It continues...

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Chapter 16- Sacrifice

As Link caught the shimmering circlet upon her head, the Queen spoke.

"Little Bird…" she floated towards Zelda, her spirit flickering like a flame, and Link impulsively stepped in front of Zelda to protect her.

Something isn't right-

"Link!" Zelda reprimanded tearily, as she shoved him back to the side, "What are you-"

"Nonsense, Zelda," the Queen interrupted with a gentle chuckle, "I'd expect nothing less from your appointed knight, and the Hero of Hyrule."

Link froze, mesmerized as the spirit drifted closer to Zelda.

Is that...really the Queen? Do I...kneel? Do I bow?

Link did neither. He stood stoically where Zelda had shoved him a few steps away, fighting unsuccessfully to quash the uneasy feeling inside of him.

"How you've grown, my Little Bird…" the Queen said wistfully, "Look at you. You're so beautiful, my Zelda. You're so strong. So brave."

Zelda stepped closer, and reached out her hand. The Queen reached for it, and pulled Zelda into an impassioned embrace.

"My Little Bird…" the Queen whimpered into Zelda's hair.

Zelda pulled back. Her eyes filled with tears, but she was beaming. She didn't speak.

"Zelda," the Queen continued, running her hand through Zelda's hair, "I'm so sorry. I know you weren't ready for me to go. I know so much has transpired in your life...things I have seen and things I haven't..."

Link's heart twisted at the Queen's words. He felt awkward, and unworthy of such a serious moment.

The Queen backed up and stood in front of Zelda, face to face, and nearly eye to eye- Zelda was a hair taller, but the Queen floated a few inches above her.

Zelda choked out a small sob, "Mother...I am so...I can't believe...you're here…"

Link tried to focus on the tearful interaction, but he was distracted by his instincts- he scanned the area for danger.

Fi? What is this place?

Silence from the sword. He knew they were underground...but it felt like...a totally different world. Link cast his eyes upon the wide, dark horizon- They were surrounded by tall, stone ruins and pillars, reaching up towards a dark, starless abyss...similar to the Thyplo Ruins. The only light came from the Queen, and from the numerous luminous stones dotting the rocky terrain and columns ahead. He could hear a small creek flowing nearby, echoing into a cavern even further below. Link studied the ground beneath him- a clean, granite foundation adorned with circular patterns and emblems Link had never seen before.

Why is the Queen here? And where are we-He felt a small nudge on his shoulder. When he turned slightly, he found Talon, gazing intently at him, no trace of any fear after falling several hundred feet and floating in a golden glow. Link smiled slightly, but the smile didn't reach his cheeks.

Talon nudged his shoulder again. Link absentmindedly scratched Talon's head.

Master-...

Fi?

"Link," Zelda's voice cut into his inner thoughts, and he felt her hand wrap around his wrist.

Master Link-...dangerous...

Link's stomach churned- his feeling from before hadn't dissipated. If anything, his unease had nearly doubled. He stepped forward, and instinctively threaded his fingers through Zelda's.

And then he met the Queen's gaze.

"This is my mother, Link," Zelda said reverently, "The former Queen Zelda of Hyrule."

The Queen stared at him, her pale blue-green eyes clouded with curiosity, a touch of judgement, and something...fiercethat Link couldn't identify. Link looked carefully at the Queen's features: he saw Zelda's small nose and wide eyes. He saw Zelda's inquisitive frown, and royal chin. Her soft, flowing hair. Her small, pink lips. Even the feather light, dusty freckles barely gracing her cheeks.

They looked so similar- she had to be Zelda's mother...right?

His heart raced faster than a hummingbird's wings. What exactly was he supposed to say to a Spirit Queen, let alone Zelda's mother…

"Link of Hateno," the Queen said regally, "I know much about you, young hero."

Link gulped.

How do I respond to that?!

"Um...Your grace," Link said softly, with a slight tremble and minor crack to his voice, "It is...an honor to meet you."

He bent awkwardly into something between a bow and a nod. Zelda giggled. The Queen raised an eyebrow, and her mouth twitched humorously.

Way to go, Hero.

"You're a skilled knight, a courageous warrior, and a kind soul, Link of Hateno," the Queen said haughtily, floating a little closer to him, and then around him, studying and appraising him like an ancient artifact. "I've watched you overcome many trials for my Zelda. I've seen how you care for her, and how she cares for you."

