Cia kept vigilant, the eerie quietness of Ikana Canyon still getting to her after all these years.
"This place doesn't seem too bad." Marin said, glancing around.
"We camped here on our way to Gamelon." Trystane remarked. "Almost seems like your normal desert landscape if you forget about the ruins."
"Ever since the Hero visited Termina one-thousand years ago and defeated Majora, the Spriritual unrest that plagued Ikana has died down quite a bit." Cia replied.
Behind her Elgon looked down upon the Masks Abin, otherwise known as the Happy Mask Salesman, had given him. "What are we going to use these for exactly?" he asked.
Volga turned to look at the masks that were seemingly made of bandages, one for each member of the team. "They remind me too much of Gibdos." he said quietly.
"If you don't like Gibdos, you may want to go back now." Cia responded as the group came upon an absolutely ancient well, the brickwork around it's edges still being visible after centuries of neglect.
Vashara took a step back, training her eyes on the ground below them. "It's just one long passageway, but there appears to be a lot of barriers separating different sections of it...a lot of shapes moving around too...I can't make them out too well because of how far down it is, not to mention the amount of earth between us and whatever that is down there."
"I dare say this well is more frightening than the one in Kakariko." Impa added.
"You want us to go down there?" Marin asked.
"Why not? It will be fun." Elgon responded, Marin sending him a sidelong glare.
"Everyone ready?" Cia asked.
"For what?" Volga replied.
"Just hang on." Trystane advised.
In a moment the entire group materialized at the bottom of the well, a beam of light stretching down from the opening above them.
"Catch." Cia said, tossing a jar to Trystane. He quickly lifted the jar to his face, squinting at it, sudden motion within the container almost causing him to drop it.
"Why is there a live beetle in here?" the Knight asked.
"The doors up ahead are guarded by Gibdos, they each ask for an offering...we don't provide them an offering, we don't pass the door, now make sure you're wearing your masks." Cia explained.
"Why not just burn them away and blow down the wall?" Volga growled.
"I like his idea." Marin commented.
"Because!" Cia shot. "They're my people, and we can't go around killing them when our goal is to bring them back to life, now put on your masks and be quiet."
The group shared concerned glances before donning the Gibdo masks and strolling forward into the darkness, Cia and Elgon providing light as they moved on. Soon enough a dreadful groaning noise was heard from around the corner, a rustling permeating the hall as the Gibdo glanced up at the light.
"Damn, they sound as creepy as they look." Vashara commented.
Cia strode up to the Gibdo, looking into the space it's eyes would occupy.
"Leeeaave it...Leeeaave it" The Gibdo said, it's voice low and raspy. "Leave me something small and creepy." It said.
"Great, we get the weird one right out of the gate." Marin said, quickly quieting down when the Gibdo slowly turned it's head to look at her.
Cia, unperturbed, grabbed the bottle from Trystane and handed it to the Gibdo.
"Ah! Thisss! Thisssss! I bare you no remorse!" the Gibdo said before disappearing in a plume of green flame, the door behind it opening.
"I thought you said we couldn't burn them away." Volga remarked.
"It was magic, he'll be back sooner or later." the Sorceress answered.
Impa slowed down a moment to look into a nearby alcove, multiple pests and vermin filling the space, a great number of Deku Babas lying at the bottom. The Sheikah woman backed away from it while keeping her eyes on the space, something about it made her uneasy.
Cia made her way to the next door only to extend her arm in front of the group, a rolling sound greeting the team, everyone taking a step back as a wooden beam lined with spikes rolled toward them, two others rolling together horizontally behind it.
"How do these traps still work after so long?" Vashara asked.
"Magic." Trystane answered.
"Well, any magic can be undone." Cia said, pausing the whole system with a wave of her hand. "Make sure to keep your eyes out for traps, there will be more."
"What do you see?" Vashara asked.
Impa turned towards the Gerudo woman, realizing how transparent she'd been about watching the room behind her. "You're the one with eyes that can see through meters of solid earth." Impa answered.
"And you're the one who can see things that are invisible to even me." Vashara countered.
"There's something that's been trailing us since we entered...I didn't want to alarm the others. If it shows itself, I will kill it." the Sheikah woman said.
"You know, I always dismissed the notion that the Sheikah and Gerudo shared a common ancestry...but after meeting you I can't help but believe it." Vashara answered.
"How so?" Impa asked.
"Aside from a darker skin tone and especially acute eye-sight our races are both born warriors, possessing greater strength, speed, and agility than the other races...not to mention that hunger for battle." Vashara answered.
"Could you two be quiet? You never know what's around the next corner." Elgon interjected.
"If we're going to wander down here in the dark we may as well make conversation." Vashara answered.
Up ahead Cia approached another Gibdo after disarming a bladed trap that slid across the ground. The Sorceress extended a hand, grasping a bottle when suddenly a scuttering sound filled the room.
"Skulltulas!" Trystane called out.
Impa and Vashara both let out a battlecry charging at the Spiders, Vashara dodging a leg and jumping onto it's back, driving her sword through it's abdomen while Impa ducked to avoid a bite from the massive arachnid, cutting it's legs out from under it before stabbing it through the bottom of it's head.
Cia turned back to the Gibo after observing the battle behind her. "Just take it." she said, shaking the bottle in her hand, the Gibdo remaining fixed on the battle. "Dammit, why won't you-?!" she began, realizing she'd become distracted as a large shadow appeared around her. Cia lunged back as the Wallmaster descended onto where she formerly stood. The Sorceress nearly breathed a sigh of relief before the monster's index finger jutted out and clawed at her mask, knocking it off completely.
"She's lost her mask." Elgon said as he gritted his teeth.
The Gibdo readied to pounce on her before standing motionless, rooted to the spot. "...YOU!" it roared.
Cia winced as she telekinetically tossed it across the chamber and into a wall, motioning to the rest of the team. "Volga, we're going with you're plan!"
"Finally, we can take these damned things off!" Marin shouted as she threw the mask to the ground and smashed it underfoot.
"What about the Skulltulas? We can't hold them off forever!" Impa called as she cleaved one in half.
"That's where we come in." Trystane said.
Both Impa and Vashara exchanged glances before sprinting away from the oncoming arachnid horde.
"Ready?" Volga asked.
"You needn't ask for a Knight is always ready." Trystane answered as Volga cringed.
Both Knights let out twin torrents of fire and ice, freezing one side and incinerating the others until they met in the middle, the other Skulltula's fleeing before the combined attack could reach them.
"They're coming." Cia breathed.
"Who?" Volga asked.
"Everyone." The Sorceress answered.
Suddenly the halls lit up as the lanterns of hundreds of Poes came flying towards the group.
"Let's go!" Marin called out as she took on her Helmaroc Queen form and smashed through the wall, the others taking off after her.
Cia ran ahead, bringing up her hands and tearing and elaborate combination of the bladed and rolling traps out of the ground and tossing them into a flock of Fire-Keese that gave chase.
