Edit: 1/25/2023 I've made some additional edits such as adding on dialogue to several points There is also an add on in the author note below
Chapter 26: Unleash the Fire in Your Heart
Large doors slammed shut after Link landed hard on the ground with a thump. The binds that held him vanish away. Regaining his bearings, Link looks around his new surroundings. The stone pillars and the mosaic drawings that adorn this chamber were something Link admitted was lovely to look at. The admiration was short-lived when a familiar dark chuckle caught Link's ears. The green-clad hero jumped to his feet, pulling out his sword & shield once his eyes were greeted by a grinning Ghirahim.
"Hello there, Link! Nice to see that you're still among the living. Fancy meeting you here. We seem to bump into each other time and time again. Oh, it's no coincidence, though, is it? You and I, we're bound by a thread of fate. Nonetheless, I'm happy you can make it."
"Where is he?" Link demanded sharply.
"Where's who?" Ghirahim responded with a shrug. "You're going to have to be more specific."
"You know damn well who!" Link gritted his teeth.
Ghirahim tapped his foot, snapping his fingers repeatedly, acting like he was having issues remembering. "Oh, right! Your friend, that adorable little fledgling. I hope you didn't mind me whisking him away for a little 'chit chat.' I simply wanted to get to know him better. Our time together ended up being a mixed bag, though. Your friend wasn't the chatterbox I hoped to be. He did more screaming than talking, to be honest."
That comment did not ease Link in the slightest. "If you so much as touched him-"
"Easy now, Sky Child. Your friend is still alive for the time being. I put him in time-out because he was more defiant than expected. I only wanted him to answer some questions that I had. No matter how nicely I asked, he was being insolent. Even have the gull to spit on my face! The nerve of it! I had no choice but to…discipline him."
The way Ghirahim said the word discipline made Link nervous. Those same nerves were not put to ease when Ghirahim moved to the side, giving Link a clear view of the door with Din's Symbol. Two splotches of blood the size of hands coated the stone door's surface. There were trails of it slowly sliding down from the splatter, indicating it was still fresh.
"What did you do to him?!" Link let out a snarl as he pointed the Goddess Sword at Ghirahim.
"Temper, temper," Ghirahim scolded lightly. "What is with you Sky Children's behavior regarding me? Did your parents not teach you how to act properly around others? Either they're horrible at parenting, or maybe none of your parents are present in your lives somehow. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if the latter was true. If they were disobedient, I would not want to be around my child."
Link let out a growl at The Demon Lord.
"Still, I must give Little Fledge credit where it's due. There's a spark of fire in his heart. I never expected that from a frail boy like him. And for the amount of screaming he did, your friend didn't tell me anything I wanted to know. Not one single peep, no matter how much pain I inflicted on him. I for sure thought he would squeal. I may have gotten the wrong idea about him. But I'm a big enough person to admit when I'm wrong. I can see that you have his complete undying loyalty. Albeit misguided loyalty."
Link's patience was now reaching its limit. "Give him back, or else!"
"Don't worry. You'll see Little Fledge soon enough. First, I want to get to the topic at hand." Ghirahim lifted his arms above him. "Look at these old drawings!"
Ghirahim directed Link's attention to the mural with the two Gates of Time. A quiet gasp went out of Link's mouth when he realized it.
"Until I found these, I was…a tad upset about that little stunt the goddesses guard dog, that lousy twig Impa, pulled at the Gate of Time in the desert. But these drawings suggest the existence of another Gate of Time lying elsewhere. This news has just filled my heart with rainbows!" Ghirahim exclaimed loudly with absolute joy. "I've been a busy boy, you know. Searching here and there and everywhere for another Gate of Time."
Ghirahim vanished from sight. Link hastily looks around the chamber for The Demon Lord but cannot see him.
"...And yet, I couldn't even find a single clue!" Ghirahim's voice startled Link to turn to his left to see his foe in a dramatic pose. "Since I know I can be honest with you, I'll admit I got a little sulky. It was frowns all around."
Again, Ghirahim vanished from his spot. In the corner of his eye, Link saw Ghirahim standing right in front of the mural above the ground.
"The thought of never getting my hands on that darling young girl again was…well, more than I can bear." Ghirahim hugged himself as his voice in utter despair echoed through the chamber. His demeanor quickly changed to pure excitement. "But then…Then I found this place!" Ghirahim dived toward Link's direction, moving behind him, grabbing both of Link's shoulders and leaning in close. "The prospect of another Gate of Time has left me positively giggly!" Ghirahim let out a subtle, maniacal laugh as he utters that last word.
Patience growing thinner, Link attempted to swipe at The Demon Lord behind, only for him to vanish, quickly reappearing in the mural's direction.
"That girl. Your adorable Zelda. She will be instrumental in bringing about the revival of my master. And though I feared she was beyond my reach, I despair no longer! This has been the happiest I've been through my whole existence!"
The more Ghirahim spoke, the more Link did his best to contain his fury. Hylia, he really wanted to slice Ghirahim down so severely. It was bad enough that Ghirahim possibly harmed Fledge, but hearing him taking pleasure in taking Zelda to use for whatever nefarious deeds he has in mind makes him sick. Whatever it takes, he will save Fledge and protect Zelda and the rest of his friends. Even if it kills him in the end. Right now, he had to remain calm. Acting irrationally will not solve anything.
"Before we talk further on that subject, there's still the outstanding matter of your punishment, Link. Do you remember when I told you the next time we meet, I'd make your ears bleed from the sounds of your own screams? My good mood has helped clear my head, and I've been thinking…Perhaps corporal punishment is a touch harsh. I might be willing to forgive & forget and give you back your friend if you strike a deal." Ghirahim reached his arm out toward Link as if he expected him to give him something. "...All I ask is that you tell me where I can find the other Gate of Time. That's not too much to ask, is it? Oh, and don't you play coy with me. I know that you know, so why not let me in on the fun?"
That was a deal that Link would never agree to. "Like hell I'm going to tell you anything."
A tired, disappointed breath escaped Ghirahim's mouth. The Demon Lord shook his head. "I had a feeling you would say something like that. A bit disappointing that you're not a chatterbox. So how about we alter the deal a bit further."
Ghirahim lifted his arm high above. With one snap, a cluster of diamonds flashes on the ground next to his feet. Link could make out a person lying on their stomach. The right side of their head tilted upward, with the left side covered by their arm draped across. Link's eyes widened with horror when he recognized this individual.
"Fledge!"
The young teen slowly stirs awake from unconsciousness. Too slow for Ghirahim's liking. After being awake for mere seconds, Ghirahim grabbed Fledge by his hair, forcing him onto his knees. This allowed Link to see what Ghirahim had done to the boy.
Blood was on every part of Fledge's body. There were red splotches on his torso, parts of his uniform had been torn, and Fledge's hands were coated with dried blood. The boy's face did not seem to fair any better. More blood had adorned it, coming from the many cuts. Bruises also accompany several spots on his face. There was evidence of tears in both of his eyes. Then Link saw the most horrifying thing on the left side of Fledge's head.
The top half of Fledge's left ear had been cut off. And under his left eye lies a symbol of a diamond that had been crudely carved into his cheek. There were signs of cauterization, which Link doubted was used to stop the bleeding.
"What do you think, Link?" Ghirahim gestured to Fledge like an artist would show their work. "I used to think the tornado I created to snatch Zelda away from you was my best work. But looking at this...I believe that this tops everything! A true masterpiece, if I say so myself!" Ghirahim moves his hand through his hair, exposing the left side of his face, showing the top half of his left ear gone and the diamond mark under his left eye. "Isn't it nice to have a matching set?"
