Link hopped down the embankment and slid through the loose dirt, using the rocks half-buried in the the hillside to slow his descent before making one last leap to the ground. He drew the Master Sword, the blade giving a dim white glow, a much needed light as the sun had already fallen over the horizon, casting a distant orange glow, the moon having already been up, it had been visible in the sky all day, which to some is a bad omen, but the Hero couldn't think of anything worse that could happen compared to what he already lived through.
"Master, has our partnership come to a close in this life?" Fi asked.
Link cracked a slight smile, glancing at the Master Sword. "Relax, Fi, we're not done yet, I just need you to open those doors for me."
"Master, may I remind that you that traveling back in time-" Fi began.
"Might have negative consequences...don't worry I know...I just need to fix something." Link assured the Sword Spirit has he turned the sword upside down and angled it's point towards the pedestal of time. Link slowly lowered the blade into it's designated space, a flash emanating from the pedestal as a white light came to life in the space between the original Temple of Time's doors.
The Hero briskly walked back to the edge of the clearing, taking out his hookshot and shooting it towards the ruined balcony, the tool's point digging into the handrail, Link giving the trigger a quick squeeze to pull him up.
"You should have brought me here sooner." Zelda said as she eyed the Gates of Time excitedly.
"Well, you're here now." Link said with a smile before. "Speaking of, are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, Semira wasn't the most gracious entity with which I could share my body, but she left it somewhat stronger than she found it." Zelda said, clenching her fists as gold energy roared to life around her.
"Okay, okay, I'm convinced." Link said as he placed both hands on the doors.
"Let me help." Zelda said as she and Link pushed the doors open, the pristine Temple of Time appearing before them as it had one-thousand years prior.
Zelda took a step in, the clack of her shoes against the floor echoing throughout the hall. "This is amazing..." she said.
"I know, I hardly believed my eyes when I first saw it during the Twilight Invasion." Link said as he proceeded towards the Spiritual Stones' altar. "I couldn't have done it without their power." Link said as he placed the Stones back in the order he had found them.
Zelda didn't respond as she took off her glove, tracing her bare fingers along the masonry of the Temple. "So out those doors..." she began.
"Is the world as we knew one-thousand years ago." Link answered.
"I'm almost tempted to venture out." Zelda replied.
"I know, but there's another me out there...another you." Link said.
Zelda smiled as she looked upon Link, the Hero looking wistfully at the blue sky visible through the Temple of Time's windows. She made to approach him when suddenly she felt it throbbing against her hands and working it's way through her veins, the Princes trying to hush a sharp inhale as she looked down, shadow energy manifesting in her palms.
"Zelda?" Link asked, whirling around to face her, the Princess turning away from him. "Is everything alright?"
"It's...it's fine...we should go." the Princess said.
"Are you sure? We could wait a little bit longer, maybe even peak out those doors?" he asked with a small smile, the expression fading away as he saw Zelda's ears droop slightly.
"No, it's fine...I've...had enough." the Princess said.
"Alright." Link answered, Link making his way back tot he Pedestal of Time as Zelda readied the trans-location to spell for Hyrule Castle.
oOo
A week had passed since he had lost, since the plan he had spent centuries crafting was shattered like glass upon a stone floor, yet he was not upset, he was relieved. Not only because he was rid of his other half and the two Demons he called brothers, not just because Semira was no more, but because he held the Triforce in his hands, had the Five Lands under his rule and gained power comparable to the Goddesses themselves...and in the end...it didn't work. Once again the Hyrulean people rallied, this time with the other nations behind them and defeated him, his 'Godhood' costing him greatly and his own people turning against him. Ganondorf sighed, the entire reason he...the part of him that was mortal, started this crusade to fight for a better life for the Gerudo, but he lost sight of his actions, he had what he had come to want only to realize how far he'd fallen away from the once noble goal he had in mind, the part of his soul that was Demise twisting it into something sinister, something evil and after realizing this, after severing his link with Demise...he was free...he was at peace.
Ganondorf leaned back slightly, letting his legs hang off the ridge he was perched upon, the Gerudo settlement in the distance, torches being lit in the windows and along the walls as the sun fell below the horizon, the last of it's light slightly illuminating the village. Ganondorf thought about returning, trying to resume his life as one of them, not even as a King, just as a Gerudo. His people wouldn't accept him though, due to his long absence between his current incarnation and his last, a rare thing had happened in the intervening years, another Gerudo male had been born about one-hundred and fifty years prior, he was named Rezar and he managed to heal Gerudo relations with the Hylians, doing away with some of the long held prejudice Ganondorf knew he was, for the most part, responsible for. It was this prejudice that caused a group of Gerudo to flee to Termina and adopt a seafaring culture, it was his fault that, for a while, the Gerudo completely abandoned Hyrule, as it became too dangerous for them. Ganondorf wished he could have met Rezar, but he knew the latter most likely would not want to meet him...still, part of him wanted to meet him only to apologize. The former Demon King rose from his seat, turning away from his childhood home, after what he'd done, he'd most likely be attacked on sight.
"Just going to stare at me all night?" Ganondorf asked, locking his golden eyes with the two glowing red ones that looked upon him. Ghirahim had come with him willingly at first, but had begun to grow weary of his former partner, refusing to take his sword from and keeping his distance. "You want to know if anything remains of Demise within me." Ganondorf said.
