Maybe I need to redirect my efforts.

Mila had no idea what Lord Remoth was thinking. He had allowed himself to be taken prisoner without a fight. If he was the demon, why would he not simply transform and break out? Or open a portal like she'd seen the demon do in the past?

How much does the Royal Family know? Have Remoth's plans gone up in smoke? Perhaps I should cast my lot with Prince Percival again.

So far, Mila had not given up any incriminating information about Lord Remoth, and Prince Percival did not seem to think she was a traitor. If Remoth had failed in his plan to acquire the Triforce, she could still pivot back to her original plan of aligning herself with the Royal Family. She had given the Hero a fake sword, but she could easily donate the real one to the Royal Family's cause, should she choose to switch her allegiance back to them.

However, the election to determine the next ruler of Hyrule had all but halted. One of the candidates was dead, and all the others seemed too frightened to do anything else. Percival, Victorique, and Sophitia had not left the castle since Lancel was killed, and every event related to the election had been postponed.

I hate to see that throne remain empty…

At the moment, Mila found herself pacing through the halls of Hyrule Castle somewhat aimlessly, with only Luft for company. She had walked past the throne room just to stare longingly at King Tychon's vacant throne, which none of the Hyrules seemed to be in any rush to claim for some reason.

"I could walk right up there and sit down on that throne," Mila voiced to her fairy.

"Perhaps if we put a box down on it first. Otherwise, I doubt you'd be able to see all of your subjects," Luft joked, jangling humorously.

Mila swatted her hand through the air as if to smack the fairy, although Luft effortlessly glided out of the way. "If I were queen, I could put out a call to all the sorcerers in the land to see if any of them could break the curse the Deku Tree placed upon me," Mila mused aloud.

She left the throne room's entryway and continued down the hall, trying to think if there was anything she could do next. "I have not spent enough time glad-handing Princess Victorique," Mila pointed out. "If she is still the favorite to win, I would like to–"

Mila did not finish her sentence. She was startled by the smokey black shadow that stepped through the wall in front of her, blocking her way. Before she could draw her sword, the smoke materialized into the form of a hooded man wearing a cloth covering the lower half of his face. It was not the Grand Watcher, whom Mila would have recognized. However, it appeared to be an agent of his.

"Lady Shadowgale," the watcher greeted her.

Mila glared at the Sheikah in front of her. She was still none too pleased with the Grand Watcher, and having one of his subordinates sneak up on her did not make her feel any safer. "What is it?" she spat out.

"I have been instructed to give you this." The watcher reached into his robes, producing the Sky Slate that had been stolen from Prince Lancel.

Mila furrowed her brow, eying the object suspiciously.

They're just… giving this to me?

The Kokiri girl hesitantly reached forward and took the strange device out of the Sheikah's hand. "What's the plan?" she asked, knowing she wouldn't have been given the Sky Slate if she wasn't intended to use it somehow.

"You will find Lord Remoth in the dungeon. Bring this device and your sword - the real one."

"But-"

"Time is of the essence. The next phase is ready to commence."

Mila had a thousand questions, but talking to this useless drone would have gotten her nowhere. He likely knew nothing more than what he'd been instructed to tell her. "Dammit, fine," she replied with an exasperated sigh. "Anything else?"

"That is all. Proceed." The watcher stepped towards the wall, then transformed into a cloud of black smoke once more, phasing through the wall with little issue.

"I hate those freaks," Mila muttered, setting off down the hall.

Along the way, she considered the orders she'd been given. Remoth wanted her to retrieve her sword from its hiding place and bring it straight to him.

Does he really think I'm that stupid?

Although, if Remoth had intended to kill her, or otherwise steal the sword from her, it would have been weird to give her possession of the Sky Slate. However, there was still a chance that was intended to trick her into trusting him, or perhaps just to save himself some time by having her bring the item directly to him. Regardless, she decided not to retrieve her sword until after speaking with Lord Remoth.

