The moment the Master Sword punctured the Nihilego's cap, Daemos went silent. It was like the breath had been stolen from him. Link sliced across the membrane, and a wave of sludge-like water poured from the slash. Link's stomach twisted in disgust, but he finished the slice and tore the blade free.

   As whatever the fluid was seeped out, Link noticed that a series of what reminded him of veins were attached to Daemos' arms and torso. He quickly cut through them, releasing what he recognized as the Nihilego's venom. This whole time, Link realized with a tinge of horror, Daemos had been flooded with the stuff. It was no wonder that he had been acting so wildly, it was a more severe version of what Link had felt when he had been stung.

   With Daemos free from the veins, he sloshed out to the ground alongside the last of the sludge. He seemed to have passed out, and Link watched as Daemos' features returned to normal, his skin regaining its darker tanned hue and his hair fading to its previous strawberry-blonde.

   "I-is it over?" Villia's voice asked, unsure. Link turned to look at her, struggling to remain steady. His head swam, vision pulsing with darkness.

   "I... guess so." The last of his statement slipped out with an exhausted sigh, and his legs gave out. Luce caught him before he hit the ground, lowering him the rest of the way. "Hey, Luce," he muttered, smiling up at his partner. Blood dripped onto his face from a cut on Luce's cheek, but her grip on him didn't falter. But where was Zelda?

   Slowly turning his head, Link saw Zelda sitting on the ground next to Fira close by. His paws were on her shoulders so she wouldn't collapse either. "I'm just tired, Fira," Zelda insisted. "I'm fine." She looked at Link, smiling faintly. "You'd better not pass out," she said, and Link laughed weakly.

   "Not a damn chance," he replied. For a moment, he just breathed, just acknowledged the stinging of his injuries and the relief coursing through him. He could sense the dying auras of Nihilego and—more saddeningly—guards and Pokémon, but they were thankfully less than the otherworldly invaders. The remaining Nihilego had flown off somewhere or were being taken down by the guards, but still, it was over. Daemos had been defeated, Courage and Wisdom had won once again.

   It was finally over.

   "Your Majesty!"

   In seconds, the peace was broken by Ganondorf's shout. Link forced himself to sit up, seeing Ganondorf rushing to Daemos, the flood of guards trailing after him. He knelt beside him in the muck, pulling him up. "Your Majesty?" he repeated, gently shaking Daemos. When he didn't stir, Ganondorf looked at the nearest Royal guard. "Go find a healer or an Audino, quickly!" he demanded. Several ran for the castle, despite all of them being bloodied or bruised. They passed by the Swords of Justice, who came to stand by the victorious Holders.

   The Holder of Power is incapacitated? Terrakion asked. His bulky form was scratched and gashed, but he still stood strong alongside his siblings. His eyes narrowed when he saw Daemos and Ganondorf. We need to extract the Triforce of Power from him. Now.

   Wait a second! Keldeo protested, moving in front of Terrakion. Can't ya read the mood? I don't think they would like it too much if we did that right now.

   Cobalion frowned. We will do it regardless of their feelings, he said icily. It needs to be contained before he regains consciousness. It is part of the mission, and it will only be complete once we contain the Triforce of Power.

   You can sense auras, can't you, Holder of Courage? Virizion asked, glancing at Link. You should be able to sense the state of someone's life energy.

   He could, and even before Virizion asked, he had sensed Daemos'. His heart sank into his stomach thinking of the response. "If you're askin' bout Daemos, it's... not good," he said. Through the figurative knots he had to untangle, the core of the aura reminded him far too much of the Gerudo guard who had nearly drowned. But unlike hers, it was still fading. "I'm not gonna say he's dyin' right this second, but it's gettin' to be that way."

   Then leave it, Virizion said. If he is stabilized, we will take it before he awakens. If he passes, we will take it before he slips away.

   You were always too soft on Keldeo, Cobalion said with a huff, reluctantly sitting down. Very well, we will wait. No sooner than he had said that, Daemos opened his eyes. Slowly, like it was a struggle to, and Link knew that was the case. But that didn't stop Daemos from looking at Ganondorf and speaking.

   "Dragmire?" he asked faintly, confused.

   Ganondorf sighed in relief. "Your Majesty! Yes, it's me!"

   While Daemos still looked dazed, he seemed to have enough clarity to realize his immediate surroundings. "It's... truly you. I thought you had gone forever when you had fled the castle. I wanted you to return, but I couldn't tell you. It felt as if I was locked inside my mind." He looked around, and his eyes widened by the slightest. "What happened here?" He didn't take his eyes off the guards and Pokémon that had perished fighting the Nihilego, who were now being gathered in one place by some of the guard Pokémon. "A-are those guards dead?" Daemos' voice held a note of panic.

