WARNING: Carefully worded S&M-ish torture in the beginning. Skip if you wish.
Recommended readings: *Distractions* by hairyhen – a wonderfully naughty MidLink one-shot.
*Frozen* by CrimsonLink – a one-shot that highlights Link's thoughts after losing the final battle in SS.
Chapter 24
Abide in Me
"What I want is your desire."
"Flesh, metal, blood of fire."
"Your need my presence will fulfill."
"Yearning to obey my will."
"In her you find an open grave."
"With me, a peer, to Her, a slave."
"With heart ablaze, you will succumb."
"'I'm sorry, oh, my faithful one.'"
"'You served me well. You always do.'"
"'Emerald, jade, green of hue.'"
"'Destined to guard, I say to thee.'"
"'But who, I ask…'"
"'Will shield you from me?'"
"Come to me, my due, my song."
"To me, alone, you shall belong."
In the grip of a dream, Link tossed and turned. The silky sheets brushed the bare skin of his unconscious body. Perspiring, he clenched his hands and pushed up—
—resisting the fetters around his wrists.
"Did you enjoy your little poem, sky child?"
Writhing from the pain, Link mumbled, groaning his frustrations to the high ceiling of his captor's extravagant bedchamber.
"I call it yours because it is yours. I wrote it for you. Among the sage you would be to heed what has been, for your sake, composed in verse."
"Mmmmm…no…"
"My offer. It still stands, human."
"No…"
"Your option to join me. It remains."
The sound of a shaky inhale filled the room.
Being completely at the demon's mercy meant much more than discomfort.
The hellish scenario had repeated itself over and over again, all night long.
First, the offer was made. Then, the refusal, followed by a merciless beating. Left scourged, Link would be questioned. Finally, he was worked slowly and methodically to a mortifying level of sensual excitement, which Ghirahim had a knack for.
With a will of pure iron, Link fought the demon's sick game.
Practically unendurable pain was repeatedly swapped for intense yet fruitless pleasure. Link found himself caught in a convergence of polar opposites—tears of misery blended with those of shameful enjoyment. How the demon could build such an intricate stratum of horror and delight was an enigma. Skillfully administered, the pain made the overwhelmingly pleasant sensation all the more gratifying.
After a while, Link couldn't tell if the broken sounds coming out of his mouth were due to pangs of torment or rapturous buildup of tension. It begged for dispensation. But, the demon wouldn't let him have it, depriving him of what he needed right at that euphoric moment of release. It was then that he delivered more jaw-dropping pain.
The pleasure was awful and the ache was wonderful. It was exquisite torture.
Tied down and defenseless, Link hadn't the strength to watch the demon's advancements any longer. Gaping upward, he felt himself sink into his enemy's fiery hand, drowning in a swelling heat that couldn't possibly be defined. He fought back a saturated moan every time, wishing that his pride would allow him to move his lower body up and down; anything to rout the never ending climactic approach that continued to threaten his sanity. Tingling turned to burning, the flickering flames of relief escalating, hissing a scathing pledge. When he was sure that his long awaited ecstasy was at hand, the stimulation was withdrawn, replaced by the excruciating crush of malicious fingers. In absolute torment he let out his breath, weary, but refusing his enemy the enjoyment of his screams.
It was the worst and best thing that Link had ever experienced.
He nearly split his tongue trying to keep silent, but his anguish was too much. When fingers dug into what was throbbing and engorged, he made music for the demon, whimpering through a closed mouth. One stroke away from being taken by the cruel throes of pleasure, he shouted curses in his head.
Sweat matted his face and chest, trickling down.
"This is but a sampling, sky child. I will bring upon you despair without end if you choose not to cooperate."
He struggled in his bondage, reeling in the humiliation that had become standard in the demon's presence. During his first trip in this realm, however, he had never been subjected to anything this terrible.
Still gripping the human, the demon crawled up his body, making sure to brush his velvety wrap against every inch of exposed, bruised, cut flesh. The wounds, still fresh and weeping, stung and singed, proving that to deny Ghirahim was a painful thing.
He crept into Link's distraught face, waving his smug grin around with total abandon. He licked his lips, crushing what was captured in his palm and basking in the human's silent cries that were dying to be heard.
"I'm not—" Link said with a gasp, "—joining you."
"Not only will you be the thrall of my fantasies, but so will your woman…Midna."
Link puled when he heard her name.
"So lost in my embrace she will be that she will no longer recognize the sound of your voice."
With eyes squeezed shut he felt the demon's mouth graze his ear. The invasive hand began to stroke, rebuilding the pressure that had dampened. His breathing became almost nonexistent.
"Is this what you want, hero?"
"If you touch her," Link whispered, "I don't care what I have to do…. I'll kill you."
Ghirahim's hand tightened as he rubbed, pulling and twisting, forcing a single tear and a pained groan from the human.
"Such impertinent words coming from an utterly helpless mouth."
He dragged a thumb across Link's bottom lip, tickling beneath his chin. He was glistening.
"Yet more words that you will recant. You will never kill me."
His hand conducted a slow, gentle, torturous stroke. Link tried not to move.
"You will never kill me because not only do you enjoy this, but you require it. You would go insane without me, human. I will always be your master, the wielder of the diamond blade, and you will always worship me."
Such dreadful pain…
"Give ear, human."
