End of an Era

Chapter Ten

"Are we there yet?"

"Kirby, we get there, when we get there!" Falcon hollers, answering the small creature's questing for the twelfth time. The hatch almost silent after the noise from above the waves; everything is dark but for the dull glow of a few control panels, and no one out of the six of us seems keen on speaking at the moment.

Despite the unending chaos above, only a small way below the surface where one would expect currents, everything is eerily calm. The engines running quietly, yet still enough to propel us easily through the water. The light we were able to see from above is blurred down here, the waters a sickly, murky gray in the white lights still shining outwards. Samus has turned some of them off, to much light obscuring the pillar to much for us to see.

I certainly have no issues with the quiet though, keeping my eyes away from the black abyss outside the ship, and looking over my stinging hand. I remove the stained glove carefully from my arm, and examine the wound.

It looks, almost as if someone pressed a hot iron to my skin, a triangle burned over where the Triforce shard once rested. Blood is crusting over the sore, abused flesh, an angry red, and somewhat indented. One could say it looks as if a chunk of my flesh has been removed, marring my hand all the more.

"Here, Zelda." Someone says. I look up, somewhat surprised to see Doctor Mario standing in front of me. A white box decorated with a plain red cross held in one gloved hand as motions for me to let him examine the wound. "Let-a me."

Holding my hand up to him, the Doctor takes it gently, looking over the skin with a frown before kneeling in front of me. He flips the lid of the container open and removes a small container. Unscrewing the cap, and using a small cotton swab to carefully apply the clear liquid to the burn. I look away as he works, closing my eyes as whatever he's rubbing on stings, I hear him remove another lid, and this time a cool paste touches my skin.

"Just like Link…" He murmurs softly, I probably wasn't supposed to hear that, but I do, and my eyes open slightly. I don't say anything though, looking at Marth as I feel his hand fall over my right yet again.

"Are you going to be alright?" He asks, concern running deep in his cobalt eyes.

"That doesn't matter," I reply quietly, looking back at where Doctor Mario is wrapping the wound, and pulling my other hand away from Marth. The prince remains quiet for a moment more before speaking.

"Zelda, if you are not feeling well, then--"

"Then what, Marth?" I ask, cutting him off as I look at him, Doctor Mario releasing my hand, myself lifting it up and flexing the numb fingers slowly, "I have to reach Link, even if in truth there's nothing that I can accomplish, I must see him." An odd, reserved look creeps into Marth's eyes as I speak.

"So," He says calmly, facing the front of the ship and away from me now, "It is finding Link which is the most important now, not appeasing your gods." He sounds so spiteful as he says that, his mood slowly beginning to sour. I open my mouth, trying to find the words to speak my mind to him; only to be interrupted by Samus.

"Fasten your seat-belts!" The Pilot calls, golden light suddenly shinning in through the front window. I lift both hands in font of my face and shut my eyes against the glare. Instantly though, my eyes fly open, I'm so dizzy as I can see that I'm still sitting in my seat, but my senses telling me that I'm falling.

"Samus, our engines just went offline." Falcon reports, his voice sounding distorted as I fist both hands against the sides of my head. I'm falling, I'm sure of it, it's not possible but it's just like earlier.

I'm being dropped again, left to fall endlessly in confusion, with no way of escape of redemption. Nayru please, what am I doing wrong? Don't do this to me again; I don't want to fall…

"Make it stop." I whimper, "Nayru stop it, I don't want to fall again."

It does stop, slowly, very slowly, the light fades around us, or at least we pass through it. The vessel lurches, and I can hear the sound of steel on stone as we at last come to a complete stop, the ship rocking slightly from side to side, it's curved underbelly unsteady on whatever we've landed on.

