End of an Era

Chapter Eleven

"I have lost this day," Ganondorf says softly, lifting one hand slowly into the air, an evil glint in his eye as I feel the Triforce of Power awaken within him. "But none shall rule but me!" He shouts, raising his voice again as dark clouds swirl suddenly around the Hall. Yet more of his minions and creations stepping out, and the screams and shouts of the battle begin coming to life again.

"Zelda!" I turn to look in the direction of the voice, seeing Marth fighting his way over to me. But my attention is quickly drawn back to the Gerudo; those crimson eyes still watching me even though he seems frozen in place for the moment.

"And who is this?" Ganondorf questions with a low chuckle, Marth coming to my side and lifting his sword slightly as he seems to put himself between the two of us.

"How fitting," The desert Lord snickers, "As his Goddess takes away his powers, his Princess finds a new protector. Things most certainly are not looking up for the, Hero, of Time." I still have a clear view of Marth's face as the Prince feels to close to me as he stands there. His back going somewhat stiff as his mouth opens slightly,

"How do you—?" He makes to say, only to be cut off as Ganondorf throws his head back, throaty, chilling laughter echoing over the clashes and screams of the battle. I place my hand on Marth's arm gently as he looks about to attack, if to defend Link, or because of his own honor I don't know.

"Fools!" He repeats, still chuckling as he looks at us again, "You are all, a bunch of fools! The moment Farore tossed him back into this world, I knew that boy for the failure he truly is!" His dark lips pull up into a yellow-toothed sneer, his shoulders shaking slightly with his contained laughter,

"And now, the Princess befalls the same fate!" He cries, I bring my hands up as Ganondorf launches himself towards Marth and I. My Sages blood runs warm through my veins as fire flashes around my fingertips, rushing towards him, but my control falters, the small explosion passing him harmlessly and doing nothing at all in the open air beyond. Marth puts himself directly in front of me, holding his sword angled down slightly in a strange stance. Power builds within him as the Gerudo comes to close, Marth whispering something in his own tongue before unleashing a powerful swing. His sword, Falchion, letting out a howl before striking Ganondorf full-force, and sending the Sorcerer up into the air and back slightly.

I would expect the blow at least catch him off guard, but Ganondorf merely laughs and flips over in the air, landing gracefully on his feet as he sneers at Marth.

"The royal line ends with you, Princess," He calls, rushing yet again, but this time swatting Marth away with one strike; his strength more than doubling as the Triforce of Power glows brilliantly in his hand. Again I summon my magic, sparks collecting around me as attempt to strike him; only to have the spell die as a large hand closes around my throat, lifting my feet off the ground to choke me.

"Zelda!" Marth cries, charging towards Ganondorf as I claw at his wrists in an attempt to breathe. My struggles having no impact on him though as Marth is thrown back again this time by a cloud of darkness; a spell which quickly forms itself into yet another knight.

"You, Forsaken Scum!" Ganondorf shouts triumphantly, "Without the Gods by your side, you cannot kill me! Courage will falter! Wisdom becomes rants! Power is absolute!"

The flames I had thought were dying surge up with his words, the heat reaching me as he continues crushing my neck. I can taste copper in my mouth as a trickle of blood seeps from the corner of my lips. My vision becoming warped as shadows creep in from the sides, the harsh crimson flames and the stark red of his eyes making the other colours bleed into one another. The shouts and screams of the battle meld into one another as I notice something forming behind Ganondorf.

A woman is standing there, unfazed by the battle as garnet eyes watch me struggle. Hair, like the flames around the hall shimmering in a mixture of red light and shadows, held up and away from her face by a thick golden band. Yet another heavy loop around her neck, and one more around each wrist. Those dark eyes watch the fighting dully, as if without interest, no one else able to see her it appears. I can only see half of her standing there though, the tight red material forming her one-piece outfit not stained from sweat, or anything to hint at her involvement in what's happening. Who she is, is no mystery though.

"D-Din…" I stutter, forcing the words out as I feel light-headed. I hear Ganondorf chuckle as my grip on his wrist begins to slacken.