At this point, Link had difficulty containing his anger as he sights glued upon his battered friend. The torture that Fledge had gone through…Link could only imagine. What's worse is that Ghirahim was bragging about it. The sick bastard was proud of what he had done. Link had figured Ghirahim to be a disturbing person. But this…What Ghirahim did to Fledge was downright pure evil. Link attempted to run over to Fledge but was stopped when Ghirahim summoned black daggers that landed mere inches from his feet.
"Take another step closer and I'll slice your friend's throat." A large black knife hovered near Fledge's neck. "If you value his life, I suggest you listen to what I say. First, I want you to place your sword and shield away."
Glancing at the knife beside his terrified friend, Link slowly complied by sheathing his sword and putting his shield on his back. Ghirahim licked his lips in delight, snapping his fingers to have the knife next to Fledge vanish in the air.
"That's a good boy!" Ghirahim cooed. "Now then, hopefully, we can act more civilly."
"You're a sick monster…" Link gritted through teeth.
Ghirahim gave an annoyed scowl. "If you want your friend here to have a chance to see the end of this day, you mind your tongue."
Fledge moved his head in Link's direction. "L-Link…I-I…" He managed to whimper out.
That did not please Ghirahim in the slightest. It prompted the Demon Lord to hit the orange-clad student. "You keep quiet! I can't handle another ounce of your whining. If there are two things I hate in this world, it's cockroaches & whining babies. Though a whining baby cockroach would be truly awful…Nonetheless, you keep it down. Honestly, you were much better when you were screaming earlier."
"Leave him alone!" Link shouted out. "Please...Just let him go! It's me you want! This has nothing to do with him!"
Ghirahim let out a mocking laugh. "On the contrary, you and your friends have everything to do with this, him included. You cemented that the moment all of you got in my way! You think all of you could come down here, interfere with my plans, and get away with it?" The Demon Lord's sharp brown eyes glance down at Fledge. "And you think you could leave your island? Swope in? Save the day? That's not how this works. You all need to learn that there are…consequences to your actions. Which is why I'm giving you an ultimatum, Link."
"And what would that ultimatum be?" A sense of dread filled Link's chest. What Ghirahim had in mind, he knew it wasn't good.
The Demon Lord gave the largest, darkest grin Link had ever seen since their first encounter.
"You tell me where the Gate of Time is. If you refuse…" Ghirahim glances to Fledge's direction. "...I will kill him."
Link hitched his breathing when Ghirahim finished his demands, having difficulty believing what Ghirahim offered. Fledge fearfully glances at his captor and then back to Link. Ghirahim, on the other hand, seems to take pleasure in putting these two in this predicament.
"Such a hard choice, now is it? I wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now, Link."
"You can't do this…" Link muttered.
"Oh, I believe I can. Both of you should've taken the deal I generously offered you. But you both had to be stubborn children. Look where that got you. You forced my hand to do this, Link. And as for you, Little Fledge, your fate is now in your beloved friend's hands. Now the question remains. What will be your choice, Link? Which friend will you save, and which one will you sacrifice? You better decide soon. Otherwise, I'll choose for you. Tick tock, tick tock..."
The inside of Link's head scrambled through any options, alternatives, and any plan he could think of to escape this grim predicament. If he doesn't think of anything soon, Link must give up one friend to save the other. Neither choice led to anything good. If he chooses to save Fledge, Zelda could face a terrible fate. But if he chooses Zelda, Fledge would be condemned to death. Making a choice like that will haunt him for the rest of his days. No way he'll go through with this. He'll figure something out!
As Link weighed out his options, Fledge has been doing some thinking of his own.
Though his mind was disoriented from the pain caused by Ghirahim, Fledge could comprehend what was going on with Link. Fledge could see that Link was conflicted with what to do.
The one who comforted him when his mom died, the first to offer his hand in friendship, the friend he had seen as the older brother he never had, is being forced to choose to let him live or let him die. It was not an easy choice, Fledge was fully aware. He did not envy Link's current spot. Fledge would be conflicted if he was in that same position. Choosing one friend to die to save the other. That was a position he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy. But, Fledge wondered, is Link the only one making the choice?
The teen was no stranger to death, having witnessed his mother take her last breaths when she succumbed to her illness and watching his friends go through similar experiences. What Fledge knew was that sometimes death will come when it comes. Sometimes it comes when one has the benefit of being prepared. Other times it comes when it's least expected, typically when one is still young. That was the aspect of death that Fledge feared. Sure, his mother was still relatively young when she died, but she had months to prepare herself and those she cared for and vice versa for when her illness inevitably killed her. Then were some who died unexpectedly. Those like Link's parents, Cara & Kit: killed by a swarm of Skytails during a routine patrol. Pipit's father, Harri: brutally killed by an Aeralfos doing the same thing. Karane's parents, Balea & Arus: died in a sudden storm protecting their daughter. Then there was Zelda's mother, Athena Harkinian: plummeted to the clouds below during what was supposed to be a routine flight with her Loftwing. All of those were sudden deaths. None of them or their loved ones had the luxury of preparation, and Fledge had seen the effects of those deaths.
But Fledge was a knight in training. When one becomes an official Skyknight, death becomes a constant companion. Always lingering nearby, waiting for the day when that individual may have to lay down their lives to protect those who are defenseless. It was a grim thought, but it was all part of the job. Despite his fears, Fledge took upon the training, knowing that when he became an official Skyknight, he could have at least several brushes with death. Hell, he wasn't even a senior knight, yet he had already nearly died many times during this quest. Even now, he chose to endure the torture Ghirahim had put him through, knowing the possibility that he may be killed, all to keep Zelda safe. That is the duty of a Skyknight. In his current position, Fledge may need to do it again…
If the identity of Ghirahim's master is accurate, all would be lost if he found Zelda. And even if Zelda wasn't someone significant such as a Spirit Maiden or needed to resurrect an evil demon king, he would keep her safe. Because she's his friend. And she was also Link's best friend. They've known each other as long as they both could remember. Fledge knew that Link would never forgive himself if he gave her up. And Fledge could never live with himself knowing he had led to her doom. The last time Fledge cowered away, Link almost died on the day of the Wing Ceremony. Though Link had long forgiven him, it still ate in Fledge's chest. Never again will Fledge be indirectly responsible for hurting his friends. So…Fledge then decided to make the ultimate choice.
He knew what he was about to do would devastate Zelda, Pipit, Karane, and Link. This is a decision Fledge didn't want to make, but if it meant sparing Link the pain of being responsible for the death of a friend, and keeping Zelda safe, then it was something he must do. They would be sad, yes. Maybe for a long time, but they'll still have each other and those they care for. Pipit & Karane have each other. For a short time, they were official, Fledge could tell how much they were in love. Undoubtedly, they would someday marry and start their own family. Not to mention Pipit still had his mother, who had already been through so much loss of her own, and Karane still had her father figure, Owlan. Link and Zelda…They had a special bond. Fledge knew they would stick by each other for the rest of their days.
On the other hand, Fledge didn't have anything to lose other than his friends. There was a little for him back at Skyloft. Sure, there was Orielle. He will always cherish the friendship he had with her. They could have been something beyond that. That thought pained him even more. But Orielle still has her life ahead of her. Indeed she'll find someone else. In the end, Orielle and all of his friends will be safe. Fledge gave a sad glance at Link.
"I'm sorry, Link. I won't let you do this to yourself…Forgive me."
Fledge mustered every ounce of his mental strength for what he was about to do.
"Link…!" Fledge called out to him.
"Fledge…It's gonna be alright! I'll-I'll get you out of this somehow!"
"Don't! Just…Don't. We know how this is going to end." A tear trailed down Fledge's eye. "I'm not going to let you choose! Don't give Zelda up just to save me! There's a lot at stake if you do that! She's more important than me! You have to keep her safe!"
"Do my ears deceive me?" Ghirahim leaned down to Fledge with interest. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds as if you're offering to sacrifice yourself to spare Link the trouble of choosing."