"You just know taking off is gonna be a bitch." Falcon mutters, I don't open my eyes, or even move as I hear the sound of people unbuckling themselves from their seats. It isn't until I feel a slight nudge on my arm, that I open my eyes and see Kirby looking at me innocently,

"C'mon, Zelda!" He squeals, jumping back slightly with his two stubby arms in the air, "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" Numbly, I nod and undo the straps around me, following Kirby woodenly towards where the others are all preparing to go out. Samus is adjusting dials on the weapon attached to her arm, Falcon stretching to loosen up after the flight, Doctor Mario is busy going through the supplies brought with him in a fairly large black bag, and Marth stands with his eyes closed, his sword out and the tip facing up, I can almost feel the power embezzled within the steel as he focuses.

Lifting my left hand up, I feel a slight bit of apprehension as I close my eyes, and tap my Sage's Blood. I am so used to having my powers funneled and enhanced by the Triforce that it's startling to feel how weak my powers are without it. But even this sudden loss of strength is not enough to put an end to my gifts, warmth floods my veins from the inside out, instead of centering around my left hand, the power flows from within my chest. Opening my eyes once more, I see the others staring at me unabashedly. Scarves obscure my now darkened face as I smile slightly at their shock, my gown replaced with the tighter body-suit of the Sheikah as I fold my arms, waiting for Samus to open the doors for us.

"Now that's what I call a quick-change artist." Falcon says with a laugh, breaking the silence and giving me a thumbs up, as unfazed as ever as Samus punches a large button on the wall, the sound of loud hydraulics kick in, and small jest of steam go off as the door opens. I can see nothing but darkness outside, and shadows which Samus quickly vanishes into, I can see the light from inside the vessel reflecting off of her orange suit as she examines our landing sight.

"All clear." the Bounty Hunter calls, "Looks like we landed in a garden."

"At the bottom of the ocean?" Marth questions.

"Well, there's air, why not a garden?" I ask, my voice a bit lower than it normally is, earning me yet another strange look from the Prince. I ignore him though as I begin to see what has happened. "My father is a powerful Sage, he must have kept this area from being consumed by the waves."

"Hey, Falcon," Samus says, her voice is clearer now for some reason, it's confusing before I remember her saying she had something called a, radio, with amplifies her voice. "I think we found that missing castle."

"Huh?" The Captain asks, jumping out the door and into a splashing sound,

"Gah! Zelda, looks like your dad needs to work on this barrier-stuff, there's water everywhere!"

"You're standing in the pond..." Samus comments, earning a grumble from the pilot as I hear him sloshing around noisily. Doctor Mario rolls his eyes slightly in annoyance and carefully climbs out of the ship, bringing his bag with him as he drops almost out of sight and onto the ground. The top of his head is still visible as he walks away through the grass I am beginning to make out. Not to be left behind, Marth, Kirby, and I all quickly step off as well.

The first thing that strikes me is the silence. Not what you would experience on a normal night; no birds or crickets making any sort of impression on the darkness. The air just hanging there; with not a breath of wind to stir the leaves I can sense above us or the damp grass under my feet.

"Will ya look at that," Falcon comments, pulling my attention from the strange surroundings, and into the direction he's facing.

The light from the ship's door is cut off as the hydraulics start up again, closing the door as the white lights at the front also turn off. The darkness is so thick at first I'm completely blinded by it, only a few red and orange pinpoints flickering into sight in the distance. I hear Kirby mutter something about a, night-light, but that quickly fades as I step away from the ship, feeling a few tall blades of grass brush against my knees as the glitter of gold catches my eyes.

Very familiar towers are silhouetted against the sheer brilliance of the golden pillar we saw. Shining brightly from the castle where I grew up, a few torches, the only other light source, faded and dull in comparison. My family's symbol though, still reflects enough light back down at us for me to make out the two wings flanking the Triforce emblem.

"There's fighting going on inside." Marth says softly as we stand there, I can only just see Falcon as my eyes begin to adjust to the inky black, and I can see the Racer face the Prince.

"I don't here any discharge," He scoffs, earning a snort from Marth as I take a step closer to the doorway I can begin to see, bumping into Doctor Mario, and having the physician look at me curiously,

"People in this world do not fight with guns and lasers," Marth says boldly, "We face our opponents, and put effort into our battles."

