Chapter 25: The End Foreordained from the Beginning
It was not a long pause. Instead, the world itself was completely silent and the words that were spoken were merely a long noise. Shadows continued to play over the black soil as the three Goddesses stared at the new arrival. Altair walked toward them several paces before the door vanished behind him and he stopped. His eyes met theirs without blinking or shifting, his entire body motionless but for the slow blowing of his clothes in the wind.
"What are you doing here?" one of the Goddesses demanded.
There was no answer, just the pale eyes watching from over the dark cloth.
"You would have been better off fighting alongside your fellow heroes than here. Be gone! Return to your own world." Yellow light shifted around him for a moment but then faded without a trace. One of the golden faces winced visibly, turning sharply to stare at Altair.
"How can you resist?" one of them demanded. "Are you not a Link? Is your world destroyed? Or…" Her voice faltered and her sentence was caught and finished by the dark man.
"Or this could be my world." Altair might have been smiling, but the Goddesses were grateful they could not see his mouth. "I will go nowhere unless I wish it, regardless of your words. But even if your magic could effect me, it would only have sent me back here."
"Then you're the one!" A golden arm rose, shimmering slightly as it jabbed accusingly in his direction. "I thought that there was a disturbance, someone opposing our plans. You will suffer for your impudence."
He apparently felt no need to answer, for he remained silent until another of the Goddesses spoke. "Does this world look familiar? It is yours, after all. The first world, the first Hyrule, the first legend. As this mockery of a universe falls away the original world will be reborn."
"Perhaps." Altair looked down at the flowers around their feet dispassionately. "What do you know of the world before the legend began?"
"Does it matter? We know the truth. Through years of studying the legend we learned that reality was not always built this way. Destiny, fate, heroes… all of these are abominations that you created!"
"No, not created. I am fascinated that so many dimensions have shaped themselves in this pattern. It is, in some ways, a beautiful thing."
One of the Goddesses spat, a golden spark that sizzled when it hit the ground. The soil began softening where it struck and within several seconds grass was beginning to peek through the soil. "Beautiful? All of this is a hideous accretion to the truth. Soon all of it will be cleansed by divine fire and the world will become pure once more."
"Don't you realize it is too late?" another of the Goddesses sneered. "Unless you are foolish enough to fight us directly, we will soon restore your world to the height of its civilization. Then once the Shards are united, everything will be rewritten in its image. The remnants of the old order are falling one by one and your pawns can do nothing to turn the tide!"
"…a metaphor from Hylian chess," Altair mused softly. "Somewhat fitting. However, it has a serious flaw. Though I may have set up my side of the board, I have absolutely no interest in pawns."
The pieces of the harp hit the stones, bouncing several times before coming to rest. Ulrira watched them with an odd expression on his face. Even as the attacking Lizafos moved forward he did not look up from the shattered remains of the instrument. The Lizafos moved into range and raised its jagged sword, a hissing laugh coming from between its teeth.
"That's the last song you will ever play!" it mocked. Ulrira looked up at the monster as if seeing it for the first time.
"No, I will play again once I have created another harp."
"Hah!" The blade jerked just against his neck. With a twist of its muscles the Lizafos could decapitate this foolish Link. Teeth appeared as its mouth split wider in a grin. "Just when will you have time to do that?"
"After I kill you."
Suddenly the Lizafos no longer had an arm. The limb dropped to the stones after the harp as Ulrira moved his sword to a normal stance. All the monster in front of him could do was make a panicked cry before another attack dropped it to the ground in pieces, staining the white stones of the building.
Whistling a low tune, Ulrira turned and stepped off the side of the building.
As one, the Goddesses shivered, as if there was a discordant note in the middle of a song. Immediately they glanced at one another, for the first time less concerned about the stranger in front of them than what was taking place on the Sacred Realm. Only a single disturbance, but…
"He should have died," one of them growled.
"This is insignificant. The battle will not be won and he will yet die."
"But what if-"
"Enough!" The head Goddess threw her arms to either side, silencing the other two. After a moment she turned and glared back at Altair, eyes flashing brilliantly. "Is this your game? Do you think that you have arranged things so that you will be victorious? Can you truly believe that your legend can defeat the true nature of reality?"
"You understand nothing," Altair answered simply. "You speak of truth without having the slightest idea of what the word means. Enough of this, children. No matter what battles you act out with your toys, you will change nothing."
They opened their mouths to speak, but the very concept of words had been stolen from them. As they stood mute he continued in a calm and even tone. "Restore my world, if you desire. It will only age again, dying as all things must die. The Shards will be reunited, but not by you. All I need do is stand and watch your plans crumble around you."
