Clearer in Time

~Courage~
XXIII. Last Stand
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Hyrule, it seemed, was tearing at the seams. The sky was an inferno of lightning and fire, suffocating the land with its threat of impending doom. The end was near.

The people of Hyrule looked to the red sky, towards the swirling eye of the tempest, a fiery vortex looming above Ganon’s fallen tower.

The ranch was close enough so that Malon had seen the tower fall. She looked towards the sky, sending her thoughts to her friend. She knew that Dark Link had gone to help him. She hoped that they would both come back safe. Good luck, you two, she thought with a smile…

The villagers of Kakariko had trekked the path up Death Mountain to watch the tower fall. Standing side by side with the Gorons, they had all cheered, watching the dark castle crumble into itself. The worst, however, seemed yet to come. The sky was dark, and the entire crowd watched down upon the ruins, wondering what could possibly be happening. Anju, the barmaid, stood among them. Somehow, she just knew that Link was down there. He’ll save us, she thought. I know it…

Far to the southwest, the Kokiri children hid within their tree houses. The sky looked like it was on fire. The children wished that Saria was still there. She would know what to do. Or even Link. He was always so brave…

The Zoras watched the battle, their pool reflecting a portrait of the duel between Link and the monster. They watched with grim expressions, seeing the abuse Link was taking. He’ll pull through, they knew. He would find a way…

Far to the west, the Gerudo turned their eyes to the burning sky. They had not seen the tower fall, but knew just the same that such a dark omen could only be the work of their king. His downfall seemed near. If that happened, what would become of them? Their entire race was no longer trusted, feared and hated by others. Nabooru’s second in command looked upon the faces of her people. The desert, it seemed, was no longer safe for them. Perhaps it was time to move on…

The Sages watched as Link fought bravely against what Ganondorf had become. They had not expected this. Even the Sages could not have fathomed the full extent of the Triforce’s power. Ganondorf was no longer the King of Evil, but rather a slave to it. The mortal man had traded his soul in order to harness Din’s full might. He was now literally ruled by Power.

All of Hyrule held it’s breath, praying for The Hero of Time, sending him their courage.

…

Zelda tried for what seemed like the hundredth time to pull the Master Sword from the ground. Like all the other times, it held fast into the dirt. Only the Chosen Hero could wield the sword. Stupid technicalities, she thought furiously.

She turned back to the platform, watching Link fight against the monster. That he was still alive seemed to be a miracle. The creature was tossing him around like a rag doll. He didn’t even have a sword. Zelda had done the best she could, enchanting his arrows with purifying magic. That seemed to be working, a little.

All she could really do was watch, though, as Link slowly weakened against the beast, as the world fell apart around her.

…

Link swayed on his feet, trying his best to hold the bow steady as he aimed at the thing’s head. The head of the arrow glowed with a golden light, blinding him a little. He fired and heard the monster roar in pain. Another hit.

Link jumped out of the way as a massive bone cleaver swung towards him, sending bits of debris flying into the air. Where he had suddenly got this burst of energy from, he couldn’t say. A few moments ago he had had trouble standing.

Perhaps the Triforce had intervened. That, it seemed, was the power of Farore. She wouldn’t let him die. Link’s body was a testament to this. It was battered beyond belief, and by all rights should have given out by now. Link had long since accepted the fact that, despite his countless near death situations, he may not survive this time.

He pushed it from his mind. None of that was important. He was the Hero, and if that’s what being a hero meant, he would sacrifice himself to save his friends and people. Time had made his destiny clear.

The monster swung again. Link dodged expertly, knocking another arrow in midair. He fired, this time landing the arrow through the creature’s eye. Blood gushed from the wound, mixed with a yellow, puss-like fluid. The remains of his eye, Link guessed.

The beast stumbled, almost falling over. It was weakening, panting on It’s hands and knees. A good start, Link thought, but he knew that It could only be finished with the Master Sword. Just as Link thought this, the world seemed to dim a bit.