Ghirahim tilted his head forward, eyes narrowing.
"It was the will of Demise that caused me to be born, he inhabited my body and our essences merged into a single mind for a long time, I may have severed that connected by accident...but I ripped him from my body and killed him on purpose...I am Demise's mortal half, much like the boy...Link...is the mortal half of the Fierce Deity."
"You helped the Hero...you helped Zelda." Ghirahim hissed.
"Demise took to using me as a puppet once we split, you would've done the same in my position." Ganondorf said, taking a seat opposite the Sword Spirit.
"You are not the Master, the Master no longer exists." Ghirahim replied, turning away.
"On the contrary." Ganondorf began. "I am all that's left of your Master...but if you do not wish to call me your Master, that is fine with me...we can be partners, you and I."
"Partners?" Ghirahim said, a tinge of disbelief in his voice.
"Demise didn't care for you as much as you may have believed, before I moved against him I left you where you were for fear of him destroying you as a final act. You've been loyal, more loyal than any other subordinate before you, for this, I wish for us to fight together as equals." Ganondorf explained.
"The battle's over, what's left to fight for?" Ghirahim responded.
Ganondorf looked down at his hand, the two remaining parts of the Anteforce were active, this would only be possible if two of it's holders were free upon this world at the same time...Majora was not as trapped as people thought. "We have one trial left standing before us, but first, we must go somewhere."
"Where?" Ghirahim replied.
"Hyrule Castle."
oOo
Sandrine stood in the corner of the room, still eyeing her mother with an air of wonder. She had until recently been slightly more than unconscious but was now back to her old self.
"Any word from the settlement?" Aveil asked.
"None." Sandrine answered. "It seems Ganondorf is deciding to keep his distance."
"He knows he's not welcome there." Naora added.
"I suppose you would know." Sandrine retorted.
"And that's supposed to mean?" Naora asked.
"Calm down, both of you." Aveil said. "Sandrine is just pointing out that you spent an awful lot of time with him and that dreadful sister of his...I could go on, but there are bigger things going on right now."
A knock came at the door, the three women turning in unison. Sandrine shrugged as she moved to the door, wrenching it open to find Captain Shekilah and Vashara outside.
"If I never saw you again it would be too soon." the Gerudo Pirate Captain said as she entered the room.
Aveil stepped forward, locking eyes with the other Gerudo woman, suddenly cracking a smile. "Shekilah, you salty old hag, I heard you were here but I thought you'd be back at your ocean front property by now."
Captain Shekilah gave a grin in return, reaching out and putting an arm around the Hyruelan Gerudo woman. "All sarcasm aside, it's good to see you're back on your feet again."
"We have the Goddess of Sand to thank for that." Aveil answered.
"You mean Din?" Vashara chimed in.
Aveil went quiet, setting her eyes on the blonde Gerudo standing near Shekilah. "Same difference." she began. "Now who are you? Coming into my chambers and questioning me."
"This is Vashara, one of the Knights of Hytopia, formerly one of mine." Shekilah answered.
"Let her speak for herself." Aveil replied.
"Shekilah brought me here because I have some information you might like to know and we thought you'd rather here it from another Gerudo." Vashara answered.
"You can trust her, I've been fighting alongside her and the order of Knights she's a member of for months now." Naora said.
"The Knights of Hytopia have been tracking Ganondorf, last we saw of he had set up camp outside of the Gerudo Settlement." Vashara said.
"I'd be concerned, but that's not all, is it?" Aveil asked.
"No...you see, one of our members can take the form of a seagull, she went to the most likely location we thought he'd be in and it didn't take long to find him, but just as we were about to move to capture him...he teleported away with that Sword Spirit of his." Vashara answered.
"You're telling me Ghirahim's still with him?" Naora groaned.
Aveil shot a look at her eldest daughter before turning back to the blonde Gerudo in front of her. "Where do you think he's going?"
"That's what I came to ask her." Vashara said, turning towards Naora.
"What? Why not ask Shilara, Kali or Orvik...they're his family." Naora said.
"We already have, they didn't know." Vashara answered.
"Well come on, Sister...you knew him rather intimately." Sandrine said, narrowing her eyes.
Naora glared at her sister, suppressing a growl before turning back to Vashara, the other Gerudo woman tilting her head expectantly. Naora sighed, she had to admit to herself that once she heard Ganondorf had expelled the Demons and aided the Hero something inside her filled with hope that Kai was back, that the man she loved had returned, but it was a foolish notion, she told herself.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Naora answered.
oOo
"Can you stand?" Trystane asked.
Lord Halland looked at his son before sitting up and slowly rising from his bed, reaching out an arm for support. "That damned Rickard Gavan used cheap trick to get me, otherwise I would have thrashed him.
"I'm sure." Trystane said with a smile.
The elder Halland looked up, giving Doctor Garrickson a nod. "I must thank you for getting to me so fast, especially with all the wounded."
"Well, it kept me off the front lines, no need to thank me for that." the Doctor said.
"What happened with Gavan anyway, last I saw he was having it out with one of those Great Zoras." Lord Halland asked.
"That'd be Mikau." Garrickson said.
"You know Mikau?" Trystane asked.
"Well, you know, I only hid him in my basement for three months." Garrickson answered.
"Makes sense." Trystane remarked after a short silence.
"What did you do with that bastard anyway?" Lord Halland asked.
