Chapter 31
Link's curved, double-bladed sword sliced through the air and crashed into the Shadow's weapon hurtling him across the cavern, screaming. The Oni Warrior leapt into the air, somersaulted and then landed on the lowermost floor in a crouch. The Shadow smashed into the far wall violently, as Link slowly walked past the Eye to the Ages, twirling his blade in an emerald blur.
The Shadow shook his head and looked up. "Hey, hey, hey," he gasped, wagging his finger. "You're getting angry, Hero Boy! Getting angry isn't good!"
Link pondered over his words. A lifetime ago he would have agreed, a lifetime ago he would have struggled and fought with himself to push his fury down, even when it was fully justified. But that was when he was Link, the Hero of Time. Now, he was Link, the Oni Warrior, the Fierce Hero. Zelda had done something, knitted his shattered self back together which, in turn, had repaired his body and expelled the Shadow like the disease that he was.
Somehow he had awoken outside the mines, something transporting his body away from the Shadow. He guessed that there was something of the divine involved as well and silently sent thanks. But what had surprised him the most was that he hadn't been repaired as his old self, no. Just like his Queen had merged his light side with his suppressed side, his old form had merged with the form he had worn once in Termina, the form of the Fierce Deity, a demonic power that the ignorant had adored as something divine.
He understood the poetry of it. The Fierce Demon was an evil that had to be kept locked away in a mask unless it was needed. And now he himself had become the very personification of that struggle, that clash that he had tried to contain within himself for summers, that fine line between honour and humiliation. He did not have a tenth of the power the mask had, or even the increased size, but he did not need it. His heart was unfettered, no longer weighed down by doubts of what was right and what was wrong. It was all perfectly clear now, like a glittering crystal. His soul shone with a radiance that fuelled his entire body, a twinkling star at the centre of his heart. And he knew that light to be Zelda's love.
"Sometimes it's good to be angry," Link said, his voice smooth. "Sometimes the only right thing to do is be angry."
"Oh?" the Shadow answered, scrambling away as Link neared. "An example if you please!"
He was buying for time and Link knew it. But he decided to humour the creature anyway.
"If a wrong is committed and anger does not fuel you to correct it, then you are guilty in sharing in the crime," he said, striding towards the demon. There was a pause for a heartbeat. "You touched Zelda," he continued, his eyes narrowed to razor-thin blue lines. His voice was soft, dropping in volume with every passing word. "And that made me very, very angry."
Link swung his sword and the Shadow ducked, the blade striking the rocks with a crackle of energy. The Shadow rolled away and dropped his own weapon. He held up his palms, a pleading look etched on his face.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" the Shadow squeaked in panic. "Look! Look, I've dropped my sword! It would be dishonourable for you to strike me down now!"
"Well," said Link, stalking the demon as he tried to scuttle away. "The way I see it." He hefted his blade onto his shoulder, ready for another strike. "It would be dishonourable to let you live."
The air tore as another attack swooped down, but once again the Shadow rolled to safety. Link wasn't phased. He just walked on; his pace leisurely as if time no longer concerned him
"That's a big sword you have there," the Shadow called, taking a few steps back. His red eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and anger. "And you know what they say about men with big swords don't you?"
Link cocked an eyebrow. "They never lose?"
The Shadow nodded, then froze open-mouthed as Link's words registered. He shook his head frantically. "No, no, no," he said. "That's not what they say!"
He held up a finger, swallowing as his eyes sparkled with an idea. "Wait! Wait! You'll like this one!" The Shadow cocked his head to one side, his eyes looking away demurely in a parody of a shy maiden. "Link, I lurve you! Don't leave me! I ~"
The punch knocked the Shadow clear into the air. He pirouetted from the blow, before falling back to the earth, landing beside his sword. With a growl, he grabbed it and, steeling himself for a moment to match Link's strength, dark energy surging within him. Nostrils flaring, he launched himself for an attack.
The Shadow chopped the air with a swing. Link ducked, the heat of the blade touching his cheek and, with a single twirl of his sparkling green blade, swooped up to parry. Green and black sparks flew. The Shadow rolled with the blow, aiming a tight arc at Link's left side. The Hero deflected it, spinning his sword twice. The dark warrior whirled, spinning in a semi circle to bring his weapon down towards Link's right. In a flash, the Hero tossed his blade to his right hand and twirled it up to block the blow.
