#ghirahim sings

[chibi-haifish]

I'm in this guys!! Here the previews of my works in there. Be sure to grab a copy! Everyone did such an amazing job!!

It's finally here! Volume 7 of Faces of Evil has been released for the end of spooky season!

Enjoy the creations of our participants as they share their love for the small enemies of the Zelda series.

[Link]

[casiavium]

I really need to be cleaning my room but. fanfiction I'd write if I had time but I Do Not

There are several ghiralink fic storylines that are along the lines of "Link gets exactly what he thinks he wants and turns out it isn't really what he needs" (whether real or a dream-state) that have him taking Ghirahim's sword and gaining complete control over him and the themes are of personhood and power and complacency. be careful what you wish for type things. A few that are Ghirahim killing Link/Link losing and realizing he would rather have him alive and fighting instead of dead/given up because it was more fun than way, but usually end up being sad. oh well I guess for the former and teaming up with Link to defeat Demise for the latter.

What I want to write is the themes of scenario 1 but role reversed so it's like scenario 2 with Ghirahim having the "this isn't what I wanted" moment. Ghiralink adds, usually as a joke, a level of "if I can't kill you, maybe you could join me ;)" and I want to write more or less Link doing that, Link being a perfect subservient extension that does everything he wants him to and he doesn't regret it (he can't), but Ghirahim having the realization that he doesn't want someone who is nothing more than an object for him to use. A doll. A sword.

And then, how Link has guilt over Fi and the Master Sword and his role as hero and how Hylia controls him but he's no better than her, Ghirahim realizing Link is now what he is to Demise and rethinking his own position. Is this what Demise thinks of me. Is that why he treats me the way he does. And he takes his anger out on Link but Link can't fight back anymore. Link doesn't want to fight back anymore, and not in a depressed it's hopeless kind of way, but in the same way Ghirahim accepted Demise pulling the sword out of his chest.

When Ghirahim is empty and goes isn't this what you wanted, Link can genuinely say no because he has a hero's heart and conscience and never meant for anyone to get hurt. When Link goes I am what you made me, Ghirahim has to face that fact that yes, he is, and he is made in my image, and I do not want this anymore.

[dullweapons]

mother of all tag dumps inbound ..... i am not booping people cause theres like 30 tags lol

here is the page on my google site that lists them all ... i think ? may have missed someone but ill double check later

⸻  SHIP  : ayrin / sahar  ❤︎  you know you hypnotize me always !   ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / grace ( hyliangrace )  ❤︎  you can be the match & i will be the fuse : boom   ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / lyric ( lunarscaled )  ❤︎  bleed into my mouth so i may taste you forever ; leviathan  ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / robin ( wolfvirago )  ❤︎  hold me in your arms & i die a little death so beautifully  ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / octavo ( bransles )  ❤︎  but he fell in love with the fever & i'm on my knees in a theater .  ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray & ayrin  / link ( uneasedregrets )  ❤︎  city of stars ; never shined so brightly  ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / volga ( volcania )  ❤︎  your blood like wine get me drunk & make me feel .   ˎˊ˗

⸻  SHIP  : ray / ghirahim ( flamboycnt )  ❤︎  let our love be a flame not an ember ! say it's me that you want to dismember !  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & link ( legacyshero )  ✦ no voice to speak of your suffering but i hear you now  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & nabooru ( gerudospiriit )  ✦ so if you need to be mean be mean to me . i can take it & put it inside me . ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & bussaba ( topaz-adorned )  ✦ you with the dark curls you with the watercolor eyes ! ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & gallilea ( vairuler )  ✦ im made of sugar spice kanekalon & cinnamon : me & my bestie are the sam like a synonym ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & toba ( askganondorftobadragmire )  ✦ you take away this pain from me : the memories that haunted me  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & nabooru ( gerudosage )  ✦ oh she could have been a poet or she could have been a fool . ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & miri ( somnium-led )  ✦ dear prudence won't you open your eyes ? look around … look around …  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & eilian ( somnium-led )  ✦ im sick of apologies from people with priorities that their life matters so much more than ours . ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & ganondorf ( oocca )  ✦ want to save your men from the fire ? show me that you’re willing to burn .  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & link ( twilitae )  ✦ what? land of the free? whoever told you that is your enemy .  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & link ( obraveyouth )  ✦ who’s a heretic child ? can you make it stick now ?  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & zelda ( spiritmaiden )  ✦ why do birds suddenly appear everytime you are near  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & zelda ( telepathyia )  ✦ the moon will sing a song for me : i loved you like the sun ! bore the shadow that you made  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & zelda ( regnantlight )  ✦  can you tell me what's the point in building empty empires now? ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ray & calamity ( hylianremnants )  ✦  i know you i walked with you once upon a nightmare  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ayrin & sky ( hylianremnants )  ✦  stories of old great adventure : i want to be just like you .  ˎˊ˗

⸻  RELATION  : ayrin & sun ( hylianremnants )  ✦  bright & beautiful : sing me another lullaby  ˎˊ˗

[wayfayrr]

The Menace returns! And you choose Trauma so this is not a Link!Reader but someone who caused a trauma to someone else.

Here we go to the person that SCARRED our Vet to beyond belief. Marin!Reader and now I finally could write it down as I didn't want to make it a second dream section with all of the Chain as they all would be scarred for life and well, Legend would want to die. So and thanks to Gliphy I got the perfect idea with Marin!Reader.

They were the Marin on Koholint, so they are Legend's first love!

They live but just in a different world entirely. (My own theory on that)

They still remember Legend and hope he is doing well.

They still sing to animals and people.

After Legend finds them, he is at first suspicious. It could be a trap from the Shadow.

But his brain couldn't stop him from rushing to their side and holding them in his arms again.

They are a sweetheart and are holding Legends with such care when they sing him a lullaby.

The Vet will not be able to sleep without them in his arms anymore.

Their weapon is the Sea Lily Bell and Awakening Bell like in Hyrule Warriors.

The Chain is stunned and confused how a person with such a soft voice and delicate body fight monsters like a knight and with a bell no less.

I believe that there are two groups in the Yandere Chain.

Group one will be the one's that have practically a suffocating possessiveness and are overprotective. In the group is Legend, Twilight, Wild, Four and surprisingly Sky.

Before you scream, let me explain.

I think, that Sky would be possessive despite the usual Headcanons BECAUSE he lost Zelda during his journey multiple times.

Once she was led away from him by Impa, then she disappeared into a portal into the past, then she sealed herself into a crystal for that seal on Demise and lastly she almost lost her soul because of Ghirahim. Yeah, no way in hell you can tell me, that he wouldn't be overprotective and possessive over his darling after these stunts.

The second group is overbearing and/or cautious of Reader, not because they don't trust them.

No! They are cautious about the people around Reader.

Reader has a bleeding heart and would try to help anyone they found. Nevermind if it's a enemy or an ally.

This group has Wars, Time, Four (again) and Hyrule in it.

I hope everyone of them is self-explanatory.

Legend sees them as his future spouse. He knew them the longest! And has a history with them!

So he even sees the Chain as enemy, especially Wars.

But he would never kidnap them, he knew how they felt about being caged as he met them on Koholint.

But he talks smack about the Chain.

So he is more trustworthy than the others. So he stands in a better light than the others. So they fell rather in love with him than any of the other eight heroes. So they run into his arms if they got scared.

He gave them a ring, of course a magical one. But it's more than that, he wears the second one of them and as long as they both wear this specific ring, Legend is able to find them.

Legend is also clingy, very clingy.

Wars has to adapt plans so the Vet sees Reader. Because if he doesn't, he will go nuts.

He will use every trick he has in his sleeves to find them and if the others die in the process, he doesn't fucking care.

If Reader is tucking Wind into bed like an older sibling would and singing him a lullaby. Legend is so jealous but at the same time, he sees Reader with his and their children. So the jealousy disappears and he just watches them with Wind with fond eyes while daydreaming.

Sky teached them lyrics from his era, so they sing to him as he plays his harp.

Twilight has the time of his life as Wolfie, they sing to him, pet him, forehead kisses.

