Legend of Zelda: Divine Vessel

- XVI -

The heels of their boots on the polished stone floor echoed through the otherwise silent space.  Link, Nova, and Midna gaped in awe of the area.  The walls were entirely glass, portraying nothing but the velvety night sky and shining stars through them.  The same image was reflected on the white stone floor, much like the film of water on the balcony in the Hyrule Castle Town.

The mere thought caused Nova's cheeks to redden.  Several meters before them, a staircase escalated to a higher platform, surrounded by ivory pillars.

Upon first stepping into the magnificent palace, Nova finally understood the nature of her mission, and knew it was much too late to turn back.

"Welcome to my home, the Divine Sanctuary." Halo said as she carelessly twirled through the elaborate room.  She stopped in front of the tree, connecting both her and Nova's golden gaze.  The small dragon gestured for the girl to follow, and so she does as told.

Link and Midna watched as she was led up the shining stairs, and stood in the center of the higher platform.  This platform was covered by a pure white ceiling, with a circle cutting through the cement so the flowing moon was visible.  Below the brunette, a Triforce symbol was painted in gold.

"Now, we must come together to become the Divine Vessel, the true form of the Vessel of the Goddesses." Halo instructed elegantly.  As if she knew exactly what to do, Nova rested her forehead on the feathery creature, and a white light illuminated between them, eventually surrounding them completely.

When the pure luminescence diminished, Halo was gone, and Nova appeared to be a completely different person altogether.  She looked like she belonged among the triangle of Goddesses, right beside Nayru, Farore, and Din.

Both eyes remained gold, coloring her pupils the same color.  The symbol imprinted below her left eye had moved above her left eye, and grew significantly larger.  This symbol represented the Wisdom she had gained from the 'ingredients' Halo originally spoke of.  The Triforce was also imprinted on each of her shoulders, represent the Power she had gained.  And then, the same symbol was tattooed just under her collarbone, representing the Courage she had gained.  Elaborate golden designs covered her cheeks, collar, and arms as if they were vines created by the Triforce symbols.

Her clothes had also been replaced with a long, flowing white gown.  Sheer, silver fabric also flowed from her chest and around her body like a cape.  Her entire body seemed to be glowing in holiness.

Now serving its purpose, the Divine Blade shattered, leaving the girl weaponless.

After taking on this form, the platform trembled slightly as three statues were raised from the ground, surrounding the symbol that Nova stood on.  To her left, an iconic statue of Nayru was modeled in ivory, holding an empty bowl above her head.  To her right, the familiar form of Farore was dancing, also holding an empty ivory bowl.  And just in front of her, the strong statue of Din supported another empty bowl.

It was as if instructions were placed inside of her head with she combined with her feathered friend, as well as a sudden surge of power from the gems that she had collected.  Nova knew exactly what to do in order to revive the Goddesses.

The entire Sanctuary began to shake, and startled, Nova turned to see a despised character manifest at the bottom of the steps leading to the platform she stood on.  His sickening smirk caused the brunette's heart to sink.

"I applaud you for finally obtaining this form, little Nova." Ghirahim clapped, carelessly walking up the steps of the palace.

"Don't take one more step closer to her!" Link ran towards the gray man, already unsheathing his sword.  Ghirahim merely chuckled, snapping his fingers to manifest a wall of swirling black and red diamonds.  It was impenetrable by Link and Midna in their current state.

"Shut up, foolish mortals." He spat, then continued to approach Nova with a disgusting smile.  Her golden eyes widened with horror.

"Please, go away!" She begged, now without anything to defend her holy form.

"Oh no, that is not any way to greet someone." Ghirahim teased and snapped his fingers yet again.  Thick black chains, identical to the ones that restricted Lumeceo, manifested, clasping around her wrists, pulling them above her head. Her legs were bound to the ground, and she was unable to move.  Every movement of her wrists was painful as the chains tied them together.

"Now, now." He began, flicking the thick clump of hair that fell in front of his face.  "Don't you think this world deserves to fall in an eternal abyss and start all of again? It has become so disgusting." He spat, gesturing to Link and Midna who were behind his wall.

"Don't say things like that." Nova growled, showing hatred through her eyes.

"Mortals are so foolish." The gray man chuckled, and then took a step closer to the bound girl.  He placed a thin finger under her chin, making her look into his dark eyes.  He licked his lips and displayed a devilish smile.

Ghirahim moved closer to her, nearly touching her cheek as his lips were centimeters from her ear.  His warm breath gave her chills.  "I'll do you a favor and kill them before my King reaches the surface."  Nova's eyes widened in terror, looking directly at Link who was helplessly using his blade to try to pierce the shield.

The spiteful man quickly licked her ear and jumped away, causing her to squeal in disgust.  "Now, shall I tease you more before I resurrect my King?" He fingered Nova's dark hair.

Faint cries of Link and Midna could be heard through the barrier, and fury flared in the boy's usually warm blue eyes.  Just for amusement, Ghirahim decided to test their patience as well, messing with both Nova's mind and body.   He wriggled a boney finger into the girl's gown, pulling it lower between her breasts.

She screamed in protest as a red hue covered her face.

"What the hell are you doing to her?!" Link screamed furiously, striking the wall even harder.  He had been using all of his strength and his entire body to try to penetrate it.  Finally, a small crack formed, giving all three of them a glimmer of hope.

"Oh dear, it looks like we're running out of time.  I guess I'm done playing with you." Ghirahim frowned and released the top of her dress, anger expressed very clearly on her face.  Yet again, he snapped his fingers, obviously bringing trouble.  A dark blade manifested in his hand as he reached towards Nova's bound wrists, slicing the tip of her finger.

A single droplet of blood fell to the symbol below her feet, and as soon as it stained the ivory, she screeched and writhed in pain.  She felt as though her own soul was being sucked out of her body, like every internal organ was being extracted.

Nova could barely see the mass rising from ground in a menacing cloud of darkness. When the smoke subsided, a massive boar with infuriating red eyes stomped on the polished floor, snorting with dissatisfaction.

"You're pathetic, Nova." Ghirahim continued to scowl.  "I poured your blood on the Triforce, and the Demon King isn't even in his true form."

"Maybe you're the one that's pathetic." Nova retorted spitefully.

Not happy with her comment, the despised man put his blade to the girl's throat.  Not backing off, she continued to make sly remarks.  "I don't think that is any way to greet someone, especially your King."  She mocked his previous statement.

He then turned and launched himself over the wall he had created, walking towards the beast on the other side of the palace.  But Nova and Link were focused on another occurrence.

Another dark cloud enveloped Midna's tiny body so her entire form could not be seen.  Eventually, it dissolved, revealing a tall, beautiful woman.  She had the same multi-colored markings on her body, but her entire presence was more elegant and powerful.  Her fiery hair was tied into an elaborate hairstyle with a cloak covering the top of her head and from the waist down.  Midna had been restored to her true form.

The newly transformed woman tested her hands by balling them in a fist.  She then flicked her wrist at Ghirahim, attacking him with a power she hadn't had before.  Midna smirked, continuing to attack the spiteful man.  And then, he managed to cut her, infuriating the red-haired woman.

Thus, the battle commenced.