An endless sea of shallow water was before him, reaching the horizon in every direction. It reflected the dark sky, billowing with black storm clouds. It was, in Link's eyes, a perfect image of how he felt in the depths of his soul; pitch black and empty, with no end to the rage storming inside of him in sight. The occasional flare of lightning illuminated Demise's harrowing figure standing before him, weapon at-the-ready.
"You must be writhing with anger and hatred, boy," he said with an evil smirk. "Why don't you make the first move?"
Link swallowed harshly before raising the sword to the sky. As it was illuminated in a cyan glow, Link charged forward and swung as hard as he could. Demise deflected with his weapon and didn't so much as flinch when he was met with the Master Sword. Link followed up with a side-swipe, which was also easily deflected. Demise reared back, then thrust his monstrous fist into Link's chest with terrifying speed. Link flew backward, splashing in the water with a yelp. He was stunned, feeling the residual impact of each one of Demise's knuckles radiating in his chest. Before he could recover, Demise was overtop of him, lifting his blade over his fiery head.
With a gasp, Link rolled out of the way, showered with water displaced by Demise's assault. Demise spun, sword outstretched. Link flung the Master Sword to meet it, and was able to stop it short. Demise grunted, surprised to have been met with such resistance from Link. With a spin of his blade, he batted the Master Sword away, then pressed in for another straight-on attack. Link countered with his own sideways-strike, managing to swipe the blade across Demise's bicep. The towering demon shrugged it off and immediately launched a barrage of attacks. Link deflected, dodged, and countered as best as he could. When he wearied, he heard Zelda's dying breath begging him to defeat Demise, and it energized him to carry on, re-igniting his fury to cut down the otherworldly beast.
"Master, you are holding up well," Fi said from inside the sword.
Demise drew back and scoffed under his breath, as he had also heard Fi's call.
"The sword spirit speaks at last," he sneered. "Tell me, have you followed her mindlessly to this point in your journey? How has that worked for you?"
He scoffed once more.
"How did that work for Spirit Maiden?"
Link's chest and belly grew hot with rage. With a shout, he charged the sword and sent the light careening into Demise's head. It struck him on the side of his face and, to Link's amazement, it drew dark blood. Demise wiped it away with the back of his blackened, scaled hand. He flicked it into the water and laughed.
"Now we have a fight."
The lightning suddenly ceased, and Demise disappeared into the darkness. Link charged another skyward strike. Alas, it did nothing to counter the immense dusk around him. He turned this way and that, trying to remain composed as he searched for Demise. Suddenly, he was blinded by a streak of white lightning, and before him came Demise, storming forward with unfathomable speed. As Demise hurled his weapon sideways, Link threw himself backward as high and hard as he could, kicking his legs back. As his face looked downward, legs above him, time seemed to slow down. The blade of Demise's weapon sliced through the air beneath him so fiercely, he could practically smell the black metal. Link's feet met the water once more, and with a shout, he launched himself forward, sword outstretched and illuminated in cyan radiance.
It pierced through Demise's shoulder, nearly emerging from the other side. The towering demon fell to a knee and suppressed a howl as Link pulled the sword from him. Demise snarled and slammed his blade into the water in wrath as he rose to his full height once more. His striking, red eyes seemed to glow with hatred, and his hair burned brighter as he clenched his fists to rally his power. Link watched as the black of the sky melted into a pale gray, flashing with blue, orange, and white as the lightning grew more furious. The raindrops rippled across the water, now as reflective as untarnished glass.
Demise bent down and furiously rampaged toward Link, who planted his feet in wait. As Demise flicked his weapon, Link hurled himself to the side, catching Demise's neck with the flat side of the Master Sword. He swung himself around until he was crouched on the demon's back. With one hand on the hilt, and a forearm on the flat of the blade, Link pulled back as hard as he could. Demise gasped and choked, clawing at the Master Sword, yet Link held steady as the demon thrashed his body about.
Suddenly, Link's mouth was filled with blood, and he became dizzy and his ears rang out when Demise threw his head back, clocking Link straight-on with the full weight of his skull. Link fell from his back and into the water, managing to keep the sword, but losing his shield in the fall. Demise drew in several long, heaving breaths as Link tried to pull himself, but the spinning of the world around him sent him down to his back once more. Demise quickly appeared over him.
"This is the end for you, child," he growled.
"Master," Fi called out, "Nayru..."
The Master Sword was outlined in sapphire glory. From it erupted a barrier that spread over Link. Demise thrust his blade downward. It broke through the barrier, but slowed, stopping just before it reached the center of Link's chest. As Link watched it come closer and closer, his vision faded until all he could see was pure, bright white. He no longer felt the water he laid in. He no longer heard the lightning or thunder, nor did he feel the rain. Most of all, he was alone. Demise was gone, and he suddenly felt the fear of him melting away.