"Woah, what was that, Sword-boy?" Falcon asks, a challenge in his voice, "be careful our you might just stab yourself in the toe with that 'Mighty weapon' of yours."

"Can it, you two." Samus cuts in, sounding fed up with the mindless banter which Falcon's been engaging in since we first climbed aboard her ship. "If there's something going on in there, we might as well—" The Bounty Hunter cuts herself off in mid-sentence, the sound of clinking armor reaching my ears as a bulky shadow appears in the darkened doorway. I move quickly, clearing the water in one leap, and landing quietly on the stone walkway. I know the layout of this garden better than any other; it's mine.

Out of instinct I side-step the brutal attack, the beast in a man's armor bringing his thick sword down with a crash, it's jagged edges bouncing off of the slate surface with an audible clang. I cross my arms tauntingly as the beast pulls it's blade back up, facing me with the weapon drawn back slightly, dancing on it's toes as it waits for me to strike it.

"I have no time for this." I hiss, bringing one partly covered hand up, and harnessing a practiced skill to move myself instantly behind the warrior. I find three of my needles between my fingers without ever having to think, thrusting the slim weapons into the creature's back. The warm blood that spills out doesn't faze me as I leave them there, watching the beast wither around with a low shout of pain. Another needle lies waiting in my hand as the monster turns to attack me, slipping through the narrow eye-holes in its helmet to bring the behemoth down.

"If you're all just going to stand there," I call, looking back at where Marth and the others are standing, apparently not having expected me to attack like that.

"You killed him so ruthlessly," The Prince says quietly.

"It." I correct, bending down to retrieve the fatal needle, and kicking off the monster's helmet to show its violet skin, and the canine ears protruding from the top of it's head. A moment later, it bursts into a cloud of back and violet mists, almost invisible in the dim light. Looking back at them again, Kirby is already up on the stone platform, despite his appearance, the small fighter seems the quickest to recover, now unfazed by the killing. Samus gives a small shrug, before closing the distance between us, followed closely by Doctor Mario and Falcon, the former quick to grab his black case before making quick work of the platform's height. Marth is the last to come, moving a bit slower as he crosses the water, and makes his way towards the rest of us.

"So, how do we tell the good guys from the bad?" Captain Falcon asks, cracking his knuckles and looking excited. Bending down, I grab the hilt of the large sword, unable to lift the entire thing, but allowing the dim light shining down from the pillar to reflect off of the jagged edges. A bull-faced mark etched into the blade as well, glowing darkly against the silvery metal.

"Anything that doesn't wear this emblem is on our side." I explain, "Everything else can die."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Falcon says brightly, standing at attention and giving a salute, smiling widely as Samus and the other two nod, Marth, again, the hesitant one.

I turn away from the quiet prince as an odd, high-pitched squeal suddenly begins, turning to see Kirby standing on his toes; his mouth wide open as a small gremlin brandishing a wooden club seems trapped in front of him, being pulled back by Kirby as the small fighter tries to suck him in. I feel my eyes go wide as I watch the pink ball's ability, his mouth instantly closing around the small imp as the wind stops, Kirby looks stretched twice his side from the inside, almost making to swallow as a bright star forms around him for an instant. The gremlin appears behind him, close to us, teetering back and forth as if dizzy before simply exploding into a cloud of black and violet dust.

"Blah!" Kirby whines, turning around with two small, bent ears atop his head, and a long blue muzzle apparently stuck to his face. "They taste bad!" I smile slightly from behind my scarves, somewhat un-nerved by his attack, but quick to ignore that fact as flames burst out from the door-way. What looks like a large boar, with thick white lips and slobbering tongue appears, swinging a large spear around to try and strike Kirby.

"Nu uh." Samus says, holding her right arm out, the one with a large cylinder attached to the end. Light collects around the tip before firing out, the pig pausing for a moment before the glowing orb rams into it, sending the monster back. It doesn't die though, merely jumping back to its feet, and scrambling to reclaim its weapon.