The Queen paused in front of him, and smiled.

"You've nothing to fear from me, hero."

Something in her eyes...the fierceness that still resided in her gaze. He believed her, but...

Something still isn't right.

"Of course, your grace," Link said, his voice low and professional, "Thank you."

Zelda squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Mother...where are we?" Zelda's grip loosened, "I don't know this place. I've never come across anything about this in all of my research-"

"The Gate of Time," said the Queen, with a sigh, "At the Sealed Temple, long ago known as the Temple of Hylia."

Link watched Zelda's eyes widen in both confusion and shock.

"The Temple of Hylia? Isn't this the Forgotten Temple?" Zelda asked.

The Queen nodded. "It is both, my dear."

Link frowned. He was confused- too many names for too many temples…

"Mother...I have...so many questions-"

The Queen's spirit flickered again, fading in and out as though she'd momentarily lost power. She huffed worriedly.

"I don't have much time, Little Bird," the Queen said to Zelda, and made a gesture towards the dark horizon beyond them. "My fragile power is waning...for I have almost completed the task in which the Goddesses left for me."

Task?

"Task?" Zelda echoed his thoughts.

"To wait. To warn. To tell you my story. The Calamity was only a distraction, love," the Queen's tone conveyed something crucial, "Something to focus our attention away from here. From the true threat to Hyrule: The resurrection of Ganondorf."

Link stopped breathing. Zelda's grip tightened so much that his fingers started to tingle.

"Many years ago," the Queen's spirit flickered again, but she continued, "When you were a child, Urbosa and I travelled for a typical visit to Rito Village. When the Rito complained of rumbling and loud crashing coming from the Forgotten Temple, Urbosa and I went to investigate. We searched and searched the whole temple to no avail, until a small earthquake shook the floor beneath the shrine so violently, that a large boulder in the back fell out of place. Urbosa and I immediately explored- me, because I was incredibly intrigued, and Urbosa, because her job was to protect me...though, she was also my dearest friend. My co-conspirator. And she definitely wouldn't say no to a good fight or a daring adventure," the Queen smiled absentmindedly at the memory.

Link felt his own small smile- he pictured the Urbosa from his memories, the Urbosa who parented Zelda in her mother's absence. Her determination. Her combat abilities.

The Queen's gaze turned suddenly morose.

"We barely made it halfway into this very pit," she muttered.

The Queen cast her arm above them, and the room suddenly sparkled in green wisps. A swirling vortex of green...words. Link tried to make sense of the foreign characters, but he could only tell the writing resembled Gerudo. More importantly, the glowing words illuminated their surroundings- They were in a pit, for sure...but Link caught a slope off to his right, and followed the slope upwards. The ramp continued upwards, into the nothingness he and Zelda fell from.

Familiar...

...He knew this place. Well...he didn't...but something deep inside of him did. Something ancient and sacred. A memory so old it was barely a speck in his consciousness.

Pit of Demise…

Fi was so quiet, and so faded.

"Before Ganondorf launched his attack on me," the Queen said, resting her left arm gracefully at her side, "Urbosa used her fury to keep him at bay, and I harnessed my sealing powers to force him back into this underground prison. Demise himself was imprisoned here, after all."

Demise again…?

Again...another speck of a memory...a large, muscular, grey, human-like entity, with fire for hair and a sword of darkness-

"And as long as Ganondorf didn't have the Triforce," the Queen went on, "He would be helplessly trapped in the pit and unable to open the Gate of Time. I hurriedly conjured a seal to freeze Ganondorf in place, until Urbosa and I could figure out how to seal him permanently."

Link watched as a spirit form of a much younger Urbosa and a more faded spirit form of the Queen appeared on the ramp across from him and Zelda. The spirits sent their magic and fury upon a blurry, dark force. Link watched the spirit Urbosa snap her fingers, and bring raging lightning and thunder upon a dark, twisted creature before her. The spirit Queen's hand glowed, and pushed the creature backwards. Suddenly, the dark creature morphed into a thick, magenta spirit sludge.

Malice.

"But the spell didn't work as we'd anticipated," the Queen said sadly, floating delicately as the spirit forms dissipated behind her, "We sealed Ganondorf, yes, in a prison of his own malice. But we didn't seal Ganon. Evil itself. And it was then that I knew for sure…" the Queen breathed deeply, and gazed abruptly at Zelda, "Oh Little Bird...I knew this would be your responsibility. I did everything in my power to keep this burden from you, but after that confrontation with Ganondorf in his incomplete body, I knew there was no stopping the inevitable. The Calamity was meant to happen in your lifetime, and there was nothing I could do to stop it!"