All Fledge responded with was a slow nod. Ghirahim's expression went from intrigue to confusion and pure joy in minutes.
"Well then…This was something I wasn't expecting. You're not as weak as I expected, Little Fledge." Ghirahim turned his attention back to Link. "It seems, Link, that your friend here has decided for you. A noble but foolish act…."
Knowing what would occur, Link attempted again to run over to Fledge. Ghirahim summoned a barrier wall when Link was only a mere few feet away from reaching the pair. Link slammed his arms against the barrier as hard as he could in a desperate attempt to break it.
"Let him go! Take me instead! DON'T YOU DARE HURT HIM!" Link practically begged as he kept slamming on the barrier as hard as he did.
"I'm afraid it's too late. Your friend's fate is now sealed."
Ghirahim forces Fledge to his feet by pulling on his uniform's back collar. With the snap of his fingers, his black sword appeared in his other hand. The Demon Lord glances at Link, reveling in the utter look of helplessness plaster on his face. The sounds of Fledge hyperventilating bounced on his ears. A large grin grew upon Ghirahim's lips as he drove his sword in Fledge's direction.
Intense pain erupted in Fledge's chest as he felt something sharp pierce him from the front side of his body. The pain was extreme enough for him to let out a sound that was a mixture of a croak & whimper. What followed next was Link letting the most despairing scream of 'No' Fledge had ever heard him throughout the years he knew him. Satisfied with what he had done, Ghirahim pulled his sword back after mere moments had passed. Fledge could see the blood dripping from the blade. He felt something wet when he placed his hand on the impacted area on his chest. Glancing down at the source, he could see a blood stain rapidly expanding on the surface of his uniform. It was then he realized what Ghirahim had done to him.
Link was frozen in shock at what he had witnessed Ghirahim do to his friend.
"Fledge!" Link called out to him desperately.
Fledge slowly lifted his head away from the blood on his chest to look in Link's direction. Even though the teen struggled to stay on his feet, Fledge reached an arm out, hand still covered with fresh blood, in a desperate attempt to reach Link. But Ghirahim instead chose to throw the boy back to where the door with Din's symbol was at.
"Fledge! FLEDGE!" The orange-clad student's body remained still, not responding to Link's frantic calls to him.
After several agonizing seconds, Ghirahim finally lowered the barrier. Disregarding the Demon Lord's presence, Link ran over to Fledge's side. The green-clad senior knight cradled his friend in his arms. The blood stain where Fledge's stab wound is gotten bigger. And there was fresh blood trailing down the corner of his mouth.
"Fledge! Fledge, look at me! Look at me, okay? I'm right here! You're going to be fine! Just stay with me!" Link held Fledge's head in his hand.
The younger teen could only look at his friend. Slowly, Fledge placed his blood-covered hand on Link's cheek, coughing as he did. Eyelids grew heavy. Keeping them open became a struggle for the teen, along with breathing as well.
"I'm…Sorry, Link…" Fledge wheezed as more blood trailed down from the corner of his mouth, along with fresh tears from his eyes that grew heavier by the second. "I …I didn't want to be…responsible…for…hurting you again…you, my…my…b…brother…"
Letting out one final breath, Fledge's eyes closed while his head limped to the side. The hand on Link's cheek slid down, leaving behind a bloody handprint. Link's heart stopped as he watched his friend's body go limp. The sound of Fledge's breathing had ceased. His chest no longer moved steadily with each breath. Any sign of life within the teen appeared to no longer be present.
"Fledge? Fledge, get up! You're going to be fine!" Link attempted to stir Fledge back awake, but he did not get a response. "Fledge…Don't do this! Get up!" Link spoke with more desperation. Tears started pouring down his face. "Please, Fledge! WAKE UP! Please…"
There was no sign of Fledge waking up. In a desperate attempt to find even the slightest hint of life, Link placed his ear against Fledge's chest to hear his heartbeat. Seconds passed, and he neither heard nor felt a heartbeat. The truth had finally settled in, twisting Link's face with anguish.
"No…No."
Fledge, the friend he saw as a little brother, was no longer among them. Gone forever. Link failed to keep his promise to protect him…Link's crying echoed throughout the chamber as he held his departed friend tight in his arms, uttering apology after apology to the boy many times, hoping Fledge could still hear him. Link's moment of mourning was halted when Ghirahim clicked his tongue.
"Poor, poor Little Fledge. Such a tragedy. Meeting quite such a terrible fate, especially this young." Ghirahim sang out woefully, casually wiping off the blood from his sword as if it didn't bother him. "A whole life he had ahead cut short, all because you dragged him into your mess, Link. Once you think about it, if it weren't for you, Fledge would be safe living on your precious sky island. Granted, he would likely be living a boring life, but he would be alive at the very least. I may have been the one to stick the blade into him, but you lead him here. You put him in this position. All of this is your fault…"
A dark chuckle bounced off Link's ears. Link's sadness for Fledge was then quickly filled with intense anger for the one responsible for his end. Gently, Link lowers Fledge's body to the ground, straightening his head to have his face look above, placing his arms across his chest and hands over his heart respectfully. A tradition one does to a fallen Skyknight. An honor that Fledge more than deserved. With that done, Link's breathing steadily increases to rage-filled pants, and anger-filled tears flow from his eyes. A yell erupted from his mouth as Link pulled out his sword to charge toward Ghirahim. The Demon Lord encased Link in a bubble barrier to prevent his strike. Link didn't care, for all he could see was pure red as he slammed against the barrier with a mix of his arms, body, and sword.
"I'LL KILL YOU! YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID, YOU EVIL BASTARD!"
"Such behavior," Ghirahim shook his head. "Even with what just happened, you still misbehave. A mischievous boy like you needs to be dealt with firmly. But if it's a fight you want, then I grant you one. I must warn you, I won't go easy on you this time. And don't expect anyone to come to your rescue."
The crimson cape that Ghirahim donned vanished off his body as he lifted both of his arms in the air. In a quick flash, the two white gloves that Ghirahim had been wearing disappeared from his hands. Replacing them was the charcoal color that painted the entirety of his arms. The left side of Ghirahim's body also showed a cracked line from his head down to his leg.
"Lovely, aren't they? You'll find the supple skin of my arms tougher than any armor. Doesn't their shape just leave you…breathless?"
Link did not give any sort of answer. All he gave was a death glare to The Demon Lord. Ghirahim proceeds to eagerly show off the changes in his body.
"Behold! Such beauty! Such a pure form! Such an exquisite physique! Such stunning features! Yes, I've pretty much got it all. Though, as you more than likely figured it out by now, there is one teensy, tiny thing that I lack…." Pure insanity plastered all over Ghirahim's face. Eyes widen unhinged, and lips curve into a sadistic smile. His voice filled with pure derangement. "That being mercy…Come to me, Link. You and I, we're bound by that thread of fate. Destined to fight. Some come close, Link! Meet me in battle, and the thread of fate that binds us will be soaked crimson with both yours and Little Fledge's blood!"
The barrier surrounding Link vanishes. Ghirahim summons another sword. With his opponent armed with two blades, Link ran straight toward Ghirahim in a blind fury. The Hero and Demon Lord clash their weapons many times. This differed from their previous fight in Skyview Temple, where Ghirahim had been merely toying with him. No, Ghirahim had fully intended to spill Link's blood this time. And, frankly, Link intended to do the same.
Link had never felt a rage that burned in him as intense as this. The anger that occasionally peaked out during his seventeen years in this world was nothing compared to now. And the grief he felt was more significant than when his parents died when he was so young. The fury directed at Ghirahim was hotter than any fire in the world. For he not only killed his friend.
Ghirahim murdered someone that Link saw as family.
