Part 11 The Last

"How?" Dark Tomi asked incredulously. "What is…?" His mouth was struggling to form words. "I don't know that spell." The white warrior standing in front of him grinned, but he was too skeptical to care.

"You thought that I hadn't learned anything while I was chasing you, but you were wrong. Granted, I didn't learn much, but you'll find it was enough." Link felt his mouth moving but he didn't hear his voice speaking, it was Tomi's. It had to be, because Link didn't know what he was talking about. "It is a unity spell that binds the beings of two wizards. The Karu-semaja is a forbidden technique only allowed to be used by those of our highest order."

"Link is not a wizard! You and I are the last." Dark Tomi stated.

"Not true, Link is a wizard. You said it yourself." Light Tomi avowed.

"What? I would never say anything as preposterous as that!" The Black Wizard's confusion was dissipating and anger was setting in.

"You did." This time is was Link who spoke. "You told me I had the power of one of the most powerful Battle Mages." He said matter-of-factly.

"You fool, the source of your power is the Triforce. That is the only thing that is keeping you standing." Tomi's darkness declared.

"I could say the same about you. The power you run on now is a false one that doesn't belong to you." Link said confidently. "You steal the power of a teenage girl and now depend on it to survive."

Dark Tomi fumed, with his fists clenched and baring his teeth in irritation. Then to further his frustration he heard the one in front of him laughing. He heard his light speak.

"Now, now, have you forgotten the lessons of our old masters? They always said that those who were angry were, in reality, truly frightened. I would say that that's quite true, wouldn't you?" Light Tomi cocked their head slightly.

"Enough!" Without warning Dark Tomi leapt at his enemy and struck. They parried it with ease and countered with a few attacks of their own, each one hitting their mark on the Black Wizards chest, slicing his robe open. The wizard stumbled backwards from the impact, but they didn't take a break as they leapt for Dark Tomi and continued pummeling him with quick and heavy strikes. Slicing multiple cuts across the wizard's limbs and chest, they blasted him back again by kicking him in the stomach. Dark Tomi landed on his back a few feet away, injuries bleeding freely. He felt something stuck in his throat and began coughing heavily. He moved onto his side and saw drops of blood falling into the water from his mouth. It wasn't much, but it was there. His energy was fading.

Link pointed one of his swords at the dark being and heard Tomi's voice cast a spell in his head. Dark Tomi was lifted into the air by the spell's energy and could only helplessly drift there. Link jumped into the air and continued the beating in midair. The Black Wizard could hardly move. Every attempt at blocking or dodging an incoming attack was in vain. He was losing and he knew it. He felt the limitations of his energy coming to an end. Link could sense this but he never stopped, he couldn't stop, this battle had to be over. This man had to be dead.

Link slashed away more and more of his enemy's flesh and with every strike more blood was sprayed upon his white tunic. The water beneath them had taken a shade of crimson with the dropping blood. Pieces of black fabric fell and landed to float calmly on the surface. It was as if Dark Tomi had been wearing a red outfit underneath his black robe, for under every opening in the clothing there was a bloodied mark to cover the proper color of his skin.

Link felt his enemy's life beginning to slip. He wanted to end this, but as he planned the finishing move he heard Tomi's voice speak to him, "Wait, do not kill him immediately. I want him to suffer, just like he did to Aliya."

Link complied. Instead of slashing through Dark Tomi's heart he stabbed Light Tomi's sword into his abdomen. He heard the Black Wizard scream with agony but he didn't make a motion to remove the weapon. Link felt Tomi release the spell and he watched as the darkness fell back to the lake's invisible surface. Link followed suit and began to glide back down. As he watched Dark Tomi come closer to the water he noticed that the spell around the wizard's feet that allowed him to stand atop the water had vanished. Light Tomi must have noticed this too and quickly cast the spell back on his darkness' feet. Link and Tomi didn't want him to drown in the lake's depths; they wanted him on the surface, for them to see his final moments.

The spell appeared a mere second before Dark Tomi could have landed in the lake. His body collided with the invisible ground and Link could hear a grunt escape the dark one's lips. Link himself landed on the water a moment later. He looked down at Dark Tomi with no emotion. They walked over to his side and looked down into his glowing eyes, which were beginning to fade. In the corner of his eye he saw the sword still sticking out of the Black Wizard's stomach, but he still didn't remove it.