Now I can hear the sounds of battle much clearer, Hylian voices calling out war-cries as the clash of steel on steel reaches my ears. Leaving the boar to Samus, I run forwards through the door-way, avoiding the pig, and having the Doctor, Falcon, and Kirby follow me, I don't know what becomes of Marth at the moment as for some reason there is light inside.

Fires blaze atop the second floor balcony, sheding crimson light upon the battle filling the grand hall. The back of Link's statue is stained crimson along the base, two Zora directly in front of me, and fending off three of the knights. Looking across the hall floor, I see more out-numbered groups of my people fighting against swarms of monsters.

"We'll never win like this," I say, speaking loudly enough for the others to hear. "Tell everyone to meet over the Emblem; split up like this they'll be overwhelmed."

"What Emblem?" Falcon questions, I turn around and shake my head,

"They'll know; but it's in front of the statue on the lower part of the floor," I stop speaking and shake my head yet again, looking down at the ripped carpet across the stones before lifting my eyes again, "Now do you realize why I had to return?" I question, "I would rather die here than live in that horrible mansion, safe and sound while my people fight!"

With that I have nothing else to say to them; for all I know they could simply turn around and leave again. But somehow I know that won't happen, they're heroes in their own right, I have to believe they won't leave people to suffer. Because of that faith, I leave them behind as I make my way quickly towards the two Zora. Bending down as I come closer, I snatch a stray blade up from off the floor, a Sheikah dagger; light, slender and one I've been taught how to use.

One downward slice and the first one's amour falls to the ground with a clatter, the bonds exposed along it's back cutting cleanly under the slim edge. Turning in surprise, the monster leaves itself wide open to attack as I slash and jab with the dagger. I don't flinch at the reddish-black blood that spews out at me. My scarves keep the hot liquid from my face as the other two turn around, only to be caught off guard by the Zora's as they attack from behind.

"Behind you!" One of the blue-skinned men calls, the Hylian words catching me off guard for barely a moment, before fire floods my vision. Chilling laughter fills my ears as I duck down to the carpeted floor, rolling to smother the flames as a robed figure appears atop the second floor. Waving a slim wand I can barley see back and forth against the fires, his black robes and bird-like mask not catching in the inferno as three balls of flame shoot out at me.

Rolling away from the second wave, I throw a few needles towards the bird-faced sorcerer, only to have the shifty creation vanish just as they get there. A strange buzzing noise fills my head as I search blindly for the enchanter, I finally spot it just a moment before a silver sword slices through its robes, Marth standing behind the wizard as it shrieks and explodes.

"Where is Link?" I shout, having to over the cries of the battle, and because of my scarves, the two Zora look between themselves and then back at me. "The Hero of Time, tell me!" I demand, not understanding why they just stand there.

"Watch out!" Another voice calls, someone barreling into me and sending me crashing on to the ground. The person lands on top of me, and I feel a hand reach for my scarves. In my surprise, I press the bloody knife I've been using against their neck, opening my eyes to see a pair of red ones looking down at me in shock.

"Zelda..." a familiar voice breathes, and my grip on the blade instantly goes lax, the edge falling away instantly as Impa pulls me back up to my feet. Her eyes don't leave mine until she quickly pulls me into a rough embrace, "Sweet child, you're alive," She whispers gruffly, letting me go quickly as there is still a battle taking place.

"You did not just smack me with a stick!" Captain Falcon's voice rings out over the immediate sounds of the battle, the large man chasing after a small group of the club-wielding imps. Impa looks at the Captain, then back at me where I'm re-adjusting the scarves she pulled down in order too see my face.

"Who are they?" She asks, watching as Doctor Mario throws what brightly coloured stones at one of the large boars, protecting an injured Hylian Knight.

"Reinforcements," I reply, retrieving the dagger I dropped as two of Ganondorf's knights come towards us. A glance passes between my mentor and I, a blade identical to mine now in her hands as the two attackers engage. In unison we both drop a small pebble, gray mists firing into the air as we make our way behind the two, attacking their exposed backs as the fighting never breaks around us.

"Where is Link?" I shout, Impa taking the head of the dog-faced knight, and attacking yet another monster before the first hit's the ground.

