A/N: hello, everyone. In case you were wondering, I am posting early before my finals begin. I might be able to write another chapter before next week with some inspiration *cough cough,reviews, cough*.
-lalagirl- I'm glad that you like my humble fic. I'm also glad to hear that you will be joining fanfic. However, I would like you to refrain from writing about me. Thank you though for asking permission before writing. However if you are need for any ideas or need help writing, I'm willing to help
Rahzel sat with her knees to her chest. She had her eyes shut trying to block out her location, but the pitter-patter of dripping water reminded her that she was now confined in a moldy dungeon. She could hear a couple of guards chuckling. "Hey little, Birdy. Look what we found on the battlefield," one called.
Rahzel barely raised her head in acknowledgement. The Sheikah held out a burnt piece of fabric. He crumbled it into a ball and threw it into her cell. The fabric unfolded and fluttered to the ground. The albino curious reached for the small piece of cloth and picked it up. She brought it close to her and traced the diamond shapes that decorated the cloth.
She took a shaky breath. "Groose will be honored greatly for his sacrifice," one of the guards said nodded toward the cloth that she held in her hands.
"She doesn't know what happened," said the second guard with a laugh. Rahzel gripped the fabric tighter. "Groose was working on more potent bombs. The one he detonated would have cleared an acre. No one near would have survive."
Rahzel lowered her head as she cursed the two. She curled around the fabric as if she could protect the one who once wore it. She watched her hands shake due to grief and wished that like before a pair of white-gloved hands would cradle her own. Silent tears fell onto the fabric. "I'm so sorry, Ghirahim," she whispered softly. "I'm so sorry," she repeated her voice breaking.
"My lady, the medics got to him. He is well and will come for us," a voice that Rahzel recognized as her protector said. "You have the gift of foresight," he said, "why don't you see for yourself."
"And what if I see nothing," Rahzel said loud enough for the sorcerer to hear it.
"It would make no difference," one of the guards interrupted. "You all will be sporting rope necklaces." The other guard guffawed in amusement.
The woman tuned them out and tried to keep her mind blank. She tried not to think of the execution that awaited her subjects and herself, but most of all she tried to forget Ghirahim. However, every moment ran through her mind like a torturous slideshow. The day they met when she had held such fear, but yet respect at his swordsmanship. Him carrying her when the redead had bitten her ankle. Him teaching her to dance and her stepping on his feet. Game after game of chess. His fingers running through her hair or tracing the point of her ears. The woman choked back her sobs; if there was one thing she learned growing up, showing your emotions would always backfire.
"I've come for the prisoner," a new voice called. Rahzel once again lifted her head. A young Hylian boy was looking at her with curiosity. The woman didn't hear what the guards said, but soon her cell was open and they were pulling her onto her feet.
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Link sat at the set dinning table. Sheikah guards stood against the walls while the rest of the council sat around the table. There was two chairs that were blatantly empty. The hero looked at one sorrowfully. Groose and him were enemies years ago, but he had become the hero's most trusted advisor. The blonde looked at the second empty seat which would soon be filled. As if on cue, the doors opened slowly. Two Sheikah guards lead Rahzel in shackles to the table. Unlike a couple of years ago, the woman didn't hold herself regally. She looked as broken as the hero had ever seen her. She held her head down and didn't struggle as the guards pushed her down into the chair.
"Why have you asked me here?" she said in a calm, cold tone.
"My council and I wish to discuss your punishment," Link said, "We were once allies and I don't want to harm you."
Rahzel snorted and looked into the hero's blue eyes.
"We can offer you banishment to the shadow realms instead of death," Owlan said.
"And what of my soldiers?" she asked not bothering to acknowledge Owlan.
"They will be executed," Link said, " We are offering you a lesser sentence because"
"Because I'm a Hylian," Rahzel finished. She scoffed in disgust. "Tell me. If you were in my position, would you do what you're asking of me?" Link thought about it for a moment. "You wouldn't," the woman said firmly, "and neither will I. I will stand by my people."
Link got to his feet and walked to the woman. He knelt beside her hoping that he could reason with her. "Rahzel," he started. The hero saw the glint of a table knife before it stopped inches from his eye. The woman narrowed her eyes at gap between the utensil and his eye.
"It was as I predicted, your majesty," one of the guards said pointing to the woman. The hero thanked the guard for halting the attack with his magic. He watched as the knife was pulled from the woman's grasp and she was led out.
…...
It was another vivid dream. One like the night before the final battle. Link stood in a grand hall. Light filtered through lovely stained glass onto marble flooring. Everything was bright and beautiful. The doors to the hall opened and in came two Gorons holding a being between them. "We found him at the gates, your Grace," one said speaking up. Link looked at the prisoner. He was shocked to see a being that looked eerily like Ghirahim. There were obvious differences and the hero guessed that this was the demon lord's father.
"Lord Darque," a calm female voice greeted. Link turned to face the voice. He smiled as he saw an older version of Zelda. She wore a spotless white gown and seemed to radiate light. At her right was a young girl no more than twelve. The younger girl wore a odd cowl that covered her eyes.
"Lady Hylia," the demon greeted drawing the hero's attention back to him. "I have come requesting aide. Demise has kidnapped my son and now threatens to kill my people."
Hylia looked down her nose at the demon, "Your son is none of my concern. And as far as your kingdom, swear your loyalty to me and we can consider saving some of them."
