Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda franchise or any of its affiliates. The OC's in this story are mine.
GANON
Chapter One: The King of the Desert
"In my lands, it is said that absolute power corrupts absolutely."
…
"You're holding the scimitar all wrong, Ganon." Ganon looked down at his tiny, bruised hands questionably. The sweat burned his eyes as he squinted against the windy deserts.
"Umm… Miru…can you please stop calling me that?" he squeaked as his gaze locked onto the tall, voluptuous woman that stood beside him, glaring at him with dissatisfaction. The veil covering her face danced with her wild, long hair in the wind as she put her hands on her hips.
"Nonsense! That name fits you perfectly," she exclaimed, brushing the soft strands of her dark-orange hair away from her silky-brown skin.
"But I don't even know what it means. Every Gerudo has a meaningful name except mine…" Ganon sighed as his eyes moved down to inspect his tattered shoes. Miru rolled her eyes sympathetically and then playfully ruffled the sand out of Ganon's messy, red hair with her stiff, calloused hand.
"Sit, Ganon. I'm surprised that your big 'sisters' haven't explained this to yet, but your name is of greater importance than you may think."
Ganon obediently sat himself down on the soft, warm sand, gently laying his scimitar beside him. Miru leaned herself up against an adjacent boulder, pulled out a long pipe, and proceeded to light it. "You see," she mumbled with the pipe in her mouth, struggling to create tiny spark of fire with a flick of her hand, "you are quite special in the Gerudo family." Miru's lack of magical training soon became apparent as beads of concentrated sweat began forming on her brow. Ganon smiled politely, winked at her pipe, and engulfed the smoking apparatus in searing flames.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Miru shrieked as she threw the pipe down a nearby ravine. "What the hell, Ganon?!"
"Umm! Umm! I'm sorry, Miru! I didn't mean to do it! I saw you struggling with your 'Din's Fire' technique and I decided to help you! I didn't mean to use that much mana! I'm so so so so so sorry!" Ganon wailed as Miru applied her rough hands to his tiny face, slapping his cheeks raw. "What did I say about practicing magic?!" she yelled sternly. "'Not to practice it until I'm older!' I know, I forgot!" Ganon cried in his defense. Miru ceased her wrathful slaps and growled warningly at the young boy. She returned to her spot beside the boulder and resumed her story.
"Sigh…if only you knew just how important you are to our people… But, you are still much too young to know why…" Ganon looked up angrily. "Hey, I'm almost twelve years old now! I can handle grow-up talk, Miru." Ganon groaned in despair. He knew there was no use in forcing information out of Miru. "Then at least tell me what my name means," Ganon pleaded.
"Very well. As you know, our language is ancient and much different than 'Hyrulean.' In our language, my name, Miru Kavanistu, means 'Desert Rose.' Your magi instructor's name, Issai Nedas, means 'Moon Tigress.' All Gerudo names have nature references to honor the Goddesses that made our beautiful world. All Gerudo except one: 'Ganon.' Ganon is a named solely to male Gerudo, males that are only born once every millennium. This is why you, child, have been named Ganon, which means 'King."'
The long silence that followed after was interrupted by the howl of the desert winds. In the distance, a fiery sun was slowly rising above the mountains of sand that surrounded the training grounds. Just then, a large hawk flew overhead, releasing a mighty shrill. It then swooped down and landed on the heavily-padded shoulder of Miru.
"Why hello there, Bloodlust," Miru whispered as she stroked the large bird's glistening coat. "You've come to summon Ganon, right? My my, such a smart bird, you are." Miru turned her head to look down at the solemnly silent Ganon. She smiled warmly at the small king. One day the world will know of your name, Ganon, king of the Gerudo, she thought. As Ganon began to look up, Miru quickly frowned. "Go on! Issai summons you. It is time you practice controlling that monstrous power the Goddesses unnecessarily gave you." Ganon nodded obediently. Bloodlust wailed once more and sailed off Miru's broad shoulder. Ganon briskly jogged underneath it, making sure he didn't lose his way in the vast sandy ocean of his lands.
Ganon slowly parted a pair of ornate sheets covering the wide doorway of magi-master Issai's tent. He looked around the tiny tent in awe, never being able to fully understand how many marvelous objects could fit into such a small living space. He then moved his eyes to the other end of tent, onto the miniscule figure of a wrinkly old woman adorned with flower, feathers, and wavy robes. On the center of her forehead burned a resonating red jewel, pulsating light in the metronomic pace of a heartbeat. Her face was riddled with ancient tattoos written in a forgotten language. Long lines of blue steam coming from a cup of tea, which sat on a practically empty table, masked the faded orange color of the sage's hair.
