To Be A Hero

by Leviosally468

GirahimXLink, M/M, some smut but also slow-burn, follows in-game play with some nifty twists, various POV and post S.S. after-story. Link hates that he can't stop thinking about his arch-nemesis, what does it mean? Girahim never expected to feel this way; can The Goddess' chosen hero change the course of the future for a defeated demon?

1. The Beginning

To Be A Hero

Preface

My thanks to Nintendo for the creation of the Zelda game series and characters, I claim rights to neither. This story has obviously been a bit late in coming, but better late than never ;). You can thank COVID-19 for granting me the time and headspace to make it through a 3rd playing of Skyward Sword, and the ability to finally put all of these ideas to the written page.

Before diving in, I feel an explanation of the rating is in order. This story is rated 'MA' for two reasons; chapter 7 and chapter 15. The rest is perfectly capable of standing on its own as a wonderfully dramatic, angsty and fairly typical GiraLink love story; so if you are a more celibate-minded individual, I encourage you to take the plunge by skipping these chapters altogether. (Don't think I don't know that there are those of you out there scrolling to chapter 7 right now, intending to speed read, change your panties and continue about your day ;) Whichever method you choose, I hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Don't forget to review! An artist is only as good as her critics, as they say.

Chapter 1

With a groan Link shoved hard upon the thick, stone doors before him. They creaked heavily, dust billowing from between cracks and crevices that had gone undisturbed for many years. Link drew breath slowly and intentionally as he moved forward into the room without making a sound. His blood pounded in his ears as he walked on soft-booted feet. He found himself in a cavernous room with high arched ceilings bound in gold; magnificent tapestries adorning the chipped and faded walls. A soft haze illuminated the room giving it an eerie glow. Despite its jaw-dropping splendor, the room held a feeling of great age; it felt older than time itself, yet possessed something of an eternal quality at the same time. Link filed these thoughts away as he steeled himself for whatever awaited him here. This temple wasn't going to let him out without a fight, of that he was certain. He squinted deep aquamarine eyes in the lowlight. There was a door ahead, the symbol of The Goddess etched in the ancient stone. Surely Zelda lay beyond it, Link swallowed in spite of himself. Surely she was still alive.

Suddenly, a blinding white light flashed before him and he stumbled back from its brilliance. At the same moment, torches blazed around the circular room and a feeling of dread settled about Links shoulders as he put a hand up to his eyes. A figure materialized where the bright light was now fading. At the moment its back was to Link and he was unable to make out its face or if it was even indeed human. It was clad in tight white breeches and matching soft white boots that blended seamlessly at strong, muscular calves. A billowing, blood-red cape was draped about its narrow yet strapping shoulders, and a short-cropped length of silken pearl-white hair hung over the left side of its head. Links eyes widened and his hand began to drift toward his blade as the gloved hand of this figure suddenly raised a weapon of its own. It continued to gaze hungrily toward the closed door, raising a jet black saber high above its head when suddenly it paused, its energy shifting from the door. Without turning, it spoke;

"Well look who it is…"

The black saber vanished in a burst of black diamonds from the beings hand as it turned to face Link, its silken hair swinging as though caught perpetually in a light breeze. The skin of its face, although different in texture, was similar in color to its hair; it emanated a flawless, pearlescent brilliance that would have been quite lovely save for its eyes. They were cat-like and sharp, the pupils coal-black with a penetrating malice, and lidded in hues of a deep, poisonous purple. Its mouth was full and slightly pouted; its ears were, however, familiar…they came to a soft point in much the same way that Links own did. Could this being, however demonic it appeared, be of a similar race? It spoke again;

"I thought that tornado I sent would have tossed and torn you apart, yet here you are. Not in pieces." Link's brow furrowed in anger…so this was the cause for Zelda's fall to the surface…"Not that your death has any consequence. It's just the girl that matters now, and I can sense her here…just beyond this door." It tossed its head arrogantly to stare back at the door. The mans voice, as Link had decided, was high, cold and harsh and positively dripping with a malicious boredom; as though he had been caught in the middle of an important task and Link may as well have been a fly on the wall for all the effort he was putting into the conversation. But something else caught Links attention; the man said Zelda was here…just beyond the door…he listened closely as the man continued to speak;

