Chapter 11

Breathing slowly and deeply, Link gazed out over Faron Woods from atop the statue of The Goddess. Fi hovered beside him looking in the direction of The Sealed Temple, her expression as blank and serene as ever, but a different energy emanated from her countenance. Link couldn't quite explain it, but he supposed that in working so long with the sword spirit he had developed a keen sense for her mood. He had grown to really admire Fi, even though her blunt insistence grated him sometimes. They had done it. Demise was gone. Fi had said it herself; and whatever she lacked in emotion or empathy she had always more than made up for in brutal honesty. It had always been her way, and Link trusted her. He turned his hand slowly over, the three golden triangles etched into his skin burned more brightly than ever. The Triforce. He had found it; its power destined for him…his to command and protect. He breathed deeply, the fresh air filling his nostrils until he thought he might burst. His heart leapt; Zelda would surely wake soon, and Girahim…The Demon had always had a knack for turning up at crucial moments. Links heart skipped a beat. He had not seen or heard from him since their last encounter in Eldin nearly a fortnight ago. He had no idea what the destruction of Demise would mean for Girahim, or if he even still lived. He gulped uncomfortably, preferring not to think of the latter. Would he even still have feelings for Link when this was over? Everything was happening at a whirlwind's pace, Link reeled his thoughts back to the present. One step at a time…

"Your prayers to the Triforce have been heard." Fi said in her twinkling voice. She turned her jewel-bright eyes toward him. "In light of these factors, the seal Zelda maintained through her agelong sleep is no longer necessary. My projections indicate she will wake momentarily. I advise you to make your way to the Sealed Temple as soon as possible."

The sword spirit turned her face away shamefully…in truth she had not lied to him. The great, beastly form of Demise had indeed been eradicated. But she knew it was far from over. The Puppet Demon had yet to show himself.

Tears of joy streamed down Links cheeks as he jogged toward the Sealed Temple grinning from ear to ear. A warm breeze was in his face, and he laughed aloud as he drew level with the heavy stone doors. He pushed them open and strode inside. The old woman stood before him, her face split in a crinkled smile; Groose stood to her left, his arms crossed smugly and a look of pride on his face. He nodded approvingly as Link approached, stepping aside to reveal the far doors. The Gate of Time still ticked ominously as Link looked on, open mouthed at a pale beam of light filtering through the opening between the large, carved stone double doors. The light flashed brilliantly, and the three of them threw a hand up as the doors slid open. Link stepped forward as the light waned, beholding again the large gem of amber that preserved Zelda within it. Her eyes were closed, her lovely face frozen in a perpetual sleep. Link watched in amazement as the strange light surrounding the bright orange stone began to pulsate…faster and faster…abruptly, with a resounding crack, large fissures split the face of the smooth surface. Snap! More veins fractured its face until, with an almighty crash like the sound of a thousand glass goblets shattering, the amber stone was blown apart. Links breath caught in his throat as he looked on, wide-eyed. As the light grew dim, and the shards of amber settled, he beheld her; Zelda floated ethereally down to the floor tiles. Her misty eyes fluttered as she raised her head to look at him. She began to walk forward shakily, a small smile spreading on her lips. She was even more beautiful than Link remembered; her skin and hair glowing with an elegant light. She stumbled suddenly, and Link dashed forward to catch her, drawing her close to him as they both collapsed to the floor. He buried his face in her hair, tears leaking silently down his cheek. He was so overwhelmed with joy that she was finally safe, but a pang of sadness that he couldn't quite explain twisted deep within him.

"Good morning…Link…" She said weakly into his shoulder. He said nothing, simply continued to hold her, reveling in the warmth and realness of her body. "I knew you would come for me." She stammered, pulling away to look up into his face. Her watery eyes were filled with gratitude and adoration. He blushed lightly. "I knew you could do it, Link. Thank you." He hugged her close again; he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to let go. After what seemed like many long moments they broke apart. "I'd like to hear all about your adventures Link, but I think we had better go check on Granny and Groose." She giggled. It was quite possibly the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. They rose and walked back through the stone doors to where the old woman and Groose stood waiting.

It was wonderful to be re-united again with his old friends, laughing and regaling each other with various high points from the past several weeks. Even Groose had really grown on Link, and he was a perfect audience as Zelda and Link exchanged stories; gasping and laughing in all the right places, and filling in the gaps with stories of his own alongside the old woman in Faron Woods. Link swelled with happiness, like a deflated balloon inside him was finally being filled back up again; but there was still a piece missing…he bowed his head slightly as Groose and Zelda continued to laugh and turned toward the front door of the temple that hung ajar. He could just make out the point upon which he and Girahim had stood looking out over The Sealed Grounds what seemed like ages ago, before The Temple of Hylia had fallen back down to the surface. Link reached into his pocket, his hand closing over something smooth and pointed.

Suddenly, without warning a large bolt of electricity shot from the temple ceiling down between Link and Zelda sending them both crashing to the floor. Link blinked diamond afterimage away from his vision, his ears ringing and rolled over; his heart nearly stopped. Once again, as though the mere thought of him were somehow a summons, a high, cold laugh filled the temple as The Demon Lord Girahim sauntered out from behind a nearby pillar. His arms were still coated charcoal and deep, black fissures still wound their way down the left side of his face to his boots. Link could see the empty, insentient look in his dark eyes. If Demise was still controlling Girahim then…Links insides twisted horribly. His brief elation at merely seeing The Demons face again was quickly replaced with a rabid fear. Zelda.

