Chapter 16
Girahim flopped onto his back next to Link, his body tingling as he came down. He opened the covers with a smoldering smile, and the boy…no…the man next to him snuggled into his chest. He wrapped his charcoal arms around the other and drew him in close, breathing him in. He felt…at peace…for the first time in…quite possibly for the first time. The feeling was so foreign and so beautiful, his chest ached. He had dwelled for so long in darkness that the sheer invitation of this bright new world of possibilities threatened to blind him or burn him to ash. There were so many thoughts…feelings…he supposed they were, chasing themselves around in his head he thought he might burst. He wasn't sure what to make of all of them just yet…it had been a long time. It almost frightened him to be in such unfamiliar territory. Things had been much simpler when he had been Demise's servant; he had one objective…one emotion to occupy him. Destroy the reincarnated goddess girl and revive his master. Then, the little green sparrow fell from his nest and everything changed. His smile deepened as he gazed down at the sandy cap of hair beneath his chin.
"You, know…" The Demon murmured, nuzzling his hair, "if I can expect more of these sorts of engagements in the future, you can be my master as long as you like." Link sniggered into his chest. He said nothing more for a long moment; they simply reveled in the feel of one another.
The Demon's skin was cool and smooth as Link rested contentedly in his arms, his chest rising and falling gently. He reached up and drew one of Girahims blackened hands between his own, caressing his long scorched-looking fingers and massaging gentle circles into his palms. Taking a deep breath, he broke the silence.
"Do you remember anything after the first time you brought me here? I know you told me you have little memory of it…you apologized for things you don't remember having control over…I assumed Demise had gotten to you, since you seemed more invested than ever to run me through; which reminds me…" He said suddenly, a snarky smile creeping onto his lips, "I think we ought to work the sword together sometime…if the fact that you're here is any indication of your…shall we say, failure on that point…" He released The Demons hand and threw his arms quickly over his head, laughing out loud as the other man raised his fist, growling threateningly.
"Careful boy…you have a knack for getting in over your head, and I can always decide to deliver on my promise of beheading you." He said darkly, but the corner of his mouth twitched in a crooked grin. "Besides, you said it yourself; if I had no control over my actions I can hardly be held accountable for my short-comings as a swordsman." The Demon held his eyes meaningfully for several moments and then dropped back onto his pillows, exhaling huffily. Gingerly, Link scooted back down beside him, laying his head on Girahims muscular arm, and gazing expectantly at him. Heaving another great sigh, the other man spoke;
"Your intellect is indeed keen…Once my master suspected that my dealings with you were not entirely benign, he punished me. By occupying my body with even the merest fraction of his lifeforce, he ensured that I would not wander astray again. I was able to remember parts of myself and who I was for a while at first…I could remember who you were and why it was my duty to seek you out, but nothing more intimate than that. Even those memories became more clouded and intertwined with my master's own designs for destroying you, until the things that I did…the words that I said…even the places I went…I couldn't recall any of it. My own free will and spirit became utterly detached from my physical form."He trailed off, a look of grave sadness marring his perfect, pale features. "There is a wretched place…a purgatory of sorts if you ask me…where the guardians of the sword dwell indefinitely as memories. Your Fi found me there, imprisoned by my own mind." Link gasped, his eyes widening.
"Fi came to you?" He said disbelievingly, propping an elbow under him to look directly at Girahim. The Demon smiled, almost more to himself…
…. … … …. … … …. … … ….
….."Girahim!" Fi's voice echoed around through the vast endlessness of The Purgatory of the Guardians as she tuned about didn't have much time.
The Demon looked up from where he sat, cross-legged, examining his reflection within the strange pool beneath him. A bright, musical voice called his name from deep within the penetrating darkness. He squinted his tilted eyes in the low light as the glittering purple and blue form of The Master Sword Sprite materialized in the blackness before him. He stood, not taking his eyes from her jewel-bright face.
"He is coming…" She breathed…
… … … … …. … … ….
… …"I saw…" Links voice cut through, bringing him back to the present, "I saw visions…I think…of you and Fi…fighting, while I was battling Demise…but you weren't fighting each other…I couldn't really see, I was trying to stop that great ape from taking my head off." He sat up, rubbing his forehead. Girahim cocked his head to the side, eyes following the gentle curve of the other mans spine, down to where his soft flesh parted upon the mattress.
"Did you ever wonder how I was able to come to you, for what I had surely thought would be the last time…up there, upon the platform after you defeated The Demon King?" Girahim asked gently…
… …. … …. … … …. … …
…Panting, Girahim stumbled forward, unable to hold himself upright any longer…his body ached. He pushed himself up with his hands, fighting to remain conscious as the world around him spun and heaved. He gasped for breath, his arms finally giving out as he rolled onto his side. This was it. He couldn't feel his fingers…his vision blurred…a purplish something swam before him, he tried to extend his hand, but his arms were too heavy…
Fi smiled sadly down upon the fading form of The Demon.