With one hand the demon massaged. With the other he grabbed his victim's hair. A violent pull sent Link's open mouth to the side, baring his oversensitive ear. Ghirahim spoke his sweltering words straight into it.
"Yes, the offer that I made in the manor still stands. But, it is no longer my main concern, for no matter what, you will become one with me. It will simply be delayed. That is all."
A compression of a hand was chased by an alarmed breath.
"What I require of you now is epochal, precipitating the dawn of a new era. Are you ready?"
He nuzzled his nose into Link's neck, smelling his slick, flushed skin.
"Seeing as how your stubborn memory is locked at this time, I'm going to have to ask you to tell me what I want to know."
With rhythmic motions, he dangled in Link's face the heavenly prospect of sweet release. Enjoying the sleek feel of the unclad hero, Ghirahim pumped him, moving his head like a puppet's. Holding him still, the demon plunged his tongue through the human's parted lips, enveloping his mouth from corner to corner.
After his minute-long search for answers turned up nothing, he withdrew, taking with him more of Link's resolve. He practically squalled, disputing the removal of his only means of pain reduction.
"I am not fond of this new skill of yours. Where, I ask, is the one who taught you this?"
With labored gasps, Link shook his head.
"You've afforded me everything that I've postulated, hero. Such a good boy…"
He rubbed again, and again, and again. Link mashed his teeth together.
"But…"
The demon teased Link's mouth with his own, inviting him to open up. His fear rose.
This fear, however, was different. It was not fear for oneself. It was fear for another.
"I need more, hero…"
Jerking Link's head aside, he latched onto the vulnerable earlobe before him.
Link finally cried out.
Ghirahim took a heavy breath through his nose, absorbing the wonderful feel of the hero's suffering, relishing in the first of his ear-shattering screams.
"Are you in the mood to go deaf tonight, human?"
Moisture layered his flesh in beads.
"Because you will unless you tell me."
"No!" Link yelled.
"Round and round we go. Are you sick of it yet, hero?"
"The truest of all battlefields, that which exists in your mind, is in flames, human. Soon, it will be little more than ashes. Surely you grow somnolent in this endless fight against me."
"Are you tired of this pitched battle?"
"How long will you remain on your feet in this crusade, knight?"
"You still have nothing to return to. The women that you love are vixens. Your best friend is a traitor. Not one single person exists who you can honestly call 'friend'."
"You return to me because I am still right. I am as true as the moment that you witnessed the spirit maiden turn her back on you to hold your turncoat of a comrade."
"The trials—they've thrown themselves at you by the swarm. Entirely too much you have done for this weak Goddess of yours, this exploiter whom you will stupidly martyr yourself for. You will meet death in the name of one who claims to be devoid of all darkness, but in truth depends on the self-sacrifice of a gullible hero to fumble toward a paltry success."
"Give me what I want and I will lift this burden from you. Provide me with what I need and I will give you rest…"
"Do you want rest, human?"
"I know what you long for. I know that you ache to cast every test, every ordeal, every aggrieved moment of your battered existence into a sea of forgetfulness. I can allow for that."
"But, only if you allow me to help you…"
Ghirahim grasped Link's face, forcing their eyes together.
"Now then, man of unparalleled fidelity…"
Their mouths touched once more.
"Abide in me, and have your indelible need satisfied for eternity."
His hand glided along the human, chastening him, rewarding him, impelling him to believe that he had no other choice…
"So, tell me. Where is she, Link?"
Like a man breaking through the surface of an icy river, Link sprang up, panting and clutching the pale sheet strewn around him. He stared at the wall.
"Oh my gods," he rasped, shutting his eyes and wiping his wet forehead. The faint, pink light of dawn rose up to meet his shocked face. "What in the…?"
He looked quietly at the wall as if it held the solution to the mystery behind what he had just seen.
He pulled his knees to his chest and his hands to his face. He thought some more.
"If that's what spying on Pipit gets me, I swear to the Goddess, I'll never do it again…"
He took a deep breath. Shivering, he realized how cold a warm breeze could feel on damp skin. As he watched the chiffon drapes stream away from the sliding door, he noticed something.
He was stark naked.
"Oh my gods!" he said again, rushing to wrap himself in the sheet. He glanced around, beginning to suspect that the demon was here. After a nightmare as vivid and upsetting as the one that he just had, he wouldn't doubt it.
Leaning down to the floor, he pulled the ruffled bed skirt up. He shook his head. No monster.
"Well, one thing's for sure," he said as he sat up. "Demons are horrible poets…" He looked down, peering inside the sheet to make sure that all was intact and unspoiled. Everything seemed fine. And, thankfully, nothing was quite as aroused as it had been during his dream.
He held his hands up, checking his wrists. Oddly, they hurt enough to suggest the recent use of restraints. He rubbed his skin, alarmed, expecting to see redness and chaffing. He chewed his lip, unable to dispel what was assaulting his mind even now -
The inescapable picture of Ghirahim asserting ownership over his habituated body.
Link shivered again.
"That was worse than the dream I had in the woods two nights ago." He hopped out of bed, leaving his covering behind to locate his uniform. The feeble shine of a newly risen sun did its best to aid his search. "Is that all? Two nights?" He bent to grab the heap of green wool and beige linen. "Feels like an eternity."
Remembering his instructions to prepare for an early departure, he slipped on shorts, socks, a cream-colored shirt, woolen trousers and a green tunic.