"Yes…" He snickers, "I stole Din's Power from the temple of Time." The Goddess turns to face me, her arms folded as she regards me loosely, truly not caring about what's happening. "But unlike you, Princess, I have proven my worth to the Goddess, Din will not forsake me as her sisters have you and that fallen hero."

It's true then; my eyes go wide as Din turns her back on me, her image fading into the fire that now fills my blurring vision. It's true, Din's anger is boundless, and her pride beaten from the choices made by her sister; in her mind they rob her of purpose. The Goddess's anger blinds her to the people's suffering! She would rather that everyone; every man, woman, and child, die by Ganondorf's hand than agree with her sisters!

"N-Nayru…" I whimper, my voice sounding so weak as even Ganondorf's shadowed form begins to fade from sight. I can't breathe, I can barely hear the gerudo's laughs as my limbs feel so heavy, the blood from my throat becoming still as I can't swallow or spit it out, "L…Link…"


I was cold before, and now I'm burning. Fire flashes around me, searing my clothing and hair as I struggle to remain upright; the tip of the Master Sword having rammed against something solid, keeping it barely an inch from the slit in the pedestal.

I fight to keep from screaming as heat races up the blade, setting fire to the leather bindings and burning my fingers through my gloves. It's not as if I could shout anyways, the flames eating the air around me, the force of the inferno swirling around as if to crush me.

'No.' The voice repeats, I heard it just before the flames burst up around me. I still have all of my strength behind the Master Sword, holding it for dear life as that barrier over the pedestal seems determined to throw me back. There's no way I'll be able to get back up if I fall, I'm losing too much blood already and my hands—

'I will not be ignored by the world. I will not allow my part in it's creation to be forgotten.' I look up through the glare of the intense fire, everything wavering in the heat from the flames as two garnet eyes appear before me. Slowly, a woman who greatly resembles Nabooru, the Gerudo Sage, appears, her face darkened with a look of furry as she watches me fight against her barrier. Quickly though, I remember the face of the Oracle of Seasons, and realize I'm speaking with yet another Goddess.

"Din…" I call, the words coming out quiet as I can hardly breathe in the heat, my red tunic is the one that protects me from fire; the Zora one I'm wearing feels as though it's about to ignite in the flames. Pain flashes across my cheek as I stumble to the ground, not allowing myself to let go of the Master Sword as it slides away from over the pedestal. I can't remove my hands from the burning leather; it would be madness to grab onto it again while it's in flames. I wear through the intense pain where Din struck me, blood seeping down the side of my face as the Goddess's touch burns the skin.

I just told myself a moment ago that if I fall I can't get up, but ignore my own thoughts as I force my feet under me again, standing unevenly as I try thrusting the Master Sword once more into it's place. Sparks spew out everywhere as I push against the barrier, each one hot enough to eat through the thin cloth over my legs and burn me there as well. I push past the pain and force the knowledge of my stab wound into the back of my mind. This is no time to be thinking about my own pain!

'Stand down!' Din shouts, 'This is not your battle, you are no longer a Blessed One! Leave the business to the Gods to us!'

"People are dying!" I shout back, gasping for breath as I keep my eyes down on the tip of the sword, knowing that fighting a Goddess is useless, but still not letting the blade stray from where it has to go. "And I'm being blamed for all that you're allowing to happen! Your sister made me a Hero, and nothing any of you have said has changed that with those who look to me for salvation!"

'Impudent mortal!' Her fire-coloured hair flies up in her sudden rage, I feel the ground beneath me shake as my defiance do nothing more than anger her. 'Learn your place! If you dare challenge the Gods; you will not leave this chamber alive!'

"My place is here," I don't have the strength to shout those words as well, feeling light-headed as I pant in the heat, trying to get enough air into my lungs to stay upright. But, as a Goddess, Din should be able to hear even silent words. "If no one else will fight, then Triforce or no; as long as I possess the strength and ability to try: then I will!"

