Chapter Text
It wasn't supposed to go like this.
Years of planning, generations even, and it was all for naught. Calamity Ganon had taken over the castle and spread his malice across all of Hyrule. It infected the Guardians; beings so strong and now deadly as they turned their weapons against the very beings they were created to protect. Even worse, his malice had reached the Divine Beasts, turning Hyrule's last defense against them, too, and trapping their pilots, and Eijirou's closest friends, inside for eternity.
Ganon's power was too strong, Eijirou's too weak. Not even Katsuki could defeat him with his lifetime of training and supremacy of the legendary Master Sword. But instead of staying and trying to evacuate the injured or join those on the front lines, they fled. Eijirou doesn't want to go, he keeps looking back and digging his heels into the earth, but Katsuki's stronger than him and manages to pull him away from the castle, the only home Eijirou knows, and deep within the forest. He doesn't know where they are going, he doubts Katsuki knows either, they just keep running.
Eijirou looks back, trying to see the castle despite leaving it far behind, and trips over a protruding root. His hand slips from Katsuki's grasp as he crashes to the ground, mud splattering his body that is quickly washed away by the pouring rain. Katsuki is by his side in mere moments, silently urging him up, but Eijirou's body cannot move any farther.
"How? How did this happen?" Eijirou begs, tears mixing with the rain as they slide down his face. "We planned for everything! How has Ganon corrupted them all against us?"
Katsuki's usual silence infuriates Eijirou and he pounds his fists into Katsuki's chest, demanding answers despite knowing how unfair it is to ask such from him. After all, this isn't Katsuki's fault, it's Eijirou's. He was the one responsible for sealing Ganon away after his mother died and he failed, letting Ganon spread his malice upon his land and hurting his people.
His people who he's abandoning.
An earth-shattering wail escapes Eijirou's lips and he collapses into Katsuki's waiting arms. "I left them all to die! What kind of monster am I?"
"You are not a monster," Katsuki reassures, gently stroking Eijirou's hair. "We will find a way to stop him, a way to unlock your sealing powers."
Another wave of despair washes over Eijirou and he sobs again. This cursed power is most to blame for Ganon's rise. Despite his pleas, the Goddess Hylia ignored him and refused to show him the way. Eijirou is convinced it is a divine punishment somehow.
"I can't stop him. My powers are still dormant and I'm useless without them!"
Katsuki roughly pushes him away, still close enough to remain in his arms but enough to look into his eyes. "You are not useless. Don't ever say that again!"
"But-"
"No!" Katsuki interrupts. "You. Are. Not. Useless," he says, enunciating every word. "I don't know how we will fix this, but we will!"
Eijirou doesn't argue even though he wants to. He knows that he isn't the answer, that he was never the answer, but maybe Katsuki is. It will be difficult to beat Ganon without the help of the Guardians, the Divine Beasts, or Eijirou's powers, but if anyone can do it, it's Katsuki. He nods, sudden determination etching his features and Katsuki softens ever so slightly.
"Where to?" Katsuki asks.
"Kakariko. Impa will know what to do and what our next steps should be."
Katsuki nods and stands, holding his hand out for Eijirou to take. He does, and is about to stand when he's suddenly pushed right back to the ground. Katsuki stands over him, sword drawn. It's hard to see in the downpour, but after a few minutes of searching Eijirou sees what Katsuki is protecting him from.
Yiga.
The word is nearly foreign to Eijirou's mind but it comes eventually and it makes his stomach twist in fear. Though their presence has long infected Hyrule, never before had they been so active, so organized, in their mission to kill their enemies as they have been since the first whisperings of Ganon's return. The Yiga soldiers position themselves to attack and Katsuki to defend. Neither makes a move at first, and Eijirou swears that the entire world stills, save for the falling rain.
Then the Yiga charge.
It should've been an easy fight. Eijirou has seen Katsuki take down hoards of monsters before; he's even seen Katsuki defeat a lynel while barely breaking a sweat. But the Yiga are different, unknown. As fast as Katsuki can adapt to their quick attacks and teleportation magic, it's not fast enough, and one of the soldiers is able to leave a large gash on Katsuki's side.
