"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break."

~Ancient Chinese Proverb~

Ancient Roots

Chapter 6: Ghirahim

For far too long, I struggle to breathe.

At the sight of Link on one knee with a sword at his throat sends my mind spiralling, and my body immediately shuts down. The world falls away until all I can see is him, his eyes—Goddess above, they're so full of life—trained on me and are nothing but a storm of emotions. With Karane standing closer to the Demon Lord, I'm physically closer to Link out of the two of us, though we may as well be worlds apart.

You're alive, you're alive, you're alive.

But then my eyes fall to the blade hovering over his neck and reality hits me hard in the gut. He's here, but he's far from alright. There are a few cuts and scrapes on his arms, but apart from that he's physically fine. And yet, I know deep down that if I say all the wrong things in the next few moments, Link will pay the price for it.

Forcing my haywire brain to stutter back into life, I wet my lips and go to say something, but my throat's still seized up and no sound escapes me. I want to say something, for the love of the Goddess I do, though my body refuses to let me. All I can do is tighten my grip on the Goddess Sword and try not to look at Link any longer—if I do, I know I'll act brashly and make things worse.

I'm startled back into reality when the doors behind us unceremoniously slam shut. I force myself to keep my eyes on the situation before me rather than giving in to look at the closed doors, knowing where my attention needs to be right now. Meeting Ghirahim's triumphant gaze, I mentally add 'being locked in an enclosed space with an enemy who has Link at knifepoint' to the ever growing list of things that have gone wrong today and steel myself for what's to come.

"It seems that your little reunion has left you rather tongue tied," Ghirahim remarks with a smirk. When I don't say anything in response, he clucks his tongue. "Come now, Your Grace, do you truly have nothing to say?"

"Let him go," I snap, though it barely comes out as anything more than a croak. The Demon Lord rolls his eyes.

"I suppose that's a good enough start. But you've clearly forgotten the rules of our previous arrangement." He pushes the flat of his weapon against Link's chin and forces him to stand. The simple display of control over us is enough to make my heart pound harder. "We agreed that whoever found the Spirited One first could lay claim to him and, well, I believe I won fair and square."

"We agreed to nothing," I growl. "Now let him go."

"My, aren't we forgetful?" he coos, casually forgetting what I said first. "Firstly, you forget the rules of our game, and then you forget who holds the power here." The Demon Lord shifts his grip on weapon ever so slightly, and my heart skips a beat when Link fails to hold back a wince as the blade finally bites into his neck and draws blood. My eyes burn as I watch beads of blood drip down his neck.

"Stop it," I snap. But my voice betrays me and cracks when I add, "Please…"

His expression visibly brightens and my heart sinks; I answered wrong.

"You're still the same as ever, Your Grace," he says. "Always growing too affectionate for the people you send into the battlefield and sobbing when they come back in pain or dying." I narrow my eyes at him in confusion, unsure whether he's purposefully trying to be cryptic. He lets out a bark of laughter at my expression, nodding to Link without looking away from me. "Look at him, Your Grace, and tell me you remember. He even has the same cursed name as his predecessor."

It takes me a moment to tear my eyes away from the Demon Lord, but I do as he asks and meet Link's gaze. My eyes find his in an instant and I can see all the fear in my heart reflected in his eyes. I search for whatever Ghirahim wants me to find, but I only see someone I care about deeply that I'd do anything to save him.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say eventually.

Ghirahim sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter in the end, even if it does make this all less satisfying." He sighs. "As bittersweet as this has all been, I have no time to dawdle here. We plucked the Spirited One from his perch in the clouds, and now he's ours."

I snap my head up, horror flooding my senses. "What—?"

"W-Wait!" Karane stammers. All eyes turn to her. "You can't leave yet." Ghirahim raises a brow at her.

"And whyever not, sky child? I have all that I came here for."

She nods, and for a moment I fear for what she's going to say, "You're right; you have what you came here for. But your game doesn't have to end here. After all, wouldn't it be far more interesting if we had the chance to redeem ourselves?" I'm surprised when Ghirahim doesn't immediately fire back a retort; she has his full attention.

Karane quickly proves that sometimes, with the right person, you can get through to someone far more effectively with words than a sword ever could.

