Chapter Fifteen

The first time I had retained a collectedness, remained calm during the chaos and catastrophe.

I had led him with diligence, using my power to open barricades while we escaped the destruction in precise timing. But experiencing it again, living through it once more, after everything I had known, and anticipating the danger that would rise once we had fled...it awoke a panic in me. Because no longer did I foresee the end of the rainbow, a wonderful victory. We were running towards a greater threat, a more treacherous battle.

I rushed Link out of the tower, helped him fight the cursed creatures that blocked our path, unlocking the blockades that kept us from existing. Narrowly we fled, the building collapsing behind us. And Link held me back, shielding my body from the flying debris, while I watched for the second time, my home being destroyed. With every explosion I envisioned myself in my garden, as an ignorant child, surrounded by blue skies, serene clouds gathered in the air. I recalled the voice of Impa, calling for me, taking my hand and leading me inside the castle.

And as the darkness of the land encapsuled the turmoil, the smashing brick, shattering of glass, consumed by wreckage and fire...I remembered my father, the King of Hyrule, burly and dressed in an elegant long red robe, watching with a similar ignorance as Ganondorf bowed before him, pledging his devotion. My face pressed against the window as my small fingers gripped the ledge in fear and worriment. I had seen the glimpse in his eyes, the evil that lurked within them. Then soon after my father was killed, and everyone else I had known in the castle.

And now I watched it all end, once more. Destroyed from existence, as a final sort of revenge from Ganondorf. Taking from me my memories, any remanence of my family that I had left.

The skies were painted a muddy brown, absent of light, the darkness of shadow surrounding us. And soon the unrelenting noise of the calamity had ended, and we stood enclosed by the rubble and dirt, the remnants of the building that had once been my home and a place of peace and refuge. There was a stillness, a silence that should have felt uncanny, from the eerie whistling of the wind, the tenacious serenity. And Link seemed to rejoice, taking me in an embrace, laughing as he lifted my body from the ground and held me firmly against him. I froze from the gesture, a tension to my muscles as a fearsome expression claimed my face.

"We did it!' he exclaimed with a boyish charm and excitement. "It's over! It's finally over!"

The fairy found him, circling us in joy and victory, her luminosity shining a blinding blue light upon his face. "Link, I'm so sorry I couldn't help you! I should have been able to fight through his magic, to have guided you when you needed me the most."

"Oh Navi, please don't apologize. Everything worked out, and now Ganondorf is-"

I forced myself from his grasp, pushing him away from me while I shook my head vehemently, stumbling backwards as the heel of my shoe twisted inwards before I regained my balance. "Link, no! No! It's not over! Do you not understand? He is not dead! He is-"

From the castle remains, a short rumble could be heard, sounds of the brick and stone banging and filling the dark air. At the disturbance, Link grabbed my shoulders, forcing me behind him as he then protectively extended his arm to conceal me from any danger. He stood firmly, his triceps visibly contracted, as his expression morphed from relief into one of suspicion and alertness.

"What was that?" he asked, and there I grabbed his hand, lowering his arm. The beating of my heart accelerated, a haziness taking over me. And I took his face and held his cheeks, forcing him to meet my wet gaze, for the blue of our eyes to meld into one, our souls to linger and connect.

"Hold your sword and do not let go," I spoke gravely. "Do you understand? Hold on with all your strength! He is alive! And he will do anything to destroy you."

His face softened then, and there I used my knuckles to wipe the blood that had gathered over his brow, staining my glove. "Do you understand?" I asked him again, more gently.

"Yes."

Taking hold of my wrists, he lowered my hands from his face, and held me there for a moment. "I will do everything I can to protect you. Please stay back here."

But I shook my head at this, now determined to help him. "No, Link. I'm coming with you. This time I won't stand by idly-"

There was another clamor, this time louder, and instantly did Link let go of me, drawing his sword. At the magnificent swoosh of the blade, I could see my horrified face in its mirrored crevices, the fear that resided in my eyes, how my lips parted as a short gasp fled my throat.

"Stay here, don't move."

And before I could properly react, he ran towards the remnants of the castle, sprinting galanty into the danger, his fay fluttering beside him. I felt the blood drain from my face, for a moment unable to move, to think, to respond. And yet, when I found the sense and stability to move towards him, the fires rose from the ground, so bright that I squinted and turned my head from the glaring luminosity.

