Chapter 17
Link had never been more grateful in his life that he didn't have to fly to Eldin. The Demon had continued his taunts and prods about his hangover throughout his preparations. He had dashed for the bathroom two more times, to howls of laughter; his tunic clung to his clammy skin, and his sword and shield felt as though they weighed a hundred pounds. Glancing at himself in his wardrobe mirror, his face was still pale and almost as green as his tunic…
"You look positively ghastly…" Girahim snorted, looming over his shoulder. Link aimed a swipe at him.
"C'mon, let's get this over*hick*with…" He said, pressing his lips and eyes tightly together as he pulled the blue sapphire earring once more out of his pocket. Still chuckling, Girahim took his wrists and they were whisked away in a whirl of black and gold.
An immense heat wave bore over them as their feet hit the ground within the Fire Sanctuary. If it hadn't been for Dins gift of protective earrings, Link didn't think he would've been able to bear the swelter. His stomach growled uncomfortably and he willed himself not to lose his guts again. He slowly opened his eyes, and did a double take as the great fire of Din's Flame towered before him. He had fully expected a painstaking jaunt through the temple. He glanced back at Girahim who had his arms crossed and crooked smile on his face.
"You see? I can be reasonable…you didn't think I was going to let your pathetic little sack of bones drag us all the way through the temple, did you? As fun as watching you struggle would indeed have been…" He cocked his hips to the side, his smile deepening. "…I figured you had better save your breath for the recitation of that lovely little incantation we're going to be needing. Now, whenever you're ready, although you may want to take your time; The Spirit of Din will likely not be amused if you were to hurl sick all over mid-prayer."
Link scowled as a wave of nausea did indeed overwhelm him and he sank cross-legged to the floor, rummaging in his pouches and withdrawing a small bottle of water. He also unbuckled his shield and set it aside, as well as the Demon Kings Sword. This was it…the last flame. Girahim also dropped to a seat next to him, continuing to survey his ashen face with a self-satisfied grin. When Link finally felt like he could string more than three words together without his head or his stomach turning, he raised his eyes to the great surging inferno before them and spoke;
"Are you afraid? I mean…I know we don't really know what will happen after this, but…are you afraid of losing your powers?" Link whispered hoarsely; his voice had been somewhat reluctant all morning. Girahim considered him for a moment before replying;
"My dear Link, if riding around on the back of that ridiculous, over-grown turkey is the worst punishment I receive for no longer being able to use magic, I will take it in stride." Link barked a laugh that made his head pound. "We'll just have to monitor your ale consumption more closely, won't we?" Tears of mirth welled in Links eyes as he fought to swallow the gulp of water he had just took. Girahim chuckled and stood, offering his blackened hand to him. Tucking his bottle away, Link grasped his wrist as he was heaved up off of the enameled floor. Breathing deeply, the pair strode hand-in-hand toward the huge fire; the great broadsword hanging in Links right fist. Girahim paused and turned to the other, several paces back and nodded, relinquishing his grip on Links fingers. Link watched apprehensively as The Demon strode solemnly forward, coming to a halt just in front of the massive blaze. Link opened his mouth and began to recite The Prayer of the Blade, holding the great weapon aloft. Once again, the hilt of the sword warmed in his hand, but it did not burn his fingers like before. Blinking in confusion, he stared at the hilt, but his thoughts did not get far as the great flame boiled and churned before Girahim.
"Steady your sword, Master." The Demon said simply, tilting his head back as four large fireballs bloomed from the center of the inferno and surged toward Girahim, enveloping him in red flames. Link looked on, transfixed, as the great ball of red light began to ricochet off the walls, just as it had when Fi had been with him. With a great crackle, the blaze came to rest in front of Link; he knew what to do. Raising the sword with his right hand and steadying the blade in his left, he held the weapon ready in front of him. Several smaller balls of flame broke away and rocketed into the blade, making Link feel as though he were being pushed backward. He squinted his eyes against the intense heat and light. As he felt the energy of the transmission subside, he opened his eyes wider; Girahim stumbled before him, panting, and collapsed onto the floor tiles.
"Girahim!" Link cried, closing the short distance between them. He rolled The Demon onto his back, and laid his beautiful head in his lap. "Are you alright?" He breathed worriedly. He did not seem outwardly changed, but something about the last flame had affected him.
"Relax, my dear Sky-child, I am just very tired…" He trailed off, breathing deeply. "This final cleanse has banished Demise's power completely from the sword, but the process has weakened me greatly, much as it pains me to admit." A small smile returned to Links lips as he bent to kiss The Demons cool forehead.
"What can I do?" He asked, stroking his silken white strands.
