Chapter 17
"Surrender is his last resort,
Prevented by love is his cost."
In the great pattern woven by those three that carry the sacred triforce, the Temple of Time has always been a central theme. It is the Temple of Time that perpetuates the Cycle of Eternity, it is the Temple of Time that houses the blade of evil's bane, and it will be the Temple of Time that sets the stage for the conclusion of the oracle's prophecy. Time governs all.
Malon squirmed against the thick iron chains that bound her to the pillar at her back. From where she had been chained, she had a decent view of the strange building she found herself in. There were no rooms that she could see, just one huge chamber surrounded by tall pillars that grew all the way into the high vaulted ceiling. At the end of the chamber to her left, were the large oaken doors that she vaguely remembered entering through. To her right, the chamber stretched into an even taller section with walls covered by fantastic stained-glass windows. On the floor underneath the windows, set in the middle of a large dais, was a sword. What is this place? she wondered.
Reluctantly, her gaze drifted back to the shadowy creature that had brought her here. It stood, motionless, in the center of the chamber before her. The creature's disgusting black body seemed to absorb the light around it, sucking in all the sun's rays before they could reach the floor.
Thinking back, Malon couldn't remember much of the weeks since her kidnapping. It was mostly a blur, faded images drifting in a out of her broken memory. Had she been drugged? What's going on?
Link! It was like a small piece in the jigsaw puzzle that was her memory had slid back into place. She remembered that there had been something about Link, something important. Closing her eyes, Malon desperately clawed through her memory, trying to recall what had happened to her right before her kidnapping.
I went to Link's house…then what? As she dug further and further into her memory, images began to drift back to her: opening the front door, Link flying through the air, his body covered in blood, a second Link with horrible red eyes.
Tears came to her eyes as she remembered more. The dark Link had hauled her off, leaving Link, his body bleeding and broken, for death. And death had probably not been long in coming, Malon realized. She trembled, thinking back to how horribly he had been hurt. Not even the best doctors in the world could have saved him.
Malon wept silently, sagging against the chains. Why did this happen? Link had seemed upset before he had even left her ranch. Had he known that something was wrong? She shook her head, it didn't matter anymore. Link is dead, and probably Sam too.
"So…you are coming out of it…just like Master Ganon said you would." The dark Link had finally taken notice of her from its position at the center of the chamber. The unsettling blood-red gaze that it gave her made Malon squirm, but she didn't look away. She wouldn't give it the satisfaction.
"What did you do to me?" she yelled out. "Why can't I remember anything?" The creature laughed.
"Oh…Master Ganon put a nice little…spell on you to keep you…from being any trouble," it replied.
Malon didn't understand. A spell? Is it mocking me?
Suddenly the sky darkened, covering the building in deep shadow. A great gust of wind blew through the trees, making a keening wail and causing the windows to shake violently. Then, as if by magic, dark smoke began wafting through the rattling windows and underneath the tall oaken doors, collecting ominously in the center of the chamber.
The smoke condensed, forming into the shape of a man. Malon's heart beat quickly, and she found it hard to breathe. Who…what…
"Master Ganon," the shadow intoned, bowing deeply.
Ganon? Malon asked herself. Where have I heard that before? Her eyes widened. The Legend of Zelda! But this guy can't really be Ganon, can he?
The man, regardless of his actual name, was enormous, and so intimidating that it sent shivers down Malon's spine. He had short red hair with a beard to match, and much of his body was covered in black plated armor embellished with pure gold. His dark cape hung clear to the ground, and the maroon design on the back was mysteriously eerie. And his eyes, his eyes were hard as rock and cold as ice, a broken landscape void of any emotion save hatred and pride.
Ganon, if that was indeed his name, turned to the shadow creature condescendingly. "He is coming."
"Finally!" the dark Link replied, eyeing the door as if expecting the man to walk in at that very second. "I was beginning…to get tired of waiting."
"He is always so predictable," Ganon said as if to himself. "I knew if we kept the girl that he would eventually find his way here."
Malon was having difficulty following the conversation. She thought that she must be the girl that they had referred to, but then who was the other person? The one that was coming?
The dark Link gestured in Malon's direction. "Should we…kill her?" Its eyes twinkled maliciously. "He would…lose hope." Malon squirmed desperately against the chains, but it was no use. It they decided to kill her, she would be helpless to stop them.
Ganon seemed to consider the idea for a moment, fingers stroking his beard, but he eventually shook his head. "No, I have a feeling that she will be useful to us yet."
His cold stare slid over her, sending shudders through her body. He can't be human! she thought. No human can be this powerful!
Silently, the pair turned to face the tall doors of the building, waiting for whatever unfortunate man they had been talking about. Malon, on the other hand, sagged against the chains in relief; she'd thought that she was done for.
It was for what seemed like an eternity that Malon stood chained, just watching, and waiting. Who was so important that two demonic figures as powerful as these would take interest in him? Whoever it was must be extremely powerful, or extremely unfortunate.
After a while, Malon's mind began to drift, and she envisioned a mighty hero walking through the oaken doors to save her. Might as well wish for the Hero of Time to come for me, and why not vanquish Ganon while he's at it, she scoffed. This isn't the time for daydreaming.
