When Vaati went to sleep, the sight he was greeted with was not what he expected. It wasn't the barren whiteness that was that strange realm he was used to seeing before Ghirahim changed it. This was a place he had been before, but only once, and it was awhile ago. He couldn't place his finger on what happened when he was here, all he knew was that this place was quite familiar. When he looked around, he saw a temple close by, and he decided to make his way over to it. Maybe he could find the person that brought him here, since this obviously wasn't just a normal dream.
He looked around as he walked, taking time to admire the scenery. He wasn't quite sure where he was, but it situated itself upon layers of clouds, and he couldn't help but feel a little fascinated at it. The only place he had known that could sit upon the clouds was his own old home that he longed for; the Palace of Winds. But this place was something he had never seen, nor even heard of. The clouds themselves looked like they were made of gold, and the breeze here was so pleasant and relaxing, he felt like he could definately stay here. But he had a mission, and that was to figure out where he was and what he was doing here. Now was not the time to be getting distracted and sightseeing.
He turned his attention back to the grand temple. It was like nothing he had seen before. It's appearance was nothing like those found scattered throughout Hyrule, and it had this aura that radiated utter pureness. He put his hand to the stone door and pushed, finding it surprisingly light despite its large size. The door closed by itself behind him, making him jump a little bit. He whipped around when he heard a light, female laughter.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," the voice said, and it took Vaati a few minutes to figure out who it was.
"You...You're Hylia, aren't you?" he asked. He remembered that he had once spoken to her, but that was a long while ago. There would be no reason for him to immediately recognize her, but that was besides the point. She smiled down warmly at him, and she stood. Slowly, she walked down the staircase gracefully as he stood still, struck by the radiance she gave off, one he could not even begin to describe.
"Yes, I am. It is good to see you again, Vaati," she said, and she stood in front of him. Vaati drunk in her aura, one of holiness and absolute love, it was hard not to be addicted to it, if he were to be truthful.
"Why am I here?" Vaati asked. He knew there must have been a reason for her to call him here all of the sudden. The only time he had met her was because of her curiosity about her son's current master, at least that is what Vaati thought. It couldn't be about Ghirahim, could it?
"I wanted to speak to you again, Vaati. About him," she said, and Vaati knew she was talking about Ghirahim. Who else could she be referring to, after all? He is the only person that they have in common. He is the only thing in common between Hylia and Vaati, frankly.
"I know that you have been conversing with him on a regular basis at night. Also that that hasn't happened in a few days," Hylia said. Vaati was surprised for a second, before realizing it was probably because of her link with Zelda, being her ancestor and all that.
"Yes? What of it?" He replied. He had a feeling of what she was going to say, but just to be sure, he let her speak of it.
"Vaati, his disappearance is not normal, I am sure you understand that now. You so far have been the only one to access the realm of life and death, and that was only by accident," she replied, her tone holding much more seriousness now, and with good reason. Vaati crossed his arms, an act of instinct as he thought.
"Yes, of course I understand it is not normal. But I do not see how he could have disappeared. I do not understand of a way to even access that realm on purpose," Vaati replied.
"It seems you do not know, then," Hylia said, much to Vaati's confusion. What didn't he know?
"What are you talking about?" Vaati asked, and crossed his arms once again.
"I had felt it not to long ago, a sudden appearance of a strong and evil aura. I had thought not to much of it, figuring it was just a fluke in my sensory, but…" she trailed off. Vaati looked up at her as she turned her attention away. It was obvious that this being was disturbing her, and the fact that it could do this to a goddess, one who holds such amazing power, it was enough to make Vaati feel a little frightened.
"But?" Vaati asked despite his mood. He would never allow himself to show fear in front of her, and besides, he needed to know that the goddess Hylia was feeling. She knew who it was, and it was essential he know too, and by her tone of voice, it seemed as though this presence had to do with Ghirahim's disappearance.
"Vaati, he has returned once again. Demise has returned," Hylia said grimly, and Vaati's face suddenly paled.
"Demise…? Are you sure?" Vaati asked, hoping that she was just playing some sick joke.
"I am positive. I am certain this is his power I am sensing. But that is not all," Hylia responded, confusing Vaati once more.
"Demise has many demons behind him, I cannot tell how much exactly, but a huge amount. And...There was one that stood out amongst the rest…" Hylia said, and it didn't take a genius to understand what she was implying.
"Ghirahim…!" Vaati exclaimed. Hylia nodded sadly.
"Yes, but he isn't there on his own accord. Demise has forcibly taken him, and judging by his past style of fighting, I suspect he is going to be using him as bait," Hylia explained. Vaati's heart stopped for a moment, realizing the possibilities of Hylia's words. His mind couldn't help but come up with assumptions. Would he possess his body, forcing Vaati to fight him? Could Demise even do that? Would he force Ghirahim to become his sword once again, making him wound his current master? The possibilities kept racking up in Vaati's mind.
