Chapter 16

Death of the Hero

It was about an hour until Link woke up. He looked up and noticed where he was. He was still light headed.

"L-Link." Link turned his head to the voice.

"Father."

"Why… why did you have to come here?"

"To find you. You're my father, I wasn't going to just let you stay in the hands of some sadistic diamond freak."

"You'll be hurt…"

"I don't care. As long as I can get you out of here." Raven sighed.

"Link, there's something I need to tell you. I probably should've… told you… sooner, but I guess now's as good of a time as any…" Just then, the door opened. Ghirahim walked in.

"Just as I suspected, you'd be awake."

"Ghirahim… you touch him… I swear I'll-" Ghirahim snapped his fingers and a cloth went over Raven's mouth.

"You're in no position to usher out threats, fairy child." Ghirahim walked over to Link who was scowling at him. "Watch as fear enters your child's eyes. I'll have to be careful though, the wound on your stomach isn't healed yet. Don't want you dying quite yet. Not before I hear your delightful screams." He made the chains disappear and grabbed his hair. He pulled him up. "Aw, you're so small. Smaller than even the Sky Child."

"I'm only fifteen, you know?"

"Yes, I know, smart mouth little brat. How about I break your arm?" He grabbed Link's left arm and twisted it so the elbow was pointing up. Link tried to pull away, but couldn't. Ghirahim's grip was too strong. He slammed his fist right on the elbow, breaking his arm. He yelped out in pain. "You're gonna have to scream better than that. Unless you want your darling little sister or your mother to come here in your place."

"Leave them alone!"

"Scream loudly for me, then." He let go of Link's arm and pushed him onto the ground. He cringed when his arm hit the ground. Ghirahim sat on Link's stomach and summoned a knife. Link kicked his legs, trying to get up. He stabbed the knife into Link's shoulder. He cringed, but then he moved the blade around. Link started screaming. He was crying. The pain was so much. He didn't have the same strength as he did in his old life, being a ranch hand built his strength.

"That's what I'm talking about. Your screams aren't as satisfying, but they still sound marvelous." Ghirahim said. He pulled the knife out. He got up and grabbed Link by the front of his shirt, pinning him against the walls. "I assume you're familiar with a creature known as Chu jellies. Where I'm from, they have specific powers."

He let go of Link and summoned chains that appeared around his wrists. They pulled him down so he was sitting on the ground. Ghirahim summoned yellow blobs of goo and they attached to Link's legs. They activated their power. A weird feeling passed through Link, yet he didn't scream. His hair just stood up. Ghirahim scowled and snapped his fingers to make them disappear. Link's hair falling back into place.

"That was weird…"

"How did they not affect you?"

"I don't know." The chains disappeared and he picked Link up by his hair again.

"Why don't you know? It's your body, you should know why you aren't affected by electric shock."

"I don't know. If I did, I would probably tell you, but I don't." He grabbed onto Link's throat and squeezed it tightly in his hand. It was a bit difficult to breathe.

"It doesn't matter. I'll beat you within an inch of your life." Raven wanted to break free from his chains and attack Ghirahim, but all he could do was watch helplessly. He let go of Link's neck, but kicked his chest so he fell down to the ground. He began kicking him over and over. Link scrunched in to protect himself from the blows. Raven wanted so desperately to save his son from this. Ghirahim stopped the attack and grabbed Link's shirt to bring him back up. "I feel that's enough punishment today for his lies. I'll be back later." He shoved Link against the wall and chains appeared once again. He made the cloth on Raven's mouth disappear and he left the room, leaving the two alone. Raven looked at Link who looked at him.

"Fa-ther…"

"Link, I'm so sorry you have to go through this."

"Do you think, sacrificing myself will grant your freedom?"

"No. Push that thought out of your mind. Either we both get out of here alive or you get out of here alive."

"N-No, I won't leave here without you."

"Link, listen to me, I'm old. I'm over a hundred years old. You on the other hand are just 15, you have so much more life ahead of you than I do."

"You still have a family. There's Mom and Natylee, just as there's Noburu and Yuki. You can't give up. I won't let you. We'll get out of this together then."

"I admire your optimism. There's something I need to tell you. I'm going to tell you now before I lose my chance. You are a chosen hero. The Hero of Light."

"Hero of Light?"

"Yes. You've already defeated Ganondorf, the King of Evil. 10 years ago, when you were returning home to Ordon, you were kidnapped by a group of thieves who held you for ransom. I came to get you, then two witches, the ones you saw in your dream, kidnapped you and sacrificed you to bring back Ganondorf. Using your blood, they brought him back from the dead. I defeated him, but you were gone. I pled to the Goddesses to bring you back. I had to give part of my spirit to keep you here, but it aged you down to a 5 year old. I had to take care of you, nobody else would have understood. And I'm glad for the 10 years we've spent together."

"So, those witches sacrificed me and then the Gods aged me down to a small child to save my life."

"Yes. And I took care of you since."

"Ok, this is uh… ok… I have no idea how to react to this."

"You'd be 27 years old by now."

"So, the triforce of courage should be with me?"

"Yes."

"Then, maybe I can break out of these chains using its power. Courage is a strength of the spirit, right?"

"Yes."

"Alright." Link focused on the triforce of courage that was within and pulled at the chains. They started to loosen. "Please Gods, give me the strength. I wish to be free so I can get us out of here." The chains broke and his right arm was free. He pulled at the chains on his left and he became free. Ghirahim hadn't taken his sword, so he used his right arm to pull it out of its sheath. "I did it. Let's get you out of those chains." He walked over and cut the chains as well as he could. "Can you walk ok?"