They moved at a furious speed. Swing, parry, thrust, whirl, duck all rolled into a fluid blur. The battle raged, the sound of their clashing weapons echoing through the cavern. A dance of swords, a ballet of twisting limbs to the beat of pumping blood.
Pure instinct took over. Action. Reaction. Action. Reaction. Shadow feinted left, swung right. Hero curved his back to dodge. Throwing himself forward, Hero thrust his blade at Shadow's head. The dark one jerked left. Spun on his heel. Twisted his sword in a fluid arc that caught faint light in a flash. Hero sidestepped. And again from another chop. Shadow aimed his elbow at Hero's head. Link ducked and sprung up – and over – the Shadow. Landed. Twirled, his glittering jade blade shrieking towards the dark warrior in a deadly slice. Instantly, Shadow dropped, rolled back, kipped up and charged.
The Shadow grew frustrated, roaring in rage as he brought his sword down. Link snapped his blade up instinctively to block. Heated embers rained down, glowing red. The other smashed down onto Link's weapon, once, twice, thrice. Another swing flew down and Link spun on the ball of one foot, dodging it.
Stumbling from the forward momentum, the Shadow snarled as he tried to prevent himself from falling. A flash of green twinkled at the corner of his eye and he ducked as Link's sword split the air above his head.
Another sharp arc from the Shadow, and Link backflipped, revelling in the heat of battle. His movements were swift and easy, his limbs curving smoothly to catch any blow and fluidly counterattack. His silvery hair bounced with every movement, sweat flew and mixed with hot sparks. There were no more misgivings, no more fretting over how to quickly disarm his foe with the least amount of harm. The familiarity of combat flowed in his veins, his warrior spirit reacting with split second movements. He gloried in it; letting his soul drink it in.
A second attack. Link ducked, wanting to laugh. He needed this, craved for it like a hungry man for food. He needed to exorcise this Demon from his life through a sacrifice of blood. Fear still tickled him from the deep, but now he had a firm grasp on it. Death could take him and he would embrace it. He was born to be the Hero and now he had accepted his role in life wholeheartedly. There was no turning back from his fate, no other way but to stare it in the face, grinning.
After becoming an adult so prematurely and then having to return as a child, it had finally happened.
He had finally grown up.
The Hero thrust. The Shadow jumped back
The Shadow spun downwards, Link whirled upwards and their blades locked with a metallic hiss. Crimson eyes reflected off of an emerald blade. An ocean blue gaze stared out from a mirror polished sword.
A tiny spark ignited from the crossed metal. It floated for a moment, glowing between both their faces like a fiery feather before falling onto the Shadow's cheek with a sizzle.
Link chuckled. "I'm so glad you decided to fight back," he said. "I didn't want this to be too easy."
They stood their ground, their wrists and legs trembling with the strain of trying to gain an advantage. The Shadow pushed his blade forward and their weapons shimmered as they shook.
"I thought you hated fighting," the demon spat. "I thought the taking of another's life sickened you."
Link grinned, shifting his weight, making the Shadow falter. "Sometimes," the Hero said through gritted teeth. "You have to take up the sword yourself in order to take the swords out of madmen and children."
The Shadow snorted, scarlet eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on his hilt. "And who makes that judgement?"
The Hero's smile did not drop. "If your intentions are pure, then the path is always clear."
The dark warrior snarled, baring his teeth. "Quite the philosopher, aren't you? When did you turn all Freelander on us?" The Shadow studied his face for an instant, the glow of his eyes blurring on Link's silvery-grey armour. "Why couldn't you have come back as Deku-Link?" They held their positions as the demon continued to stare intently. Slowly, slowly the Shadow pushed the Hero's sword down and to the side. A drop of sweat rolled down his hand. "At least I got all the looks."
"And I all the brains!" Link thrust his blade up, breaking the deadlock. The Shadow dropped, and lashed out with a low, sweeping kick. The Hero jumped.
The Shadow rolled away, letting himself be swallowed by the dark corners of the cavern.
Link twirled his sword slowly, his contracted eyes scanning for the smallest hint of motion. He waited; realising there was one other thing he needed to do this day. One thing that he had been running away from for far too long. And he needed to do it, even if he fell in battle today.
The Hero closed his eyes and focused.
*
Zelda led her friends up the path puffing up tiny clouds of dust, their steps hurried and urgent. She heard the ferocious clash of metal upon metal from below and it chilled her. Throwing a glance at the hunter, she saw the same worried expression etched on his face that she felt must be on her own too.