There's blood slipping down the Master Sword's edge, the palms of my gloves having burned away, along with the bindings, leaving my bare skin against the enflamed metal. I want to scream as the pain becomes more and more noticeable, breaking my concentration and making my strength waver. The sickly taste of copper is also flooding my mouth, I don't know why it stopped for a while, but now the blood is working its way back up my throat. I keep my head bent towards the ground, allowing the thick crimson to just fall away, not spitting it out though, it's blasphemy to spit at a Goddess's feet.

'I built this land!' Din wails, pain and anger lacing her voice, 'I carved out the mountains and the valleys with my flames! It was mine! I was the one who let Nayru fill the lakes and the oceans; I was the one who asked Farore about the nature of the winds!' The red-haired Goddess let's out a painful shriek, frustration and sorrow echoing through the stones themselves as the flames waver and make to die. The air still thick with the flames intensity, but as the fires fall at last I can take in a few deep breaths. My skin tight from the heat and my mouth and throat dry but for the blood, I can even feel the disgusting sensation of the crimson hardening slightly along my tongue and roof of my mouth.

'Hyrule was my creation! They have no right to take it from me!' With her words, those damn fires return again; more intense than before, and reaching up to the vaulting ceiling where I can almost sense them funneling up the hole in the roof. The rush of power takes the air with it, creating a strong upward pull which threatens to take my exhausted form with it.

"When the people fade, so will any knowledge of you!" I scream, or at least try to, the wind moving too quickly for me too catch more than a fleeting breath with each attempt. "You will not be remembered as Gods, but Devils! You will go down in future history as Farore who brought the storms! Nayru who drowned the Land! And Din who slaughtered the survivors!"

'Silence!' Din shouts in her rage, I feel a huge rush as a curtain of fire forms itself between the Goddess and myself. The sparks from the Master Sword begin flying up as well in the updraft, searing my face as I'm still making sure the tip is where it's supposed to be.

'I am a divine part of this world! I will not surrender my responsibilities, I was the first!" She hollers, "My commands are to be obeyed and I will not become a useless figure-head of the heavens! A Mortal like yourself knows nothing of our ways, be silent when spoken to!' Gasping for what little air I can get, my chest feels hollow and my head aching from the heat and constant glare of the flames. Instead of pain now, I just feel numb everywhere; hot, exhausted, and numb.

"How will the people survive if the will to live doesn't burn in their hearts, just as strongly as any flames you can conjure?" I question, my voice sounding far away as I look up briefly, only able to just barely make out Din's silhouette behind the curtain of fire. "Just as they couldn't exist without Nayru's rivers, how can they continue without islands of your earth! Without the light and heat from your fires!"

That curtain of moving fire fades away, vanishing up the hole in the roof, and I can once again see the Goddess's face. The anger seems to have faded for the moment, her expression one of utmost pain as dark eyes look as if too brim with tears.

'You know nothing!' Din shrieks, much like a child in pain, her hands come up slowly, the large, golden bangles around her wrists swaying slightly as she looks down at her palms. Dark, violet flames begin to crawl along the Goddess's slender fingers, and her watering eyes close tightly. But I can't watch her anymore; it takes to much strength to keep my head up, and I let my sight fall back down at where I'm shaking, trying vainly to keep the Master Sword steady.

'To have no purpose', I hear her whimper; sounding lost a moment more before, 'to exist for eternity with no meaning, it's not… I just can't…' before the Goddess herself begins to weep,

"The people," I murmur, still breathing heavily in the flames, "We need… all of you…" I lift my eyes to her again too see tears spilling down the goddess's flawless skin, her head tipping back as Din's voice rises once more into a sorrowful scream.

'Sisters!' She weeps, 'Farore, Nayru, please! I helped you both to create this world, please don't just cast me aside!'

She screams again, so much feeling and sincerity in the Goddess's voice that I want to scream as well. The world seems to shift around me, Din melding into her fires, and the flames seeming to vanish just as they came. I hear the loud crash of waves breaking, as the fires die warm water from the fountain gushing up around the small island, wind howls down from the opening above me. The light which vanished during Din's rage returns, suspended in the light are two sections of the Triforce.

