Why is there a second update today, you ask? I'll tell you why: Because this is my favorite chapter of ALL TIME and I've been waiting to get it up ever since it was finished! Two reviews so far, so let's reply to those first!

MOMO1: (Legend of Advertisement) Well, yah, basically. Ed is me in my most hyper of moments. In my most hyper of moments, I act a bit like Ed. Which is how I get that psuedonym. YAY, DOORS!

Dragon-Charmer16: Okay, first of all, enough apologies! I'm the one at fault here for assuming! Besides, any review is a good review, am I right? I loved the lyrics too. As I said, my friend Mxedcherub is a stupendous poetess and songstress. Sounds like an awesome picture to me! -takes out sketch pad- Yes, this chapter is one of the best EVER! I love it sooooooo much! How's THIS for soon, eh?

Okay, short yes? Yes. This is the best chapter I've written so far. If you don't cry, you're a heartless jerk. And I do realize that this makes me a heartless jerk. But hey, I wrote it. I'm giving myself props for that! READ ON!

Chapter 13: Death

"I guess we better get back to that castle," Kaze suggested, stretching. It had been a long and much-needed break, but there was no telling how close Kuro was getting to finding the Staff. They needed to get going and fast.

"You'll never reach it on foot," Hieke warned. "Nor on boat or by flight, however you would manage that. I can take you to the castle, but taking so many will leave me more or less powerless. I won't be of much help in the battle against Master Drakar."

Kaze raised his hand high. "I have a question!" he stated enthusiastically, emphasizing the word 'question' for unknown reasons. "Why do you call him 'Master Drakar' while the others are just Mister Wythe and Miss Lilith?"

Hieke tilted her head to a side. "You cannot live without a soul," she replied cryptically. "When a soul is separated from its host, you have a matter of minutes before the host body dies. While I was in that borderline state, Master Drakar kept me alive by infusing me with a bit of his own soul, of his own decision at that. In a sense, I'm borrowing his soul until I can get mine back. If I can get mine back."

"That's why your wings are black now!" Malon concluded. Hieke nodded.

"Shall we go?" she asked, turning to Link, Kaze, and James. The three boys voiced their assent and stood near to Hieke. She spread her arms about her and an orb of dark Celestial magic formed around them. In a brief flash of light they disappeared.

"Okay, where is the jerk?" Kaze inquired, looking around. They were in a stone hallway adorned with ornate carpets and golden torches. Hieke gestured towards a staircase and began to ascend. "Master Drakar is at the top of the castle," she explained. They passed several stained-glass windows depicting images of the star-strewn heavens shining over the barren, ravaged plains of Hyrule. The place reminded Link of Ganon's castle.

They eventually came upon a large wooden door with a golden frame. "Master Drakar?" Hieke said, knocking on the door. It swung open and the small entourage entered the dimly lit chamber.

"Look!" James exclaimed, running forward a few steps. He pointed at a crystal sphere floating on the other side of the room. Within it was a glowing star… From the shadows came a tall, slender, winged figure. The great sable wings were spread wide. He wore a scarf of gray fabric that covered most of his face. His hair was black and hid his eyes. He held out a tightly bandaged hand and Hieke walked over to him.

"Welcome back, little one," he said in a voice like a million needles of ice. "As you can see, I managed to convince Lord Kuro to place your soul in my captivity. Would you like it back?" he asked, crouching down to Hieke's level. She nodded.

"I'm sorry, dear sister, but you'll have to defeat me in battle first."

"Wait, sister?" Kaze repeated. He was reminded of Mystus. Drakar rose and stared at the three boys with somewhat gentle eyes. "Well, not in blood. But she shares my soul. We are siblings in heart, no more than that," he explained. "Listen now. I am not your enemy. I persuaded Lord Kuro to place the soul in my hands knowing that you would come looking to defeat me."

"So you can just give it to us?" Link asked hopefully, wanting to avoid conflict if it was at all possible. Drakar's eyes grew sorrowful. "If only it were so, my friend. I am under a spell constructed by Lord Kuro and cast by Miss Lilith. I am not allowed to die except by the hands of one with good intentions. So you see, if I simply give the soul to you, I will suffer a fate a hundred times worse than death at the hands of my lord and master."

"Master, you need not serve him," Hieke interrupted. "He cannot do you any harm. He does not wish to taint his heart. If he should as much as threaten you, his spirit will blacken and wither."

Drakar sighed and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "You only want me to stay alive because I want to stay alive and we share a soul. If you were thinking for yourself, you wouldn't think twice about killing me. After all, I am you 'foe'. Am I right?"

