Kasuto's Redemption

by Vopi

What begins as a simple trip to Castle Town spirals into a fight for the world's survival. In the process, battles are raged, relationships are formed, sacrifices are made, lives are changed, and the secrets of the past surface to the present. Post TP. Midna x Link. Finally complete!

67. Legacy

Tifa couldn't remember ever questioning the instructions of her guardian fairy. After all, Tatl knew a great deal more about the world than she did. The list of places she had seen far surpassed anything Tifa could name. The fairy had even accompanied Old Link on his travels.

But even with all that knowledge and experience, what had always assured the Kokiri most was that Tatl had her best interests at heart. They had gone on countless adventures together exploring the forest and never once had Tatl ever led her astray.

That's why, as they journeyed down the tower, the forest sage couldn't believe how close she had come to disregarding Tatl's instructions. To her, running away made no sense. If they couldn't win now, how could they possibly win later? The only reason she had obeyed was out of respect for her guardian fairy.

Since leaving the forest for the first time, Tifa had experienced the world for herself. She had seen many beautiful things and met many interesting people. But she had also seen a dark and dirty side to it that filled her with a terror strong enough to make her regret leaving the protection of the forest. The nightmares had been constant, often causing her to wake with sweat drenching her body and tears running down her cheeks. The disappointment of her friends every time she failed them only compounded things and made them worse. She had been so close to returning to the forest forever.

Link had helped her find her courage. He refused to give up on her even when she had given up on herself. In the end, he had convinced her to be brave and help her friends instead of cowering in fear.

That's why she found it so difficult to listen to Tatl's advice and leave the battle when Link needed her most. It went against everything the hero had taught her. It just didn't make sense.

Unable to take anymore, Tifa stopped running down the stairs towards the tower entrance. Tatl continued flying ahead, momentarily unaware that the Kokiri was no longer behind her. Only until she no longer heard the clomping of Tifa's shoes did she turn around and check.

"Tifa! What are you doing?" Tatl asked, darting quickly through the air to close the distance between her and the Kokiri. "We need to get somewhere safe!"

The Kokiri shook her head. "Why are we hiding? Link needs our help!"

Tatl landed on the forest sage's shoulder. "Tifa, do you think I want to hide?" She sighed. "You saw the battle up there. We're way out of our league. There's nothing we can do."

"But you don't know that! Maybe there was something we could've done!" Tifa shouted back.

Tatl was silent, her wings drooping behind her back. Her frustration vented, Tifa looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet. "Do you think things would be different if we had brought Rishu and the others?"

The fairy shook her head. "I don't know, Tifa. Maybe. Maybe not. All we can do now is get to safety and try to figure out a plan. I haven't given up completely. I just know we won't win this battle with brute force."

The Kokiri looked back up the stairs they had descended. "Do you think Link and the others will be okay? Mister Kari wasn't moving. Neither was Zelda."

Tatl bit her lip and looked away. "I don't know."

Tifa took a deep breath. "I see."

Tatl gently flew to the young girl's hand and gave it a soft tug. "Let's keep going. I think I hear voices up ahead."

Tifa reluctantly followed. "Okay."

Sure enough, they found a large gathering of people gathered near the bottom of the stairs. A small cluster of people stood near a closed door as if guarding it, while the others all gathered in small groups throughout the room. In addition to Hylian soldiers, there were Zora, Gorons, and even shifters. From the nervous glances everyone gave the door, Tatl knew there was something dangerous on the other side.

"It's the dancing lady!" Tifa shrieked with delight when she recognized Din amongst the crowd. She dashed past Tatl down the stairs and into the crowd. Tatl looked around frantically to find her, at last spotting the dancer from Holodrum.

The Oracle of Seasons heard the familiar voice and spun around just in time to spot Tifa dashing towards her. The Kokiri body-slammed her with a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around the dancer's legs.

"Is that you, Tifa?" Din asked incredulously as she recovered her balance. She pulled the Kokiri off her and lifted her into a tight embrace. "Praise the goddesses you're still alive!"

Tatl looked around at the crowd as she flew towards Din and Tatl. She received nothing more than a passing glance from the others in the room. Everyone was too preoccupied with what was on the other side of the door.

"What's going on down here?" Tatl asked. "Why is everyone here instead of the battlefield?"

Din cast a nervous glance towards the door as she set Tifa back down on the ground. "You don't know what happened?"

Both Tifa and Tatl shook their heads. "We've been up inside the tower this whole time."

Din cast another nervous glance to the door. "Well, we were fighting to keep the enemy out of the tower, but we kept getting pushed back. Eventually, we were forced to retreat into the entrance chamber." Din took a deep breath. "That's when the light erupted and the ground shook. Those near the entrance were turned into monsters. Our own men started attacking us; we had no choice but to run to somewhere safer."

"Then why are there shifters here? I'm surprised they're not…well…you know…" Tatl trailed off.

Din glanced at a group and nodded. "Causing trouble? I'm still trying to figure it out myself." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe because they realize we're in the same situation. All of their friends have turned against them. They're outnumbered; it wouldn't do any good to pick a fight." She shook her head. "Shame it takes something this catastrophic to get both sides to stop fighting for a bit."

Tatl looked around again. "But why didn't anyone here turn into a monster?"

Din faced Tatl, her long ponytail swaying as her head turned. "Probably the same reason you're still here. This tower is protected by ancient magic. Whatever's happening out there, it can't reach us here."

Tifa cast a worried look towards the door. "Will the monsters be able to get us in here?"

Din's face soured. "Let's hope not. We've barricaded the door as best we can. As long as none of them are smart enough to figure out how to open it, we should be fine for a while."

Tifa looked around. "Are these the only survivors? Has everyone else been turned into monsters?"

Din's lips turned into a soft smile. "There are survivors elsewhere too. My sisters and I made sure of that."

Tatl landed on the Kokiri's shoulder. "What do you mean? How could there be survivors? I thought anyone outside the tower got transformed into a monster?"

Din shook her head. "A while ago, we received a vision from the goddesses of what might happen if Mudora succeeded. We didn't tell you this in Labrynna, but we were given a mission to prepare for the worst. Even before we ran into you at Labyrnna, we were traveling around the world to warn people and evacuate them to safety before the floods came. Anyone who was willing to believe us at the time is safe now."

Tifa looked up. "Floods?"

Din nodded. "I'm afraid so. Rather than watch this world wither away into a den of monsters, the goddesses have decided to save whoever they can and flood the rest of the world. There are special places in the mountains where the survivors will be safe."

Tatl looked down. "But won't they be turned into monsters?"

Din shook her head. "There are many temples throughout the world that have protection similar to this tower. Those people will stay there until the worst has passed. Then, hopefully, we will be able to rebuild."

Tifa looked hopefully up at Din. "Did you go to the Lost Woods?"

Din looked to her. "I'm afraid not. Where's that?"

Tatl shook her head. "It's Tifa's home."

A tear strolled down Tifa's cheeks. "Then the other Kokiri…they won't make it, will they?"

Tatl brushed up close to Tifa's neck. "Don't say that, Tifa. I'm sure the Great Deku Tree will protect them. He won't allow anything bad to happen to them."

Din laid a hand on Tifa's shoulder. "I am so sorry, Tifa. If only I had known…there was so little time. There are a lot of people we never had the chance to warn."

The fairy looked up at Din. "Have you seen any of the others? Rishu? Ilia? Colin?"

The oracle shook her head. "I don't know where Colin is, but Rishu and Ilia stayed behind so that everyone else could get to safety. I don't think they made it in time." She looked down at the ground. "If it's any consolation, I haven't seen my two sisters either."

Tatl looked down at the ground. "Goddesses! How many more loved ones will we lose because of Mudora?"

Tifa tried to hide her tears by covering her face. "I don't know…but I don't like it one bit."

Tatl looked up to the sky. "You're right. It's like we've accomplished nothing. So much sacrifice…and what do we have to show for it?"

Din looked up. "The three of us are still alive. That's got to count for something."

The fairy sighed. "Alive for what? To spend our days trapped in a tower until we're either mauled by monsters or starve to death? I thought we could get to safety and think of a plan. But we can't even get out of here!"

There was a tense moment of silence as Tatl's words hung in the air. Din wanted to offer a word of encouragement but she struggled to find anything. A loud thud on the opposite side of the door caused Tifa to jump. Several more soldiers rushed to the door. The room became significantly quieter as everyone tensed. The shifters checked their claws; soldiers nervously reached for their weapons. Everyone prepared for the worst.

Tifa shivered and reached out to the fairy for comfort. "Tatl, I'm scared."

"I know, Tifa. I am too." Tatl huddled close to Tifa's chest to offer her warmth and comfort. "Goddesses! I haven't felt this powerless since…well…since…probably my time in Termina!"

Din looked up. "You used to live in Termina?"

"Yeah, a long time ago. Back then, the moon threatened to destroy all of us by hurling itself into Clock Town." Tatl's gaze fell to the floor. "I'll never forget the desperation and feeling of hopelessness. We all knew we were going to die. There seemed no way to stop it. That is…until Link arrived."

Din leaned forward. "I think I've heard this story. Didn't the ancient hero summon the four great giants of Termina to catch it?" She pushed her red bangs out of her eyes with her hand. "If only we could do something similar here."

"The Four Giants can't help us here." The fairy's eyes lit up with inspiration. "But maybe there's still something we can do!"

"What's that?" Din asked.

Tatl pulled away from Tifa's chest and began to fly around excitedly. "There's a part of the story most people don't know. When Link first arrived, he was trapped in the body of a Deku Scrub. There was no way he could've helped any of us."

"Then how did he go on to save Termina?"

"By going back in time!"

Tifa perked up. "Going back in time? Didn't Mister Serious want to do that too?"

Tatl nodded. "He wanted to. But thankfully he didn't." She flew excitedly around the Kokiri. "Tifa, please tell me you still have the Ocarina of Time!"

The Kokiri nodded. "Of course. Ever since Mr. Serious gave it back to me, I've made sure to never to let it out of my sight."

"And did Link teach you any songs?"

"He taught me lots of songs. Is there a certain one you want me to play?"

Tatl nodded as she spoke her thoughts aloud. "Yes! Now what was the name of it? Time's Song? The Song of Ages?"

"The Song of Time?" Tifa offered as she took out the ocarina.

"Yes! That's it!" Tatl yelled excitedly. "Did he teach you that song?"

Tifa nodded. "Yes, he did. But he told me never to play it unless I was in some sort of danger. He warned me it could have unexpected consequences."

"Well, if there was ever a time to use it, I'd say now would be it," Din suggested. She marveled at the shiny blue exterior of the ocarina. "What a beautiful instrument. I'd love to dance to it someday."

Tatl nodded. "If this plan works, then there'll be plenty of reason to dance." She looked to the Kokiri. "Tifa, we need to use that song to go back in time. If we do that, then there's a chance we can change the outcome of this war altogether."

Tifa shook her head. "But what about the dancing lady? And everybody else?"

