Link entered the Sealed Temple, and walked straight to the chamber where Zelda was in rest. Impa and Groose smiled at Link as he walked past, and deigned to follow him. Link walked up to Zelda's diamond, and watched it shatter. Zelda appeared on the floor, and looked up.
"Link!" she said, walking forward ponderously. She fell down a few steps, and Link caught her. He pulled her up, so that he was now carrying Zelda in his arms. Zelda felt the closeness of Link, and nuzzled into his chest.
"Good morning, Link…" Zelda said. Link smiled in gratitude, and carried her around. Groose ran up to see them, and smiled.
"Welcome back, Zelda!" Groose said happily.
"Who's that?" Zelda asked sleepily.
"That would be Groose… the finest knight I have ever known," Link said.
"Not counting you, of course?" Zelda asked.
"…Either or, really," Link said. Zelda smiled.
"Hello, Groose. Whatever it is you have done, I thank you for it," Zelda said. Groose started shedding a few tears of joy.
"Well done, Link… you've done us proud!" Groose said. He walked over, and gave Impa a hug as well, probably in the joy of the moment.
*Hah… hah… hah… Think we're getting done so soon?* a familiar voice asked. The moment was shattered, as the detestable figure of Ghirahim appeared.
*This is all very touching, really, but I'm afraid I have to cut this emotional moment short. It's best for everyone if you forget about your friend. The little goddess… is mine now!* Ghirahim said. He walked up to Link, and waved his fingers. A black cloud appeared, and seeped into Link. Link gasped, as he felt himself put Zelda down in front of Ghirahim. Groose and Impa gasped. Link would have, too, but something had come over him.
His inner demon had come to play.
"Link! Think of the goddess! You are the Chosen One! You are not one of Ghirahim's demons!" Impa said.
*Forget it, old lady. This magic is strong enough to render Link as mine for a short while… and that is all I need. For you see, you have forgotten about the forty-first trick in the book: When your power is secure, destroy all of those pesky time-travel devices!* Ghirahim said. Impa gasped, but she was blasted aside by Ghirahim, as he walked with Zelda over his shoulder.
*I'll be taking this girl back through the Gate of Time to revive the demon king… and there's no one to stop me!* Ghirahim said.
"Link…" Zelda sighed. Link shook himself momentarily, and charged. Another blast, and he was knocked into the wall again.
*You've been so adorably dogged in your quest to get in my way, and as much as it has delighted me, I can no longer tolerate you nipping at my heels,* Ghirahim said. *I don't have time to grind my heel into a worm like you…* He walked towards the Gate of Time. Groose stood his ground.
*Get out. Of. My way. Just. The sight. Of. Your hair. Is making me. Gag,* Ghirahim said. He kicked down Groose, and walked straight through the Gate of Time. As soon as he walked on through, Link was revitalised. The might of his curse was removed by Ghirahim's absence. He jumped through the Gate of Time after Ghirahim. He ran to the exit of the Sealed Temple, through to the Sealed Grounds. A diamond fence appeared suddenly, and a red line appeared between himself and Ghirahim, who was dancing around Zelda's body sickeningly. Zelda hovered up from the ground.
*I give you one last chance… Join my army, Link!* Ghirahim said.
"NEVER!" Link said. The red line dissolved, but not before pumping something into Link's body.
*Then hear my words, my hordes! The spell is almost complete! Until the demon king's return, you will keep that whelp from interfering! Die on his blade if you must… if I do not have the time to restore the demon king, you will fear my wrath!* Ghirahim commanded. Bokoblin after Bokoblin assailed Link's position. Link ran forward, and sliced the Bokoblins to pieces. He performed flip, dive and attack with his items. His wings were on full display. He threw bombs in gangs of five, he shot his bow, and he used his Clawshots. He focused his spirit, and the attempts to survive Link's attacks were doomed to fruitlessness. Even the mightiest of Ghirahim's forces, like the powerful Moblins, souped up Bokoblins, and defensive Stalfos fell like ninepins. There wasn't a foe that lasted his blade. He made it to Ghirahim.
*You're far too quick, boy!* Ghirahim said.
"Let. Zelda. Go," Link said, putting all of his energy into his command.
*Look, please, I realise that a simple child like you knows little of magic, but spells take time and a steady hand! Just wait quietly like a good little boy!* Ghirahim said in annoyance.
"No, Ghirahim. You must realise… this is your end," Link said angrily.
*You petulant brat… you've pushed me too far. I've waited my whole existence for this! This is my moment! You know what? Fine! If you're so intent on hurrying to your grave, I'll be happy to show you the way!* Ghirahim said. Zelda was sent high above the playing field.
