Chapter 23

Link got down from Epona and held Zelda in his arms waiting for the others to catch up. He had a plan.

"Darunia, hold Zelda for a moment." He laid Zelda in Darunia's outstretched arms.

"How do we get inside?" He asked as Link turned away from him.

"Zelda always used to tell me that I could use my piece of the Triforce just like she used hers. I never thought I could, but now…I have to try." He turned his head slightly. "Step back."

Darunia did as he was told, and ordered everyone else to do the same.

Link closed his eyes and raised his hands like he had seen Zelda do before.

Goddesses, please…give me the power to get inside. You took Zelda from me, the least you can do is let me avenge her death. He prayed.

Link felt the back of his hand become warm. He kept his eyes closed, and suddenly felt a power surge throughout his whole body.

Suddenly, energy fields shot from his hands. Nabooru gasped as she saw the draw bridge burst into splinters of wood.

When Link opened his eyes, he saw what he had done. He looked down at his shaking hands, and felt to his knees in exhaustion.

"Link!" Nabooru rushed to his side, and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I-I'm fine. Just tiring is all." He assured her, slowly getting back on his feet.

Darunia gave Zelda back to Link.

"We should hurry. They probably heard that." He mumbled, looking at the opening.

Link nodded in agreement, and turned to face everyone.

"We have to split up. The Kokiri, Nabooru, and I are going to the Temple of Time. Darunia, you and the Gorons have to go to the castle."

"Right." Darunia nodded.

"Let's go."

Link took a giant leap and landed on the other side of the moat, wobbling a little on his feet.

He raced inside, and headed for the Temple of Time. Devika would be there, for if you wanted the sword of Raidon, you had to bring the other three items to the Temple of Time, and there the sword would be given to you by the Goddesses.

The destruction was awful, just as the Zoras had said. The people who had survived had fled to Kakariko Village in an attempt to save themselves.

The market was in disarray. Shops were vandalized, windows broken, doors smashed in, and there was absolutely no one around.

Once he was inside the Temple of Time, Link looked around. The temple was empty and quiet. It looked fine, just as it always had.

He walked up the red carpet that led to the altar, and laid Zelda's body on top of it. She looked so peaceful.

Link heard the Kokiri and Nabooru enter, and turned to them.

"Link watch out!" Nabooru shouted, her eyes wide.

He turned, and ducked just as a spear was thrown at him. It landed on the floor with a clanking sound.

"Pity." Devika's voice was amused as she stepped from the shadows. Gerudos began dropping down from the ceiling, weapons at the ready.

"The only pity is that your death won't be painful enough." Link spat angrily, unsheathing his sword.

"Don't be angry about her Link." Devika touched Zelda's pale cheek. "I would have killed her anyways."

Link swung his sword at her, but she jumped up in the air. She flipped in midair, and landed on the other side of Link, her blades ready as well.

By that time, the Gerudos had already begun their attack. Nabooru found it difficult to fight her own people, but she knew she had to.

She ran her sword through a Gerudo's stomach while knocking another one to the ground. Maya was quick to stab that one with her dagger.

Link stepped backwards near the altar, blocking Devika's blades with his own. Beads of sweat collected on his forehead, but he ignored it.

Devika locked blades with Link, her face inches from his.

"Tired?" She smiled evilly at him.

"Not until you're dead by my hand." He growled, pushing her away from him.

She lunged at him, but Link rolled out of the way. He swung his sword at her legs, but she jumped over it, and pierced through Link's shoulder.

His cry of agony echoed through the Temple of Time, disrupting what had been quiet and religious.

The blood seeped through his tunic, and collected on the floor as he staggered to his feet. He continued swinging at Devika, ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder.

Devika knocked Link's sword from his hands, and cracked her head against his.

His tired body fell to the ground, and she kicked him right in the ribs. He spit up a mouthful of blood, and looked up at Devika as she laughed at him.

"And now, I make my wish. Then you die."

She set the sacred items at the bottom of the altar in their rightful places. She then kneeled before them.

"I have brought the three items Goddesses. Now give me the sword of Raidon and grant me my wish."

When nothing happened, Devika snapped her head up angrily.

"Why isn't anything happening?" She thundered.

A sword suddenly was thrusted through her stomach. She looked down at the bloody blade protruding from her stomach.

"That's because this," Link picked up the scabbard, "isn't the real scabbard of Hiroshi."

As Devika's body hit the floor, Link pulled the real one from his waist and laid it in place of the fake one.

"This is." He whispered.

Link awakened to the sound of incantations and spells being whispered by a beautiful voice.

He looked around and saw that he was in the midst of cream colored clouds. The sky was soft and it glowed like a flame.

"Where am I?" He asked himself out loud.

"You are with the Goddesses." The beautiful voice told him.

"I'm dead?" Link stood up on wobbly legs, and held his head.

"No my child. I simply brought you here to heal your wounds, and so that you could make your wish."

Link looked up to see a beautiful woman standing before him. She was glowing, as if made of gold. Her eyes were a piercing green, as well as her dress.

"You are…you are-"

"I am Farore." She nodded, and stepped closer.

Link bowed his head, but she tipped his face up so that their eyes met. Her eyes held the whole world in them.

"Now, what is your wish?"

Tears stung at Link's eyes as he remembered his promise to Zelda. He closed his eyes, and held his head up high.

"I wish for peace to return to Hyrule."

"Granted my child."

"Link! Link wake up!" Nabooru's voice shouted.

Link opened his eyes and sat up, remembering his dream.

"Wh-what happened?" He asked.

"You collapsed after killing Devika. The Goddesses…they took you." Nabooru breathed, still remembering how beautiful they had been.

"Is peace restored?"

"Yes. Everything is as it should be." Nabooru smiled.

"Well, most things." Link muttered, getting to his feet.

That's when he noticed that Zelda's body was gone. He went to the altar, his hands shaking as they touched the marble.

"Who took her?" He whispered.

"Link…look." Nabooru said in a frightened voice.

Link looked up to where Nabooru pointed, and saw a blue light above them. He could see someone glowing.

"Nayru?" Link whispered.

"Link." Her voice echoed through the temple. "You made a selfless wish, a pure wish. Because you did this, I am giving something back that belongs to you."

The blue light flashed, and Link looked away to guard his eyes.

When he looked back, he saw Zelda's body being lowered back towards them. The top half of her body was hanging limply backwards, while her legs looked ready to stand.

Link held out his arms and waited. When she reached him, he rested his hand on the back of her head. His other arm went around her waist.

He looked down at her, and then suddenly, he saw her chest rise.

"Zelda?" He asked breathlessly.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at Link.

"Link?"

"Zelda." Link buried his face into her hair as he held her against him in a tight embrace. His tears soaked her hair, but she didn't mind. She let her own tears fall onto the shoulder of his tunic.