Bunny!Legend got it even better, he is very smug about it. Reader will carry him, pet him, kiss his nose, take care of his vest, protect him from Wild and if they are in an inn while Legend is a bunny, they will sleep with him in a bed and held him close to their chest.

They even bath together.

He thanked every existing deity, that Reader didn't know he was the bunny or he would die, happy but he dies.

Just because he saw them naked, something nobody of the Chain did only him.

Wars first, tries to find out how Legend was back then as they met but after falling in love he write poetry for them and they write with him song lyrics of ballads.

Time knows them from the War of Eras and is embarrassed to see them. Let's just say, Reader treated him like a child and never left his side through the whole war. But now he only sees the perfect parent in them.

They switch with Wild so he could sleep longer every once in a while and they cook breakfast in the meantime.

Hyrule sees how much the Vet loves their singer. But as a Fae he got drawn in and is always near them when they sing.

Four asks about the Bells as they are a strange weapon choice.

Their song is "Celestial" from Ed Sheeran.

How they met.

Legend's PoV:

We walked around my Hyrule, inside a forest to be more specific. We wandered through it and didn't found any monsters but there were little puddles and footprints inside the mud. So we followed the track until we found a person lying on the ground. All except for me run to the Hylian. Their blue clothes were so familiar like their hair and as they turned the person around. So we could see their face. I could see a red island flower in their hair and I saw a face of someone I thought would never see again. My brain cried out, that it could be a trap from the shadow but my feet just started to sprint to them. I ripped them from the hands of one of the others and held them close to my chest. I knew, that my house was near. So I picked them up and carried them to my home. The others just followed me and were calling out to me not to be reckless and even my brain still screamed that this was a trap but my body moved on it's own. I carried Reader into my house and laid them in my bed before tucking them under the covers. I didn't care if my bed got muddy or anything. I grabbed a chair and sat myself beside them. They had some cuts and bruises but nothing serious, thank The Golden Three for that. I held their hand in mine and even kissed their knuckles as I ignored the group who questioned me and my motives to bring "a stranger" into my house. My Love stirred and I felt a little more force as they squeeze my hand ever so slightly. They laid in my bed for few hours before they woke up and I can remember how relieved I was. They opened their eyes, they looked around and as their beautiful eyes laid upon me. They smiled and giggled their melodic laughter.

„Hehehehe... Seems like our roles are know reversed, did you found me on the beach as well?“

I snorted at their silliness. „Yes, our roles are now reversed but you laid inside a forest in mud and not in sand by a beautiful beach... But how are you here, Reader... You should be...“

„The Wind Fish fulfilled my wish! I had to do something for him but that was no big deal! Now I can finally see the world outside of Koholint, Link! Maybe you can show me around?“ I turned red as they said my name and right now I didn't care if it was a trap or not. They were back and real! I smiled at them and nodded.

„Of course, I can! I promised it on the log by the beach remember?“

„I know... But you also said you are a hero so you must be very busy... I don't want to steal your precious time... And I said you should forget about that!“ It was like an arrow was fired through my heart and my face and ear tips turned bright red. They were way too kind for the cruel world of Hyrule.

„Sorry, to interrupt your reunion? But who are you and how do you fight all these monsters inside the forest?“ asked the Captain and I just glared at him for interrupting our conversation.

Reader began to sat up, were I jumped up and helped them.

„Be careful.“ they still held my hand but I was more concerned about the Captain. If he tries to take Reader away from me, then he will have some things coming for him!

„Oh I remember you! You were the soldier in the war I should help out to get my wish fulfilled! I never asked for your name! I'm Reader and just like back then I dealt with them with my Sea Lily Bell and water magic.“ they smiled but I couldn't concentrate as THEY knew the Captain!

My head snapped to the Captain who seemed to recognise my first love.

„Ohhh the Hylian with that strange bell and has the Wind Fish as companion. How did you land inside the forest?“ I squeezed their hand slightly and they looked at me while squeezing back.

„I wished to be free from the island I lived on and wished to be with Link! I didn't see him for so long! But I wished that I had stayed awake then I could've greet him properly!“ They hugged me which I reciprocated to hide my even redder face in their shoulder and my ears which wiggled slightly.

I felt them pet my head as they said something which shocked not only me but all of us.

„Oh there are also the two kids from back then! Hey long time no see! You grown so much! One of you even outgrow me! Hihihihihi... But I still don't know your names as the war kinda kept me busy.“

I looked with my eyes to the others and saw how the old man scratched his neck and Wind rushed towards us.

„You are that Hylian with the cool water magic!? It's really been long, you didn't change one bit!!“

They laughed and combed through my hair that my head became drowsy and I felt sleepy.

„Our name is Link, Reader so that's why we are called by our title. You may call me "Time", the boy is "Wind", then there is Warrior, Twilight, Four, Hyrule, Wild, Sky and the one in your arms is called "Legend".“ they nodded and kissed my head.

„I don't care, if you call him "Legend" for me, he is Link!“ My hold around them grew stronger and I fell asleep with my beloved in my arms. It felt like I was finally being able to fall asleep after years of being kept awake...

This is how they met the "Singer" and Legend's first love! Of course, they all noticed how the Vet was acting around them. He was more open and expressive and less snarky. He will be going more and more possessive that even Yandere Twilight would be nothing against him. Wolves are protective over their mates and pups but Legend put that to shame. Sky always starts to play his harp as soon he sees Reader is near him, so they begin to play the bell and sing with him. They sometimes even do a duet with Wild. Apropos Wild, they cook together and dance with him just to have fun and to be silly. Time sees them as the perfect parent from his previous encounters with them but also loves to listen to them sing him a lullaby. But he knows that Reader would be never allowed to be on watch duty, especially not alone. And even thought they fought for being at least on watch duty. They are allowed to but only with Legend as they sleep in the same bedroll and they don't want to imagine what will happen to them and anything around them, if a sleeping Veteran noticed that Reader isn't beside him anymore. Wars talks to them a lot because of their magic and the different bells. Four learned specifically for them how to maintain their bells. Wind uses his "Little Brother Privileges" he gets lullabies, cuddles, playtime anything he wants until Time or Legend separate them, mostly Legend. Hyrule just loves to hear them sing. He isn't confident enough too even mention his feelings for them to the others. Twilight gets "Wolfie Privileges" but also as Hylian he gets attention from Reader. But none of them get as much attention as Legend as he is the closest to them after all.

The Menace will return next week with new words! INTO THE MENACE CAVE!!

I love the twist of being a different world rather than simply just the windfish's dream, legend deserves that little bit of healing at least after everything else he's gone through

And also I agree with how you've characterised the yans!!! I haven't put out my full headcanons for each of them yet (I really need to but they're pretty low on my things to finish and post of wips ngl) But I do have sky's out! and I do see him as very possessive but simply not showing it as much as the rest - he's a manipulative yan more than anything. <3

Legend has EVERY reason to be more cautious of wars, like you said of course legend has the upper hand since he has history with reader but so does warriors, he knew reader during the war of ages so of course he's going to be more defensive against him (time is only safe because he was a kid and doesn't see em in a romantic light)

the way they met is also really sweet, being the opposite of how legend and them met for the first time. I bet he simply wishes that it was after he was finished with this quest so that he could have them to himself instead.

[zarvasace]

Next is Depth! He is dark Sky. (He gets his own special dramatic portrait—the perspective mostly works? Idk I need to practice and find some good refs for this sort of thing.) So much rambling about him and his design under the cut.

Masterpost

The most striking thing about Depth is how normal he looks. Disregarding a few odd features, he looks like Just Some Guy, at least until he opens his mouth. He occasionally feigns being mute around others so he can keep the charade of being human up for longer, since his voice sounds truly awful. Depth is paler than Sky with much darker hair and orange-red eyes, but is otherwise identical. He doesn't mind that, and chooses to play it up a bit with very similar clothes, too. His tunic is rust-colored, opposite Sky’s spring green, and his chainmail is pointed and jagged on the ends instead of smooth. He wears a purple sash with more angular designs and lines, which matches the purple charm that keeps his cape on. 