"Well, I left the surface yesterday morning to fly to the North Province, and before that, I was with…him all night." He grimaced. "The day before I ran to the temple, ended up sick as a dog, and then passed out cold." He pondered the strangeness of it all. "Yeah, I guess it has been only two days. Hard to believe." After fastening his belt, he combed through his hair; it was getting shaggier by the day. "I need a new knight's cap."
The natural perfume of flowers filled his nose in gusts. Ready to leave the room, he took a gander. His senses were enticed by the scent of summer and the pleasant glow of early morning, both of which were flowing past the silken drapes. Drawn by the open door, he made his way to the end of the room.
After two steps had been taken, he stopped short. Something bright red caught his eye. He looked down.
The rose that he had picked out of a colorful bouquet the previous night sat at his feet. It appeared flattened; nearly crushed into the dark carpet. Scooping it up, he gave one of the disheveled petals some attention. It was as soft as ever. Holding the flower to his chest, he approached the doorway.
Burying his face into the velvety petals, he hopped over the threshold, entering the estival morning air.
A square stone balcony, lined on each side by granite benches, stretched out around him. Open to the elements, it boasted a fine view of the sky. Streaks of magenta, orange and yellow painted the east, dotted by the comings and goings of Supernan loftwings and their owners.
Scooting to the rail, Link dropped his gaze. The scene in front of the Crown Plaza, while nice, was nothing compared to what resided in arrears. It was the picture of loveliness.
Separated from the unremitting stir of the city was a heavily forested park, complete with a maze of flower gardens, huge animal topiary and stone statues, all surrounding a large pond in the center. A dirt path led alluringly from the foot of the hotel to the trees, summoning anyone with a love for lazy strolls in the woods.
Link sighed. This place was wildly romantic, and all he had was something that smelled like the woman that he wanted in his arms right now.
This state, this city, this hotel, this balcony—they were all fit for the most enamored of honeymooners.
Hugging his blossom, Link took a smooth, waltzing step to the side, imagining a morning dance. It had been so long since he'd danced with anyone.
Well, Fi seemed a fan of dancing. She had a unique way of spinning and twirling when talking about certain subjects. But, as much of a privilege as it was to observe her graceful movements, and to give in to the urge to move a little bit along with her, it wasn't the same as holding a woman, and becoming one with her in a dance.
Unfortunately, the closest Link had to a date at the moment was Pipit. He laughed.
Pipit would never appreciate any of this. The only thing he'd see right now is that blonde woman with the skimpy top.
After mumbling under his breath about the gaping hole in whatever it was that held Pipit's ability to care about anything other than women, Link reentered his bedroom. Walking toward the hallway, he noticed the glass bottle of massage gel resting on the end of the bed—the one that he had discovered next to the feather pens, ink and nail scissors in the bedside table.
Without a second thought, he retrieved the bottle, holding it alongside the rose. In a moment, the wooden door opened with a slight creak, letting in the garden-fresh aroma that lingered in the dark corridor.
He hadn't taken four steps before Ghirahim's face popped into his head. He rubbed his neck. The vestige of the graphic dream had left his senses heightened. In a way, he could still feel the demon's hands on him.
Link felt his enemy's name clinging to the tip of his tongue. For some reason, he wanted to say it.
As his feet moved, his lips tried to move along with them. In fact, it almost felt challenging not to say it.
Halfway between his room and Pipit's, Link halted. He felt for sure that the itch that was presenting itself in his mouth was all in his head, but it troubled him, nonetheless. He bit his tongue, chewing away any impulse to speak the demon's name.
"Not only are you a bad poet, but your ability to win me over leaves a lot to be desired." He advanced toward the master bedroom, giggling over the idea of being conciliated by demonic S&M rituals. He was as happy as could be that it was only a dream.
Leaving the loneliness of the opposing room behind, Link tiptoed into the more spacious area of the suite. He kept his eye on the bed, mindful of the large, motionless lump beneath the sheets. Link grinned, having predicted hours ago that Pipit would never wake up first. Not after that late night escapade of his, anyway.
"Looks like I finally get to make fun of you for your inability to get up on time," Link whispered, skulking to the corner of the bed. Once there, he located his bags which were buried under his boots, two sets of chain mail and gauntlets, and a knight's cap. Not wanting to lose his belongings, he placed his rose and bottle into the smaller pouch, and the armor into the larger. Pipit really needed to get his own bags.
He stood up and turned. He looked at the sleeping mound.
A fiendish smirk spread across his face.
With a pleased skip he glided to the bed and slinked onto it, careful not to jar the mattress or his sleeping friend. Distracted from his memory of the demon, he crawled beside the peaceful protuberance. Not allowing for any diabolical chuckles to slip out, he jumped up, shaking the bed in the process and landing heavily onto the curled up body. Straddling the floundering mass, he gave a splendidly wicked laugh. As the covers thrashed about, he dropped his face to meet what soon would be revealed.
"Good morning, sunshine," he said with a honeyed tone. The soft sheet was finally whipped away.
With his hands on the bed, Link's smile completely vanished.
His gaze was met not by blue eyes, but brown, and they were flaring. The two stopped dead.
"AAAAAAH!" the stranger screeched.
Link flinched and jumped away. He gawked, coming to terms with the fact that he had just jumped on a woman. He scrambled back, almost falling off the bed.