"Well..." Trystane began.
One week Prior-the battle for Hyrule
Trystane took off, managing to dodge strikes from beasts and men alike as the battle raged around him. The Knight extended both arms as a contingent of Dragmire Soldiers made to head him off, Trystane easily freezing them solid before shouldering through them, extending a field of frost around himself, assuring no one could get too close without freezing solid themselves.
The Knight quickly spotted Mikau as he crested a hilltop, the Zora man performing a backflip to avoid a slash from the corrupt Noble.
"Try as you might, you won't be any more successful against me this time than you were the last." Rickard said with a smirk.
Mikau grimaced as he loosed his boomerang-like fins at his opponent, Rickard performing two quick slashes to deflect them. "How do you live with yourself?" Mikau shouted as he charged Rickard, the Noble easily dodging slashes from his fins before blocking one, the Zora man leaping back only for Rickard to charge in and perform a spin attack, cleaving Mikau across his thigh and knocking him to the ground.
"No escape this time!" Rickard called as he raised his sword, positioning it over Mikau's chest when it was suddenly struck by an icicle, Rickard stumbling back as Trystane arrived. "I was wondering if I'd see you here...too late to save 'daddy' you are."
"Leave this to me." Trystane said as he eyed Gavan.
"You expect me to just walk away after he's tried to kill me twice?" Mikau asked.
"He tried to kill my father." Trystane replied.
Mikau grit his teeth for a moment before turning back to Trystane. "Fair enough, I'll cover you and make sure no one interferes...just make sure he suffers."
Trystane nodded as he stepped forward, squaring up with his opponent. "I always knew you were a sneaky bastard but I never thought you'd go this far." Trystane said.
"You wouldn't be too unlike me if your father didn't place himself under the King's thumb! My family fought to have full control of our lands and didn't let Daltus impose his authority on us so they conspired to bring us down, but now I'm on top and you're one who's going to lose." Rickard shouted.
"Unlikely." Trystane said as he raised his arms, a circle of ice rising around the two until they were completely cut off from the rest of the battle. "Your move." Trystane said.
"I should have been made a Knight, not you!" Rickard shouted as he charged at Trystane, the two clashing before Rickard leapt back, performing a jump attack.
Trystane side-stepped it before unleashing a series of x- shaped slashes, Rickard blocking them and responding with a stab, Trystane knocking it away with a leftwards horizontal strike.
"I'd almost be tempted to show you mercy if you hadn't tried to kill my father." Trystane said as he ran forward, throwing a vertical downwards slash, Rickard countering with horizontal rightwards slash, the two swords meeting with a loud clang.
"It's to bad I didn't have time to calculate where I stabbed him due to that Zora fool interfering...or else he'd be dead...I guess I'll just hope for the worst." Rickard said through gritted teeth as he and Trystane pushed their swords against each other, neither gaining any ground.
"Just for that, I'm ending this." Trystane responded.
"Go ahead and try." Rickard said as he broke from the clash and leapt back only for an icicle to burst from the ground and snag his armor. "What is this?" he growled.
Trystane extended an arm and clenched his fist, ice forming from the water in the ground and bursting forth, encasing both of Rickards feet and extending up to his knees.
"This...isn't...fair." Rickard said between grunts of effort as he tried to break free.
"Was it fair when you took an army of Zola and a damned Argorok to take over Zora's Domain? as it fair when you sent an army of Dinolfos to exterminate the Gorons of Holodrum? Was it fair when you ordered your forces to kill the engineers before they could repair the forcefield pillars? You've directly and indirectly caused death and destruction on a scale not seen in centuries and you deserve no quarter." Trystane said as he approached the Noble.
Rickard dropped his enraged attitude, teeth starting to chatter as he bowed his head. "Please...don't kill me...I'll...I'll go quietly, I promise." he pleaded.
Trystane lowered his blade as he regarded the once proud Nobleman. "I'm not going to kill you." he said as he took a step forward.
Rickard let out a roar as he suddenly lunged forward, breaking free of the ice and bringing his blade directly down onto Trystane, his face going blank as Trystane caught his arm. "How did you...?"
"I knew you were going to try something, you are not a good actor, Rickard." Trystane said.
Rickard pulled back his left arm, readying a punch when he lost feeling in his right arm. "What are you doing to me?" he asked.
"I said I wasn't going to kill you, but I am going to remove your claws." the Knight said.
Rickard grit his teeth, falling to one knee before letting out a scream as he felt his arm freeze solid. "No..no..." he said, screaming once more as his entire arm, metal, leather, skin, flesh and bone shattered, the Noble falling to the ground in shock.
Mikau stabbed his fin through a Bulblin's head as the wall fell behind him, Trystane dragging the unconscious Rickard Gavan behind him. "Trystane what..." the Zora man said, stopping as he observed the open space where the Noble's arm used to be. "...what did you do?" he asked.
"Took his sword arm, he won't be hurting anyone again anytime soon."
oOo
"And I was the one who treated the stump." Doctor Garrickson said.
"Why not just let him die?" Lord Halland asked.
"He's going to stand trial along with Ganondorf and Ghirahim once we catch them, so would Kanthos if he hadn't forced Cia to kill him." Trystane said. "That's why the leaders of all the factions are still here at the Castle."
"When they decide to execute him I'd be happy to drop the blade myself." Lord Halland replied.
oOo
"I'm fine, really, I am." Zelda assured him, but he could see through her, he always could.
