The Legend of Zelda: Real Courage [1ST DRAFT]

Chapter Thirty-One: Real Courage

The Legend of Zelda: Real Courage

Chapter Thirty-One: Real Courage

Lila's spine tingled as she turned around slowly. There was the Dark Lord himself, looking like he had just watched something very entertaining.

"Well done, Lila, well done," Ganondorf lauded. "For a moment there I thought Kotake had you. Tell me, why didn't you freeze?"

Lila coughed out a laugh. "Thanks to you I have some Chainmail that is Impervious. Comes in handy."

"So it seems." Ganondorf sighed, "It will be such a pity to see it destroyed along with you, but maybe it'll be all that's left of your corpse."

Raising her sword and shield, Lila shouted, "It's time for your tyranny to end!" She charged. Ganondorf didn't move so she knew she made the wrong move. Without a way for her to stop in time, he easily back-handed her out of the way. She fell back, feeling the fear return. She fought it and stood. Ganondorf still hadn't moved.

"You don't really expect it to be that easy, do you?" he mocked. "Come now, show me what you've learned."

Lila tried to not let him into her head. He was just another dungeon boss, not the most terrifying man alive. She would defeat him so Zale didn't have to be lonely. She took another deep breath and approached, slower this time.

Ganondorf said, "That's more like it. Unfortunately for you, I have business elsewhere. There's a prince that needs to be killed."

"No!" Lila cried, but he was already a shadowy cloud speeding away. It was like he knew what she was thinking and directly hit her weak spot. She sheathed her sword and ran after the cloud but lost sight of it quickly. She hoped she could reach the field in time to save Zale.

She couldn't live without him.

Lila didn't bother with the secret passage this time and ran straight through the city, pushing away anyone in her path with her shield. She may have been cut a time or twenty, but she ignored it all. Only Zale mattered. The only thought she had was killing Ganondorf before he killed her prince.

Bodies of all races and creatures littered Hyrule Field, but Lila didn't spare them a thought. She searched the battle until she saw Ganondorf. To her surprise, he stood in the middle of the field, facing her and grinning wickedly. Had he tricked her? It didn't matter; he was going to die.

An area had cleared of all fighting around Ganondorf. Lila didn't know if he was using magic or if he was that intimidating. She drew her sword before she reached him.

"This is it, my pet," Ganondorf said. "You have fought against me long enough. It is time for your final punishment!" This time he charged at her with his two enormous black swords. Lila had never seen him move so fast. It took all of her might to block him and then throw him back, only for him to attack again. If this kept up, Lila would never get in a strike.

She had to change the tempo. She had to find a way to knock him off his guard. Carefully, she watched and waited. Each blow jarred her arms, adding to her pain.

There! A spot opened up and she twisted to the side. Her sword struck Ganondorf in the back.

He jumped away and growled, "Time to die, pest." He tried to start the barrage again, but this time Lila moved the other way. His momentum when he stopped made him lean forward, almost falling. Lila had time to hit his back again. Ganondorf threw out his arm, sending Lila flying. It took her a second to recover, and he stood over her by the time she did. She didn't let him get her, though, and thrust with her sword. They battled again, and this time Lila kept up. She got in a few more wounds on Ganondorf until he used magic to throw her back.

Lila was still on the ground when he was upon her. He kicked her sword out of reach from her outstretched arm and then kicked her in the stomach. She felt the blood rising to her mouth before she coughed it up. She couldn't get her eyes to focus. Was this the end?

Ganondorf crushed her sword hand with his boot and she screamed from the intense pain. He was laughing now, but she could see that he was weaker than before. If she could just get up, she might be able to finish him.

The Dark Lord spat out some blood and bile. "Stop your fighting, Lila. You know I have won. Hyrule belongs to me, now, and it's all thanks to you. Such a good spy, even if you turned on me in the end." He laughed again, watching Lila struggle to her knees. She was seeing spots where the blackness didn't rim her vision. Every breath hurt, every movement hurt, but she wouldn't let him beat her. Not this time. She finally grasped the Master Sword in her right hand when she heard a small grunt from her old master.

Lila looked up to see an arrow made entirely of light protruding from Ganondorf's chest. His face contorted in anger and pain as he fell to his knees. Lila held her sword tightly and approached. He punched her, but she ignored it. He couldn't hurt her – or Zale – ever again. She plunged the Master Sword right through his heart.

Then she collapsed.

Her ears were ringing, but the pain was gone. Zale's face hovered in her vision. He was talking, but she couldn't hear. He held her. Tears poured down his face. Lila closed her eyes, content that he was alive.

∴

Zale clutched his love to his chest. He could barely feel her pulse, and she didn't react to anything he said or did. He didn't care that they were in the mud next to the Dark Lord's corpse. The Master Sword glowed with an ethereal light on its blade, which had appeared right after he shot the arrow. But was his arrow too late? The light of both slowly faded as Ganondorf's body turned to stone.

Dried blood caked around Lila's mouth. She had numerous cuts, bruises, and burns over every patch of skin he could see. Her tunic and hat were ruined beyond repair. Can I repair her? He worried she had lost too much blood already.

The sounds of battle slowed around them. With Ganondorf dead, the survivors that followed him surrendered or retreated. Some of Zale's allies ran to them: his personal servant and guard, Salvatore; a Zora medic; and a couple of his other retainers. He didn't let go of Lila until the Zora told him to lay her flat.

He leaned his forehead against hers, his tears spilling onto her face, and whispered, "You promised me you'd come back. Come back to me, Lila. Come back."  

By this time the sword's light had completely faded, and Ganondorf was now entirely made of stone. Some sort of magic made a heart-shaped object made of ruby and gold appear. Zale remembered the only other time he saw one and his spirits lifted. The heart burst into red and gold sparkles, which then entered Lila's body. She took a few shaky, deep breaths, but didn't wake.

The Zora checked her pulse. "She's doing better. What was that magic?"

Zale's voice cracked as he answered, "An object that only appears to the Hero after a great battle."

The medic nodded with interest. "We need to get her out of here," he said soberly. "She may be stable, but not for long. She's still losing blood."

The group rushed Lila to the medical tents. Salvatore had the forethought to bring her gear.

A/N: One chapter left, guys! Does Lila make it alive?