Another morning rose and fell into a relaxed summer evening, and the royal family was out for their routine constitutional. Fi and Ghirahim were headed up the stairs to take him back to his room for the night. He chattered on about something Fi was not paying attention to.
"-the complexity of a spell's dispersion is greatly affected by the elements the caster calls upon-"
Fi internally sighed. It had been weeks of this, and it was getting to the point where she forgot essential details about the day. His voice could drown out one's own thoughts. However, she had learned to tune him out in the past week, but that did nothing to stop the deluge of words from occasionally breaching her defenses. How much longer were they doing to have to endure this? Fi was supposed to be partaking in a well-earned rest, and she found herself fighting back an abnormal amount of mood swings. Her controlled demeanor was often challenged by an overwhelming urge to kick the demon in the face. At least then, he would stop talking, but Fi was better than that, and she refused to stupe anywhere near his level. What did not make any sense was why? For someone who whines one minute about his 'unfair imprisonment' and then the next starts analyzing the history of the castle from just a glance at the structure and its imperfections seems to be trying too hard to both inconvenience and impress her. Fi had learned all she needed to know about Ghirahim and his personality. Just your token arrogant man with a bloated ego that is easily wounded. Someone with little to no natural substance who appears a proper gentleman at first before dissolving into a wicked villain.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Ghirahim stepped up on the stair in front of her. Fi stopped and looked up at him.
"What are you thinking about? Because it must be captivating to have such a grip on your attention. You know, it's frustrating how I never know what goes on that head of yours."
He had his hand on his hip that was cocked to one side. His face was way too close for comfort, but that was typical of his complete disregard for personal space.
"What goes on inside my head is something very few people are privy to, and the odds of you ever becoming such a person are 10% at best."
"Hm, I've done more with less."
Ghirahim replied, twirling his hand in the air. A silence fell between them as he continued to pin her under his gaze. The evening bells suddenly tolled outside; their haunting tune soared across the sky and over Castle town, seemingly coming just in time to save the sword spirit from further personal questions.
"Have we always had bells?"
Ghirahim asked, cocking his head to the right. Fi nodded.
"Affirmative. They, however, only recently repaired them. Tonight is their grand debut."
The demon's expression twitched with what Fi could describe as nervousness, and he stepped away from her. Fi was about to ask what was wrong when a horrible shriek rang out throughout the castle grounds. Her gaze shot up before she soared back down the stairs. Guards were quick to arms as they rushed outside. Ghirahim followed as the chaos erupted.
The sun drooped past the horizon, the fiery colors of twilight igniting amongst the blackening sky. Soldiers dashed about; everyone searched for the source of the ear-splitting cry, and they would soon find it.
The bells tolled one finally time, only for the shrill to follow. A looming shadow crawled out from the inside of the bell tower. Hooked talons gripped the stone supports, and horrible teeth gnashed as the vire came into view.
It had a wispy violet coat and piercing eyes. The creature lifted off the tower and dive-bombed straight towards the central courtyard: the King and his daughter were just on their way back when the monster appeared. The guard escorting them got them aside just in time as the vire flew past them. Its talons sparked against the stone. It shrieked again, and arrows whizzed through the air at the beast, but nothing seemed to stick.
Fi whirled around to shoot Ghirahim a look before she rushed to aid her princess.
"What in the name of the goddess is that?!"
The King demanded. Fi was about to reply when a familiar voice interrupted.
"A vire. They are monsters typically made up of two or more keese. They also despise loud sounds more than anything else, and standard weapons will only cause the beast to split into its parts, but blows from a magical source will do the trick to slay it. I must say they don't usually get this large. It seems the castle has a bit of pest problem and the bells woke it."
Ghirahim spoke with a small laugh. Fi then added.
"Vire are conjured or made artificially through the means of dark magic. They were previously thought to be extinct."
"Oh no, just incredibly rare."
The demon retorted with a smug smirk. Zelda took a deep breath in through her nose. She knew what a vire was and how it got here. What game was he playing? It was apparent Ghirahim was the source of this beast. Why was he being coy about it? A set of guards appeared to guide the King inside. Zelda watched him go before turning her eyes to the soldiers fighting against the monster.
The vire swooped, snatching a man in its wicked claws before flapping back into the air. Dust kicked up with each mighty stroke of its leathery wings. Zelda gasped before she caught sight of Fi rushing up towards the monster. She spun and struck the creature, breaking its hold on the soldier. The blue sword spirit grabbed the man with her magic before lowering him gently to the ground. Zelda's gaze flicked back to Ghirahim, but her eyebrow quirked at the curious sight. He had been watching the chaos with a pleased look, but now his usually sharp gaze was clouded and his smile gone.
Zelda knew that look and got a wicked idea. One she would feel guilty for later, but if she could get her idea to work, the outcome would be oh so sweet. As Fi alighted to the ground, Zelda hurried over, waving a guard captain over as she came to a stop. Of course, this all happened on the day Impa took for herself.
Ghirahim watched her go; his eyes returned to Fi for another moment longer before switching towards the vire. After receiving a blow from Fi, it was met with another flurry of arrows. With a rigid flap of its wings, it disrupted the course of the projectiles sending most tumbling back to the earth. Any that managed to make it passed through their target. The vire's shadowy form would shift and morph; it seemed more like a liquid.
It made a quick loop before it cried out again, diving at the men on the bulwark. It took down three guards before lunging to strike another.
