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Time Cannot Erase Chapter 27

Deviation Actions

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Literature Text

Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm falling
And all I see is you
These city walls have no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh I scream for you
Come please I'm calling
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm falling, I'm falling

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me
~Nickelback “Saving Me”

Chapter 27
The Path to Redemption


“The castle!” a voice shrieked. The ground gave a sudden, violent lurch as high above the flaming castle began to sway. The flames had crept over half of the castle now, and had completely enveloped one of the smaller towers. Without warning the tower gave way: crumbling as easily as if it were made of sand. Fire and rubble showered down over the field, and all over soldiers dove out of the way, trying to avoid being crushed.

“Kain!” Marth turned sharply, his voice commanding. “Take your men and evacuate the women and children! Get them out of there, now! We will stay here and hold them off while you take them to safety.”

“Safety?” a soldier cried incredulously. “There is nowhere that is safe! The castle is our last stronghold! We have nowhere else to go!”

“And if they stay there they will all die!” Marth roared. “We have to give them a chance! Kain, take your men and go!”

“Yes, Sire!” Kain bowed quickly and was gone.

Marth watched Kain’s company marching to the castle at full speed, breaking through the smoldering front gate and out of sight.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Marth turned back to the battle before him, forcing himself to put his faith in Kain and trust that he would lead his people to safety.

Zelda dodged Ganondorf’s first attack with ease, her body instinctively crouching low: her moves becoming fluid and cat-like. He turned and lunged once more, but Zelda sprang out of the way effortlessly. Her head was bent low, her eyes tiny slits, her expression brimming with hatred.

Ganondorf turned with a roar and threw a ball of black light at the Princess, but once again she sprang out of the way. Over and over he blasted her, screaming as he did so, his face contorted with rage. Over and over Zelda leapt out of his path, landing closer to him with every bound, her eyes narrowing. She landed on the dirt, crouched so low that she was nearly flat on the ground- and then in an instant her entire bearing changed completely.

She shot to her feet- suddenly standing tall and erect. She no longer looked light and dainty, but sturdy and powerful. The Master Sword was clutched in her hands, gleaming in the night. She tightened her grip, planting her feet. Ganondorf sent a stream of black lightning upon her but she would not be moved. The sword swung wide and caught the spell, sending it flying back towards Ganondorf himself. Caught off guard he cried as his own power rebounded and hit him, sending him flying backward onto the ground.

In a puff of smoke Zelda vanished and instantly she was standing above Ganondorf, the Master Sword swinging high. He didn’t even have time to think before the sword slashed upon him, cutting deeply into his arm and across his chest. This however, far from disposing of him seemed only to feed his fury.

With a deafening bellow Ganondorf leapt to his feet and rushed at her, black lighting emanating from his very body. All over soldiers were being hit by it: flying to the ground, shrieking and bleeding. Stunned and wounded they got to their feet, some backing away slowly and many more running in terrified retreat.

Instantly a silence seemed to fall over the battlefield. Swords ceased to clash and every weapon seemed to rise in defense as the sea of soldiers parted around Zelda and Ganondorf, leaving them isolated in the clearing.

Every eye was upon them. All other battle was forgotten momentarily. Hardin’s men believed Ganondorf to be a soldier of Aritia, and Marth’s army could only guess that Ganondorf was a warrior of the Akaneans. The threat of Ganondorf seemed to dwarf the threat of mere men, and so every blade was turned on the Dark King.

“Form ranks!” Marth’s voice suddenly thundered over the crowd. “Take him down!” His voice grew louder and more forceful with every word. “Kill him!” His sword rose into the air. “Kill him!” Without a moment’s hesitation Marth charged forward, leading his troops. Elice, Roy and every one of the Sages right behind him, followed by the rest of the army.

With the roar of a lion Marth flew forward, his sword glowing brighter and brighter every second. Ganondorf turned on the massing rebellion with mild annoyance, grimacing down at them as though they were bugs just begging to be stamped out.

“Die!” Marth bellowed, a wave of light shooting from his blade. Roy screamed and Elice shrieked and the Sages shouted in rage. Ganondorf held his ground, the disgusted expression never leaving his face.

Hardin’s men hung back hesitantly, not yet in full retreat, but not wanting to evoke the wrath of Ganondorf needlessly.

Marth’s furious attack hit Ganondorf and bounced feebly back, not doing a bit of damage. Undaunted, Marth’s sword shot countless more bolts at Ganondorf, accompanied by fiery blasts from Roy and a seemingly endless stream of arrows from Elice’s bow. The Sages knew better than to attack Ganondorf with conventional weaponry, but they were happy to have the diversion. Quickly they scattered themselves around Ganondorf, arms outstretched. From each of their hands sprung a beam of light that linked the Sages together in a circle around him.

“Hold him in!” Impa shouted, almost glowing with power, “Do not let him through the barrier!”

Impa’s voice was drowned out by Elice’s scream as Ganondorf hit her with a heavy blow, sending her flying. This sent both Roy and Marth into a terrible rage, each lunging forward with murderous expressions. Their swords hacked and swung and thrusted as the two dodged attack after attack from Ganondorf himself. No matter how they tried, however, they could not even get close enough to attempt an attack.

“You pathetic little worms!” Ganondorf sneered. “Die!” he swung his arm and a massive ball of dark energy massed. He cocked his arm back and released, the attack heading straight for Elice’s barely conscious figure sprawled on the ground.

“Elice!” Math gasped.

“Elice, watch out!” Roy shouted in horror, flinging himself over her. The blast hit him in the back and he screamed out in terrible pain as the blast wove its way over his entire body, momentarily lighting up the night sky.

“Roy, no!” Elice managed to cry as Roy’s arms wrapped around her as their feet left the ground. The blow sent them careening through the air, smashing into a nearly pillar. Roy’s head hit the stone with sickening force.

“Roy!” she shrieked as Roy’s limp body crashed down upon her. “Roy!”

Roy’s head lifted slightly and he looked at her with blurry eyes, a small trickle blood running out of bump on his skull. “Are you all right?” he mumbled.

“You idiot!” she shouted with tears in her eyes. “Why did you do that?”

