And so, we come to the final battle.

HeroAlexa249:... Yeah, the updates are starting to go a lot faster, now that I'm on break. Also... FNAF 2... uh... Five Nights at Freddys?

Joystick Gamer: I inspired you? I'm AWESOME?! *shinny eyes* :D And I just gave you permission, so I'll have to give you a shout out in the commentary for the last chapter.

YueHamachi: I love it when you find a fanfiction that is so good, you don't want to put it down, so that's a cool compliment... but... uh... looks around... I don't know if I'm the kind of person you want to stalk in real life (other than a few things, it would be pretty boring to stalk me.)... *gasp* but does that make you, like, my Phantom of the Opera? :D

...Actually, if HeroAlexa249 means "It's Been So Long"... it does contain interesting parallels to Hylia and Fi.

I finished this a little too quickly... the joys of being on Christmas break.

Ok everyone, let's rock and roll: it's the penultimate chapter, and Demise is at hand. Do yourself one tiny favor: if you choose to listen to music during the fight... please do don't choose the final boss track from the game, because it's not really that great.

Chapter 16: The final battle

Silence fell as the light changed into a thick, darkish purple smoke.

Then, a figure slowly rose up from the ground... revealing a woman.

She was a woman who was taller than Ghirahim or Groose. She had a large figure, but it also had pleasing, attractive curves at made her look beautiful enough to attract the weak minded prey before pouncing on them. Her skin was an almost deathly pale bluish purple, which would seem to turn a few shades dark before changing back again, and her arms and legs were covered in red and black scales similar to those of the Imprisoned. She wore a black, billowing wrap around her waist- long enough to almost reach the ground- while something black, yet flickering, like shadows or fire covered most of her upper body, with the exception of a split that revealed the middle of her stomach and a small portion of her chest.

While her hair was initially black, it then changed into a brilliant reddish orange flame- like mane that flickered and pulsated, while illuminating the gray white beads that made up her earrings. Her hair- which was almost as long as mine- literally looked like it was on fire.

Then, she raised her head: the woman had a thick nose, and thick lips, which hid sharp, pointed teeth. On her forehead was a white, feral looking x shaped scar, and under that were eyes that were like reddish orange flames... and contained a darkness that made me shiver to my core.

She slowly reached her hand out and gazed upon it, flexing her fingers, while Fi glided towards her.

Fi turned her head to spare me one look- whatever the reason for doing this, I couldn't understand it. Was it to tell me something? That fate could be defied, that I failed, or that she was beyond saving?

She raised her arms and head up, just as the other woman noticed her... and Fi then violently jolted as something came out of her body. Something that looked like the blue hilt of a sword.

Slowly it came out, with a sickening sound, as a ring of white energy poured out of Fi's chest. When it finally came out, the sword flew into the other woman's hand.

With a triumphant smirk, the woman held the blade in front of Fi and the blade began to turn purple.

Fi rolled her head back... and suddenly let out a terrible cry as she began to turn purple.

I could only watch in horror as Fi turned into a purple light, before it was pulled into the blade. So much of that light went into it, until there was nothing left of my former adversary... not until it entered the blade completely.

The blade then grew in size, until it's shape took on a new form- it became as large as I was, and the ends became wavy, like unstable water or the waves of Fi's cloak. When the light was gone, the blade had turned pitch black with dark grey trimmings, the guard- which, along with the hilt, turned a dark, almost black purple- had opened up to become ragged wings, the diamond was an ugly yellow color, and the symbol of the Triforce upon the blade was inverted.

The blade that was once Fi had become a corrupt counterpart to the Master Sword. Just as Demise's blade had been purified and changed from darkness and bloodthirsty to nobility and responsibility, Hylia's intended sword went in the reverse direction.

Demise then finally noticed us and slowly turned her head.

"Ghirahim." The voice that came out of those thick lips was deep- almost enough to sound like a man, yet contained a certain, husky feminine quality. "It's been awhile."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ghirahim tense up. "...So it has, Master Demise." He greeted.

"I thought that I had sent you a proper dismissal, the last time we met." Demise mused. "Yet here you are, alive and well... I suppose the rumors that Hylia took you under his care were true after all."

Demise turned her gaze towards the Master Sword and Ghirahim immediately gripped my shoulder. His fingers were tight against my shoulder to the point that it hurt, but I could sense the fear behind it.