When he does finally speak up, his response only surprises me further. "Perhaps you have a backbone after all," he muses, then, "And this turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed…" My gut twists violently when his eyes flicker between Karane and I. "Now, which one wishes to challenge me?"

"I will."

I blink when I realise that it was me who said that.

All eyes fall on me and, despite the fear gnawing at my gut, I grit my teeth and hold the Demon Lord's gaze firmly. "So, a girl with no experience would want to fight me? I must say, I'm used to seeing you volunteering your pawns before yourself, so this is rather amusing."

"No," Link interjects; the first thing he's said since their battle ended. But I refuse to look at him, knowing that the small amount of courage I've mustered will disappear if I see his fearful face. "I will fight. I can fight for myself." Ghirahim frowns.

"Oh no, it would be positively uncivil of me to decline Her Grace's offer. And besides, I already tire of your disobedience." He gestures to the far side of the chamber and glances between Link and Karane. "Now, why don't you both sit over there like good sky children and let Her Grace and I speak alone?"

"No," they both say at the same time, eyes alight with defiance.

The Demon Lord groans, "Fools, the both of you."

Before anyone can object, Ghirahim flicks his wrist and, as if by some invisible force, Link and Karane are thrown to the far side of the chamber and slam into the wall hard, crumpling to the ground in moments. I cry out, eyes widening when a wall comprised of orange diamonds appears in an instant and separates us.

I swallow thickly and return my attention to Ghirahim, who merely studies me with a smirk. "I don't know who you think I am," I tell him through gritted teeth. "But I promise that I will stop you from whatever you plan on doing."

His expression breaks into a broad grin now, and the sight of it only makes my irritation flare more. "Oh, you can try, Your Grace," he mocks. "But remember that your skill in swordplay pales in comparison to those of a man who's fought for his entire life. Perhaps you could learn a few things from me that your little Academy could never hope to teach you."

My heart skips a beat. How does he know so much about us?

Then I shake my head—it doesn't matter how much he knows. All that matters is that we all get out of here alive and safely.

"Then let the lessons begin," I counter. "But let me make one thing clear: if I win, then mine, Karane's and Link's lives will be spared."

His smile doesn't fade, "I accept. Which means that if I win, and I most certainly will, then I will maintain my claim over the boy's life and you will have to return to your little perch in the clouds empty handed. Agreed?"

I purse my lips. I don't want to agree to it, but what choice do I have? He won't change his mind on the terms he's set out and there's no use arguing with someone who crafts everything he says so perfectly. He wants me to accept, and I have no choice but to comply. I just have to pray to the Goddess that she chose me for a good reason and I can win this fight.

"Fine," I say. "I accept."

"Good," is all he says for a moment, though he chuckles when I dare to glance over at Link and Karane, who watch me with apprehension. "Now, Your Grace, you must remember the key components of swordplay: ignore any distractions, and keep your eyes and mind on your opponent and on your goal."

I narrow my eyes at him, "Enough talking. If it's a fight that you want, then let's get on with it."

We start to slowly circle each other, both of us refusing to make the first strike, and I take a moment to whisper Fi's name—thankfully, the Demon Lord doesn't hear me. The Goddess Sword glows for a moment and then Fi's voice echoes around my mind. "Target locked: Ghirahim. I sense a powerful and evil aura, and I estimate his level of ability as highly adept. However, according to analysis, he has yet to reveal his true power." I swallow thickly at the thought of that. "You must also watch for Ghirahim's ability to grasp your sword with his bare hand. It is highly probable that he observes the angle you hold your sword at and prepares his defence accordingly."

Ghirahim finally takes his chance to strike just as Fi's voice fades away, and I instantly bring my sword up to block it. I grunt at the force of it, my heart beating faster when my feet slide back a pace at the Demon Lord's strength. In a few seconds, my moment of courage has been robbed and it takes all I have not to give into panic.

Always be on the balls of your feet so you can move easier, I tell myself calmly, doing my best to remember everything Eagus taught us at the Sparring Hall. I block another slash but don't parry. If you don't have a shield, have your sword at an angle so you can protect more of your body. But one thing you must always remember is this: there is always a chink in every armour, and never go in all arrows blazing.

"Giving up already?" Ghirahim remarks lazily, disappointed almost. "I was a fool to expect more from you."