“You’re welcome,” he whispered, just before his head fell limp and he once more crashed down upon her, his eyes closing. Elice shrieked in horror and shook his shoulders, but he would not move.

“Elice!” Marth cried, rushing to her side. He rolled Roy’s dead weight off of his sister, and was relieved to see Roy was still breathing. Elice’s breathing was shallow, and she was covered in a number of nasty burns, but she appeared to be all right. Marth grabbed her hand, and her fingers gripped his tightly. Slowly he helped her sit up.

Her gaze fell on Roy and her hand flew to the back of his head. “Roy, you fool!” she whispered furiously, her eyes wide with concern, her hands touching his face gently.

“Marth,” she whispered, looking up, “Go… I’ll be all right…” she nodded slightly.

Marth squeezed her hand once more then left Roy in her care.

Picking up his sword, Marth turned on Ganondorf with renewed fury. Once again the Princess and the King of Darkness had engaged in battle. Blasts of magic, both dark and light were flying through the air. Explosions rocked the ground. Zelda was leaping about again, dodging attacks that left craters in the ground the size of small houses. Zelda was throwing everything she had at Ganondorf as well, and he himself was forced to block her attacks with increasing desperation, and without complete success.

Marth’s heavy boots pounded the ground as he stomped heavily toward the battle. “You will pay for what you have done!” Marth roared, but his voice was suddenly silenced as all at once the world turned upside down and then went black. When at last he blinked the world back into focus, he was lying on his back, staring into the darkened sky: completely at a loss as to how he had gotten there.

Shaking his head he lifted himself from the ground and screamed out as a sudden blinding pain shot through his body. His mind reeling, he got slowly to his feet. Glancing down he was shocked to see the shaft of an arrow sticking out of his right arm. It had penetrated just below the shoulder pad of his armor. With a short cry of pain he wrenched it from his skin, looking down on the rusty head glistening with his own blood. A warm sensation was spreading down his arm now, and he looked down to see a steady flow of blood running down his arm and his hand, dribbling onto the dirt below.

Momentarily stunned, he didn’t have time to notice the second arrow taking aim. He screamed once more and fell to his knees as the arrow imbedded itself deeply into his leg. Instinctively his hand went to the wound, his fingers wrapping around the heavy wooden shaft. He pulled and another painful screamed issued from his lips, his eyes shutting tight, pain shooting through him.

“I knew someday you would bow before me!” a voice filled with arrogance suddenly landed in Marth’s ears. “Soon all of Aritia will bow before me: their new King!”

Marth’s bleary eyes opened, the world spinning before him. Slowly his head turned upward, and his gaze came to rest on Hardin, seated above him on an enormous steed, a most malicious grin on his face, a sentinel on either side, one of which had his bow raised.

“You are pitiful, you know,” Hardin sneered. “I have always known it, and now the world will see you as you truly are: broken, defeated and utterly pathetic. Your army has failed and even this monster you have conjured cannot stop us!” Hardin spun around quickly, raised his sword and cried out, “Charge!”

Through the haze Marth could see that Hardin’s army had re-massed and was now rushing forward at top speed. His hand went to his sword, but it was too late. The ocean of soldiers broke over him, rushing past him almost as if he were not there. Then someone’s foot caught him in the stomach and he was thrown, breathless to the ground. He screamed as he was trampled under the feet of Hardin’s men. Clutching his stomach, he lay helplessly on the ground as another kick came to his side, then another to his head.

The soldiers cried out as they came upon Ganondorf, swords held high, bows raised and banners flying.

Ganondorf was hurtling black balls of light at Zelda from every direction. Zelda dodged one expertly, flipped in the air and swung her sword high, catching a passing beam and sending it hurtling back at Ganondorf. This time he was ready, and he blocked the attack, but Zelda was not so lucky. The blast hit her, sending a surge of electricity through her entire body. She screamed, a blood curdling cry of pain, and her body began to thrash about, landing on the ground and lying still.

The sound of horses coming up behind him caused Ganondorf to turn heartedly and, upon seeing the reconstituted army he waved his hand, sending out a blast that took out Hardin’s entire front line with one blow. When the charge did not cease he sent out another blow, felling another hundred soldiers. Now Hardin’s waning forces looked more cautious. Their speed slowed and their resolve was fading quickly. Again and again Ganondorf attacked until Hardin’s men could hardly step over the sea of fallen bodies.

All at once the charge came to a stand still. Silence reigned for a moment as Ganondorf stared down the advancing soldiers. An evil smile spread over his face and his hand outstretched once more.

When at last the dust settled and the rush of soldiers ceased Marth was left lying in the dirt, writhing in pain, feeling the blood rushing down his face and from the wounds in his arms and leg.

“I do believe I will enjoy watching you suffer before you die,” Hardin said as he looked down on Marth with disdain.

Marth gasped for air, every breath agonizing. He could barley open his eyes, and though he tried to stand his legs would not hold him.

“Your struggling only makes you even more pathetic,” Hardin scoffed. “Why not be still and die like a man?”

Marth tried once more to stand, his hands holding his chest, his breathing erratic. “I will not die a coward,” Marth managed to say, in a low but forceful voice.

His bloody hand groped for his sword, and he held it as high as he could, standing before Hardin with as much valor as he could muster. “I will not die a coward!” he shouted, trembling.

Hardin’s smugness weakened slightly, as he subconsciously pulled back on his reigns, his horse stepping back a few feet.

“Kill him,” Hardin ordered in a weak and sniveling voice, his head turning ever so slightly to the soldier with the raised bow. “Kill him now!” he bellowed suddenly, madness in his eyes.

Marth stood his ground as the soldier’s bow was fitted instantly, and the string pulled back tightly. Marth’s eyes gazed into the point of the arrow now facing him, silently and without wavering, and he waited.

Hardin’s men were standing huddled before Ganondorf now, shields raised, with no apparent intention of attacking.

Many were backing away slowly, and only a precious few stood their ground. It was upon those who continued to resist him that Ganondorf now turned his attention.

“Your bravery is both astounding and incredibly stupid, you fools!” Ganondorf advanced on them. With a final blow, Ganondorf blasted Hardin’s army. The ground shook with power beyond any earthquake.

Long after the blast, however, the ground continued to shake. Every pair of eyes began to dart about frantically, searching for the cause of the disturbance.

