Chapter 33: His Name

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"I'm going up there," Link growled, climbing down the stairs from Purah's ladder. "Now."

"Okay," Purah gulped as she trailed after him. "Okay. What do you need from us?"

Link was already inspecting his chainmail as he walked. "A helmet. Greaves. And a shield."

"Well, I know what two of those are," Purah sighed. "And you've got a sword?"

Link tapped the black lizalfos blade at his belt. "This one's decent, but not ideal. Not the right shape. I've got a better one in the works."

Whole expeditions have disappeared up there. I can't be careless. I must be at my best.

And the sight of Zelda had given him a burst of energy, a fire blazing inside of him that he doubted anything could put out. He almost pitied the monsters he would encounter in the castle. I'm not going to lose today.

He and Purah descended into the underground barracks. Gralens saw them coming and seemed to deflate a little.

"Alright, Purah," the General winced. "I saw the sky turn red up there. How many soldiers are you requisitioning this time?"

"No soldiers – just a helmet, a shield, and g… greaves," Purah said grimly, ticking them off of her fingers. "There's only one man going up this time."

Gralens' gaze snapped to Link. "You're going alone?" he exclaimed in disbelief.

Link nodded, already heading towards the Goron working on monster horns. "I've got a feeling that numbers aren't the problem here," he said, and left Purah and the General behind.

He grabbed himself a decent-looking hilt and approached the Goron, who was using a sturdy saw to cut through the lynel's horns.

"Oh, hello again," the Goron said with a smile. "Almost got these cut off, then I'll start shaping them so they'll attach to a hilt smoothly."

"I won't need that," Link said. "I just need the horn. The long one."

"Huh," the Goron tilted his head in surprise. "Well, okay. Here you go, bud!" He carefully picked up the wickedly sharp horn from his table and handed it to Link.

Link placed it on the ground and lined up the base with his chosen hilt. He Fused the two together, and couldn't keep back a grim smile as he raised his new weapon, looking down the length of the black and gold blade that glittered in the firelight.

"Thanks," he told the Goron, who was gaping at him wide-eyed. Link went to the crate full of sheathes, found one that worked, and belted his new sword to his waist.

Goddesses willing, I'll get the Master Sword back, and I won't need this. But in the meantime, this is as good as I could get.

In the meantime, Purah had gathered up the armor pieces he'd asked for. He pulled the helmet over his head and buckled the greaves around his shins over his boots, and slipped the shield onto his left arm. Then he left the underground barracks behind, emerging once more into the clear blue afternoon.

"Penn, you can't be serious!" Purah was saying when he emerged, staring down the white-feathered Rito with her hands on her hips. "There's nothing you could do – not even close!"

"Well, why don't I ask him?" Penn countered, turning towards Link. "Hey, partner! Come on over – I've got a question for you."

"Sure," Link agreed, glancing towards the castle looming in the distance. "But I have to leave soon."

"Well, see, that's what I figured," Penn said. "I'm coming with you!"

"It's too dangerous," Link shook his head. "You're brave, Penn, but you're no soldier."

"Yeah, I've heard about the danger," Penn nodded with an askance shrug. "The only way they've gotten people up to the castle is by using a rope ladder. Well, how easy would it be for some big monster to camp out right at the top of the ladder and wait for our guys to get up there? I've got a different idea for how to get you up there." He held up a feather. "In general, we Rito wouldn't be able to fly soldiers in full armor up anywhere. But I know I can fly you around – we did that back in Akkala. So here's my plan – I fly you up there, and together we figure out a safe place to set you down, where you won't get instantly attacked by any number of awful things."

Link bit his lip, considering. Aerocuda would put a quick stop to that. But… if it works… I could fly all the way up to the Sanctum, where I saw Zelda through Purah's telescope. "Thanks, Penn," Link said sincerely, clapping the Rito's shoulder. "You'll need to get yourself out of there as soon as I'm on the ground, though."

"No problem," Penn shuddered. "I'll leave the blood and guts to you."