Depth’s sailcloth is both a source of pride and a sore spot. He made it to contrast Sky’s, dark and tattered, but one of his very secret desires is to get one as beautiful as Sky’s, made by Sun, maybe dark, but functional and lovely and a reminder of her. 

See, Depth doesn't understand Sun��he doesn't actually know her, though he has memories from Sky. He wants her to be a damsel in distress that he can rescue, he dreams of her choosing him over his Light, but he doesn't realize that she won't. He loves his idea of her. While Depth follows [insert LU bad guy here]’s directives, he makes his own plans and he has his own agendas, and many of those plans aid him, in some way, to win Sun’s affection. 

However, as Depth has been growing into the leader role, he's starting to become attached to the other Darks. He's annoyed by them, but his plans have started to expand to benefit them in a way that doesn't necessarily benefit him, too. He might have a little altruism in him, after all. 

Despite that, unfortunately, Depth remains someone who would not save the world, but someone who intends to damn it over and over again. He doesn't flinch at the thought of Demise’s curse, in fact, he would welcome it. He likes the idea of having a purpose and a destiny. He wants to coddle the few people he cares about and would set everything on fire to do it. He says he loves Sun more than Sky ever could, but he would lock her away to keep her "safe."

Depth is the de facto leader of the group, since he's driven and has ambition. He has a very strict idea of what the other Darks should be doing and gets upset when they don't do it. He hates being touched and is ruthlessly practical. Once, when Nothing was being particularly annoying and tried to steal Depth’s sailcloth, Depth broke at least one of Nothing's fingers. He hasn't gotten close to injuring someone like that again, due to equal parts nobody bothering him like that again and him trying to be a little gentler. He doesn't hesitate to threaten injury to keep order, though. 

Depth knows about Ghirahim as a sword, and wants to wield it, but is under the impression that he needs to prove himself worthy first. (Whether or not [LU bad guy] actually intends to let him use it is a different story.) Depth is one of the more skilled sword fighters among the Darks, remembering formal training, but his sword isn't anything special. In a fight with Sky, they would be evenly matched if it weren't for Sky’s ability to use a Skyward Strike, and Depth's inability to block that much light. 

Depth’s special ability is his voice. In a mundane way, the others try to not make him use it, because it's almost painful to hear. In a magical way, Depth’s voice carries over long distances. When he sings, he can summon creatures like bats, crows, rats, and snakes, and they'll listen to him for a time. When he screams, his voice is a magical, short-range wave of destruction. Yes, he's an evil Disney Princess. Depth doesn't feel any strong affinity for the animals he attracts, but he doesn't let Dire or anyone else hurt them, and he doesn't send them to their deaths. He mostly uses them as spies and distractions. 

Depth is one of the more dangerous members of the Dark Chain—not because he’s physically imposing or particularly powerful, but because he can see beyond the next mission and is determined to ruin the Lights once and for all. He's one of those who would happily kill his Light—but only after Depth shows him how he has lost everything dear to him. 

[rrinku98illusts]

Link : please stop singing Ghirahim : tell me why~ 🎵 Link : *screams throughout the entire Zelda timeline*

If Fi sings like a Vocaloid, then I expect Ghirahim sing like a true 90's boyband member :D (might be coming back to color these Ghiras! The boyband poses he makes are way too cool to not color tho)

[lovingtreemusic]

Short Skyward sword update

This Ghirahim guy is a menace to society. I saw Zelda for two seconds because of him. He pops in, threatens to kill me, and then he leaves. Why was he dancing like that when he was talking as well? Please sashay away I’m trying to see my girl Zelda.

The harp is really cool to use though. It’s so cool to listen to the music especially when Fi is singing along. Zelda music is already top tier but listening to it in these harp scenes are just gorgeous.

The Faron woods trial was really cool. It seemed scary in the beginning but it was not as bad as I imagined. I wonder how the rest of trials will go.

[manias-wordcount]

Can I request a Ghirahim x reader? Where the reader is into magic and witchcraft, which results in them being ostracized by the other Hylians bc it's considered "evil". With or without smut.

Outsider S/o HCs (Ghirahim)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗺! 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝗺𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁!

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

Immediately he’s like entranced with you 

(talking like,,, literally follow you around, always trying to talk to you, leaving convenient magic items and ritual/potions materials at your door type obsessed)

And he’s literally a stranger as well so naturally, you’re freaked the fuck out

Especially bc, hello?? 

Nobody likes you except for some powerful freak

You’re shit out of luck if he tries to kidnap you or something

But eventually, he wins you over and breaks down your walls enough to get you to at least speak to him

And you find out that his intentions actually pretty innocent (well, as innocent as they can be with him LMAO)

After a while of singing his own praises over lunch, he finally does tell you how attractive he finds you 

However, what truly drew him in was the power that you hold, your love for magic, and your spirit

The two of you get connected and starting hanging out more and naturally, you become his favorite person in entirety of the world <3

And his SO eventually bc no way he was gonna let you be single if he can help it

So there’s no need to feel so lonely or ostractived anymore

Ghirahim and already one he commands is more than willingly to accept you for who you are

BUT NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO BE TOO ACCEPTING (you’re his after all HAHAH)

[yiga-hellhole]

TFTK BONUS CHAPTER 5: DEPICTION OF THE DEMON LORD

sorry for the hold-up! i totally forgot to make a teaser illustration. anyway, a little bonus chapter to keep you all company while i work on the behemoth that is chapter 20. this one takes place between the events of chapters 11 and 13. say, didn't yuga promise a little someone else he'd get a portrait too..? the descriptions in this chapter are based on this BEAUTIFUL portrait by @renthehuman . keep it in mind as you read!!

thanks again to @bulgariansumo and @orfeoarte for betareading!!!

ao3 mirror

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15

Potent jealousy was festering in the Demon Lord since the portrait of his co-lieutenant was finished. It was beautiful, indeed, but he hadn’t missed one crucial detail. When first meeting Yuga, it was him she flocked to instantly, singing praises of his beauty, and urging for him to be painted. And though indeed, he was the first to be sketched, the first full-fledged painting was not in his honor. 

Nevertheless, this affront was soothed most thoroughly by the spoiling he received after. Zant’s portrait had hardly been framed or manicured fingers were already rapping on his door, urging him to join him in his workspace for his next masterpiece. Yuga felt the urge to paint like she did hunger or fatigue and to be deprived of it turned her jittery and ravenous.

Of course, Ghirahim did not keep him waiting. He spent hours under the watchful, yet manic eye of the Lorian sorcerer, his form dancing across pages upon pages of sketching paper. After feeling like they had become properly acquainted (though, really, it felt far more like an excuse to spend more time ogling), Yuga set up her backdrop, and the two sussed out their composition.

Said brainstorming did not take long. Yuga wanted, most wholeheartedly, to capture beauty. In her eyes, beauty had uncountable forms. Pertaining to himself, Ghirahim thoroughly agreed with his definitions, but often, Yuga’s judgment over beauty and hideosity seemed… Haphazard. Loosey-goosey, if one would. Her fussiness over their backdrop was most apparent in this. They would only be stationed here in clear skies when the heavens were a vast, clear blue. 

Deciding on a subject was not particularly difficult. His reputation as a warrior was thoroughly known, in the flesh and through legend. In fact, it was all his previous portraiture, crude as it was, would focus on. Truly, the carnage he caused was beautiful, but his being – be it his sword or his scabbard, could not be excluded from this pride. Never had it been done justice before. In this portrait, the sensual, perfect form of Demon Lord Ghirahim, would be clear as day.

Perhaps a little too clear. Motivated partially by the desert heat, but mostly a drive to accentuate every fold of fat or muscle he had, they decided he would be depicted without even a shred of clothing.

There he lay, splayed alluringly on a fainting couch crowded by cushions, the dry desert heat wafting past his skin through the window behind him. Across him in the atelier was Yuga, half-seated on a wooden stool behind her canvas, her pencil scraping delicately, yet decisively, on parchment and canvas.

Just as the gentle sounds of graphite lulled him into a bit of comforting system maintenance, Yuga pulled him out of his haze with a clear of the throat. “So…”

Ghirahim turned his head to look at her, but quickly adjusted, remembering he was posing. “So?”