Tatl shook her head. "I'm afraid she can't go with us. If my experience with Link is any indication, the ocarina will only allow the two of us to travel back in time."

Din knelt down so she was eye level with the Kokiri. "Don't worry about me, little one. We'll find a way through this." She folded Tifa's hands over the ocarina. "There doesn't seem to be much magic left. You may only be able to do this once. Make it count."

The door lurched as something slammed into it from the other side. Several more soldiers and shifters ran over to reinforce the barrier. It seemed to be holding, but it couldn't last forever.

Din placed her hands on Tifa's shoulders. "Make this count…for all of us."

The forest sage gripped the ocarina tightly. She wiped away her tears and hardened her expression. "I promise I will." She looked to Tatl. "Let's do this…for Link and all the others."

Tatl nodded. "There's no telling at what point in time we'll arrive. If we're lucky, we can stop this fight from happening altogether." She paused. "But we should be prepared for anything."

Din stood up and took a deep breath. "I will be praying for your success. May the goddesses be with you."

Tifa nodded and brought the ocarina to her mouth. She took a deep breath and began to play the notes just like Link had taught her. The forest sage's power mixed with the magic of the ocarina, filling the room with a somber melody. The room began to spin as the instrument's magic distorted time itself. The tower around them…the people crowding in fear …Din…all of them faded as Tifa and Tatl were dropped into an endless white abyss.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

That noise, playing to the background of Tifa's song, filled the abyss that swallowed them. Tifa looked around to see where all the ticking came from and saw small clocks in every direction. They were warped and twisted as if melted by heat. Each ticked to its own rhythm and no clock seemed to show the same time.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Tifa felt her stomach reel from free-falling through an empty void. Tatl had experienced this before but even she seemed to be struggling. The tumbling and twisting made it difficult to focus. More than anything, Tifa wanted the experience to end.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

They were at the mercy of time itself now. As they hurtled towards a bright light in the distance, there was no telling when they would find themselves. They could only hope they stood a chance of reversing the hopeless fate their world seemed destined for.

---

"Slow down, little Korok!" Rishu said, panting for breath as he took the stairs two at a time. Tifa and Tatl continued to race on ahead.

"We can't afford to wait," Tifa said, stopping momentarily to check that everyone was behind her. "Link is in trouble! He needs our help!"

"But what about the tower entrance? What if monsters chase us from behind?" Ilia asked, breathing heavily as she slowly climbed one stair after the other. Keeping up with Tifa seemed impossible.

Tatl was the only other one who truly understood the urgency of the situation. Their journey through the past had been disorienting. When it was finally over, they realized the ocarina hadn't sent them as far back as they hoped. In this timeline, Link and the others had already departed for the top of the tower. It was too late to warn him of the impending danger and there was no time to prepare an elaborate plan. The best they could think of was gather reinforcements and try to reach Link and the others as soon as possible.

The process to convince others to join them had already cost precious time, but there was nothing they could've done. While Ilia and Rishu needed little convincing, the rest of the soldiers weren't so willing to listen. With many of the Allied forces occupied with keeping the enemy out of the tower, they were reluctant to listen to a little girl's wild tales. It wasn't until Rishu explained that Zelda was also fighting against Mudora at the top of the tower that several Hylian soldiers had a sudden change of heart.

"You'll just have to trust us," Tatl explained, flying back to encourage the others. "If we don't help Link, all hope is lost."

Ilia placed her hand on the wall and stopped to catch her breath. "Sorry everyone, but all these stairs are killing my legs. Can we take a break?"

Tifa turned around, also breathing hard but determined to keep going. "But we're almost there!"

Ilia leaned her hands on her knees and looked up at the Kokiri. "We won't be much help if we're wiped out before we even get there."

Tatl shook her head. "We also won't be much help if we don't get there soon. Kari will be under Mudora's control. Link and Zelda will be badly wounded from that pig monster that knocked us out earlier. Midna won't be able to stop them by herself. If we don't help them, they'll all die and this world will be lost."

Rishu placed his hands on his hips. "And how do you know all this again? Because you saw the future?"

The fairy hovered in front of Rishu's face. "Because we lived through it."

"But then how are you here now?" The Zora scratched his forehead. "My head hurts just thinking about it."

"Please, Mr. Rishu, you just have to trust us." She pointed up the stairs. "Link and the others are in danger and they need our help."

Ilia stood up and looked at the stairs. "If Link's really in danger, then Tifa's right. We can't afford to stand 'round here. I'm sorry for holding us up."

Rishu smiled. "It's okay. I may not understand this whole time travel thing, but I do know that if we work together, we can do anything."

Tatl nodded. "Then we should get going."

The group continued to race up the stairs with a small contingent of soldiers following them.

The closer they got to the top of the tower, the stronger the memories came back to Tifa's mind. She could see Dark's sinister smile. She could feel the force of Mudora's wind. And she would never forget the helplessness she felt after running away.

She couldn't believe she and Tatl had tried helping Link by themselves. They had been completely unprepared, and it had cost them everything. They couldn't afford to make the same mistake again.

As the group approached the door, Tifa and Tatl overheard voices coming from the other side. They came to a stop. Rishu and Tifa peered around the corner while they waited for the rest of the group to catch up.

"Then why is Dark here?" Link's voice echoed from the other side of the door.

Link, Zelda, and Midna were huddled together. The hero and the monarch looked to be badly wounded.

"As a precaution against you, Link." Mudora responded. "Only a fool like Zant would underestimate you. Even now, you prove my words true. Despite a grueling fight against the Triforce of Power, you still remain a threat. Your shadow is here to contain that threat."

Tifa scowled. Last time, they had had to fight on their own. This time, there would be help.

"I thought some brotherly bonding time would do us good," Dark said.

Tifa felt the blood boil within her upon hearing the shadow's voice. Last time, she had been powerless to stop him. This time, things would be different.

"You leave Link alone, you big bully!" Tifa shouted from the doorway. "We won't let you touch him!" She raced out of the door with Tatl right behind her.

Ilia looked to the others standing behind her. "Let's go! Whatever the cost, we have to protect them!"

Rishu pumped his fist in the air. "Charge!"

If Link was pleasantly surprised when he saw Tifa and Tatl coming to aid him, he was overwhelmed with relief when he saw Rishu, Ilia, and several dozen soldiers streaming out of the entrance. Dark scowled as the soldiers formed a protective barrier around Link and the others. Mudora crossed his arms and grunted his indifference.

"Tifa! What are you and the others doing here?" Link asked, almost too moved for words.

"We're here to protect you, Link." Tifa beamed. "You shouldn't have to do this alone."

Midna gave him a playful jab. Even that caused the hero to wince. "See? Even Tifa agrees with me. You can't do everything yourself."

Ilia knelt by her childhood friend. "Link, you look awful. What happened?"

The hero winced when she placed a hand on his dislocated shoulder. "I guess you could say I attempted something out of my league."

Ilia smiled at the reference. He was alluding to what she had told him before leaving Ordon. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

One of the soldiers knelt by Zelda. "Your Majesty, are you okay?"

Zelda winced as pain shot through her ribs. "I've been better, soldier. But I appreciate your help."

The soldier nodded. "We'll take it from here, Your Majesty. Recover your strength." He looked ahead to see Link's shadow glaring at him menacingly.

"How annoying," Dark muttered, his foot tapping impatiently against the ground. "How many nuisances do I have to deal with now?" He looked them over. "None of you are even worth my time."

Mudora shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Are you worried? What's the worst they can do to you?"

Dark flipped his blade with his wrist. "I've waited too long for this moment. These distractions are only prolonging the inevitable."

Mudora scowled. "Deal with the soldiers and the others as you see fit. But don't kill Zelda or Link until I say so. I still need them."

The shadow sneered. "If I have no other choice, I suppose I can toy with these fools while I wait." He began to walk towards the circle of soldiers, intent on clearing everyone that stood between him and Link. "Let's see if any of them will provide a challenge."

Ilia saw the shadow approaching and nearly jumped out of her skin. "Link! What is that thing? It looks just like you!"

Midna bit her lip. "That monster heading towards us is Link's doppelganger. Looks like he got tired of standing around."

Rishu saw the Bow of Light lying on the ground and grabbed it. "Zelda, do you mind if I use this?" Zelda gave him a strange look as he tested the weapon's tension. "With a bow this nice, I think I can do quite a bit of damage."

Midna looked up. "Did you just call Zelda by her proper name?"

The Zora shrugged his shoulders and gave a dorky smile. "No time for a new name. That'll come later." He lifted the bow and focused the scope on the approaching shadow. All the other soldiers readied their weapons and braced themselves for his attack. "Ilia, you should focus on healing these two."

The fire sage reached into her bag and pulled out two blue potions. "I'm already on it." She handed one bottle each to Link and Zelda. "These should give you back some strength." They eagerly took it as she quickly glanced at their wounds. "Why don't you both tell me what hurts most? It'll be quicker than me checking." She began rummaging through her bag of supplies. "I'll see what I can patch up."

The soldiers clumped together to stand between Dark and his prey. Those in front rushed at the shadow, eager to stop him before he got too close. The shadow licked his lips as they approached, effortlessly dodging the first soldier's spear. He cut the man's head off his body and turned his attention to the second soldier. Dark parried the man's attack and stabbed him in the gut with the same motion. When the soldier caught himself on Dark's blade, the shadow shoved him off with a firm kick. The fury of the soldiers rose as they watched their friends collapse dead to the floor. Several more soldiers broke off from the crowd to try their luck against the shadow.

Dark smirked. This was going to be far too easy.

Zelda watched in silence as the shadow slaughtered one soldier after another. Each death felt like another blow to the gut. She wanted to fight back, but she knew she had to recover just a bit more strength. If only the Blue Potion could work faster! Ilia busied herself examining Link's dislocated shoulder, so the monarch had nothing else to occupy her attention.

There was a gentle tug on her sleeve. It was Midna.

"Zelda, do you have a minute? Before he died, Kari left a message for me to tell you."

Zelda couldn't look away as one soldier after another fell to Link's shadow. "A message? From Kari? Is it a clue to how to defeat Mudora?"

The monarch thought it a little strange the Sheikah would direct his message to her. She would've expected the message to be for Link.

The Twili hardened her expression. "I don't know. The message makes no sense to me. Perhaps you can figure out what it means."

Zelda couldn't bear to watch the slaughter anymore. Even as she turned away, she could still hear the men's screams in her ears. "Then tell me quickly. Anything to drown out their cries."

The Twili nodded. "I hope I can remember the exact message." She paused as she recalled the words Kari had told her. "'Tell Zelda to fight on like my friend Sheik even when all hope is lost. He once risked his life for me. Although he is long gone, his spirit lives on inside me.'"

Zelda thought on the words but couldn't find any significance to them. "Why would he want to tell me that?"

Midna shrugged her shoulders. "I was hoping you would know. He made me promise that I would deliver his message. He's not the type to waste words."

