Inspiration: The Cretans Paradox and AudioMachine.

Original Shout Outs: Azreah, Inebriated Panda, Scooter JLM, TetsuyaKonan, ThatZDFan, Psyche Girl, Megadarkness, Riddle-Me-This, PeterPokeFreak, Royal Skunk, and Zeldafanatic97.

Author Note: This version of this story is going to be considerably longer lol.

Word Count: 7,297


Chapter 40

The Arbiter's Grounds, Zelda

Link held me tight as I watched in horror, as Elbourne's life force continued to be drained from his body. At the same time, something extraordinary was happening to his appearance. His platinum blonde hair was darkening with each pull of energy. Soon, it was saturated with color, changed to a very rich dark brown… the same hue of hair as his mother Constance. The pigment of his tresses wasn't the only change. Along with his darkened hair was a change in his eyes. His once golden hazel eyes were now bright crystal green. Again, the color of his mother's irises.

I was stunned to see this transformation taking place in real time. Was Ghirahim extracting all the evil from him? Was that what accounted for his initial appearance? Elbourne's facial features remained the same, but his defining characteristics as one of the dragon masters was forever changed. The blonde hair and hazel eyes of Xavier was gone. Now, Elbourne looked more like his mother. He still appeared as the hero's twin, just with a different disposition. This was most unusual. I was not anticipating this change if, or when, Ghirahim got to Elbourne. But, what did it truly mean? What were the true repercussions of this change? Before a word could be uttered from the weakened prince, Elbourne's body fell forward onto the ground unconscious. Hylia managed to break his fall slightly by using her power at the last second to prevent an injury to his face.

Even so, I gasped, fearing the worst when he didn't move.

Is he dead?

Link finally released me when the appendage disconnected from Elbourne's body and slithered back into Ghirahim's mouth. I was near panicked when I hurried over to the dragon prince, blind to what I was doing. I dropped to my knees and turned Elbourne over onto his back. His eyes were closed, but I was relieved to find that he was still breathing. I was grateful that once again he had been spared. I hugged him tightly, hoping his life force would slowly regenerate and sustain him.

"Thank Nayru you're still alive," I whispered.

However, my relief was short lived.

Ghirahim was watching me.

"Of course he's still alive," he taunted. "Why would I kill my own son?"

I cut my eyes over to the sadistic demon lord, and couldn't have hated a creature more.

"You're deplorable! How could you treat your own flesh and blood this way?"

Then, he said something intriguing.

"Is he just my flesh and blood my lady?" he taunted again. "Have I perhaps harbored another secret from you?" He looked beyond me to the others. "From all of you?"

Link narrowed his eyes, while even Hylia appeared perplexed.

"What are you talking about?" the goddess demanded.

"It's very simple Hylia," the monster said quietly, "nothing is quite what it seems. Nothing ever is. Elbourne was never completely mine, just as he was never completely Xavier's. Though, the dragon king has just now figured that out."

I gasped again.

"What?"

Ghirahim stared hard at me.

"Yes, my queen," he said. "He knows, he knows the truth. I merely tainted his seed. Elbourne is not completely mine, and what I gave him I just took away from him."

I stared down at the dragon prince in disbelief.

"You mean… he's no longer cursed?"

The demon lord fixed his gaze on the fallen prince.

"My gift was never a curse, but now that he's free, his father can stop hating him."

Link walked up closer to me and Elbourne.

"You mean… Xavier really is his father?"

Ghirahim groaned.

"He was easy to manipulate when he saw what I did to his wife."

"You twisted son of a bitch!" the hero growled. "You led a man to believe his son was not his own for your own hubris?"

Ghirahim had no qualms.

"I am a demon, hubris runs through my essence. I still had a use for the dragon king at the time. He shouldn't have been so stupid to make a deal with me. He knew who and what I was. He knows who I am now. He knew the price he was going to have to pay, yet he did it anyway. His unsuspecting son lived for years thinking he was a freak, a sadist for no reason at all. That was my influence on him. That was my darkness running through him. My power. He fought and fought to keep those urges at bay, but there was only so much fighting he could do until he gave in. Until he realized what he truly was, the son of two destinies, the dragon prince and the demon prince. He has fulfilled his initial prospect, now he will fulfill his true purpose."