Looks like it's down to the dungeons I go…

The dungeons of Hyrule Castle were below ground on the west side of the island. One thing Mila hated about Hyrule Castle was how many goddamn stairs there were. Going down to the dungeon wasn't too bad on its own, but she knew it would be hell climbing all the way back up.

Gaining entry to the dungeons was no issue. She was a lady now, and most of the guards were relatively low-level, so the first few guard posts she passed through gave her no trouble. It wasn't until she made it to the higher-level cell blocks that she faced any true resistance. The way was shut by a heavy iron gate. A knight stood on either side of it, with several other guards present in the vicinity. One sat at a desk cluttered with stacks of papers.

"Lady Shadowgale," the guard at the desk greeted her. "How may I be of service?"

Mila did not recall ever meeting this woman, but by now, most people living or working in the castle were aware of the lady who had the appearance of an eleven-year-old.

"I need to speak with a prisoner," Mila informed the guard. "Lord Toren Remoth."

"What business have you with Lord Remoth?"

"That's my business." Mila hoped that would be enough.

"Lord Remoth is a high-priority prisoner. We have orders to keep visitors away unless they are on royal business."

"This is royal business," Mila lied. "I serve under Prince Percival. Just open the door and let me carry out the prince's orders."

The guard seemed hesitant. She was likely weighing the potential consequences that might come with either obeying or refusing Mila's request. She seemed to settle on obeying her, and hurriedly scribbled a few things down with her quill pen. She then pushed the parchment toward Mila's end of the desk.

"Fill this out, please."

Mila sighed, mumbling to herself in the Fairy tongue as she complied.

Someday I will set all this fucking paperwork ablaze.

"There." Mila shoved the parchment back across the table.

The guard took the paper and placed it on a stack, then retrieved a keyring and stood from her chair. "Right this way, Lady Shadowgale." She then led Mila over to the dungeon gate and unlocked it.

Mila simply walked past the woman without saying anything more to her. Whatever Remoth wanted, Mila was just hoping to find out and then leave that dingy dungeon as fast as possible.

She found Remoth at the end of the cell block. Most of the other cells were empty, but he'd been given the largest one available. It was nowhere near civilized, but it had a decent bed for a dungeon cell. It even had a desk, at which Lord Remoth currently sat, writing something.

Two guards stood near his cell. They eyed Mila suspiciously as she approached, but she did not address them. "Lord Remoth," she spoke up.

The imprisoned lord put his quill down and stood up. Given his height, it was impressive that the ceiling of his cell was high enough for him not to reach it. He turned around and stood at the bars, looking down on the Kokiri girl. "I see you've received my message," he said, speaking normally, as if he wasn't behind bars at the moment.

Mila glanced at the two guards standing on either side of her, silently asking if it was safe to talk in front of them.

"They are mine," Remoth informed her.

Mila nodded and produced the Sky Slate from her carrying bag. "One of Socicila's men gave me this."

"Good. And you have your sword?"

Mila shook her head. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

"We're finally moving forward," the imprisoned man said.

"Moving forward?"

"Ever since this all started, we've been forced to progress slowly while we awaited the awakening of the Hero," he explained. "But, now that she has revealed herself, there is no reason to hold back any longer. Today, the remaining members of the Royal Family will die. We will take the castle. We will capture the Hero and take her key. And finally, we shall obtain the Triforce."

Mila had many questions once again. "The Hero has a key?" she chose to start with.

"Yes. The hookshot she carries. That, and your sword, are the final two pieces of the puzzle."

That made sense.

He wanted my sword now because he is gathering all the keys together.

"Fine. I'll retrieve my sword. Where do I need to take it?" Mila asked, hoping to discover the location of the Triforce.

"A temple in the west," Remoth answered. "Once we have both your key and the Hero's, you will take the City in the Sky and fly it to the Triforce's location. That will grant us sufficient control over the area."

Mina looked down at the Sky Slate.

And that is why he wanted me to have this.

"My subordinate, Lord Gagaim, will take control of the floating city in the coming battle," Remoth went on. "I want you to be the one to pilot it. I believe your mastery of wind magic will be of use."

