When I opened my eyes, I allowed myself a moment to blink before I was yanked closer to a hard body.
"Careful." Was all the demon muttered, before stepping away from the edge of the worn walkway. "There are monsters in here and I don't want to have to babysit you."
A short sigh left my lips as I yanked myself out of his hold to cross my arms, "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Ghirahim." There was no reason for him to be coddling me; in fact, it was rather odd of the demon to show this level of care. I glanced at him oddly, but he was halfway down the corridor already. With a shake of my head I walked after him, batting aside cobwebs.
Ahead on the pathway were several bokoblins, who moved aside as soon as they saw Ghirahim. Running to catch up with him, my path was blocked by the guards who growled lowly at me.
"Human woman!"
Reaching for my sword, I started to rumble a retort in return when Ghirahim's hand was on my shoulder. Startled, I looked ahead to where I thought he had been to only see a few glittering diamonds remaining. He pressed against my back, leaning over and into the faces of the bokoblins.
"Move aside, you impertinent demons. Can you not recognize that this woman is my mistress?" Ghirahim's voice was steadily rising in anger as his fingers gripped my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him, wondering why he was getting so hyped up at just a couple of bokoblins. I could've handled myself, it's not like I was afraid of their clubs.
They bowed quickly, muttering apologies and wishing for forgiveness. Seems as if he is still feared, if not more. How come I wasn't afraid?
iIt's cause we used to be with him when he was vulnerable,/i The thought drifted into my mind, the whisper of myself from the past making herself known. iIt's because we know he can be so gentle. Remember the way he would caress us at night-/i
No, it wasn't because of that. Something is different from back then. Could it be that I-?
I had to stop thinking about him.
My eyes flickered over the still pools of luminescent water. Was this really where Zelda was? I had never so much as seen her lift a sword during school, so how would she be able to get by all the spider's webs? I whacked one aside and into the water thoughtlessly, not even aware of Ghirahim anymore. And that was a good thing; it meant I could focus on being a teacher again. One that is concerned for her students.
My stomach flipped, baby Loftwings practically flying in my gut. Why was I so nervous? Who was I nervous for? I was sure Zelda was safe- she was the Goddess after all. But what if something were to happen and she would get hurt before she even made it to the spring? What if Ghirahim was stronger than I thought he was and he defeated both Link and I? I didn't particularly care if he had his way with me, but Zelda… She was who I was worried for.
And that was good. I was starting to return to my job, my duty. I would make up for my past mistake. But… wouldn't history repeat itself if I stayed with Ghirahim? Could I really devote myself wholeheartedly while still tied to him?
"I can sense her… the Spirit Maiden is close." His voice echoed off the walls and roots of trees, making me jump slightly and look at him. Ghirahim's dark eyes stared into me, a wicked smile present as he taunted, "Looks like the Hero won't make it."
"He will." I replied calmly. I couldn't let him know about how that thought brought a shiver down my spine. If Link doesn't show up, I would quite literally be screwed. Even if I defeated him, he would get his way.
"We'll see, dear," Ghirahim smiled, the door before him opening with the grinding of stone. He stepped confidently through and into a circular room. "Because she is on the other side of that door." A single gloved finger pointed to a large golden door opposite of the one we just passed through. "I hope you're prepared for what will happen tonight."
Roses bloomed on my cheeks and I crossed my arms defensively, "He'll be here."
Ghirahim's hand latched onto mine, closing tightly so that I could not let go. "Stop being so optimistic. Can't you see that I'm about to win." He dragged me across the room to the front of the door, "All I have to do is get rid of the barrier around the door and the Spirit Maiden will be within grasp."
A gate opened; panic filling my pores as I shouted suddenly, "Not if I stop you!" I began to struggle, trying to pry his bruising fingers from my wrist as I reached for my sword.
Shaking his head, Ghirahim merely chuckled, "You really are quite silly." A black rapier materialized and he raised it quickly, "As soon as we stepped into the room, it was too late." Just as he was about to strike, he stopped. I was able to see a quick scowl on his face before the blade vanished from his fist and he turned. "Look who it is…"
As his fingers unwrapped from my arm I turned, heart jumping as I saw Link dressed in the green of a Knight of Skyloft. He had made it! Zelda still had time to get away, as long as Link would be able to handle Ghirahim. But as soon as I saw my student's face, my panic washed away. He was the Hero of Time, after all.
Ghirahim sighed before turning to face Link, "I thought that tornado I stirred up would have tossed and torn you apart, yet you are here. Not in pieces."
I couldn't help but snort quietly and to myself, finding the line funny. He had seen me survive the tornado and the fall, and yet he thought Link would be the one "in pieces?" I believe the two shot me a slightly annoyed look, so I gestured for them to continue.
"…Not that your life or death has any consequences." Ghirahim bluffed, flipping his hair to the side. It was weird how afraid of him I could be one second, and then amused the next. Then again, he's always had that unique skill. "It's just the girl that matters now, and I can sense her here… just beyond the door. Yes, we plucked her Majesty from her perch in the clouds, and now she's ours."
So this was his evil monologue, how cliché. I sighed, my eyes moving over from Ghirahim to Link as the former continued to talk. It felt like so long ago that I had last seen him. That look in his eyes, it was different from any look I've seen in this Link. It reminded me of all those years ago, when the first Link and Kallen had taken on Demise.