Even though she remained silent throughout the encounter with Ghirahim, it didn't mean Fi was unaware of everything that had occurred. The spirit noticed the severity of Fledge's horrific injuries inflicted by Ghirahim, to her master being forced to either give up Fledge or Zelda and then Ghirahim putting his sword through Fledge, subsequently killing him. Oddly, that moment and everything afterward seemed to unlock something in her mind that had been buried for so long.
Little did her masters know ever since she and Link first met Ghirahim at Skyview, Fi had slowly regained her memories of her previous life. Each interaction with the Demon Lord seemed to awaken them every time. And she noticed his aura always felt…familiar each time she saw him. Despite all her information, she did not disclose this information to any of her masters. Not even to Master Pipit, for when they had their conversation back at the Ancient Cistern about her previous life. Though it goes against her purpose, it is mainly because she was unsure what to make of them. It was also technically against her purpose to give out information she knows isn't verified until now. Now with everything that just unfolded was clear to her.
The emotions Link felt currently were familiar to her. Something she had experienced once, that she was sure. The grief of losing a friend and the rage towards the one responsible for the loss. It was a feeling that felt all too familiar.
But now was not the time to disclose such information. Link needed to get out of this situation. Fi hoped he would call her for assistance, but he seemed too blinded by his anger. As Fi contemplated how to take action, she detected something new. Something…magical. Fi had felt this feeling only once in the chamber of Koloktos in the Ancient Cistern and the Sandship, where Tentalus attacked her masters. Specifically, these magical readings grew just moments before both monstrosities were defeated. Not only that, she is getting other readings that are also corresponding to that. Vitals depleted just mere moments ago steadily rose from a particular individual in orange.
"Master Link! I'm getting readings by where Master Fledge is-"
Link did not seem to hear her or be interested in doing so. His mind was too cloudy to listen to anything other than the loud yells he emitted each time he swiped at Ghirahim.
Fledge's body remained where it was. Any sort of life in the boy appears to be gone. The blue scarf Fledge wore had gotten loose enough for the back of it, where his symbol of Din was faced upwards. Everything was quiet except for the sounds of the fight nearby.
The symbol on the scarf faintly glows.
A small sizzling echoed in the air. The fatal wound Ghirahim gave Fledge had started to heal, much like how a blacksmith would weld metal together. An unknown force was cauterizing it from within.
"Fledge..." The mighty voice of Din echoed in Fledge's head. "Your job and your life are far from over. This will not be your end. You are a fighter. A true warrior who deserves the title of a knight. The selfless act of sacrificing yourself to spare Link the pain of making a difficult choice proves it. It takes true strength to make a powerful decision like that. And with that act…You have awakened the full potential of Din's Fury."
Fledge's heart slowly started beating. The sword wound was now only halfway sealed.
"Ghirahim may have killed you, but through your awakening, thanks to your sacrifice, you will rise again. Like the Phoenix bird from the stories you mortals have created, you have gone down in combustion flames. But you will be reborn from the ashes to fight alongside Link and your friends and defend Zelda."
Fledge's face lightly twitched while the wound was mere centimeters away from fully healed. Parts of his body gave minor spasms. Each one follows the rhythm of his heartbeat.
"For most of your life, Link has protected you from whatever forces dared to harm you. Now you will return the favor and be there to protect him and those you care deeply. From this day forth, you are no longer a victim! Use the full power of Din's Fury to spread the flames of righteousness! And to incinerate the evil that lingers in the world to nothing but ashes! Unleash the fire in your heart!"
The wound had finally finished healing as Din's voice faded away. Fledge's face stopped twitching, and the spasms had stopped. His body lay still. After several seconds, red eyes darted open, accompanied by someone sucking in the air.
Ghirahim would never admit this out loud, but Link gave in more effort than anticipated. He was sure that the death of his beloved friend would send him into a state of despair so much he would not be focused on fighting. Instead, anger seemed to fuel him in their battle. Link had even managed to get more blows on him. Nonetheless, Ghirahim was sure that he would find an opening. The boy might be giving his all, but his judgment was still clouded by grief, something the Demon Lord knew would be his downfall. It was one of the main reasons he captured Fledge. As much as he hoped to see the location of the other Gate of Time, this outcome was something he preferred.
Link had been a thorn in his side for far too long. Even more so with his friends. How they managed to survive this long was beyond his understanding. They were nothing but inexperienced children. Well, this time, their luck has run out. Ghirahim had already succeeded in killing one of them, so he had hoped. He will then kill Link, slowly, might he add, and then deal with the remaining two friends. How to do so is yet to be determined. Regardless, none of them would dare come across him again.
It would be a fitting punishment. If Ghirahim can't have The Spirit Maiden, then neither can they.
Link blocked another blow done by The Demon Lord. He could hear the faint calls of Fi, but he did not adhere to them. Despite landing some hits, Ghirahim responded by hitting him even harder. The blows were even more impactful, with him wielding two swords, not to mention the blasted levitating daggers his opponent kept on summoning.
Speaking of which, after Link managed to get another blow on Ghirahim, who again tried to attack him from above, The Demon Lord leaped back several feet away. Licking his lips, Ghirahim summoned many more daggers that surrounded Link in a circular motion.
"Say hello to my little friends, Link!"
The daggers stopped moving around and froze in place. When they made their move, Link deflected as many as he could. Unfortunately, one of them managed to get into his upper arm. The pain was intense enough for Link to drop his fighting stance.
"Aw, did they hurt?" Ghirahim sang woefully. "GOOD!"
Link observed the injury on his arm once the dagger vanished from his arm. Nothing significant seems to have been stricken by the wound still stung him. Not to mention blood was pouring out. Ghirahim didn't even so much give Link a chance to try to pull out a red potion to help heal his arm. The pain seems to bring pleasure to the Demon Lord.
"And here I thought you would be a challenge! Why I think the desire to avenge Little Fledge would motivate you to put in the effort!"
Despite the pain, Link gave a glare to his opponent. The Demon Lord had no right to speak Fledge's name. Hearing him speak his friend's name alone made Link's blood boil. Before he thought about charging again, Fi called out to him.
"Master!"
Hearing Fi's voice seemed to snap Link out of the red void, bringing back his clear vision.
"Fi?"
"You must listen, Master! I am detecting new readings in this room! I felt them right before Master Pipit & Karane awakened their full power of the goddess's essence within them! Something is happening."
"Right before they…Wait. Does that mean…" Link mumbled to himself as he comprehended the information.
"You will lose this fight, Link!" Ghirahim's pride-filled voice boomed through the chamber. "I will take you down as I did to Little Fledge. I will emerge victorious-"
A small shout of pain emerged from him as a small fire struck against the right side of Ghirahim's face. Ghirahim lifts his hand to soothe the burns that the fire has given. Link was bewildered by the sudden event. Then he realized the direction the fireball came from. Turning his head to the source, Link's mouth agape opened at who he saw.
"Is that…?"
Getting over the pain of the newly formed burn he had received, Ghirahim glances at Link, noticing his stunned appearance. When he, too, looked to where Link's eyes were, Ghirahim was in complete disbelief at who he saw.
"What?!" Ghirahim utters out in complete shock.
Standing in front of the door of Din's symbol, eyes glanced at the floor below, which was the one that both opponents believed to be dead. His orange uniform was still covered in blood and dried blood on his face. The bloodstain caused by the sword Ghirahim impaled into his chest remains, yet the fatal wound seems nonexistent.
The backside of the boy's scarf is now in the front, giving the pair the full view of Din's symbol glowing brightly. The person's arm was extended out. There appeared to be…smoke coming out of his hand.
He lowered his hand, lifting his head so that his red eyes could meet the other two occupants' gaze. First, he met Link, who was still unsure if who he was looking at was true. A tiny soft smile painted on his lips. Curved in a manner that only one person Link knew could do. It was enough confirmation for Link.
