Rapko 17
XXII
I stepped past the entrance and past the small hovel that used to house lost spirits. I came within Hyrule Castle Town proper and I looked around however it almost seemed abandoned which was surprising to me. There were no citizens (which I didn't really expect there to be) and I saw none of Ganon's minions, not even the Redeads which had taken up residence here just after Ganon entered into the Sacred Realm. It was utterly empty within the confines of this place and that unnerved me perhaps far greater than anything else.
I moved around the small almost courtyard-like area of the town and when I looked in the direction of Ganon's dark castle I saw a colossal slab of gray stone blocking my path. Though I never fully understood why, I was getting chills as I glanced at that massive slab of stone. There was almost energy in the air, but I couldn't identify it exactly. Then I smelled something and for some reason I was brought back to some of the dungeons I had been in. I heard skittering all around me for a second and then it was gone before I could decide if it was all in my head or if it was a genuine threat. It was then that I heard it…swords clashing together. I knew that beyond this massive stone barrier before me was where the sound was emanating from. I moved as fast as I could towards it and after clicking the golden gauntlets together I inhaled deeply and bent low. I gripped either side of the stone slab of rock grunted harshly as I lifted the massive slab. I felt the adrenaline from the gauntlets injecting into me and I hesitated for but a moment before heaving the enormous pile of rubble back and where it landed I did not know.
I quickly moved beyond where the stone barrier once was and advanced until I reached Ganon's castle, though once I arrived there I was not prepared for what I was about to witness. There was a very specific reason why I met no opposition while coming into the town proper. Spread out before me were perhaps hundreds of every manner of servant Ganon had persuaded to his side. Among his legions were Gibdo's, Redeads, Moblins, Darknuts, and Stalfos'. The Hylian Guard was there also…what was left of them, which was a scant few. Leading the charge was Commander Redderick but his men were falling at an alarming rate. I put a hand to my mouth as the war waged onward…and then I saw him hovering in the space between the castle and the pathway I stood upon. Ganon just hovered with a satisfied grin as he watched those that had been trying to resist his tyranny. My eyes passed over Ganon, and he did not look at all like how he had whilst in the desert.
There had been a time when Ganon once looked like a man, he now was no longer human looking in the least. His enormous body surely must have been close to twelve feet in height and sprouting up from his lower jaw were enormous curved tusks that appeared to be blood stained. His hateful yellow eyes surveyed the dying Hylian Guard with sadistic delight. Flowing from his neck was a long flowing black satin cape that almost seemed to embrace Ganon's body lovingly. Two incredibly large horns curled back from his head and extended down to his mid-back. I felt as if this was the true villainy that should have always been visible, but had been hidden behind a human mask of a lust for power.
I, Link watched on as the Hylian Guard fell before the Demon King of the Gerudo…and the bastard was actually smirking, he was actually enjoying this slaughter. My blood heated and my hatred grew to a fever-pitch. I gripped my bow and an arrow. I nocked it and sent the arrow sailing at Ganon, and then I hastily withdrew the Master Sword. I knew that the arrow wouldn't find its mark but I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. It worked and our eyes locked momentarily. I could see the loathing he held for me and I gave him one to rival his own look of hatred and then I advanced on his hordes of wickedness. I cut them down with ruthless efficiency and I didn't give them a second glance. My eyes remained solely upon Ganon hovering above the molten lava like the epitome of nightmares. I sliced through a Moblin to my left, then a Stalfos on my right and just as I was about to return my glare to Ganon I heard her voice break through the night air.
"Well, well, well you've finally decided to show yourself. I knew that I recognized you!" I heard the familiar voice of the woman that had at one time sided with Commander Redderick. I turned my gaze up and saw a woman standing just before where Ganon was hovering, it was the woman Skyrla. I hadn't seen her since the Haunted Wasteland but she looked no less threatening now then she had at that time.
"So you've decided to side with that murdering bastard?" I said to her.
Skryla's eyes lit with rage. "How dare you act all high and mighty you genocidal bastard."