“Watch out!” a voice called just a boulder hurtled from the sky and landed on the ground with another earthshaking thud.

Marth’s castle was now completely engulfed in flames. The massive smoldering towers were swaying precariously, all of them now rapidly beginning to give way. All over walls were crumbling to the ground; bricks were falling, rocks crashing down from the sky, showering down on them like fiery rain.

If Ganondorf’s power did not kill or frighten off the remaining soldiers, the onslaught of flaming wreckage did. Those men standing nearest to the impact were instantly obliterated, and those farther out were sent crashing to the ground. As the smoke cleared, those who were able to rise from the rubble did so in fear, rushing away from the Dark Lord with all possible speed, dodging blazing debris even as they did so.

Ganondorf roared as he rose into the air, his black cape swirling about him. He raised his arms and all around him flaming bits of castle began to rise. With cruel laughter he began to lob the wreckage after the retreating soldiers, sending them into only more panic and quickening their departure. Ganondorf flew forward, pursuing the army, but ran headlong into the invisible barrier the Sages were upholding below him.

“Keep holding strong!” Impa shouted as Ganondorf turned his rage upon them.

“Accursed Sages!” Ganondorf spat. “I should have killed you long ago!”

Ganondorf flew down at the Sages, hurling attack after attack at them, their barriers barely protecting them. Though Ganondorf’s wrath was now turned away from Hardin’s men, directly, the damage had been done, and the Akaneans were fleeing in droves.

“Retreat!” the cry continued to ring out. “Retreat!”

When the dust settled not a single soldier of Hardin’s army remained to oppose Ganondorf, and his laughter rang out cruelly. A thousand pairs of feet kicked up dust as they fled the scene, rushing at full speed back towards their king.

“Kill him!” Hardin’s voice commanded with finality, his face twisted with hatred as he stared down at Marth. “Now!”

Marth heard the bow string tighten to its full power, the sound heard just before the release. But the soldier’s fingers only slipped from the bow, his eyes gazing ahead in shock and horror.

“What are you doing? Kill him!” Hardin screamed.

“Get back!” the soldier shouted, turning his horse and spurring it hard, dashing away as quickly as possible.

“What are you-“ Hardin started, but cut off as he too spurred his horse, barely darting forward in time to miss a massive rock that hurtled out of the blackened and smoke filled sky straight at him. Terrified, his horse reared, and Hardin was thrown to the ground.

“Come back here!” he shouted as he looked up to see not only his horse in retreat, but his entire army as well. “Come back here! I command you to return!”

“It is lost, Sire,” Hardin’s most trusted captain rushed to his side, slowing his frightened horse to a tense stop. “It’s over!”

“No!” Hardin spat, his eyes bulging. “We will not retreat! We will attain victory! We will-“ once more Hardin was forced to jump aside as another pile of bricks and rubble careened out of the sky, landing on the ground inches from him, pounding deeply into the ground.

Without another word the Captain turned his horse and flew away at a full run.

“Come back here!” Hardin bellowed. “I command you!” His voice could barely be heard over the bedlam, however. Black lightning was flashing all around now, and the sky had darkened beyond imagination. The only light left was the eerie glow of the castle smoldering to the ground. Winds whipped at his flesh, and all over chaos reigned.

“I command you!” Hardin yelled futilely after his now deserted army. He took a few steps, filled with such fury he could not keep his footing and fell to the ground. Cursing, he lifted his head, only to have his gaze met by the cold gleam of a sword inches from his face.

“Take up your sword,” Marth’s voice sounded from above. Hardin got slowly to his feet, Marth’s sword following him, hovering just above his skin. Marth watched as Hardin’s hand slowly began creeping not to his sword but to the staff at his side.

“Afraid to fight me like a man?” Marth spat. “Blade against blade: no staffs, no magic. We will see who the greater man is here, not through your trickery but through skill! Now drop that staff or I will open you from head to toe!” The voice coming from Marth was so powerful, so frightening that Hardin’s staff fell to the ground instantly.

Marth took a step back, his gaze never faltering, his grasp never relenting. “Take up your sword.”

“You can hardly stand,” Hardin scoffed uneasily, fear obviously gripping him. “You cannot defeat me. You are half dead already.”

“Very true,” Marth replied, blood still trickling from many different wounds on his face. His clothes were now drenched in blood and his face was extremely pale and drawn.

“You walk willingly to your own death,” Hardin huffed, drawing his sword. “You are a fool.”

“I am a fool, that much I will admit- but I do not fear death. If I die, I will die a man. You will die a coward.”

“We shall see,” Hardin replied with feigned confidence.

Marth raised his sword, tried to pull himself up to full stature, and without a word, attacked.

“Fly, you worthless little maggots!” Ganondorf bellowed as he lobbed more bits of crumbled castle into the remnants of Hardin’s army as they vanished from sight, sending a few in the direction of the Sages now and then. “Flee from before me! No one can stop me! No one can-“

Ganondorf’s eyes widened and his mouth opened and an earsplitting bellow rang out. He faltered and fell to his knees, revealing Zelda standing behind him, her hands gripping the hilt of the Master Sword which was deeply imbedded into Ganondorf’s left shoulder. He threw himself forward in pain, and the Sword came free, the silver blade shining with Ganondorf’s black blood.

Once more, however, her attempt to wound him ended only in his increased rage. He turned instantly, something Zelda was not prepared for.

Before she knew what had happened Ganondorf’s gargantuan hand had wrapped itself around her neck and begun to squeeze.

Zelda screamed, but her voice was soon choked out. His grip tightened, pulling her face close to his. He sneered at her, his eyes gleaming maniacally.

“Zelda!” Impa shrieked from her position below, stepping forward slightly.

“We can’t break the barrier!” Nabooru screamed. “Impa, stop! If you break it now we won’t be able to form it again!”

Ganondorf’s feet left the ground, carrying Zelda with him, he held her high, squeezing her neck tighter and tighter.

Impa could not bear to watch. Her fists clenched and body began to shake as she looked at the Princess being strangled before her eyes. Zelda’s body went limp and the Master Sword slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground far below, its blade sinking into the earth.

“Impa, no!” Nabooru shouted.

