For a few moments, Link could do nothing but stare at what had once been Resa. Shock couldn't even begin to describe what he was experiencing. His whole body had gone numb, the pain in his hand forgotten completely as all his senses were reduced to only sight. And all he could fill his sight with was Resa's broken form. He never realized just how much he had come to like Resa, another mentor besides Luce. It was like watching his mother be stabbed all over again.

   A scream jolted Link back into reality. Loud, piercing, but more than anything, furious. It took him a second to realize that it was coming from him. Rage awakened in him again for the first time in days, blazing alongside Farore's essence as it became rage.

   "You killed her!" Link screamed. He was angry at Daemos again, but it was for an entirely different reason this time.

   Daemos looked away from Resa's remains and to Link. His golden eyes glistened in the light from the sky, otherworldly and inhuman. "You dare to defy me, as well?" he questioned before his face warped in fury. As he spoke, a bolt of light shot towards Daemos. It exploded against him, shoving him off the balcony, though he did not fall.

   "We dare to defy you, and so much more!" Zelda proclaimed, nocking another arrow in her bow. "Now release King Daemos, you demon!"

   Daemos laughed, a wild, unhinged laugh. "I am no demon, I'm simply what I was always meant to be!" he proclaimed. "For your defiance, you will join the Overseer!" His army, now at least a dozen strong, responded in turn. A flood of garbled chirps and coos sounded as they attacked.

   The air was instantly split with psychic energy, with the creatures producing what looked like Psywaves. Silvery fluid was ejected from their tendrils in a rain. Link and Zelda shoved themselves out of the way as the fluid splattered the stone. It seemed like some kind of venom to him, and didn't want to think of what it could do to him if he touched it.

   In his peripheries, Link glimpsed the Master Sword, having been knocked away to where the now-battling Swords of Justice were hacking and stabbing away at the creatures with their horns. The sword was too far away for Link to reach, not without diving into the path of a creature that was now coming towards him.

   "Fira, the Master Sword!" Link shouted, catching the fox's attention amidst the quickly-mounting chaos.

   Right! Fira flung out his paw, and the sword was brought to Link within seconds. He ignored his broken finger and gripped the hilt tightly, forcing himself to his feet and instinctively slashing to where he sensed the creature. It quickly became clear that his blade had met its target.

   Vapory venom went flying as the creature let out a chilling screech, its severed tendrils thudding to the ground. Link stabbed deep into the cap next, thinking that was its weak point. Once, twice, and that was it for the creature. It screeched again and went limp. Link felt hardly anything for the thing as it died. These things clearly weren't Pokémon, so he had no reservations about attacking them.

   Within seconds, Link found himself surrounded by the creatures. Worry hit him swift and harsh, and he lashed out with his sword. He channeled Courage into the blade, making each slash explosive and blinding. Instinct took over as he attacked anything with an aura he didn't recognize. While these creatures did have auras, they were distorted and hazy, truly like they weren't of this world. They were easy to pick up on, making them even easier targets.

   Soon, the bodies of three of the creatures lay around him. Link risked a look around. Luce was fending off more of the creatures nearby, the Swords of Justice were completely swarmed but with unwavering and undamaged auras, and he couldn't even see Ganondorf. Then he saw her. Zelda. She stood alongside Fira, locked in her own battle. She thankfully didn't seem hurt.

   Gummy appendages seized Link's arm from behind, instantly sending a horrible shudder through him. He didn't need to look to know their source, cursing that he had let his guard down. He only had a second to struggle before a sharp, thin pain stuck his arm, like he had been stuck by a needle.

   Biting back a grimace, he slashed the tendril away, stumbling as his head swam. For a heart-staggering moment he thought he had been poisoned, but he was surprised when he felt no other pain. Instead, it was like another wave of adrenaline had come over him. More creatures began to surround him again, and riding this new bit of vitality, he threw himself at them.