“I do hope you did not expect to spend the next few hours simply sitting in silence. Do you happen to be in the vein for a bit of a chat?”

Ghirahim met the playful smirk that peeked past the canvas with a cock of his brow. “You intend to wring information from a demon? Bold. I’ll have you know, I could have your soul for that.” 

Yuga rolled her eyes in response, slinking back behind the easel. “Then, say, you do snatch my soul from me. Who will paint you?”

Such an air of light bantering was impossible to pass on. He knew it well from his time at this court, and precisely how fine the line was between playful snipping and a threat upon one’s life. A line he fondly trampled. But with a woman like Yuga, whose well-groomed talons were as blood-drenched as his own, true peerdom nestled comfortably. 

He could say whatever the Hell he wanted. “I suppose I can afford to spare you until it’s finished.”

Shrieking laughter emitted from the Lorian. “Oh, wonderful! I’m being held hostage. Hanging around you lot becomes more and more quaint by the day!”

Ghirahim joined her in her amusement. Taking a moment to fiddle with the pearls ‘round his neck, he considered Yuga’s offer. He had a fickle generosity with his candor, preferring to either keep still or prattle on and on about the endless intrigue he’s accumulated in his many years of wandering the Surface. With those he had no ulterior motives for, he preferred to be silent. Still, he mused on. Wouldn’t it be boring to simply lay here for hours? He did plenty of that with their other lieutenant.

Yuga wasn’t the most trustworthy person, but… “Alright, then. I’ll bite. How can I sate your curiosities?”

“Ah, yes. I did not expect your secrecy to win over your ever-so-vain self, and I adore you this way!” Her face emerged from the side of the canvas once more, wagging the blunt end of her pencil at him in emphasis. “If you’ll allow me to ask, Demon Lord. It is precisely the matters related to your title that interest me. The Demon King you served before our Master, what was your life under him like? Anywhere near as luxurious as your current dwellings?”

Ghirahim squinted. Indeed, Gerudo Palace was a comfortable, sophisticated place. Yet, he felt a stab concealed in Yuga’s question. Did she assume that, millennia in the past, Demise’s dwelling was less grandiose? Forbid it all, did she insinuate she thought them primitive? “I don’t like the implications your question carries.”

Yuga gasped, waving a panicked hand under the canvas. “Forgive me! None were intended.”

His eyes wandered as his temper fizzled out. The atelier was as cluttered and stamp full of colors as he imagined the inside of Yuga’s mind to be. He took the new awkward silence as meditative and traced the colorful patterns on the ceiling frescoes, marking complete and total perfection. Not a single tile was off-size. How very typical.

Though painting was the Lorian’s forte – a practice by all means best done in silence – Ghirahim could tell the quiet was making her anxious. He decided to shake his grievances off. “Let me reminisce, nonetheless. Hmm…” A smirk returned to his face as he saw a curl-framed face peep excitedly at him. “Though loyal to my King I may be, I can’t really speak on His rule beyond the rift. I am strictly a Surface demon, you see. The Palace built above the rift through which we entered was grand, for certain. Oh, how it eclipsed the sun from every angle! Though lacking in the pointless, indulgent little comforts I have now, life there was truly paradise.”

It was then that Yuga rose, quietly hovering toward him to assess him from up close. Ghirahim’s eyes fluttered shut as soft, well-groomed hands found his chin, turning his face to marvel at his angles. He allowed her.

“My Master left me to my whims, to go wherever I pleased, do as I pleased, so long as I returned to His hand when the time for battle came. Perhaps I didn’t have the world in silks and jewels, nor an artisan to paint my portrait,” he smiled, peeking past his lashes to the woman hovering over him in close inspection. Nails scraped past his skin when Yuga’s hand retracted. “But I could truly be myself under His rule. After He fell… Oh, it was below me, truly. How many thousands of years I spent wandering, trying to keep patchwork tribes from tearing each other apart! Though I grew used to such a bare lifestyle, never did I enjoy it. Yes, this indulgence is a welcome change.”

In his wallowing, Yuga returned to her place, gliding graphite past her canvas. Sharp eyes met, and his painter pressed the end of her brush on a sore spot. “There remains something you miss, doesn’t there?”

“Of course. I am a Blade, Yuga. I am meant to be wielded. And now I am not.”

The lines of her brows raised, Yuga spoke in praise, gesturing to his form across her. “Yet you’ve made quite the image for yourself, standing here as a man!”

“I know, my friend,” he spoke with a sigh, rubbing his legs together in a bit of a tic. “I can only afford to show myself as pure perfection. But this scabbard is a mere hobby compared to my true self. I do wish Master could show you soon, the true glory of me, my edges carving through sunbeams and veins alike.”

Hands clasped together, Yuga smiled with delight. Her eyes then shot back open, besieged by another burst of energy that she immediately directed to her canvas. “Oh! I can hardly wait.”

Another day was reserved for the careful study of his facial features, as he’d done with Zant. Eyes bored into him stiffly enough to make the hair at the back of his neck stand on end. Somewhere, he suspected this session was less about actual study, and moreso to tingle the Sorcerer’s endless appetite for otherworldly beauty. Hylian physiques must have started to bore him.

Yuga sat in front of him atop a footstool, hunched over a sketchbook with a curvature to his spine inadvisable for anyone his age (and decades younger, for that matter). Ghirahim would have found his sheer concentration offputting, were he not well and truly drunk on the delicacy of admiration.

For both their sakes, though, he ought to snap the Lorian out of it before he lost his marbles. Taking advantage of a break where Yuga was more fixated on his sketches than his model, Ghirahim spoke. “You say I am to sit still for this part, but surely, I can lend an ear.”

Roused immediately by the lilt of his silvery voice, Yuga looked up to him with a playful grimace. “Devilish thing. Is it safe for me to impart more than simple small-talk on you?”

Ghirahim scoffed. Was more persuasion truly in order? “I told you of life at my own Court. Won’t you share some of yours?”

Having lost some of his feverish drive, Yuga lowered his gaze to his sketchbook, scribbling away. “Oh, I suppose it’s harmless enough.”

His eyes calmly lidded, Yuga settled into a more lighthearted pace. Juggling the weaving of a tale and sketching a model seemingly lulled him into a more pleasant mood. Or, perhaps, a smothered one, only staving off an inevitable explosion of creative impulse. Whether his delight to talk about himself would keep that mess at bay remained to be seen – but, Ghirahim knew, their egos were of nigh equal size. He had an idea that it would hold.

So, Yuga recollected his life’s tale, for as far as he wished to share it.“My usurpation was a slow one… If it was one at all. I thought to stretch out my time as an advisor until little Hilda rose to the throne, and I am thoroughly satisfied with my decision.”

Ghirahim made a further inquiry with a glance and a subtle rise of the brow, but even movement so small got him a scolding. One flick on his sitter’s bare skin later, Yuga resumed his tale. “It’s not like my home in Sakusa was lacking in any way, but it was less… Indulgent. And by far more egalitarian! A world where your every need is accounted for by servants was fully alien to me, and I took to it readily. I do so enjoy to preen, and be preened, as you know.”

Ghirahim responded with a loaded hum, bringing a smile to Yuga’s face. “Times were drastic, with monsters running rampant and more and more pieces of our land falling to the void. But the Court was a realm all of its own, where I could mingle with courtiers, advisors, and scholars all I pleased. It was hard work, certainly – I juggled jobs from royal portraiture to the young Lady’s education, but tasks outside my contract took far more of my time, I reckon. Gossip is never mere gossip in a Palace, as you know. It is veritable politics!”

Chewing oh-so-undignified, absentmindedly on the blunt end of his pencil, Yuga hummed, mulling on his earlier confidence. “No, I took to simply enjoying my time until the ruling King and Queen, so fortunately, passed on early. My poor, beautiful Hilda, only fourteen winters she’d lived before her orphaning. Of course, a ruler so young needed a regent… How lucky I was! I hadn’t even plotted their demise, yet I benefited from it, all the more,” Yuga cackled to himself, before a more manic spark lit in his eye. Graphite crumbled under the pressure of his pushing against the canvas. Each wild stroke of his pencil rushed forebodingly against the paper, interrupted only by the grating squeaks of scrawling. “And how satisfying it was to gaze down at those who glared at me with judging eyes. One so lowly, marshes-born, now puppeteering their Princess at the throne.”