"What about the Poes?" Trystane asked.
"We can't do anything that would seem hostile." Cia answered.
"A bit late for that." Vashara called after her.
"I contained thousands of souls in my body before...maybe I can capture them like that." Trystane suggested.
"Yeah, and they took complete control of you almost immediately after." Elgon argued.
"There!" Vashara said, pointing at a wall.
"What?" Volga asked.
"There's a passage behind that wall." the Gerudo woman answered.
"That's impossible." Trystane said as he spotted a group of Freezards taking off after them, the Knight splaying his fingers in their direction before closing his fist, shattering the creatures with ease.
"There can't be a passage there, I'd know about it." Cia said.
"Suit yourself, I'm going for it." Vashara answered.
The group ground to a halt as the Gerudo woman took off towards the wall, the Poes quickly gaining on them.
"Oh screw this." Elgon growled as he raised a hand into the air, a powerful flash of blinding white light filling the entire labyrinth, the Poes fleeing into it's darker reaches.
"They'll be back soon." Cia said.
"Then let's knock down this wall." Vashara insisted.
Volga charged forward, withdrawing his spear and stabbing it into the wall, flames erupting forth as it shattered.
"Of course...this is the passage they used to take the supplies they needed to summon Majora to the Castle." Cia said.
"Why not just take it through the entire thing?" a skeptical Marin asked.
"Some guards weren't onboard with the idea of summoning a Demon to win the war." Cia said as she stepped into the secret passageway.
"Imagine that." Elgon remarked.
Trystane put up a barrier of ice to block off the entrance before the group proceeded onwards. Cia and Elgon examined the walls, faintly luminescent sigils adorning every inch of the passageway.
"These markings would explain why I wasn't able to sense it either." Cia remarked.
"Good thing you brought me along." Vashara said.
"I meant to ask..." Marin spoke up. "What of me? Surely you're all not over what I pulled back at the Temple of Souls." she said, glancing at Cia.
"You'll have your freedom until this situation with Ganondorf and Semira is dealt with, then the Knights of Hytopia will decide what shall be done with you." Vashara answered.
"I hate to disagree." Trystane began. "But her actions led to both the Hero and the Princess being taken...she needs to face judgement from the Kingdom of Hyrule."
"You all seem to forget that I was your enemy at one point." Volga said. "The fearsome Dragon Knight that led the Bulblins in the assault of your Villages...but here I am...will I face judgement?"
"You've been repenting for what you've done for the past year." Elgon said. "She's only just begun."
"Well, trust me, if I can get my talons on Semira that will be the last you see of her." Marin said.
"She's far too powerful for you to confront on your own." Cia responded.
"I know." Marin said, pausing. "I just wanted my home, my friends and my family back...you of all people should understand.
"I know." Cia said, sweeping her eyes over the other members of the team. "That's why I think she deserves a second chance."
"Seriously?" Trystane and Vashara said in unison.
"It took me thousands of years to learn not to trust powerful beings that offer you your heart's desire...it's hard to resist and most of you would fail too." the Sorceress said.
"I disagree, but now isn't the time for this." Vashara said, glancing at Marin.
The group rounded a corner to find themselves in a pristine white room, two torches sitting at the bottom of a wall, a large square hallway in the center of said wall blocked in it's entirety by a large block with a sigil of the sun on it.
"Elgon, if you'd be so kind." Cia said.
The Light Sage outstretched his arm, shooting a beam of light into the block, the object dematerializing in a column of blue energy.
"Marin and I can fly, how will the rest of you get up there?" Volga asked.
Cia lit both torches with a flick of her wrist, a ladder appearing. "After you." she said, tilting her head at Volga.
The team exited into the Castle's courtyard, the evening sky visible above them.
"Godesses, it's good to be topside again." Elgon said.
"Don't celebrate yet." Cia replied as she charged into the Castle.
The group stopped as four ReDeads turned and took notice of them, walking in their direction.
"We have no time for you." Cia said, swiping her staff to the right, the ReDeads flying into a corner of the room.
"Does she seem a bit on edge to you?" Trystane whispered.
"Wouldn't you be if you were going to face the Ghosts of those who blame you for their deaths?" Impa replied.
"Good point." Trystane said.
"If anyone's having any second thoughts, tell me now." Cia said pointedly.
"We know what we signed on for." Vashara said.
Cia nodded, turning towards the door and tapping her staff against it, breathing in a deep sigh as a loud rumble greeted her, the door steadily moving aside. Everyone slowly stepped into the Throne room, two windows high up on the walls letting in twin beams of sunlight.
"If it was anyone else..." a voice boomed.
The group looked around, perplexed, the voice seemingly coming from all directions at once. Only Cia stood still, her eyes fixed on the throne as the light coming through the windows faded, shadows gathering over them.
Impa extended her hand, gritting her teeth in effort. "I can't harness the shadows." she said.
"Someone else here controls the shadows." Elgon answered.
"We would have killed you all on the spot." the voice continued.
Everyone looked forward as footsteps echoed through the room, the Skeletal form of King Igos du Ikana and his two bodyguards appearing on the Throne mount, the King taking his seat.
"King Igos du Ikana, it is an honor to be in your presence once again." Cia said, bowing while staring at the others.
"Might as well." Impa said, the rest of the team bowing to the undead King.
"You have no honor!" the King roared.
"Let us at them!" one guard shouted.
"I'll take care of Cia myself." the other one growled.
"Thousands of years later and you still blame me for your problems." Cia said. "I may not have been there in your time of need...but then again it wasn't my job...was it? You chose to allow Gomess to summon Majora... allowed what happened to our home to happen...and you accuse me of not having honor."
"Aren't we here to make amends?" Impa asked.
Cia's hands shook as she looked upon the King, feeling centuries of rage well up inside of her. She had always thought of what happened to Ikana to be her fault and King Ikana just being a good man who did what he thought he had to...but now he was here, sitting in front of her, she finally found the truth within herself.
"You dare blame me?!" the King shouted, his bones shaking.
"I'm not here to apologize, I'm here to offer you a way out of this situation you find yourself in." Cia answered.
"She speaks nonsense." one guard said.
The King focused his glowing eyes on the Sorceress before letting out a loud laugh, shocking even his bodyguards. "Now she offers her help, too little, too late, Sorceress."
"I can give you another chance-" Cia began.
The Sorceress was cut off in the middle of her sentence as blue orbs of light began to fill the room, phasing through the walls and the floor.
"If you were anyone else, I'd kill you where you stand, but because you are who you are and what you have done you will be judged by your people." the King said.
Cia, Impa, Vashara, Trystane, Volga, Marin and Elgon watched as the balls of light took on the shape of a Poe before once more changing their form, the transparent visages of the citizens of Ikana filling the room.
Cia greet her teeth as they silently stared at her, some of their gazes filled with anger while others conveyed a type of envy, envy of her still being among the living. "I can fix what's been done to you!" Cia called out.
"What say you all, what should be done about the Priestess?" King Ikana asked.
