Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: The Ballad of Fallen Angels ❯ The Battle For Hyrule Castle Part V: Bury My Soul At Wounded Knee ( Chapter 27 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 27: “The Battle For Hyrule Castle Part V:

Bury My Soul At Wounded Knee”

Link and Descrod met in the middle of the rooftop, their blades clashing together. Descrod broke apart and swung at Link's head, sending the Hylian rolling away from the whirling blade.

“Do you still wish to fight with me?” Descrod asked Link. “I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. You cannot beat me.”

“Yes I can,” Link replied, a strange fire burning behind his eyes. “I can, and I will.”

They rushed at each other, smashing their swords together again and again. Link parried one of Descrod's thrusts and lashed out with the Master Sword, cracking it against Descrod's left elbow. Descrod moaned with pain and, balling his fist, punched Link in the face. The Hylian backpedaled as he tasted blood on his tongue.

“You couldn't beat me at Clock Town.” Descrod taunted, waving the scimitar back and forth underneath Link's eyes. “You couldn't save all those innocent people! What makes you think that you have the ghost of a chance here?”

Link leapt at Descrod, knocking him backwards a few paces. “I never crossed blades with you at Clock Town!” he screamed, battering Descrod with sword strikes. “If you and I had dueled there, we wouldn't even be here today!”

Descrod blocked Link with the scimitar and pressed the attack, forcing the Hylian back with the strength of his attack. “You have no chance, do you hear me? Just give it up, little boy, you can't win!”

Link counter the Ikaylimu's press with the Master Sword and reared up into the older man's face. “Try me.”

The pair dueled back and forth across the rooftop; their activity observed by only one person. Zelda forced herself to her knees, surveying the battle with blood-covered eyes. Catching sight of a sharp piece of rock that had broken from the roof, she straightened herself and took aim.

Descrod forced Link back towards the edge of the roof, dangerously close to tumbling over into the abyss below. The Ikaylimu roared in victory and prepared to knock Link off.

A rock flew through the air and struck Descrod in the right eye. He yelled in pain and turned to face Zelda. Link used the distraction to raise his left arm and stab the Master Sword through Descrod's right thigh. As the Ikaylimu screamed, Link lashed out with his leg, knocking Descrod backwards over the edge of the roof and into open space.

Zelda gasped and hurried to the edge of the roof with Link. They watched Descrod fall, only to land on the next rooftop down. He struck the roof and rolled under cover, out of their sight.

Link turned to Zelda. “Is there any way that I can get down there?”

“Yes,” Zelda replied, turning and pointing to a metal ladder secured to the wall that led down to the next level. “We had these put in so we could access all areas of the castle if need be.”

Link hurried to the ladder and slung himself onto it. He looked back at Zelda. “Stay here,” he ordered and climbed down.

Unlike the previous rooftop, the next level was dark and cluttered; misshapen lumps of stone, carved into gargoyles and winged demons and stone angels, covered the sides and parts of the middle of the roof. There was plenty of places that Descrod could be hiding, licking his wounds and waiting for Link to carelessly wander by.

Slowly, cautiously, Master Sword in hand, Link crept across the perimeter of the roof, eyes darting back and forth, searching for Descrod. He covered the entire outer ledge of the roof, without seeing any sign of the Ikaylimu.

Moving inward, Link crept through the statues that cluttered the center of the roof. Suddenly, from behind one of the gargoyles, can a horrific screaming and moaning. Link dashed around the statue to find Descrod lying on the ground, face in hands, convulsing wildly. Link lowered the Master Sword, thinking that Descrod was having a seizure, and that his death-throws were upon him. But the moaning suddenly changed pitch, became deeper, and turned more into a keening of rage than pain. Link kicked the body over, and gasped.

Descrod's face was a terrifying mass of purples and reds. His eyes were like bright orange lanterns. Spikes protruded from the sides, each one with a point so sharp that Link couldn't see the end.

Link realized in horror that Augustine Descrod had surrendered himself to Majora's Mask, and that the demon wasn't satisfied with simply possessing Descrod's body; the demon was using Descrod's weakened state to free itself from the confines of the mask, and was changing Descrod's body into it's own.

The creature locked eyes with Link and screamed in rage. It seized the scimitar that lay next to it. As Link watched, the scimitar mutated and changed form, becoming a sword with a wicked black-metal blade. Red lightning arched up and down the new weapon's blade.