Purah was still looking at them both with immense concern. "I don't like this plan," she said quietly. "I know we have to rescue Zelda, but there's – there's just something not right!" She swallowed, looking at Link imploringly. "Are you sure you won't wait until tomorrow? I sent word to all of the sages you've awakened…"

"Make sure you send word to Sidon, too, then," Link said, checking over his gear one last time. "He's the Sage of Water. But no, Purah – I'm not waiting. I – I can't." The image of Zelda standing outside of the Sanctum, her face downcast, Gloom rising up around her as she fought back the blood moon, hovered in the back of his mind. "I'll be careful. On my own, I can move faster and quieter. I'm not going to get into any fights unless I don't have a choice."

Purah gave him a flat look. "Because you have such a great track record of 'being careful,'" she scoffed. "Do you even know what that word means?" Her gaze softened. "Just… come back in one piece, alright? That applies to you and the Princess. Got it?"

"Got it," Link confirmed. "Let's go, Penn."

"Alright!" Penn cheered determinedly. "Here we go!"

Link crouched down, and Penn lifted off, grabbing him around the middle with his talons before beating his wings and flying higher, higher, Lookout Landing dwindling and its people shrinking to mere specks beneath them. And the ominous dark spires of Hyrule Castle grew closer. Link's heart tightened as the blackened earth that once had been verdant grass lining the outside paths came into view. That ground had been permanently scarred by the Calamity – nothing green had ever grown at the castle again, save for a single Silent Princess flower he had found in Zelda's old study on his way to save her the first time. He let out a slow, steadying breath.

"Alright down there?" Penn asked over the wind as they flew.

"Fine," Link nodded. "You?"

"There's… a lot of weird pressure up here," Penn answered. "Feels like a storm, only… I don't see any clouds. It's been such a nice clear day. Other than, uh… that moon."

A storm. How fitting.

And as they passed over the crumbling walls and pathways beneath them, on the edge of the Chasm below the castle, the sky suddenly darkened, thick storm clouds condensing together out of nothing, and a light, cold rain began to fall.

"Well," Penn gulped. "So far, so good?" He chuckled nervously.

"Almost there," Link encouraged, his gaze trained on the road leading out from the Sanctum, still some distance away.

Then lightning flashed on the other side of the castle, and thunder growled in response. Link felt a chill drip down his spine. That… that might be a problem for us.

Another lightning strike, much closer. Link could feel new urgency in Penn's wingbeats. The rain was thickening, making it difficult to see the details of the castle below. The wind also seemed to be picking up, trying to drive Penn backwards through the sky.

Maybe… maybe flying in wasn't such a good idea.

Then lightning crashed through the sky so close that Link could smell the ozone and his ringing ears felt as though they had been blasted apart.

"Okay," Penn yelped with an anxious cough when they could hear again. "Erm – how's it looking below? I – I think we need to land sooner rather than later."

Link nodded rapidly. "There," he called, pointing down to a drawbridge hanging open out of the second gatehouse. There was a blue lizalfos nearby – nothing he couldn't handle.

"There's a monster right there," Penn protested nervously, and lightning struck again. "Gaack! Okay! I'll – I'll set you down there!" He tucked in his wings, diving down towards the paving stones.

Link lightly dropped to the sodden wooden planks of the bridge, and raised a hand in farewell as Penn flew back the way they had come.

"Soar long, partner!" the Rito called over the rain and wind, and then he was gone.

By then the blue lizalfos had noticed Link's arrival, and it darted forwards. Link drew his new lynel sword from its sheath and easily deflected its blow and stabbed it through the heart. The blue lizalfos crumpled, bleeding out on the wood. Link grinned, appraising his new weapon, and then he went stock still, a voice echoing through the storm to reach his ears.

"Link… Link… Come to me…"

"Zelda?" he whispered, his heart pounding hard and fast in his chest as he looked around.

"I am waiting," her voice came again, longingly. "Waiting for you…"

"I'm coming," he promised her, his heart aching. Goddesses – Sidon was right. She's been here the whole time! "I'm sorry I took so long."