The world doesn't stop spinning though; it only speeds up as the pain I've been pushing away hits me full force. Without the flames and the wind, I should be able to breathe again, but find that still isn't the case as one can't scream and gasp at the same time, and I can seem to decide which will come first. But, there's something important I have to realize. It's so blatantly obvious, but I just can't think straight. The Triforce, there's something that I just can't...

…There're two… two sections of the Triforce hanging there. One is mine, and in the other I saw Nayru's face, but why would Zelda not have her section? That's not possible, not unless the people here were right, and something happened to Ze-

"Hero!" The voice sounds so far away, I can't concentrate on where it's coming from exactly, the only sound which becomes clear, is the chink of steel on stone. I don't know why, but it's so amazingly clear to me. My burned, bleeding hands still wrapped around the hilt of the Master Sword, and moving of their own will to toggle it back and forth slightly. My exhausted mind still focusing on the two Triforce shards above me; still trying to understand what's so special about them…

There's the low, gravely sound of two parts grinding together, and even though I'm almost entirely supported by the Sword, I feel myself moving down slightly. There's a dull click, like a key sliding into a lock, and I just can't hold on anymore. There's a burst of light above me, and the sound of footsteps, but I just—


At first I can see nothing around me but senseless, blurred colours. Dim sounds, cluttered in my mind as my name is the only part which rings through with striking clarity. That is; my name, and the sound of distant, fading screams...

"Zelda!" My vision at lazy clears enough for me to make out Marth's worried face above mine, I can hardly breathe until I realize Marth had been repeatedly pressing down on my ribs before I woke up. I can't quite grasp everything as the Prince is suddenly pushed aside, and a far more familiar pair of eyes looks down at me. Impa helping me onto my side as I repeatedly begin to cough; blood having been what was choking me, and now dripping down onto the ruined carpets.

"Wh-what happened?" I cough, gasping for air as my voice comes out hoarse. I place one hand over my throat, the skin tender from Ganondorf's iron grip; the Gerudo now nowhere to be seen. Everything is coloured differently though; harsh white light coming from the direction of Link's statue, not the dull, flashing crimson of fire. I can't hear the sounds of battle either, and looking around, I'm startled to find the flames along the second floor all out.

"The light," Marth says. It's difficult for me to make out his face, the Prince silhouetted against the harsh brilliant light, I realize now that it isn't coming from the statue, but the doorway behind it and up the steps. "One ray struck him and he suddenly began screaming a woman's name. He dropped you instantly and just vanished…"

"Din?" I ask, my voice grating painfully. Although I still can't see his face, Marth nods to me as Impa helps me up into a sitting position. I keep my hands in hers as I tuck my ankles under me, my knees together as I still hear nothing of the fighting. The chink of metal becomes noticeable as a knight in Hylian armour kneels next to me, his battered helmet under one arm as he ducks his head in respect.

"Majesty," He says, sounding exhausted and worn, his thinning hair is plastered to his forehead and the sweat on his brow shinning dully in the light as he lifts his eyes to mine. "The monsters, they have all--"

"Hey, Samus!" I find my attention scattered slightly as I look over at where Captain Falcon is, instead of looking into the light, he's off to the left, and I can see him quite clearly. The visor of his helmet is down, and he has one elbow leaning on the arm of one of Ganondorf's knights.

"Some photo-op, don't cha think?" I don't know what he means exactly, but it's startling to see the beast standing there perfectly still. My eyes begin to widen also, as I realize the clarity of the Captain's outfit. The deep blue of his body-suit, and the red and gold detailing on his helmet shining bright and clear, stark in contrast with the knight, and the floor, and... everything else for that matter...

"Are you ever serious?" Samus questions, I notice now that all of the soldiers are crowded around me. The two Zora I saw before, as well as a knight wearing Labrynnian armour, shuffle back slightly as the Bounty Hunter works her way into view. Despite the harsh light reflecting off of her suit, the bright orange and green metal shines vibrantly.

"Captain," I say, noting the tense looks passing between the soldiers as I can hear Kirby and Doctor Mario off somewhere else, the Doctor repeating the words, 'Don't eat that' over and over again. "Can your men open the way to the Inner Chamber?" The words don't hurt anymore to speak, but my voice still grates unevenly. The guard's mouth opens slightly as he makes to respond, his eyes then darting momentarily towards where Marth is still kneeling nearby, before coming back to mine.