Suddenly, a loud ruckus drifted through the doors from outside. Nobody moved, all intently watching the entrance to the chamber. Slowly, the huge doors began to open, sunlight shone through the opening. Malon squinted through the glare, trying to make out the figure that had entered.
Whoever it was didn't seem at all surprised at what awaited him. He calmly stood there, waiting for somebody to say something. Through the doors, Malon could make out the crumpled bodies of the huge lizards that she suddenly remembered as being the guards to the building, but the figure didn't seem to be carrying any weapons. And he was still able to defeat the monsters outside? Malon wished that she could get a good look at his face.
"You're brave, boy, I'll give you that, but you're a fool for coming here," Ganon said. He laughed maniacally. "You can't possibly hope to defeat me without the Master Sword!"
The Master Sword?! Malon gave a start. Can this guy really be Ganon?
"Who said anything about fighting you?" the figure asked calmly. There was something familiar about his voice. No, it couldn't be…
"Link?" Malon breathed. She couldn't believe it, how could he still be alive? The blonde youth took a few steps forward, out of the blinding light that had hid him. "Link!" Malon screamed. What's he doing here?!? Malon thought wildly. It was too dangerous, he didn't know what he was up against.
"I'm here," Link continued. "To turn myself in." Silence followed his statement. Malon couldn't believe her ears. What was going on? Throwing back his head, Ganon laughed mirthlessly, the booming sound echoing throughout the chamber.
"Link no!" Malon yelled, drowning out Ganon's laughter. "Run away! Get out of here!" He didn't respond, sparing her no more than a quick glance before returning his unflinching gaze to Ganon.
"I suppose that in return that you expect me to release the girl?" Ganon asked amusedly.
"With me dead, you'll have no purpose for her," Link replied. Ganon let out another evil laugh.
"Fine! I accept your terms!" Still facing Link, Ganon raised his left hand and snapped his fingers. The chains around Malon dissolved away in a burst of smoke, and she fell onto the ground feebly. Resolutely, Link began walking toward Ganon, toward his own death.
"Link, please don't do this," Malon whimpered. Link turned his head, finally acknowledging her. He was different than Malon remembered him, older, sadder. His eyes were full of sorrow and hopelessness.
"I'm sorry Mal," he replied. Malon thought that he might be talking about more than just his imminent death.
Link stopped a few yards in front of Ganon and the shadow creature, waiting. For a moment, they stared at each other, neither blinking nor looking away. Finally, Ganon laughed, bringing his hand up and crooking his finger. Link sailed through the air violently, swinging to a halt at Ganon's side. His feel were still held a few feet off the ground, and it didn't look like he could breathe through Ganon's magic. Calmly, Ganon took Link's chin between his fingers and thrust the youth's head in the direction of the Master Sword.
"See there," Ganon told him. "That sword has forever been the only impediment to me becoming the ruler of this realm."
Malon let out a dry sob as she watched Link hanging there. He was like an ant before Ganon, helpless and feeble. There was nothing that could save him. He was going to die.
"Now it is nothing more than a useless relic," Ganon continued. "In time, I will destroy it, and then I will be invincible." He paused. "I will be the King of Darkness once more."
Without warning, Ganon hurled Link through the air onto the floor between Malon and the Master Sword.
"Link!" Malon cried out helplessly. She knew that there was no escape for him now; there was nothing that she could do. Tears ran freely down her cheeks, why would he do this? Why would he sacrifice his life for hers? She clutched at her breaking heart, vainly trying to stop the pain that was building up inside of her. Through her tears, she saw the shadow creature appear behind Link and violently grab his arms, planting its foot on his back and forcing him into a kneeling position. Link didn't even try to resist.
"This is the end boy," Ganon sneered. "I have won." He slowly raised his hand, palm out, in front of him.
No! Malon screamed inside her head. Please, Goddesses no! Black energy was collecting in Ganon's hand, dark energy that crackled ominously within a cloudy storm. It was evil.
"May your body forever symbolize my victory!" Ganon yelled, tensing his arm.
For Malon, time seemed to still. She saw the defiant look on Link's face, she saw Ganon's malicious glare, she saw the dark magic that would end Link's life. Never again would she be able to see Link. Never again would they sit, laughing, in Malon's hayloft. Never again would they watch the sun set from their small dock.
Something powerful stirred within Malon. Love, leaking out through her breaking heart, soared through her veins, scouring away all thoughts of helplessness and despair. I will not let him die for me!
As Ganon moved, so did Malon. She sprung off the ground, diving in front of Link. Protecting him.
The beam of energy that exploded out of Ganon's hand filled Malon's vision, washing away all else. With it, a thousand red hot knives seemed to tear at her skin, and she screamed in agony. After a moment, the pain died away, and Malon's consciousness quickly slipped into the abyss. She was dying, but her last thought before death took her was one of quiet benevolence.
Link, live!
"Malon!" Link cried out, his scream mixing with Malon's as Ganon's magic took hold of her. The dark energy seeped through Malon, covering her with what looked like black fire.
