Author's note: This summar was written in about 15 minutes, and hence does not reflect the style, quality or setup of the fanfic itself. It is written merely for informational purposes and is of lesser writing quality than the fanfiction itself. Dawn of Sorrow was written as the first fic in The Essence Trilogy, but does not play as key of a role in the overall storyline as the second two. It is not necessary for it to be posted, and because it was written several years ago it is not of the same writing quality. Therefore the trilogy's presence on this site will begin with The Golden Empire, which is part 2, and those that wish to know the full background behind the story can read this summary. It will help readers to understand the details of the second fic's plotline. Part three, The Three Kings, is currently in production. I hope you enjoy your reading!
Summary of Dawn of Sorrow:
The Dawn of Sorrow tells the tale of Vordeth, a rising wielder of the Triforce of Power, and Link, the noble hero who opposed him through war. Raised by Gerudos, Vordeth one day fled from the tribe to start an army of his own. Allying himself to Syn and Sarexa, the reincarnated forms of Kotake and Koume, through the Triforce of Power, Vordeth sets on a squest to obtain a weapon strong enough to rival that of the Master Sword. Writings tell of Ganondorf, the ancient king sealed away by the Hero of Time three hundred years ago, and his sword that could strike against the Master Sword and not be shattered.
Using his powers Vordeth forces Zelda, the princess of Hyrule and new sage of time, to open a portal to the Sacred Realm and unbind the forces that enslave Ganondorf. Upon the evil king's return Vordeth demands to know the location of this great sword. Ganondorf is left without a Triforce Shard and with no choice but to obey, pointing Vordeth to the Deku Tree. The Eternity Blade was sealed away within the guardian, never meant to be found again. Vordeth uncovers the mysterious and evil blade with hopes of conquering Hyrule for himself.
A battle against Link results in the breaking of the Master Sword. This is their second duel, the first Vordeth lost in the chambers of Death Mountain while taming the dragon Rhazid, a descendant of Volvagia. It was here that Link discovered a dragon egg and hatched it in cooler temperatures than the firey depths, resulting in the birth of a red dragon who he names Chrysm. Upon the breaking of the Master Sword Rhazid attacks Chrysm, who is still growing, and Link is led to believe that his dragon is slain deep within the Kokiri Forest.
The Master Sword shattered, Link is left weak and defenseless. Before Vordeth can seize the Triforce of Courage from the fallen hero, Ganondorf attacks and steals it for himself at the gates of Hyrule's capital. Link is left defeated.
Ganondorf transforms into his true self, Ganon, and explains to Vordeth that the Eternity Blade cannot harm him. Ganondorf once weilded the blade himself, which caused his brutal mutation in the first place. Its power runs through Ganon's very blades and veins. The duel ends in a stalemate, and Vordeth flees back into the deserts. Syn and Sarexa, struggling between their oaths to both Ganondorf and Vordeth, finally chose to follow Vordeth. They speak of a land across the great desert, a dead land called Aazrah. It is said the one who crosses the desert is destined to sit upon a golden throne in Hyrule, and so Vordeth suffers the crossing on Rhazid's back. In Aazrah, he begins to call armies of lizard breed and lost men to fight for him.
Meanwhile Link searches for a way to ressurect the Master Sword. He forms a fellowship with a great warrior from each tribe of Hyrule: Thore, strongest of the Gorons; Shael, fearless warrior and prince of the Zoras; Amika, princess of the Sheikahn tribe. A man by the name of Takkin later joins with them. He is a Korrel, sorcerers who served Ganondorf in the war against Hyrule while the Hero of time slept, but like many his heart has turned back to defending the freedom of Hyrule. In their journey up the mountain they discover Chrysm alive, turned silver from the trama and pain of its growing years. It is on this mountain that he finds the three Wise Ones, embodied representatives of the Goddesses. Here he begins his training in promise of new powers and learns that he is the Hero of Essence. Essence, the spirit of the Goddesses, is what gives Hyrule life and the blessing of goodness. The Sacred Realm has more essence than Hyrule, making it a golden paradise. Link is able to manipulate and channel this essence and uses it in his training.