"Semira was inside of you, possessing your body, it's okay to admit it affected you." Link said.
"I've been possessed before." the Princess replied.
"You mean by Ganondorf during the Twilight Invasion?" Link pressed. "That was only for a matter of hours."
"I know...but the fact of the matter is that I was able to...shrug it off then and I've done the same now." the Princess answered.
"You know, Audrik and Daltus are concerned, you haven't left your chambers since we retook the Castle." Link said.
"I'm just tired is all, remember, I did smite Mahlik with a single touch." Zelda responded.
"I understand that, you used that kind of power when Erris launched his first attack and it put you in a coma...you've definitely come a long way...and you need to use this newfound strength to reassure our people that we can protect them."
Zelda gave a small smile, Link always had a way of helping her through things, but this was something she needed to work through on her own. "I realize...but this can wait until morning, for now I'm going to rest, just know I love you and things will return to normal soon." Zelda said as she leaned up, she and Link sharing a kiss before she laid back down.
Link lay next to her, try as he may sleep never came easy to him, with the life or lives that he had lived his body had learned to always be ready, rest only coming when he was properly exhausted. He rotated to his left, going to drape an arm over her when a light knock came at the door, Link first checking if it had woken Zelda before slowly lifting himself from the bed and making his way over to the door.
oOo
King Daltus waited, turning quickly towards the door as Link cracked it open, looking at him curiously.
"My King." Link said.
"You don't have to call me that." Daltus replied.
"Are you not planning to take back your place on the throne?" Link asked.
"No, no, no, my daughter has been doing just fine...it fits, she has much practice" Daltus said with a laugh.
"I can vouch for that, I was there." Link replied.
"This is strange...I always thought there'd be a group of potential young suitors for Zelda that would be vying for my approval...yet here you are and I find myself wanting yours." the former King answered.
Link narrowed his eyes before leaving the room and softly closing the door behind him. "Are you trying to tell me you came here to see what I think of you?" Link asked.
"No, not completely, it was just an observation." Daltus answered.
"Rest assured I think quite highly of you." Link answered with a small smile.
"I'll die satisfied knowing I was held in high regard by the Hero of Legend who also happened to be my son-in-law." the former King laughed.
"I sense you have another reason for coming here." Link remarked.
"Ah, yes...I went to meet with Ganondorf's parents earlier...I thought it would be interesting, the father of the Princess of Destiny meeting the parents of the Demon King, but once I got there I found they had just been preparing to leave." Daltus explained.
"Leave? This is the safest place for them, where would they be going?" Link asked.
"They told me that they were at first overjoyed to find Ganondorf's younger sister...they're daughter still alive and quite tame compared to how she used to be...but that quickly faded as she stayed quiet most of their time together." the former King explained.
"If that was her being tame I hate to see how she used to be." Link commented.
"I was fortunate enough to never have met her." Daltus replied. "Anyway, last her parents heard from her, she said she needed to make sure her brother was back and it wasn't some trick by Demise and next thing they knew, she was gone."
"You're worried she's going to return to him and help him rally his forces once more." Link observed.
"Part of the reason we had her stay here was so something like that wouldn't happen." Daltus said.
"I don't think we have to worry, Ganon returned our parts of the Triforce to Zelda and I...he could have used them against us but he didn't...I believe Shilara may truly be looking for her brother to reconnect with him." Link said.
"Can't blame me for being cautious." Daltus said.
"Not at all." Link answered.
oOo
Erris leaned over, arms against the railing as he looked out over the large chamber in front of him, the Kokiri hadn't a home to return to after the Great Deku Tree reassumed his Deity form, thus the Princess had decided to house the Kokiri at the Castle until the Deku, Macku and Baga could find a place to settle down, building a new Kokiri Forest with three protectors instead of the one.
"It seems like just yesterday I launched an attack on their home...and now here I am, protecting them." Erris mused.
"It's a wonder they aren't afraid of you." Audrik said as he joined his fellow Prince.
Erris snapped his head to the side before turning it forward again. "Thought you were someone else." he said.
"If you're wondering where Volga is, he and Marin are getting to know each other...turns out the ability to morph into giant predatory beasts is quite the...well...conversation starter." the Prince answered.
"I know that much." Erris began. "I sent Volga out, he was quite adamant that he resume his duties as my bodyguard, but I wouldn't have it. Ganondorf must be found."
"Who were you expecting, then?" Audrik asked.
"My mother, she has been checking in on me quite a bit lately. After being absent from my life for it's majority she's happy we can start being family again. I've been seeing less of her this past week, though, she's quite eager to reconnect with her Sister...my aunt Lana I suppose." Erris explained.
"Can you blame her?" the Hylian Prince responded.
"Not at all, I'm sure you were excited to catch up with your father once he returned from the dead...so to speak." Erris answered.
"Not at first, he more or less abandoned Zelda and I as children to conduct a secret war against Ganondorf...I understand that...but he could have let us know he was still alive somehow. Aside from that, there's also the fact that his actions lead to...our formerly difficult relationship." Audrik replied.
"You speak of when I threatened to show what your insides looked like." Erris stated.
"Or when you stabbed my Sister." Audrik countered.
Erris sighed and lowered his head, his long black hair falling forward and draping over his face. "I've always wondered how you've forgiven me for that."