"Genocidal bastard? Me? I think you are confused for the genocidal bastard is the one you stand before, the one you are protecting!" I roared
"I do not need her protection, I assure you." Ganon said loudly as he lifted a hand in the air and a spark of yellow energy started to expand.
"Stop it you promised me that he would be mine!" Skryla said angrily. Ganon paused for a moment and that smug look returned to his face.
"By all means." Ganon said chuckling. "End him as you so desire."
"You think I incapable?" Skryla said.
"It matters not what I think…please get your vengeance and when he's done with you I will take care of him myself." Ganon said chuckling again and Skryla glared back at him.
"Vengeance for what? I've done nothing to you Skryla." I said and in that moment she spun on me and looked deep into my eyes with profound hatred.
"You murdered my children." Skryla said voice breaking.
"I murdered no child." I said.
"Don't you dare lie to me! I heard them crying to me…every one of them. Every one of them you heartlessly murdered." She shook her head not looking at me. "They never did anything to you except exist and yet you couldn't help but cut them down!"
"I murdered no children."
"THEY WERE MY CHILDREN AND YOU MURDERED THEM!" Skryla screamed and then looked at the ground. I took a chance look around me only to see that the remaining members of the Hylian Guard were becoming overwhelmed. It was all up to me but I could do nothing while Skryla stood before Ganon. "You murdered them…and then you took a piece of them as a trophy." She sniffled.
"I did no such thing." I said to her and then I witnessed two tears slip from her eyes. "I would never kill a child, let alone take a trophy from anything I've killed."
"You murdered them…took a piece of my children as a trophy and let that vile family free of their curse." Skryla repeated glaring at me.
"What family? What are you talking about Skryla?" I asked.
"You do not recall the family I cursed? In Kakariko village?"
"Oh my…" I suddenly said as I now understood. "The golden skulltula's, they were your children."
She gritted her teeth. "Skulltula?" She spat the word out with disgust. "Such a horrid sounding word that you used for my children…before you cut them down that is. Well Hero of Time, I did not call them skulltula…I called them sons and daughters. I cannot do that now though, and that is because of you."
"This is not my fault Skryla. Your children had cursed that family."
"I CURSED THAT FAMILY, ME BECAUSE THEY WERE VILE, EVIL PEOPLE." She sniffled and put a hand up to her eyes to wipe away more tears. "It was not easy for me to give birth to my young, but when it happened you saw fit to slaughter them. I shall never forgive that, in fact I shall rectify what you did…here and now. You see I have again given birth and this time it was not out of a mother's love, but out of a thirst for vengeance." All of a sudden a massive black opening cut open the area behind Skryla. "Sons and daughters…kill!"
XXIII
The skulltulas surged forth from the portal of darkness behind Skryla and they were unlike the hundred I had slain in my past. They were borderline demonic looking, as they had more legs than I could even count, and though their bodies were a glimmering golden hue it did nothing to mask the hideousness of the rest of them. Their faces were a rictus of fury and a desire to deal the worst possible torment on others…namely me as all their attention seemed upon me. I saw a smile start to curl on Skryla's face as all of her offspring rushed past her in my direction. I took a chance look at Ganon whose sadistic smile was spread wide across his maw. He lowered his head in a mock bow and then retreated back into his castle leaving me to deal with not only his minions but also all of Skryla's children.
"You don't have to do this!" I yelled at Skryla but she was no longer paying me any attention, she was merely watching her children as they advanced upon me.
All of a sudden the Master Sword targeted the closest skulltula and before I had a chance to realize what was happening I saw the glowing of the blade intensify and then there was a loud bang that almost sound like a deku nut. Exiting the blade was a large ovular projectile that slammed into the skulltula with great force. The creature cried out in pain and even as it did so I saw its body being reduced to cinders. This had never happened before, but despite my surprise the Master Sword rotated to the next skulltula in turn and again shot a projectile at it…the result was the same.
