Zelda felt so comfortable wrapped up in the silky sheets. They were far more luxurious than anything on Skyloft, and yet, she longed to go back.
Images of home played out in her dreams. She dreamed of picking pumpkins with Link; playing with her father's beloved pet, Mia; and of meeting her Loftwing when she was little. Up until now, her world had been so small and familiar.
Zelda was trying to remember where she was exactly. It had only been a day, but Zelda felt as though she had been asleep a very long time. Even Skyloft felt like the distant past. She was on the surface, in some room designed by a demon lord. He was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes. She didn't know how to react. Her eyes simply widened in fear as she recalled everything the old lady and Impa had said. "If you are captured, all is lost." But it couldn't be true, could it? Surely, Link and Impa were looking for her right at this very moment, weren't they? Were they even still alive to look for her?
Ghirahim was sitting at the vanity table, looking at himself in the mirror. He seemed quite pleased with his appearance. He had taken off his cape cape. Now she could see what he wore under it. It was a white unitard with diamond cutouts that exposed parts of his chest, stomach, and legs.
Zelda realized that her head didn't hurt as much as before. She touched the top of her head. There was a gash there. She recalled when she had been captured by the bokoblins at the Earth temple. She had been knocked unconscious from a blow to the head. She looked at her hand, but there was no trace of blood. Had it been cleaned? Zelda pulled the covers away from herself to realize she was wearing new clothes, a white unitard, just like the one Ghirahim wore. Zelda felt a wave of nausea wash over her, feeling so exposed.
"What did you do with my dress, you creep!?" Zelda demanded.
Ghirahim turned and smiled, admiring his work.
"I took the liberty of giving you a fabulous new outfit. Do you like it? I think it looks much better on you than that old rag you were wearing before. Well? Say 'thank you'."
Zelda carefully considered her next question. She swallowed hard, unable to conceal her fear.
"Did you...find them... Link or Impa?"
"I couldn't find either of them. No matter, the surface is a dangerous place. The sky child would be hard pressed to last another day. I'll deal with that twig, Impa, if the need arises."
Zelda didn't dare ask another question about Link or Impa. She would have to be satisfied for now.
Ghirahim stood up and strode over to the bed where Zelda sat. He leaned down until she could feel his lips nearly trace her neck. Her heart fluttered involuntarily in her chest. No one had been this close to her before. She tensed up nervously at his touch, but she didn't pull away. He whispered into her ear.
"My little goddess won't try to escape from here, will she? You see, it's impossible for you to leave this room without my help. If you attempt it, there will be consequences. Does my precious girl understand?"
"...Yes...", Zelda answered.
"Unfortunately, that wound will take some time to heal," he said running his hands through her hair again. "I suppose I have to feed you in order to keep you in good health until the ritual."
Ghirahim snapped his fingers and a large bowl of various fruits appeared.
"Go ahead. You may eat as much as you wish," he said as he held it out to her.
Zelda hesitated. Did she really want to accept food that had just come out of nowhere or take it from someone like Ghirahim?
"Do you really think I'd do something to your food? I'm afraid you have no choice except to trust me."
Zelda looked down. She was hungry, but didn't want to take any chances.
Ghirahim sighed. He reached into the bowl, grabbed a small apple, and took a bite of it.
"See? It's safe. Now eat!"
Zelda took the basket. She set it in her lap and ate, knowing Ghirahim wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
"Well?"
"They're...very good," Zelda answered honestly. She suddenly felt very self conscious to be watched so carefully while being made to eat. She was quickly catching on that Ghirahim demanded praise for every little thing he did for her.
As the days passed, sleeping became her usual pattern. It was a way for her to escape and disassociate. Ghirahim was always there, watching from a chair next to her bedside.
However, on one particular night, Zelda awoke to find herself alone. Worse yet, she still don't know where she was on the surface, not even which region. Zelda was suddenly filled with dread that only grew after several hours of waiting, until she grew exasperated.
What if he has found another way to revive his master and has forgotten about me? What if I can't get out of this room? Link or Impa will find me. Right? Right?
Worry turned to panic the longer she waited. She would use this as an opportunity to try to escape, feeling certain her captor would not come back to punish her. She had to try at least.