"This is all very touching, really, but I'm afraid I have to cut this emotional moment short. It's best for everyone if you forget about your friend. The little goddess is mine now!" Girahim exclaimed in a whirl of diamonds as he transported closer. Link struggled to stand up, his head still spinning. He was still so dizzy, he could only watch in horror as Girahim turned toward Zelda, extending his hand. She must've been knocked unconscious by the previous blow, for she did not respond when Girahim levitated her body with magic off of the stone floor. Link growled desperately as he fought to clear his head.

"My master may have perished in this age, but in the past he lives yet! I'm taking the girl back through that door to help me revive the Demon King!" With a flourish, The Demon hoisted a limp Zelda over his shoulder and turned back to Link; "You've been so adorably dogged in your quest to get in my way, and as much as it has delighted me, I can no longer tolerate you nipping at my heels." He continued in that same voice that didn't quite seem to belong to him that Link remembered from their last meeting in Eldin.

"…Link…" Zeldas eyes fluttered weakly as she lolled uselessly over Girahims shoulder, like a large and beautiful ragdoll. With a shake of his head, Link glared darkly as he staggered finally to his feet, drawing The Master Sword and taking a step toward Girahim. No way in hell was this all going to be for nothing.

"I can't let you do that." Link said, surprised that his voice came out so calm and even. "Give it up Demise, you're finished. Let it go." Groose and the old woman were both staring open-mouthed from Link to Girahim. The Demon met his eyes with a vicious stare; he was no longer smiling.

"…You know boy, you've really pushed me too far. The moment I've sweated and bled for is at hand. I don't even have time to grind my heel into a worm like you. Not now." In a flurry of diamonds he vanished, re-appearing at the top of the dais, upon which stood Groose and the old woman…and The Gate of Time. Link struggled to take a step forward, willing his feet to move, but he still felt light-headed and dizzy; the adrenaline that had kept him going before finally beginning to fade. An immense wave of exhaustion washed over him, making his stomach turn and he stumbled to one knee. Girahim did not look around as he glared darkly at Groose and the old woman. Link looked up as the idiot puffed out his chest, rather like a rooster he had seen over at Pumms place do when guarding the hens against intruders. Girahim glared disdainfully at him.

"…Stand down. You're in my way, and the sight of your appalling hair makes my gorge rise." Strangely, Links heart rose at these words; they were a glimmer of the Girahim he knew. Perhaps maybe…just maybe he was still in there…clamoring to get out. With a grunt, Girahim kicked Groose roughly in the chest, sending him sideways into Granny, and together they tumbled off the dais. Link gritted his teeth as he attempted once again to stand. The Demon turned once more to glare maliciously at Link. "You've done a fine job of spoiling my plans to revive the Demon King in this age, so I see no point in dawdling here. But the past…oh the past…So full of possibilities. I shall resurrect him there with the divine soul of this golden-haired girl! Farewell Sky-child, it's been a pleasure." The wicked smile returned to his face, yet it still seemed to lack his true character, as though someone had cut and pasted it there. Link panted defeatedly as The Demon Lord puppet laid his scorched hand upon the gate, opening the strange spiraling tunnel of light. 'Damn!' Link thought despairingly as Girahim disappeared through the gate. He pushed himself to standing with an effort, panting as every muscle in his body protested. Fingers trembling, he reached into his belt pouch and withdrew a small corked bottle with a red liquid swirling inside. He un-stoppered it and brought the warm liquid to his lips, draining half the bottle. He felt an electric heat surge through him, summoning back his strength. His head clearing, he made his way over to where Groose and the old woman lay sprawled on the floor; Groose was massaging his chest where Girahims foot had made contact and Granny was slowly getting to her feet, adjusting her long red shawl. She declined the potion Link offered, but he insisted that Groose drink the rest.

"Thanks, Link…" his friend said with a grateful sigh. "Who is that pale-faced bully? Have you seen him before?" Link was returning the bottle to his belt pouch and didn't reply right away. That was indeed a complicated answer. The old woman was also looking at him, as though she already had an expectation for what he was going to say.

"He is The Demon Lord Girahim." Link sighed somewhat regretfully. "He is an agent of Demise, under his direct control by way of a very old and dark magic." He turned toward the gate as he continued to speak. He hadn't talked of Girahim on any level to anyone yet. Groose and Granny merely continued to look at him, that all-knowing look still fixed upon the old woman's face. "He was once a simple inhabitant of this land, a long time ago. He was once no different than you or myself." He trailed off in a whisper as he began to ascend the dais toward the gate. He knew what he must do. There was nothing for it. If this information shocked Granny or Groose, they did not let on. The old woman stepped toward Link;

"You have changed from the young man that entered my sanctuary many moons ago." Her face crinkled in a knowing smile. She dropped her voice to barely more than a whisper, looking up into his face with her beetle black eyes. "It will take a power much greater than the mere destruction of Demise to bring his wayward servant back to the light." She reached a hand out to touch Link's toe, as he stood high upon the dais now. "But, perhaps there is hope. You are The Goddess' chosen hero. The threads of fate that bind you to Lord Girahim are no more an accident than the ones that bind you to The Goddess herself." Link's eyes flashed. Somehow she knew…something…He forced a small smile onto his lips and simply nodded. Whatever she knew, he would take all the words of encouragement he could get.

"Let's do this, Link." Groose said, placing his ape-like hands on his hips. "Granny and me, we've got your back. I'll follow you through, okay? Just tell me what to do, and Groose is on the case. I'm not scared of that sissy boy and his dark magic. We gotta end this." Links smile broadened as he looked from Granny to Groose.

"I wouldn't have made it this far without either of you…thank you." With his face set, he turned back to the gate, placing his palm upon its strangely warm and gently vibrating surface. With a series of clicks the tunnel within deepened, spiraling out of sight. With a last glance at the old woman, he turned and loped down the dark passage, Groose ascending the dais behind him.