23: Light’s Conceit

In the seven long years that had passed since he’d first appeared in her courtyard, Zelda had slowly begun to lose hope that the Hero of Time would return to save Hyrule. 

From the hidden village nestled far beyond Ganondorf’s reach and detection, she’d waited just like the rest of her people, certain a champion would rise up against the mad sorcerer, yet there’d been no indication, no sign that they would ever be freed from their torment. And so, she’d decided she must take up the sword herself. 

Yet, her kodachi would have never been a match for Ganondorf. She knew that now. For, Ganondorf’s greatest foe was the blade of evil’s bane, the weapon whose very essence could carve its own path through time: the Master Sword. 

It was a sacred blade that evil could never touch. Only one worthy of the title of “Hero of Time” could pull it from the Pedestal of Time. It was this power to fight alongside the Sages that made Link worthy of being chosen.

Yet, he did not have the Master Sword now.

“Be strong and hold onto your courage, placing all your hopes into the Sacred Realm,” Adelora’s words somehow echoed even though he didn’t move his lips to speak. “Do you believe this, Hero of Time?”

Link didn’t respond, instead grasping the hilt of his sword, and Adelora laughed, his voice now carrying an edge of madness. “And where is your sword? Your true sword?”

Zelda willed herself to move forward, but her body was frozen in place. All she could do was watch as Link shifted into a battle stance. Adelora’s sneer crackled as if a storm cloud had settled upon him.

“And will your courage be enough?” he launched forward as he asked the question, but Link dodged with ease. Adelora swung again, and Link quickly parried, though even Zelda could tell the blow carried a significant force behind it.

He then slashed at Adelora, who leaped back effortlessly, and the two began their dance, the sound of metal ringing through the air.

Yet, from the onset, Adelora was already driving Link back, each attack becoming harder and harder to avoid. Zelda could see the sweat forming on Link’s brow, the way his breathing became much more noticeable. It was obvious he was fighting with all he had. 

Still, Adelora would gain the upper hand, kicking Link in the stomach and sending him flying back. Link crashed to the ground, his sword flying out of his hand and skidding across the floor. Adelora slowly stalked towards him, his vicious smirk meant to mock Link’s confident grin from before. 

Zelda then realized she’d not only regained control of her body but was already closing the distance between all of them. Adelora brought his sword down, certain he would claim Link right then and there, but his blade would only find its match in Zelda’s kodachi. 

She leaped back before Adelora could counter, and he pursued her just as she wanted. He was just about to charge when a pained grunt escaped his lips, the first sound she’d audibly heard from him since he first began monologuing. 

That cruel smirk vanished, replaced by a look of confusion, as Link shifted from behind him, removing his blade from his dark doppleganger’s back. Adelora roared with fury, clasping his head with his hands as his body began to disintegrate, tiny black flecks falling off of his body and swirling into the air like campfire ashes. 

Soon, the only trace of him was the faint wisp of black smoke, and that, too, dissipated unceremoniously. Zeldare dared let out a sigh of relief, but she noticed Link still had his sword and shield ready. 

Every torch in the room flickered as six shadows rose from the floor from across the chamber. They materialized much faster this time, and it now appeared that Adelora had opted to let the other Sheikari roam freely instead of within him. 

Each of them brandished their own dark, viciously-curved blade, before charging at the duo. Zelda prepared to meet them, but Link motioned for her to stay back. Zelda opened her mouth to protest before stopping herself, though her grip on her sword tightened.

If this was to be Link’s fight, then she must trust him.

Link was a blur as he took on all six Sheikari, his blade reflecting the torchlight like a golden beacon piercing through fog. The Sheikari, their black robes billowing behind them as they leaped and spun, were relentless in their assault, but Link would remain unflinching.

Alas, it wasn’t enough.

Each time it appeared Link had slain one of them, they rose up again, wailing and clawing at him like wights. Soon, Link would find himself overwhelmed by the horde, nearly as helpless as a child against a swarm of bees. 

Zelda tried every mind trick she could think of to ignore the obvious signs of fatigue in Link’s movements, but none of them could delay what was inevitable. Link couldn’t hold them off much longer.

No! He had to keep fighting! He was the Hero of Time!

Adelora finally managed to break through Link’s defense, making clean slash at his side. Link cried out as slumped to the ground but quickly hopped back to his feet, clutching at his abdomen. Zelda could see the blood seeping through his fingers.

“Link!” she yelled, preparing to run to his side, but he once again motioned her away. The Sheikari now surrounded him, slowly closing in. Zelda could hear Link wheezing now, his desperate attempt to catch his breath echoing through the chamber. Once the Sheikari were close enough to strike, he unleashed a spin attack, yet his blade passed through them as if they were harmless illusions.

“You have allowed your hands to become weak. You can no longer fight against someone who would take your courage.”

With Adelora’s words, the Sheikari all raised their swords. Zelda screamed as she started after Link, who turned to look at her. His eyes were still filled with determination, though it was now joined by acceptance. He gave her a small smile, as if he was asking her to join him in that affirmation as each of their blades descended upon him.

“LINK!” Zelda had thought she could reach him, but it was too late. The Sheikari all at once turned to face her, Link’s cold, still body providing them all the confidence they needed.

“Courage falls,” Adelora turned and pointed his blade at her, his voice dripping with venom.

Zelda’s vision blurred as she continued towards Link’s body. No! There was still time! She called out to Farore, pleading with the Goddess to take the two of them as far away as possible.  

There was a flash of green light just as she was about to grab Link’s hand. Adelora’s satisfied grin was the last thing she saw before she was plunged into complete darkness. Yet, just as before, it wasn’t a true descent. She stumbled into the pool, nearly falling to one knee before glancing around, taking note of the six medallions that circled her. 

“Your Highness?”

The six Sages now surrounded her, expressions of grave concern etched into their faces. Zelda whipped around, looking for Link, but he was nowhere to be found.

“Where is he?” she demanded. “He was supposed to come with me! Where is he?”

“Zelda…” Rauru began, his eyes filled with sadness, but she wouldn’t hear it.

“No!” she shouted. “No, I won’t believe it! Where is he? I know I reached him in time! Farore, where is he? You must bring him here!”

“Zelda…” Rauru repeated. Zelda then dropped to her knees, pounding the water with her fist, and it splashed up all around her, the water mixing with her tears as they dripped back down into the pool.

“He can’t be gone,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He just can’t!”

Her breath catching in her throat as she looked upon all of the Sages. “You have to go to sleep, all of you! Now! While there’s still time!”

Yet, Rauru shook his head. “It is too late, Zelda. They are already here.”

The chanting began without warning, pouring into the chamber within seconds. 

Abnar let out a horrible gurgling noise as he was engulfed by the shadows, while Nove’s body was twisted into an unnatural position as he fell. Grig seemed to fall in slow motion as his body was torn apart, while Odan and Mison simply vanished into the darkness. Rauru was the last to fall, and with his final words, he begged Zelda to flee.

“You did all you could, Your Highness.”

Zelda covered her ears, at a loss for what else she could possibly do. She felt the tip of a blade at her throat and began shivering as tears streamed down her face.

“Dearest Hylia,” Adelora lifted her chin, and Zelda saw nothing but coldness in his red eyes. “Do you still believe Courage can endure?”

Zelda dropped her arms to the side, her body going limp as she felt the last of her magic finally leaving her. She looked back up at Adelora, who was becoming a blur as the tears continued to fall. 

From her peripheral, she could see the Sheikari dragging the bodies of the remaining Sages away, casting them into the dark depths of the chamber. She then closed her eyes, accepting that all was finally lost.