"Oh my gods! I'm so sorry!" Link shouted. "I'm sorry! I thought you were—"
"Get away!" the girl screamed, flying out of the bed and swinging her arms.
In the path of a wild woman, Link slid off, rolled and shot to his feet, holding his hands in front of him. He backed up. The girl, wrapped in the sheet, stumbled after him, her dark curls bouncing around her small, rounded face.
"Who are you?" she demanded in a thin voice, bounding toward him. "How did you get in here?"
Still making sense of the situation, Link waved his hands in surrender. "I'm staying here with Pipit!" he said, knocking into a small table near the bathroom. Petals rained down on the carpet. As the irate woman stomped into his face, he looked to the side. The sheet, which was fairly translucent, was slipping down, displaying a bit too much cleavage.
"Who's Pipit?" she asked, tugging the white material. The bunched up silk seemed to hang every which way across her body, dragging on the floor at her feet.
Link gave her a funny look. "Who's Pipit? The guy you were with last night…?"
She looked back, genuinely confused. "I thought his name was Peregrine?"
Link just gaped, amazed. She's as bad as he is… He shook his head. "No…" he said slowly. "It's Pipit…" With head turned, he monitored her. Luckily, her movements were slowing and her voice was quieting. He sighed as she eased out of her battle stance.
She dropped her head and fingered her curls. "Oh, I…" she began, stepping back. "I was pretty tipsy last night, so…" Her dark eyes remained leery.
She really is as bad as he is… "Um…" Link said, trying not to look below her neck. She was visibly upset, but he didn't know how to console her.
Looking uncertain about everything, the girl stepped away, heading toward the right side of the bed. There, she picked up her blue tunic and black pants.
"You scared me half to death. I thought you were a rapist. Why did you do that?"
Link stood with his hands out, not sure if he should move yet. "I thought you were my friend," he said. "I'm really sorry." Knowing that she wanted to get dressed, he turned further, engaging himself in a staring contest with the wall.
"Is that how you normally wake each other up?" the girl asked, slipping into her undergarments.
"No, not…well, sometimes," Link muttered. He listened to the familiar rustle of linen as it swept across her skin, keeping his eyes at a safe distance. He nearly missed the contemptuous expression on her face.
When he heard the clinking of buckles and the pulling on of shoes, he figured he was okay to turn. Heavy footfalls confirmed it. At once, he found an unhappy female before him. She was a little shorter than him; not as short as Zelda, but just as petite. Link had no problem seeing how Pipit had flung her around so easily last night.
Recalling the act of coition between her and his friend gave him a weird feeling in his belly.
"That was reckless," the girl grumbled. He leaned back, surprised by her portending tone. He wasn't the least bit nervous, though. In fact, he was close to smiling at how angry she was and how unafraid he felt. Her frazzled Supernan uniform was far from perfect, as well.
But he chomped down on both of his lips, curbing the grin before it had the opportunity to appear. "You oughta be ashamed of yourself." She balled her hands up.
Now he really had to fight back his smile. He looked down and scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, I have more to feel ashamed about than that…" he replied. A chuckle was trying to break through the seriousness in the room. She glared at him through the narrowest of eyes.
Finished talking, the girl left Link in the corner, treating the entire floor to a heavy door slam. He held his breath, hoping that the loud bang hadn't disturbed anyone. He felt guilty at the prospect of his own negligence waking people up. He was the one who had irritated that girl, after all. He thought about her some more, feeling bad that he had just proved himself to be a complete jerk to a woman.
He let the silence seep into his ears. Then, a point of interest grabbed his attention: the one who he had originally supposed was in the bed was very much missing in action.
He looked around, fairly certain that his friend would have intervened a minute ago had he been anywhere nearby. Link spotted the sliding door across the room, considering that perhaps he had fallen asleep outside. He ran to it.
"Pipit?" he called as he stepped onto the balcony. Much like the one connected to his room, this balcony overlooked the park's foliage, paths and trees. And, as with his balcony, there was no Pipit.
Link took some time to contemplate as he observed the carefree drifting of those below. Maybe Pipit was among them, rollicking about somewhere with a woman. It was pretty early in the morning for that, however. Even for Pipit.
Stretching and yawning, he went back inside. He rechecked the pile of clothing. Only one pair of boots could be found. There was no doubt about it – Pipit had left.
Secure in the knowledge that he had a little bit of time before the arrival of his next escort, Link slid his boots on, neatly tucking in each pant leg.
Shaking off the morning stiffness, he tapped his toes on the floor. Ready to go on a hunt for his friend, he headed for the door.
But, mid-step, he heard the knob click. It started to rotate.
Surprised, Link shuffled to the side, clearing the short walkway that passed between the bathroom and the closet. Hidden from view, he peered around the corner, making sure that the one entering was not an unwelcome guest.
A recognizable foot came through the door. It was followed by a leg clad in light-colored pants, embellished with a geometric design distinct to the current second-year knight-students of Skyloft.
When the ever brightening light of the morning hit deep yellow wool, Link knew he was safe.
Pipit entered and turned, closing the door as softly as possible. The faintest clack sounded as it slid into place. A small thunk came shortly after as he laid his forehead against it.
He trudged past the bathroom. His gaze landed on the bed in front of him.