Rising to his feet, he looked this way and that in search of... anything. He wandered for a time. Occasionally, a gray mist blew past him in a beautiful and calm wind. As the thought of Demise slipped further and further from his mind, he began to wonder...
"... Have I died?"
His eyes squinted, as he thought he caught a glimpse of something golden in the distance. A sunless light reflected off of it most beautifully. Too beautifully, in fact, as Link could only think of one person who harnessed such purity. His green eyes widened and his jaw opened. A knot of emotion formed in his throat, and a wordless sound escaped his lips.
Zelda.
She was walking toward him, hands held up to her chest, and blue eyes shimmering with gladness. They ran to one another, catching each other by the forearms.
"I don't understand," Link said breathlessly. "I watched you... you..."
"Yes," she replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Does that mean I'm..."
"No," she shook her head and smiled. "You are still in the throws with Demise. However, the power of Nayru's Love, which Fi invoked for you, has brought your spirit here."
"Where is here exactly?"
"This is what will someday be the Sacred Realm. This is where my soul slept for the thousand years. The Goddesses and their chosen Sages are preparing it to serve many glorious purposes in later days."
"That is assuming I can defeat Demise, I'm sure."
Zelda simply nodded her head.
"Walk with me."
They walked for a time in near silence, with only the wind stirring gently around them. Link, all-the-while, was waging an internal war within himself. Heavy on his shoulders was the immense feeling of guilt. After all he had done, he had not the power to save Zelda from her horrendous fate. Zelda glanced over and saw the tense expression on his features. She knew what it was that bothered him. Tenderly, she took him by the hand, gliding her thumb over his palm.
"This burden need not intrude on what little time we have," she said delicately.
Link nodded and sighed, though his expression remained serious. After a time, Zelda paused.
"I know what it is you plan to do," she said. "The Goddesses and I will do what we can to aid you from here."
"I- I'm just unsure it will work. Is it the right choice?"
Zelda's brow furrowed.
"It must work, Link," she said sternly. "You are the Hero of Legend. It has been your destiny to vanquish Demise since the day of your birth. The Goddesses believe in you, our friends believe in you, Fi believes in you, and so do I."
Link swallowed a knot of emotion as he looked into her piercing eyes.
"It's time you believed in yourself, too," she said. "The world, and all we know and love, depends on it."
"But I couldn't even save you," Link argued.
"And yet, here we are," she countered. "Link, I know I am no longer with you in our world, but a part of my spirit will always be with you, even beyond life as you know it. No one, not even Demise, can take that from us."
She delicately wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled his forehead down to meet hers. Her warmth prompted a wordless whimper to escape him. He slowed his breathing and kept composure, absorbing every last moment of her presence with him.
"Believe," she whispered lovingly. "And know that I am always with you."
Link's breath was taken when Zelda laid a tender kiss on his bowed forehead. For a moment, every fear, every pain, and the weight of the world fell from his shoulders. With the soft touch of Zelda's lips, he felt he had all he needed. Her love, her affection, and her faith. He could feel the world around him fading, yet the feeling of her tenderness remained as everything turned to darkness once more.
With a gasp, Link's eyes flew open. His ears were filled with a rush of power as Nayru's shield around him burst, sending Demise and his weapon stumbling backwards. Link still felt terribly dizzy and disoriented from the previous hit. Before he could recover, Demise stepped over once more, this time wrapping his massive, dark hand around Link's throat. Cruelly, he lifted the boy into the air. Link sputtered and gasped for air, as he felt every muscle in his throat being crushed in Demise's grip.
"Foolish child, still believing in the Goddesses and their promises to protect you. Your faith in them is no longer noble, but rather, lunacy."
Demise scoffed.
"Did they really lead you to believe that a piece of earth would stop me?"
His grip tightened.
"Surely they led you to a tremendous power - the Triforce - and yet they tricked you into wasting it most irresponsibly with their witless prophecy of uniting earth and sky. Neither earth nor sky have the power to withhold me."
Link tried to shake his head. His mouth moved, though no sound came out. Demise's head tilted, and he relinquished his grip slightly, allowing Link to suck in a gasp of air.
"Spit it out, boy, as surely these words will be your last."
Despite his obvious suffering in Demise's grip, a strange smirk crossed Link's lips.
"That... wasn't... my wish..."