Elgon had a growing look of frustration on his face as the Spirits murmured amongst each other, the Light Sage scowling.
"You look like you're about to do something careless." Impa said.
"You've known me for two-thousand years, I'd thought you'd be use to that by now." Elgon said as he stepped forward. "I don't think all of you are properly hearing what she's saying."
"Who are you to speak in my court?" the King growled.
"My name is Elgon in this life, but I am the former champion of the Goddesses and current Light Sage, I have had many names, but my first was Gaepora...you will listen to us!" he shouted.
"I will not have this!" King Igos du Ikana shouted as he rose from his seat.
Both Cia and Elgon exchanged glances as they raised their hands and quickly dropped to one knee, placing their hands on the floor summoning an enormous circle with a golden glow appearing on the ground, a nine-pointed star on the inside surrounded by ancient symbols.
"You can threaten us all you want, but none of you can cross this." Cia called out.
"I don't believe it!" a gruff voice called, Captain Keeta emerging from the crowd. "First you betray your own people...and then you come back promising us help...sounds like a trick to me and your tricks won't work!" he roared, running at the circle and attempting to strike it with his weapon, his spirit being repelled across the room immediately upon contact.
"Now that you've seen what we're capable of, will you listen?" Elgon asked.
The Spirits began to speak amongst themselves as the King took on an expasperated expression, with a sudden, higher voice, breaching the crowd.
"We will listen." Lana said, her spirit appearing near the circle.
"Sister..." Cia breathed.
"My other half." Lana said with a smile.
"My better half." Cia said, a tear trailing down her cheek. "Why have you never appeared to me before? I searched for you."
"You weren't ready yet." Lana began. "But you are now."
"What do you mean?" Cia asked.
"You're goals in this life aren't for yourself or even your family, they are for everyone. Every trace of the selfishness you had possessed when I last saw you in life is gone, you are your old self again." Lana said with a sincere smile.
"Goddesses...why did you have to die on me? With you I could have...I would have..." Cia trailed off.
"You would have never had Erris and become who you are today..." Lana answered. "We've decided we want to hear what you have to say."
"Right." Cia said, looking back at the group. "I've come with an offer, and offer to mend the situation you have found yourselves in. I realize you've rejected the Goddesses...but even though they took the Triforce away centuries before my...our time...they never rejected us. I've travelled here today with one of those Goddesses, she has come down in earthly form to aid us in our battle against the greatest evils this world has ever seen...and in return for your aid against said evils, she will resurrect you."
The Spirits in the room erupted in a fury, shouting and roaring at the Sorceress, the word "liar" flying through the air innumerable times.
"Everyone quiet!" King Ikana boomed as he stood up. "Even if she is lying...how could what comes next be any worse than the hell we've been trapped in all of these years? Stuck between life and death, not alive or dead..."
"Being alive again would be nice...I've missed battle." one of the King's bodyguards said.
"You? Miss battle? You mean you miss hiding from it." the other said with a laugh.
"I was the best swordsman in all of Ikana!" the first guard shouted.
"We've been over this...you are feeble." the other replied.
King Igos du Ikana silenced the two with a glare before turning back to Cia. "We sensed the demise of the Deities we accepted, the Four Giants, quite recently...our situation seems more bleak than ever...if this Goddess can help, then maybe we shall trust you."
"You know what you have to do." Cia remarked.
King Ikana stood, turning his sword upside down and plunging it into a massive sigil behind his Throne.
As soon as the the sigil broke the ground began to shake, wind blowing through the room as red bolts of lightning struck outside. Suddenly, with an earth-shattering impact a beam of crimson energy smashed into the floor of the Throne room, Din appearing in the smoldering circle it left behind.
"Would it have killed you to break some of the other warding sigils? she asked wryly.
"This is the Goddess?!" King Ikana shouted. "But she's so...so..."
"Human? Din asked. That's far more than can be said about all of you."
"My King, you can't deny her power." Lana called out.
"The Sorceress says you can resurrect us." the King said.
"This is true." Din answered.
Flat and Sharp, the composer brothers, raised their hands. "Will you restore the entire Kingdom...or just our lives?" Sharp asked.
"While I'm at it I suppose so." Din said. "I just have one condition for you all."
"What's that?" the King asked.
"While I won't ask you to stop worshipping the Giants, I just ask you aid my Hero, otherwise known as the Fierce Deity in his battle against the Demon known as Demise and my sister, the Dark Goddess Semira...and if you perish, you're Spirit will move on to the Sacred Realm, this I promise."
"Can we really believe her, Sire?" Flat asked.
The King placed a skeletal hand on his chin, lowering his eyes for a moment before locking them with the Goddess. "Please, do it." he said.
"Alright." Din said before turning to the group. "You may want to shield your eyes."
oOo
Below, Naora sat with Kyra while Saria walked among the sleeping Kokiri, looking quite tired herself.
"Did you see it?" Naora asked.
"Din teleported away." Saria answered.
"Do you think it means-? Naora began.
"Cia succeeded." Saria said with a smile.
Suddenly a bright orange light filled the air, bolts of crimson electricity shooting over the edge of the Canyon, the commotion waking all in the camp below.
"What's going on?!" Kyra asked frantically after being awoken.
"Something amazing." Saria said.
oOo
Everyone, Spirits included were overcome with amazement as bone, flesh and blood grew around their spectral forms, Din crying out as massive amounts of energy pulsed from her, building new bodies for the Spirits of the dead whilst ReDeads found their flesh being revitalized and healed, living once more. Gibdos fell to the ground, ripping at their facial coverings in order to breathe, running their hands along their now living skin while tears of joy ran down their cheeks.
Around them the harsh desert Ikana had become was restored to life, grass and other flora grew all along it while the river that had run dry centuries ago began flowing once more, life taking root in Ikana for the first time in thousands of years.
Din collapsed to the ground, Elgon running to catch her. "I need to...get to the Fairy Fountain." she breathed, her form beginning to crumble, small patches of skin breaking off and floating into the air before turning to dust and drifting away.
"Cia...I need a..." Elgon began, stopping as he saw her walking towards her Sister. The Light Sage looked around the room, taking in the shock on the faces of all the former Spirits, finding themselves alive once more. Suddenly Din raised a hand, snapping her fingers, she and Elgon disappearing.
Cia ran over to her Sister, helping her up.
"I forgot how sore physical bodies can feel." Lana said.
"It's going to be fine...I've got you." Cia said, tears streaming down her face as she embraced her twin.
"Look, we're alive again!" one of the King's bodyguards yelled, the King himself smiling at his recreated body.
oOo
Elgon helped Din into the Fountain, the Goddess collapsing in the middle, touching the bottom with both hands, energy flowing into her, he body repairing itself.
"This may take some time." Din said.
"By all means, take your time, you just resurrected a whole civilization, you earned it." the Light Sage replied.
Both were startled by a sudden ripple in the water, Din slowly moving away as Elgon summoned a bolt of light energy in his right hand. The Sage and the Goddess stood down as one of the Terminian Great Fairies rose from the fountain looking at Din desperately.