"I should return to the sword…and rest for a while…" Girahim breathed, his chocolate eyes taking in the other man's tearful aquamarine ones and his worry-creased brow. "I'll be alright." He re-assured him once more, taking one of his hands in his own and squeezing it gently. Link let out a long breath and nodded. With a light twinkle, The Demons body disappeared back into the sword. Link fought the urge to call out to him as he wrapped the blade back into his old tunic and strapped it, along with his shield back upon his shoulders. He didn't even entertain the idea of asking him if could even still use magic as he jogged the long way out of the Fire Sanctuary and into the smoky daylight outside of the temple.
Later…
His head still felt as though it had been stuffed full of cotton, as Link trudged down the hall of Knight Academy to his room. Girahim had not stirred or spoken in the time it had taken him to make it back through the Fire Sanctuary and back to Skyloft. He likely felt just as miserable as Link did now…'serves him right, really'…he thought half-heartedly to himself, The Demons taunts ringing in his ears. He opened the door to his room and un-dressed for a much-needed nap, setting the fully restored blade upon the bed and snuggling up to it. He ran his fingers over the handsome hilt, no longer cruel or menacing. It was no longer Demise's sword really…it was his. Girahim was his. With that comforting thought his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.
"Ngh! Ack! Ngh!..."
Links eyelids shot open, and he sat bolt upright, feeling first for the sword at his side. Then, he blew out a slow breath, his eyes rolling as he sagged back into his pillows. Evening had fallen, and the noise was drifting through the thin wall that separated his room from Fledge's. The idiot was working out late again. At least, Link hoped he was working out…
"I swear to Hylia, if I wasn't stuck in this prison, I would go over there right now and give that deplorable bag of flesh something to moan and groan about!" Girahim's aggravated whisper drifted from under the cotton cloth that still protected the blade. Links heart skipped as his head whipped around.
"Well, look who's awake…" He murmured, a broad smile splitting his face.
"I'm not sure how you get any rest through that racket. And to think, you actually encouraged this behavior…" The Demon fumed.
"I'm feeling better as well, thank you for asking." Link replied; a low hiss issued from the hilt.
"…You know…now that we're awake, we could have a little fun of our own…" Link could almost hear the wheels and cogs turning in the other mans foul little mind. While this usually meant nothing good, he decided to play the devil's advocate anyway;
"We both know you'll tell me whether I inquire or not, so fire away…"
"Good boy…" The hilt hummed as a throaty chuckle emanated from deep within. "Now I say 'we' but as I am still not in a fit position to leave the sword, that makes you the star of the show…" 'Wonderful', Link thought, but his groin twitched expectantly all the same.
"Touch yourself. I know from personal experience that you can moan loudly enough to drown out the unholy squawking of that freak of nature." His oily voice was dead serious.
Link froze where he lay; he didn't know what he had been expecting to hear, but it wasn't that. Even more annoyingly, his crotch stirred, very interested to know the plot of this so-called 'show' despite what Link thought.
"I'm not—"
"Surely you know how?"
"Of course I do!"
"So what's the harm in a little battle of noise-making?" The Demon practically simpered in his ear. "I promise to help you…" He wheedled. Unbidden, Links cock strained against his cotton undershorts; his eyes closed, his lips parted, and his hand drifted between his legs.
"I can practically hear your arousal from here…" The Demon crooned. Fuck.
Link raised himself up on his knees; unwrapping the sword and propping it against the wall, he rested his left hand on his hip. Breathing hard, he slid his other hand down the front of his shorts and revealed his aching erection.
"Gmff! Ack!" Went Fledge.
"MMMMMM!…..AHHHH!…." Groaned Link.
"My my, you do put on quite a show…" Whispered the sword. "Lie back…" He breathed huskily. Link did as he was told, surprising himself with how much the entire situation turned him on. "Now, how might you occupy that other lonely, free hand of yours?" Links breath caught, but he obediently brought the fingers of his left hand to his lips and inserted them into his mouth. "You are a naughty boy…" Girahim oozed.
'How utterly delightful', Girahim thought painfully to himself as he looked yearningly down at the naked, writhing body of his prey. He was only mildly jealous that he couldn't join in the fun. There would be plenty of time for that later…he mused. He was brought screaming back to his senses as Links now moistened fingers traced their way over his hip and into…
"Ack! UGH!" he grunted, pushing his thumb inside, and thrusting his hips as he worked his throbbing member.
"Mffff! Ack!" Went Fledge.
Girahim felt his own head swim with erotic delirium as he looked on; "Who knew what a dirty little hero you could be…but I can barely hear you from in here…" He growled wickedly. The sword slid suddenly from its upright position against the wall, landing with a soft 'flump', the hilt pointing up between Links thighs. He hesitated…fuck no. NOT happening.