The monarch looked back just in time to see Dark behead yet another soldier. Her stomach lurched at the sight. At this rate, he would soon reach them.

"Is there any sort of context to this?" Zelda asked. "Maybe there's some sort of clue that will help."

The Twili shook her head. "I had just finished telling him how you saved my life from Zant. Not sure if that helps or not."

Zelda shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm as clueless as before." She slowly rose to her feet. The blue potion seemed to have numbed the pain in her ribs. Even if it hadn't finished working, she couldn't let another soldier die protecting her. She had to do something. "Regardless, I don't have time to think about it. We have a battle to win."

"How do you feel, Zelda?" Ilia asked, looking up as she continued to assess Link's wounds.

"A little better," Zelda said. She looked down at her crippled hand. "Still not at full strength though."

Tatl hovered restlessly around as she watched Dark cut one soldier after the other. "We need to protect Link at all costs. It's the only way we can win." She hovered in front of the hero's face. "Link, do you still have the Fierce Deity's mask?"

The hero winced as Ilia examined his dislocated shoulder. "Yes, I do. But I can't use it. Not with my body like this."

Tatl hovered over to Ilia. "You have to heal him. He's our only chance of winning."

Ilia gritted her teeth. "Flying in my face isn't going to help! I'm doing the best I can!" She looked down at Link. "I might be able to pop your shoulder back in, but your leg is beyond my ability."

The hero nodded his appreciation. "I can already feel the blue potion renewing my strength. See what you can do with my shoulder. If you can't fix it, then I'll fight as I am."

Tatl shook her head. "Link, you can't win as you are even with our help. The Fierce Deity's mask is our only hope."

Link cast a doubtful look. "And why do you say that?"

"Because we know what will happen. Tifa and I have already lived through this once." She glanced at Tatl. Her nod conveyed an unspoken understanding. "Everyone died. We can't allow that to happen here."

The hero gave her a puzzled look. Tifa pointed to the ocarina in her hand and he instantly understood. "Then…you traveled back in time?"

Tifa gave a slow nod.

A golden blur whizzed past Tifa, catching everyone's attention. At first, they thought it was one of Mudora's spells. When the blur hit its target, they noticed the cry didn't sound human. They looked to see Dark enveloped in a web of light.

"Struck my target," Rishu nodded, holding the Bow of Light in his hands. It had been a Light Arrow!

The Zora looked to Midna and Tifa. "What are you standing around for? Are you going to let these soldiers do all the work? We have a world to protect!"

Zelda nodded. "He's right! We have to do our part too! I'll stay here and protect Ilia and Link against Mudora's magic."

Midna pounded a fist into her hand. "Tifa, Rishu, and I will focus on Dark."

"Is that his name?" Rishu asked. He notched another light arrow and drew back the string. "I like the name 'Darky' better." He aligned his eye with the scope and set the shadow in his sight. "Let's see how ol' Darky likes another one of these arrows."

Rishu released the string and sent the arrow sailing like a shooting star. The projectile sailed through a gap between soldiers and found its target. The shadow writhed in pain as the sacred light bound him.

Dark cursed as the arrow's magic prevented him from moving. Wherever the arrows were coming from, the archer was impeccably skilled. Worse, it gave the remaining soldiers a chance to retaliate against him. Just when he thought he might have a chance to escape, he felt the shackles of Midna's magic binding his arms and legs. They weren't going to take any chances with him.

Mudora scowled in disgust as he watched ordinary Hylian soldiers beat on Link's shadow like a scarecrow. These reinforcements were unexpected. They should've been wiped out by Geroshida and his men. This was an unexpected turn of events.

He knew that if things continued as they were, Dark would no longer be of use to him. While they posed no threat to the deity personally, they did threaten to upset his carefully laid plans. If Dark was defeated, he would have to sully his hands far more than he wanted to. Better to squash their hope now while he could.

"Enough!" Mudora shouted, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. "I will not allow you savage brutes to disrupt my carefully laid plans. This ends now!"

He lifted his hand and summoned a ball of fire. It looked like he had scooped lava straight from a volcano as it rotated above his hand. He threw it in the center of the soldiers.

The monarch instinctively slapped a hand on Link and Ilia and cast Nayru's Love. The blast erupted into a conflagration of flames, drowning out the screams of the men caught in the blast. Zelda looked away, tear-stricken as the soldiers were incinerated in seconds. The embers from the attack sizzled against the crystal casing shielding them.

How many more would lose their lives protecting her?

Capitalizing on the distraction from the blast, Dark broke free from Midna's snares and stabbed the nearest guard on his way to Rishu. With such a powerful weapon and deadly aim, the Zora was a dangerous enemy. Dark had to kill him first if he was going to regain the upper hand.

The Zora saw the shadow coming and shot another projectile in his direction. Dark melted into the floor to avoid it and continued his pursuit. Rishu, realizing the bow wouldn't be of much use, placed it on his back and threw his fins out in front. Thinking the Zora foolish, Dark slashed right at his defense. The weapon clanked against it like he had struck a stone wall.

"Harder to slash through my fins than you thought, huh?" Rishu grinned. "Trust me, Darky, I'm tougher than I look. I do have the blood of a Zora hero flowing through my veins after all."

"I'll bleed that heroic heritage right out of you," Dark growled as he followed up with another attack.

His blade struck the Zora's fins as the two continued their duel.

Mudora looked to a figure that jumped down behind them from the hole in the ceiling. "Ah, it's about time he arrived," he mumbled to himself. "Now he can do my dirty work for me."

Link, Zelda, and Ilia were so focused on Mudora that they didn't see Kari standing behind them. The wind tamer, completely under Mudora's control, slid the Wind Waker into his hand. He sent a large blast of air in their direction, knocking his unsuspecting companions to the ground.

Zelda and Ilia quickly got back to their feet, but Link's leg prevented him from recovering quickly. The two women helped him back to his feet, but not without looking to see where the attack had come from. They were horrified by what they saw.

"Goddesses, Kari! Watch where you're aiming!" Ilia screamed.

"That's not Kari," Link explained. "That's an empty husk under Mudora's control."

"Under Mudora's control? But how?" Ilia asked.

"I don't know. But Midna warned us about this. Unless we can get through to him, we have to consider him a threat."

Zelda stepped forward. Whatever reservations she felt about attacking the Sheikah she would have to swallow. "I'll hold him off. Ilia, focus on healing Link."

Ilia nodded and returned her focus on Link. Zelda turned her attention to Kari.

The Sheikah's eyes were like those of a statue. The vibrant red eyes looked to have been sucked of all life and passion. Although everything else about him looked exactly the same, there was clearly something missing. Even so, she knew the Sheikah could be just as dangerous under Mudora's control.

While Kari had the Wind Waker, Zelda had no weapon to protect herself. If she could just find an opening, she could grab a weapon from one of the Scorpio corpses. For now, all she could do was focus small bursts of magic into her attacks and hope it would suffice.

"Kari, its Zelda! Do you recognize my voice? You have to shake off Mudora's control!" she cried.

The Sheikah showed no signs of recognition as he sent another gust of wind at her. Zelda spun out of the way just in time. The reflexes she had developed from her training as a Sheikah were helping, but would it be enough against one of the best?

Zelda spotted a scimitar left over from one of Geroshida's men and dashed for it. Another blast of air came in her direction, knocking her off her feet. Taking lessons learned from her training, she absorbed the impact by rolling on the ground and seized the weapon in her hands as she rolled over it. She quickly got to her feet only to find the Sheikah running towards her.

His hands were working to disarm her before she could even ready the weapon. He hit pressure points on her arms, causing the weapon to clank to the ground. Before she could react, he kicked her hard.

The impact connected with Zelda's rib, sending sparks of pain streaming through her body as she staggered back. She gritted her teeth and watched as the Sheikah came for her yet again. She invoked the protection of Nayru's Love and braced for yet another strike.

The wind tamer aimed a jab for her ribs, sensing her weakness from last time. Zelda was ready for it this time. His foot crashed against her protective shield, momentarily throwing him off balance. Zelda stepped forward and focused a burst of magic in her hand. Her punch, empowered by magic, landed straight in his chest. The magic ignited a small burst, sending the Sheikah sprawling backwards until he fell on his back.

"Kari! Please! You have to fight Mudora's grip! I don't want to hurt you!" Zelda pleaded.

"I would save that worry for you and your friends," Mudora's voice echoed from across the room.

Ilia's scream grabbed Zelda's ears and pulled her attention behind her. The ranch girl's eyes were wide with fear as Mudora held her with one hand and rested the other on her forehead. Zelda had no doubt Ilia was reliving the terrifying memories from her last encounter with the monster.

The monarch wanted to do something, but she would never get there in time. She was powerless as Mudora mumbled something beneath his breath. The young woman's arms went limp, her eyes closed, and her head fell back. He seemed to pay no attention to Link as he gently set Ilia on the ground.

The Master Sword clashed against Mudora's shield as Link swung with all his strength. Even then, he was still unable to penetrate it. When the deity turned his attention to the hero, Link took a step back. Realizing that he had no choice but to continue fighting, he took a deep breath and attacked again.

The sword clashed against Mudora's shields but still failed to penetrate them. Realizing he was in no danger, the deity summoned a gust of wind to snatch the hero off his feet and throw him to the ground.

Zelda ran to his aid but was stopped short as Kari tackled her. The room spun around her as her head hit the hard floor. She was too disoriented to prevent Kari from forcing her hands behind her.

When her vision finally cleared, Zelda saw that Link was already under Mudora's spell. The hero was passed out and his Triforce of Courage already extracted from him. Zelda knew that she was next. She screamed and struggled to get help but was quickly subdued by the Sheikah. She felt a sharp blow to the head and everything became dark.

The scream was enough to pull the attention of Tifa, Tatl, and a few guards. The Kokiri's heart raced in her chest when she saw Link and Zelda on the ground. Events were quickly spiraling to the grim future she had experienced earlier. If Mudora made his wish on the Triforce, then all was lost.

She and the other guards raced to help while Midna and Rishu kept Dark busy. While she had nothing but a tanto in her hand, she was willing to do whatever it took to stop Mudora. She would not run away again.

The sage saw the approaching group and summoned a ring of fire to encircle them with a wave of his hand. The group screeched to a halt as hungry, carnivorous flames jumped in their path. They tried to go around, but the circle of flames had ensnared them completely. One of the soldiers foolishly tried to jump through the flames, but he was incinerated long before he reached the other side.

"I don't have time to deal with your distractions," the sage muttered, turning his attention back to Zelda. "I have a world to reform."

Tifa yelled for someone to stop Mudora. Her cry fell on deaf ears. Rishu, Midna, and the few soldiers left standing were locked in a battle with Dark.

Tifa was powerless to do anything but watch as the sage extracted the Triforce of Wisdom from Zelda. With most of the resistance trapped or preoccupied, Mudora also obtained the Triforce of Power from Geroshida with no resistance.