"I see that my old sword has been reforged into a new form... it's not as magnificent as the old shape or length, but I suppose Hylia was that desperate to turn you against me... and if you're the one who is wielding my old sword..." Her gaze was drawn towards me and our eyes met. I felt as if I was looking into death's eyes and my heart began to race.

"...So, you must be the chosen knight of the god." She grinned. "I was certainly not expecting it to be a woman, much less one who appears to be so close to death's door."

Against the protests of my body, I pulled myself up off the ground, away from Ghirahim's grip, and held the Master Sword and shield out. If Demise intended to kill me now, then there was no point in acting like a coward while doing so.

Demise tilted her head at me in interest. "...Intriguing." She then glanced up into the sky, where Link's body was still lifelessly hovering in mid air.

"Hylia lowered himself to a mortal existence to keep me imprisoned." She then spat in disgust. "Pathetic: this bag of flesh pales in comparison to the magnificence of the glorious warrior that I knew of."

She held her sword up and, with a roar, swung it out, and sent a gust of wind towards Link, which sent his body flying away.

"LINK!" I cried and hopelessly almost stumbled my way towards him... except I was about to get unexpected help.

I heard a mighty battle cry and my eyes raised up in amazement as Groose charged down the pathway, with a huge trail of dirt raising up behind him.

"Don't worry Zelda!" He cried. "Groose has got this!"

And then he leapt foreword with arms out, just before Link hit the earth, and collapsed onto the ground, with naught but a large cloud of dust rising up above them.

"Zelda I... I caught him! He's ok!" He hollered.

The cloud cleared up to reveal Groose with Link in his lap. It was a strange sight that would have seem impossible a long time ago, but it gave me immense relief at the moment.

"Hmm... So you and that other human would stand before obliteration to aid the god, would you?" Demise's voice made me turn back to her. "How curious... The humans I've known were weak things. Hardly more than insects, shivering under rocks and ready to flee at the mere glimpse of me."

I glared at her as she continued. "When I last walked this world, they did little more than scream and cling to their precious Hylia, mewing and praying... Counting on him to protect them. How amusing to think those cowards begot someone like you."

I let out a sharp grunt and got myself ready in that battle stance, "We live in a world where the risk of death from cradle to the grave surrounds us, thanks to Hylia." I informed her with pride. "Because of that, it is necessary to overcome fear, in order to live, rather than to survive. I'm willing to show you just how much we have evolved, if that amuses you so much."

Demise only laughed, as if I were a joke.

"You grow more fascinating by the second, human. I'd never imagined I'd meet one of your kind who wished to stand against me in battle."

"Very well, then." She grinned again as I continued to glare at her. "I shall prepare a place for us where we will not be bothered by distractions. If you still have the courage to face me, seek me there." She added, as if still finding me amusing.

I lowered my blade. "I accept your challenge." I responded and began to walk towards her.

"Zelda, we're counting on you!" Groose hollered, and I turned to see him. "Oh and Grannie had some info for you: she says it'll take time for that grease wad to absorb Link's soul completely! If you can take him down before his soul get's all sucked up into that... thing, you might still have a chance!"

"I...I know you can do it!" He added, and pumped a fist in the air. "So... yeah! You've gotta do this! You're all Link's got! You've got to make this happen!"

I continued towards Demise, all while ignoring the pain in my body. The monster swung her blade horizontally before jabbing it into the air and sending tendrils of darkness into the sky.

She became engulfed in a purple light as she concluded. "If you fear for your life, do not follow me. You can spend what little time your world has left cowering and crying, as befits your kind. But if you truly desire to raise your blade against the world I would build, come for me. I've waited eons to return. I can spare a few more moments to let you decide."

The column then disappeared, sending a black ring of energy out, as well as a circle of sinister black smoke, where the seal used to be.

I stood in silence.

Finally, I answered the screams of my body and crashed to my knees. I barely had time to move my arms and keep my head from hitting the ground, or my blood stained blade.

I let out a cry and grabbed my stomach: even if a fairy and a potion spared my life, the wound lingered and was growing worse. In addition to that, I felt fatigue from my battle against the army of bokoblins and Fi, and I wanted nothing more than to rest.

"Don't push yourself." A hand was gently placed upon my shoulder. "We both need a moment."

I glanced up to see Ghirahim looking at me in concern, with a hand over his injured chest. Angrily, I slapped his arm away.