“He’s killing her!” Ruto shrieked.

“Impa, please!” Saria cried, “if we don’t, she’ll-“

“I know!” Impa screamed back, panic stricken and frantic. “I know!”

“Impa!” Nabooru shrieked, a look of warning in her eyes.

For a moment it looked as though Impa would hold strong, but all at once she gave it up. With a great cry her arms flew inward, the barrier bursting with a flash that sent the other Sages tumbling to the ground.

“I will not let her die!” Impa shouted vehemently.

Still, for all of her desire to act, she could not think of a single thing that would help the situation. The Sages could do nothing but watch in horror as the Princess dangled far above them, all breath gone from her body.

With a burst of smoke Impa vanished, and with another burst she reappeared beside Ganondorf, her long knives drawn. Hovering in the air for a moment she slashed her knives, knowing it was useless. Indeed, her knives could not even penetrate the blackness surrounding Ganondorf. As though batting away a pesky fly, Ganondorf’s free hand gripped his staff and swung it out. Before Impa knew what had hit her, a dark blast hit her in the chest. Unable even to cry out, her body went limp and flew down to the ground below.

“Darunia, catch her!” Ruto cried.

Saria screamed in fear and Darunia flew forward with incredible speed, arms outstretched. Impa’s body rocketed to the ground with increasing speed. He dove, skidding along the ground, throwing up a mountain of dirt. When the dust settled the Sages could see him standing, Impa’s body in his arms.

“She’s all right!” Darunia replied through gasps of air.

“What are we going to do?” Ruto exclaimed, panic taking her as her face once more turned to the sky and the horrific scene above them.

“I don’t know!” Nabooru cried. “I don’t know!”

“Stand up!” Hadrin shouted, gripping Marth’s hair and pulling him up. His fright had faded and now he was reveling in his power over the fallen Prince. Marth could barely stagger to his feet. It killed him inside to see this weak and pitiful excuse for a King standing over him. Hardin’s pride and arrogance had magnified tenfold as he had come to the realization that Marth had nothing left to fight with. He was mortally wounded and awaiting death, so, instead of finishing him off Hardin was toying with him. He wanted Marth to languish, to suffer, to die a disgraced and shattered man.

Marth pushed Hardin away and nearly lost his footing. Hardin was by no means a swordsman of any skill or ability, and he knew it. Under normal circumstances he would have laid dead at Marth’s feet within moments, but Marth was barely holding on. Loss of blood was taking its toll. The pain of his arrow wounds had vanished, replaced by an odd numbness that left him unable to move properly.

Hardin seemed to be savoring Marth’s defeat in his own game: just as he had said, sword against sword, no magic involved.

Hardin rushed forward with another embarrassingly sloppy and ridiculously maneuvered attack, but it was all Marth could do to block it.

Hardin pinned him down and laughed once more, hissing into Marth’s face. “Where is your bravery now? Where is your nobility?”

“You may live a coward, but at least I die with honor,” Marth whispered. Suddenly a great depth of sorrow entered his eyes and he spoke once more, this time as though to himself, “It is the least I can do.”

Hardin said nothing, a cold gleam in his eye, as his sword swung forward. Marth barely attempted to block. He seemed to have given up already, resigned himself to death: and he barely had the strength to fight it any longer.

Hardin hacked away, knocking Marth to the ground. Marth didn’t even try to get up. He simply wanted the pain to end- and end quickly. Laughing, Hardin put a boot on Marth’s chest, towering over him gleefully.

“You have lost, Marth,” he boasted. “You will die here, and my men will return. We will be back, and your Kingdom will fall in shambles.”

Suddenly Marth’s eyes opened and he looked up with loathing at the man who was slowly crushing him.

“When you are gone, your people will have no one. Your castle is burning to the ground, and your people are dieing with it. Those who escape, we will find. We will hunt them down and kill them all! We will erase any memory of you and your people from this world! With you gone, there will be no one left to stop me!”

“Hardin-“ the voice was soft and weak, but Marth knew it in an instant. “Do not touch him!”

Marth’s gaze fell upon his sister, standing nearby. She seemed to be having trouble holding herself up, but she would not relent. Raising her fitted bow she stepped forward uneasily. “You will let him go,” she commanded, trying desperately to keep her voice steady, but Hardin merely chuckled. His foot left Marth’s chest, and then swiftly kicked him in the ribs, leaving March wheezing and writhing in the dirt once more.

“The Princess wants to show her valor as well. How very touching,” a sickening gleam had entered Hardin’s eyes as he stepped forward menacingly. Despite herself Elice stepped backward, retreating slightly from his threatening presence.

“One more step and I will put this arrow through your heart,” she growled, tightening her bow.

With the slightest hint of arrogant smile on his lips Hardin put his foot forward and instantaneously Elice let the arrow loose. With lightning speed it rushed toward Hardin’s unprotected chest. Without blinking an eye Hardin’s hand rose into the air and with a cracking sound of splintering wood the arrow shattered in midair.

Elice staggered backward and quickly fitted another arrow, shooting it instantly at the advancing Hardin, but it too was shattered. Before she could get her hand on another arrow Hardin had reached her, arms outstretched. His hands hit her shoulders and pushed her until her back was against a wall.

Her fist cocked back and then flew forward, landing heavily across his jaw. Hardin was momentarily stunned- shaking his head, he gripped her tighter, blood trickling from his lip. He looked at her for a moment as though amused. A single dry laugh punched the air, and then he lost control.

A murderous, crazed look overtook his face. In an instant he was transformed into some horrible, ravenous beast. He reached out his hand and his staff which lay forgotten in the dirt some feet away flew into it, his fist closing tightly around it. He swung it at Elice as though to hit her with it, but stopped short. A wave of power instead flew from the staff’s tip, hitting Elice like a strong wind, smashing her into the wall with incredible force.

Hardin hovered before her, staff pointed at her, the power emanating from it pressing against her with ever growing strength. Hardin bellowed and screamed and the power only grew. Elice felt as though every bone in her body was being crushed. The longer he held it the more she shrieked in agony, until the wall began to shake and the rocks began to crack and give way.

All at once Hardin relented. Elice felt a heavy weight lift off of her entire body. Taking deep, gasping breaths she tried to fight the pain coursing through her. She could not move, however. Invisible hands were keeping her pinned to the wall, and she could not remove them, no matter how she struggled.

