Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch." Anyway, enjoy this chapter.
I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Announcement: As for some of these character/story mentions, I mention these characters briefly in later chapters and the epilogue so I don't want to get flagged/banned from the server. As y'all have seen, it's mostly Legend of Zelda and Avengers cross over and some Inuyasha overlays here and there.
Ch 36 Loss and Victory…
In the Spirits' realm…
James watched, with rage, pain, and unbearable sorrow rise in his breaking heart, as the spirits he met over his and Wanda's journey came around Amelia as she spoke in a beautiful, ancient language. The Light Spirits came down and shrunk in size before coming together in a brilliant light display and created large, golden arrows. Amelia stopped speaking and opened her eyes to see James crying silently as he looked to her, looking exactly like a scared, lost child. She sniffled and grimaced.
They stood in an unknown realm, the floor glowing with ankle deep water, the surroundings black. Even with no landscape, Amelia and James could see each other clearly as day. Still Zelda's lullaby faintly played from some ethereal source, slow and gentle
James lowered his gaze, his eyes hidden under his shadow and hair. He stood there; face shadowed by his hair. Tears fell from his checked to the water below as he wept. Shaking and shoulders slumped, the weight of the loss of Wanda made his knees weak and shaking. Soon he was unable to stand, James went to his knees, hands covering his face as he sobbed, weeping in loss, uncaring of the world around him. He was heartbroken and enraged at the loss of his wife and his daughters.
Amelia wept silently as she went to her knees as well. Her limp, dull hair covered her right eye and she slumped forward weeping, almost submerged in the water as she tried desperately to control her shaking, both in loss and weakness. The two souls remained that way for some time, unable to comprehend or understand what to do next. Though Amelia was able to speak a few hollow words after gaining her voice.
"James… I am so sorry…" Amelia whispered, her voice echoing slightly in the light spirits' realm.
"I don't know if I can live on now, Amelia… Wanda… is… was… my light… how can I do this… without her? I…" James whispered out between sobs, near hysteria, near enough to end own his life. Yet he listened as Amelia spoke.
Amelia let several tears roll down her check, before speaking again, "I know, James." She came forward to him, kneeling in front of him, and placed a gentle, comforting hand in his check, forcing him to look up and into her eyes. "She wanted to do this… To give the rest of the world a chance to live life… A chance to finally see true peace. Just as you both as well as I long to see. She's risking everything, even at the cost of losing her life and the life of your twins now to obtain that peace."
"Yet she had no right to kill our children! I…" James sneered, anguished, yet Amelia placed her other hand on his free check, forcing him to go quiet as she continued, tears freely rolling down her face, the arrows floating near her arm. He couldn't look away from her eyes. Inexplicable sorrow he saw in them. A broken heart exactly like his. She was as anguished as he was, depression therein. Yet there was a permanent sorrow therein. It was one that came with her ancient timeline.
"Yes, perhaps she didn't, but what if you refused and stayed? Then Ganondorf would have killed you both. Leaving the world to darkness… To despair… If I should dare to speculate, I would say Brenna and Lena would have wanted to die to prevent that future. To prevent a future where you and everyone you love would be forced to go on the run forever, in fear, from Ganondorf's terrible, dark power. A fate which I know would have been far worse than what Thanos was planning."
James' heart broke further, as if risking being completely shattered, yet knew Amelia's words were true. She was right. His tears were running down her hands as he listened to her. Giving up now meant everything that he and Wanda had worked for over the past four months had been for naught.
Amelia continued, gently wiping away his tears with her thumb, even as she cried herself, "Long ago before he died, my father once spoke to me about risk and how it is one of the most important things in life. And if we stay safe forever for our entire life, we will never truly see what life and the Divine has to offer us. To teach us. To help us grow and stretch in ways that we would never think or realized we needed to grow in.
"I believe that is what Wanda is doing right now, facing Ganondorf alone. To risk her life alone to give everyone the chance to live freely and in peace. She became the courageous one to face this devil. Without fear of being under a tyrannical ruler."
She brought a hand to her heart, tears openly falling still, "Neither of you deserved the evils that happened to you in life. I wished for many years, and I still do, that I could take away your pain and the evils that you were placed into." Amelia paused, struggling to contain her sorrow, continuing only when she had control over her pain.
She looked away for a moment, too taken with sorrow before she looked up at him again. James knew she was as brokenhearted as he was. He could see it in her eyes. She was pleading with him, knowing he wanted to die, yet wanting him to keep fighting for Wanda's sake. For the entire universe. And their twins.