   Ganondorf grimaced. "They may be, Your Majesty," he said grimly.

   What awareness Daemos had then was seized by horror. "Did... I do this?" Numbly, he put a hand to his head, gritting his teeth. "I cannot recall anything..."

   "It's not your fault, Your Majesty!" Villia said reassuringly. "That wasn't you, something else was controlling you."

   Daemos shook his head. "But I still allowed it to happen, just like so many other deaths." Sadness and overpowering guilt consumed his aura in an instant. "No matter how much or little I do, it never changes..."

   "No, you haven't. We all have blame to share for the deaths that have occurred since you began ruling, and you've done so much for this kingdom," Ganondorf said.

   "I haven't. I have made everything so much worse with this." Daemos insisted. "I abused my power, calling you all t-traitors... My poor Incineroar, sh-she still must be in the dungeons."

   Villia chimed in again, trying to sound stoic. "We'll go release her right away, Your Majesty." She and a couple more guards rushed off.

   Daemos watched them go, looking forlorn. "It still doesn't change what I've done," he muttered. "I-I don't deserve to be the Holder of Power." He placed his marked hand on Ganondorf's. "Take it back, I've squandered its potential, just like every Holder of Power before me." Small gasps and whispers erupted among the remaining guards, shocked glances being exchanged. Ganondorf ignored them, however. He seemed to be in a world of his own, a world with just him and Daemos.

   "You did the best you could with it. But I can't accept it," Ganondorf said.

   "Then somebody take it," Daemos said, looking around at the guards. Then his gaze fell on Cobalion and his siblings. "The Swords of Justice..." Daemos spoke with awe.

   Cobalion shared glances with his siblings before stepping forwards. We will take it, he said.

   "Please," Daemos stressed. "I am not worthy of being a Holder."

   Very well. Cobalion closed his eyes, the mark of Hylia on his face glowing a faint white along with his horns. Daemos inhaled sharply, and Link felt the king's aura shift. All the simmering anger and hatred gathered in one spot before separating itself from Daemos' sadness and guilt. At the same time, a gold orb flecked with red emerged from Daemos' right hand. Everyone stared at the orb as Cobalion backed away, the orb trailing beside him like it was following him. It is done, he said simply.

   "Your Majesty, how do you feel?" Ganondorf asked. Daemos appeared more relaxed, like a weight had been lifted from him.

   "Clear. My mind has not felt this clear in years," he said wistfully. "How I've missed it." But with the burden on Daemos' spirit having been lifted, it left his remaining aura to flicker wildly, almost sputtering now. It was like exposing a flame to a breeze when it had been shielded previously.

   Without thinking, Link spoke the words on his mind. "He's dyin'..." he muttered under his breath, though the remnants of his group heard him. Zelda's mouth fell open, though she covered it with a hand. She glanced at Fira, who only affirmed Link's words.

   And he knows it, Fira added, his ears drooping.

   "Is there nothing we can do?" Zelda asked timidly, and everyone remained silent. It was clear to Link that the damage to Daemos had been internal thanks to the venom. Not even the best healers could hope to treat it in time, given how feeble Daemos was already.

   "Dragmire, you know how much I've missed my mother," Daemos said. "I... believe I may join her soon."

   Shock stiffened Ganondorf momentarily, but he snapped himself out of it by shaking his head. "Your Majesty, don't speak like that!" He looked away, desperation clear on his face as he looked for any arriving healers. "Help is arriving soon, j-just hold on for another minute or so," he said.

   "If not, I want to tell you something," Daemos said. "I-I've wanted to tell you this for years now, and while I wish to not have an audience, it seems I don't have much of a choice now."

   "What is it?" Ganondorf asked, hesitant.

   Daemos smiled sheepishly. "There have always been stories of princesses falling in love with their knights," he started. "But... what happens when a king falls in love with one of his generals?" The question hung in the air, striking shock and surprise into everyone who heard it. "It is a story I-I always wished I could see play out... but I feared what would happen if... I said anything," Daemos continued, his words more labored now. "I-I would be dethroned, cast into exile while you would suffer a similar fate."

   "And I never thought I would ever hear you say that. I've felt the same way, Your Majesty." Ganondorf let out a weak laugh, taking Daemos' hand in his. "But this is fine. I'm already a traitor, so we can leave together, live our exiled lives out together."

   "How I wish we could... But I believe I'm going someplace you cannot follow me to yet," Daemos said mournfully. "Until then, y-your place is here. That is because there is no other Gerudo I can see upon Hyrule's throne than you, Ganondorf Dragmire."