Link backed up slowly as the demon raised itself to it's feet. Pointing the sword at Link, it spoke in a deep voice. “I recognize you, swordsman. You will not be the cause of my death this time.”

Raising the Mirror Shield so that it stood between him and the creature, Link hefted the Master Sword and replied, “You are not welcome in this world, nor in any other that may or may not exist. Our fight must be to the death; I will have it no other way.”

Majora laughed. “To the death must our fight be? Very well then, little warrior, I shall relish the pleasure that my revenge upon you will bring!”

Majora struck out with it's sword. Link ducked and the blade cut deep into the stone gargoyle, ripping a large chunk of rock out of it. The demon yanked it's sword free as Link backpedaled to the safety of the open sections of the roof.

The demon pursued him relentlessly. Link raised the Mirror Shield to block the next sword blow, only to find himself on his back, the demon whipping it's legs out and knocking him flat. Majora hurled it's sword down at Link. Link rolled to the side as the blade stabbed through the roof. The Hylian scrambled to his feet as Majora freed it's sword from the roof and raced after him.

Link threw up the Master Sword to intercept Majora's blade as it came sweeping downwards towards his head. A shower of sparks erupted from the blades when they met. Link desperately sought a refuge from the demon as the blades continued to clash and strike each other. Majora found an opening and whirled his sword down, slicing into Link's right hand. Link howled and dropped the Mirror Shield on the roof. Dodging a sword swipe aimed directly for his head, Link bolted across the roof and threw himself in amongst the statues and gargoyles.

From her perch on the higher roof, Queen Zelda watched the pitched battle with morbid fascination. She was doubtless that the monster that Link now dueled with had once been Augustine Descrod, but wasn't sure how the transformation took place. She was a White Mage, and knew nothing about the forming of Black Magic, only how to counter it.

Zelda gasped as the monster drew blood from Link, depriving him of his shield. She watched as Link retreated back into the maze of stone statues, the monster following close behind. Zelda hurried to the ladder leading to the lower level, but hesitated. She wanted desperately to help Link, but was herself exhausted. Her stores of magic were nearly depleted, and she could hardly hold herself straight. Zelda sat down on the top of the ladder and began tuning herself into the essence of nature. She began, little by little, to summon more power, more magic, into herself, hoping that she would be able to consume enough for one final spell…

Link crouched, hidden by a particularly hideous gargoyle. He listened to Majora's plodding footsteps as the Arch-Demon attempted to find his prey in the virtual maze of statues.

The Hylian swore violently under his breath. His right hand ached terribly, he was tired, and the loss of blood was starting to give him a headache. Link didn't know how much longer he could remain hidden from Majora, much lest be able to survive against him in direct contact.

Suddenly the head of the gargoyle Link was hiding behind was decapitated as the demon discovered it's victim. Link dodged backwards as Majora bounded over the gargoyle and threw it's sword forward. Link deflected the blade with the Master Sword. Majora struck and hacked wildly at the Hylian as Link was constantly driven backwards by the demon's sword blows.

Link was knocked backwards into a statue and struck his head on a rocky outcropping. Sliding to his knees, he was barely able to block Majora's next sword swipe.

Suddenly a fierce rage overtook Link. Like there was an Arch-Demon of his own, just waiting inside to be released, new power surged through Link's body and mind. He had experienced this feeling only once before, when he had battled the monstrous Ganon in the ruins of Ganondorf's castle. The Bloodwrath surged through him, igniting flames that coursed through his lungs and arteries, and fueled him enough to battle back against the accursed demon.

Majora's eyes widened as the demon found itself being forced backwards by the Hylian. The two combatants slashed and hacked back and forth, slowly fighting their way through the forest of statues and gargoyles.

Zelda reached the bottom of the ladder and turned to watch the fight. She felt calmer, stronger than she had for quite a while. Zelda began summoning up all of her restored magic, all of her strength for one last shot, one final idea that had somehow found it's way into her mind. If it worked, Link would have a chance to win, if it didn't…

“If this doesn't work,” Zelda whispered to herself, “then we're doomed, and all of Hyrule with us.”

They were fighting alongside the very edge of the castle now, and this time Link was in control, forcing Majora to stay on the defensive as the two fighters battled their way along the roof. The Hylian swung wildly, again and again, the demon desperately blocking and parrying every blow, every slash, every strike.

