Presenting a chapter everyone has been waiting for. HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN!

I remember the first time I fought the Imprisoned the second time. I was getting frantic when it got closer to the temple and suddenly I was crying out "COME ON GROOSE!" A moment that that means you know you were able to establish a connection with a character somehow. (and you will see the reference pretty soon).

The downside to this chapter? First off, a lot of it isn't anything new- a lot of the dialogue is from the game, which might bore some of you. Secondly, we revisit one of the biggest tearjerkers in the game. Thirdly, there's 50% less Ghirahim.

If you survive the chapter there is a... special reward at the end. ;)

Chapter 10:

The Spirited Warrior

Had I known the circumstances of that day... had someone even warned me, I wouldn't have listened to my heart and waited for just a bit longer before I rushed in. In the end, it was important that I went to the sacred grounds... for so many reasons... and yet...

It all started when I left the fire sanctuary.

I examined the newly reforged master sword before I went up into the skies again. I admired the changes, but I felt a sense of regret as I stared at the hilt and a certain absence of a detail that I liked.

"I'm not complaining," I confessed. "The new look is great but..." I ran a finger over the yellow diamond. "Not to sound petty, but I already miss the red stone at the center. It was a nice accent and it was so... you."

I looked into the sky. "It's time to go." I smiled: I couldn't wait to finally see Link again! "Link, I'm coming, so hang on!" I cheered as I was upward.

-Sealed Grounds-

I immediately noticed that there was something different about the land as soon as I could see it clear enough.

Apparently someone laid out a set of tracks all around the Sealed Grounds. There was even a bridge that was above the entrance to the temple in order to make a perfect circle around the area.

"How in Hylia's name...?" I wondered as I examined the surrounds as I headed to the temple. "Who could have even found the time to lay these all... wait." I suddenly realized the most likely answer. "It couldn't be... could it?"

-in the temple-

When I entered the temple, I noticed that Groose seemed to be back to bristling with confidence, like he used to. I suppose it was better than being depressed, so it was a good welcome to the atmosphere.

"Ah, that sword," The old woman gasped when I approached her. "There can be no doubt: the sacred flames have purified the blade. Well done Zelda," She congratulated me. "That sword holds tremendous power." She continued, explaining that the power was a force spoken of in the Ballad of Hylia.

"To look upon you is to see that same great power, now flowing through you and the sword you carry."

"You make it sound as if we are one and the same." I glanced over my shoulder to the hilt.

"It wouldn't be the first time it's acknowledged." I was reminded by a certain voice in my head.

"Come Zelda, it's is time to open the Gate of Time." The old woman turned to the large slab of stone.

And just as I readied my sword, a familiar earthquake shook the foundation of the temple.

"No..." The old woman paled. "I fear the seal has given way once again. That terrible beast is awakening, even as we speak."

"It couldn't have been the sword, could it?" I wondered. "It has grown powerful... maybe it reacted to it?"

"I am afraid so." The old woman nodded. "It must be sealed once more."

"Alright! Bring it on! This is exactly what I've been waiting for!"

I turned in surprise to see Groose looking surprisingly pumped for the situation... not exactly what I was expecting from him, after last time.

"This is what I've been waiting for." He eagerly continued, as he got himself into a ready stance, fit for a competition. "It's time to break out my new toy! Trust me, that flabby bag of teeth doesn't stand a chance."

"Well what are we waiting for, I'm heading out!" He charged his way towards the doors like a gift was waiting for him and I followed his lead.

-outside-

"Hey Zelda! Check out this amazing super weapon I've been working on!"

I glanced over to the contraption that Groose had led me to. It appeared to be a large catapult on a platform that could travel around the tracks... and in that catapult was the largest bomb flower I had ever laid my eyes upon.

"I call it... the Groosenator!" He grinned."Leaves you speechless, doesn't it? That's only natural. You wouldn't believe how much time I put into building this beauty!"

"I see the boy is still conceited as ever." A voice sniggered in my head. I didn't bother to mention the ironic hypocrisy of that statement to it's owner.

"You built this?!" I was actually amazed at Groose- for a good thing- for once in my life.

"I don't know what came over me! I had no clue I had the talent to make something like this, you know? Anyhow, you just tell me where you want me to place my shots and I'll put a hurting on that ugly monster!"

