Character- Link

Setting- Link has fought his way through Ganondorf's castle and had found his way to the top. He now stands in front of the only doors that now stand between him and Ganondorf.

1

Courage (Part 2)

1

I race up the seemingly everlasting steps.

I can see the huge golden doors just ahead of me.

My leg muscles scream in protest as I continue to climb.

I reach the landing and fight to stay on my tired feet.

I manage.

1

I sprint over to the doors.

Without hesitation, I press all my weight against them.

They're heavy, but they give way.

1

The gold from the doors glimmers as the torchlight from the hall hits.

During this time, I have only the chance to think briefly.

1

This is it.

This is the door he's been hiding behind.

And I'm ready.

The feeling of battle washes over me.

It replaces any fear I have.

1

As the doors open, the haunting organ music blasts through.

He's been playing that song ever since I got into this place.

But…

It'll stop soon.

1

I give the door a final jerk forward and run into the room.

It's a huge, cavernous hall.

An enormous pipe organ fills the far wall.

Floor to ceiling stained-glass windows line the side walls.

A milky marble floor swirls and changes colours due to the storm outside the windows.

Ganondorf sits, playing, on the organ's bench.

I grit my teeth.

1

I look around for any signs of Zelda.

I can't find her.

And I can't hear her either.

I start to panic.

1

"Where is she!" I scream.

1

The music stops.

Ganondorf turns around slowly.

His sickly, green skin and bright red hair stand out in the low light.

His yellow eyes seem to jump from his skull.

He eyes me.

I can see laughter in his eyes.

1

The man is huge.

Almost as big as I remember him to be since I saw him… seven years ago.

1

He lets a short burst of laughter out at the sight of me.

I remain as calm as possible… which isn't much.

He still hasn't answered my question.

1

His ugly smirk fades.

He looks almost disappointed.

I don't have time for this.

1

"I asked you, where is she, you bastard!" I scream again.

1

His face remains neutral.

He raises his hand and waves it lazily.

"Over there, somewhere." He drawls.

1

I look over to where he pointed.

A flash of lightening lights up the floor.

For a split second,

I see Zelda's body lying limp on the marble

1

I snap my eyes back to Ganondorf.

I glare at him.

1

I'll get him back for this.

1

I sprint over to her.

I kneel down to her side.

Please don't be dead.

1

I prop her up gently.

Her head lolls back.

But I can feel her warmth.

1

She's alive at least.

1

Navi flies about my head, saying nothing.

I try to shake Zelda awake.

Nothing happens.

1

She's been hit badly.

I can see a small amount of blood in the spot where her head was.

My anger doubles.

1

How could he have hit a woman?

1

Without really thinking, I fetch a healing potion from my pack.

The red liquid twinkles gently.

Zelda needs this…

More than I do.

1

At once, Navi interrupts.

"Link, you can't give her that! That was meant for our battle here! We paid lots for that potion. She'll get better soon. She doesn't need it, Link!" she pleads.

I look at her, disbelieving.

1

"No, Navi. I'm giving it to her. She does need it. When I beat this guy I won't be able to carry her all the way out." I tell her sharply.

I pull the cork out of a bottle.

I pour the thick red liquid into Zelda's mouth.

I wait.

1

Slowly, I can feel her stir beneath me.

I hold her head up, rubbing my thumb back and forth through her hair.

She opens her eyes slightly.

I begin to smile.

Then blinks and opens them all the way.

She jumps to get up.

I hold her against me to keep her still.

She looks terrified.

1

Slowly, she comes back to her full senses.

She stares at me, confused.

I burst into a smile.

1

Her face lights up immediately.

She throws her arms around my neck.

She starts crying.

1

I sit in shock.

Then place my arm around her shaking shoulders.

1

"Thank the Goddesses! You're alive." she whispers.

She takes a heavy breath.

"I thought you were dead."

1

I bring her into a hug.

Her sleek hair rubs against my face.

"What?" I whisper jokingly, "You'd think that I'd miss this? I couldn't let Ganondorf down."

1

She smiles slightly.

"You'd best go and get him, then." She says.

I nod, smirking at the thought.

1

I push myself up off the ground.

I lower my hand.

Zelda takes it and I help her up.