"In the Royal Shrine!" My mentor cries, another Sheikah appearing as if from nowhere as another one of those floating Wizards appears, making short work of it as five of the small gremlin's leap as if from nowhere at me. The small hellions standing no chance as I am able to just kick them aside, or pick them up and throw them without suffering anything more than a slight scratch.

"Why is he there, and not here, fighting?" I demand, not surprised that he isn't in the battle, not in a spiteful way though, again, mixed emotions, only the resolve that I must see him a sure thing in my mind.

"Sealing Gano--" A massive explosion is what cuts her off, violet fire raging up from the far door, the one opposite the one we entered from, it leads, or perhaps, led, to the courtyard. Deep, throaty laughter fills the air, a grinning face appearing in the flames as they crawl up the far wall, scorching the portraits still hanging from the stones; one of myself as a child surrounded by attendants, the other a royal portrait of my father.

Before the fire fades, Impa takes my arm tightly and leads me quickly behind the statue, motioning for me to be silent as the monsters drop dead on the ground, each exploding in a burst of black and violet shadows. The laughter never falters as the flames crawl up the ceiling, I can half-see them from behind the copper rendition of the Master Sword, being thrust up in the air by the statue. I can sense it though; the flames raining down into the center of the hall, dark energy collecting to become something solid. The echoing laughter quiets to a chuckle, and I can all but feel the wavering shadows in the crimson light grow darker. Only the chuckling and the roar of the red flames breaking the sudden silence of the ended battle.

"Fools," The deep voice laughs, "All of you, are a bunch of fools! Your gods have forsaken you, yet still you fight!" the Dark King places extra emphasis on the final word, and Impa looks at me worriedly as I feel short of breath, as if something is crushing me slowly.

"Farore's puppet has had his strings cut!" Ganondorf continues, his gruff, fierce voice laced with hatred and malice, a charismatic tone somehow still blended in to taunt the soldiers present. "And your Wise Princess sees nothing!" My eyes go wide at his taunts, understanding the odd sensation a moment to late as two hands reach out from what should be stone, grasping my arms and pulling me backwards into darkness. A small, unbidden cry flutters past my lips as the shadows give way to a jumble of colour, my knees going weak as I find myself now in the center of the hall.

I half-sink towards the floor, becoming of aware of the two strong hands holding me up, and still gripping my arms tightly. Looking around, I see the faces of guards I have known since my child-hood, their faces blood-spattered and sweaty from the battle. They stand there watching, not myself, but whomever it is that's keeping me up. Marth is just in front of the statue, looking wide-eyed at where I am, I don't know where they others have gotten to.

But, the crowd and whomever's holding me captive can't hold my attention, my eyes instantly picking out the complex outfit, decorated with sparkling gemstones, and silver embroidery, worn by only Ganondorf. His back is to me, but the powers radiating from him are enough to send my senses reeling; never have I known him to be so powerful, but whether he's grown stronger or it is merely my lack of the Trifoce, I can't tell. A shock of crimson hair is all that I can make out of his heavy frame, his skin a merkish green as his right hand is the one within sight. The Triforce of Power resides in his left as well, a trait of the shards.

"You think your Princess dead, don't you?" He asks coldly, his voice sending shivers up my spine as something cold swims in my stomach. A dark power begins to collect around his right hand; he has grown more powerful, using even the hand that is not blessed to cast spells. He fists that hand for a moment, before opening it wide, the palm facing me, and a spray of black mist fires out at me. My vision blurs instantly as a few droplets get in my eyes, my skin feeling afire as whatever he's spewing burns horribly. I don't scream though; I refuse too!

"Show them, Princess Zelda!" Ganondorf commands, a small wave going through the assembled hand-full of men. I don't want to do as this monster says, but I can't fight whatever it is he's doing to me. I still don't scream, biting my lip until it bleeds as my scarves and Sheikah gear meld back into my gown, my hair falling in my face as Ganondorf puts an end to the spell. Whomever is holding on unfazed by the spray, and still not letting me fall completely as they hold on even tighter than before.

