabbed his arm and yanked him towards him, all the while his claws found deep purchase through Link's chest and out the back.

Link's mind raced with precious memories as his life flowed out of him and Serapis's roar of conquer pounded through his ears.

…How had he failed? He had never done so badly before when it came to Serapis. And all those times Serapis had been much smarter than this. It was pathetic and now everyone would have died in vain. All because of him…He was a disgrace to the country. Some hero he was.

It was as these negative thoughts assailed him and Serapis's body seemed to pitch forward, that his eyes closed and his breathing became haggard and all the pain seemed to fade away when a thought came to him. He had never failed this miserably because a smart Serapis had cared about his life. This new Serapis was…hungry.

Link pieced the rest together quickly. Without animal instincts dominating, Serapis had been able to control himself despite the fact that he was supposedly a 'bottomless pit' when it came to food. Now Serapis was possessed by pure instinct and since Link was the nearest target, the overgrown snake did not care if he got hurt or had time to gloat, just so long as he got food.

Link had been a fool before; he had not been attacking with the right strategies in mind. Serapis had once been tactical and keen about his moments to strike; this was tricky, but outsmarting him was possible. This new Serapis was not at all like this and Link had still kept the same standpoint, attacking with the same strategies…only with a more desperate air about him. Serapis was not stronger now that his mind had dimmed, he was still the same. He would still bleed and feel pain. He just did not care about his general welfare enough and Link had failed to tap into this fact…and now he was dying, if not dead already.

Link forced his eyes open in order to take in his surroundings. Much to his surprise, he found the princess leaning over him with tears in her eyes. She gasped in surprise and backed off.

Link found he was able to sit up and did so. "What happened?" he demanded with a fury that left even him shocked.

"Impa…distraction…Oh Link, I thought you were dead!" she tackled him with a surprisingly strong hug that sent him toppling to the ground.

Link stared with confused eyes. This was highly uncharacteristic of the Zelda of late, but then he snapped out of his stupor and gently eased her off, finding his body to be well intact. "Where am I now then, if Impa is off distracting…Serapis?"

"She saw that you were dying Link, we had to get you out of there. Impa didn't know how long she could hold out, certainly no longer than you had, so as much as I hate to say this Link, you've got to hurry. We're just outside the main hall--…"

A thundering crash echoed from the other side of the wall and Link hopped up. Zelda had thoroughly healed him and it was now that he noticed the shadows under her eyes, how much energy she must have used to save him. Anger flashed through him after realizing she had not been there for Kiani, but her act of kindness coupled with the fact that Kiani's death really was inevitable halted him from saying anything hurtful.

"Thank you, Zelda," he said instead and immediately took off running without waiting for a response…or taking the time to come up with a plan.

When he returned to the scene of the battle he froze in horror. Impa stood hunched over against a wall while Serapis stood in the room's center devouring Kiani's body.

Link shook it off and darted to Impa's side. "Leave now, I'll handle it from here."

Impa shook her head, "No, he's too strong. Even for you, Hero."

"I handled Ganondorf and I'll handle this thing. No matter what it takes, I'll do it, now go. I can't--…" his words were cut off went Serapis gave vent to a terrifying roar and fixed his yellow eyes in their direction.

Link shoved Impa in the way of the door and took a step towards Serapis in an effort to keep his interest from her. Impa was weak and though she had done her part to keep Serapis distracted, it was his fight now and his alone. No one could help him.

It dawned on him finally, as Impa smartly disappeared through the door and Serapis threw himself into a thundering charge, that he had failed to make a plan. To fight Serapis just as he had before was idiotic, but with nothing coming to mind, his limbs filled with a leaden weight as a sense of panic filled him and Serapis giant form loomed closer…especially when he realized he did not have a sword on hand.

Acting quickly though, he managed to save himself from the assault by timing his step just right and twirling away from Serapis's backward grab for him as the creature skidded to a heavy stop.

His mind raced. He had dealt with monsters before. They had been bigger, faster, stronger…What was so different about Serapis? All had wanted his blood on their hands, he was missing something.

Normally he could strategize, plan and come out ahead, but time was running out. He could feel the end calling to him as Serapis swung his bulk around and stood in all his power before Link.

As he locked wary eyes with the creature, however, he realized what he needed to do.

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Short yes, and I'm sorry about that as for a lot of other things (such as the year long wait for an update), but I will say I think it's slightly longer than last chapter… :D I plan on posting a fanfic after this one actually, one that will be consistently updated once a week, and that was my incentive to finish this one. Feel free to ask me about anything you don't remember…I had to go through and reread everything and I'm the writer, lol. There won't be any reviewer replies for last chapter since it's been forever and a day, but by next chapter they'll be back. Anyways, I hope to hear from those that are hopefully still with me…

-blondie91