There was a sudden flash of crimson flame striking up from the cobbled stone within the gatehouse, and when it cleared, three bokoblins and one of the more massive variety stood before him. The larger one was already blaring on its horn before the fire had faded, summoning the three others to its defense with shields protectively bared. Link leapt out of the way as the larger bokoblin swung its hulking club in his direction, and the three smaller bokoblins swiveled to face him, their shields forming a wall keeping him away from their boss.

Link dodged the boss bokoblin's next several attacks easily. The lumbering monster telegraphed each sweeping move, giving Link ample time to react and escape. It grew frustrated with its lack of progress and blew another signal on its horn, prompting the three smaller bokoblins to abandon their shield wall and attack instead. One fell in moments to Link's blade, and he parried another's swipe before dashing backwards to escape the boss bokoblin's next wide blow – which inadvertently knocked the third bokoblin over the edge of the open drawbridge with a terrified squeal. Link finished off the final bokoblin and jogged backwards to turn his full attention onto the boss.

It was an easy enough creature to dodge – big, slow, and stupid, much like a Hinox, but smaller. Link positioned himself near the edge of the drawbridge as it stamped its feet and charged, head down, towards him. He leapt to the side and the monster skidded to a stop just in time to avoid tumbling over the edge, weathered timbers creaking ominously beneath its bulk. Link raced around to its back, jabbed his sword deep into its fatty behind, and with a yelp the monster jumped instinctively forward – into open air.

Well… that's what's killing the expeditions, then. If the Demon King can just make monsters pop up out of nothing in front of people… He swallowed uneasily. I'd better not stay in one place for too long.

Link quickly turned his attention back to his surroundings, walking to the exit from the gatehouse that had once led to the road continuing up through the castle towards the Sanctum. That's where I saw her – that's where I'll have to go.

But most of the path was gone, crumbled away entirely. A waterfall and a drop down into the Chasm far below separated him from where the road continued.

Because of course this place only gets more dangerous each time I'm here, Link thought bitterly, his chest feeling hot and tense as he studied the gap. He exhaled tightly, gritting his teeth, and grabbed his paraglider from his belt. Taking a running start, he leapt across the gap, flicking out the paraglider at the peak of his jump and gliding safely to the other side.

From there, he managed to sidle close between the crumbling defensive walls and the cliff, heading towards the intact segment of the main road. There was barely enough room for his feet as he slid them side by side along the small stretch of charred earth, his heart freezing in his chest every time his foot slipped slightly in the thick, ashy mud. He let out a quiet sigh when he reached the road and quickly put more distance between himself and the edge of the cliff.

Another plume of red flame stopped him in his tracks, and he gripped his shield defensively in front of him, eyes narrowed through the pouring rain as he waited to see what would appear.

It was a Hinox, with three elemental Chuchus at its feet. Link grinned wryly, a plan already coming to mind. He dashed closer to the monster, slashing at the inside of its legs and cutting deep. The Hinox bellowed in pain, stomping violently in an attempt to crush him. But Link was already out of the way. The Hinox stepped on the Chuchus instead, all three of them exploding with bursts of frost, fire, and electricity. The Hinox plopped onto its rear, howling miserably, and Link scrambled up its back while it was stunned and plunged his sword deep into its eye. The Hinox spasmed wildly, but it was already dead by the time Link leapt off of its head to the ground.

More monster summons, Link thought grimly. The Demon King does not want me here.

He rounded a bend in the road, and his heart plummeted to his toes, his right arm tingling as if in warning as he saw a massive expanse of Gloom coating the flagstones. He shuddered, standing immobilized for several seconds, memories of agony and helplessness flooding his mind.

He closed his eyes, shutting out the sight of the angry red glow for a moment.

I've gotten stronger, he reminded himself, drawing in a deep breath. He reached his right hand up to his neck, tapping the green Zonai amulet hanging over his collarbone and remembering the light he had summoned in the past. He recalled the feeling of the Shrines of Light – calm, quiet, peaceful, content. Holding those feelings close to his heart, he opened his eyes, slowly letting out a breath, and narrowed his eyes determinedly at the sea of Gloom.