"And the fear that you are experiencing, it is natural. Remember this James, all warriors feel fear and heart shattering moments. There is no shame in that. And when that happens, when the most valiant warriors among us who face that fear, that paralyzing fear and sorrow, and can master it… Those who overcome and master that fear and sorrow… They are the heroes. You are one such warrior, James. Facing and killing Ragnar, our son, and then fighting Ganon earlier only confirmed it for me. You are a conquering hero. A valiant warrior capable of overcoming the worst of hardships, your past, and the worst of fear. Of losing Wanda and your future with her."
Standing up and pulling him to a standing position as well, Amelia looked up to look him in the eye and spoke with clarity, his hands in hers, "I ask this you now, James Buchanan Barnes… Chosen hero. Let us take this risk together. Lend me the last of your strength." She stepped back and bowed to James, something a dragon never does, let alone a dragon royal, except to the most trusted and most powerful of people. Even the Angel of the Dragon bowed. It was to Amelia's great surprise when James held out his metal hand to her, a pained smile on his face even as he cried. She grasped his hand tightly.
"Come. Let us finish this," James whispered as he knelt, knowing she was right. He bowed his head, "My queen. My friend."
A flash of light and they were transported back to the ruined throne room of Asgard palace. In hand, Amelia held a bow and the arrows the light spirits created floated near her. James held Psipherion in hand as he and Amelia looked around the darkened throne room. It had turned deep night within the time they were gone. Seeing something rising out the rubble towards the throne, James perked up, Wanda's helmet, shaded and dark, could be seen. James smiled, yet it faded at it came into the light.
Amelia's heart cracked, knowing what had happened. James' heart finally shattered. Ganondorf was holding up the empty helmet portion of the fused shadow. Wanda was gone. An expression of loss so deep crossed his face as Ganondorf yelled in defiant victory, "A Twilight's shadow cannot shine… The Triforce of Power has spoken! Let's finish this, boy…" Ganondorf held the helmet to the side. "The imp fought well… Though all for what?! She lost to me… Why risk it all, you fool?" He threw Wanda's helmet away, where it violently hit a pillar, cracking, and fell to the floor where it finally broke into pieces.
Amelia sneered and came forward in front of James, whose gaze fell to the floor. She growled at Ganondorf, "You and I both know the tests of time, Ganondorf. Me far more than you do… Risk is what brings us to where we find ourselves! DO NOT SPEAK ILL OF HER!" James glanced over the dragon royal next to him and saw something he had never wanted to see. Amelia had something in her eyes James never seen. Murderous rage. A rage far beyond that of what he was used to seeing. A righteous rage, mixed with revenge. It scared him far more than anything.
Ganondorf sneered back, "Don't waste your breath or my time, Amelia… Besides you don't know what I have…" He never completed his sentence when Amelia shot a light arrow through his arm. He groaned in pain yet sneered at her action. He sneered at her as he struggled to pulled the arrow out.
"JAMES! Do not listen to this lying snake. Wanda fought with everything she had. To give us the chance to defeat this evil once and for all." Amelia turned to him briefly as Ganondorf struggled to remove the arrow from his arm. James now feared her and Ganondorf. Amelia now had a raging fire in her eyes. Revenge and rage. Yet a softness that was under it all. Despite how skinny and frail looking she was, she was standing here. Determined. Empowered. And dangerous. A warrior. Proud and tall. She was strong. "Let's use this divine chance to kill Ganondorf! Now!" James looked back to her in fear.
Yet he never got the chance to think on it as Ganondorf charged at him, "Let me take this foul blade and blot out the light forever!" Charging forward at Amelia, who gasped. Yet in that moment, James never saw what happened as he was brought to the Aether.
The Hero's Shade's voice called out loud and clear from the quiet mist, "A sword yields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage." James looked around, hearing the pants of a wolf behind him. He wheeled around and found the Hero's Shade facing away from him, peering into the unknown lands beyond as he contemplated life.
"Your hand holds no courage, young James. Why do you still live in disbelief? Using your courage, you can gain the power which will make you the hero that this world needs you to be." He paused. James relaxed ever so slightly, merely letting his teacher speak, as he needs to hear the words.
"You have been training with me throughout this journey, young warrior. Like in the times before my death years ago, I appear before you now, training you, as I was in the same armor you wear years ago." The Hero's Shade said as he turned.
