Seven Years Part 24.5 and the first part of 25

Dark... be strong...

This had to be the worst night of her entire life…

Somehow, Shiek was able to take her feet. She had to get out of Lon Lon; she was honestly in fear that something would snap, and she would pull another Keef move all over the red-haired witch currently sleeping with her hero. She staggered into the barn, ripping the dress off herself. Shiek had always felt very plain, and tonight wasn’t helping. No one could ever have mistaken Malon as a boy for so long… For the first time ever she realize how much of her femininity she had shed over the last seven years. Somehow she pulled on her shiekah clothing and lurched toward the ranch entrance.

Stumbling out of the ranch, Shiek realized she hadn’t actually breathed since seeing Link walk off with Malon. Sucking in a ragged breath, she staggered forward, feeling tears burning her eyes. Something inside of her had died with Malon and Link’s kiss, and she would give anything to have the rest of her die with it. Swallowing hard, she plunged across the field towards the village. She could have easily used the Requiem of Shadow to quickly warp to the village graveyard and its one minute walk to Impa’s house, but Shiek wanted to walk slowly over Hyrule Plains contemplating everything and at the same time nothing; emotions surging within her, yet not feeling a thing. It was as though she were hitting some kind of concussive overload deep in her heart, and, unable to handle the flood of pain, sorrow, and burning rage, her emotions were merely shutting down. She wanted to cry on Impa’s shoulder, yes; but she wanted to take a good long run first.

Shiek was just entering the village when the storm hit new and harsher levels. She figured it had to be around midnight, but do to the emotional and physical stress her quick jog across Hyrule Plain had left her with she had no real sense of how much time had past. Sighing, she stepped into the dark village.

And then it hit her.

Her sixth sense of impending doom and nearby evil had always been eerily accurate. Shiek had always believed this was connected to the essence of the Triforce of Wisdom which she held, as though it enhanced her ability to sense dark presences. However, never in all seven years of her guardianship of Narue’s love had Shiek felt the sensation so strongly. The gripping black fingers of evil clutched at her like the claw of some predatory bird swooping for the kill. Something in the village was terribly wrong…

Checking on Impa was the first thing Shiek thought to do. Impa had been waiting for her at the house after all, and she might have an idea as to what was afoot, or at least have a good guess. Shiek darted towards Impa’s house, all the while glancing cautiously around for signs of danger. Wrapping on the door, Shiek noticed that the storm was gathering force, as if building towards some sort of climax. Shiek cursed herself for not noticing the direction of the storm’s origin before; a storm blowing down from Gannondorf’s Tower was rare, and she was will to bet less then totally natural.
“Impa! Impa? Are you there?” receiving no answer, Shiek thought it best to just enter. Quietly slipping the door open, she prayed silently that whatever evil was afoot had yet to find her guardian.

The house was totally devoid of life, sans the cow in its corner stall. Walking over to the table, Shiek looked desperately around the room for any sign that the shiekah elder had been there. There was nothing. Walking over to the small bed on the far side of the house, Shiek sighed and sank down. The feeling of dread and doom was as strong as ever, and Shiek rubbed her throbbing temples as she closed her eyes. The second her eyes closed, Shiek’s body threw itself backwards of its own accord, slamming hard onto the bed.
What in Din’s name? I can’t open my eyes! Why can’t I move?

Her hands clinched into tight fists, pulling hard at the covers on the bed. Suddenly color burst before her eyes, like swirling paint splashing over her vision. Then she saw the yawing entrance of the Shadow Temple, eerily vivid in her mind’s eye. A dark purple shadow was churning like a live beast in the entrance. Slowly it began to take form, a massive body, and a glaring yellow eye. The vision flash back and blur, streaking out of the graveyard and toward the village well. Shiek’s heart began to race as she suddenly felt air rushing by her as the mouth of the well grew to swallow her.
“RELEASE ME NOW!”

Shiek jerked out of the vision and back to the bed with a scream. Realization hit her like a fist. The phantom monster that Impa had resealed was breaking loose, and her guardian must have returned to the Shadow Temple to restore the barrier. Something told her it wouldn’t be happening this time though…
“Impa, wait!” Shiek cried, running to the door.