Paper wore underneath the unrelenting push of his straining, bony hands, and Yuga snapped back to focus with a gasp. “... Oh, look at me! I’ve gotten your jawline all wrong. I’ll need another page…”

For once, the lamentless Lorian seemed embarrassed about his burst of anger, in how hastily he cowered by his supply cabinet. After the rustling of paper died out, Ghirahim addressed him carefully. “I take it your fortune, too, did not last, then.”

“No, it did not,” Yuga sighed, again taking his seat beside him. His expression softened, then, an overcast sky clearing out into white puffy clouds, the sun concealed behind them. “But under this King… I don’t know, Ghirahim. I have a good feeling. Apart we may be, though it pains me, I feel just as confident by his side.”

Apart. Yuga had not divulged the full details, but his bond with the Master was a peculiar one, in his time. A soul-bond, not unlike his own with Demise… And though he could see it pained Yuga to cast its possibility aside, he made peace with it, somehow. A bond he once lived for, now reduced to a nostalgic daydream, and compromised through mere company. Ghirahim was perplexed. How could anyone manage such a thing?

Surely, he would not have to.

That following day was once again one of scolding. A crackled bruise, perilously just barely concealed by the strap of his top, besmirched his collarbone. Of course, he could rid himself of such petty ailments in an instant, but he had a bit of a weak spot for such souvenirs of affection. 

Yuga did not share the sentiment. The second he laid his bare body on the swooning couch, the Lorian let out a scandalized cry and demanded he get rid of it. Ghirahim obeyed his request, mostly because he feared the bulging vein at his painter’s neck would burst if he didn’t.

With everything once again perfectly going according to Yuga’s wishes, their usual lighthearted chatter resumed. Ghirahim shimmied comfortably into the pillows. Frankly, Yuga wasn’t the only one intently studying an object of interest. With so much eye contact, Ghirahim took the opportunity to get a good look at his painter. He was aged, certainly, but not thoroughly so. Careful maintenance of his skin resulted in a rich sheen, but even that could not stave off the tellings of papery wrinkles at his eyes and nose. Above all, Yuga was excessively flashy, adorning himself with different colors each day. Today, a fresh gradient of lime-green and blue seemed to be his idea of ‘tasteful’. 

Something else caught his eye, though. A little something that has irked him nearly every time they met. “You know, Yuga, something has been bothering me.”

Yuga laughed, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Have mercy, no!”

“It concerns your choice of accessories,” Ghirahim replied, snagging his curious gaze with a squint of his eyes. “I daresay, either I’m as much of a trendsetter as I expected to be, or you think to steal my thunder.”

For a moment, Yuga seemed confused. His eyes similarly squinted, bringing more and more of those flashy cosmetics on his lids to light. Realization struck, and he exclaimed a laugh. “The earrings, you mean? I thought it was a funny coincidence myself,” he snickered, prodding at the cyan gem dangling from his earlobe. “I assure you, I’ve owned these years before meeting your lovely acquaintance.”

Ghirahim puckered his lips, pondering. “And yet, I don’t consider the two of us close enough companions to start matching our looks.”

Yuga quickly retreated behind his canvas. “Don’t be so drastic, dear boy,” he chimed, waving a clawed hand past the canvas to pacify him. “Besides, they’re not entirely similar. Yours are perfect diamonds, whereas mine are more teardrop-shaped.”

“Not everyone has your painter’s eye, Yuga, the layfolk won’t notice such details,” Ghirahim sighed, now more playful than making any serious demands. Really, he just wanted to confirm the coincidence… But Yuga always had a habit of running away with his every word, out of sheer fondness of his company. At least, he could only assume. Still. in that fondness, blunders arose. Ghirahim wanted this one corrected post-haste. “Speaking of. You seem to be making quite a few assumptions about my age.”

Yuga’s hiding was quickly cut short. Red curls bounced into view as he quickly peeked past the canvas, his mouth tight with embarrassment. “Am I? You must beg my pardon, but if you are my senior, then I must ask you to refer me to whoever blends your cosmetics.”

Ghirahim hummed, idly observing his pearlescent nails. He truly did prefer being in control of the conversation! “I assume you are no older than… Give or take, fifteen-thousand. Are you?” He drawled, cocking his brow with a smirk.

Yuga’s eyes widened, a gasp escaping him as he hurried back to his painting. If the revealing of his age seemed to motivate him into a burst of inspiration… Well, it was a worrying idea. Ever-astounded, Yuga continued to babble. “My! Demon lifespans, of course. No, I regret to say I’ve not even walked this life for a century. I must seem positively juvenile to you!”

Dropping back into his practiced pose, Ghirahim let out a laugh. “No comment,” he said at last, bullying his companion into an effective silence.

With the campaign for Death Mountain on the horizon, their free hours grew fewer and fewer, as did the opportunities to meet up during Yuga’s preferred hours of lighting. That day was one of rare fortune where they had three hours to spend under the bright afternoon sun – and not a minute more. Major qualms arose that day when Ghirahim made a last-minute adjustment to his accessory; a gift, he claimed. Yuga cared absolutely none for it. He was too proud of the rendering on his trademark blue diamond earring and refused to paint over it for simple pearls and larimars. 

And so, the sword spirit lay there huffing and grumbling, leaving his portraitist to work on everything except the insufferable pout he was giving him.

To make matters worse, Ghirahim interjected with another inconvenience. “Ah, yes. My apologies, I forgot to tell you. I’ve gotten a little tangled up and double-booked. Zant might drop by for a visit.”

Not looking up from his canvas, Yuga smeared more purples together on his palette. “So long as you stay still, you can invite the whole palace over, for all I care.”

As foretold, an hour into their appointment, a knock at the door caught them both by surprise. After the chime of Yuga’s response, the door opened, and Zant slipped through.

… Who immediately gasped in scandal over the scene before him. “Ghirahim,” he exclaimed, approaching the canvas timidly to hide from him, finding his depiction easier to shelter with. “I understood that you were to model for your portrait, but… A nude!? ”

“Indeed,” Ghirahim laughed, tilting his head coquettishly. “Yuga and I decided extravagant clothing would only distract from my features. This form is far more representative of me, no?”

Zant seemingly mustered up the courage to face him, as he stepped out into the open. What a calf! They’ve bedded before, what was the issue now? “Well! Such a portrait is made to be viewed, is it not? Would you have yourself displayed in such a way, for others to see?”

Ghirahim was now more amused by his bugging than annoyed. This was no standard prudishness, there was a weakness somewhere. A soft underbelly just begging to be jabbed into. “If I did not, I wouldn’t be lying here as we speak. I have the feeling you have an issue with it, though.”

And there was the reaction he hoped for! Zant’s cheeks flushed instantly, a stammer rising from his throat. His hands retreated quickly in his sleeves, a tassel or two yanked inside each for nervous fingers to fiddle with. “Issues? No, no strict objections! I simply… If you were to, say, bare yourself, before those outside of me, I would at least wish to hear about it beforehand!”

Unimpressed, but committed to his bullying, Ghirahim cocked a brow. “Mm. And, were I to tell you, would you forbid me from doing as I wish? Do you demand such strict monogamy from me?”

“You are too hasty! Now, of course, as your companion, I would have certain… Inhibitions, about,” Zant rambled anxiously, until he suddenly remembered his whereabouts. His helmet quickly clattered to cover his face. “Must we do this in front of Yuga?”

Yuga responded with great nonchalance, perfectly masking his intrigue with the carefree dapping of his brush. “Oh, pretend I’m not here.”

Immediately Zant whipped around, highly agitated. “As if! Gossiping fiend you are, Lord of Lorule!” Crossing his arms with a huff, Zant seemed to take a moment to cool down. Perhaps the sun bothered him – it was noon, after all, and the room far too bright for his Twilit complexion. “Fine. Paint away, it is no concern of mine. Ghira and I will resume this conversation at a later time.”

