"Zant." The robed man lowered his arms, quietly standing in front of the four beings behind him. He chuckled as he turned face, his mask hiding his smile. An odd grouping he was faced with, two Loruleans, a Labrynnian, and a Zora. Three of them royalty. United to stop him from destroying their rebellion once and for all. It was cute, if not pathetic, that they thought they could win.

"Well, well, well, the Loruleans return, this time with help. Zora, you're a long way from home."

"The name is Princess Oren. The-"

"Sage of Water," Zant interrupted. "Yes, I know who you are. The only one who rebelled to not to fall by my blade. There was… Rauru… Nabooru… Darunia, Saria… Your sister, Ruto..," He glanced at Ravio, "and then there was Impa. All of the six. Impa was my favorite thus far."

Ravio drew out a weapon-a Sand Rod-and sent a sandstorm to Zant. The masked warrior was unprepared, and took the full force of the grainy wind. He fell down to a lower ledge, and rolled away from the mountain peak until he came to a complete stop. Ravio didn't hesitate to chase after him. "Do whatever it takes to stop the beast. I got Zant."

"Ravio." The boy turned to face the Prince of Labrynna, who sought to follow. "I'll go with you."

Ravio shook his head, and pointed to the girls. "Watch over them. Just in case…" Ravio looked to a worried Hilda, and then back to Ralph. "I don't make it back." Ravio didn't wait for Ralph to acknowledge him, turning away and leaping down to Zant's level. Sighing, Ralph walked back to the girls, facing the volcano.

"Well, let's get to it."

Oren nodded, and concentrated. "Time passes, people move... Like a river's flow, it never ends... A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth... Now listen to the Serenade of Water to reflect upon yourself." A blue, watery aura surrounded the Water Sage as she hummed a tune and she thrusted her hand out. Opening her eyes, she spoke to Hilda. "You're confused as to how you can be the Sage of Shadow."

Hilda nodded. "Yes… Did Impa do this? When?"

"Before she died. She must have knew she wouldn't make it...so she chose another. Now it is the time you must honor her sacrifice. Channel deep within yourself, and become the Sage of Shadows and listen. This is the melody that will draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time... Listen to this, the Nocturne of Shadow!" Oren hummed another tune, and looked at Hilda. She mimicked the Zora's motions correctly, pleasing the Water Sage. "Good. Now hum the Nocturne of Shadow, and awaken the power within."

Hilda did just that, and felt a power surge through her. She opened her eyes, and saw a dark aura around her. Oren nodded her approval. "Good. Now focus, and siphon the energy Zant gave the mountain. If we can draw it out, we can calm the giant." Both women concentrated, and slowly began drawing the dark magic of the Imperial out from the volcano's innards. But both could sense the amount in, and realized that not even the most powerful mage in the world could put so much energy at one given time. It would require many other practitioners, or something that can output an immense amount of power, like a powerful relic.

One like the Pendant of Power that Zant stole just a day ago.

Zant was still removing sand from his mask once Ravio made it to him. He looked at the Lorulean fiercely as he put his helmet back on. "I probably deserved that, but your fate is far worse than a sand shower."

Ravio ignored Zant's words, this time drawing his sword. "You are through, dark interloper. Your crimes against the world in the name of a faceless king is your doom. For what reason, I don't know… What do you get out of this?"

Zant chuckled, and began flipping and twisting his body as he spoke. "You call me an interloper? Still your tongue for a moment, whelp, and I will tell you of both the damnation and the oppression of ages. There is a people of our world, a tribe that desired Hyrule to be made anew, that were locked away in another world like insects in a cage. In the shadows they regress, so much so that they all knew anger and hatred, even the faintest bloom of revenge. And all of it was the fault of a useless, do-nothing royal family that had resigned itself to create their miserable half-existence! You know who those people are? True heroes. Those who sought to change the world, but the Harkinian lineage has done so much to paint their perfect picture of Hyrule. Ganon is one of those tribesmen. Ghirahim, Horsehead, and I are part of that tribe. Our king was part of it, but he, unlike Ganon, didn't mindlessly seek to exact revenge on the Harkinians from the dark. No, instead of fighting the royalty, he joined royalty. Now he seeks to save our world, and I, as a humble servant, will enact his wish. My king has only one wish… To merge shadow of Ganon and the light of Harkinian… and make darkness!"

