Ghirahim rushed through the Sealed Temple doors, enraged and frantic all at once. He noticed the loathsome servant of the goddess in the tall pointed red hood. This was the second time this particular servant of the goddess had got in his way.
"Where is she!? Where did the boy take her!?"
The old woman stood her ground, not saying a word, blocking the steps leading up to the Gate of Time. She was trying to stall him it seemed. He hoped he wasn't too late.
"I mean the spirit maiden no harm...Get out of my way."
The little old lady peered up at Ghirahim. A sly smile formed on her lips. It caught Ghirahim off guard and the old woman's audacity only made him angrier.
"I said move!" He sneered.
"It's already too late for you, I'm afraid," she finally replied. The old woman stepped away slowly. As Ghirahim came closer, the gate opened to show glowing gears turning counterclockwise. The old woman watched as Ghirahim disappeared into the past.
On the other side there was Impa. The young servant of the goddess held out her hand to stop him, and gave him an incredulous look.
"Still alive I see...How did you get here? Someone like you doesn't belong in a sacred place like this."
Ghirahim pushed past her. First, he saw Link, who had come to investigate the commotion, standing in the doorway. Further back, Ghirahim caught a glimpse of the crystal suspended in mid air at the back of the next chamber. He was too late. Inside was the form of a young woman in white.
Link fumbled for his sword as he back peddled, but Ghirahim was closing in on him with considerable speed. Ghirahim slapped Link with such force he collapsed to the floor, and the Master Sword fell some distance away with a loud clang. Ghirahim stood over Link.
"Now you've done it, Link! You have no idea how much pleasure I'd take in killing you. Too bad...You're the only one who can awaken Zelda now..."
Link looked at him, dismayed. How did Ghirahim know this? Had Zelda talked to him recently? Link decided to try to answer those questions later.
"Zelda made her decision. Accept it!" Link shot back defiantly.
Ghirahim suddenly screamed out in pain as a blue orb of energy hit him from behind in the shoulder. He hadn't noticed when Impa crept up behind him. He hunched over and grabbed the wounded shoulder.
"You'll pay for that, Sheikah..." Ghirahim winced in pain.
"Link, now!" Impa shouted.
Link quickly grabbed the Master Sword from the floor and hesitated. Impa, however, didn't hesitate when she saw Ghirahim right himself. She sent another orb of energy his way, hitting him in the back once again. He flinched and finally turned to face the slender blonde woman. There was a murderous look in his eyes.
"I think I'll just take this anger out on you. You've been a thorn in my side since the beginning."
Before Ghirahim could take another step towards Impa, Link came between them and swung the Master Sword towards Ghirahim's chest. Ghirahim went to block the blade with his fingers. It felt red hot and he cried out in shattering pain. His grip on the blade slipped, leaving a sizable cut on his hand. It was all Link needed as he held the blade one inch from the injured demon's throat, threatening to burn him...or worse.
"You'll have to fight me first before you lay a finger on her. Might I remind you that you don't have your powers anymore. I am no longer the novice you claimed me to be, and this sword is at its prime. Do you have a death wish, Ghirahim? I told you to leave, why didn't you listen?"
"I won't forget this, Link. I'll challenge you again when Zelda awakens, and I won't lose to you. Powers or not."
Link shrugged his shoulders. "With what sword?" he taunted.
Ghirahim gave an aggravated groan. "Damn! Wipe that smirk off your face Sky Child, or I will rearrange it!"
Link finally lowered his sword and placed it back in its scabbard. Ghirahim climbed the steps of the dais where the crystal was suspended.
"Stay away from her!" Impa hissed.
Ghirahim placed a bloody gloved hand to the glassy surface of the crystal that held Zelda.
"If Zelda doesn't wake up...I'll make sure you both suffer. I swear it. Demise doesn't mean anything to me now. Without her, I am..." Ghirahim broke off, about to lose what little composure he had left and scream.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing, Link. If not to revive the demon king, then what does he want her for?" Impa whispered. It wasn't so much a question. She already felt a sinking feeling inside when she saw the way Ghirahim looked at Zelda as she slept, the way he held his hands against the crystal. Impa gave a sardonic laugh. "Fool..." Link wasn't sure she was talking about Ghirahim or herself. "You should kill him now. We don't know what he will do next."
"I...I can't... Zelda would never forgive me..."
"Are you saying it would be against Her Grace's wishes?"
"I know it. You do, too. You just don't want to admit it."
"Can you blame me? I'm not equipped for this situation, Link. Why didn't you inform me that he survived?"
"Because I helped save him per Zelda's request."
"You did what!?" Impa strained to keep her voice down.
"After we brought him to Skyloft we found out he lost his powers. He was in pretty rough shape to begin with, but things only got worse. Zelda came to me and asked for my help."
"Don't think this means that I trust him. Just get him out of my sight before I change my mind. I'll protect Zelda now." Impa glanced back at Ghirahim to make sure he hadn't heard her, but when she looked up at him, he was still staring into the crystal. A bloody smear could be seen on its surface.
...
The Gate of Time opened again in the present as the two figures appeared.
"I'll be waiting for her to awaken, Sky Child. I expect you to fix this. I've been far too soft with you already, and...look where it gets me." Ghirahim held out his arms, motioning to the empty air around him.
Ghirahim turned and left the temple. Link let out a sigh of relief. Everything was alright, everyone was still alive and in one piece, he told himself. Crisis averted. Not that Link had much to worry about. He was suddenly very grateful Ghirahim didn't have his powers anymore. Ghirahim couldn't challenge him or send monsters after him as he once did. There were no sword fights or battles against monsters with oversized eyeballs, at least not in this moment. Link was thankful for that much. They shared a common goal now, even if he wasn't actually on their side.
The old woman cleared her throat and spoke.
"So it is done..." she stated.
"Yes...Zelda is sleeping..." Link replied.
"I knew she would redeem herself...And what of the demon?"
Link shrugged. "Impa and I don't know what we're going to do with him...What do you think?"
The old woman took one of Link's hands into both of her withered palms and clasped it tightly, as if begging Link to stop goofing off and pay attention.
"Link, listen to me and listen carefully. I sensed something different about Zelda before she went through the Gate of Time. She carries the aura of the demon lord...I'm not sure what that means, but I can only pray that this turn of events doesn't compromise the seal any further. So, time is not on our side. You must hurry before the seal breaks again."
"Zelda told me I needed to find the Triforce in order to defeat Demise. Do you know anything about that?"
"The goddess hid the Triforce away in the outcropping of land she sent into the sky, your Skyloft. You must return to Skyloft and seek out any clues there may be on its whereabouts. Go now, Link. I will be eagerly awaiting your return."
...
Outside, Ghirahim leaned against a wall with his arms crossed. He looked up when he saw Link emerge from the temple. They glowered at each other. Link had a terrible feeling. Questions swirled around in his head, but he couldn't work up the nerve to have them answered. Link got on his loftwing and took to the skies. Zelda's loftwing followed after his, eventually flying up much higher, looking forlorn.