It was too terrible for Tifa to watch. Something as beautiful and powerful as the Triforce didn't belong in Mudora's hands. What was worse, he was using Kari to tap into its power for him. She had always admired the Sheikah for his courage and nobility. Now he was nothing but Mudora's slave.

Tifa couldn't hear what Kari was saying, but she knew the wish had been made when the relic began to glow like the morning sun. Beams of light shot in all directions. The entire tower shook. Tifa didn't know what it must be like outside the tower, but she knew what would soon happen.

Everyone would be turned into monsters just like before.

The Triforce separated into its constituent parts and dispersed, leaving Kari standing alone. That didn't last long as the Sheikah soon collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings suddenly detached. The Kokiri could only assume that Mudora had no more use for him.

Kari deserved a better way to go. They all did.

Their world was lost after all.

Tifa fell to her knees as her hope drained away like Kari's life. She looked to her tiny hands and suddenly felt powerless. How could she possibly have thought that she could make a difference?

Even with her knowledge of the future, it hadn't been enough. Mudora had still overpowered them. The wish had been made and their world committed to its terrible fate. As she pulled out the Ocarina of Time, it no longer contained the same warmth she had felt before. The magic had been used up. There would be no more second chances.

Tatl hovered close and nuzzled herself against Tifa's neck.

"Hang in there, Tifa. I know things look bad. But this fight isn't over yet."

"But how? We're trapped here and Mudora's already made his wish."

Tatl shook her head. "I don't know. But we're either going to win or die trying. This will be our last stand. There's no room for giving up. After all, aren't you the one who told me that we needed to keep fighting?"

Tifa nodded. "Yes, I did." She stood back up. "So does that mean we're not leaving?"

"We're staying until the very end," Tatl replied.

Tifa smiled her relief. "Then we have to do something about this fire. Can you fly over it?"

Tatl hovered above the flames. While the heat was almost unbearable and the smoke suffocating, the flames didn't reach all the way to the ceiling. She flew back down.

"I should be able to. And if Mudora didn't kill them, there's still a chance we can wake Link and Zelda."

Tifa pointed. "Then you need to do it."

Tatl looked hesitantly to the flames. "Will you be okay without me?"

The Kokiri looked down at her feet and took a deep breath. "I'll find a way out. Don't worry about me."

Tatl nodded and began flying towards the flames. She stopped before reaching them and gave one last look back. Sensing her hesitation, Tifa nodded her affirmation and watched as the fairy disappeared through the smoke.

Tifa knew she had to escape if she was going to be of any use, but it seemed impossible. The heat was overwhelming and the flames towered over her head. Any attempt to walk through them would burn her alive like the poor soldier before her. Not to mention the near-paralyzing fear gripping her body. There had to be a way past them.

One of the other soldiers knelt down beside her. "You're looking for a way out, aren't you?"

The Kokiri spun around, her ears intent on capturing every word. "Do you have an idea?"

"I do. It's a little risky but it might work."

"Then we have to try!" Tifa replied.

The soldier nodded his understanding. "You're small enough that we might be able to throw you over. I know it's dangerous, but given the circumstances, it might be our only chance. What do you think?"

The Kokiri looked at the crackling flames and took a step back. Her mind flashed back to the wildfire that had consumed Kokiri Village. Flames like the ones in front of her had consumed everything she loved. She had seen close friends burned alive. She would've been consumed herself by the ravenous flames if Tatl hadn't helped her. Even after all these years, the images were her constant companion. Seeing the fire dance around her like taunting demons only brought back an almost feral sense of fear.

She looked back up at the soldier. "Is that the only option?"

The soldier shrugged his shoulders. "I can't think of anything else."

Tifa took a deep breath. There was no way out but through the fire.

"Then let's do it, Mister."

The soldier stood up and gathered several of the other men around her.

"Are you ready, little girl?" the soldier asked after they picked her up. "We'll throw you on the count of three. When you go over the flames, be sure to hold your breath. You don't want to inhale any smoke."

Tifa nodded. "I'm ready."

The soldiers started to swing her to give her momentum over the flames. The swaying motion made the Kokiri feel like she was on one of the swings back at the village. The dancing flames in front of her quickly reminded her where she really was. She closed her eyes.

"ONE!"

Tifa's heart pounded against her chest. Over and over again, she saw her friends dying in the unforgiving flames. No matter how hard she tried to remove the images, they kept coming back.

TWO!

Panic welled up in the Kokiri's chest. Should she really be doing this? What if they didn't throw her far enough? What if the flames burned her alive?

THREE!

Time was up! Before Tifa knew it, the men threw her towards the blistering flames like a sacrifice meant to appease an angry god. She took a deep breath and braced herself for the worst.

The entire world seemed to slow down. She could see the flames jumping just below her, reaching to grab her with their merciless touch. The heat was overwhelming and the smoke overpowering. She didn't know what would be worse: suffocation or melting from the heat.

Slowly, her body began to clear the scorching hurdle. Eager to be over it, she marked every bit of progress in her mind. First her head. Then her neck. And then her arms and her stomach. Soon, she was over halfway there.

Just when she thought she had nothing to fear, she began to fall from the apex of her flight. The flames loomed ever closer. Her eyes widened when she realized the fire would have her after all. She couldn't even scream out her bottled fear lest the smoke fill her lungs.

The flames grabbed hold of her legs and kissed her skin. It felt like acid had seeped into her veins; the pain was beyond anything she had ever experienced. Her body passed through the flames for less than a second, but it felt like an eternity. She rolled with the momentum as she hit the floor. Even when she was able to douse the flames lingering on her clothes, it still felt like the fire was inside her skin.

She quickly rolled up her pants to assess the damage to her legs. A small gasp escaped her lips. They were swollen, puffy, and very warm to the touch. Even gently poking her skin with her finger elicited a pain akin to being stabbed with a needle. She could already see blisters starting to form from the severe burn.

Fear began to cloud her thoughts. What if she would never walk again? What if the skin never healed? Her heart began to race as images from the burning village flooded her mind. This time, she saw herself trapped in the burning log.

Tifa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her friends still needed her. She couldn't depend on Tatl for help this time. Remembering her mission, she rolled down her pant legs and jumped to her feet. Although her legs stabbed with pain, she was still able to walk. There was still hope.

While Tatl did her best to wake Link, Midna and Rishu kept Dark Link distracted. Tifa used the opportunity to rush to Zelda's side. A wave of panic shot up her spine when she saw the monarch not moving. She knelt down and rested her head against Zelda's chest. Her heart was still beating. Although faint, she could also feel the rise and fall from her breathing. The Kokiri let out a sigh of relief. She was still alive.

Unsure of what to do, Tifa did the only thing she could think of: she grabbed the monarch's shoulders and started to shake her.

"Zelda! You have to wake up!" she cried. "We need you!"

Tifa momentarily let go and watched as Zelda's head slumped back to the floor. There was no reaction.

She grabbed Zelda's body and shook her from side to side. "Zelda! If you don't help us, we're going to lose! Please wake up!"

She waited a moment longer but there was still no response. Her breathing quickened as panic set in. What if Zelda never woke up?

A soft tsking pulled Tifa's attention up. Mudora stood behind her, watching her intently. She couldn't read the thoughts circulating behind those piercing red eyes. She thought he might attack her, but he remained where he was.

"There is no point in trying, child," Mudora scolded. "My wish has been made. Even if you wake her, there is nothing she can do to help you."

Tifa glared at Mudora. "Why are you talking to me, you mean monster? This is all your fault!"

Mudora shrugged. "I am only trying to spare you more pain. If you wish to continue your pointless efforts, then I will let you."

"You're not going to try and stop me?" the Kokiri asked.

The deity's robes twirled through the air as he turned his back towards her. "What would be the point? You've already lost." He began to walk away, leaving Tifa alone with his words.

It was as if that act confirmed the futility of Tifa's actions. If Mudora saw no need to intervene, was there any point to what she was doing? Were her efforts really wasted?

She looked to Kari. While he hardly cracked a smile, he had always been strong and brave. More than once he had protected her from monsters when fear had crippled her judgment. He had fought so valiantly and yet the reward for his effort was to be cast aside by Mudora once he was no longer useful.

Her glance wandered over to Tatl. The fairy rammed into Link again and again, hollering as loud as her small voice would allow her. The desperation in her words formed a tear in Tifa's eye. They needed him, just like they needed Kari and Zelda. And yet the hero remained motionless.

Perhaps Mudora was right. Perhaps it really was pointless to keep fighting.

Dark Link continued to pound mercilessly against Rishu and Midna. He had the Twili on the defensive. She ducked and dodged, struggling desperately to avoid the tip of the shadow's blade. Just when she seemed backed in a corner, Rishu intervened by striking the shadow with a Light Arrow. It provided just enough time for Midna to escape and Rishu to take the offensive. Tifa saw the way the Zora struggled to rush over before the effects of the arrow wore off.

He was too late. Dark broke free from his prison and began pounding the Zora mercilessly with his sword. Only the hard exoskeleton of his fins protected him. Midna mustered a spell to help, but she struggled to even hit near the shadow. The prolonged battle was taking its toll. How much longer could they hold on?

Was there fighting in vain? Was history doomed to repeat itself?

Despair stripped her voice of its urgency. Its hold on her was so intense that it even numbed the burning sensation in her legs. Tifa's grip on the monarch's shoulders loosened.

"Zelda…" she muttered weakly one last time, letting go of Zelda's shoulders. Tifa's gaze dropped to the floor. She began to sob.

She thought of the people she had seen trapped in the tower. She thought of all the nice people from Ordon who wouldn't live to see another day. She thought of all her friends in the Lost Woods who wouldn't survive Mudora's curse.

Soon, it would all be gone. There was nothing left to fight for.

Just when her spirit was ready to finally break, a weak cough caught Tifa's attention. Zelda groaned softly. Small, subtle movements in the monarch's fingers showed she was regaining consciousness.

A surge of excitement rushed through the Kokiri. She hovered over Zelda and watched as her eyes slowly opened. A small smile parted Zelda's lips when she saw the forest sage.

"Good morning, Tifa. What are you doing here?" she said cheerfully. It was as if she had forgotten everything.

Tifa wasted no time reminding her of the situation. "Zelda! You have to help us! Mudora took the Triforce!"

The words circled in Zelda's mind for a few seconds before they finally registered. Her head shot up as she remembered where she was. She looked to her wrist and gasped when she saw the Triforce of Wisdom was missing.

She turned to Tifa. "Where's Kari? And Link?" she asked sharply.

Tifa pointed to the motionless body lying a dozen feet away. "Mister Serious is over there. He hasn't moved since Mudora used him to make the wish."

"And Link?"

She pointed to where Tatl continued to shout at the hero in an attempt to wake him.

"Farore!" Zelda cursed. "Then it's already too late." She looked down. "If the Triforce is already in his possession, then we've failed."

