Ghirahim was no stranger to surprise. There had been many times in his life when he was smacked speechless; however, to say the sight of human settlements left him wide-eyed and mouth agape was an egregious understatement.

Sprawling villages houses encircled by thick, sturdy stone walls with guards pacing up and down the ramparts. Their armor glinting in the midday sun. Cobblestone paths snaking up towards an impressive castle in the distance. Hundreds of braziers stood cold, waiting for nightfall to ward off the darkness.

Ghirahim allowed himself another moment to take in the view through the sight alone did nothing to weather the putrid scent of man from burning his nostrils. The only time the smell of humans was remotely tolerable was when it was replaced by the sweet aroma of blood and smoke.

"You there! What are you doing? This area is off-limits to civilians!"

A guard said, rushing down the bulwark towards the demon. This guard sounded young, but it wasn't easy to tell with his features clad in shiny armor.

Ghirahim's eyes peered over the collar of his hood, a tip of a spear pointed his way. This guard was a brave soul, the demon could give him that, but bravery was often an excellent way to describe stupidity.

"Put that down before you hurt yourself."

Ghirahim replied. The guard's grip on his weapon tightened. The demon sighed as his eyes remained locked on the spear tip. The fire crackled in the back of his mind, whispering words like cold flames crackling in a hearth.

Oh, leave him...this one is not worth the trouble...

It breathed into his ear. A chuckle followed it. Another chimed in, this one almost like the hiss of a serpent.

I think not. This puny, foolish mistake for a living being has quite the gall to be pointing his weapon at us. Perhaps if he lost his arms?--

The fire rose in Ghirahim, causing his hands to clench involuntarily.

You forget what happened the last time!

The last time is precisely why! You hid weakness behind a facade of mercy! It was your fault!

Ghirahim grimaced as the voices roared and howled between his ears. He turned away from the guard and took a deep breath. Fire crawled along his skin. It usually won these arguments, but all it took was time, and the darkness would starve the fire; its prideful will would die and be replaced by a malicious need, desire, and lust for bloodshed.

The guard must have spoken again for the spear to lunge forward like a wild animal suddenly. Ghirahim snapped back to reality and caught the spear tip in between two fingers millimeters before his nose. A crimson aura shrouded the demon's fingertips, wafting and tickling his nose.

"Really?"

Ghirahim said with a frown. The guard looked back up at him, mouth agape. Ghirahim groaned, rolling his eyes, and he quickly jerked his hand to the right. The spear fell and promptly slipped into the hands of its new master. The blunt end came up and cracked across the guard's face. Ghirahim expertly twirled the spear in his hands as the soldier reeled back. Too easy. A quick strike again to the body put the human on his rear. Ghirahim jumped back, and the spear whizzed through the air. He then snapped his fingers and vanished into a sea of diamonds and light, leaving a shivering guard with his weapon lodged deep in the bulwark sticking out between his legs. Metallic footsteps rushed over, and another guard appeared to aid his brother in arms. He let out a sigh of relief; his peer was unharmed.

Ghirahim reappeared in a tucked-away alley amongst the streets and houses below. Thankfully, he was alone. The shadows snarled

Why did you spare the welp?! Have you gone mad?!

Ghirahim groaned and rolled his eyes, his hands trailing the edges of his hood. He wanted to fix it, put everything back in its proper place, but he stopped himself. No doubt he had drawn enough attention to himself, and the cloak look would help him slip through the crowd better...or would it? His foot began tapping against the cobblestone as he peeked around a corner. The alley led onto the main street lined with vendors, filled with people, and decorated with colorful streamers and ribbons. No doubt the kingdom was in celebration, but for what? The Surface had changed since he last had the opportunity to walk it... indeed centuries at least...this type of growth could not happen in a mere decade. His chest tightened, and a soft whimper escaped him. Ghirahim braced himself against the cold stone wall of a home, burying his face into the fur lining of his mantle. His shoulder shook slightly.

Must you always be so pathetic?

The shadows whispered at his feet.

Don't act so surprised...you always knew what he really thought of you. You are just a thing, a tool to be cast aside once your usefulness runs out, and it appears...it has.

The voices seemed to grow and multiply, finishing each other's sentences as they sighed into his ear. Ghirahim roared. There was a thundering crack and peddles flew outward, skipping across the cobbles. Fresh lines appeared in the wall, encircling a hand-sized dent like spider webs. Ghirahim's form vibrated with chuckles as he rounded the corner and headed down the alley into the main street.