"Vaati, I hate to ask this of you. You have already done it once, and I won't be able to thank you enough. But I need you...I need you to defeat Demise again, once and for all. Not just for the sake of all of Hyrule, but for Ghirahim. Please, you are the only one that can save him…!" Hylia pleased. She took his hands in her own, and looked into his eyes. Vaati was shocked at the amount of emotion he found swirling in them. Looking into the eyes of deep blue, he saw fear, yet at the same time hopefulness. And for a split second, he couldn't help but see how similar she looked to Ghirahim. He had never taken the time to notice, but it was clear as day that he was truly her son, no matter how much he may deny it.
"I am offended you would even ask. Don't you know how much Ghirahim means to me, Hylia? I would have thought you would have seen through Zelda's eyes," Vaati replied with a smile.
"After all, we passed that test of yours, didn't we?" he added, and Hylia smiled back. She let go of his hands, and nodded at him.
"And besides. Don't they say love conquers all? By that logic, of course I will be able to defeat Demise and save Ghirahim," Vaati said. Hylia's smile widened at the meaning of his words.
"I don't think anyone else would be suited to this better than you. You are, after all, his perfect half, Vaati," Hylia responded, and it was Vaati's turn for his smile to widen. He was glad that she thought as such, and it honestly gave him confidence to hear such words from her.
"It is time for you to awaken, Vaati. I cannot keep you here much longer anyways," Hylia said, and he nodded at her in agreeance.
"Yes, it is about time. I suspect Demise isn't a patient man, and that he will attack any time now. I cannot slumber away when he begins.," Vaati said, and he suddenly vanished completely. Hylia stood there smiling. For once, she had complete faith that Demise would be utterly vanquished, never to return. And for her son to finally have happiness.
When Vaati awoke, he felt the beginning rays of the sun as they barely peaked over the horizon. He glanced over at Zelda, finding her to be peacefully sleeping. He sat up, and carefully maneuvered his way out of the bed so he would not wake her. He had no idea how long it would be for her to wake, but he didn't want to wait up for her today. With the new knowledge of the threat waiting Hyrule, he had to prepare himself for battle once again. Vaati dressed in his usual clothing of a pale purple tunic and red paints, and donned his deeper purple cape and hat, both of which he hadn't worn in a long while. It felt weird to prepare for another battle after so long of doing nothing, but he wouldn't let that hinder him.
Once he had finished, he put his shoes on, and summoned his old rapier, twisting it in his hands as he trekked his way throughout the house to get outside. He wanted to practice with his sword after not using it for so long. Ghirahim was his sword before, but he was not here now. Vaati needed to get acquainted with his rapier if he wanted to fight confidently with it, after all. He swung it a few times, getting used to the lighter weight, and then began to practice all of the sword techniques he had been taught over time. In no time, he was well used to the rapier, and he slowed down his training until he stopped. Yes, he was well prepared for the fight with Demise. Now that he was at full potential, he had all faith he could win. Before, he only barely got by with the skin of his teeth. He was well worn out from the previous battle, and he only won because of his magical outburst when he saw Ghirahim die. His anger had transformed him into something powerful, and it was only because of that he was able to win last time.
But now, it was different. This time, he had a plan. He knew Demise was coming with a legion of demons, this was no sneak attack like last time. He planned to go straight for Demise now. He couldn't waste his energy and magic on the other demons, he had to give that burden to the others who would fight. Yes, it was a hell of a task to put on someone's shoulders, but he had to put his full attention on Demise. This time, he planned to defeat him entirely, give him the death he deserves, and make sure he will never return. This time, he planned on saving Ghirahim. He wasn't going to allow himself the pain of seeing his death again, because goddesses be damned if he was going to let him go and die again. No, he was going to be the one protecting this time, putting his life on the line to make sure Ghirahim stayed safe.
With that in mind, and with his stamina back up, he went back to training. He didn't care if he was already used to the rapier, he had to make absolute sure he was well prepared before going into this battle, this hell, once again. He was going to protect Ghirahim, as well as the rest of Hyrule, he won't allow Demise to have his way. Over his dead body was he going to allow Demise to use Ghirahim without any consequences. Should he even try to, he was going to make damn sure that his blade would run through his body over and over again as punishment. With more determination than ever growing inside him, he fiercely attacked the makeshift targets. His eyes were glowing with a fighting and determined spirit. To himself he thought, 'This is what the hero must feel like whenever he has to save Hyrule. Well, for now, I shall be that hero, coming to save Hyrule as well as the damsel in distress. Don't you worry, Ghirahim, this time, I will be the one to protect you at all costs.'
