I'm so sorry this took so long, but you know. Life. On the bright side, this chapter is a little longer than usual, I think. Also, this next week won't be as busy, so I'll probably update again in the near future.

So, I've been getting a lot of reviews, and that is AWESOME. One thing I noticed was some of the recent reviews had questions or some constructive criticism. Thank you so much, because I really appreciate the help, and I'll try to clear some stuff up.

First, I very recently got a guest review from Aerois (Thanks for following, btw), and they made a good point. In the chapter when Ghirahim nearly drowns, she allegedly goes underwater with an expensive smartphone. Last chapter, I mentioned something about the phone and its case, but I wasn't very clear. See, a klutz like Marissa is gonna drop her phone a lot. So, when she said she had a tough case, she meant like, a REALLY tough case. I don't know if you guys have heard of it, but there's a brand of case called Lifeproof. It's pretty tough and it's waterproof (It's true, I know people who have taken it into a pool and it was fine), so just to let you know, that's pretty much the type of case she has. This will be important later on, since as expected, that's not going to be the last thing that happens to her phone.

Next, I noticed some of you were commenting that Ghira was getting a little too nice. This is true. The last two chapters he was pretty nice. But don't worry, there's a storm coming...(a small storm, but still a storm)...And it starts this very chapter. Funny coincidence, huh?

And lastly, DO NOT WORRY. There will NOT be a Malice-Ghirahim-Marissa love triangle. Rest easy, I think they're overused too. I also think it would be a little lame to make my OC be really sought after. She's not extremely pretty or anything. But you guys are definitely picking up on my foreshadowing. Malice is nicknamed Al for a reason...a lot of you will probably figure it out later. Or maybe I'm just being really lame and nerdy. Whatever.

Anyway, I'll shut up and let you read.

Disclaimer: I do not own LOZ. Just my OC's and alternate plot.

Marissa's POV

"Hurry up!" Malice called, racing down the slope.

"I'm coming!" I called back. "Sheesh, Al. Can't a girl get a moment of peace in this place?"

"Sorry." The demon waited for me to catch up. "I just want to reach the stables before the stable boy does."

"Why?"

"You'll see," he said with a grin.

"Well that completely answers my question." I muttered. I guess ambiguity was as native a tongue for demons as much as sarcasm was for me.

When we finally reached the stables, Malice stopped just inside the worn wooden doors. He reached inside a cleft in the wall, where a variety of different equipment was kept on a small shelf. He removed several objects before turning back to me.

"Here. You'll want these." The demon handed me an old brush and a large carrot. He kept one of the vegetables for himself, removed a bucket from the shelf, and then slid a wooden panel over the cleft in the wall.

"What..." I trailed off as Malice led me past several stables. My eyes rested on Ghirahim's horse, Obsidian for a long moment as I passed his pen. The horse eyed me with a calculating look, and I was forced to glance away.

Malice came to a stop by the right pen at the back of the room. He was staring inside.

"A few years ago," he began, "One of the stable boys died in an accident with one of the horses. Ghirahim subbed me in for him while he tried to find a replacement. I wasn't sure what to think about my situation." Malice reached for the lock. "That is, until I met this guy."

Malice opened the pen, and I blinked slowly. Being at the end of the barn, the lighting wasn't as good in this stall. But I could easily tell what was inside.

A young stallion, not yet full grown, laid on the straw inside. When its dark eyes spotted Malice, however, it immediately got to its feet.

"When I first met Oaty, he was just a colt. His mother died from hypothermia, and his father was killed in a battle years before. The poor thing was starving. Then, I came here, and I nursed him back to health. It was just the two of us." The horse nuzzled Malice's hand as he drew it over the creature's long face.

"He was a tiny orphan." Malice was quiet for a moment. "Like me," he added.

I stepped forward cautiously, and the horse's head jerked up. He cautiously stepped forward, and then he bent his neck towards my hand.

"The carrot. He wants the carrot." Malice spoke up.

"Oh. Of course." I held out the vegetable, and with slight hesitation, the horse sniffed it. Then, in the blink of an eye, it snapped the carrot out of my hand and wolfed it down.

"Ha, he likes me!" I laughed, scratching the horse behind the ear.

"Carrots are Oaty's favorite treat," Malice smiled. Then he held up the bucket. "But his favorite food by far is—"

"Oats?" I guessed.

"How'd you guess?" Malice laughed. He nodded. "Yes, he loves oats. Hence the name."

"Oaty. I like it." I smiled and rested my hand on the horse's nose. "And I like him."