"You have truly surprised me, and proven your worth…" She sniffed. The sword spirit did not poses tears for she did not possess even a trace of true humanity as Girahim did, but she knew that if she had, she would have shed them gladly for the sacrifice of this noble fool. Bowing her head, she cupped her palms to the great gem within her chest, withdrawing from it a glowing orb of pale light. Kneeling gently next to the gasping demon, she brought the pulsating ball to his chest and pressed it over his heart. "Go to him…" She whispered…
… …. … … … …. … … …. … …
...Links eyebrows shot so far up his forehead, Girahim worried that they might become permanently fixed there, as he finished sharing the memory aloud. Link snapped his mouth shut quickly, his wide blue eyes staring disbelievingly back at The Demon. Girahim only smiled as the boy laid back upon the mattress next to him, rubbing his face as though massaging the words permanently into his brain. The sun outside had drifted beyond its peak and was sliding ever presently toward the western horizon. The afternoon was growing late. Girahim wrapped Link back in his arms and licked his ear.
"We had best consider going back soon, before your little friends decide to send out a search party." Link tilted his head back into The Demon's shoulder, his head spinning. Fi. He knew the sword spirits had to have possessed a deeper connection but he would never have guessed this. He did miss her.
They took their time rousing slowly; Link flitted back and forth, collecting his garments from where Girahim had tossed them into various corners of the room. The Demon crossed his legs, lacing his fingers behind his head and grinned wickedly as the other man blushed, dashing around for his things. Presently, they made their way out of the chamber, fully clothed again and stood blinking in the late afternoon sun outside the desert stronghold. It was little more than a tumble-down old outpost, really. Girahim spoke briefly of returning to liven it up a bit someday as Link strolled ahead of him, preparing to whistle for his loftwing.
"What are you doing boy?" Girahim sauntered over to him. "Whilst I have no earthly idea how long my magic powers will remain to me, I intend to make use of them for as long as possible." He said, grasping Links wrists. Link shook his head…of course…he had almost forgotten. He stuffed his hand back into his pocket and withdrew the small blue stone that he now never traveled without. Together, they disappeared in whirl of sand.
Their feet touched down back in Links apartment, Girahim releasing his wrists somewhat reluctantly. The Demon wandered to his writing desk and flopped into his chair, slinging his leg lazily over one arm. He looked like a large and extremely beautiful porcelain doll. Link unbuckled his heavy shield and set it aside, and was just fumbling with the knot binding Demise's sword to his back when a knock sounded at the door. Link started, and Girahims ears pricked with a jolt. Just as Link whipped around toward the desk, a soft twinkling told him The Demon had disappeared back into the sword.
"Link, are you in there?" Zelda's voice drifted from outside the door. His chest pounding, he strode to the door and swung it open. She didn't wait for an invitation as she pushed into his room. This wasn't new behavior as they had often crept into each other's rooms at night as young knights-in-training. "I've been looking all over for you…Surely you haven't forgotten about today…" He stared blankly back, giving her all the information she needed. "Oh, Link…it's the Autumn Sky Festival this evening! I would think someone like you would be more excited to finally be able to call himself an official knight?" He scrubbed a hand across his face and through his hair with a frustrated sigh. He had completely forgotten…it was easy to get sidetracked when you had a six-and-a-half-foot tall, achingly handsome Demon breathing lustfully down your neck.
"Goddess above, Zelda, I'm so sorry…I've been a bit…busy…" She cocked her head at him for a moment and then comprehension spread on her face as her eyes flickered to the violet hilt of The Demon Kings sword still sticking up over his shoulder.
"That's where you've been…" She whispered, circling around behind him to admire the sword. "You've been to one of the flames." She strode back around to face him, a look of astonished excitement on her face.
"We traveled to Naryu's flame this morning." He replied, shuffling his feet.
"We?" She emphasized, her eyes widening. Link sighed and turned his head over his shoulder;
"Perhaps now is a good time to offer your apologies to The Goddess as well." He called gently. No answer. "What's the matter? Remlit got your tongue Girahim? Come on, don't make me use the 'I'm your master' card." Link sighed irritably. A soft twinkling sound announced the appearance of The Sword Spirit somewhere behind him. Zeldas eyes grew wider still, and her mouth dropped open.
"That deadfish look is not very becoming of a goddess-in-training." The Demon drawled lazily over Links shoulder. Zeldas jaw shut with a snap and she scowled back. In a flash, Links elbow shot behind him, catching Girahim in the ribs and he doubled over with a grunt. Zelda stifled a snigger into her palm. "Joking, merely joking…" He breathed sulkily as Link turned to glower at him. Girahim adjusted his red mantle with a jerk and stepped forward. "My apologies, your highness…" He flourished his cape in a flamboyant bow. "Now, might we start by putting that bit of debauchery back at The Sealed Grounds behind us? Surely a reverant being of your position can find it in her heart to forgive a lowly coward like myself?" Link rolled his eyes…pompous fool. Thankfully, Zelda was no stranger to bullies. The top of her head may have only just drawn level with his chest, but she stepped right up to The Demon, glaring up into his pale face.