“Link! Hurry!” He spun around. Zelda was calling to him. The ring of fire was gone. Zelda’s hands were in steeple formation in front of her, her face strained as she held off the flames.

Link sprinted towards the princess, his sword protruding from the ground next to her. He reached her, yanking at the hilt of the sacred blade. It came up infuriatingly easily, after all the attempts Zelda had made on his behalf.

He turned back towards the ruins, and felt a hand clasp his wrist. Zelda pulled him close, kissing him lightly on the corner of his mouth.

“For good luck,” she smiled at him. He smiled back, turning once more towards the battleground. He felt the heat of the flames close behind him once more.

The beast was at It’s feet, seemingly waiting for him. He pointed the sacred blade towards It, watching the blade begin to illuminate wildly.

The creature swung at him, It’s speed once more catching Link off guard. He blocked with the Mirror Shield, but lost his grip. He watched the shield sailed over the wall of flames and down into the sea of fire below.

He turned back to monster just in time to see It swing once more, It’s massive arc catching Link in the middle. He sailed through the air, hitting his back against a pile of debris. He could feel pieces of stone jabbing into his back. Blood poured from the large gash that the monster’s bone cleaver made in his midsection.

The monster approached him, taking slow, triumphant steps. Link couldn’t move. He tried to lift his arm and couldn’t find the strength. The sword rest lamely upon his open palm. The monster stood before him, It’s one good eye blazing madly. It shifted low, so that It’s horrendous face was inches from his. Link could smell It’s noxious breath.

The monster pulled back a few feet, and rammed It’s horned head towards Link’s body. He screamed in agony as he felt the thing’s tusk pierce through his already bleeding wound. It lifted It’s head and brought Link’s body into the air. He slid further down onto the tusk, so that he was once again inches from the thing’s head.

Link found his strength, lifting his arm back. With a mighty thrust, he plunged the Master Sword directly into the monster’s face. The creature screamed out, flailing It’s head wildly. Link was flung from the beast’s tusk, landing on the ground far away. He weakly raised his eyes back to the monster. The thing that used to be Ganon fell to It’s knees, clutching It’s head. It clawed desperately at It’s own face, trying in vain to remove the sword.

The wall of flame around the ruins failed, and Zelda saw her time to act. Hands together once more, she closed her eyes.

“Sages, the time is now,” she said. Immediately, the air began to stir. A beam of light pierced the darkened sky, a light of forest green. It fell directly upon the creature, apparently causing it tremendous pain.

Another light came, this one red like fire. Then another, a deep blue. A deep violet followed, followed by a rich amber and a bright yellow. They all intersected to focus on the dying creature.

Zelda stretched her hands in front of her, fulfilling her duty as the Seventh Sage. A beam shot forth from her hands, this one a whitish gold. It fell upon the body of the foul creature. It writhed around in pain, trying futilely to escape. The lights intensified, hiding the silhouette of the monster’s body. The lights became brighter and brighter, their colors deepening and becoming fuller.

Zelda’s hand began to glow, the Triforce resonating brightly. It glowed and glowed, brightening to the point of blinding. Then it ceased, and the beams followed. They disappeared, taking the monster with them.

…

Ganondorf was on his knees, his hands bound before him with golden glowing chains. He stood upon a slightly raised platform in the shape of a Triforce. All around him were the Sages, their eyes upon him. The old one, standing upon the seal of Light, spoke first.

“Ganondorf Dragmire,” he said. “You stand before the Sages of Hyrule. You have been charged with atrocities against the Kingdom of Hyrule. How do you plead?”

Ganon said nothing, looking around. He recognized some of the Sages. The Goron, Darunia. The spoiled little Zora princess. He turned past Impa and saw the Sage of Spirit. Nabooru stared back at him, her face neutral. He could see weakness quivering in her eyes.