Though as he did, he transformed into that of Amelia's brother, Jedidiah. A tall, strong warrior. Just like his sister, he had long stark white hair and piercing sapphire blue eyes. Yet he was a shade darker and rather tall. He was handsome and broad. No wonder where Inuyasha and Sesshomaru got their looks. Sharing the same check stripes, that Inuyasha and Sesshomaru got from him. Though they were adopted by Amelia and Stefan.
James stared at Jedidiah is shock. His eyes were wide, mouth opened and closed, unable to think beyond his stunned mind. Amelia's own brother was training him, shocked awe clearly on his face. Next to Jedidiah a short, young woman came. She also has the same traits as Amelia. Farore. "You… You're…"
Jedidiah remained stoic, "Yes. I am Jedidiah, Amelia's brother. Farore here is our sister. You have done well getting this far in your journey, James, why is it now that you second guess your abilities and yourself? Both your wife and my sister are showing true acts of courage, wisdom, and power in facing the evil that has come into your world. Why is it you, the one blessed by the Angel of the Dragons and by God Himself, are unable to do the same?" Jedidiah questioned, though he already knew the answer.
"I… I guess, seeing my own failure at losing control and my life over my time with HYDRA and the loss of my wife, brought me to this point. My courage has run dry…" James looked away. Yet he looked back in surprise to Jedidiah when he started to answer.
"No…" James furrowed his brow at Jedidiah's answer, "You have not. Your courage has not. It is just dormant. When facing the unexpected like this, James, you can be the most powerful. The most in control. The most courageous. The wisest. What you experienced with HYDRA is done and gone. They have no hold on you any longer. Nor does the Winter Soldier have control of you any longer. That is past and now you must move forward. The present is here, and you are facing Ganon.
"And the future is at hand. This… unexpected event… is when you can be most powerful. The most courageous… To risk your life, in full control, for people you love and respect, your family. To give them a bright and beautiful future. Which is the second greatest commandment the Almighty has given, to love God first, to love others as you would love yourself secondly, and greater love has no man than this, to lay your life down for your friends," Jedidiah stated confidently to James who stared wide eyed at Jedidiah's wisdom. James felt his courage rise at his words.
Raising his sword in front of him, Jedidiah, readied himself, speaking, "Now… for my final lesson… that I pass on to you… FACE THE UNEXPECTED!" He roared as he raced forward towards James. James and Jedidiah engaged in combat, the former not realizing he was battling with Ganondorf in reality.
Jedidiah had brought him there to the Aether to help him find his courage, all the while using his arm as a shield. Amelia watched as James and Ganondorf battled, beyond impressed to know Jedidiah had taught James their people's swordsmanship flawlessly. She made her way towards the throne as the battle went all over the main floor. She made her bow ready with an arrow when it was time.
James saw himself battling with Jedidiah and Amelia watched him in the real-world battle with Ganondorf. James flawlessly landed many hard blows on Ganondorf, but never did he himself get hit. She worried for him. As James fought Jedidiah, he felt his courage rise. Yet he accidently let his guard down on his right, letting Ganondorf kick him back and onto the floor. Psipherion went sliding a few inches away from his grasp. Ganondorf came forward and put his sword to his chin. Amelia saw her chance and aimed, a mask of sheer hatred and determination sweeping through her as she notched the arrow to her bow and aimed.
Jedidiah quietly said, as James frowned, "You fought well, young James. You may have lost this battle… But…" James looked up in question at the ancient warrior, even as the sword was at his throat. "You're not alone in that fight."
In that moment, James saw a light arrow completely pierce Ganondorf's left shoulder. Looking past the evil man, James saw Amelia, who had shot the arrow. Eyes looking at Ganondorf, murder and death therein. Giving him the perfect opportunity to fight back. He quickly picked up Psipherion and fought the now groaning and struggling Ganondorf, who was trying his best to stand and pull the arrow out of his shoulder and fight him. And failing miserably.
Slashing at the struggling man, James shouted a warrior's cry, slashing up and the blow sent Ganondorf flying back onto the ground, motionless, the arrow still embedded deep in his shoulder and a now heavily, bleeding chest wound. He used the ending blow to stab clean through Ganondorf's chest. Though in his mind's eye, James stood over Jedidiah, blade mere inches from the man's chest.
"Well done… Good… My regrets have finally been put to rest. This world has a hero and will finally have peace, the future bright. Go… and do not falter… my son…" Jedidiah said as he left, James now looking down at Ganondorf, who screamed in agony at being stabbed again. Though this time with a blade that truly could kill him and send him straight to the Lake of Fire for judgment. Amelia stared on in shocked jubilation, knowing James had done it. Had truly killed Ganondorf.