"Silence!" one of them finally screamed, stepping forward. Golden energy blazed around the three, lighting up the sky momentarily. Around them, the grass was beginning to grow faster, the world drawing breath for the first time in eons. "The legend has no power here! All of the Links will be killed one by one and it will be ended!"
"This has nothing to do with the legend." Altair spoke softly but his words cut off her shouts without effort. "Do you think they have worth only as heroes? Separated from destiny, from legend, they become human beings. The fact that you think this makes them weak shows that you understand absolutely nothing about what you are trying to accomplish. It is not the legend that will defeat you but something you seem unable to understand.
"Why do all fools run after the past? You have lived and breathed this legend since the day you were born, yet you think you understand life without it? Let me tell you the nature of the world before. It was a senseless, meaningless mechanism. All lived and died without purpose or meaning. There were no stories of heroes, only of dead men and senseless causes. Yet it seems the world has changed. I will not allow you to change it back."
"You… you think you can stand up against the Goddesses themselves?"
"Why do you call yourselves that?"
The three took a step back in unison, fear flashing through the golden eyes. For just a moment as he spoke, they no longer saw themselves surrounded by divine magic but instead fragile humans alone in the shadows. When their power roared around them the next instant, stronger than ever before, it was a hollow gesture.
"The Goddesses represent the old order," one of them answered. "They should be worshipped, not heroes or legends. We believe they look favorably upon our efforts to return everything to its rightful place, to restore their creation to as it should be. Whatever power you may possess, you are only a man – you cannot battle the servants of the Gods!"
Altair gave a short laugh, a bitter sound that rang across the landscape. Grass halted its growth, flowers closed, and the Goddesses shuddered. Around them, everything was becoming lighter and yet they could not see it. Soft clouds floated in the sky as it became blue once more and the sun rose, but to them it seemed to be darker and darker. Finally Altair glanced back at them, utterly without expression.
"It would not matter if you were the Goddesses themselves."
Then the sky fell and all was consumed.
Linkina's hair whirled loosely as she turned to see the arrow. It was no more than a streak of grey, flying across the battlefield toward her face. The jagged tip careened toward her forehead… and stopped a short distance away. Danger momentarily averted, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Tightening her hand, she snapped the arrow in half. Not far away, the Stalfos panicked and fumbled with its bow, trying to fire another arrow. Surely she couldn't catch two in a row. As it finally notched the arrow and prepared to attack, the skeletal warrior realized that wasn't likely to be the problem.
Her sword cut through the spinal column and then shifted down. The bones scattered as the magical creature died, bouncing on the soil. Returning her sword to a defensive position, Linkina took one hand off the hilt to run through her hair. That had been a bit too close for comfort. Still, the close call had jarred her from her depression and she was feeling much better now.
As she glanced around the battlefield, everything seemed much different. Had there really been more obsidian warriors there, or had she imagined them in the shadows? There were a number of big monsters, but she had grossly overestimated them. Everything had felt so hopeless one moment, but somehow everything had changed. What could have happened to so radically change the course of events?
Not that it mattered right now. She grinned and hefted her sword to one shoulder as she glanced toward the battle. Who was next?
The gaping jaws of the carnivorous plant bent closer and closer to Nabooru, then abruptly fell forward. She almost screamed, biting her lip hard so she would die with her pride. Several seconds later as she tasted a bit of blood she realized that it had not ended. Plant juices soaked her arm and the monster on top of it did not seem to be moving.
A boot appeared in her vision, kicking the carcass aside and giving her a glimpse of her savior. It was a man like many of the others, though he wore a red tunic. As she stared he offered her a hand up that she numbly accepted. Not far away, there was an identical man, even among Links, lifting the knight to his feet. Both of them extended their hands in the same way, moved with the same style.
Without warning an enormous Moblin lunged toward them, a giant club over its head and swinging down. She called out a warning, but the man didn't even glance over his shoulder. Before he was hit, another identical warrior flashed from the side, stabbing the Moblin in the heart and knocking it away with a kick. As this one dropped to the ground as well, she saw he was dressed in lavender. All three looked over at the two frozen warriors with identical smirks.
"Oh, come on, you've probably seen stranger things today," Vio told them. "Let's get back to the fight."
No… it couldn't end this way.
Hero's vision was getting blurrier as he sank to the floor, but abruptly one form became sharp and clear. Zelda. He couldn't die until he got a kiss from her and she finally acknowledged him. This stupid palace and this stupid copy couldn't stop him. The marble visage raised an eyebrow as he struggled back to his feet, glaring and apparently speaking to himself.
It was standing in the way of the Shard. All he had to do was get it and then Zelda would love him. His mind couldn't remember why or how that worked, but that fact was fixed in his mind. Fake Zelda needed to get out of the way for the real one. The flat of his blade struck the marble across the face, barely making it move.