"With all due respect, Majesty," He says, his words switching from the Common tongue to Hylian. "These people who arrived with you, aside from that young swordsman, they are not... normal..."

"With all that has come to pass recently, what is, normal?" I ask, following in suit by changing to Hylian. "Monsters freezing in place, lights under the ocean, and a castle not touched by the waves around it. Much has changed, Captain, including what we would each deem the norm."

"Did anyone get a word of that?" Falcon's voice rings out; I spare him a warning glance, as does everyone else around me. "Marth, I know you're multi-lingual, but you can't tell me you understand what they're saying…"

"Majesty," the Soldier stutters, this time I don't let him finish though; even though I can only begin to imagine what Falcon will say about the Central Shrine.

"If anything, Captain; I must see the Hero of Time," I explain, my eyes falling to my left hand, and I fist it slightly "There is something important we need to discuss. And in any case; we can't simply leave him down there."

"Not… necessarily…" One man says calmly. The comment catches me off guard, I feel my eyes widen, and my mouth slip open before I remember myself. The voice belongs to a Labrynnian soldier, who meets my eyes boldly. Emotions waver back and forth behind his dark eyes, his thick red hair snarled from having been kept under his helmet. His mouth is a firm, solid line; it takes a moment, before I can recognize this man as Prince Ralph, the first in a new line of Labrynnian Royalty.

"I mean no disrespect, Princess," He continues, his words sounding taught, as if he is forcing himself to speak. "Labrynna is deeply indebted to the Hero of Time, but—" the words grind to a halt after a moment. He looks almost to be in pain as he grits his teeth together, looking almost to shake as he tries to force the words out.

I only met Ralph once; before his coronation as Prince. I can remember him as being ill-tempered and impatient, not someone who could ever be forced to do something they didn't want to do. It's plain to see that things have changed; he's become a leader.

"That swordsman, who holds the Master Sword, is not the Hero of Time!" He says harshly, his eyes closing as he almost looks away, before standing firm. I would expect some sort of reaction from the men around me, but the silence is deafening as no one has anything to say, including myself.

"Princess," Ralph says tightly as I make to stand, no longer needing Impa's support. I lift my eyes from where they've fallen again to my left hand, and find his gaze there to catch mine.

"Princess, the risk is too great that Ganondorf will find the Chamber if we open it again." He explains quietly. "He may be stunned, or in pain now, but no seal lasts forever; if he learns where the Master Sword is kept, he will never forget. Once he begins to grow strong again, he will destroy the chamber, the entire castle even!" There is a great deal of pain in his eyes as he turns his attention from me, towards the assembled men.

"I was good friends with the Hero of Time," Ralph adds, "Not since the beginning, but when I saw him last, I would have gladly done anything in my power to aid him in his journies! That man we sent down there; he was once the Hero, but now…" The words falter again.

"Now he's lost…" I murmur, knowing what he is fighting for, "Without purpose."

"By now, perhaps even dead…" Ralph turns once more to look at me, an apology clear in his eyes. I can see that same sympathy in each of the soldiers as well, even Impa slowly looks away from me. It seems they've all known something I've been to stubborn to realize on my own…

"Would the Hero of Time, before this change, have taken such a gamble?" One of the Zora asks; and I close my eyes at the reason behind that statement. Open the chamber which holds the salvation of future generations, to find a man who is probably dead, and risk that chamber being found by the one force we have been fighting all along…

"Samus…" I call, my tongue feels twisted and the words slow as I find the bright orange of the Bounty Hunter's suit. The Light is fading ever so slowly, not as harsh, but now I can see how the pigment has faded from the walls and floor. The florescent metal easily picked out against the blacks, grays, and whites which have replaced the vibrant colours which once filled the hall.