Running full tilt out the door, Shiek raced toward the center of the village. And then there it was: the now ominous opening of the village well. Her breathing became slightly more rapid as she approached opening, apprehension building. The Shadow Phantom was said to be a spirit comprised of all the hate and ill-will the Hylian Royal Family had earned over the years, and even as nationalistic as Shiek was she still was forced to recognize her country’s sorted past; any beast that lived off of the hate and anger generated by her ancestors was undoubtedly a fearsome one, and its reaction to the last surviving member of the Hylian line would probably be less then friendly. She took a step closer to the well, swallowing hard. Instinct screamed at her to run, but her feet continued to step closer to the well, as if drawn by some force outside of herself.

“Hey, Shiek!”

She somehow tore her eyes away from the well and towards the sound. Link was running up the stairs that lead up from the village entrance towards her and the well. She was about to call at him to hurry and save Impa when the Triforce of Wisdom sensed a massive change in the magic structure of Hyrule. The Shiekah Barrier had just snapped.
“Link! Get Back!” she was able to scream before a formless purplish-black cloud exploded out of the well. There was a sound like a beast gone insane with rage and pain, and then the cloud enveloped her, latterly sweeping her of her feet and whirling her in the air.

To Shiek, it felt as though the phantom was sucking the blood out through her pores drop by drop. But for some reason the phantom didn’t finish its job. Instead Shiek felt herself flung against the neighboring building’s wall with a sickening crack. She fell a good yard and crumpled to the ground. Through a haze of pain she saw Link jump the last three steps, drawing the Biggeron Sword in a fluid motion. She tried to call a warning, but it was too late.

Link slashed vainly at the cloud, but it was clear he had no idea what he should be aiming for. His sword passed through it, and then he too was caught up. The phantom had more fun with Link then it had with her. Shiek could see his silhouette being tossed back and forth in the whirling purple cloud before he was thrown to the ground with an audible smack. Shiek tried to rise and offer at least some challenge to the beast, but her body screamed its inability to move. She could do nothing but watch as the phantom made a quick circle above the village. The roofs of the builds burst into flame at the touch, the hen house at the back of Impa’s house exploded, and the screams of the villages awakened inhabitances rang out. Then, circling quickly once more the cloud whirled towards the Shadow Temple and flew off with a roar. Obviously the reason it had left her and Link alive had more to do with the necessity of returning to the temple then any mercy the phantom might have.

Shiek’s vision blurred and colors were bursting in front of her eyes. People were beginning to run out of their houses now, crying out in alarm and panic. Dragging herself across the ground, Shiek pulled herself alongside Link’s motionless body. Blood was trickling from his nose, and his breathing was coming in ragged gulps.
“SHIEK! THE BOTTLE IN LINK’S BAG HOLDS A WILD FAIRY! HURRY!”
Navi had barely finished speaking before Shiek was digging through the magical Kohria bag. Pulling out a small bottle, Shiek shook out a pink fairy, which darted around her and Link. Shiek had only seen wild fairies like this one once or twice. They were very difficult to catch, but if you released a cadged one it would use its power to heal its liberator. After releasing a shower of pink light over herself and Link, the fairy darted away, quickly disappearing in the smoky night. Shiek felt her physical pain subside, but the mental and emotional stress of the event was still radiating through her. Link coughed once, then pushed himself to his elbows, wiping the blood away from his nose.

“What in the name of heaven…”
“What in Hell is more like it,” Shiek replied, jumping up, “It was Bonga Bonga, the Shadow Phantom… The shiekah people had long held it at bay but Gannondorf was able to break the seal. It most likely is returning to the incantation room in the Shadow Temple to restore its corporal form…” She glanced worriedly from the smoldering village to the path up the hill toward the graveyard and the entrance of the Shadow Temple, “hurry Link! Go help Impa in the Shadow Temple. Protect her as she restores the barrier. I’ll handle the villagers.”
“Right, um… how do I get there?”
“Oh!” Shiek pulled out her harp, pulling a few cord quickly, “This is the Requiem of Shadow… it will take you to the temple’s entrance.”
“Great, will do…” Link pulled out his ocarina and took in a breath.
“Link! This temple is like nothing you have seen before… it is a museum of pain, death, and torture… please be careful, and do not let the fear of the place squeeze the life from you limbs!”
“Got it… be extra careful…” and with that, he was gone.

