Rolondrof slowly opened his eyes, awakening from his trance, as he sensed his brother's presence. Skorn stood in the doorway to the tent, the morning sun casting a shadow over his massive form. The giant stood with his arms crossed over his chest, the Golden Gauntlets shining in the faint light from Rolondrof's single candle. "The forces are ready. The platform is constructed. It is now or never, my brother."
"Yes," Rolondrof concurred. "The time has come. I have prepared myself for days in order to cast this spell. My powers are at their peak. Between the two of us Skorn, the Hylians won't stand a chance."
* * *
Despite everything she had done over the past couple months, Malon still felt out of place as she rode among kings and queens and famous warriors at the head of the procession leading out of the city. Despite her freshly buffed armor and sword, she couldn't help but feel awkward as she rode Epona through the streets, occasionally looking over the crowds that had gathered to see them depart.
The procession was led by Queen Zelda, resplendent in her golden armor atop her snow-white steed, Navi resting on her shoulder. On either side of her rode Nabooru and Queen Ruto, followed closely behind by Chief Darunia, whose massive strides enabled him to keep up with the horses. Next came General Gustan and Impa, and finally came Malon and the rest of the Chosen, Bazillo perched on Mattalla's shoulder. Rauru soared overhead.
"Nervous?" Saria asked. She was riding with Malon on Epona, and if any of the bystanders thought it odd that a child was riding into war, they kept their tongues.
"A little bit," Malon confessed. "I mean, you'd think after fighting in an unknown world for months would…I dunno, immunize me from feeling nervous or apprehensive when going into battle."
"Pray that it never does," Numaru said from beside her. "Feeling this way means you are prepared. It means that you still feel something."
"Speak for yourself," Zakro grunted. "I've never been more relaxed in my life!"
Bazillo chuckled to himself. "Hmm, Zakro my friend, the you cocky young churl, I just saw you quivering like a scared little girl!"
The Zora king's expression was livid, but for once he didn't argue. Instead, he turned to face Shrike. "How about you, Warlock Killer? How you feeling?"
Shrike cocked his head to the side, considering the question. "The trip back to this realm healed all my wounds, so I'm feeling well physically. It's a fine autumn morning, so I'm feeling well spiritually. Emotionally…well…" he trailed off, a faint smile coming to his lips.
"After all this time, I still cannot tell if he is joking or being serious," Mattalla laughed.
Finally, they arrived at the city gates. Malon looked up the walls, and couldn't help but remember the last time she had seen them, when she, Link, and Saria had arrived just in time for Link to be tricked into releasing Ganon, and the time before that, when she had watched Link leap over the side in order to avoid capture. Both times had marked the beginning of journeys: the beginning of her quest into the Sacred Realm and the beginning of her journey with Link on his quest for the truth of his heritage. She wondered what journey this time would bring. Victory? Defeat? Her death?
She watched as Zelda instructed the guard at the controls to the drawbridge to close the gates behind them and not open them again until Zelda's return. The queen then cast one final look at her people, and with a final wave she led them out of the city.
The bridge closed behind them.
* * *
"We are outnumbered."
"I know."
"We are out-classed."
"I know."
"We have little to no chance of succeeding."
Zelda sighed and massaged her temples as General Gustan went over all the odds stacked against them. She, the Sages, and the Chosen were all in a large tent placed on a platform overlooking the battlefield. Hylian, Goron, and Zora soldiers waited outside, resting themselves for the battle they would fight in a few hours' time. "I know all this, General. I asked if there was anything new."
"I know, your highness," Gustan replied. "And at the risk of sounding impudent, I felt it was necessary to relate these facts to you, as you seem hell-bent on ignoring them."
"And you have a problem with this?" Darunia growled.
Gustan smiled in response. "Not at all. But I do wonder if there is not some other way of doing this, if there is someway for us to wait until we stand a better chance…"
"I wish there was, General," Zelda replied. "But every fiber of my being tells me that if we do not attack now, then it will be too late. Rolondrof and Skorn will wash upon us like a tidal wave and wipe us out. This is the only way."
"And it's not like it's totally hopeless," Malon added. "I mean, me and the others managed to hold off Necron and three hundred of his men with hardly any weapons at all. These odds are about the same, but now we've got Zelda and the Sages to back us up with their magic. All they've got is Rolondrof, right?"