The empty bottle lies on the floor.

Navi stays silent.

1

Zelda wipes tears from her eyes.

"Goddesses be with you, Link." She says gently.

1

I take one more look at her.

Her tousled hair is brushed all about her face.

Her eyes are red from crying.

Her dress is ripped at the hem…

But…

I smile at her anyways.

1

She still looks just as wonderful as she did in the Temple.

1

"Are you quite finished?" Cries a harsh voice.

It takes me a while to snap back to the present.

A tidal wave of hatred hit me hard.

I whirl around to face Ganondorf.

He's standing now, staring at us.

I glare at him.

1

I step in front of Zelda, protecting her…

Just incase he tries something.

But he stands still.

He speaks instead.

1

"All this time… I've spent it looking for the two missing pieces… the Triforce pieces that I was unable to retrieve… I never expected them to be hidden in you two!" He announces.

He sneers at us.

"But now… we are all together. The Triforce is resonating. I will finally hold all three pieces. All that's left in my way… are your lives."

1

He talks as though we're family.

I hate that.

I could never stand being related to a monster like him.

1

He raises up right hand.

Blazed upon it…

The topmost triangle…

Is the Triforce of Power.

1

I feel a tingling sensation on the back of my hand.

Once again…

The Triforce of Courage shows itself.

Beside me, Zelda's piece does the same.

1

"You're going to wish you were never even born, boy." Ganondorf screams, "These toys are too much for you!"

1

All of the sudden,

He sends out a huge blast of energy from himself.

I've never seen nor felt anything like it before in my life.

I brace myself against what I guess could be described as a strong wind.

I can feel myself being pushed backwards.

I plant my feet to slow myself down.

1

The energy rush stops.

I look to Navi to get information about what kind of attack that was…

But she's not there.

I search for her.

1

I see her on the floor up against a wall.

Dread fills me.

She couldn't handle the blast and must have gone flying.

I curse myself for not protect her.

I want to go and run over to see if she's all right…

But I can't risk turning my back.

I can only pray that she's still alive.

1

"What is the matter, boy? Afraid to fight without your fairy?"

Ganondorf laughs harshly.

1

You bastard.

If she's dead…

1

I grit my teeth.

"You wish." I manage to spit.

1

I see Zelda run off to the corner of the room.

A bolt of lightening flashes.

Zelda gently lifts Navi from the ground.

The light from the flash ends and I can't read the expression on Zelda's face.

Maybe Navi IS dead.

My anger heightens once again.

But Zelda's still all right.

1

At least she's still safe.

1

My reassurance in Zelda's safety is soon replaced by thoughts of battle.

I watch Ganondorf closely as he slowly paces about.

Then, his feet lift above the ground.

I gape slightly in shock as he levitates upwards.

His eyes bulge.

I'm suddenly hit with the realization that he's going to do something.

I try to brace myself for anything.

1

Ganondorf's face twists into a grimace.

He crashes back to the floor, pounding it.

The shock waves run up my leg and I can feel the floor vibrate.

Then, the marble floor begins to crumble away because of this sudden earthquake.

1

I fight with myself over what to do.

I stand still for a split second.

Then the impulse to run takes over.

I scramble away from the tumbling chunks of floor.

I run in the direction of the wall.

1

I hope I'll be able to hang on to something there so as not to fall.

1

This thought leads me to look behind me.

The floor is still collapsing around me.

I look down.

I can see the next floor…

Fifty feet below me.

I begin to run faster.

1

I slam up against the windowed wall.

I grip the steel rods around the sections of glass.

I hold on tight.

But no floor disappears from beneath me.

1

I look at my feet.

The marble is still under them.

In fact…

There's a small two-foot wide edge remaining all the way around the room.

The rest is open to below now… except for a large pillar in the center.

Ganondorf stands untouched upon his hand-made platform.

1

I draw the Master Sword.

I swallow hard.

I can still see Zelda and Navi in the far corner of the room.

Good. They made it too.

1

I dance back and forth gently on my feet… ready for anything.

I hold my sword loosely in my hands.

1

Ganondorf flies upwards a few feet.

He summons up an energy ball.

He fires it directly at me.

It comes down fast and hard.

