An All-consuming Rage
Rage, as powerful an emotion as it is, is all-consuming. The ire contained in Link's sapphire eyes would make even the most battle-hardened warrior cower. The intensity with which he clenched his fingers to the palm of his hand would leave scarlet, crescent imprints that would not vanish for days. An individual needed only to glance at the impatient swing in Link's arms and the force in his strides to comprehend that one should avoid provoking him at all costs. This may have been the case had the entire Hylian guard not been under Agahnim's control. Link was denied access to Hyrule Castle by thousands of guards who met his enraged demeanor with obedient determination. Without another moment's hesitation, the guards launched their assault.
Link projected his rage at every soldier who barred his path, and even after he had slain well into the triple digits, he had not so much as expended even a modicum of his fury. Link, despite the numerous attacks and threats Ganon posed to Hyrule years ago, had not once fought in this style. In every swing of his sword and every enraged battle cry, there was grief within his indignation. How could his desire to live a simple life result in such complexity? How dare he allow himself to become so blinded by his selfish desires! Yet, was it really so wrong of him to seek anonymity? Was he really destined to live a life battling the pride and corruption that accompanied heroism?
Thus, Link waged two separate wars, but his technique was so proficient or his rage was so great that he easily conquered the physical war. His mental war vanished just as quickly when he recalled the objective before him. Brandishing his sword before him, he entered Hyrule Castle ready for whatever obstacles lay ahead.
"The Triforces are glowing," a menacing voice spoke, "do you know what this means?"
"The third will be here soon," a second voice acknowledged.
Their laughter caused Zelda to stir, whose head throbbed in almost unbearable pain. Reaching her hand toward her head, she jolted in surprise when her hand brushed a rough surface. As her eyes shot open, she was met at once by a blurry vision of Ganondorf and another man whom Zelda did not recognize. She sought to flee before they noticed her, but something was not right. It took her only a second to realize that she was suspended in midair within a pink crystal, the exact way Ganondorf contained her years ago. She gasped at the realization causing both Ganondorf and the stranger to glance at her.
Ganondorf chuckled. "Well, your highness, I am glad to see you are awake, and just in time too."
"Ti-time for what?" Zelda stammered, silently cursing her evident fear.
The grin on Ganondorf's face widened delightfully before he turned his gaze. "Time to witness your beloved's death."
Zelda followed Ganondorf's gaze to the door and suddenly noticed Link standing in the doorway. Her soaring heart was immediately grounded by fear. Ganondorf had always threatened Link, herself and Hyrule, but there was something about the icy, yet gleeful tone of his voice that terrified her. She glanced again at Link, who stood with both feet firmly planted while he aimed the fairy bow at Ganondorf. Two arrows were nocked on the bow, which Zelda recognized as light arrows, Ganondorf's one weakness. Zelda had absolute faith in Link's swordsmanship and ability, but something still irked her. Link spoke, momentarily displacing her concern.
"Release Zelda or I shall release my grip!" Link threatened through gritted teeth. Zelda glanced at Link's hands knowing the toll the light arrows took on his strength. The light arrows required the use of the Triforce of Courage, and with every passing second, a little of Link's energy was sapped. Link, however, did not show this, but Ganondorf seemed aware despite Link's calm composure. He chuckled maliciously.
"Go ahead and shoot me. The way your Triforce is flickering tells me there is nothing you desire more."
What is Ganondorf doing? Zelda wondered. Why is he inviting Link to fire upon him with not one but two arrows? Shouldn't he try to render Link's attack? Zelda pondered these questions for a seemingly endless time before the answer came to her. Is Ganondorf just trying to tire Li-
Zelda's thoughts were interrupted by Ganondorf's shriek of pain and fury. A glance at him revealed that Link, who obviously suspected the same thing, had released his arrows. Zelda watched as Link withdrew his sword, leaped in the air and drove his blade into Ganondorf with a shocking force. Zelda braced herself expecting Ganondorf to scream again, and nothing shocked her more than when he chuckled. Taken aback, she listened more intently, wondering if her ears were deceiving her. They were not. The elderly man, who Zelda had entirely forgotten about, was also choked with laughter, which perplexed her further. Glancing at Link, she noticed that he was experiencing a similar puzzlement, but he made no move to lower his guard. It was many moments before Ganondorf finally dispelled his merciless chuckling and glanced up at Link.
"Did you really think..." he paused to catch his breath, "that I would succumb to the same fate I did eight years ago? Think again!"