He burst into a sprint, his legs pumping as fast as he could manage, tearing over the Gloom. With a flash of green his amulet flared to life, holding the corruption at bay for the first several yards. But its light steadily dimmed with each pounding footstep, until it went dark entirely. Link grit his teeth as the corruption inside of him reacted, reveling in the presence of the Demon King's evil magic; it writhed to life within his arm, sending out tendrils burning through his veins, eager to wrap around his heart.

Link missed a step and nearly fell, his breaths coming pained and harsh through gritted teeth. Clenching his hands into fists, he focused on that calm feeling of light that the shrines had bestowed upon him, fighting against the dark force within him.

"May the Light of our blessing grant you the strength you seek," the Hylian woman in his dreams had said.

And a bright, pure light flared to life on the back of his right hand. He managed an extra burst of speed, fighting in his mind to keep hold of the feeling. Light swept through his arm and battled the corruption, leaving a sense of soothing cleanliness in its wake, banishing the pain.

At last he reached the other side of the Gloom, breathing hard, and stared at his hand in awe as the light slowly faded, returning his arm to its usual dark color. In the past, those brief flashes of light… they were always accidental, an adrenaline response to Gloom.

This… this was different, he realized, his heart beating excitedly as he reflected on his intentional attempt to prepare himself for the Gloom. I almost did that on purpose.

Is this… because of my arm? Is it more Zonai magic?

… If so, why didn't Rauru mention it?

He shook his head to himself. Now's not the time. I'm almost at the Sanctum!

But as he took another step forward, more monsters appeared before him – three fire-breath lizalfos. Link defeated them easily. Then he heard an animalistic grunt from behind him and whirled to find a silver moblin and several ice-keese and a chuchu behind him, already attacking. Link defeated them as well, pressing steadily closer to the Sanctum.

Interesting. He started off with a boss bokoblin and a Hinox – now it's moblins and lizalfos? That's definitely a downgrade!

Is he… getting tired?

Encouraged, Link fought his way onwards, through a group of four like-likes fixed to the columns lining the path into the Sanctum itself. Soon they, too, were dead.

And he could see Zelda in the Sanctum, her back to him. His pulse hammered wildly in his throat, his mouth dry, and he jogged beneath the archway framing the entrance into the grand hall. He stopped himself from calling out to her immediately, reminding himself that Hyrule Castle was full of dangers and that this, over anywhere else in the castle, would be the most likely spot for something particularly bad to show up.

Link looked around warily as he entered the Sanctum, thunder rumbling outside as the downpour continued. But from what he could see, the grand hall was surprisingly empty of monsters and Gloom. Maybe… maybe she's been staying in here because it's the safest place in the castle right now?

Confused, and on guard, he walked deeper into the hall. "Zelda," he called out, looking at her anxiously. "Zelda, I… I'm here."

She vanished suddenly, disappearing into specks of light that seemed to ripple in midair, before reappearing at the top of the grand staircase, before the two empty thrones. Sadness fled from her face, replaced by a warm smile. "At last," she said, a slight tremor in her voice. "I have been waiting for you to arrive."

"I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out," he said, stepping closer, heartened by the sight of her familiar smile.

"Now, Link… now that you are here, there is something I want to show you," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Something hidden? Link thought, his mind racing. The Master Sword? Maybe that's why there's no monsters in here; she's been protecting it so that the Master Sword is safe!

Zelda closed her eyes and held out her hands. A bright flash of golden light sprang from her body with a sound like a windchime, and it spread rapidly throughout the hall. Everywhere it touched, colors burst from dulled, rotted brown to their vibrant original colors, and the stonework reverted to its initial intact state. Grand statues of knights on horseback flanked the two high-backed thrones draped in red velvet. Red, gold, and blue banners bearing Hyrule's proud crest hung from the ceiling, perfectly still instead of swaying in the wind invading through shattered windows. The windows themselves were flawless, letting in golden evening light that glittered on the fine embroidery of the crimson carpet.