*This time there will be no heroic escape. I was a fool to toy with you and let you walk away with your life before, but I won't make that mistake again!* Ghirahim said. Link levelled his sword… and Fi appeared.
*Master, may I?* Fi asked.
"May you what, Fi? I'm in the middle of something here!" Link said. He felt the Master Sword grow weight in his hands, and he was pulled back from the arena. Fi stood in the field, facing Ghirahim.
*I have been observing your battles with Master before now… and I know who you are, Demon Sword!* Fi said. Ghirahim exploded in a pattern of diamonds, and a large field was brought up high, holding Fi and Ghirahim only. Ghirahim had turned black, patterned with white diamonds.
*If only I'd put you in your place from the very beginning. Show a demon that he has the skill to rise up and he'll take that opportunity by the horns! Given my station, I had to maintain some semblance of dignity, so I let you run with your life… Twice, even. Such a guilty pleasure. But instead of scurrying away like any demon should, your so called Master just kept coming back. Again, and again, and again. I've let a mere child make a fool of me for the last time. I shall slay the greatest weapon known to the goddesses… I, the greatest weapon known to the demons!* Ghirahim said.
Sealed Grounds Boss… … …Demon Lord GHIRAHIM identified!
This is the Demon Lord who leads the monster forces. He has a dark aura around his body. I must be cautious… he can fell me in a single blow. This is his true power, as the blade of Demise. No weapon of Link's could harm him… but there is recoil. I can drive him back! He will try to avoid falling… his attempts to take Link's blade won't work on me!
Fi started circling around, sending Ghirahim backwards. Ghirahim had no idea how to cope with Fi's fighting style, and was knocked to a new platform. Fi dropped down to land on Ghirahim, plunging her sword form into Ghirahim's chest. Ghirahim dropped the field to the ground, and summoned a blade of his own.
There's a change in fighting style… that weak spot on his chest is an effective target. There is a 100% chance that he will block attempts on this area in standard state… I should parry away Ghirahim's sword! This should leave his weak spot open. Taking advantage of this weak spot will be my top priority. But parrying away the sword… that could take some doing.
Fi waited, and Ghirahim performed a Skyward Strike. Fi attacked the blast, and the two swords watched the blade go backwards and forwards between them. Ghirahim's sword was knocked away when Ghirahim failed to block the blast, and Fi took advantage of her opportunity to attack Ghirahim.
*You wretched sword!* Ghirahim roared. He summoned a massive sword, and levelled it.
Ghirahim has a new weapon… This sword can be broken! Ghirahim magically summons this blade… but his wounds have made the sword brittle. Destroying the core in Ghirahim's sword could destroy both the blade and him!
Ghirahim attacked, which Fi dodged. Fi turned into a sword, and spun around on the spot, attacking Ghirahim's sword repeatedly. She plunged herself into the ground, in a massive display of power. She approached Ghirahim with a crest, and then summoned a golden orb. Ghirahim was drawn into that orb, and a massive explosion of power sent him into the ground. Ghirahim had fallen to the ground.
*This is… this is preposterous! Driven to my knees by such a girly sword? Laughable!* Ghirahim said. *No matter how many times we clash together, I can't prevail. But remember… I am not incapable of winning.*
"NO!" Link cried out. He ran forward, and Fi resumed Link's sword.
*YES! While I battled that little wench, the ritual continued to play out… The demon king shall now devour the soul of the goddess and resurrect in his full glory!* Ghirahim said. Zelda started to cry out in terror, and Link tried to fly after Zelda. He was repelled by the darkness, as the familiar shape appeared. The Imprisoned was on the loose. He roared, and swallowed a stream of golden energy from Zelda. He knelt down, and drew in a cloud of pink mist.
*Don't you see? It's all over! You and your kind have lost! This world and everything in it now belong to darkness!* Ghirahim gloated. *They belong to my master!*
The shape of the Imprisoned had shrunk, to about Link's size and shape. He was coated in ebony scales, but had a brutish face now, with a livid white scar on his forehead. His hair was a fiery red, and probably on fire. His hands were massive claws, which he inspected. Ghirahim bowed before this figure.
*Welcome back to us, Master,* Ghirahim said. Demise sent out a burst of dark energy, and hit Ghirahim. He pulled him to his side, and converted him into a black-hilted blade. That hilt looked familiar… Link inspected the hilt of his own blade, the Master Sword. Sure enough, the hilts were identical in all but colour… and Demise's extra spikes. Demise turned to face Link.