Ganon took one step forward and found himself by a familiar poofy pillow. He sat on his knees and bowed his head to the floor. He cleared his throat and began to recite his speech, as was customary for him to do so every time he met for a lesson from Issai. "O masterful Issai, vessel for the mighty Goddess Din. I humbly request your teachings of the arcane and magical, so that I may one day bring honor to our people."
The aged witch looked up slowly and chuckled quietly. "My my, Ganon, I swear you grow an inch taller every time I see. Then again, we do meet only once a month. Have you been practicing your 'Din's Fire' technique?" Ganon nodded shyly, remembering what had happened an hour ago with Miru. Issai chuckled once more, clearly understanding that Ganon is still struggling with his power. "Little Ganon, king of the Gerudo, the Goddesses have blessed you with wondrous powers, powers that are ten-fold when compared to mine. However, as I tell you every time you visit, power is useless if used without control. Before we begin today's lesson, do you have any questions?"
Ganon's eyes widened. He wanted to ask the wise Issai a question that has been bothering him for months, yet he feared the answer. He felt a cold sweat run down his back as he pondered on the decision of whether he should finally ask his master or not. He suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline. It was time he asked the one question that none of his other sisters could answer. "Master Issai! I do have some questions…about…me…" The sudden rush of energy quickly dissipated. Taking notice of this, Issai helped Ganon with his nervousness. "Anything you ask, young king. My divine wisdom is yours." Ganon cleared his throat once more. "Master Issai. As you taught me, all beings are created by some sort of 'reproduction.' However, unlike all my Gerudo sisters, I have come to realization that I…lack…parents. Although you have taught me to count my blessings, I cannot help but wonder why I have three Clan Leaders as my 'head sisters' instead of two normal parents? Lastly, if our species requires a male and female to reproduce, why am I the only male in our entire Gerudo race?"
The tent was silent. The hiss of the simmering waters of the blue tea drilled into Ganon's ears. Confused and afraid that he asked too many questions, Ganon took notice of tiny tears welling up in his eyes. Issai chuckled softly. She wrapped her lengthy, claw-like fingers around the cup of tea and took a long, slurpy sip.
"I was wondering when you'd ask me about your existence, little king. Hmm…where do I start…?" As she pondered, Issai gently rubbed the red jewel on her forehead. "Well...to start, I think it would be wise of you to know that your three 'head sisters' are immortal." Ganon's eyes shot wide open. "Oh yes, we have lived for many, many years. You see, little one, all races have immortals to be representatives of that particular race. This is the gift of the Goddesses. Only the purest of heart can obtain such a gift, and that is why so few exist today. Now, don't get me wrong, we can die from mortal wounds, but age does nothing to us. Unfortunately, my old self received immortality when I was 93 years old, so will be forever stuck in this form. Ho ho ho…"
Ganon sat, dumbfounded. Eternal life? Can it really be true? His thoughts danced in his head as he waited for his master to tell him more. "Lucky Miru," Issai chuckled as she took another sip of her tea. "She will be forever beautiful just like your third master, Anadia. But, we have been together for…um….well, it will 11,043 years in two months." Ganon could hardly believe his ears. "Yes, we have trained many, many kings," Issai continued. "We even had some pure-of-heart kings who attained immortality, but because of 1000 year limit on their lives they eventually died." Issai's face sagged with sorrow, but her expression soon changed. "I'm sure you will pure king, Ganon. The Goddesses will be more than happy to give you eternal life, my king," she smiled.
Ganon's palms were doused with sweat. He felt as if his brain was going to explode from all the information he was gathering. Issai understood that his young mind was struggling with this overwhelming knowledge, but continued her speech. "This next nugget of knowledge might be hard to swallow for you. Unlike most beings in our world, Gerudo kings are not born from the womb of a woman. Instead, every 1000 years a meteorite falls from the heavens and into the deserts, housing a tiny male baby."
Ganon nearly fell over. He was finding it harder and harder to listen to his master. "You see, many millennia ago, the Gerudo were once only 12 priestesses who are said to be direct descendants of the Goddesses themselves. Because of their devotion and unshakeable loyalty, the Goddesses deemed the Gerudo females as divine beings and thus granted all of their descendants with courage, wisdom, power, and, last but not least, incomparable beauty. But, because of this divine blessing, a curse followed suit. Our race can only reproduce women, not men. Instead, the Goddesses grant us one male every 1000 years, a male that has inherited the three legendary characteristics of our deities: courage from Farore, wisdom from Nayru, and power from Din. But, that is why there are ZERO naturally-born males in our race. 'But, if there are no males, how do our people reproduce?' you might ask. Well, this is where you come in, little Ganon. Ho ho ho, but you are still much too young to understand that part!"