Eijirou cries out as Katsuki curses in pain and uses a hand to staunch the blood as best as he can. The Yiga turn their focus back to Eijirou, and without thinking, he runs. He knows they're quick on his heel, but Eijirou doesn't waste a moment looking back to check on them to see just how close they are. Through the thick rain, Eijirou sees something in the distance but it's impossible to tell what it is exactly. Whatever it may be it causes Eijirou to run faster. When he gets a bit closer, Eijirou notices the high stone walls of what must be Fort Hateno. Relief shoots through him but it's short lived as one of the Yiga soldiers appears right in front of him. Eijirou tries to run in another direction but the other soldier blocks him. He looks around frantically and sees a sword a short distance away. Eijirou leaps for it and manages to pick it up after hitting the ground and rolling once. He grips the sword tightly and whirls to face his attackers. Eijirou may not be as proficient in swordsmanship as Katsuki but he can hold his own.
Again the Yiga stare at Eijirou for a moment, just as they had with Katsuki, before charging. Eijirou meets each swing of the Yiga's sickle with his own sword, defending himself well but never gaining the opportunity to attack. They're trying to wear him down but Eijirou refuses to falter; he refuses to fall to these monsters and let Ganon win after he's already taken so much from Eijirou and his people!
When Eijirou sees an opportunity to attack, he doesn't hesitate, he charges. The first soldier goes down and Eijirou tries to turn and attack the second one but his sword is knocked away before he can. It unbalances Eijirou and he falls to the ground, scrambling backwards as the Yiga soldier menacingly approaches him.
This can't be it! This can't be how Eijirou dies! The Yiga soldier raises his sickle and Eijirou feels a single, terrified tear slip down his face. He braces himself for the attack, his eyes closing instinctively, but nothing comes. Eijirou opens his eyes just in time to see the Yiga soldier falling before him, dead. Katsuki stands behind where the Yiga solider had been moments before, sword drawn and his body swaying slightly. Eijirou scrambles up and flings himself at Katsuki, wrapping his arms around him tightly as a single, relieved sob escapes him.
"Thank Hylia you're alright! Thank Hylia you saved me!" Eijirou weeps.
Katsuki tries to hug Eijirou back but he is too weak and ends up nearly falling. Eijirou catches him with ease and looks around. The rain has thankfully let up and Eijirou is able to see more clearly now. He was right, they are coming up on Fort Hateno. What Eijirou hadn't seen through the rain were the hoards of Guardians surrounding them.
One spots them and draws near. Eijirou's heart clenches in fear and he tries to pull Katsuki away, maybe they could hide in a tree or something; but Katsuki refuses and holds his ground, drawing his sword again even though it will do nothing against a Guardian.
"Katsuki! No!" Eijirou screams, trying to get Katsuki to move without making his injuries worse. "Please, Katsuki, go! Save yourself! Please! Katsuki!"
He isn't moving. Katsuki isn't moving! Eijirou pulls and pulls but Katsuki's weakened body has become as unmoving as a mountain. He would fulfill his oath and protect the crown, protect Eijirou, until his dying breath.
Eijirou will not allow that.
Something deep awakens inside him and he pushes Katsuki aside as the Guardian trains its laser on them. Eijirou holds his hand out high, just as he's been trained to do, and watches a brilliant golden beam erupt from his palm. The force of it all nearly knocks Eijirou down, but he plants his feet further into the ground as he lets his power loose onto the swarm of Guardians surrounding them. Guardian after Guardian fall around him, Ganon's malice shooting out of each corpse and disintegrating under Eijirou's radiant light.
When all of Ganon's malice has been banished, Eijirou stumbles. As if he's been hit, and he looks at his hand just in time to see a glimpse of the triforce before it disappears. He remembers seeing the same triforce appear on his mother's hand whenever she used powers. A laugh slips past Eijirou's lips. He's done it, after all this time he's unlocked the cursed power!
"I did it," Eijirou whispers breathlessly to himself. Elated, Eijirou turns back to Katsuki. "Katsuki I-"
Eijirou watches Katsuki collapse onto the earth.
"Katsuki!" Eijirou screams as he runs the short distance to Katsuki's side.
