Chapter 8: The Fate of Hylia
The war waged on. Link was cast aside by his people; they scorned him as a traitor and imprisoned him under false pretenses. They foolishly thought that their sheer numbers would be enough to stop Demise and his army. Link was placed in the dungeon and left there. The warden punished and tortured him as often as he liked. Each day, he slashed at Link's body until he was covered in blood. Lord Dagianis continued to lead his troops into battle after battle, most of the soldiers did not return. The land was filled with fear and ravaged by the scars of battle. Demise was growing more pleased as the war continued.
Hylia oversaw the preparations of the new recruits; farmers and villagers were drafted to train as knights due to the dwindling numbers. Hylia grieved for the deaths of her children and blessed her new soldiers as she watched them. She sent them good wishes and good fortune, praying to spare them from Demise.
Hylia smiled upon her children and excused herself to retreat to the stables. She lovingly stroked her prized steeds. They whinnied and huffed in pleasure at the touch of the goddess. Her heart stopped in fear; she sensed the evil presence manifesting itself ten miles south of the stables. She focused her power and tuned into the conversation with perfect clarity, as if she were present.
"I have done what you asked." Lord Dagianis said. "What now of my great reward? Make me the ruler of this land." He demanded. The evil fully manifested and showed his true face. It was the Demon King, Demise, himself. Hylia gasped in shock and listened further.
"Is that really what you desire? You humans are so pathetic. You never dream bigger than your own selfish means. You betrayed your goddess so that you could merely rule over the filthy humans." Demise laughed in his face.
"Without me, without my knowledge, you never would have been able to overcome the goddess so easily. Without me…" Lord Dagianis gripped his neck as he struggled for air. Demise choked him and held him in the air.
"You still don't get it do you? All you humans are alike. You're all spineless, selfish worms. Know this, all of you are disposable to me. And once I've destroyed this land, your filthy kind will be next." Demise's grasp tightened until Lord Dagianis gasped his final breath and collapsed in the hands of the demon king.
Hylia was shocked at what she had witnessed. She rattled her brain; desperately longing for a new way to confront Demise and stop him. A soldier had found his way to her and asked if she was alright.
"Free Link at once. We will need his strength for battle."
"But…my goddess. He has betrayed you and our land." The soldier debated.
"No my child. He was imprisoned under false pretenses. He must be released. And I must seek the help of the gods."
Link breathed slowly, in and out, in and out. His breath as silent as the shadows, he leaned against the wall. His chains rattled against the floor as he stood in the dungeon. His bare feet stung and ached and he could hardly feel his arms as they hung against the wall. His head was lowered and his eyes closed; the crack of the whip against his body still burned. His tattered clothes tickled his skin in some places and others just hung there. Link prayed over and over for the goddess to spare him this pain; he couldn't bear it for a moment longer.
Reprieve finally came. Four soldiers and a blacksmith's apprentice came into the dungeon and stood before him. "Link the hero. The man who framed you has been killed by the demon king." Link lifted his head and glared at them. "The army will soon be upon us. We are asking for your help Link."
Link swallowed and inhaled deeply. "It was you, my own people, who imprisoned me here. You've beaten my body and now that it is convenient for you, you want me to fight. What's more my sword is broken. I can't fight even if I wanted to."
"Our misunderstanding has been resolved. Lord Dagianis was the one who betrayed us; we know that now. You are the only one who can protect Hylia and drive off the Demon King." The two soldiers on the flank pulled their keys from their pockets and unlocked Link's chains. Link sighed with relief as the blood flow in his arms restarted. Another soldier pulled a jar out from under his cloak that contained a fairy. He used the magic to heal Link's wounds and refresh his spirit. The third soldier gave Link a new cloak and armor.
The blacksmith's apprentice kneeled before Link and offered him the sword he carried. "Your weapon. Orville has tended to it while you were imprisoned. It is my honor to present it to you now." Link took the sword from the apprentice. The hilt grew warm in his hands; it whispered to him, "Welcome back my hero". Link inhaled deeply and smiled as his strength reentered every cell in his body.