"Do not underestimate him," Rauru cautioned from his perch on the table. "Though he is not on the same level as Ganon or Necron, or even Shumbo, Rolondrof is still a powerful magician. No doubt he has something devilish waiting for us."
Impa nodded in agreement. "I am sure of it. Which is was why we Sages, with the exception of Darunia and Nabooru, who will be on the battlefield, will do our best to counter whatever we can to counter it." She said this with a pointed look at Zelda. Malon had heard of Zelda's charge into the midst of the enemy, and she couldn't help but smile good-naturedly as Zelda blushed.
Gustan sighed. "Very well then. We have formulated the best plan possible given the circumstances, or so I hope. There is very little we can do but wait for the enemy. In my best estimates they will be here within the next hour. You all have your assignments; I suggest you take the time to prepare yourselves."
With that, Malon and the Chosen exited the tent. They had each been assigned command of a regiment of soldiers, and they would all need to make sure they're men were prepared. But before splitting up they gathered together one final time. Malon couldn't help but remember what they had thought would be their final parting in the Sacred Realm, and she fought back tears. Bazillo noticed this and reached up to squeeze her hand. "Hmm, do not worry, Malon my dear, for only a fool goes to war without fear."
"True," Numaru smiled. "After all, we were all terrified when we fought Necron, and look how that turned out. Maybe the same luck will be with us."
"One can only hope." Shrike kissed his fingers and touched the piece of Link's cap that he—that they all—still wore tied to their arms, then placed his hand in the middle of the circle. The others followed suit, until all their hands were atop one another. "Until the end," he told them all, his voice, as always, steady and calm. "No matter what." Without another word they parted, each going to their assignments.
Malon walked slowly to where she had been told her men were stationed, absently rubbing the back of her left hand. After her return to Hyrule, she had taken off the Silver Gauntlets and was shocked to find the mark of the Triforce on her hand, identical to the ones on Link, Zelda, and Ganon's hands. Zelda had explained that it symbolized the avatars of the Triforce's connection with each other. She had explained that when Link had died, his triangle had blackened on her hand, but was now gold once again, presumably because of Malon's recovery of the Triforce. Malon felt comforted knowing that she was now a part of Zelda, but she was also torn over it. After all, her wish to Farore had been to set things right, and the only difference she could see was that she and the Chosen had been brought home. What did that mean, she wondered. What had her wish actually done?
A familiar grunt of impatience from behind her snapped her from her thoughts. "Harrumph! Figures you'd be the one in charge. There were rumors that the red-headed leader of the Chosen would be our commanding officer, and I just knew it had to be you. Find kettle of fish you've walked into now, Carrot-top."
Malon stopped dead in her tracks and spun around in disbelief, recognizing her childhood nickname. She squealed in delight and threw herself on the soldier behind her, hugging him tightly. "Mr. Ingo! You're all right! I was afraid you and dad…"
She trailed off, and the ranch hand who had helped raise her gingerly patted her on the back, as if unused to such displays of affection. "Of course I'm all right!" he grunted through his thick moustaches. "And so is the big oaf you call a father. He's back at the ranch playing nursemaid to all the refugees. They called up everyone with military experience to come fight, so I naturally had to come. Whole thing's stupid if you ask me…"
Malon ignored Ingo's cynicism and smiled. Ingo softly pulled her away and looked at her. "I want you to know," he told her in all seriousness, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "Me and your dad heard about what you did, going off into the Sacred Realm. Everyone in Hyrule knows. And I want you to know that me and your dad couldn't be more proud. Your mother'd be proud too." This time Malon did cry, and Ingo quickly resumed his gruff exterior. "Now, none of that General! You got us into this mess, you had better get us out!"
Malon just smiled.
* * *
Zelda watched from the tent as the Chosen said their farewells, watched as Shrike left, and felt something strange. She tried to place the feeling, but came up frustratingly short. Instead, she followed him out into the field, though she did not stop him. He led her through the ranks, and then gradually they wandered out into the field, away from prying eyes. Finally, Shrike turned around and pulled down his mask, revealing a small and—amazingly enough—shy smile. "Is there something I can do for you, your highness?"