"Din?" she asked.
"Ah, Hera, I see you sensed my presence." Din observed.
"You're here...of all places you're here." the Fairy said.
"I had an appointment with the King of Ikana." Din replied.
"I saw...you brought the Canyon and it's population back from the dead...your power is just as immense as I remember." the Fairy said.
"Is that why you were so afraid to rise from the fountain?" Elgon asked.
The Fairy glared at the Sage before turning back to the Goddess. "I was afraid because I thought you were her..."
"Semira." Din stated.
"Yes...her son Demise has already killed the Hyrulean Great Fairy...and I fear we Terminian Great Fairies are next.
"You Fairies are my children...my Sisters and I created you from our own essences, you cannot die, your essence can just be dispersed" Din said.
"That doesn't sound much better." the Great Fairy answered.
"It means I can reconstruct you if you've been struck down." Din said.
"You're trying to convince me to fight alongside you..." the Fairy realized.
"You have nothing to fear while at my side, unless you expect something to befall me." Din said.
"Of course not...it's just...Semira is very powerful, frighteningly so." the Fairy replied.
"I can defeat her...with your aid, you and your Sisters, we can win." Din answered.
The Great Fairy cast her eyes over the room, locking them with Elgon for a moment before looking away.
"I'm sorry...take as much energy as you need from my Fountain...but I...I can't help you." the Fairy said before teleporting away.
Elgon breathed a deep sigh, he knew it was bad when even the Great Fairies were in hiding.
oOo
Both Daltus and Audrik looked on in shock as the Hero of one-thousand years prior stared them down, Master Sword pointed in their direction.
"Think we could stun him?" Audrik asked.
"He's one spin attack away from cutting us in two." Daltus answered, not wanting to risk it.
The Hero of Time shouted again in old Hylian, advancing on the two, directing them away from the Spiritual Stones.
"Where's Link when you need him?" Audrik whispered.
The Hero of Time's ear's twitched at the recognition of his own name, it being the only word he could understand in the tongue the two spoke.
The Link of the past grit his teeth and ground his boots into the floor, getting ready for a fight when a burst of white light filled the room, slowly dying down behind him. The Hero of Time spun around to find the Fierce Deity standing over him, pure white eyes locked with this.
"Leave us." The Fierce Deity said, waving Audrik and Daltus off to the next room.
"A few months ago I would've told Link to shove it if he tried telling me what to do." Audrik said.
"Well, God beats King and in effect it beats Prince also." Daltus mused.
Present Link turned towards his past self, switching dialects to old Hylian.
"Sorry for coming unannounced, those two are followers of mine." he said.
"Fierce Deity." past Link said, dropping to one knee. "Please forgive me, I didn't know."
"Not to worry, there is nothing to forgive you for...it was I who came without letting you know as well as it was I who sent those two to take the Spiritual Stones." Fierce Deity Link said.
"The Spiritual Stones." the Hero of Time said, glancing over at them. "Please excuse me for asking, but why must you take them at a time like this...Ganondorf has captured Castle Town, Zelda is missing and beasts roam the land freely...I need their power."
Fierce Deity Link remembered exactly what he spoke of, the Era of the Hero of Time was the first instance in which Ganondorf almost outright won and was the reason Link started finding allies to help him instead of charging in alone. He couldn't afford to let it happen again, yet here he was, traveling through time in one last desperate bid to rescue not only Hyrule but all four other lands from an even more dire situation. "I require them to...repair the Seal holding Mahlik where he is, as you know Demise is already out and Majora is trapped in a mask...but Mahlik is threatening to break free of the dimension we sealed him in." Fierce Deity Link fibbed.
"Could it wait?" past Link asked, his face morphing into a bold expression. "With you here we could easily defeat Ganondorf and retake Hyrule...then we can fight Mahlik together."
"If only it was that simple." Fierce Deity Link said.
"What do you mean?" the Hero of Time asked.
"You completing this quest on your own...it was pre-ordained, I cannot interfere." Fierce Deity Link said to his earlier self.
"But...I...I don't even know if I can win this time." past Link said, sighing and tilting his head forward.
"If the Goddesses were not certain you could defeat Ganondorf and restore peace to the land, they would not have placed you here...you don't need me to win this. You are more like me than you know, in spirit and power." Fierce Deity Link said.
"Thank you for your kind words, Fierce Deity...it truly would have been an honor to fight by your side." past Link replied.
"I feel the same, if only the powers that be could allow it." Fierce Deity Link replied with grin.
The Hero of Time walked over to the pedestal the Spiritual Stones rested upon, reaching in and placing his hands on both sides, his Triforce of Courage resonating as the Stones floated between his palms. "Good luck with reinforcing Mahlik's prison...may the Goddesses be at your side."
"May they be at yours." Fierce Deity Link replied as he took the Spiritual Stones, creating a small pocket dimension in which to store them. "I'll have them back in an instant, I promise." Fierce Deity Link said.
"I shall hold you to that." the Hero of Time replied.
Audrik and Daltus ducked back into doorway, pretending as if they weren't watching the exchange when both iterations of Link came through.
"I take it you explained everything?" Audrik asked.
"To a satisfactory level, yes." Link answered.
"Unfortunately, it would seem our substitute Master Sword has disappeared." Daltus observed.
"Fortunately we have the real thing now." Fierce Deity Link said. "But before I go..." he said, walking over to his past self and whispering a few words in old Hylian before taking the Master sword and placing his palm on it, a small orange sigil glowing brightly near the hilt for just a moment before fading away. "Ready to depart?"
"And go back to...well...you know what?" Not really, but we kinda have to." Audrik responded.
"Alright then." Fierce Deity Link said as his counterpart handed him the Master Sword. Present Link closed his eyes as he plunged the blade into the Pedestal of Time, using it to search for his exact era, the doors creaking open once he found it.
"Goddesses." the Hero of Time said as he saw a completely different landscape lying outside of the Temple's doors.
"Best of luck, Hero, this will not be the last time we meet." Present Link said as he, Daltus and Audrik walked through the doorway, emerging into their native era.
"Well? How did it go?" Hawkwood asked.
"We're ready." Link replied.
oOo
Erris called upon his power over flame to dry his hair, this was the first time he'd had the opportunity to bathe in his own home in about a year and he wasn't going to waste it. He emerged back into his own quarters, burnt up portraits of his treacherous uncle littering the floor.
"Self-obsessed fool." the Prince said, snapping the charred remains of a burnt frame underfoot. He gave a small laugh, recalling when he thought electricity to be his element...though who would have ever thought a Labrynnian would become a Sage?
Prince Erris snapped his fingers, teleporting onto himself a brand new set of armor, gleaming black with silver fringes, the Ambi family crest emblazoned in the center of the chest plate. He quickly exited the room and strode down the hall to the council chamber, a smile crossing his face as he entered, it felt good to be back.