“I do believe one Aritian may escape death tonight,” Hardin said calmly. Madness had left him now, his oily, contemptuous demeanor returning. His hand went to the side of Elice’s paralyzed face, grabbing her chin forcefully.

Elice tried to scream but terror and revulsion had taken her voice.

Marth had now staggered to his feet and was watching in horror.

“Your sister seems to have some life in her yet,” Hardin sneered, pulling Elice closer to him, his eyes hungry and malicious. “One so fair should not be disposed of lightly. We may yet find a use for you.”

A terrified gasp was all that issued from Elice’s lips as she stared, transfixed at the man before her.

At that moment something deep inside of Marth awoke with terrible fury. Despite his agony, despite his weakness and suffering, something inside of him snapped and his limbs were suddenly filled with power.

Hardin’s face was now inches from Elice’s, but his grip was suddenly relinquished as Marth barreled into his side at full speed. Hardin fell to the ground, sputtering and instantly his power over Elice vanished. The force holding her against the wall dispelled and she fell to the ground, trembling.

Marth turned after his initial attack on Hardin and struck once more, forsaking all but his blinding rage.

“You dare to touch my sister you worthless piece of refuse-“ he screamed, shaking so badly he could barely get the words out. His eyes were flaming, his face wild.

“Now, we finish this!” Marth hissed as Hardin shot to his feet clumsily.

Marth lost no time; the new strength flowing through him masked his physical pain. His powerful fists smashed into Hardin’s face a number of times before Hardin could gather himself enough to strike back. He tried one clumsy blow, but Marth dodged it easily. This, however, left Marth vulnerable for a split second- and that was all Hardin needed to once more call his staff to his side.

Fists balled once more, Marth attacked, but this time Hardin waved his staff and Marth was sent sailing, landing on the ground with a thud. He tried to get up, but another wave hit him, knocking him to the ground once more. This time he tried to get up, but he could not move a muscle. He felt as though he had a boulder on top of him, weighing him down, smashing him into the ground. The tremendous weight was crushing and the pain blinding as he cried out.

He found himself lying flat on his back, as once more Hardin towered over him, this time holding a staff in one hand and a sword in the other, his mangled and bloodied face twisted with rage.

“No more games,” Hardin snarled. “No more foolishness. No more talk of honor and valor! You will die now!” Hardin’s sword rose into the air and slashed down, Marth awaiting the blow with his heart beating murderously in his chest- but the blow never came.

Hardin’s hand stopped in mid swipe. His eyes widened, bulging from their sockets. He took a staggering step backwards, nearly toppling. All at once Marth noticed that he could move once more, and he got to his feet as quickly as possible. Hardin stared at Marth in horror for a moment, Marth staring back with sword at the ready.

“You-“ Hardin gasped. “You-“ he stumbled sideways, turning, and Marth could see Elice standing behind him, arms raised and bow in hand- and the shaft of an arrow protruding from the middle of Hardin’s back. He continued to stumble towards Elice, his sword rising higher and higher.

Marth flew forward and with a single stroke, and a flash of metal Hardin crashed to his knees and then sunk to the earth, moving no more.

Elice stared down at the fallen body, her own body trembling. All at once her bow clattered to the ground and her knees gave way. Elice sunk to the ground and dissolved into frantic sobs. Marth rushed to her side, and her arms flew around his neck. She wept onto his shoulder and he held her tight.

“It’s all right, Elice,” he reassured her. “It will be all right.”

“I’m so sorry,” Marth whispered after a moment. He loosened his grip on her and sat back so he could see her face. “I have to fix this,” he said as he got slowly to his feet, but almost instantly fell back to his knees, holding his ribs in pain.

“Marth, you can’t go!” Elice pleaded. “You’re badly hurt. You must-“

“This is all my doing,” Marth replied calmly, standing slowly. “I have to go.”

“But you’ll be killed!“ Elice sobbed. “Look at you, Marth! You can barely stand as it is!” Looking at him he was barely a shadow of his former self. Cuts and bruises and blood covered him. His face was distorted, large, black and blue circles covering both eyes. One of his cheeks was puffy and bleeding. His ravaged and gruesome appearance was enough to make her cry.

Marth could not reply, he could only look down on his sister, praying it wouldn’t be for the last time. “I want you to go back to Roy and watch over him. Find somewhere to hide and stay there-“

“Hide,” Elice burst incredulously, “while you are out there risking your life!?”

“I killed him!” Marth broke down. “He’s dead, and it is my fault.”

Elice could not reply. She didn’t know what to say.

“I have to make this right,” he said softly. “Goodbye, Elice.”

“No!” she screamed, gripping his cloak. “Don’t you do this! Don’t you march off to death like some sort of martyr! You can’t bring him back! You cannot change what has been done!”

“I can change what I am,” Marth said resolutely. “I can change what I have become. Right now, my life is worth nothing. I am worth nothing. I don’t know what the path to redemption will ask of me, but I am willing to go all the way. I must, because I cannot live as I am now.”

His expression was so wretched, so forlorn and so sincere Elice couldn’t bring herself to fight him.

“I do not want to die,” Marth continued, “but I swear to you that if it will take my blood to redeem me, I will give my blood. I will give whatever it takes, willingly.”

“I thought I lost you once,” Elice whispered. “Don’t let me lose you again…”

“I’m not lost anymore,” he replied quietly. “Now, please, for me,” he begged, “go.”

A screamed ripped through the air, and Marth turned instantly, limping on his injured leg. “Zelda!” he exclaimed, then shouted back to Elice frantically. “Go!”

It did not take Marth long to find the source of the disturbance, but he was not prepared for what he found.

The Sages were circled, arms outstretched, holding up some sort of barrier, and Ganondorf was dangling Zelda by the throat some twenty feet above their heads. As Marth struggled towards them he saw Zelda’s hand go limp, the Master Sword falling to the ground below.

Over the chaos Marth could not make out the words, but the Sages were shouting to each other frantically. Marth pushed his way through the whipping winds, watching as Impa stood and the barrier burst.