She frantically rammed herself into the only door. It was apparently locked by some kind of magic, because it wouldn't budge at all. She hoped by some miracle it would break, but no matter how hard she tried nothing happened. She went to the window and banged her fist against it. Still nothing... except a sore hand. She screamed as loudly as she could, hoping someone would hear her.
Zelda felt hands around her waist pulling her away from the window.
Foolish girl, you've been trying to escape?!" Ghirahim shouted.
Before Zelda could react, her back was thrust against the wall with some force. He held her up against the wall, her legs straddled around his waist, so he could position her in such a way that they were eye to eye and nose to nose.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please put me down. This is hurting my back!" Zelda whined. Her spine ached from being pushed against a hard, ungiving surface. She squirmed uncomfortably, realizing her compromising position. Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Do you have any idea what I'm capable of?" Ghirahim asked coldly. "I was pretty generous with that dear friend of yours and your guard dog, but I could have easily maimed them if I so desired. The goddesses could not conceive a worse punishment than what I could do to you."
"You wouldn't, in fact you can't hurt me, because you need me to revive that abomination of a master you serve!" Zelda said defiantly.
"How dare you! Girl, you're fortunate you are of more use to me alive. Stop taking advantage of my inability to punish you and cooperate, filthy wretch!"
She clawed at his exposed neck and shoulders with her fingernails. He grabbed her by the wrists and pinned them to the wall. The pain increased.
Zelda began to sob. "Please, just put me down. I'll cooperate. I promise! I won't try to escape again. I'll do whatever you want."
He let her slide down from the wall and onto the floor. She buried her face into her knees, wondering if all hope was lost. She had just made a promise to cooperate with the demon lord.
What have I done?
"I...I thought you weren't coming back," she cried softly.
Ghirahim folded his arms over his chest and nodded towards the bed.
"I'll forgive your little outburst, this time. Your pleas for mercy are quite adorable, my lovely golden haired girl".
Zelda got back into bed and curled into a ball, wondering to herself so many questions. Why didn't she hate him? Sure, she was afraid and nervous around him, but why didn't she hate his guts? Why did he insist on calling her 'lovely' and 'adorable' time and time again over the course of her captivity? Zelda was puzzled by Ghirahim's treatment of her, but she was even more perplexed at her inability to hate him.
Zelda shut her eyes tightly, hoping all this was a nightmare and she'd wake up back in her own bed on Skyloft. She eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
It was still dark when she opened her eyes. Moonlight poured through the window, illuminating the room just enough to see a few feet in front of her. This wasn't a nightmare. This was all too real. She wept bitterly.
Ghirahim rose from his vanity table and sat down next to her.
"This type of behavior is not becoming of the goddess reborn. Get a grip, girl. I can't have my room flooded in goddess tears."
She just wanted someone, anyone to comfort her. She leaned her head against his chest and cried.
"When it comes time for the ritual...promise me it will be painless as possible...," she said softly.
Ghirahim stared blankly into the distance and stroked her hair.
...
The next few days passed very quickly, and she began to get used to his presence. He often told her stories about his master. Ghirahim's ability to talk about himself was extraordinary though. Sometimes he'd spend several minutes in front of the mirror sighing over his appearance. He obviously took great pride in his physical attributes. Sometimes Zelda would glance over and admire them as well. He had perfectly shaped lips that looked soft. His hair was always perfectly groomed. Everything about him left her captivated. Once, Ghirahim noticed her gaze. "Don't I just leave you breathless?" he asked holding his arms out as if showing off his physique. Zelda looked away quickly, blushing.
She had to admit that his personality was a bit obnoxious, but deep inside, his flamboyant disposition made her laugh. Everyday he seemed a little happier as he monitored the wound on her head as it healed over.
"You don't have to address me as Spirit Maiden. My name is Zelda," she told him one day, trying to coax him to use her name and not her title.
Eventually the day came when the gash had healed completely.
"The time has come to revive my master. It's a shame really. I was having so much fun with you. How might I reward my fair spirit maiden for her cooperation?" he teased, pulling her out of bed. Zelda looked down at the floor, sadly.