"I am the reason you exist, we both are. I felt it was my duty to kill you, and now I have fulfilled that duty." Tomi declared through their lips. Dark Tomi made a feeble attempt at looking at them.

"Not…yet." He whispered. Before Link and Tomi could fully register what he had said, he was gone. The body that once lay there somehow disappeared.

"Teleportation." Tomi said, with a hint of urgency in his voice. Before Link could ask what he had meant Tomi answered. Tomi took full control of their body and spun it around to face where Zelda had been pinned down. To Link's horror he saw that Zelda was no longer trapped by the spell he had cast. Instead she was being held in Dark Tomi's arms, with a sword held against her throat. Link was also surprised to see that she was unconscious. "He absorbed her energy back into him, now he has a bit more of the strength than he used to have. It's not much, but it is enough for him to stand." Link heard Tomi's voice in his head.

Dark Tomi was still having difficulty breathing but he was back to standing at his full height. "You should have killed me." The Black Wizard said simply. "Diffuse, now!" Link wasn't surprised that he began barking orders. Dark Tomi was trying to take control of the situation again.

"Tomi?" Link asked in his mind.

"I have a plan." Tomi stated. He quickly told Link his idea and he felt Link agree.

"Can it do that?" Link asked.

"It's been with me since I went through the separation, it contains my essence and energy." Tomi explained

"Xaldden-shei, right?" Link questioned

"Yes." Tomi answered.

"Do it, or she dies." Dark Tomi threatened. He watched the warrior standing there motionless. He wasn't sure if they would do it or not, but if they tried to do anything he knew he could slit Zelda's throat before they reached him.

The light warrior sheathed his remaining sword and placed his hand over his heart. "Kaumi." Their hand began to glow with a fluorescent light. "Shau-latu seika Link valun Tomi. Their adjoined body started to glow entirely. The light blinded the form they had taken so that Dark Tomi could no longer see the warrior's physical shape. Suddenly the large light split into two separate ones and the light began to fade. The lights took the forms of Tomi and Link, both were facing the Black Wizard.

"Now take your sword off your belt and throw it over here." Dark Tomi ordered to Link. With his eyes on Link he could barely see his light slightly wave his right hand at his side. Suddenly there was an enormous eruption of pain from Dark Tomi's abdomen. He looked down and saw Light Tomi's sword glowing with a similar light he had just seen a moment ago. The light was burning him from the inside. Light couldn't exist in his dark body, it wasn't allowed. It felt similar to being electrocuted from the inside. Unable to keep his stance the wizard let go of Zelda and his sword, which landed in the invisible surface next to its master, blade landing vertical in the water.

Link saw his chance. "Xaldden-shei!" The boy commanded. Dark Tomi didn't hear Link's voice over his own screaming. But it wouldn't have made a difference even if he had.

Link found himself suddenly standing behind Dark Tomi. It was a teleportation spell he was told to use, and now he saw why. Without hesitation Link drew his sword and stabbed it through the Black Wizard's heart.

The screaming cut short. Dark Tomi stood there for a moment, unmoving. But after a few moments of stunned paralysis he dropped to his knees, desperately grabbing the hilt of his sword that remained resting in the water, as if that would give him his strength back.

Dark Tomi lifted his head and made a last look at his light. Their eyes connected, and in that moment they both knew that they would never see each other again. The Black Wizard then fell onto his side, defeated…and dead.

For once in quite a while there was a sense of calm over Lake Hylia. The two light warriors did not speak, they didn't need to. Their struggles had finally come through and succeeded in the end.

Tomi watched the motionless body of his darkness. He couldn't take his eyes off it. He was somehow unable to understand that he was dead. He knew that this was what he had wanted and strived for, but he never thought about what he would do after it was done. What was his purpose now?

Before his eyes the body of his darkness began fading away, as if the sun had finally risen, chasing away the night and all else that was dark. The black robe swayed in the wind and vanished, along with his bloodstained body, and lastly his obscured face that continued to be hidden under his hood. The Black Wizard had gone completely from the world.