"Why didn't you teleport while you were falling?!" I yelled. "You let Fi stab you, idiot!"

"I knew that it would serve as a necessary distraction." Gingerly, he sat down beside me. "I knew you well enough to know you wouldn't resist the chance to take your revenge on her."

I sighed as I arranged myself so that I could sit next to him. "That doesn't keep you from being an idiot."

"A charming idiot." He smugly corrected.

I ignored him, but I smiled as I rummaged through my bag until I came across a second potion. With a grimace, I took the cork out and drowned the contents: it made me feel somewhat better, even if it would ultimately numb the pain. Upon finishing it, I turned to Ghirahim in curiosity.

"I thought you said Demise was a man." I pointed out. "Yet he... is a woman."

"My former master is... unique..." Ghirahim sounded slightly bitter, and I couldn't blame him, after all that had happened. "He appears differently to every single person who meets him. Sometimes it's in a form that seems innocent... other times, monstrous... he can be man, woman, child... he can even be a dark reflection of your soul. Everything that you aren't can up a physical form through him."

I recalled the beautiful, yet wild form of Demise. In a strange way, it was as if my anger and bloodlust had been given form... I supposed Demise became everything that I wasn't.

"And you?" I asked. "How does he appear to you?"

"Not even my descriptions could give him proper justice."

"I could see why you were so loyal to her... him." I frowned, recalling Fi's words. "...I'm sorry. He betrayed you because he thought you would be jealous of Fi."

"And rightfully so." Ghirahim responded and turned to me, with white eyes- unlike Fi's, I could see emotion reflected in them. "You know how childish I had acted with each and every weapon you found."

"You really are like a jealous lover." I could only let out a weak chuckle before looking at the portal, where Demise waited.

"Is there anything I need to know before I face Demise?" I asked. "Or do you still have lingering feelings towards him."

"You know that, in the present, my heart is only for you, my Mistress."

That shouldn't have made me blush, but it did.

"He is honorable, but he is ruthless and skilled with the sword. He is merciless, even if he can't kill you, and I'd advise to watch him carefully. Should he still be regaining his power, then he should be on equal terms with you."

I processed this information before I asked the question I was dreading.

"What happens when I go through that portal?"

Ghirahim reluctantly sighed. "I cant guarantee that there is chance of coming back. Even if you won, it would take a miracle to get out of that dimension, alive."

I felt my stomach churn at the notion.

No matter the outcome- even if I won- I could never see the light of day, ever again. I would be trapped in a void, separate from my world... from the surface, from Skyloft, from everyone... Impa, grannie, Groose, my father... even Link.

I ran a shaking hand over my face. This was not what I had wanted: never did I imagine that this could happen. If only I had taken care of Fi at the fire sanctuary when I still could.

"Even I am terrified of the notion that we will be trapped in the void." Ghirahim quietly admitted. "And yet, I know that there is much more for you to lose than I do."

"I can't run away." I stared at the darkness ahead of me, where the fate of this world was waiting for me. "Everyone depends on me... our future depends on whether I stay or run."

"I almost died several times, and many times I felt like giving up... I kept going when I thought of Link, but then I began to think of my world... and myself. For all the injuries, torture, fear, and risks that I went through, there is so much more that I had accomplished in this journey that I will never regret. Not even for a moment.

So, even if I feel scared... more than I ever had been... I have to do this... because if I can't, then I will let down so many people, and I will have to live with the guilt. I want to carry my memories to the grave with pride, rather than live in self loathing as a ghost."

I took my sword and shield and stood up: this time, I felt well enough to manage on my own two feet, and the pain in my stomach was gone for the time being. However, I knew that the potion wouldn't last- eventually, it would wear off.

"So I'm going to prove to Demise that we humans aren't weak. I'm going to show her just who I am, and how wrong she is." I then sharply turned my head to Ghirahim. "I know enough of your history to understand your connection to your former master. If you don't want to help me, that is fine: I can do this without anyone's help, if that's what it takes. Otherwise... if you plan on betraying me... get it over with, because there's no better time than now."

Ghirahim silently looked at me in confusion.. and he looked slightly hurt... but then he laughed and got up.

"Your fire burns with such passion." He grinned as he walked towards me. "Yet it's against my nature to abandon you now. As I said before, I have come to terms with the past, and, unfortunately for my old master, I have grown too fond of you to let you die."