Tifa leaned towards the monarch. She understood the feeling but also remembered Tatl's words. "This isn't over yet! Even when all hope seems lost, we have to keep fighting on!"

Zelda's eyes lit up. "Those words…Kari told me very much the same thing."

Tifa nodded. "Mister Serious would want us to keep fighting."

Something about Tifa's words caused Zelda to rethink the Sheikah's last words to her. She replayed them in her mind, trying to figure out why he would've sacrificed his life to deliver such a cryptic warning.

"Tell Zelda to fight on like my friend Sheik even when all hope is lost. He once risked his life for me. Although he is long gone, his spirit lives on inside me."

Why would he reference Sheik at a time like this? Could he have figured out her dual identity in the past? Even if he had, what did it matter?

There had to be some hidden meaning behind these words; some message that Kari wanted to convey that he couldn't tell her plainly. She tried to play with the sentences, switching words here and there to see if she could find some hidden meaning. When that didn't work, she tried to remember what Midna had said about the conversation surrounding his last words to her.

Suddenly, her hand trembled with excitement. She thought she had figured it out! It all made sense now! Why hadn't she seen it sooner?

"Tifa! Go help Tatl wake Link!" she said, quickly rising to her feet. She staggered for a second while her muscles caught up.

"What about you?" Tifa asked, jumping to her feet.

She pointed to where Link still lay unconscious. "Just go! There's no time to explain!"

Tifa could hardly argue with Zelda's order. They needed Link's help and Tatl wasn't having any success. The two raced in different directions as Tifa came to Link's side.

"I'll wake Link up," Tifa told her guardian fairy. "Can you check on Ilia?"

The fairy looked up, pleasantly surprised to see Tifa. She looked down at the Kokiri's charred pants and immediately flew to the Kokiri. "Tifa…your legs. Please don't tell me you tried to go through the fire!"

The Kokiri shook her head. "There's no time to explain now, Tatl. You need to go help Ilia."

At first, the fairy didn't look too pleased to be receiving orders from her little girl. But she quickly reconsidered when she recalled the dire situation they were in. "Very well. Good luck with Link."

Tatl flew off, leaving Tifa to figure out how to wake the sleeping hero.

Tifa placed a hand on Link's nose and pinched it. "Come on, Link, you have to wake up. We can't let Mudora win."

The hero remained as motionless as ever.

Next she tried jumping on his stomach. Her weight forced the air out of Link's lungs and caused him to stir a little, but it still wasn't enough to bring him to consciousness. Next, she tried shaking his shoulders. It elicited a few moans from the sleeping hero but still wasn't enough

With nothing else working, Tifa thought of a trick one of the other Kokiri had played on her a long time ago. She remembered being tired from a long day of running through the woods. She had passed right out; thinking even a tree falling wouldn't be enough to wake up. But then, someone had stuck something slimy in her ear. The shock had been so unexpected that it caused her to jump out of her bed.

If it worked on her, perhaps it could work on Link too. She stuck her finger in her mouth and made sure there was plenty of saliva on it. Praying to herself as she crawled next to Link's face, she stuck the wet finger in Link's ear. For good measure, she wiggled it around so it felt like a worm was crawling up his ear.

Link awoke in a panic! His hand reflexively reached for his ear only to grab Tifa's hand. It took a few seconds before Tifa was finally able to calm him down. When he finally realized why she had to wake him up, he listened as she explained all that had transpired while he was unconscious.

"So it's already begun," Link mused when she had finished telling him. "Unless we stop Mudora here, things will repeat themselves, won't they?"

Tifa nodded. "Yes. The only way to stop him is the Fierce Deity's mask."

Link looked to the pouch that held the mask. He feared Tifa's words might be right. With the Triforce gone, they didn't have much going for them. But he also feared he wouldn't have the strength to wield it, even after having polished off a blue potion.

"Link! You're awake!" Ilia cried in relief, rushing to him but stopping just short of hugging him. "How are you feeling?"

The hero managed a playful smile. "Like I got run over by Epona. But I'm still here. That blue potion you gave me is helping."

Tatl flew over. "Ilia, can you look at Tifa's legs? I think they got burnt pretty badly."

Ilia nodded her acknowledgment. She knelt down to lift Tifa's pant leg but the Kokiri pulled away.

"I still want to fight," she protested.

Link placed a hand on her shoulder while he pulled the Fierce Deity from its pouch with the other. "You've done well, Tifa. Let me take it from here."

Mudora noticed the hero standing again and frowned. He cast a quick glance in Zelda's direction as she ran for Kari's body. "Hmm, it seems both you and Zelda have managed to barely survive. And yet you continue to fight! Why? There's nothing you can do to reverse what I've done."

"We fight because there's still hope." Link said, panting as pain shot up his leg. He leaned his weight on his good leg." I have won every fight that's ever mattered to me. Now the lives of everyone I care about are at stake. This battle matters to me more than any I've ever fought before."

Mudora glanced to Zelda kneeling over Kari's body. Her hands were glowing. "Do you really think your hope will accomplish anything?" He summoned a ball of fire above his hand and glanced in Zelda's direction. "Let's see how your hope handles this."

He launched the ball of fire in Zelda's direction. She was completely unaware as the flames hurtled towards her. Link yelled to warn her, but she never heard him. The spell made contact just as she looked up. The air around her erupted into smoke and heat.

Link watched in anticipation as the smoke slowly cleared. His heart dropped when he saw Zelda lying on the ground next to Kari. She wasn't moving.

Mudora challenged Link with an icy stare. "That is where your hope leads."

Link brought the Fierce Deity's mask to his face. "I'll make you pay for that!" Even if I die trying, he thought.

Mudora's eyes widened. "That mask! Where did you get that?"

Link took the mask and wore it once more. The pain of the transformation tore through his body as he became the Fierce Deity for a second time. Standing there, a head taller and outfitted with celestial armor and a dual-helix blade, he seemed to have descended from the heavens.

"That form!" Mudora staggered backward. "Is…is…is it really you? After all this time?"

"At last! You're awake!" Dark howled, halting his attack against Rishu. "Fighting these two doesn't offer the same satisfaction to me. I will only be satisfied by drawing your blood, brother! Here I come!" Link's doppelganger melted into the ground just as Rishu attempted to land a solid hit.

The Fierce Deity held no interest in the shadow's antics. His focus was on the leader of the sages. "Mudora, I have returned with all my memories restored to me. The times we spent with Hylia and one another. Our fight with Demise. The day Hylia and I sacrificed our immortality. I remember it all." He paused. "I also remember the day we imprisoned you. You made us a promise that day. Do you remember it?"

Mudora's response was cut short. Dark emerged from the floor, ready to strike at his light antithesis. "Brother! Today you are mine!"

Link's dual-helix blade stopped Dark's blade with ease. Caught between the gap of the helix, the Fierce Deity ripped the blade from Dark's hand and threw it aside. Before the shadow could react, Link's blade chopped his arm off. Dark screamed in pain as the limb dropped to the ground.

"You are nothing more than an annoyance," the Fierce Deity growled. "Be gone!"

The Fierce Deity kicked Dark to the ground. The shadow's face twisted in anger as Link raised his blade.

"I'll show you who's an annoyance," Dark growled.

He melted into the floor before Link could thrust his blade into the shadow. Content to let his doppelganger sulk away in defeat, Link lifted his blade from the marble floor and focused his attention on Mudora.

Link felt like his entire body was slowly melting in the flames of pain consuming him. He pulled forward with all his might. All the rage, all the frustration, all he cared for; he used those feelings as fuel to drive him past the agony that threatened to completely engulf him.

Dark's distraction had given the sage enough time to conjure a powerful elemental spell. Although a man not usually prone to violence, his knowledge of arcane arts was exceeded by none.

Mudora glared at his old companion. "Link, it has been years since I've used magic this powerful. Will you be able to survive it?"

The sage summoned both fire and water and twisted them together by manipulating the wind. The three elements combined together to form a vicious cyclone that Mudora sent straight for the hero. Link planted his feet and used the magic of his sword to meet the attack head on.

The fire sizzled against his armor. The water dampened his cheeks. The wind ripped at the hair exposed near the front of his cap. The attack was overwhelming; without the mask's protection it would've consumed him. He didn't have the strength to stop the attack completely; he could only deflect it. With a loud cry, he angled his blade and sent the attack reeling past him into one of the nearby walls. The overwhelming force blew open a hole to the outside, allowing snow and wind to pour in.

"Brother! Why don't you look this way for a second? I wouldn't want to 'distract' you for too long."

Link followed the shadow's voice. He quickly wished he hadn't.

Time itself seemed to freeze. Tifa screamed bloody murder as Dark's blade forced its way out her chest. The tip of the blade was covered in her blood.

A fierce anger boiled in Link's blood. Part of him wanted to kill Dark right where he was. It took all his concentration to remember that Mudora was the bigger threat.

Link wasn't the only one horrified. Ilia rushed at him. The shadow quickly dispatched her with a kick to the gut, causing the ranch girl to fall to the ground.

"I will not be ignored, brother!" Dark growled with an icy glare. He withdrew his blade from the Kokiri's gut and laughed as she collapsed to the ground. "Battle Mudora if you like! But know that I will kill your friends one by one until I get the attention I deserve!"

Link was torn in two directions. How could he stop Mudora and save his friends at the same time?

He knew he had precious little time. His insides were screaming at him to stop. Every muscle violently resisted his command. Every nerve flooded with pain so intense and unreal that the hero wondered how he could still be alive. The blue potion had helped some, but he wasn't sure it would be enough.

Mudora capitalized on the hero's indecision and pelted him with another powerful elemental attack. Not able to prepare for the attack quick enough, the blast knocked him to the ground and sent another wave of pain through him.

"You cannot fight both of us," Mudora said. "If you fight me, your friends will die. If you fight him, this world will perish. Either way, you lose something dear to you."

Link quickly got to his feet. On one side, he saw Mudora already summoning another spell. On the other, he saw Dark preparing to take Ilia's life.

Link was at a loss. Destiny, and the will of the Fierce Deity, demanded that he slay Mudora while he had the chance. The ranch hand wished nothing more than to protect his friends. Even with all the power in the world, he would fail no matter which option he chose.

Mudora's spell flew towards him. Even if he avoided the attack, it would be too late to help Ilia.

A dense pocket of air shoved Link aside just in time to avoid the attack. A large explosion incinerated the floor where he had been standing. Link jumped back to his feet only to find that Dark had been knocked off his feet as well. Could it be?

Link looked to Mudora, but the sage wasn't focused on him. His attention was directed elsewhere. Link followed his gaze and gasped.

He should be dead. He had seen his body lifeless and motionless only a few minutes ago. Yet, there was no mistaking the piercing red eyes or signature silver baton. The Sheikah looked like his old self again!

Kari was alive!

A stream of light shot through the air and hit Dark directly before he could return to his feet. Another Light Arrow! The shadow crashed to the floor as the sacred light once again paralyzed his body.

The shot had come from Rishu. Both he and Midna raced to the shadow to prevent him from doing any more harm.