True purpose?

At that, Hylia quickly sprung into action. She jumped and came and stood in front of me and Elbourne. She got into her guard stance with both of her kodachis in hand. She glanced over her shoulder to address me.

"Get away from the dragon prince Zelda. Protecting Elbourne is over. If you care about defending your kingdom, you need to transform! The important thing in this moment is stopping this monster at all costs!"

My throat tightened at the implications, but Hylia was right. Ghirahim obviously had other plans in store. I placed the unconscious prince gently on the ground and stood up. I stared down at him, hoping against all hope he still had the will to fight.

Don't give in… don't let him take you…

"It's going to be okay Elbourne," I whispered. "I'm not going to let him hurt you."

Afterwards, I touched my bracelet, closed my eyes, and transformed. When I opened them, I was once again in my Sheikah gear like Hylia before me. The hero then came and stationed himself in front of the both of us and I couldn't help but admire his bravery. However, before any of us initiated an attack, Ghirahim had done a little changing as well. It was subtle, but as he walked towards us his clothes and countenance began to shift. His garments changed and were no longer the standard platinum white that he was usually dressed in. Instead, it was now a mixture of dark brown, gold, and small pockets of orange at the legs and torso. The sequins of his garments were still diamond patterned. However, accompanying it was a large, golden, flashing diamond shaped crystal in the center of his chest. Nevertheless, his face seemed the most changed, with his eyes no longer being black, but instead an opaque white, with golden varicose veins crevicing the corners. In fact, the crevices marked his now brown tone along his chest, shoulders, and parts of his legs. Both of his ears were now pointy like a Hylian, it was no longer just the one like before. Finally, a small golden diamond substantiated at the center of his forehead to finish his appearance.

Is this the true extend of his power? Had he relinquished so much to Elbourne when he was in Constance's womb that he was merely toying with us before?

We all stood our ground: watching, waiting, analyzing what he would attempt to do next. Ghirahim was unpredictable and now that he had his full powers back, there was no telling what his next move would be. The demon lord stared at us like a group of uncivilized children and just smirked. His confidence had no marker. There was something serendipitous, almost cavalier, about his manner. He scoffed at our challenging him, then suddenly snapped his fingers. It was an unprovoked action, but the outcome caught us off guard. Behind us, Ghirahim had levitated Elbourne's body from the ground and made it aerial. We all turned in shock.

Oh no!

Link was the first to turn back to face the demon lord.

"Put him down!" Link ordered. "Let him be! Haven't you made him suffer enough?!"

Ghirahim merely raised a brow.

"Not nearly enough."

This time Hylia attempted a plea.

"Let him go! You have what you want! Let Elbourne live the rest of his life without being your pawn! No matter how short that may be."

I didn't want to face the gravity of her words, but it was a possibility. Elbourne being who he truly was may have only been within these current moments. I hated the thought of that, but considering what Ghirahim surmised, Elbourne may not make it through this confrontation.

The monster almost seemed indignant.

"What do you take me for? Do you think I am a creature of piety? Do you think I would ever give in to a weak action such as mercy? You are mistaken, and because of such I will show you my true intentions of the demon prince! This is what happens when you ask for mercy from the demon lord!"

At his utterance, a sudden orange circle of energy engulfed Elbourne around his throat. The energy pulsed, and Elbourne's screams echoed throughout the room. I couldn't bear to watch this.

"Let him go!" I cried out. "Please! You can't be this cruel!"

My words were for nothing. It was only when Link sprung to action and charged a beam from his sword and aimed it at Ghirahim. The holy energy struck Ghirahim in his outstretched arm, forcing him to release Elbourne involuntarily. Unfortunately, the dragon prince's body hit the ground hard, but thankfully there were no cracks or breaks heard. His body was still intact. He groaned softly from the impact, but I couldn't see about him. I was grateful for Link's quick thinking. I could not allow myself to get distracted, especially with Ghirahim's undivided attention on us now.

"You're going to regret doing that," the monster warned.

The hero was unfazed.

"I doubt it."

Ghirahim composed himself, but his irritation was apparent. He then cut his gaze to the Master Sword.

"So… you saved me the trouble of looking for it, thank you."

Link proceeded back into his battle stance.