Link drew his sword, his hand trembling only the slightest as he took on a defensive position. "You're not going to take her."
"…Did you really just draw your sword? Foolish boy." Ghirahim did not respond to Link's statement, instead looking somewhat happy that he had. A shiver fell down my spine as Ghirahim concealed the grin. He knew that Link and he would have to fight eventually. So why had he not started the fight already? Why was he drawing this out? "By all rights the girl should have fallen into our hands already. She was nearly ours when your dear teacher snatched her away." There was a brief smile, until it suddenly flipped into a scowl. "Do you have any idea how that made me feel inside?" The room suddenly dropped in temperature as the lights flickered, causing me to actually take a step back and glance at Link in worry. "Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!" He disappeared in the midst of his yelling.
Where was he? I watched Link, knowing the Ghirahim would appear anywhere around him. There was this horrible pit in my stomach as Link began to look around in confusion. If only I could keep him safe! He had to do this though, if I stepped in and fought his fight, what would happen when I wouldn't be able to?
"This turn of events has left me with a strong taste for bloodshed." Ghirahim's voice was knife-sharp as he crept behind Link. Any warning I could give Link was swallowed by the look Ghirahim gave me briefly before whispering in Link's ear. His voice was too soft for me to hear, but based on Link's horrified expression I could only guess.
Link gasped, stepping away from Ghirahim, "You're sick!" he replied, a light blush on his cheeks, "And don't you dare touch her!"
"Hm?" Ghirahim smirked, raising his arms as his mantle disappeared, "What an amusing expression. I wonder what it will look like when I've broken your bones? And Fallon," His eyes held a bemused look in them as he gestured to me, "Don't get in the way."
Even though his hand did not touch me, I found myself stumbling back to the wall. As soon as my right hand made contact with the cold surface, a crackling cuff appeared and wrapped itself around my wrist. My eyes made contact with Link's for a moment and I tried to shout something encouraging, but by then Ghirahim was already upon him. I winced at how loud the clang of Ghirahim's sword against Link's shield was, but I had to look to more pressing matters. I turned, fingers digging into the diamonds around my sword arm. They wouldn't budge, just as I figured.
Placing my foot solidly against the wall I tried again, trying to get more leverage, but all it did was hurt. I heard a slight popping sound and felt it travel up my arm and I immediately stopped, dropping my foot to the ground as I had to grit my teeth together to keep from making a sound. After a moment the pain of straining my wrist fell away and I let out a breath to look at the dueling swords behind me.
I couldn't tell who had the advantage, Link or Ghirahim. Ghirahim wasn't smirking anymore, so Link must have been better than he thought. I let a brief smile show through on my face, feeling the bubbles of pride enter my head. It was always a nice feeling to see your student beat up the "Demon Lord of the Surface."
iHe's not going to give up so easily. Stop letting your teaching ego grow,/i Kallen whispered somewhere within us. And she was right; he wasn't going to let Link get away from this without a few scrapes.
"Keep alive, Link! He's far from a pushover like Groose!" I shouted, earning a glance from Link as he nodded. "Keep your eyes on Ghirahim, idiot!" I thought I'd never seen a hat whip around that fast as Link managed to keep daggers from poking out his eyes, sending them flying back at Ghirahim.
They continued to exchange blows, swords dodging and striking forward. Scratch mark lined with faint blood were scatter over both of them and they were slowly starting to pant. It was only until Ghirahim left himself open that Link slithered forward, breaking past Ghirahim's guard to strike a solid blow on Ghirahim's side. The demon howled, daggers exploding outward so that Link skittered away.
Holding his side, Ghirahim held his sword at point to Link, "Well… that's more of a fight than I would have thought possible out of such a soft boy. But don't clap for yourself quite yet. That sword of yours is the only reason you still live."
What could he have meant by that? Sure, it was a very nice sword that Link was holding… oh. Well, I'm not sure why the Kallen in me did not recognize the Master Sword sooner, but I'm just glad I did. So that's why Ghirahim seemed to be a little more hurt than I thought possible.
"I fear I spent far too long teasing and toying with you." Ghirahim's sword rested slightly and he gave me a look, "The girl's presence has all but faded from this place, which means there's no reason to linger here. Isn't that right, Fallon?" The smirk on his face was all the warning I got before my arm was released, and then Ghirahim's arm was around my waist. "Goodbye Sky Child. Run and play this time. Get in my way again, though, and you're dead." There was still a trace of a smirk as he said this, although
I think his hard eyes left more of an impact on Link.
"Let go of Fallon!" Link shouted, not at all taken aback by Ghirahim's monologue.
Ghirahim's sword was halfway in the air when he paused, smiled, and replied, "No, I don't think so. You see, I like this toy a little more than you." His arm tightened, pressing me to his side.
All I could do was place a hand against Ghirahim's chest to keep from completely becoming a part of his side, but I called out, "Don't mind me, Link! Just get Zelda and bring her back home! I'll follow you!"
Another squeeze of his arm was all it took for me to gasp for breath as he growled in my ear, "That is more than enough, a simple "Go away, he's got a bigger sword!" would have sufficed." Ghirahim smiled sugar at Link, "Ta ta, Sky Child." His sword swung down, and we were gone again.