I clench my jaw and say nothing, thinking on Fi's words and move to finally make my first strike, aiming for his free hand with everything I have. My eyes snap shut as my hit makes impact, and for a moment everything falls silent. Cracking one eye open, I stare in horror at the sight of my weapon caught between his two gloved fingers. I try to free the Goddess Sword, but to no avail.

"I-Impossible…"

"Far from it, Your Grace," he replies easily. "You see, I am unlike anyone you shall ever meet. Very few weapons will ever be able to break my skin, and that sword of yours certainly isn't one of those."

I blink. "You… you aren't human?"

"You could say that," he shrugs, smiling as realisation dawns on my face. "And now you realise how little chance you truly have of defeating me in battle. I would start preparing your goodbyes now, Your Grace."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" I snap, refusing to acknowledge everything he said. "Who is Her Grace?" The frustration at our battle and fear over what's to come fuels me enough to finally tear the Goddess Sword from his grip; that, or he finally lets it go.

"While I may despise you, Your Grace, it would be terribly rude of me to forgo using such titles," is his simple response and, before either of us can attack again, he disappears in a shower of diamonds like he'd done outside Skyview Temple. With a quick glance to Link and Karane, who still aren't free, I know that the Demon Lord's trying to psyche me out.

Don't let your guard down, I remind myself over and over. Don't let your guard down…

"Behind you!"

I react before I can think, hearing the person's warning cry but not who it came from. I spin around and raise the Goddess Sword without hesitation, gritting my teeth when I block Ghirahim's weapon despite the strength of the attack. For a moment, I feel as if the floor beneath me will start cracking under the pressure, but then the Demon Lord steps away and I catch myself from stumbling forward.

"You're learning," he says, which I guess is as much of a compliment as I'm going to get from him. "This may be more interesting than I first thought."

I raise a brow at him and readjust my grip on the Goddess Sword, "Ready for round two?" He laughs.

"How naïve of you to assume that the first round was over to begin with," he says, then, "Now, I'm curious to see how well you can hold your own without that sword of yours."

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but I'm already too late to react. With inhuman speed, Ghirahim knocks the Goddess Sword out of my hand before I even realise and, while I'm stunned, snakes his hand up and around my throat. A pair of cries echo around the chamber as I'm dragged to the wall beside my friends, hitting the wall so hard that I choke on my yelp.

I fruitlessly claw at Ghirahim's hand, but his grip is stronger than iron. Panic rises in my throat, and the yells from Link and Karane don't help, even if they quickly sound like they're underwater. I muster the best glare I can at the Demon Lord, but it must look pitiful because he merely chuckles and starts talking to the others.

Think, Zelda, I scream at myself. My vision's starting to swim; I don't have long. Think!

My quaking fingers weakly rifle through my bag for something to hit Ghirahim with, but all I have is my harp and a few potions, nothing that will smash on—

My eyes light up.

I grit my teeth and blink away the spots dotting my vision as I wrap my fingers around the first bottle of potion I can grab, my grip slipping a few times as I shake it free from my bag, but I focus all the strength I have (which isn't that much) on bringing the bottle up and hitting the Demon Lord in the side of the face with it.

The glass shatters on impact and the red potion inside spatters across his face. He drops me unceremoniously and I fall to the ground in a heap, but I can't hold back a grin as for the first and possibly only time, I've managed to get the upper hand. My heart swells with satisfaction to know that he wasn't expecting that.

I drink in the air as the Demon Lord looks down at me, and I rub at my neck so I can crane it up to meet his gaze. "That Academy of yours did teach you one thing, I suppose," he says, "Anything can be a weapon in the right hands."

I shake my head and clamber onto my feet, ready to reclaim the Goddess Sword and return to the fight at hand, but the Demon Lord has other plans. Like he'd done with Link and Karane, a mere flick of his wrists sends me flying across the room and onto the sun design on the floor in the middle of the chamber, the collision causing my harp to fall out of my bag and clatter on the ground next to me.

I cough as I push myself up onto my elbows, the Goddess Sword too far away for me to reach before the Demon Lord has crossed the gap between us in mere moments, pressing the tip of his weapon against my neck and forcing me to look up. "Do you finally yield, Your Grace?"

"Never," I spit. "I'm not done yet."