Though at that moment, Ganondorf screamed further, closing his left fist, the Triforce of Power resonating. He sent out an angry red shockwave, throwing James hard against the stairs near the throne, Psipherion still in hand. James groaned and looked back where Ganondorf was. Said man had transformed again into Ganon, yet… he was trembling in weakness, blood leaking heavily from the chest wound. A fatal wound. One Ganon would not survive. James scrambled to his feet and got his sword ready.
At that moment, Amelia felt the Light Spirits behind her and watched in shocked amazement as they resurrected Wanda, the curse lifted. She was now human again, clearly four and a half months pregnant. Yet as she smiled at the restored Wanda who smiled back, both drew their attention to Ganon and James.
Ganon roared and charged James. Though James never got hit or brought down a blow to Ganon as a giant pulsating red and golden twilight spear appeared and stabbed violently into Ganon's head, pining the beast to the floor. James turned, shock and elation spreading through him. Wanda was there, standing tense and ready to do battle.
And she was human again. Her stomach showed, four and a half months pregnant, and she held a protective hand on it. She wore a beautiful skirt that showed her right leg to her hip, only a rope holding it in place. Her Sokovian shout is what brought him back to the task at hand, waving in fierce determination, "Finish him, James! The battle isn't yet over!"
James nodded, and he turned back to Ganon, courage high and mighty. The spear disappeared, though Ganon remained still. James took Psipherion in both hands and with a warrior's cry, both he and Jedidiah thrust their swords hard into Ganon's skull, lodging the diamond hard and sharp blades deep. Ganon roared as he reared, allowing James to throw Psipherion, Jedidiah Psipherius, straight into his chest and lodged there, both up to their hilts. Ganondorf turned human again, too weak now to stay in his larger form; however, Amelia, Wanda, and James lost sight of his shape in the cloud of dust.
James turned to Wanda again unbelieving, amazed and happy beyond belief. Speechless wonderment and joy raced through him. He smiled up at her as she teased him, turning to stand flirtatiously, giving him a sultry look and a come-hither wave, "What!? Say something! Am I so beautiful that you have no words left, soldier?" James merely beamed at her as he slowly advanced on her.
Wanda giggled as she backed up at his advancing figure, as handsome as ever. She was stopped in her tracks as the back of her legs hit the throne, allowing James to reach her. He took her into his arms as she wrapped hers around his neck, kissing her deeply, finally after four long months after their wedding.
Someone cleared their throat, bringing the two lovers back to reality. Turning to the sound, James and Wanda sighed in happiness as Amelia approached slowly, her chains rattling. "Don't we have someone to finish talking to?" She gestured to Ganondorf, even as she was exhausted and clearly on the verge of collapse.
Said man struggled to his feet, Psipherion/Psipherius lodged deep in his chest, the glaringly obvious blood-stained blades sticking out his back. It was a macabre look. He grunted and gasped for breath as he stood there, "This doesn't end here, boy… The history of light and shadow… will be written in blood." How he was able to still get up and stand with two blades running through his chest, was beyond anyone.
His hand glow with the Triforce of Power. Yet as Psipherion and Psipherius commanded the piece greater than himself, Ganondorf lost his hold over it as his life was fading. The Triforce of Power left him, flying out of his chest and straight into James' chest. He merely hmphed as it did so, staring daggers at Ganondorf. Amelia and Wanda sneered at the evil man that had caused far greater tragedy than Thanos.
However, James gasped to himself in surprise as a surge of power went through him as the Triforce of Courage merge with the Triforce of Power. It was almost overwhelming. He staggered some with Wanda and Amelia steadying him as the two Triforce pieces merged. I wonder what it would feel like having all three pieces merged together in my body? He regained his balance and left the thought behind and continued to sneer at Ganondorf.
Ganondorf looked out, not seeing anything as his life ebbed from him. He suddenly saw Ragnar, who accused him with a tone that was deadly, "You tricked me…" Ragnar cracked his neck and Ganondorf finally died, his eyes rolling up into his head before closing and face turned towards the floor, standing there as a statue, chest unmoving. Eternally.
James came forward, disgusted at the sight, and ripped Psipherion from his chest, though Psipherius remained. Even then Ganondorf's body remained standing, statue-like, his cape blowing slightly in the breeze that swept through the throne room. James turned away, disgusted, and empty, to him, even as it was a triumphant victory, it was also a hollow victory. A pyrrhic victory. As evil as Ganon was, James finally learned he hated taking the life of anyone, even the lives of evil souls.
Hope y'all are doing good. Please write and leave a review, let me know what you think of this chapter so far.