The flames appeared with such a force that I could hear the massive cackling as they ascended from the dirt and debris, such a blazing, intense red, engulfing Link in a circle, keeping me from aiding him, going to him. Just as it had happened before. And I felt the heat from the flare, sparks of fire hitting my body, that I had to retreat further away, holding myself as I cried in pain from the burns that seared my flesh.

In an instant he appeared, rising from the rubble, almost as a god. Even in his weakened state, he floated into the air, his body injured and hunched, covered in gashes and wounds while blood crept out of his mouth. How he struggled to breathe, gasping from breath, holding himself up with the remainder of his strength, his eyes two lifeless voids, consuming by a white glow. And I knew that the power of the gods coursed through his veins, empowering him, giving him the stamina he needed to continue fighting, his thirst for the final pieces more severe than his desire to live.

I watched as his trembling fingers curled into a solid fist, boldly presenting the back of his hand to us. And there did his piece of the Triforce burn on his knuckles, scathe his flesh, as it carved itself in a divine luminosity, the light that emitted from it so blinding and gravely fierce. I wanted to look away but couldn't, hypnotized by its shine, the power it bore, that I stared with burning eyes, watching the power consume him, take over his entirety, that he curled himself from the pain as the transformation overpowered him. He released a low, deep scream, his body extending, contorting, growing. Tearing through his clothes, he morphed into a giant beast, a swine like creature. Blackened flesh, his feet two large hooves, while large horns burst from his head.

The same glowing white lifelessness remained in his eyes, perched upon his face, now contorted to resemble a pig, his teeth sharp and protruding, his nose bunched. Out of his mouth emerged noises I had never heard from another creature or monster, unique only to him. A sound I had not heard for over thirteen years, a memory locked deep into my subconscious. And it was just as horrifying seeing him now as it had been the very first time, watching him mutate and turn into such an appalling beast. Gone was any particle of man left within him, any hope of redemption or humanity. The power of the gods had seen inside his heart and turned him into the very thing he was: a brutal, heartless monster.

Two large swords claimed his hands, and vehemently did he swing them, shrieking brazenly. Holding my breath, I had placed my palm over my mouth, watching as he sloppily aimed towards Link, a vision of a former existence flashing through my mind of the Master Sword being flung out of his hands and outside of the fiery barricade.

But I saw him then, how he stood his ground, using his shield to block the attack while his fingers grasped the handle of the blade with diligence. I released my breath in relief, falling to my knees.

But something was different now. Link still had his sword, held prominently in his grasp. He was attacking the swine, and was prevailing. I could hear the grunts of the monster, massive swarms of his blood splattering with each throw of the Master Sword. It was glorious, spectacular, how Link eluded his advances.

As the battle began, I felt my body tense. I...had seen this version of the fight before. I recalled the smell of the flames burning my nostrils, how Link maintained his possession of the Master Sword...

I observed with glittering eyes, how Link seemed to move with the grace of a dancer, the strength of an athlete, agility of an animal. How majestically he flung his sword, striking the beast with precision as his blood stained his tunic. It was going perfectly, I would even say, even more so than the initial occurrence. How bravely and gallantly he fought, the beast a large dark shadow in the bleak sky, his screams of pain grand and ear-piercing, echoing throughout the air.

But then something occurred.

I recalled myself in another life, in a different time. Delved in desperate prayer, my hands clutched, tears staining my eyes as I begged for a sign, an answer. I pleaded for anything from the goddesses, any sort of miracle that would keep me hopeful for a life without Link. That was the day he had visited me from the Other Time. That fateful day when he came to me and I began my descent into madness.

Show me the way. Relinquish this darkness within me. I beseech you.

And they showed me, this vision, of this exact fight.

The moment where I would meet my demise.

The Gerudo king, this monster...he ceased his combat with Link. Instead he saw me, standing outside the wall of flame he had created to barricade himself with the hero. And there I stood helplessly, watching in horror, witnessing his erect posture, how he held a sword in each hand gallantly, his tail swinging in confidence behind him as his glare focused on me. And before I could react, he lowered the barricade between us, lifting his spears as he created a blast of magic...

It was happening, moment for moment as it appeared in my vision that night.

How briskly the beast ceased, so close and nearing his defeat. A thick, shriveling cry emerged from his throat, his neck extending as he screamed into the dark abyss, raising his blades in anguish as he felt another blow stab into his belly from Link's sword. He appeared almost as a silhouette, the shadows concealing his disfigured face, masking the grotesque nature of his coarse skin. The most menacing piece of him was his eyes, glaring so brightly, shining with a sinister brilliance. They were two desolate holes seated upon his face, so empty, void of a soul, absent of spirit, consumed only by a hunger for power and control.