I could sense that there was more that he was keeping from me, but I didn't wish to press on it. Too much had happened to the both of us to keep delaying for much longer.

Together, we walked to the portal- my heart was pounding, and my instincts were screaming at me to run, but my mind was set.

We stood side by side, glancing into the darkness.

"Ghirahim," I turned to him. "In case I fail... I just want to tell you," I smiled "I'm glad that I have met you. I want to thank you for all you have done for me... and I will not regret the time we have spent together... it was an honor to learn how to fight-"

Ghirahim scoffed. "You humans with your honor." But then he returned my gaze. "I will ensure that you win... I never imagined that I would fight alongside humans... however, I suppose if we fail, then I cannot imagine anyone else to die alongside with..."

I took a deep breath and held my sword out. Ghirahim did as I had commanded, and went back inside it.

I swear, if I have the chance, I will set Fi free. As much as I hated her, she deserved better than what had happened to her.

I closed my eyes- no regrets, I told myself as I walked ahead... and the darkness consumed me.

-?-

I don't know what I was expecting when I opened my eyes... if it was the blue sky, with clouds, and the sun looming in the distance, that wasn't it.

And yet, that was the place where Demise waited for me, standing on top of a large body of water and gazing at the illusion of the sun.

"Ah, so you've decided to meet your end in battle after all." Demise chuckled and turned to face me. "It pleases me greatly to see such misplaced valor, human."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." I responded. "I have come too far to stop now."

"Take a moment to appreciate you surroundings, for where we stand shall serve as your tomb for eternity." She calmly continued as my eyes narrowed at her. Clearly, she was used to victory, to the point that she seemed to act as if I was destined to die by her hand.

She walked upon the water- her feet making large 'sloshing' sounds. "The hate for the gods has boiled in my veins..." She almost drifted off with her words, yet the contempt was as clear as day. "You will taste all of it in the bite of my blade." She stopped and then turned to face me.

"The only question left is how long you will manage to remain standing before I take your life. Try to keep it interesting for me, would you?"

"That, I can promise." I darkly guaranteed as I held my blade out and ready.

"And when you do fall," Demise pointed a clawed hand at me, as if to entrap me "know that your world and everything in it is mine to dominate... mine to subjugate," she growled "Mine to rule!"

"When I finish with you," She grew her hand back and turned her claws into a fist "you can take solace in knowing your friends and kin will soon follow, as I wipe all who oppose me from the face of this world!"

"All the more reason to stay alive!" I snarled.

Demise threw her hand out, and the sky changed from calm blues and white, to black, brown, and dirty tan colors.

"It won't be long now." Demise scowled with determination. "At last, the almighty power I've sought for millennia..." She held her sword out. "I will take the Triforce for my own... and the world shall be under my foot for eternity!" She roared and swung her blade out.

Slowly, she walked towards me as if savoring this moment, while I told myself not to strike first- see what she would do.

"Go on, human," She spoke. "Try and land the first strike."

"Don't." Ghirahim's voice cautioned in my head. I obeyed.

With a grunt, Demise swung her mighty sword at me and I blocked it with my shield. When her arm was thrown off, I took my chance and struck her three times with my sword until she blocked it.

"Impressive." Demise grinned, but there was also annoyance in her tone. "You managed to land a blow- only few have claimed that victory."

There wasn't anything I could say about the first part of that fight. Demise was humoring herself, by not even bothering to exchange to many blows at first. In fact, I had managed to land a few more blows and was able to believe that Demise wasn't taking this seriously.

"My former master likes playing with those who are intriguing, before he grows serious in the battle." I was warned. "Do not let this get to your head- don't even try to taunt her."

After awhile, Demise had enough of this.

"I see that you are serious about defeating me, human." Demise blocked one of my attacks with her sword. "Perhaps I can change the ti-"

As she spoke to me, I landed another blow, which sent her flying backwards.

She collapsed against the water with a splash and remained motionless, for a brief moment.

But then the sky turned to black, blue, and gray, and thunderbolts rained down with tremendous crashes.

An enraged Demise then leapt up off the ground, and began to turn black. As she landed on her feet, she sent me a look that should have made my blood freeze in fear.

"Don't you grow confident on me, human!" She growled. "For now, I am done toying with you!"

She raised her sword to the sky. A stray bolt of energy it the blade, electrifying it with a dangerous surge of power and turned it blue.