"Prince Erris, hearing you had returned was the best news we've had since this war began." the man nearest him said.
Around the table sat a handful of Generals and Lieutenants, all handpicked by Erris to be his new council.
"I take it we're seceding from the Dragmire Imperium?" another General asked.
"We were never truly part of it." Erris began, locking eyes with the man. "The so-called Dragmire Imperium is just a front."
"For conquest, we know." the General responded.
"Not even close." Erris scowled, the Generals going silent around him. "The Emperor of Hyrule is none other than Ganondorf, the stories you hear about a Hero, a Princess and a great evil reborn throughout the ages...they are all true. It's not even limited to that, Goddesses, Demons...the Triforce...I've seen it all with my own eyes, Ganondorf is planning to wipe everything out, clean the slate so to speak...just so he can rewrite it all."
"That's absolute insanity." the General nearest him said. "The moment I heard you returned it couldn't be-!" he began, an older man at the end of the table slamming his fist down upon the wooden surface.
"Now that I have your attention." the man started. "I've been in the Labrynnian Military for well over forty years...I was there when King Lannis summoned forth a Demon of terrifying power...it's something I've tried not to think about...but it was all real...and you'd do well to believe in it."
"What's your name, General?" Erris asked.
"Jorin Allegada, Lord of the Southern reaches." the older man answered.
"Jorin, from here on out you're my right hand." Erris said, quickly turning his head to face the other Generals and Lieutenants, the rest of you report to him if I'm not around...and you." Erris said, pointing at the younger General who questioned him earlier. "I know a Goddess and if you don't get with the program she's going to hear all about it, the Dark World is not a fun place." the Prince said before getting up and walking over to the window, looking over his desolated Kingdom. "How many of our units have responded so far?" Erris asked.
"We've sent Ravens to all that could be found and nearly two-thirds of our forces in Hyrule responded...keep in mind, some have deserted and are hiding somewhere...but others are still Loyal to Aghanim...I mean Ganondorf." a Lieutenant answered.
"Well, we're going to show them they backed the wrong horse." Erris replied before approaching the table and pulling forth a quill and a blank piece of Parchment. The others watched Erris as he etched some wording in large letters onto the parchment, making sure the entire sheet was taken up by it. "There we go." the Prince said, turning the parchment to face the his makeshift council. "Send this to "Emperor Aghanim", let him know we're not his pawns." Erris said before placing it on the table and exiting the room.
Jorin picked up the sheet of parchment and showed it to the others, upon it was written: "Your reign is over, Ganondorf.-King Erris"
oOo
Ghirahim spent this day as he spent most, his undivided attention placed on the Master Sword, it's gleaming, flawless visage mocking him. How could it endure centuries of use along with intermittent times of neglect within the ruined Temple of Time...all these years it served it's Master the Hero while he had been reduced to shards, lying on the ground in a forgotten Temple that had long ago been buried not by the Hylians but by time itself.
"It's not fair." Ghirahim said through gritted teeth, sending blasts of dark energy at the Master Sword, the blade managing to neutralize them easily even when idle.
"I came before you!" Ghirahim yelled, extending tendrils of shadow from his hands, wrapping them around the sword and trying to rend it apart only for the shadows to be slashed apart along the Master Sword's edge.
"I...I must show my Master that I am better than you...you...the replacement!" Ghirahim said before lashing out himself and pounding a fist down on the blade only to feel a burning sensation travel up his entire arm. "Damn you!" Ghirahim shouted as he turned back towards the blade, charging up a bolt of electricity in his hand when he noticed it. His rage died as curiosity took over, the Sword Spirit looking over the blade, a glowing sigil situated just above it's hilt. Ghirahim took note of the fact it began to fade, almost dying down completely when Ghirahim struck upon an idea.
The Spirit quickly pressed a finger against the blade before withdrawing it, the sigil glowing dimly for a moment. Ghirahim could swear the sigil wasn't there before, as if it had just been added...but he knew this was impossible, the sword had been in Ganondorf's possession for months now. He knew someone could not have gained entry without them knowing...somehow the Master Sword had been altered.
"Anyhow." Ghirahim said with a grin. "I've found you, Fi! Trying to defend yourself so desperately...time for my revenge!" he shouted, blasting the Sigil with a bolt of electricity, putting as much power as he could manage into it, energy arcing across the blade and lighting the entire room a bright blue, Ghirahim smiling maniacally as he focused his assault on the lower portion of the blade. Suddenly a loud cracking sound met his ears, Ghirahim lowering the intensity of the his attack and cocking his head to the left to look upon the Master Sword, a bolt of electricity rebounding straight into his chest the moment he did so, sending him flying across the room and into the wall behind him.
Fi transformed into her Spirit form from that of the Master Sword, free from it for the first time in two-thousand years. She had no time to ponder this however as Ghirahim was recovering quickly. She turned to inspect her surroundings, looking for a way out.
"Get back here!" Ghirahim called as he set his eyes on her and raised a hand, shooting a blast of energy at his fellow Sword Spirit, Fi dodging to the left and diving through the nearest window.
oOo
Rickard Gavan strode towards the door to the chambers Semira had chosen, those fittingly enough happening to be Princess Zelda's. He steeled himself against his nerves and made to knock, his fist only striking air as he found himself suddenly within the room.
Semira stood across from him, her back to the Noble as she extended an arm out of the open window, the sunlight's golden glow cast across her dark grey skin.
"Lord Gavan, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked softly.
"I...I came to you to talk about Ganondorf." Rickard stammered.
"Why so much fear?" Semira asked, a chill traversing Rickard's spine as she turned to face him. It wasn't so much her grey skin or pitch black hair, it was her eyes, the pure blackness with a faint white glow in the center where her pupils would be.
"I'm not afraid." Rickard lied.
"You should know I can read your thoughts as if they were etched onto your face, lying to me is not a good idea." Semira said with a grin. "Trust is a powerful thing."
"Fine, excuse me for being unnerved in the presence of a Goddess." Rickard said quietly.
Semira's smile faded to a smirk as she locked eyes with the Nobleman. "Still can't bring yourself to tell the whole truth? That's okay...I know my appearance frightens you, but soon you will learn to love me in the way all children love their Mothers."
Rickard looked down for a moment, she was trying to lead the conversation somewhere else, but he needed to talk to someone not as violently inclined as Ganondorf about what was to become of them. "I came to speak of Ganondorf, I want to know, what's to become of everyone...and more importantly, myself, when this is all over?"
Semira's smile vanished completely as she tilted her head to the side, examining the human in front of her. "You fear for your existence?"
"So far Ganondorf hasn't made good on any of his promises, I was supposed to be King of Hyrule, yet here he is, using it as his seat of power while I stand off to the side." Rickard responded.
"You desire so much more." Semira said sweetly, striding over to Gavan and cupping his cheek.
Rickard, severely unnerved, looked Semira in her eyes, almost entranced by the white light within. "I just don't want to be wiped from existence...no one does." he breathed.