"And when will this battle be occurring?"

"As soon as you stop wasting my time and get your troops into position," Remoth told her. "Mine and Socicila's are ready to begin at my command."

Lord Remoth had not been exaggerating – things really were moving quickly all of a sudden. Mila felt a cold sweat on the back of her neck. Up until now, she'd been positioned in such a way that she could have easily pivoted to the winning side if needed, whichever side that may have been. Taking part in a coup like this was a big risk, and there would be no coming back from it if they failed.

If I can obtain a wish on the Triforce, it will all be worth it.

"Fine. Stop wasting my time, then," Mila demanded. "What would you have me do?"

"Your objective will be Prince Percival," the lord explained. "Given your position in his court, that should make things easy for you. I will deal with Princess Victorique. Socicila will handle the younger sister."

"What about the Hero?"

"She must be taken alive at all costs."

"What sense is that?" Mila asked. "We're already killing the Royal Family. Why does the Hero need to live?"

"She will die as soon as we use the Triforce to break the Hero's reincarnation cycle," Remoth told her. "There is no point in killing her now when she'll merely be reborn later. Now, are we quite finished? The longer we delay, the greater the chance of us losing the element of surprise."

Mila was unhappy leaving things there, but she had all the information she needed for the immediate future. Everything else she could obtain later. "Fine. I'll have my troops ready within the hour."

"Good," Remoth spoke. "See that you do. You will know when it is time to begin."

With that, she pocketed the Sky Slate and turned to leave. "I expect you to keep your promises, Remoth," she said as she walked back down the relatively empty cell block.

"I always do, fairy child."

"Take your guards and return to the barracks," Mila ordered.

The captain on duty furrowed his brow in confusion. "I heard you, my lady. I merely desire an explanation."

"Our desires are not always meant to be met, captain," the Kokiri girl told him. "Early shift change. Prince's orders. That's all either of us need to know."

Mila knew it was a risk to lie in the prince's name so much in so short a time. However, if everything went according to plan, he wouldn't be alive long enough to find out about it.

The captain sighed. He seemed to decide he didn't care enough to dig further into the situation, so he relented. "Very well, my lady. You have my gratitude for the early rest." With a bow, he walked off and began recalling his guards stationed in the area.

"Excellent." Mila turned to the four columns of soldiers following behind her. "Everyone in this column, you're taking over here," she instructed.

"Yes, Lady Shadowgale."

Her troops complied, spreading out and moving to their new posts. Mila nodded, then signaled for the rest to follow her inside.

Everything was going well so far. She'd managed to switch out a few guard posts with her own troops, forming a perimeter around where she expected the prince to be. They would protect her from any interference while she played her part in deposing the prince.

The bigger issue would be Percival's personal guard. Even as a lady, she held no authority over the members of the Royal Guard. She would have to let her troops kill them along with the prince. However, even though she likely commanded enough soldiers to outnumber Percival's guard detail, she knew the royal guards were much more skilled and much better equipped. And then there was Sir Onnick, the mountain of a man known throughout the kingdom as 'The Wall.' She wasn't sure she could defeat him even with the combined might of all her troops.

It would be best to separate Percival from as many of his guards as I can manage. Especially Onnick.

Mila located the prince in the entrance hall of the main keep. He appeared to be departing from a meeting that had just finished, and he was exchanging words with the Grand Minister by the staircase on the right side of the hall. As always, Sir Onnick stood a short distance from him, and several other knights wearing the uniform of the Royal Guard stood in the hall as well.

"There he is," Vanova whispered to Mila in the entryway. "What shall we do, my lady?"

The Kokiri girl knew she couldn't simply strike then and there. With a hand gesture, she directed her troops to follow her back outside and line up for a mock inspection. That would give her cause to stay in the immediate vicinity of Prince Percival without arousing suspicion.

"These are trying times, ladies and gentlemen," Mila said as she walked down the front row of her soldiers. "Any moment now, things could become even more challenging. But now is not the time to be intimidated. Now is the time for loyalty." She paused when she reached the center of the line, turning to gaze over her troops. "And believe me, loyalty will be richly rewarded."