It took me a moment to accept what was happening, but once I had I decided to work with whatever force propelled the blade instead of resisting it. Evil's Bane shot projectile after projectile at skulltula after skulltula and every single one was reduced to cinders, but there were so many. The blade could only take so many down before they got too close for the blade to attack with projectiles so I took control and started to cut through the thick of the creatures with every technique I knew. I cut them down as fast as they exited the dark portal behind their mother, but Skryla's children seemed endless and I was losing ground with every passing moment.
Apparently Ganon's minions had elected to continue their war with the remaining members of the Hylian Guard, for I encountered not one Redead, Gibdo, or Moblin as I fought the skulltula's. I had only brief moments to glance in the direction of the Hylian Guard but I knew that there were very few left. I caught sight of Commander Redderick cutting into the hordes of Ganon's minions but after I myself sliced another skulltula I lost sight of him. It seemed that every time that I took my eyes from the Hylian Guard another one of them dropped. While I was not exactly on friendly terms with the Guard, they did not deserve this at all. They were the only defense Hyrule had and Ganon was crushing them underneath his boot. It was maddening, enraging, and I used that rage as I cut into the ever-increasing number of skullutla's.
'How many children do you have Skryla?' I asked inwardly but more skulltulas poured out, and I was rapidly coming to the realization that I may not make it to the fight with Ganon, for I could tell I was surrounded by perhaps hundreds of Skryla's children, however I kept fighting, I kept swinging until my arms were sore from the effort, and then I swung some more. I tried to keep my attention on those around me but I was becoming increasingly tired with every slice I took. I felt the only possible chance I had was to cut a swath through the skulltulas up to Skryla…and the source of all these horrid abominations before me. However would I have the strength to continue on? My arms were so sore, my legs felt like rubber and I felt the wounds I had received from the skulltulas beginning to sting.
And then I felt something warm on the flesh of the back of my left hand. I took the quickest of glances at it and noticed a small golden triangle appearing, almost burning into the flesh. It happened fast, it was like an electric jolt slamming into me, and then my body felt warm and strengthened. My heavy eyes were wide and alert now. I looked around as the skulltulas surrounding me paused for but a moment as if they could feel something in the very air itself…and then I felt something warm tracing itself on my right hand. As I glanced down at it another triangle appeared upon it, and the direction it appeared in made it look like the Triforce of Unification. There was another jolt that slammed into me and then I was more than awake, I was more than strengthened…I was aware. I was aware of everything…of everyone around me…and also of what I must do if I had a hope of defeating Ganon, no of even making it to Ganon.
I lifted the Master Sword high and just before I plunged it downward I glared at Skryla. The moment the tip of the Master Sword touched the earth below the ground around me seemed to almost detonate. All the skulltula's that had surrounded me were heaved away from me being thrown at least thirty yards from me. I took a step towards Skryla as she looked around seeing her children beginning to right themselves and then trying to reach her before I did…impossible. I trudged my way up to her as attempted to shoot all manner of projectiles at me. When I deflected those with my blade she put a hand into the air and shot a bizarre inky black webbing at me, but that too was cut apart by Evil's Bane. I advanced upon her with a look of utter rage but as I stood before her, I hesitated. I wanted to stab her through the heart, but I couldn't do it. While I knew deep down that her children were not innocent like she tried to espouse, they were still her children, and I killed them. Whether it was right or wrong it would be my burden to bear that I killed someone's children and put them in such a state. I couldn't do it.
At that moment I shook my head and lowered my blade. "I am sorry for having to kill your children. If there had been another way, if I could have done something else to avoid causing you this pain believe me I would have done it, but there was no other choice."
Skryla looked down. "That evil family enlisted you as a way of killing my children so you have it right there…they were the ones posing a threat to me."
"They didn't call me to do that, I came upon the house on my own. I heard what happened and chose to stop the curse." I looked at the castle. "Skryla I never wanted to harm anyone, all I ever wanted was to stop Ganon. I apologize that you and yours got in the way." I exhaled loudly. "I understand your position…but your children left me no choic-"
"How many times must I tell you that it was me! I started the curse!" Skryla yelled.