He then explained that he needed to make some quick adjustments before his prize was ready to go. "I'll call out to you when she's ready for action." He promised. "Till then, do whatever you can to hold off that beast!"

"Will do!" I called back as I hurried down into the abyss, where the seal was placed. "I really hope your invention works!"

"It seems that your 'admirer' was finally willing to do something productive." Ghirahim's voice echoed in my mind.

"I'm glad he didn't stay depressed forever." I responded back. "Depending on what's in front of him, he won't stop for anything."

"Like pursuing you?"

"Not now." I bit my lip as I finally reached the seal. "We got more important things to worry about."

Just as before, the Imprisoned broke free of it's seal, but this time, the beast grew a pair of long, flabby looking arms.

I sucked in a breath of air and grimaced. "That's not good!"

"Well, look at that!" I heard Groose holler. "Looks like flabby grew himself a pair of hands! Talk about good timing! I hope it knows how to catch because my machine has a mean right arm! When she's all loaded, I'll let you know!"

Once again, I had to chase after the Imprisoned and try to cut it's toes. I was unable to get far enough, because as soon as the beast got close enough to a high ledge, it latched it's hands onto it.

"Please, for the love of Hylia." I begged as I tried to get at it's toes again. "That thing better not hoist itself up-

"Hey Zelda! The machine's all loaded and ready to smash!"

"NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME!" I yelled.

"Awwright! It's time for Groose to spring into action!"

The bomb soared through the air and landed smack dab on the Imprisoned's head, which knocked it back from the ledge and fell to the ground where I could do my stuff.

"Hah, she packs a punch, doesn't she?!" Groose cheered. "I tell you, I was in love the first time I pulled this lever!"

Once the Imprisoned fell to the ground, I made my way towards the seal.

"Hey Ghirahim!" I couldn't help but playfully comment as I rushed across the pathway. "Looks like Groose won't lend me have his toy after all." Maybe it was my nerves that was giving me the ability to joke in the situation. That or I was just being insane.

"I see you can find humor in a matter of life or death." Was all I got as I landed by the Imprisoned's head after I leapt off the ledge and began to slash at it's head.

"And how could I carry something that large with me?!" I joked as I sent the seal into it's head. "I could have Scrapper carry it around!"

"All the more reason not to have it in your inventory." Was the dry reply as round two began when the Imprisoned reared backwards and the seal popped back up out of it's head.

The third time I had to knock it down was very tense. It was getting closer to the temple once more, and I was getting worried that I would it make it in time.

In addition, I was wanting so much for Groose to hurry it up with his machine. I wanted to get this over with, and he was the only thing that could give me any hope now.

"COME ON GROOSE!" I cried out in a panic. "PLEASE HURRY!"

"READY!" The sound of Groose's voice was like a heavenly chorus to my ears in that instant.

And from that point on, with the combined efforts of me and my formerly unwanted admirer, we sent the Imprisoned back into it's seal.

Moments later, I was back at the seal, at the bottom of the now nightmare of a chasm.

"That was so close." I almost fell over backwards after I strengthened the seal with my sword and sent it back into the ground. "I can't believe I'm saying this... but I'm glad Groose was here. I didn't know that he could be capable of creating a useful contraption in such a short amount of time, but somehow he did it." I couldn't help but wonder what else he was capable of doing, if he had more time on his hands.

"I suppose the boy proved his worth at last." Ghirahim admitted.

I let out a breathless laugh. "Come on, let's get back."

-back up top-

"That was awesome!" I cheered for Groose and threw my arms out when I entered the temple. "You knocked that beast right off it's feet! If you hadn't been here, I don't think I could have managed sealing it in time!"

"It seems you were successful in sealing the monster again." The old woman greeted me. "You have my thanks, Zelda."

"Your welcome." I smiled.

"As do you, Groose." She turned to said savior of the day. "I do not wish to dwell on what would of happened if you two hadn't been here."

"Duh, huh, aww... you give me too much credit, Grannie." Groose waved it off with a chuckle. "You were the one that got me to stop feeling sorry for myself and put my energy into doing what I could do to help."

The woman chuckled. "I did what was necessary to get you to realize your full potential."

"Zelda," The old woman turned back to me. "You are probably wondering what that beast is, down in that great pit."

I felt a sudden chill overcome me. I couldn't explain it- was it because of my dream, or that I didn't know exactly what that creature was? I felt somewhat afraid even.