"Could you please help these men onto your ship?" I ask, my eyes burning, and forcing me to close them. I am a Princess, I have been taught since birth how to deal with difficult conditions. "We are merely taking them to the surface; the Captain will give you directions as to where to leave them." I hear the slight hum as her visor, which is attached to the suit, turns so that the Bounty Hunter can face me. I know that she, Falcon, and the others don't know what's happening, and even if I were looking at her, the green dome hides her reaction from me.

"Headcount; one ninja person, two fish, someone with glasses, and ten-something knights, plus the six of us." Falcon numbers off, "Samus, you think your dinky little ship can take that many in one go?"

I try not to listen to the slight din that rises with their getting organized. My arms are crossed loosely, and I find myself walking away from the group, pausing as I find myself standing over my family's symbol.

The Light continues fading, and I can see now how the gold inlay has faded down to blank silver, not even shining anymore. The blue hem of my gown is so stark in contrast with the dead colours, I don't have the will, or even the strength to look anywhere else. This hall was always the heart of the castle. Under the second floor balcony, there would be tables laden with food during celebrations, and this was where guests would be welcomed by my father and other courtiers.

My eyes are still burning, and I fight back threatening tears as I look up towards the grey face of the statue. It really doesn't look much like him, a minor resemblance, nothing more. The sculptor never had Link pose for it, and had only sketches and descriptions to go on for the facial features.

The copper rendition is holding the Master Sword up, triumphantly towards the ceiling, the other arm with his shield held loosely, angled almost towards the ground. The artist capturing the motion of a triumphant battle, with hair and clothing ruffled to symbolize movement. It's wonderfully crafted, and even without the large pedestal it rests on, it's nearly twenty feet tall, a massive undertaking.

I can still remember the look of complete shock painted across Link's face when it was unveiled. It was the same day he was knighted, after his return from Labrynna and Holodrum, and I was hidden behind it along with the sculptor, we were the ones who pulled the tarp off of it. He was so stunned, and went a brilliant shade of red; I've never known him to be so surprised. He took it amazingly well of course, laughing with the courtiers as the sculptor, a kindly old man who was blessed with a painless death in bed, long before the rains, continued on and on about how bronze couldn't do him justice.

"Zelda," Marth's face is blurred as I turn to look at him, having to face down as I find that I've wandered from the lower part of the floor, where the large emblem rests, up onto the small rise before the statue's pedestal. He doesn't bother with the steps, climbing through the broken parts of the banister, where my father and I would stand, and coming up next to me. I realize why it's so hard to see, feeling Marth use his thumb to gently wipe away the tears I didn't want to let fall. It's the same gesture that—

"I see nothing," I whisper softly, taking a step back, away from Marth's hands. Damn it, we only met a few days ago, I don't need him trying to complicate a delicate matter!

"Isn't that what that man, Ganon, said?" the Prince asks,

"Ganondorf," I correct, not that it's much of a difference, two names for the same essence. "But who said it doesn't make it any less true; I let myself become blind." Marth is silent for a moment as I turn away from him, looking back at the copy of my family's crest on the front of the Statue's pedestal. It looks grey, but I know it's in fact gold.

"I find that difficult to believe," Marth comments, his voice showing that he's trying to re-assure me, make me feel better. "You don't seem like that kind of person."

"How can you judge me, when you don't even know me?" I mutter, speaking in Hylian since I want the words out, but not to receive a reply.

"Is Link in the castle somewhere?" Marth asks softly after a moment, "We should be leaving soon," he sounds quieter as I continue to act withdrawn. It doesn't matter what tone he uses though, the question striking a nerve and making me duck my head down.

He doesn't quite understand what's going on, why should he? None of this affects him directly; it is not something he should have to worry about. I shouldn't be cross with Marth; he's only trying to be nice. I'm upset, but I shouldn't take it out on him, I should just- I only need—

Is Link around? You could say that, he's probably right below the stones I'm standing on, dead, or dying and trying to escape. Nayru; he could be perfectly fine and just sitting down there waiting for someone to open the way for him. Only to find, in a few hours, or maybe days, that there's no one to help him, leaving him to die down there slowly of starvation, or lack of air, or- or something! If he isn't dead already at least…

But if we open the door, and Ganondorf learns of the Master Sword's place, yes, I know about that plan, my father shared it in part with me before sending me away from the castle. He didn't tell me everything would become frozen, how am I to even know the spell hasn't caught Link as well? I risk Ganondorf finding the Master Sword, only a layer of stone and a few spells keeping him from attacking it, just to find Link covered in a shroud of blacks and grays.

