Chapter Thirty One

We all stare in shock at the gargantuan man in front of us. He's kind of terrifying. No, not kind of, he is terrifying. But Link just unsheathes the Master Sword and walks towards him calmly.

"Ganondorf," He addresses him, the kindness that's usually in his voice gone without a trace. Right now it's all sharp edges and steel.

"The Hero," Ganondorf replies, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He laughs. "You are what the goddesses send to fight me? You're just a boy! Do they really expect you to defeat me, the Dark Lord? I'm offended by their lack of confidence in my fighting skills."

"And I'm offended by your lack of confidence in mine." Link says. "I'm made of more than you think."

"Somehow I doubt that," He unsheathes his sword, a long ebony black blade, glowing with shadows. Reminds me of Demise's sword in Skyward Sword. It's the opposite of the Master Sword's blue glow. He nods the rest of us flanked behind Link. "Would you like to say your goodbyes before we begin? I would suggest it."

Link turns back to us. "Get out, now."

Sheik takes out his sword as well. "Yeah right, Hero."

"No." Link says firmly. "This is my fight. The goddesses chose me, I'm not risking you getting hurt."

"You're my best friend, Link, I am not letting you do this alone!"

"And you're my best friend, Sheik. I am not letting you get killed because of me!"

Sheik looks torn. "But..." Zelda takes his hand and pulls him back gently. She looks at Link sadly.

"I'll make it, Sheik." Link says, softer this time. "I always do, you know that. Just look after Zelda, not that she needs protection."

Tanner, Livia and Maysen look just as conflicted. Livia and Maysen just got him back, I can tell they don't want to lose him again. "Link..." Tanner starts.

"I'll be okay." Link says with confidence. "See you soon, promise."

"Hate to cut the goodbyes short," Ganondorf says impatiently. "But I'm a bit anxious to kill you, so can you get this over with?"

Calen starts ushering them out. Link smiles at them reassuringly. Then they're gone, and Navi and I are the only ones left.

Navi flies over to Link. "Before you say I should leave too, the Great Deku Tree gave me the responsibility to watch over you, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." Link smiles at her.

"How could I go into battle without my fearsome fairy partner?"

"Dang right."

Then he looks over at me. I don't want to leave. I mean, I'm always here for the final fight! I can't just leave him alone!

"It's okay Nicky." He smiles crookedly. "How many times have I fought this same fight and won?"

"A lot of times." I try to smile back. I can't leave. I don't know why, but I just can't leave him here. I'm in too deep to just leave him, I have to help.

Ganondorf laughs again. "Oh no, the girl isn't leaving."

Link looks back over to him. "What do you mean?" He says shortly.

"I'm not an idiot, I know who she is." He sneers at me. "Must be a shock for you, being here." I blink. He knows that I'm not from Hyrule?

Link looks surprised too. "She's of no value to you. This is between you and me, leave her out of it."

"Guards!" Ganondorf yells. "Take her."

Suddenly there are soldiers all around me, grabbing my arms and legs and tugging on my hair. I can't move.

"Let her go Ganondorf!" Link says icily, but there's a layer of fear under the ice.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." He replies. "She serves many purposes. She knows ways that your ancestors beat me, that can help me with my fighting. She's smart as well, I can always use that. But the biggest advantage of all is that you and her have feelings for her. Don't try to deny it, it's really quite obvious. You'll fight harder when her life is on the line, I can tell you'll do anything to keep her safe." He smiles coldly and walks over to me, tracing his finger down my cheek. Oh gag me with a spoon. "She's also quite lovely to look at."

Link puts his sword against his throat. "You take one more step towards her and I'll slit your throat."

Ganondorf smiles triumphantly. "See? You may act like a puppy, but the wolf comes out to play when someone you love is in trouble."

"You're darn right it does. No more stalling, I'm ready to get this over with."

"Oh no, we're not going to fight quite yet." Ganondorf laughs. "You may recall that you haven't had need for that harp and ocarina you received, yes?" Link nods suspiciously. "Well, I'm about to make you require their use." He snaps his fingers and I feel like I'm being ripped inside-out. I scream for Link, and he screams for me as well.

The last thing I hear before the world goes black is Ganondorf laughing at Link. "Come and find us, Hero. Then, we'll begin the real fight."