   Psywaves and Venom Drenches came Link's way, occasionally interrupted by a Headbutt or a Power Gem attack, fueled by sharp spines of glowing rock torn from the balcony. But now more of the creatures were trying to grab at him and succeeding. Tendrils enwrapped his arms and legs, trying to pull him off-balance or immobilize him. He kicked out at one, earning him another prick but freeing his leg. A brutal slice charged with Courage, and the victim screeched in return as his arm was freed.

   More miniscule pains erupted across Link's limbs where the tendrils touched, but whatever they were doing to him wasn't stopping him. In fact, it was as if they were making him stronger. Even when one creature had both his arms enwrapped, there was no fear or panic. He felt practically invincible, and even somewhat cheated when Luce appeared from the sidelines.

   With her Bone Club in hand, Luce smashed it down onto the cap of the creature that held Link, making it drop him. Pain was nonexistent as he hit the ground. He was back on his feet in seconds and retaliating, ending the creature a moment later.

   Luce rushed to Link's side, staring at him in surprise, then shock. He was confused, and only then did the scent of blood register to him. Blood? Luce's fur was spotless, so was he bleeding? That didn't make sense to him since he'd been so good in his evasion before. But he didn't have time to think at all as he and Luce were encircled by a small cluster of the creatures. They instinctively pressed themselves back-to-back, regarding the other with a glance before attacking.

   Metal cleaved through jelly-like flesh with each slash and slice. Link resisted the urge to smirk as he threw himself at yet another creature. He dodged Power Gems and bursts of psychic power. He choked as a clear smog polluted his vision and lungs, but he still fought, driven by whatever new fountain of energy had been unearthed inside him. It was like his blood was singing.

   A flash from the corner of his vision made him jump, and his eyes widened as Cobalion threw himself into the fray. The creatures jolted away in surprise from the Overseer's sudden arrival, and he took that second to meet Link's gaze.

   Do not lose yourself to them! Cobalion yelled. You have been stung, have you not? Do not let it overtake you, not when you are already injured!

   What? There was the scent of blood again, Link glanced down at his arm, shock fracturing through him when he saw the torn, red-soaked cloth, the gashes that had been ripped into him by the Power Gems he swore he was dodging. It was like Farore's essence surged instinctively through him, and his thoughts cleared. Then the pain of these injuries struck him, and he choked back a cry.

   Briefly, Link caught a flash of sympathy in Cobalion's aura. They can alter your mind, he said hastily. I can explain later. We just need to focus on keeping them at bay for now. He gouged a creature that was about to grab Luce, and Link silently thanked him. While tiredness combined with pain was beginning to drag at him, he felt more grounded now, a feeling he much preferred.

   "Is Zel still okay?" he asked.

   Keldo is assisting the Holder of Wisdom, so there is no need to worry, the Overseer answered.

   Relief broke over Link with those words, the briefest of respites. He still couldn't help but be concerned, however. He could still feel Zelda's fear and anger fighting to rise above the collection of auras. Just be safe Zel, he thought, cleaving his blade through more tendrils. I can't lose you as well.

—~*~—

Zelda loosed arrow after arrow into the creatures around her. She had quickly figured out it only took two or three arrows to the center of their caps to kill them, and her years of sharp-shooting made this easy to do. Fira tore her arrows back to her when the beings fell, ending the creatures if her arrows already hadn't. She couldn't see Link or Luce, or even Ganondorf as the balcony grew choked with the creatures Daemos had summoned. With each one that died, another took its place. But Zelda was happy to bring each one to their grave.

   She still couldn't believe that Daemos had killed Resa. One second she was there, and the next she was gone. Zelda didn't fully understand the anger that had come over her, it completely trumped her fear and made her want to scream. When she had launched that arrow at Daemos, she felt no heistance or regret. What had done that wasn't a desperate king, but a monster. Monsters had no place in a world of acceptance and peace. She had to destroy that creature and free Daemos, and then free him again from himself.