"And you won't, I've taken a liking to this world and the forms of life it holds." Semira said as she spun back around and looked out the window. "I can see why my Sisters fought so hard to defend and it and why Din still holds on, despite being the last Light Goddess, it's truly beautiful...and it will be mine."
"So, I take it no one's going to die?" Rickard asked cautiously.
"What a terrible mother I've been, letting my children live in fear...I assure you, you will live and you will be King of this little land of yours once my Sons and I ascend to the Sacred Realm." Semira replied.
Rickard wanted to push the subject, but couldn't bring himself to spend anymore time with the Dark Goddess, instead deciding to trust her. "Thank you." he uttered before striding out of the room, his two Guards falling in behind him as he walked away. He scowled as he thought of Ganondorf sitting on his Throne, the bulk of their forces were composed of his men while every human Guard in the Castle was one of his. "I'll prove I deserve to be King."
oOo
Shilara woke with a start, breathing in sharply before falling from the slab on which she laid. She attempted to scream as she looked upon her flesh, the dead, shriveled tissue slowly regenerating. She raised a hand to her throat, feeling her vocal cords coming back to life.
"What...the...hell?" she said between breaths, her chest heaving.
"I'm sorry to wake you like this." a familiar voice called.
Shilara threw herself onto her back and began to shove herself backwards away from Ganondorf as he strode towards her, the Gerudo woman's breathing growing heavier.
"Don't be frightened." Kai said as he came into the light.
Shilara stopped, her breathing slowing as she set her eyes on her brother, his green skin, red hair and golden eyes having returned, his Demonic features no where to be found. "You ordered Kanthos to kill me." Shilara said, gritting her teeth.
"I would never...Demise did this." Ganondorf said.
"You are Demise." Shilara replied.
"When I merged with Majora and Mahlik, Demise and I split...I've been able to take control, but only briefly...please, you must get away from here." Ganondorf said.
"How...how am I alive?" Shilara asked.
"I used their powers to bring you back...you have a second chance, don't waste it." Ganondorf explained.
"Where will I go?" Shilara asked.
"There's a servants entrance down this hallway and up a flight of stairs, you'll be out immediately." Ganondorf answered.
"That's not what I mean, who will take me? I can't stay here, I am an enemy to those loyal to the Royal Family and a traitor to those loyal to you...I mean...Demise." Shilara snapped.
"I know, but you must choose your own path...I have to go now, Demise and his brothers wake." Ganondorf said before teleporting away.
"Should've just let me stay dead." Shilara groaned.
oOo
"How did you let this happen?" Kanthos growled.
"I wasn't expecting her to deflect my own attack." Ghirahim replied.
"Seeing as she's apparently a 'Sword Spirit' like you." Kanthos began. "You should have anticipated it!"
"I've been trying to break that sword for weeks, the last thing I was expecting was for her to emerge from it." Ghirahim said defensively.
"I think we've found her." Kanthos said as the two made it to the city's walls, the Sorcerer's eyes perceiving the faint golden glow of the Master Sword's energy slowly fading away atop the wall.
"Come on, then." Ghirahim said, leaping straight over the wall, Kanthos following.
The two looked up, eyes going wide as they spotted Fi, the Sword Spirit taking refuge with a small army of Hylians that marched upon the Castle.
"How did we not detect them?" Ghirahim asked as he took a step back.
"Powerful warding magic...it's the some kind of energy I sensed when I fought that Fairy in Termina." Kanthos replied. "And he's to blame." the Sorcerer continued, directing his blade at the man standing in front of the force.
oOo
Fi raced towards the Hylians, heading straight for the man that lead the charge.
"What in the?!" Thrakon sputtered.
"Is that one of them?" Lord Halland asked.
"Wait, lower your weapons!" Thrakon called as Fi grew closer, Link had described Fi to him before after a night of drinking...he was surprised he remembered it all.
Mikau ran to the front lines, joining Thrakon. "What is that?" he began.
"The Master Sword." Thrakon answered as Fi floated over to him.
"You recognize the me?" she asked.
"I'm guessing you're looking for Link?" the mercenary asked.
"Your assessment is correct." Fi answered.
"I'm afraid he's not here at the moment." Thrakon answered.
"Can you direct me to him or share his whereabouts?" Fi asked.
"We've got company." Lord Halland announced.
Thrakon glanced up, gritting his teeth as Kanthos and Ghirahim came to land opposite them.
"What's your name?" Thrakon asked, turning back to the small being.
"My designation is Fi." the Sword Spirit answered.
"Well, Fi...can you fight?" Thrakon asked.
"I am versed in combat methods and strategies spanning from-" Fi began.
"That is fantastic!" the Sellsword interrupted. "Because we're not getting away from this one."
"That's the Master Sword...we're basically giving it back to them if she goes into battle with us." Mikau argued.
"If we try to get her out of here she won't make it far." Thrakon replied, eyeing Kanthos.
"Good point." Mikau sighed.
"Besides, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that." Thrakon answered has he turned back to Fi. "Head towards the rear, tell them to make sure you stay out of enemy hands at all costs"
Fi nodded in acknowledgment before heading off, Thrakon's attention being diverted to a man breaking through the front lines.
Doctor Garrickson rushed over to Mikau, looking frantically over at the wall as a nearby gate opened, Ganondorf's forces pouring out. "Goddesses how did I let you talk me into this?" the Doctor asked.
"Because we're friends now, you and I." Mikau answered.
"Right, friends." the Doctor said. "Well buddy, if you need me, I'll be in the back." he said before rushing away.
"Ready?" Lord Halland asked.
"We're far from ready, but this is our only shot." Thrakon answered.
"Let's take back our home." Mikau growled.
oOo
"Ah, look who's here." Kanthos said as Rickard Gavan joined he and Ghirahim.
"Whatever your going to say next...just don't." the Nobleman warned.
"I was just about to compliment you on your timing." Kanthos said.
"Fi is mine." Ghirahim hissed.
"That's all well and good with me, go ahead and resolve your ambiguous issues with her any way you see fit." Rickard answered.
Kanthos strode forward, stopping a few meters away from the front lines of his own forces, placing a hand under his chin and magically amplifying his voice. "Hylian resistance, even with one of the Hero's most trusted warriors on your side, you stand no chance...lay down your arms and we may show mercy."
Thrakon turned towards a spearman behind him and politely asked for the man's weapon, to which he hastily obliged. The Sellsword briskly walked several steps away from the others, staring Kanthos straight in his eyes before a smirk forming on his lips. "Suck on this, you creepy bastard!" Thrakon yelled, using all of his inhuman strength to toss the spear directly at Kanthos.
The Sorcerer raised a hand, incinerating the spear before it could reach him, subsequently drawing his own blade. "Kill them all!" he roared, pointing his sword at the Rebel forces.
"Charge!" Lord Halland yelled, all the men letting out battle cries as they charged into battle, the first line of spearmen easily tearing through the men on the front line only for a battalion of Lizalfos to leap out from behind them, the archers taking aim and felling as many as they can.