"There is so much to tell you, but suffice to say, it is the root of the evil we face. When you pass through the Gate of Time, you shall learn more."

The old woman grimaced and bowed her head. "We may seal it and reseal it into it's prison several times, but it will always shatter the bonds that confine it. Such is it's awesome power."

"So we have to keep doing it again and again." I wondered out loud. "But until when?"

"Now then," The old woman urged me. "Strike the gate with your sword."

"Yeah, come on Zelda!" Groose eagerly urged. "Use that force stuff that Grannie was talking about! Right on Grannie!" He complimented the old woman.

"Indeed." The woman replied with a smile.

I couldn't help but smile: A curious friendship seemed to have formed in my absence.

And so, I once more resumed my attempt to open the gate and this time, I was able to strike it.

A marking lit up and turned into an upside down L shape... then more of the markings lit up... this continued on the entire stone until suddenly it bursted into many cubes. The sudden force was enough to almost knock me over but it had more success with Groose, from the sound of his cry.

I was surrounded by the cubes. Seemingly hundreds of cubes twirled all around the air and around me. It was beautiful, in a strange way.

The cubes then reassembled themselves into larger pieces that eventually merged together to form the familiar looking Gate of Time. It became a brilliant pearl like shade of blue, and strange markings formed on them, before the gears started to turn.

"It's amazing..." I was breathless. Not only was the formation of the gate itself amazing, but here I was in front of the very door to the past itself!

Eagerly, I began to head towards the gate... but that's when I realized something felt strange. Like something should be happening around this point.

Wouldn't this be the part where Groose tries to convince me, in some way, to not go after Link?

I turned around to face Groose... but he just stood there, arms on crossed over his chest, with a slightly melancholic, but understanding smile.

"Are you... ok with this?" I asked him. "You're not going to stop me from going to meet-?"

"It's ok Zelda." He smirked and waved. "That stupid monster doesn't know when to quit, and Grannie hear keeps yapping about how we never know when it will bust free again."

"Someone's got to stick around and guard the place." Groose slapped his bicep and grinned. "May as well be me, right? And someone needs to watch over the old girl too."

"And... you know..." He dropped his arms and gave me at melancholic, but understanding smile again. "I think... I think he's really lucky to have a girl like you."

I hesitated. "Groose..." I don't know what to say. The old me would have been thanking Hylia that he was leaving me alone at last... but on the other hand, I saw that he had matured, and was showing that to me.

But I didn't pity him, because I didn't feel the same way he did before this all happened. I think, he was able to become a better person because he realized there was more than his own world. I couldn't fall for him because of that, but at least I respected him now.

Groose merely waved. "When you see him... tell him I said... 'hey'."

In response, I smiled and nodded. "I will." I turned back to face the gate of time and began heading towards it as a pathway formed out of a series of gears and darkness on the inside of the gate. "See you later!"

"...At least he's not annoying you anymore." Ghirahim spoke to me.

"I think," I realized. "I'm proud of him, for all he was able to accomplish and decide on his own."

And so, I went- through the link to the past.

-I couldn't resist that joke, sorry about it... Anyway...-

When I entered through the gate, I found myself in the sealed temple, which looked new and intact, compared to the ancient, weathered, moss covered building from my time... and waiting for me by the gate, was Impa.

"Well if it isn't the stick whose come to greet us." I heard Ghirahim sigh in my head. "I knew shouldn't have had my hopes up."

"Hello Impa." I greeted as I walked towards her. The woman didn't seem surprised to see me as she crossed her arms, but she seemed to tolerate my presence now, which was a nice change.

"Zelda," She acknowledged. "We were expecting you."

I glanced around the room. "So this is the temple in it's glory days." I wondered out loud.

"It is now known as the Temple of Hylia." Impa confirmed. "Hylia has only just sealed away a great evil. And little time has passed since the god sent the outcropping of rock into the sky that would one day become Skyloft."

"I remember this place." Ghirahim recalled in my mind. "Its as if I was only here a few days ago."

"Where is Link?" I asked.

As if by some divine cue, I heard something from my right: something like music, coming from the normally sealed doors.

I glanced over to see a ray of golden light flood the spot where the doors was as the music played on.

I couldn't hear Impa's words as the music played... it was the sound of some kind of wind instrument, but with the pitch of a bird singing in the sky as it flew on the warmth of the wind.