Hieke shook her head. "Please, Master Drakar. You can fight Lord Kuro with us, can you not? If you were to return my soul to me and reclaim the whole of your own soul, we could battle against that madman with Link, Kaze, and James," she pleaded. "Hieke," Link called, his eyes dark. "We'll fight Drakar. It's inevitable."

Drakar nodded at the young hero. "You're right. See, little one? He understands. We are not on the same side. We have to fight, regardless of what we want." Hieke bowed her head and sighed. She slowly walked back and stood among the boys.

The winged man pulled his scarf down from his neck and tossed it aside. "Shall we begin?" he suggested with a melancholy smile. He flapped his great wings and ascended into the air. He drew a pair of katana swords from the sheaths on his back. Link and Kaze unsheathed their own weapons and James took a jeweled dagger in either hand. Hieke, weak from transporting the boys, took a few steps back and leaned against the wall.

"I'm afraid I cannot go easy on you," Drakar warned as he swooped past the boys, slashing at James and Kaze with his swords. Link swiped his golden blade at Drakar's wing, but the man soared out of reach at the last minute. James, enraged by the cut on his arm, hurled a shimmering dagger at his enemy. "Take that, angel boy!" he grinned. The blade struck Drakar's arm, and he clenched his teeth in pain. He removed the weapon and tossed it back to James. "That hurt very much, young one," he smiled painfully. He clutched at the injury on his arm.

"Master Drakar!" Hieke exclaimed. The winged man shook his head. "I must die… You have to understand that, little one," he nodded. Hieke sighed and sat down on the floor, her knees to her chest and her face buried in her hands. No doubt she feels the pain he does, Link mused in sympathy. "Drakar! For the sake of Hieke, let's just end this!" he shouted.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," the dark man said remorsefully. "You must kill me." He descended until his feet touched the stone floor. He threw aside his katana and spread his arms. "This makes it easier, yes? I'm afraid only the little one has the power to slay me in this manner. You boys get her soul. When I die, my soul will leave her body. You'll have less than two minutes to transfer her soul back to her."

Hieke looked up, her pale face streaked with tears. "Master, I will not kill you!" she said, jumping to her feet. Drakar smiled. "Come here, little one," he said softly. The Spirit walked forward until she stood before her spiritual brother. The man folded his arms around her in an embrace. "Do you know why I saved you?" he asked. Hieke shook her head solemnly. "You are young and have much to live for. And you reminded me so much of my little sister… until Kuro killed her. Do me this, little one: do not let that lunatic succeed."

The Celestial Spirit nodded slowly. Her hands glowed with dark Celestial magic, and in an instant Drakar fell. A black light escaped Hieke's body and she collapsed, breathing heavily.

"Hurry!" Link ordered as fumbled around for something to get the crystal down with. James took out his slingshot, which he had brought thinking it might come in handy, and handed it to Link. The hero swiftly took the toy and aimed. In two shots he was able to bring down the bottle.

Kaze crouched beside Hieke, taking her in his arms. Her eyes were closed and her breath was shallow. "Link, hurry up!" he called urgently. The green-clad forest boy had the shielded crystal in his hands and repeatedly beat it against the stone floor. Hieke breathed her last as the bottle shattered and the star escaped. It hovered above the girl, sinking into her flesh.

But they were too late. Hieke was dead…

"We couldn't… How could this…?" Kaze sobbed. James bowed his head and Link… Link didn't move, the expression of determined urgency still on his face. As he came to his senses, he walked forward and took the limp body from his friend's arms. Tears welled in his eyes and his shoulders trembled. He gazed upon the still face, so young and beautiful. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. When he drew away, Hieke's eyes were open and a weak smile was on her lips.

In surprise he threw her to the ground. "Zombie!" he shouted, whipping out his sword and pointing it at Hieke's throat. "What the hell is wrong with you!" the Spirit shouted, jumping up and rubbing her sore back. "A girl dies and you throw her on the floor? The stone floor? Are you some kind of schizoid!"

Link stared in shock and sheathed his sword. "You're really alive?" he whispered. Hieke rolled her eyes. "Duh, what does it look like?" she scoffed, but there was a smile on her face. Kaze lunged at her, tumbling to the ground. "I thought you were dead!" he laughed. Hieke pushed the energetic boy away from her. "I missed you too, Kaze," she giggled.

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-holds out box of Kleenex- Need this? I don't. But I'm a heartless jerk! OMIGAAAAWWWD! I just remembered that Chapter 14 isn't done yet! -runs away in blind panic-

-comes back- Don't forget to review! -runs away screaming-