"Yea, I'll be fine."

"Good. After I get you home, I'm going to come back here and finish of Ghirahim, that way he doesn't terrorize us anymore."

"Like hell you are. I don't know exactly what this man is capable of. It's too dangerous."

"A hero before me faced him, why can't I?"

"At least wait until you heal up, ok? Your sword arm is damaged. How do you expect to fight?"

"I'll train with my right."

"…"

"I can fight him. He's after you. I won't give up trying to protect you."

"Like father like son. Let's go ahead and get out of here." Link nodded and they started toward the door. There was a faint sound behind Raven and two arms grabbed him from behind.

"And where do you think you're going?" Link turned around.

"Let him go."

"Hmm, I don't think so. I still want my revenge."

"Why seek revenge on the one who isn't even the same person. He's the Hero of Time, not the Goddess's Chosen Hero. He doesn't have the same life experiences and memories as him. He's a different person."

"Not quite. The fire in his eyes are the same. He carries the soul and blood of the dog that kept nipping at my heels. A descendant will do just fine to carry out my revenge." He placed a knife on Raven's neck.

"Link, don't worry about me. Save yourself."

"You should know your child by now, fairy boy." He pressed the knife down a bit, drawing a little blood. "He won't abandon you. He cares too much. That will get him killed as well. The only reason he doesn't attack now is because you're my shield. He could hit someone other than me you know. Better say goodbye while you can. You may never see him again." Ghirahim was too distracted talking to Raven that he didn't notice Link roll behind him and slash at his back. The pain on Ghirahim's back caused him to press the knife down a bit more, drawing more blood. He spun around, Raven still being held captive. "You insolent brat!" He tossed Raven aside who hit the wall. "If you're so eager to be in your grave, then I suppose I'll make that happen." He summoned a black saber into his hand.

"We'll just have to see who will be going 6 feet under." Ghirahim tucked the sword at his side and started charging at him. Link moved out of the way and put another cut on Ghirahim's back. "Did you think the same trick would work a second time?" Ghirahim jumped back and disappeared. Link looked around, but heard the sound of Ghirahim appearing behind him. He used the spin attack to cut his stomach.

That's when Ghirahim stepped back and summoned his throwing knives. He sent them flying in Link's direction, but he timed his attack right to send them right back. Link ran forward, jumped up and attempted helm splitter, but Ghirahim moved out of the way and went for an attack when Link landed. Link blocked with his blade and pushed Ghirahim back since he was surprised by this attack.

"Why won't you just die?"

"The more a soul is reincarnated, the more strength it has depending upon what their past lives went through. My past lives are heroes. One of which kicked your ass." Link slashed at him, causing another big gash. Ghirahim's movements were sluggish now. Link kept slashing at him while Ghirahim kept dodging.

"ENOUGH!" He summoned a barrier around Link. "I'm sick and tired of losing to children of man like you. It's about time I end the line forever."

"You're a coward, you know? You can't defeat me with a sword, so you're using your powers so you can kill me?"

"It doesn't matter as long as I get to see the light leave your eyes." Ghirahim stabbed the sword forward, but it didn't get its intended target. Instead, Raven stood in the way. Link's eyes widened. Raven had one of Ghirahim's throwing knives in his hand. He stabbed it right where Ghirahim's heart would be. The sword in Ghirahim's hand disappeared in diamonds. He fell back to the ground, eyes rolled back. The barrier disappeared. Raven started to fall, but Link caught him and slowly helped him to the ground.

"Father, hang in there. You'll be ok." Raven shook his head. The wound was on his chest, it was getting more and more difficult to breathe. "You can make it. Stay strong, please."

"I love you, my son. I'm proud of you. I'm happy… for the ye…years we were, a-able to spend to-gether."

"And they'll be many more. I swear."

"As of now, I can, barely… breathe. Thank you though…"

"Father…" Link started to cry. "P-Please."

"It'll be al-right. I'll be watching…" The light faded in his eyes and he fell limp in Link's arms.

"No… father please… stay with me… Gods no… don't take him away…" Streams of tears fell from Link's eyes. Three glowing lights appeared overhead. Link looked up. "You're the goddesses…"

"Yes. Seems you're quite smart." Din said.

"Please tell me there's something you can do to bring him back."

"We're sorry, but we can't."

"You see, he's already done what he's needed to do and more. He kept his promise to protect you. You don't need him any longer. He's over 100 years old and has been awake for all of it. Don't you think it's time for him to pass on?" Nayru said.

"O-Oh… Well, I guess if you put it that way…" Link closed his eyes to stop the tears and took a deep breath in and let it out. "I pray for his happiness. Can you at least help me so he can be buried? I don't want to leave his body in a place like this."

"I suppose we'll try. We know the perfect place for him." They spun around him. Link closed his eyes and held on tight to Raven's body. When he opened his eyes, he found they were in sacred grove. There was a grave already there. It read 'Saria' on it. The gods made a solid wood casket for Raven. The cushioning was red and silky. They used their powers to lift Raven inside. With the Gods' help, Link made a grave for Raven. Link had cleaned his sword and placed it with Raven's body. He tried not to cry anymore, but it was difficult. Once Raven was buried, a gravestone was made with the inscription:

Here Lies

Raven

The Hero of Time

And a beloved father

See ya,

Hero of Twili :D