Ghirahim smirked, endeared by the nickname that slipped his tongue. “I have all the time in the world now.”

His tranquility from seconds ago faded very quickly. “Your distaste for privacy never fails to baffle me!”

Feeling victorious, Ghirahim finally released him from his teasing and sunk back comfortably into the sofa. “Of course. Well, what did you need me for, anyway?”

With a bit of a whine, Zant composed himself. His arms dropped back down to his sides in an effort to seem calm, and he approached. “I was hoping to pen myself into your schedule – We’ll need an entire day, after all. And, well, I will be more than happy to enjoy your company after we settle this…”

Yuga hummed with great intrigue. “Planning something big, now, are you?”

Ghirahim leaned his head to try and peep past the canvas blocking the Lorian from his view. “Whatever happened to ‘not being here’, Lord Yuga?”

Pretending that exchange never happened, Zant continued. “As I said. I shall have my preparations done by to-morrow. Would the day after suit your schedule?”

His inner calendar visualized behind his eyelids, Ghirahim pondered. “Not a chance, I’m afraid,” Ghirahim shook his head. “Captain Imanu requested my presence on the training fields that noon.”

Their squabble to find a single day they could spend was challenging. The available dates were, after all, incredibly limited, and their time was short. In the end, he would have to shuffle around a few appointments to clear this single day… But none of his underlings would dare lift a finger to disagree with him, either way. Less enthused he was about divulging his agenda to both of them at once.

Zant seemed pleased by the end of it, though. Invigorated by the chance to show his forte, his confidence returned to him. Spinning on his heels, he turned to the mass of painting behind him. “With that out of the way… Yuga, you would not mind I have a proper glance at your work, would you? I am most curious.”

Engrossed in his work, Yuga scoffed, his brush halting for not even a second. Grasping its chewed end between his ring and pinky finger, he momentarily removed the spare brush held in his mouth to speak. “My permission matters little, I believe. You’d sneak a peek either way. It’s hardly a subtle canvas.”

Taking his defeated tone as a ‘yes’, Zant eagerly cantered over to join Yuga’s side behind the canvas, leaving nothing visible but his black trousers and gaudy slippers. He gasped, cooed, and hummed, watching his machinations intently. “Words escape me, Yuga. You truly depict him well.” The Lorian’s reply was one of smug satisfaction, but soon, cahoots bloomed. A bit more hushed, Zant leaned closer and pulled him along in his schemes. “But you must not forget to sculpt the bridge of his nose more delicately. It is one of his finer features, in his words and mine, after all.”

Yuga took to this bout of accolades with great enthusiasm. Words of praise poured from him with the same ease as he breathed. Zant was more discreet, then, taking to admiring him through the proxy of his portrait. But Ghirahim knew his intentions, and he struggled to conceal the flush it brought to his cheeks. To be admired so thoroughly by two at once, both with drastically different intentions… How intoxicating! How addictive! He was beauty incarnate, he was a lover. Moonbeam, stars, and sun; pearls and silver shimmers in the heat of the desert. He was art . The next hour-and-a-half would be torture on his composure, he could see it already.

Days flew by, hours to paint snuck between sessions of diplomacy and military training. Just when Ghirahim thought the painting to be finished, it seemed last-minute adjustments were in order. Yuga announced his displeasure with a shrill grunt, steam nearly spouting from his nostrils. “I have made up my mind!”

Never did Ghirahim think he could tire of lounging in such a comfortable pose. Thus he refused to do so, sitting straight in his usual spot. Arms folded, he watched Yuga lug around vase after vase to place them wherever he desired. “Whatever could be buzzing about in that skull of yours this time?”

Petals caught in his curls, Yuga looked disheveled as if he’d gotten caught in a rose bush. “Flowers! I need more of them. Far more!”

Oh, if only that clown could decide on where he wanted those vases already. The grinding of stone on stone was starting to grate Ghirahim’s ears. “Am I to develop a pollen allergy?”

Yuga snapped at him, dropping another armful of bouquets into a brass ewer. “I’ll make you develop rust if you don’t keep your snide little comments to yourself. Just let me work! ”

Wreathed in the cloud penstemons and marigolds, Ghirahim luxuriated for his final sitting. No matter if those flowers were like chains keeping him tied to this sofa. Yuga simply wasn’t the type of man you said no to. For now, he’d amuse himself with the gaunt shape hunched by the supply closet, mumbling and grumbling about running low on red pigments…

At long last, the painting was finished. His physique was intricately captured in warm tones, a picture so vivid the desert sun could be felt from its canvas alone, even in the chill of evening. Candles flickered against the just-dried varnish, the golden glow disturbed only by the shadows of the two men before it. Ghirahim had thrown his arms around Yuga’s shoulder in a side-hug, giddy as he was about the massive stroking of his ego. Even now, Yuga stood cooing and complimenting him, fiddling with his hair and rubbing over his gloves. 

Yet he unlatched himself very quickly when the door creaked open, an unlikely, massive form ducking through. King Ganondorf Dragmire stood at the doorway, his expression gruff, but with a light spark of intrigue.

“I heard tell of another portrait,” he said, causing Ghirahim’s core to drop heavily in his chest.

Yuga, on the other hand, was nothing but excessively fair-tempered. “Ah, Milord! Perfect timing. I just had it framed!”

“Master Ganondorf,” he stammered. Ghirahim found a sudden heat rise in his chest. Embarrassed, he could never be, but suddenly, he found himself worried about such a depiction. Already he was uncertain how the Demon King would approve of such a vain subject as portraiture… But one so revealing? Among the audience of his form, displayed so lavishly, he hadn’t expected his Master. At least, not until he could estimate his reaction! 

The redness in his cheeks made his life that much more miserable when, concealed behind Ganondorf’s massive form, Zant slipped into the atelier, his hands folded at his back. Ghirahim gritted his teeth, pointedly avoiding the Twili’s gaze. He could still turn this around! “How honored I am to meet you at this unveiling! It’s a gorgeous painting, wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed,” Ganondorf rumbled, marching over to stand by his side. The first hints of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips as his eyes explored the painting, drinking in its sandy yellows and warm purples. With one blink of heavy lids, his eyes turned to the blade beside him. “It suits you, Ghirahim.”

It suited him. That it did! But how intimately did his Master understand? How his sensuality was within his reach, if only he would call upon it? His head turned to a misty whirlpool all on its own, swimming with thoughts of past affections and potential ones in the future. Now Ganondorf not only acknowledged but praised this side of him. They viewed this masterpiece in joint silence, and Ghirahim thought to keep it that way, lest he fumbled any future chances at intimacy.

A clear of the throat immediately snapped Ghirahim back to reality. His co-lieutenants seemed similarly affected. Though Ganondorf’s expression darkened, it looked almost like compensation… Did he imagine the darkened red over his ears and nose? A trick of the candlelight? No, Master. You cannot hide any temperature rises from this sword. 

Yet any smugness was quickly stifled by the Demon King’s words. “I am aware Lord Yuga performs his best when I leave him to vent his creative pursuits. However, Blade, do not let me notice this… Side project, burdening the upcoming campaign.”

Ghirahim quickly shook his head, appeasing him with a bow. “I would not dream of it, Master.”

Ganondorf seemed satisfied with the answer. He took one last look at the painting, then at the men responsible for it, and with a curt nod, turned to make his leave.

They stood in a polite line before the painting, all half-bowing to salute their King farewell. With Ganondorf now halfway down the hall, the concept of decorum became entirely alien to Ghirahim. He yanked Zant down by the sleeve, prompting him to shriek, as he hissed with equal ire and mirth into his ear. “You brought him here, didn’t you, you villain?”

Zant’s fear quickly turned to amusement. “What a mischief-maker you take me for! I only mentioned off-handedly that your portrait was finished, and his curiosity took him for a walk on his own accord!”

“Mmmh… How convenient that would be for me!” Ghirahim snarled, baring his teeth. Zant yelped once more when his ear was tugged. “Such praise and interest from my Master, unprovoked? You try to sell dreams to me.”