The noble stiffen slightly. His brown eyes got a far away look as he thought about the order. "You are planning on only saving the Hylians that live there," the young girl spoke.
Link watched as Hylia narrowed her eyes at the girl. "Silence. Your job is to 'see' not to speak."
"I cannot accept your request, Lady Hylia. I will take my leave now," the demon lord said trying to get to his feet.
He was stopped by the Gorons. "You will be having a stay in my dungeons while I decide of your punishment," Hylia said.
"For what crime?" the noble and seer asked.
Hylia looked to her young seer, "He practices dark magic. He soul belongs to the shadows."
"You're punishing him because he was born a different kind of person? How long will it take for you to punish the Sheikah or the Gorons for being who they are?" the young girl said with ferocity reminding Link of Rahzel.
A slapping sound filled the hall. Everyone froze as they stared at Hylia with her hand still outstretched and the seer putting her own hand onto her face. "You are dismissed," Hylia said with a serious tone.
The seer didn't protest, but gave a courteous curtsy. She lowered her head sadly to the demon lord before leaving the hall. Link now decided to speak to Hylia. "Was that really necessary?" a voice that sounded like his own said. That is when Link noticed a man that looked exactly like himself.
Hylia had waved the Gorons to take the demon lord away. "Link, she has to learn that these creatures have no compassion. They are no more than monsters like Keese," she said.
The dream-link nodded his head as if he agreed. The dreamer took a step back wanting to get away from Hylia who was decidedly not anything like Zelda. Zelda wouldn't harm people. She wouldn't punish them for a crime they didn't' commit. The hero turned to follow the seer leaving the dream-link and Hylia behind.
The hero had found the seer in the garden. She held her face to the sun almost like she was admiring the blue sky through her cowl. "I thought you would show up," she said making Link jump out of his skin.
"Well, we did plan to finish the book today," a new voice said, "and we need to work on your fighting stance." A figure fell from the branches of a flowering tree. He rose from his kneeling position and cleared his throat announcing his presence. Link nearly gasped when he saw the newcomer. It was Ghirahim, a much younger Ghirahim in his final metallic form, but Ghirahim just the same.
"There is something I need to tell you, Ghirahim," the seer said with a sigh.
"What will that be?" the young demon asked.
The seer paused and scrunched up her face, "Your father is here. He was asking Hylia to help him find you."
Ghirahim's face changed he looked excited, "Can I talk to him? Can I go home?" Link almost felt sympathy for the noble. He seemed very much like the lost child he was.
"They threw him in the dungeon. I can get you to there to talk, but I won't be able to get both of you out of here." The seer shook her head. "I would love nothing more than free you from Demise, but if we are caught…"
"She'll kill both of us," Ghirahim finished. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please. Let me talk to my father. I need to tell him that I don't hate him." The seer nodded her head.
The entire scene spun into itself leaving nothing but darkness. The hero looked around for the strange owl that was in his last dream, but he saw two eagles instead. One was a brilliant copper color and the other was a reddish-brown color. "Courage isn't a warrior with a sword. It is a person with a belief that they would do anything to protect. Often the most heroic heroes are not those who are acknowledged," the copper bird said with a tilt of her head.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Link asked.
Instead of answering, the red-brown bird spoke, "Power is the ability to change the world. To make an idea a reality. Power with wisdom and courage hand in hand make a hero. All are essential."
Link woke with a start. He puffed out his breath in irritation. What did these dreams mean? Did they mean anything?
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Rahzel was awoken to the sound of the cell door opening. She looked at the guards as they walked to her and grabbed the shackles that confined her arms. One yanked her to her feet. She shook slightly as she tried to regained her balance. The cells next to her were also opened as she was led out of the dungeons.
The guard pulled her out of the dark dungeons and into the bright sunlight. The woman squinted to adjust to the light. There were loud drums and trumpets that boomed with a joyous tune. Voices sounded numerous words. All of which the woman couldn't and didn't care to determine. She looked ahead to the scaffold.
The noose swung slightly in the small breeze. Three of these loops hung side by side. Rahzel knew that she should feel something. Fear, anger, but none of these emotions brushed her. She was numb.
"Watch your step, my lady," the sorcerer behind her said as she reached the wooden steps. She nodded her thanks and took the steps with as much dignity she could muster, but she was a far cry from the person she once was. She was defeated, broken.
The guard that led her stopped and put the noose around her neck. The rope was rough against her soft flesh. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her protector also being prepared for his execution. "I never asked you your name," she said to the sorcerer deciding that it was proper to do.
"Mavis," Mavis said.
Rahzel smiled slightly, "song bird." She shook her head, "I apologize, Mavis."
The conversation stopped as the crowd begun to cheer. Rahzel looked at the podium that was ahead of the prisoners. Link stood in royal garb. He looked as if he had a restless night. "Rahzel Farrow. You stand convicted on the following charges. Imprisoning a Golden Knight*, Murder, Treason, and various war crimes." The woman lifted her head. "Your punishment is death. Do you have any last words?"
"Why should I waste my breath and wisdom on hapless fools?" the woman asked. The hero looked down and gave a person to her right a nod. Rahzel watched as the executioner grabbed the lever that would drop the floor she stood on. She closed her eyes. Everyone in the crowd became silent. The woman released her breath as she heard wood rubbing against wood. The floor beneath her disappeared and she dropped.
A/N: I don't know if anyone noticed, but Mavis is a type a bird. Which is amusing because of the nickname Ghirahim gave Rahzel, "sparrow".