"Link, don't worry about Tifa and Ilia!" Kari called out. "Rishu and Midna will attend to them! We need to focus on Mudora!"

Mudora scowled at the Sheikah as he stood beside the hero. "But how? You're supposed to be dead!"

Link looked to Kari. "My thoughts exactly."

Kari came beside the hero. "I have Zelda to thank. I can explain the details later." He adjusted the Wind Waker in his hand. "More importantly, I can help you weaken Mudora's shields. He can't focus on stopping both of us."

Link nodded. "I don't know what Zelda did, but I'm glad you're here." He raised his blade. "Let's end this! Right here and now!"

Link and Kari raced for Mudora, splitting in opposite directions as one of the sage's spells landed near them. Kari broke to the left and Link broke to the right. Kari launched gusts of wind to cut away at the sage's shields while Link launched sword beams from the tip of his blade. No matter which way Mudora turned, he couldn't stop both attacks at once.

That wasn't even the most baffling part. Try as he might to take control of Kari through their bond, Mudora couldn't succeed. It had worked before. Why wasn't it working now? To try and reclaim his control over the Sheikah's body now would require a great deal more effort and concentration. That was a price the sage couldn't afford with Link pounding away on the other side.

Thinking Link to be the more dangerous threat, the sage turned his attacks to focus on the hero. Link countered by deflecting spell after spell with the power of his blade, inching forward one step at a time. Mudora noticed he had to focus harder to cast spells. Was the Sheikah using the bond against him?

At last, Link managed to get close enough to land a strike. The mighty blade crashed against Mudora's shields. Cracks propagated throughout the barrier, already weakened by his and Kari's earlier attacks. The sage attempted to cast a spell to blow Link away, but Kari countered it with a wind spell of his own.

Mudora grimaced as yet another blow from Link's blade weakened the shield further. He feared it would not last one more strike.

Link could see the end in sight. His muscles protested violently. His hands shook uncontrollably. His lungs gasped desperately. His heart pounded incessantly. His legs throbbed intensely. Link knew his body was seconds from unraveling on itself. He had driven it beyond what it should be able to endure.

The hero focused all his will, all his strength, all his anger into his grip on the blade. With all the power he could muster, he brought the blade upon Mudora's shield. As the divine weapon clashed with the powerful magic, it shattered it. The sage watched in horror. Even at full power, the hero was able to overpower him.

Now was the time to strike! Mudora was defenseless! He was only a sword swing away from overpowering the sage and bringing his plan to an end. He was so close! Soon, it would all be over!

Despite his body's weakness, Link drove the blade through Mudora's chest. The sage grunted from the pain, but Link was still not satisfied. He drove the blade still further to be sure it would be a killing blow.

Lighting struck through every part of Link's body; his muscles went into spasms and his heart betrayed him. As he struggled to gasp for breath, his weapon returned to the form of the Master Sword. The mask, with no power left to feed on, detached itself and fell to the ground.

Had Link been a second later, he would've failed. Thanks to Ilia's potion and Kari's assistance, the fight was finally over. Even if he died, he could do so in peace.

Blood splattered to the ground as Link pulled the blade from Mudora's torso. The deity gasped for air as blood poured from the open wound. The sage was silent as he fell to the ground, overwhelmed by the power that had assaulted him. His eyes lay open as he stared at the ceiling.

A surge of pain shot through the hero. The Fierce Deity's mask was beginning to extract its heavy price. Link fell to the ground beside Mudora, his vision beginning to blur. His entire body burned so much that it was difficult to think. At this rate, it looked like they might die together.

The voices around Link turned to indistinguishable murmurs as the pain slowly sucked the last of his strength. It numbed him to everything else happening around him. He could only hear the beating of his own heart and a high pitch ringing in his ears.

Is this how death felt? It didn't seem so bad. Link closed his eyes, all the while wondering how long it would take his soul to leave his body.

Ilia…Colin…Zelda…he would miss them. He would miss all of them dearly. He wished he could've stood with them to the end. But the world was in their hands now. He could only wish for their success from a distance. At least he could die in peace knowing he had done his part.

He would miss Midna the most.

Link thought back to when they had first met. Still devastated over the capture of his friends and unaccustomed to his wolf body, she had freed him from one prison only to place him in another. As she dragged him from one place to another on their quest, talking down to him the entire way, he couldn't wait to get rid of her. Their relationship had certainly started sour.

Everything changed once Zant attacked them. With her life fading away and Link trapped in a wolf's body, they were forced to depend on one another for survival. Somewhere in that adversity, the bonds of friendship finally clicked. The time that followed only strengthened that bond. Over the course of several years and many trials, that friendship gradually transformed into the powerful love it was now. He would never forget their time together in Ambi's garden. That night had changed everything between them.

And yet, they would never be able to spend their lives together. Link now understood how Kari must've felt and why he wanted to return to the past. He had loved someone dearly as well, but the time he should've spent with her was taken from him.

Link's eyes grew heavy. He allowed them to close. The embrace of death seemed oddly sweet. His body would finally be free of pain.

Uziah. Rusl. He would be with them very soon. He could already feel the warmth of their embrace as his soul prepared to depart from the land of the living. He had fought the good fight.

He felt a firm hand on his shoulder, as if the world of the living wasn't quite ready to release him yet. Slowly, he felt the pain beginning to dissipate. The haziness subsided and the sounds around him began to fill in the empty void of unconsciousness. He was being brought back. But how?

Link opened his eyes and looked to his side. Mudora's hand was on his wrist feeding power back into his body. The sage was healing him! But why?

"You still have work to do," Mudora said softly, as if anticipating the question. "If I let you die here, my whole plan has been for nothing,"

Link tried to push Mudora's hand away, but he didn't have the strength. Besides, a small part of him wanted to understand the sage's actions. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.

"Because I intend to keep my promise. I have served my role. I am ready to die. But you still have work to do."

Link scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kari walked up to the sage. "He speaks the truth. I can sense it through the bond." He pointed to where Rishu and Midna continued their fight with Dark. "Like he said, we still have work to do."

Link said nothing. He wasn't sure if he could trust Mudora or not. But the fact still remained that the sage was healing him and Dark needed to be dealt with. When enough of his strength returned to him, he stood up and retrieved the Master Sword.

Mudora nodded. "Link, I'm sorry for everything I had to put you through. I know you will never forgive me, but know that it was necessary for the future peace of this world."

Link grunted his acknowledgment. He had to admit that part of him was curious about the sage's sudden change of heart. On the other hand, he had more important things to worry about. The lives of his friends were still at risk.

"Are you ready, my friend?" Link asked, turning to the Sheikah. "This'll be just like old times."

The Sheikah scowled. "I thought I told you not to call me "your friend."

The hero stared dumbfounded. "But I thought…"

Kari's scowl melted away. "I am just joking." He paused. "I did do the "joking" thing correctly, yes?"

Link's lips curled into a half-smile. "Well done, Kari. I think your finally starting to understand." He twisted his sword with his wrist. "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back." Kari readied the Wind Waker. "Now let's take care of your look-alike."

Dark had both Rishu and Midna on the defensive. Blind with rage, the shadow slashed wildly and erratically at the Zora and Twili. Overcome with exhaustion, they barely blocked and dodged his attacks, careful to keep him busy lest he notice Ilia tending Tifa's wounds.

Kari and Link attacked the shadow in unison. Too busy focusing on his current opponent's, Link's doppelganger was taken by complete surprise when Kari's wind knocked him off his feet. The shadow struggled to stand only to have the tip of Link's blade whirl near his head. He crouched just in time and attempted to counter but Link's blade met the attack. With their blades locked and Dark's face only inches from his own, Link felt like he was looking at a muddy reflection.

Link pushed Dark away, providing just enough space for Rishu to strike with a Light Arrow. The sacred light paralyzed Dark's body, providing Kari an easy opportunity to sweep the shadow off his feet once again. Paralyzed and powerless, Link jumped through the air, his sword ready to strike. Dark struggled and thrashed, but he was unable to prevent the sacred blade from plunging through his heart.

"You've caused me enough pain through this war," Link growled, breathing heavily as he stood over the shadow's body. A drop of sweat fell from his brow and struck the shadow on the nose. "This struggle is finally over, dear brother."

Dark's eyes flared with hatred, but his lungs were unable to draw breath. He slowly lifted his head up only for it to fall once again to the ground. Link watched with a sigh of finality as the shadow gave up his struggle and disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

Link continued to look at the ground even after Dark disappeared. Leaning on his sword for support, he slowly got back to his feet. He noticed that his leg was noticeably better; Mudora had even healed that. Sweat dripped down the hero's brow. Small spikes of pain still surged through his body from using the Fierce Deity's mask, but even that was better than where he had been.

He looked to Rishu. The Zora flashed him a goofy smile. Their struggle was finally over.

"Link! Come here! Quick!" Ilia called out. The desperation in her voice pulled Link's attention towards her. The ranch girl's medical bag was open and supplies were scattered across the floor. He quickly rushed over.

Tifa's tunic was splotched with crimson. Despite the cloth wrapped around her torso, blood still pooled on the floor. The girl's legs were swollen and puffy. Her lungs were beginning to fill with blood, causing her to grasp for air. Every breath was a desperate struggle. The flickering of her eyes offered Link a glimmer of hope, but he knew better than to trust it.

Link knelt beside the Kokiri and felt her forehead. She was burning up. He looked up to Ilia. A sorrowful shake of her head told him all he needed to know. She had done all she could but it wasn't enough.

"Link?" Tifa said weakly, coughing as the blood continued to make breathing difficult for her. "Is it over? Did I do good?"

The hero nodded as a tear slipped down his cheek. Looking in Tatl's direction, he received a soft nod of affirmation. There was nothing more they could do for her. Every second they still had with her was an opportunity to say goodbye before they lost her.

"You did great, Tifa. Because of your courage, we finally won."

Tatl gently stroked the girl's hair as she rested on her forehead. "You've really grown up, Tifa. I'm proud of you."

Kari walked over and placed a hand on the hero's shoulder. "Link, I'm sorry. I have seen many comrades in this condition."

The hero took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. "I know, Kari. Thank you."

The sacrifice had been unavoidable. Unfortunately, that didn't ease the pain Link felt gripping his insides.

Tifa closed her eyes and smiled. "I'm glad I made you both proud."

Her words were too much for Link to endure. He quickly got up as tears welled up in his eyes. He excused himself and ran to where she wouldn't see him grieving. He knelt on the floor and began pounding his fist into the ground. "Din's fire!" Link cursed. "It's not fair!"

He felt a gentle hand on his back as Midna came up behind him. She knew better than to say anything while he was grieving. She knew what he really needed was a companion who would listen.

"It's not fair, Midna! It should be my life! Not hers!" He pounded his hand against the ground. "She helped us win this fight! What good is it if she never gets to enjoy the results of that?"

Midna continued to massage Link's shoulder. "I wish I had an answer. I've asked that question many times."