"Come on, little hero, are you in it to win it or not?" Girahims sing-song voice drifted upward; "Besides, I want in on the fun. And don't lay there in shock pretending you don't want to…pretending you don't want me." Oh, Goddess help him. Withdrawing his fingers, Link grasped the hilt in his left hand and crossed his legs beneath him, coming into a seated position. Perhaps just a lick…With his right hand he continued to rub down his cock and with his mouth he began to run his tongue over the smooth handle of the sword, tracing its nooks and crevices in an intimate way. "That's it, Skychild…it's only me…" Girahim whispered, as Link swirled the hilt in his mouth. "Now, are you ready to make that little wretch run screaming? Or perhaps you'll be the one screaming…either way…" The Demon broke off in a hoarse whisper. Link removed the dripping hilt from his mouth, looking deeply into the blood-red ruby gleaming up at him. He wasn't sure when his brain had finally merged the idea of the sword's hilt with Girahims cock; probably when all of his thought centers' cells had run screaming into his own erection. Whatever misgivings he had were suddenly scorched away as The Demon breathed;
"Do it. I want to feel it….to savor it…" Link swallowed, laying back into his pillows and drawing his knees to his chest. Slowly, he brought the dripping pommel of the sword to his hole and pressed gently, massaging himself open.
"UUUUUGGGHHHHHH….AAAAAAGGGGHHH!" He moaned, his head swimming.
"Ack! Ungh! A—" Fledge paused in the other room.
"That's it…." Girahim coaxed. Breathing deeply, Link pushed the gently rounded end of the hilt inside, plunging Girahim into blackness.
"GAAAAHHHHH! UUUUHHMMMMM! UHM! UHM!" Grunted Link, pumping his shaft, careening toward orgasm.
Silence met him from the other room, as a grin turned the corners of his parted lips. He bit off a yell, retracting the hilt from within him; holding it level with his cock, he jerked the hot spurt of cum all over the gleaming gemstone that he had somehow come to equate with Girahims face. He heard a soft click from the other room, as Fledge tried to exit as softly as he could. Link couldn't help himself, he began to giggle uncontrollably, turning to bury his face in his pillow.
"Well done, indeed, my vulgar little sparrow. However, at the risk of being an utter killjoy, I suggest you wash this off soon, or you'll be picking off cement later."
"Shut up, Girahim" He choked amid a fresh fit of laughter.
Sometime later Link awoke again on his side; a cool, charred arm looped around his middle. Without turning, he stroked The Demons soft, blackened skin. The other man drew breath softly against the back of his neck, making his skin quiver. He was glad Girahim was feeling well enough to join him; the most important process of his journey to freedom still lay before them. Link still needed to make his prayer to the Triforce. He would need Zelda's help, of that he was now certain. But something else weighed on his mind; how could he be sure this was what Girahim wanted? As their relationship now stood, he was still technically the sword's master but The Demon was free to come and go as he pleased now, and Link hoped he knew that he would never force him to do anything. How you could force a six-and-a-half-foot demon to do anything he didn't want to do, Link could only guess at. It didn't stop his head from spinning. They had been moving awfully fast. Link could shore himself up with all the excuses he wanted about saving Girahims life by taking him to the Sacred Flames but the truth was, it wasn't as altruistic as all of that. Didn't it stand to reason that Link had saved him because…he needed him? Where did that leave Girahim? What did he need? What did he want? Link breathed a self-loathing sigh; he was being selfish. It was unintentional, but it was there all the same.
"If your brain were running any harder, I believe smoke would be issuing from your ears." Girahim muttered into the back of his head, tongue lashing out to flick his ear. Link smiled in spite of himself as Girahim propped his head in his hand and stroked the side of Links face with the other. "What's eating you my little hero?...It's not me…yet…" He teased, planting kisses upon Links bare shoulder. Link took a deep breath;
"It's just…" He struggled to find the right words, "you've been following me…"
"Hm, don't tell me now that I've got it all wrong about you…" He continued his line of kisses up Links ear.
"No, I don't mean it like that, it's just…you've been content to simply follow me all this time…you've barely questioned any of it. You can tell me all you like about how it was your only option for life, but…" He rolled onto his back, looking Girahim in the face, "…Even now, you know what the next step is and you haven't raised a finger in protest." The Demon looked at him quizzically. "Are you sure that…" Link puffed another great sigh, "…sure this is what you want?" Girahim considered him further before replying;
"No one has ever asked me before what I want." He replied evenly, twirling a long black finger in Links hair. "If there's one thing a lonely, tortured soul like myself has had no shortage of, it's time to think. I've given a lot of thought to what it would be like to be free, Link, and I would make the choice again and again with or without you by my side…but I am much happier knowing that you are here." The boy positively beamed. "Is that what you're so worried about? The fact that you might haul me before the Triforce to free me only to see me lose my nerve and prance off without you?" The silly thing blushed scarlet from nose to navel. Without another word, Girahim swooped down, claiming his mouth in a long, deep kiss. "Besides, Sky-child, what would I do without that delicious little rear of yours?" Before Link could answer, he felt The Demon growing hard against him, his touches growing more insistent.