"Well, joining our side was a start, since then you've defended us and thought alongside our forces admirably, you even managed to regain control over your forces and sway them from Ganondorf's allegiance...not to mention the fact that you've been mush less of a prick after you kicked Mahlik out." Audrik said.
"Mahlik...even though he's gone I still can't shake that feeling I get whenever I think about him." Erris started, turning to face Audrik. "I'm not attempting to escape blame for my actions, but in many cases the things I did were at Mahlik's urging, he influenced what I did, filled me with hate and anger and took advantage of those feelings to make me do the things I did...that's why I feel Ganondorf may not be completely responsible for his actions."
"Erris, you seem to have lost your mind, allow me to help you find it." Audrik responded tersely. "He killed your father, forcefully banished your mother, manipulated you for most of your life, has tried to kill my Sister and Link on many occasions, committed genocide for than once in the past two years and...damn...there's so much more than that and you know it...yet you still would say something like that?"
"I...I understand that he did horrible things...but he head three Demon Lords in his head for most of that time and he's had one influencing his every move from the start...you have forgiven me for my actions and I for one am somewhat eager to see how Ganondorf can help us now that he is his own person instead of an incarnation of Demise...he helped Link and he still holds the Triforce of Power, this must mean something." Erris replied.
"Let's hope you're not being too optimistic." Audrik said as he looked out the large window atop the wall nearest him, a calm breeze pushing a few stray clouds past the full moon, the Prince stopping for a moment...tonight the moon seemed...closer.
oOo
"Part of me feels like celebrating, the Scourge is dead...but most of my people are dead." Captain Castion said as he looked out over Hyrule Field, the Lokomo Soldiers having set up camp outside of Castle Town alongside the armies of Termina and Gamelon, the Labrynnians having gone to Kakariko Village to root out any resistance there under Erris' orders.
"This is a time to mourn, most of my people had just received their second chance at life." King Ikana said.
Impa tilted her head forward and closed her eyes. "Cia promised you we'd find a way to reverse all of this, and I intend to follow through on that." the Sheikah woman answered.
"How? With the Triforce?" King Ikana asked. "Last you saw of, the Demon's host left with one of it's pieces."
"He'll be back." Thrakon said as he joined them, Elgon and Mikau with him.
"I just wish I could have driven a sword through the Scourge's heart myself." Castion said, gritting his teeth.
"Having your help was enough, your men were some of the fiercest warriors I've ever seen." Elgon replied.
"That's because they were fighting for vengeance." Castion said, looking down at his battle-worn naval uniform. "Most of them no longer have families to go back to."
"Can we truly undo the damage this...Demise, has done?" King Igos du Ikana asked.
"I believe we can." Impa answered, even if Link, Zelda and Ganondorf, should he ever decide to do the right thing more than once in his entire existence, weren't strong enough to undo what the war had wrought, Din was still here and she was still strong.
"I suppose you all no longer need our assistance...I should go back and let those of my people who survived that the Scourge is finally done for." Castion answered.
"I wouldn't be so sure, we can always use the reinforcements." Elgon said.
Mikau was merely observing the conversation, when suddenly a distant sound struck his ears, his head-fin twitching instinctively.
"Mikau, is something wrong?" Elgon asked.
"Look's like we're going to have to face this sooner than we thought." the Zora man said as Soldiers of all races and nationalities charged from their positions, weapons drawn, forming a circle around Ganondorf, the Gerudo man walking along calmly, Ghirahim at his side, the circle moving with him.
"You know, the point of surrounding someone is to ensure they don't move." the Thief King growled.
"I can't believe this." Impa said as she strode forward, Ganondorf stopping his advance as he met her gaze, the Soldiers around him moving in a step closer.
"Your self-preservation instincts aren't the greatest are they?" Elgon called. "Or could it be that you've finally grown a conscience in Demise's absence and want to atone."
"Nothing of the sort, I'm here out of my own interests and I demand an audience with the Princess and the boy." Ganondorf replied.
"I'm sorry, the who and the who?" Thrakon called over.
Ganondorf clenched his teeth, quieting a growl before sighing deeply. "Princess Zelda Nohansen Hyrule and Link...The Hero of Hyrule."
"That's better." Impa said, a slight smirk crossing her lips.
"You'd do well not to aggravate me." Ganon replied.
"Do you want your audience with the Princess and Hero or not?" Impa asked.
"Fine, you've earned my silence...for now." the Thief King said as Impa walked ahead, beckoning the party onward.
Ganondorf glanced at Ghirahim, noticing the Sword Spirit had bee uncharacteristically quiet for the entire exchange. The Gerudo man followed the Spirit's line of sight to the Elgon's back. "He once wielded you, didn't he?" Ganon asked quietly, shooting a quick glance at the Soldiers, none having the nerve to try quieting him.
"Before he sold me." Ghirahim said.
Elgon suddenly spun on his heels, locking eyes with Ghirahim. "For the record, I didn't 'sell' you! I was forced to hand you over or else hundreds of lives would be lost, but you were always too selfish to see past that...I don't even see why you're bitter, looks like things have worked out well for you." the Light Sage said before turning back around.
Thrakon turned to see the Sword Spirit go from visibly stunned to somewhat angry, his eyes burning a brighter red. "I almost forgot you two have a past."