Shaking himself free, Zant responded to his ramblings with a grin, his teeth like spikes jutting out from his gums with a meaty shk. He loomed toward him, pressing his lips to where Ghirahim’s hair draped between his ear and his temple and crooned. “I could pinch you, and see if you wake…”

A subtle gesture of his head toward Yuga served to remind Zant they were not alone, his irrepressible affections once again making him forget all about his sense of honor. The shrill laughter that followed almost drowned out the mechanical whirring of a helmet, hastily assembled over a flushing face.

Almost.

[linked-history]

Not really one of the Links nor were these two supposed to be next (It was supposed to be Captain) But I got hit with inspiration and wanted to work on them next so Ya'll get Fi and Ghirahim, as well as their sword forms.

You may noticed that their appearances are not what they are typically depicted but as I've mentioned before with my Ravio redesign, Fierce Diety, and first Hero, I really wanted to pull more from the Zonai since we haven't got a lot to go off of and I read that as having complete free reign to do as I please.

As always further information is below the cut.

Right away I knew I wanted the two to have a deeper connection to the first hero in general, though I'm still debating on how deep the connection is. They would've grown up together with Fi and Ghirahim being orphaned but is it more of a sibling bond or did Link basically raise them I'm still debating on that.

The two siblings would have the ability of a "Perfect Shell" turning their bodies into a type of metal never seen before on the surface, this metal is near indestructible, though using it does limit their mobility.

After Link falls to Ganon(Malice), Hylia begins planning for the far future when she and Link are reincarnated and realize that without any memories Link would be unable to truly succeed so Fi and Ghirahim step forward, offering themselves to be remade, should they cover themselves in their "Perfect Shells" they feel no pain so they would offered to be forged into the companions for Link and guide his reincarnation.

WITH THE FIRST HERO

It is after Link had gone to the remaining Zonai for help that Fi and Ghirahim would join him on the surface during the Corruption War between those on the surface and the spreading Malice.

Fi is forged into the Goddess Blade while Ghirahim is forged into the Heroes Blade, sadly Malice once again intervened and Ghirahim was corrupted similar to Ganon. Before she loses what remains of her strength Hylia sends as many inhabitants of the surface above the clouds, to the sanctuary that Link always spoke fondly of.

The Zonai became guardian spirits and later guardian companions to the descendants of those sent above the clouds, while Fi remained sealed, waiting for the time that her reincarnated family would need her aid. Ghirahim was forced to lay in wait on the surface, until Hylia was reincarnated to awaken his master.

After the first hero succeeds she decides she will no longer show herself to the heroes, the pain of not being remembered while being forced to see pieces of a loved one hurt too deep. Though some heroes swear they had heard a voice deep in the night when nightmares plagued them singing a hauntingly familiar tune, or they'll wake up with injuries they were unable to care for when they collapsed suddenly bandaged. those with companions travelling with them will ask but their questions are typically left unanswered.

FI

When Fi reawakens in her spirit form to aid the reincarnation of her family she is stricken by how familiar but also how completely different they are from the family she lost, during this first journey she grows close to the hero, her family's reincarnated soul though emotionally distances herself, hurt that while this is her Link they really aren't.

He realizes that the individual that wields him carries the fragments of Link, though its been fractured to the point that it is no longer familiar and any memories that it may have held were gone. Ghirahim remains a constant companion to this fragmented individual who becomes a type of guardian deity of this strange world where familar faces are locked away.

GHIRAHIM

After the defeat of Demise, the corruption that had been removed from Ganon taking on a form of its own, Ghirahim is left in a void type of space, unaware of the passage of time and carrying scars left from his time under Malice's control. When he is awoken he realizes his blade has a new appearance and the one that holds his blade is achingly familiar though missing something.

He learns that it was once of prison, though now it open and those trapped within rebuild and make new lives for themselves. He watches a strange kingdom rise as the faces around him change and are altered by the strange world around him, he is once again sealed, though this time he is more aware of the world around him.

Ghirahim is then later wielded by someone new, someone who again feels so achingly familiar though completely different. He goes with this individual, who he learns is named Ravio, on four adventures (Even helping a small island return to the world of light). On the one later adventure he is brought with Ravio into the world of Light, meet the island girl they saved and Ghirahim is reunited with Fi for a short time as well, before he and Ravio return to their own realm.

I hope it wasn't too confusing though I'm going to try and flesh out my timeline and events a little more so everything is more cohesive, I'm realizing as I'm working on these and adding more that some of the details, (Mainly for events that interlap) seem to be getting a little muddy so sometime in the future I'll make a more cohesive timeline.

[dark-angel-of-muses]

Went back to play Skyward Sword, and I'd like to do an appreciation post for how expressive Link is in this game. It's better in motion, they give him a lot of good acting, but even in stills you can tell.

Sleepy boy

Look how happy he is to see Zelda

Surprised and terrified

Look how sad he is! Lool at the framing of the camera showing how much he cares about Zelda!!!

They really let him be disgusted and terrified of Ghirahim. He is so ready to bolt if his friend weren't at stake.

He's so angry and disappointed when he finds Zelda again only to be told he's a failure that doesn't deserve to see her because he was too late.

I love how they animate him jamming on his harp, he gets so into every song, you can see how he enjoys dueting with Fi a lot.

Can't forget this absolute gem, where he clearly has no idea what the hell Zelda is talking about. Either that or he is so physically unable to take a compliment he just blue screens. Either way, love this goofy child.

The moment he realized Zelda is trying to pay penance by being locked as a living seal on Demise, the desperation in his face as he runs up to her. *chefs kiss*

And then when he realizes she's Gone. It's so heartbreaking, and you can tell he needs that second to collect himself before he turns his back on her to continue on his quest. The sound design and voice acting really helps elevate this too.

Also! How much he loves music!!! Every time a dragon sings for Link, he basks in it, he loves listening and playing music so much and it's a really sweet detail they convey entirely through his expressions.

Look at them laughing together! He's so happy!!

And the pure unadulterated Rage when Ghirahim steals away Zelda.

They gave him a nose crinkle texture!! And the added dramatic lighting. Ghirahim my boy you done fucked up!

How much you can tell he Hates Demise. Beyond the times he was angry at Ghirahim, this is a cold, determined willingness to kill this so-called God that just took away Zelda from him.

This bittersweet expression, where he has to say Goodbye to Fi. You can tell he's happy this is all over, but conflicted at having to lose his friend, especially since Fi is essentially just taking over for Zelda here in an eternal slumber.

And even without dialogue options, you know Link's answer when Zelda essentially asks if he'll live with her on the surface together. You can see it's a resounding Yes.

[lulu2992]

My beaded creations

And now, the rest of my collection.

Part 2: Alphabet beads

A simple “The Legend of Zelda” bracelet on the left, and on the right, a design inspired by the Sages’ Medallions from Ocarina of Time, but in French: Lumière (Light), Ombre (Shadow), Esprit (Spirit), Eau (Water), Feu (Fire), and Forêt (Forest). Fire is dark pink instead of red but it works.

A very long necklace (can also be worn as a very thick bracelet) made of all the Zelda games’ titles. Each section is independent so more can be easily added when new games are released. Also, if it breaks, I don’t have to remake the whole thing...

Bracelets and rings for a few fictional characters:

Bracelets: Midona (Midna’s French name, from Twilight Princess) — Ghirahim (Skyward Sword) — Babydoll (Sucker Punch) — Vaas Montenegro (Far Cry 3) — Lakshmana Min (Far Cry 4).

Rings: Babydoll — Ghirahim — Vaas.

A few quotes from Sucker Punch:

You see, your fight for survival starts right now. You don’t want to be judged? You won’t be. You don’t think you’re strong enough? You are. You’re afraid, don’t be. You have all the weapons you need. Now fight. (Vera Gorski)

You are safe, it’s all safe. — Now relax, and just let go. (Vera Gorski)

Let the pain go. — Let the hurt go. — Let the guilt go. (Vera Gorski)

Everyone has an angel. (Sweet Pea) — Defend yourself. (The Wiseman)

Bracelets inspired by Far Cry 3:

Vaas’ famous quote: The world is on a diagonal. — I am the balancing point.

Left: Quote from Citra: Rage against the darkness.

