Numb ✧ Ghirahim x Reader ✔

chapter 23

QOTD: Which version of the Zelda universe would you want to live in?
  ► Botw's Hyrule obviously ,, but my next choice would be the Great Sea or the Surface

  • 

"Where did you get this?" [Name] questioned, her voice fierce and demanding. Link jerked his head back at her forceful cadence.

"The Temple of Time." In comparison to her, he sounded somewhat meek. Since they met, she'd always been stubborn and aggressive. That must be partly thanks to her surrogate mother; Telma didn't raise cowards.

Unless she sees a bug, Link remembered. That could not be changed.

[Name] simpered after receiving the location of the Dominion Rod. The Temple of Time... The Gate of Time... It seemed suspicious that both were affiliated with the Rod, both bore 'Time' in their name. That must be where the Gate was.

"Can you take me there?"

"It's lacking power---"

"I want to see the Gate of Time."

And that piqued Ghirahim's interest. He, too, was familiar with the time portal.

"Gate of Time..." he repeated, murmuring as his thoughts drifted away. The Gate would give him the chance to bring Lord Demise back. He'd almost succeeded before, until that skychild got in the way. But he knew how to handle it now, and wouldn't let his true master fall through his fingers again.

He strode over to Link and [Name], telekinetically pulling both the Book and Rod from their respective holders. Link scowled, unsheathing his sword.

"I have dealt with you before, and I've no intention to fiddle with you again." He said, then turned to the Sheikah. "Come, [Name]. Our duel must wait."

But she hesitated. Not in front of Link, she internally begged, a quiet groan escaping her. She knew... one day she'd be forced to pick a side: accept her Yiga heritage, or remain the kind swordsman she was raised to be. She didn't expect the decision to be this soon, or to be this difficult.

Link automatically assumed she'd reject the demon, and so when she hesitated he shut his eyes. They were barely friends, but she felt like drowning beneath the guilt. Surely Telma would understand if Link ran off and told the Resistance about this.

But Ashei and Shad might not... Aside from Hena, they were the closest friends she had. If she lost them, if they weren't as empathetic as she hoped -- that would be worse than death.

"I'm not one of them," she said. Neither the demon nor the Hero knew what she was referring to, but it was easy to conclude that she meant a member of Ghirahim's tribe. That wasn't too far from being accurate -- as both demons and the Yiga were pledged to Ganondorf.

[Name] turned to Link.

"...You are the master," is all he said. Demons have haunted her since she first read her mother's letter, but never did she expect a real one to barge into her life. Still, like with the others, she had to keep him under control. Not the other way around.

"Don't act like you have absolute power over Fi," she snapped at the blonde.

"I haven't spoken to her yet," he admitted. "But I doubt controlling her is necessary... She's loyal, loyal to..." He held up the back of his left hand, boasting the Triforce insignia, to speak for his lack of words. [Name] understood. To the Hero of Legends.

"Link, battle me."

"This really isn't the time to---"

The determined furrow of her brows cut him off. She had a plan, he knew, so he considered playing along. Ghirahim, on the other hand, had not caught on, and wasn't amused.

"There is no time to play when I am this close to rendezvousing with Master again."

"You're right," [Name] shrugged. "You should go on ahead."

"Fool," he muttered. "I cannot be returned unless you are killed."

"Yes, but I'm obviously too weak to control you. You're basically free. Facing Demise now would almost make you equal."

Ghirahim knew what she was doing and he hated it. But even he couldn't deny that there was some truth to her words. He squinted.

"That's Lord Demise," he corrected, then lowered his gaze. "You're a liar, but I can acknowledge your reasoning."

And so he disappeared into diamonds. As soon as he vanished, [Name] turned to face Link again. Half of her wanted to strangle him, but she had to remember he was the chosen hero. Many relics in this realm were left specifically for him, according to legend. Another possible factor could be that her parents might not have been the brightest people, and perhaps the artifacts were right under their ignorant noses.

But then again, [Name] wasn't able to find them either... Not even the book, which she was sure was in Impaz's possession.

"Hurry, before he finds the Gate, try to kill me," [Name] urged. Link blinked. He cocked his head to the side, as if to ask why she wanted him to do so. And so she explained to him - as vaguely as possible - what she was after and how to activate it. The Dominion Rod was lacking power, as Link had stated, and the Ancient Sky Book could replenish it.

But Ghirahim had both now.

"Then we have all the time we need," Link said. Her befuddled expression prompted him to elaborate: "The book is missing too many pages to figure out how to power the Rod. I have the map listing each location."

Although she wanted to ask why he had such a map, she was too excited to care. "Then we should collect them all before he finds them! Is.. that fine if I come with you?"

He nodded. "But can I ask what you were planning to do with this battle?"

"His only weakness that I know of is when I'm injured, or exhausted. Some kind of connection that's... inconvenient," her nose twitched as she found herself quoting him. "And, uh, I've been curious... Are you the one who caught me, when Zant...?" She was unsure how to word her question. But he knew what she meant.

"That would be Midna."

As if on cue, the silhouette surfaced from Link's shadow. Her arms were crossed, and she looked rather imperious.

"It's not like I care about you," she hissed, as if she had to justify her actions. "Zant has caused enough trouble for my people; I won't let it extend to the Realm of Light anymore."

[Name]'s lips curled into a genuine smile, both thankful and amused at Midna's sheer rancor.

"Thank you," she appreciated.

Midna only returned to Link's shadow, ignoring the token of gratitude.

"Let's get going," she huffed, before disappearing into the darkness. The Hylian and the Sheikah nodded to each other.