Everyone in her current squad had been either hand-picked by Mila or given to her by Lord Remoth and Grand Watcher Socicila. She was reasonably certain she could trust them, and she had briefed them on what was about to happen before they had begun their rounds. She could only hope they'd stay loyal once the coup began.

Before long, Mila heard alarm bells, accompanied by the sounds of shouting and clashing steel emanating from other parts of the castle.

Remoth said I would know when it was time to begin.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Inside! Now! Defend the prince!" Mila shouted at her troops, jabbing her finger in the direction of the keep's door. Her soldiers were quick to obey. They rushed back into the keep, with Mila joining them.

Back inside, the prince's guards had formed up around him and Grand Minister Malkori. The sight of Sir Onnick standing so close to the prince infuriated Mila.

"Prince Percival," the Kokiri girl called out to him. "We have a situation. We need to move you."

"Just what the hell is going on now?" he asked, sounding almost exasperated.

His words were met with the sound of an explosion from somewhere in the distance.

"Unclear, but we're under attack." Mila gestured to her troops, ordering them to surround the prince. They formed an outer circle around the circle of royal guards. They could not get to Prince Percival yet, but this would give Mila some control over the situation. "Take him to the nearest safe room. Let's move!" she ordered.

Mila's troops guided Prince Percival down the hall. In the chaos of the situation, the prince and his guards just went along with it. As one big mass, the group made its way deeper into the keep.

It wasn't long before they encountered the attackers for the first time. When they rounded the corner, they found about a dozen black-cloaked soldiers and a bat-like humanoid monster standing over the corpses of several fallen guards. Mila recognized the creature as the same kind of monster that had tried to steal her sword, while the black-cloaked men wore the uniform of House Remoth.

"Traitors!" Prince Percival shouted accusingly. He drew his unique sword, one half of which glowed white with light while the other half glowing red with heat. The prince pointed his weapon towards the enemy. "Kill them! And their beast!"

Soldiers on both sides raised their weapons, and a battle ensued.

Mila knew Remoth's soldiers were on her side, but she allowed her soldiers to fight them anyway, keeping up the illusion for now. However, she would soon reign her troops in, hoping to leave as many of the prince's guards behind as possible.

"My prince!" Mila shouted over the chaos. "We need to keep you and the minister moving." As she spoke, she pointed behind them, back towards an intersection in the hall that they'd taken before. She suggested they go back and take the other route now.

At that moment, the bat monster spread its wings and attempted to fly over the line of guards to attack the prince directly. It was blocked by the massive Sir Onnick. He snatched the creature out of the air, grabbing it by the head. He then slammed it down onto the ground and brought his greatsword down upon it, cleaving the monster in two.

Regardless, Remoth's soldiers continued fighting, so Prince Percival relented to Mila's suggestion. While a number of Percival's guards stayed behind to hold the enemy back, everyone else retreated back down the hallway, including Sir Onnick.

Mila was somewhat happy with this result, but she cursed under her breath due to the fact that Sir Onnick remained with them. She would have to find a way to get rid of him. In the meantime, having Minister Malkori with them was also something of a burden, and Mila formulated a good way to get rid of him and a few more of Percival's guards in the process.

"My prince," Mila called out the next time they came to an intersection. "We are too crowded to move quickly with this many people. You and the Grand Minister should part ways and be brought to separate safe rooms."

Percival and Malkori paused. The minister adjusted his glasses before speaking. "She may have a point, my prince," he said. "Besides, I am unlikely to be their target, don't you agree?"

He seemed nervous, and he clearly wanted to get as far away from the prince as possible. Mila wondered if Malkori knew anything of Socicila's plans. They were both Sheikah, although that didn't exactly prove anything.

The prince looked irritated, but he nodded, gesturing to a few of his own guards. "Go with him," he commanded, pointing down the other passageway.

"Yes, my prince."