Malice smiled. "I thought you would. But that's not his full name."

"Then what is his full name?" I asked.

Malice set the bucket on the ground, and the horse hungrily tore through his namesake.

"The other groomers thought it'd be best to euthanize him. They didn't they he'd grow. But I refused. Every day I used to bring him twice as many oats as the other horses. But he wasn't intimidated by the extra chow. He finished just as fast as the other horses." Malice nodded to the empty bucket of horse feed. "He's always eaten lightning-fast like that."

I grinned. "He almost eats as fast as my cat."

Malice furrowed his brow. "Your what?"

Oops.

"Nevermind." I quickly changed the subject. "So, you still haven't told me. What's his full name?"

"Well," Malice scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "I never exactly decided. I thought about Oatmuncher, or Oatchow, or maybe Oatmeal. But none of them sounded right. And then Ghirahim found a permanent stable-hand who could replace me. Now I have to sneak in when I want to visit him. I never did decide on the perfect name."

"It's quite the quandary, isn't it?" I teased.

Malice shrugged. "Yes, I guess it is."

My smile grew. "Lucky for you, I have a name for him. See, my dad designed a small imaginary horse-racing game when he was a kid. He always used to tell my brother and I about the crazy names he gave the pretend horses. And one of them couldn't be more perfect."

"What was it?"

I glanced down at the empty bucket of horse feed. "He really chowed through those oats. In fact, you could say he burned through them."

Malice's head snapped around to face me. "So...you think his name should be..."

"Oatburner," We said at the same time.

Malice shrugged. "It's a bit strange, but I guess it could work." He patted the horse's head. "How about that, Oaty? Do you wanna be Oatburner?"

The horse neighed in agreement.

"It has been decided. From now on, this mighty steed will be known as the glorious Oatburner," I said in a snooty voice.

"I concur." Malice agreed, mimicking my voice.

The horse nickered, as if agreeing with us. Malice and I glanced at each other before laughing louder than we had in a while.

After a moment, Malice took a deep breath to stop laughing. "Anyway," he straightened up. "Have you ever groomed a horse?"

"Well," I glanced at the brush. "No. Why?"

Malice took the brush from me with a smile. "Why don't you try on Oaty? It'll be fun, and he'll love you forever."

"But I don't know how..." I trailed off, taking the brush. I stood near the horse uncertainly. I noticed that it was barely two-thirds the size of Obsidian.

"That's okay," Malice came up behind me. "I'll show you."

Ghirahim's POV

I healed fast. I always had, ever since I was a boy. How else would I have survived living with Demise?

After Herb begrudgingly released me from the hospital wing, I went straight to the girl's room. I needed to continue training her. We'd already lost so much time from my pathetic injuries. We didn't have long until the Spirit Maiden would find the next temple and continue with her journey. In the meantime, I had to do some research in the old, dusty works of my library to figure out just where she was going. Then, I had to decide whether or not the girl was ready to fight at my side once again. I just didn't know if I'd won enough loyalty from her that she was willing to betray her friends. I didn't want a repeat of last time—that was for sure.

"Sky Child?" I knocked on her door.

No answer.

"Sky Child?" I tried again. "Are you ready to train?"

Still, I heard nothing from inside. That was odd.

I knocked on the door once more. "Where are you, My Little Remlit?"

My throat grew tight. "Ocean?"

After several more failed attempts, I decided to break in. With a snap of my fingers, her lock popped open.

I pushed open the door and rushed inside. No one was there.

My heart raced. Did she escape? No. She wouldn't. She cared about me—she told me herself.

Unless she lied.

I froze at this thought. It couldn't be true...

Could it?

I clenched my fists as I felt a wave of panic fill my mind. She couldn't just leave. I refused to believe it. There was no possibly way she'd leave me. I thought...

You were wrong. I tried to ignore the voice in the back of my head, but I knew it was probably true.

I mean, was it that impossible that my hopes were clouding my judgment and reason? After all, maybe she seemed a little too easy going. Maybe she was just taking advantage of me, just so she could escape. All the freedom I'd given her had been solely rooted from my faith that she wouldn't try and escape.

And here I was, standing in her empty room.

I'd been played.

I sat on the foot of her bed and bowed my head.

Of course the girl left. Who would stay with you, you monster? The voice jeered.

But she doesn't think I'm a monster... I argued.

Is that so? Then why does she stare at you in fear every time she looks at you? You repulse her. She just wants the hero.

That's not true. Quiet, I command you.