Link took a hesitant step back, his eyes widening at the feel of thick carpeting beneath his boots instead of the ragged scraps he was accustomed to. Majestic and opulent though it was, it brought back feelings and memories better left buried – the sensation of standing stiff and straight, his face a cold mask, helpless as Zelda was subtly, cruelly berated by her king – by her father.

"Zelda, what are you doing?" he asked uncertainly, looking back up towards the thrones. She was gone.

He heard her chuckle, and turned to find her walking gracefully down the staircase towards him, smiling. "What do you think?" she asked sweetly. "Hyrule Castle, perfect and glorious."

"Does it awaken memories?" her voice came from suddenly closer, and he spun around to find her now walking towards him from the side, holding her arms out invitingly. The back of his neck prickled.

"I – I wouldn't have thought you wanted these memories awakened," he said uncertainly, feeling fresh wariness stiffening his shoulders. She's not… she's not acting like herself…

"We spent so much time here together," she said wistfully, closer still, this time from behind, and turned again, his heart beating faster.

"Zelda, what are you doing?" he demanded, confusion more than frustration in his voice.

She merely smiled innocently at him. "Really take in every detail," she told him earnestly, taking a step closer and reaching out as if to caress his face. He leaned in slightly, almost instinctively. "After all…"

White-hot fire suddenly split through the middle of his back, drawing a startled, pained scream from his throat. "This place will be the last thing you ever see," Zelda whispered in his ear.

He felt it as the knife was yanked out, his vision flashing crimson and his back arching in agony as he stumbled a half step forward, shock and hurt and astonishment jolting like lightning through his blood.

"Z-Zelda," he gasped, turning stiffly around to find her still with that innocent smile, holding a wickedly long, curved knife dripping all the way to the hilt with his blood. Oh… oh, that's… not good. His back seemed to burn fiercer at the sight, and he grit his teeth, a strained cry hissing through his teeth as he felt a hot wetness soaking through his clothes. His knees wobbled, and he shifted his weight, fighting to stay standing.

Zelda's smile turned menacing, and thin wisps of Gloom suddenly appeared around her, gathering into a massive dark shape behind her, blotting out the light of the evening sun – a shape that Link recognized as the top half of the withered, ancient corpse they had discovered deep beneath the castle. The secret stone on his brow gleamed an ominous, rotting shade of violet.

"The Demon King," Link whispered, his heart pounding faster, horror and despair seeping through his body. He drew his sword, biting back a groan as the knife wound in his back flared with pain. He tasted blood in his mouth.

The specter of the Demon King merely chuckled. "I see why, perhaps, Rauru placed so much faith in you, Link," he sneered, his voice low and hoarse, rattling in his throat. "I did not think I would see you again, and yet… here you are. You endured my corruption. And you persisted in slaughtering my servants. Yet… you do not even know who I truly am, do you?"

Link didn't answer, devoting his energy to staying on his feet as his breaths came strained and fast. He glared defiantly up at the corpse. This – this can't actually be him, he thought, struggling to find some semblance of hope. It's – it's only half of him. And… and whatever that is. He glanced at Zelda standing still beneath the specter, his heart tugging painfully.

"Long did I await our battle," the Demon King snarled. "Long have I planned to destroy you and invalidate Rauru's pathetic sacrifice. Long have I yearned for the moment where I would strike down the fabled swordsman Link, who gave them all such hope! And now, at last, you will not live to see another sunrise, thanks to my dear puppet." Zelda suddenly lifted a few inches off of the ground, her arms outstretched and her head lolling limply back. "Did she entertain you? She made it so easy to mislead you – to keep you occupied."