He scoops him up and cradles him close to his body. Blood, there's so much blood and nothing Eijirou can use to staunch it. That doesn't stop him from looking around desperately, however. Fort Hateno is close by but could Eijirou move Katsuki without killing him? Would Fort Hateno have the supplies needed to treat him? Was there anyone even left at Fort Hateno? Tears prick Eijirou's eyes but he doesn't let them fall for long. Crying isn't going to save Katsuki's life and Eijirou has to save Katsuki's life. Hyrule still needs him, Eijirou still needs Katsuki.
Distant galloping makes Eijirou's head snap upwards. Fear clutches his heart and Eijirou holds Katsuki closer. It's impossible to tell from this distance whether or not the strangers approaching are friend or foe. Eijirou looks down and brushes a piece of hair away from Katsuki's face. He's still, so still that it sends another spike of fear into his heart and Eijirou leans down to listen for his pulse, begging Hylia that it's still there.
It is, but it's faint and growing even fainter by the moment. Would Katsuki make it? The chances seem slimmer and slimmer with each passing second. What would Hyrule do if their legendary hero passed away? What would Eijirou do? Because he cannot imagine a life without Katsuki by his side. Through thick and thin they've always remained at each other's side.
A small noise pulls Eijirou out of his worried spiral. He looks around until his gaze lands on the Master Sword. Eijirou stares at it intently, willing it to make more noise as he's sure that's where the noise originates, and it does just that, much to Eijirou's shock. It doesn't speak, not in the traditional sense, but Eijirou understands it all the same and it lights a fire inside his chest. Katsuki is going to make it. He will still be able to save Hyrule!
"Your Majesty!"
Eijirou looks up just in time to see two men racing up to them on horseback. They barely stop their steeds in time before climbing off and kneeling in front of Eijirou. Though Eijirou doesn't know these men by name, he knows from the insignia on their chest they're from the Sheikah tribe and that they are to be trusted.
"Take Katsuki to the Shrine of Resurrection," Eijirou orders. "He is gravely injured and this is his one hope for survival!"
"But what about you? You can't be left alone."
"I will be fine," Eijirou assures. "You have to take him. Please, he must live!"
It's clear the men don't like Eijirou's order with how they glance at each other and furrow their brows. It's clear they're even thinking about disobeying. Anger ignites inside Eijirou's chest and he sits up straighter.
"Take Katsuki to the Shrine of Resurrection! Now! Or the blood of thousands of Hylians will be on your hands!" Eijirou orders.
That snaps the men to attention. They bow again and one races off, shouting that he's going to look for a cart while the other draws near to inspect Katsuki's wounds.
"I have cloth that can stop the bleeding temporarily."
The man pulls a few strips of cloth from his bag and Eijirou reluctantly loosens his hold on Katsuki so the man can wrap him up. The other man returns with a cart as the first one ties the final knot into place. Katsuki groans and Eijirou makes a gentle shushing noise to soothe him. He leans down and presses a soft kiss to Katsuki's temple before relinquishing his hold entirely and watches the men load Katsuki into the cart.
"Give this to Impa," Eijirou says, handing one of the men his Sheikah Slate. "Tell her to give it to Katsuki when he wakes. He will need it."
"Won't you still need it, Your Majesty?"
"No," Eijirou responds without further explanation. "Be swift but also be careful; the future of Hyrule is solely in your hands now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two men leave one of their horses with Eijirou and they are about to ride off when Eijirou stops them. He'd been so focused on Katsuki that Eijirou didn't notice the way he'd been addressed. Your Majesty. It creates a pit in his stomach and he almost doesn't have the courage to ask.
"M-my father?"
The men glance at each other before one of them shakes his head slowly. Tears prick at Eijirou's eyes as he stares numbly at the earth. His father, gone just like that. In mere hours, Eijirou has lost friends, his kingdom, his entire family, and he still might lose Katsuki if they aren't fast enough. No, no, Eijirou will not lose Katsuki, too. He refuses. Scrubbing his eyes, Eijirou lifts his gaze and stares resolutely at the men.
"Do not worry about me. You must worry about Katsuki, he is your top priority."
"Yes, Your Majesty," they say in unison, unaware of the stake they just drove into Eijirou's heart.
Eijirou watches them leave, watches Katsuki leave, and he sends a prayer up to Hylia, begging for Her to protect Katsuki with everything She has. Once Katsuki is out of Eijirou's sight, he grabs the Master Sword and fashions a makeshift sling to carry it across his back before climbing up onto his horse and taking off; his course set directly to The Lost Woods.
