Chapter 19-

As the great cloud dissipated, Shadow Link looked out from the cave that he and the other monsters had taken refuge in. "Damned Hero" the villain snarled. "He has ruined everything!"

"I've been far too lenient with that bloodline over the last millennia!" The Shadow spat like a wounded animal. "The next time I face one of the Hero of Time's descendants, I swear it will be the last!"

"Indeed it shall." Phantom Ganon said with a dark smile, emerging from the cave behind Shadow Link. "With the last Mirror gone, the next time you die, there will be no way to conjure you back into existence!"

"You! Where were you! You should've been helping me!" Shadow Link pointed and accusing finger. "Now, with the mirror gone., you'll not be able to return either if you perish!"

"After over a thousand years of serving an insane, power-mad master who treats his minions like worthless pawns, I do not fear final death."

He put his hand on Shadow Link's shoulder. "You are mortal now…. No more 'get out of death free' cards." Phantom Ganon told him in a mock-patronizing tone. "The task that now falls to you, lad, is figuring out what do with the precious time you now have left… and how you're going to spend it."

Moving away from shadow Link, The Phantom floated out the entrance of the cave. "Come, the other generals have survived your little 'mistake' with the death cloud, and are making preparations to move our base inside a cave in Spectacle Rock. They are not pleased with you …with so many monsters dead, and the Tower of Hera now destroyed."

Shadow Link said nothing, then lowered his head, and followed Phantom Ganon out of the cave. The smug specter in from of him had no idea of the rage that burned within the Shadow's heart… nor did he have any inkling of how the next hero would bear the burnt of that rage….

….even if it cost him his very existence.

The battle was over.

Link, Din, Ralf and Nayru searched the caves of Death Mountain, and soon found stashes of treasure that the monsters had hidden there.

"These must be from all of their raids on Hylian villages!" Nayru mused.

Ralf looked out from one of the cave entrances. "Hey, Link! Look what I found in here!" The Hero went rushing in, and found the gold, glittering trophy Link had been looking for in the first place.

"The Gerudo trophy!" The Hero exclaimed. "Now we can wake up the people of Ruto Town!"

It wasn't long before they made their way down the mountain, and were soon headed north through upper Hyrule. As they entered the village, the trophy emitted a soft light, and the people began to awaken from their slumber. As everyone yawned and stretched, they felt as refreshed as if they had awoken from a long nap.

"Link, you did it!" Ralf exclaimed. "You saved the Town from an endless sleep!"

"But Sharalsha said the effects are permanent." Link replied sadly. "If we are to keep them awake, the trophy must remain here."

"I'm sure I can arrange that." Din told him. "My people wern't using it, anyway."

Link sighed, and looked over at Din sadly. "I'm just sorry Sharalsha wasn't here to enjoy this victory with us."

"His sacrifice was great, and he will be missed." Nayru replied.

"Why should I be missed?" The old sage asked, emerging from the crowd. "I'm right here, keeping a watch on the people of Ruto whilst they slept."

"Sharalsha!" Ralf exclaimed. "But... how did you escape southern Hyrule, old man?"

"We sages have a knack for surviving." The old sage replied with a twinkle in his eye. "I suvved in the caverns beneath the Eastern Palace. Although the palace was consumed by the death- cloud, I managed to survive in the depths."

As Sharalsha talked with Ralph and Nayru, Link looked to Din. "Din, I-I was wondering, after everything that's happened, are you going back to your life of wandering?"

The Gerudo dancer shook her head. "I think I'll continue to travel... but only with the man I love."

Link's face turned red, as Din leaned against his arm.

"Din?" The Hero asked her, resting his fingers on her chin. "Will you... marry me?"

"What do you mean?" Din replied, looking up at Link in suprise. "I already thought that was a given."

Smiling, Link reched in, and gave the Oracle of Seasons a gentle, warm kiss. The two of them laughed together, as they went forward to greet the awakening populaceof Ruto town.

The weeks that followed were a flurry of activity for the Kingdom of Hyrule. The royal knights finished off most of the monsters that remained in throughout the countryside. Life began to return to normal for the people in the towns that had survived Shadow Link's onslaught. It was decided the region south of Death Mountain that had been the original Hyrule- Including the Lost Woods, Lake Hylia, and Zora's falls- would be abandoned to the monsters. The Hyrulians had reclaimed and rebuilt that area once before after the flood, and had no desire to do so again.

With the Southern Castle destroyed, the Royal family had moved back into the North Palace, thier original home from the era Hyrule still had trains. It was here that Link, Din, Ralph, and Nayru came to tell the King and Princess Zelda of thier adventures.

"Well done, Hero!" King Harkinian exclaimed. "Once again, you have saved my lands from the braink of destruction!"

"Hey! We helped too!" Ralph grumbled, as Naryu shushed him.

"Yes! We own it all to you!" Zelda agreed enthusiastically. Her eyes focused on Link. "If there is any way I... we can repay you, please, let us know!"

Link looked back to Din, who smiled. "In that case, your majesties, I humbly request that Din and I's wedding be carried out here at the palace... and at royal expense!" A comment to which Zelda turned pale and looked like she was going to die, while the king merely looked amused.

In front of the eyes of the entire royal court, The Hero of Catalsym's eve held his half-gerudo fiancee in his arms, noy caring what anyone else thought or felt.