"Morning," Link said, stepping out of nowhere. His smile disappeared when he saw his friend's reaction. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Pipit gasped. Flinging backward, he smashed into the wall. He stared wide-eyed.
Startled, Link looked him up and down. "Pipit…?" Link asked, taking a little step. "You okay?"
Pipit didn't say anything for a moment. "Oh, yeah!" he exclaimed. Link froze in place. "Yeah, definitely…totally fine!" He stared some more. His face was flushed and his blue eyes were jittery.
"You don't look fine…" Link told him.
"No, I'm good," Pipit assured him, looking down.
Link lifted an eyebrow. "Okay, well, where'd you go? I mean, this early in the morning?" He cocked his head.
Pipit's eyes shifted. "Um…just to get some air," he replied, standing up straighter.
"Air? Why didn't you just step onto the balcony?"
"I like my air down on the ground," Pipit said with a shrug.
Link made a face. "You don't look like someone who's refreshed," he said, stepping closer. "Quite the opposite."
"What do you mean?" Pipit asked, his voice artificial. He cringed.
"You look like you've been out running."
"Maybe I was."
"Why? When we were up so late? You said you wanted to sleep in. Why get up early?"
"Maybe I'm trying to build my endurance. You got a problem with me improving my soccer game?"
"No, but I've got a problem with you lying through your teeth." Link crossed his arms.
Pipit hesitated. "Lying?" he asked innocently. Link nodded. Pipit dug his heel into the rug. "Okay, okay…" He put his hands out. "I wasn't running. I actually went to meet someone."
"Meet someone? Pip, we don't know anyone here. Who would you meet?"
"Uuhh, a woman."
"A woman? Haven't you had enough woman?"
"Pssh, never. Maybe I didn't get any last night."
Link drummed his fingers. "Didn't get any? I'm pretty sure you did, Pipit."
Pipit turned a bit paler. "Um, well, maybe I needed more," he retorted.
"What, did you search through bars? Wander the streets for 'women of the night'?"
"Maybe I did," Pipit fired back, leaning into Link's face. "Morning wood. It's an enormous bother. Am I right?"
"Why you would have that problem after what you did last night is a mystery to me," Link said. "And, more importantly…" He gestured toward the corner. "Must be kind of hard to get a prostitute without that." He gave Pipit a harsh scowl.
Pipit, in turn, took a desolated look at the rupee bag on the floor. He paused again. "Maybe she was…free," he said.
"Oh, right, Pipit. Right." Link shook his head, watching Pipit's story come apart. "I don't think you were with a woman at all."
"What?"
"Nope. I think you were with a guy." Link lifted a hand to Pipit's chest. Looking down, Pipit watched his friend's hand retreat. His face dropped as he saw what was held before him.
A fluffy, silver feather.
"You reek of loftwing," Link informed him.
Pipit glanced sideways. "I went flying after," he said, still looking away.
"You never even break the flying rules when we're at home, Pip. In fact, you're a night guard." He drew closer. "You know better."
"Yeah, well, being a night guard means I know how to circumvent protocol."
"That explains how you took off and made it back," Link said, "but not why you left in the first place." He stood and waited for Pipit to offer something believable, but he was too busy looking pathetic. "You're a bad liar, Pipit."
Their gazes rejoined at last. "I know," Pipit said.
"So, what is it then?" Link asked. "What don't you wanna tell me?"
"That's the trouble. I don't wanna tell you…" Pipit suddenly looked as though his eyes might tear up.
Link pulled back, blown away by the idea. Link watched him wring his hands. "Come on, Pip. It's me," he said, leaving him even more distraught.
Blinking several times, Pipit ran a hand over his mouth. He held it there for a moment. Link remained quiet. "It's been a pretty bad week," Pipit said, covering his face. Link didn't move a muscle. "Know what I mean?"
"I definitely know what you mean," Link said rigidly.
Knowing that he wasn't going to get off without talking, Pipit sighed. "About Zelda…" he said. "Yesterday morning in the woods she told me that she…" He looked his engrossed friend in the eye. "…That she likes me. And I sort of…" He took a breath. "…Told her the same."
Not expecting the latter half of Pipit's statement, Link was stunned. His face went blank. Suddenly, his efforts to soothe his friend seemed misplaced.
"I'm sorry," Pipit said awkwardly. "I dunno how it happened. Three weeks ago when you met Midna at the party, and Zelda was all depressed that you'd ditched her—"
"I didn't ditch her," Link rumbled. "I forgot. She knows that."
"Okay, fine. Whatever the case, she was pretty miserable. We got to talking, and—"
"And what, Pipit? What'd you do?" Link took another step.
"Nothing! I just talked to her a little bit. Tried to make her feel a little better. I mean, she hugged me…" Pipit scratched his head. "After that, I just sort of started…"
"To add her to your long list of women?"
Pipit swallowed. "Uuhh, sort of…?" Link exhaled, annoyed. "Look, it just happened. I mean, she's cute." Link wasn't impressed. "I'm sorry…"
"Yeah…" Link said.
"So, when we saw each other in the woods again, I dunno. I admitted it, and she admitted it, and…we both admitted it, I guess."
"Is that when you let her kiss you?" Link asked, holding his hands behind his back.
"Well, yeah—I mean no! I don't know…. I mean, she kissed me, but I wasn't expecting it. She just…pulled me into it."