"Fledge?"
Link held his breath, tears pouring down his eyes at seeing his friend alive. With a gentle expression, the orange-clad student gave a gentle nod to his friend. It was his way of letting Link know that he was alive. That gentleness vanished when he set a flabbergasted Ghirahim in his sights.
The look Fledge gave the Demon Lord was the opposite of the warm gentleness he showed Link. The glare was piercing cold, at the same time burning with anger. Never had Link seen Fledge with this level of rage. It truly gave him chills.
Fledge lifted his hand, clenching the air. A small fire appeared on his palm.
"...Get away from him, you son of a bitch!"
Fledge thrust his arm forward, shooting the fire in Ghirahim's direction.
Meanwhile…
Pipit & Karane were trying to break the lock on the door outside the chamber. Every method they tried ended with failure. Then much to their surprise, the trio of Mogmas brothers and the Mogma Elder whom they had met during their exploration in the Fire Sanctuary had brought Ledd & Cobal, who wanted to help them once the group told them what was going on. Wishing to repay them for helping them out, Ledd decided to try his idea to break down the lock. That idea: placing many Bomb Flowers.
"You sure this is going to work?" Karane said.
"Has too. It worked for us in previous treasure hunts," Ledd bragged with pride.
"For Fledge & Link's sake, I hope it does," Pipit fretted. "If that freak show is in there…I can't stand being stuck out here while who knows what is happening to them."
"Take it easy. Look at me." Karane places her hands on Pipit's head. "They'll be fine. We WILL find a way in. I know we will."
Pipit nuzzled his face into her touch, seemingly easing whatever nerves he had in him.
"You're right, Karane. We'll find a way."
"Is that all the bombs?" Ledd's voice bellowed out.
"All that everyone here has on them!" Silva replied, placing the last bomb down.
"Good! Light 'em up, Cobal!"
"Yessir!"
Cobal pulled out a match stick while waltzing over to the door. The Mogma lit up the match, sucking in a breath. After a minute, Cobal lit up one of the bombs, yelling, "Fire in the Hole!"
The two Senior Knights and Mogma quickly went to cover. Explosions filled the air just mere seconds later. It was so massive that it created a cloud of smoke. The knights and a few Mogmas unintentionally inhaled some smoke, causing them to cough. Everyone waited in anticipation as the smoke cleared. When it finally did, they were disappointed when they saw that the lock remained on the door without a single mark.
"WHAT?! That usually works!" Ledd bellowed out with frustration, placing his face on the ground while Cobal gave him a comforting pat on his back. "AUGH! I feel so humiliated right now…"
"I hate to say it, but it seems like whatever put that lock there did the job well," Guld affirmed.
"Okay, so blowing up the lock didn't work," Karane noted. "Neither did ramming, pulling, and air & water slicing it. There has to be some way to break it…"
"Can't you guys pick a lock?" Pipit asks the Mogmas.
"Uhh…None of us can do that," Platts shared quietly.
Pipit gave the most flabbergasted look at the creatures. "...You're telling me that you guys, who are treasure hunters, can't pick locks?! What do you do when you guys need to get through a locked door?"
"Uh, we DIG underneath them, genius! No need to get all crazy on us!" Bronzi protested.
"Take it easy, everyone! I'm sure we'll find another way to break down that lock," Silva voiced.
"How exactly?" Ledd woefully spoke. "Those bombs were my ultimate move, and it still didn't work! There's no other way I can think of to get that lock off unless it magically undoes-"
The lock on the door right at that moment suddenly dropped to the ground. It exploded in a flash of diamonds. The large door was no longer locked.
"...by itself."
"Ho ho! Seems like your efforts weren't in vain, Ledd!" Guld praised.
"You haven't lost your touch yet!" Cobal patted Ledd on his back.
"Y-Yeah! I knew it would work!" Ledd shakily said.
Pipit & Karane were not interested in correcting the Mogmas. With the door finally freed, they can now enter. They push it wide enough for one of them to fit.
"Get away from him, you son of a bitch!"
A familiar voice reached their ears when they got the door opened. The couple looked at each other when they heard the voice, knowing fully well that it wasn't Link who said that.
They were greeted by a warm, bright red-orange glow when they entered the chamber. A wall of fire surrounded Ghirahim. Link stood away from the flames with a bloody handprint on his cheek, watching in perplexity.
"Link! Are you okay?" Pipit ran up to his honorary brother.
"Your face! What happened?" Karane exclaimed upon seeing the bloody handprint.
"It's not mine," Link clarified, not moving his eyes away from the firewall.
"What about Fledge? Is he here?" Pipit pressed on.
The answer Link gave was pointing towards the wall of fire.
Ghirahim searched around the flames. This wasn't ANYTHING he was expecting. Many thoughts went through his head as he searched for the one who brought upon these flames. He can't even move through the fire without feeling a tinge of burn. That shouldn't be possible for someone like him, whose magic allows him to be immune to the natural elements, fire included.
"What trickery is this?! How is this even possible? That boy should be dead!"
Despite the unpredictable nature of this situation, Ghirahim maintains his composure. He would not allow the Sky Children the satisfaction of seeing him caught off guard.
"I do not know how you are still alive, but I will not back down!" Ghirahim shouted to the wall of fire. "Mark my words, boy! I will kill you as many times as I need to!"
What Ghirahim could not see was Fledge watching him from within the flames. With Din's Fury now fully awakened, Fledge can not only summon fire, but he also could not be burned by it. It worked to his advantage by hiding in the flames waiting to make his move.
The cold glare that he still had glued to Ghirahim got darker. The pains of the past several agonizing hours of Ghirahim's torture raced through his mind, including when he cut off the top half of his left ear & carved that diamond symbol on his face. Then using him to hurt Link by forcing him to choose him or Zelda. Then finally killing him, resulting in him dying in the arms of the one he called big brother. Thinking about that last part made him even angrier.
Now the tables have been turned. And Fledge intended to keep his friends safe and get some payback.
"You're just so full of yourself to not see your situation." Fledge's voice echoed around Ghirahim. "Now you're the one at my mercy. So please, do me and my friends this one teensy, tiny favor…"
Ghirahim kept searching for Fledge, keeping a firm grip on both swords. The boy cannot be seen anywhere. It's as if he had grown invisible. Footsteps then echoed behind him. Ghirahim turned to swing his sword at whoever approached him.
Instead of hitting his target, he was greeted by the sight of Fledge holding his blade with one hand. A perfect replica of their first encounter back at the entrance of Skyview Temple. Except for this time, Fledge was the one holding the blade of the Demon Lord's sword, thanks to the enhanced strength blessed to him by Din.
Ghirahim's eyes widen in total shock at what the teen is doing. Fledge took that moment to pull the sword out of Ghirahim's hand, flinging it across the room with a loud clang. Ghirahim then used his other sword to strike, only for Fledge to grab that one. Ghirahim keeps a tight grip on it, intending to not let it go. Fledge had another idea. The grip he had on the other sword tightened. A crack was heard, followed by the top half of Ghirahim's second sword blade falling onto the ground. This move left Ghirahim frozen in shock as he stared straight into Fledge's cold gaze.
"Shut…The…FUCK UP!"
Fledge punches Ghirhaim square in the face, right precisely on his nose. The force from the punch was strong enough to send Ghirahim flying through the other side of the firewall. The Demon Lord groaned in pain as he clutched his nose. The expression on his face twisted to horror once he felt something wet, more so when he saw the tint of red on his charcoal-colored hand. When the pain finally subsided, he looked back up at Fledge within the ring of fire. With a swift movement of his hand, the flames died out, leaving no trace of scorch marks behind. The death glare remains on the orange-clad student's face.