Bolts of energy flew overhead, sent by magic-capable Soldiers on both sides as Thrakon ran to the nearest enemy warrior, deflecting a stab before knocking the man away with his great-sword. A Lizalfos charged him, shooting a ball of flame his way, Thrakon blocking it with his blade before performing a jump attack and cutting the creature down the middle. Thrakon turned in time to avoid a volley of arrows from a squad of Bulblin Soldiers. The Mercenary dodged to the side as they fired another set, causing a large Moblin to take notice. Thakon ran towards the creature, dropping to ground and sliding under the swing of it's club before kicking one it's legs out from underneath it, shooting back to his feet behind the Moblin and driving his sword through it's back before tossing it at the Bulblin archers.
"There he is!" a Human Soldier called.
Thrakon turned dashing towards a trio of Soldiers in 'Dragmire Imperium' armor, knocking them all away in one swipe of his sword. The Mercenary made to turn when a blast of energy sent him sprawling.
"We'll see how you fare this time without that damned Great Fairy here to protect you." Kanthos hissed.
oOo
Lord Halland ducked a strike from a Soldier in White armor before cutting one of his legs out from underneath him and putting his sword through his forehead. The Lord looked up, finding a group of Miniblins dashing towards him. "C'mon you little..." he growled.
Suddenly a boomerang flew through the air, killing all the small creatures in one pass. Lord Halland watched as it returned to Mikau, the weapon turning out to be part of his body.
"You alright?" the Zora asked.
"I was going to ask you the same, being the only Zora in an army full of Hylians makes you draw quite a bit of attention I'm guessing." Lord Halland said as he parried a strike from an enemy Soldier before slashing him across the abdomen.
Mikau blocked a strike from a Bulblin before slashing it's throat with his fin, another Human Soldier charging at him and sending a diagonal downwards slash his way, the Zora fading to the side and grabbing the man's arm, channeling an electric shock into him with his body's own natural current. "No need to worry, I can handle myself." Mikau said.
"I'd say!" Lord Halland replied as he performed a helm cleaver, killing the Dinolfos opposite him.
"Not bad for an old fool." Rickard Gavan said as he cut down a Hylian Soldier.
"You dare speak to me, traitor?" Lord Halland asked.
"I'm going to pay you back for the scars you left me!" Mikau shouted as he started forward.
"Unlikely." Rickard growled.
"Still mad they picked my son over you when it came to Knighthood?" Lord Halland shot.
"That's only because my father had a mind of his own while you were always in the King's pocket." Rickard said with smirk. "And now who's on top?"
"It's two on one, you may want to re-evaluate your choice." Lord Halland replied.
"Yes, I may feel a twinge of sympathy after killing you both with such ease!" Rickard shouted.
Lord Halland charged at the Noble, Rickard easily deflecting his horizontal slash before performing a jump attack, the Lord barely dodging as Mikau tossed his fins at the Rickard, the man swiftly blocking them while Lord Halland came back at the Nobleman, performing a series of slashed along with a stab, Rickard blocking the slashes and dodging the stab, sending out a downwards vertical slash, the Hylian Lord barely moving in time as his opponent's blade caught him across the forearm.
Mikau dashed in, throwing a flurry of strikes with his metal-like forearm fins, Rickard deflecting every one with an almost bored look about him. The Zora lunged forward with a roar, running his fingers over Rickard's shoulder, quickly hitting him with a jolt of electricity.
The Noble grunted as he staggered back, his body refusing to cooperate as he tried to dodge Mikau's slashes.
Lord Halland darted in, stabbing at the traitorous Nobleman, Rickard turning towards him, the tip of Lord Halland's blade entering his shoulder.
Rickard grit his teeth and made a pained sound before smirking at Lord Halland. With one swift move Rickard drove his sword through Lord Halland's chest, pushing the older man over onto the ground after removing his blade. "Sometimes to win." Rickard said, placing a hand over his shallow wound. "You have to lose a little."
"Help him!" Mikau called to a group of nearby Soldiers before turning back to Rickard Gavan.
"No one can help him now." Rickard said.
Mikau flexed his forearms, his fins flicking up. "You're going to regret everything you've done, I'll see to that!" Mikau yelled as he charged Rickard.
oOo
Thrakon blocked a slash from Kanthos, the man teleporting away and sending a volley of energy blasts at him, Thrakon dodging each one before Kanthos launched a bolt of lightning at him, knocking the Sellsword on his back.
The Foreign Sorcerer leapt into the air, bringing his blade down on his opponent, Thrakon raising a hand and grabbing it, the metal nearly cleaving through his gauntlet.
"You're too confident." Thrakon breathed.
"Oh really?" Kanthos asked as he pressed his blade down with more intensity.
Thrakon dropped his sword and extended his other arm, grabbing Kanthos by the chest plate and tossing him a few meters away. The Sorcerer fell flat on his stomach and pushed himself back up to his feet with a growl. Within seconds Thrakon was upon him once more, dealing a couple powerful slashes that sent the Sorcerer stumbling backwards.
Kanthos faded back to avoid a strike from Thrakon, hitting the Knight with a blast of energy, Thrakon quickly recovering and charging back at his adversary. The Sorcerer shot forward with immense speed, bringing his sword up and performing a downwards vertical slash, Thrakon raising his great-sword to block it before raising a leg and kicking Kanthos straight in the chest, the Sorcerer flying backwards into a contingent of his own Soldiers.
Thrakon took a deep breath as Kanthos straightened up and came flying back at him, crimson electricity flowing over his hand as he skidded to a halt before the Mercenary and threw his fist directly at his opponent's face with a roar. Thrakon faded back, the Sorcerer's fist barely missing him, he began to think he was in the clear when Kanthos swiftly grabbed him by his neck, lifting the Sellsword off the ground and channeling his crimson electricity throughout his body before telekinetically tossing Thrakon a few meters away.
"That all you got?" Thrakon asked as he staggered to his feet, his body giving away how worn down he actually was.
"Not even close." Kanthos smirked before raising a hand, splaying his fingers before clenching his fist.
Thrakon looked down as the ground beneath him tore itself apart, fire bursting through the cracks before shattering in an explosion, Thrakon sprinting away before being knocked off his feet by the shockwave. The Mercenary looked up to find Kanthos had wiped out most of the soldiers around him, including his own.
"Don't tell me that after all that bluster you're done." Kanthos said as he strode over to Thrakon.
oOo
"So what is...it? She? A Fairy?" a Soldier asked.
"Don't know, just under orders to keep her safe." the first Soldier said, directing Fi past him.
"Heads up!" another Soldier shouted.
An enormous Black Sword fell from the sky, unleashing a shockwave of dark energy as it landed, driving itself into the ground. The Soldiers outside of it's radius raised their swords and closed in, all of them stumbling back as it morphed into a humanoid form.
"Give her to me." Ghirahim growled.