"Yes, we plucked her majesty from her perch in the clouds. And now, she is ours. Oh, but listen to me, I am being positively uncivil. Allow me to introduce myself; I am the Demon Lord who presides over this land you look down upon, this world you call the surface. You may call me Girahim." So, this being who claimed he was a lord had a name. Link was suddenly struck with a white-hot surge of anger. He longed to punish this "lord" in the worst way possible. This man wanted to hurt Zelda and Link wanted to make him pay. "…in truth," he continued pompously, "I very much prefer to be indulged with my full title: Lord Girahim, but I'm not fussy." This was getting to be too much. Link had already sensed there would be no talking this man who thought himself a lord down to his senses. He gripped the hilt of the Goddess Sword tightly and drew. It slid easily from its sheath with a metallic reverberance that seemed to fill the whole room. Link could feel its strength seep into his arms, filling him with warmth and light. He thought fleetingly of plunging it to the hilt into this creature's back, as it still stood gazing longingly at the sealed door. Link had a sneaking suspicion he couldn't open it…he spoke again;

"Did you just draw your sword?" He mocked, "Foolish boy." He turned once again to face Link, his demonic eyes flashing. Despite the similar feeling of agelessness that surrounded this seemingly human being, Link could see plainly the man could not be more than a few short years his senior if he took into account his looks alone. Link supposed he might even be regarded as 'handsome' by some; yet he addressed him as 'boy' as though he were nothing but a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The demon known as Girahim spread his impressive arms and went on;

"By all rights the girl should have fallen into our hands already. She was nearly ours when that loathsome servant of the Goddess snatched her away." Girahims beautiful face contorted menacingly as he clutched at his temples, "Do you have any idea how that made me feel inside?" His voice was low and guttural now as he writhed like an angry serpent. Links insides burned as his own anger grew. "Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" To Links astonishment, just as the Demon Lord coiled himself to strike, his body disappeared in a burst of black diamonds. Though Link could no longer see his physical body, he could feel his dark presence moving about the room. It was a bloodthirsty and hateful presence, like the feeling one gets in a dark wood when one feels one is being watched by a stalking animal. Link whirled about with his sword in hand, eyes sharpened for any sign of movement as a disembodied voice seemed to echo about the chamber; "This turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed." The high, cold voice chuckled lightly from somewhere to his left. "Still…it hardly seems fair, being of my position, to take all of my anger out on you, which is why I promise up front not to murder you." Links breath caught in his throat as he felt a pair of strong, serpentine arms wend their way through his own, trapping his sword arm to his side. His stomach plummeted as Girahim leaned in close to his ear, breathing him in. Why was he stalling? What was he waiting for? Link shuddered, If he's not going to kill me, what is he playing at? He gulped as a trickle of cold sweat beaded on his brow. Girahim opened his mouth and a long, slithering tongue caught the trickle of sweat as is crept down the side of Links face. Link shivered in spite of himself as a fresh hot surge of anger boiled within him and he struggled against the ropey, muscular arms that held him fast. Was this creature at all human? Link no longer cared to find out, he was ready to fight and be done with it. Girahim pulled him back in, this time against the opposite cheek and growled huskily in his ear; "I'll just beat you within an inch of your life!" At this he pushed Link hard away, sending him reeling forward. He caught himself before he fell and turned quickly to face Girahim.

Lord Girahim chuckled as he looked the boy up and down; He wasn't really a boy at that…hard muscle stood out under the rough fabric of his breeches and under his tunic which was well-cut even if the material was poor. His face was still round and innocent, and those eyes…like deep pools of water. Though he was hard and unforgiving, The Demon Lord did have a weakness for pretty things. 'I will break him', he thought with a malicious grin. He was tired of the interference of this overgrown gadfly in his peasant clothing, sporting the relics of the ancient Goddess-whore. He was tired of always being the one to deal with the foolhardy girl and her protector. Yet, something held him back…he could have flayed the boy open in a matter of seconds many times over in the past several minutes, but he continued to toy with him…All in good time, he thought wickedly. If there was one thing Girahim prided himself in, it was patience. A despicable smile split his face from ear to ear. The boy should be lucky to escape with a stiff warning from Lord Girahim.