I couldn't help but tense: the part of me that cared for all living beings felt discomfort with the knowledge that Fi was in that blade.

She walked towards me, and held her sword out. I felt myself panicking: what could I do? If I tried to attack her, she could block with that sword and electrocute me!

The voice in my head called out. "Use the power of the Master Sword- perform a skyward strike at her- use this lightning to your advantage!"

"Got it!" I nodded as I readied my blade: maybe I could even use Demise's tactics to my advantage.

"So, you charmed Ghirahim into submission, did you?" Demise asked as she held her hazardous blade out away from her body. "I do wonder what it is about you that managed to do so: are you that powerful?"

I tried to back away from Demise and raised my sword up. I felt it charge up, but then Demise slashed her sword out at me.

I quickly jumped back, but it was too late: the sword managed to touch me, and sent a jolt of electricity throughout my body.

I let out a sharp cry as I collapsed to the ground: so much pain. It was almost as bad as when Fi had stabbed me. Worse yet, I could feel the potion wearing off on me.

As I struggled to get up, Demise charged at me. Just as I looked up, she made to slash her sword at me and I rolled in the water away from her as fast as I could.

My now water soaked clothes made me feel cold and miserable, but it was nothing, compared to keeping an eye on Demise. As she made to raise her sword up, I quickly got up and raised my sword. I felt it charge up and felt the lightning strike it, making it warm to the touch.

The grunting noise in my head, like a wounded animal, threw me off. I then realized what I had to sacrifice, in order to win: if this could harm Fi, then it was clearly harming Ghirahim.

"I'm sorry!" I said a little too loudly as Demise approached me. Quickly, I sent a beam shaped like a sparkling crescent of blue light at Demise, who howled and recoiled back when she was struck.

"NOW!" The voice in my head forcefully commanded.

Immediately, I rushed to Demise and sent as many swipes as I could at her body. Each one made her cry out, as black blood began seeping out of each wound that I created.

Demise let out a roar and then managed to punch me in the stomach with an inhumane strength.

I screamed as I felt my insides be smashed in and dropped my shield. No matter how much I tried to heal, the wound still remained and it was my greatest hinderance, and that punch made it worse.

I collapsed on my knees and began coughing up blood. The coppery taste in my mouth was my greatest reminder of what was at stake, and though I wanted so desperately to get up, my body refused to obey, after enduring more than it could handle in one day.

A hand tightly grabbed my neck and I began to choke.

Slowly, Demise raised me to eye level with her free hand. She was strong, to the point that not only could she lift me off my feet and above her head, but her grip on my throat was limiting my air supply. In that brief moment, I felt guilt: I had failed.

She looked at me with hateful eyes. "Pathetic." She sneered. "I expected more from you. Clearly, Fi had already done something to you before she revived me. I see your spirit, but I can't see the strength that Hylia obviously could not. This only proves to me that nothing has changed, beyond your kin's resolve."

I was aware that the Master Sword was still in my hand.

I bowed my head and managed to gutter out "It's true... I am not your equal. And I will admit that there are times where I have grown to hate Hylia, for all he had put us through... but I learned something valuable, when it comes to challenges... when someone manages to have the upper hand."

I readied my sword.

"Cheating." I grinned.

I struck the Master Sword into her arm as deep as I could.

Demise screamed and let me go, out of instinct, but I grabbed the handle in both hands and pulled it out of her as I made my descent. I steadied myself with my free hand when I hit the ground and held my sword up, ready to charge it again.

Even if Ghirahim had warned me, I couldn't resist such a cheap trick: I couldn't last forever, and I needed to finish before I breathed my last.

Demise was distracted long enough for me to get a perfect charge and land a blow before making my way in, despite how badly my stomach was hurting from the inside, or how much blood was coming out of me.

"Damned human!" Demise snarled as she stopped my onslaught, but I leapt out of the way and charged my sword once again. "You shall suffer, before I kill you!"

My sword charged up again, and I forced myself to ignore Ghirahim's scream in my head. "I already have!" I roared as I sent the beam into her chest again.

I slashed at her again, and this time, it was too much for her, as she then fell to the ground. I knew what I needed to do.

I leapt into the air and raised my sword up in time for it to be struck by lighting. I held on with all of my strength, despite my pain, despite the agonized screaming in my head...

For all that Demise had caused... for all that she made the surface dwellers go through... for trying to kill and leave Ghirahim for dead... for almost killing my Link... this was for all of them.