He laughs louder than ever before, "My, those are strong words for a weaponless child. At least your petty defiance has endured over the ages." I narrow my eyes at him but say nothing, refusing to let his nonsensical words get the better of me. "Since you still may have some use, I promise up front not to murder you. No, I'll just beat you within an inch of your life!"

He brings his sword down, and time seems to slow down with it.

In that moment, I pray to the Goddess that Link and Karane somehow manage to find a way out of this without me. They're much better fighters than I am, clearly, and they'll be able to work together against Ghirahim. As I pray for their safety and my father's forgiveness for not coming back safely, I paw around for the first thing I can find to defend myself with, certain that this is truly the end of my journey.

My hand wraps around something cool and curved, and I have no time to contemplate what it is before I hold it up and desperately pray that it's useful.

My harp, I realise as I catch a glimpse of the golden instrument in my hands. My heart sinks. That's it… it's all over…

At least Ghirahim promised that he wouldn't murder me. I'm not sure if that's better than what he's about to do, but at least I can stall for time so Link and Karane and find freedom.

I close my eyes and brace myself for the agony that's about to come.

Only… it doesn't arrive.

My eyes snap open when I hear the sound of metal clashing followed by a cold silence. Ghirahim stares down at me with a mix of anger and confusion on his face. He swings his blade down again and I cry out, only to watch as his blade hits my harp before the instrument glows and his weapon clangs uselessly off its golden surface. Anger twists his features and he tries for one final time, a yell escaping him as the force of the instrument's power is enough to send him staggering back.

I look down at the instrument in my hands with wide eyes, remembering what Fi had told us outside Skyview Temple, "It is a divine instrument that can affect the world around you."

It most certainly can, I think to myself as I slowly push myself back onto my feet. Ghirahim stands there for a while, too angry to even speak, so I quickly rush over and grab the Goddess Sword before he can stop me. I can't help but feel a little more confident now that I have some sort of shield to protect me, and from the looks on Link's and Karane's faces, they're starting to feel a bit more hopeful too.

I inhale deeply and tighten my grip on my sword and harp, ready for the Demon Lord to recover from his silent rage. "Ready for round two?" I taunt. To mock someone who's already blinded with momentary anger isn't the best idea, but I don't regret it in the slightest.

"I should have known you would resort to cheating," he spits. "It's all you've ever done, Your Grace."

"Anything can be used as a weapon, and anything can be used as a shield," I counter calmly. "I'm merely following your guidance."

A tsk sound escapes him before he can stop himself, and I can almost hear him grinding his teeth. For someone who has acted so calm up until now, his anger should be more unnerving than I'm seeing it as. But anger leads to mistakes and that's what I need right now. I refuse to let myself get overconfident, though his shift in emotions does bolster my courage a little.

Fi's voice echoes in my mind as we start to circle one another again. "I have detected a change in Ghirahim's fighting style from the beginning of the battle," she explains to me. "He will repeatedly move around you, Dominae. I recommend engaging him with your sword as he makes his attack. It is probable that the moment before Ghirahim readies his attack, he will reveal the direction he will move as he attempts to flank you."

I nod and step out of the way of his attack and countering with a strike of my own, swinging my blade up diagonally across his chest. The attack doesn't pierce his skin, although a flurry of diamonds appear where the wound would have been and I manage to land a hit on the jewel at his waist. He grunts and repairs the broken gem with a flick of his wrist, but the fact I hit him is enough to make my heart flutter with hope.

He quickly moves on the offensive, and I have little choice but to simply defend with my harp until he retreats. I raise a brow when he finally steps back upon realising he can't break through my defence, "Why do you hate Her Grace so much?"

"Why bother asking such personal things when they will not dictate the outcome of this fight?" Ghirahim retorts simply, rushing at me. Just like Fi had said, I can tell which side he wants to flank me on as soon as he comes at me, so I quickly dodge to the right and catch his side, another flurry of diamonds appearing in its wake.

"Maybe not, but you think she and I are the same. I want to know why."

"Because you are one and the same," he says simply. The Demon Lord charges at me again, but feigns a strike at the last moment; I jump back enough to dodge the strike, but his blade still nicks my side. I hiss and try my hardest not to think about it until the battle is over. "You look the same, you act the same, you treat him the same."

