Today began like every other day to Vaati. He awoke due to yet another nightmare, Zelda arrived, they walked, and so on and so forth. Yes, this was a normal occurrence now after a week or two of doing it everyday. However, today was far from normal for someone else. In the world of Hyrule, everything was the same, nothing wrong and everything at ease. This was not so for the unseen realm everyone but two was ignorant about. Ghirahim, the sole citizen of the unseen realm between that of life and death, had begun his usual routine, just as he always does, much like the man he watched everyday. However, he had known not of what would happen to him that very day.

He had begun to watch his dear master go about his usual morning when it happened. Here, after being alone for so long, he had gotten used to not having his guard up all the time. After all, there was no one else here. So he wasn't prepared for a sudden attack, and for his vision to suddenly go black as he lost consciousness. When he woke up, Ghirahim was in a place far from foreign. Yes, he was quite familiar with the realm of demons, however that does not mean it is a welcoming sight. He tried to sit up, but to his dismay, he was bound by magic he could not unseal, it was a power greater than his. He knew by the signature of it, the fact that it was stronger than his, who it was. After all, there was no one stronger than him besides one.

Ghirahim began to panic inside. He had thought he was vanquished after his last appearance, and he knew he would be unable to fight. The ones that brought him here had made damn sure to extract all of his magic, and there was nothing here he could use as a weapon, since he couldn't summon any currently. There was no way to fight back, he was here defenseless. That was not the only thing on his mind, though.

'How the hell did they get access to me?' Ghirahim thought. Since they were able to drag him from the strange realm, it was obvious they got there physically, not mentally like his dear Vaati had been doing. He tried to rack up possibilities of how they achieved this, but he could not think of any. Afterall, if he couldn't figure out how to get there through conscious, how in the hell was he to figure out how to get there physically. Even he, the sole resident of the realm, had not a single clue as to how he got there. He looked around, trying to get his bearings, but it was too dark, even for his superior eyesight. They really had left him completely and utterly defenseless. If he were still a part of them, he would have applauded them for doing such a good job, but now, he was the victim, forsaken by the kind he once called his own.

Suddenly, a dim light flooded the room, but it was enough to hurt his eyes after being used to the dark. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust, and he looked at where the light was coming from. His eyes meet an opening, but it was blocked by a large form, one that he was very familiar with, one he dreaded and loathed. He couldn't help but snarl at the sight of his former master, which seemed to amuse the larger man.

"I am impressed with how well you were able to cloak yourself, Ghirahim. It took my men a while to find you," he said.

'It seems he doesn't know that I was not there on purpose," Ghirahim thought to himself. He did not reply, instead giving Demise a look of utter hatred and defiance. The other's large form shook with laughter.

"It is futile to try and defy me. You are here defenseless, and you can do nothing to stop what I have planned." Even at his words, Ghirahim continued looking at him as such.

"You have something planned?" he asked, the same emotions on his face finding their way into his words as he hissed them out. Demise, once again, laughed out his amusement, finding it funny his former sword, despite his situation, was trying to defy him.

"I would think that you would know, after all, you were once my loyal servant," he replied, a smug look on his features. Ghirahim snarled at the comment. Yes, at the time he was proud to admit he was Demise's servant, hell he would boast about it, but now, he hated that he had spent his time with him, hated the actions he had done under his rule. Ghirahim learned, during his time with his beloved current master, that the time could have been spent in a much better way. But alas, that was far from the point right now.

"But now is not the time to reminisce. I have to start the next step of my scheme, and it is where you are going to play the lead."


Back in Hyrule, Vaati had a weird feeling inside of him. It had started shortly after he began his morning walk with Zelda. He had mentioned it, but she assured him it was nothing, just him being paranoid and that it would go away soon. However, hours later, it remained strong, and he couldn't help but worry. He has never felt like this, that something was just not normal, that something wrong was happening. He had checked everything, but found nothing out of the ordinary, which confused him. If everything was right, then why did he feel like something was so...wrong? This feeling persisted throughout the rest of the day, despite that everything was in order. He sat down, trying to figure out why he was feeling this way. It couldn't have been anything that would be a threat to Hyrule, he would have sensed the beings miles away.

Before he knew it, nighttime had fallen over the land, and he only realized this because Zelda arrived for her nightly visit. She was surprised to see he was not in his room, but instead in the main living area. She had not expected to see him lounging around as soon as she walked in the front door, but it wasn't like the sight wasn't welcomed. She was glad he was getting up and about. However, she became slightly worried at the look on his face.

"What is it?" she asked. She sat next to him on the couch, a little worried that he was worried about something, which couldn't be good.