"You won't be saying that when this blade strikes you again. You know as well as I that you're no match for this sword. You shouldn't be thanking the man who is going to kill you."

Ghirahim grunted at the notion.

"And there you go with your assumptions again. You should ask your lover and queen if what I say is always what I literally mean. She knows me well after our private sessions together. Her moans, her screams, her terror… I remember it all." The monster cut his eyes to me and licked his lips. "Very beautiful... very tasty. Do you have fond memories of my tongue my lady?"

My throat tightened, but Link let out an audible groan of disgust before I could answer.

"You'll never get your hands on the queen again. You'll die today! You'll die by my hand!"

The demon lord laughed in response.

"Careful, careful, now I know your weakness, though I've known it for quite some time," he taunted. "You didn't like that too much, did you? Knowing that you allowed your queen to get taken away because of your jealous theatrics with the demon prince. Your pride was more important than her safety… leaving her alone with me. Never knowing if she was being raped endlessly, or if she was dead, if she had been tortured… or all of the above."

Link's breathing was increasing with every word.

"Shut up!" he retorted. "Shut up you maniac!"

Ghirahim was relishing in this moment.

"Ah, ah, ah," he went on, "there's that temper, there's that anger that sent you into a tailspin several years prior. There's that anger that led you into a prison cell, a prison cell by the queen's own making."

I realized the demon was trying to use the same tactics on Link that he used on me when he had me hanging alone in the dark in his lair.

"Don't listen to him," I warned. "He's trying to turn us against each other."

Link didn't look my way, but acknowledged me.

"I'm aware of that."

Hylia heard the glint of anger in the hero's voice. She glanced over at him and attempted to calm him down.

"Don't give in to your anger Link. He knows what he's doing is provoking you. That's what he wants."

The hero, however, had his focus on the demon lord.

"Did you rape the queen?" he demanded suddenly. "Did you violate her?!"

Ghirahim grinned.

"And what if I did?" he countered. "You weren't there to save her. You weren't there to protect her, or anything of the like. You have no idea what I've done to her."

Link's anger was tantamount at this point. I knew I had to intervene on this.

"He's lying Link," I reassured. "I told you everything that happened. None of what he is saying is true."

The hero didn't answer me. His gaze was fixed on Ghirahim. I knew it was because he was struggling to keep his priorities in check. The last thing I wanted was a shift in focus from our objective.

Ghirahim saw the look on Link's face and went to ensure further doubt.

"You know she would lie to protect you, right?" he taunted. "She would lie to protect your fragile ego. You couldn't stand the thought of another man, let alone another creature, ravaging your beloved queen's womb. Isn't that what you deduced the night of the Hyrulean Festival when you clearly showed you were jealous of her relationship with the demon prince? Is not your jealousy of him a weakness? Something to be exploited?"

"Shut up!" the hero snapped.

"You had the last shard, you made love to your woman, and you never knew I was listening the entire time," he continued. "Every moan, every squeal of pleasure you brought forth from her body, was something I used in opposition to her. Instead of pleasure I gave her pain… exhaustive irrevocable pain."

It was in that moment Link lost his composure and sprung to action.

"Link wait!" Hylia shouted.

However, it was too late. Link jumped into the air and lunged at the demon. Ghirahim countered quickly by sidestepping out of the strike. The hero quickly got his footing and turned back around to face the demon lord. Link struck at him again, but Ghirahim dodged his strike once more. The demon lord was not toying with the hero like before because he knew a strike from the Master Sword could seriously damage him. Nevertheless, there was something about Ghirahim's defense that was …odd. He wasn't actively trying to strike him back. I wasn't the only one to note this. Hylia too was watching him closely.

"What is he doing?" she whispered more to herself than to me.

Ghirahim continued to dodge and deflect, but he was taunting at the same time.

"That's right," he was saying, "get angry, lose control, realize that you can't face the truth."

These were nothing but head games Ghirahim was playing, and unfortunately he was winning in this regard. I desperately wanted to reach out to help the hero.

"Link!" I called to him. "Let me assist you!"

"You stay out of this!" he called back. "I don't want you near him!"

Hylia winced slightly at his tone and garnered her insight.

"He's doing this because he feels guilty for not protecting you from him," she stated. "He isn't thinking rationally."