Link looked at Zelda. Her eyes were wide with compassion and shock, and her cheeks were flushed. Her hand was still wrapped tightly around his.

This must be so hard for her...

The Queen barreled on, "I couldn't live with that knowledge...knowing that you were to confront the darkest of evils, and that I was the one who needed to train you for it! When Urbosa and I left the incomplete Ganondorf sealed under the temple, I told Urbosa of my woes…and she, too, feared your burden. Feared for your destiny."

"So we researched...:" the Queen exclaimed, "And came up with a plan- We couldn't prevent the Calamity, but using a more advanced form of Urbosa's spell and my sealing magic, we believed we could prevent Ganon from resurrecting as a Gerudo once again. We knew Ganon would be much easier to fight in an evil incarnate form."

The Queen gulped, and her spirit flickered once more. She sighed heavily.

"But it came at a cost. A price neither of us were prepared to pay..."

The Queen cradled her right arm. Zelda gasped, and Link's eyes widened in shock- the Queen's arm was shriveled and brittle, like that of an ancient Sheikah monk.

"Power, of course," the Queen whispered, "Power I didn't mind relinquishing. I had no real need of it, and I assumed that, as Zelda grew, my powers would wane anyway. Hylia only needs one chosen at a time, after all. I didn't realize…" the Queen's voice cracked, and she winced in pain from the memory, "I didn't realize that the sacrifice was more than my powers...that Ganon would claim my life as well..."

Link looked at Zelda. She stared sadly at her mother, her eyes glassy with tears.

I wish I could make it hurt less…

He squeezed her hand gently.

The Queen's voice sounded strained as she continued, "I fought. Goddess above, I fought Ganon in his Gerudo form with everything I had. He claimed my power, and my arm...but not before I drove him deep beneath Hyrule, and sealed him with a final bit of my power and Gerudo magic."

Suddenly, the Queen buried her face in her good hand.

"This is all my fault," the Queen whimpered in a way that, if Link hadn't been watching her speak, he would've thought it was Zelda. "He was so...angry. I remember his raging roar, and a hurricane of malice…and what he did with my power..." the Queen shivered, "He twisted it. He used it to infect Hyrule...and eventually, you, my love…"

The Queen cupped Zelda's cheek in her injured hand, and stroked Zelda's hair with the other. Zelda's overall demeanor remained stoic, though her wide, teary eyes betrayed the complex, warring emotions within.

Link squeezed her hand again.

"Had I not gone into the temple…" the Queen said, "I could have lived. Urbosa and I could have dealt with Ganondorf after I'd taught you how to use your powers, Little Bird. I could've helped you use the technology and train the Champions. Urbosa...my Rhoam...the Champions...they all might have lived, the people might have lived, had I not been so reckless…"

The Queen's voice trailed off. She flickered again, and gasped. Her good arm jerked abruptly to the side.

What the-

"But there's no time for regret," the Queen spoke urgently to herself, before turning and looking intently at Link and Zelda, "Regret is dangerous down here- Ganon will use it against you. He will find your weaknesses and exploit them. He will corrupt you into someone, or something, you don't recognize...or he'll claim your life."

Master Link? Can you hear me?

Fi!

I regret to say that, according to my observations, Hylia is missing.

...what?

I typically refer to the Goddess for orders...but, unfortunately, I am unable to locate her.

But Zelda's right here-

I am aware, Master...but Hylia either isn't in Zelda...or something is blocking Hylia's commands.

Before Link could contemplate Fi's words, the Queen flickered again- when she settled, she was nearly transparent. Zelda's tears began flowed freely now, and she released Link's hand.

"Mother, please don't go-"

"Little Bird," The Queen whispered, "Time is almost up, my love."

No…

The Queen floated to Zelda, and caressed her cheek once more.

"Zelda," the Queen said fondly, "You are my pride and joy. I've never regretted protecting you, and I never will...in exchange for my sacrifice, I've bought you TIME and LIFE, and I am more than happy to pay that price."

The Queen clenched her eyes shut, her features twisting in pain, "But I must resign myself to my fate, and let you fight the battle that should have been yours to fight in the first place."

The Queen opened her eyes, and sighed. She took Zelda's hand, and kissed it softly.