I knew that song as I headed towards the doors. The memory of it was coming back to me...

"That's a pretty melody." I complimented as Link played on my harp. "Did you make that up?"

Link realized I was listening and abruptly stopped on a sharp note. He flushed red in embarrassment and scratched his head with a free hand... which I thought was kind of adorable.

"It was more of an accidental discovery." He confessed. "Did you know that some songs exist within songs? Like, if you play it one way, it becomes something else altogether?"

"I... suppose." I grew thoughtful as I sat beside him. "I can see that?"

"Well, I thought, 'what if I played a certain song backwards?' and that's how I discovered this melody."

"It was in the ballad." He confessed as he resumed playing. I found myself pulled into some sort of trance as I closed my eyes and felt a wave of peace overcome me.

It was a song that told me everything would soon be ok. That a glimmer of hope was on the horizon.

"It's so beautiful." I noted. "It's something that can take away the nightmares and sooth my soul."

Link suddenly chuckled. "Looking at you and hearing your take on it, guess I know what to call it now."

Ahead of me, waiting in a beam of light and a strange blue flute like object to his lips... playing the song... was Link.

And all of the sudden, it felt as if I hadn't been through a temple, a silent realm, an attempt on my life, or the Imprisoned that day. It felt as if it were all just one bad memory from a long time ago.

I waited until he finished playing the song, before I stepped foreword. He opened his eyes and slowly lowered the blue object from his lips before he smiled at seeing me. It was a strangely serene, yet somehow melancholic smile. I couldn't help but wonder what was with those kind of smiles I was getting today.

"You played my lullaby the second I showed up." I let out a chuckle as I approached him. "You're not so original with dramatics, you know."

He let out a weak laugh. "I... suppose." He put the musical instrument away, but not before I saw a glimmer of gold coming from it. He sighed "I'm so glad you came... despite all that you had to go through. Your always put your mind to whatever it was you wanted to do, so... I'm glad."

"Oh boy." I laughed. "You wouldn't believe it! Temples with step hills and rolling boulders, silent realms with creepy protectors, a really ugly sea creature, Ghirahim's continual jealousy over every weapon I got, and I almost got killed by Fi today!" I stopped when I saw that this was upsetting Link who wasn't smiling any more. "I'm sorry... it's just... a lot has happened, hasn't it?" I frowned.

"Tell me." I began as I calmed down. "Why are we in the past?"

Link began to explain. "In this era, the wounds inflicted on the land during the battle between Hylia and the Demon King known as Demise have not yet healed. All those stories we heard growing up... they were real after all." He bit his lip. "I'll try to explain it... it's quite a lot, actually.

"The old gods created a supreme power that gave anyone who possessed it the ability to shape reality and fulfill any destiny. They called it... the Triforce.

In his thirst to make the world his own, Demise readied a massive army of monsters for war. He sought to take the Triforce for himself by force."

Fearing for his people, Hylia sent both them and the Triforce into the sky on a slice of the earth he cut away from the land. This new home for our ancestors became what we now call Skyloft."

Link looked up into the light. "Hylia, meanwhile, was able to successfully defeat Demise after a rigorous battle and imprisoned him... But unfortunately, it became clear that the seal would not hold long against the demon king's fearsome power. Hylia was already critically injured from the battle and knew that if Demise broke free, he would be unstoppable... and that would be the end for all life in our world."

So, in order to put an end to Demise, Hylia devised two separate plans and set them both into motions."

Link stepped out of the light and slowly began to walk towards me. "Hylia recruited Ghirahim- a malevolent being who originally wrecked complete chaos upon the world- as the advisor and spirit of the sword for Hylia's intended champion. Secondly..." He paused.

"Hylia abandoned his divine form, powers, and immortality, intending to transfer his soul into the body of a mortal..." Link began to look hesitant... fearful even. " So that the Triforce could one day be used... because it can't be wielded by a god, despite being made by them. I don't understand that reasoning myself, but..."

I felt my heart racing and my mind growing blank... because I knew where Link was going with this. I was suddenly understanding and piecing the puzzle together... why I was given the sword... the mentions of a hero... the flames... why Fi was pursuing Link... Link's own powers... His Sire... The Spirited Warrior...

"I'm the intended champion..." I grew pale. "And you... you're the reincarnation of Hylia."