I covered my mouth with both my hands and was about to run over to him when Hylia stopped me. She reached for my shoulder.

"Don't interfere right now," she warned. "This is a dangerous situation. If you get involved it might worsen his concentration."

I stared over at ancestral mother at a loss.

"What do you expect us to do?" I demanded. "Just wait here?"

Hylia shook her head, when she dropped another realization.

"Something else is going on here. Ghirahim has not attempted to strike the hero once. He's… he's stalling for some reason."

A feeling of dread came over me when she uttered that.

"Stalling?" I repeated.

Hylia nodded.

"But, I don't know why."

We both stared back at the hero and demon in combat. I was aware that we could lose ground if Ghirahim continued with the head games. We were already falling prey to that with the best fighter of our group going at it alone. This was not how we were supposed to function. Ghirahim was still relentless.

"You don't want her to assist you because your trust in her is waning," Ghirahim taunted. "You're afraid to lose her to the likes of someone like me… like Elbourne. You really don't know if she truly loves you or not, do you?"

Link growled and said nothing, when he lunged at him again.

"You saw the two of them embracing each other in that lagoon… kissing, holding each other… is that the act of a mere friend?" he went on.

"Shut up!" Link snapped.

Ghirahim laughed again.

"That's right, keep living in denial," he went on. "Keep insisting that what I am saying is not true. Keep believing a lie, because we all know that all Hylians are liars."

I stared on stunned at his utterance.

"What did he just say?"

Hylia was dumbstruck too.

"That was deliberate. But why? Why is he saying these things?"

I realized that, but I had no immediate answer. Why was Ghirahim disclosing this? What was he hiding? Why was he bringing up ancestral father's disclosure to me? What was he truly trying to do? For what it was worth, Link had not broken his concentration despite Ghirahim's head games. The hero remained staid. He continued with the fight, while we all remained perplexed.

'All Hylians are liars?' What true significance does this saying have? And why is he choosing to say this now? What is really going on?

"Ancestral father," I whispered to myself, "I could really use your help right now."

Hylia inadvertently heard me and decided to devise a plan.

"The Hero of Skies has always been judicious with his words. If he uttered those things to you it's for a reason. Ghirahim is trying to confuse you for whatever reason. Don't allow yourself to get distracted. In the meantime, I am going to help the hero so he does not tire out. You stay here in the rears, guarding the dragon prince and give us tactical support only if we need it. Ghirahim has successfully gotten the hero to be concerned with your safety over the overall mission. I don't blame him, but Link's concern for you is only going to magnify if you get involved right now, understood?"

I nodded, seeing that her logic was sound. I did not want to become the very thing I promised not to be, a distraction. However, I was not going to watch if the others became overwhelmed. My whole purpose was to fight.

"I understand."

Hylia acknowledged my utterance.

"That's a good lass, keep your eyes sharp."

With that, the goddess hurried forward and began striking at Ghirahim on his opposing side. She managed to get in two swipes, but like before her blades had no impact. His skin was like metal. His umbrage of power was manifold. It radiated throughout the room.

"I see you could no longer stand and watch as you did with your lover a thousand years ago," the demon retorted.

Hylia back flipped when he attempted to strike her.

"Your lies are nothing. You are nothing! We all know what your true mission is!"

Ghirahim jumped back and away from Link, as he almost connected with the sword. That could have been deadly for him.

"You say that when there are three of you attacking me, you hardly can call this a fair fight," the monster said.

Link reformed his stance near Hylia.

"Since when does a demon care about fighting fair?" he demanded. "You have been using underhanded tactics the moment we met you! You have no honor!"

Ghirahim snapped his fingers and created a barrier around him, similar to the one he created before.

"I will destroy you all, but not just by myself, my master will enjoy ripping you to shreds as well!"

Hylia and Link both jumped as two projectiles were whirled at them. I dropped to the ground and went to cover Elbourne's body. Luckily he was still breathing, but he was definitely going to be a casualty if I did not find a way to get him off the ground of the chasm. With Hylia and Link still in the fight, I looked around thinking about where I could hide the dragon prince. I saw an awning on the far side of the chasm, but it would take me carrying him over there, and there was no way I could manage that with what Ghirahim was doing. I stared at Elbourne for a moment and stroked his now dark hair.

"I'll get you out of here," I whispered to him, "I swear."