"This isn't the first time we've met since I was forced to hand him over, I tried to get him back after we initially sealed Demise away but he was unwilling to come with me...unbearable as ever he is." Elgon groaned.
"Restrain yourself." Ganondorf advised, Ghirahim merely glancing at him before looking ahead, teeth bared.
oOo
The Following Morning
Erris walked briskly down the hall, adorned in a suit of black armor, the Ambi family crest adorning the left pectoral plate while a long violet cape flowed behind him.
"A slight bit excessive if I do say so myself." someone called.
The Prince turned, ready to be on the defensive only to find a familiar face. "Sir Gabriel, General of Gamelon, I saw you from afar when you lead your forces to our aid, I just wasn't able to find you afterwards."
"I know the feeling, everything's been in complete chaos since the battle ended, I'm not even from this land yet I found myself and some of my men aiding in rebuilding and resettling efforts earlier." Sir Gabriel answered.
"You don't have to be native to a land to want to help." Erris replied.
"That's not quite what I meant...guess my phrasing was a bit off." Sir Gabriel said, placing a thumb and index finger on his chin. "Some of the returning residents were just a little confused to see Gamelonian Soldiers helping them along."
"At this point it's easier than being a Labrynnian Soldier." Erris answered.
"I'd assume so...congratulations on getting your country and your army back under your command." Gabriel answered.
"I got some of them...not all, there are still 'Dragmire' loyalists out there, hiding who knows where." Erris responded.
"Well, if it's any consolation; Princess Kayala instructed me to inform you that she'd very much like to see you again when all of this is settled." Gabriel answered.
"I...I think I'd like that too." Erris said.
"I'll make sure to let her know...or you could, she should be here shortly." the Knight replied.
The Labrynnian Prince stood slightly flustered for a moment. "Well, I..." Erris began, going quiet as he and Gabriel joined a long line of people flowing into the main hall.
"You'd think there'd be an easier way for people involved in the trial to enter." Gabriel remarked.
Erris narrowed his eyes, feeling Wizzro rotate slightly on his finger, I sign he too was anxious. "I'm fine with taking my time, I'm not exactly eager to see Ganondorf again."
oOo
Ganondorf sat in his cell, small humanoid figures composed of energy dancing over his palm.
"Is that all you're going to do?" Rickard Gavan growled from the cell next to him, gripping one of the bars with his remaining hand.
"I have to keep amused somehow." Ganondorf said, snuffing out the small sprites he created.
"Can't you break us out? Is that not why you got yourself caught?" the former noble answered.
"I did get myself caught, yes, but not for that reason." Ganondorf said, glancing over at a silent Ghirahim before casting his eyes at the ceiling above. Impa had decided not to place guards in his vicinity, instead opting to have the Great Fairies stand guard above him.
"Then what is this? Some moral crisis?" Rickard snarled. "I gave everything for you, I lost an arm for you...and you're just giving up...pathetic."
Ganondorf closed his eyes, blowing a long exhale through his nostrils as he stood before turning to face his former subordinate. Before Rickard could speak, Ganon extended an arm, telekinetically pulling the former Noble into the bars between them, the force nearly knocking him unconscious. "Hear me now, Gavan...while joined with Demise, Majora and Mahlik I realized I was fighting against everything I wanted...I started this fight to provide a better life for my people...I strayed from that path but after nearly losing all I sought to gain I realize I must now protect it...it's not my fault you're pride compelled you to follow along." the Gerudo man said as he dropped the former Noble.
"You never answered why you're here." Rickard continued.
"I came to warn the Hero and Princess...the threat's not yet over."
oOo
"I'm sure we can rebuild it." Lana said, an unsure tone in her voice as she looked upon the wreckage of the Temple of Souls.
"I know, but I don't even know if it's worth it." Cia answered.
"How so? It was your home." Lana replied.
"I spent centuries alone here, pining for a man who I could never have." Cia said, feeling ashamed as memories of her obsession with Link filling her mind. "And even after that, after Lannis, after reconnecting with Erris...I thought it would be safe, but Ganondorf was able to find us here too...maybe that was a sign it's time to move on."
"Well, if I may say so, it doesn't seem you need to fear Ganondorf any longer." Lana answered.
"After separating from Demise in spirit, mind and body he is less powerful...but I won't underestimate him again." Cia responded.
"You're not alone in this anymore." Lana answered, placing a hand on her twin sister's shoulder. "You have not just me but all of the new friends you've made in this life...including the Princess and the Hero." Lana said.
Cia tilted her head forward and smiled, never in all her years did she think this was how things would turn out for her. "I guess I don't need to hide anymore, eh?"
"No...not anymore...one thing has been nagging at me, though." Lana replied.
"What might that be?" Cia asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"You still haven't told me anything about this 'Sir Trystane' you've been seeing." Lana said playfully.
Cia blushed slightly, locking eyes with her Sister. "Getting back to your normal self, I see."
"Don't try to change the subject." Lana replied.
"Fine, how about I take you to meet him?" Cia said with a laugh.
"I would like that...you know, I still have to get acquainted with my nephew." Lana added.
"Well, I can take you to meet Erris, too...I can take you to do whatever you want, now that you're back I don't want to waste a moment." Cia said, grinning wide as she looked at her Sister, her smile suddenly falling as Lana froze on the spot, her mouth falling open slightly as her eyes went wide. "Lana...Lana!" Cia called as she ran to her.