"Well then you gave me no choice. While that family may not have been innocent, they did not deserve that miserable existence that you forced upon them. I'm sorry but I could not let that pass."
"Who are you to make such a judgment?" Skryla said tears brimming in her eyes, but I had no answer for her and she scoffed angrily. The air around her suddenly darkened and her mouth curled into one of rage and hatred. "Die!" She yelled as tendrils of darkness appeared all around her, however before they could attack me I saw a gleaming silver blade explode through Skryla's chest cavity. It sprayed blood all along my front and as I looked around Skryla I saw Commander Redderick holding onto the hilt of the blade piercing Skryla. He looked at me with weariness in his eyes and I noticed that his stomach was gushing blood. His face was pale, but he looked deep into my eyes nonetheless and parted his mouth to speak.
"Ganon…go now!" Commander Redderick yelled and then he gripped Skryla's shoulders and thrust her back into the great chasm where lava awaited below. I watched as the two of them fell out of sight down towards the molten material below. It was only now that I realized that all of Skryla's children had returned and though I had been given a short reprieve I was in the same predicament as before.
At least twenty of Skryla's children were right upon me with more coming from further away. I took a lengthy look at Ganon's castle and then turned back to the Skulltulas that were making their way for me. "First things first…" I said aloud and gripped the Master Sword tightly as I aimed it at the nearest skulltula, the blade glowed brightly, but just before I witnessed anything discharge from the end of the blade one of the skulltula's burst apart…then another, and then the entire battlefield was littered with the remains of Skyrla's children. I tilted my head to the side in confusion and took a chance look down into the great expanse below Ganon's castle. I could see the last bit of Skryla's arm sinking into the molten rock and as it did so the dark portal she had opened for her children blinked out of sight.
XXIV
I waste no time in holding up the Master Sword before Ganon's massive black castle and like so long ago I see a brilliant white bridge begin to blink into existence. Encasing the railings on either side of the bridge was an almost rainbow like color pattern which I knew to be the last remaining efforts of the six sages to help end Ganon's tyranny. I did not move cautiously onto the bridge like I had last time I was here, instead I sprinted as fast as possible so that I could undo what I had done as fast as possible. Perhaps inwardly I was hoping that the last ten or so members of the Hylian Guard would be able to last out, so that not all of this would have been pointless for them. I took a fleeting glance back at the brave men that made it so that I could confront my destiny once more. Just before I entered into Ganon's castle I saw all of his minions overwhelming the last of the Hylian Guard.
The door slammed shut behind me but I didn't care for I had one goal in mind, to get to Ganon and to end this… and that was when I heard it. Like the last time I was here I heard that awful sounding pipe organ break the silence. The last time I scaled my way up Ganon's castle tower the organ got louder and louder until I kicked open the door and took in Ganon before the pipe organ his back to me and Zelda encased in a whitish-pink crystal. I made a b-line for Ganon's tower and surprisingly I met no resistance. It was nerve-wracking for I was expecting an attack at every turn, which I am sure is Ganon's intention, to throw me off. I calmed my nerves and continued my trek up the winding staircases that were covered in beautiful red satin carpets. Along the walls were ornate looking wall torches that popped and cracked as I went by them.
After what seemed hours of ascending the steps I found myself before the door to where I met Ganon in battle the initial time. I took a long inhalation of breath before entering and reminisced on my journey here. If it wasn't for Ganon I would be with my beloved at this moment, but because of his greed, because of his lust for power I was forced to lose the only one I have ever and will ever love. There is nothing that could ever replace the hole that was left in my heart from what this bastard did to me…did to everyone in Hyrule. He needed to be stopped, and I could at least cloak myself in the comfort and knowledge that after today he would no longer be here to reign through tyranny and oppression…I would see to that. Live or die it did not matter to me, for I would ensure that Hyrule would be rid of this bastard.