Ravio had come to the conclusion that Zant, if you get pass his craziness, was mad. Like a mad dog, he had to be put down. Permanently. "You won't destroy us Zant, neither will your king. We beat you once, and we'll beat you again and again until we liberate the throne. I will have revenge for Lorule, if nothing else."

"Ha!" Zant fully revealed his face, and began to rise in the air. "You know, I thought my sister would give me this fight that 'would end in my doom,' but it is you instead. I say it is a fitting way to end this part of our lives, and now that you took my time to say it, you shall die." He rose into the air and was covered by the helmet again. "Your friends are too late to stop the beast, and after your death, Knight of Lorule, light and shadow shall merge!" Zant stretched his arms, and the scene flashed before Ravio's eyes, encasing him in a white light.

Zelda felt herself laying on something sharp and itchy as her unconscious state began to subside. She shot her torso up as her memory of Horsehead and Link washed over her, afraid that her friend was in trouble. However, she was present with a different scenery, one so familiar yet not so.

A garden. A castle garden.

For as far as she could see, north, south, east, and west, Zelda enjoyed a sight of freshly blooming flowers, fruit-bearing trees, and lowly-cut grasses. In front of her was a large fountain, a winged statue with a trio of triangles centered. Besides the presence of herself and the flora, there were no signs of life. There was no sun or moon, despite the glow that somehow managed to break through the mold of darkness. It was an ethereal light.

She stood up, and assessed herself, noticing the new light purple dress she wore on her body. It was adorned by a gold belt, a cloth hanging from the belt with many different symbol sewn into it, and gold shoulder guards, and to give her the identity of a royal, a golden tiara hung from her head. Moving forward, she noticed that light around her shift as well, and uncovered a large stone building, a castle. It looked old, ancient, but somehow standing. Unwavered, Zelda walked towards the huge brown doors, entering a dark, empty hall with many balconies and chandeliers above her. As she came into the room proper, a yellow glow can before her, leading her deeper into the castle.

"Youths chosen by the three, unite north and south, and return the light to the darkened land. Show the holy pendants the way to the timeless temple, an age old war you shall fight..."

Zelda stopped in her tracks, and looked around for who had spoken. "Hello?" After a moment of no answer, Zelda shrugged to herself, and continued walking, following the glow. She figured the voice was a figment of her imagination. She made her way through the building, losing the time as she surveyed the many hallways that the light led her through. She wanted to explore more, but her fear of getting lost overshadowed her lust for knowledge.

"A headless crown clatters against the ground. Love makes a secret, obvious yet not found. And birth it gave, and blood it will pay. Claim your throne, I say…"

Zelda paused again in the middle of a stairway in a tower, hearing the strange voice once again. She was sure it was real this time. However, her mind became engrossed in another subject as she looked around; a painting of some sort hung on the right wall. It was of a symbol anyone in Hyrule would recognize, that of the Triforce. Within each triangle was a very recognizable figure: In the lower left, a blond-haired boy with light skin and a green tunic holding the hilt of a blade; in the lower right, a blond girl in a purple dress how a bow with a lighted arrow strung; in the top triangle, a large, blue pig hovered over the form of a dark-skinned, redhead male wielding a golden trident. Zelda knew who the three represent, the Hero (aka Link), the Princess (aka her), and Ganon. However, Ganon was a pig, not man, so… What could this mean?

More paintings lined the hallway, but they told a story Zelda already knew: Her parents stopping Ganon three decades ago, her father finding the Triforce of Courage, the battles against Aghanim shortly after. There wasn't anything new.

Losing interest in the paintings, tired of all the walking she has done so far, Zelda braved the last few steps and found a door at the top. Opening it she found herself outside, with two staircases at her side. She took the right one, covering her face as wind lashed at her. As she walked up, she could see an interior room, where her light guide ended, and rushed towards it. Within was a huge hall, columns holding the high ceiling and many statues lining the lone. The largest of them all was at the room's end, where a bust of the Triforce stood high with three women surrounding it. Those three women had a crystal on their head that gave away their identities.

"Sing with me a song of wisdom and queens. The bell silenced, but with your light it shall ring. Within my aching heart dwells sadness and cries. Can the moon see Hyrule's demise?" Zelda looked down, and saw a beautiful woman sitting on a throne. She had long blue hair, a flowing blue dress and the fairest of all fair skins. She held a harp across her bosom, looking down upon Zelda with kind eyes. "Welcome to your castle."