Right: Please define “insanity”.

Quote from one of the trailers, “The Savages: Vaas & Buck”: We’re not the savages. — We are the shepherds. (Buck Hughes)

Two quotes (in French) from two songs in Beauty and the Beast I think are cool:

Left: In the French version of “Beauty and the Beast”, “Histoire Éternelle” (it means “Eternal Story”), Madame Samovar (Mrs. Potts) sings C’est vrai, c’est étrange/De voir comme on change/Sans même y penser (“It’s true, it is strange to see how we change without even thinking about it”). The original English lyrics are Bittersweet and strange/Finding you can change/Learning you were wrong. I think about this quote (the French one) often…

Right: In “Belle”, the villagers sing La tête ailleurs et ce petit air audacieux/D'un chat sauvage sous une ombrelle (“In her own head and with this little daring look of a wild cat under an umbrella”) to describe Belle, and I love this description. In English, it was simply Look, there she goes, that girl is strange, no question/Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?

Two other French quotes, this time from video games:

Left: In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, when Gaepora sees Fi (Fay in French), he quotes a few ancient words: Le guide de l'enfant, hors de l'épée s'élance. Juvéniles sont ses traits, mais grande est sa sapience (“The child’s guide, out of the sword leaps. Juveniles are her features, but great is her sapience”). I really like that we had rhyming alexandrines in French. The English localization said, “The youth will be guided by one born of the blade--one who is also youthful in likeness yet wise with knowledge immeasurable.”

Right: Quote from Child of Light. When he appears and notices Aurora crying, Igniculus says: Quelqu’un pourrait-il m’expliquer/Comment, sans pluie, l’eau peut tomber ? The original English line (Will someone please explain/How water falls with no rain?) means the same thing, but I just liked how it sounded in French. Also, to be honest, the alphabet beads I bought are for French people and we barely use the letter W, so I didn’t have enough W beads :’)

More video game quotes, this time in English. One is from BioShock 2 and the other is from Far Cry 5:

Left: Evil is just a word; under the skin, it’s simple pain. (Eleanor Lamb)

Right: Cherish this feeling. Let it carry you. (John Seed)

Three more English quotes I like:

Left: The Alice In Wonderland quote that appears at the beginning of Far Cry 3: In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.

Center: Quote from the FFVII Remake announcement trailer (E3 2015): The reunion at hand may bring joy; it may bring fear. But let us embrace whatever it brings, for they are coming back.

Right: Lyrics from the song “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella: No matter how your heart is grieving/If you keep on believing/The dream that you wish will come true.

Finally, here are two quotes from Lady Gaga songs:

Left: Don’t be a drag, just be a queen/Don’t be a drag, just be a queen/Don’t be a drag, just be a queen (“Born This Way” - Born This Way)

Right: It’s not a statement as much as just a move of passion (“Aura” - ARTPOP)

Thank you for looking at my beads :)

[casiavium]

exhausted the music I like listening to so to pass time at work I've started listening to cast recordings of musicals I liked in high school. Which is fun because I haven't listened to them in a while but also not fun because I have come to the realization of just how much influence stuff like Heathers, Be More Chill, and fucking Hamilton has on my writing to this day

[totally-correct-oot-skord]

Demise: You are an absolute fool. Ghirahim, singing: Yeah, but I'm your fool! Demise: *sighs* Yeah, you're my fool.

[mistresslrigtar]

Coming in September!

Summary: After meeting their final semester in grad school, Zelda and Link’s budding relationship is going fantastic–until they return from their summer road trip and soon after, a scandalous article about them is published in the Rumor Mill. On top of which, Link discovers Revali is in talks with a producer to go solo. With Ganondorf still in rehab, their band, Hyrule Warriors, doesn’t need another setback. Meanwhile, Zelda’s new sponsor, the handsome, sophisticated, and intelligent Dr. Ghirahim has his sights set on her for more than her ground-breaking research. Can Zelda and Link’s relationship survive the scrutiny of trashy tabloids, the disapproval of her parents, and the outside forces that threaten to come between them?

Snippet:

“Just ‘cause I know it doesn’t mean I like it.” Link resumes playing the piano, the melody of Indigo-go’s top ten hit Lay All Your Love on Me filling the small apartment. She hadn’t recognized it at first because of the slower tempo Link is taking so she can follow along. “What comes next, Zel?"

At this her laughter stops and Zelda’s heart begins to race. Grabbing her drink, she gulps down the sweet soda, parching her sudden thirst. She swallows too quickly and feels the cool liquid travel all the way to her stomach. The slightly sour aftertaste makes her salivate, and she’s forced to swallow again. There’s no way she’s going to embarrass herself and sing in front of him. It doesn’t take a master’s degree in science to know that her strength doesn’t lie in her vocals. Once she’s able to speak again she answers with a firm, “No.”

“Come on, I bet you have a beautiful voice,” Link cajoles, nudging her with his elbow. “I won’t laugh.”

Zelda rolls her eyes, but she knows he won’t let up until she gives in, so she might as well get it over with. “Fine,”–she takes another swig of her soda, coating her throat with the syrupy drink–“but the next time you come to visit my lab I’m going to make you dissect a flower.”

“Deal. Seal it with a kiss?” He leans toward her, and Zelda is suddenly acutely aware of his bare thigh pressed next to hers. There’s a faint sheen of sweat above his upper lip, and when their lips meet, the faint taste of salt mixes with the sweet flavor of the voltfruit soda that lingers on her tongue. Zelda marvels that he’s still able to play without looking where to move his hands next as they kiss. She’s disappointed when it ends too quickly.

[pocketramblr]

writing patterns tag game

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there’s a pattern!

Tagged by @aimportantdragoncollector

A Matchless Match- Tensei was shoved to the floor and didn’t move.

Valentine's Day Vaulting- Inko knew she was lucky in her husband.

Your Familiar (Like a Mirror)- Mirio swished his tail as he and Tamaki followed the crowd of students after the blue-haired woman towards the Familiars Hall.

scarcely can speak for my thinkin'- Yoichi curled into his chest as they sat on the floor.

Still Begin to Sing it Again- The knight glanced at the door the princess would enter through when she was done breaking her fast in her quarters.

How to Comfort Someone Having a Nightmare in Three Easy Steps- Step one: Be awake yourself.

With Hearts Still Beating - Yoichi panted as he flew through the trees with less grace than a drunk fairy, dropping and struggling to stay in the air. 

A Fun Tale for Playthings- Time blinked awake with a groan- then he stopped as he heard metal scrape stone.

Two Roads Diverged- David blinked.

I will not ask and neither should you- Izuku’s words tumbled from his lips in a mess as he clutched the notebook- the notebook with All Might’s signature!

Pattern: if I don't establish who's pov we're in by the third word of the fic, I Will Die.

And then... @gentrychild tagged me too and asked for ten more so... The next ten posted...

Call Me Down From the Sky- The portal spat them all out on an island.

The Mortifying Ordeal of (Your Dad) Being Known- “I want to go home.”

Finding What's Lost- Chisaki was still squirming in his bounds as she carried him over her shoulders up the temple steps.

Need of Vittles- Amajiki pushed the door to the camp’s kitchen open and set down the pot of water he’d brought in with a soft grunt.

Like Fire in Your Veins- Hyrule almost fell asleep there, on the cold floor in front of the throne.

Hand Over Hand - “Rauru Town.” The Traveler sighed with relief- they’d stepped through the portal into his era, but their waterskins had been running low already in the Sailor’s seas.

Would You Be So Kind?- Masaki was good at reading people.

Seeing Though a Glass Dimly- “Finally.” Ghirahim dug his claws deeper into Sky’s arms, sending a spasm through the numbing muscles.

How to Forge a Chain in Nine Easy Links- Yui studied the portal with a frown.

Run the World- A flash of light sent the three men tumbling to the ground.

Pattern: I did use to tend to establish pov quickly, but not as much as more recent ones, also more dialogue, and almost half start with portals. Interesting...

Anyway tagging uhh whoever wants to do this! Because I have no idea who has been tagged yet or who hasn't been. (Y'all only have to do ten...)