The two groups quickly went their separate ways. Mila's troops outnumbered the prince's even more greatly now. She was tempted to stab him then and there, but the menacing presence of Sir Onnick stayed her hand.

I just need to get rid of him…

It wasn't until they reached the door of the safe room that the opportunity presented itself. The room in question was protected by a set of extremely heavy iron doors. When they arrived, the guards at the front of the party moved to open them, with each door being grabbed by three guards each. However, just as the doors came ajar, an explosion came from just inside the room. Everyone standing close by was knocked back.

Through the now-open doorway, more of Remoth's men emerged. Some of the guards moved forward to engage them. However, that wasn't the largest immediate problem. The explosion had apparently caused enough structural damage to affect the ceiling above them. Looking up, Mila spotted the growing cracks.

This could be it.

Turning around, Mila summoned the power of the winds as strongly as she could. She managed to shove herself, Prince Percival, Vanova, and a number of guards out of the way just as a section of the ceiling collapsed. As the rubble landed, it cracked holes in the floor as well, further separating them from the guards who were left fighting Remoth's men on the other side. As Mila had hoped, Sir Onnick was separated from them as well.

Good. Now let's just move the prince somewhere else and kill him. Then it's off to the sky city.

"Prince!" Mila shouted over the commotion. "We must keep moving!"

Mila ended up bringing Prince Percival to the minor throne room located beside the courtyard. The room consisted of a narrow carpeted walkway leading up to an elevated throne. Stained glass windows looking out to the courtyard lined one wall, while the other wall was covered with portraits and royal sigils. The room had been empty when they entered, and the single entrance made it seem relatively safe and easily defensible. That made it easy to convince Percival to enter it.

"Bar the door," Mila ordered. "Nobody gets in."

Or out.

The guards were quick to obey. While they worked, Prince Percival calmly walked up the stairs to the central throne and sat down upon it, pressing the tip of his sword into the ground in front of him.

Mila resisted the urge to smirk.

He believes himself king already.

"We can hold out here, my prince," Mila said, climbing the steps to join him. "Fear not."

"I do not fear for myself," Percival replied, tapping his fingers impatiently upon the hilt of his gaudy weapon. "Remoth's men did not use their element of surprise on me. I fear they used it on my sisters."

That much Mila knew was true. She wondered if the princesses were dead already. "I am certain they are safe, your highness," Mila lied. As she spoke, she surveyed the room. Her soldiers outnumbered the prince's. Most of them were in good positions, and some of Percival's men were distracted by the job of barring the door. This was the time to strike.

Percival grunted. "Regardless, this will be a short battle," he reasoned. "Most of Remoth's men were already banished from the castle earlier. I suspect-"

The prince did not even notice when Mila drew her sword from its sheath. It was her real sword - the gilded sword that had once belonged to the Sage of Forest's brother. Sharpened down to a razor edge by a master blacksmith from the realm of Termina, the blade easily passed through Prince Percival's neck, killing him instantly. When she withdrew her sword, his body slumped over in the throne, his blood spilling onto the cushions.

Many of Percival's guards throughout the room took notice. However, so did Mila's guards. They had been prepared for this, so they were quicker to turn their swords upon their former allies. A quick bloodbath ensued. When it was over, only Mila, Vanova, and five others remained alive.

"Sorry to leave you with such shitty last words," Mila said, speaking to the prince's body. Sheathing her sword, she shoved his corpse off of the throne, letting it fall to the ground. She wished he'd been wearing his crown. She would've loved to take it from him. However, his glowing white and red sword lay on the ground. Smiling, she bent over to pick it up.

"It suits you, my lady," Vanova said as she approached.

"It's much too large for me," Mila said. The gilded sword was too large for her as well, but not by as much. Looking away from the sword, her eyes fell upon the throne.

Do I dare be so vain?

She answered the question quickly by sitting herself down on the edge of the cushioned seat. Like the sword, the throne was too large for her, and she did not wish to end up with blood on her clothing. Regardless, she felt power coursing threw her. She'd killed the prince, and soon she'd be granted a wish on the Triforce.