"Oh, Link…" Her voice, as if she was standing in front of him? Was she? No, no it was just this stupid statue version. Its kiss had felt cold and made him feel so funny in the head. "Why would you do that? It hurts…"
"Yer not the real Zelda," he slurred, stumbling forward. He couldn't see it, but it was still there. Little black thing. Important for some reason. Had to get. Kisses from Zelda. Not this Zelda. Different one.
"Please, hero," the voice begged. "Don't do this to me. Go to sleep and we can be together forever. If you keep going forward, you're going to cause me a lot of problems."
He staggered forward another step, muttering beneath his breath.
"What was that? Won't you please stop? You're being so mean."
"Well, excuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" Hero lunged forward, blade flying in a singing arc. For a second the marble statue was in two separate halves, one sliding toward the floor, then all of it shattered into triangular reflective shards. They glittered in the air for some time, distracting him, but eventually they drifted down and merged into the floor.
As his hand closed over the Shard, he realized that he was feeling a lot better. Had he been eating enough lately? Probably just lovesickness or something, given how long it had been since he'd seen Zelda. Hero pocketed the Shard and headed back toward the stairs. A few kisses would solve that problem easily enough.
For a few seconds Shiro's fingers jerked uselessly as the life continued to pump from his body into the monster grabbing him from behind. His sword fell from his hands and clattered to the floor as his arm dropped. Midway down it spasmed randomly and apparently got caught in a pocket on the front of his tunic. The next second it fell out… but it was holding a strange blue mask that seemed to absorb the light. Realizing something was amiss, the monster grabbed his arm to destroy it, but now the man's limbs seemed filled with inexhaustible power. They moved upward slowly and then pressed the mask to his face.
Power exploded throughout his body. He abruptly arched his back and gave a loud cry as magic lit up, making his body almost translucent. Thrown from his back, the monster was ripped in half and burned as it hit the ground. The others in the doorway paused, watching carefully. Now their target was just standing, arms at his sides and strangely shadowed.
Finally the robed creature threw up its hands, sending a ball of magic flying to finish off their opponent. Just before the attack hit, the figure's hand rose and calmly caught it. When Shiro raised his face, it was covered in strange markings and his eyes were a murky silver. They fixed on the burning globe without apparent interest, then looked up. Strangely lit from the sphere of magic, the grin on his face was all the more terrible.
One second the orb crackled with dark power, then it was hurled from his hand. The attack hit the robed creature head on, taking it from its feet and wiping out the body before it could fly far through the air. All of the others looked in horror as Shiro held out his hand horizontally. His sword lifted off the floor to meet it, now over twice as long and shaped as a double-helix.
"Hello, little monsters." His voice had changed as well, deep and menacing. "Would you prefer to die while running away or where you stand?"
In an instant he swung and a swath of light exploded from the sword, cutting the nearest group of monsters in half. The others decided to take the first option, fleeing back into the hallway as the figure moved after them, cutting them down one by one.
There was silence in the Shard room, but the Boss Garo sensed that something was amiss. Once the fortress was filled with life energy signatures. True, they were mostly weak and undeveloped, but they had not been disappearing at this fast a rate before. Had the Link found a way to trap many of them at once?
No matter. To acquire the Shard he would have to come here. Eighteen Garo, all the survivors, lurked in the shadows by the entrance and around the room. As soon as his foot left the bottom step they would be on him, skewering him from a dozen directions. Even if he avoided them, others would be dropping from the shadows before he could move again. Lastly the Boss himself stood between any intruders and the golden glow surrounding the Shard.
An explosion of magic rocked the chamber, making several of the Garo wince. Their leader only narrowed his eyes and whirled toward the source behind them. The entire wall had been demolished by black flames, some of it apparently still burning and melting. On the other side of the fires, barely more than a burning grin in the darkness, was a god of destruction.
Each droplet of blood spattered as it hit the floor, marring the reflective quality of the surface. Ganondorf could only stare at his strange alter ego in the floor, gaping in shock as the blood moved from his hands. Standing just in front of him, Light seemed energized by the sight, his grin expanding another notch. With a sharp laugh he pulled back and slashed again, this time breaking Ganondorf's armor and scoring a blow across his chest.
Was this it? His body felt numb, as if the life was draining from it. None of his limbs would respond, hanging uselessly at his sides. He couldn't look away from the sight before him, the figure in pure white slashing again. Blood struck his tunic and rolled off, leaving it as pure as before. Would that be the last thing he saw? Light slashing endlessly, reducing his torso to bloody ribbons?
Suddenly Light's string of attacks was stopped as Ganondorf's fist slammed into his face. He flew backward, slamming into the ground and rolling several times before he recovered. Growling more in anger than in pain, Light got back to his feet, his sword ready.