You command me? You fool. No, I command you. I'll keep you safe, remember? Did I not tell you that I was the only one who could help you? Did I not tell you I'm the only one who will help you? You will find power by listening to me alone. You do not need the girl. What has she ever done for you?

She saved my life.

True. But only because the Goddess commanded her to do so. You know the prophecy. She said it aloud while unconscious.

My thoughts darted back to that moment. When the girl had been poisoned, she had acted strange. Most of them had been fairly bizarre. But right before the healer had given her the antidote, she had recited the lines of some...some prophecy. Or at least that's what I thought it was. I could still remember that line clearly.

The azure ocean is to the red sword...

How do we know that was a prophecy? And if it was, how do we know that she's heard it in the first place? She could be just subconsciously aware of it.

Possibly, The voice admitted. But not likely. Why else would she abandon you, after all you've done for her?

I have done a lot for her... I acknowledged.

Exactly. And how does she repay you?

By abandoning me. I thought bitterly. I gave her food, I gave her a fanciful place to stay, I saved her from bokoblins, and I even told her that I trusted her. And how does she repay me? She abandons me.

A surge of fresh anger washed away the fear and panic. I never should've trusted her. This is what happens when I try to get close to someone.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. The girl's maid walked into the room. She stopped abruptly when she saw me.

"L-Lord Ghirahim!" She exclaimed. Her face grew bright red, and she hastily curtsied. "What are you doing here, My Lord?"

"Where is the girl?" I demanded, ignoring her question.

"Mar—excuse me,—Ocean?"

"Who do you think? Of course her!" I snapped. The maid flinched.

"I-I saw her and another servant leave the manor. Malice, I believe it was."

"Of course!" I leapt to my feet with a scowl. "Of course he'd be with her!"

The maid's eyes widened. "My Lord! There is no need to be upset."

I saw red, and I lunged towards her. "What do you mean, 'no need to be upset?' My only friend ran away with a mere servant! You do not tell me when to be upset or not. Is that clear?"

"Y-Y-Yes," She stuttered, terrified. "Only, I insist, you mustn't worry."

"And why is that?"

She gestured towards the large circular window. "Because I can see them returning right now."

I whipped around. Sure enough, through the window, I could clearly see the two acquaintances trudging up the hill towards the main entrance of the manor.

How could she just leave without telling you? That shows little to no concern for your well-being. Doesn't she know how stressed you are already?

A fresh wave of bitterness built inside me as I realized the voice had a point.

That's true. What now?

The voice answered in one word:

Revenge.

"Do...Do you want me to retrieve her when she arrives?" The maid offered cautiously.

"No. I will deal with her myself."

"Understood," she squeaked. "W-Will that be all?"

I hesitated. "The other servant—Malice—he has a younger sibling, yes?"

"Yes, I believe so. A sister."

I narrowed my eyes at the approaching duo. "Fetch her."

Marissa's POV

Malice and I entered the manor individually, so as not to attract much attention. Though I doubted we were missed. I mean, Ghirahim was probably still bedridden, so he probably didn't even know we'd left. Either that, or he was waiting in the living room like Mrs. Weasly in the second Harry Potter, and he'd be like 'WHERE. HAVE. YOU. BEEN?' when I walk in. Both situations seemed okay to me. I didn't actually think he would be mad.

Man, was I wrong.

When I walked in, Leal intercepted me.

"Miss, will you come with me?"

"Um..." I shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

Leal led the way down a series of hallways. I recognized most of them, but I was still unsure of where we were going.

"What's this about?"

Leal hesitated. "I really can't tell you."

"Oh come on..." I gave him my best smile. I've been told that it's hard to say no to me with that face. I guess because I look too sweet and innocent. Ha. Right.

"Come on. Just give me a hint," I begged.

"Well..." Leal sighed. "I really shouldn't tell you this, but Lord Ghirahim isn't happy that you left without informing him. No, not happy at all, I'm afraid."

"Oh." I stared at my feet. "Sorry."

Leal laughed nervously. "It is not I who you should apologize to."

I bit my lip. "What's going to happen to me?"

Leal shook his head. "I don't know. Lord Ghirahim can be a bit...unpredictable."

I nodded numbly.

We soon approached two large black doors. I recognized this as the entrance to the courtroom.

Leal opened the door and ushered me in. As expected, Ghirahim was waiting for me. And he was not happy. That's for sure.

I slowly approached the middle of the room. I turned to face the demon lord, who was tapping the tips of his fingers against the arms of his throne.