Before Zelda could blink, Ganondorf summoned his dark magic and launched Link into the air. The elderly man simultaneously released several dark orbs all of which struck Link's helpless form. The attack, which only lasted a few seconds, was further extended by Zelda's shock. Link lost his grip on his sword and it roughly launched against the stone wall before clambering on the floor. Link followed his sword seconds later, landing in a heap beside the elderly man. Watching suspiciously, the elderly man and Ganondorf waited many moments to ensure that Link remained motionless. Once satisfied, the elderly man knelt beside Link and lowered two fingers to Link's jugular.
"Well?" Ganondorf barked impatiently.
The elderly man raised his head and nodded. "He's dead, my liege."
"Link...Link, open your eyes," a gentle voice spoke.
Link's eyes twitched slightly before he obediently opened them to see Saria kneeling beside him. He arched himself upward and immediately recognized the luminous walls and floors, and the placid environment as the Sacred Realm. Not a thing had changed since his visit almost a decade ago, but Link abruptly remembered that the Sacred Realm was removed from the physical world, and thus would never age or alter in the manner he would.
Link blinked in disbelief. "How did I get inside the Sacred Realm?"
Saria's gentle concern was replaced with anxiety. "Link, the sages and I summoned your spirit here before Ganondorf delivered the final blow. We haven't much time, so it is crucial that you listen to me. Hyrule's welfare depends on your actions, do you understand?"
Link nodded glumly.
"Link, there is something very important I was unable to tell you before that you need to know now..." she trailed. "Did you ever wonder why you were unable to contact me at Lon Lon Ranch? Did you ever wonder who or what is the source of my knowledge of Agahnim?"
These were all questions Saria was aware he had when she telepathically spoke to him earlier, but Link nodded anyway.
"I was absent because Agahnim deceived me. I felt him attempting to control me, so I naturally retaliated, that is, until I learned that my powers as a sage allowed me to see into his mind too. I learned of his past, which is our future as I explained before, and I also learned of his vulnerabilities. He used one of those vulnerabilities to bend Truce to his will...that was the desire that he had for the woman who eventually became queen, a princess much like Zelda. Of course, Agahnim did not desire the princess of his time romantically as Truce desired Zelda, but that did not matter to Agahnim. He merely needed access to the castle that would not arouse the suspicion of myself and the other sages, and Truce was that avenue.
"Link, I am telling you this because releasing Ganondorf was never Agahnim's objective. That was merely an illusion, one I and all of the sages fell for. Agahnim's real intention is to bring Zelda to our future, which is really Agahnim's present time. He wishes to use Zelda to break Ganondorf's seal in lieu of the princess of his present time! If he does this, the legendary hero of his time will not suspect anything is wrong and therefore never develop the necessary power to defeat Ganondorf!"
Link was aghast. "H-how can I stop him?"
"Although Agahnim is a separate being from Ganondorf, Ganondorf had to revive Agahnim after the battle with the legendary hero by lending him a part of himself. It is this part that empowers Ganondorf and makes him immune to your attacks. You must defeat Agahnim, for when you do you will also be destroying that part of Ganondorf. But Link, listen carefully...you cannot destroy Ganondorf or Agahnim without the help of the sages, and you certainly cannot defeat them with your rage. Rage empowers the two of them, and Ganondorf has accumulated substantially more rage since his concealment in the Sacred Realm. You must have courage, Link. You must use the Triforce of Courage."
Suddenly, the other five sages appeared, each huddling around Link. Saria glanced at them before turning her attention back to Link.
"I wish for each of the sages to lend you their energy. When you are fully empowered you will be able to fire beams from your sword that will temporarily neutralize Ganondorf's power. Then you must focus your efforts on Agahnim. He is a master of illusions and deception, so be prepared for his diversions as you battle. We have little time, so I will now ask each of the sages to lend you their last measure of power." She stepped forward and placed her hand on Link's shoulder, gesturing the other sages to do the same.
Rauru stepped forward and placed his hand next to Saria's. "Link, Agahnim will attempt to deceive you, but when in doubt rely on your senses. Should one of your senses attempt to deceive you, turn it off in order to enhance the others."
Link felt Rauru's wisdom enter him, providing him the clarity he sought. Darunia then took a step forward, trembling the ground Link rested upon.
"Link!" Darunia bellowed as he clapped a hand on Link's shoulder with a force that caused Link's knees to buckle. "I named my son after you which makes you like family to me, a sworn brother to be precise. Trust in your strength and never hesitate when striking Ganondorf. Any hesitation is a wasted blow."
Darunia's brute force entered Link, sending him a surge of adrenaline. Link turned as Ruto provocatively swayed her hips and stepped forward.
"Link! It is I, your fiancee. Although my becoming a sage and your destiny prevents us from fulfilling the vows we made to each other almost a decade ago, I will never give my mother's special stone to another..." she paused to purse her lips. "Now be a man and rescue Princess Zelda right now!"