And when those evil eyes rested on my form, I lost the ability to move or speak. Our gazes met, even through the flames, the fiery barricade. His desolate white spheres claimed me, capturing my attention, draining me. I became a prisoner to his stare, feeling his animosity towards me, his hatred oozing from his transcending frame.

No, no...it wasn't his hatred for me, it was not the irrational actions of a monster. There still existed man within him, and he knew when he saw me, the moment he was about to succumb to his defeat...that there was still something he could do to win. And the moment I realized this...when he lowered the wall of fire separating us...gathering his blades in the air as he conjured a large beam of magic...

The moment I realized...when Link stopped in a lunge, his sword erect, the metal of his shield clanging as he held it against his chest, his lips separating when he looked at the beast, saw his intent, his focus...He looked from him, then to me, a horror plaguing his face when he too realized...

I tried to pick myself up, to run, to counter the attack, and though it felt like time had come to a stop, it had all happened so fast...When the burst of magic left the monster's grasp and came hurdling towards me, with a cruel velocity, sparkling and lighting the night.

It was then that I realized that the attack was never meant for me.

"Zelda!"

"Link! No! Don't!"

With a fierce sprint did he charge before me as the force approached, shielding my body as he pushed me to the ground and the power struck him.

A piercing scream fled my throat from the impact, dirt rubbing harshly against my skin as shards of glass pierced my flesh, a cut grazing my cheek in a straight line.

The magic was strong, illuminating, taking our bodies in a massive light. For a moment I could see nothing, a muted ringing claiming my ears. And as it calmed, I was greeted by the familiar darkness, the rustling of the cold wind blowing through my hair, and feeling Link's body lying on top of me.

I felt a bright blue warmth shining over my face as I opened my eyes, then heard the shrill shriek that evaded the imp's mouth as she flew backwards from the shock.

"Oh, goddesses, Link!" A tremor claiming my body, I cradled him in my arms, my palm embracing his face. I noticed his eyes were half-way closed, his breathing soft yet consistent.

My tears were instant, streaming down my cheeks, stinging at my wounds, as they fell from my chin and landed onto him. I tried to shake him, to get a more alert response.

"Link, are you alright? Link, please answer me!" I spoke in a loud whisper, trying to mask my panic in an attempt to soothe him. But the fairy was crying, landing onto his shoulder as she embraced him and tugged at the neck of his tunic.

"Link!" she cried. "Please, get up! Get up!"

A groggy moan was all he could elicit in response, stirring in my embrace. When his gaze found my eyes, a tender smile pulled at his lips, and there from his mouth trickled a thick stream of blood. I choked as I watched him bleed, stroking his face. And yet, he mustered the strength to lift his arm, trembling as he caressed my cheek, brushing my tears.

"Are you alright?" his voice was low, coarse, but filled with worry and concern. I could see it too, in his eyes, how they glittered with love for me, quavering beautifully in the stillness.

I took his hand, holding it against my chest. "Of course I'm alright, you saved me." As I kissed his fingertips, I forced a smile to my lips.

"I'm so glad."

"Link?" I lifted his body closer to me, my voice cracking as I spoke his name. "You are going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay."

But weaker he became in my arms, his hand going limp in my hold. He continued to smile however, warmly, delicately, a sense of hope gleaming in his eyes, his expression soft and comforting.

"I'm sorry I failed you. I failed all of you..."

Harder I wept, shaking my head in anguish as I interlocked my fingers in his. "No, no you haven't," I said, my voice thick and trembling. "It's not over yet, Link. We can still win, we will defeat him."

He sighed at this, however, resting his head against my shoulder, and I could feel the vibration of his slow heartbeat. "I love you so much. Please always know that. I did this all for you. I really tried..."

A wetness took his eyes, filling them for a moment before they began to trickle out one by one, drenching his face as it mingled with the blood. And I was sobbing uncontrollably now, holding him, hugging him against me, while his fairy cried mercilessly into his neck.

"I love you, too," I said to him with an unsteady voice. "With all my heart, from the moment I met you, saw your beautiful face. You are a hero. A true hero. You are everything to me..."

As my hands wrapped around his back, I felt an unnatural delve near his hip and spine, a thick wetness bathing my fingers. And I realized just how deep it was, so deep into his back, through his stomach. I felt the terror engulf me, a hollowness emptying my chest, and with trembling eyes I released my hand, my palm and fingers erect, quivering.

My hand was drenched in blood, dripping down my wrist, my glove painted a deep, soaking crimson red.