I can see him smiling already…

As though he thinks he's won.

1

I look at the ball coming at me.

This is just like in the Forest Temple.

I smirk at the thought.

I know exactly what to do.

1

I swing my sword and hit the ball right back at him.

His eyes grow wide.

It hits him square in the chest.

He flies backward.

My smirk widens.

1

He snarls at me.

I nearly laugh as he prepares another energy attack just like the last one.

I guess he hasn't learned.

1

He fires the purple energy ball at me again.

I do the same thing and hit it dead on with my sword.

It ricochets back to him.

1

Ganondorf brings back his shovel-sized hand and hits the ball back to me.

I do a double take at this.

Wow…

I guess he can think a little.

1

I deflect it again, easily.

This time, Ganondorf shifts to the side and dodges it.

He scowls at me.

His face is twisted and misshapen in the low light.

1

I remain untouched by any of his attacks.

I brush my hair out of my eyes in a taunting fashion.

I grip my sword and shield, smiling still.

1

Ganondorf raises both his arms up high.

A giant black energy ball forms above his head.

I watch in confusion.

What do I do now?

Ganondorf laughs maniacally.

The black boulder above his head swirls formidably.

1

I don't think I can fire this one back…

It's huge.

1

He lets the black orb go.

It's faster than the smaller purple ones before.

My eyes widen as I realize that I can't do anything.

A flash of panic hit me and then dissolves into adrenaline.

I begin run along the thin edge around the room.

1

The black ball is going to hit the wall and that'll be the end of it.

I look behind at where I was standing, expecting to see the ball smash against the window…

But it doesn't.

The energy ball breaks up.

All the smaller black streams turn towards me.

They dodge the wall and come fast in my direction.

I gasp out loud.

I snap my head forward again.

I put my sword and shield away.

I begin to sprint like I never had before.

1

I hear the smaller streams hitting the wall and floor…

Just missing me be inches.

I look behind me.

I can see a charred trail from where the energy streams have hit the wall.

I look ahead to see where I'm going.

Panic once again fills me as I see the ledge I'm on ends sharply.

I have no where to go.

1

I then see another ledge start up further along the wall.

All I have to do is jump across it.

But… I can't remember ever making a jump that far in my life.

The gap is huge.

…

What else can I do?

1

My thoughts are interrupted as a tremendous pain shoots through my right thigh.

I yell out in pain.

I begin to stumble.

I struggle to stay on my feet and on the ledge.

I look at my leg and can see where the black energy has hit it.

There's blood running down my leg and I can see that some of my skin is burnt badly.

How am I still running?

1

I look ahead to the gap.

I don't have enough speed anymore.

I throw my arms out to stop myself.

I hear Zelda shriek from her corner.

1

I can't slow myself down.

I can't speed up anymore.

Pain splitters every time I put my leg down.

1

I'm going to have to try to jump anyway.

1

The end of the ledge reaches me.

I manage to plant my good left leg down- thank the Goddesses.

I push off with all my strength.

I fly over the gap, holding my breath.

1

The other side the ledge hits me hard in the chest.

It knocks the wind from me and I struggle to keep a hold.

I scramble up slowly, drawing deep painful breaths in.

I prop myself up on my one good leg.

1

I look over to Ganondorf.

He looks fit to bursts.

He pants like a madman.

1

Just to piss him off a little more.

I step down on my brunt leg gingerly…

To show him that it didn't really hurt and that I'm fine.

I bite through the intense pain.

I manage a cocky smile.

1

Ganondorf succeeds in not screaming out.

Instead, he throws his arms up again.

Another huge black energy ball begins to form.

1

I glance over to see if Zelda is still all right.

Then… a thought hits me.

1

The arrow…

The light arrow that she gave me!

Oh my Goddesses!

That might just work.

1

I smile at Ganondorf as he floats with his chest fully exposed.

The half-formed energy ball sits atop his head.

1

I pull out my bow.

I load up the golden, glowing light arrow.

1

I watch as Ganondorf's eyes grow large.

He begins to panic and tries to call off his attack.

But it's too late.

I pull back my arrow and aim straight for his heart.

1

This is it.

1

I let it fly.

It shoots from my bow with blinding speed.

At once, the arrow explodes into light and I have to squint to see.