Refusing to back down, Ghirahim summoned dozens of daggers and commanded them in Fledge's direction. Unfortunately for him, Fledge flung out a line of fire that vaporized them. Ghirahim gathered more only for those to meet the same fate. Another failed attempt later, Fledge used both hands to throw two balls of fire toward The Demon Lord, who blocked away one, but the other struck him in the face again. That was not all Fledge intended to do. He intended to show his tormentor that he would no longer be easily pushed around.
Letting out a loud yell that bounced off the chamber walls, Fledge charged up to Ghirahim. Fledge's flaming fist greeted Ghirahim's face. Then many, many hard punches landed on Ghirahim's torso right after. How many he gave to the Demon Lord, Fledge didn't know, but he did not care. When he was satisfied with the punches on Ghirahim's torso, Fledge hit him in the jaw with an uppercut. It sent Ghirahim back onto the floor, dazed from the pain inflicted on him. Fledge marched over to him. Nowhere was he close to being done.
Kneeling to his level, Fledge grabs Ghirahim's hair to yank him upward. Despite the amount of pain he was in, Ghirahim maintained a glare at the teen.
"How are you alive? You should be DEAD! That wound should've killed you! This isn't right!" Ghirahim hissed viciously at the orange-clad student.
"Neither was torturing then killing me…Forcing Link to choose which friend to die. Summoning Scaldera, Koloktos, AND Tentalus to try to kill my friends. And most of all, knocking down Zelda from the sky!" Fledge barked back, leaning close to Ghirahim's face. "As for me...I am DONE being a punching bag for you and everyone else to use!"
Ghirahim hastily summoned another dagger intending to hit Fledge in his side. Fledge blocked the strike. Then he slammed Ghirahim's face on the ground several times before finally letting go of his hair. Ghirahim plopped on the floor while Fledge kept his eyes on him, taking heavy pants.
Pipit, Karane, and Link all watch everything that has gone down between their friend and Demon Lord. This is a side of Fledge neither of them knew he had or even thought he could have. Seeing their friend, who is typically gentle, calm, and sweet, who is now covered with blood, surrounded with fire, and a facial expression of that cold anger wailing on Ghirahim with that much rage was certainly something interesting to witness. Fledge blowing up on Groose was far from this. As scary as it was, they didn't have to say anything to know why Fledge was doing this. The blood on him, the cuts & bruises, the top half of his left ear cut off, and the diamond symbol on his face. Evidence was clear that whatever Ghirahim did to Fledge had pushed him beyond his limit. And the Demon Lord was getting his well-deserved karma. They stood where they were, waiting to see if Fledge would call for their assistance.
"Do you admit defeat?" Fledge sharply asked Ghirahim.
Surprisingly, The Demon Lord did not intend to back down. Working through his pain, he got on one knee.
"I...do not!" Ghirahim hissed. "I will not lose to a mere boy like you!"
"Then what happens next is on you then!" Fledge spat out words that his captor had told him not long ago.
Summoning a knife in his hand, Ghirahim charged toward Fledge in an attempt to stab him. Of course, Fledge threw a burst of fire, blinding Ghirahim again, allowing Fledge to land another punch on him. Knowing that his opponent intends to continue this fight, Fledge realizes that for this to end, he will need help. He glances over to his friends, who are watching him. All he gave was a pleading look to Link, who Fledge knew wanted to get a little payback of his own. Glancing at Pipit & Karane, who have understanding expressions, Link responded with a nod.
Sheathing his sword & shield, Link ran over to Ghirahim and gave him a hard punch to the face. Then Link gave a kick right on his kneecaps and landed the next one right on the side of his ribcage. The following hit Link did a backflip in the same manner he use for combat. Instead of using it for dodging, Link kicked Ghirahim's jaw from below.
The impact was strong enough to send the Demon Lord stumbling away from the pair. But Ghirahim refused to give up. He summoned a dagger in his hand, but something wet wrapped around his wrist prevented him from throwing it. Standing not far was Karane, provided by the water from her & Pipit's waterskins, having a grip on the water. Tugging the Demon Lord in her direction, Karane activated her shield ability provided by the power of Nayru's Grace to knock Ghirahim down flat on his back. Karane didn't even give him a chance to get up when she wrapped the water around his body. Next followed was her flinging his body forward and back like a ragdoll. With him back on the ground, she gave a hard stomp on his face.
Ghirahim mustered up his strength to teleport to the other end of the room, creating a barrier to block the humans from reaching him. The sword Fledge had tossed away was also there, so he grabbed it. A smirk crept upon his lips, thinking to have finally evaded their onslaught. Scrambling to plot his next move, he noticed that something, or rather, someone missing.
"There's four of them, but I only see three?! Where's the yellow one?!"
Something lightly taps his shoulder. Ghirahim turned to be greeted at the sight of Pipit, who kicked him in the stomach. This caused Ghirahim to lean on one of his knees. A perfect opportunity for Pipit to knee Ghirahim in his face. The hit was enough to send Ghirahim back, breaking his focus to keep his barrier up. Pipit summoned a gust of air, lifting Ghirahim into a small vortex. Several moments later, Pipit pulled the air, slamming Ghirahim onto the ground. Pipit again trapped Ghirahim in a small vortex but had another idea. Pipit warped in the familiar flash of green accompanied by the yellow streak. Ghirahim, who remained trapped in the mini vortex, darts his head to figure out where Pipit went. A green light flashed on top of him, followed by Pipit falling from above, with both feet landing on Ghirahim. One foot was on the center of his spine, the other right on his neck, which made it a harrowing landing on the ground for Ghirahim.
Ghirahim crawled away once Pipit hopped right off of him. Slowly he got back on his feet. All he had at this point was his determination to keep fighting. A fuel that made him too stubborn to admit defeat. That is one thing Link could credit him for. But after what he had done, Link was also determined to not let Ghirahim win. Pulling out his sword & shield, he ran straight toward him.
Link used his sword to slice across the Demon's Lord's chest, setting off a splatter of diamonds. This did not kill Ghirahim as it would probably to typical humans (something which Ghirahim is entirely not). It was hard enough to cause a good amount of pain. Enough for Ghirahim to lightly cradle his chest. Link used the bottom hilt of the Goddess Sword to slam into the top of Ghirahim's head and then used his shield to strike the side of Ghirahim's face. Link even gave a hard kick below Ghirahim's belt line. Amazingly, throughout all those hits, Ghirahim remained on his feet. And Fledge was getting tired of it.
In the corner of his eye, Fledge spotted the broken blade of the sword, along with the bottom half with the remaining blade and hilt that he broke. Quickly grabbing both, Fledge quickly charged towards Ghirahim, holding onto him like a sack until slamming him into the wall of the chamber. Using his enhanced strength to keep him in place, Fledge grabbed Ghirahim's wrist, pinning his hand to the wall behind. Holding the broken top half of the blade from Ghirahim's own sword, Fledge slammed it through his hand and then used the bottom with the remains of the blade attached to the hilt to pierce his other, pinning the Demon Lord against the wall. Exactly how Ghirahim did it to him earlier. Both times Ghirahim let out pain-filled shouts.
Despite being beaten, bloodied, bruised, and now pinned to the wall by his weapons, Ghirahim tried to remain strong. But alas, his body overshadowed his determination to win. His body betrayed him by slouching down despite fighting every instinct telling him to stop. The Demon Lord, at last, admits his defeat. Fledge stood still, breathing heavily as he watched Ghirahim finally give up. Fledge contemplated on what to do. The orange-clad student still wanted to beat Ghirahim down even more, especially now he could not fight back, further giving him the same treatment he had received from the Demon Lord. In the end, all Fledge could do was walk away.
"Consider you and me even..." Fledge said to him as he moved away.
