Ganondorf unsheathed his massive broadsword and gave it a few lazy turns. Nothing about the display was random, he was showing the boy he was proficient with his weapon and that he found no threat in him whatsoever.
Link didn't care for the posturing; the man had seen him fight twice now so he knew what to expect. Link though, was fighting for more then just bragging rights on who was better, if he did not win he would either be dead or a slave and Hyrule would burn.
His normal approach would be to let Ganondorf make the first move, but he forewent the niceties and started with an attack that set the pace.
Blades moved in and out both working the angles. Neither gained the advantage, Ganondorf used his armoured bracer to deflect more then one strike that looked as though it might slide through his defences.
"Come now boy. I know you can do better than this." Ganondorf sneered, picking up the pace.
Link backflipped over the sweeping sword, only to be pushed back on his heels by the bigger man rushing forward and shoulder checking him. He went with the momentum to add a roll as well. A soon as his feet contacted the earth he sprung forward as quick as any pouncing cat. He sailed under Ganondorf's left arm, his sword slicing through the metal armour as if it were mere clothing, deep enough to leave a shallow cut.
The big man was fast, faster than he had any right to be. His sword flipped under his left arm and using both hands he thrust it back.
The sharp edge sliced through Link's left ear and across his temple. They broke apart to reset.
"Very good. First blood is yours, but mine might be a bit more serious." Ganondorf announced, still unconcerned. Link had to agree, he could feel the blood running down the left side of his face. "That is an impressive looking blade, but nothing more."
Link came back in, he ducked below one mighty swing, before deflecting the back swing with his shield. The force was enough to make his hand numb, though it allowed him a full swing of his own that bit into the mans armoured shoulder. Just as the sword came to a stop in flesh, Ganondorf twisted his body, simultaneously jerking the Master sword from Link's grip, and throwing a spinning elbow into the side of his head.
The sword clattered away across the stone plateau. Link lurched to the side, pain exploding behind his eyes. He had enough sense to put some distance between him and the threat.
Ganondorf tested his sword arm tentatively.
"Now you have annoyed me." He announced. "I will end this quickly and then I will lead my army to battle."
The master sword was a great weapon, but it wasn't Links only weapon. Ganondorf charged the seemingly unarmed Hero. Link pulled a small bomb flower from his pouch. He bolted as he let go of the bomb, and as it hit the stone Link leapt forward riding the shockwave into the dirt several feet away. He received several more lacerations and bruises for the trouble.
The big man took the brunt of the explosion though, he was sprawled over the rock, dazed.
Seeing his chance Link rushed forward and took up the master sword. Ganondorf was a bit slower getting to his feet.
"Nicely played." He sneered. "But again, you came out worse."
Link could not argue, he was hurt but Ganondorf was now injured, and Link had one more trick up his sleeve, or to be more precise in his pocket.
The little pink fairy that had traveled with him from the cave on the coast popped out of his tunic vibrating in anger. Her tiny voice sounded like bells as she danced around Link's head coating him in a fine dust that instantly healed his wounds and filled him with energy. She hummed in Ganondorf's face briefly before zooming off.
Things turned serious.
So fast did the combatants move any on lookers would be hard pressed to see where one started and the other ended. Sparks flew where their swords met, blood and sweat littered the ground.
The sun peered over the horizon, its light illuminating the land. The battle on the plains would be starting soon. The two sides could see each other but a nervous energy rippled through the Gerudo and Yiga ranks. Their King was nowhere to be found, nor was their General.
Their monster allies had moved into their positions under the cover of dark and were ready to attack, they all just waited for the order.
Zelda watched the lines from on top of her white mare, her keen eyes looking for any hint that the plan was compromised.
"Princess?"
She glanced over at Mipha.
"Any word on their whereabout?" Zelda asked.
"No. Ravali has yet to check in though."
"Alright. We can not rely on one warrior to win this war, we will strike. I pray Hylia shines on her Champion though."
Zelda kicked her mount to the front line. She eyed her soldiers with pride.
"Hyrule Warriors, keepers of all that is good and right. Now is the time to ride and defend our land from this dark scourge that threatens to envelope us! May the Goddess guild our way!"
A cheer rose up from the ranks before they surged forward, armoured hands pounded their shields with each step, making the very earth vibrate.
Their enemies responded in kind with a death chant as they prepared to meet the army head on.
The distant sound could be heard across the land, even reaching the two locked figures on the high plateau.
Link had to use two hands to keep the broadsword from lopping his head off. As a result he was powerless to stop the big man from landing several rib crushing blows. Link suddenly dropped letting the blade swing over his head before sweeping Ganondorf's legs.
The man landed hard on his back, Link sprung forward, using his full weight to plunge the Master sword into the man's chest.
Both gave a strangled breath. Link watched Ganondorf spit up a mouth full of blood. Not daring to move away the Hero carefully activated his medallion letting the ancient magic take both to its sister stone.
They materialized in the no man's land between the approaching armies.
Zelda pulled her mount up short of the scene.
The Gerudo commander, a tall, fierce woman did the same. The Yiga reluctantly followed.
Their eyes remained locked, but Link could see Ganondorf was slowly fading.
"Let us put an end to that which binds us together." He growled; more blood splattered his lips. "Finish it but know I will not let a small thing like death stop me from my goal."
Link put the last of his own strength behind the sword, with a wet sound it sunk deeper, but in doing so also pushed Ganondorf's broadsword deeper into his own stomach.
The Gerudo commander stiffened before looking around at her sisters.
The death of their king did not stop the army from pushing forward, but the fight had left their best warriors, the Gerudo. The only thing that kept them in the war had been Ganondorf, now that he was dead they were breaking off in large groups, retreating back to their own lands.
The monsters that were set to pinch of the Hyrulian army rushed to join the fight but they found themselves under attack from the air born formations of Rito fighters.
The final battle was short and bloody but soon a cheer rose up from the soldiers as the enemy turned tail and ran.
Link had removed himself from the blade that impaled him, and had even taken up the master sword again to fight off that first wave but now that the battle was done and the adrenaline was leaving his body he could not over look the fact that he was in a bad way.
Zelda's mare ran back to his position, the princess was off her mount so fast she stumbled and missed catching his falling form. Impa grabbed him a split second before he hit the ground.
"Link!" Zelda exclaimed, cradling his head in her lap. Her hands glowed with magic as she touched the wound. "Nooo! No, please." He had lost too much blood.
Impa, Ravali, Mipha, and Daruk gathered around them. Mipha even dropped to her knees to add her magic to the Princess' but her expression saddened almost at once.
Link could see the tears in the Princess' eyes but he could not help but smile up at her. He had done it. The mute, orphan who did not remember his past had took on the King of Thieves and won. He had beat the single most dangerous man of all Hyrule.
If he could have said anything, he would have told her it had been his honour to serve her, but he could not, so he made do with raising his hand to her cheek.
Her beautiful face faded into a white light and he found himself drifting off into a comfortable sleep.
"Sweet, dear Link, you have done well, rest, rest but know your journey is not yet over. I will call on you again, when Hyrule is in need of a Hero!" – Hylia