The Legend of Zelda: Spirit of Evil

***Well, I wasn't able to write a whole chapter, but I added a bit more to this one since it was shorter than the others. I apologize if there are still strange symbols, I've been trying to get rid of them. (I thought they only showed up on my computer.) Have a great autumn!
Angel Lich***

The group found themselves in a gazebo-like structure made of stone. There were flowerbeds and trees everywhere. Ponds and fountains glittered in the bright sunlight.
Strangely bright.
Ganondorf stifled a gasp as he realized they were level with the clouds. The sun shone down from above, unhindered by the white masses. Ahead was a beautiful building made from clear crystal, shining brilliantly from the rays of the sun. It was shaped almost like a teardrop, a large base gliding up into a sharp peak Columns of white stone supported the roof of a beautiful arcing walkway that led to the crystal building. It was towards this, that Zelda headed for, Ganondorf and the fairies following.
Admiring the colorful flowers, Ganondorf was the first to spot someone sitting on a stone next to a small tree with white flowers. The petals were slowly falling, blown by the gentle breeze. They settled in the person’s hair. Green hair, the color of pine.
“A child?” Questioned Ganondorf softly.
The child, and it was a child, lowered their hands, revealing that they had been playing an instrument.
‘I heard no sound though…Wait, is that another ocarina?’ He thought, silently watching the flute-like instrument disappear.
The slender child stood, perhaps reaching only four feet, a pathetic comparison to Ganondorf’s six and a half. Not to mention his extra one hundred and fifty pounds.
Yet, the moment those eyes opened, and the green orbs locked with his gold, he found himself kneeling. This was no ordinary child.
“Sage.” He murmured.
The Sage of Forest smiled, a child’s smile, but an adult’s eyes. “Welcome Ganondorf. I am Saria of the Forest, the first Sage.”
“I am honored.” He said rising shakily.
“Fairies.” She said, inclining her head to the tall women, who bowed in return. Turning to Zelda, she bowed fully. “Seventh.”
Zelda watched the girl bow to her, once again feeling a powerful sense of duty that she had not felt since the end of the Seven Years Of Darkness. Yes, she had duty to rebuild the land afterwards, but this was different. This was once again, readying to battle evil. It was…overwhelming.
“Saria. I hope I find you well?”
“Yes Seventh. The others are waiting. Please, follow me.” Saria said, leading the way into the crystal temple.
Ganondorf walked next to Zelda. “Are you all right? You seemed…far away for a moment.”
Zelda smiled wistfully. “Just sometimes…I remember so much is required of me, that I have a very important job...and that I am more than just a queen. I am a Sage, the last Sage who binds the Six. Yet I still feel like a little girl. I had to grow up so quickly after Evil started it’s seven year reign. Part of me still wants to be that little girl, the other part knows I can’t.”
He smiled comfortingly and placed a hand around her shoulders. “I wish I could help.”
Her eyes softened as she looked up at him. “You staying with me helps, Ganondorf. Your very presence helps.”
Giving her his arm, Ganondorf smiled gratefully at her, for he could never thank her enough for accepting him.
Together, they entered the Temple of Light.