Shiek ran up the stairs that led to the foot of the village watch tower. The villagers were beginning to gather their, panic and confusion clear on their faces.
They need me to be strong for them… must get a plan… she thought as she ran into their midst.
“It’s Shiek!” one young woman cried, pointing, “she’ll know what to do!” Shiek recognized the voice as Fiona’s.
“Yeah, or just bring more trouble on us…” it was one of the Gorshii brothers, the timid one, “I saw him standing by the well just before the thing came and wrecked the place… maybe it was all his fault!”
“Oh shut up,” it was Fiona again, “we all know the legend of Shiek… he’s done more to keep us free then anyone…”
There was a general mummer of approval, and Shiek felt better knowing at least the people of the village respected her.
“Besides, anyone who want’s Shiek has to come through me…”
Sucking in a quick breath, Shiek glance at the speaker and saw Toran stroll into the crowd. Taking her hand, he pulled Shiek back slightly, away from the growing crowd.

“What’s going on? I saw the smoke as I was heading down the mountain from Gordon City. You ok?” the concern in the hazel eyes made her blush slightly, but Shiek was able to nod.
“I’m fine, but we have a major disaster on our hands. The phantom shadow broke its barrier and ravaged the village before heading off to the temple. If Link and Impa can’t stop it, then Gannondorf might be dropping to number two on our list of things to kill.”
“Should we go help them?” Toran asked looking worriedly up towards path to the graveyard.
“No, we need to help these people… I know you’ve been going flat out at Gordon City all day but if you could-”
Shiek’s words were cut off by an insane cackling laugh. Both her and Toran whirled towards the sound, and Shiek nearly screamed at the sight. It was something she thought had existed only in Greudo folklore; something to scare the children into obedience and give them hope about their nation’s future.

It was Twinvolta.

The twelve-foot, stunningly beautiful, and certifiably insane, witch that was the ‘guardian’ of the Greudo people. Brandishing her two wands, the flying witch swooped over the burning buildings, cackling insanely. Before either Toran or Shiek could move, the tall witch dropped in front of them.
“Well,” she shrieked, holding her glowing wands out, “the last of the fools who dare to oppose Gannondorf, our most glorious son… we had no idea you’d be here… though we did hope. Well, your pathetic little resistance is about to end…”

Toran stepped in front of Shiek, drawing his katana and falling into an open defense stance.
“Over my dead body, witch,” Toran growled, obviously bracing for an attack.
“Ah, but where would be the fun in that? We want you alive, and so does his greatness, Gannondorf.”
“You always refer to yourself in the plural? Cause it’s getting annoying…” Shiek asked, rolling Toran protective arm to stand next to him. She didn’t know what Twinvolta capable of, but she knew that her and Toran would face it together. Recent falling outs aside, Toran had always been a great friend, and if it was his time to die, he wouldn’t be alone.
“Oh go on shiekah clod,” the witch actually sounded offended, “display your ignorance of Greudo culture… you obviously have no idea who we are…”
“Shiek,” Toran muttered under his breath, still keeping his glare fixed on Twinvolta “get out of here… if you a break for it I’ll slow them down… I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to hold her, but it should give you time to-”
“Forget it Toran,” clenching her fists, Shiek took up an open defensive stance, “we live or die together…”

Toran looked as though he were about to utter a protest when Twinvolta raised her right wand above her head and shot a jet of fire at them. Shiek rolled to her left, avoiding the blast. She watched Toran duck under the stream of fire, rolling forward. He came up jumping, and brought his katana around to strike the tall witch’s neck. An odd crack rang out, followed by Twinvolta’s insane peal of laughter. Shiek stared in shock at Toran, who in turn was staring in shock at his sword, which had shattered on the Greduo’s neck with even marking the perfect, dark, skin.

“Oh Din…” Toran was able to gasp before Twinvolta’s left hand whipped around in a vicious backhand strike. The swordsman was sent flying backwards to fall in a crumpled heap at Shiek’s feet. Falling to her knees, Sheik helped steady Toran, as he pushed himself up on an elbow, sucking in a ragged breath.
“What do you think, Katsum?” Twinvolta asked, a smirk twisting the corner of her mouth, “don’t they look like mighty warriors? Oh yes, Kamonai, I say we take them back to the temple now… we can have real fun then!”
Shiek tried to think up anything to do, but before any escape plan came Twinvolta raised her left wand, shot out a jet of ice, and the world went black.




