Ganon


In just the time it took Sheik to explain, the rumbling grew worse. Link threw his arms out for balance, turning towards the exit and gesturing with his head for Skull Kid to follow. He waited for his friend to catch up before following, stealing one last look at the fallen Ganondorf.

As he exited the room, the Forest Medallion caught his eye. He scooped it up, conscious of the lost time. But it felt important. This was a gift from Saria, a gift from the sages, something to hold close as long as he could. And it was possible it could still be important.

The group stumbled down the stairs single file, pressing one hand against the wall for support. Navi clung tight to Link's cap, the two of them bringing up the rear.

As they passed through the first room, Link caught sight of a pair of lizalfos stumbling towards the stairs. Were they here all along? Or had they ascended the tower after him? It seemed like they moved the medallion, at least; he found it brushed aside along the edge of the wall.

He was shaken out of his thoughts with a loud thud and a pained cry. A piece of the ceiling lay in the middle of the floor, broken from the fall. Skull Kid lay dazed in the middle of the debris.

Link dashed forward to help, but Sheik beat him to Skully, lifting him in both arms and carrying him towards the stairs, giving him a chance to recover.

"You know," Skull Kid tried to joke, "I could get used to this."

"Less talking, more running!" Navi called out, clinging tighter with a startled cry as Link dove out of the way of another piece of debris, scooping up the next medallion on the way out.

Something loud crashed behind him, and a wave of heat followed. Glancing back, he saw that the entire ceiling had caved in, crackling flames licking at the debris.

"It's on fire!" He called ahead. "The whole tower's on fire!"

He caught up to Sheik a second later. He'd stopped, frozen, in the third room.

Flames danced at the walls, blazing across the carpet. There was no way through without running through fire.

"Goddesses above," Sheik growled, backing towards the stairwell. "What else could go wrong?"

The tower swayed, and a crash sounded from above. Part of the stairwell, just a dozen steps above or so, had collapsed, flaming rubble blocking the path above the gap.

Sheik swore under his breath, gaze sweeping across the trapped space. Stinging smoke rose to the top of the stairwell, and crackling fire crept ever closer.

Finally, his gaze landed on one of the stained glass windows. "Link, do you happen to still have that hookshot?"

"I think so!" Link replied over the roar of the fire. His hands dove into his bag, shuffling until he felt the pointy edge. He pulled it free, holding it out to Sheik.

"Okay," Sheik said with a stiff nod. "I think we're going to have to jump. You two should be fine, right?"

"I think so," Link agreed. He'd jumped from high places before, and he wasn't nearly as fragile as a human.

"Are you sure about this?" Navi called over the blaze.

"No," Sheik answered, "but it's the best option we have."

Sitting Skull Kid down beside Link, Sheik steeled himself, then dashed for the window, holding his hands protectively in front of his face at the last second.

The glass exploded outwards, shattering into thousands of tiny shards. Sheik immediately fell out of sight. Then Link heard a thunk as the end of the hook embedded itself into the tower a short ways below.

Link stepped up to the edge, looking down. It was a long way to the ground, but no higher than he'd been when fighting Bongo Bongo. For just a second, he hesitated. He'd only collected three of the medallions on the way down, but there was no way to get to the others. He'd have to find them later.

"Ready?" he asked Skull Kid, waiting for a nod before turning back towards the window. He jumped, spreading his arms wide as the ground rushed up to meet him. At the last second, he called on his magic, using the wind from before to break his fall.

Skull Kid tumbled to a stop just beside him, landing on his face before flashing a thumbs up.

Link dragged Skully to his feet. "Come on, we still need to put some distance between ourselves and the tower!" He whipped his head around until he spotted Sheik, sheltering under an overhang at the very edge of the court. He rushed over to meet him, even as debris rained down around him.

An eerie creaking noise sounded just as they reached shelter. Then, they watched as the tower crumbled in on itself, large chunks falling to the ground and sending waves of dust, smoke, and flame into the air. Link shielded his face from the blistering heat.

Silence followed, broken only by the sound of dying flames.

"Is it over?" Navi mumbled.

The rubble at the center shifted.

Link tensed, drawing his sword. Skull Kid and Sheik shifted to attention.

From the charred remains, a hand burst free, flexing and clawing at the air. Then Ganondorf exploded out of the rubble, roaring like an enraged beast. Blood coated his face and his armor, his cape torn to tatters. And on his outstretched hand, the Triforce marking glowed brightly.

"You!" He screeched, his voice garbled. His head snapped to the group with a crack. "I'll destroy you! I'll crush your bones and use you as kindling!"