In a shower of diamonds the demon lord vanished again and Link turned about quickly, knowing full-well he would re-appear close and he wasn't giving Girahim any excuse to gain the upper-hand this time. At a chuckle behind him, he whirled, sword glinting ethereally to find Girahim stalking slowly toward him. He snapped his fingers and the heavy, red velvet mantle vanished from around his shoulders. He chuckled lightly, "You know Sky-child, I have given you my name but I don't remember you giving me yours. Even enemies can still have manners." Link balanced on the balls of his feet as he had been taught, ready to dodge whatever Girahim threw his way. The Demon Lord was not currently wielding a sword, a detail that had not escaped Link, but this did not comfort him. Anyone who possessed the ability to disappear and reappear at will was not to be trusted. As this thought occurred to Link, Girahim snapped his long, gloved fingers again and several long, jet-black daggers appeared out of thin air before him, hovering in a straight line. "Perhaps you didn't hear me boy? What is your name?" Link glared, baring his teeth in a snarl. Girahim pointed with his finger and the daggers hurtled towards Link. He slashed horizontally, deflecting them away. "Tut, tut, Sky-child, you disappoint me…nevertheless, I'm prepared to give you a little lesson in humility. You've caught me on a good day I suppose…" Girahim licked his lips malevolently. Link couldn't stand it anymore, he lunged at Girahim and slashed to his right. Girahim leaped backward but not soon enough. The Goddess sword swung true, catching him in the side. Link pivoted quickly back around to see Girahim clutching his ribs as his own red blood bloomed over his skin tight white tunic. Links eyes widened slightly in surprise, both at landing his blow and the fact that Girahim even possessed blood. If he possessed blood, he had to be somewhat human, therefore he could be defeated. With that comforting thought, Link steeled himself once more and raised his blade.

Girahim stumbled as he felt the wretched Goddess' blade catch his side. He clasped his hands over the gash as blood seeped from under his palms. Right through his new tunic, damn them…the cut wasn't deep thankfully, but it made his blood boil. His breath came in fast, strained gasps as he raised his head slowly. "Your manners are certainly dreadful…" he growled, fighting to keep his voice calm and even. "You shall pay for this boy." Even so, Lord Girahim had to admire the boy's courage, which was not something he often admired as he didn't really hold with such idealistic nonsense. The emotion surprised him. He felt a pang of shame and immediately hated himself for it. He glowered and a grin returned to his lips. He stalked toward the boy again and snapped his fingers, summoning more daggers. "I will not ask you again. Tell. Me. Your. NAME." At this, Girahim sent the daggers soaring toward the boy, who ducked flat to the ground just in time to stop them from taking off his head. It was perfect. In a flash of diamonds Girahim was upon his back with his sword arm pinned behind him, and his own jet-black saber at his throat. He leaned his face close to this servant of The Goddess. "Here's your first lesson, child…" the boy struggled magnificently as Girahim rammed his knee harder into his back, further twisting his sword-arm and driving the saber into the skin of his beautiful neck. A small trickle of blood streamed from where the sharp edge was pressing against the boys skin. Suddenly the blade vanished and with his free hand Girahim cupped the boys chin. He bent his head low, breathing in his scent, and licked the small bead of blood that trickled down his neck with his long, slithering tongue. The child flinched and writhed. "You have reduced me to this boy." Girahim hissed in his ear. "I'll make you a little deal. Tell me your name, and I don't cut off your head."

Link struggled fruitlessly as Girahim drove his knee into his back and his blade into his throat. Link humbly admitted to himself a battle of strength seemed futile as both men were equally matched. 'But why,'….a small voice wriggled its way into Links conscious…'Why hasn't he killed me?' He screwed up his courage; 'What the hell did it matter?!' Link thought angrily back. Suddenly, the saber was gone and Girahims long, snake-like tongue was at his neck. Link shivered in spite of himself and was surprised to find the feeling had nothing to do with fear. He gasped aloud as goose-bumps sprang up on his skin. Damn your pride. Just tell him your damned name and get on with it. Zelda…think of Zelda… He squeezed his eyes shut. His breath was shallow and labored as Girahim continued to crane his head painfully upwards. He hissed almost gently in Links ear sending an electric wave down his spine. He demanded again for his name.