"Because a tiny environmental studies major can easily overpower a knight that's six-foot-three?"
"She's stronger than she looks!" Pipit said. "But, the main issue here is that she has feelings for me, I have feelings for her, and neither one of us meant to have feelings for the other." His expression pleaded for Link's understanding. "I'm sorry. I can't say it enough."
"Mmhmm." Link curled his tongue.
"You're not the only one who has a thing for more than one person," Pipit told him. "She might like me, but she hasn't given up on you, either. Who knows what could happen. I'm not putting my money on anything…"
Link's eyes softened. "Yeah," he murmured, looking down. "I'm glad you told me, but I still wanna know where you went this morning." Pipit quickly went back to fidgeting. "You haven't told me yet."
"Well, uh…" Pipit hopped to the left. "I need to pee!" He scuffled toward the bathroom.
"Liar," Link snarled. He nabbed Pipit's arm. "You were fine yesterday, and now you're acting really weird. Something's wrong. What is it?"
"Weren't you mad at Zelda for doing this same thing to you?" Pipit asked, trying to break away. "For making you talk about what happened with Midna?"
"She was just being nosy," Link said, refusing to let go. "I'm not. We're in a strange place, a lot has happened since the party at the Lumpy Pumpkin, I've been through some horrible things, and I'm in no mood to mess around." He pulled Pipit closer. "Now, what is wrong?"
"Please don't give me a concussion again," Pipit said. They glared at one another, at an impasse.
"I can be of assistance, Master," a musical voice called. Both friends froze. Their eyes gravitated toward the corner.
One of Link's pouches illuminated from the inside out. Two pairs of blue eyes watched a twinkling sphere of light rise from the bag. It twirled before growing longer, forming the svelte shape of a woman. Looking behind him, Link held his breath, realizing that Fi had never revealed herself to anyone other than him—besides Midna in the Skyview Spring.
"What the hell is that!" Pipit hollered, reclaiming his arm. His stare glued itself to the floating amethyst-and-violet-garbed spirit. Link looked into Fi's flat eyes.
"This is my…guide," Link told him.
"Guide?" Pipit asked. "Where'd she come from?"
"From the sword," Link said.
"Sword? I don't see any sword."
"It's in pieces," Link forced himself to say. "In one of my bags."
Pipit looked at him like he was crazy."Say what?" Pipit caught a glimpse of the large blue diamond that hung from where Fi's two-toned cloak tied at her neck.
"You have seen a jewel of this likeness in recent hours," Fi disclosed, looking straight at Pipit. He glanced at Link, who slowly turned to view his response.
Pipit looked down. "Uh…yeah, I guess I have…"
Link eye's filled with dread. He faced Fi. "Fi, what do you mean?"
Her rigid posture stayed the same. Pipit's lightly freckled face drained of all color. "Your companion has been with Ghirahim, Master," she said.
"Sweet Hylia," Pipit breathed, grabbing his forehead. As his face dropped, Link slowly, slowly turned to him. One shattered expression mirrored the other. Silence teemed as no one spoke. Every few seconds, the tinkling of Fi's presence could be heard.
Standing between his two confidantes, Link looked back and forth. Pipit was slouched against the wall, and Fi was gracefully hovering, just as she always did.
Link threw his hands up. "Is somebody gonna explain what's going on here?"
"Master, your—"
"Wait!" Pipit yelled, stepping forward. "Good goddesses, if the remlit's out of the bag and someone has to say it, it might as well be me. Though I'd like to know how this—insert epithet here—knows my business."
Link looked as though the world was coming to an end. "He has a piece of my sword."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Pipit asked.
"It doesn't matter, Pipit," Link growled. "Not as much as you visiting Gh—" He almost choked on his sentence. "…Him."
"It's not like I wanted to go. I got locked into seeing him again when I found you two nights ago. I had no idea he'd come after me so soon."
"What do you mean locked in? Pipit, what'd you do?"
"I told him I'd come back if he left you alone. I had to go. I gave him my word."
"Pipit…" Link's shoulders dropped. "Why would you do that? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Probably for the same reasons you don't want to tell me anything," Pipit said. "I don't wanna cause any problems, and there's a little something called 'my ego' that I'm trying to protect. Right now, it's a very little something. And rather beat up, as well."
"Oh, gods. Pipit, what happened?" Link's face was as pale as his friend's.
Pipit glanced at the sword spirit. "I'm not sure what he brought me there for…but, uh…" He twiddled his thumbs and sighed. "I got some information from him."
"You what? How?" Link perked up.
"I, uh…" Link watched Pipit stick his tongue out and point into his mouth in an attempt to explain. "Well, um…"
"They were joined, Master," Fi interjected. Link's ears twitched at the disturbing words. He suddenly felt ill. It was the last thing he wanted to hear.
"Thank you flying thing," Pipit snapped.
"She's just trying to help me," Link said softly, unsettled.
"Well she needs to shut up."
"Pipit…"
"I can handle this," Pipit assured him. "Yes, we were connected, but only for a few minutes. It paid off. I found out something about Instructor Calwren that I don't think Gargamel wanted me to know."
Link just looked at him for a moment, confused. This news was way too disturbing. "Is he associated with Calwren?"
"Maybe."
"What'd you find out?"