At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then his limbs stretched and elongated, hanging down like limp noodles as his body expanded to catch up. His armor warped with a metallic whine, then shattered, leaving only the underlayer of clothes behind as thick, wiry, sickly blue-green fur sprouted across his body.

His jaw and snout snapped and jutted out with a sickening crack, his lower canines no longer contained by his lip. He jerked and spasmed as the skin on his head cracked and peeled, twin horns bursting free and curving around like a ram's.

Convulsions wracked his body, each one accompanied by waves of added bulk. His legs twisted and shifted into a new position, toes fusing into hard hooves.

The beast that was Ganondorf crashed to the ground, landing on his hands and hooves. A long, slithering tail grew out like a worm with a schlorp and the transformation was complete, all in a matter of seconds.

Ganondorf — or whatever this thing was — landed on the ground on all fours. It rose to its elbows, then back to two legs, raising its head high to let out an earsplitting, bestial roar. Darkness swirled around its hands, forming a wickedly curved sword in each.

Sheik drew the bow again, creating more light arrows. "Looks like this isn't over. Spread out!"

Link dashed to the side, holding his sword at the ready. The beast tracked his movement, swiping with one sword nearly as big as he was. He dove, the blade narrowly missing him.

"Link!" Navi's voice sounded in his ear. "It looks like he's focused on you! I'll try to find an opening or a weak spot. Just focus on avoiding his strikes for now!"

A good idea, but easier said than done. Link scrambled over and between debris, sometimes having to change course due to encountering a dead end or something still smoldering. Each of Ganon's strikes seemed closer than the last as he ducked and wove.

Light flashed overhead, the beast letting out an angry roar. Another of Sheik's arrows whizzed by overhead striking with a blinding flash.

"Link!" Navi called from somewhere nearby. "Now's your chance! Get behind him, you'll be in a better position!"

Link nodded, dashing towards the beast. As he passed by, his sword sliced across Ganon's left leg, leaving a thin cut that oozed with blood.

The monster kicked, but Link had already danced out of the way, jabbing at the tail.

Ganon screeched as the strike drove straight through the tail. Link pulled free his sword and moved to dance out of the way again. But the thrashing tail struck his head, sending him sprawling.

"Link, move!"

Link started to sit up, dazed, then gasped and raised his sword in the nick of time. His arms strained to hold back the massive blade, fresh pain radiating from his burn injury.

"Hey!" Skull Kid's voice reached Link's ears just as he thought his strength might give out. "Pick on someone else, you overgrown pig!"

Ganon flinched and reared back, freeing Link long enough for him to scramble away. The reason became clear a second later. Clinging to the beast's back, spear driven deep into its flesh, was Skully.

The beast tried reaching behind him, sword waving in the air. But Skully was in an unreachable spot, clinging tight to stay out of reach as Ganon whipped about.

Link took the opportunity to take up his sword once again, jabbing upwards to create a fresh wound in the beast's belly.

And at once, Ganon's attention was solely on him. He sprang back, sending a cloud of dust in the air as he landed. Then charged, head low. Link spun out of the way, but the tip of one of his curved horns caught on the fabric of Link's tunic, throwing him off balance. He threw his hands out to catch himself. But at the same time, Ganon tossed his head to the side, sending Link flying and tumbling through the air.

He flailed, trying and failing to right himself. A pound crack sounded as he hit the ground, searing pain blossoming across his back. His mouth opened in a soundless scream as he struggled, dazed, to get back to his feet.

Shaking his head to clear it, he looked up just in time to see a blade rushing down toward him. He grunted, holding the Master Sword up to block the strike. The strength of Courage rushed through his body, giving him just the strength he needed to hold Ganon back.

But this time, the beast was prepared. He jabbed down with his second blade, hooking it underneath the Master Sword, and jerked upwards.

Link lost his grip, stumbling as his sword spun through the air. landing on the ground not far from Sheik, who he heard a grunt. His eyes flickered, alarmed, as he took a step back. But this time, Ganon was faster. In one fluid motion, he swung again, forcing Link to dodge to spring to the side, calling forth his magic to warp a safe distance away.

He reappeared near Sheik, stumbling as he landed, throwing out his arms to support him. And yet, he still lost his balance, falling back on his bottom.

He heard a gasp from behind, then cried out as an explosion of pain hit him from his right arm, so bad that his vision went black for just a second.

Or, as it turned out as he whipped his head to inspect the source, the pain came from his lack of a right arm. Just above where his elbow should have been, a mix of sap and resin spilled from the wound, trying to coagulate in parts and dripping to the ground in others. Jagged bone poked between the splintered wood, wispy tendrils of a dark mist swirling out. Even through the white-hot pain, Link understood that wasn't good.