I had to duck again and use my body as a shield when more projectiles were released about the room. I turned to check on Link and Hylia, they appeared to be having no problems. However, something was culling within my gut that Ghirahim was going to turn the tables soon. He was not going to take this onslaught without some kind of repercussions. My worries soon became prophetic.

"One and two!" he growled. "You attack me from the fore and you attack me from the side! You think I'm just going to allow you to bring this sword here when I have a purpose for it?" Hylia sliced at him twice, while Link finally connected with his body due to the diversion. The demon lord screamed in pain. "Ahhhhhhhh!"

Link got a surge of confidence from that.

"The only purpose you're going to have here is to die!" he stated. "Your plans have been thwarted! You have lost! It's over!"

Ghirahim gritted his teeth as he held onto his left shoulder where the wound was.

"I don't think so!" he roared, then snapped his fingers again. "You aren't the only one's here with a contingency plan!"

Suddenly, the ground began to shake throughout the room. I looked around to see if any stalactite would fall. However, the ceilings and grounds remained intact. Shock engulfed me when as I was hovering over him to protect him, Elbourne's body began to levitate once more. I immediately jumped back and gasped as his body rose higher into the air. A red casting of energy surrounded his frame like a shield of light. The spectra was similar to what Ghirahim had casted around himself. My dread grew when I realized what was happening.

"Dear goddesses," I whispered, "he's going to use his body as a barrier."

Almost at the beckoning of my voice, Elbourne's closed eyes suddenly opened, and his now green irises shined with a powerful iridescence. His new dark brown hair illuminated with a yellow light. His clothes went from white with his black dragon crest cote of arms, to platinum black with a red prodigy seal of the demon lord on the back of the cape. After the brief modification, the dragon prince once again closed his eyes. When the transformation was complete, he opened them once more and eerily had the same expression on his face as Ghirahim. I backed up a couple steps, as he was right in my sights.

"Zelda!" Link called to me.

I didn't want him to worry.

"I'm okay!" I called back. "Focus on Ghirahim!"

My words were probably falling on deaf ears, especially as I heard Link's footsteps hurry towards me and in front of me.

"Are you alright?" he asked anyway.

I nodded.

"I'm fine," I reassured, "he hasn't engaged me yet."

My reassurances were short lived as the new Elbourne stretched out one of his arms and summoned, as it were, his adamantine axe. Link and I had to duck quickly, as it came to him by means of telekinesis. The blade could have removed our heads. Afterwards, the dragon prince got in his battle stance. My heart sank in pure disbelief.

"No," I whispered.

Link glanced over at me and shook his head.

"I'm sorry Zelda," he said. "It's either him or us, and I am not going to let him kill you."

Link's words had merit. I could not argue them. However, I wish I could reach the dragon prince somehow.

Elbourne…Elbourne please fight. Don't give in. That bastard is going to use you as a pawn… a bait and switch… please fight this…

Hylia stood her ground in front of Ghirahim. She apparently read my thoughts in that moment.

"We were warned it might come to this Zelda," she said suddenly, then directed her attention to the hero. "If you have to kill him Master Link, kill him! We cannot allow Demise to return! The land will become engulfed in darkness!"

I looked down for a moment and felt myself getting emotional, but I blinked the tears away and stood in my battle stance.

"I understand," I replied.

Ghirahim, deciding to instigate, shook his head.

"You are the so called arbiters of peace, so willing to let your friend die," he mocked. "This is the callous blood that runs through your veins, and yet you have the nerve to denigrate my master Demise? Demise at least let you know he lived for bloodshed. You… you pretend to be a defender of light and at the first instance, you cower to betrayal of your childhood friend. The goddess wants you to murder the man who once comforted you when your parents died. Elbourne loved you, believed in you, you are everything I expected from a Hylian queen… but what can you expect when all Hylians are liars."

I couldn't lie, his words stung, but he was doing to me what he had just done to Link. He was trying to elicit some sort of psychological control. This monster was vicious in the truest sense of the word. However, beyond his words, something more nefarious was going on. He kept repeating that phrase 'all Hylians are liars.' What was I missing? What was he trying to convey? What other trickery was at play here?

What the hell is he trying to do?