"Treat who the same?" I dare to ask, even if I already know the answer.

"The boy," he replies, nodding to Link before he swings and our swords meet. Since he's taller and physically stronger than I am, I start to waver under the pressure. He leans between our blades and continues, "Your favourite little chess piece. You never had the chance to say goodbye to him last time before my Master slaughtered him. If you yield now, then perhaps he'll show some mercy before killing him again."

"I don't—" My feet start to side across the tiled floor. I grind my teeth. "I don't know what you mean."

"You don't now, but you will," he assures me. "And when you finally remember, I'll make sure that you're there to watch every moment of his death."

My eyes find Link for a second and I falter. I might not understand what the Demon Lord is talking about, but my mind's eye can perfectly envision what he's implying. Yesterday, I was grieving his death and up until this moment, I was still in denial that he was alive. I don't want to go through that again, and certainly not at the hands of this monster.

I won't let you die, I tell him. I won't lose you again.

With a cry, I stop pushing against Ghirahim's blade and instead push his sword to the side and towards the floor. I steel myself and slam the pommel of the Goddess Sword into the Demon Lord's chest and send him staggering back, breathing hard as he quickly recovers.

"I won't let you take him from me; not again, not ever." He smiles, clearly knowing something that I don't, so I quickly change the subject. "Who's your Master? Who do you serve?"

He stops short of attacking and places a hand on his hip. "Can you truly not figure it out?" I say nothing. "I'm sure you've grown up with tales of the Great War in that little sky perch of yours, correct?" I nod, and I slowly start to realise. He grins. "The little Goddess fought with my Master, but she was too weak to kill him; she only had the strength to seal him away. My Master still lives in this world and awaits the day of his return."

No… that's not true!

But then I think on it, and I realise that he's right.

I always loved the stories about the Great War when I was child; I still do. I loved hearing about how the Goddess came down to the land in order to help her people cleave the darkness that sought to destroy it. Since the war happened so long ago and far from where we lived, our stories were short and lacked detail, but I remember one passage vividly.

"With the humans safe, the Goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At least, peace was restored to the Surface."

But that's not true. Ghirahim's right: the Goddess sealed the darkness away and gave the land light, yet she failed to completely destroy the darkness. After all, the reason Link and I have been wrapped up in all of this is because the Goddess didn't eradicate the darkness. We're here because she only sealed it away, and that apocalypse is threatening to resurface once again.

"What do you and your Master want with Link?"

The Demon Lord smirks, "Didn't I say before that spilling all my secrets would ruin the fun?"

Deciding that the conversation is over, Ghirahim takes a flying leap at me, and I'm still reeling from everything to do anything but block with my harp. I duck beneath his counter and swing at his legs, even if it's an awkward angle. He isn't fazed by the attack, simply forcing me back with a brief attack.

Sinking back into a defensive stance, I feel my flickering flame of courage starting to rekindle itself. Just because I don't fully understand what's going on here doesn't mean that I won't do as Ghirahim instructed earlier: keep my eyes and mind on my opponent and on my goal. And I have my goal in mind; he stands a few feet away.

We both surge forward and our blades clashing once more. As much as I'd love to toss a remark at him, I know that I need to focus. Gritting my teeth, I inhale deeply before shoving him away, holding my harp up when he comes back to counter. Raising the Goddess Sword skyward, the blade is filled with a heavenly light that I aim straight at the Demon Lord. Releasing its energy, the light collides with the Demon Lord and sends him onto one knee.

Pressing the tip of my sword against his neck, I ask, "Do you yield?"

He scoffs, "No, Your Grace, I do not." The Demon Lord pauses for a moment, though my eyes watch his blade in case he attempts a sudden counter. "However, I have spent far too long teasing and toying with you. This battle is over for now."

"You swear it?" I demand, trying not to let the dizzying relief overwhelm me.

"I am a man of my word."

And just like that, his sword disappears.

I let him stand but keep the Goddess Sword out just in case. "And you will honour our agreement?" He nods.

"I am a man of my word," he repeats, though it seems painful for him to admit it. His dark eyes find Link. "Run and play this time, boy, but don't assume that this is the end." A possessive, almost feral, feeling washes over me, and I stand in front of the Demon Lord's line of sight. He refrains from rolling his eyes. "Farewell, Your Grace. You shall leave this place with your life today. Get in my way again, though, and you're dead."