   As Zelda continued to fight, deep down, she knew this was a taste of what Link had been projecting all this time. She understood why he would want to be angry. It was far better than fear, she felt more capable than ever. But she also knew this wasn't right as well, and it could make her more reckless. For now, however, she would accept the anger.

   This whole time, Daemos floated above the carnage, watching as the Holders slowly hacked through his army. Zelda hoped he would only continue to watch and not react, but it was only a matter of time until he too would join in on the battle.

   Creature after creature died, and the balcony floor was soon becoming crowded with bodies and slick with venom. Resa's body was completely buried by the creatures, Only then did Zelda's anger waver as she began to worry about running out of room to move. The creatures had finally stopped pouring from the portal now, too many to count that either attacked or hovered around Daemos, protecting him.

   Zelda summoned a pulse of Wisdom, daring to sample from her own energy to shove the crowding creatures away. She anticipated the weakness and only staggered slightly, and the creatures were forced away from her.

   Watch out! In that moment, Keldeo came charging through. His horn had become infused with white light and had grown in length, making it no issue for him to spear a few of the creatures while he kicked at others with his hooves.

   "Are the others okay?" Zelda asked, having to shout so the Water-type Overseer could hear.

   They've taken some damage, but they can still move, Keldeo replied. Cobalion's with Courage and the Lucario, and Virizion and Terrakion are helping that other Gerudo. We need to stop Power, he's the one controlling the Nihilego!

   "The what?" Zelda gawked.

   They're called Nihilego, and they aren't native to the Pokémon world either, Keldo said. To make it simple, they started coming in when some really smart people were able to open a portal using science and technology far ahead of Hyrule's. But forget the history lesson!

   Zelda shoved down her questions and nodded. "Wh-what should I do then?" She jolted as Fira's telekinesis yanked her away from a Venom Drench she hadn't noticed on her right.

   Lure him down to the balcony with your light arrows. I'll keep fighting these things in your place. Keldeo punctuated his point with a savage kick to one of them.

   Light arrows? Those had to be her infused arrows. Nocking an arrow, Zelda turned her gaze up towards Daemos. He was still presiding over everything, though it was difficult to see him through the crowding forms of the Nihilego.

   She raised her bow, trying to line up a shot. It was difficult with her having to constantly move to avoid attacks, but she blindly fired a shot. It soared towards Daemos and impacted. Light burst outwards, blowing a hole in the ring of Nihilego around him. She took the opportunity to fire a non-charged shot, and it too struck. In a second, Daemos was glaring at her.

  "You dare to attack me?" he roared. Daemos brought his tendrils up, crackling with red energy. Zelda's heart lurched as dread filled her, realizing she had done the wrong thing. Daemos was coming back to the balcony, but he wasn't doing it to fight.

   "The stairwell!" Zelda screamed, but nobody could react in time. Daemos slammed his tendrils down onto the balcony, causing the very mortar to quake around her. Zelda's stomach dropped as cracks formed across the stone and began to break away. Daemos brought his tendrils down again, shattering the balcony completely. A single gasp escaped Zelda before she was launched into freefall.

   Briefly, a sense of hazy dreaminess hazed Zelda's thoughts as she fell. That hadn't just happened, they weren't falling six stories to the courtyard below. She could see the others around her, all falling. Her gaze drifted downwards, and she blinked with mild confusion. Why was the ground shimmering?

   It turned out that there was a large, artificial pond below them, its water sparkling calmly in the moonlight. Falling debris broke the surface, saving Zelda from a painful death. Then she hit the water herself, and the foggy dream was brought to an abrupt halt.

   Icy cold in the autumn night, dark and disorienting. Zelda gagged as the air was shoved from her lungs and she was plunged far below the water's surface. Fish Pokémon scattered away, frightened out of their minds. Zelda hit the bottom of the pond, some fifteen feet down, she guessed. She shoved herself off the muddy bottom in what she hoped was upwards. Blind to everything around her, she clawed her way to the surface.

