**Chapter 10: The Unlikely Rescue**

Sofia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she began to prepare for the ritual, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she chanted ancient incantations. Link, still reeling from her previous words, felt a sense of dread wash over him as he realized that he was running out of time. He tried to struggle, but Sofia's magic was too strong, and he found himself bound to the bed, unable to move. As Sofia continued to chant, the air in the room began to thicken, and Link felt a strange energy building up around him. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the worst, but just as Sofia reached the climax of her ritual, a loud crash echoed through the room. Sofia's eyes snapped open, and she turned to see what had caused the disturbance, her face twisted in anger. That's when she saw it - a blur of red and green flying through the window, followed by a loud "It's-a me, Mario!" and the unmistakable strains of the Mario theme song. The phone on the bedside table suddenly sprang to life, blasting the iconic tune that had become synonymous with the Mario brothers. Sofia's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the phone, which had apparently been activated by Zelda's call. Mario and Luigi, the famous plumbers, landed on the floor with a thud, their mustaches bristling with indignation. "What's-a going on here?" Mario demanded, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Link, bound to the bed. Luigi, meanwhile, had spotted Sofia, and his eyes narrowed. "Hey, you're not supposed to be doing that sort of thing with our friend," he said, his voice firm. Sofia's face darkened, and she raised a hand, summoning a blast of magic. But Mario and Luigi were quick to react, dodging the attack with ease. "Hey, no magic allowed!" Mario shouted, waving his fist at Sofia. The two brothers charged at Sofia, who was caught off guard by their sudden intervention. Link, still bound to the bed, couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him. He had never been so happy to see the Mario brothers in his life. But as he looked at them, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. Mario and Luigi were, after all, wearing their iconic red and green overalls, complete with bright yellow buttons and red caps. They looked like they had just stepped out of a pipe, and Link's eyes widened in surprise. Sofia, meanwhile, was not about to let the Mario brothers get the better of her. She summoned a wave of dark energy, sending it hurtling towards the brothers. But they were too quick, dodging and weaving with ease. As the battle raged on, Link found himself shouting, "Wait, stop! You don't understand!" But his words were drowned out by the sound of the Mario theme song, still blasting from the phone. The phone, still clutched in Zelda's hand, had become a makeshift loudspeaker, broadcasting the Mario brothers' iconic tune to the world. And as the battle raged on, Link couldn't help but laugh, a strange sense of joy washing over him. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt like he had a chance. And with the Mario brothers on his side, he knew that he might just make it out of this alive. Mario and Luigi, still arguing loudly with Sofia, suddenly paused, their eyes locked on Link. "Hey, don't worry, buddy," Mario said, grinning. "We've got your back." Luigi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and we're not going to let this... this... person sacrifice you to the gods." Sofia's face twisted in anger, and she summoned a blast of magic, sending it hurtling towards the Mario brothers. But they were ready, and with a flick of their wrists, they sent the magic flying back at Sofia. The room erupted into chaos, with magic and mayhem flying every which way. Link, still bound to the bed, could only watch as the battle raged on, a sense of hope rising in his chest. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt like he might just make it out of this alive. And as he looked at the Mario brothers, he couldn't help but smile.