"Have courage, my love. Be strong. I'll be there- I'll be there at the final battle, watching you from above," the Queen breathed out a laugh, "Or wherever I am."

Zelda let out a quiet sob. "I love you so."

"I love you too, my sweet girl...my treasure…"

And, with one final poof, the Queen was gone, leaving Link and Zelda alone in a dark, empty silence.

Zelda continued to stare into space, as she had done on and off for the past few hours. After the encounter with her mother, Zelda felt...heavy. Like her emotions alone weighed hundreds of pounds.

Grief still plagued her. Would she ever be free of the weight of her sorrows? The loss of everyone- everything- she loved...wasn't that enough? Enduring a century of torture and trauma at the hands of evil itself...wasn't that enough? Now, she had to live with the knowledge had died for her.

Zelda's mind flashed to her spirit mother...Zelda was glad her mother was able to finish the task she'd set out to complete...and Zelda was also grateful that the Goddesses allowed one last moment with her mother…

But...if this battle had been hers from the beginning...then what was the point of her mother's sacrifice? And her sacrifice? And Link's?

Link…

Zelda looked down from her perch on Talon, and gazed wistfully at her Hero. He'd dutifully placed her on Talon's back when she was too fazed to move, and let her sort out her thoughts silently. The only time he'd interrupted her thinking was to pull Talon across a broken section of pathway.

She hadn't lost everything. He was still here, with her. Still devoted to her. And she couldn't- wouldn't- let Ganon take him, too.

Zelda wasn't sure exactly how long she and Link had been wandering this strange, underground world. This new place was large and...remarkable. Absolutely stunning. She caught the occasional glowing plant or creature from the light of Link's torch and the light of the luminous stones. Their path was lined with large, stone tablets decorated with intricate, ancient writing.

"It's Zonai," Zelda had whispered earlier, in a moment of clarity.

Link had merely nodded, and left Zelda to take pictures of the Zonai writing with the Sheikah Slate. He'd been on edge, ready for danger, anyway.

Busy looking for any new sign of Ganondorf...

But there'd been no sign of...anything threatening, really. They'd been following the underground river for a few hours, now. The further into the underground world they explored, the lighter it became- the riverbed glowed a pale aquamarine, and the pathway was scattered with irregular banks and columns of more vibrant luminous stones.

Zelda's back ached from sitting on Talon for too long.

"Link…" Zelda's voice cracked, "May we rest for a moment?"

Link nodded, and wordlessly held out his hand to help Zelda off of the beast. She hopped down gracefully, and rushed to the riverbank. Link followed behind, grabbing Talon's rope. Zelda watched Talon gratefully dipped his head into the cool water, and Link leaned his head on Talon's hide. He sighed, opened his eyes, and accidentally met Zelda's nosy stare.

Zelda smiled admiringly at him, and he blushed. Goddesses...she loved his strength, his courage, and his bravery...but more than anything, she loved this. These quiet, stolen moments of normalcy, where the weight of their woes were momentarily forgotten. A glimpse of who Link truly was when he wasn't thinking about his next task. Where Link let the tension in his body ease, and let himself breathe a sigh of relief. Where he didn't have to be strong, courageous, or brave. Peaceful interactions with animals...meaningful interactions with close friends...and, of course, the loving interactions with her.

Link moved away from Talon, and walked towards her, stopping to kneel next to her at the riverbank.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice tender and concerned.

Physically fine. But that's not what he's asking.

Zelda breathed deeply, and thought about how to answer that question. She closed her eyes.

"I feel...almost numb," Zelda's voice was faint as she reached to rub the bridge of her nose, "I feel...so many different, warring things...and I know that I don't really have the time to process or sort through all of them."

But I miss her...GODDESS above I miss her...I feel like someone ripped a scab off of my heart.

Link wrapped his arm around her waist. Zelda laid her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I wish there was something I could do-"

CRACK!

Zelda screamed, and felt the ground loosen beneath her. She heard the abrupt splashing of water and a groaning rumble. She stumbled forward, but the quaking rock beneath her knocked her to the ground.

"Zelda!" Link cried out as he threw himself towards her, "Grab my hand!"

He reached for her, and Zelda stretched her arm as far out as she could-

CRACK!

The ground split, and Zelda grasped desperately at air as Link's form moved further away. She searched for something to hold onto...something to keep her from sinking into the deep, dark abyss beneath her.