Ghirahim had always been skilled in staying hidden in plain sight despite his rather ostentatious outward appearance. The people seemed unaware of the strange man's presence as they all moved and converged in the castle plaza. All eyes cast upward to a balcony-all ears listening as the apparent king of this land accompanied by a familiar blonde-haired girl.

"Hail people of Hyrule! It is my pleasure to inform you that the Demon King Ganon has been defeated! Vanquished by the hero of legend, Link, who wielded the sword of evil's bane in battle,"

The crowd cheered as their hero appeared. The boy was even different this time...no, longer the child that descended from the sky to quickly become a thorn in Ghirahim's side. That did nothing to douse the fire burning in his stomach and seared the back of his throat.

"With the final blow, the darkness roared as it fell, and with it, the rest of his monsters scattered to the wind."

The king concluded, and the apparent princess then picked up where he left off. She, too, had changed. However, he could still feel it, once the spirit maiden, always the spirit maiden.

"With great pride, we shall now return the Master Sword to its resting place in the Temple of Time, finally putting to rest the bitter conflict and restoring peace to the land."

Ghirahim had made his way to the edge of the throng. Watching as those on the balcony stepped back inside the castle, and the crowd began to disperse. Ghirahim would have to find this temple; he needed to know more before he could do anything worth a damn.

Following the crowd, Ghirahim split away down an eastern street. It was less dense than the others though people and creatures, both familiar and new stood haggling prices and enjoying each other's company.

Ghirahim eyed the stands. Flowers, food, spice, and more filled them, and Ghirahim smiled at the sight. A sense of nostalgia filled his nostrils and swelled in his chest as he took in the sounds, sights, and scents. It had been many moons since he had been able to walk among people, and even then, the last time, it was the heat of battle filled with the hiss of metal and cries of agony belonging to dying men, women, and children. Visions of those nightly raids crowded his imagination as he walked.

However, curious eyes were starting to notice the cloaked figure, thanks to the lack of a proper crowd. Ghirahim also began to notice unwitting gazes. He did his best to quicken his pace without looking obvious. The demon ducked into another alley and stopped as he took in the sight of a gaggle of gentlemen.

"Come on, come on! Snake eyes!"

A ragged-looking fellow, with a cloud of dirt and foul odor about him, shook his cupped palms violently, accompanied by subtle clicking of dice. He was surrounded by three other men who looked just as vile. More were leaned up against the wall. The dice spilled from his palms and onto the stone. All brought their eyes close as they tumbled and rolled before coming to a stop. The gross man jumped up, throwing his fist into the air.

"YES!"

One dot faced upward on each die, but the others did not share his enthusiasm. The winner took his prize, a sack heavy with rupees. It was then the group noticed unfamiliar eyes.

"Wha' are ya looking at?"

"You got a problem?"

Ghirahim shook his head and turned around but was met with a rocky, tall beast was standing before him. Arms crossed. Ghirahim remembered they were called Gorons. His brow furrowed as he looked over his shoulder.

"That's a mighty fine cloak you got there..."

Ghirahim sighed. He knew where this was going. It was a classic move by rats searching for their next shiny to gamble away. They advanced on him.

"Touch me, and you'll lose hands."

"You're in no position to make empty threats."

A surprisingly silky voice spoke up from the shadows of the alley. The voice's origin made herself known as she stepped into the light.

"We don't know you...and we don't like people snooping around where they don't belong."

Ghirahim's fingers twitched as the fire flickered and rose again.

"Trust me. You don't want this,

Ghirahim spoke softly.

"And none of you are worth the effort. So please, have some sense, and let me pass."

The woman laughed and shook her head before gesturing with her hand.

"Kick his ass."

Their choice...Go on...Show them the gravity of their mistake.

The voice crackled into his ear before seeming to laugh. They wanted a fight, and they would get one...yet...what was this heaviness in his gut? Why did his glee vanish with his smile?

Kill them.

It growled. Ghirahim hesitated, his hands clenching into his fists. The fire drew back suddenly with a hiss, and his blood rapidly cooled. Something was wrong. Never before had the anger just vanished like that...never had the darkness allowed such...such disobedience...the fire surged back, heat crashing over him like waves against a beach.

Kill. Them.

The fire commanded, biting at his hands and arms, making them twitch and jerk. Ghirahim winced softly as the gang advanced on him.

Kill them. Kill them. KILL THEM!

The blazing fury roared, and he could have almost cried out at the searing heat that invaded his mind, or did he? He did not have time to think about it. A fist collided with Ghirahim's face. His vision blurred as he staggered back. The human who struck him laughed. That bastard...stupid...stinking brute...it was all the fire needed...the final push. A deep growl escaped the demon.

Kill them...

The voice whispered, and Ghirahim did.