The Legend of Zelda: A Hero's Legacy

Chapter 7: To The Sky

7

"HURRY" Link shouted, addressing the startled crowd below, who had been frightened of the events. "WE'RE TAKING TO THE SKY! GATHER AT THE CASTLE!" The forces of the demon king were most frightened and fled towards the woods. Many leapt over the gap between the rest of the land and the Isle of the Goddess, but many missed the other side and fell to their doom.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING YOU FOOLS?" The demon king screamed. Link did not know what horrors he had committed while Link was in the air but at least now he knew they were over. No one would ever have to fear the demon ever again. Seeing that his question went unheard, Demise roared in fury and sent whoever was nearest to him, flying into the surrounding forest. Fortunately they had been the enemy. Link had to get the citizens in the castle fast. If they didn't get inside now, Demise would kill them all.

"QUICK MY FELLOW HYLIANS, IF YOU TARRY, YOU'LL BE LEFT BEHIND! HURRY! The last few soldiers made it into the solitude of the castle and Link leapt onto the island from his spot on the cliff. He landed and rolled to brace his landing. Veran was at the door waiting for Link.

"MAKE HASTE LINK! BEFORE THE DEMON REACHES US!" Link made to rush for the doors when the goddess stopped him.

"WAIT LINK!" Link turned and faced the cliff. "THE SWORD! TAKE IT!" A beam of light surrounded the Master Sword in the goddess' hand and it vanished. Link raised his arm and the beam of light appeared in his hand along with the sword. Link knew what to do. He saw Demise quickly approaching the castle. With a yell of triumph, he thrust the sword into the ground. A flash of energy emerged from the blade sending rocks cascading everywhere and a massive beacon of light erupted from the ground beneath Link. He smiled as Demise reached the steps of the castle.

"You're too late demon!" Link laughed.

"YOUR HUMANS MAY HAVE ELUDED MY EVER-REACHING GRASP FOR NOW, BUT I WILL NEVER STOP THE HUNT! I WILL SEEK YOU THROUGH FLAMES AND TIME ITSELF, BREAK ALL CHAINS YOU THROW AT ME! NOT EVEN THE CLOUDS WILL KEEP YOU SAFE, YOU MISERABLE WRETCHES!"

"Your words mean nothing. I don't - I can't accept that as a reality." Link spat, blood, then raised his sword to meet Demise's threat. Slowly, he approached the demon. The king of shadows and flame started to laugh, a deep guttural thing.

"You humans surprise me. I had thought you all frightened, pitiful creatures, but there are some exceptions I see. Or maybe you are frightened but you know that you face a great challenge and accept your fate."

"That is courage, beast and it is something we 'humans' have that you will never understand."

"PREPARE TO DIE, WORM!" The demon king stormed at Link, sword raised. Somehow, some hidden instinct, some drive to greatness overtook him, and Link knew what to do. He seemed to find that happening a lot as of recently. Little urges had given him the knowledge he needed. Something, perhaps the sword, or perhaps the gods was aiding him, and through its guidance, he knew when to place it in the ground, when to step into the flames and now, when to raise it in the air. A flash of blue light engulfed the blade and when it reached the top, Link swung the blade with all his might. Demise had been right next to him when he swung the blade. From the swing, a wave of energy erupted from the sword and sent Demise soaring back, deep into the forest. The people, who had gathered in the castle doors, cheered. They were safe. Link lifted the sword to the air and released his grip. A magical energy took hold of the blade and sent is soaring high above the Isle of the Goddess. At is climbed higher and higher in the air, Link walked towards the edge of the pit surrounding the Isle and leapt to the other side. He turned back and faced the castle.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING LINK?!" Orin yelled. "COME ON BACK. THE ISLAND IS ABOUT TO LEAVE!"

"I am well aware my friend."

"THEN WHAT ARE YOU DO-"Zant silenced him.

"Trust the hero. He knows what he is doing." Zant studied Link's face coolly. He knows, Link thought. He turned his gaze towards the sky and watched the Master Sword.

"The master sword has become a pillar..." the goddess said from her perch on the cliff. The Hylians looked to her now. "... between heaven and earth... guided by the loftwing... it rises to the heavens." With the final word the Isle of the Goddess and the extended area, lifted from the ground and started to slowly rocket towards the sky. Link watched from his spot on the surface below and could see the sword, now beneath the floating isle, its energy lifting it. To the Hylians it would have looked like the island was just flying but Link could see the beacon of light that made it so. Orin, Veran and a few other humans rushed to the edge of the rising isle.

"LINK!" Orin shouted. " JUMP INTO THE LIGHT... PLEASE."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Veran screamed. "HURRY!" Link cast a sorrowful glaze at his friends. Be that if I could, Link thought. I can no longer help anyone. But perhaps, in time, a new hero would emerge.

"WHAT IS THE MATTER?" Orin cried. His voice was fading as he flew, ever higher. The Hylians could just make out Link clutching his left half of his stomach with his left hand. A grim mood developed around the Isle of the Goddess. In that last fight with Demise, the demon had struck Link. A fatal blow.