Link nodded as he let out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. "I knew you'd figure it out." He gave me a sheepish smile. "Me, a god? I didn't believe it at first."

"The day I fell out of the sky," He began. "I met the old woman at the temple. She told me I was Hylia, and I didn't believe her at first... even as she told me to remember my time as Hylia and instructed me on what to do. She bequeathed to me Hylia's sacred sword and I set out to pray at the temples across the land... and each time, I regained memories of another life... another time... and that's when I knew the truth. Even though I didn't want to believe it and thought it was some sort of sick joke, I knew..."

"And so, we are here in the past." Link continued. "All this is part of the same plan. As for Demise... you saw how he looks now right? The seal stripped him of his true form, but he can still destroy this land if we allow him to go unchecked."

Link looked more resolved now. "So... we need to do whatever it takes to prevent this. Even if it mans I have to stay here in this time and place to sustain the seal. If I do, we can prevent the revival in our own-"

"What?!" I demanded. Link flinched and looked away,

"I have to maintain the seal that Hylia- that I- created so long ago and keep it strong for as long as possible. I'm sorry Zelda, but as long as things continue the way they are in the present I can't go back."

"So how can I prevent that?" I angrily demanded. "I went through so much to reunite with you, and you can't go back with me?! What is the point of all of this?!"

"That's where you come in." Link looked back at me without flinching at my words. "Even though I was horrified at what kind of person Ghirahim was and that he was with you this whole time, I came to learn that there was a reason Hylia made him into a better person and reforged the sword for something more noble than slaughter. Even though I wanted so much to hate Hylia for choosing you to carry out his wishes, I knew that there was a reason he choose you...because the destruction of Demise is up to you now."

"You already sealed him twice, and even though I wish you didn't need to go through that, I couldn't thank you enough." He apologized. "And even though you went through so much...You've grown since you started this journey."

You learned wisdom from solving devious puzzles and traps. You gained power by honing and tempering both yourself and your sword. And by overcoming the trials set before you by Hylia, you've found true courage. And now that those qualities reside in you, you have proven your worth to wielding the power of the gods: you can claim the Triforce."

He offered his hand out to me. "You'll always be a goddess to me, but now it's my turn to honor you with a gift." He gave me a smile. "Sorry that you had to pretend to be a man without knowing it."

Despite the whole situation, I was able to laugh as I recalled my realization from so long ago. "Yeah, who would have thought I'd ever be a man? I don't think I could pull that off." I took his hand and knelt down, my head bowed low, as we returned to the situation at hand.

"Valiant hero, you have endured many hardships and journeyed far in your quest to reach this place." He spoke in a voice that sounded dignified, and almost otherworldly... it was as if Link truly was Hylia. "Along your travels, you have found wisdom, power, and courage, and for this I shall bless your sword with the god's power. May it give you and your sword the strength to drive back the abomination that threatens this land!"

I felt the mark on my hand glow as Link explained. "This is the proof that you are the hero of legend and that sacred power dwells inside you: this is the mark of the Triforce. The greatest power in this entire world. Now... stand before me, and raise your sword, hero."

I obeyed, standing up and pulling the sword out until I had it raised above our heads. I watched in amazement as the guard opened up like a pair of wings and the colors became more radiant than before and the insignia of the Triforce appeared on the blade.

"This now contains the power to drive back demons." Link explained. " Only you are fit to wield it now."

"...Well, I guess there's no reason to give it up for another sword anymore." I chuckled. Link raised an eyebrow and I had to explain. "Every time I got a new weapon, Ghirahim grew jealous. I thought it was amusing at first..."

Come to think of it... why hadn't I heard a word from Ghirahim during this time? I thought he would have something to say after this revelation... unless...

"I'm sorry Zelda."

I glanced back to Link as he spoke as he crossed his arms together.

"If you can obtain the Triforce, Demise can be defeated... but only those with an unbreakable spirit can use it to it's full power. Hylia needed someone like that to defeat Demise... someone like you. But you had to endure so many trials to awaken the hero inside you in order to use the Triforce..." Link bowed his head in shame.

"Hylia... knew that if it meant saving me, you would be willing to do anything for me. Since Hylia is technically me... that means I was using you, and it doesn't feel right to me."