"Sounds like the Prince is putting up quite a fight," he murmured softly.
She nodded. "I've sent him to his death," she whispered, a mournful tug to her voice. "What right did I have?"
"Your Highness," Tyron cut in with a firm tone. She turned to him. "Now is not the time for weakness. The Key needs to live, you need to live, the hunter is injured and Tessa and myself," he flicked a smile over at the farm girl, "You know we couldn't."
Zelda sighed, keeping her eyes firmly forward. "How's your…" she chewed on her lip, not sure how to frame the question. Her gaze dropped to Tyron's bandage.
"My injury?"
"Yes," she said, trying to shrug off her discomfort with a smile.
"I'd like to say it's getting better," he said wryly. "But I doubt I could without growing a new hand."
She smiled. "Fran?"
"Aye, Your Highness," the hunter answered with a grin. His healthy arm was curled around his daughter. He held her to him tightly. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
They were reaching the top now and her eyes darted, desperately seeking for an exit. The only thing that stared back at her was cold, hard, jagged rock, the size of which overwhelmed her. It mocked her for clinging on to hope, its dark, ancient face grinning in defiance. There was no way out. She swallowed, not wanting to give in to the whispers of despair. There was no way out.
"I could go ahead and scout." It was Zayna, her voice echoing and tinny. Zelda heard the defeat nestling there, and she turned her gaze to her.
"You do that," Zelda said softly with a smile. "There might be something there that we can't see."
Zayna gave a small nod and made to go. "Don't worry, Your Highness. There's always a way." She winked. "At least that's what you always tell me."
"I'll go with you," Fran said, clasping the Key's shoulder. "You shouldn't be alone."
She smiled, and Zelda saw relief ease her face. "Thank you."
Fran turned to Tessa. "Stay here, darling," he whispered, his lips touching her forehead. His gaze flicked to Zelda. "We'll be back in the blink of an eye."
The Queen watched them go; somehow trying to will her hope into something physical that would accompany them. She had to keep herself from shaking her head at her own foolishness. The others did not need to see her weaken in anyway.
Zelda.
She blinked.
At first she had thought that perhaps Fran had overlooked something and had turned back to ask her.
Slowly, she looked around; saw Tessa biting her lower lip, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched Fran go. Tyron stood gazing at the ground, a pensive expression framed on his face.
Zelda's face creased in puzzlement.
"Did…" She swallowed, not quite sure what she had just experienced. "Did you hear something?"
Tyron looked up at her. "Hear what?"
Zelda. It's me.
Her mouth fell open in shock and her eyes widened as she recognised the voice floating in her head. Calm and firm, it stunned her and Zelda fell to her knees, the world spinning around her. Impossible. This was impossible. Tyron and Tessa rushed to her side.
"Your Highness! Tyron cried. "What's wrong?"
Fearing that madness had finally taken her, she shook her head, not able to reply. It must have been all the stress. All the things that she had had to endure over the past few months. It had cracked her, and now her sanity was rebelling. And yet…and yet…something tugged at her, a feather of hope that she could not ignore. Closing her eyes, she opened her mind. She felt the familiar spark of a connection.
Link?
She felt his grin wash over her, cleansing her of all her pain, holding her heart in a fragile grip. Tears sprung to her eyes.
Link. She paused; slightly embarrassed that she was responding to what must be a hallucination like this. How can this be?
A warm glow enveloped her, making her gasp.
I came back, he said in her mind. I came back for you.
Hot tears rolled down her face, the joy flowing through her body, pure and genuine. Zelda focused it into a funnel and directed it towards him. She felt him respond, felt his gratitude and relief, like a baby uncurling from a long night's rest.
Where are you, Link? She opened her eyes, gazing around, fully expecting an ethereal image of him to come floating into view. She caught sight of Tyron and Tessa's confused faces as they exchanged worried glances. Zelda did not have time to explain to them right now. What could she say anyway? They would not believe it. She did not even know if she believed it herself.
I'm down here, fighting my Shadow.
Her legs shaking, Zelda got to her feet. She started taking a few tentative steps backwards. Tyron reached out for her.
"Your Highness!" he said. "Where are you going?"
"Stay here, both of you," she said in a tight voice. "I need to go back."
"No!" Tyron shook his head frantically. "It's not safe."
"You must trust me, Tyron," Zelda replied with her regal voice. "I'll be safe. I will."