Within Hyrule's capital a rogue group of Sheikah emerge and come to be known as Black Spawn. A traitor, Luthes Thatch, is eventually revealed in the Royal Court. Amika's father, assumed to have been long dead, is soon revealed to be second in command of black spawn. With the help of Jade and Vex, two lords from a neighboring city, Savyna goes on a quest to discover the secrets behind Black Spawn. She has been Zelda's caretaker for many years, and as a Sheikah she seeks to know the truths behind the evil organization. Their assasination plots are soon revealed, and Black Spawn is torn apart after the death of their two leaders.
Zelda set off on her own quest after sensing a distance spreading between her and the other sages, which she believes is related to Ganondorf's weakened seal. Her journey to the Sacred Realm reveals a truth to her that the sages have been captured and taken prisoner in Orivayus, a hellish realm of darkness that only she can open portals to. Rauru, the last surviving sage, orders three Harthus to escort her as guardians. The Harthus are an elite army of angelic men that serve the Goddesses above all else and protect the Sacred Realm. She ventured into darkness with them, unsure of her fate.
Vordeth returns from Aazrah by means of the great sea with an army strong enough to challenge Hyrule. General Kallor, second in command only to Zelda's father, leads a powerful resistence against Vordeth and succeeds. Left in despair, the young Triforce bearer discovers the Eternity Blade has the power to ressurect its victims as Argots, shadow minions reflecting their former selves. The war is reborn, though Rhazid is slain by Chrysm. The silver dragon is now larger and stronger than before and becomes a powerful ally to the Hyrulian forces.
Zelda ventures through the horrific surfaces of Orivayus, fighting against the dark powers with the help of the three Harthus. One of them is lost in the struggle until they reach the stronghold of the Xharlin, dark reflections of the Harthus. The evil warriors managed to capture Zelda and the remaining Harthus. She is led to the dungeons while the other two are sentenced to death in a colisseum. Arkov, the Harthus king, falls to his death and places his people's leadership on Dregoth's shoulders. Dregoth is the only remaining Harthus. Zelda broke free from her captivity during the battle and fought against an ancient king of Orivayus helping to imprison the sages. Upon their release they rescue Dregoth from the arena and escape back to the Sacred Realm where war has broken out. With the help of the sages the Harthus manage an incredible victory.
Upon the the mountain top Link's friends have left him to rejoin the Hyrulian efforts after the Hero is forbidden by the Wise Ones to return to them. He then learns of three trials he most complete before the greatest powers are revealed to him, though a Wise One warns him that he will be lied to once by one of them. Link passes the trials with some difficulty and is granted the Lightforce Sword, a weapon forged from the legendary lightforce and a rod of heavenly metal crafted by Din herself. The last token he receives from the trials is a ring that allows him to harness greater amounts of essence with ease. Upon returning to the Wise Ones he is granted a fourth triforce shard, which they insist is the Triforce of Essence.
Zelda and Link return to aid the Hyrulians. The Hero of Essence battles against Vordeth on the roofs of the castle of Dunlo, a mighty city in the south and Hyrule's last stronghold. Vordeth is defeated and cast from the rooftops. The Gerudo alliance battles around Dunlo, and his caretaker from long ago spots him lying in the mud. He utters his final words to her before passing on into bitter death.
Link is left to fight against Ganondorf, who has seemingly been possessed after stealing the Eternity Blade back. He arises in Demonic form. Zelda grants Link her Triforce shard before passing out from the strain of keeping Ganondorf at bay during Link's duel with Vordeth. Her last motion cuts open a portal to the Sacred Realm, allowing Link to summon immeasurable amounts of essence to strike at Ganondorf. The demonic form falls from the holy powers, and a mutilated Ganondorf flees into the night after the Triforce shards of power and courage are stolen from him. The story ends after Link has made a wish on the united Triforce to destroy all evil that poisons Hyrule, and the overwhelming number of Argots are washed away by heavenly rain. A council of peace is held shortly after the war, and plans for a united empire are born.