It was a fate decided for me, shown to me explicitly by the goddesses. This was my punishment, and it was more brutal than I ever could have imagined.

I held captive my dismay, my sorrow, through the tears, the shakiness. I smiled warmly towards him, holding him. And there I placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, and then one on his mouth, feeling his blood soil my tongue as I tasted the metallic bitterness. I could feel him weakly pucker his lips against mine, and as we parted, I lingered close to his face, my nose pressed softly against his own.

"It was the honor of my life serving you," he whispered, his voice growing softer and softer. "An even greater honor to love and by loved by you."

His eyes began to close then, and he fought with force to keep them open. It felt like a knife had been lodged into my chest, striking my heart, over and over again. As I caressed his cheek once more, I saw the glitter in his eyes, how deep they were, such a dark, haunting blue.

"Oh Link...The honor is all mine. I don't deserve you."

He smiled at me, his eyelids sinking. "I feel so strange...so tired."

I choked at his words, using my forearm to wipe at my face. "It's alright, my love...You...you can rest now."

And the fairy crawled onto his cheek, holding him, lighting his face an illuminating cerulean shade of blue.

"I love you, Link..." she cried, planting a tiny kiss onto his cheekbone.

Lightly, he sighed, exhaling through his nostrils. "I love you, too, Navi. I'm so happy I met you."

A cough fled his throat, droplets of blood spraying the air as he jerked upwards, and I held him securely, supporting his body. Then his eyes found mine, one final time. "I just need to close my eyes for a moment." And slowly his lids dropped. "Just for a moment."

When they shut, I felt his body fall limp in my arms. His breathing ceased, his heart beat silent.

And still I remained, almost as if I were out of my body and watching the scene unfold before me. And as the fairy wept, I was frozen in place. I felt my breath caught in my chest, unable to exhale, my muscles tense while my face was a desolate mess of tears.

I shook him, carefully. "...Link?"

He did not stir, and I shook him again, more frantically. "Link?!"

And the panic consumed me as I held him close against me, rocking him while I sobbed into his neck. "Link, please! Please, wake up! Don't leave me, please!"

But motionless he remained, his body loose, void of life. I was screaming his name, choking on my tears, gasping for breath as I begged for him to open his eyes.

"He's dead, Zelda!" And the fairy let go of him, hovering over in body as she buried her face into her palms. "He's gone."

As I gazed upon his form with trembling eyes, highlighted by the sprite's shimmering blue aura, I could clearly see the deep gash in his stomach that went all the way through his back, tarnishing the majority of his tunic in blood as the fabric was tainted black. It was true...he was really gone.

And as his weakness, I had killed him.

Shrill groans echoed in the dark sky, and then I felt an even darker, large shadow loom over me. Slowly did my glare creep up, witnessing the beast before me, waving his blades in victory as he cried into the air. And as he stepped closer to me-such loud slow steps that rumbled the ground beneath me-I could see the thick air leaving his nostrils, the sinister spark in his eyes.

And suddenly, I felt it. A power drain from me, deplete me...It had taken me by surprise, sending a sharp shiver down my spine, a heaviness into my chest. My eyes widened from the sensation, a shriveled gasp fleeing my throat. It felt as if something had been taken from me, forcefully removed from my body, plunged from the very core of my spirit.

He shrieked again, almost as if in pain, extending his neck as his body began to quiver, causing a quake to the area around us. And when I saw a golden glow trace his form, my lips parted.

Gone was my breath, my heart beat, even my tears. As I held Link against me, even the fairy remained close to me as we gazed in horror at the sight before us. The beast raised his arm, flaunting the back his hand.

Every piece of the Triforce carved in brilliant light onto his flesh.

Again he shrieked, in pain, in victory, seeming to struggle with this new surge of power that consumed him, swinging his swords messily, violently. Never had I considered such an outcome, for Ganondorf to have succeeded and taken the entirety of the Triforce. I didn't know what to do, how to possibly win now. Perhaps it was all over, this was the end. In this life, he would victor, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

And as the power began to manifest and gather around him, engulfing his body in a blaze of light, I did the only thing I could think of.

Hugging Link's body, I closed my eyes shut, wincing from the sting of my tears as I let out a harsh, earsplitting scream.

"Six Sages! Now!"

A/N: *dodges tomatoes* Don't hate me, I didn't enjoy writing this and it should have been expected by the title of the story and the fact that a third timeline was created. I'm sorry! There are two chapters left if you can hang with me until the end.