"That was surprisingly easy," Mila commented.

"Your wise planning and quick thinking paid off, Lady Shadowgale," Vanova told her, paying her yet another compliment.

"Yes, I suppose it did."

"Shall we make our way to Prince Lancel's sky lift?"

Mila thought about it. "Hmm. Perhaps it would be best to wait for the fighting to die down a bit. Then we can-"

She was interrupted by a heavy thud. Something had banged against the doors. Mila's other five guards formed up in front of it, raising their weapons.

"Calm yourselves," Mila called out to them. "Back away from the door. It's probably just Remoth's men."

The soldiers obeyed, stepping gingerly over the dead bodies on the ground as they backed away. However, none of them lowered their guard, watching nervously as the banging on the doors continued.

After a few seconds, the doors burst open. Rather than any of Remoth's men, Sir Onnick stepped into the room, having to duck to fit through the door frame.

Oh fuck.

Mila hopped to her feet in response. She watched in horror as the prince's colossal bodyguard surveyed the room, with Mila's guards cowering in his presence. Onnick's gaze settled on the body of Prince Percival, before he fixed his gaze on Mila.

"Now, I know what this looks like…" Mila began, raising her free hand defensively.

Another mighty thud rang out through the throne room as Sir Onnick let the spiked iron ball at the end of his chain fall against the floor. The sound caused Mila's guards to jump back again. With the minor throne room as narrow as it was, there wasn't much room for Sir Onnick to swing his ball-and-chain, but he nevertheless raised it off of the ground, gave it a few spins, and released it.

"No!"

"Wait!"

"Stop!"

Mila's guards screamed and shouted as they attempted to run out of the way. The spiked ball collided with the man Onnick had been aiming for, knocking him back across the room until it landed, utterly crushing the man. Onnick then yanked the chain back, demolishing another of Mila's guards as he returned the weapon to him.

"Fight back, you cowards!" Mila cried, not liking the way the fight was going already. "Strike before he can prepare again!"

One of her soldiers still cowered against the wall, but the other two heeded her words. Holding their swords at the ready, they charged at the colossal knight after only a moment's hesitation, each letting out a battlecry.

Sir Onnick dropped his ball-and-chain. Reaching behind his back, he drew his greatsword and swung it, cutting one of his attackers in two. The second soldier reached Onnick and attempted to stab him. The sword seemed to pierce partly through his armor before getting stuck, and Onnick did not seem harmed at all. Letting go of his greatsword, Sir Onnick slammed the back of his heavy gauntleted fist against the side of his attacker's head. The man was knocked to the ground, writhing in pain. Onnick walked over to him, lifted his foot, and stomped on the injured man's skull. He then calmly retrieved his sword and advanced on the man cowering against the wall.

"Please, sir! I yield! It was all Lady Shadowgale's idea! Spare me, and I'll tell you everything!"

"You sniveling coward!" Mila shouted.

However, Onnick was unmoved by the man's cries of surrender. He swung his sword, silencing the pleading soldier by chopping off his head.

"My lady, what do we do?" Vanova asked, standing between Mila and the advancing knight with her sword drawn.

Mila breathed heavily. She couldn't fight her way out of this one. She had to find some way to talk her way out. "Sir Onnick, listen to me for a moment," she said, summoning as much confidence as she could. "Your charge is dead. Prince Percival's sisters will blame you for failing to protect him. They may even have you executed. But we can make a deal. Cast your lot in with us instead, and I can promise you a wish on the Triforce." It was the strongest gambit she had.

Surely no one would pass up a free wish.

Sir Onnick said nothing. He never did. He merely continued to slowly advance on them, climbing the steps, getting closer and closer.

Why won't you listen to reason, you mindless lackey?!

When Sir Onnick got too close, Vanova did not attack. Instead, she threw down her sword and tried to run past him. She did not make it far. Sir Onnick swung his greatsword, slicing her in half.