Zelda smiled, the strange tension easing off her shoulders. "For starters, you can start calling me Zelda. We've lived in the same castle for eight years, Shrike. I think that's enough time to lose the formality."
Shrike's smile widened. "I suppose it is. Is there something I can do for you, Zelda?"
Now that they came to it, Zelda found that she didn't know what to say. "There is…" she managed. "But I don't know what it is. I suppose…while you were in the Sacred Realm, and I didn't know what had become of you, I began to think of the years that I've known you, of all we've been through together. You've been my friend, my bodyguard, my confidant, and now…now…"
"You think now that I might be something else." Shrike came up to her, much closer than he had ever been before.
Zelda tried to look him in the eyes, failed, then succeeded once more. "I've lost much that I've loved in my life," she confessed. "My mother, my father, my brother, and now I may lose my country. I don't want to lose anything else."
Shrike's mouth moved, but no sounds came out. "Zelda…I…" he laughed. "I would be lying if I said that I'd…well, let's just say that after meeting the Sheikah in the Sacred Realm, I've come to reevaluate how I've been taught to regard my feelings. Now, with all that's happened, I…"
"Shrike…" Zelda cut him off, but she was no longer looking at him. Instead, she was gazing over his shoulder. He turned and followed her gaze, and his expression froze. On the horizon, marching towards them like a dark plague was the enemy army.
* * *
"Hello, Link! Wake up!"
"Finally, a fairy came to you, Link!"
"Thou art courageous…"
"Ohh…You're a fairy boy from the forest!"
"Hoo hoot! Link…Look up here!"
"Link…It sounds somehow…familiar…"
"Thou art courageous…"
"…Wake up!"
"Yeeeeah! What a hot tune!"
"Carry me."
"Thou art courageous…"
"…Wake up!"
"Link, wake up!"
Link's eyes shot open and he sat up with a start. Gasps of surprise surrounded him, and looking around he found himself surrounded by Kokiri. Mido had been poking him with a stick, and was now lying on the ground clutching at his heart and gasping for breath, all right, but still shocked.
"Link, are you all right?" the same voice asked.
Link turned around and faced the Deku Tree. He had been lying at the base of its roots, it seemed, and the Kokiri had been keeping vigil by his side. "I think so…" he replied. He slowly got to his feet, and finding that he was uninjured, stood up to his full height. "What happened? How long have I been here?"
"Two days," the Tree answered. "There was a flash of light, and then you just appeared at my roots, unconscious. Link…what happened to you? I…we all felt you die!"
"It's a long story," Link answered rubbing his hands over his eyes, trying to clear his thoughts. The memories of his final battle with Ganon began to filter back into his head. He remembered feeling so alive, so right in those last few moments in Termina. The same way he was feeling now. All around him he could feel the Magic, in every Kokiri, every plant, every insect crawling across the ground, everything. He felt whole, at one with everyone and everything. He felt more powerful than ever, as if anything was possible.
Then he remembered.
Link looked sharply at the Deku Tree. "What's happened since I've been gone? Zelda and Malon and the others…how are they?"
"Malon and the others found the Triforce," the Tree explained, "As I'm sure you managed to guess from your resurrection. They returned to Hyrule shortly before you did."
"And Zelda? What's going on with the war?"
The Tree hesitated slightly. "Even now, she leads the Hylians into one final battle with Rolondrof and Skorn's forces. But they are hopelessly outmatched. They…"
"What?" Link asked, his voice surprisingly steady and calm. "What do you see? What will happen?"
"They…the future is clouded," the Tree admitted. "But things do not look good."
Link stood in silence for several moments, and the Tree thought he might have blacked out on his feet. But the Hero of Time looked at the Deku Tree and said, "Where is the Master Sword?"
The Tree moved several branches from the base of its trunk, revealing the Master Sword, standing straight up from the ground. Link's shield lay in front of it. "The Kokiri brought the shield from your house when you arrived," the Tree explained. "I had a feeling you might be needing it."
Link nodded and stared at the weapon. He could feel the Magic pulsing within it, calling out to him, demanding to be used to set things right. The Magic of the Triforce and his heritage as the Magic's Son rose within him, until he felt almost ready to burst.
And he knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, what needed to be done.