***

No sooner had they passed through the threshold, then darkness fell around them. Ganondorf’s arm stiffened, but he did not pull away from Zelda. Patting his arm gently, Zelda looked at the fairys amusedly, for they gave off a soft glow in the darkness.
The group continued walking, what seemed like a very short time, until Zelda suddenly stopped. Ganondorf glanced behind them. The doorway which they had entered through was a mere speck of light far behind them.
“………”
Ganondorf stared at Zelda with awe. Although he had not learned ancient Hylian, he knew of it, and knew that it was this language that she spoke now.
“Open doors of light, we bring no evil” Echoed the fairies.
Saria stepped forward purposefully from behind the glowing fairies. “I am Saria, humble Sage of the forest, and I grant these beings entry.” Finished her say, the Sage took another step forward and disappeared into the darkness.
“……………….”
“I am Zelda, the seventh sage. I bid my faithful servants, the six, to give entrance to this one and my four followers.” Whispered a single voice close to Ganondorf’s ear. He turned to find the blue fairy, Essence standing close by, and smiled gratefully when he understood she was translating.
No door opened, but a pale blue light surrounded them, seemingly glittering with stars. Zelda held tight to Ganondorf’s hand, grateful that he had not turned away from the difficulties ahead. She closed her eyes and led her group one step for forward.
There was a sensation of floating and the sound of wind and water before Zelda and Ganondorf felt anything solid beneath their feet. Zelda raised her head and opened her eyes.
The heart of the Temple of Light would never cease to move her with it’s beauty and simplicity. Light shone through some openings in the ceiling, which otherwise in it’s vastness, was lost into darkness. The few beams of light fell on daises that almost seemed to grow from the darkness below. Water flowed out from the tops of these, rolling off the edges and silently falling back down into nothingness. The largest beam of light shone onto the main platform, where Ganondorf and Zelda stood. Water formed beneath them, gliding smoothly outward, around the six platforms and slipping off the edge. The colored daises of the sages surrounded them, each one decked with an imposing chair facing the center. The chairs were made to their masters preference, and some could only be used by it’s owner. Raru sat in a beam of light, and Daurina’s chair was a rock throne that was glowing hot. Impa, legs crossed, floated a foot above her low chair that looked like a smooth rock but glowing purple designs showed it to be a metal Eye.
The sages who had not yet seen Ganondorf muttered at their arrival. Daurina glowered, Ruto pursed her lips angrily, and Raru’s eyes were cold.
“My friends, I trust Impa and Naburoo have explained matters to you all? Said Zelda softly.
Ruto looked the other way, looking very irritated. The Fire Sage’s hands were like big rocks as he clenched them. Raru calmly spoke for them all. “We need proof, Seventh.”
Zelda turned to Ganondorf, who looked impassive but she could see he was nervous. “Show them your blade, Ganondorf.”
He unsheathed his blade and presented it to them. His words, though few, held great power and meaning when he said them. “The Master Sword.”
The Sages were speechless as they stared at the holy blade, all too familiar with it’s properties as it once guarded their home.
They all turned at a soft sound. Naburoo, usually so tough, was weeping on her sandstone throne.
“Dearest Naburoo! What is wrong?” Gasped Zelda.
“I didn’t know! I didn’t know!” She sobbed.
Zelda reached into the other woman’s mind, surprise crossing her features as many thoughts and images filled her mind.
~~~
“Ganondorf’s out with the horses again.”
“He’s so wild, it’s unfitting for a king.”
“Naburoo! You can’t play with the child, he is to be our king!”
“Your job is to clean the horse stalls runt! Don’t look above yourself!”
“Ganondorf just left for the city!!”
“So hungry for power. I’ll bet he wants to take the rule from the king, heh heh!
“He just wants recognition for his talents.”
“…Dark hells! They say the city has been destroyed and the king is dead.”
“Good riddance!”
“Gods help us…”
~~~
“I believed what everyone else said, even though I thought he would never go that far.” Finished Naburoo.
“Naburoo…Of course! Now I remember! You’re the weapon maker’s daughter!” Said Ganondorf, gaping at her. He looked completely thrown off balance. “It’s against the laws for any low born to become the chief. How did you receive the position?”
The Sage of Spirit drew herself up regally. “I won it with my strength and skill. I gave the Gerudo equality so that we stand evenly. We no longer have nobles. This is why the tribe respects me. Not because I have the most gold, but because I give my people the most strength.”
“Then you did what I could not. Even as a forsaken and hunted king of my people, as worthless as my words might be, you have my deepest gratitude.” Ganondorf said humbly.
The sages stared at Ganondorf in disbelief. His attitude and firm grasp on the Master sword left them little doubt that this was not the Ganondorf they had all fought so hard to seal away.
First Sage Saria smiled her mysterious smile and stood from her simple carved wooden throne. She spoke for them all. “Then Ganondorf, we have a gift for you.”
She raised her hands above her head and high up, an unearthly light started to shine. Then a single arrow slowly fell from high above. As Ganondorf caught it in his hand, he was astonished as the light faded to reveal a plain wooden arrow with ragged feathers for fletching. He looked up at the sages in confusion.
“Look not with earthly sight, but your god-given one.” Said Raru simply.
Ganondorf and Zelda let their eyes transcend the mortal realm and saw the true form of the arrow. The entire arrow’s structure was made of a blazing light. A rainbow of colors pulsed through it, joining together to form a lethal point. The fletching seemed to be made of phoenix feathers, long and glorious in their power.
Zelda clasped the arrow between her hands, murmuring a simple prayer. “May you bring light with your swiftness.” Her Triforce piece glowed in response.
“And now, please let us present you with our gift.” Announced the fairies. They stepped back and each one put a hand out, palm up. With a flash of light, a glowing bow of white and gold appeared, veins of light moving throughout its form.
Ganondorf touched the bowstring with the tip of his finger. “May your power be unwavering.” he prayed, his Triforce piece responding as Zelda‘s.
“Now you have your weapon, and the darkness fears it’s sting!” Whispered Impa.
“You must strike tonight.” Rumbled Daurina.
“Link grows more powerful every moment.” Said Ruto, looking sad.
“He has already erected a barrier preventing our gaze around his fortress.” Said Saria, her eyes worried.
“You must leave on horseback, when half the sun disappears over my valley.” Said Naburoo.
Raru was silent for a time, his eyes old and endless. In his gaze, Zelda and Ganondorf saw the danger they were going to face, and the suffering they might endure. They saw that the land of Hyrule might perish if they failed.
…But they did not turn away.
Raru bowed, acknowledging and respecting their courage. “Our prayers go with you.”