The room is lit up entirely for a split second as the arrow makes its journey.

1

The arrow hits Ganondorf dead in the heart.

He collapses to his platform,

Clutching his bleeding chest.

The arrow still protrudes from him.

1

I hop across to his platform, trying and failing not to hurt my leg.

I grunt a little as I land and the pain spreads.

1

…But I can ignore the pain.

This is the moment I've been fighting for.

This is where I kill the son of a bitch who ruined my life and world.

This is when Ganondorf dies under my doing.

1

I walk to him and stand over his body.

He looks up at me.

Hatred is pouring through his yellow eyes at me.

But I'm in control now.

1

I give him a twisted smile to say goodbye.

I don't bless him with hearing my voice again.

I simple raise my sword over him…

And then I drive in down with everything I have.

Ganondorf's cry resonates through the destroyed hall.

1

Then it fades into nothing.

Silence drifts in.

I can feel my cold sweat on my skin.

1

I slowly remove my sword from him.

I stare down at the body.

Greenish blood drips from my blade to the floor.

It joins the pool of green around Ganondorf's corpse.

1

I crouch down and wipe my sword off on his cape.

I then stand up and put my sword away gently.

I sigh.

1

It's over.

1

I stand still for a moment,

Looking at the body in front of me.

I half expect it to move.

To twitch.

To do anything.

1

I realize now that I'm having some sort of rejection to the fact that he's dead.

To the fact that it's over now.

Like… a strange feeling of guilty loss.

1

I shake these thoughts from my head.

Then I turn away slowly and walk over to Zelda.

1

She looks shaken.

Her hair is messy and tangled.

But otherwise, she's fine.

1

"His stolen reign is over. Ganondorf was a pitiful man." She says, grimacing slightly at the body.

1

She shifts her eyes back to mine.

A small smile begins to spread.

"It's over." She whispers gently.

1

She speaks exactly what I think.

I go to smile back at her…

But my eyes drift down to her lightly clamped hands.

A tiny flittering blue glow escapes the cracks between her fingers.

1

Navi.

1

I gesture down to her hands.

She raises them up and gently opens them into mine.

Navi's tiny frame falls into my hands.

I smile down at her, cradling her in my hands.

1

"Navi," I breathe, "Navi, come on. It's all over now. Wake up."

1

A twinge of panic rises as she doesn't stir.

Then, she rolls over heavily in my hands.

I grin down at her.

1

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you, Link." is the first thing she says.

1

I nearly laugh.

The poor thing.

"That's okay." I assure her.

1

"I'll be there next battle." She promises.

1

Suddenly my eyes fill with tears.

Again…

The rejection of the end.

That guilty loss.

…

I won't be fighting anymore…

Which means that I won't need to have Navi anymore.

… Well… not necessarily, but I believe that that is what it will come down to.

I don't know how I know this.

But I do.

Navi will fly away.

1

I try to hide my thoughts with a smile.

"I don't think there will be another battle, Navi."

I then being to laugh.

1

The laugh is so… childish that it startles me.

I sound…

I sound like I'm ten.

This makes me laugh harder.

… Although I don't know why.

1

Navi flies up into her usual place on my shoulder.

I stop laughing to look at her there.

… To savour her there.

1

A small ground tremor catches my attention.

I tear my eyes from Navi and stare at the destroyed marble floor.

At first, I think it's just the light.

But… soon I realize that it's not…

The ground is shaking.

Small pebbles are shivering in their places.

1

I glance over to Ganondorf…

He's up to something.

He's making this happen.

I don't know how.

(He's dead)

But he is.

1

I feel Zelda tug at my tunic.

I snap my head over to look at her.

She gazes at me in fear.

"In his last breath, Ganondorf is trying to take down the castle with him." She gasps in almost a whisper, "We must leave here, Link, as soon as we can. I know the way… follow me."

1

Although I know what she's talking about…

I have to ask… because I need to understand.

"What do you mean he's taking down the castle? He can do that?" I ask, astonished.

1

"Apparently." She responds quickly, "Now, come on. We have not the time."

She walks across the devastated room.

The stain-glass windows begin to shake and crack.

I break into a jog behind her.