A hazy blur of yellow was the only thing that registered in Shiek mind when she opened her eyes; that and the throbbing pain in her shoulders and arms. Closing her eyes tightly again, she shook her head variously once or twice to clear it. The action quickly showed her why there was a strain on her arms. Opening her eyes, Shiek glanced about. She was chained by her wrists to a wall in a room that did not appear to have any discernable way in. just yellowish, stone block walls. She was chained to what appeared to be a flat stone wall, while the other side of the room swept in towards her wall at the corners, making the entire room a large half circle. Very high up in the curved wall was a window, stain-glassed with the Greudo symbol for the sun. The yellow stone, the architecture, the Greudo symbol… she could only be one place: the Spirit Temple.

After gauging the surrounding, Shiek gave a closer look to her physical state. Tight mettle clasps held the back of her hand unmoving against the wall. They had obviously been designed to hold someone at least several inches taller then her, and the mettle was cutting her cruelly as her entire weight pulled on her wrists. Other then the stiff pain this caused in her arms and shoulders, Shiek didn’t feel anything else amiss. She was overjoyed to see that her captors had neglected to remove her mask. Hopefully she and Toran could get out of this without having to abandon the ruse. For his part, Toran was nowhere to be seen. There were another set of restraints in the wall next to her, but they were unoccupied. Either Toran was in another part of the temple, or he was-
No, they just have him elsewhere… Shiek tried to convince herself, or maybe he got away instead of standing there to get frozen like an idiot… I can’t believe I did that…

Shiek found that by standing on her toes, she could relieve some of the strain and breath easier. Closing her eyes again, Shiek tried to come up with a plan.
Ok, just because I can’t see a door doesn’t mean there isn’t one… they had to get me in here somehow didn’t they? Of course they could have used magic, but let’s just focus on getting out for a second. If Link knew where I was, he could come and spring Toran and I, but I don’t really have a way to get in touch with him. Unless… SARIA! I’ll contact her and have her relay a message to Link!
Shiek cleared her mind and tried to connect with the Forest Sage, but she was met only with an odd crackling, popping sound. Trying harder to focus, Shiek strained to connect with the little sage, but the interference only grew louder. Shiek felt a tiny trickle of blood begin to ooze from her nose, and opened her eyes, breath coming in hard. The temple obvious had some form of magical shields, blocking it from the outside world.

Slumping back down Shiek groaned. There would be no rescue anytime soon it seemed. Link would be coming to the Spirit Temple next, but that would be provided he didn’t die in the darkness of the Shadow Temple. She had not had the time to tell Link the full truth of the dark place. Haunted with the spirits of those wronged by the bloody advancement of the Hylian Empire, the temple was a place few even ventured into. The caves that housed the rooms of the foreboding Shadow Temple had been fashioned and finished long, long ago by the shiekah people, but it had been Shiek’s great, great, grandfather that had first used the temple on a regular bases. He, along with a powerful and corrupt merchant in the village, had used the temple as their ultimate dungeon. Shiek had only heard this bloody era spoke of once or twice, and always in whispers. Torture devices used so frequently they were stained red, cells filled with rotting prisoners that had forgotten their own names, the stench of death and sulfur, bodies tossed into bottomless caverns; it seemed as though her ancestor had been lacking in the famous Hylian virtue and nobility. Under her grandfather’s reign, the massive dungeon was given to the shiekah as a gift for the allegiance. The shiekah had modified into the Shadow Temple, a monument to the brutality that the Hylian people were capable of. Only the bravest of the shiekah ever approached temple, and few stayed there long. Impa had only entered it once before Gannondorf’s takeover and, to Shiek’s knowledge, only twice afterwards.

It was a place built of evil and pain, and now the Shadow Phantom had returned there to gather strength. Like it or not, there was real danger there for Link, and even if he were to defeat the phantom, it was unlikely that it would be a quick process.
Of course, Shiek though wryly, glancing at her cuffed wrists, I really have no idea how long I’ve been here either…

Shiek as also very worried about one more thing. Where was Toran at? The fact that he wasn’t sharing a cell with her might be reasonable, but it was still unnerving. She kept finding her thought wandering towards him, wondering if he were still alive and well. After some time, Shiek realize almost in shock that not once in the entirety of her capture had she thought of the ordeal with Link and Malon, and she had only thought about Link’s danger in the Shadow Temple once or twice. The thoughts of Toran and praying over and over for his safety were all that had filled her mind. Shiek felt a guilty pang run through her at the realization. Even after learning about Link’s real ‘true-love,’ she still felt as though she owed it to him to stay devoted. He had done so much for her after all: defeating the dragon, awakening the sages, saving her kingdom, and he had done it all without really asking what he was supposed to be getting out of it. How could she turn her back on him now?