Holding her close again, they were off to the Sealed Grounds. She felt a strange comfort when pressed close to him like this, bits of their bare skin touching. She had somehow become infatuated with him. She had to admit, not being able to control her feelings about him was embarrassing. It was the oddest feeling. She wasn't afraid anymore. She felt more of a profound sadness that it had to end this way. In her head she knew she shouldn't feel this way towards him, but her emotions had betrayed her. She wondered what Impa would say. Zelda imagined Impa scolding her, sure that Impa would be as disgusted with her as she felt about herself now.
At the Sealed Grounds, Ghirahim looked at the marble stake impaled in the ground.
"My master...Demise," Ghirahim said, yearningly.
"Please don't do this. Your master, he's just using you. You can do better than this!" Zelda pleaded.
"No, no, I want this. Stop this foolishness! It is my purpose," Ghirahim shot back.
Ghirahim simply held held out a hand towards Zelda and she began to levitate. She rested on her back in mid air just under his hands. His hands moved back and forth a few inches above her body, but she could feel his touch, as if caressing her. A mixture of pain and ecstasy flooded through her as she felt her soul begin to leave her body.
"In a few moments you will become one with the Demon King, and your soul will be a part of him for all eternity," Ghirahim announced.
This was the worst thing that could have happened to her, not just her, but for the world that she was supposed to protect. Zelda prayed for a way out, and it was the most sincere prayer she ever made. A tear rolled down her cheek and onto the ground.
Zelda looked up at Ghirahim, and he was looking back at her. She saw a new expression on his face, a look she thought was ambivalence, a look of conflict.
The ground began to rumble, and Ghirahim's expression changed to that of concern. Zelda fell to the ground with a thud, regaining complete consciousness.
"What happened to my powers?! How could this happen? I've been waiting for this moment for so long! Why is this happening?" Ghirahim exclaimed, beginning to hyperventilate. Zelda backed away a few feet. The ground was still rumbling. Something was very wrong.
The stake in the ground started to spew a thick black mist. A behemoth of a monster rose out from the ground and towered over them. It was covered in black scales. It's wide maw opened to reveal a long row of sharp, pointy teeth. The stake was now on top of its head. The Imprisoned started to lumber forward on two thick legs, oblivious that its servant and its sacrifice were in front of it.
"Master! It's me! What are you doing?" Ghirahim pleaded.
Zelda screamed and closed her eyes tight, as she prepared to be crushed. She instead felt someone shove her. She opened her eyes to see Ghirahim lying on the ground, unconscious. The Imprisoned continued it's ascent towards the temple, its footsteps shaking the ground with every step.
Before she could act, she saw Link jumping down the side of the pit and floating down with his sailcloth.
"Hey!" she heard Impa shout. "Link, you can restore the seal using the Skyward Strike!" Impa instructed.
"Zelda, get back! Let me take care of this," Link warned.
The Imprisoned was making his way towards the temple, and Link was doing his best to keep it at bay by shoving the stake back into it's head. Link did this three times, and the Imprisoned was finally sucked back into the ground from where it came. Link used a Skyward Strike on the stake that remained to restore the seal.
"Link! I'm over here!" Zelda called to him.
He walked over to her. He gave Zelda a grieved look, like it was the end of the world.
"Zelda, get away from him!"
"He saved me," she said blankly, hardly believing it herself.
Impa came closer to see what was going on.
"Impa, I'm so glad you're alright!" Zelda said relieved.
"Impa, tell Zelda to come to her senses and...Zelda, why are you dressed like that?"
Zelda then realized she was still wearing the unitard that Ghirahim had given her, so that they were dressed very much alike.
"Oh...um...this...," Zelda said, trying to cover herself more with her hands.
Impa finally spoke. "Your Grace, the ritual may have failed, but this isn't over yet. You must still maintain the seal until Demise is defeated. The failed ritual may have only further weakened it."
Zelda looked down at Ghirahim's broken and battered form silently.
"I'm going to finish him off. This is payback for everything he put me through," Link said as he unsheathed the goddess sword.
Zelda covered Ghirahim's body with her own, shielding him from Link.
"Zelda, what are you doing? Move out of the way!"
"Link, I want to go back to Skyloft. Just for a little while? Please?" Zelda begged.
Link sighed. "Zelda, What are you saying? Don't you care about your destiny?"
Impa looked down at Zelda cradling Ghirahim's unconscious body in her arms.
"It seems Her Grace has had a change of heart," she said sadly.
