Chapter 66: Temple of the Ancients

Through the door, Link found himself on a stone bridge that was suspended over a deep chasm. As he ran across, the stone tiles began to shake. By the time he reached the other side, the stone bridge had completely collapsed behind him. Link then turned his attention to the area before him which was a circular area with an amphitheater like structure and stone steps leading up to nothing. It was at the top of these stone steps that Link beheld Naru being forcefully held by Zelda herself.

But as Link stepped closer, he noticed that Zelda did indeed look different. As the former Watchmen had described, her eyes had gone from sky-blue to a sickly yellow color. Her once smooth pale skin had now taken on a pale green tint, with strange symbols tattooed on every part of Zelda that wasn't covered up by clothing. Speaking of which, her clothes had changed from a loose blue skirt and cotton top to a rigid purple dress with her long blonde hair tied up in a bun.

"So…it was you," Zelda said, her voice sounding both distorted and menacing like a man's at some points. "You're the one I thought was dead."

"Zelda, or whoever you are, let the girl go," Link said. "She's done nothing wrong."

"Except aid you, the False Hero," Zelda said, holding Naru tighter as a thin sword appeared in her hand.

"No way," Naru said with surprise. "Link, is this true?"

Link nodded. "It's true, but that was just a lie Cia spread to keep me from taking Zelda away from Ganon who was planning to use her for his own purposes."

"And that's just what he did," responded Zelda.

"What do you mean?" Link asked.

"Seven years ago, when I agreed to go onto Ganon's flying machine to save your life he tried to shoot you down as soon as I got onboard," answered Zelda."But seeing that you're still alive, it seems he failed to finish you off. Nevertheless, I thought you were dead. So for several months, I allowed myself to be tortured by Cia till I was near-death. Once I reached this state both mentally and physically, Ganon decided to make me his successor by killing himself off and then with Cia's help he transferred his soul into me. After that, I killed Cia since she had no more use to me along with Impa and Lana once they tried to interfere with my plans."

"Plans? You mean taking over Hyrule?"

"Not just Hyrule, you foolish boy! I want to conquer the entire world, and Skyloft is the perfect weapon to accomplish this! However, a certain masked urchin by the name of Skull Kid has crossed my path recently and he threatens to destroy everything I've carefully planned since my return! Now, if you would kindly get rid of him for me I might be willing to spare you. Otherwise, this Gerudo brat will die!"

"I would never bow to you!" Link said, unsheathing the Master Sword. "Leave Zelda's body now, Ganon, or face my wrath!"

In response, Zelda/Ganon laughed. "I wish I could, Hero, but Cia's spell has permanently bound my soul to Zelda's body. In other words, if you kill me then whatever's left of Zelda in this vessel will die as well. So what will you do, Hero?"

"I will save you, Zelda," Link said gripping the hilt of the Master Sword with both hands. "But I won't let you die by my hand or anyone else's."

Then Link used a Blast Attack to send Zelda/Ganon flying into the air while Naru wound up nearly falling down the stairs when Proxi managed to pull her back.

"Thanks," Naru said as Link caught her. "You saved me, Hero."

But just as Link was about to respond, Zelda/Ganon sent a ball of energy in Link's direction. So Link used the Master Sword to swing it back, but Zelda/Ganon reciprocated him. After a few seconds of volleying the ball of energy, it eventually hit Zelda/Ganon who spastically collapsed onto the ground. While she/he was collapsed, Link took out the four Gate Fragments and pieced them together. To his surprise, they melded together and floated out of his hand. The complete Gate, which resembled a clockwork gear, hovered over the stairs for a moment before growing to colossal size. Then as it settled behind the stairs, the designs that covered the front vanished revealing a dark tunnel with empty clock gears spiraling into nothing.

"Now's your chance, Hero," Naru said, pushing Link toward the stairs.

"What about you?" Link asked.

"I'll distract her — I mean, him," Naru responded. "You need to go through that Gate to save the world, right? So get going!"

As Link looked back, he saw Zelda/Ganon appear behind Naru with his/her sword raised. But before she/he had the chance to strike, Link used another Blast Attack to send her/him flying away. Then Zelda/Ganon charged another ball of energy which she/he sent toward Link. Like before, he volleyed it back to Zelda/Ganon who did the same. After a longer period, the ball of energy hit Zelda/Ganon and caused her/him to fall momentarily. But instead of lying down permanently, Zelda/Ganon got back up and flew straight at Link with her/his sword pointed toward Naru. Link parried her/his attack and sent him flying away from the Gate. Once she/he was far enough away, Zelda/Ganon sent a third ball of energy. This time, Link countered the ball of energy with a Blast Attack which sent it back toward Zelda/Ganon who collapsed onto the ground and twitched violently.

"Is he dead?" Naru asked.

"I don't think so," Link responded. "But I should leave before he decides to attack me again, and so should you."

"Don't worry about me," Naru said patting Link on the hand. "You just need to focus on saving your girlfriend."

Link's cheeks temporarily turned pink, but he ignored the feeling as he played the Song of Time. As he played, the clock gears inside the Gate spun faster. Taking this as a hint, Link looked back, waved at Naru, and then he stepped through the Gate of Time.

To be continued…