The anger in his red eyes slowly drained away, bringing clarity back to his mind. Fledge was allowed to see what he did. Thoughts raced through him, eyes glued to Ghirahim as he slowly walked backward from his defeated foe.
"I really did most of that to him?" Fledge brought his eyes to his hands.
"You did what you had to do." Din's voice echoed in his head. "Ghirahim had pushed you beyond your limits. I say he had it coming. You know…you could've killed him, yet you walk away."
"I…I want to, but…I can't bring myself to do it. Is that…bad?"
"No. It shows that even with your power, you know when to stop when necessary. You could have beaten Ghirahim down further, even when that theatrical pain finally gave up, but you didn't. That's the key difference between you and him. Having power and knowing how to use it without compromising your morals. Though having the power I blessed you, including the ability to conjure fire, you have the strength to spare him despite everything he did. As I said to you before, dear Fledge, it makes you worthy of power because of your strong will." Din stated that last line with heart-filled pride. "May your quest to find Zelda be successful. And I wish you recovery from the pains you have endured today."
"Thank you, Din."
"You're welcome. I must go. My sisters and I will be watching over you. Farewell, my friend."
Fledge continued walking backward, taking heavy breaths as he did, even long after Din's voice faded away. He only stopped when he walked into something, causing him to hastily turn forward and light a fire in his hand.
"Take it easy, buddy. It's me," Link lifted his arms in assurance, Pipit & Karane not too far behind with looks of comfort.
Fledge snuffed the fire in his hand, slowly lowering his arm. Shakily, he said with a whimper, "I…I just…I just got tired of being pushed around…"
"I know, but it's over now. Ghirahim can't hurt you anymore. You're going to be okay. I'm right here."
"We're all here." Pipit & Karane moved close.
Fledge glanced at all three of his friends. No words came out of his mouth. Instead, all he could respond with is with tears pouring out. They weren't ones of sadness but rather…relief. His nightmare of being stuck with Ghirahim was finally over. Link gently hugged his friend to comfort him, with Pipit & Karane soon following. Fledge nuzzled in their touch, letting out more relief tears.
As all of that was going down, Ghirahim watched them in pure disgust. Nothing but anger boils within him. How did Link manage to fight him off? How was Fledge still alive when that wound should've killed him? And how the hell did Link's three friends possess such powerful magic? It wasn't anything he had ever seen. It filled him with pure fury. The Sky Children had humiliated him for the last time! Even though he had been defeated, Ghirahim is determined to get the last laugh.
Fueled by his wrath, Ghirahim pulled his hand through the broken top half of his blade. It was a slow process, but his hand was freed to pull out the hilt half pinning his other hand. None of the Sky Children seemed to notice him freeing himself. Their oblivious gave him a new opportunity to try to get one more hit. Ghirahim conjured up another dagger. He did not care where it would hit, but so much as one of them got hurt, it would satisfy him. The blade then flew straight toward them. It was a few feet away from impact when the children noticed.
"ENOUGH!"
A bright flash knocked the dagger back in Ghirahim's direction. The dagger landed on the wall mere centimeters away next to his head. Fi stood before her masters, shawl arms extended out as if she was protecting them.
"Stand down! You are beaten!" Fi spoke in a loud and sharper tone than what the knight students are used to.
Ghirahim stared at the Sword Spirit in silence. Then his eyes widened as if he had made a startling discovery.
"You…It is you." Ghirahim uttered softly. "...Fima."
"You sound surprised to see me here, Grahime…."
"With how our previous encounter ended up, I was sure I had killed you. Yet here you are."
The students looked at each other in confusion as the Sword Spirit and Demon Lord said those names. The way they spoke to each other made it clear that this was not the first time they had seen each other. Nonetheless, the students remained quiet as they watched the exchange going on.
"I can only guess this is where you have been for the past one thousand years since we last saw each other. Have to say, Fima, I'm surprised you resorted to this, considering how you reacted when I showed you this form."
"It was a decision that I had made on my own. After all, you always told me that sometimes you fight fire with fire…"
"You still remembered…Why I'm quite touched, old friend," Ghirahim said mockingly.
"Do NOT call me that," Fi demanded. "You lost the right to call me that the day you turned to the enemy. More so after what you did to me."
"You should've stuck by me when I needed you most! Instead, you turned the other way! I gave you another chance when I made my offer to you, which you declined. You're still a blind servant of your beloved goddess. Can't say I'm surprised. You were always Hylia's favorite."
"Hylia had no favorites. She loved you as much as every living being in this world. All she wanted was what was best for you! And you repaid her with nothing but betrayal!"
"Because she held me back on my potential!"
"You wanted the power that Hylia knew you couldn't handle!"
"She only saw me as a weakling! Nothing more! My master saw the potential within me, and now I'm better than I ever had been in my previous life."
"And look where that got you right now, Grahime."
"Enough of this foolishness! I am not Grahime! I am Ghirahim, Demon Lord! I will always be better than you, dear Fima! I will bring back my master, whatever it takes, and bring down your precious humans and everything Hylia has built!" Ghirahim turned his burning glare to the group of students "...And as for you four…It shouldn't matter how powerful that sword is or what magic you possess. You are all still NOTHING. You're not just humans, but you're human CHILDREN. Yet, somehow you prevail!" Ghriahim's voice switched to a dark, cold tone. "You may win this day, you filthy scamps, but this is far from over! You have all awakened wrath that will BURN for eons! I swear to you, whatever it takes, I will drag each and every single one of you into an eternity of torment! And you, Link, will suffer most of all…."
"LEAVE, NOW!" Fi's voice bounded off the chamber.
Ghirahim glanced at the sword spirit and the students, maintaining his glare. "I shall. Farewell, Sky Children. And farewell to you, dear Fima…." Summoning his remaining sword to his hand, Ghirahim twisted it around him, followed by a flash of diamonds symbolizing his exit.
The air was silent. The four students looked at each other, all of which were confused by the entire exchange that had occurred. Fi did not move nor say anything. The Sword Spirit seemed to be in a trance.
"Fi?" Link was the first to speak to her, snapping her out of her trance.
"I...I apologize for what you all witnessed," Fi stammered.
"Are you…okay?"
"My current well-being is not of concern right now...We must proceed to the final sacred flame located here…" Fi went back into the sword without another word before anyone one of the humans could say anything else to her.
"It's right behind there." Fledge pointed to the door with the symbol of Din. "I can feel them. Let's go get it."
Fledge took a step forward when his legs toppled down.
"Are you sure about that?" Link gently grabs Fledge's arm to prevent him from falling.
"I think the adrenaline of awakening my full magic has worn out. I'll be fine."
"You are not fine!" Karane protested, walking close to examine him. The injuries had horrified her. "You're covered with bruises, cuts. You have blood everywhere. Goddesses, don't get me started on your left ear & cheek! And what happened to your chest? There's so much blood!"
"What did that sick monster put you through?"
Pipit's face also twisted in horror once he grasped Fledge's injuries. There were many harsher words Pipit wanted to use to describe Ghirahim. None of which he felt did enough justice to showcase the pure evil nature of the Demon Lord.
"Maybe you should listen to Link & Karane on this. You look…well…"
"I look like shit. No need to hide it," Fledge stated bluntly. The casualness of his swearing caught them a bit off guard.
"Yeah…you can say that." Pipit stammered. "Still, you should take it easy for a bit..."
"I went through the most painful, agonizing hours of my life AND took a sword to the chest! The least I can do is see those flames!" The sudden rise of Fledge's volume made his friends jerk back. Shame quickly swept over the orange-clad student. Red eyes glance to the ground. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean that…I'm just so...tired."
A gentle touch met his back. Fledge turns to see Link's comforting sapphire eyes. A nod of assurance was all he needed to give.
"Can you guys help him?" Link said to his other friends. They nodded.