Ghirahim laughed and shook his head. It was almost sad. These men were struggling to defeat a creature that could be considered mid-tier at best. Now regarding difficulty, he has witnessed a boy do better against something much more challenging. The only man in their ranks that seemed to be worth his salt was the captain who had lured him here in the first place. Beyond that, the royal guard either excelled or failed in its tasks. There really was no in-between. If that was not saying something, Ghirahim did not know what could.
"They really aren't that good at this, are they? I would say I can do better, but that is just a given regarding any comparison."
He yelled over the din so the princess could hear him. She turned to him with an unamused expression. It seemed his goading hit a nerve this time. Their attention turned back to the vire. It reared its ugly head. However, moments before its jaws could snap another man in half, Fi appeared and gave a swift kick across the creature's face. She then darted into the air, twirling about like a butterfly.
The vire hissed and took off after her. She danced in the air with it, peppering it with quick blows while swooping around the beast. Her shawl rippled as she seemed lighter than air. Her strikes appeared to anger the vire more than actually damage it.
Her movements provided enough distraction for the arrows to strike true. She led it along, keeping its focus on her as she glided down. With one sudden motion, her shawl cracked as she flipped towards the vire's rear. Fi's heel whirled around and struck the beast on its back. There was an audible crack, and it gave a blood-curdling shrill as it collapsed to the stone. Wings fluttered as the vire skidded across the cobbles. Its talons left nasty gashes in the stone path. Fi hovered above it still as the creature croaked and shook while it staggered forward.
Ghirahim was held captive by the scene before him. The way she spun around the creature had been fascinating. She was beautiful when she moved like that. A silence fell over the onlookers as the vire panted and coughed. Fi turned away from the creature and bounded over to him. She soared just over his head, and his gaze turned to follow her movements.
"Is this what you showing off looks like?"
He inquired, a teasing note in his tone. Ghirahim was grinning ear to ear, and it turned her stomach the way his gaze looked over her features.
"I do not 'show off,' Ghirahim."
Fi replied, and that got a reaction.
"Ha! Then what, pray tell, do you call the show you just put on? I mean, it was practically choreographical the way you spun and twirled around the beast just now. The spectacle was quite the sight, I must admit! Frankly, I'm a little jealous!"
Fi watched as the vire stirred behind him. It lifted its head with a shake before it came forward. Ghirahim was about to look over his shoulder when his vision was overtaken by blue. He blinked and went ridged as Fi's face passed inches from his own, and as she did, unbeknownst to him, the vire lunged. Fi brought her leg up, placing her foot square on his chest before giving a firm push. His expression was curious, if a bit confused, with a glint of mischief in his eyes. She did a flip off her action and soared away.
Ghirahim did not notice before it was already too late. The vire came down upon him, and its teeth sank into his left shoulder. Fi watched as realization flashed across his face. He snarled, twisting as the beast tore through his mantle and the clothes underneath, and what remained quickly darkened and shined in the rising moonlight.
The vire jerked its head up, taking the demon with it. There was a snap accompanied by a crackle, and a fiery sliver of black arched against the sky. It all happened so fast. Within moments, Ghirahim broke free, spun, and came down upon the beast. A swift death from above. His blade sunk into the vire's back. It shrieked and thrashed as smoke suddenly bellowed out from its maw and eyes. The fire crackled just under its skin, trailing like lightning against the beast's pelt, devouring it from the inside. It collapsed to the stone, finally still.
Ghirahim yanked his blade free before stepping down off its corpse. It burst into shadows that sunk back into the ground. His weapon vanished in a flurry of diamonds. Fi had already floated back over to stand by Zelda. Ghirahim's eyes burned, and his scowl hardened. He marched over, his face contorted with fury.
"You dare use me as bait for that disgusting fiend!? The audacity!! Why-I-I"
The demon lord spat as he advanced. Swiftly removing what remained of his mantle, he folded it over his arm. It was oddly satisfying seeing Ghirahim look so unkempt after all he had been putting them through. Zelda placed her hands on her hips and met his front with a stern look of her own.
"Do you know what this is made from?!" He shook the arm his tattered mantle now sat on. "More than anything in this pathetic castle combined?! I know you are just some spoiled little wretch--"
Fi jumped when her beloved princess suddenly struck Ghirahim in the face, quickly silencing him. He staggered back and groaned. His glare shot back to Zelda from the ground. She shook out her hand while she snapped back.
"That is for any man killed or injured today because of your little stunt. I'd say it damaging that stupid cape of yours is perfect retribution for the hell you've put the castle through these past weeks. Now I want you to think twice before trying something like it again."
Zelda stated before she walked away, going to help tend to her soldiers. Any still standing about took in the scene with awe and glee of the boldness of their princess. Fi stayed behind. Ghirahim straightened back up, looking as though he might follow her, but his eyes flicked over to Fi. They smoldered as he wiped the blood from his face with his hand. He opened his mouth to speak but seemed to decide against it. Ghirahim turned and started away; his shoulder was now soaked in blood, but he seemed unbothered. Fi looked back to where the vire fell; all that remained were some loose shreds of fabric. Ghirahim scooped them up as he walked by before he continued onward. He hung his head, and Fi watched his fingers clench into fists. Fi knew she needed to follow him, but some part of her overruled that decision. A strange, distant feeling reassured her that he would not harm a soul. The sword spirit shifted in the air before she floated after Zelda. She decided against her better judgment that she would find Ghirahim after he had some time alone.
For now, to help tend the wounded and take notes on the situation.