Shiek was jarred out of contemplation by the sound of a heavy iron door swinging open. It came from above her head, and Shiek instantly realize how the room had been built. Quite a ways above her, the wall must stop, pulling back to form a ledge. From this ledge, someone could observe the pit below them, but some one smashed against the wall, like her, would not even be able to see the ledge. There was a slight scuffling sound, followed by Toran wail as he was pushed off the ledge. He hit the ground and rolled, coming up unharmed from the fairly high drop. He instantly jumped to his feet and glared up at someone Shiek couldn’t see on the ledge.

“Yeah, give me my katana back and try that you dumb witchs!”
“Don’t be silly kid! We’re the ones that broke your first one!” the door clanged shut, cutting off two wild peals of laughter. The laughs obviously belonged to Katsum and Kamonai, Gannondorf’s foster parents. No doubt about it now; they were definitely in the Spirit Temple.

Toran’s clothes looked ragged, as though he’d been through some king of rough treatment, but his body seemed oddly untouched.
“Toran,” she gasped, straining against her bonds.
“Shiek!” he noticed her for the first time and took a step closer, “you alright?”
“Just woke up not too long ago, you?”
“Wish I could say the same thing,” he winced slightly, shivering involuntarily, “I was awake when we got here. That one huge witch dissolves in a cloud of smoke into those two, and while one of them took you away the other introduced me to some of the best torture I’ve ever seen. Then the other one returns, revives me with some kind of fairy, and proceeds to have her way with me. The first one gets another fairy and we start all over… they didn’t get much in the way of information from me, but it didn’t seem like there was really anything they wanted to know… they were just having fun beating the living snot out of me over and over… psychotic witches…” he shuddered again.
“Any idea how long we’ve been here?”
“Based on something Katsum said, I think we’ve been here just over a day,” Torn replied, stretching, “I’m not sure why they healed me before throwing me back in here… but it’s at least one thing to be grateful for…”

Toran walked over to her and started examining the bond on her wrists. Shiek watched as he tried vainly to find the clasp that held them shut, but it was as though she had been born with them on.
“Don’t worry about it,” Shiek said trying to force a smile, “it’s not that bad, just a little stiff on my shoulders.”
“Well, here, try this,” Toran offered, moving back in front of her, “I’ll sit down beneath you and you can sit on my shoulders… I know it wont be the most comfortable thing ever, but it will at least take the weight off your shoulders.”
Shiek nodded and Toran sank down cross-legged, scooting so his back rested against the wall. Shiek pulled herself up slightly as he did so, sinking back down to rest on his shoulders like a chair. Her arms were now straight out from her body, and as the strain on her limbs and shoulders subsided she also found it was easier to breath. Looking down at Toran, who was grinning back at her, she offered a half smile.
“Thanks Toran…”
“Don’t mention it…”

They stayed like that for quite some time. Toran was obviously exhausted, and dozed intermittently through the hours they sat there. Several hours had past, and Toran was snoozing again, when the door opened with its screaming whine. Toran’s head jerked up as he jolted out of sleep, and Shiek winced slightly, glad she was only dressing as a male. Her sixth sense was telling her something more vile then just the insane witches had entered, so she quickly allowed Toran to roll to his feet. He took a few steps back to see who had entered, and gave a visible start. Shiek swallowed; this was probably bad.

“Well, well, well… Shiek and Toran… the two hero that my pathetic subjects sing about all the time…”
Shiek gulped. This wasn’t bad; it was worse… It was a voice she’d have recognized anywhere… Gannondorf, the Great King of Evil.
“I must admit, I have been less then amused, one might even say frustrated, with the increscent meddling you two symbolize. Both of you have quite merit as warriors; even after that brat Keef sold you out you still managed to allude me. Shiek, as I understand it, you actually killed the little snot in combat… I must admit, you have skill. And Toran, the mighty swordsman… nothing more then a thorn in my mighty side of course, but any great ruler has to be able to discern talent. I was greatly surprised you defeated my best Dark Knuckle… you would make a fine dark warrior yourself. Draq would be so proud; provided you hadn’t killed him of course…”
Shiek looked in shock at Toran, who was wincing. The young swordsman shook his head though and actually looked rather brave as he shouted back up at the warlord.
“I’ll never serve you, you psychotic, power-hungry, joke of a king… I serve Hyrule, and its rightful queen, Zelda,” he paused, looking as though he was desperately trying to find a stinging last line, “so there!”
Shiek felt a proud smile pull at her mouth. Toran might not have a large repartee, but he was brave and willing to fight for the right.