1

She leads me down an external staircase on the outside of the castle wall.

I brace myself on the castle wall and I can feel it shaking.

Zelda pink silk dress billows out in the wind.

1

I look ahead and see a door blocking our way.

I'm just about to say something when Zelda blasts it open…

With magic it seems.

1

"I didn't know you could do that." I remark, truly impressed.

1

"It seems you don't know many things." She retorts jokingly.

1

I hold in a laugh.

Despite the fact that we are running for our lives,

She jokes…

And I know that she's happy.

1

We run across a stained marble floor.

Ruble starts to fall from above.

"It's worse than I thought. Come quickly!" She calls out to me, panicking.

Navi follows along beside me, not speaking.

1

Now inside the castle,

Dodging the falling ruble becomes hard.

Every moment brings a heavier storm of falling rock and stone.

After we round a corner, there's another door.

I let Zelda do her thing.

It blasts open.

1

"Are you sure you still need me here?" I say, panting from running.

I smirk.

1

A boulder crashes down and misses Zelda be inches.

My smirk disappears.

Thank the Goddesses it didn't hit her.

1

"I might need to borrow your shield in a moment." She says breathlessly.

1

Then we continue running.

We run through the doorway and into another huge vaulted hall.

The pillars are crumbling down.

The floor is littered with rock and wood.

We drag ourselves through the twisted labyrinth.

Bits of the ceiling fall down.

The red, glowing sky bathes the place with ugly light.

Rain floods through the roof now.

I'm already wet from before…

But now Zelda is soaked also.

1

We run down another corridor,

Then another.

All the while dodging falling stones.

Finally we enter the main hall

The ceiling is completely gone.

Pieces of the vast walls crumble.

The red velvet carpet is covered with dust and rock.

1

We begin to run up the long staircase.

The red glowing light outside streams through the demolished doorway.

We're nearly out.

1

I jump over the fallen rock and debris.

Zelda does the same behind me.

She's panting hard.

She looks tired.

But she won't stop.

Not now.

1

I plow my way up the stairs.

I listen for Zelda's panting behind me.

But it stops abruptly.

1

"Zelda?" I ask hesitantly.

1

I look over to see what's wrong.

A small twisted figure stands over Zelda's frozen form.

A ReDead.

Its dark naked skin hangs lose.

Its gaping mouth flaps uselessly.

It staggers over to her.

1

"Oh no you don't!" I yell.

1

I sprint over to the thing, drawing my sword in a liquid motion.

I swing it back and bring it to the ReDead's neck.

The thing's head snaps back and then it slumps to the ground.

Its head rolls uselessly down the staircase.

1

I hear Zelda gasp for breath.

I walk over to her

She coughs violently.

She rubs at her throat.

1

She looks over at the ReDead's body.

She recoils slightly.

1

"It's a ReDead." I explain shortly.

I giant shudder from the castle speeds me up.

I grab her arm and haul her up from the ground.

"Come, this place is coming down any minute." I say.

1

She leans against me.

She weak and still coughing.

I manage to pull her up the last of the steps.

Almost nothing is left of the castle now.

1

I wrestle her out of the castle.

The remaining skeletal body sways from side to side.

1

"It's going to collapse." Zelda chokes out.

Then the castle sways far to the left.

I hear cracks and pops.

Then it splinters and fall away into nothing.

1

I drag Zelda over to a boulder to cover her from debris.

I pin her to it and cover her head with my arms.

The bits of rock bounce off my shield.

1

Slowly,

The wind dies down.

I push myself away and brush the hair out of my eyes.

Dust falls from it.

1

I walk away from the boulder.

The remains of the castle lay in a huge pile.

In fact…

The entire floating island the castle was upon has come back down to earth.

The moat of fiery magma no longer exists.

It's all been blocked up again.

Nothing but singed land and ruins are left.

1

The rain is still splattering down gently.

But it's calming now.

1

I look over to Navi to speak to her.

"I knew you'd make it, Navi."

I smile.

1

"For a second there I thought none of us were." She squeaks.

1

I snort gently.

"We cut it pretty close that time, didn't we?"

1

"Ya think?" Says Navi, in disbelief.

Zelda gives a huff of apporval.

1

I lift up my hat for Navi to go into and out of the rain.