"What were you thinking?" He demanded as I stepped in front of him. He was physically trembling with rage. "Do you know how I felt when I discovered that you were gone? I..."

"Oh..." I grinned. "Was da wittle demonses wouied about me? Aww..."

Ghirahim's eye twitched and he glared at me with such intensity that I began to feel uncomfortable.

"This is no laughing matter, Sky Child," he hissed. "I am furious with you. I am disgusted with your behavior. Don't you remember the last time you wandered off with that brainless bag of dirt? You would've died if it hadn't been for me. And with the Rebels prowling about, you are damn lucky that you weren't spotted. Do you know what they would give to get their hands on someone like you? You're associated with me, Sky Child. And they'll do whatever they can to harm me. They would've taken great pleasure in cutting you down. Do you really want to be collateral damage?"

"Collateral damage?" A new voice scoffed. My head whipped around to see Malice. The demon was struggling against several armored bokoblins, his arms and legs bound. "What do you know about collateral damage? Because, Lord Ghirahim, I guarantee, it's nowhere near as much as this 'brainless bag of dirt' does. And if you really are concerned about the Rebels, then why don't you do something about it?"

"Quiet, trash." Ghirahim snarled. "This is not about the Rebels. This is about you poisoning this girl's mind with your flawed ways. Shut your mouth before my guards do it for you."

Malice reluctantly quieted down, but the fire never left his eyes.

"Now," Ghirahim continued. "We must discuss your punishment."

"Look, Ghirahim." I stepped a little closer. "I get that you're mad. You have every right to be. And I'm sorry." I glanced at Malice. "We both are. But we don't have to blow this out of proportion. I mean, no harm done, right?"

"No harm done, you say?" Ghirahim said quietly. He slowly stood up and walked towards me. He straightened to his full height, and glared down at me. When he was standing normally, the top of my head barely reached his shoulder. Ghirahim towered over me.

"No harm..." He laughed humorlessly. "You realize, every minute I spend worrying about you, is another minute for the Spirit Maiden to get ahead. I have to find her. You know this. And every time you distract me, I am distracted from a more important mission: resurrecting my Master. I've been forgiving thus far, despite all that you've cost me."

"All that I've cost you?" I stared at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You know damn well. You know damn well what's happened because of you. You stood in my way in a prime opportunity to achieve the goal I've sweated and bled for. And then my Master punished me for it. It's your fault, Ocean."

"My fault!" I stared directly into his eyes. "You mean to say, your injuries, the one I helped you with...the ones your master gave you...they're one me?"

"Precisely," he confirmed, his voice an icy calm.

"That's not true! It's your fault for serving an evil master! I mean, why even bother helping him? You think you'll end up on top? You're wrong, Ghirahim. And I can tell you that for a fact. You are his sword, nothing more."

"Is that so?" Ghirahim scoffed. "What do you know? You are a mere child."

"I know more than you think," I insisted. "And I know he'd sooner cast you aside than be patient with you. You have to get away from him while you have a chance."

Something came over me, and I took his hands. "Please, Ghirahim. Nothing good will come from this. Trust me." I tightened my grip. "Please, just trust me like you said you do."

"I did trust you." I murmured. "But now I know better."

He wrenched his arms from my grip and shoved me to the ground. Pain shot up my wrist and I cried out.

"Ocean!" Malice exclaimed. He fought harder against the guards.

"Quiet Servant. That's enough out of you." Ghirahim said calmly. With a snap, he covered Malice's mouth with a red, diamond covered shield.

"Now, to continue with your shared punishment." He turned towards Leal. "Bring her out."

Leal nodded. The servant exited out a small side-door near the throne. When he reappeared, he had someone else with her. When my eyes met her striking purple ones, my heart seemed to drop to my toes.

"Violet?" I whispered.

Malice began to scream against his makeshift gag as Leal handed her off to Ghirahim.

"Let me go!" She shrieked. She looked to her brother. "Al! Help me!"

"Shh. I won't hurt you, darling. Or, at least, I probably won't." Ghirahim said soothingly. With another snap, he summoned a glowing black dagger and held it to her throat. I gasped, Malice shouted even louder, and even Leal flinched.

"My Lord..." Ghirahim silenced him with a glare.

Malice struggled against the guards stronger than ever, and one of them smacked him in the head with its shield. Malice stopped for a moment, dazed.

"Don't hurt her." I begged. Ghirahim looked at me, his gaze cold and more crazed than ever. I'd really underestimated him and his evil, sadistic nature. As much as I liked to think I'd crushed that part of him, it was still there, and it was stronger than ever.