"Hey!" Mila shouted in a rage. "She was mine!" Throwing her hands out, Mila summoned the winds, hitting Sir Onnick with a blast of air. It did not deter him in the slightest. All that armor appeared to make him too heavy for her wind magic to move.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck…

Mila backed away, hiding behind the throne. That didn't stop Sir Onnick, as he merely smacked the piece of furniture out of his path and continued to advance.

The Kokiri girl decided to try something more clever. Moving her hands in a controlled manner, she tried to manipulate the air around Sir Onnick's head, creating a vacuum. She had used this technique before. It didn't matter how big or strong Sir Onnick was. If he couldn't breathe, he would die like anyone else.

For once, this did seem to affect him. He stumbled for a moment, bringing one gauntleted hand up to his helmet.

Yes, yes…

However, her optimism did not last long. After a moment, Sir Onnick tossed his sword at Mila.

"Shit!" she shouted, diving to the side as the giant spinning weapon flew past her. In doing so, she broke her concentration, breaking her spell in the process. Now able to breathe just fine, Sir Onnick charged at her, moving much faster than he had before. Mila screamed, summoning the winds to move herself quickly out of the way.

"Sir Onnick, please, stop!" Mila shouted desperately. "Killing me would be of no benefit to you. Just think of what you could gain with a wish on the Triforce. You could have anything you desire. Anything!"

Onnick still remained silent. She could not see his face or even his eyes from under his horned helmet, so she had no idea what he was thinking.

"Just say something, you mute bastard!"

The giant knight charged at her once more, and she barely managed to dodge out of the way again.

Mila thought about trying to run, but he'd managed to effectively corner her. She'd be backed up against the wall before long at this rate. Clearly trying to negotiate with the man was getting her nowhere. The only option left was to fight. The Kokiri girl gripped Prince Percival's dual-enchanted sword in her hands, and she felt the heft of the gilded sword on her back.

I have two of the greatest swords in the entire kingdom. I must be able to do something with them.

Thinking quickly, Mila examined Sir Onnick's armor for any weak points. It was very well put together, but it should have had the minor openings all suits of armor had. Unfortunately, Sir Onnick managed to retrieve his tossed sword, which would not make things any easier.

Mila waited in a battle-ready stance. Sir Onnick moved forward steadily like an unstoppable juggernaut. Once close enough, he raised his greatsword and swung it downwards in a chopping motion. Mila once again used her wind magic to move quickly out of the way, but she did not run. Instead, she then used the wind to propel herself into the air.

Letting out an angry battlecry, Mila swung Percival's sword at Sir Onnick's neck. The glowing red half of the sword collided against the knight's armor. A great flame erupted from the sword upon impact.

Mila landed next to Sir Onnick and leaped backwards, returning to her battle stance to examine the damage. A portion of the knight's armor had been broken off, leaving small shards of metal on the carpeted floor. There were scorch marks near the point of impact as well. Onnick did not appear harmed, but he was now slightly less invulnerable than he'd been before.

Mila flipped the sword around in her hand, eying the glowing white half of it.

Let's see what this side can do.

Sir Onnick didn't give her much time before his next attack. He swung sideways this time, forcing her to leap over his sword immediately. In the process, she sprung herself high enough to attack him in the same spot she had before, but with the other side of her sword this time. When the white half of Percival's sword collided with Sir Onnick's armor, it let out a burst of light that blinded them both. When Mila hit the floor, she stumbled and backed away, shielding her eyes.

When she looked up through the tears in her eyes, she could see Onnick lowering his arm in the same way. She also saw she'd managed to shatter a larger gap into his armor. There was a real vulnerability showing now. Killing him no longer seemed like such an impossible goal.

Reaching behind her back, Mila drew her gilded sword, sheathing Percival's sword in its place. The prince's sword had been helpful so far, but she figured she would need the razor sharp edge of her own sword for this last part.

Mila took a deep breath, readying herself with total concentration. When Sir Onnick next swung his massive blade, she immediately propelled herself into the air once more. She screamed, letting out a battlecry and slicing at the opening in his neck. She felt the blade hit his flesh and pass through it.