He fought his way forward, shocked to see Impa perform a dangerous and ultimately futile attempt to save the princess. Chaos seemed to be taking them, and when he finally reached the Sages were staring into the sky with a mixture of desperation and despair etched into each of their faces.

“Marth!” Nabooru exclaimed, spotting him. “Marth, do something!” she sounded utterly panic stricken.

Marth marched forward, craning his neck upward, his mind furiously trying to think of what to do. Ganondorf’s evil cackle filled the air, swirling around them with the rushing winds of darkness.

“The Master Sword!” Saria cried out suddenly.

In an instant Marth had his hand around the hilt of the legendary sword and had pulled its blade from the earth. He cocked back his arm and swung it forward, throwing the sword with all of his might. Like a javelin it flew strait at Ganondorf’s back, but then it slowed and finally stopped all together, falling back to the earth helplessly.

“What-“ Marth cried as hope left his eyes. If the Master Sword could do nothing, what hope did they have left?

“It won’t work!” Impa’s voice sounded from Darunia’s grasp. She sounded weak, but otherwise all right. “Only Link can wield its power against the King of Darkness!”

“What do I do then?” Marth shouted in desperation, the whirlwind around them increasing in violence. Above his head Marth could see the cloud of darkness surrounding Ganondorf was quickly expanding, shrouding Zelda. Frantically he searched for something, anything he could do, but it seemed an impossible task.

“How do you kill him if not with the Master Sword?” Marth implored. “What do I do?”

“Light!” Saria exclaimed. “It’s the only thing that can hurt him!”

Without a moment’s hesitation the Falchion blade was drawn and Marth held it tight. This, the Holy Blade of Aritia, was the last hope he had. In his grasp, the sword began to glow with pure, white light. Marth held his breath, cocked it back and threw it with every last bit of strength he possessed.

The illuminated blade spun over itself several times, heading straight for its target. The blade circled once more, hitting Ganondorf’s outstretched arm. Though the blade itself did little damage the light emanating from the sword seemed to burn Ganondorf’s skin. With a short cry his arm involuntarily jerked back, his grip around Zelda’s neck releasing.

With a sputtering gasp Zelda breathed in as her body plummeted from the sky.

“Darunia!” Nabooru shouted once more, but this time Darunia was at the ready.

“I’ve got her!” he cried. “I’ve got her!”

Zelda’s body sailed into Darunia’s outstretched arms, and the Sages held their breath, awaiting her fate.

“Zelda!” Marth screamed, rushing to her side. Darunia laid her carefully on the ground and Marth kneeled beside her, lifting her head tenderly from the ground. Though she was coughing and wheezing for breath she was still alive, and fighting to regain her strength.

Her eyes opened blearily and she looked up in confusion. “Marth?” she coughed. The fire was gone from her eyes. The blind rage and monstrous fury had vanished from her countenance. Lying before him, Zelda looked like a frightened child.

“Zelda,” Marth whispered, his hand touching her face, but he quickly stood up, sensing a threat from behind.

Like some sort of beast on the brink of madness Ganondorf bellowed and hurtled his way towards the princess once more.

“Relinquish her!” Ganondorf boomed from behind, his voice shaking the ground.

“No!” Marth screamed back, his voice nearly as loud and menacing as Ganondorf’s. He put himself directly between the Princess and the Dark King, quickly recovering his blade from the ground. “You’ll have to kill me first!”

“Gladly,” Ganondorf sneered, then with a great cry he jumped forward.

Marth’s sword flashed with all of his fury and might, but from the moment it began it was painfully clear that Marth had nothing left to give, and yet he was giving all he had with as much fervor and passion as he could. After a few staggering footsteps and sword slashes that failed to connect Ganondorf seemed to decide that such a foe was not worth the effort.

With a look of annoyance on his face he threw a blast at Marth that sent him flying once more, crashing into a boulder nearby. Marth cried out in agony, but his voice was silenced as another blow hit him. Ganondorf’s arms were flailing wildly, and rocks were lifting from the ground all around, pelting the Prince over and over. At first his anguished screams could be heard, emanating from the rubble, but when at last he lay almost completely buried his voice had faded into silence.

Thinking his task was complete, Ganondorf turned away from the pile of rocks and back to the princess, but he turned with a jolt when he heard it. Marth’s hand burst out of the rubble, groping weakly.

“Zelda,” the anguished groan sounded form beneath the debris.

“Why won’t you die?!” Ganondorf roared in frustration and once more he began hurling more rocks onto the pile.

“Marth,” Zelda whispered, getting to her feet. “No!”

Once more she could feel the Triforce pieces within her resonating, pulsing through her veins. New strength entered her body, coursing through her. Without hesitation she got to her feet, walking without fear to the Master Sword, pulling the blade from the ground with one effortless motion.

She stood once more with her blade raised, heart pounding, rage boiling within her and power emanating from her body so strongly that her skin began to glow.

“No!” she screamed out, and this time it was her strong voice that caused the earth to rumble beneath her feet.

“Die, you miserable lout!” Ganondorf bellowed, raising a particularly large boulder into the air and turning to Marth with murder in his eyes.

“Ganondorf!” Zelda’s voice echoed hauntingly through the darkness. Something about her voice made Ganondorf freeze and he turned slowly, looking down on the Princess who was shining with white light through the gloom, like some ghostly manifestation.

“You will pay for what you have done!” she screamed. Her voice was deeper once more, her face more chiseled and wizened, as though years of wisdom had graced her in no more than a few moments. She looked older, more beautiful and more terrifying than ever before. With every word she spoke her voice rose in power and volume, the earth rumbling more forcefully with every second. The light about her intensified to a blinding level, her feet slowly rising from the quaking ground as the Master Sword began to radiate the same white light she possessed.

She hovered before the Dark King, an angelic demon slashing the darkness in two.

“You will pay for the innocent blood you have shed! You will pay for the lives you have destroyed, the chaos you have wrought, the terror you have caused. Too long have you plagued this world! Too long have you brought fear and horror into the lives of my people! Tonight you will face justice! Tonight, you die!”

Her last word echoed over the silence with power and resonance, hanging in the air indefinitely. Ganondorf stood, looking at her in shock, the boulder slipping from his hands, falling to the ground with the force of a small earthquake.