***

It was early evening, and the sun had begun its daily descent. Sheik stood on the balcony outside Zelda’s room, arms folded as he stared out over the land. He did not move when he heard the door open, knowing instantly that it was Ganondorf. He jumped a little though, when he felt strong arms wrap around his waist.
“Zelda…” Ganondorf whispered softly, pulling Sheik close.
The magic melted away from Sheik, and Zelda stood there in her royal attire. She relaxed against her lover, enjoying the feel of his arms. “It feels a little strange when you do that when I am Sheik, love. It is hard to explain, but Sheik is not entirely me.”
“I’m sorry.” He murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder.
She squeezed his arms, and he knew she was not angry. After a long moment, where they just enjoy each other’s company, Zelda spoke. “Can you do this?”
He tilted his head and looked at her. “What?”
“Do you have the strength to fight Evil?” She smiled a little sadly. “You said before, that the thought of me kept you sane in the Sacred Realm, that with my love…you feel invincible.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “But is that enough?”
“You doubt my power?”
“No! It is just…the spirit tortured you into obedience. Facing the spirit again might make you remember all the pain you endured.”
“…I do not understand, Zelda.”
Zelda spun around, tears in her eyes. “Am I enough? Enough to make you unwaveringly strong as you face your torturer, the guard of your prison? The one you made you suffer? Am I enough for that?!”
A woeful understanding showed Ganondorf’s eyes and he gently wrapped his arms around Zelda once more. Zelda’s heart ached as she felt him pull her close. He held her so tenderly, as if…she was the most precious thing in the world.
“Zelda…your love was something I dreamed of, not something I believed I would receive.” He whispered, his voice slightly hoarse with tears. “You may have had forgotten that you cared for me, but I couldn’t make myself stop caring for you.”
“After, leaving the Sacred Realm, as soon as the spirit left me, I lay there, almost too weak to move. Perhaps, because the only thing I wanted was to die.”
“…But then, I saw you. You were standing there, looking up at Link as the spirit reveled in it’s new vessel. You had grown…so beautiful. It took my breath away. ”
“I saw him raise his bow and cold horror filled me. The woman I had loved for so long was about to be hurt, if not murdered before my eyes. I stood, on my own, no longer a puppet of a forgotten god. My longing for death was great…but my determination for you to live was far greater. I may have had hundreds of deaths hanging over my head, but you were not going to be one of them. This, I swore.”
Ganondorf cupped Zelda’s face and made her look into his gold eyes. “I will protect you!”
Zelda kissed him fiercely, the love she felt for him overflowing. Ganondorf returned the powerful kiss, a tear of his own mingling with hers. Zelda pulled away slowly. “You may protect me, but please…please do not forget how precious you are to me.”
He stared at her, his mouth open with surprise.
“Please…” She whispered. “…Protect yourself.”
He closed his mouth and nodded, pulling her close again. “I shall not forget that, Zelda.”
She inhaled deeply, truly enjoying the scent of him and the warmth of his body. Hesitating, she whispered into his ear. “When we return…”
A sharp knocking on the door interrupted her. “Your pardon, Zelda. But the sun is nearly set and the horses are ready for your departure.”
“Oh yes, thank you Eclipse. I will be out shortly.” She called out, slowly pulling away from Ganondorf.
However, he did not want her to leave his embrace yet. “What were you going to say?” He asked, pulling her close again.
She shook her head, sending her golden hair swaying. “Perhaps some other time.”
“I want to know!” He said, adding a slight whine to his voice.
She chuckled, but did not give in. “Soon, I promise.”
He gave an impatient groan, but relented, releasing her from his tight embrace. She turned and gave him a warm smile, extending her hand to him. “Are you ready for battle, Vanquisher of Evil?”
He smiled slightly, determination filling his eyes as he grasped her waiting hand. “Always, Zelda.”


***Well, I hope that was enjoyable...and readable. Newcomers please review! Veteran readers...Thank you so much!! The only reason this story is still going is becaues of you! College sucks, it's taking up too much of my time, but I'm doing my best. Love you all! :)*** Angel Lich secondsplendor@comcast.net