So you are the chosen knight of the goddess. Intriguing… I go by many names. Death's Herald, the Avatar of Oblivion, Deathbringer, the Person of the End… but they all reach the same point. If you must call me by any name, call me Demise. Though you shouldn't need to… I doubt you will speak after today.
So the goddess lowered herself to a mortal existence to keep me imprisoned. How pathetic. This bag of flesh pales in comparison to the magnificence of her previous form, Demise said. He swung his sword, and Zelda was blasted higher into the sky. Link gasped, and saw something in the corner of his eye. Groose had run in.
"DON'T WORRY! GROOSE HAS GOT THIS!" Groose yelled. He dived, and caught Zelda.
"Thank you! Keep her safe… I have to destroy this little Avatar of Oblivion," Link said.
Hm… so you and the other human would stand before obliteration to aid the goddess, would you? Curious. All the humans I've ever seen were weak things. Insects, shivering under rocks and ready to pack their bags and run in terror at the sight of me. When last I walked the earth, they did little more than scream and cling to the hem of the goddess's skirt, mewling and praying for her to protect them. How amusing to think that you could have ever been one of them… Demise said.
"Humans are not weak! There are things humans can do that gods could only dream of!" Link said.
Ha… aha… ahahahahahaha! You grow more fascinating by the second. I never imagined I'd meet one of your kind who wished to stand against me in battle. Very well. I shall prepare a place for us where distractions will not bother us. If you still have the courage to face me, seek me there, Demise said.
"You will see the Crimson Glider in battle… before the day is out, only one will wield a Master Sword!" Link said, levelling the Master Sword.
Well said, Demise said, levelling his own Master Sword. Fi and Ghirahim appeared beside their masters, and leered at each other.
"It's all up to you, Link! Oh, and Grannie says that the grease wad has yet to completely absorb Zelda's soul! If you act fast, you have a chance!" Groose called out.
Is that so? How… amusing. I'll relish this challenge. After all, you'll be the last foe I face to have the honour of having a chance of victory! Demise said.
"I know you can do it, Link!" Groose said. Demise touched his blade to the ground, and created a black pillar of light. He vanished, leaving a small circle for Link to follow.
"Groose… if I don't make it, keep Zelda away from Demise!" Link said. He jumped into the sky, performed a dramatic loop, and soared head first into the black hole.
Link appeared to be soaring in a blue sky. A pool of water served as the place for Demise to stand.
Ah, so you have decided to meet your end in battle after all. It pleases me greatly to see such misplaced valour, human, Demise said. He swung his sword, and the pool of water he stood on vanished. All that was left was the infinity of the surroundings, and the two of them. The Angel, hovering in place with his massive wings. And the god, simply standing in the defiance of gravity.
Take a moment to appreciate your surroundings, for where we fly now shall serve as your eternal tomb. The hate for the gods that has boiled in my veins… You will taste all of it in the bite of my blade! The only question left is how long you will manage to remain standing before I take your life. Let's try to keep things interesting! Demise said. And when you do fall, know that your world and everything in it is mine to dominate… mine to subjugate… mine to rule! When you lie dead, take solace in that your friends and kin will follow, as I wipe all who oppose me from the face of this world.
"No more words," Link started.
"Let's end this!" they said in unison. The clouds turned dark.
DEMISE
This eternal being has conquered time itself. Skyward Strikes will be impossible to perform in this realm. The Master Sword will be the only weapon that can harm Demise. No single standard attack will harm him… perhaps repeated slashes will do the trick. Strike when Demise charges his Skyward Strike… though he will block all blows near his sword.
Link glided towards Demise, and performed a few slashes. Demise swung a mighty blow, which Link had dodged. Link appeared beside Demise, and slashed a few times. Demise swung around at Link, which Link looped around. Link charged in, and stabbed again. Demise held his sword aloft, and Link slashed one final time. Demise was sent flying back. He resumed a ready stance, and held his sword aloft. Lightning struck the blade, sending it on electricity.
Wow… that sword looks dangerous. Hitting it will send me into an electric shock. Planning attacks so that striking it does not occur is critical. Hm… I see no reason why I can't have an electric sword of my own, though. If I ready a Skyward Strike… I can call upon lightning myself! Let's just hope Demise doesn't strike in the meantime, though…
Link flew a long way from Demise, and held it aloft. Demise shot a bolt of lightning, which Link dodged. That was too close… but Link charged a lightning strike. Link shot straight forward to Demise, and shot his lightning. Demise was stunned, leaving himself open to attacks from Link. Demise charged a Skyward Strike, and send it to Link. Link felt electricity course through his body, but he shook it off. Lightning struck his blade, and Link slashed. He hit Demise, and slashed at him some more. Demise spun around in space, and began to level out. Link spiralled about, and stabbed into Demise's chest, with a sword lit alight with electricity.
