Guest: You're welcome, I wouldn't want to scare too many people away.

Okezd: Oh agreed, Ghirahim would be a master I would want to please ;)

Mysticalgems: I'm glad you liked it even though it was mostly a filler chapter.

Ignores the fact that its been 3+ months since I've last updated and slowly pushes this chapter up.

Chapter 22

Firelight danced in Zelda's eyes as she stared numbly into the fire Impa had lit. Her thoughts running in circles as she thought of Link. She couldn't believe that he was actually gone. She thought back on all the times she had yelled at him, scolded him, nagged him and wished she could take it all back. She would give anything to replace the shouting at him to laughing with him or holding him or maybe…even to tell him she loved him. She had never been able to let him know and now…now it was too late. He was gone, forced away from her by a cruel and unfair world. If only she had known then what she knew now, she would've made sure that every day he knew of her love for him. A tear crossed down her cheek as the unbidden thought that it was all her fault came to mind. She was the one who ran off after the tornado incident to cleanse her soul, knowing fully well that evil followed her; also knowing that Link would run into same said evil. If only she had given him a warning, there hadn't been enough time though, and she thought that Fi would've been enough. And now? Now he was gone, she would never see him, hold him, or touch him again. Another tear spilled down her face and she swallowed hard to try to eliminate the lump in her throat. Impa had said that the lives of all living things must come before one man, Zelda knew it to be true. However, it didn't make her feel any less guilty and alone. She lowered her head into her knees and sobbed, wishing that this task had not fallen to her.

peterandhook

Now cleansed and well rested, Link stood silently before the demon lord waiting, for what seemed like an eternity, for the other male to say something. Instead it seemed Ghirahim was content to make him wait while the demon sat in an ornate chair. Link had found him inside what could only be described as a throne room, which was empty of everything except for that chair. It had been hard for Link's eyes to adjust to the room, for windows decorated almost every available inch of wall with deep red curtains adorning them, standing out in sharp contrast to the black stone. Ghirahim, of course, was seated on the throne but his eyes were closed, though it was apparent that he was not asleep. Silence stretched on and still the demon sat there while Link stood there shaking in his undercloth from the cold air. He shifted his weight and started tapping his feet in an effort to keep warm and to relieve boredom. The sound of his shuffling finally brought the chestnut eyes open.

Ghirahim glared "Keep still, Skychild."

Rebuked, Link stopped and instead stayed as still as he could though he couldn't help his shivers. The brown eyes watched him for a second more before closing again.

When Ghirahim opened his eyes again, it was with a snarl of rage as he slammed a fist down on the throne's arm rests. He exhaled and slid his gaze over to a surprised Link, "It appears your girlfriend is becoming more efficient at hiding her tracks." Flicking a hand he said "No matter, for now it is not too important of a concern." His eyes roved over the once-hero's body "I can't help but wonder, Skychild, why did you come down here mostly naked?" He smiled and stroked the top lining of his yellow sash "Are you hoping to offer more services to your Lord?"

Flushing, Link shook his head "No, I couldn't find any of my old clothes nor the new ones…sir."

"What a shame." The demon sighed with a smile, although Link couldn't tell if he was talking about the clothes or the…services. "I suppose, running around in only an undercloth would be impractical for your next task." He materialized the clothes in the air above Link so that the human would have to leap forward to keep them from hitting the floor.

Settling the clothes on the floor, Link grabbed the pants and started to put them on but noticed the demon watching him. Face heating once again he turned his back to the other male, and tried his best to ignore the humming coming from behind him. He tugged the shirt over his head and was about to turn around when he felt the edge of a blade against his throat.

Pale lips whispered into the golden ear "Never turn your back to a potential threat, or if you do at least be prepared to defend yourself." He moved the knife from the blonde's throat to his cheek, with a flick of his wrist he made the blade carve a shallow cut through the flesh. After licking up the small amount of blood he released Link with a shove "Follow me." He began walking, not bothering to check over his shoulder to see if Link was. "The spirit maiden, in her quest to purify herself to become the goddess reborn, is protected by a member of an ancient tribe. That ancient tribe's sole purpose is to protect the holders of light; they train from a very young age to wield a variety of weapons." His voice turned to grudging respect "They are… unimaginably proficient with those weapons. It is partly because of them that the tide was turned against us many millennia ago…" he broke off in silence for a moment, rage reflecting deep in the brown eyes. Waving a hand, as if to erase his anger , he continued "In any case, the current watchdog is a twig known as Impa, though she is rather an insignificant speck for me she will be more than a match for you." Twirling around he grabbed Link's face "You are NOT to engage in full combat with her, do you understand?"

Link nodded.

"Hmmm," releasing his hold he once again resumed walking "No, your job will to be to subdue and capture little miss Hylia; while I keep her dog busy. Anything less than success will mean death for you, whether by the sheikah's hands or my own. You must not fail." The demon sighed "However, I need you to be able to fend for yourself if Impa does recognize you as a threat; I've put too much work into you to send you out without some proper instruction. Otherwise you'd be killed within an instant." They had passed through a door adjoining the throne room, the opening beyond holding various weapons and instruments. In a space under a table that displayed knives of differing types, were wooden boxes, presumably also holding weapons. A wry smile crossed Ghirahim's features at the stunned look on the boy's face "These quaint toys are … trophies from previous guests. I have no real use for them but I admit I enjoy keeping them as reminders of those guests. However, there is one in particular that I believe would be well suited for you." He lifted one of the boxes and carried it out of the room, setting it on the throne room floor. The demon waved a hand at it, indicating that Link was to open it.

Kneeling, Link gently lifted the lid and a smile crossed his face. A black katana lay in the box, the pommel a silver dragons head with the handguard shaped into the dragon's claws. He put a finger to the edge of a talon and found it to be quite sharp. Slowly he drew the sword out of the scabbard and admired the blade's silver color, while he settled the sheath on the floor. Running a thumb across the edge confirmed that the weapon was indeed sharp. Link was captivated by it, it was a beautiful weapon. A blur of movement registered in his peripheral vision and he brought the blade over his head out of pure instinct, blocking the two daggers in Ghirahim's hands.

Ghirahim smiled and pushed his blades harder against the silver one, effectively shoving the boy backwards. The demon licked his lips "Your training begins now."

Hope you enjoyed! Until next time, see ya!