Gannondorf obviously didn’t find the scene as dramatic. Throwing back his head, the powerful magus guffawed a booming roll of vile laughter. Even though she couldn’t see him, Shiek knew exactly how he looked, arms crossed, legs planted firmly, red hair curling over his shoulders.
“You’ve got guts kid… and lots of them… I’m not sure which of the two of you I want more, so I’m really going to enjoy this…” the bonds suddenly sprang off Shiek’s wrists, and she crumpled to the ground. Gathering back her strength, Shiek stood up and walked next to Toran. She turned to face her nemesis, and found him just the way she had pictured him. His brown eyes narrowed cruelly as he looked down on them, a smile twisting his mouth.
“Here,” he called, tossing down a katana. It landed with a clatter at Toran’s feet, who glanced down at it with surprise.
“You two fight to the death… the winner will join me as my new lieutenant. After Draq and Keef, I could use some new blood.”
Shiek looked from Toran back up to Gannondorf, shocked that even the evil tyrant could be so out of touch. Both she and Toran would die before trying to kill each other. Toran must have been giving Gannondorf the same puzzled stare, and the warlord’s heavy shoulders slumped with a sigh.
“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to do it this way… but in the long run it doesn’t really matter… I’ll leave you conscious Toran, so you can saver your victory or defeat all the more. You,” he thundered, voice changing tone slightly as he pointed to Toran, “kill him.”
Shiek wonder what the magus thought this would accomplish, when she heard Toran give a strangled gargle. She turned to see what was wrong, and gasped in horror. Toran’s body had gone strangely rigid, his eyes wide as they turned to give her a sideways look.

“Can’t. Hold. On. Much.”

Shiek took a set back and looked up at Gannondorf, who was obviously enjoying the scene unfolding before him.
“Well, Shiek? How deep do your ideals run? Kill or be killed… and trust me, I pay better then death does…” Gannondorf laughed at his own joke as Toran bent to pick up the katana.

Toran’s eyes were displaying an odd mix of horror at his action and the mental battle going on inside him.
“Shiek, look out!” he cried as he darted in and slashed to take out her legs. Shiek preformed a quick back flip, landing in a defensive crouch. Gannondorf’s laughter rolled on as he watched Toran press in for another assault. Shiek jumped back, barely avoiding a chest-high swipe of the glittering blade. Whirling, Toran followed with an over the head chop aimed to slice her in two. Shiek dodged to the left, noting how Toran had used a strike that left his entire right side exposed to retaliation. Her fighter’s instinct almost took advantage of the opportunity, telling her to brake his knee with one swift kick, but Shiek found herself unable to follow through. Spinning away she watched as Toran spun, falling back into an attack stance.
“Damn it Shiek,” he growled low under his breath, “don’t hold back… kill me and get out of here…” it was then Shiek realized that Toran’s sweeping blow had been intentional. His body was attacking her of its own accord, but he was using moves that he knew would open him up if they didn’t land. Shiek shook her head, and rolled under another strike. She was going to think of something, anything, but she would not kill Toran; she didn’t think she could, even if she had thought it was the best course of action.

Gannondorf was obviously thoroughly enjoying the fight. He was even shouting random encouragements when Toran preformed an extra complicated killing blow, or Shiek an extra skillfully timed dodge. Shiek couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be before the warlord got board though. It wouldn’t take long for him to figure out that neither combatant was really trying to kill the other; in fact Shiek was willing to bet he already had realized the fact, and was simply enjoying the countdown to that one blow she wouldn’t dodge. She continued to dodge blows, as the door opened above them.