   Her head broke the surface, and her lungs screamed in pain as she inhaled. She didn't care, she was able to breathe again, and that was all that mattered. But seconds later something landed on top of her, smothering her like a blanket and submerging her again.

   Zelda fought against whatever it was, clawed at its pliable, slippery surface so she could be free. There was nothing but panic now as she hadn't gotten nearly enough air. The moment her hand grasped the night air again, somebody grabbed hold of it and pulled hard. Zelda was torn from the water and onto the cold stone surrounding the pond.

   Gagging and coughing up water, Zelda forced her stinging eyes open. Worn stonework filled her vision along with the tips of somebody's boots.

   "The Holder of Wisdom?" a familiar voice asked. Zelda's head snapped up, only to be face-to-face with Captain Villia. Behind her stood a small troop of Royal Guards and a couple Pokémon—Bisharp and Gallade—with more guards exiting out into the courtyard. It was obvious they had all been drawn out by the racket.

   Out of everything Zelda could have said then, something horribly out-of-place slipped out. "H-hello again," she spluttered.

   "S-sav'saaba," greeted Villia, astonished. "So you were one of the people who infiltrated the castle...  It figures you would." But it didn't seem like she was in the mood to capture Zelda as the shout of "General Dragmire!" drew both of their attention. Zelda hadn't seen what else had fallen with her so it came as a mild shock to her.

   Within seconds she found Luce and Fira, who were dragging a dazed-looking Link from the pond on the far side. The Swords of Justice surfacing and climbing out as well while a few Hylian knights that weren't from the Royal Guard were helping Ganondorf to his feet. Then there were the bodies. The bodies of nearly a dozen Nihilego floated in the water or splattered the ground, as if a horrid snow had just fallen. That was obviously what had nearly drowned her.

   "We heard the commotion from down here, but we didn't think it was something like... this," Villia said in a breathless voice. Her group looked just as shell-shocked. "What happened up there?"

   Zelda choked on her response. "K-King Daemos, he used the Triforce—"

   "Do not let them escape!" came the distorted voice of the king. From above, Daemos descended along with the rest of his army. Screams of horror and shock erupted from the guards and knights, many drawing their weapons on instinct against the Nihilego. Daemos looked at his men and women, actually relieved to see them. "The royal gardens night patrol and the Royal Guard itself, how fortunate of you to be here at such an opportune time!" He gestured a tendril to Zelda and her companions. "Now, seize the Holders along with General Dragmire."

   "Your Majesty?" Villia gasped. "I-is that you?"

   "Do you not recognize me, Captain?" Daemos asked, spreading his tendrils like he was spreading his arms. "You do not recognize your own king?"

   "He was possessed by one of those white jellyfish creatures, it's hurting him!" Zelda cried. "Please believe me!"

   "Do not listen to that foolish vai. I was merely given the power to finally earn respect for us by the goddesses!" Daemos said. "The Gerudo will no longer be crushed beneath the heels of those who should be begging for us to help them!"

   Villia looked from Daemos to Zelda. Horror had rendered her expression blank, and Zelda swore she could see Villia trying to process her thoughts. The captain looked as if she was about to faint, her chest heaving with panicked breaths. The other guards stared at her, waiting for her command. "Th-this was what we were working towards?" Villia asked faintly. "All of that... was for this?"

   Daemos grinned widely. "Isn't it glorious? The Royal Guard can all rest easy with this new army to protect us."

   "Glorious? N-none of us ever wanted any of this, not when it would turn you into that!" Villia protested. "We only did it because General Dragmire—you—ordered us to!" She whirled to face the other guards and their Pokémon. "Go get more help, King Daemos is in danger! Everyone else, attack those creatures!" Zelda would have been relieved about this turn of events if it didn't mean what was obviously about to come to pass. She didn't think Daemos could look any more furious, but he did.

   "You're turning against me as well?" His entire body became engulfed in crackling red light, and energy poured off him in a great wave. "Traitors, all of you!"