Zelda looked up to the statue above the throne, correlating the blues of the woman with the blue crystal on one of the statue's heads. "So you're...Nayru."

Nayru nodded, and stood to her full height. Zelda, in respect, bowed as best she could within her dress, but the Goddess of Wisdom disregarded it as she walked down to the Princess' level. "I have longed to meet you once more, sister. Oh, I'm ahead of myself… Princess Zelda, I mean. It has been a hectic week for us gods, I'm afraid. Din and Farore have hailed their chosen, yet I had to wait for mine."

Zelda had many things flowing through her mind, but some had more priority than others. "You were singing that song?"

"Yes, I was, as had our-my sisters have before me. It was your mother's, actually. She encoded a vision she had in final days in song, but when your father left, and Vatis and Impa led her forces to defend the castle, she had no one to entrust it too. So she pleaded to us to give the next generation of heroes, whenever they came, the song. What we didn't expect was for it to happen so quickly… You, Link, and Ganondorf came so immediately."

Zelda frowned. "You didn't know what would happen?"

"As Farore told Link, we are not omnipotent. As your world experience things, we see it in tandem. We do not influence the events, not take part in its salvation directly. The curse of Hyrule happens on its own. When evil grows strong enough, it triggers the agents of light."

"Link and I."

"Yes. But for two reincarnations to be within a generation is very unheard of. It has not happened before. For a Hero and Princess to take on multiple trials, that's somewhat of a commonality. The Hero and Princess of Legend, for example… Fate is its own god." Nayru looked away sorrowfully. "I wish there was something I could do. You-as Hylia-you did what you had to do to save our land, but that wasn't enough."

Zelda put a hand on the goddess' shoulder, comforting the deity. "Tell me what I must do to save Hyrule then."

Nayru nodded. "Right. That's why you're here." The goddess turned towards the Triforce. "As I speak, something terrible has shaped your mother's plan."

"What has?"

"The demon himself." Zelda and Nayru turned, acknowledging the newcomers in the room.

The bright light lessened into hues of green and brown, causing Ravio to lower his arm and opened his eyes. As his sight focused, the Lorulean found himself in a circular room, its walls wood in nature as it is was a hollowed trunk. In front of him was a deep pool of some liquid, Ravio believing that it was a type of poison. Whatever this place was, Ravio wasn't alone. Zant, hovering high above the pool, had his mask off, smiling wickedly.

"You know, I remember the day Lorule fell. I was quite surprised we even found your world again… Does the Resistance know the truth about how Lorule was destroyed?"

"They know what is needed."

"So you kept the best parts to yourself? Or are you under orders from your princess? By the gods, you are a lapdog? Are you truly a coward to bow so low under the lies of a foolish royal?"

Ravio didn't appreciate Zant ridiculing Hilda. "I can ask the same of you. Where is your king?"

At this, Zant grinned. "Stay long enough, and you might meet him. However, I won't grant you such an opportunity." Zant's mask lowered, and immediately he began firing a volley of dark orbs at Ravio. The Lorule knight jumped out the way, his cowardice creeping up inside. He knew he should have never come alone. Ralph could fight Zant better than he could.

Even if Ravio could make time to aim a shot to take down Zant, how will he? The Imperial is constantly teleporting and shooting at the knight, and could easily take out a projectile. He would have to not see it coming. "He would not have to see it coming… Aha!" Rolling on the ground after Zant's latest missed shots, Ravio quickly took his boomerang out his pouch. When Zant reappeared, the knight intentionally threw it off to the left just a bit.

"Missed, boy."

"I don't think so." On cue, the boomerang struck Zant in the back, knocking him out the air and into the ground below. Stunned as to what happened, Zant picked himself up and rose back into the air. Ravio smiled as he pocketed the boomerang. "Didn't see that coming, did ya?"

"You think you're so smart. I'll show you." Zant gestured with his arms, and the area changed once more. Zant vanished as the picture became clear. Ravio found himself on a rocky, light-blue platform. It was flimsy, like a teeter-totter. The surroundings signified he was in a hot place, most likely a mine of sorts within a volcanic mountain. Kneeling slowly, Ravio felt the surface of the platform, getting a sense that it was some type of rock with magnetic properties. But for what reason could-The platform began to shake, cause Ravio to lose his balance but hold his position. He found Zant on the edge of the platform, crackling with hysteria. "Losing your balance, eh? That's unbecoming of a knight. It is also unbecoming of a knight to let his princess do what she did."