Link and the soldiers left the dungeon tower and Link walked into the sunlight for the first time since his imprisonment. Link looked over the edge of the tower at the army below. The Hylians cheered at the sight of Link and for the joy of his return.
"The hero has returned!"
"Praise Hylia!"
Link looked at the faces of his people. Before, they all saw him as a traitor and wanted him put away for life. And now, now, they want him to return and do only what he is able to; destroy Demise once and for all.
"My dear Hylia." Link said to himself. "Though people's hearts change in time, your beauty, pride, and purity remain." Link closed his eyes and said, "As long as you have need of me, I will forever defend you."
Link oversaw the battle preparations; Hylia was nowhere to be found and the head of the knights appointed him to lead in her place. Link began with the archers; he ensured their bows functioned properly and their quivers were filled with arrows.
"Let us battle together once more." Link said. The wind picked up and a shadow blocked the sun for a moment.
"What is that?" An archer asked.
"A demon bird!" Another cried.
"Fire arrows!" The Captain of the Guard ordered. The archers raised their bows and fired arrows toward the massive bird. It squealed an awful sound and swooped over the archers. Some of them lost their balance and fell to the castle floor. Link darted to the edge and looked up at the bird. He gasped as he saw familiar blonde hair and a radiance shining in the sunlight.
"Wait!" Link cried out. "Hold your fire, there's someone on it!" The arrows stopped and the bird landed. Hylia smiled at her people as she dismounted the magnificent creature. Hylia lovingly patted the bird's neck.
"This is a Loftwing, a bird of the Gods."
"Goddess?" Link asked in surprise.
"It's Hylia's Guardian."
"Hmph." The Loftwing spoke. "This is a waste of time Hylia. They are so fearful they cannot tell gods from demons! That is how useless humans are. The one I seek, someone able to fight alongside me. Someone worthy to be my rider will not be found here." The Loftwing spread it's mighty wings and prepared to take off.
"Wait!" Link said. "Useless? You think us useless? If souls to fight alongside you are what you seek, we are here. We will defeat Demise."
"Oh? Who might you be?" The Loftwing asked.
"Link, a knight of the land of Hylia. In the eyes of a God, humans may seem small and useless but there are those among us who have the courage to fight. There are those that are willing to lay their lives on the line for their home and Goddess."
"If this is so, then show me how much a human is worth." The loftwing stretched his wings and took flight into the sky. Link watched in amazement and awe at the sight of that beautiful bird flying away.
"The Demon King will soon raze the surface world with the fires of destruction. I cannot stand aside while my land and people fall to ruin." Hylia said. The people turned their attention to her. "My people, you can escape to the sky. The loftwing will show you the way."
"The sky?" The captain asked. "But the loftwing has already left us."
Hylia revealed to them the sacred blade she held in her hands. She lifted it to her face and gazed upon its marvelous glory. "This my beloved people, this blade is the Master Sword. A blade that repels evil; it will sunder the earth and act as a pillar to support the land as it floats up to the sky." She looked to Link. "It was created by the gods, meant for our use alone and yet, in order to exert its power on the surface, it must be reforged by human hands. Not just anyone is capable of wielding this great power."
Hylia walked to Link and held the sword before him. Link hesitated for a moment. "Goddess, I was imprisoned and my honor was tarnished by deceit. I couldn't possibly lay hands on this sacred sword." Link bowed his head in shame, refusing to gaze further into the eyes of the Goddess. Hylia watched him with great sorrow for his suffering and she spoke.
"Link," she began, "This sacred blade knows whether or not you are tarnished. Tell me something, do you intend to take revenge on the kingdom that held you in contempt? Or will you save it from certain doom?" She asked.
Link smirked. "Regardless of whether you are gods or humans, all of you seek my answer and my help. You use me whenever it suits you." Link reached for the sword in Hylia's hands. "But right now," he pulled the sword from its sheath and raised it skyward, "it goes without saying; my spirit will always stand with my friends!" He pointed the sword toward the soldiers. "Stoke the fires! With the Goddess's strength, we shall take to the skies!" The soldiers cheered and followed Link onward into battle once more.
