Chapter 36: Navi's Sacrifice
For so long the Phantom gazed into the distance, surveying the canopy of trees that spread into the horizon, anxiously waiting to see if anything was moving –if there were any trace of Link. Time passed and nightfall came, yet there were no disturbances in the forest. The moment had finally come. The Phantom had succeeded.
He drifted over to the Phantom Hourglass, now situated in the center of the pit, the ruins of what had once been a cave. Few grains remained at the top. By morning it would all be over.
He felt something moving –something encroaching. The Phantom turned around and quickly dodged a barrage of arrows as they sped by. He looked forward, and cast against the moonlight stood a man carrying a bow.
"You monster," the man accused, sending out another arrow. The Phantom caught it by the shaft in his hand and crushed it in his palm. "You will pay for what you did to Link."
"What is your name?" the Phantom asked calmly, swaying to the side to dodge another arrow.
"I am Wade," he answered, stringing his bow once more, despite the futility of his efforts.
"What was done had to occur," the Phantom stated, turning his head as another arrow flew by. "I am only trying to secure my people's future, just as he was. Surely you can understand that." The Phantom held out his wand, and the point instantly grew to a ball of light, so bright in the black of the night. Wade lowered his bow, his eyes aglow from the Phantom's magic. He saw the light come closer, and he held the bow forward as a shield to his eyes and a shield to his fears of what he knew was going to happen. Link had died in his endeavor to save his people, and so would he if he must.
But before the light could consume him, a young girl appeared as from nowhere, landing right in front of him, holding a broom. A dark shadow against a wall of light, she held out a wand of her own and swung it forward.
The Phantom's wall of energy seemed to be pushed away, as if deflected by the girl's flick of the wand. It flew off into the night, into the sky, and finally crashing down at the bottom of the mountain. Even from where they stood, everyone heard the explosion, and for a moment the night was flushed in red.
"Thank you," Wade said finally, looking into the girl's sad eyes.
"Ah, Maple," the Phantom said. "So we meet again."
She chose not to answer him, and instead stepped closer, pointing her wand at him. She feared that Link was dead –that the Phantom had murdered him- but was too afraid to ask.
Maple abruptly released a beam of white light from her wand. In turn, the Phantom sent out a rush of his own red energy. Both masses collided in the center, and both opponents stood their ground, holding together the clash for as long as they could.
"You have grown so strong," the Phantom said, holding his stance. "In just a few short years you have progressed more rapidly than any of my subjects. You are a true marvel."
Maple shunned the words, concentrating on holding the two behemoths of energy together. But she was continuously backing away, and the light was so intense, she felt as if her eyes were melting away.
"It only makes sense that you have returned to me," the Phantom continued. "After all, that is my wand you hold in your hand. Your life is my doing. You may not have known the course your life would take, but you have realized as I have that it was your destiny to turn to me –to become my apprentice."
Maple clutched her hand tighter upon her wand, forcing herself to step forward, ignoring the burning heat that touched her skin.
Refusing to succumb to her, the Phantom pushed forward as well. As a result, all of the pressure upon the two heaps of light caused it to grow tense and more volatile.
"It is time you joined me. After all, we both know how this is going to end."
The walls of light –white and red- finally collapsed and burst apart. The colors mixed together within the explosion, causing the peak of the mountain to burst into flames, for smoke to cloud its entirety.
The Phantom and Maple both crashed into the ground on opposite ends of the mountain, slowly rising and straining their eyes to see through the enormous cloud of flames and smoke before them.
"You will have to give in sooner or later," Maple heard the Phantom say beyond the veil of fire.
"I'll fight forever if I have to!" Maple shouted. She jumped atop her broom and rode over the fire and smoke, out into the clean, night air. She spotted the Phantom and dove, readying her wand. "I'll never give up. Even if I must fight all night, I shall never give in to you."
The night passed slowly in the forest, hiding Link's body in the shadows, hoping to forget him as it had forgotten the Hero before him. The cries of the birds were heard, their songs dismal and melancholy; it was as if they knew of what had transpired, as if they were aware of what it all meant.
Daybreak came slowly –painfully. It was as if the sun did not wish to rise –as if it hoped for the night's events to stay hidden in the darkness. But soon the daylight shone upon the fallen Hero, and the forest was forced to acknowledge his defeat –to bear witness to what would happen next.
She sobbed uncontrollably as she flew through the air, landing on the Hero's chest. With a glowing hand she touched his wounds, feeling the punctures in his body –the reminders of his defeat.
"Oh Link," Navi cried despondently, the tears flowing uncontrollably. She sank to her knees, her hands to his chest. She touched something: a sword. She wondered why it was there, but then her gaze was swayed toward Link's eyes, the lids open. His expression was that of disbelief –that of horror. He had died unknowing of what had happened –his thoughts and theories refusing to connect together into one piece.
Navi raised her head and looked up into the sky, her tears reflecting the light of the rising sun. She waited patiently for the forest to come to her.
Even if I wanted to help, Wirlin said, it is impossible. There is no life left in him.
"So there is no hope then," Navi whispered, her eyes again staring into Link's. Her head shook slowly. "No, I can't allow that. Link, I promised you that I would protect you –that I wouldn't allow any harm to come to you. It is all my fault! I did not fulfill my promise to you. I hid when I should have acted. I ran when I should have aided you. And now you are dead, and it is my entire fault!"
The tears continued to fall, tiny droplets that dampened Link's tunic. Then she tightened her fists and wiped her eyes. "You gave me freedom. I owe you my entire life." She walked forward, up to his face, and placed her hand upon his left cheek. "Perhaps I can give it back."
Navi closed her eyes and allowed her life to be taken away. She dropped down and lay upon Link's left breast, over his heart. She placed her palms upon his body, attempting to transfer her energy into him. Finally, all light from her body disappeared from her save her hands. Soon she lost control, and even her figure changed. It was as if she was no longer solid –no longer lifelike. Her body was evanescing, falling like a ghost into Link. Her glowing hands disappeared into him, and the rest of her body followed. Soon she was gone completely, and only her tears upon Link's stained shirt were proof of her previous existence.
Link's eyes eased open, and he saw the light of the sun through the trees. He sat up and put a hand to his head, wondering. Then he felt the sword drawn across his body. He raised it up and inspected it. Could it be?
No, it was too obvious. It must be a trick.
And yet…if it was…could that mean…?
Link looked up and saw the statue of the Lost Hero in the near distance. And he knew the truth.
It was.