"What was that?" Lana asked, a shiver flowing through her body.
"What do you mean?" Cia asked.
"I...I just sensed something...something terrible." Lana explained.
Cia nodded, her Sister had existed only as a Spirit up until recently, after being on the other side of the veil for so long she had become more in tune with spiritual and metaphysical parts of the universe. Cia closed her eyes, expanding her awareness as she searched for what her Sister sensed, eventually finding it. A powerful feeling of dread washed over her, this wasn't your normal dark energy...it was different and it was here, in Hyrule.
"Did you see it?" Lana asked.
"Crimson flames and smoke." Cia answered.
"Not Majora...not again." Lana said.
Cia grimaced, at least with Ganondorf in control Majora's power and destructive urges were reigned in...but he was free now. "We have to get back to the Castle." Cia answered.
Lana, however, stayed stalk still, balling her fists and staring at the ground beneath them. "I don't think I can."
"Lana, you're the strongest person I've ever known, you can do this...I know you can." Cia urged.
Lana tensed as she remembered Majora's rampage in Ikana, how he stripped away the bodies of her fellow citizens and turned them into Redeads while leaving their Spirits to wander, cold and in pain, the dead rising not long after. "You weren't there for it all." Lana replied.
"That's true." Cia admitted, Lana looking up to meet her slightly older Sister's gaze. "But I'm here now...and we can do this together." she said, outstretching her hand.
Lana nodded as she grasped Cia's hand, the two teleporting away.
oOo
Din spent this day as she had the last week, lying atop Hyrule Castle's tallest tower, listening as life slowly came back to Castle Town. The people were apprehensive at first, but after seeing the danger was gone, were happy to go back to their old homes...this was due in no small part to her. The battle had left Hyrule Field and certain areas of the city itself completely destroyed, it didn't look like a war, it looked like the apocalypse had come and gone...and maybe it had. Din couldn't remember the last time she had so many divine entities take part in a battle, noting this may be the first time it's ever happened, but this was beside the point.
King Daltus himself approached her, saying Zelda and Link didn't want to ask if of her, but someone needed to restore the field and the Castle, and with her power it would be quick. It should have been easy, a snap of her fingers of flick of her wrist, she was a Goddess after all, a Celestial Goddess, a God among Gods she was, due to this she never knew she could be stretched thin until now.
Din sat up, holding her hands close to her face as she focused on them. Maybe it was this body that limited her power, maybe it was the fact she had never been this active on the physical plain for such an extended amount of time...maybe it was because her Sisters were gone. It took her an hour to summon the strength to repair the damage to Hyrule Field and Castle Town, something that needed to be done in order to lure the townspeople that sought refuge elsewhere back to the City. She could have asked Deku, Macku or Baga, possibly even the Four Giants, but she had a duty to fulfill to her children, she had to make herself useful...she had to show them that she was still a Goddess, she was still powerful and that they were safe under her protection.
"My job is never over." Din sighed as she stood up, sensing the coming of one of Termina's Great Fairies.
In a green flash of light the fairy appeared, having manifested in a form quite a bit smaller than usual in order to interact properly with Din's human form.
"Mother, we've been searching for you." the Fairy said, looking around uncertainly.
"Ah yes, I must have forgotten to remove the warding spell I placed on this body, had to make sure Demise and Semira couldn't find me." the Goddess replied. "So, Hera, how is Persephone doing?"
"She still has yet to regain consciousness, but her essence was scattered for quite a while." Hera said, looking down for a moment. "Hyrule needs it's Great Fairy back...and I don't know if my sisters and I have enough energy to restore her completely."
"Persephone will come back in time, if you, Athena, Aphrodite and Hestia continue to provide her with your energy, even if it takes some time, she will wake. You've resurrected her already, that can't be undone due to a lack of energy, you Fairies are primordial Goddesses, don't forget that." Din answered.
"But Mother, with your help-" Hera began.
"I can't." Din answered.
"What do you mean?" Hera asked.
"I've been using my power constantly since I was forced her by Ganondorf...when I resurrected the entirety of Termina's population I used all that I had left and afterwards, when I visited your fountain, I only took what I'd need to survive...and then there was the fight with Semira." Din answered.
"You've used all of your power..." Hera observed.
"I'm essentially human right now." Din responded.
"I thought that wasn't possible." the Fairy replied.
"Neither did I, but being outside of the Sacred Realm has drained me severely." the Goddess answered.
"Maybe my Sisters and I-" Hera began.
"No, you have to restore Persephone, I'll get my power back with time." Din said.
"Maybe Zelda and Link can help." Hera suggested.
"They need their strength." Din said as she walked to the edge of the tower and looked out. "I have a feeling this isn't over yet."
oOo
"Tell them to get the pikes set up around the borders of our camp, since spring has come they'll be sending teams deeper into the forest." the Commander said as he gestured towards a the edges of the camp, tattered Dragmire Imperium banners fluttering in the wind.
"Do you think it's true?" one of the Soldiers asked. "I heard the Emperor joined the false Hero and Princess."
"There's a lot I don't understand, but even without him, once the rest of our forces join us we can retake the City." the Commander said as he looked down at his chest plate, the Dragmire Imperium crest adorning it.
"We were so close." the Soldier answered.
"Even this is better than serving a spoiled girl and her little plaything boy." the Captain snorted.