“Gannondorf!” it was Katsum, “I have some bad news!”
She heard Gannondorf sigh, and risked a quick glace up at him as she ducked under another slash aimed at her neck. He was glaring at the old hag of a witch, arms crossed and foot tapping with impatience.
“I am busy… what, pray, is so important as to interrupt my entertainment?”
“That pesky kid, the one that woke up and has been wandering around the country side, he killed the Shadow Phantom about three hours ago!”
Gannondorf sighed and gave a dismissive gesture.
“He was sealed once before by the rebels, and we unleashed him… we’ll just have to do it again…”
“No you idiot; he KILLED it! It’s gone, poof, dead, bye-bye, not-coming-back, obliterated from this plane of existence; it’s off spending some quality time with that Phantom Gannondorf you banished to the void!”
“What?” Gannondorf turned, giving the witch his full attention now.
“About three hours ago… he pulverized it. We needed that phantom Gannondorf! Kamonia and I needed it for one of our rituals; you promised we could keep it as a pet!”
“Shut up witch, just SHUT UP! This boy is getting annoying… I think I might have underestimated his power. If he could kill the great Shadow Phantom, then it might be up to me to take him down,” glancing down at the pit he spat in Shiek’s general direction. Shiek rolled past Toran again and went back to observing the now very upset warlord. Gannondorf scowled back at her then turned back to Katsum.
“He’ll be coming here next. He has been systematically visiting each temple, and this is the only one left. This time be ready for him; and this time KILL HIM. I want that meddler’s head on a plate in my throne room by dawn. I return to my tower… bring the winner of this little battle to me along with the boy’s head,” Gannondorf finished, gesturing at her and Toran below. With that Gannondorf turned and stalked out of sight, Katsum following. The door slammed shut, and Shiek turned her full concentration back to Toran.

It was just in time too. She could tell Toran was adding more vigor to his attacks, taking less flailing swings and more shots aimed to cripple then kill. His body was starting to fight to win. The pain and panic in Toran’s eyes told volumes; he was losing the war to control his body. Shiek ducked a swipe, only to find Toran’s left hand catch her chin in a vicious cross. Shiek let the momentum push her, rolling backward to avoid Toran’s next cut.
“Shiek, I’m losing the battle, Gannondorf’s taking over…” Toran cried, as he stepped forward for another charge, “but I think have an idea… hurry, jump towards me like your going to hug me!”
“What?” Shiek was unsure how this was supposed to work.
“Trust me,” Toran gurgled, voice strangely garbled.

Waiting for Toran to finish another sweeping blow, Shiek jumped in close. She was about to grab him when Toran’s arms brought the sword up above his head in an underhand grip.
“Shiek! MOVE NOW!”
Without thinking, Shiek followed the command, quickly rolling out of the driving blade.

Then she heard it: the sickening rip of leather, cloth, and flesh. Looking up, she instantly took in what Toran had done. Drawing her in so close, he had gone for the one killing blow left to him: driving the katana down like a hammer. When she had rolled out of the way, he had driven the blade straight through his lower chest. He had known there was no way Shiek could ever harm him, so he had done the only thing he could think to do; kill himself to save her. Toran hazel eyes closed, and a gargled sound escaped his mouth. Taking a staggering step backwards, he sank to his knees, then collapsed forward slightly, propping himself up on an elbow. The tip of the sword was visible through his back.

“TORAN! NO!”

Shiek fell on her knees next to him, pulling him upright in an attempt to keep the blood out of his lungs.
“Thanks Shiek…” he wheezed, eyes closed and a wry grin pulling at the corner of his mouth.
“Toran, you IDIOT! What were you thinking!”
“Not really sure…” he confessed, hazel eyes slitting open, “but I can tell you what I’m thinking now…” he paused to cough violently. Shiek’s heart sank when Toran’s hand came away from his mouth bloody. Either his lungs or heart had been cut, and either would spell death in this temple. He winced in pain, left hand still gripping the handle of the katana lodged in him.
“What are you thinking…” Shiek whispered, tears already beginning to spill from her eyes.
“I’m thinking about how I love you so much…” Toran said, eyes suddenly clear and sharp, “more then life itself. Don’t grieve for me here Shiek… get out and live free. And when you finally settle down with Link, please remember me… name a horse after me or something…” with that, Toran’s eyes closed, pain ebbing off his face.

She saw it for what it was. He was dieing.

“No! Toran no!” Shiek clutched him closer, heedless of the blood that was running freely from Toran’s chest, “I don’t want to settle down with Link! I love you! I always have! Please don’t leave me here! You can’t go now; now that I finally see everything… no… please…”

But he was already gone.