"That depends..." he drawled. "Whether or not you decide to cooperate."

I sat up slowly, wincing as I got to my feet. I clutched my wrist, which was twisted and throbbing with pain.

"What do you want from me?" I conceded, defeated. I'd gotten Malice into this. I had to get the two siblings out alive. After all, they were the best friends I had here.

"Just promise me one thing," Ghirahim purred. I watched as a small tear trickled down Violet's small face.

"What?" I stared unblinking at the two. My heart was hurting my chest it was beating so loud.

"Promise me your undying loyalty." he stated simply.

"That's ridiculous. You have to earn my loyalty." I retorted.

Ghirahim pressed the blade tighter against Violet's skin, and she let out a whimper.

"It's gonna be okay, Vi." I assured her, not wanting the girl to cut herself with her fidgeting. "Just calm down and stay still for me, okay?"

Violet blinked at me.

I locked eyes with Ghirahim. "I promise my loyalty to you, Ghirahim. But that's it. You. Not Demise. You. I will be loyal until...until death do we part, I guess." My cheeks burned. "Wait no, that sounds like we're getting married."

Ghirahim smiled a little in amusement. "How about... until your final breath?"

I hesitated a moment. "Okay." I sighed. I mean, I kind of had to be loyal to Ghirahim to protect him, right? This wasn't much different than promising Hylia I would protect him. "I promise my loyalty until my final breath." I stared at the ground for a moment. Then I lifted my gaze. "Now let her go." I commanded.

"One more thing." Ghirahim pressed. "Promise me you'll stay away from him from now on."

I whipped around, following his gaze. With horror, I realized he was talking about his hostage's older brother.

"You mean Malice? No! I refuse."

"Then I will kill her." Ghirahim said with a shrug.

"You..." my lip quivered. "You can't do that! I thought we were friends!"

"Then you are as big a fool as I was. Now promise me, or the child gets it."

"No..." I drew a hand over my face. "This is a free country! I know my rights!"

Don't go judging me. That's the only argument I could think of. I may have forgotten that I wasn't in the middle of an American soap opera. It took me a moment to remember I was in the demon realm. The demon realm.

Ghirahim laughed once again, and the noise seemed to frighten Violet even more.

"What country, girl? What rights? You are in the land of my master. His rules are mine. And according to his rules, he has absolute control. Being stand-in leader, the same goes for me. There are no rights. There is only control."

The pain in my wrist and all my conflicting emotions were beginning to make me feel sick. I wanted to cry. But I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

I'm not scared. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry.

I stared up at him defiantly, fighting the tightness in my throat. "Your control, huh? You truly are a demon lord. No wonder the Rebels are after you. No wonder they want you dead." I stalked towards him. "You are exactly like your master. You are cruel, heartless, soulless, and despicable, you monster. This is why you have no one. No wonder no one loves you. People like you die alone."

I glanced around the courtroom. "See these guys? They're my friends. Two peasants, with not a penny to their name, are better friends then you will ever be. And that's why..." I stopped inches from his throne. "That's why I promise." You could have heard a pin drop.

I took a deep breath. "I promise I'll stay away from them. Because they don't deserve to be burdened with me."

I backed up and looked around. It was almost fun, surveying the shocked looks on every face in the courtroom.

I stepped towards Malice and planted a kiss on his cheek. "See you, Al."

Then I stormed out of the courtroom, with my head held high.

Things are getting real...

So yeah. A storm's coming.

Anyway, if anything was confusing, it should probably make sense later. And if the part where Ghirahim is arguing with himself like Gollum was confusing or strange, don't worry. That will be explained later. Though maybe some of you guessed it. I don't know.

Moving on, as always, you readers are amazing geniuses and I love and appreciate you all. I'm just watching my reviews going up and doing a happy dance that I can actually write, and that you guys actually like it. Sort of, I guess. Who knew?

I would be happy to answer any more questions or address any concerns. So go ahead and review or PM me. And, really, if you have any comment/question, I'd be happy for another review, no matter how short. They always make my day. Thanks to everyone who faved/followed. Keep it up.

Finally, at the end of an annoyingly long A/N (that is, if you are still reading) I was just randomly wondering how old you think I am. I just thought that may tell me a little about my writing style. If you want to take a guess at the end of your review, that'd be cool. Whatever works for you. But as always, thanks for reading, and see you later.

~Catwhiskers24~