Demise quivered in space, and revolved to face Link. His sword disappeared, and the Crimson Glider hovered in place.
Extraordinary. You stand as a paragon of humankind, demon. You fight like no man or demon I have ever known. This is not the end… My hatred never perishes! It is born anew in a cycle with no end! I will rise again! Demise said.
"And I will rise again, to see your goals never come to fruition!" Link said.
So that is your wish… so be it. The blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero will be bound to my curse. So long as the incarnation of my hatred exists, your kind will be eternally followed by him, dooming your kind to wander a sea of blood for eternity! Demise said. The suffering of your descendants… is on your head, demon.
Demise dissolved into white dust, and vanished into the sky. Link was left with his sword, to hold and absorb the demon king.
*I have confirmed the eradication of the demon king. His residual consciousness has been absorbed into the Master Sword and is sealed away.*
Link reappeared in the Sealed Temple, in front of Impa. She looked upon him with a slight smile on her face.
"You have done well, Link," Impa said. She pointed behind him, and Link turned. Groose was standing there, as was Zelda.
"Link… thank you. I think it's over…" Zelda said. "Finally… it's all over." She burst into tears, and Link walked up to her. He scooped her up once more, and held her tightly.
"Nice going. You guys were totally amazing. This tale will forever be known as How Groose Saved The World… featuring Link and Zelda," Groose said. "…Nah, I'm kidding. I'm sure historians will write of it as The Legend of Link: Crimson Glider."
"Emerald. Link's the Emerald Glider… and you are the Golden Knight," Zelda said.
"Wait, Golden?" Groose asked.
"I can see a new figure… Groose, you stand before me, with a golden aura. You have obviously proven yourself…" Zelda said. "It would be a crime against the goddess to see your deeds go unmentioned."
"Indeed. You have my thanks as well, Groose," Impa said.
"Wow… I am so glad I could be useful… and I could see things turn out OK," Groose said. "Ready to head back home, guys?" Groose asked.
"Of course, Groose. We'll be right behind you!" Link said.
"Good. Don't want to keep Grannie waiting too long," Groose said. Fi appeared beside Link.
*Hylia… or perhaps I should call you Zelda. It pleases me to know of your safety,* Fi said.
"Fi… is that your emotionless voice I hear?" Zelda asked.
*Emotionless… Master, I have a matter that must come to your attention,* Fi said.
"What is it, Fi?" Link asked.
*You have successfully protected the goddess reborn and defeated Demise, fulfilling your role as the hero of legend. My purpose is complete. I must ask that you dissolve our arrangement as master and servant,* Fi said. *Drive the sword into the pedestal here, and I will return to the sword for a sleep without end.*
"What?" Link asked. He set down Zelda.
*Master, you have achieved the purpose you were chosen to fulfil. Please, set the sword in the pedestal and bring the goddess's mission to an end. Our necessary companionship has come to an end,* Fi said. Link walked around the Gate of Time, and up to the pedestal Fi indicated.
"In here?" Link asked.
*Yes… and tell Scrapper… no. It's for the best if he didn't know,* Fi said. Link looked at Fi in shock, before she returned to the blade. Link pulled out the Master Sword, and drove it into the pedestal. And there it would remain, until his descendant would find it. Link wondered if Fi would speak to them.
*Link… my purpose was to obey the command of the goddess and lead you on your quest, chosen hero. When I first awoke, I perceived it merely as serving my function as a servant to Her Grace. However, I consider the information on our time together among the most precious data I have on record. I cannot understand human spirit, Link. But here, at the end of my journey, as I prepare to spend the rest of my life in isolation, with heroes who may or may not ever know I exist… I have a feeling I cannot identify. I have insufficient data to draw a conclusion, any conclusion, from this, but I believe that you would call this feeling… happiness. Our partnership is at an end, and even now, I can see you desperately desire to finally reunite with the special one you so feverishly hunted throughout your quest. Before I return to the sword, I want what there is a 99% probability of being my final words as the ones I have recorded many times over the course of our journey… It is my turn to say this.
*Thank you, Master Link. You are the greatest human I have ever known… may we meet again.*
Human. It was a long time since Link was called one of those. But Fi was gone now. And she had already chosen her final words. Link turned, and descended the stairs, to find that Impa had refused to come back in time.
"Why won't you come with us?" Zelda asked.