"HYAAAAAAGGGH!" I roared out as my sword and I plummeted downward. I kept my hold, even as my sword pierced through Demise's body and she let out a horrible sound, and trails of golden light seeped out of her body.

I didn't stop- not once. I pulled my sword out and I returned the blade to it's former wielder again and again.

Even after seconds had gone by, I repeatedly plunged the Master Sword into Demise- I had to make sure that she wouldn't survive. And each time I did, a burst of golden light- the light that came out of Link- escaped from her mouth, her eyes, and her wound. I was forced to close my eyes as the warm light enveloped itself around me and gradually, the pain in my body disappeared.

Finally, I plunged my sword into Demise one more time and pulled away as the last of the light escaped from her body. I stumbled back away from her and slowly began to head towards my shield, while keeping an eye on her... ever believing that she was dead, until she would stop moving.

I panted as I gazed upon the fallen demon... I felt no triumph in what I had done. I only felt relief... but I also felt so heavy... so tired...I felt my legs buckle and give way... until I felt the arms of Ghirahim wrap under my arms and held me up for support.

"...I'm sorry, Ghirahim." I panted as I held onto his arms. "I caused you pain-"

"You fought well." Was my only response. "You made me proud, my Mistress."

Slowly, Demise got up, as Ghirahim allowed me to get in a more comfortable position to stand, but he still kept a hold on me, as worn as I was.

At first Demise stood, with a hand on her injuries, and appeared determined to continue fighting, as her entire form pulsated with pale coloring. She raised her sword up, but then lost her strength and nearly collapsed. She thrusted her sword into the ground and held onto it for support as she gasped for air... but then, something strange happened.

In a spray of black, purple, and blue sparkles, the sword... Fi... vanished out of Demise's hand.

Demise stared dumbfounded at her now empty hand, while a strange concern ran through me. I even felt... guilt.

"...Is Fi dead?" I asked Ghirahim in wonder. "Or did she escape?"

"Even I don't have an answer to that." Was the quiet response before my focus returned to Demise.

Demise kelt over, yet still kept her eyes upon me. "Extraordinary." She panted. "You stand as a paragon of your kind, human. You fight like no man or demon I have ever known..."

I didn't feel any satisfaction, upon hearing her words. Only the air of pride that radiated from the person who held me was what made me feel good about myself.

"Though this is not the end. My hate..." She huffed. "never perishes. It is born anew in a cycle with no end! I will rise again!" She promised as she pointed a finger to me.

"Any moment now, Hylia's reincarnation will seal you away once more, ensuring that all that has come to pass will remain untampered with." Ghirahim calmly replied. "I'd say more, but that would ruin the surprise from high above."

Demise let out a laugh- or at least something that came out as a gurgling noise as she threw up a spray of black blood. She looked back to me after a moments composure.

"Listen well, human!" She roughly demanded. "For I always keep my word... I will rise again!"

"Those like you..." Demise's eyes narrowed at me as her voice became a growl. "...Those who share the blood of the god and the spirit of the hero... They are eternally bound to this curse."

Ghirahim let out a sharp gasp. "No..."

I glanced up in confusion: he knew something about these words, and they terrified him. It was never a good thing when Ghirahim showed any sign of fear, but the extent was an indication that this was not going to be a good thing. Whatever Demise was about to do...

Even I was beginning to feel a strange chill as Ghirahim pleaded "...Please no... don't do this Master D-"

"An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!"

Demise knelt over and began to cough out more blood before roaring her head back in laughter. It was a deep laugh of humor, triumph... and darkness. It was as if she had won, instead of me- it was a sound that would most likely haunt me for a long time coming, and it made me more scared than it should have, despite that a part of me was sure that she meant the Imprisoned... so why did I feel a sense of unease?

"...No." Ghirahim hopelessly whispered as he protectively tightened his grip on me, refusing to let me go.

Demise threw her arms up in the air, before her body turned white and dissolved into nothingness, like ash from the fire, which seemed rather fitting for a being of destruction. All that remained of the once mighty Demon King was black smoke.

I slipped from Ghirahim's grasp and collapsed into the water...and all went dark.

-Ghirahim's POV-

My mistress deserved her rest, but the sight of her weary form and the sword stained with black blood by her side was not a source of relief for me... not after those last words of my former master.

