Ghirahim let out a heavy groan as a blinding light hit his eyes, making him squint as he opened them. He weakly lifted his left arm to block out the sun and used the other to lift himself up.
Suddenly, Ghirahim was pushed back down to the ground as someone had suddenly tackled him. Falling with an "oomph!" Ghirahim looked up to see it was Link who had pinned him back to the floor beneath the two of them.
The hero smiled at his lover, his sapphire eyes sparkling like the water he just noticed surrounding them, and exclaimed, "Ghira! You're back! You're really, really back!"
Ghirahim felt slightly confused by the statement but returned the grin as his memory came back to him. That was right. He was trapped inside his mind. He had nearly forgotten that when he sat alone in the darkness. How long was he out for?
Disregarding his thoughts for a minute Ghirahim wrapped his arms around Link in a tight hug and buried his face into the crook of the hero's neck.
"I've missed you so much, Link," he whispered to him. "I hope you know that wasn't me. I... I wasn't myself. That boar was controlling me. I'm truly sorry for the pain I've caused you."
Link pulled back from the hug and frowned at the other. "Ghira, I know it wasn't your fault... Don't blame yourself. You have nothing to be sorry for. Besides, you're back, and that's all that matters."
"Yes, I agree," Fi chimed in, now back to her original sword spirit form. "However, Lord Ghirahim, I am afraid I have some news."
Ghirahim glanced up at the spirit with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. It had been eons since he saw Fi in her physical form rather than just as a sword. Moreover, how was she able to sustain it like this if she was required by the gods to return to the sword once her mission was complete? How did she even get out again?
Nevertheless, the taller male nodded for her to go on.
"As you may have known, your life energy was slowly depleting at an alarming rate after Calamity Ganon was defeated. When he took control of your body he absorbed some of the demonic energy that kept you alive for all of these years. So when he had disappeared from this world, so had the energy, and you were left with little to none to survive," she explained. "We had no other choice but to bless your spirit in the three sacred springs across Hyrule and pray to the gods to change you. You are no longer a demon, Ghirahim, but rather you are now a Hylian just like Master Link."
The demon--or rather, Hylian now--stared at the sword spirit with an agape jaw and wide eyes. So not only was Ghirahim no longer a sword spirit, but he was no longer a demon either. He was mortal now. He no longer had inherited magic (though he knew he still had that of which he learned and developed over the many years he had been alive). He was now a simple human. Just like Link.
Just like Link.
Feeling the small amount of fury and fear fade from his body, Ghirahim couldn't help but lightly chuckle. Eventually, it had developed into hearty laughter as he threw his head back and leaned further into the spring water.
Link looked at the other in worry.
"Ghirahim, are you alright?" he asked.
Ghirahim looked back at him and smiled.
"Oh, Link, my dear, I've never been better!" he exclaimed. "Finally, after over millennia of having to deal with this painful immortality and watching you die, I no longer have to suffer... We can be together just as I always imagined it! Even if I might not live to see you in the next life, I'm willing to sacrifice it to spend my last days with you in this one..."
It was now the hero's turn to be surprised. With a meek expression, he mumbled just barely enough for the man to hear.
"I... I honestly thought you were gonna be mad at me," he admitted. "I mean... People would kill to be immortal like you were."
"Then they're clearly mistaken. Being immortal just means endless suffering, and you can't ever end it, because you will never die," Ghirahim thought to himself. However, he didn't want his bitterness to ruin the moment he had with the hero now.
"Well, I'm not. I'm actually rather glad. Thank you, Sleeping Beauty," he said with a wink.
Link blushed a little at this, recalling the nickname the Hylian had given him at the beginning of their journey and giggled alongside him in the spring.
After their little moment, Ghirahim and Link--along with Fi of course--returned to the princess at Hyrule Castle. The blonde was waiting in the Sanctum by her father's throne. Zelda let out a heavy sigh before she turned to see the trio back from their adventure.
"Ghirahim!" she exclaimed, happy to see the other again after so long. The blonde ran up to the Hylian and embraced him. "I'm so glad you're back!"
"The feeling is mutual, princess," Ghirahim smirked, hugging the princess back. "Glad to see you weren't willing to lose to that pig so easily. I'm proud of you, and I'm sure Urbosa is too."
Zelda felt her heart skip a small beat as sadness filled her, but only for a moment. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she pulled back and continued to smile up at the taller one. She gave an understanding nod to this before collecting herself.
"Now then, we should start on fixing whatever damage was made," she said. "It'll take a long time, and it will be very difficult, but I believe we can do it. Hyrule will be back to its former glory before you all even know it. Who's with me?"
"Count me in," Link said confidently.
"I would like to help out as well," Ghirahim commented.
"I would be more than happy to assist you and the hero, Your Grace," Fi added.
"Great," Zelda replied with a grin on her face and a spark in her emerald eyes as she spoke. "Then let's get started."
____________________
This is it guys. Just one more chapter, the epilogue, and we're done.
It's been a long and painful ride. I reread the book a few days back and man... So much has happened in the past year that I've been working on this book.
I've discovered a lot about myself, and while I'm now even more lost and hopeless compared to the beginning, I have learned a lot. Like to never fully trust someone who is far older than you. Don't give your heart so fast, easily, and willingly to others. And most of all: don't let anyone hold you down. Regardless of their ties to you, regardless of who they are in terms of social status (in a friend circle, older, in a higher grade level, etc.). 'Cause the only person who can determined what you do with your life is yourself.
It took a lot of bullshit for me to realize that, but I'm glad I did. Now I just gotta get out of this dark place I'm in...
I'll leave the thank you speech at the end of the final update. See you guys then.