Link stared in horror as black marks appeared across Zelda's skin, blood-red Gloom blossoming around the edge of them and consuming her entirely, until she vanished. His mind raced, struggling to reconcile the sight of his beloved devoured by Gloom with the Demon King's assertion that she wasn't Zelda, was merely a puppet. His mouth went dry as he thought back to everything he had seen – Zelda's use of golden magic, speaking to him from a distance, things he had thought only she could do, and yet in the past minutes the Demon King had revealed that he could easily imitate all of those powers. Zelda's not here – never was here –

"I suppose it is only fair that I give you my name, seeing as you do not have it," the Demon King went on, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I only wish I could see Rauru's face. Thousands of years have passed, and now I, once and for all, have slain the swordsman with the supposed 'sword that seals the darkness.' Rauru was wrong – you did not have the power to defeat me, the Demon King, Ganondorf!" He raised his arms, a writhing tendril of blood-red magic appearing between his hands, and Link's heart stopped beating for a moment as he recognized the attack.

"Remember," Ganondorf smirked, "my name." The blast of magic rocketed forward.

Link flung his arms out in front of him, a futile attempt to defend himself from the Demon King's devastating power. Light burst from his hand. In the brief second before the magic struck him, Link saw Rauru's ghost standing before him, holding his arms before him with the tips of his fingers pressed together, forming a triangle. Desperately Link copied the position, and a small shield of light appeared in front of his angled hands.

He felt the moment that the Demon King's power struck, with enough force to drive him to his knees, crying out as his back exploded with pain. The shield flickered – No! – and Link fought to calm his racing heart, reaching for the feelings the Shrines of Light evoked –

The shield shattered. Link crumpled to one side, heaving for breath and spitting blood from his mouth, his strength spent, as more blood dripped down his back and pulsed free from his wound.

But the agonizing flames of the Demon King's magic did not wrap around him as they had in the past. Link dragged his head upwards, only to find the Demon King staring at him with something akin to wariness.

"It… seems there is more to you than the power Rauru has gifted," the Demon King said, his guttural voice nearly a whisper. His flaming eyes narrowed. "But not much more. Die now, and may Rauru's legacy die with you!"

Ganondorf's secret stone shone brighter, and instead of light, waves of what looked like blood descended upon Link, sending a wave of darkness over the Sanctum.

When it cleared, Link felt his breath freeze in his throat, the corruption in his arm flaring to life, seizing his muscles and clawing through his veins. Red – there was red everywhere, red from Gloom, emanating from a moon the shade of blood. And beneath the moon stood a man, with crimson hair and unnaturally dark gray skin, his chest and arms bulging with solid muscle as he stood grinning wickedly atop a mountain peak. All around the base of the mountain marched an army – and not just a mindless gaggle of monsters, but organized forces moving in tight formation. Lynels, Hinox, bokoblins and boss bokoblins, moblins, lizalfos, Aerocuda – each had their place, and each performed their orders with exactness.

Chucking boulders drenched in oil and wreathed in flame, several Hinox brought down the walls of a desert fortress, clearing the way for the ground troops to invade and destroy. Lizalfos swam up streams and through lakes, planting explosive devices that sent up massive waterspouts – and fresh corpses of Zora. Gleeoks surrounded a mountain range, spouting out jets of flame that caught on numerous wooden structures. The panicked shrieks and screeches of Rito struggling to flee to safety tore through the air. Stone taluses marched up a rocky volcanic road, smashing any Goron they encountered, breaking them apart into thousands of scattered pieces. Lynels rampaged through Hylian settlements, trampling everyone in their path, crushing skulls and cracking bones, carving up defenders with their spears and swords.

"You see," Ganondorf cackled, as Link struggled to draw breath, despair and grief driving any trace of light from his soul, the screams of the dying clawing at his ears and heart as, at the end of it all, thick dark shadows closed in around him. "You cannot hope to escape your fate. My power will sweep across this land. You need but await the inevitable end."

Darkness wrapped around him, an icy, miserable blanket that steadily choked out every one of his senses, until Link was aware of nothing, nothing at all.

Dracofighter (guest): Yup! Much shock for the poor guy. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far! Thank you! Awesome username, by the way! :D