The moment Asuriel stepped into the light of the spring, she knew that they were too late. Her Grace was about to leave and Impa would not want to delay just because of Link. Just as she was about to walk into the beam of light, Zelda stopped and turned towards the two who had just entered.

"Link!"

She only took a few steps before she was stopped by Impa.

"You cannot go to him, Your Grace. Remember what we discussed. You must restrain yourself. Focus on the task at hand.

Repressing her desire to run to the hero, Zelda turned back towards the light.

"I... I have to go. I'm sorry, Link.

With that, she stepped into the light and vanished from sight. Impa spoke again.

"Come, Asuriel."

Obediently, the girl walked up the stair, but stopped and turned at the top of them.

"Farewell, Link. By the grace of the goddess, I hope that I will see you again soon."

Impa placed a hand on her shoulder and Asuriel knew it was time for her to leave. Following Hylia's path, her vision was flooded with light. When it died down, she saw Zelda, her back facing Asuriel. The girl approached slowly.

"Your Grace..."

She paused when she heard a small sniffle come from the blonde girl.

"Your Grace! Are you alright?"

Zelda wiped the newly formed tears from her eyes.

"Yes..."

Asuriel placed a hand on her shoulder.

"No, I'm not."

Zelda turned and embraced the girl, beginning to cry into her shoulder.

"I can't bear doing this to Link. He works so hard and has to overcome so much, how could Hylia use him like this?!"

"This is the way it has to be. All of us must make sacrifices, I am sorry you are burdened with such a heavy one. Remember, in order to see him again, you must press on. Demise must be defeated. We must end this. I will fulfill your every order, but please do something for me. Promise me that you'll be strong."

Zelda nodded but did not leave Asuriel's embrace until Impa appeared.

"Thank you, Asuriel."

"Your Grace, Asuriel. Let us begin. As you see, the stones are pieces of the Gate of Time. Asuriel will help Your Grace to unlock more of her divine power to awaken the gate."

Asuriel spend the next hour instructing Zelda in some magical exercises and techniques.

"Now, Your Grace, focus on the pieces of the gate, only divine power can open it. I am not nearly strong enough to do that, but I will help to the best of my abilities."

Together, the two girls focused their power. The stones began to shift and float. Conjoining in the air to form a circle. In moments, the Gate of Time was before them.

"Thank you, Asuriel!"

Zelda hugged a very unexpected Asuriel for the second time that day.

"Impa..."

"Yes Asuriel."

"Can we wait for Link, can't be too far."

"..."

"We'll practice singing."

"Fine."

"Thank you, Impa," chimed in Zelda, "Would you like to sing with me, Asuriel?"

"Of course, Your Grace, I am honored."

The two girls proceeded to sing a harmony of the Ballad of the Goddess that could be described as 'angelic' in the words of Impa. She had a weakness for singing.

Not much time passed before Link ascended the stairs on the other side of the stone bridge. The girls turned in joyful surprise and Impa watched with as little satisfaction as she could make her herself appear to have.

Just as Link and Zelda began to run to each other, a power explosion shook the ground and caused the rocks closing the entrance to the enclosed area to fly out of position. Then, a chilling laugh filled the air, Ghirahim had come.

Everyone was shocked. With a swish of his blade, the demon lord caused a barrier to spring up in front of Link before turning his attention back to the Spirit Maiden. In the blink of an eye, he and Impa clashed over the stone bridge.

"Your Grace! Quickly, to the gate!"

Zelda ran a little distance so she was across from Link.

"Link! Link here, you'll need this where you're going."

She launched the harp to him. Asuriel was so proud, Zelda really was a fast learned. Link looked in wonder at the harp, but focused again on Ghirahim just as quickly, now was not the time to admire it. Impa shouted again at Her Grace.

"Go! now!"

Zelda began running to the gate, followed by Asuriel. In horror, the girl watched was her friend and mentor was thrown back as her defenses were shattered.

"Impa!"

The girls cried put in unison. Asuriel was sure that all was lost. She could not stop the demon for long and Her Grace couldn't close the gate by herself. Suddenly, Link appeared out of no where, driving Ghirahim off.

"...Link."

"Protect Zelda."

"I will, you have my thanks, Link."

Impa got up and dashed to the gate. She was barely able to hold Her Grace back as she fought to say goodbye to Link.

"Link! You must go now. Return to the old woman at the Sealed Grounds. Tell her what happened here. She will know where you must go! And know that we will-"

"I'll see you again! This isn't goodbye, Link! I promise! Asuriel, you said that you would follow my every command?"

"Yes, Your Grace, but my place is by your side-"

"Well then I ORDER you to stay here, in the present, to help Link!"

With that, Impa pushed Zelda back and closed the gate, leaving nothing but ruble, two confused children, and one demon lord who was positively sick with anger.

"Now you've done it, Link. I blame myself. I should have reprimanded you the last time we met, but instead I was... soft. I'd take pleasure in punishing you, but I have not time for recreation. But next time, I will do more than beat you senseless. I'll make the affair so excruciating, you'll deafen yourself with the shrill sound of your own screams. And you, girl, pray to your goddess that you don't intervene the next time we battle."