With a snap of his fingers, the Demon Lord disappears in a blur of diamonds and the chamber brightens considerably in his absence. I exhale deeply and sheathe my sword, taking a moment to catch my breath and press my hand to my wounded side, finally able to feel its sting. I feel my knees go weak beneath me but I force myself to stay standing.

It's over… for now, at least.

Someone calling my name is enough to tear me from my daze, and I lift my head as Karane rushes over to me. She draws me into a tight hug, only pulling away when I hiss in pain. She offers me the last roll of bandages that we have, but I refuse in case we have farther to go, instead bundling up part of my dress and using the belt holding the Goddess Sword to keep it in place.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asks me anyway.

"I'm fine. I just…"

The rest of what I was going to say dies in my throat when my eyes land on the only other person in the room. He silently watched on as Karane hugged me, holding back for a moment and patiently waiting his turn. The redhead next to me steps out of the way and I slowly cross the gap between Link and I, praying that it's not a dream after all.

I stop just before him and search his face, his proximity making my heart pound as I remember what happened the last time we were this close. From the glint in his eyes, he seems to be remembering the same thing. My eyes start to burn at the memories and everything that's happened since that fateful afternoon, and I drop my head into my hands to save myself from crying.

I feel a pair of hands pull mine away from my face, and I look up to find Link smiling down at me. Everything in that smile makes me crumple. I practically throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and let myself cry out all the emotions I've been bottling up for the past day, the reassurance of him being alive finally appearing when I feel his arms around my waist.

He's here. He's really here.

"I'm sorry," I sob. "I'm sorry I let you go. I promised I wouldn't and I did. I'm sorry Link…"

"It wasn't your fault," he murmurs into my ear. "We're alright now. That's all that matters."

And despite the guilt that still plagues me over letting him be swept up by the black tornado, I believe him.

I hear Karane's footsteps behind me and force myself to pull away, though I'm comforted when Link holds me close when I turn to the redhead. She holds her arms out to Link with a shrug, "We couldn't really get a proper hello in back there." He smiles and hugs her too, and I make out Karane murmuring, "I'm glad you're alright."

"Are you hurt?" I ask him after a moment, remembering what we saw outside the Sealed Temple and the stories we heard from the Kikwis.

Link turns and offers me the most reassuring smile he can give, even if it's not completely genuine, "A couple of scrapes and bruises, but I've been through worse." He frowns at the bandages he can see through my torn dress. "What happened?"

I force a half smile, "A couple of scrapes and bruises, but I've been through worse." He shoots me a look and I can't help but laugh breathlessly; for this one moment, everything feels like normal again. "I'm alright, Link. I'm just glad that you're safe."

"As am I," he says quietly. Then his eyes find the golden door on the other side of the room. "The priestess I spoke to told me to find the spring in this temple. It has to be close by."

I nod, "And then we can see what comes next. Night will fall soon, so I hope we can find somewhere safe before it comes."

But the thought of staying on the Surface for the night doesn't feel so daunting with the three of us here. We can take turns on watch so we're all well rested in the morning, and with Link found I have one less thing to worry about. I just hope that the spring is safe enough for us to rest at otherwise we'll have to trek back to the Kikwis for safe lodgings tonight if we can't make it back to Skyloft.

As we make our way towards the golden door, I find myself constantly looking over at Link, smiling when he keeps doing the same with me. Even though the constant travelling and battles have exhausted us all, a small weight has been lifted from my shoulders, enough for me to breathe easier. I'm just glad that we got here when we did—I don't want to think about what would have happened if we'd been a few minutes late.

"I knew it would be you," Link says as we walk. I raise a brow at him in a silent question. "The priestess told me there was another person chosen by the Goddess, but she wouldn't tell me who they are. But I knew it was you; we've always protected each other and worked together. I never doubted it." He breathes out a small laugh. "I wish you weren't in danger but… I'm glad it's you."

I blink, genuinely touched by his words, then reach over and take his hand, "I wish you weren't in danger either but…" I find his eyes and smile at him. "I'm glad it's you too. Whatever we're going to face, we'll face it together." He tightens his grip on my hand.

"Together."