"My name…" he spluttered, "My name is…Link. It's Link" He gasped as he felt the weight of Girahims body leave him. His face collapsed towards the floor tiles as he struggled to suck in air. A high, cold laugh filled the chamber.

"Link?!" the voice scoffed, "Link?! The Goddess' chosen hero, the one to save the world from utter destruction…is named LINK?!" Girahim continued to laugh, hovering at the end of the chamber by the sealed door. Link pushed himself to standing and readied his sword. He was angry with himself for the way he had reacted to Girahim. What had happened? He felt humiliated for sure, although he wasn't about to let Girahim know that. But, some other unfamiliar emotion was bubbling just beneath the surface of his conscious mind as he remembered how Girahims touch had made him feel. Vulnerable? He mentally berated himself; this demon had a hand in harming Zelda. Was he really willing to gamble her sacrifice for a fucking feeling? He pushed the thoughts aside. He had to focus; now was the time to strike. Girahim had stopped laughing and was walking toward him again with a coy smile on his face.

"How do you feel now, Link?" He emphasized the name with a lick of his lips. Links face curled in a snarl as he lunged forward slicing at Girahim. As he brought his sword down, he felt it contact something…he opened his eyes, and found the tip of his sword caught between two of Girahims outstretched fingers. Links eyes widened and he gasped aloud. Girahim merely chuckled "You're going to have to try harder than that Sky-child Link, if you are to try and stop me." Just as Link struggled to free his blade, the demon lord released it, hopping backward and drawing his own sword. "You have courage it's true, boy, but you are no match for Lord Girahim."

Lord Girahim smiled inwardly. The boy called Link was definitely unsettled now. He had to admit, tormenting the poor, innocent thing was indeed fun…the boy even seemed to enjoy it…how interesting, and quite unexpected really. He did love games. Something still nagged at the Demon Lord's senses. He should crush this pathetic fool to dust, or else send him running back to his Sky-home with his tail set firmly between his rather distinguished legs already. Lord Girahim mentally shook himself. No matter, he would soon make him weep for mercy. With a fresh wave of anger at himself for drawing the process out, he lunged forward, meeting Link with a crash of steel. There was sweat on the boy's brow as he grunted with the effort of driving Girahims blade back. His smile deepened. He sidestepped throwing Link off balance and causing him to stumble. Girahim swept towards him again but this time Link pivoted to the side, slashing at Girahim from behind and forcing him to roll forward. "I'll admit you have some skill boy, but now you've made me dirty my boots." In a flash of diamonds he reappeared behind Link, catching his sword arm high and strapping his other arm down to his side with his own. He shoved Link backward into a nearby pillar, slamming his wrist into the cold, hard stone and causing the Goddess Sword to crash to the floor. He could feel the boy drawing breath, deep and strained. "I'm not without mercy," He panted once more into Links ear. There is another way out of this for you. Pledge yourself to me." He kissed Links cheek.

Link knew that he was more than a match for Girahim with a sword but he possessed none of his magic powers, and it nagged at him. But, even as a magical being he had not killed Link. He was waiting for something, or he was afraid of something. Either way, this meeting needed to end. Link grunted and squirmed as Girahim whispered in his ear, asking for his allegiance? Tingles shot back up Links spine again as Girahims lips brushed his face. How could this be happening? What exactly did Girahim want with him? He was tempted to ask him so when he wriggled free of the arm binding his left side, wrestling with Girahim until the Demon Lord re-captured both of his wrists and pinned them high to the pillar. With his free hand he conjured a single dagger and placed the point of it to Links tunic sleeves. Even thought the blade pierced neither fabric nor his mail, it held his wrists fast as he writhed to free himself. Girahim laughed viciously.

"I'll never join you!" Link spat. "I pledge myself to the light, and I will hold my oath even if it means my death!" His face set, he glared defiantly back at the Demon Lord.