   It was like Zelda had run straight into a wall as the force hit her and everyone else, throwing them to the ground and sending them back several feet. Zelda tumbled back, her fingers catching in a crack in the stone. She huddled there until it stopped, shuddering as her heart beat wildly, an immense pressure squeezing her from within. Again she found herself unable to take in air.

   "You did this! You turned them against me!"

   The pressure grew worse, and it was a struggle for Zelda to lift her head. When she did, the form of Daemos filled her vision as he hovered over her. Red sparks flew from his body while cloudy, glowing red mist filled the cap of his Nihilego. All she could see were his eyes, which bore into hers with pure hatred. She now shook with fear, complete terror. Nayru's essence flowed sluggishly through her; she couldn't grasp it quickly enough to retaliate. Daemos again raised his tendrils over his head.

   "You will join the Overseer first!"

—~*~—

Link went into shock when he hit the water. Colder than he would have thought, choked with aquatic plants and the occasional Pokémon before he reflexively closed his eyes. Then the shock became panic. This couldn't be happening again, he had to breathe!

   It was a desperate scramble to reach the surface. Any second, he swore the tendrils of one of the creatures would wrap around him again and drag him to the bottom of the pool. When something did brush his arm, he would have screamed if it didn't mean losing the rest of his air. Then he sensed Luce and Fira nearby, and the panic settled into fear, only alleviating when he surfaced.

   Gasping for breath, Link pulled himself onto solid ground and instantly collapsed onto cold stone. Red-tinted water dripped off him, forming a puddle he felt too weak to push himself out of. Fortunately, Luce was there to do that for him. He managed a nod of reassurance when faced with her terrified look, and that was hardly enough for her.

   Link glanced around, trying to get a grasp on where everyone was now. Ganondorf knelt nearby, wiping water out of his eyes as the Swords of Justice still heaved themselves from the pond. Although Fira was with him and Luce, across the pond he saw a Royal guard pulling Zelda from the water with several others watching. He didn't think he would be happy to sense Captain Villia, so that surely meant Zelda was safe. Link then only became aware of other, foreign auras approaching until they were practically on top of him. He stiffened when he saw they belonged to a trio of knights.

   At first, Link was ready to attack when the knights surrounded him. But the moment they started asking him what was happening, that hostility died down. He hardly knew himself. After all, he didn't think the balcony would be destroyed. But now here he was, spitting up water and trembling uncontrollably from having been submerged against his will yet again.

   Luce is fine, at least. And so is Zel, he thought, daring to feel relieved. Could these knights be on their side as well? That at least seemed to be the case. All of them seemed shaken by the presence of the Swords of Justice, but none made a move to attack.

   One of the knights, a Hylian, extended a hand to Ganondorf. "Are you okay, general?" she asked in a voice that struggled to speak calmly.

   Worry momentarily filled Ganondorf's gaze before he responded. "I'm as fine as I can be," he said with a cough, dismissing the knight's offer with a shake of his head. "But you aren't trying to arrest me? I-I'm genuinely surprised."

   "Not us, though, we're not sure if anybody truly believed you tried to kill King Daemos," another knight said. "Th-there must be something wrong with him..."

   Ganondorf's eyes widened, and he looked up to where they had just fallen from. "His Majesty, he's still up there!" Link followed Ganondorf's gaze, and he gritted his teeth when he saw Daemos coming down to the courtyard. The sky seemed to be polluted with the creatures—Nihilego, as he then remembered what Cobalion had told him. They looked like some glistening stormcloud bearing a far more deadly rain.

  "Do not let them escape!" Daemos demanded, descending before Zelda and the Royal Guards.

   "I-is that... His Majesty?" a knight asked, taking a shaky step back. Ganondorf shook his head solemnly.

   "My friend was lost the day I fled the castle. The Triforce turned what was left of him into that," he said bitterly.

   As Daemos continued to speak, Link fought to stand, even as Luce protested. Zelda being that close to the insane king filled him with nothing but dread, and he didn't want her to be there alone. Fira lifted him to his feet, passing him the Master Sword again. They exchanged nods before they ran for Zelda, Luce following close behind.