The Master Sword was broken by the hero, melted down in the scaring flames, beaten, and reborn from suffering. With this enchanted sword created to banish the darkness, Link and the army of the Goddess stood a greater chance of sealing away Demise. Meanwhile, the goddess was desperately trying to hold back Demise's advances. "This time," he purred evilly, "I will rule everything…once the legacy of the gods is mine!"
Wicked desire assaulted the world's surface e, staining it the color of obsidian. The mountains, the plains, and all that flowed pure on the earth were ruthlessly scoured by fire. The people of the surface world feared the carnage and prayed for their lives. "It's the end of the world!" They cried over and over again. Women fled with their children; those men who were courageous of heart stayed to fight in Hylia's army while those who were faint of heart fled with their families. "It's the end of the world!" They cried, "Oh Goddess, will you not come to our aid?"
"Someone will surely save us, the Gods will not forsake us."
Link scoffed at them. "Your prayers from afar will do you no good against these demonic beasts. You must remain vigilant yet steadfast. Only those who are willing to fight for our homeland are the ones who will survive."
Over the course of seven days and seven nights, the goddess's army fought valiantly against the army of the Demon King. Vast numbers of humans were slaughtered. But, few though they were, the courageous people continued to fight, their resolve unwavering. While the men fought bravely fought against the hideous monstrosities, it was Link alone who went to face the Demon King.
At the sight of him, The Demon King sneered at him. Link stopped before the great beast and prepared to fight. "What's wrong coward? You are nothing without your gods. Cast off your armor and kneel before me. I may grant you the honoring of serving with us if you do. Or would you rather these claws rend you asunder?!"
Link sneered in return. "I'm not afraid to die. But…before I do…" Link wielded the sword of evil's bane, "I WILL DEFEAT YOU!"
Link charged the demon king with all his might, slashing into every part he could reach. Demise was wounded in the legs but his brute strength could not be defeated so easily. He brought his fist down upon Link several times, knocking him to the ground over and over again. Each time, Link came back up with more determination. With one more giant swing, Demise crashed his fist into Link and sent him flying through the air. When Link landed, he lay there trying to catch his breath. His strength was quickly depleting, he knew not how much longer he could go on.
"My hometown," he whispered, "the beautiful air, the mountains, the rivers…reduced to this." Will this be the last thing I ever see?" Link shed a single tear for his home. Link closed his eyes for a brief moment and when he opened them again, the Loftwing had landed before him. "The…the Loftwing?"
"Climb atop my back, quickly." It instructed.
"Does this mean you'll take me as your rider?" Link asked bewildered.
"I have kept a close eye on your battle. Your tenacity has impressed me thus far and in my eyes, you have proven your worth as my rider. We shall fight together, for eternity." The Loftwing proclaimed.
The Loftwing took to the skies; the view was breathtaking. Link could see all of the soldiers and the monsters that fought so relentlessly. The wind whipped through Link's hair and he felt the power off the Loftwing and the call of the open sky. "Loftwing, will you show our people to the skies? I ask for your guidance."
"Yes. As long as you will fly with me henceforth." The Loftwing agreed.
"Yes. I swear it." At that moment, as though offering a blessing, three dragons appeared and circled the two. These dragons, Lanayru, Faron, and Eldin, watched as the symbol of the Triforce engraved itself upon the blade of Link's sword. "This symbol…what?"
"The legacy of the gods dwells within the Master Sword. Present thy sword before the Goddess, Hero." Faron said.
Link located Hylia, surrounded by the castle. The Loftwing landed and took flight once more. Link handed off the sword to Hylia and stood back.
"My country, my beloved people of Hylia…my humans…" Hylia said as she gazed upon the hilt. "Live on and bear descendants. Where the hands of the wicked cannot reach you, beyond the great sea of clouds, at the highest limits of the sky. And there, guard the legacy of the gods, the Triforce, from the wicked." With a single swing of the sword, the goddess Hylia rent the earth. With a mighty groan, the earth shook and quivered and peeled away.