Even so, there was no time for inquiries. At his beckoning, Ghirahim snapped his fingers once again and Elbourne lunged in an attack. The battle unfortunately had begun.

~SSS~

Dragon Roost Impasse, Rowen

That gust of miasmal wind sent my dragon Solaris into a tailspin. Fortunately, I was able to recoup him and rein him in before we crashed into the mountains below. I whistled a series of commands and took to flight, allowing Solaris to guide me naturally. This unfortunately left me far and away from my comrades on the ground. I looked down and saw the clearing leave a figure sitting on a horse. From my vantage point, that looked to be a nobleman of Roostian blood. That silver blonde hair was unmistakable. I turned about the sky and flew back down closer to the impasse. As I drew in closer, I couldn't believe my eyes. There, sitting atop a black horse was my nephew Elbourne, and in his capture was my brother Xavier.

The scene was beyond shocking. What in the world was going on here? How was this possible? Elbourne did not study the arts of magic. He was a dragon master like the rest of his kin. I flew in a little closer, only for the enigmatic prince to look up my way. That was when I noticed the darkness in his eyes. Whoever this creature was, he was not my nephew, but had taken on his visage. However, the man in the creature's capture was indeed my brother, and that blade etched at his neck made this a very volatile situation. Even so, I wanted my brother to know I was here.

"Xavier, up here!" I called to him.

My brother attempted to look up, but the rider gripped him tighter, cleaving the blade to his throat. I was about to dive bomb him, but when I saw he drew blood I stopped.

"I wouldn't," the rider warned. "I will cut the king's throat if you come any closer your highness!"

My frustration mounted. Negotiations were my strong suit, but how was I going to get my brother out of this predicament? Why was this imposter taking on the form of my nephew? Where was Elbourne in all of this? Though they had merit, I had to leave the questions to the wayside. I had to focus on how to retrieve the king. I couldn't sit in midflight and watch my brother be assassinated in cold blood. Was this the creature Ghirahim doing all this? Was he attempting to trick us somehow?

"Bloodshed is the last thing either of us want," I began. "What grievance do you have with the king of the dragon masters?"

The creature looked up at me, as well as some of the cavalry on the ground. General Gunter looked relieved at my procession, but he knew as well as I, that this was a dangerous situation.

"No grievance at all, my lord," the apparition spoke, "being that I am one.

This nonsense was not going to foil with me.

"Your theatrics are poor and tasteless," I replied. "You are not the prince of dragons. I know my own blood."

The rider grunted.

"Do you?"

This was becoming redundant.

"I promise you this," I warned, "if hair or hide is damaged on the king, you will not live to speak about it beyond this battle field. You are declaring war on one of the mightiest nations in Hyrule. I would tread softly with your next set of words."

The rider did not flinch.

"Muscular words for the muscular theatrics of a hyper ambitious kingdom," he replied.

Before I could answer, Gunter down below spoke up as well.

"You have no reason to engage in such fanaticism," he said. "Let the king go and let's speak like real men."

I appreciated the interjection, but something told me our words were for naught.

"Real men?" the rider repeated. "You want to speak like real men?"

His words were almost like a taunt. Solaris growled involuntarily, giving me the impression he sensed something we did not. It was then Xavier finally spoke up.

"Kill this creature!" he called out. "If you have to kill me too, then do it! This monster cannot be tolerated to live! He will destroy the world!"

I stared at my brother stunned, as did the cavalry, but nothing could prepare us for what happened next.

"You shouldn't have said that," the rider whispered in Xavier's ear.

Then, without whim or warning, he sliced the blade across the king's throat, cutting through all three layers of flesh. Blood sprayed into the air from the wound. Xavier's eyes widened and he quickly clutched his neck in shock. Blood splattered onto the face of the false dragon prince. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing.

"Nooooooo!" I screamed. "Xavier!"

Staring up at me, the rider mercilessly tossed the severely wounded king off his horse onto the ground below. The thud was sickening. I stared on astonished. I was too dumbstruck to absorb what I just bore witness to. Did this radical impostor really just murder the King of Dragon Roost in cold blood? Did he really just kill my brother in front of me?

I stared back at him in complete disbelief.

"You bastard!" I shouted. "You bastard! You bastard! You bastard! You bastard! You will die for this!"