They stood in silence for a little while longer. They could hear Tifa's raspy breathing and Tatl's gentle comforting in the distance. Instead of controlling his grief, it only made it worse. Link didn't bother stopping the tears from rolling down his cheeks.

"Why do you grieve for your friend already?" a woman's voice spoke gently from behind. "Have you given up so soon?"

Link thought he recognized the voice, but there was something different about it. He slowly got up and turned around to find the three Oracles standing behind him. At least, he thought they were. There was something different about them though, something about their eyes and mannerisms that he couldn't place.

"Nayru…Din…Farore…what are you all doing up here?" Link asked.

Nayru shook her head. There was something otherworldly about her aura. "Although we speak through your friends, we are actually the ones from which their names are derived."

When Kari heard Link and Midna speaking to someone, he came over to investigate. He managed to catch the last part of Nayru's sentence. "Are you saying that you are the three goddesses?"

Farore smiled and nodded. "Correct, young Sheikah. The Oracles have acted as temporary vessels for our spirits since the distant past. That is what they are doing for us now."

"But do not worry for them," Nayru said with a smile. "They are perfectly safe."

"Why are you here?" Link asked, wiping away the tears still lingering on his cheeks.

Din's eyes focused on Kari. "In due time. First, we must attend to your friend."

The three oracles began walking towards the huddle around Tifa. They seemed to have an agenda all their own. In fact, the trio didn't seem to hear Ilia or Rishu's questions when they gathered around the dying Kokiri. The oracles closed their eyes, knelt down beside Tifa, and placed their hands on Tifa's forehead.

Link rushed over, followed closely by Midna and Kari, and watched in awe as the goddesses began to heal Tifa. Whatever they were doing seemed to be working. The Kokiri's labored breathing gradually quieted until it was soft and rhythmic as it should be. They continued healing her for a few more seconds. By the time they were done, Tifa was fast asleep.

"What did you do to her?" Tatl asked defensively when they were finally done. Part of her feared that the Kokiri would never wake up.

"Your friend has been healed. She will live. It is the least we can do after all you've been through." Nayru said as she stood up. The other two followed suit.

There was a small pause as the three looked up to gauge the group's reaction. Link and the rest of his friends were speechless.

"Now perhaps you will think twice before you use my name as a curse word," Din said to Link with a scowl.

Nayru shrugged her shoulders. "Let it go, sister. Our time here is short and we have more urgent matters to discuss."

Kari looked at the three Oracles. The fact that they kept looking at him hadn't escaped his keen eyes.

"I'm the reason you're here, aren't you?"

Nayru nodded. "Nothing escapes your notice, does it, Kari?" She looked to the other two goddesses before continuing. "Our time here is short, so I will be brief. With Mudora's inevitable death, we need a new leader of the sages."

Farore smiled. "Through this whole journey, you have proven to us that you are up to this task. We would like you to become the new Wind Waker."

Kari was speechless. He looked down at the baton in his hand and pondered the goddesses' words.

Rishu looked up. "Why would you take Minish away like that? He has a life here with us!"

The Sheikah shook his head. "Not quite, Rishu. My time here is nearly over. I've accomplished what I was sent here for. It's time for me to return where I belong."

The Zora looked at the Sheikah dumbfounded. As his smile faded, it felt like the sun had disappeared from the sky. "I don't understand."

Grateful that Tifa would be okay, Link turned his attention to the Sheikah. "Kari, what are you talking about? Didn't Zelda find a way to bring you back?"

Kari shook his head. "I'm afraid what I told you earlier is still true: when Mudora dies, I will have to leave this world as well. I am only borrowing Zelda's strength; I must soon return it. She is needed here more than I am."

Link was at a loss for words. He looked to Midna but she was unable to give him any comfort. "But then how did she bring you back?" the hero asked.

Kari smiled sympathetically. "Mudora never killed me. As I told you, my soul is connected with his through a bond he created. That bond works like a rope that ties our spirits together. When he regained his power, he was able to pull the connection in his favor. As a result, his power overwhelmed me and my ability to make my own decisions. Although he controlled me, he was careful not to kill me. After all, he needed me alive to make his wish."

"Power is not the only thing that flows through that bond. Sometimes, I could catch glimpses into his thoughts and feelings. Through those snippets I was able to piece together what was going to happen to me. In studying how to counter it, I realized the only way was to somehow tip the balance of our connection in my favor. If I could somehow accomplish that, I could regain control of my body. However figuring out how to do that was harder than I imagined."

Ilia checked Tifa's wrist and was relieved to find a normal pulse again. "But you figured it out somehow, right?"

Kari nodded. "Midna, when you told me how Zelda saved your life, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. If Zelda could transfer her soul to you, perhaps she could do the same for me. I figured having the inner strength of two people might be enough to repel Mudora's power and help me regain control of my body."

Midna nodded. "That kind of makes sense. But then why the need for the cryptic message? Why couldn't you plainly tell Zelda what you needed her to do?"

Kari shrugged his shoulders. "I couldn't risk Mudora figuring out and countering what I had planned. Given the circumstances we were facing and the limited time, it was the best I could think of."

Din folded her arms. "Kari, the fact remains that our time in this world is limited. Do you accept our proposal?"

Midna scowled. "That's it? That's all you're here for?" She folded her arms. "While I appreciate what you did for Tifa, do you really think that'll make up for everything you put us through? Where were you when we were fighting for our lives? Where were you when we had to watch as our friends and loved ones died?"

Farore's smile disappeared. "Your feelings are understandable, Midna. We know that it hurts, but the truly valuable things in life are worth fighting for."

Midna scowled. "I know that! But that still doesn't explain why you just sat by and watched while we nearly all died!"

Din crossed her arms. "And what would you have done if you were in our position?" she challenged.

The Twili stumbled over her words. "Well…I suppose I would've stopped any of this from happening in the first place."

Farore nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. Let's say we intervened and stopped Mudora from executing his plan. What would happen the next time something like this happened?"

Ilia shrugged her shoulders. "Couldn't you just prevent that from happening too?"

Farore nodded. "So what you are proposing is that we act in such a way as to prevent all bad things from occurring before they actually happen. Is this correct?"

Ilia shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe not all the bad things. Just the really bad things."

Nayru sighed. "Do you know what it would require to do the very thing you're proposing? How much it would cost you?"

Din crossed her arms and shook her head. "To do that, we would have to take away free will itself. Every single person would have to be policed and prevented from making a bad decision. There would be no freedom to fail; no freedom to make mistakes. A choice with only one option is not truly a choice; it is slavery. Even love would lose its meaning. Would you truly desire that sort of life?"

Midna looked away. "Well…no…but"

"Enduring pain caused by others is an unfortunate side effect of allowing free will—but a sacrifice well worth it." Farore smiled. "Besides, just because we do not intervene directly doesn't mean we simply allow things to happen. We act through the free will of others in this world to ensure that good always has a chance. That is why the Triforce was created. And why the Spirit of the Hero exists."

"So I'm the one who cleans up your mess?" Link nodded. "All so I can have the freedom to love and choose my own path?" He looked to Midna and smiled. "I'm okay with that."

Midna shook her head. "I can understand why you don't interfere all the time. But why let someone like Mudora loose? Couldn't you have just killed him or something?"

Farore's smile disappeared. "We love all of our creation and refuse to take sides. Mudora was part of our creation long before any of you and has also done lots of good." There was a short pause. "Besides, Mudora had a reason for what he was doing. He won't admit it, but in a way, he was fulfilling his role as leader of the sages."

"And what might that reason be?" Midna scoffed.

Din tilted her head in Mudora's direction. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Link shook his head. "I'm not talking to that monster. Not after all he did."

Kari began walking towards where the sage was sprawled on the ground. "Link, what do you have to lose? He's no longer a threat to us." He paused. "Aren't you curious to know what drove him to this? To know why he healed you only moments after trying to kill you?"

"Are you serious?" Link fumed.

Kari shrugged his shoulders. "Be angry if you wish, but I want to understand why we were fighting in the first place." He began walking away.

Link looked in Midna's direction but received only a shoulder shrug. "Fine," he growled. "I guess I'll go too." He rolled his eyes. "I can't believe I'm going to do this."

Link followed the Sheikah and the three goddesses over to where Mudora lay slumped against a wall. His face was extraordinarily pale and his robes were stained with blood. This was the first time Link could ever recall seeing the former leader of the sages in such a pitiful state. He was vulnerable. Yet, even in this state, his hair remained perfectly kempt and straight. Some things about magic Link would never understand.

Mudora looked up through hazy eyes. "Ah, the three have come to gloat over their victory. Satisfied that others have cleaned up your mess so you don't have to sully your hands?"

Nayru's mouth curled into a soft frown. "Mudora, you know it has never been like that. We know you disagree with our decisions and we are okay with that."

Din looked at him sternly. "Would you still hate us had things turned out differently? If we had stopped Demise before he started a war that killed all the First-Borns?"

Mudora looked away. "What is done is done." He groaned as a surge of pain shot through him. "I have nothing to say to you three."

Kari turned to the three oracles. "Please, golden goddesses, allow us to speak to him alone."

Farore nodded. "So be it. We will give you a few minutes but then we must have your decision."

Link waited until the three oracles walked a sufficient distance away before he gathered the nerve to overcome his anger and ask his question.

"Why did you break your promise? Why put us through all this trouble?" He paused. "I remember it all! You made a promise to both Zelda and I before you were imprisoned! It was a long time ago. But you promised to bring peace!"

Mudora closed his eyes and smiled. "So you really do remember our friendship. Perhaps my effort wasn't wasted after all." He looked back up at the hero and Sheikah. "My role was to bring chaos into the world so that it could eventually give birth to peace. I have fulfilled that. Now it is up to you do to do the rest."

Link bit the curl of his lip. "I don't understand. How can killing tens of thousands possibly lead to peace?"

Mudora's smile disappeared. "I wouldn't expect you to understand. It took me years to learn this harsh truth myself. But I will try to explain it to you."

"As you must know, I spent many years trying to place this world on the right path. But the end result was always the same; greed and selfish ambition always crowded out nobility and love. In the end, that frustration led me to my outrage and eventual imprisonment. Through that imprisonment, I caught my first glimpse of hope for mankind."

"It was when the mask that contained my anger and hatred, Majora's Mask, was released and threatened to destroy all of Termina. Although it was a dark time, I noticed something interesting. As the moon threatened to destroy their lives, everyone instinctively seemed to remember what was most important: friendship, family, and love. They clung to those around them because they knew their time was short."

Mudora scrutinized Link. "You should know what I'm talking about. You saw it yourself long ago."

Link nodded. "I suppose so. I remember once going into the mayor's house in Clock Town. There was a huge argument between the carpenters and the soldiers about whether the town should be evacuated. Neither side was giving an inch; it seemed the argument might never stop." The hero folded his arms. "But then I remember wearing a mask, a very special mask given to me by a couple who refused to be apart even as the world crumbled around them. That mask reminded everyone of what was truly important and the argument dissipated. Everyone went home."