She turned and ran before they could stop her. Her heart thudded in her chest and her tunic caught on the rough edge of rock once or twice in her haste to see him again. A finger of caution wagged at her, taunted her for holding such foolish hopes.
The doubts melted under a wave of certainty that she knew had come from Link himself.
Don't worry, his voice said. It's me.
But how? she replied as she ran. She dared to throw a glance down towards the cavern floor, but all she saw was the calm shimmer of the Eye of Ages winking back at her. Rauru said that if I was successful I would not have access to my Sagely powers.
We connected. She felt the awe radiating from his soul. We're a part of each other now. There was a pause before his last word echoed in her head making her swallow from the weight of it. Forever.
Her happiness was so great that she could not resist teasing, falling back into her easy familiarity with him. Still the ever-dramatic one?
No. His answer was accompanied by a surge of sincerity that almost made her stumble. There was something about him that was different, a subtle sense of self-assurance, a sharper edge to his mind that was piercing in its clarity. I'm being completely serious.
She had to stop herself from shaking her head, realising that the gesture would be silly when there was just her physically present. Her vision contracted and she reached out to steady herself, the shock catching up to her once again.
She sensed his concern.
Zelda? What is it?
Taking in a deep breath, she willed her heart to be calm, forced her protesting mind to accept what was happening.
Nothing, she replied. This is going to take some getting used to, don't you think?
No.
Oh? Why? Zelda tickled him with her curiosity, starting to adapt to this new dimension.
Link responded with a cryptic answer.
I'm used to hearing voices in my head.
*
Link pulled his gaze away from the path, content in the knowledge that she was coming. His Triforce symbol tingling, he stepped into a small cave set into one wall. He could find no sign of the Shadow, his eyes peering from left to right. All was still, and he shifted his weight, a faint chill penetrating his armour. He heard the beating of his own heart, a trembling rhythmic melody.
"We're brothers, you and I." The Shadow's voice floated towards him and he stared into the murkiness, trying to find the source. "After all, we're from the same source. I'm hurt, you expelling me like this. I thought I meant more to you."
Link waved his sword, his head turning from side to side as he searched. "No," he whispered. "You're everything I kept buried deep inside. I should have learnt to face it, instead of making it hide."
"Those feelings…those instincts are still a part of you now." The Hero's eyes flicked up, sensing that that was where the voice was seeping down from. All he could see were the jagged, shadowy outlines of the rock-encrusted ceiling. "There is no escape, Hero Boy."
Link struck his sword against one wall; setting off sparks that he hoped would illuminate his vision. "Naturally," he answered. "Anger and fear, the choice between punishing and forgiving. The path between standing and fighting or running away. It is what makes me alive; it is the test of being human. But now I have reined them in, and they serve me when I need them. You are nothing but the result of my ignoring them in the past."
"Your control may slip." The Hero jerked his head to the left, perceiving that the voice had now shifted its position.
The Shadow's words caught in his heart. There was truth to them. He was more in harmony with who was than ever before, but he knew it would be a day-to-day struggle to keep himself that way. Realising at last the power that he held as the Hero of Time, he knew that his very actions could have minute effects on the fates of those around him. Before he had shirked his responsibility, letting himself be driven away, letting Cyle's corruption fester over the land when he could have done something about it, instead of sitting in his hut in the desert and waving away requests for aid, both the trivial and the important. Even when he had dragged himself back to action, anxieties over the nature of his actions would have gnawed at him and stayed his hand.
But now there was none of that. He was the Hero and he had to bear it. If it meant having to make unpleasant decisions then so be it.
Something slithered in the gloom above. Link raised his sword. "I relish the challenge."
A dark blur swung down towards him, the Shadow's boots crunching into his chest. Link was sent sprawling, his sword spinning out of his grasp.
He felt Zelda flinch in his mind.
Link?
Rolling as the Shadow swung his sword low, Link sent out a wave of comfort to her, not having the time to respond to her in words.
The Hero sprang to his feet and Shadow flung his sword, his grey blade spinning in a ferocious arc. Link threw his body to the side, but it was a fraction too late as the weapon collided into his silver armour; angry sparks illuminating the alcove with fiery light. He kept his balance, slightly groggy though his chestplate had saved him from harm. An ugly, black mark was scorched upon his metal shell, but he had no time to reflect on it as the Shadow came at him again, snapping his head with rapid-fire punches.