The rider said nothing, but licked the blood of Xavier off his lips.

"Fitting words," he taunted, "if you want revenge for your brother, come and get it! Come one and all! I live to see your kind destroyed! A new age of darkness is at hand! You filthy squalors! You filthy light dwellers! The bastardization of Hyrule is nigh, because all, not some, all Hylians are liars. All of them!"

I was too blinded in fury to care about anything he was saying. That son of a bitch just slit my brother's throat. He just murdered the king of my kingdom. He was going to pay. He was going to pay dearly. Although, on the ground general Gunter was looking at the situation with far more caution. Something in what the rider said had meaning. Something in what the rider said had an encryption. It wasn't just an arbitrary statement.

"It seems we have a student of history within our midst men," the general said adding to the mystery.

I didn't understand myself, but I didn't care.

"I will defend you from the air Gunter!" I called to the general.

The general nodded.

"Very well," he replied, then snapped his fingers and readied his men. "Be prepared, this will be your resting ground." He then unsheathed his sword. "Men of Hyrule attack!"

At Gunter's call I aimed Solaris down towards the impasse right at the rider.

I will avenge you Xavier, whether all Hylians are liars or not…, whether all Hylians are liars or not…

~SSS~

Back on Hyrule Field, Midna

I was still reeling from the shock of what was being presented in front of me. I was livid. This was going to have far greater implications than what was being presented here. The Hylians might start thinking that me and my people were somehow involved in this coup. This was not a one dimensional issue. However, I knew now wasn't the time for such penetrance. I had to utilize my powers to help in the here and now.

From what I garnered from General Maximillion, he wasn't just an 'all in' soldier without a plan. However, battle informatics and the usual rules of engagement were not purveyors of reason right now. This enemy was playing by a different set of rules. How were we to take down this apparition of sorts without knowing who they truly were? This was not the dragon prince, so why the pretense? What was the true meaning behind this visage? My inquiries would stay unanswered in the interim.

"This will probably get ugly my lady," the general warned as he unsheathed his sword. "You might want to make your way to the rear where it's safer."

I understood his sentiment completely, but disagreed.

"I'm sure it will, but I have no intention of doing that. I'm going to help defend right here."

Maximillion glanced my way with a hint of unease.

"Are you sure that's your position good queen?"

I nodded.

"I am sure," I replied. "If your men are willing to risk their lives, so am I."

The general paused, possibly hoping I'd reconsider, but, soon conceded when the aerial fighters became more prominent. He saw that my decision was final.

"Very well," he replied. "Please know that it will not be held against you if you stand down. I promise we will do everything in our power to keep you safe."

I nodded again.

"I know you will and I appreciate that," I replied. "I will do the same for you as well."

The general didn't reply right away at my answer, knowing a queen dying in his company would mean greater implications than I was surmising. Even so, I wanted him to have as much confidence in me as possible. He then turned his attention to his men.

"This imitator is not a member of the Dragon Roost royal family!" he shouted. "You are to engage him with full aggression! His life is not to be spared, as he in turn would show you no mercy! Remember men, it is as the great king of old, King Link said when he fought a similar enemy: we fight, we live, we die for Hyrule! We fight, we live, we die for Hyrule! Say it with me! We fight, we live, we die for Hyrule!"

The battle cry sounded out.

"We fight, we live, we die for Hyrule! We fight, we live, we die for Hyrule! We fight, we live, we die for Hyrule!"

The chant was like electricity going through the brigade.

"Ready men?!" Maximillion shouted.

"Ready!" they shouted in unison.

Maximillion unsheathed his sword.

"Attack!"

There was an epic war cry and the cavalry began to charge. The scuttling of horses hooves did not negate the fortitude of this enemy. In fact, the imposter seemed to relish in it.

"Give me all of your strength Hyrule and queen of twilight! You will find among your desecrated graves that all Hylians are liars! You can have your faith in them if you wish, but remember that all Hylians are liars!"

I was taken aback at the saying, something definitive was being laid bare here, but I could not deduce it. Even still, I did not let his words dissuade me.

I have news for you, you wretched vagabond! I am no Hylian and you will find no lies within me! I am a queen of twilight!

"Do your worst!" I shouted back.

With that, I charged forward with Maximillion's men. If there was to be a battle cry, I was going to relish in it. The general charged forward with his sword.