I gritted my teeth and kicked the door open like I had so long ago, but I did not see Ganon before the pipe-organ playing that horrific song that haunted my dreams on a nightly basis. Instead I saw him, the Demon King of the Gerudo himself standing tall and proud as if waiting for me to come to him. He wore a wicked smile and in each hand he held two glowing golden swords that were the size of my body. This was all too familiar to me for this was exactly what happened to me before…before the last time I failed. I felt the doubts threatening to overwhelm me, to tell me that I had no chance of defeating this beast before me, but I pushed them down at once. I had defeated creatures far larger and far more sadistic then this bastard before me, and I would again.
"You've finally come child!" I heard his awful voice say, sounding almost magnified.
I said nothing but instead gripped the Master Sword tightly in my hand.
"You think that just because you were able to charge that pitiful knife that you can actually defeat me. Hm, hm, hm. You couldn't be more foolish." Ganon said.
I just shook my head and twirled the Master Sword around so that I could feel the weight of it…and then Ganon did something I was not expecting. He stepped to the side a bit so that I could see something behind him. As I looked at the whitish-pink crystal my breath caught in my throat and I almost loosened my grip on the Master Sword when I saw Zelda within. She was so pale, but I could clearly see her chest rising and falling shallowly. I looked at her and then back to Ganon, who was now almost laughing with mirth.
"She's…a-alive?" I managed to sputter.
"No she's not…" Ganon said. "But I can bring her back for you; all you have to do is walk away right now." Ganon stopped smiling and peered at me deeply as if knowing all the thoughts that passed through my mind. "If you agree to do this, agree to abandon this conflict with me I will give you the life you always wanted. Link you can't win this…there is no use in you dying over this." Ganon said. "Walk away."
I couldn't take my eyes off of Zelda…just to see her chest moving, just to see that minute speck of life within her tore at my heart. My vision became blurry as I felt tears running down my cheeks. "Y-you can't bring back the dead." I said.
"You underestimate me child. I've more power than you can fathom, which is just another reason why it would be wholly unwise for you to take up arms against me. You…cannot win. Take my deal and be done with this quest for vengeance." Ganon said with a twinge of irritation to his voice.
It was this twinge of irritation that actually got me thinking. There was something about this offer that did not sit well with me, but I couldn't figure out just what it was, so for the time I hesitated, I stalled. "Why? Why give this offer to me? You could have offered this to me while back in the Haunted Wasteland. Why now?"
"You irritate me, you irritate those in my kingdom. Agree to these terms and I will allow you and Zelda to live out your lives, far away from here, far away from ME!" Ganon said impatiently.
For the first time since seeing Zelda I returned my gaze to the Demon Lord Ganon. I looked at him for a long time until finally it came to me, the reason for this ploy and I couldn't help but smile.
"What are you smiling at child?" Ganon roared.
"You're not lying are you?" I said shaking my head as my smile brightened.
"No I told you I wasn't." Ganon said.
I started to laugh loudly as understanding of this moment flooded through me.
"WHAT IS SO DAMN FUNNY?" Ganon bellowed.
"You're afraid." I said.
"What?!" Ganon replied incredulously.
"No that's it. You didn't give this offer in the Haunted Wasteland because you never thought I would be able to accomplish what I did while in the cavern beneath Lake Hylia." I said. "You know I have the power to truly vanquish you and that terrifies you beyond compare."
"Preposterous!" Ganon responded.
"No its not. You wouldn't give me this offer unless you felt threatened, and you feel extremely threatened, hence the offer to bring Zelda back. You fear I can defeat you…" My eyes widened. "No you are sure I will that is why you give such a ridiculous offer." I gripped the hilt tightly in my left hand.
The crystal, and Zelda suddenly burst apart and Ganon lunged at me with his golden serrated blades with a viciousness I was expecting, but not entirely prepared for.