"I know the feeling, before this I was just a grunt in the Labrynnian army, now I hear Erris had retaken his throne, the bad news just keeps coming." the Soldier answered.
Suddenly another Soldier came running, chest heaving from the effort. "Commander, General Kanthos is here, he survived!" the man exclaimed.
The Commander looked on in disbelief as he strode to where Kanthos stood, the Sorcerer looking down at him with his glowing orange irises. "My Lord, we thought you were dead. We are overjoyed you still live."
"With your help we can retake Castle Town and turn this all around!" a Soldier exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes...but not like this." Kanthos said as he swept his eyes over the group.
"What do you mean?" the Commander asked.
"We lost before because you were too weak, too afraid, too...hopeless." Kanthos growled.
"That's it!" the Commander called out. "I don't care who you are, I'm not taking that lying down!" he roared, drawing his blade and charging at Kanthos.
The Sorcerer cracked a grin, side stepping the man's slash before placing a hand on his head. The Soldiers looked on in horror as his body twisted, becoming red and purple with yellow veins bulging out from under his skin, spikes erupting forth from within his flesh as his eyes turned a bright yellow, his teeth falling out as new, sharp ones grew in.
"What...what are you doing to him?" a Soldier stammered.
"I'm giving him a purpose, I'm giving you all a purpose." Kanthos said as he grinned, Majora's eye opening on his forehead Kanthos spread his arms, crimson smoke pouring from his palms and overtaking the Soldiers, transforming them in the same manner.
oOo
Shilara stood on the ridge overlooking the Gerudo settlement, she was sure he'd be here, because in the end, like her, he would want to go home, knowing all the while, like her, he probably wasn't welcome.
"I know you're back, Brother...where are you?" she asked.
"A great question." Marin called out as she climbed atop the rock, Volga behind her.
"You don't seem too surprised to see us." Volga said suspiciously.
"You two just flew by, Dragons and enormous birds aren't exactly common sights." Shilara sneered.
Volga and Maring exchanged glances, she wasn't wrong, after all.
"I see you had the same thought as us." Marin said.
"I did, but he isn't here, so I'm moving on." Shilara said.
Volga extended a hand, raising a wall of flame in front of her. "Not without us." he warned.
"Oh dear me, am I under arrest?" Shilara asked, overtly sarcastic concern in her voice.
"You did kill the King of the River Zoras." Marin answered.
"And quite a few others." Volga added.
"I'll let you search with me, but no one's getting arrested." Shilara growled.
"That's fine for now." Marin replied.
Suddenly the Earth began to shake, cracks forming in the rock as the land shifted all around them. All three looked up, shock overtaking their faces.
"I'd say we have more pressing concerns now." Volga said.
oOo
"Everyone out!" Link called as he held the door to the Great Hall open, the occupants running into the courtyard.
"Over here!" Zelda called as she beckoned people to her, teleporting them out of the room.
"What the hell is going on?" Link shouted.
"Whatever it is, it's not good." Replied.
The two ran out into the courtyard, Din joining them as Cia and Lana teleported into the courtyard, the Great Fairies materializing behind them as everyone stared transfixed into the sky.
"What the Hell?" Erris asked.
"Wait...Abin had the Mask...that means..." Elgon stammered.
"Link...is that?" Zelda asked.
"Majora...he's still alive." Link answered.
The moon sat above them, two glowing orange eyes set deeply in it's surface, a manic grin positioned below them.
"Could that be why Ganondorf wanted an audience with us?" Audrik asked as he joined them.
Link didn't answer as he looked up, last time he faced Majora he needed the power of the Fierce Deity to win...this time he wasn't so sure he could.
oOo
"What the hell is going on?" Rickard Gavan called out as dust and debris fell from the ceiling as everything shook around them.
"What I came to warn them about." Ganondorf growled.
oOo
And that wraps up chapter fifty-nine! I was going to resolve the whole Majora thing in this chapter, but it would've gotten a bit too long winded, with the last chapter being over fifteen thousand words. Anyway, onto reviews.
One thing you all may have noticed is that I'm using the names of Greek Goddesses for those of the Great Fairies. To explain why this is, there's a dungeon called "The Tower of Hera" in the games "A Link to the Past" and "A Link Between Worlds", so I thought that having the Fairies share names with Greek Goddesses and by extension Hera, would explain the name of that dungeon at least somewhat.
Ultimate Blazer: I'm glad you enjoyed the battle! What's an finale without blood, death and epic fights anyway? I've always been fascinated by Link and Ganondorf possibly working together, so I finally decided it was time to make that happen! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, I hope you also like this one! Thank you for reviewing!
GerudoSpirit: I feel like Ganondorf really wouldn't take anyone trying to be in charge of what he does, then there's also the fact his original personality was reasserting itself and he was beginning to remember why he started his conquest in the first place, and wiping the whole slate clean wasn't part of that. Anyway, as you can see, we did hear from Ganondorf again, although our main characters didn't hear from him in time, but at least he's there. Sorry if you liked the Mask Salesman, he may not have deserved it, but I wanted to show how truly off the deep end Kanthos has gone, and what a better way than showing him let himself be possessed by Majora. Good job on guessing the stroke correctly, Naora's quite the stressor, haha. Anyway, thank you for your review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you to all of those who hit favorite and follow on my story and my profile, you guys are all inspiring!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
-Prometheus17