"Attack! Attack!" he shouted.

And so the conflict began.

~SSS~

Hyrule Castle the Underground City, Shad

I stood still behind Zelvious, pulling Lydia toward me to cover her if necessary. She was not able to scuttle aware before this apparition appeared. I should have been more thoughtful before involving in in this situation. Even so, she was a level headed woman and I saw no need to be concerned at this moment. Though, the moment begged for more pondering. Was this creature Ghirahim? Why the visage of the dragon prince? What did any of this really mean? Was the queen safe?

There would be no answers to my questions, as Zelvious unsheathed his sword and got into his battle stance. In that same moment, the counterfeit dragon prince readied himself as well with his two shadow beasts. Admittedly, my pulse danced, as I did not want to be a distraction from the general or his men as he fought. I thought to share my concerns with Lydia.

"When I give you the signal, I want you to run," I whispered.

Lydia stared at me surprised.

"Do you think that's a wise course of action?" she asked. "What if I inadvertently divert his attention?"

I saw no other alternatives.

"It's either that, or we both end up getting in Zelvious's way," I replied. "I do not want to get in the way of the general."

She understood my reasoning, but still thought it flawed.

"I see your point, but when should I take flight?" she asked.

Good question…

I remained calm.

"As I stated before, wait for my cue," I whispered.

Lydia wasn't as sure but she was mindful anyway.

"Alright."

In front of us, Zelvious was in his battle stance with his two rear guards. The men all appeared focused.

"You are in the catacombs of her majesty's castle," the general said. "State your business here."

The counterfeit narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I am merely a messenger for greater things to come," he said.

Zelvious gave an offhanded look.

"Greater things to come?" he repeated. "What greater things?"

The apparition had no qualms.

"The time of Hylians will soon come to an end," he said. "Your reign of tyranny will be over."

Zelvious didn't flinch.

"If I didn't know better, that sounded like a threat."

The imposter shook his head.

"There are no threats here general," he stated, "only promises."

Zelvious was not swayed.

"I find that funny that you wish to fight me with no blade," he replied. "Do you have a death wish?"

The apparition laughed and took off his cape. The fabric then disappeared into thin air.

"Ah yes, the great Zelvious of Hyrule," he mocked. "One of the Three Riders, Protector of the Queen, friend of King Daphnes II, and.., failure to protect the throne."

The tension mounted in the room after that. Zelvious merely narrowed his eyes and said nothing. The mentioning of king Daphnes was deliberate.

"Touched a nerve did I?" the apparition asked. "Is it a lie that you watched as King Daphnes, your friend, was shot and killed in battle?"

My eyes widened slightly.

Dear goddesses, he's trying to provoke the general…

Unfortunately, that did get under Zelvious's skin.

"You will pay for such words you foul creature of the underworld," he warned. "Ready your weapon so a man of Hyrule can show you how a fight is won."

The apparition laughed and it sounded all around us.

"Very well, I've been itching for a good fight," he said. "You Hylians don't offer much if it isn't a hero saving you."

Zelvious did not flinch.

"Your words are bold," he said, "but remember this: the man you are coming up against is Zelvious, Blacknight of the Hyrulean army, Third Rider of Hyrule. I trust you know who you face, if you are not worthy of fighting me, you are only wasting my time."

The robust words of the general landed a confidence that was worthy of respect. Zelvious was generally a humble man, but when there was a need for boasting, such words garnered courage… and there was a definite need for courage in this moment. Lydia stared at the general surprised.

"It's no wonder his men respect him," she whispered, "including my Ivan."

I had no argument there.

"It's no wonder indeed," I whispered back.

The apparition smiled.

"You are the kind of fighter I like," he said. "Make sure you back up your words, I would hate to find out you are a liar, as all Hylians are liars."

My senses were alert, but something in what was said prompted Zelvious more.

"What did you say?" the general asked.

The apparition's smile widened.

"I said all Hylians are liars," he repeated.

Zelvious narrowed his eyes.

"That's what I thought you said."

The apparition then made a sword of energy appear.

"Ready whenever you are," he said then initiated his battle stance.

With that, Zelvious lunged at him and no more questions were asked. Let the boasting fly.


Thanks for reading. The next chapter will be up soon.