"There is but one reason, but that reason means that I cannot accompany you, no matter how much I desire it… this is my time. This is my place," Impa said. "And time must flow a certain way."
"I know that, but…" Zelda said pleadingly.
"Zelda… she can't come with us. Don't worry… I am sure you will see her again," Link said in comfort. Impa nodded. She knew Link knew her secret.
"Return to your own time. I will take care of the gate once you pass through," Impa said.
"Impa, I do not want you to remain here… all alone…" Zelda said. "Come with us… please!" Zelda said. Link guided Zelda to Impa's side.
"At the command of the Goddess, I came through time to protect you and aid the fight to prevent the world's destruction. The last remnants of Demise are decaying within the sword. Someone must watch over it. Fi is a magnificent warrior… but she cannot fight Demise on her own. I do not want Demise to threaten the world… or you… again. This is the nature of the task given by my tribe. As a Sheikah, a guardian of the goddess, I gladly welcome my duty," Impa said. Zelda's head bowed down in sadness.
"I shall watch over the Triforce. Its power is too great to leave within the grasp of man. Dependence on its might is an invitation to disaster. When it has served its purpose, it must be secreted away to lie dormant once again… the knowledge of its existence hidden from mortal history. These words were ones the goddess once told me, long ago. I remember them well. I'm sure you do, too," Impa said. Zelda nodded solemnly, and pulled off one of her bracelets. She offered it to Impa.
"Do not despair, Zelda… you and I will meet again someday," Impa said, putting on the bracelet. "Until then… there is someone who needs you more than I." Zelda turned around, and looked at Link.
"Yeah… I guess so," Zelda said. She turned around, and smiled at Impa. Her blue aura was one Zelda had been taught, but today was the day she finally mastered it. The two looked between each other, before Impa opened the Gate of Time. The three figures crossed through it.
Back in the present, the three figures, Link, Zelda and Groose, turned to watch the Gate of Time dissolve into dust. Behind it stood the old woman that had helped Link and Groose so often. They ran up to her, and Zelda followed slowly. She saw her aura. The blue aura of Impa.
"Impa…" Zelda said.
"Yes… Zelda," Impa said. The four figures grouped together, smiling.
"See? I told you we'd meet again," Impa told her. She leaned backwards, and dissolved into a rainbow dust of her own. It seemed her time was up… her duty was no more. Zelda's bracelet dropped to the ground.
"Impa… thank you. For everything," Zelda said.
"Grannie… I'll miss you. I'll miss you criticising the Groosenator as I built it. I'll miss your constant ramblings about how Link is the hero… I'll even miss how much you kept pointing out each and every one of my failures!" Groose said.
"Are you sure you two were friends?" Link asked, hiding his tears. The door behind the Master Sword opened, and the three looked on. The scenery of the Master Sword was absolutely stunning, with the foliage visible behind it. A true sword in the stone.
After the defeat of Demise, the cloud barrier had dissolved, allowing the Loftwings to fly between the surface and the ground. Zelda and Groose wasted no time in being reunited with Azure and Gerudo, leaving Link without Malon. With a loud caw, Link's attention was drawn behind him.
"Oh, hey Malon… so does that mean…?" Link asked. He whistled Malon's Song. The wings had grown once more.
"Oh…" Link said. It seemed he would be destined to glide again. But he felt just like he had before all of this had started…
"Zelda!" a voice cried out. Link turned.
"Father!" Link said, getting down one knee.
"Dad?" Zelda asked, turning around. Gaepora approached Zelda, turned her, and hugged her.
"Groose!" Two voices called out. Groose turned, and spent time talking to Cawlin and Stritch, his two friends before he fell to the surface.
"Link?" Zelda asked, having finished talking to Gaepora. "Can we talk… alone?" Link spread his wings, and carried Zelda up to the Goddess Statue. Zelda took a few moments in quiet respite, and Link started idly playing the Song of the Hero. From the look in Zelda's eye, she was likely seeing the sorts of things Link saw.
"Link… as a child, I had always dreamed of a world below… a wondrous land. I wanted to feel the breeze on my skin… I think I want to live here. I always want to feel this solid ground under my feet… never have to worry about falling from a great height again…" Zelda said. "And you, Link?"
"I'd like to stay down here, too. It's… nice, I suppose," Link said. Truth be told, the situation he found himself in was getting him a little bit flustered.
"Tee hee. I suppose we can stay here… start a family… start a new race, down here on the surface," Zelda said.
"Starting a family is good," Link blurted out. "I think our Loftwings are doing the same."
"Nice to hear… Link, will you protect me? For as long as we live?" Zelda asked.
"I would never dream of abandoning you."