Pipit places Fledge's arm around his shoulders. Karane stood nearby in case additional support was needed.
"You good?" Link inquired.
Fledge nods. "...Let's get you that flame."
They all entered the room behind the door. The altar's design resembles the one back at the Ancient Cistern. Except the emblem of Din hung above. The familiar crest of Hylia resided in the center, which Link activated. Din's symbol glowed a bright red, as did the one on Fledge's scarf.
Bright red flames emerge from the altar, lighting up the dark room. The flames were so bright that Link had to shield his eyes briefly. Fi placed herself in between Link and the fire. The spirit glances over her shoulder to her masters. Not one word was uttered from her. Fi turns her face back to the flames. Much like the last two locations, the sacred flames engulf Fi into a ball of fire. The ball went high above the ceiling, then to the side of the room, before finally landing in front of Link. Fi stood in the center, still silent. Link raised his sword, ready for Fi to transfer the flames. She pushed the flames into the divine weapon. When the last of them subsided, Link raised his sword high above. The previous white blade had now transformed into a new form.
The blade had grown longer than previously. The blue gem at the center of the ricasso is now gold. The wings of the ricasso had grown longer, with both it and the handle of the sword now purple. Green ribbons designed similarly at the stripes on Fi's legs also decorated the handle. Finally, the entirety of the blade seemed to be brighter.
"The Flames of Din have imbued your blade with sacred light that demons revile," Fi announced.
At long last, the quest of the search for the sacred flames has come to an end. Everyone in the room took a moment to examine the sword's new form. But it came at such a high cost.
Link flung it around to use the new feeling. Once he was satisfied, he placed it back in his sheath. The familiar sensation came back on his right hand. The mysterious triangle symbol has returned. The top part of it, along with the bottom ones, all now glowed brightly. It vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"The weird triangle again," Pipit muttered.
"It keeps showing up. What does it mean?" Karane wondered.
"Maybe we'll finally get our answers," Link moved his gaze away from his hand.
"Master," Fi called out to Link. "Now that it has been tempered by the last of the sacred flames, your blade has finally revealed its true form. It is no longer the Goddess Sword. You now hold the Master Sword. With this sword's great power, you can awaken the Gate of Time back on the Sealed Grounds."
"We can finally reach Zelda now?" Fledge's tired but hopeful voice squeaks.
"Yes, Master Fledge. We can reach Zelda. But…Before you go to the Sealed Temple, I highly suggest you seek medical attention immediately. I detect many great injuries, both external and internal."
"We will." Fi went back into the sword after Link made his promise. "Come on, guys. Let's get out here."
Link took the lead out of the room. That's when Fledge notices the blood from Link's upper arm.
"Link, your arm!"
"One of Ghirahim's blasted daggers got me. It's not a big deal."
That wasn't enough for Fledge. Removing himself from Pipit, Fledge strolled over to Link to gently but firmly hold his arm to examine it. With Fledge's enhanced strength, Link couldn't even pull it out, so he let his friend look it over.
"That's a big cut, and it's still bleeding. You might need stitches, Link," Pipit commented.
"It does look rather deep," Karane voiced. "We don't have any materials for proper stitching. And we certainly can't afford to have you going delirious from blood loss."
"I could…cauterize it."
Link turned to Fledge, surprised by his suggestion. "You can handle doing it? Cauterization is not very pretty."
"I went through literal hell these past few hours. I don't think cauterizing a wound is going to faze me."
Taking a second to think, Link rolled up the green sleeve of his uniform. Red blood contrasts against the white undersleeves. "Ready when you are…."
Fledge moved close to the bloody area. A small flame appeared in his palm. It then extended to the rest of his hand. From his palm to his fingertips, the surface of his hand gave a glow. Fledge hovered his heated hand over the wound on Link's arm. Fledge hesitated to put his grip on it. The teen looked at Link wanting to make sure that this was okay. Link gave the nod of approval. A sizzle entered the air when Fledge's hand made contact. Link let out a wince, feeling the intensity of the heat. Seconds passed when Fledge removed his hand from Link's arm.
"I stopped the bleeding," Fledge reported.
Link examined his friend's handiwork which appeared to be a success. "Thank you…"
For the first time these past few hours, Fledge gave his sweet smile that his friends knew him for. Exhaustion quickly overcame him to the point he toppled forward. Fortunately, Link caught him in his arms.
"I got you. I got you…." Link whispered to him, feeling the rhythm of Fledge's breathing against his chest.
"Thank you…Big brother," Fledge mumbled tiredly.
Link gave a small smile. "Let's get you out of here."
Ghriahim teleported on the steps leading out of the Fire Sanctuary. Arm wrapped in front of his torso, dragging his remaining sword on the ground as he limped his way outside to the entrance. Many thoughts sprawled on his head. All over his body were the feelings of anger from his humiliating defeat at the hands of the Sky Children and the touch of pain inflicted by all of them. And he cannot forget the revelation of who was in Link's sword.
Loud snoring snapped him out of his thoughts. To his relief, it was only the Goron he had knocked out earlier, sleeping away with a bandage on his head. That Goro was near a small statue with a Loftwing. Ghirahim was familiar with it, having stumbled across them in Faron Woods, Lanayru Desert, and the Eldin region. Curious, he placed his hand on it.
Images of the Sky Children flash in his mind. So this is how they manage to get back to the sky. Not only that, Ghirahim could feel the other statues scattered throughout this region. An idea came to his mind.
Faron Woods is the closest region to here. If something were to happen to these statues here, the Sky Children would have no choice but transverse over there. They would have to travel through the wilds beyond the Eldin Region. Land that Ghirahim was sure had never traveled through. They do not know this land, but he does. Ghirahim knew that the surface was crawling with unpredictability. There were creatures that he knew that did not inhabit the sky. Animals and other creatures that the Sky Children would have no idea how to deal with. Dear Fima might offer her help, but she has not been down here for a long time, Ghirahim was certain. At the very least, he will get the last laugh.
"You may have overcome my machinations today, but let's see if you can survive the lands beyond here, Sky Children."
A dark orb was summoned in his hand with a snap of his finger. Ghirahim placed it into the statute and spread it to the others through the link. At least, he'll have some sort of small victory. For now, he must lie low and tend to his wounds. Today he may have lost. But so as long there's music, he'll keep on dancing. And the dance has only begun. Having no more reasons to linger, Ghirahim vanished from the scene.
The loud sound of shattering stones awoke Gorko from his nap. Turning to the source, he could see the Loftwing Statue that was there was now shattered to pieces.
"Oh, dear…Something tells me this going to cause problems for those kids…." Gorko muttered worryingly.
Well...Alot has certaintly happened here. I feel like I should explain some things.
To start off, I picture Fledge to be the type of person who is usally calm and never gets angry easily. The only way for him to really get him mad is when one pushed his buttons too far. This was seen in Chapter 10 when he blew up on Groose because Fledge had enough of his bullshit. And here it is evident, only except Fledge went through much worse and now has enhanced strength & fire magic thanks to Din's blessing. It was also down to showcase how despicable Ghirahim is to push Fledge that far.
On to Ghirahim. It seem kinda silly for him to get beat down in this manner but put it this way. Ghirahim did not expect Fledge to be resurrected, nor for him, along with Pipit & Karane to have magic. Ghirahim was totally caught off guard. And got a major ass whopping as a result
Add on as of 1/25/2023: I have a bit of a confession in terms of inspiration for this chapter. I didn't say this when I initially posted this chapter because I was a bit embarrassed but I decided to share the 2 factors that helped the inspiration for this chapter. Those 2 being the 'Rage of Sparta' music piece from God of War 3 when it came down to Fledge beating down Ghirahim, and X-Ray Moves from Mortal Kombat X for when the kids all beat down Ghirahim. That's is all.
Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!