Ravio stood to his feet, regaining his balance. "What are you ranting about?"

Zant paused himself, making Ravio wonder what exactly he was thinking, how his face was contorted in response to his question. Without a word, Zant vanished, and quickly Ravio searched for something that was large and metallic enough to hold him down. He found such an item in a heavy pair of Iron Boots. Before he could equip them, Zant had returned, and began jumping up and down again. Ravio slammed the boots on the platform, holding on tight as he could until Zant vanished again and the platform settled. Ravio quickly stood up, able to slip in one foot into the boots before Zant returned. Ravio slipped his other foot into a boot as he flopped around like a fish. Zant disappeared once more, reappearing behind Ravio, jumping some more. Ravio balanced himself, somehow moving easier than he thought the boot would allow him. Zant, downed that Ravio had managed to keep his balance, and quite winded from jumping as hard as he could to topple the boy, transferred to another section of the platform and fired as many dark balls as his energy would allow. Ravio was unprepared, but Zant's tiredness cost him his aim, allowing Ravio to move as swiftly as he could. Leaping out the boots, Ravio twirled in the air and kicked Zant in his helmet. The Imperial fell off, but caught himself before he made contact with the lava pool below. Enraged, Zant lifted himself, looking down upon the Lorule knight pick himself. He waved his arms again, using his power to switch to another arena.

Ravio found himself in an underground chamber, mostly filled with water. The knight found himself struggling to stay above the surface, fishing for a special face mask that'll allow for underwater breathing. He had to thank Oren for it later.

Swimming underwater, Ravio could see his enemy at the bottom, standing in wait from the rebel to come on down. Equipping the Iron Boots again, Ravio sank to the bottom of the chamber, right in front of Zant. The usurper looked full of himself, despite being beaten twice now.

"I remember our invasion of Lorule like it was yesterday. I remember King Lorule's blood forming a river down my blade. I do remember Lorule being destroyed. But was it me? Did I have that power back then, only three years ago? I don't remember so…'

"You have that power now."

"But is now then, Sir Ravioli? You could accuse me in the present for something I've done in the past but it doesn't work the other way. The beast… Vah Rudania we call him… He wasn't ready until earlier this year. Calatia was our test with him at full power. But when we invaded your Lorule, tell me something… Did you sense a different power, maybe a divine power?"

Zant vanished before Ravio could get a whack at him, and the Lorulean knight swam in place as the ground under him began to quake. A large model of Zant's helmet began to rise from the ground. The mouthpiece opened, revealing Zant as he fired his dark orbs. Ravio swam around them, searching in his pouch for something to bring him-or Zant-closer to each other. Out came the hookshot, and once Ravio had a clear shot, he fired. Zant grunted at the pointed tip dug into his abdomen, and yanked him towards the knight. Ravio retrieved his sword, and slashed the Imperial's back. Blood diffused quickly as Zant vanished and reappeared above Ravio again, this time summoning a new area.

Back to the woody arena, this time inside a hollow tree. Totems were raised in a circle in the center of the room, with a central totem in the middle of the circle. Zant began hopping from one totem to another, Ravio chasing after him. He thought about climbing up on one as well, just to have equal footing, but the totems were not as sturdy as Ravio would think. Heck, they moved a bit as Zant hopped on each one, making the knight wonder how the Imperial kept his balance.

Zant paused on one totem, facing Ravio below. "'I see a pretty picture. One in which you fall dead, and my daughter and her knight stands tall.' That was King Yuga's last words, and it has been instilled into my dark heart. He was a connoisseur of the arts, I see. Most artists' not recognized when they're alive get recognized in death. But I wonder… Did His Majesty know how much of a bad painting his daughter was, or would he had realized it had he seen what she had done?"

"What did she do?"

"It perplexes me that you hadn't figured it out!" Zant fired another volley, Ravio running behind the center pole and towards Zant. He swayed the totem Zant stood on sway just a bit, and headed directly for it, slamming his body with as much force as he could. Zant stopped firing, trying to regain his balance until Ravio pushed the pole again, causing the former to fall on his head. Ravio hit another strike on Zant's back, leaving a bloody criss-cross.