When she hit the floor, her sword was coated in fresh blood. There was a thud as Sir Onnick's helmeted head fell to the ground. The Kokiri girl felt her heart beating rapidly. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Just after killing the prince, she'd killed the most unkillable knight in Hyrule.

I did it.

For a moment, she allowed herself to calm down, breathing a sigh of relief. However, her moment of respite was short-lived. She felt a new kind of fear course through her veins as Sir Onnick moved once again.

The still-standing body of the heavily-armored knight bent down and picked up his own severed head. Gripping it by one of the horns on his helmet, Sir Onnick held up his head and pointed it in Mila's direction, as if it could still see.

"Wh-Wha-Wha-What? What? What?!" Mila could do nothing but stutter out the same one-word question as she walked backwards in fear.

Still holding his head aloft in one hand, Sir Onnick continued undeterred. This time, he raised his sword and thrust it forward. Mila was too shocked to make any sort of effort to dodge out of the way, and so she was impaled straight through the chest.

The Kokiri girl felt a sense of weakness wash over her. She tilted her head downwards to peer at the sword sticking through her stomach. Wisps of misty green light spilled forth from her wound. She felt the tethers holding her to this realm weakening.

No… I can't go now… I'm supposed to live forever… I'm supposed to be a god…

The headless knight pulled the sword from Mila's chest. She fell backwards onto the ground. She listened to the clattering footsteps of Sir Onnick walking away from her as everything went black.

"You're a fucking idiot, you know that? What, we came all this way just for you to die like this? We could have done so much more, but you just couldn't stop picking fights with people stronger than you. You're lucky I fucking love you, you idiot. I guess this'll be the last time I help you, so I'll see you next time you die. You better actually accomplish something before then, or I'm gonna be so angry."

Mila gasped and sat up. It took her a moment to process the fact that she was even alive. She was still in the minor throne room, just where she'd been when Sir Onnick had stabbed her. Remembering that, her hands flew up to her chest, feeling for any wound. Her clothing was damaged, but not her body.

What…?

The Kokiri girl noticed the tiny sparkles hovering in the air around her, as well as those that clung to her chest. There was fairy dust everywhere. Her eyes shot open wide in fear.

"Luft!" she shouted, hopping to her feet. "Luft, get out here right now!" Mila spun around, glancing frantically in all directions. "Luft, please. You're here. You're here, aren't you? Luft? Luft!" There was no response. Her fairy companion did not emerge from within her, nor did she fly out from any hiding place.

Mila knew why she was alive.

"Luft! Luft! Luft! No! No!" Mila fell to her knees. She slammed her fists against the floor repeatedly, tears streaming down her face as she cried. She must have looked like an actual child throwing a tantrum at that moment. "You weren't supposed to do that!" she cried. "We promised! We promised each other! We'd never do that! I'm not worth it, you stupid selfless cunt!" Mila collapsed forward, shoving her face into the carpet to muffle the pathetic, anguished shriek that followed.

The Kokiri girl stayed in that position for a minute until her crying died down. "This… stupid… useless… tiny… form…" she stuttered out in between sobs, beating her tiny fist against the floor to punctuate each word. "I'm gonna kill him," she muttered. "I'm gonna kill that unkillable bastard. Onnick, Cyclos, the Deku Tree, all of 'em. They're all fucking dead."

Slowly, Mila pulled herself back to her feet. She angrily wiped the tears from her eyes. If she wanted her revenge, she couldn't just give up. Thinking back to the plan, she decided what to do next. Prince Percival was dead. According to Remoth, he and Socicila would handle the princesses and the Hero. Her objective now was to escape to the City in the Sky and pilot it to the Triforce's location.

Reaching into her bag, Mila pulled out the Sky Slate. The headless bastard hadn't seen fit to take any of her possessions, so the device was still on her. Remoth had told her Lancel's sky lift was already under the control of his men. All she had to do was make it there without getting caught up in the rest of the battle. Putting the Sky Slate back into her bag and retrieving her sword from the ground, Mila headed for the exit.

This isn't over. Mark my words.