"We're taking to the sky!" The Hylian's screamed.
"Everyone, quickly, gather at the castle." The only Hylian that was not with the others, was Link the hero. One loyal soldier called down to him as they lifted into the sky, "If you tarry, you'll be left behind! Hurry Link!"
The Master Sword appeared under the piece of earth, creating a beam of light. "Link, the sword! Take it!" They cried. Link grabbed the hilt of the sword and raised it skyward. Link took a deep breath and readied the sword. With a mighty grunt, he drove the sword into the earth below and the beam of light surrounded him and the piece of land formerly known as Hylia. "Long live the beautiful land of Hylia!"
Link released the Master Sword and it floated into the sky after the goddess's people. Link gazed longingly after it. The Master Sword had become a pillar between heaven and earth, guided by the loftwing it rises to the heavens. Link felt the extent of his injuries and slowly sank to the ground. The apprentice panicked as he looked out over the edge. "Link! Jump into the light please….what are you doing? Hurry!"
Link's eyes filled with great pain. Link's side had begun to bleed again, Link's knees gave out to the pain and he knelt to the ground. Link scooted himself against a nearby rock. Link lifted his eyes to the skies where he watched his people float away. Link prayed. "May you thrive my comrades. I pray for your happiness with all my heart. In truth, I wanted to take to the skies with you…but my body is heavy. It feels as though I'm stuck to the ground. I can't move." Link struck the ground with his fist. "Curses."
Link was growing more weary, he could feel himself slipping away. "Loftwing…I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise. But crimson bird, I hope that you can somehow grant my final wish. Ah…it doesn't hurt anymore." Link smiled peacefully. "My spirit will always be with you." Link closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, Hylia and Demise continued to battle on. Demise roared enraged and frustrated. Hylia held him in place and she was ready to seal him away. Demise growled ferociously. "Where have you hidden the Triforce?!"
"They have gone to a place which you will never reach. A sacred place that evil will never violate. There to be protected by my devoted people." Hylia responded.
"They rest in the hands of humans?!" Demise roared in anger once more. "Curse you goddess." Hylia unleashed her full powers and created the seal for Demise that would keep him from coming back to wreak more havoc on the land. "Do not think this ends here." Demise threatened. "That absolute power will be mine. And when that day comes, the demon tribe will rule over the world as kings!" Demise at long last disappeared and was sealed away in a form that left him powerless; the form of a beast.
Hylia descended down from the heavens once more and her heart broke at the sight she came upon. She found Link, leaning against the rubble. Hylia shed a single tear from her eye as she took Link's body into her arms. "Link…" she cried out. "Your imprisonment was willed by the heavens. It was meant to make you strong. Like a sword hammered and honed so that it would never break. It was necessary to transform you into one fit to wield the master sword. The sword was tempered by your spirit. You woke it, and will serve as its master for all eternity."
This is because you deeply love the land of Hylia and all of its people as do I. I will ensure that your gentle, heroic spirit will live on eternally. And I shall shed my divinity. The next time we meet, I wish to stand before you as a simple human."
The sword floated down to Hylia once more and appeared before her as a great spirit. "What is your wish for me my Goddess?" The spirit asked.
"Fi my dear, you will guide my chosen one when the seal grows weakest. You will guide him on the path that I have laid out before him so that he and my descendant will defeat Demise once and for all." Hylia laid Link down on the ground once more and went to the spirit. She gently placed her hands on either side of Fi's face and kissed her forehead. "I have blessed you with knowledge. Cherish these words and speak them only to the Master that is worthy of you. One who has courage, wisdom, and power deep within himself; my chosen hero." Hylia instructed. Hylia took one last glance at Link and said, "Whenever the land of Hylia is in danger, we shall be reborn." And Hylia's memories faded into the eternal slumber where Zelda could no longer see them.