He held out his palm towards the Sword, and the blade leapt from the ground and into his waiting hand. He whistled a tune, then looked back at the Tree and the Kokiri surrounding him. "Thanks," he told them, smiling a little. "But shields are irrelevant for what I intend to do." With that, he whistled a different tune, and in a flash of golden light, he was gone, the Kokiri cheering after him.
* * *
Epona heard the call.
Though she had resigned herself to never hearing it again, Epona heard the call.
Standing beside the platform Zelda, Saria, and the other Sages stood upon, pawing the ground anxiously, Epona had watched as Malon and the rest of the Hylian forces charged to meet the enemy. She had wanted nothing more than to have Malon astride her, riding into battle, but she knew her place was there, with the queen, should she need to escape.
But when Epona heard the call, she did as she had always done.
She obeyed.
With a shrill whinny, she turned away from the battle and ran as fast her legs would carry her towards the castle.
* * *
"What's got into Epona?" Saria asked as she watched the roan sprint back towards the city. The horse's sudden departure had caught them all by surprise.
All except Zelda. "It's…it's all right," Zelda told them. Her expression was one of confusion and concentration. She felt something, in her head. Something she had never felt before, yet strangely familiar, though she couldn't figure out what it was. But she knew that something was coming. Something powerful.
"Let her go," she told them. "She knows what must be done." She turned her attention back to the battle before her. The Hylian army had met the enemy head on, and the fighting was fierce, neither side willing to show any sign of submission. For now they were even, but Zelda knew that would soon change, yet that was not her greatest concern. At the opposite end of the field, mirroring her own position, stood Rolondrof, atop a huge tower, nearly four stories high, constructed of wood and metal. From its top, Rolondrof could survey the entire battlefield. Even Rauru did not know what he was planning to do, and that had Zelda worried. She concentrated on gathering her magic around her, preparing it for whatever use it might warrant.
But something was different. The Magic felt different to Zelda. She had always been able to feel it as she reached the thresholds of her control, the point at which she could safely keep the power in check. Now, however, those thresholds no longer existed. She drew in energy from all around her, absorbing it into her being, with apparently no limit to the amount she could contain. She wasn't sure she liked the feeling, but she didn't stop it. Something deep inside told her that she would need it, something primal at her very core.
She just needed to wait.
* * *
The citizens of the city gathered in the ruins of the Temple of Time, or as close as they could come to it, and prayed. They held each other close, family, friends, complete strangers, and prayed for their deliverance, for some sign that everything would be all right.
It came in the form of a blinding golden flash in the middle of the small dais with the symbol of the Triforce upon it. When the flash had dissipated and the shocked Hylians had regained their sight, they saw before them the last thing they could have possibly expected. Standing on the pedestal was a young man with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. He was dressed in strange foreign clothing, and held a sword in his right hand. The Master Sword. Link looked once over the stunned crowd, and said, "Be brave." With that, he stepped off of the dais and sprinted through the city streets, faster than any living man could possibly move.
He streaked through the city streets, the Magic enhancing his speed, feeding his stamina. The people from the Temple tried to follow him, but it was impossible to keep up. He moved with single-minded purpose, and nothing would slow him down.
When he came to the closed drawbridge, several options sped through his mind. Opening it would take time; going through it would take energy. So instead, he went over it. With one single leap he cleared the wall, and, flipping through the air, landed in a roll on the far side of the moat and was back on his feet without missing a beat. He continued running, directly towards the battlefield.
* * *
Malon struck another enemy down, then quickly turned around to strike down another. She had lost track of how long she had been fighting. It couldn't have been more than an hour, but it felt like days to her, every moment and enemy blurring into one another. She had lost track of her regiment, indeed she had lost track of everything except the enemies that got in her way. That suited her fine; less chance of hurting a comrade, she figured.
She blocked high, then slashed at the stomach of a large Hylian mercenary, and risked a glance at the monstrous tower in front of her. Rolondrof still hadn't made his move, and she was beginning to worry. She considered trying to make a surge towards it, but the tower and its occupant were fiercely guarded by the gigantic Skorn. His already tremendous strength enhanced by the Golden Gauntlets, he struck down anything that came near it. Malon did not want to try her luck against that, at least not yet.
But then something began to change with the enemy. The switched from the haphazard free-for-all strategy they had been using and began attacking in unison particular points in the Hylian army, moving with an efficiency that couldn't possibly be natural. Taking another look at Rolondrof, seeing his thin form began to glow with a sinister red light, Malon figured out what was happening.