He was vaguely aware of someone — maybe multiple someones — screaming his name. But it all sounded hazy and distant, and it took all his concentration to climb to his feet. His hand clutched at the injury, stickiness oozing between his fingers.

Someone grabbed his good shoulder. Sheik, maybe? His vision blurred and spun and he struggled to make them out.

"Stay back for now," came Sheik's voice in his ear, and then his helper returned into the fray.

A mixture of anger and despair broke through Link's pain. He couldn't believe he'd let himself get hurt like this. His failure put both Sheik and Skull Kid in even more danger than before.

He couldn't just stay back like Sheik said. Injury or not, he had to finish this fight. As his resolve strengthened, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, his pain dulled and his focus returning. His Triforce marking glowed bright gold.

Pulling his hand away from his wound. He stumbled forward step after careful step.

The Master Sword. He needed the Master Sword. They needed it to defeat Ganon, and he had to be the one to wield it. Of that, he was certain.

His gaze swept over the battlefield. Sheik let loose arrow after arrow, but the magical strain was clearly taking its toll on him. And while he couldn't see Skull Kid, peeling laughter told him that his friend was still okay. For now, at least.

"Link!" Navi's voice sounded from above. She dove down in front of him, shaking her head. "Link, you're seriously wounded. Step back, let us finish the fight!"

Link shook his head. "I have to, Navi."

"You're in no position to help," she tried arguing, but he shook his head again and pushed past her.

"I have to," he repeated, holding up his hand as he passed. The Triforce gave him courage. The Triforce gave him strength.

The Triforce would let him see this through.

Reaching the Master Sword, he reached out and — with some effort — tugged it free with his remaining arm. The weight threatened to throw off his balance, but he steadied himself, taking a second to focus.

Another light arrow stunned the beast.

He took the opportunity to dash forward, once again slicing a fresh, deep wound in Ganon's belly. More sticky blood poured from the injury, and he let out a bestial roar.

He swung at Link, but this time Link was prepared, using his magic to warp away.

A fresh wave of pain threatened to dull his focus. He pushed through it.

"Link!" He heard Shiek's voice. "Prepare yourself!"

At that moment, he caught a glimpse of a golden glow from Sheik's hand. He raised it skyward, swirling golden light coalescing around it. Then held it forward and shot the charged magic attack at Ganon.

The beast roared, stumbling back. Somewhere, Link heard Skull Kid yelp, followed by a thud, then the sound of scrambling over debris.

He had no time to focus on that; Ganon wobbled, then pitched forward, falling to his hands and knees with a deep growl, leaving Link standing face-to-face with him. Two menacing eyes glared at him, every muscle straining to pull free of the light holding him down. The ruby-red gemstone on the beast's head shone with Link's reflection, each facet showing off how horribly injured and bedraggled he was.

Link pressed forward, tightening his grip on the Master Sword. This was his chance to end it. This was for everyone who'd suffered. This was the payoff for everything he went through.

Ganon swung his head to the right. Link blocked the tusk with his sword. He thought of the forest. Of the Deku Tree and Saria, two lives he could not save.

Ganon swung his head to the left. Link blocked the strike. He thought of Sheik, Navi, and Skull Kid, and the risks they'd taken to get here.

Ganon swung again, but this time, Link lunged forward. With all the might he could muster, he plunged the blade deep into the beast's skull.

Link's knees wobbled. That had to be enough, right?

The beast growled, shifted, and tried to rise. But it failed.

"Sages, now!" Sheik's voice sounded at Link's side, but it felt distant. Something tugged at his side. The medallions he had collected burst from his bag, hovering in the air. Three more burst from the rubble. He stumbled back, watching as seven pillars of light rose around the beast, plunging deep into its flesh. Ganon roared and spasmed. Then the light died from his eyes and all went still.

"Is... is it over?" Skull Kid squeaked from somewhere nearby. "Is he dead?"

"He's not dead," Sheik answered between ragged breaths. "But we sealed his spirit away where he can't hurt anyone any longer. It's over."

It's over, Link repeated internally. Relief and exhaustion filled his mind. And with the exhaustion returned the pain and the sensation of sticky resin oozing on his side.

Still, with a tired smile, he turned back towards Skully and Sheik and moved to meet them.

He felt a stinging pain at his side. Then the pain of his lost arm returned. His eyes flickered. His legs gave out. He slumped to the ground, slipping out of consciousness.