They fell to the ground in a hail of disturbed pebbles as each tried to find a hold on the other. On his back as the Shadow sneered down at him, Link threw his legs up and flipped the dark warrior over. The Hero rolled once more, deftly picking up his sword and spinning around to attack.
But the Shadow had gone.
Link stepped out into the cavern again, his eyes cautious and his blade ready. He felt Zelda's presence in his mind, though he knew she had not seen him yet. Perhaps her view was blocked or she was concerned with something else.
Where did it go?
He didn't even have to search her out, knowing where she was instantly. His gaze fell on her, as she crouched on the path beside Prince Chizan's fallen form. His soul sighed deeply, exhilarated at seeing her again. Link had to stop himself from running towards her.
I don't know, Zelda. Did you see it?
Link felt her denial, felt her eyes hunt for his nemesis.
How's the Prince?
He saw her eyes fall to Chizan. She leaned forward, her face creasing, her hands pressing against the Freelander's temple.
He looks bad. Her worry floated towards him.
He stepped into her line of sight. Zelda looked up and their gazes locked. She recoiled, her mouth dropping open for the second time, and Link tensed, wondering what was wrong.
Link! What happened to you? Why do you look so different?
Nothing. Don't worry about it. He stroked her soul with a smile.
She let herself accept it, though he could still sense her confusion. The puzzled look on her face made her look vulnerable, and Link's heart quivered. Still staring at him with wide eyes, she smiled. Link remembered that he had to do this now, do the task that he had really come back for.
*
Zelda knelt by the Prince, his broken face making her reel with shock. She shook her head, the twin images of Chizan's face and Link's altered look making her mind spin. She cursed inwardly, hating herself for making the Prince go up against the Shadow. Touching his face, Zelda felt the cool wetness of blood on her fingers. She sighed, realising that there was nothing she could do for him now.
Tearing her eyes away from the Prince, she gazed around the cavern, hoping to spot the Shadow so that she could tell Link where the creature was. An eerie feeling settled on her heart, the very idea that she could hear him in her mind, could sense his feelings striking her as bizarre. She watched him as he paced around the cavern, feeling his wariness, his focused concentration. It would definitely take a long time for her to adjust. But it was a pleasant type of anticipation, Zelda frantically hoping they could make it through this day so that they both could explore the possibilities further.
She saw the flicker of darkness from the edge of her vision and the Shadow vaulted from his hiding place towards Link's back, his sword swinging with a twinkle of its razor-sharp tip.
Link!
The Hero spun, his blade catching the Shadow's attack and then followed through with an uppercut. The Shadow ducked and smashed into Link's face with a flurry of fists. Faltering, the Hero fell back, each blow jerking him from side to side.
Feeling strangely calm, Zelda narrowed her eyes and gripped the short sword the Freelander had given her. Gritting her teeth, she pulled back her arm and threw with a scream.
The sword whirled through the air, hilt over tip, before striking the Shadow on the side of the head. He snarled. Another flicker and he was gone, just like that.
Link's eyes darted around, puzzled at the Shadow's ability to hide himself. Zelda searched too, her eyes tight.
Be careful, Link.
He looked over towards her and their eyes locked again.
I need you.
She understood. Closing her eyes, she focused on their bond until it was a finely taut line. They linked and their awareness blossomed. She could feel his sword in his hands, its hilt biting into his hands, his blood pumping in his veins. He sensed Chizan by her feet, the tiny granules of sand pressing against her knees, the shortness of her breath. They spread out, feeling the rough curves of the cavern, the tickling presence of their friends high above them. She knew that they could not maintain this for long, knew that it was starting to blur at the edges already.
They swept their gaze around, searching, searching…there. Zelda felt Link's grin and his silent thanks as he broke the connection. Her eyes flew open, the world looking dull and morose after such an intense experience.
Don't leave me.
She had blurted the thought out without thinking, an instinctive reaction. He paused mid way between his stride to the Shadow's hiding place. His face half-turned towards her.
His response was instantaneous.
She gasped as the wall of earnestness hit her.
I'll never leave you.
And then she knew.
Before his next words had even formed in her mind, she knew. Zelda felt his trepidation, his hope, his doubts and his ache mixing potently. She felt his yearning touch her.
Her heart trembled as his words arrived.
Marry me.
The reality of the words still startled her, and she felt herself grinning without realising it. Memories spun around her. Cyle, Malon, Link asking this very same question all that time ago. So very long ago.