   They had hardly made it halfway around the pond when Daemos let out a furious shout. Power crackled to life around him, and the next thing Link knew, he was blinded by red light. He smacked against the ground, tossed aside by a powerful wave.

   Disoriented was too simple a word to describe how Link felt then. Everything was sent spiraling, a mash of night sky fractured by red and white, greenery, and hard stone. He kept tumbling until he was stopped by a row of hedges, and he winced when the leaves and branches scraped against his wounds. Luce and Fira were in the same position as him, half-buried in the hedges from being literally thrown into them.

   Wincing, Link pulled himself from the hedge, struggling to move as it was like a weight was pressing down on him. Daemos' aura had now become a tangible force, keeping everyone firmly grounded. But even as Link was half-blind, he crawled towards where he sensed Zelda's aura. She was alone now, with the closest other person being Daemos.

   "You did this! You turned them against me!" Daemos didn't even sound human anymore, just a garble of warped vocal chords vaguely pretending to be the king.

   Link sharpened his senses, narrowing down Daemos' position. A fear and dread completely unrelated to the foul aura struck him then. Daemos was approaching Zelda. With a shout, he forced Courage's power out in a burst that momentarily lessened Daemos' pressure. Link threw himself forwards, launching into a sprint towards Daemos.

   "You will join the Overseer first!"

   As Daemos lifted a tendril to crush Zelda, Link lunged at her, reaching for her. One arm pulled her to him as he slashed with the Master Sword, willing as much Courage as he could risk into the sword. A crescent of green separated from the blade and collided with sparking red, slicing right through it and into the gummy flesh of Daemos' tendril.

   Link didn't see the immediate aftermath, only heard the roar of pain from Daemos as he and Zelda tumbled across the stone. The pressure from Daemos' aura let up, but the furious shrieks of the Nihilgeo brought on another wave of fear. Link clutched Zelda to him as the creatures descended upon them. A pulse of Wisdom buffered them, stunning for a few moments.

   Zelda looked up at him. "D-don't worry," she muttered, voice strained but determined. Another pulse shoved the Nihilego further back. "I'm not letting you do all the saving here." A wavering smirk cut into her face, and Link returned it. Besides some cuts and scratches, she was still okay.

   Then more auras joined the Nihilego's, more familiar ones. Hands grabbed both Link and Zelda, pulling them away from the now-ensuing battle. "Bisharp, Metal Claw!" a voice hissed. Leaves again jabbed at Link, and only then were he and Zelda released.

   "Are you two okay?" came the voice of Captain Villia, and Link glanced up at her. She along with a few other guards had pulled the two Holders into what looked like a cramped cave of leaves. One of Villia's Bisharp had cut a ragged hole into one of the larger hedges, creating a very temporary shelter. It would be a matter of time until they were found. "I told you we're a people of our word," Villia said with a half-smile, and Link nodded.

   "Th-thanks," he replied. He hesitantly released Zelda, both of them sitting up. Right behind them was pure chaos, with the guards and Pokémon battling Daemos' army. Blows were exchanged, blood and venom flew, the screeches of carnage raged out into the night. It quickly became clear that the Nihilego were overwhelming everyone, as the bodies of guard Pokémon and knights began to join the fallen Nihilego. The tides would hopefully turn with backup from the castle, but it would take a few precious minutes until that happened. Link cursed under his breath, hoping that Luce and Fira would be okay in all that.

   Villia was shaking, glancing out at the battle. "What are we supposed to do about those..."

   "Nihilego," Zelda said. "I-I believe we just need to kill the one that is holding the king. He's leading them, so they might be lost once he's freed, and we can deal with the rest of them."

   "And how can we get to him?" Villia asked. "He's being surrounded by those things."

   Zelda glanced at Daemos again, unsure, and Link's heart sank. "You're the Holder of Wisdom, ain't ya?" he said, trying to sound reassuring.