"Leave." I say quietly, my shoulders shaking as the tears begin running down my cheeks without end. Reason and emotion conflicting with one another as, just as I expected; Marth doesn't move.

"What are you talking about?" He asks, I feel one hand come down gently on my shoulder, and I quickly bat it away, why is he always trying to touch me!

"I said go." I repeat harshly, filled with self-loathing and anger as I face him again, the calm, determined expression in his eyes frustrating as he still doesn't leave.

"Zelda, if I leave, you're coming with me; I know this is painful for you, but you must at least come to the surfa—" I can't help myself, the moment the word 'pain' passes his lips, I'll do anything to get him to leave me alone, and out of this place. I'm grateful for his help, and appreciate his support, but I just can't deal with him now, and make that known as his face snaps to the side, his cheek slowly going red where I slapped him.

"Get out!" I yell, I'm making a scene, and I hate myself all the more for it. And the fact that I'm feeling hatred just makes me all the more angry! Hasn't this wretched emotion blinded me enough? Hatred for Ganondorf, the Gods, Link, and now even myself and Marth? When will this horrible nightmare come to an end?

Nayru, it's that hatred I felt towards Link which led to my ignoring anything which would conflict with that. I drowned out the most important thing by repeating what I thought were cowardly acts, blaming everything on him, and then to find out he was just as much a victim. I wouldn't even let myself acknowledge the sensible fact that he would be hurting as well, not even as it was in plain sight. I wasn't even convinced when I learned what he had lost, and that he had still come up short.

Why won't Marth do what I want? He's still just standing here, looking hurt because I struck him, and his arms spread slightly. Nayru's love, I don't care what his intentions are, if he tries offering me anymore support; I'll send him through the roof!

But no, I won't do that. I don't want to tempt myself. For the first time since all of this strife began I feel as though I'm truly thinking clearly. Stone is nothing, not for the power of wind, although the gift is minimal, it still exists, and I take a hold of the small power within me, not enhanced by the Triforce I no longer possess.

If Marth says anything else to me, it's lost as I feel winds brush against the hem of my gown, everything flashing green, before colours merge together, and the spell Farore's Wind is complete. I close my eyes as the spell can only carry me so far, feeling everything spinning so rapidly, before at last it slows. I open my eyes to harsh light, the rays stinging as I try to shade my face with my hands. I can smell the light musk of the earth, and moister in the air from water.

There's also smoke, the bitter, nauseating smell of burnt hair and flesh mixed in with the stone, and traces of salt from fires. My shoes tap quietly along the damp stones of the tunnel floor, I enter a doorway, and once I step in, the harsh light around me fades into something far more bearable.

The first thing I can see, is a glittering shaft of light firing up into the ceiling, and I know it to be the source of the pillar which guided us here. The mixture of powerful light and thin smoke creates a dull mist around the entire chamber. Familiar stone statues and glass windows all empty of their once vibrant colours, and their lines somewhat dulled by the mist.

In the heart of the pillar, at the center of the raised island in the spring water, is the Master Sword. Its blue hilt decorated with two outstretched wings, and a golden Triforce shining brightly even amidst the light. It's so calming and peaceful, even though I know it was perhaps a mistake to come here, I can't bring myself to regret it.

That calming sensation quickly dies though; my blood running cold as I notice something lying in front of the Master Sword. A figure in tattered blue clothing, even from where I stand at the top of a flight of stairs, I can see the burns and soot along his legs. The better part of him is hidden from me, his cap singed and crumbling a short ways from him, the end falling to ash. His back is to me, and my eyes widen in horror at the crimson I can see spilling from his midsection. I can only bring myself to utter one word, and even that comes out a bare whisper;

"Link,"


Dum dee dum… Review?