"No power!" He shouts triumphantly, raising his hands in the air as he shouts out to them, "Your Hero is dead! Your Princess is defeated! I have won! I have-"

"He is not dead." Ganondorf is interrupted in mid-sentence, and I feel swamped with an un-namable emotion at the voice coming from behind me. "Merely dying." It... can't be...

"What... did you say?" Ganondorf's voice dropping down to a menacing whisper as he slowly turns; two glowing red eyes glare above me from atop a hooked nose, a glittering gemstone on his forehead pulsing rhythmically as the flames along the upper hall begin to die down, the crimson light still glowing behind him frighteningly.

"When I was defeated the first time, all that I was became a part of him once more." It is Link's voice, sounding hollow and dead though, as if he's speaking from far away. "Unless we die together; we sustain one another." Ganondorf's red eyes narrow as I feel the grip on my arms relaxes somewhat, and now I understand what's happening.

In an attempt to kill Link, Ganondorf used his dark arts to create a copy of him, one which fed off of Link's anger and hatred. Any dark or evil emotions he ever felt, no matter how slight, were used to feed Dark Link's strength. Before Link vanished and was taken to the mansion, I remember him telling me how instead of feeling any of those dark emotions when the Copy was around, he just wouldn't feel anything, nothing but an eerie calm when he should be torn by things such as fear and anger. Dark Link also holds a Master Sword, a blade with the power to cut through any good creatures it comes across. The Dark Master Sword a weapon forged by Ganondorf as well, the only weapon fit for Dark Link... I don't remember Link ever saying that Dark Link could speak though, or that there was any sort of connection, but I also remember him recalling how he killed the Double eventually. How could Ganondorf have created a second one?

"You mean to say," Ganondorf whispers, his voice slowly gaining force as he speaks though, "That resurrecting you again just now, has caught that worthless swordsman on the brink!?" His words end in hollering, a dark cloud of his magic forming around his left hand. The grip on my arms hoists me up to my feet, before throwing me roughly to my side on the floor. I twist on the ground just in time to see a black and violet cloud ram into the person who had been holding me. At first I could swear him to be Link, until the darkness shows how truly pasty his skin is, black eyes sightless as his thin lips pull back in a snarl.

"Too late!" Dark Link shouts, letting out a bought of laughter which doesn't fade as he begins to deteriorate in the corrosive magic, his skin and the flesh underneath being seared away by the miasma, leaving only a blackened skull to clatter onto the carpet. Looking away from the bones, I see two blood-red eyes watching me, stark against the Gerudo's skin as he turns slowly towards me again. I push myself up to my feet, brushing a few stray portions of my hair back in place as I can feel the Dark King harnessing the power of his Triforce.

"Too late indeed..."


My eyes snap open and I try to gasp in sudden pain, unable to take the deep breaths I need as I find myself reduced to panting where I lay. I can't see anything, darkness surrounding me as I'm icy cold, feeling soaked to the bone and clammy even as fire races through me.

The shuffling of feet reaches me beyond the thundering of my own heart, the cause of the pain suddenly being removed to my great relief. I try to fill my lungs with air, but again find that impossible and have to cough, a painful movement, and one that brings the taste of copper into my mouth.

A warm hand comes down on the side of my neck, feeling almost hot as I'm shivering with cold. I feel disoriented and confused as I lay there in the darkness, shaking and still gasping for breath. I'm so confused as well, unable to remember where I am or what I've been doing that I'm in pain is all that I can focus on, at least aside from-

"My sword," I don't know if it's my voice or not, and it takes a moment before I realize I actually am the one speaking, the words choppy with my strained breaths. "Give me, my-" I'm forced to cut myself off as that hand moves to my shoulder, I'm lying on my stomach, and the person is trying to flip me over. I'm not ashamed to cry out in pain to make them stop; if I'm on my back I'll only have to roll over again in order to get up.