"Just look at the Goddess' hero now." Girahim said calmly, pacing back and forth in front of Link. The bored tone in his high voice penetrated Links very soul. "You put up more of a fight than I would have thought possible out of such a soft boy." Girahim paused directly in front of Link, his hands clasped behind his back, and leaned in close until the tip of his nose almost touched Links own. "But don't clap for yourself just yet," he continued in an almost softer tone, his black eyes roved up and down Links body, coming to rest on his lips. Link felt his cheeks heat up and the blood rush to his ears. Why in the Godesses' name did he stare so? He cursed himself for feeling embarrassed and instead forced his eyes to match Girahims gaze. "That sword of yours is the only reason you still live." He took a step nearer, which meant his body was now a hairs breadth from Links, he could feel the coolness of the demons skin against his face. Girahim raised a hand placing it on the pillar above Links shoulder and leaned on it. He glanced at The Goddess sword lying on the floor tiles and then back at Link, tossing his hair flamboyantly. His dark, tunnel-like eyes pierced Links electric-blue ones. "I fear I spent far too long teasing and toying with you." Suddenly, he leaned right down to brush his soft, pale lips against Links. Link squeezed his eyes shut and looked away, almost forcibly, his face reddening even more. Why did his body react this way? He hated himself for the bubble of pleasure that blossomed somewhere near his navel. Girahim cocked his head and smiled. "What's the matter Sky-child? You seem nervous…do you surrender then?" He leaned in again brushing his lips back and forth across Links, his long tongue beckoning as he licked his lips. Jerkily, as though even against his own will Link turned his head slightly to meet Girahims lips. An electric energy surged from the meeting of their mouths to the tips of Links toes. He sagged against the dagger that held him. Thought flooded from his brain as Girahim cupped his head, wending his long fingers into Links hair and tugging at his scalp. His long tongue, once aggressive and menacing roved playfully between Links lips, teasing and tasting. He tasted good, Link thought stupidly as erotic shivers shot up his spine. This evil humanoid who talked of nothing but despair somehow seemed soft and warm…if only for a brief moment. Wait…nothing but despair…Links senses came crashing back to him like a gate slamming shut and he tore his head away.

What a lovely twist to a lovely game. The Demon Lord Girahim thought playfully as he finally took Links mouth in his. The Goddesses little hero has a dirty little secret now. He had his prey right where he wanted him, he thought mercilessly. Silly empathetic mortals whos emotions are all too easily swayed… The Demon Lord smiled against Links lips, and allowed him to sink deeper into the display of passion. He knew that he would not long have been a match for the boy and his magic blade for long, but Lord Girahim hadn't gotten this far on swordplay alone. He knew he was the best because he possessed other strengths. The boy moaned slightly as Girahim gripped his hard, muscular shoulders, turning up the heat. Suddenly Link tore his head away; Girahim could see his eyes welling as the boy cried out in rage, lashing out with his legs which hovered several inches above the ground. Girahim danced backward with a chuckle. "Come now, Link…don't tell me you weren't enjoying yourself there…even a little…tiny…bit?" Girahim licked his lips again and chuckled. "Besides, the girl's presence has all but faded from this place, which means there's no reason to linger here." He turned lazily and strode away from Link as he continued to speak, "Goodbye Sky-child. Run and play this time. Get in my way again though, and you're dead." With a circular flourish of his jet-black blade, he disappeared in a whirl of diamonds. The dagger holding Links cuffs to the pillar also vanished.

Breathing hard, Link bent to retrieve the Goddess sword and returned it to its scabbard, his mind racing. He glanced down at the heart container sparkling at him from the floor tiles. He thought fleetingly of hurling it across the room. The door at the end of the chamber beamed with a strange, pulsating light. Perhaps it could now be opened? Trying to push other emotions aside and focus on the task at hand, he strode to the door and heaved it open. His jaw dropped as he found himself face to face with a large spring of fresh water. Link had never seen such crystal clear water. His head swiveled this way and that as flora and fauna burst forth from every crack and crevice, and huge shady trees leaned lazily over the pool. Birds of every color sang and fluttered in the high branches and glittering insects hummed and buzzed in the sunlight. At the end of the largest pool loomed the statue of the Goddess. Before giving thought to anything else, Link headed to the statue and aimed a strike at the Goddess' symbol. Almost immediately, Fi materialized in front of him ready to present the Goddess' message. Link stood listening patiently, but inside he was a mess. What had he done? His emotions churned and wavered indecisively. He was brought abruptly back to his senses with the presentation of the next stone tablet. He tucked the smooth slab of stone roughly into his pouch and turned from the statue, a sudden feeling of dread and disorientation upon him. He departed, brooding for Skyloft.