XXV
I was only just able to bring the Master Sword up in time to deflect Ganon's sword swipes. He gave a flurry of sword slices but I dodged every one until I saw him lift his right arm up high. He gave an arcing swipe and as I rolled to the side I heard the blade slam into the ground and then get stuck. I heard Ganon cursing loudly, and I took this momentary distraction to swing myself onto his enormous forearm. I then ran up his arm until I was on his shoulder and I began to slice away at his back. I got perhaps three good hits in before Ganon regained composure and tossed me from his back. I flipped in the air and landed on my feet without staggering at all. In a flash I pulled out my bow and nocked an arrow speaking an incantation quickly. The arrow burst into golden brilliance and then I let the arrow fly. It came within inches of his repulsive face before igniting into golden brilliance.
Ganon cried out in pain and covered his eyes and as he did I moved up behind him and slashed his lower-back with the blade, and for the first time I heard his flesh begin to sizzle as the blade sliced it open. It caused me to hesitate for a moment and in that moment Ganon swung back and by luck I moved an inch to the side so that I was back-fisted instead of sliced in two by his enormous blades. The force of the back-fist however hurt like hell and sent me sailing back until I slammed against the far wall. My body fell in a crumpled heap, yet I still held onto the hilt of the Master Sword which was surprising to me.
I took a chance look at Ganon and saw him place a hand against his back. Slowly, ever so slowly he turned to me, giving me the most hateful of glares I could imagine. He took a step forward then another, and another until he lowered his head and bull rushed at me. The Master Sword lifted itself up and shot a projectile at Ganon, but his horn deflected the hit and I saw him coming faster, building up speed as he went. I was about to dodge away when Ganon threw his weapons which landed within inches to either side of me effectively trapping me. I did the only thing I could and withdrew my shield bracing myself for the collision, however as I did so I noticed the Master Sword jerk out of my grip.
It slammed itself into the ground before me and as Ganon was about to collide with me I saw what appeared to be a veil of golden light rise up. Ganon slammed into it and his body was sent sailing back as I then witnessed golden bolts of electricity covering his body. I took that moment to grab the Master Sword which came free of the ground beneath easier than I would have expected. I advanced on the crumpled form of Lord Ganon quickly and once I was before him I thrusted forward with the blade but Ganon moved just enough so that I hit his shoulder and not the jewel in the middle of his head.
He roared so loudly that my ears hurt. In that moment when I was wincing Ganon kicked my chest with his enormous talon-like foot. Again I was sent into the wall on the far side however I was able to alter myself so that the collision wasn't as agonizing as before. I shook myself and was just getting my bearings when Ganon roared again and exiting his demonic looking maw were four crimson rings that came towards me with a speed that was incredible. I tried to slice at one of them but right as I was doing so the ring wrapped around my left arm and slammed it against the wall holding it steadfast. I tried to free it with my right hand but another ring wrapped around that one and pinned it to the wall as well. The remaining two crimson rings gripped my ankles and then held me against the wall.
Ganon strode forward pompously with a knowing smile upon his face. "I gave you a chance to avoid this but you refused…and now look at you. Look what has become of you. Hm, hm, hm." He laughed as he grew closer to me. Once his enormous form loomed over top me I watched him shake his head. "You simply cannot be this foolish to not know that I have seen this all. I have seen how this all ends and yet still you chose to fight me. I guess I shouldn't have allowed you the choice…I'm just too generous. That is what I constantly tell all my subjects." Ganon said. "Would you like to know how I knew this?" He asked.
"I already know!" I said angrily.
"Do you?" Ganon said. "Well let me make sure that you fully grasp the reason. You see when I sliced through your precious Princess Zelda I obtained the Triforce of Wisdom which has shown me a great deal. Unfortunately the Triforce of Courage is no match to that of Wisdom and Power." Ganon said showing me his left and right fists where two golden triangles etched themselves into his flesh. "You can thank your precious Zelda for helping me to take Hyrule. Thank her before I end your miserable existence…and then I'll take the last remaining piece of the Triforce."