"LINK!"

The floor beneath her jerked, and Zelda's stomach lurched as she fell into the new crevice. Before she fell too far, she felt Link's hand grip her wrist.

A groaning, dismal sound came from behind her.

"Talon!" Link cried.

Link quickly and effortlessly pulled Zelda up onto the ledge, and then peered over the new crevice in the ground...to where Talon stood alone on the other side.

"Shit," Link cursed, "Guess you have to walk from here."

Zelda felt a pang of sorrow for the large, gentle creature, trapped on the other side without them.

But at least he didn't fall in...

"Come here," Link said roughly, but Zelda was already moving, burying her face into his chest and inhaling his grassy, pine scent. Inhaling the scent of bliss, comfort, and home. She felt his lips press into her forehead, and his hand run comfortingly through her hair. His other arm gripped her waist tightly, and she felt him immerse his face in her hair and inhale. When his fingers trailed lightly on the back of her neck, Zelda felt goosebumps, and shivered.

She pulled back, and sat up a little straighter, her eyes suddenly even with his, and their noses touching. Before she could lean in further, she noticed an odd green glow framing his cheek.

He must've noticed it too- he pulled away, and they both turned towards the source.

Green wisps- similar to the ones her mother conjured before- swirled above sharp, jagged rocks. The swirls seemed to wrap around a large stone piece of Sheikah technology at the top of the cavern. Dark, demonic tendrils spread across the ground in menacing waves. In the center of the chaos stood a mummy-like creature, contorted backwards in agony.

And the origin of the wisps, sealed at the creature's chest, was a green hand and forearm, adorned with the jewelry of the Royal Family.

Oh Goddesses...it's-

"It's him," Link finished her thought, "It's Ganondorf."

Zelda instinctively moved her hands around Link's neck, feeling heat gathering-

Wait…

Too hot-...

And...she felt...disgust. And anger. A consuming, burning revulsion clawed into her skin...she suppressed an abrupt compulsion to use the hands around Link's neck to squeeze-

Zelda clenched her eyes tight, and pulled rapidly away from him. The momentum caused her to fall on her behind, and she used her hands to steady herself. She took several deep, shaky breaths, eager to hold on to the sudden desperate fear that gripped her insides. She'd felt despair...anguish...the darkest of emotional torture...but never had she felt...this.

What IS that?! Where is it coming from?!

"Zelda?" Link asked, his voice timid and concerned, "What is it?"

Zelda chanced a glance up at him, and felt the burning in her skin rise to an inferno of rage. Link's eyes widened in sheer terror, and he jumped abruptly to his feet.

"No…" he whispered, mouth agape and gasping for air. He blinked a few times, as if he didn't trust what he saw. He locked his eyes in hers, and tried to discreetly slide away from her.

What is he staring at?!

Zelda closed her eyes, and felt the boiling revulsion ease into a simmer, until it was nearly nonexistent. When she opened them again, Link was staring at her, mouth agape.

"What is it, Link?" she whispered.

Link gulped, clearly hesitant to answer her.

"Your eyes," he said, his voice shaky and slightly higher pitched.

No…

"Yes…"Zelda froze.

"Malice, Zelda," Link almost whimpered.

Zelda unglued her gaze from his, and stood abruptly.

No...please, Hylia, no…

"Hylia isn't here, Princess."The inferno blazed once more. Zelda felt her hand twitch of it's own accord. No!Suddenly, Zelda's knees buckled beneath her.

"LINK!" she shrieked.

"You will NOT speak anymore, Princess."

NO!Zelda tried to scream again, but her mouth was clamped tightly shut.

Hylia, please! I can't hurt him!

"YOU can't. But I can. And I will.""Zelda!" Link shouted.

But when she turned, Link jumped a few feet away from her, his hands and arms frozen near the hilt of his sword. He locked on her eyes once more, and the terror in his gaze told her everything before Ganon could.

"You're mine, Princess. And you shall finally feel my wrath."

"LINK!"

Her scream tore into his chest as he watched her fall to the ground, almost as if she'd been tripped by an invisible force.

"Zelda!" he cried in desperation.

But when he and Zelda locked eyes again, his entire body froze as if it had been doused in ice water.

Magenta. Orange. Malevolent. Utterly evil.

Ganon.

No...Goddesses please, no…

"We meet again, Hero," Zelda's voice was sinister and mocking, "And there's no escaping this time."