Ghirahim

Ghirahim (Pronounced, ) is one of two primary antagonists featured in Skyward Sword. He is a figure of authority in the land below Skyloft, and he thinks quite highly of himself, preferring to be called Lord Ghirahim.

Ghirahim Reveals Himself
After Link wins the Wing Ceremony, Ghirahim summons a tornado near Skyloft that sucks up Zelda in an attempt to capture the Spirit Maiden. However, those plans fail to come to fruition due to Impa's intervention. Ghirahim's main interest lies in capturing Zelda and using her power as a goddess to revive his lord, Demise. He and Link initially meet in the Skyview Temple, both pursuing Zelda.

Continuing the Pursuit
Ghirahim constantly pursues Zelda and nearly captures her on several occasions. First, Zelda is captured by Bokoblin forces, and when Ghirahim gets the news he rushes to retrieve her. Upon his arrival, however, he discovers that Impa has rescued her. After venting about the situation to Link, he summons Scaldera to take his frustration out on him and leaves. Later, he nearly reaches her at the Temple of Time at the edge of Lanayru Desert, but Impa covers her escape. When Ghirahim breaks through Impa's defense, he is thwarted again, this time by Link, who gives Impa enough time to escort Zelda through the Gate of Time and destroy it, preventing Ghirahim from following. At this, he swears to make Link pay the next time they meet and leaves in a hurry in order to search for another way to reach Zelda. At the Ancient Cistern, Ghirahim infuses a statue with dark energy, causing it to attack Link. Later, Ghirahim appears to Link again at the Fire Sanctuary, where he brags about having learned of a second Gate of Time, and demands that Link tell him where it is. The two face off again, with Ghirahim using more of his power than before, and Link again emerges victorious.

Demise's Resurrection
Ghirahim is unsuccessful in reaching Zelda before Link can destroy Demise in their time; however, the sense of security brought on by Demise's destruction causes Zelda to awaken from her slumber. At this moment, Ghirahim strikes and finally abducts Zelda; he takes her back to the past where Demise is still sealed, but alive, and sacrifices her to his master. Link rushes to stop the ritual, but Ghirahim summons hordes of enemies to slow him. When this is not enough, Ghirahim fights Link himself, this time with all his might. He takes on a nearly invulnerable form similar to Fi's, and although he is significantly more powerful in this form, Link still triumphs. Ghirahim, however, declares that the ritual continued during the fight, and Zelda's soul is consumed by Demise, who appears in humanoid form and promptly takes his sword back. Ghirahim laughs as he transforms back into his true form: a sword in Demise's hand. When Demise suffers a fatal blow at Link's hand, the Ghirahim-sword disappears shortly before Demise dies and restores Zelda's soul. What this means for Ghirahim's ultimate fate is unknown.

Skyview Temple
Ghirahim acts as the first boss of Skyward Sword, at the end of the Skyview Temple. After drawing his sword at Ghirahim's back during a pre-battle conversation, Ghirahim decides to measure Link's skill in battle. Though initially unarmed, the Demon Lord is capable of easily dodging and stopping Link's sword strikes with just two fingers if he attacks prematurely. If Link does not struggle and remove the sword from his grasp, he will take it from Link's hands and attack him with it; Link can only retrieve it back if Ghirahim throws it, however the Demon Lord may try to pick it up again if the blade falls near his feet.

After sustaining enough damage, Ghirahim will draw a saber-like sword of his own. Throughout the fight, he can vanish at will and transport to another part of the room. He can also summon red diamond-like objects which he can throw at Link to damage him. While Ghirahim is wielding his sword, he will sometimes briefly stop and charge at Link, unleashing a powerful strike at him.

At the end of the fight, Ghirahim is surprised at Link's skills but reminds him that Link's sword is the only reason he is still alive. He also tells him that the presence of Zelda has faded from where they are. Before leaving, Ghirahim warns Link that if he meets him again, he will die.

Fire Sanctuary
Ghirahim appears again as the boss of Fire Sanctuary, where he becomes more formidable. He starts off the fight by shielding himself with the red diamonds. Like the first battle, he will grab Link's sword if he attacks prematurely. When he is dealt enough damage, he will draw out two slender sabers. Using these, he will attempt to block Link's attacks, and then follow up with a counterattack. Other techniques he employs include rushing at Link with both swords ready, leaving a small window of vulnerability, and a combination of jumping up and teleporting, followed by an aerial attack. If Link manages to evade the falling attack, Ghirahim's swords will be temporarily stuck, leaving him open.

After he is defeated, he will become enraged, and will angrily rant about how he cannot defeat Link, even though Ghirahim a demon. After he finishes, he will leave again.

Sealed Grounds
Ghirahim appears for the final time when he captures Zelda and begins to start the ritual to revive the Demon King Demise. To slow Link from reaching him, Ghirahim summons a horde of demons including all types of Bokoblins, Moblins, and Stalfos.

When Link manages to defeat the onslaught, Ghirahim faces him in battle again in his true form.

He summons platforms upon which he and Link do battle, high above the center of the Sealed Grounds. Although his body is invulnerable to attack, he can be beaten back by sword strikes and pushed off the edge. When this happens, Ghirahim will assemble a lower platform and land on his back, at which point he can be damaged with a Fatal Blow. Ghirahim will counterattack during this phase with kicks, grabs, and throws.

After three strikes, Ghirahim will face Link on the ground and draw a slender rapier. He fights with familiar techniques, but can only be damaged by using a thrust attack on the vulnerable jewel on his chest. He is also capable of summoning a dark, slow moving version of the Skyward Strike, which can be reflected back at Ghirahim by hitting it in the same direction it is moving. After sustaining enough damage, Ghirahim will draw a massive broadsword. Link can chisel away at the sword with well-aimed strikes and leave his enemy vulnerable for a time, but if he doesn't deliver enough blows consecutively Ghirahim will repair the broadsword. Doing vertical slashes are extremely effective as Ghirahim will only turn vertical or horizontal. After he has sustained enough damage, the battle will end and Demise will be freed.

Trivia

 * In his first two forms, his right ear is pointed, while his left ear is round.
 * In his first form, Ghirahim often refers to himself in the plural, however, this may refer to his demon army.
 * In his second form, Ghirahim wears an earring that appears to be a blue variant of the Crystal Switch and is the same shape.
 * Ghirahim bears some resemblance to Vaati in his humanoid form. When asked to Nintendo, they replied that it was a coincidence and a simple design choice by the developers. Note that some of the staff from The Minish Cap returned in Skyward Sword.
 * Ghirahim acts as the counterpart of Fi, as they are both the humanoid forms of swords. Ghirahim's weapon form resembles a dark version of the Master Sword.
 * When seen beginning the ritual to revive his master, Ghirahim can be heard humming his own theme music.
 * Before his true name was revealed, Ghirahim was nicknamed by some sections of the Zelda fan community 'Debbie'.