"Did you know, that in the many memories The Goddess has granted me about my past, you also appear in several of them?"
"Well, consider me highly flattered…" Girahim replied with a toss of his head. Zelda pressed on as if she hadn't heard him;
"They've given me enough information to know that you are by all accounts, an insufferable, arrogant ass who suffers with a perpetual immaturity."
"So far, so good…" Girahim muttered with a wicked smile, leaning right down to leer into her face. Link reached out and took his arm;
"Are you quite finished?" He spat, a look of utter disbelief on his face. This relationship was going to need some work. Girahim puffed out a vexed sigh and straightened. Zelda continued to frown warily at him. With a meaningful look from Link, The Demon slowly extended his scorched hand toward Zelda. Her breath caught and she swallowed quickly before accepting it with her own. "There, now, we can play nicely." Link said stiffly.
"Don't push your luck boy." Girahim uttered darkly, striding back over his desk chair and collapsing back into it. Zelda watched him for a long moment before turning back to Link with a look that said quite clearly, 'you've got to be joking'.
"Anyway…" She continued, "I merely wanted to find you to tell you that the invocation ceremony starts at dusk, the parade and lights will follow, and then the feast. You'd better get ready…that is if you do still intend to become a knight…" she said with a definite note of bitterness. Girahim had really gotten under her skin. He had a knack for that. Her pink and white skirts whirling, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room. Girahim watched her storm out, twirling a lock of his hair. Link tuned on him, scowling darkly.
"Would a little humility kill you?" He asked half-heartedly, dropping on the bed opposite The Demon. Girahims eyes flashed and he laced his hands behind his head again.
"I do apologize, master, perhaps I got a tad carried away." He replied softly with a half-smile. "I'm working on it, all right?" He stood and walked over to where Link sat and nestled himself behind him, resting his chin on his shoulder and massaging his thighs. "Let's get you ready to be a knight then, shall we?" He licked Links ear.
The Next Morning…
Links eyes fluttered open groggily; the ray of morning light shining through his window exacerbating the pounding headache that had awoken him in the first place. With a groan, he turned away from the penetrating beam, tugging his pillow over his head and snuggled deeper into the cool embrace of the man next to him. Why had he had so much to drink last night? Girahims arm tightened around him, but he did not stir. They would both need to rise soon and make their way to Eldin, and the Fire Sanctuary where the last Sacred Flame of Din resided. Even though The Demon was able to separate from the sword now, he still tired easily and only joined Link physically for short intervals. He had remained within the sword for the entirety of the celebrations last night, but Link had carried the weapon and his shield throughout the evening. As the other knights-to-be all carried Eagus' practice swords, this prompted a string of inquisitions from his fellow classmates, but Link deflected them easily with the same story he had told Zelda when she had first asked about The Demon Kings blade; that it had been gifted to him by The Mogmas. Now that the sword wasn't quite so evil looking, this explanation quelled most of his fellow students' questions easily enough. Girahim had remained mostly silent during the festivities, reserving his snide comments for the few moments that Link and/or Zelda happened to be out of earshot of the others. But he had privately congratulated him later that evening after they had retired to his apartment well after midnight, as the carnival continued to rage in the streets below…
… … …. … …. … …
…"You certainly have done well for yourself, Sky-child." He smiled as Link stumbled against the writing desk, his head swimming with ale. "Though it appears I may have spoken too soon…" He raised an amused eyebrow at Link as he turned, grinning stupidly and attempted a deep bow that nearly sent him head-first into his carpets.
"Master Link, knight've Skyloft…at yer service…" He slurred, stepping forward and tripping over his own boots. The Demon threw out his arms with a hiss and caught his elbows, lifting him easily and setting him upon the mattress…
… … …. … …. … …
…He didn't remember much after that, but somewhere along the way, he had been relieved of his clothing and equipment. He tried to take a few slow breaths, willing his insides to stop churning.
Girahims eyes flicked open as the other man stirred fitfully. The corners of his mouth curved in an impudent grin. He was undoubtedly feeling the repercussions of the previous night's endeavors rather painfully. He reached over and tugged the pillow off of his face, to a string of protests.
"Enjoy ourselves a bit too much, have we?" He whispered coquettishly. Link folded his arms over his eyes and groaned. "You were quite a sloppy little mess last night." He continued, twirling a lock of Links hair in his long fingers. "We should probably make ready to leave soon, if you think you can stand without assistance."
With a great sigh, Link rubbed his eyes and pushed himself up on his elbows, his head spinning as the room heaved unpleasantly. Girahim chuckled scathingly next to him. Squeezing his eyes shut and trying to breathe deeply, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his stomach turning.
"What's the matter little sparrow?" Girahim simpered, "You're awfully quiet…"
His jeering laughter followed Link as he suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, leaping up and bolting out of the room and down the hall toward the toilet.