Then Link's strength suddenly failed him as, to his horror, the Bloodwrath drained from his system. He failed to block a slash from Majora's sword, and the dark blade ripped a jagged line down his left arm. The demon struck out with one long leg and knocked Link flat on his back. Majora screamed in victory and raised it's sword over it's head, preparing to kill Link. Link desperately tried to raise the Master Sword, but found himself still too weak to lift his arm. The demon hurled it's sword down towards Link's heart-

-a blinding white light exploded to the side of them, and the demon screamed.

Zelda gasped as the monster felled Link, the Hylian bouncing off the flagstones. “It's now or never,” the queen muttered furiously to herself. Summoning all the magic left in her weak body, Zelda concentrated it all in one magical spell.

Zelda whispered, “Heal!” and threw her arms wide, blowing the white-hot bolt of magic power directly at the monster.

The demon screamed, not in victory this time but in agony. Majora dropped it's sword as it clawed at it's face. Link looked up in wonder as he realized that Majora was trying to force it's face back onto it's body. With a terrible keening, Majora's face was ripped off it's body, and the demon's body buckled and writhed in pain as it began shimmering and changing itself.

Link hauled himself to his feet, picking up the Master Sword as he did so. The light faded away, and Augustine Descrod stood there, bending to retrieve his blade. Link noted that Majora's sword had reverted back to the Ikaylimu's scimitar. Majora's Mask lay upon the ground, it's horrific face glaring up at the sky.

Link leveled the Master Sword at Descrod. “Surrender, now!” the Hylian growled at the Ikaylimu.

Still weak, Descrod smirked at Link. “You will never have the pleasure of hearing those words from my mouth, little warrior.”

Descrod leapt at Link. Link parried the first strike and ducked under the next, putting himself between Descrod and the ledge. The Hylian turned back to face Descrod-

-and felt the cold steel of the scimitar intercept his body as he turned, the sharp blade biting deep into his side, slicing through his stomach. Blood spewed upon the ground.

Zelda screamed. Descrod laughed maliciously. The Ikaylimu's sword swing turned him away from Link for just a moment. With all the strength left in his body, Link brought the Master Sword above his head and slashed down.

Descrod screamed as the Master Sword cut deep into his back, ripping through his spine and tearing discs, muscle, and skin.

The Hylian fell hard on the roof as the Ikaylimu teetered on the edge of the rooftop. Link spit blood and looked up, locking eyes with Descrod. The older man smiled, and said, “Good shot, Saetoushei.”

Link spit more blood and growled, “Link. My name is Link.”

Descrod smiled again. “Very well then, Link. It was a very good shot.”

And with that, Ikaylimu Augustine Descrod III let himself go, falling backwards over the edge of the roof. He fell down, through the air, until his body was lost in the darkness of the abyss below.

Zelda ran to the edge and cradled Link in her arms. “Oh Link,” she whispered.

The young man grinned, blood covering the lower part of his face and running out of the gash in his lower body. “I stopped them both” he whispered. “I stopped Descrod and Majora. Don't worry Zelda, Hyrule is safe.”

“I know Link, I know it is.” Zelda said. “Rest, rest now. I need to get you to a doctor.”

Link raised a hand to stop her. “Don't bother, my vision is already fading.”

“No!” Zelda replied sternly. “I won't let you die!”

Link smiled, “Zelda, you cannot control or stop fate. My time has come. Just, before I go, I want to say `I'm sorry'”

“Oh Link,” Zelda said again, “you don't have anything to apologize for. I was just as wrong.”

“It doesn't really matter much now at this point in time,” Link replied. “The Gerudos are no more, it doesn't matter if they get relocated.” The young man gasped as fresh pain blossomed in his stomach, and he felt himself growing cold. “Zelda?”

“I'm here, Link.” The young woman whispered. “I'm right here.”

“Promise me something,” Link said. “Promise me you'll make sure Romani is okay, that she's taken care of.”

“I'll find this Romani, I promise Link.” Zelda said.

Link smiled, and laughed a little, and lay still. Zelda whispered his name again and again, tears running down her face, as the morning sun began to poke it's head above the horizon, casting it's light on the two young bodies lying on the bloodstained rooftop of Hyrule Castle, the young lady weeping and holding the body of her dead friend.

A/N: Please read and REVIEW, it would be nice…