Both combatants soon found themselves in an icy chamber. Zant, his back in pain, his anger heightened, used his power to grow exponentially as he rose in the air. "I'll crush you, you little ant!" Ravio watched as Zant made it to the highest point in the room, and came down. He barely dodged the crashing foot, but it was enough for Zant to land on a little surprise.

Boom!

Zant tended to his aching foot as he hopped around the room, growing smaller and smaller until he was shorter than Ravio. Using the hookshot, he yanked mini-Zant over and struck him across the chest. Zant bounced back barely vanishing before Ravio could get a potential finishing blow. Reappearing in the air as usual, Zant traced his hand on his wound, seeing his own blood for the first time. He looked down to Ravio, furious. "Let's go home."

Zant switched the scenery once more, but this time, it was a place Ravio knew immediately where he was. The dark castle, the broken land, the cloudy sky… It was an image painted into his head, as the last image of Lorule. Ravio looked around, wondering if he was really back or had Zant just produced this mirage. Whether or not it was real, it had the desired effect Zant probably wanted-Ravio was between anger and tears.

"Welcome home, Ravio, to the land your treasured princess destroyed."

Ravio turned to Zant, still holding his wound. "What did you say?"

"Princess Hilda… She caused this. She wished upon your Triforce, and this happened. I had just killed your king. Where was you?"

Ravio knew where he was. He was just outside the chamber the Triforce and Hilda was, defending it. It wasn't until he had made sure the last monster was dead that he had entered, only to find dear Hilda in a crying mess, the Triforce destroyed, and a portal that'll lead the pair to Hyrule forming. He could see from a window the destruction of Lorule, knights and villagers near the castle running for their lives, monsters fighting or chasing them down. He remembered this shot, the one around him, being the last one before Hilda dragged him through the portal.

Hilda couldn't...she wouldn't...it didn't make sense...

Next time Ravio knew, he was fighting Zant in sword combat, his mind totally juiced on killing the usurper. Either Zant had not anticipated such rage, or he was not interested in fighting back too much, it didn't matter to Ravio. His quickly disarmed the Imperial, and rained his sword upon him. Zant grunted after each strike, and sucked in breath as Ravio impaled him. Zant tried to keep his footing, but once the sword was removed, Zant knelt before Ravio, head bowed as the scenery changed.

"That bastard." A new voice echoed behind Zelda and Nayru, and both women turned to face another one, dressed in a tight red dress with flaming red hair, smooth brown skin, and angry red eyes. She was followed by a small girl with large green hair puffs, a green dress, and a large brown book. Her worried green pupils stared at the taller, heated woman.

Nayru nodded her head in reverence. "Din. Farore."

Din stepped up to Nayru, completely ignoring Zelda. "Hello, little sister. Can I ask you something? Is it not true that I am the most powerful deity in the realm?"

Nayru nodded. "As of a few millenniums ago, yes. You're the Goddess of Power, after all."

Din crossed her arms, and began pacing. "So remind me why I cannot go to Hyrule and blast that damn hog into the Dark Realm forever? Hell, the Twilight Realm would suffice." She turned away from her sister, finally noticing Zelda's presence. "Oh, Hylia. You're here. You can do this."

"Din," Nayru hissed. "You are interrupting my time with my herald."

"Right, so I'll make this quick: The only way to save the world is to save my champion. Your mother's vision explicitly states that. However, Demise's damn hatred got ahold of him, and ruined my plans."

Farore rolled her eyes. "You seem so sad, Din."

Din's eyes burned at her sister. "Hey! You and Hylia had that tunic-wearing hunk of a man for eight times now. The moment I get one that I get to chose, he isn't a power-crazed maniac and was actually helping Hyrule! But look at him now!"

Nayru pushed Zelda aside, speaking to her privately while the other goddess' bickered. "As I was saying, Ganon is manipulating Din's champion, but he is still within his seal. Ganondorf can access the Demon Lord's power, but isn't possessed by the evil one yet."

Zelda crossed her arms. "So...how will he escape?"

"I don't know, but if it is like last time, he's halfway there again. Your mother and father, Ganon's sealers, need to be incapacitated by any means. Mom was comatose, and Dad was under the threat of death. So, if the same applies, your mother is dead, but your father is alive. I suggest you keep him that way as long as possible. Until you obtain the Triforce, that is."

"What exactly is the Triforce?"