Link, not now. You're still in battle.
So?
She hesitated, frowning. Could she do it again? So soon after ending one such union?
Tell me you love me, Link.
There was no hesitation.
I love you, Zelda.
Like a torch igniting in her heart, she knew that this would be nothing like her previous marriage and that Link was nothing like Cyle. A torrent of love floated over her, making her glide like a cloud. She sank to her knees, the emotion overpowering, a waterfall of tears washing her face.
Well? His voice came again.
Zelda blinked, stars still sparkling in her vision.
Well…? Her reply, losing focus as she awoke from her daze.
A heartbeat passed.
A second.
Will you marry me?
A third.
Curling all her feelings into a ball she flung them at her Hero with all the ferocity she could muster. The effort drained her.
Yes. Yes, I will.
The Shadow leapt at Link. He whirled in response, a lop-sided grin planted on his face. Link surged, his first slice cutting through the Shadow's sword arm. He twirled, the second strike felling the demon. With a pause for a single thudding heartbeat, Link swung his sword in a screaming, lethal arc that went straight through the Shadow's neck.
It was over.
*
They gathered around the Eye to the Ages, the pool watching the friends dispassionately as they tended to wounds and shared in the reunion.
"Haha. Looking good!" Chitz said to Link with a wink.
The Hero grinned at the Imp, his arm around Zelda's shoulders as his fingers stroked her hair. Tessa smiled at them, her arms folded on her chest. Zelda smiled back.
Zayna walked up to them, briefly resting her hand on the Queen's shoulder, the relief clear in her eyes.
"Well, Your Highness," she said. "We didn't find a way out up there."
Zelda chuckled. "I guess I can be wrong sometimes."
"I guess so," Zayna answered with a smirk.
"But only sometimes," the Queen added, her grin growing wider.
Tyron and Fran were kneeling beside the Prince, the Freelander groaning as they tended to him.
"Will he be well?" Link asked.
Is that concern I hear? Zelda added a wicked edge to her tease. About Chizan?!
She felt him smile in response. He's a good man.
"He will if he stops fidgeting," Tyron replied sourly.
Fran got to his feet with a small laugh. He sighed, happy that they were all together again; amazed that Link was standing before him alive and well, albeit slightly taller and looking a lot more…mature. His gaze fell on his daughter, her smiling face enhancing her already pretty features so much that he felt his heart bubble with pride. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the fallen corpse of the Shadow, dark and decapitated.
Curious, Fran walked around the pool, wanting to get a closer look at this demon that looked so much like Link. Gingerly, Fran touched his injured shoulder, remembering the wound the Shadow had given him and the intentions he had had for Tessa. The hunter's lip curled and he spat, giving the Shadow a sharp kick.
He crouched, his eyes studying the fallen creature with disgust. Fran noticed with a mild sense of surprise that there was no blood. He reached out, meaning to touch the demon's skin, wondering what it felt like -
- and the Shadow sprang up with a hissing roar, ghostly features reforming into a head and arm. Fran yelled, horror shocking him back to his feet.
His friends twisted around at the sound of his scream. In an instant, Link pushed Zelda out of the way and flung his sword straight at the Shadow. It hit the demon point blank and he fell back, back, back, his arms whirling. Suddenly, with a last burst of energy, the Shadow grabbed Fran's tunic, pulling him down. The hunter's eyes widened as he stared into the creature's leering grin.
"No!" Link jumped forward, lunging forward to reach for his friend.
The Shadow fell into the pool with a laugh, Fran quickly plummeting with him. Link stretched, desperate. His fingertips brushed Fran's back.
But it was too late.
The Shadow and the hunter were lost forever.
*
Malon opened her eyes, one tear slowly curling down her cheek. The ship bobbed up and down as it ploughed through the waves on their way to the island of the Gate. Navi whizzed around her, the fairy's light blurring her vision.
"What is it?" Navi cried. "What's wrong?"
Malon's face set into a stony expression. "My vision has been realised," she said, her voice harsh and soft. "A good man has been lost today."
She turned as Lorfor bounded across the deck, his mouth stretched in a wide grin.
"We're almost there!" he cried in happiness. "Your Helpers said~"
Lorfor froze as he noticed the look on her face. He knew. She did not have to convey the news, he knew just from the way she looked. Malon's heart went out to him in pity.
"Lorfor," she said quietly. "There's something I need to tell you."