A thought suddenly came to me and I started laugh in Ganon's face. He was not happy about it. He strode forward and struck me with his enormous fist against my cheek. It burned as if I had been scorched by a white-hot fire.
"What the hell are you laughing at?" He yelled at me.
"You have the Triforce of Wisdom and you really don't know?" I said spitting up blood.
"Know what?" Ganon commanded me to tell him.
"That there isn't only one remaining piece…but two."
"Impossible!" Ganon said. "I would have known."
I laughed harder. "It appears that my beloved withheld that last bit from you before relinquishing the Triforce of Wisdom to you." Ganon looked utterly furious. "You know something else too? While you may have the Triforce of Wisdom and Power, I have the greatest, most powerful fragment of all…the Triforce of Unification!" I said and suddenly the world around the two of us erupted in golden brilliance.
XXVI
I was immediately freed from the crimson rings that Ganon had shot at me, pinning me to the wall. As for the Demon King of the Gerudo he was thrown back to the ground prostrate as ribbons of golden energy began to bind him to the ground below. I felt warmth on the back of my hands again and suddenly the two pieces of the Triforce that Ganon held began to at first appear on my hands and then slowly they lifted off my skin and began to expand until they were about the size of my shield. All the pieces twisted and twirled as the Triforces of Wisdom, Courage and Power formed themselves into one large triangle. Finally the last remaining piece began to slowly slide itself into the missing section and as it did so I heard Ganon roar out his protest to all that was happening. In my mind I heard a distant whisper.
'Finish it Link. End his tyranny."
I moved forward until I stood above where Ganon lay growling and roaring out. I could see fear in his eyes as he struggled against the bonds, but he made no difference, for these bonds held him steadfast and he could do nothing against them. I looked down at him and twirled the Master Sword in my hand holding it above him like a pendulum. I held it there for a few moments before parting my lips to speak to him one last time.
"I am sending you away…forever with no hope of ever returning to the world of the living. You've caused too much pain for everyone here that you cannot be allowed to persevere. I send you to the land of the dead, with no hope of returning…ever." And with that I plunged the Master Sword, Evil's Bane down into the worst evil imaginable.
XXVII
As the Dark Lord Ganon's body melted away I turned my attention to the large golden triangle. There was no longer a Triforce of Courage, of Wisdom, of Power, or even of Unification, but now it was just the Triforce. It floated before me and I felt as if it were looking into my very soul. It contacted me through my mind asking me why I was having difficulty looking at the object. My response was simple:
"I killed Fa'yrin and yet I was still allowed to right my wrong."
'You didn't kill me.' I heard in mind and as I looked deeper into the Golden triangle I noticed the form of Fa'yrin taking shape and then from within Fa'yrin exited the Triforce. She stood before me looking just how I remembered her in the pool of Fairies. I took a nervous step back and though she had no facial features I somehow knew she smiled a comforting smile. 'I needed to anger you so that you would slice through my image. You see the blade wasn't fully powered. It needed the essence within myself in order for you to forever banish Ganon from this land. I do apologize for the nasty trick but I had to do it so that you could do away with Ganon forever.'
"So was Zelda's death planned from the beginning?" I asked.
'Everything was planned Link…everything and you made all the right decisions. You've won this battle, for you, for everyone.'
I could only nod vacantly.
'What troubles you?' Fa'yrin asked.
"What good was all of this, killing Ganon? Everyone is still dead." I asked and I was almost sure that she was smiling again.
'That is not necessarily true.'
"What?" I asked wide-eyed.
'I am able to grant you a single wish, but only if it is a selfless wish.'
I inhaled deeply as I thought of what to ask for.
'Just know that I cannot bring Zelda back to you.' I blinked as she had read my mind. 'Like I said it has to be selfless…and Zelda had her part to play. Because of who she was, because of her importance she is the only one I am unable to bring back. I am sorry Link.' I nodded vacantly again as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"I know what I want to wish for."
'What is that?'
"I want everything returned to the time before Ganon."
