A/N: Alright, final chapter here! This was far too drawn out and put-off, but it's finally done! I managed to bully the muses into getting down to work. A beg pardon for the shortness, but quality better than quantity, and all that! And a big hug-full thank you to Twilit Guardian for all the support! She did more than she thinks!

Jaden: thank god it's over…. I've been working at this thing since it started…

Loki: HAH! I didn't have to! *raspberry*

Ayar: … Really? Seriously?

Me: SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU! Thank you. Now, my lovely readers enjoy the final chapter of Anti-Hero!

The door swung slowly open, making Darking look up. His eyes held no anger, only forlorn resignation. He stood, backing away until he faded into the mist filling the chamber. The green-clad figure warily padded into the room, bright blue eyes peering around. Once the Hero made it to the scraggly tree, Darking pounced. With a roar, the Anti-Hero drew his black blade and charged at the Hero, making the man turn and draw the Master Sword. Steel clanged against steel as the two men locked blades and eyes.

"You've come, Hero." Darking's voice was harsh from lack of use. He shoved the Hero back as the man's eyes widened in shock. "You are Link, the Chosen Hero of Farore. It is your job to extinguish the Evil," Darking sighed, looking sadly at the Hero quickly before bowing his head. "Please, I wish this to be an honorable duel. It is your job to kill me, and my job to fight back. All I ask is that you make it swift." Link looked uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot. The blue light beside his head jingled, seeming to speak to the Hero. Link shook his head. He stepped forward, sword held out in front of him.

"As you wish."

And the duel began.

Darking began, dashing at Link and swinging his blade horizontally at the Hero. The light man jumped back, turning on his toe and parrying. A clawshot came out, latching onto Darking's shield and pulling him close. Link slashed, steel digging painfully into Darking's side. The Anti-Hero hauled himself off the blade, inflicting a slash on Link's sword arm. Both men stumbled back, breathing hard. A moment's pause, and they charged again.

Loud clashing rang through the room as sword met sword and shield met shield. The little blue fairy called out instructions, which Link quickly followed. Darking knew he was at a disadvantage. He had no fairy help, and he had nothing to live for. Up until this moment, Darking only lived to live, to carry out Ganondorf's will. Link had everything at stake. He had his home, Hyrule, and his love, Zelda. He was self-obligated to protect these things; they were the reason he lived. He had left his home, Darking knew, to banish the Evil and save Hyrule. Darking was a part of the darkness that needed to be banished. And, if he was being honest with himself, he wanted to be whole again. During the time he was trapped in the Water Temple, Darking had thought long and hard about his origins. He discovered that he did remember his "birth". He remembered being ripped from the light he inhabited and forced into another form. Now, all Darking lived for is to die, so he could be part of a whole person again.

Darking was jolted back into the present when a ferocious blow knocked his sword out of his hand. He stood, swaying slightly, as Link readied his sword for the killing blow. To the Anti-Hero's shock, Link's eyes shone with unshed tears.

"Why are you crying for me?" he asked in confusion. "I am nothing to cry over."

Link shook his head. "I feel like this was not meant to happen." His voice was surprisingly soft. "I feel as if you and I were never meant to fight like this."

Darking chuckled. "Don't worry, Hero. All will become clear." His eyes became pleading. "Please, let me leave this cursed place. I was not meant to stay here."

Link nodded, his still-wet eyes glowing with resolve. Taking a deep breath, the Hero charged, his sword plunging into Darking's chest. The blade slid cleanly through the ribs, piercing the heart. Darking gasped in pain, then, his face softened.

"Thank you, my brother."

Then, the Chosen Darkness, the Anti-Hero, breathed his last breath and flowed back into the Light of the Chosen Hero of Farore.