Death Sword

Death Sword is the mini-boss of the Arbiter's Grounds in Twilight Princess.^[1]

Characteristics

Midna's Comment:

Death Sword
"(when asked as human)

Use your senses to find enemies you can't see with your eyes!

(when asked as wolf)

When he comes in to attack, that's when we need to counter with our own attack!

(when asked as wolf after first damaging it)

You can't do anything about an enemy circling in the air while you're in beast form!

(when asked as human after first damaging it)

This thing just depresses me... Get him down here and introduce him to your blade!

(asked when it is stunned)

[Link], hurry! Now's your chance!

(asked again)

You're going to have to use both your wolf powers and your human skills!"

When Link enters the room, he finds a large sword embedded in the ground, bound by ropes with mystic talismans attached. Cutting one of the ropes causes the evil magic within the blade to awaken and burn away the rest. The sword seemingly lifts itself from the ground and swings itself next to Link, thus beginning the battle.

In order to fight back, Link must first transform into wolf form and use his senses to see the evil spirit holding the Death Sword. When it attacks and gets its sword stuck in the floor, Wolf Link must jump at it and start biting to make it visible. Afterwards, Link must then change back into human form and shoot it with the Bow while it is floating in the air (alternatively, he can also use the Clawshot or the Gale Boomerang). Afterwards, it flies in circles around Link attempting to strike him with its Sword, at which point it gets stuck again, leaving it vulnerable for a counter-attack.

After defeating Death Sword, the spirit violently shakes its head and then roars loudly in defeat. The sword then poofs like any enemy would and the spirit turns into a cluster of flies which then fly away. Afterwards, the path leading to the Spinner will open up.

Trivia

Both Death Sword and Phantom Zant share a unique mini-boss theme.
Before the battle with Death Sword begins, its Sword is embedded in the floor with a myriad of ropes adorned with ofuda. Ofuda are a type of talisman that are generally used by the Shinto for danger protection.
It is possible that Death Sword is loosely based off of the demon Azazel of Abrahamic religious script. The similarities are made noticeable through the several denominations of Abrahamism, describing Azazel as a demonic goat imprisoned in a structure within the desert of Jerusalem for interfering with the affairs of humanity; corrupting their ways by teaching warfare and inciting barbarism among men. Death Sword is portrayed as a demonic goat and is imprisoned within the Arbiter's Grounds; a prison located in the Gerudo Desert built to contain the most infamous criminals in all of Hyrule. The enemies inhabiting the Arbiter's Grounds such as Stalfos, Stalchild, Staltroop, and Gibdo, also all bear militant arms such as swords, shields, and spears, alluding to the theme of warfare. Its also worth noting that the romanized Japanese name of the person who informs Link of the Arbiter's Grounds, Auru ラフレル ("Rafureru"), shares a strikingly close similarity to the name of the biblical archangel Raphael ラファエル ("Rafaeru"), who sealed away Azazel in the desert of Jerusalem.

Nomenclature

Death Sword shares its French name, Faucheur, with Gomess. The name is an allusion to the Grim Reaper, who is known in French-speaking regions as "la Faucheuse." Death Sword also shares its German name, Todesklinge, with Blue Stalfos.

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	ゴベラの剣 (Gobera no Ken)	Sword of Gobela
	French^EU	Faucheur	Reaper
	German	Todesklinge	Death Blade
	Italian	Spada Mortis	Sword of Death (Latin)
	Spanish^LA	Espada de la Muerte	Sword of Death

Gallery

Death Sword before awakening
The Sword wielded by Death Sword
Concept art from Hyrule Historia

References

↑ Art & Artifacts (Dark Horse Books) pg. 298

Bosses in The Legend of Zelda series

The Legend of Zelda

Aquamentus · Dodongo · Manhandla · Gleeok · Digdogger · Gohma · Ganon

Enemies	Beth (Poe) · Big Poe · Boo · Composer Brothers · Ghini · Ghost (Majora's Mask) · Ghoul Rat · Giant Ghini · Goo Specter · Hyu · Icy Big Poe · Imp Poe · Joelle · Key Bandit Poe · Lantern Poe · Moa · Nocturn · Peahat · Phantom Rider · Poe · Poe Sisters · Prankster Poe · Rupee Wraith
Sub-Bosses	Giant Ghini · Grim Repoe · Meg · Phantom Ganon · Poe Sisters
Bosses	Amy · Big Poe (Boss) · Cubus Sisters · Death Sword · Jalhalla · Phantom Ganon · Phantom Zant · Pumpkin Head · Shadow Hag

Zelda Wiki