The embers glowed softly from each torch. They lit the room just enough to see the outlines of the three figures who were waiting patiently. Two witches and a babe, shivering in the darkness. Tonight would be their only chance to accomplish the destiny they were to play part in.

"Do you think his body will be able to withstand it? After all he is just an infant." The calmer one of the twins spoke. While she was softer in speech, her heart was just as black as her sister's to whom she had spoken.

"Silence Kotake! Do you doubt our king?" The other twin snapped as she held the newborn close.

"I do not doubt our master, I doubt the child, Koume."

But before the other could fight back, the flames exploded with light and warmth.

"It is time." Koume whispered as she brought the baby to the center of the room. The twin witches had been raised in the temple. When they were young the served as priestesses. But as they began to influence the old kings they found darker magics. Magics that, if they followed their master, could destroy those who oppressed their sisters. This wasn't the first time that they had spent the early mornings awaking their master.

As a result of leading the tribe in the time when there was no king, they forced upon themselves the responsibility of leading the tribe out of oppression. In the end they had destroyed the people and were banished, but that is another story that will be told another time.

Kotake followed behind, cautious of the ritual which was about to take place.

"Be brave little king..." She whispered with a grin before leaving him alone in the center of the room. The baby gurgled, never one to fuss about much. The only time he had cried was when they had first brought him to the temple a few hours ago. The boy child was the first male born to the Gerudo in one hundred years. On the night of his birth, the midwives did not expect him to live past his first hour. Yet, as the minutes passed he proved himself to be a true Gerudo warrior. He clung to his life and became the living embodiment of the struggles of the desert life. Now, at barely three months, you would have never thought he was born with severe illnesses. True, he had been small and premature, but it hadn't stopped him from pursuing his life. His mother, however, had died suddenly. No one knew how or why, but she had. As for the boy's father, he could belong to any man in Hyrule. For, as everyone knows, Gerudo search only for temporary affairs, never committing to a permanent relationship. It wasn't their fault, however, for they were the ones banished and deprived in the desert and to continue living, they were forced to live in such a way that was painful and harsh.

He had bright eyes for a baby. He took in everything around him, watching curiously as the people had worried over him. He was captivated by all of it. Even as he laid on the cold stone he was entranced by the torches at the four corners of the room. He laughed as the twin witches danced around him, outstretching his arms and cooing as they passed. But it did not last for long.

The flames disappeared, leaving the trio in complete blackness. The baby had pouted but didn't cry. At least, at the time he hadn't. It wasn't until a tiny purple light caught his eye before he screamed. It wasn't a frightened cry like you'd expect from a surprised infant, but rather a shriek of pure terror and unholy pain. A cry that could not be comprehended in words. For hours he wailed as the purple light faded into his chest. But when the light disappeared and the flames rekindled, he was in a deep sleep.

"This is it, this is our beginning!" Kotake whispered as she looked down at the sleeping babe.

"No...no, the beginning of a beginning. He was too young to be consumed completely." The fire witch replied sharply as she began to walk away.

"Then He has not been resurrected?" The ice witch panicked in distraught.

"Oh yes, He lives within him, but he must learn to hate. If he doesn't there will be no way to bring Him to his own conscience. He will merely be the dark part of his soul."

"Then we will teach him to hate and he will nourish and thrive through Him." "I expect no less..."

Kotake held the infant for a moment, examining him to see any difference, but nothing seemed to stand out. Nothing, except, a tiny black slash across his chest. It looked like a the type of scar one would receive in battle. She sniffed as she covered the strange mark with a sheet as she began to leave the chamber, but stopped a moment as the baby stirred. His eyes had only opened momentarily but it was clear something in him had died. The bright eyes that had looked around at the world in wonder we're now replaced with a glossy, cast over, expressionless gaze that even frightened the witch.

"Din forgive..." She coughed as she closed the doors behind her.

-
"And your people have stolen from us, is that not so?"

Ganondorf snapped his attention back to the king of Hyrule, who sat interrogating the young man.

"Forgive me, your highness, but if your people had no other means of survival, wouldn't you do the same?" he replied coolly. He was a smart man and carried a charm with him to those in power. He was cunning, making careful executions to make those he needed the favor of. His mind was always spinning webs about his plays for power and his ambition for his people. Yet, despite all the efforts he had made, the Hylian King continued to refuse his guidance or support to the young man.

"You are the first Gerudo King to ask for peace in 300 years. Why should I believe you?" The Hylian King inquired as he rest his chin on his hand, covering his mouth so the young man could not read his face as easily.

"Your majesty, if my people have wronged you I only wish to make it right. Under your guidance and counsel I wish to see our people raise not war but instead help each other and become like one nation, United, but not by bloodlines. If I am dishonest to you, the bloodshed of the war you create will be on your hands." Ganondorf replied with careful execution. The Hylian King frowned but nodded in distant thought.

"You say these words with such...valor, yet I cannot forget the Great War we have left behind." The older man replied sternly.