Demise's brow furrowed. Before he could react, Link raised a fist, and Demise was stunned by a burst of golden light. He immediately dropped Link and staggered backwards, howling and shielding his eyes from the pure radiance. Shaking his head wildly, Demise looked forward. As his vision returned, he saw Link, winded yet on his feet, Master Sword at-the-ready, and none other than the shining Triforce on the back of his hand.
"How can this be?" Demise questioned.
"The prophecy fulfilled itself. I did not wish for it to happen."
"So you've been bearing the Triforce in secret," Demise growled. "You think yourself clever, child, yet you do not know what power you wield."
"I know exactly what power I wield," Link replied strongly. "It's you who doesn't know who and what you're dealing with."
"Why didn't you use it to save her, then?" Demise spat.
Link simply shook his head, knowing Demise wanted nothing more than to use his self-doubt against him. Zelda had known all along what he planned to do, and she supported him in it. That was more than enough. He raised the sword to the sky and closed his eyes to pray. From his hand, the Triforce emitted such a ray of light that its warmth radiated for miles. The wind now whipped between Link and Demise with fury never seen before. The sky itself seemed to quake. Then, in another burst of light, the Triforce split into its three pieces once more. In the Sacred Realm, Zelda looked down at her hand and saw the Triforce of Wisdom appear on it. With a gentle smile, she nodded her head.
"He's done it," she said proudly.
The Triforce of Courage remained on Link's hand, shining most brilliantly. Demise stood back, stunned.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Before Link could answer, Demise let out another howl of pain. He looked down and found the Triforce of Power appearing on his own hand.
"The Triforce of Courage is mine," Link said. "The Triforce of Wisdom now belongs to Zelda's spirit. Though you murdered her, her spirit lives on where you may never reach her." Link's brow furrowed intensely. "And you are now bound to the Triforce of Power. Even in death and the lives beyond it, you will be subjected to its torment, and the Triforces of Courage and Wisdom will prevail over you; the evil, power-hungry monster who strives only for cruelty and dominance that you are."
Demise continued to growl through the pain of the Triforce piece's appearance. With a roar, he slammed his blade into the water once more, and charged at Link. The two fought bitterly while bright flashes of lightning crashed down around them. Demise raised his blade, and it was struck by a streak of glorious lightning. Demise cackled as his body was illuminated by a fierce light. Even the Triforce piece on the back of his hand glowed brighter as the energy surged through him. Link swallowed dryly, planting his feet in anticipation for what was to come next. Demise ran forward and flung his blade. Link jumped back, narrowly avoiding the jagged blade and the sparks of electricity flying from it.
Link deflected the next strike with the Master Sword. The crash of metal charged by lightning was nearly deafening. Link backed away and watched as the demon raised his sword once more, collecting yet another burst of lightning. Link raised the Master Sword in kind. It was illuminated in glorious, cyan light, and it too drew in a strike of lightning. Link's entire being hummed as the electric energy filled the sword. Link and Demise met each other head-on. As their swords clashed, an explosion of light filled the space. Both swords sparked and whirred as they fought to push the other's blade away. Alas, the power broke free from both weapons, and Link and Demise were sent back with great force. As Link drew in a strong, determined breath, the Triforce of Courage on his hand started to glow. He closed his eyes and felt its power now coursing through his veins with each passionate beat of his heart.
In the Sacred Realm, Zelda also felt the Triforce of Wisdom aglow. She nodded her head and looked to the Goddesses who stood near her.
"He's ready," she said calmly. "It's time."
She looked out into the vast white scape before her. Though she could not see him, she closed her eyes and felt Link's presence.
"We are with you," she prayed. "Let's seal this beast away... together."
Link nodded, hearing Zelda's voice resounding in his heart. He raised the sword, charging another skyward strike and catching a bolt of lightning. Demise followed suit, and the two ran to face each other once more. Their blades met and locked with a thunderous blast. In the Sacred Realm, Farore, Din, and Nayru bowed their heads and channeled their powers, glowing illustriously in emerald, ruby, and sapphire light. Zelda raised her hand, the Triforce of Wisdom shining. She closed her eyes and focused her power, sending it to the Master Sword as she prayed.
Link and Demise remained blade-locked. As the Triforce of Courage grew brighter, Link felt the power and energy of the Master Sword swelling. He growled as he tried valiantly to keep hold of the sword as its strength continued to increase. The growl turned to a shout, then a scream of rage as pushed back against Demise. The blade was enveloped in a golden light with streams of emerald, ruby, and sapphire light swirling around it. The demon's eyes widened as he felt his arms beginning to falter under the mounting weight of the Master Sword. Through the flashes of light and energy, he could see Link's fierce, green eyes baring into him, with a look of determination like he had never witnessed before. Zelda, from the Sacred Realm, opened her eyes, keeping herself composed and poised as the overwhelming power cascaded from you. Demise felt her gaze, too.