   Ganondorf's brow furrowed. "E-excuse me? My apologies, but that's impossible. I have no royal blood, I cannot take your place."

   "You know I have no heirs, n-no other family," Daemos said. "Th-the royal bloodline would have ended with me... regardless of whether I die now, or in fifty years. I-it doesn't have to end with you, either. A-as my mother used to say, we Gerudo persevere no matter what. There are solutions, ones that... we will have to fight to be accepted. Th-then again, that can be said for most things we have to do now."

   Ganondorf didn't say anything, only stared at Daemos as he fought his own sorrow.

   "You will have a-all my advisors to assist and guide you," Daemos said. "You can do this, Dragmire. I-if not for Hyrule's sake, then for mine."

   Ganondorf finally spoke then, albeit in a shaking voice. "I-I don't want to agree, because then I'm sure I will truly lose you once I do," he said. "But if that is what you wish, I will do it, for both yours and Hyrule's sake."

   Daemos' smile widened, full of gratitude. "Sarqso, m-my dear Dragmire," he muttered. "Sarqso, all of you." His gaze swept across the crowd of guards, coming to rest on the Holders. "For a moment, I thought I sensed my mother's presence." He closed his eyes. "Wait for me, Mother. Just a little longer..." He then went limp in Ganondorf's arms, his last breath leaving him.

   Ganondorf's expression went blank. "Your Majesty?" He again shook Daemos' shoulder. "Your Majesty?" His voice was quickly growing fearful.

   "Is he..?" Zelda began to whisper, glancing at Link. All he needed to do was nod, and Zelda hung her head. Link's fists clenched, pity growing into sorrow. He had seen Daemos wrongly for so long, and with what he had said now... It was like one last blow to Link, and tears were gathering in his eyes before he could stop them.

   Still, Ganondorf didn't stop trying to rouse Daemos, not accepting of what had come to pass. "Daemos..?" His voice cracked with pain. "D-Daemos, please wake up." Finally, the healers arrived, but it was much too late. Ganondorf rested his forehead against Daemos', clenching his eyes shut. "Daemos..." The king's name was taken away by the breeze, fading into the dawn air along with Daemos himself.

—~*~—

The blankets were soft and plush under Link as he laid upon his room's bed, his fingers entangled in the silken sheets. His eyes were trained on a vase of flowers atop a bedside table. He had seen those flowers in the Gerudo trading camp, that single bloom in Aaira's tent to provide some decoration. It was almost strange to see them again in Hyrule Castle.

   Link took a long, deep breath, feeling as if he was sinking deeper into the mattress. The air was still, sunlight pouring through the windows Link had made sure were drawn fully. It illuminated the rich reds, oranges, and yellows that colored the room. Elegant furniture carved from wood Link didn't recognize, showing age but still in beautiful condition. A feeling of luxury he hadn't felt since his stay at Zora's Domain (a feeling he admittedly missed). Once he had been brought here, he collapsed into the bed and slept for nearly two days straight, utterly and completely drained.

   Of course, Link wasn't alone. Luce sat on the floor in the pooling sunlight, legs crossed as she silently meditated. He would have joined her if his back still wasn't aching as much as it was. Little had he known that he had injured his back during the battle with Daemos, not causing permanent damage, but enough that he would be sore for a while. But he had come away with an injury that certainly was more permanent.

   Link carefully clenched his hands, careful to not irritate the stump of his left pinky finger. Daemos had already broken the bone badly, but Link's use of the digit during the remainder of the battle was enough to turn it into powder. The only option was that it had to come off. It wasn't like he had a sword to hold with the hand anymore though, it had been confiscated by the Royal Guard the moment the castle healers had gotten hold of him.

   As much as it was expected that Link be treated like a hero after what had happened, he knew that wouldn't be the case. It didn't change the fact that he was a criminal, and he would stand trial for his years of crimes. Villia had said Link would likely get a lighter sentence when Zelda inquired, it still stood that he would receive a sentence in general. This luxury room was his prison cell for the time being.

   Once the outside light began to turn gold, a knock came at the door. Link sensed who it was, and he smiled to himself. A lock unclicked a moment, and both Zelda and Fira entered. Every evening they brought dinner for Link and Luce, and it also gave them a chance to talk. While Zelda wasn't confined to her room like Link, she still had a restricted area in the castle she could explore.

   After the four exchanged greetings, they settled into their conversations. Link and Zelda were left to their own conversation as Luce and Fira left them alone, to both the Holders' relief. It was a much-needed shift of company.

   "I'm surprised ya haven't offered to help me escape or somethin'," Link said as he finished off his food.