"I know what is at stake... what you must do... but I can't expect you to ever forgive me." He finally looked into my eyes. "I don't deserve you, for all that-

"Why?!" I finally bursted and flung my arms out, having had enough of this. "Did you really think that this could change how I feel?"

"Yes, I am angry that nobody actually told me what was really going on! That I was only getting small pieces of information here and there! All I went through was difficult, and there were times were I wanted to stop, but I still thought of you and had reason to keep going! And all the while I felt myself becoming a better person, because of those experiences I had!"

I walked up to him and pointed a finger into his chest. "I want to save this world, and I want us to return back to our time together... and now you say that we are nothing but toys to Hylia? Why do you need to apologize for the actions of someone else? You say you're Hylia, but I only see my childhood friend! You, are, not, Hylia! You're Link, and you always have been!

And if you think you're Hylia, then tell me, Your Grace: why didn't you ever explain in the first place?! Why didn't you ignore Impa when she stopped you from meeting me, was that part of the grand scheme? Do you consider me as just a pawn or-"

Without even a warning, Link pulled me towards him and as soon as I crashed into his chest, he locked me up in a tight embrace and I felt his lips collide into mine.

Time stopped and my mind went blank. And then, I relaxed, closed my eyes and willingly returned the favor.

Nothing mattered anymore in that moment. I wanted to enjoy this moment that I secretly wanted for so long... I was so afraid to ask for this, and now I knew what I had wanted to know for so long.

It was just me and him- there was no burden of destiny hanging over our heads in that moment. It was just us.

A few, but all too short seconds later, Link pulled away and I felt his hand on my head as he drew it towards the cradle of his neck. His other arm was wrapped around me and I responded in turn by keeping my arms wrapped around his.

"You have never been just some pawn to me." He murmured as I enjoyed the moment, for as long as I could, while listening to him. "You have no idea how much I wanted to be with you- how much it frustrated me, knowing that you had to face those ordeals. If it were up to me, I'd take your place in a heartbeat."

"...We never expected this, did we?" I murmured as well. "All those days we imagined what it would be like down here... what we were destined for... was it ever this?"

"I would have stayed up in the sky forever, if I knew about the troubles down below." Link confessed. "And yet it's time that we return to the earth... so that we can help it to thrive for the other races, in addition to our own people. We need to give a future for those who will come after us."

Link slowly let go of me, his fingers slowly tracing my arms as if to commit the feeling to memory before they returned to his sides.

"In order to maintain the seal, I have to remain here in this time... frozen in sleep for thousands of years."

I gasped in confusion, "Wh-what?"

Link turned away, towards the light. "This is my penance, for all the wrongs I've committed to you... and to others who have suffered because of my plans as Hylia. I can't say sorry enough times to you Zelda. I... was happy with you. I really wish I could have made you even more happy somehow, but...that's what I get for being lazy."

"No!" I protested. "You don't have to do this Link, I-"

Link pulled his sword out as I slowly walked towards him, my throat tightening all the way. "I'm sorry but, until Demise is defeated... I can't wake up." He then turned completely around to face me, sword in his hand. "I'll be stuck frozen in sleep."

"Link," I pleaded. "You can't do this to your-" I choked on my own words as I felt my eyes water.

Link gave me a smile- it was possibly the saddest smile I ever saw him make, and it was a blow to my heart. Everything in his face said that he didn't really want to do this, and yet he seemed so resolute at the same time.

"That's why, I have one more request." He said as he began to lift the sword up in both hands. "I know I've been lazy- you always had to wake me up... so... could you please wake me up?"

"I..." I began as the tears feel out of my eyes and as he- the one who I secretly wished I could spend my whole life with, if possible, but possibly no longer could, the way things turned out- waited for my response.

I was angry, I was sad, I was tired, I was frustrated... but I could still be hopeful for him, if that's what it took.

And there was no way I was going to let this stupid sleep be eternal.

"...One more time, you lazy bum, and then you need to get an alarm clock." I cracked a grin, despite how painful it felt. Who knew that trying to grin in spite of sorrow could be so painful? No wonder Link was able to do the same.

Link smiled- and this time, he seemed at peace.

"I promise." He nodded.

Link raised the sword high above his head, and, with all of his might, he crashed it down into the earth, piercing the stone floor all the way through.

A blast of blue energy suddenly shot out of the blade and I had to block my eyes as the light became blinding and the wind was strong enough to almost knock me over. I thought I was going to land on my back as I struggled to keep my balance.