“One of us will die tonight, little mouse,” Ganondorf hissed, quietly, his demeanor diminishing in her presence, “but it will not be me.”

“You killed him!” Zelda shrieked and the earth lurched so violently that the Sages almost lost their bearing. “You killed him, and for this you will die! You will die!”

Without another moment’s wavering Zelda flew into action. She attacked with lightning speed, flying so quickly she could barely be seen. The Master Sword was flashing so quickly it was but a mere haze. Her moves were fluid and graceful, but more powerful and stronger than ever before. She weaved in and out of fighting styles, from flowing, stealth and agility to blunt, outright physical assault that it was dizzying to watch.

Ganondorf was fighting furiously, throwing attacks out as rapidly as he could, but he was no match for her speed. Not a single blow came close to even grazing her skin. He was slashing with enough power to shatter solid rock, but it could not match the force with which her blade was now flying.

Again and again the Master Sword broke through his defenses and with a short cry and a splash of black blood he was wounded.

Zelda landed on the ground before him like a coiled snake, then shot out with the force of a canon ball into the air at Ganondorf, her sword swinging around her body so quickly she became nothing more than a twirling blur. She hurtled into him, her sword swiping across his chest, opening a deep wound.  Ganondorf bellowed and roared and threw himself about in a fit of madness while Zelda landed on the ground nearby as lightly as a feather coming to rest.

“How is she- what is going on?” Ruto stammered. “She doesn’t quite look like herself, she looks like-“

“Link!” Nabooru finished in awe. It was true. Though Zelda’s feline grace, precision, elegance and poise remained, there were flashes of moments where pure strength and spontaneous bursts of fury shone through. These moments echoed a certain heroic impulsivity and raw power which were eerily familiar. As they watched, the same thought kept returning to their minds. Zelda was fighting like Link.

“She is Link,” Impa whispered. She had made her way up onto her feet now, and was staring at the ensuing battle in awe.

“What?!” Ruto exclaimed. “How-“

“She has his Triforce- the essence of his very soul now resides in her body. All that is left of Link now lives in her. That is why she can wield the Master Sword. She has taken up Link’s mantle. She is both the Hero and a Sage now. Only she can defeat Ganondorf!”

Ganondorf ceased thrashing and finally set his sights on Zelda, charging at her like a mad bull. No sign of fear crossed the Princess’ face. She did not flinch, did not cower: did not even move. She simply raised her sword and waited.

“You and your little toy have vexed me for long enough!” Ganondorf bellowed, extending his hands- a great beam of blackness issuing out of them. Zelda extended her hands as well, catching his beam and holding it off as a great stream of pure white light issued from her own hands.

“You cannot compete with my control over the Triforce,” Ganondorf growled, even as he struggled to hold up his attack.

Zelda did not reply, but glared even more venomously, her face set with concentration, not only holding her attack, but gaining ground as well. Slowly, almost imperceptibly the beam of light she was issuing from her hands was pushing Ganondorf’s darkness back. Her resolve deepened, and she pushed herself harder, refusing to relent even an inch. Ganondorf’s face was twisted with fury and the power of the struggle.

“You forget, My Lord,” Zelda said scathingly, “that two pieces of the Triforce are now mine to command.” Even as she spoke her beam strengthened, pushing Ganondorf back forcefully.

There was no mistaking the concern in his eyes now as his hands strained to hold up his attack, his fingers curling into a claw-like state. Zelda’s light was now speeding toward him, and no matter how he fought or bellowed or struggled, he could not hold her back.

Zelda, for her part, looked steady and almost calm as she fought. The murderous rage never left her eyes: it was a stony look, most unlike her.

Ganondorf’s shout of fury filled the air as the beam of light finally closed in on him, shooting through his darkness all at once, slamming into him with a small explosion. Ganondorf’s titanic figure flew off of the ground, sailed through the air and landed on the ground with earthshaking force.

Before he could get to his feet Zelda’s arms outstretched and with a cry she hurled another beam of at him. It hit him once more, exploding in a burst of white light that illuminated the darkness. Ganondorf groaned in anguish as Zelda continued to bombard him with attacks, marching ever closer to him as she did so, the cold, dead expression never leaving her face.

When at last she neared him, Ganondorf was laying on the ground, clutching his chest, his breathing short and shallow. His eyes glanced up at her, filled with hatred, as she stood above him.

In a flash Ganondorf’s staff was drawn and he had gotten to his feet. The black staff swung forward, but Zelda did not flinch. As though from nowhere, the Master Sword was drawn, glowing with power, she too swung her weapon forward. Using his staff as a sword Ganondorf proceeded to swing it with terrifying force, trying to crush Zelda with every blow, but Zelda dodged expertly, vanishing on the spot when necessary, leaping and slashing at Ganondorf with the Master Sword, opening wound after wound.

Unrelenting in his pursuit for blood Ganondorf swung his staff wide, but the Master Sword hit it right in the center and it immediately shattered: splintering into millions of tiny black shards which fell to the ground.

Shocked, Ganondorf looked down at his now empty hands, eyes sweeping over the broken remains of his last weapon. His eyes darted about frantically, searching for anything that would save him, but nothing remained. It was just he and the Princess now, and he was losing. Blood loss and physical injury were finally starting to take a toll on him, and he knew it.

“You wretched little brat!” he spat, stretching out his arm and sending a wave of black light at her, but she deflected it without moving a muscle. Ganondorf’s eyes were widening now, desperation setting in. Unwittingly he stepped back, furthering the distance between the two of them.

Zelda stretched out her hand and expelled a massive beam of light, which hit Ganondorf easily, knocking him down once more. The power under her control was growing, and she could feel it.

For the final time, Zelda held out both hands, a luminous shaft of light shooting from her palms and hitting the King of Darkness. Instantly his legs locked, his arms were glued to his side and his entire body was paralyzed from the neck down. Only his head remained mobile, thrashing from side to side. Zelda held firm, and the beam kept him immobilized as she slowly drew near, her footsteps composed and even.

As she came upon him one hand went to her belt and slowly, with the clinking sound of metal, she drew the Master Sword, holding its point against Ganondorf’s face.

“You deserve to die,” she said calmly.

Ganondorf did not reply, but stared down at her in loathing.