"I was a child! No child should be held responsible with armies!" Ganondorf replied bitterly, but collected himself quickly before finishing, "if you are looking for my trust, look no farther."

"You may be wiser than the king before you, but you hold a Gerudo's soul. I'm afraid I must ask you to come again at another time, when I have had the chance to think this over thoroughly."

Ganondorf bowed humbly and strode out of the room. He growled under his breath. He hated his meetings with the different leaders of the kingdoms and tribes. It seemed as if no one could forgive him for the one mistake he had made. It was these things he thought about as he began to leave the palace. Was it truly his fault or had he been guided by...

"How was it my king?" A Gerudo guard asked with eagerness. Ganondorf scowled as he walked past her.

"That bad, huh?" Nabooru smirked with amusement. He stopped abruptly.

"For once, Nabooru, don't irritate me while I'm thinking! You've pushed me to my limits!" He growled as they began to walk again. The two Gerudo women looked at each other with a tinge of fear but followed the man out of the room.

Nabooru, who was seventeen, was hand chosen as his second in command. He had chosen her because of her premature wisdom and her ability to lead. Some women even gossiped it was because he fancied her, but these were only rumors spread by the young girls who had lots to learn. In honesty, they were quick friends in early childhood and as the years went by he acknowledged her wisdom. While it is true Nabooru was wise, she was also mischievous. She liked to instigate and cause drama between people, but if it wasn't in good fun she'd be the first to end it. She was a fierce woman, she spoke her mind and protected all the ones she loved. Those who were deceitful among them she would banish or punish under Ganondorf's permission. No one dared to face Nabooru so no one did.

The other girl that traveled with them was named Aveil. Aveil was the third in command and very naive. She was Nabooru's younger sister and had been protected under her. Unlike her sisters reserved personality, Aveil was very outgoing and flirtatious. Nabooru only flirted if need be. Aveil was boy crazed and obnoxiously flamboyant. Some were relieved her rank allowed her to have boyfriends while others were frightened for the young girl. But Aveil held her own and when it came to standing for her sisters, she was at Nabooru's side to end the trouble.

"Did you enjoy your trip at least?" Nabooru smiled, speaking to her sister as she helped her sister onto her horse. Aveil blushed.

"Well, I did meet a nice guard. He even asked if I would return to visit him sometime." She muttered before sighing.

"I wish you the best of luck!" Nabooru laughed as she mounted her steed.

"Oh, I didn't say I was coming back! I told him that he wasn't my type!" She replied quickly. Ganondorf snorted in amusement.

"My, Aveil, you really are a tease!" He laughed as he turned his stallion around. Aveil nodded with embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. Nabooru frowned.

"Not as bad as you! You flirt with every woman you lay eyes on!" She growled, her face stiffening to a dark expression she rarely had used.

"Nabooru, hold your tongue! You know very well I have no time for women." He growled, the little amusement he had, gone.

Aveil and Nabooru glared at each other but continued to ride behind him in silence until finally Ganondorf broke the peace.

"Nabooru, tend to the people when we return, I have business to tend to at the Temple." He ordered as they approached the strange meet where it seemed the desert and fields met at a perfect line.

"Are you praying to our goddess again?" Aveil asked with eagerness. "No, it's something much more. I have to speak to the priestesses."

Nabooru squinted as she tried to read the man's face, but only saw the same calm and coldness that was always present.

-
It was dusk before they finally reached the gates to their fortress home.

The Gerudo desert was an unforgiving place. Its only building, a deep and vast fortress, was home to all the women that lived there. In its walls housed its dungeons, oubliette, and common rooms. In the center was a great room where a kitchen was held. Everyone gathered there to trade goods and receive their daily rations. Beside the fortress was a cave they had created a training ground in. However, every Gerudo fancied the stables behind the fortress where they would practice their archery, a sport they all loved and admired. Archery was their way of testing strength and skill, not just for a sport. At the other side a short ways from the fortress lay a gate. The gate led to the wasteland in which the Temple to their goddess was built.

"I'll be back by tomorrow evening. Take care of their needs." Ganondorf reminded as he sped towards the gates that led to the wasteland. Nabooru shook her head as she led her sister towards the stable.

"Nab, do you like him?" Aveil asked quietly. Nabooru was surprised but answered calmly.

"No, he's my king. I must obey him, but his heart lies somewhere else. I only wish he'd-"

"So you do like him, you just are scared to admit it." The younger sister laughed as she dismounted her horse. Nabooru frowned.

"He would never approve. I was chosen to serve him. He carries no feelings towards me so why would I torture myself?"

"Because you love him." Aveil said before leaving her sister alone in the cold night air. Nabooru bit her tongue. Did she really care for him? She knew that those feelings were wrong. They weren't meant to be that way. And deep inside she knew there was something sinister about him. Though he claimed good, she couldn't help but feel concerned about his always dark expression. Though he cared for the people was it really for their sakes?

Nabooru laughed at herself before entering the fortress. Perhaps that's why he chose her, because she alone could figure him out.