"He's weakening," she prayed to Link. "Hold on just a little longer."
Link continued to shout as he felt the Master Sword inch forward. He could feel himself slowly gaining the upper hand as Demise's arms trembled and his growls turned to roars of despair. In a burst of light, the Master Sword forced Demise's blade aside, and it cut through Demise from his neck to his abdomen. The demon fell back, splashing into the water with a gurgled roar. Link leapt into the air, catching another flash of lightning with his blade. With a final impassioned scream, Link drove the illuminated blade straight through Demise's chest. The demon lifted his head and shrieked before his head flopped into the water. Link continued to hold and twist the blade until he felt absolutely certain that the beast could not recover.
The sky grew dark once more. As Link withdrew the blade, covered in thick, dark blood, Demise groaned and sputtered, then staggered to his feet, dropping his blade in an admission of defeat.
"Astounding," the demons growled breathlessly. "How is it that a mere child could outlast me, when a Goddess could not?"
Link remained silent, keeping his intense stare fixed.
"I may have underestimated the power you hold, boy," Demise sputtered. "But it won't happen again. Know this: your spirit and that of the Spirit Maiden's are destined to be born into this world, time and time again. I hereby curse you both, that anyone who is birthed wielding your spirits shall be bound by an endless thread of fate to the reincarnations of my hatred and malice. Your spirits will never know peace. They will never know life without my vengeance seeking after them. This is the fate you've damned them to this day."
He raised a sharp yet trembling finger to Link. Despite the gaping, bleeding hole left from the Master Sword, Link felt a fearful breath catch in his throat. As his scales began melting into malice, Demise unleashed a thunderous laugh, putting a sick feeling in the pit of Link's stomach. Slowly, the wind carried more and more of him away, until his laughter ceased, and he was finally no more. Link stared into the empty abyss of sky and water once more, slowing his heaving breaths. He looked down at his hand and watched as the Triforce of Courage slowly disappeared. Holding his hand to his chest, he bowed his head in prayer, thanking the Goddesses and Zelda for their help. His heart fell when he heard no response from Zelda.
Although Demise was gone, Link was now tasked with learning to live without his truest friend. Knowing this, he could not enjoy the satisfaction of his victory. Fi, sensing this, emerged from the sword and simply looked at Link, letting him know he was not alone. While her expression couldn't change, Link sensed a heavy sadness from Fi. Her companionship touched him, though it did little to dispel the unrelenting sadness now welling in him.
The doors of the Sealed Temple creaked open, and an exhausted Link limped in. He met Impa's gaze. She blinked slowly, allowing herself to dawn a small smile, though she could see from Link's expression that he was not in a celebratory mood. Fledge and Groose stood beside each other nearby. They, too, did not seem to know how exactly to address Link as he limped closer to them. He could see their gladness for his victory, and all looked a great deal lighter knowing Demise and Ghirahim were gone for good. Still, a darkness loomed over them.
Link met Fledge and Groose's gazes, and words escaped him. Yet he noticed the expressions on their faces seemed odd, and it unsettled him terribly.
"What?" he asked, a bit sharply.
Glancing at one another, Groose and Fledge each took a step to their side...
... and there she was.
Zelda, alive, standing, and with the proudest of tears welling in her striking blue eyes. Link's breath left him swiftly as he was caught by her loving stare. There were so many things he wanted to say, yet the words never came. He expected to wake and find that this was only a dream, yet as the seconds passed and her delicate, soft steps brought her closer, the more it hit him.
She was there.
"I don't..." he paused to hold back a cry. "How?"
"Hylia," Zelda began, "it was her spirit that Ghirahim took. Sacrificing herself, she preserved my spirit once more in the Sacred Realm."
She smiled gladly.
"Like I said, you have always held a piece of my spirit, Link. You survived, and so your victory allowed my spirit to return here to be with you."
Link's gaze fell, concerning Zelda greatly.
"Zelda," he said slowly, eyes red with tears. "I can't lose you again."
In that moment, she saw all of the pain he had harbored for so long. All of the hurt left over from the times they were nearly brought together only to be savagely torn apart by fate each time. Catching his gaze, she shook her head.
"You won't," she said simply. "It's over. It's finally over."
With a sharp breath, Link wrapped his arms around her. She hooked her arms around his neck. Their hearts beat against each other as they remained in their warm embrace, finally safe in one another's arms. There, the weight of the entire journey melted away as they held each other as tightly as they possibly could.