Tomi's thoughts were disturbed when he saw Link rush towards the immobile Zelda. She had fallen from Dark Tomi's grasp when he had been struck and now lay on her back, still unconscious. Tomi left Link to tend to the princess while he turned his own attention to the Triforce platform island that was still in flames. He silently doused the flames with a spell and looked at its charred surface. The once luscious grass was now black and the leafless tree had been burned down, but the platform with the Triforce emblem had not been damaged at all. Tomi cast another spell and revived the life that once inhabited the petit island. Slowly the grass grew back to its normal length and color. The tree was revived and stood as it always had, not granting much shade.

Tomi looked back at the lake house and sighed. He knew no one had died from the fire, but it still filled him with sadness. It was yet another reminder of how much pain his darkness had caused. Tomi got to work reconstructing the house.

--------------------------------------

Link ran over to Zelda. She was alive, he could feel it. When he reached her he crouched down, grabbed her shoulders, and brought her to him in a tight embrace. He never wanted to relive having to fight her, seeing her being a dark advocate. Since Dark Tomi had been killed Link assumed the curse had been lifted. He was glad that she was back to normal.

Link felt her stir in his arms. He pulled away enough so that he could look at her better. He wanted to be the first thing that she saw when she woke up, to let her know that it was alright and the threat had been killed.

Zelda's eyes fluttered open and the first thing she focused on was the boy holding her. Immediately her eyes were filled with horror. Link saw this and was confused, but realized she must be a bit mystified.

"Zelda, it's alright, he's gone." Link told her soothingly. He brought her close to him again, but this time she resisted. She pushed herself away from him frantically and stood up. Her eyes began darting left and right, looking for an explanation Link didn't understand.

"Where is he?" Zelda screamed. It was so loud that it got the attention of Tomi who had moved closer to the lake house. Right when he heard her he ran towards them. Zelda looked over at Dark Tomi's sword and her eyes widened. "You…killed him." She whispered, barely audible to Link's ears. She then turned back to Link and glared at him with such hatred that he stood up. "You, you're the one. I'll kill you!" Link saw her form another black flame in her hand and pull it back, ready to throw. Link didn't have enough time to grab his sword in time to block it, before she threw it towards him. He thought he was going to get hit again by one of her assaults, but before it had made contact a blur of white appeared in front of him and the flame was flying away in another direction.

Tomi stood in front of the young swordsman with his hand outstretched. He had waved the flame away before it had a chance to be of use. Zelda looked at him, surprised. In another blur Tomi was suddenly standing behind her, he used the same spell Link had used to get behind his darkness. But instead of stabbing her like Link had done to his darkness, he grabbed her in a similar manner to the way he held her in Hyrule Castle. He wrapped one arm around her waist, trapping her arms, while the other arm covered her mouth.

Link watched as Zelda's eyes suddenly closed, back into comatose. He looked at Tomi and saw his eyes were closed as well, but he knew that the wizard was concentrating instead of unconscious.

"What's happened to her?" Link asked, trying not to seem demanding. He knew that being impatient wouldn't get him anywhere, so he tried his best to stay calm.

Tomi didn't open his eyes. "I'm using the same spell that I used on you when I found my darkness' mark within you. But what I'm seeing in her is much different than what I saw in you." The wizard explained.

"Different how?" Link asked, still managing to remain calm.

"In your life energy you contained much light, but with Zelda," Tomi told him, "All I see is darkness." Link's eyes widened.

"What? But that's not right. She's not like this, how can she be changed back?" Link questioned, allowing some of his franticness to show. Tomi didn't answer. Link could tell that he was thinking of something. "Tomi, if you have a plan tell it to me. Please!" Tomi still didn't look up.

"There…there is a way." Tomi said slowly.

"How?" Link was clenching his fist out of irritation with Tomi's hesitation.

Tomi finally looked up and stared straight into Link's eyes. "Link…you are a kind hearted young man, and one of the best swordsmen I've ever met. You're magic abilities make some of the wizards I once knew look childish. Through fighting with me and along side me you have learned many spells. There is a way to learn more if you ever wish to. The location of the old Wizards Academy is beyond Death Mountain, in a small town named Istok. There are many books there that can teach you many things, many that I do not know. If you ever are curious go there and learn about my order."

"Why are you telling me this? Is there something there to help with Zelda's condition?" Link asked.

Tomi chuckled. "I am glad that you decided to take my advice and tell Zelda how you feel. I will have at least two people who will remember me." Tomi's eyes became sorrowful.

"Tomi…what are you talking about? Why are you speaking like this?"