The Soldiers exchanged glances before running forward, Ghirahim cutting through the first wave with ease before morphing back into the corrupted Elder Blade and spinning through the remaining line before transforming back onto his Sword Spririt form, only a few men standing between he and Fi.
"I'll be taking her now." Ghirahim said with a smirk. The men stood still, tensing as they readied to attack. "You saw what I did to your comrades...hand her over and maybe I won't do the same to you."
Before the Soldiers could react Fi flew over them, whirling towards Ghirahim as she transformed back into the Master Sword. Ghiahim could barely react in time, dodging to the side before turning back into the Elder Blade and deflecting her, the two blades clashing before returning to their humanoid forms. Fi performed a backflip, two blades of energy flying form her 'arms', Ghirahim blocking them with his sword before dashing forward and directing a barrage of slashes at her, the Sword Spirit dodging each one before transforming back into the Master Sword. Ghirahim ground his teeth as his blade clanged against Fi in her sword form.
"You cannot win." Fi said, her voice echoing from the sword. "As the Master Sword, I'm precisely ten times more powerful than I was before."
"So mechanical." Ghirahim hissed. "It's almost as if the Goddesses and their 'Hero' wanted a mindless slave." he continued sarcastically.
"Your emotions have made you less precise." Fi said, suddenly driving herself into Ghirahim.
The sword spirit let out a pained cry before stumbling back, holding a hand over the wound. He looked up at Fi, gritting his teeth before breaking into a grin. "The Master calls." he said, teleporting away.
oOo
Ganondorf exited the gate, stalking towards the front lines of the battle, Semira behind him, the dark Goddess smiling all the while.
"Quite a few of your subjects have turned against you." she observed.
"It matters not." Ganondorf said, raising a hand before swiping it to the side, a wave of flame ripping through the battlefield, killing dozens of Soldiers as more tried to charge him, only for the Demon King to send them flying away with a flick of his wrist.
"My Master, how may I be of service?" Ghirahim said as he appeared at his Master's side.
"I'll be needing my blade if...what's happened to you?" Ganondorf asked.
Ghirahim looked down at the wound Fi inflicted, white energy seeping forth before dissolving into the air around it. "The Hero's accursed Sword Spirit has freed herself from the blade, I may have let my guard down."
"Come." Ganondorf demanded.
Ghirahim strode to his Master's side, Ganondorf swiping a hand over the wound, repairing it instantaneously.
"I need you in working order for the battle to come." the Demon King said.
"Thank you, Master." Ghirahim said, forgoing his usual flamboyant mannerisms, sensing Ganondorf was not in the mood for such antics. He quickly transformed back into his blade form, levitating into Ganondorf's grasp.
"Time to end this farce of a siege." the Demon King said as he raised his fist, the Anteforce glowing brightly.
The battlefield began to shift and crack, arms bursting forth out of the chasms as they grew wider, humans, Zora and monster alike rose from the ground, shambling towards the enemy forces.
oOo
Thrakon barely blocked another slash from Kanthos, the Sorcerer leaping back to fire a bolt of energy, the Mercenary summoning forth the power he inherited from his mother, blocking it with his fist, before looking up to meet Kanthos' gaze.
Suddenly a chorus of screams and shouts filled the air, Thrakon and Kanthos pausing their fight, looking over the battlefield from the hill they stood on. Below, hordes of reanimated Soldiers and beasts alike overtook the Resistance forces.
"There's too many of them!" a Soldier yelled before being tackled to the ground by a decomposing Dinolfos.
"Ah, so the Master has called forth the Undead." Kanthos said with a grin. "Looks like you lose, again."
Thrakon clenched his fists, getting ready to go back at Kanthos when he suddenly sensed something, a massive power, somehow foreign and familiar at the same time and by the look on Kanthos' face he sensed it too.
An enormous column of blinding white energy smashed into the ground in the middle of the battlefield, scattering Ganondorf's forces, a double helix shaped blade flying from inside the beam of light and whipping through the battlefield, easily cleaving through Ganondorf's forces, alive and undead alike, loosing blasts of blue electricity as it went.
Below, Ganondorf and Semira looked on, concern flashing across their faces.
As the beam of light faded, Fierce Deity Link took a step forward, extending an arm as the sword returned to his grasp, Audrik and Daltus behind him.
"Not quite the homecoming I'd imagined." Daltus said.
"Master?" a voice asked.
Audrik made a sound of alarm as he turned to find Fi behind him, the Sword Spirit hovering past him to Link.
"Fi, it's good to see you after all these years." Fierce Deity Link said with a grin.
"I was delighted to hear from you when you reached out to me within the Sword one-thousand years ago." Fi replied.
"I had to get you away from Ghirahim somehow." Link said with a grin before dematerializing his Helix blade. "What do you say we do this together?"
"I have looked forward to it greatly." Fi said as she transformed into the Master Sword, Link taking hold of it's hilt, the blade's power flowing through him once again, joining with that of the Fierce Deity.
Link's expression turned serious as he leapt high into the air. "Ganondorf!" he shouted as he crashed into a group of the Demon King's forces, a shockwave of energy emanating from him and vaporizing them.
oOo
Kanthos looked on in stunned horror as the Fierce Deity, armed with the Master Sword tore through their forces like parchment.
Thrakon grinned as he looked upon the Sorcerer. "You're screwed now."
oOo
Alright, the final battle has begun, over three years of writing this story and getting all of these characters into their positions has culminated in this, the Heroes have their own army on the way, Link, the King and the Prince have arrived and Erris is back in charge of his country, it's still going to be an uphill battle, though!
Ultimate Blazer: Yeah, Semira's kind of impatient after being imprisoned since the beginning of time, but Ganondorf won't take it lying down. As you can see, Cia's past ties in a lot with this chapter. I hope you like how I resolved the "weird in a good sense" ending! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Gerudospirit: I am SO glad you liked the whole Ikana scene, I actually thought about just deleting the entire thing at first because I was so unsure of it, safe to say the fact you thought it was the best chapter yet was a relief! Kali and Orvik didn't really have much to do in this chapter, so you'll have to wait until next time to see how this plays out! I didn't see the humor in the "He's crazier than Ghirahim" line until you pointed it out, Kanthos is loyal to a fault, I'd say. It's cool to see that more people know about Hyrule: Total War, the lore of that game intrigues me and it's where I got the Old Hylian word "Druthilidi" (Demon) from. The game is like Hyrule Warriors on steroids. I hope you liked what I did with the Hero of Time, he wasn't meant to play a huge role in this, just included him as a little nod to Link's past and to have him unwittingly aid his future self. Thank you for reviewing, I hope you liked the chapter!
Thank you to all those who hit follow and favorite on my profile and my story, you keep my inspiration for writing alive!
Before I sign off I thought it would be a good time to announce that I'll be writing a prequel to this story that will also serve as a sequel to 'Twilight Princess' after this story concludes. Let me know if you'd also like a sequel!
As always, thank you for reading and I sincerely hoped you enjoyed this chapter!
-Prometheus17