Mudora nodded. "Now you are beginning to understand. You see…when the moon finally disappeared and Termina was saved, it ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity. The traumatic experience of nearly losing everything forged a powerful bond amongst the people of Termina. It caused them to treasure life itself instead of focusing on everything they didn't have. After seeing that, I finally understood what I had to do."

Link folded his arms. "Is that what you were trying to accomplish? You hoped to bring peace by wiping nearly everyone out?"

Mudora nodded. "That's correct. When people have a cause that gives them a common goal or purpose, something that unifies them despite their many differences, that is when there is a potential for peace. I knew I had to be that unifying cause."

The hero scowled. "Even if you are right, does that really justify the thousands who have lost their lives?"

The sage shook his head. "Of course not. But I accepted the punishment for my actions long ago. In order for my plan to work, my threat had to be real. Otherwise, people wouldn't realize the gravity of the danger they were in."

"You mentioned I still had work to do. What did you mean by that?" Link asked.

"My intention was never to destroy this world; only to remind everyone of what is important by giving them a common enemy. For my threat to be real without destroying this world, I had to be stopped so that people would have a chance to appreciate life, much like the people of Termina celebrated when the moon was dissolved. It was only fitting that that person be you, Link."

"You put us through quite a bit of trouble," Link said.

"I had to push you to your limits. After all, to bring about true peace will be the toughest challenge you will face. Unlike your past battles, this is a war of ideas that has no concrete enemy. To even stand a chance, I had to make sure you confronted your own demons first and learned to depend on others."

Link looked down at his feet. "So that's why you released Dark…"

Kari folded his arms. "Has your purpose been to die this entire time?"

Mudora stared at the Sheikah. "Kari, you of all people should understand my feelings. To be the last one of your kind. To have all your friends gone. To try and search for a purpose to justify being alive." He looked down. "I lost the last of my friends a long time ago when they gave up their mortality. Only recently did I find a purpose. Now that that purpose is complete, I would rather die instead of being alone for an eternity."

Kari looked up. "I understand that feeling very well. But if your plan was to have Link kill you, why did you need me in all this?"

The sage coughed and grimaced. "Because I knew if my plan was successful, I would need to find someone who could take my place as leader of the sages when I was gone. I am sure the goddesses have already mentioned this to you. Though I disagree with them on many things, this is one thing we can agree on."

Nayru walked up to Kari and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Kari, I'm afraid we are running out of time. We need your decision."

Mudora grunted. "I've said all I need to anyways." He turned his face away from the goddesses, too bitter to even make eye contact with them.

Kari looked back up. "If I accept this offer, will I still be able to see my friends?"

Din shook her head. "I'm afraid not. You would watch over the balance of this world from the world beyond. You would not be able to directly intervene in that manner, but you would still be able to help in other ways."

Farore smiled. "While you would not see your friends here, you will be reunited with those who have passed on before you."

Kari looked down at the ground. "Midna…will we be reunited at last?"

Din looked at Mudora's wounds and grimaced. "Time is short. What is your decision, Kari?"

The hero looked over to the Sheikah. Kari looked silently at the ground, his mouth forming a grim line. His thoughts were elsewhere.

Link walked over to the Sheikah and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Kari shook his head. "To be honest, I'm not sure. I am glad that our fight is finally over." He looked down again. "But my time is also over. When Mudora finally gives up his life, I will have to do the same." He smiled a solemn smile. "I guess I really only have one choice. I will miss you all." He looked to the oracles. "I accept your offer."

"Are…are you sure?" Link stuttered for words. "Is this it then?"

Kari nodded. "I'm afraid so."

The hero fidgeted with his belt. "I suppose I'll gather the others then."

It didn't take long for the others to crowd around the Sheikah. Midna, Link, Tatl, Ilia, and Rishu. Even Tifa was nearby in her unconscious state.

Kari smiled as he looked at the friends gathered around him. Every single one of them had become a part of him. They had helped him grow and mature beyond the prejudices that had formed his worldview growing up. Through the time he spent with them, he came to learn there were good people from all races. They taught him to trust, to enjoy the present, and even to understand "sarcasm." He had come to this age weary and suspicious of anyone not from his tribe. He would leave it full of the warmth and trust these friendships had given him.

Although he dearly missed the people of Kasuto, these friends had become a new family for him.

"All of you mean more to me than I can express. I can't thank you all enough for everything you have shown me. Know that I depart with gladness in my heart." Kari said.

Rishu began playing a slow, somber melody on his guitar. "This song is for you, Minish. We'll miss you. I hope you have a safe journey wherever you're going."

Ilia let out a sad smile. "It was a pleasure knowing you, Kari. I'll miss you…even though you drove me crazy more than once." She extended her hand. "While you're not great at teaching magic, you are a great friend."

Kari looked at her hand and back at her. "Are you giving me a compliment or an insult?"

Ilia's face reddened. "Umm…well…I…"

The Sheikah took her hand and shook it firmly. "Don't worry, Ilia. I'm just doing the 'kidding' that you all do to me. I know what you are trying to say."

Ilia nodded and quickly stood beside her friends. Understanding it was her turn to say goodbye, Tatl hovered near the wind tamer.

"I guess…thank you for everything. You really saved our lives. Especially Tifa's life." The fairy looked around nervously. "Well…I'm not really good with this sort of thing. I should get back to Tifa. But thanks again."

Kari nodded. "Thank you, Tatl. I appreciate it." The Sheikah looked expectantly to the Twili to see if she had any final words.

Midna placed her hands on her hips and smirked. "Guess it's my turn, eh?" She took a step towards him. "I'll miss having an oblivious target for all my sarcasm. Who else am I going to torment now?"

Kari pointed behind her. "Link?"

An evil smirk crossed her lips. "You have just found your replacement. I suppose I can let you off the hook now." The smirk softened into a smile. "I know you had to sacrifice a lot on our behalf and that it wasn't easy. Thanks for coming back for us."

She gave him a quick hug. The Sheikah gave her a sly grin when they broke apart.

"Thank you for letting me be a part of your exclusive circle of friends."

Midna stepped back and smiled. "You've certainly earned it." She turned to Link and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Link, aren't you going to say goodbye?"

Link's shoulders were heaving. He looked up, trying to hide the tears in his own eyes. "Yes?"

The Sheikah gave a playful smirk. "Showing tears on the battlefield, Link? That's very unlike you."

The hero shooed him away. "Shut up, you stupid Sheikah! You're the one who cries at the drop of a pebble."

The wind tamer chuckled. "Perhaps that's true. But at least I don't show it on the battlefield."

The hero wiped his eyes. "I'm not crying. I'm just washing out all the dirt from our fight."

The Sheikah placed his hands on his hips. "Do we need to spar to settle this?"

Link stepped forward, taking a deep breath. Given a moment to compose himself, he puffed out his chest and smirked. "You couldn't beat me even if I let Midna help you."

Kari stepped forward, puffing out his own chest. "You couldn't beat me even if I strapped a Goron to my back."

The two friends stared each other down as if they were about to truly fight. They quickly broke into laughter and hugged one another.

"I'm really going to miss you, Kari. I know we've had our rough spots, but I think everything turned out okay in the end." They broke their embrace. Link looked down at the ground as he shuffled his feet. "It'll be tough to find a sparring partner as good as you are. You have tough shoes to fill."

"You'll never find an equal sparring partner. I'm the best there is." Kari said with a smile. That smile quickly faded as Kari looked directly at his friend. "Link, there's something I want you to know."

Link looked up. "What's that?"

"I'll always be watching over you. That is a promise." He paused. "So try and stay out of trouble."

Midna leaned on the hero's arm. "That'll be hard for him. Despite my best efforts, it always seems to find him."

Link took a deep breath and looked up. "I'll try my best, Kari. Thank you for everything."

Kari smiled. "Tell Colin he was a valuable friend to me. I regret not having the chance to say goodbye."

"I will," Link said. "And I'm sure he feels the same."

Din laid a hand on the Sheikah's shoulder. "Kari, it's time. Mudora's strength is nearly spent and we must return Zelda's soul to her body."

There was a tense silence as everyone realized this would be the last time they'd see their friend. Link looked around anxiously as he tapped his boots against the ground. No one seemed to know what to say. As he fidgeted with his tunic, he realized everyone was waiting for him to speak.

The hero took a deep breath. "So this is really it?"

Kari nodded. "It is."

Link nodded. "Then I hope you have a safe journey to the afterlife. Give our regards to Rusl and the others if you meet them."

The Sheikah smiled. "I will." He paused. "Link, bring peace to this world. That is my last wish. I may not agree with Mudora's methods, but I do agree with his vision. I grew up in the chaos of war and lost many loved ones as a result. This world deserves peace. If anyone is capable of making that happen, it is you and your friends."

The Sheikah's entire body began to glow.

"We will, Kari. That is our promise to you," Link replied.

Kari closed his eyes, knowing his end was nigh. "I look forward to watching you all from the next world. Goodbye, my friends."

A golden ball of light emerged from his chest. As if the light contained his soul, his body dropped lifelessly to the ground. The ball hovered momentarily in the air, as if saying one last goodbye before floating to Zelda's body and gently enveloping it.

As the light settled in Zelda's body, she began to stir again. This alarmed several of the soldiers who had been guarding and attending her unconscious body. They hollered with joy as their beloved leader started showing signs of waking up. After being trapped by a ring of fire, they had thought they would never escape. With Mudora defeated, they were finally released from the spell and able to be reunited with their queen.

Nayru looked over to the monarch being attended by her subjects and smiled. "Zelda will be fine."

Farore closed her eyes. "But the last of the First-Borns is no longer with us. Mudora has also passed from this world." She let out a heavy sigh. "I will go attend to his body."

Din looked to the hero. "There is one last thing to take care of before we go. Link, the Triforce awaits the wish of its new master."

Link paused to consider the significance of the goddesses' words. "It's all rather ironic. Mudora spent all this effort planning this war so that people would ultimately realize what's important. And I could brush it all away with a simple wish."

The hero's smile disappeared. "I'm not content returning things to the way they were. Too much has been sacrificed for us to return to normal. Kari gave his life so that we could experience a life of peace and understand what's truly important. Even Mudora gave up his life for that dream." Link took a deep breath as the Triforce descended towards him. "They have entrusted that vision to me. It won't be easy…but we will eventually rebuild. The dead will be remembered. Heroes will be honored. And this war will eventually fade into memory like so many others."

He clenched his fist. "But even as these events fade into history, I'll make sure that the legacy of this war will remain. That legacy will be peace." Unclenching his fist, he placed his hand on the Triforce. "Starting today, I intend to make the vision passed onto me a reality."

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A/N- That was quite a lengthy chapter. I know that I said this would be the last chapter, but I lied. There is an epilogue as well. So clickty-click-click to read the true final chapter of Kasuto's Redemption.