"I told you about it this morning, that something just didn't feel right. I still feel it, and it is becoming bigger. Zelda, you might say I am just being paranoid, but I know that something isn't right," he replied, and Zelda listened carefully. She was a little relieved that it wasn't something big, like maybe a threat that was approaching, but she was still a little worried. She understood that he would be skeptical after feeling it throughout the rest of the day.

"I do not doubt you now. I know you don't feel it often unless something truly is wrong, you told me this morning, and for it to persist throughout this time, something must be wrong," she said. Vaati was a little happy inside that she agreed. Honestly, he would have thought she would have dismissed it, and that he would be alone in this. He was glad that Zelda stood by his side.

"I assume you checked everything to make sure?" she asked, already knowing he would say yes. She knew that Vaati would take any immediate initiative to solve a problem, it was just what he does. He nodded, and said, "Yes of course, but everything is in place. But the feeling still remains, and I am beginning to think that something big is going to happen," he confesses. Zelda thinks it over for a moment.

"I can't think of anything, When you see Ghirahim tonight, why not ask him?" she suggests. It had been a few days since the first time he saw Ghirahim, and since then, he had conversed with him every night while he slept.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We did not speak last night. I had a nightmare instead," he said. Zelda took a moment to herself to think it over, and she responded with something that surprised Vaati.

"What if it's Ghirahim?" she said. Vaati's heart skipped a beat and he mentally berated himself for not thinking of something so obvious.

"Of course…" he said to himself. That would explain why he didn't meet up with Ghirahim last night! Of course, this couldn't be for certain, but it definitely was a possibility.

"But...what could have happened to him? Besides you, no one has ever been there that was alive. And it is just his conscious that is there, isn't it?" Zelda asked. Vaati shrugged, and crossed his arms.

"He did say that it was just his conscious that was there, but I don't think he ever mentioned that no one else could go there. He said he hardly knew anything about the place, and neither do the two of us," Vaati replied, becoming more grim as he talked. He honestly had no idea if anything could happen to Ghirahim. After all, it was only his conscious, what could happen? He put his head in his hands, and sighed.

"I don't know, Zelda. I really don't know what to do," he said. He began to feel helpless in this situation. For all he knew, Ghirahim could have disappeared, never to be seen again, and truth be told, that terrified him. He just became reunited with him, he didn't want him to be taken away from him again. Once was enough, twice would just utterly destroy him. Zelda hugged him the best she could in her position, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe it isn't him, Vaati. Perhaps it was just a one time thing last night. I am sure you will see him again tonight," she said, doing her best to comfort him. She did not know how it felt for him, she had never experienced something like this. But she did her best to understand, and to help him.

"Thank you, Zelda…" Vaati said. He did not feel much comfort in her words, but he truly appreciated her efforts to make him feel better. He considered himself lucky to have her as a friend, someone who would always be there for him.

"I can stay here for the night if you want," she offered. Zelda wasn't sure if he would agree or not, but she sincerely hoped he did. She wanted to make sure he was alright tonight, just to be safe.

"If you wouldn't mind, but I do not have a guest bedroom," he replied. Zelda smiled at him, and said, "We can share a bed then, I don't mind." Vaati looked at her, and gave her a small smile back. Zelda was a bit surprised when she saw it. She could count on a single hand the amount of times she saw Vaati truly smile. She honestly wished he would do so more often. Although it was small, it really made a difference.

"You should smile more often, Vaati! You always have a gloomy look, try looking like you enjoy life for once!" She said in light humour. Vaati suddenly took on a somber look.

"Perhaps sometime, Zelda." he said quietly. He suddenly stood up, and Zelda had to catch herself from falling over.

"I don't know about you, but I am rather tired. I shall retire now," he said and left the room. Zelda remained still, still a little confused as to what happened. It was so sudden, she had to take a moment to process it. She looked down when she realized, and felt a little bad. She did not mean to make Vaati sad, but that is what happened. She stood, and made her way to the bedchambers. Not quite sure if Vaati was asleep of not, she opened the door quietly, and silently walked over the bed and climbed in it gently.

"I'm sorry, Vaati. I didn't mean it that way," she whispered, not wanting to wake him if he was asleep. There was silence for a moment before he spoke.

"I know. Don't feel bad, it wasn't your fault," Vaati said. They said nothing else, and Vaati fell asleep, however Zelda remained conscious. She wanted to make sure he wasn't having a nightmare before she went to sleep, at least not a bad one. When he showed no signs, only then did she allow herself to sleep.


Far beyond the heart of Hyrule, there was a sudden disruption as Demise, followed by his army of demons, looked upon the castle from afar. Behind him, a demon currently held Ghirahim unconscious over his shoulder. He waited until he was awake, wanting him to see what he was doing. They stood still and silent as they all waited, and Demise smirked to himself.

'Sleep peacefully for tonight, Hyrule, for it will be your last night of the calm before the storm!'