Ganon stepped off the Triforce platform, approaching her. He came less than a foot before her arm shot out. Her hand collided with his chest, a strange amber light emanating from her fingertips. Ganon cried out in pain, backing up and falling to his knees upon the platform.

“Ganondorf Dragmire,” the old Sage continued. “You haven chosen not to voice your plea. The Sages will decide your verdict. Sages?”

Ganon looked around, his eyes burning furiously. The green haired Sage spoke first.

“Guilty,” the young girl said, looking upon the Gerudo King with a wisdom beyond her years. She turned to Darunia.

“Guilty,” he said.

“Guilty,” the Zora said. Even she was solemn, defying her usually feisty nature. Ganon turned to see the princess’s nursemaid, the Sage of Shadow.

“Guilty,” she said remorselessly. Ganon turned to Nabooru, the last in line. Looking into her eyes once more, he saw that he had misjudged. The quivering in her eyes was not of weakness. What burned in her eyes was the flame of hatred, an unutterable loathing.

“Guilty,” Nabooru said finally. Ganondorf hung his head, his hands trembling.

“It is unanimous, then” Rauru said. “Ganondorf Dragmire, you have been found guilty before the Sages of Hyrule. You are sentenced to be banished to the void between realms indefinitely. Do you have any last words?”

Ganondorf trembled on his knees. His teeth clenched as he seethed with rage. How could this be? He was a god. Then again, perhaps this wasn’t the end…

“Do you have any last words?” Rauru repeated. Ganondorf raised his head, looking around at all the Sages. He was smiling.

“I’ll kill you all,” he said. “You can’t hold me forever. And when I get out, I will kill your descendants. Hyrule is mine.”

Rauru said nothing at first, but finally found his voice. “Ganondorf Dragmire, you are hereby banished to the void between realms.” He turned to the Sages, who all followed his lead and pressed their hands together in steeple formation.

Ganondorf felt his physical self lessening. Simultaneously, he could feel the Triforce of Power resonating within him. He smiled to himself. No seal would last forever, he knew. Not on him, at least. It was only a matter of time. As he thought all of this, the last of the true Ganondorf Dragmire, the young, hopeful Gerudo Prince, died. He was Ganon now, a vessel of Din’s Power, the King of Darkness. As the last of his consciousness faded, he closed his eyes, vowing his revenge.

No matter what.

…

Link lie on his back, Navi dancing around before his vision. Above him, the sky was becoming less turbulent, the tempest passed. Far away, he could hear someone calling his name.

“Link!” A sobbing voice. A woman’s voice. With a tremendous effort, he turned his head slightly. Out of the corner of his vision, he could see the princess kneeling beside him. Her hand was pressed to his wound, and he could feel the familiar tingling sensation. It was different this time though, numb, somehow.

“Link, hold on!” Zelda cried. Her voice sounded like it was coming from miles away. “I can save you! Just hold on.”

Link didn’t feel like holding on. He was tired. This adventure had lasted far too long. But it was okay. In the end, he had saved the princess, and all of Hyrule. His friends were safe.

“Link! Come back! Please!” Faintly, he could feel drops upon his cheeks. Tears, he supposed. Not his. He didn’t want Zelda to cry, but he was too tired to say so.

The sky above him was turning from its turbulent red to a peaceful blue. Link smiled, even though it hurt to do so. It was all finally over.

Link closed his eyes, the after image of the beautiful blue sky slowly fading away.

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*Well, there it is. Only one chapter left. What will happen? Anyone have any guesses?
*I want to thank everyone whose been reading this, or people who've even just given it a curious hit. This is my first fan fiction, and you guys n' gals have made this an awesome experience. I'm definitely gonna be writing more.
*"Sweetest," thank you for the review. Glad you like(most of)it. I'm normally a Zelda/Link guy, as well. This story has gotten pretty crazy, though. I don't know for sure what'll happen. Whatever the outcome is, I'll probably be as surprised as you and the other readers.
*The final chapter will be up soon. Tell me what you guys think! Read, Rate, Review, and ENJOY!!!