   Zelda pursed her lips. "Why should I? It's only right that you have to pay for what you've done, hero or not," she said primly, as Link expected. "Why? Do you want me to help you?"

   This was certainly going to astound her, or perhaps it wouldn't. "Nah, I'm fine with this," he said simply.

   Zelda's brows rose, her mouth falling open by the slightest. She quickly closed it as her head tilted in confusion. "I honestly didn't expect that."

   Link smirked. "I told ya I'm still full of surprises," he said. "But what would I get from runnin' again? I'd be back right where I was before, just me and Luce out in the wild. An' I'd probably be in worse trouble if I did it now."

   "Which is what you prefer," Zelda said understandingly. "You don't have to lie about that."

   "I do," Link admitted, "but I... don't wanna as much, not if it means separatin' from ya an' Fira." His smirk became a small grin. "I like ya too much to run off an' forget 'bout ya, an' I know Luce can say the same 'bout Fira." And it was the truth. Out of all the confusion that had plagued him since he first met Zelda, the endless questioning and uncertainty, what he knew for certain was that he didn't want to leave her. She liked being around him, she cared about him, and most importantly, she understood him. He could say the same things about her as well, and he used to think that was only possible with Luce.

   "I suppose that's my fault," Zelda said, but they both knew she was joking.

   By this point, it had been a week since the clash of the Holders. From what Link could find out, Castle City had appropriately been thrown into distress. Many had seen the portal Daemos had summoned, and fewer had seen the last few Nihilego that hadn't been killed before Daemos had been defeated. They had fled to further reaches of the kingdom, and many of the knights had been deployed to hunt down the invaders.

   As for where the Nihilego had come from... It was chalked up to a freak accident. The Nihilego had simply chosen to invade, and King Daemos had nobly fallen in the ensuing battle, making sure that the creatures wouldn't go on to hurt his subjects. Both the Royal Guard and Sheikah (of course) were "investigating" the official cause, but it was already decided that there wouldn't be an official cause.

   "It's still being decided when to call off the search," Zelda said when Link asked. "The people are probably already suspicious, so ending it too soon would make it seem even worse." She sighed heavily, sadness slouching her shoulders. "I hate this," she whispered. Link looked at her, and she winced. "I know, I should have expected something like this to transpire, but I still hate it."

   Link understood her sentiment. He leaned back on his hands, looking at the ceiling. "If they told the truth, it'd cause even more problems," he said. "The people would probably blame Daemos for not tellin' everyone 'bout bein' a Holder and lookin' for us. Then they'd think the Nihilego were brought to control them, even if the castle said they were gonna protect Hyrule. More lies... like the Gerudo are known for."

   Zelda nodded, though it was in resignation. "I hope the kingdom accepts Ganondorf as the new king," she said. "It's already enough that he isn't of royal blood, but what he admitted with Daemos..."

   Link was still reeling a little from that. Then again, it made sense to him with how Ganondorf was so devoted to Daemos, as foreign as the concept of that kind of love was to him. His parents never told him about that.

   "I dunno, it's not like we can really do anythin' now. We're Holders, but that don't mean shit without the Triforce of Power," he said. But alongside the thought of Daemos' confession, something else had been floating about his mind.  "I've been thinkin' 'bout somethin' since I was locked in 'ere. If Daemos was tellin' the truth 'bout Pokémon comin' from another world, then it's funny how they were accepted 'ere." He shrugged. "Different situations, yeah, but still."

   "No, it's a valid point," Zelda said. "And it does make sense that they truly did come from another place. Keldeo mentioned the previous wish, what we've seen in the temples and what I found in the Lanayru Archives..." Then she smiled, to Link's surprise. "It doesn't change anything for me, really. But knowing that gives me a little hope, a bit of... optimism."

   Link arched a brow. "Oh yeah? An' what's that?"

   "The fact they were accepted at all. It means it can happen with anything, or anyone." She smiled faintly. "You simply have to give them a chance."

   That knowing gaze of hers... Link grinned, chuckling a little. "You're right 'bout that," he agreed. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to Luce and Fira talk in Pokéspeak. It was a soothing sort of background sound. Eventually, Zelda stood, taking the tray. It was best not to push their luck with the guards.

   "Oh, by the way, Cobalion and the others are leaving tomorrow," Zelda said before she left.

   "They haven't left already?" Link asked, and she shook her head.

   "They want to speak to us about something, and they have been waiting for that chance," she replied. "I won't help you escape the castle, but I'll help you get out so we can see them off."

   Link was now curious about what they could want, but there was no use questioning it then. "Sounds good," Link said. With one last smile, Zelda left the room.