Ganon had reached his limit; he could not listen anymore. Just as Issai was about to talk some more, Ganon swiftly interjected. "I almost killed master Miru with my Din's Fire technique! Can you teach me how to control it?" he bellowed. Issai lifted a quizzical eyebrow and then nodded in agreement. "We can't have Miru, the vessel for Farore, be endangered by the very king she is training, can we?" she laughed softly. Ganon laughed politely, but his mind was elsewhere. Immortality…?
Ten years pass. Within this time, the young and contemplative Ganon has become the strongest Gerudo king that has ever lived, or so Issai claims. At the youthful age of 21, Ganon is now ready to receive his kingship and become the official king of the Gerudo.
There he stood, all seven feet-six inches of him, inside the ceremonial chamber which stood in the very center of the three Gerudo tribes. He towered over all of the Gerudo priestesses beside him as they chanted in an ancient Gerudo dialect. In front of him stood his three immortal masters: Miru the Courageous, Issai the Arcane, and Anadia the Wise. They looked down at him with satisfaction as they stood at the top of a tiny stair case that led to a massive throne. Each one of the Clan leaders held a divine artifact respectively representing the Goddess they followed.
Miru stepped down first, holding a massive, glowing white blade. "In the name of Mother Farore, I hereby grant you, Ganon of the Gerudo, the legendary blade of Ganonciel, the first Gerudo king. Take it in hand and courageously defend our people in times of need." Miru's muscular arms had no trouble holding the large sword, which was a few inches taller than she was. Ganon smiled warmly at his master as he took the sword in hand. To him the colossal blade was as light a feather. He sheathed it into the holster by his side and returned his gaze onto his masters.
Anadia was next to step down. In her small hands, she carried a necklace made of round beads, all of which carried a different runic symbol on it. "Take this, Ganon, king of the Gerudo, in the name of Mother Nayru. With this necklace adorned around your mighty neck, you will able to speak and understand all languages on this world. With it, you will be able to become a diplomat and, hopefully, will never have to bring the wrath of Din on any being." Anadia blushed as she placed the necklace around Ganon's head. She then returned to her spot next to Miru.
With a cane in hand, Issai was the last to step down the stair case. Her familiar chuckle filled Ganon's heart with warmth as he smiled back at her. "Mighty king of the Gerudo, voice of the desert, gift from the Gods. In the name of Mother Din, I grant you this jewel. With it, you will able to regulate and control the monstrous and wrathful powers that Din has blessed you with. Remember Lord Ganon, king of the divine, Din's wrath is not be abused." She pulled out a burning orange crystal out of her pocket, similar to one on her forehead, and raised it toward Ganon's head. Ganon politely bent down and closed the two foot gap between them. She placed the jewel on the center of his forehead, where it briefly sparked and then latched on. She then ran her face across Ganon's cheek. "I have been blind for 5,000 years. Despite this, I have never seen a grander king such as yourself. Bring honor to our race, lord Ganon, and make your people proud." Ganon proudly let the tears roll down his chiseled face as his kissed Issai on her jeweled forehead.
He then straightened out his back and looked at his masters with joyous, tear-filled eyes. Without a word's warning, he thrust out his arms and tightly wrapped the three women with his long, muscular arms. The three Clan leaders looked at each other in confusion, but then hugged Ganon back with motherly affection. "You will make a fine king" they whispered together. The priestess surrounding them all dropped to their knees. "All hail Ganon, king of the Gerudo! May he bring 1000 years of prosperity and peace to the Gerudo kingdom!" Outside the ceremonial chamber, thousands of Gerudo women cheered as they cried in unison "Hail Ganon, king of the desert! Hail Ganon, king of the desert!" He turned to look at his people, raised his fist into the air, and released a mighty roar. The crowd copied his action, cheering madly for their new king.
They celebrated his coronation from sunrise to sunset, eating, drinking, and telling tales of past kings by an enormous bonfire. They spoke of kings like Ganonciel, king of light, and Ganongrol, king of feasts, and Ganonondas, king of pranks. They then laughed and cried at how grand their new Ganon would be and gave him names like Ganonilus, king of peace, and Ganonhertas, king of mercy. Amidst all the laughter and dance, Ganon sat on a large chair in front of fire as his mind raced. I must achieve immortality and bring everlasting glory to my people. I must defend my kingdom…