"Goddesses…he's controlling them! Coordinating when and where to attack!"
"FALL BACK!" she called out to everyone who would listen. "REGROUP!" She didn't have time to see if anyone heard as the tide came straight towards her.
* * *
Saria, Impa, Ruto, Rauru, Navi, and Bazillo fought with Rolondrof for all they were worth, but even with their combined magic they couldn't negate the spell Rolondrof was casting. Zelda wanted to join them, wanted to pool her power with theirs, but something deep within her told her to wait, that her time would come soon enough. She wasn't sure if it was her own thoughts or someone else's, but she knew enough to trust them.
Instead, she used her power to send a message into the minds of the Hylian forces, using the same spell she had used in her previous address but this time without the aid of the Sages. "Fall back," she sent. "Regroup."
* * *
Darunia and Mattalla fought back to back, doing their best to keep several Moblins at bay, while the smaller Hylian soldiers obeyed Zelda's call. The Goron soldiers under their command were in charge of fighting the larger enemies, including the Lizalfos, Moblins, and Iron Knuckles, but these foes were also under Rolondrof's influence, and soon the Goron forces were being driven back as well. "The battle does not go in our favor, my brother," Mattalla said as he swung his heavy war hammer at the skull of a lumbering Moblin.
"Indeed it doesn't," Darunia answered, also striking down a foe. "But there is little choice in the matter. I do not know what Sister Zelda has planned, but I hope she knows what she is doing."
"You and me both, pal." The two Gorons turned to see Zakro and a regiment of his Zora troops being forced towards them. "This pond scum rabble is doing their best to herd us all together where we can be slaughtered! We won't last much longer against this."
* * *
Shrike watched helplessly as another of his men was struck down as he and his regiment tried to make their retreat. He fought desperately alongside his men, hoping to buy them more time, but he too was forced to fall back as quickly as they were in order to avoid being caught up in the enemy attack. Off to his right he saw Numaru and Nabooru struggling with the same difficulty. Numaru was holding Numaru up by her waist, but the Gerudo chief still fought on, even as they retreated. Shrike found he was totally out of his realm of expertise. Sheikah were covert fighters, meant to slip in, perform the mission, and slip out quietly. It was how he had been trained, how Impa herself had been trained. Full-out warfare was not something he was accustomed to, and despite his experiences with it in the Sacred Realm, he was still having difficulty getting used to the chaos around him. He struck down another foe and continued his forced retreat, hoping that that inexperience would not get him or anyone else killed.
* * *
Epona had been running for a good half-hour at full speed, but now she was beginning to tire, finally reaching the limits of her stamina. She still wasn't entirely sure why she was heading the impossible call, but she continued on just the same, forcing herself to move as fast as she could.
Then she saw him.
He was coming towards her, almost as fast as she herself, and for a moment she couldn't believe what she was seeing. But then a familiar presence entered her mind, one she knew as intimately as she knew her own, and she no longer doubted. Instead she turned around in a wide circle, slowing down slightly to match her master's speed. She felt a hand grab her harness, and a moment later she felt the familiar weight of her master on the saddle.
But then something changed.
It took her a moment to realize what was happening, but when she did Epona was stunned. She was no longer tired! Indeed, she felt wholly rejuvenated, and she was amazed to find that she was moving faster than she ever had before, or could ever hope to move again. Her master was somehow adding his strength to hers! They would be back on the battlefield in a matter of minutes.
Epona hoped that would be soon enough.
* * *
Malon finally saw open field through the retreating Hylians as she came up on the last lines of the enemy forces. Hylian soldiers were already making it back a safe distance and turning for a regroup. She noticed that the evil army did not follow, seemingly content with their efforts to kill as many Hylians as possible during the retreat. "He's mocking us," she thought bitterly. "He wants to draw this out as long as possible." Her father had always told her that arrogance would prove to be any man's undoing, but she was hard pressed to see any reason as to why Rolondrof wasn't entitled to it.
Two mercs attacked her. She swatted aside the first blow and stabbed the Fairy Sword through the attacker's chest. She withdrew it just in time to spin around and decapitate the other soldier. She turned around to continue her retreat just as a sharp pain came to her head. She collapsed to the ground, the world falling into darkness.