"Your voracious appetites will have me squandering every last rupee on stamina potions for one…" He mumbled thickly against Girahims lips.
Much Later…
Link strode up the stairs of Knight Academy, heading in the direction of Zelda's room, the great broadsword that housed Girahim laced to his back. He really did need to inquire with Gondo about a proper sheath already. He knocked softly on the door and waited a few moments, bouncing idly on his heels.
"Welp, no one's home, better luck next time!" Girahim trilled from within the sword.
"For once in your life, guard your tongue!" Link hissed back, striding instead to the next set of huge, carved wooden doors to the right that led into Headmaster Gaepora's office. He rapped the brass door-knocker smartly.
"Come in." Called a voice from within. Link pushed hard on the doors and backed into the room.
"Good afternoon, headmaster, I was just looking for Z—" The words slipped into thin air as Zelda turned from the great stone hearth at the end of the room, regarding him with a smile.
"Hello, Link. I've been wondering when you would finally wake up long enough to come see me again." He shuffled his feet a bit uncomfortably. He wasn't sure how much he was ready to reveal to Zelda's father yet. "The Fire Sanctuary wasn't too strenuous for you I hope?" She continued sweetly. His eyes flitted from her face to the headmasters and back. "Oh unclench Link, I've told father everything already." Headmaster Gaepora chuckled lightly at the open-mouthed look of astonishment on Links face. Perhaps it actually was better this way, he relinquished, shutting his mouth. "May I see the sword?" She asked uncertainly. He un-knotted the fabric and laid it upon the large, scrubbed wooden desk in the center of the room, gently un-rolling the handsome steel blade. He watched as Zelda carefully closed both of her hands around the smooth, sinuous hilt, drawing the weapon into a ready position. The sword was quite large, almost as tall as she was, and her hands appeared child-like on the large violet hilt. "It's truly beautiful Link. You've done very well. You both have." She added quickly as the ruby setting glinted menacingly. "Won't you come out and honor us with your presence Girahim?" She asked in a honeyed voice. Silence. Links eyes narrowed, but Zelda stood her ground. "Oh, very well…Lord Girahim…" Link sniggered as The Demon soared in a wide arc from the sword and swept a great, flourishing bow before her.
"Your highness," he said with a mocking reverence. Zelda cocked an eyebrow at him.
'Please Goddess, let him guard his tongue' Link thought fervently to himself.
"Girahim, this is my father, Headmaster Gaepora." Zelda continued carefully. The Demon turned, inclining his head again.
"Charmed." He said levelly. Link realized he had been holding his breath and exhaled slowly. How much had she told Gaepora? Before he could give further thought to this question, Zelda spoke again;
"Link will be making a prayer to the Triforce soon, father…it's the only way to fully break Demise's spell on Girahim and set him free." It was inherently clear by the headmaster's furrowed brow that setting The Demon Lord who had once tried to feed his daughter to a mad king free was the last thought he wished to entertain in all the world.
"And just what is your role in all of this, demon?" The headmaster grated, taking a step toward Girahim, who puffed out his chest defensively.
'For the love of Hylia, hold your temper, Girahim' Link squeezed his eyes shut.
"Now, now, your headmastership, don't be angry…You see, the little goddess and I have no hard feelings anymore…" He turned and in one swift motion, slid his hands under Zelda's arms and twirled her in a great circle before returning her softly to the red carpet. He hissed, grasping his shoulder as her fist made contact. Headmaster Gaepora chuckled richly.
"If half the things Zelda tells me about you are true…hmph…never mind that I suppose…Only time will tell, Demon. Until then, I withhold my judgement on you. It is clear in any event that my daughter is plenty capable of looking out for herself now." He smiled warmly at Zelda who returned it. Girahim scowled darkly, his dignity shattered. "Who knows," the Headmaster continued, clasping his wrists behind him and striding to the window, "My daughter and a certain special hero may be exchanging more than just vows of knighthood soon…" The effect of this simple sentence was incredible: Girahim whipped around to glare daggers at both Link and Zelda, who were both growing redder and redder in the face, fists crammed in their mouths to stifle their sniggers. Oblivious, Headmaster Gaepora continued to gaze out of the window. Link knew further explanations were warranted, but they would come later.