"That Calwren's a demon," Pipit said. Link's mouth fell open. "My words exactly. Well, when I wasn't busting a nut all over myself." Link stepped back, giving Fi an alarmed look. A rush of emotion hit him. "Sorry, I dunno how else to say it. I dunno how he did it, but he got me off with his mouth, as weird as that is." He shrugged. "But that wasn't nearly as bad as what he did before that."
Link shrank back. "What'd he do?" He wrapped his arms around his middle, not wanting to hear it.
"No, not that," Pipit said. "Instead of killing me like he should have, he just, well… I guess he thought it would be fun to reenact my first meeting with Calwren."
"What?" Link asked. "Why?"
"I thought he was just being a jerk," Pipit explained, "until I chewed the crap out of that damn tongue of his and read his mind."
Link's eyes sprang open. "You what?" He didn't know whether to be disgusted or fascinated.
"Yeah, pretty crazy, eh?" Link didn't know what to say. "It was hard though, staying focused. I dunno what it was but the harder I tried, the better it felt. I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did."
Link had so many questions that he wanted to ask.
Unfortunately, time was short. The more trivial inquiries would have to wait.
"What else did you learn?" Link asked, still dazed by the content of their discussion.
"I think I saw her, actually," Pipit said, pointing to Fi. "I also saw this huge dude with wild frickin' flaming hair—"
"The being that you saw is Demise," Fi chimed in.
"Demise?" Pipit asked. "As in, 'Your demise you shall meet'?"
"Ghirahim's master is aptly named," she replied.
"Master? Who is this guy?" Pipit asked.
"The demon king," Link stated blankly. "That must be who his master is…"
"Oh, demon king.… He must be who that chick, uh…" Pipit snapped his fingers. "Uh, whatever her name is. He must be who she was talking about. She didn't seem too fond of him, I can tell you that."
"What chick?" Link asked.
"Just this half-demon, half-human girl. She was a babe, though, wow…" Pipit grinned to himself. "She kissed me, too. Not that I was really in the mood for it at the ti—"
"What'd she look like?" Link asked.
"Well, she was a couple inches shorter than me. Way taller than you, though." Link frowned. "She had the kind of body that's better suited for a bikini than a soldier's uniform, if you know what I mean."
"Her hair, Pipit. What color was her hair?"
"Oh, um, it was black."
If Link had been drinking something he would have spit it everywhere. "You've gotta be kidding me!"
"Um, nope, pretty sure I'm not." Pipit looked at him strangely.
"How did you run into her? Was she with Ghirahim?" The word slipped out before he could stop it. His face soured in defeat.
"Actually, no. She was trying to avoid him."
Link was quickly pulled from his wallowing. "Why?"
"She's working against him."
Link's brow jumped up. "Huh?" was all he could say. He started to think he was imagining this conversation.
"Yeah. She's part of what she called 'the resistance'. I visited her camp and everything."
Link couldn't believe it. "I don't believe it."
"Which part?"
"All of it! I don't believe all of it, Pipit!"
"What, you think I'm lying? Why the hell would I do that?"
"No, I don't think you're lying. I just…" Link paused. "Maybe I'm just going insane."
"Why?"
"'Cause Lilith is an army captain. She's not against Gh—the demon lord."
"Oh crap, that's her name! You know her?"
"We've met…"
"Oh man, isn't she hot?" Pipit asked with a chuckle.
"Uh…"
"She's like a tall, raven-haired Midna. She's glorious!"
"Pipit, please! I think we have other things to worry about, like why you were brought to the demon realm in the first place. If it wasn't to kill you, then it must've been for some other purpose. And what's the connection to Calwren?" Both young men looked to Fi, hoping she had the answer.
"Come on, F-sharp, enlighten us," Pipit said.
"Geez, Pipit, knock it off," Link said.
"What? She ratted me out. Plus she's creepy. You're telling me she's been here the whole time? In your bag?"
"Ghirahim possesses many talents," Fi said to both of them. "He is cunning and formidable, and a master at manipulating others to get what he wants. You can be sure that his actions are never aimless."
"So, what's that mean? Did he bring me there to poison me with his weird demonic-sex-powers or something?" Link gave him a shifty glance. "Lilith explained it all to me at her camp. It sounded like a load of malarkey until I remembered how things used to be between Calwren and I…" His voice trailed off. "Yeah, I didn't tell you the whole truth…" He cleared his throat. "But he's not getting me. If that's his little plan, it's not happening. I've already been 'gotten'. Been there, done that, and I got past it. I'm not letting it happen again."
Link looked down, taking a minute to absorb what was being said.
"It is possible that Ghirahim's intentions relate to that of human dependence," Fi confirmed. "Human-to-demon obsession is a possibility, especially with one as powerful as the demon lord. His strength is vastly superior to that of even the most powerful of those under him."
Link felt as if the word 'obsession' had been directed toward him. "I'm pretty sure that's his objective for me. He's talked about it before, more than once. And this dream I just had last night…" He got the shivers again. "Then again, I don't know. He's said that he needs something from me. I don't know what that is, but I don't think he'd get it if I was as dependent as he seems to want me…"
"You must avoid all contact with Ghirahim, Master," Fi warned. "You are already at high risk for human-to-demon dependence." Link felt Pipit's eyes on him. He flinched, hoping Fi wasn't going to elaborate on the subject. "It is important to understand that your dreams are the result of two opposing energies. The contrasting nature of your dreams exists because the force of good is counteracting that of evil."