Across the room, Ganondorf had ripped two strips from the end of his cloak. He tied the cloths around his hands and pulled them tight. The blood soaking into the fabric could barely be seen in the black. Both his hands bound several times over, Ganondorf dropped to a fighting position, his fingers free and his arms loosely before him.
"Much better than I expected," Light admitted, flicking his sword in front of him several times. "Perhaps I should take this more seriously?"
Without warning he launched himself off his back foot, becoming a blur that would cross the distance in an instant. But a split second later Ganondorf moved as well, in front of Light before he could bring his sword to bear. One of the Geurdo's hands smashed him across the side of the face, knocking him away.
Before he hit the floor, Light caught himself with his free arm and pushed himself back, kicking Ganondorf in the chest. A moment later he realized his mistake, as the other man only grunted briefly and then struck back, lashing out with one leg. The kick sent him across the chamber again, where he sent cracks through the wall.
"Well, well." This time Light's tone was different as he pulled himself aright. "I dare say you're more dangerous without a weapon than with your sword. Been training since last time?"
"A weapon can be taken away," Ganondorf answered darkly. "I will not make the same mistake again."
"So that's why." The face split in a grin once more. "Do you know how many Geurdo I killed with your sword after I took it from you? I lost count, of course, but it was quite a while before it finally snapped on someone's skull. There's not a way I can do that with a hand to hand fighter… unless you'd like me to cut off an arm and beat people with it?"
A cry of anguish and rage tore from Ganondorf's lungs and scarlet magic flooded around his body. Several bolts shot forward, all of which Light batted aside easily. This one was keeping his head about him this time, though, so this was only a smokescreen. At this moment he was probably beside him, preparing another punch.
Light turned, sword already flying before he saw Ganondorf. Perfect. The edge of his sword would cleave between the Geurdo's knuckles and render that hand useless. But just before the attack struck, the hand jerked away, abandoning its attack. So he was retreating this time…
Ganondorf's other arm swung up, fist connecting with Light's chin. He was launched into the air and Ganondorf immediately kicked. His blow made a satisfying crunch and pinned his opponent against one of the marble walls. The white tunic had finally been dirtied from combat and the cap seemed about ready to fall from his head as he slumped.
Too late he realized there was a mad look on Light's face. With a momentary demonic grin, Light struck back, stabbing his sword through Ganondorf's shin. Roaring in pain, the Geurdo sent power flooding toward the floor, forcing himself away and letting the blade slide out of the hole it had created instead of being ripped out. Unfortunately, it was a desperation maneuver and he could only hit the ground, sliding a short distance before pulling himself back to his feet.
White blurred at his face and Light's boot hit his jaw with a crack. The force of the blow actually sent Ganondorf flipping backward to land on his back, but Light was already swinging his sword horizontally. It took everything he had to strike the flat of the blade with a backhand, knocking it off course. Somehow it worked, making the edge whiz past his body instead of into it…
…and that was all he had. Ganondorf fell freely and was immediately struck with another blow. This one smashed him backward. By some miracle he landed on his feet, but it was only to receive another glancing blow from Light. Again and again the pale blade struck, hacking away armor and sending more blood to stain the floor. All Ganondorf could do was receive the blows and be knocked backward, kept on his feet only by the impacts.
One white glove touched his chest lightly, but it brought a moment of intense pain. Ganondorf found himself embedded in the wall near the doorway, watching dully as Light closed the gap between them again. His sword was held in one hand at his sword, surrounding by a ring of brilliant white. As it grew in intensity, Light grasped the hilt with his other hand.
He struck, spinning brutally, each revolution cutting another gash in Ganondorf's chest. When the magical energy finally faded, there was no life left in the body. All of his upper armor had been shredded and lay in pieces in the surrounding area; his flesh was a gruesome mess. Light stepped back distastefully and let the corpse hit the ground, avoiding any blood spatter on his tunic.
Turning to go, he replaced his sword in his sheath. Quite an obstacle that had been, far more than expected. But only an obstacle.
- - - - -
I know it's common practice on this website not to update for months at a time, but I'm still ashamed that this update has taken so long. The fact that I can't even upload finished chapters says something about priorities in my life, so it is probably appropriate that this may be my last story here. While it's not like any of you are waiting for the next chapter with bated breath, forlornly staring at the screen while hitting F5 repeatedly, it's still not fair to you. We're nearing the end of the story and I'll do my best to update consistently through the last chapters.
Hopefully this chapter has enough content to be worth the wait, though. Altair has his anti-climax, Shiro's secret is finally revealed (this one could easily have been predicted), Ganondorf gets his fight, and (the moment you've all been waiting for)... Hero wins his final epic ultimate battle! Next chapter you'll get to see the conclusion to Din and Vincent against Koume and Kotake, Cid's plan will be revealed, and Link will begin the fight that you all should have seen coming for a while now.