"I made a promise to you. I promised that I would pay you back for giving me my life again. This is how I repay you." Tomi told the Chosen of Courage.

Realization was beginning to hit Link's mind. "Tomi…"

"My friend…don't forget about me." Tomi began to glow like he always did when he was about to cast an advanced spell. A moment later, Zelda was glowing along with him. Tomi shut his eyes in concentration. The light surrounding them was growing continuously harsh and Link had to cover his eyes a little. Link could barely see it, but there were stands of energy radiating from the spot where they stood. Link could no longer see them. He hid his eyes behind his hands, not wanting to become blind. He was now just standing there waiting for something to occur, but nothing did.

A few moments passed until the warmth that the light had given off was gone. Link opened his eyes tentatively, not wanting to look into the insensitive light again. He soon opened them completely when he saw that the light was gone. In front of him stood Zelda and Tomi, just how they had been before. Link was about to ask what had happened, until he saw Tomi collapse on the water's surface. He heard a faint grunt from the wizard and realized that he must have been tired. That was expected, after fighting for so long with another wizard and then casting a spell as elegant as that he wasn't surprised Tomi needed rest.

Link looked over to Zelda, who also was threatening to fall over. Link quickly ran over and grabbed her before she could. His touch seemed to awaken her from her slumber, as her eyes began to flutter open again. She looked at him, and he looked at her. There is was, the kindness in her eyes again. She knew who he was. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He embraced her back, never wanting to let go. He lifted Zelda off her feet, catching a small whimper of glee from her. She pulled back slightly and began placing kisses all over his face, not wanting to miss a single inch. He closed his eyes and enjoyed her affection. But finally he pulled his face away a bit and kissed her on the lips. She strengthened her hold on him and kissed him back with pure adoration and love.

They broke apart from each other and looked at each other with the most affection they could muster. She placed her forehead against his as he lowered her back to her feet.

"I love you." She whispered to him, smiling.

"I love you, too." Link whispered back. The boy slowly lifted his head and looked over at Tomi, who was still resting on the lake's waters. "Tomi, it worked. She's back to herself." Link waited for a response…but got none. "Tomi." Link called a bit louder.

Still no response.

Link looked at Zelda, who met him with the same perplexed look. They broke their embrace as Link walked over and crouched down next to his friend. He placed his hand on Tomi's chest and shook him, trying to awaken him. Still, Tomi did not stir.

It was then that Link realized that something was wrong. As he had his hand on Tomi's chest he felt no heartbeat. Link felt a shiver of fear. Had all that talk about saying good-bye meant…no…no Tomi was fine, he was just kidding around. But when did Tomi ever kid?

Link felt a pang of panic on his heart. He started to shake him desperately, trying to wake up his friend. "Tomi! Tomi!" Link cried. No matter how many times he called his name the wizard would not open his eyes. Tears began forming in Link's eyes. He couldn't let his friend die, but he didn't know how to help him. Link grabbed Tomi's wrist, waiting for a pulse. There was none. He slapped Tomi's face with no response. He cupped his hands and dipped them into the lake's cold water, splashed it on him. Nothing worked.

The young warrior felt tears run down his face. He had not allowed himself to cry last time Tomi had died, that was because he needed to be serious for his fight with his darkness, but now there was nothing stopping him from weeping.

Zelda reached over and place her hands on Link's shoulders, trying to comfort him. She had not known Tomi as well as Link had, she didn't understand how he was feeling, but she tried her best.

Link looked up at her. "He gave his life to save you." He explained.

Zelda nodded. "I know. He told me what he was doing while he was transferring his light into my body. As he was cleansing me he apologized again for possibly harming me at the castle. He told me that I was free to live the way I wanted to."

Link's eyes widened. "You talked to him?" Zelda nodded. Link looked back down at his friend. "He was a good guy."

"He…he told me something I didn't quite understand though." Zelda said. Link looked back at her. "He told me that you and I are…the last. Last what?" Zelda cocked her head in confusion, wondering if Link could make any sense of it.

Link smiled. He understood. "The last magicians, magic users…wizards."

Link then thought of something. Slowly he moved closer to where Tomi's head was. He reached out his hand and grabbed Tomi's hood.

"What are you doing?" Zelda asked.

"Satisfying a curiosity." Link answered.

Link carefully pulled back Tomi's hood and looked down upon his face.

End of Part 11