Ruto's impulsive command paired with Darunia's adrenaline almost fully rejuvenated Link's fury. Impa stepped forward just in time, her calm tone mollifying Link's vigor.
"Link, sometimes you may not know what you want until it's right in front of you, but life may not present you with another chance...fight for those you love and for what you know to be just."
Impa's collected composure added some rationale to Darunia's brute force and Ruto's rashness. Finally, Nabooru stood before Link. She smirked before placing her hand upon his shoulder with the other sages.
"Link, I too was duped by Ganondorf several years ago when he had Koume and Kotake brainwash me to do his will. I was ashamed that I could be deceived so easily, but I also learned that my refusal to forgive myself for my foolishness allowed Ganondorf to deceive me in the worst way possible; by resigning to apathy and bitterness. Link, do not blame yourself for this turn of events. You were no more aware of your role than I was aware of my role as an iron knuckle...Roles mean little unless you are aware you are playing one. You are a Hylian, the closest friend of Zelda and the Hero of Time. Rely only on what you know and you will see through the illusions sent to dismay or despair you."
"Link!" Saria intervened. "You must return now. I know there is more to say, but the final battle approaches. Each of us have given you our wisdom and support. Rely on that to provide clarity in Agahnim's illusions..."
Zelda felt herself blanketed by a numbing grief, which first took the form of denial. Link could not possibly be dead. At any moment he would return to his feet and continue the battle. However, as much as Zelda willed even the slightest tremor from Link's body, he remained motionless. It was after many moments that Zelda welcomed acceptance, and the grief that followed was tremendous. How had things taken such a turn for the worst? Her mind reeled through the recent turn of events and stopped at her confession to Link. It all began when I loved Link, a love which killed him, her conscience insisted. She lowered her head mournfully and was surprised to see the elderly man gazing at her.
"Princess, you will be coming with me. In time you will recover from your grief, and that time will pass much sooner than you think. Much sooner..."
Link cautiously opened his eyes, and in the dim lighting of the throne room, noticed his sword gleaming several feet to his left. Ignoring the aches, Link positioned himself upright and slowly crawled to reclaim his sword. The sudden echo of approaching footsteps caused Link to immediately tense and recline to his previous position. The steps grew closer, and though Link's eyes were closed, Link could not mistake the familiar chuckle of Ganondorf. Link sensed Ganondorf's form kneeling over him, and had to resist the urge to recoil his wrist when Ganondorf tightly clasped it.
"Now to claim what is rightfully mine..." Ganondorf muttered to himself.
"My liege!" a raspy voice suddenly echoed through the castle hall. "You must hurry!"
Ganondorf snorted and released Link's arm. "Do not patronize me Agahnim. I wish to revel in this-"
Seizing on Ganondorf's distraction, Link sprung to his feet and made a dive for his sword. Ganondorf's enraged cry echoed in Link's ears, but Link did not falter. In an instant, Link's sword was wielded before him and he released a wave of energy that knocked Ganondorf to his feet. Hearing what Link assumed was Agahnim rapidly hobbling toward him, Link summoned the Triforce of Courage and fired a radiant beam from his sword that struck Ganondorf in the chest. Ganondorf doubled over momentarily before raising his hand to issue a counterattack. Link prepared himself as Ganondorf chanted one of the spells from his black magic. A prolonged silence followed the conclusion of Ganondorf's spell. Ganondorf tried again with the same result.
The beam neutralized Ganondorf's power as Saria said, but there is no telling how long it will last! Link thought.
Remembering Agahnim, Link turned toward him, and found himself gazing at a rapidly approaching white orb. Link attempted to sidestep the orb, but was not quick enough. The orb launched him into the air in a similar manner as before, but this time Link tightly gripped his sword. Several dark orbs flew towards Link as he collapsed on his back, which he desperately parried with his sword. Link sprung to his feet as the second round of orbs paraded upon him and managed to deflect one towards Agahnim. Agahnim, not expecting this, was struck in the abdomen. He grunted in pain and glowered at Link.
"You managed to catch me off guard, but let's see how you do with this," Agahnim snarled.
Agahnim was suddenly immersed in a light so radiant Link raised a hand to shield his eyes. When the light finally faded enough for Link to peer over his hand, he gasped in surprise. Before him were three Agahnims! The three forms were levitated around Link, each wearing a menacing smile.
"So it looks as if Princess Zelda will have the pleasure of witnessing you die a second time by my hand..." Agahnim paused to gesture towards the pink crystal helplessly floating above. "Only this time, your death will only come with Princess Zelda's blessing. In other words, your suffering ends only when your beloved princess has had enough. This will be most fascinating! By the end of this battle we shall know if Princess Zelda would rather see her kingdom fall or her lover suffer."