The land of Hyrule once held a treasure, able to grant any wish to the one who claimed it. But as with all treasures, it came with a steep price. None who had ever chased it returned the same; warriors became cowards, the greedy became poor. It was said that the treasure had a life of its own, an Essence, and that it enchanted men who came too close to its hiding place.

And there was one such man, a prince of the desert. His reputation was known throughout Hyrule as a man of great desires, and it was through these whispers that the Essence came to seek him out. He posed no threat to the treasure, as he believed himself too strong to need any help for his goals and refused to seek it out.

The treasure is not so easily ignored, however, and thus the Essence determined to prove to the prince that it is unwise to shut others out. So one night, it came upon the prince's castle in the guise of an old crone.

"Please, Sir, I have lost my way and it is very cold," the Essence feigned as the prince opened his door. "If you would offer me shelter for the night..."

"And what do I get in return?" the prince scowled, angry that such a tramp would disturb him at such an hour. He was young and arrogant, his bold red hair held up with garish jewelry and his strong bronze frame decorated with the fanciest of armor.

"I have nothing to offer but a single rose," the Essence said. "But if you would nourish it, it could offer you such beautiful flowers in the future."

"I have no need for such womanly pleasures," he scoffed. "Begone, scamp." He shut the door, but seconds later it was knocked on again.

"Please, Sir, it is so cold out..."

"And you are letting it in my keep! I told you, get lost!"

With that the Essence made itself known, emerging from the crone's robes in a blinding flash. "Desert prince," it exclaimed in its heavenly monotone, "you have no comprehension of the need to rely on others, and as such refuse to lend your assistance to those in need. This is a heavy crime, one that deserves a heavy punishment."

The prince barely had time to comprehend the reveal or his crime before the Essence transformed him. "You will become that which your rotten soul reflects," he heard, and realized that he was no longer human. His body had become like that of a boar bred with a lion, though he still stood on two legs. He growled with his new voice at the revelation.

"And your punishment will spread to those you command, for that is the burden you bear as a leader." A number of screams broke out at the Essence's words, as the prince's staff were changed to match his fate.

"We will leave you with this one sliver of hope, oh selfish one. Should you revert your ways and truly earn the love of an innocent, your curse will be lifted. For there is no better way to learn what it is to depend on someone than by winning the heart of another." The Essence vanished with the wind, leaving the rose in its place.