"That's a story within a story." Nayru looked up to the statue of the Triforce and began her verse, "According to the Hylian Scrolls, the mythical gods descended from a distant nebula to the world that was and created life. The God of Power dyed the mountains red with fire and created land. The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature. And the God of Courage, through justice and vigor, created life – the animals that crawl the land and the bids that soar in the sky. After the gods had finished their work, they left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but powerful portion of the essence of the gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide intelligent life on the world of Hyrule. Although it was an inanimate object, the Triforce had the power to bestow three titles which gave the person who received them great powers: 'The Forger of Strength,' 'The Keeper of Knowledge,' and 'The Juror of Courage.' In Hyrule, there are many Hylian buildings which are mentioned repeatedly in the legends. These buildings, which now lie in ruin, pale shadows of their former splendor, are closely tied to the Triforce. Some were said to house the Triforce itself… In a realm beyond sight, the sky shines gold, not blue. There, the Triforce's might makes mortal dreams come true.' To save Hyrule, to defeat the one on the dark throne and the Imperials, you must follow your mother's song. 'Show the holy pendants the way to the timeless temple,' and receive the Triforce. It is for you as the Master Sword is for Link. Do not let it split." Zelda nodded as she felt her form pull away from wherever she was, returning back to the dungeon.

Zant knelt before Ravio, the warrior enraged and confused by the battle and the words relayed to him. Was it true, or did Zant do it to anger Ravio. It had worked, and the Imperial kept talking and talking until he made it clear what he was saying.

Ravio turned back to the trio he left behind to drain the destructive machine of its power, focusing on one person in particular. Hilda told him that the Imperials destroyed Lorule, and she used the last of their Triforce's power to send them to Hyrule. Zant's story, probably fabricated, had some sense into it: How would the Imperials destroyed Lorule if they had just invaded the land? From Ravio's knowledge, only the castle was attacked.

Did Hilda destroy Lorule?

"Even now you question her." Ravio turned back to Zant, the general Wheezing through his mask. "You know that, in your heart, my words are undeniably true. You're not the bravest knight in the world, but you are far from dumb."

"Will you shut up?"

"Heh heh. I angered you. Most fitting, I guess…" Zant made a sudden move, stretching his arms out as he looked to the peak. "There he is! Vah Rudania!" Ravio need not turn behind him to know the beast had showed up. He could hear his panicking allies rush to sap its power, but even Ravio doubted them. There was too much power. They needed something just as powerful to match it, but they were with Link, Zelda, and… Zant.

"No, they could do it." Ravio sheathed his blade, and snatched the Pendant of Power from the Imperial's neck. "Ralph!" The Labrynnian prince turned just in time to see the pendant head his way, catching it. Immediately, the royal boy knew what to do, willing the pendant to absorb the power it had given. It did so accordingly, much faster than the sages ever could.

Zant realized what was happening. "NO! FIRE! FIRE!" The beast turned its head, opened its mouth, aimed, and fired.

The blast was too weak, striking the side of the pass, only enough to send a boulder or two from the point of impact. He had failed… Zant's eyes grow with worry as he looked back up to the beast, but immediately he began to laugh. Ravio frowned upon his fallen opponent's action.

"What's funny?"

"Lovers fight each other." As he finished, Zant suddenly turned his neck, and an audible snap echoed across the peak. The lifeless body of Zant Twilight fell backward, tumbling down the peak of Death Mountain.

As Ravio turned away and walked back to his friends, all he could think about what good riddance.

Ghirahim respectfully burst through the doors of the throne room, eyeing the two figures standing amidst a window. They seemed to be watching something from the distance, though Ghirahim didn't have time to question. He immediately bowed, and watched as the feet of the male figure turned towards him. "My Lord, the rebels are attacking our base, but we-"

"Zant is dead, Ghirahim. The beast failed. The pendants are with the Resistance... But we have not failed."

"Master?"

"Let them have it. It doesn't matter how they get there, as long as they get there. But as for us... I have a date with a contender. Prepare my mount. Retreat from Spectacle Rock."

"You sure? I could go in your stead."

"It is time the world sees the threat they stand against...and I wish to see the face of the Hero."

The king walked past Ghirahim, leaving the Demon Lord confused, but the queen grins amusingly. But after 18 years, his master will make himself known. That sent a enegertic shiver down the demon's spine, one that put a sadistic smile on his face.