Fa'yrin smiled again I was sure of it. "Wish granted."
XXVIII
3 months later
I, Link witnessed Hyrule as it rose from the ashes. No longer was Ganon's dark castle holding dominion over Hyrule Castle Town. No longer were the Kokiri gone from this world. Even the Zora's returned to their proud lands. The Gerudo were released back into their valley and all was forgiven. They were pardoned and they agreed to stop looting the towns and lands around them. They swore fealty to the king of Hyrule and abandoned Ganon as their leader. Saria and the Deku tree returned to the Kokiri Forest where still they remain watching out for all new life that enters the forest and I with them.
I had returned the Master Sword to its rightful place in the center of the Temple of Time and there it stays to this very day. I tried to remain anonymous but somehow word got out that it was I that ended Ganon's tyranny and my popularity has risen significantly. Much of the time people will travel to Kokiri Forest just to meet me, or for me to give an encouraging word to their newborn babe. Malon and Talon visit me daily, just to make sure that I am handling my new found fame and though it is exhausting much of the time I still find my time to write. Actually I was able to finish Skyward Sword and though it was heart-wrenching to do so, I depict Zelda and myself to have the relationship we were never truly allowed to explore.
In truth I miss her deeply and I won't lie that sometimes…usually when depression gets the better of me I almost wish that Ganon and I would have both died so that I wouldn't have to live in the same world without my beloved Zelda. I am still saddened that she was never allowed to live just because of my failure to act, but Saria consistently tells me that Fa'yrin's plan was always for Zelda to be the sole driving force that would set me on the journey to defeat Ganon once and for all. I always smile and tell her that I agree and that she is right, but it doesn't make it any easier. At the very least when my thoughts become too grim I am able to call Epona to me and we can outrun the thoughts of doubt. Epona, the one that has helped to keep me going throughout this entire ordeal, the one that has been my true friend and never for a moment doubted me, I owe her everything. I look at the clear blue sky and something within me feels that everything is as it should be. Zelda may not be with me but at the very least I have been able to find my peace of mind and in the end that is all I could have asked for.
I awoke with a start as I was sure something flittered about over top of me. I jolted upright looking around spastically. I don't remember coming here, actually I don't even recall being anywhere near this place. I let myself take in the sights around me and as I do so I see that I am surrounded by shrubs and greenery, however they feel almost muted, almost dimmer from what I recalled. My head hurts, and my body aches as if I had run for a lengthy period of time and then fell asleep without massaging my muscles thoroughly.
I blink my eyes open and the sunlight that is peeking through the canopy of trees above almost blinds me so I turn from it. I take a quick breath and slowly begin to turn myself around so I can get a better look around me…and that is when my eyes find it. There looming above me like a titan of stone, moss and wood is the Forest Temple. It looks exactly how I remember and I swallow nervously as I can feel my vision become blurry. Chills run down along my spine and I cannot help but say: "This can't be this simply cannot be possible." And then I hear what almost appears to be a child's voice coming from behind.
"Welcome."
I spin around quickly and let my eyes fall over the one that has spoken. I see a small figure no larger than a child standing before me with her head lowered and her hands clasped behind her back. Her bright green hair is a shade lighter than the forest around her and though I am sure her smile would light up the room, I can clearly see that she is in distress. I moisten my lips and exhale nervously. "Saria?" I said and she nods vacantly.
"We need you again." Saria said looking upset.
I could feel the tears streaming down my face. "Why?" I said my voice so close to breaking. "Haven't I given enough?" I looked skyward. "Sacrificed enough?"
"I am truly sorry." Saria said. "Know that I do not relish this, but I am just a messenger."
"But I was happy!" I said, and then I shake my head. "Well not happy, but I was certainly…content."
At this Saria's eyes upturned to my own, and though she looked like little more than a child, I could see a vast lake of knowledge beyond my own understanding in them. Her lips parted and at the same time the wind picked up a bit caressing the skin on my face. "The Hero of Time is missing…we need you Princess Zelda."
THE END