Link thrashed around in the dark Link's grip, but to no avail. "Malon!" he screamed again as the black light faded away. She seemed almost untouched by the magic, still standing in the same position, still holding her arms up to protect Link. But she didn't stir. Her chest didn't move, her heart didn't beat. It was her corpse that stood before Link, her corpse and his broken heart.
"NOO!" Link screamed. She had been turned to stone by Ganon's magic. A statue was all that was left of her bright vitality. A statue that would forever mark her place in the Prophecy of Ages.
Link thrashed around even more violently, tears flying off of his cheeks. He needed to get free! He needed to be with her, to hold her, touch her. Hysteria gripped him, urgently screaming at him, causing his heart to race and his mind to tremble.
She can't be dead! Link cried out in his mind. I made her a promise! No! She has to still be alive! He was frantic; he needed to be with her!
Suddenly a piercingly bright light shot out from behind the pillar to his left. The radiant shaft was brighter than the sun, and its shining brilliance smashed into the dark figure that held Link, hurling him through the air. Link, finally free of the demon's grasp, scrambled desperately across the marble floor to Malon's lifeless body.
He cried out at the feel of her cold stone legs. The feeling so contrasted that of her once warm flesh that Link felt a part of himself die. His broken consciousness receded, and he found himself sitting somewhere deep in the back of his head, watching everything as if from a distance. The pain didn't hurt so much from back here.
Strangely calm, Link searched behind himself for the origin of the beam of light. Zelda, in all her regal beauty, strode out from behind the pillar, ornate golden bow in hand. It didn't matter why she was there, only that she was. At the other end of the chamber, Dark Link was getting back to his feet, apparently unharmed.
Things were all happening so quickly. Zelda, Ganon, Dark Link; they all played a part in some larger game. How had Link ever thought that he could match them? How had he ever expected to save Malon? Because of his weakness, Malon was dead.
Suddenly, something deep within his mind burst open, and out flooded the memories of things he had seen and heard since Sam's death. More power than Ganon could ever have. They washed over him, flooding him in reminiscence. You must overcome my trial. His words, the Goddess' words, Sheik's words, they all flashed through his mind. For them I need to be more.
His eyes glazed over, and his body tightened like a wound spring. Turning his head, he gazed up at the Master Sword. I know what I have to do.
Link pushed himself to his feet. Reaching a hand out, he brushed Malon's stone cheek. Even in death, she was beautiful. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I love you."
Outwardly serene, he began the long walk up to the resting place of the Master Sword. Time slowed as he walked, and he heard everything as if through a long tunnel. Ganon's mocking laughter, Zelda's gasp of surprise, Dark Link's shrill cackle. Vaguely, he saw Dark Link racing after him onto the marble dais, but it was too late.
In a trance, Link slowly stretched his hand toward the sacred blade. Inch by inch, his fingers neared the blade, open wide, ready to grasp it. Behind him, Dark Link had almost reached the pestle, black sword drawn back for the blow that would end Link's life.
Link shut his eyes and his fingers closed on the hilt.
Energy exploded within him, filling every edifice of his body with liquid light. The Master Sword moved of its own accord, spinning faster than Link could follow to catch the edge of Dark Link's black blade. Link could hardly breathe; the energy that ripped through him was overwhelming. His blood felt like it was on fire, his skin tingled, and his hair stood on end.
"BY TRUSTING YOURSELF IN THE FACE OF DEATH, YOU HAVE SHOWN TRUE COURAGE," Farore's emerald voice boomed within the chamber, shaking the stone walls with the power of her words. "NOW AWAKEN, HERO OF TIME!"
The Master Sword exploded with light, showering its radiance throughout the Temple of Time. Link moved instinctively, thrusting his white blade through both Dark Link and his black sword. They disappeared with a faded scream, the residual dark smoke simply dissipating into the air.
As if through someone else's eyes, Link saw himself turn toward Ganon and raise his sword, fire in his eyes. "Ganon," he said. Or someone did, he wasn't sure who.
Link moved faster than he ever had before, faster than the eye could follow, faster than lightning. He disappeared from the raised dais in a flash and reappeared in front of Ganon. He swung the Master Sword, scoring a huge gash across Ganon's chest and making the demonic man cry out in surprise and pain. But he wasn't done. Again and again he moved, disappearing and appearing with lightning speed, rending Ganon in dozens of places until blood poured out of the monster like a fountain.
Gasping in pain, Ganon fell to his knees. Link halted his powerful barrage, coming to rest next to Ganon's broken body. The demon suddenly laughed, spurting blood onto the marble floor. "You can't kill me! I am immortal!"
Silently, Link clasped both hands to the Master Sword, raising it into the air above his head. The white hot energy that pulsed within him was drawn to the sword, making it throb with blinding light, thousands of times brighter than before.
Ganon's eyes grew wide with fear. "No! This cannot happen!"
With a loud roar, Link swung the Master Sword down, through Ganon's neck. As the sword connected with the demon's green skin, the blinding light from the blade exploded into Ganon's body, flashing brighter then the sun. He screamed, a long, sick scream that shattered the windows and rent the air.
The sound died out, and the light receded.
Ganon was gone.
It had ended.