* * *
Zelda watched in despair as her people fell back towards her. She could feel their fear, the loss of their hope, and it almost destroyed her. She looked over her shoulder, saw the Sages surrounded by a faint multi-colored glow as they struggled against Rolondrof. And she had had enough.
"That's it…I won't wait any longer…" she told herself, and she prepared to add her power to theirs.
"Wait."
She gasped as a familiar voice echoed in her head, in the place that had always been reserved for her brother. Suddenly, she felt the Triforce mark on her hand begin to throb, and looked down to see that it had started to glow, the light steadily increasing in intensity. She turned, and saw that the Sages had also stopped their struggle, staring at the glowing symbol of their temples on their palms. She heard the sound of a horse's neigh, and turned again to see a lone rider streaking towards the enemy. But it was no ordinary rider. "It…it can't be…" Zelda gasped.
"IT'S HIM!" Saria screamed. "IT'S HIM!"
* * *
Malon struggled back into consciousness moments after hitting the ground. She tried to sit up, but was shoved back onto the ground by a heavy foot. She looked up to see a huge Lizalfos leering down at her, arms slowly raising a sword above his head to deliver the killing blow. She clenched her eyes shut, awaiting the inevitable. "I'm sorry Link. I'll be with you again soon…"
"You never left."
She gasped as Link's voice echoed through her mind, and her eyes shot open just in time to see a flaming blue sword slice through the neck and upraised arms of her executioner. She heard Epona's familiar neigh, and she hurried to her feet. Indeed there was Epona, and astride her was the last person should could possibly have imagined. His hair was longer and there was stubble along his jaw, and he was dressed in strange clothing, but it was him.
It was Link.
* * *
Zelda watched through teary eyes as Link rode through the enemy lines, raining down blows left and right. Magical energy coursed through his body, absorbing into his every pore as the Master Sword pulsed with light. He rode directly into their midst, one man against a thousand, and Zelda realized for the enemy forces the odds weren't in their favor. Link moved with such speed and certainty that it seemed impossible for him to be beaten. Rolondrof saw him from his place on the tower and sent all his forces towards him, but still he would not be stopped. Link leapt from Epona's back and landed on the ground, continuing his battle on foot, even as the roan lashed out with her powerful hind legs at anyone who came near her.
"Goddesses…" Impa breathed as she too watched. "What is he doing?"
"Isn't it obvious Impa?" Zelda replied, as finally she knew what needed to be done. "He's ending this war." A powerful golden aura formed around her, and she lifted her arms to her sides as her feet left the ground, rising several feet into the air.
"But he will not have to do it alone."
Suddenly, Impa herself began to glow with violet light. Behind her Saria glowed green, Ruto blue, and Rauru gold. On the battlefield, the red and orange of Darunia and Nabooru's auras were seen. It took a moment for the Sages to realize what was happening, but when they did, the embraced and encouraged it.
Zelda was drawing on their power and redirecting it towards Link, adding their Magic to his own. They watched as Link hurled the fiery Master Sword through the air, the flying as if it had a mind of its own, striking down any foe that got in its way. A whistled tune reverberated through the air, and lightning crashed from the clear sky and struck directly into the midst of the enemy. Dozens of men surrounded Link and tried to pile on top of him, but even as Link became covered by their bodies, the dome of Din's fire blasted them all back through the air. Raising his hand, the Master Sword flew back into Link's grasp, and he continued his onslaught. The sheer force of Link's power caused Rolondrof's spell to waver, and as soon as she felt it crumble, Zelda once again called out to her people.
"Now, Hyrule! ATTACK!"
That was all the Hylian forces needed. Seeing Link's lone figure battling for their freedom, the army of Hyrule roared in challenge and surged forward, the Chosen leading the charge. They washed over the frightened enemy forces like a typhoon, fueled by the power and courage of the Magic's Children, and they were no longer afraid. Hyrule was their home, and there was no way that they would lose it.
* * *
Link fought his way through mercs and dark creatures alike, making his way towards the tower. Three Stalfos charged in front of him, but with a wave of his hand Din's Fire shattered them to pieces. He had one goal in mind, and nothing would keep him from it.
Skorn.