Eijirou rode the entire night and well into morning before he reached The Lost Woods. The journey wasn't easy, there were some moments he was sure he was going to die. His kingdom was ravaged, fires broke out in the numerous villages, monsters raided forts and strongholds, and Guardians were everywhere. He heard the screams, the pleas for help and instead of stopping to help like a good king should, Eijirou ignored them and continued on. Ganon wasn't the only one with blood on his hands now.
Eijirou reaches The Lost Woods a few hours after sunrise and dismounts the horse. He'll have to lead her on foot from here. His steps are unsteady from a lack of sleep, food, and general mental stability. There's no time to rest, however; every second that passes means another life lost. Eijirou inhales slowly, taking in his surroundings. There are many legends surrounding The Lost Woods, such as how men in search of treasure end up disoriented and mad until they die, the thick fog swallowing up their body as if they'd never entered in the first place. He hopes the fog will be kind to him. After all, he's not here in search of fame, riches, or glory, just help for his kingdom and for Katsuki.
Small pyres are scattered throughout the field and Eijirou watches them momentarily. Who lit these pyres, Eijirou is unsure. To his knowledge, nobody has combed through these woods for ages, but the question of whom quickly leaves his head when he starts watching the embers. Though no wind is carrying them, they still travel through the air. Hesitantly, Eijirou follows them. The pyres lead him in different directions and each time he's sure he's become completely and utterly lost, there's another one in the distance to guide his way. Eijirou's about to pass by a set of twin pyres when he stops and looks at them again. There hasn't been two side by side until now, their embers still pointing the same way, so why were there two? He notices a torch leaning against one of the pyres and reaches for it, reading a nearby inscription.
Carry the light and let the embers illuminate your way.
Eijirou lights the torch and watches the embers, relieved that they too float in the same direction as the pyres. It takes much longer now to traverse the woods as every few steps Eijirou stops and checks to see if the embers have shifted direction. Still, slow progress is progress and Eijirou continues on until the fog dissipates and he's standing in a small, bright clearing. Stone steps lead to a platform, in its center there's a small hole. Eijirou pulls the sword from his back and compares the two. This has to be where the sword originates from. How long has it been since the sword has rested in its home? Is that one of the reasons it couldn't hold up against Ganon and his minions? Why it looks so broken now? Would returning it restore its power? Would Katsuki be able to pull it out and use it once more?
More and more questions floods Eijirou's head but he shakes them away. He can't let the fears and doubts stop him, Eijirou has to believe this will work! His hands shake as he holds the sword above its resting place, so exhausted from the last twenty-four hours. The Master Sword slips from Eijirou's grasp and he sinks to the ground, thick tears falling down his face. He weeps, terror and fatigue finally catching up to him. Eijirou knows what he must do, but the mere thought of going to Calamity Ganon all by himself utterly frightens him. How is he supposed to do that and why is it expected of him? Eijirou didn't ask for this title nor this power. He wants to take care of his people, yes, but does it have to come at the expense of his own life?
The familiar sound of the Master Sword pauses Eijirou's tears. He stares at it with wide, owlish eyes as the sword speaks to him again. It calms him a little and Eijirou reaches out to brush his fingers along the blade.
"Katsuki will come back," Eijirou says, as much to reassure himself as well as the sword, who he's sure can listen as well. "I don't know how long it'll be or even if he'll truly remember us, but our hero will return."
"I see the sword has spoken to you, too."
Eijirou's head snaps up and he whips around, trying to find the source of the voice. It's only when he looks at the great tree before him that he realizes it was the one who spoke.
"The legends are true," Eijirou whispers in awe to himself. "The Great Deku Tree," he says louder this time.
"Yes," it confirms. "I am the protector of the forest spirits who roam about this land as well as the Master Sword. It has been a long time since I've seen the sword rest here."
"So the sword will be able to restore its power?" Eijirou asks hopefully, clutching the blade to his chest. "What about Katsuki? Will he still be able to wield it when the time comes? Will he still be considered worthy?"
Eijirou would never forgive himself if he was the reason Katsuki could never wield the Master Sword again. All that time training, proving himself, wasted because of Eijirou's inadequacies.