“You deserve your fate. You have brought this upon yourself: forged your own cage, gilded your own lock and now are only waiting for someone to turn the key.”

“Lock me away then,” he hissed, blood running down his face. His breathing was still shallow and belabored. “Get your blasted Sages here and seal me away! Send me back to the gap between the worlds. I will simply wait for the day when once again I will be set free. Do not for a moment believe it will not happen. You cannot hold me forever! You cannot contain my darkness! I will be free again, and your children’s, children’s, children will pay for your mistake with their blood! Who will stop me then, I ask! No one!”

“I will stop you now!” Zelda exclaimed, emotion creeping into her voice once again. “You will pay for his blood!”

“You don’t have the guts to kill me,” Ganondorf wheezed, still heaving and struggling for breath. “You will take the high road: lock me away and force my soul to await judgment. You are a silly little twit- hampered by your holier-than-thou ideals and foolish notions of honor- just as Link was.”

“Do not befoul his memory by speaking his name, you vile, treacherous snake!” Zelda screamed madly, “I may be a fool, but I do not make the same mistakes twice. There will be no sealing, no pity, no faith in redemption.” Even as she spoke her stomach began to twist in knots. To kill: it was a paralyzing thought.

“You deserve to die,” she said once more, as much a threat to him as it was an attempt to convince herself she was right.

“At last, a word of Wisdom from the Princess of Imprudence,” he sneered, “but you do not have the courage to do it.”

As though electrified by his taunt, the Master Sword burst with a renewed light, a gleaming pillar in the night.

Zelda stood, unable to move. Before her, bound and defenseless was Ganondorf: the focal point of evil in her world. It was he who had stolen her life from her. It was he who had resulted in Link’s wretched existence. It was he who had once murdered her father in cold blood, destroyed an entire kingdom and slaughtered countless innocent people. He had caused so much damage, and he was capable of so much more.

“You must do this,” the familiar voice sounded in her head: the voice of the Triforce. “You must claim the third piece!”

“Zelda,” the voice shot her out of her dark reverie with such sudden force her heart leapt painfully within her. Her head turned quickly and she saw Impa standing before her. Wounded, beaten and ravaged, the sight of her hit Zelda hard. “You must destroy him.”

“I- I can’t,” Zelda could not stop the frightened words from slipping out.

“You can,” Impa said firmly. “You must!”

Though the voice within her screamed at her, though Impa implored her, though the Sages stood by with looks of strength and fortitude and Ganondorf loomed before her, struggling in his radiant prison, she could not bring herself to raise her sword.

“He can only bring darkness to this world!” Nabooru beseeched her.

“You can bring light,” Saria said confidently.

Despite herself Zelda felt hot tears streaming down her face as she turned back to the face of evil before her. His face had loomed in her darkest nightmares for as long as she could remember. He was her bane, her ultimate enemy, her doom.

He had murdered her love.

She took a step closer.

Ganondorf went mad. With a wail he began to struggle against her power. He was calling on his Triforce once more. She could feel its power rising within him. She could hear its voice and sense its presence.

Without conscious thought she called on her Triforce pieces to fortify her power. Instantly she was obeyed, and no matter how Ganondorf fought, he could not overturn her will.

Approaching him, she cocked her sword back: the Master Sword gleaming. Evil’s Bane was alive once more.

But this was as far as Zelda could go. She stood, sword at the ready, feet apart, ready to strike: and she could not move.

Silently, she shut her eyes, praying that when she opened them she would awaken to find this a dream. She wished herself somewhere, anywhere else. Then she felt a hand on her own. It was a strong, yet tender grasp.

Her eyes few open and her heart stopped beating. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. All she could do was stare at the figure before her in silent, inescapable awe.

“Link,” she finally breathed.

He stood before her bathed in light, translucent and radiant. The world had faded away: bathed in soft light. It was so surreal, she couldn’t be sure she was really seeing him at all, then his hand moved from hers to caress her cheek. A melancholy smile graced his lips. She could feel the warmth of his hand on her skin. Suddenly her heart started beating again, now hammering against her chest.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered, frightened.

“Yes, you can,” Link said simply. “You must save yourself. You must save them.”

“I couldn’t save you,” she choked on her tears. “I was wrong… I cannot save anyone. I am worthless.”

“No,” he responded firmly. “No. You can do this.”

“I can’t,” she whispered once more. “I’m not strong enough on my own. I am no hero…. This isn’t easy for me. I’m not like you, Link.”

“Who ever said it was easy?” he said with a mild laugh.

“I need you,” she spoke softly but desperately.

“I’m here with you,” Link replied. “I’ll never leave you.”

With that his hand went to hers once more, tightening her grip on the sword. He held her in place. She could feel his presence beside her: like a warm summer breeze on her skin. His hands placed firmly on hers, she could feel his strength flowing through her. Her eyes closed once more, and when they reopened, the world was once more a dark and dreary place.

Link was gone, and the loneliness that gripped her was almost enough to make her give up completely. She could still feel him, however, standing beside her. His hands still gripped hers firmly.

She faced the Dark King once more, her resolve set in stone. He cowered before her as the invisible hands took hold of the sword and raised it up. A radiant light flashed from the sword, enveloping the Princess until she was gleaming so brightly the Sages could not see her. A fierce wind picked up, whipping around her as she took the final step toward the Ganondorf.

The cloud of light around her had now expanded and enveloped Ganondorf completely. Blinded and immobilized by the light surrounding him he continued to scream in pain. His power had all but vanished.

Her hands gripped the sword’s handle, and as she looked upon Ganondorf’s now powerless and broken form her hatred boiled over.

“I am here,” Link’s voice whispered in her ear. She held her breath, and the Master Sword slashed down.

With a single blinding flash the head of Ganondorf, the King of Darkness was smitten to the ground.
I finally finished it! (this chapter, not the whole story ^^;) It was a long wait, I know (since May 15th!?!? oh, wow 0.0) Really, I didn't start work on it seriously until about a week ago, and it just finally materialized so quickly! It's super long... 35 pages. So, this should tide you over for a bit, while I work on the next part. Hope you like it!

Yay! Another reader has illustrated a scene for me! This is a lovely pic by check it out! ;P ~~>[link]
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