And then, it was gone.

I lowered my arm to see the sword sticking out of the ground... but there was no sign of it's wielder.

And I could only watch as a blue crystal covered up the blade and encased it, like some sort of sap, until it closed up together at the very topmost point.

I looked on for only a moment longer: a sword encased in a large blue crystal. It might as well been a tombstone, the way it was presented.

Everything was dead silent, both in my mind and in the temple. I walked out of the room, not knowing what to do, and I didn't bother to acknowledge Impa as I returned to the present.

"I'm sorry Zelda." I hesitated when I heard her speak. "He truly regretted all that you had to go through. When I had to turn him away from you, he was angry at me, but it was nothing compared to the anger he felt towards himself."

What was there to say to her?

"...Thank you for helping him Impa." Was all I could muster as I escaped to my proper time.

And in the end... all I could do... was just keep going forward, because I couldn't stop for nothing anymore. If I had known what would happened, I would have given myself a day's rest... but instead, it felt as if I was the only one who couldn't stop, for those I cared about.

And the one who blamed himself, would never wake up until I could finish what was planned before we were all born into this world.

-don't cry-

-Here's an alternate scene-

"Hylia... knew that if it meant saving me, you would be willing to do anything for me. Since Hylia is technically me... that means I was using you, and it doesn't feel right to-"

"...Wait a second." I realized. "You were behind everything?"

"...Technically, yes-"

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH SHIT I HAD TO DEAL WITH?!"

My explosion caught Link off guard. "Wh-what?"

"I had to climb up Eldin Volcano several times, and run up and down in the Earth Temple where I was almost squashed to death... I was told that I wasn't good enough for you because I was 'late' for reasons beyond my abilities...I had to go through a mining facility instead of straight to the temple of time because someone decided to blow up the entrance... I almost died from exhaustion from sealing the Imprisoned not once, but twice... I went through god-forsaken silent realms with things that kept chasing me down if I wasn't careful, three freaking times... I revived an ugly sea beast because apparently 'it was a trap to gain wisdom'... I almost got killed by Fi while I was in a silent realm... and I couldn't get out of said silent realm until I was finished with it... and I had to deal with a rude, gender confused robot... I went into angst periods more than once... and now I have to fetch a sacred relic and kill the most evil being in all the land for you ... and this was all YOUR DOING?!"

Link began to grow pale and backed away as he realized the error of his ways. I bowed my head down as he began to try to excuse himself out of this... but he had no clue what was going through my mind as he kept talking.

"Look, it's not like I wanted this!" He protested. "I'm really sorry Zel...da?" He grew hesitant as I began to snigger... then chuckle... then let out a demonic sounding giggle.

"Zelda?" He sounded worried, and I could sense that he was drawing back from me... but I knew that wasn't going to save his skin.

I slowly raised my head up. "You poor bastard." I cracked a grin. "You have no idea what I just invoked upon you... for what I had to endure for your sake."

While Link was confused, my grin widened ever so slightly as a looming shadow came up from behind... and clamped it's claws upon his shoulders as it descended near his face.

Link froze as the shadow hissed into the tunnel of his right ear-

"Hello...Link... or should I say... Hylia?"

-and then proceeded to lash out it's long tounge and give Link's ear a slow, agonizing lick, like it was a sweet dessert.

Although I almost lost my hearing thanks to Link's horrified screaming, seeing Ghirahim punish him in his own special way was worth it.

...It's been awhile since I wrote romantic scenes. I feel rusty :(

Yeah, I decided to be a little harsh to Zelda and make the body of her sleeping beauty disappear and leave the sword behind instead. All we got is a sword that looks like the Fierce Deity's Sword jammed into the ground and covered in crystal.

I knew that I wanted to make a nod Ocarina of Time in the process, since whenever you defeat a boss in the adult timeline, Link is encased in crystal on the way to the chamber of the sages... though there's also another reason that will make sense later.

...Oh yeah, THAT other reference... Maybe I'll explain it another time :)

This was another case of fixing the dialogue to fit Link, just like with Fi and Ghirahim, but it's harder since we only have clues to Link's actual personality. I don't see him as someone of grace, and male!Hylia, while wise, might not have grace either...

Also... I didn't want Ghirahim involved too much in this chapter, but he is coming back in full fabulous force next chapter.

...yes, I did say that.