   Zelda's lip trembled, her muscles turning rigid. But then she clenched her jaw, nodding firmly. "I-I am..." she replied. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she began to think. "How much energy do you have left?" she asked after a second.

   Link turned his focus inwards, getting a read on the flow of Farore's essence. It was no longer a raging river, but a stream. "Not very much," he muttered. "Enough for a decent burst, but I'd have to add some of my own."

   Zelda nodded again thoughtfully. "We could do what we did with those Tentacruel," she said. "We just need to shake the ring around Daemos. Once that happens, I'll fire an arrow to try and knock him down, and you try to stab the Nihilego. Cutting the tendrils off is probably our best option since we shouldn't damage the cap with Daemos in there." She took a breath. "It's... likely our power alone won't be enough to ground Daemos, so I would like you to help us with that, Villia."

   "If we need to knock him down, I'll get my Pokémon to do what I can," Villia said.

   "Then that's all I can say for now," Zelda said, getting to her feet. "If only Resa was still here, then she could help you sever the tendrils..." Sorrow briefly dampened Zelda's aura, and Link felt it creep into himself as well. But he wouldn't allow it. Instead of anger, Link let Farore's essence give him his fire.

   "I can do it," Link said, looking at Zelda with a hardened gaze. "We'll do it for her." Grabbing Zelda's hand, they burst out from the hedge and ran straight for Daemos.

   The king was now fighting alongside his army, loosing Power without abandon. A mixture of venom and blood leaked from the tendril Link had slashed, but he disregarded it entirely as he was all-too happy to try and crush his subordinates. Right at the forefront of it all was Ganondorf, Luce, and Fira as the Swords had dispersed among the battle, assisting the guards.

   "Traitor, rotten traitor!" Daemos continually shouted, trying to crush Ganondorf in particular. The general was clearly flagging now, though he still tried to keep up his fight. Then Daemos noticed Link and Zelda approaching, "There you are!" he bellowed, grinning. The tendrils began to come down towards them, but Link and Zelda reacted before they could.

   Link's Triforce marking blazed with an unwavering shine as he channeled every last shred of Courage he could. Like before, the energy of Wisdom and Courage surged within their Holders and combined. Any pain and exhaustion was dulled in favor of pure, raw force. Link and Zelda flung their hands out, and the wave that flowed from them washed the entire courtyard in radiant cyan light. Its results were simply explosive.

    The Nihilego were blown away from Daemos entirely, stripping the king of his defenses. Daemos himself recoiled, struggling to remain upright in the riptide of divine light. But as Link caught himself and tried to make a dash for Daemos, it was Ganondorf who reacted first. He leapt from the ground, bringing his sword around to his side.

   "Release Daemos this instant!" Ganondorf's yell was punctuated with a brutal slash from his sword, cleaving through two of Daemos' tendrils.

   Daemos' cry was cut off as he choked in pain, and Link took the opportunity to run in as well, stumbling but keeping his footing. Ganondorf spared him a glance before throwing his hands out before him. Link understood in an instant and planted a boot onto Ganondorf's hands, and the general launched him towards the possessed Daemos. Daemos' remaining dominant tendrils didn't even have a chance to move as Link severed them.

   Then from above, to Link's joy, two Gallade followed by Luce slammed down on the Nihilego's cap, having been tossed skywards by Fira. With a shout of surprise, Daemos was brought down to the ground, landing with a crash that sent dust and cracked stone flying.

   "Link, now!" Zelda cried. She didn't need to tell him, as Link was already throwing himself up onto the Nihilego's cap, positioning his blade over it. Daemos writhed within, trying to use Power but failing as he screamed obscenities directed at anybody and everybody. It seemed he had finally exhausted himself.

   For a moment, pity struck Link. He couldn't believe it, but he actually felt sorry for this man. But he didn't hesitate. He simply let the pity linger as he plunged the Master Sword into the Nihilego's cap.