Slowly I kelt beside her and, after placing her sword- my sword- in it's sheath, and her shield in the cradle of body, I picked her up. Gently, I raised her up in my arms and held her close to me: even on the verge of death, covered in wounds and clothes tattered beyond repairs, she looked at peace... and ever so beautiful.

A beautiful, wonderful young woman who was able to tame my heart in a way that Demise or Hylia never accomplished.

"You never displayed such concern or gentleness when you were my servant, Ghirahim." The echoes of my former master could be heard. "You truly have grown fond of that human."

I glanced to the smoke and, for once in my entire existence, I felt an unbearable anger beyond any words at my former master. His betrayal had left me confused, terrified, and doubtful of myself... I was hoping that I would never cross his path ever again during this journey, for fear of what it could do to me... instead, I wanted nothing more than to move on with the life I had been granted.

But what he had done to my Mistress... his curse, which was a powerful spell of it's own... left me with hatred and outrage that I had never known before.

"Do you care for your new Mistress as much as you did to me, or perhaps even more so? Why do you glare at me as if I were a mere insect?"

"You cursed her." I coldly replied. "That is reason enough to hate you."

"The little human will not live as long as you will." The now hateful voice sneered. "You will live long enough to see my curse in effect, many generations after her body becomes dust, before your blade shatters with age."

I glanced back to my mistress... my Zelda.

Fi wasn't the only one who was condemned before birth: Hylia's foolishness in trying to achieve peace had come at a steep price. The girl in my hands was destined to suffer, due to this duel between gods and demons... a duel I once enjoyed playing a part in.

"You tied her and the reincarnation of Hylia to a cycle... it is not just their bloodline." I ran a hand over her soft, yet cold cheek. "Their souls will be forced to live on in different bodies across the ages, possibly to never to rejoin their family or friends."

My mistress soul may or may not be reunited with her mother's soul, or with the others, like the old woman or that insufferable buffoon with the ridiculous hair. And who was to say that the soul of the one she loved would be born into one who would be unreachable, or her brother, or another species altogether?

"That human made you soft, Ghirahim. She curse you with the worst gift of all: pity. She made you care for her to the point that you consider the state of her very soul."

"Perhaps." I admitted: yes, perhaps the charming young girl did.

And I didn't regret it... because she meant everything to me.

So, I decided to be spiteful and cryptic to Demise. I would make him regret his decision.

"I was once a blade held by your hand, and took thousands upon thousands of lives." I glanced up to the smoke with a twisted grin. "I was born by your hand, and in a case of divine, twisted, fate, I became the blade that ended your life. I am, quite literally, the blade of evil's bane: how does that feel "Master"? When I was reunited with you by the piercing of your body, could you feel just how untouchable I became? How the pure light given by the gods had burned?"

I could hear Demise snarling. "Do you wish to be included in the curse too, Ghirahim?"

Before I could answer, a ray of warm light encircled me and my Mistress.

I only smirked as I changed my form to that of the one Hylia gave me and licked my lips: I could already taste the blood that was waiting in the future. "I look forward to the day your so called 'incarnation' loses to the soul of my Mistress... every single one of them."

...Look, I tried. I really did try with this fight.

But after observing the fight against Demise, I am reminded of why it was the least satisfying final boss battle in a Zelda game, ever.

Yes, it's significant in that it ultimately leads to the never ending cycle that most of us have grown up with, but I still say that the final battle against Ganondorf in Twilight Princess is the best finale (It had a better atmosphere, better game play, better music- it felt like a genuine one on one duel, without any magic involved.) Even the fight against Ghirahim is more stress inducing than Demise.

Writing out fight scenes aren't my strong point, even when re-visiting video clips.

Speaking of Ganondorf... is he going to be the antagonist in another role swap fan fic? It feels sacred, that Ganondorf is part of the triad of fate. If I was doing this as a gender swap, Nabrooru would be the immediate candidate... otherwise that would have to be a separate Ocarina of Time one shot at the Spirit Temple.

And... I refuse to allow a paradox, which is why Demise is only resealed again. Something that I'm not going to shut up about just yet.

Also... I refuse to believe that Ghirahim died in Skyward Sword. Something seemed odd about that scene where the sword vanished the way it did... and I hope that he's going to reappear in the Zelda timeline again, if he's still alive.

And so... the end is upon us... Oh...

...Wow.

I will not post the final chapter until... hopefully the day after christmas.