I look around, horrified to see the real Link lying on the ground not seven feet away from me. He's hardly breathing, and his face is pale. From where I am on the ground, I notice Zelda is running back over to him, sobbing. Cremia has Kierana, and I notice that Aires is standing, now joined with Romani. The guards have all broken rank, and the majority of them are surrounding me and Lucife.
"Don't come any closer or you are all going to regret it. Ganon knew what he was doing when he sent me here! He's given me the power to destroy all of you! And I will, I promised him that!" The handsome soldier that the rest of Link's army knew as Lucife is gone. The apparition in front of me is human formed, but instead of skin, his body is black. His facial features are gone as well: all that is remaining are his eyes, now blood red. His arms are long and thin, but there is no doubt that he has undeniable power. He reaches back with the knife, and I close my eyes and prepare to die. Suddenly, Zelda's voice rings out.
"NO!" She screams, and I open my eyes, startled. Lucife turns and yelps, seeing that Link has stood and stepped toward him.
"Why are you alive?" Lucife screams, circling him. "Ganon said that it was your time! I've taken over you too many times, and this is the last straw. Promise me your castle or you will have to die." Link, who is slowly regaining his color, smiles at him weakly.
"Ganon still has yet to understand the power of love, Lucife. Love brought me back, and I am getting stronger as I speak. You don't understand his power, or his way of thinking. He is simply using you as a tool to get what he wants. If you manage to destroy all of us, you are going to have no choice but to give the control of my palace to him. You will never be king of Hyrule." Lucife screams in anger at Link's words.
"No! You have it wrong! I will get what I want! I have more power than you do! I am not alone!" He turns and holds out his hand, looking at me. Link turns and pales.
"No. Malon… I thought that you were on our side. What did you do?" I shake my head, not understanding. The demon rolls his eyes, a gesture that would be almost comical if the situation had not been so serious..
"Not her. I'm through with her. Ruto… come here." A small, petite girl with jet black hair steps forward timidly. I realize with a new understanding that she had been there for quite a while, just watching.
"Lucife… what's going on?" She whispers, looking at him with tear filled eyes. Link looks at her, confused.
"That's not Ruto. What are you talking about?" The girl looks up at Link and begins to sob in earnest.
"Link, I'm so sorry. I… he changed me into a human because he wanted you to fall in love with me… he promised me that he would always love me and take care of me. I see now that he's a liar," she hisses, glaring at him and momentarily regaining her confidence. "And I am never going to help him." With those words, there is a bright flash of light and in her place stands the regal Zora princess that everyone is familiar with. Lucife sees her and laughs evilly.
"My dear girl," he says, walking over to her and grabbing her arm, "You may not be aware that you sold your soul to me. I own you. You now have no choice but to help me. You can either help me… or die." Ruto looks at everyone gathered around her and takes a deep breath. I look into her eyes and see what no one else does.
She thinks that this is her fault, I realize, with a panic. I close my eyes and shudder, then step forward.
"Ruto, it isn't you. This isn't any of our faults," I cry, looking around at the crowd. I look at Aires, and, with a start, see the young Kokiri Saria staring back at me.I blink, though, and the tough adult is standing there. Link looks at me and walks over to where I am standing.
"I caused this problem the minute that I allowed an innocent young man to join my forces. Lucife," He says, looking at the deep red eyes that seem to be glowing. "Now we fight."
Author's Notes:
I am soooo sorry that I have taken so long to update. I've been really, really, busy, and I am just now getting my computer to work. I hope that all of you had a great holiday season and that you review soon!