Wait, do I even want to get up? Farore, I've tried enough as it is, can't I take a moment and try again after? I'm in so much pain right now that- Yes. Yes I do want to get up, that shouldn't be something I have to ask myself; I'm in the middle of something, and I'm not about to quit. I could have made the match against that stupid Hand continue a while longer, instead I let myself be taken away, convincing myself I could just try harder next time;

There is no next time! I either do this now or not at all; I'm not giving in again! I'm better than this and I know it!

"My sword- now!" I choke, becoming more aware of myself as now I can begin to see again. The sloping edge of the stone island as it dips down into the water is the first thing to become clear, after that is the base of what I know to be a mighty statue of a knight, and beyond that still is a large stained-glass window, half-hidden now as there is no light shining down through it's panes. I'm still half in the water, that's another thing I realize, hearing the person- the King, splashing around slightly before the tattered hem of his robes come into view, the old man kneeling down in front of my face, and a familiar grip being placed in my left hand.

"The other one," I say, my voice still strained as I can feel a small ring of fire around the upper-half of my left arm. "The right, my left hand is- useless." There's a pause, before I hear his Majesty go around to my other side, feeling awkward as my less dominant hand closes around the Master Sword's grip. This next part is going to hurt like hell; but I won't get anything done on the ground. I give out a small cry as I brace my arms under me; pushing against the stone in an attempt to get up.

"Hero-!"

"Link!" I shout, gasping immediately at the pain from my wounds, both in arm and stomach. I use that ever-present annoyance to push myself up higher, my legs numb from the cold water as I force one under myself, trying to get my weight back on my feet, not my arms. "My name is Link, damn it! I have a name for a reason; so use it and help me up!"

I shouldn't speak to Zelda's father like that, but it hurts to speak and the clearest way of getting my point across in as few words as possible ends up being the rudest as well. His Majesty doesn't call me on the harsh words though, the large man taking a place next to me and grabbing my right arm, helping me to my feet, as well as to keep me there as I teeter back and forth. I feel as though I'm about to fall over despite the King's support, and use the Master Sword to prop myself up, my vision is still blanking out, and my balance is lost to me as my limbs feel heavy. I don't even want to try that first step, looking towards the Master Sword's pedestal; it's going to take more than just one to reach it.

"You mustn't push yourself... Link." his Majesty says quietly, pausing before using my actual name, instead of that stupid title. I can only shake my head at his words though,

"There's no time." I grunt, watching my hands shake even as I grip the sword tighter, I ignore that blinding pain still racing through me as I push one of my feet forward. I instantly begin to fall, only just catching myself on my knees as I move the Master Sword forward a bit more, a strangled cry working its way up as I can't even walk a few steps, the King certainly not strong enough with his age to help me that much.

Damn it I'm just so close! Just a few steps away is the key to ending all of this suffering I've caused, I can't be too weak now of all times to just let what little remains slip away! I'll never forgive myself if this is how it all ends, I won't forgive myself for this, I will never forget what's happened, and I'll be damned if I ever let anyone else do either! I don't want pity, I don't want support, I don't want someone telling me they're there if I need them, I know what I can do on my own, I don't need someone helping to hold my hand when everything's so damn simple!

'Then, move!' I blink as the light from the pillar flashes a brilliant green for a moment, it hurts to look at, but I raise my eyes enough too see the slight glitter of gold. The harsh light so raw with power even without this hole in my stomach I'd be dizzy. Two small triangles spin quickly in the light, and I can faintly see a face on each one; a woman with blue hair and the face of an Oracle I once met; and the other one I know all to well. The Oracle's face is crying, and I know it was the other, Farore, who shouted at me, her face looking out towards me with pure frustration.

Fine, then. I suddenly find myself completely focused on only one thing, the pain still there but not half as important as I stand straight, no longer leaning on either the King or the Master Sword. I pull out of His Majesty's grasp without thinking, and completely ignore my injury as I dash towards the pedestal. The light dies down as I approach, no longer blinding as I lift the sword's tip, angling the blade to easily slide it into the slit made for it in the stone. I can live my life without redemption for what is in the past, but I simply can't go on if I fail this one last--

'No.'


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