"The sword will be restored and Katsuki will still be able to wield it. Be warned that he must show exemplary strength and courage. He may lose his life if he tries to pull it free before he's ready."
"Oh, please, you have to stop him before that happens if he does try!" Eijirou exclaims. "Please, protect him like you will the sword. I need him!"
So does the rest of Hyrule but Eijirou selfishly isn't thinking about them at this moment.
"I will not let the hero perish," the Great Deku Tree promises. "I will ensure that he is strong enough before he attempts anything."
"Thank you!" Eijirou exclaims gratefully. He looks down at the Master Sword and grows somber. "I'm scared," Eijirou admits quietly. "I'm scared to go alone, that I'm going to die because I'm not strong enough."
It's a shameful admission, but Eijirou can't help making it because if he is to die then somebody needs to know what his last words to Katsuki are. Somebody needs to tell him how sorry Eijirou is and, how much he loves him, and how grateful he is to experience Katsuki's love in return, even if it was for all too short of a time.
"Please Great Deku Tree, tell Katsuki that I-"
"Hush," it interrupts gently. "Whatever you have to say to him will sound much better coming from you, don't you think?"
"There's no guarantee that I'll live!"
"You are stronger than you think, more courageous, too. True courage is not marked by having no fear, but by being afraid and doing it regardless."
The words soothe Eijirou and he nods, understanding. He doesn't think he can defeat Ganon, but maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to subdue him long enough until Katsuki is healed. Eijirou grips the swords hilt tighter and stands. His hands do not shake now as he inserts the blade into the small pedestal, pushing it in as deep as it will go to ensure it is secure. Eijirou steps back and sees a few blue and white blooms surrounding the platform. Silent Princess, Eijirou's favorite flower. They surround Katsuki's sword and will protect him just as the Great Deku Tree will, just like Eijirou will.
"It is time for you to go. You know what you must do," the Great Deku Tree gently urges.
"I do, thank you for everything you've done and will do."
The Great Deku Tree smiles at Eijirou as he grabs the horse's reins and leads her out of The Lost Woods. Once they're out, Eijirou climbs up and spurs her into a gallop. As the castle comes into view, Eijirou's heart sinks further and further. Already his home is destroyed. Ganon and his malice taint nearly every surface and the plethora of Guardians make even the idea of trying to enter seem impossible. Still, none of it stops Eijirou as he rides closer and closer to the castle.
He's nearing the imposing front gates when he slows to a stop and dismounts. "You've been a wonderful steed but this is my burden to bear and I must do it alone. Return home now, go back to Kakariko."
The horse seems smart as she canters off towards the direction of Kakariko Village. He hopes she makes it back safely. Eijirou inhales deeply, taking one last moment to settle his fears before pushing open the doors and heading for the castle. Eijirou does his best to sneak around the Guardians but he seals away those he cannot avoid. His power may be unlocked, but Eijirou does not know how strong it is nor how long it'll hold. He needs all the strength he can get to contain Ganon until Katsuki awakens.
Once inside the castle, Eijirou breaks out into a sprint, heading straight to the main sanctuary where Ganon resides. Sweat runs down his back and his heart thunders inside his chest as he got closer to Ganon until they are face to face.
They stare at each other. Ganon's form constantly shifts and undulates; his hatred and malice unable to keep a consist shape as they are hell bent on spreading to every corner of Eijirou's kingdom. Now that Eijirou is here, face to face with hatred incarnate, he feels that his fears are nearly erased. Ganon is a powerful monster, but he would not defeat Eijirou—he refuses to ever allow such a possibility to become reality. Too many of his people's lives have already been lost, Eijirou would not let Ganon take more. Not even if it is a single life. He has no desire to die, his life is too short-lived with too few good moments, but if his life is all it takes to permanently seal Ganon away then so be it. Eijirou will not trade his people's lives for peace but he will certainly wager his own.
Ganon lets out an ear-piercing screech and charges towards Eijirou. He is mere feet away when Eijirou holds out his hand towards Ganon and unleashes his power, instantly trapping them both in the prison of Eijirou's creation.
I will protect Hyrule until your return, Katsuki.
I will watch over you as best as I can and will be by your side whenever possible.
We will reunite soon, my love, I promise.