"My dreams have been chaotic lately. Not just the past two nights, either…"
"I know what he needs from you," Pipit said, intersecting his thought. "A de-tonguing."
Link laughed. "I'd be happy to." He looked to Fi again. "Fi, now that we found that sacred text, and your knowledge is complete, can you…explain what's going on here? I'm still in the dark. What does he want with Zelda?"
"Ghirahim requires the essence of the Goddess Incarnate to revive his master, who daily grows in strength, yet remains in his imprisoned form at the Sealed Grounds." Fi's garment flowed about her as she spoke.
"Goddess Incarnate?" Link asked in wonder. "Are you telling me that Zelda is…"
Fi waited for him to finish, but he didn't. "Zelda is the Goddess Reborn, Master."
Link stared. Loose ends in his mind began tying themselves together. "That's why he calls her 'spirit maiden'," he whispered.
"Yeah, that beanpole of a lady outside the spring called her 'Your Grace'," Pipit added. "I think I remember her saying that Zelda had something to do with the Goddess, but I didn't believe her…"
"I'm with you," Link said.
"Impa is the servant of the Goddess; an elite member of the Sheikah tribe, sworn to protect the physical manifestation of the Goddess for as long as she requires protection," Fi said.
"She's one scary wench," Pipit said.
"Pipit, come on," Link said.
"No, I'm kinda thankful for her. She needs to be tough if she's gonna guard Zelda."
"Me too," Link said with a firm nod. He looked to Fi once more. "I've got a million questions. I hope we get some downtime soon. Our escort's gonna be here. But can you tell me what it is that I have to do? What's this 'Goddess ordained mission' that I'm putting my sanity on the line for?" He waited on tenterhooks as Fi computed an answer.
"Your mission cannot be summed up in mere words." Link's hands dropped to his sides. "Your journey to prevent Ghirahim from sacrificing the Goddess Incarnate will be long, and your trials many. However, I will be with you every step of the way, aiding you as you work to forge what is necessary to defeat the enemy, and guiding you through every battle on the path to the Golden Power."
Link gaped at her. "I…. Uh, thank you, Fi…" he said, awed. "So, where do I go first? When I'm through flying all over the world to visit army generals?"
"You must return to Skyloft, Master," she informed him. "There, you must place the Ruby Tablet that was retrieved from the Skyview Spring beside the Emerald Tablet in the Statue of the Goddess."
"Ruby Tablet?" Pipit asked. "When did you get that?"
"When you were kissing Zelda," Link said sorely. Pipit shut his mouth. "Then what, Fi?"
"Then, you must acquire a new shield and sword. This temporary weapon will serve you on your short surface journey to obtain another sword. Deep in the woods, a blade, blessed by the Goddess, awaits you. It will play a pivotal role in your fight against the demon lord and his master."
"I know a certain redhead who probably wouldn't mind playing the 'hero's little helper' on your woodland adventure, know what I mean?" Pipit winked.
Link rolled his eyes. "So, after I get my new sword, then what do I do?"
"The Goddess Reborn is currently undertaking her own expedition to the Earth Spring where she is to purify her body for the second time. However, the journey is perilous, and she still has much ground to cover. In this time, you will attain the weapon in the woods. With sword in hand you will utilize the new opening in the cloud cover, descending to Eldin Volcano. There, you will find the Earth Temple, and the Goddess Reborn. From there, you must aid Impa in bringing her to safety."
"What if I'm not fast enough?" Link asked. "What if I don't get the sword in time, or fly to the volcano fast enough?"
"You will," Fi said simply.
Link nodded. "So, once Zelda is safe, then what?"
"Then you must quest for the three Sacred Flames of the Golden Goddesses." Link and Pipit were both gawking now.
Out of nowhere, a heavy-handed knock burst from behind the hotel door. Both friends jumped.
"We've got a lot of stuff to talk about on our flight to…wherever we're going," Link said. "I can't believe we're talking about this… And I can't believe you went to the demon realm, Pip. I'm amazed you made it back alive."
"That's simply because I have audacious visions for the conquest of peace," Pipit said, flexing a bicep. "Or, more appropriately, because I'm best friends with someone who's been appointed by the Goddess to kick ass. I can't just die, can I?"
Link smiled at him. "Ready to go?" he asked his companions. Pipit cracked every knuckle on his hands and stretched.
"I'm tired as hell, but yeah, sure. Those demonesses wore me out last night." Link almost asked him what he meant, but decided against it.
Fi was already returning to one of the sword shards in Link's bag when he addressed her. "Fi, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about," he said, looping the bags onto his belt.
"Yes, Master?"
"I'm curious about what roles the demon and his master have played in history. This has been bugging me for a while. I can tell by the way he talks about you that he, well…"
"I can share that information with you if you wish, Master."
"Cool, story time," Pipit said. "At least we'll have some entertainment on our ride to who-knows-where."
"You mean other than you counting air cyclones?" Link asked.
"Hey, it's better than nothing," Pipit told him. Gathering themselves up, they walked to the door. After opening it, they were met by a friendly face in a gold-trimmed, sky blue uniform.
"Sir Link?" the soldier asked. Link's eyes lit up a bit upon hearing his distinguished title.
"That's me," he replied.
"The Azurian general awaits."