She flies into it.

1

I walk over to Zelda.

I look across at the ruins.

Then I look to Zelda.

I decide to ask her something that's been on my mind since I saw her in the Temple.

1

"So, you were Sheik the whole time?" I ask jokingly.

1

She smiles.

"Yes."

1

"You made a good man, you know," I sneer, "You had me fooled."

1

"It wasn't meant to fool you." she says, "Just Ganondorf."

1

"I can hardly say that I believe you," I say.

I fold my arms across my chest.

"I mean… you could have just told me you were a woman. I can keep secrets."

1

"Oh really?" She says, raising her eyebrows comically, "Well, I can hardly see you taking that very well at all, the state you were in most of the time. You wouldn't have believed me if I told you I was a woman."

1

I nod.

"You're right. I'd have probably asked you to show me."

I continue to smirk.

1

"Which I couldn't do." She reminds me.

1

"But you can now." I blurt out softly.

I regret what I said immediately,

But Zelda says nothing to show her distaste.

1

But she doesn't have to.

1

A loud thump emanates from the mound of ruble.

I tense up immediately.

1

Something slowly dawns on me…

Like an egg cracked over my head…

It sluggishly trickles through to me that something is terribly wrong.

1

Navi shoots out from my hat.

She buzzes about my head frantically.

"What is it, Link?" she asks, almost demands.

1

"Shh!" I snap at her.

I'm staring intensely around for any signs of movement.

The sound came from a giant pile of rubble.

I scan it for anything.

… Even though I think I already know what lies inside.

1

Ganondorf.

1

"No." Comes Zelda's voice from behind me, "It can't possibly… just… no. Oh Goddesses."

1

That fight that I just had…

I wasn't the end.

I'm not finished yet.

I know that I must fight again.

1

A familiar feeling sweeps over me.

The feeling of battle.

… I thought that perhaps I would never experience it again after the last fight.

But here I am.

That steel-hard emotion blocking out everything…

1

It's what allows me to face my fears.

1

I draw my sword.

The slick sound it makes is almost lost in the tumbling rain.

I stare constantly at the pile of debris.

I begin to slowly walk towards it.

1

Suddenly,

A tiny rock dislodges and bounces down the rubble.

It scuttles to a stop by my feet.

1

The air is filled with a resonating bang.

The debris from the pile spills across the ground.

I grab my shield as quick as lightening.

I hold it up against the thick rain of rocks.

1

I look up, completely bewildered by the explosion.

There, hovering ten feet from the ground…

Is the King of Evil.

1

Ganondorf survived.

… But I guess I knew that.

I think I'd be able to feel if he were dead.

1

We have a bond.

1

"You think you can get rid of me that easy?" He screams.

His voice is deeper than usual.

He sounds pissed.

I stare up at him, my face blank as I can make it.

1

"I have the Triforce of Power! As long as my blood pumps… it is mine!"

He holds up his hand.

The top triangle glows once again.

I shield my eyes to stop the light from blinding me.

1

I hear sickening crunches and cracks through the intense light.

I grit my teeth at them.

I know almost at once what they mark;

Ganondorf is transforming.

1

But into what?

1

The light dies down.

I put my hands down to see the most hideous creature I have ever faced.

… and I've seen ReDeads.

1

It's a monster.

1

Ganondorf has changed into some gigantic beast.

Twenty feet tall…

At least.

Flaming red locks of hair tangle around his thick neck.

He clutches two steel swords in his hands.

I've never seen swords that size.

They must be bigger than I am.

1

I hold my sword at the ready,

Despite the fact that the thing is over three times my height.

1

Ganondorf lets out a huge roar.

I can feel my ribcage shake as he lets it off.

Flames shoot up around the clearing made by the ruble.

It closes me in before I can even move.

The fire forms a blazing circle.

1

Ganondorf takes a giant step towards me.

The ground shakes.

Bits of rock split open as his foot presses down on them.

1

"Link," Navi says, "There's no way he can hold me back this time. We'll fight together. Like always. I admit that I don't know much now… But I'm here. And I'll do what I can to help you."

I smile at her determination.

1

"Thanks, Navi." I say genuinely.

Then I realize that this might be the last thing I say to her.

