Prologue

Fires stormed on the land, ravaging it. The sky filled with smoke and dust and rain as the thunder roared. The moon hid her face from the sight of the blood and gore that encased the country at war. Men fought men, sword clanging against sword. Screams of terror and horror resounded throughout the town as its inhabitants were massacred. Hopelessness filled the hearts of the people, devastation running as thick in the streets as the blood.

One woman, clutching a bundle, peered around the corner, trying to check for the invaders. Seeing none, she ran through the square, not daring to look around her. All that awaited her gaze was red, red, and more red. She drove herself onward, willing her feet to make the trek. If she could make it to the gate, her servant would be waiting for her there with a horse. She could escape. The woman tripped, grasping her bundle tighter and protecting it as she fell. Her ankle twisted, and she knew she couldn't walk with it like that, much less run. Fear crept into her bones as she glanced around, desperate for help she didn't expect.

"Damn!" she cursed, rubbing her ankle. A small cry from her bundle propelled her onto her feet, and though every step was excruciating, she continued on. She hobbled to the gate, ant the drawbridge, which was blown to pieces, making it to her rendezvous point. There her servant was, horse reins in hand. He helped her onto the steed, and then climbed on himself and they galloped towards the forbidden woods.

Bang.

"Hush, little one,"

Bang.

"It'll be alright."

BANG.

"Sleep, my child,"

The door flew into the room and they were everywhere. The invaders. A golden haired woman stood by a cradle, her back to the door. Slowly, she turned to face them, her stance protective of the infant in the bed. Her gown billowed to the ground, her golden hair cascading around her shoulders. The woman's eyes narrowed as she took in the masked invaders.

"Where is it?" one growled. He stepped closer to the woman, his hand on his sword. "Tell me!"

"It will do you no good." The woman replied, her entire body blocking the tiny baby from view.

"What do you mean? It is the ultimate source of power! If one touches it, your wish comes true!" the figure stepped ever closer. He was breathing heavily and his eyes darted around the chamber.

"If the person who touches it does not have a balanced heart, it will split. It will do you no good because you crave power…Ganondorf."

"So…I was curious if you knew me, Queen Hylia. I'm glad to see you do."

"You will not get it. I will stop you if I must."

Ganondorf laughed manically, his whole frame shaking. His aura swirled with dark power, his stance menacing. He raised a hand, and putting full force behind it, he slapped the Queen. She fell backwards, her golden locks swirling.

"How dare you!" she hissed. Her body glowed, a bright light surrounding her. The Queen's eyes glowed a white color and her hair flew around her face. She moved towards Ganondorf and he backed away, sensing something off with the Queen. When she spoke again, her voice held an ominous double timber. "Ganondorf, King of Gerudos, you shall never obtain that which you desire. Somewhere in these lands, forces wait to defeat your evil. They have been chosen by me. You shall never control the Triforce!"

"Who are you?" Ganondorf's eyes saw only power. The power that the Queen held. He would take her power; he was created and molded by power. It defined him, gave him his kingdom. And now, her power would be his, and it would give him this land.

"I am Hylia." She raised a single hand to the man, and a golden stream of light shot from her fingers and against Ganondorf's chest. He fell backwards, and realizing it was a lost battler, he ran his sword through the Queen. She dropped to her knees, the light suddenly gone.

"Sleep well, Princess," he whispered as he left the chamber, his Gerudos following. The Queen placed her hands over her wound, but the blood continued to fall. So this is it, she thought before taking her final, stuttering breath.

The thunder rumbled again, its dark sounds floating over the land. Deep in the forest, the woman with the bundle lay at the base of a peculiar, large tree, her servant having run her through as well. As she bled into the soil, the bundle unraveled to reveal a wisp of flaxen hair.

"Link," the woman gasped, reaching out to her precious bundle. Then she closed her eyes to open them no more.

In the castle, the King burst into his newborn infant's nursery and released a tremendous sob of pain as he beheld his lost queen. He ran to the cradle, tears flowing silently from his eyes, and softly caressed the pale cheek of the slumbering baby.

"Zelda," he cooed to the infant, the moon aglow on her blonde curls. Then he collapsed next to his dead queen and held her to his chest, weeping for his lost love.

And so was the end of the Hyrulean War. Though tension remained between Hyrule and the neighboring Gerudos, a new leader had risen within their ranks who spoke of peace and cooperation. His name was Ganondorf, King of Gerudos. And so begins our tale.