The giant stood still as a statue in front of the tower, awaiting Link's arrival. When the Hero finally broke through, Skorn raised his sword in one final salute to the enemy. Link did the same, and then charged. Skorn lashed out with a horizontal slash meant to remove Link's head, and even though he still wore the Golden Gauntlets, the blow was blocked by the blazing Master Sword. Link spun and made three quick slashes to the right, then another three to the left, all of which were blocked. Skorn countered with a vertical slice that would have cut Link in two had he been there. But the smaller man flipped backwards through the air, avoiding the attack. As soon as his feet hit the ground, Link attacked with a leaping strike. Skorn tried to block it, but the force of the blow shattered his massive sword. In one smooth movement Link pivoted in place and thrust his blade through Skorn's chest, the force of the blow propelling both men into the tower. As they struck the tower it exploded from impact, burying them in debris. Rolondrof screamed as he tumbled down with it, flailing wildly in the air.
The enemy watched as their leaders fell, watched as the Hylian forces forced them further and further back. Some of the mercs chose to run, their employers now incapable of paying and protecting them. Others continued to fight, only to be struck down by Hylian weapons. And the rest simply threw down their weapons and surrendered, their cause lost. The war was over.
Hyrule had survived.
* * *
Zelda and the Sages made their way through the battlefield towards the pile of rubble that had once been the tower. Around them Hylian forces were either tending to the wounded or keeping guard over the surrendered opposition. The Chosen had all survived, though they had all sustained injuries, and now they stood watch at the foot of the pile.
There had been no sign of Link.
But atop the rubble, limbs sprawled and barely breathing, was Rolondrof. He attempted to say something to Zelda as she approached but choked on his own blood.
"It is over, Rolondrof," she told him. "Ganon is dead. Skorn is dead. Your army has been defeated. You are crippled. Surrender. I give you my word that you will have a fair trial."
The broken mage laughed at her, though it sounded more like he was strangling. "Your…your word? Surr…surrender? I trust your word, princess, but should you? Let me live…and…and I will return, more powerful than ever before. I already…killed your father…and your brother, and you are nothing like them! Imagine what I'll do next! I…I'll never surrender!"
Zelda's gave never wavered. "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. That was not a request. You will surrender, whether you like it or not. And be thankful that I am indeed like my father. Mercy was always one of his virtues." With that she turned her back on him.
Rolondrof's face froze into an expression of anger and hatred. Calling on the last of his strength to raise his right arm. Saria called out a warning, but he had already cast the spell, a bolt of red flame shooting from his hand.
But Zelda spun around, unleashing her own golden bolt, which shattered through Rolondrof's spell and engulfed him in its light. They heard him cry out in pain, and when the light faded all that was left was a blackened skeleton.
"I had hoped you would not be so foolish, Rolondrof," Zelda said quietly, surprised to find that she meant every word. "Unfortunately I was wrong." She stepped down from the rubble and glanced over towards Malon, who was staring intently at the pile, fighting back tears, and Zelda herself was forced to fight back her own. Walking over, she placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "We'll dig," she told her. "We'll find the body."
As if in response, the top of the pile began to bulge, as if something was trying to push its way through, and Zelda froze. She remembered that Skorn's gauntlets had greatly enhanced his strength…perhaps…
She never got a chance to finish the thought as debris exploded into the air, thrust up by a single fist. Every eye on the field was drawn to the pile unable to look away. They watched as the hand pulled itself up through the rubble, encased in a faint blue aura. A moment later another fist shot up, this one holding onto an equally glowing sword, and Malon nearly fell to her knees as she realized what was happening.
Link, enshrouded by Nayru's Love, pulled himself free of the rubble.
Standing atop the pile, Master Sword held at his side, Link looked out over the crowd as the protective spell faded. He was breathing heavily, but appeared to be unharmed. And then a chant started amongst the Gorons, who had always known him as their general, then carried through the rest of the field until it was on the lips of every Hylian, Goron, Gerudo, or Zora. They were chanting his name.
He looked down at Zelda and Malon, at the Sages and the Chosen, seeing their faces lined with tears of joy and happiness, and then he looked back over the soldiers, still chanting his name. He thrust the Master Sword high into the air, lightning striking it and coiling down his arm and into his skin, and the chant turned into a triumphant roar, uniting them all.
The Hero had returned.
And peace had been restored.