I push that thought away.

… There's no room for doubts.

1

Lets get him, then." She says.

1

I look up at Ganondorf.

He begins to run towards me.

No… sprint towards me.

I manage to roll out of the way before he squishes me beneath his foot.

1

I get up to my feet and turn around.

All this has happened in half a second.

But he's right there in front of me as I look up.

… As if he planned this exact thing to happen.

My eyes grow wide.

I realize that I'm caught off guard.

1

His arm is already raised up for a blow.

1

"LINK LOOK OUT!" Navi screams.

1

I try to sprint to get out of the way.

But I know that it's too late.

His arm comes crashing down on me.

It connects with my left hand…

My sword hand.

I feel hot pain slice into my shoulder and all the way down to my fingertips.

I hear a snap.

1

Not good.

1

I realize that I can't feel the Master Sword in my hand anymore.

I look to see the damage the blow did.

Then, through the blood and mangled mess of my broken arm, I realize that the sword isn't there at all.

1

I look for it around me.

I try to ignore the sharp and constant throb of pain.

Then, I see the sword.

It arches overhead and lands on the other side of the flames.

1

Oh well, I think bitterly.

I would be able to use it with my broken hand anyway.

1

"Are you okay? That was a hard hit." Navi asks.

1

"I'm fine," I grunt, "just fine."

I try to sound sarcastic…

But I can't.

It hurts too much.

I bite back any sounds of agony.

I clutch at my arm.

I can feel blood run down my hand.

1

I hear the pounding footsteps of Ganondorf.

"Quick Link, here he comes." Navi says, stating the obvious.

1

I curse myself silently for almost forgetting the stupid thing.

I put up my shield with my good arm and dodge the blow.

My arm screams in protest at the fast movements.

1

Okay… I need to attack…

With anything.

1

I place my shield back and whip out my tiny Kokiri sword.

It's the only other thing I can use with this one hand.

I drive the tiny blade into Ganondorf's foot.

1

It doesn't seem to phase him at all.

Like… a splinter.

I jump backward to avoid being hit again by any counter-attack.

1

I search my mind for anything else.

Bow: two hands.

Hookshot: what good's that gonna do?

Bomb: He'll dodge it. AND it takes two hands to throw.

Shit… I can't even play my Ocarina.

1

"Link. Quick! Get out your Goron Sword. It's the only thing we got that might hurt him!" Cries Navi .

1

I glare at her.

Like I haven't already though of that?

"I can't. My arm." I spit at her viciously.

1

Oh Goddesses.

Why me?

1

Another throb of pain causes me to grunt a little.

I don't know how much more of this pain I can take.

1

Ganondorf brings down his sword again.

I get my shield back out just in time and deflect the blow.

Navi floats in beside me.

But Ganondorf swings his other arm round and strikes me right across the side.

This time, I go flying.

1

I'm barely aware of my landing.

All I feel is another wave of pain tear through me.

My left arm screams in protest.

I try to ignore it.

I moan, trying to keep the cry of pain to a minimum.

The rocky, uneven ground jabs at my fallen body.

1

"Link?" I hear Navi whisper.

I moan again.

1

I hear Ganondorf tyrannous footsteps coming nearer.

"Oh, Goddesses, Link. Get up! He's coming!" She screams.

Her voice sound watery.

I groan again.

1

My head swims.

My arm is killing me and my body is battered.

I feel the cold rain trickle down me and pool around my resting place.

1

But I have to get up.

1

I roll over onto my hands and knees.

I feel as though I've been trampled by a heard of horses.

My head begins to swim more violently.

1

My chest if on fire.

I cough.

I feel blood fly up from deep in my throat and ooze down my face to the ground.

1

I can hear Ganondorf's footsteps stop.

He looms over us.

I'm caught in his shadow.

He laughs in a deep, hoarse way.

Hate bubbles up inside of me.

1

I can sense him bring his foot up to slam down on me.

I make to roll out of the way.

But Ganondorf stomps his foot down and pins me halfway.

His foot collides with my chest and stomach.

I'm stuck.

1

No… I'm dead.

1

I lay on my back.

Utterly helpless.

1

Not like this.

Please Goddesses, let me not die like this.

1

Ganondorf leans more weight on me.

Pain explodes inside my chest.

I fight not to scream.

But, it's so hard.

1

I think I can hear Zelda.

She's screaming.

I wish she would stop.

I don't want her to scream.

1

Navi floats reatlessly around me.

I can hear her whimpering.

I wish she would stop to.

… but I focus my efforts on keeping a straight face.

… showing no pain.

1

"So this is the best Hyrule can do?" Taunts Ganondorf, "Congratulations, boy. You get the honour of being killed by your King."

A wave of disgust hits me, despite all the pain.

I snarl up at him.

1

"You're no king of mine." He say, as strongly as I can.

I can hear my voice crack all the same.

I'm dying all right.

1

Ganondorf appears unfazed by my defiance.

"You know," Ganondorf continues, "I was going to kill her in front of you."

He pauses.

I hear Zelda screaming again.

More frantically this time.

1

I think she's watching me.

Watching me die.

1

"But I like this way so much better." He sneers, "Now, I get to hear her scream twice as long. One for you, when you're dying. And again when I split open her stomach and watch her bleed to death. A woman's screams are much more satisfying."

1

A wave of hatred so strong hits me, I forget about my pain completely.

I glare up at Ganondorf.

Hatred spills from me.

"You're sick!" I bellow.

1

How can he kill her?

Goddesses don't let him.

Oh Nayru, no.

1

I realize that I'm becoming afraid.

Not for me… But for Zelda.

The feeling of battle is slowing draining from me.

1

"Oh, Link… please get out of this." Navi whispers uselessly.

1

Ganondorf leans forward violently.

1

That's it.

That's all I can take.

The pain erupts inside.

It burns me.

Spots of black bloom in front of my eyes.

1

I open my mouth and scream in agony.

The sound is foreign to my ears and make me feel ashamed

1

I regain myself.

My entire body is throbbing.

1

"Listen to her scream, boy." Growls Ganondorf.

He jerks his foot down.

I grit my teeth.

"Listen. That and my voice are the last things you'll ever hear."

1

Then, a disturbing thought passes through me.

Goddesses, just let me die.

1

He leans down completely on top of me.

He bends down and puts his face to mine.

I can feel his hot breath on my face.

I can smell his rotten skin.

"Just between you and me, boy," He whispers, "If you accept me as your true King, I might just go easy on you little girlfriend. Might."

1

I gasp for breath.

I struggle so hard.

1

I'm dying.

I'm dying.

1

Goddesses let me die soon.

I can't take this anymore.

1

I keep my eyes fixed on Ganondorf.

The black is getting increasingly hard to see through.

I glare steadily upwards.

I open my mouth.

I spit in his face.

Most of it is blood by now.

… But I'm sure he gets the point

1

Ganondorf wipes it away, still staring at me intently.

Goddesses, I hate him.

1

I try to keep focused on his eyes.

The spots become darker.

I can't get breath into my lungs.

Every time I exhale, my chest is squeezed tighter.

I cough.

It doesn't help.

1

Then, an overwhelming exhaustion comes over me.

My vision fades completely to black.

I hear Zelda screams, wishing I could do something to make her stop.

1

I think this is it.

I think I'm done.

1

Goddesses, don't let Zelda die.

You'll be sorry.

Kill the giant bastard instead.

Let him…

Let him die.

1

The exhaustion takes over.

I can feel my eyes close.

Close forever… I guess.

1

I'm going to die hating.

1

I try to breathe in again.

But I don't.

1

But that's okay.

I'm too tired to care anymore.

Too tired to feel pain anymore.

I'm relieved at that.

… No more pain.

1

I feel heavy all over.

I think about trying to move.

Then don't.

1

I let the long sleep take me.

1

Okay, I've run into a small problem. The next chapter is... well... missing. I have the final chapter, but Part 3 is just... not there anymore. So, I'll have to write it up again. This might take me a little while. Because Part 3 is huge.
Anyway, I don't know how long it will take me, but I'll do my best to get it up as soon as possible.

I know you probably all hate me for the killer cliff-hanger, huh? But...you kinda already know what's going to happen.

And don't worry about the ending I have in store for you. I think it answers some questions that aren't even answered in the game.

Until next time.