LEGEND OF ZELDA:

The Fall of the Hylian Guard

By Mark Rapko

I

All of my life I have been a silent protector, a silent guardian to the inhabitants of this land at the behest of the Goddesses, at the behest…of her. My life of silence ends tonight, I must come clean…I've failed. I've failed everyone that ever depended upon me. I'm a liar, a coward, and I do not deserve the title Hero. Princess Zelda, the one I held a deep love for…is dead, Hyrule destroyed, the Kokiri have been eradicated. Ganon has won…and it is all my fault.

Long ago I abandoned the forest garb, just another aspect of the prophecy I am not deserved of. The Master Sword "Evil's Bane" as it's called looks charred and dead in its sheath, as if even the blade itself is disappointed in my shortcomings. In these past four years I've felt every emotion possible, used every excuse imaginable, but in reality I know what happened, I took Ganon too lightly. My belief was and the prophecy stated that I would end him, period. I have a tendency to be a bit thickheaded as Zelda could attest to.

'You are not ready yet LINK!'

'Umm, excuse me princess?'

Those memories were like daggers in my mind. So arrogant, I was so arrogant, and Zelda knew it…SHE KNEW IT! If only I could take back everything I would. If only I could see my precious Zelda once more I would gladly give my life, but the times for sacrifice are far past due. That is not to say that a sacrifice has not been made mind you. He made me watch it…her sacrifice I mean. I was with her at the end, Princess Zelda died in my arms and I let it happen…some Hero of Time huh?

Ganon was just too strong, it didn't matter everything I had accomplished, it didn't matter all the weapons I had acquired, or all the help I received, in the end I failed, me no one else. It is because of my failure that so many people are in pain or dead. The deaths that followed Ganon's triumph are almost too many to count, and no song of healing can undo what has been done by Ganon…and by me. Despite my physical appearance remaining the same, I cannot deny that I am a different person. Perhaps that is why even Epona has left me. No matter how many times I play her song it never brings her back to me. I feel so alone; I suppose that may be where all my stories come from.

You see I am no longer a "Hero of Time", no longer am I a "champion for good"…no now I am little more than a writer. I have taken up the name Sheik as a way of honoring my departed Zelda. I use the name that she had used to help me and I don the disguise she had donned in fighting Ganon. I do what I can to help give confidence to all those under the crushing grip of that bastard.

In total I have written twenty stories and for the most part people have grown very fond of them, though the largest criticism is that the main character resembles the "Hero Of Time"…obviously. No one wants to think of me as a hero of anything. If only I could go back, I would and I would do it right. I know most would ask why I don't do it right now. I have no guidance…if you notice in every story I have some sort of guide that I have drawn from my own personal life, but in this…with Zelda gone, Navi gone, The Deku Tree and the Sheikah gone I truly have no one.

If I have no one why do I even persist in living? Why? A question I can't help but ask myself. Just like why am I being allowed to continue carrying the Master Sword? It is a weapon forged specifically for the Hero of Time, one that is to fight the evil that is Ganon. Since I am not the Hero spoken of in legends I should be rid of this blade…but I can't let it go. For some reason I just can't let it go.

II

3 months later

Gerudo Valley, home to the band of female thieves that gave birth to that vile bastard Lord Ganon himself, the den of thieves spreads itself out before me. My travels have brought me here multiple times throughout the course of my life. First as a child that was turned away only too quickly from the city gates, next as a teenager and their prisoner, finally as a respected equal. It didn't matter to them that I was Ganon's sworn enemy, for the Gerudo's respect skill and power (both traits of which I possessed greatly back then).

So here I stand once again at the bridge leading to the front gates of Gerudo Valley. I gaze down into the depths beyond the bridge as I had when I was a child and I couldn't help but feel as if my past and present were converging. Though it is dark as pitch tonight I can't help but feel as if the Gerudo's know I am here, and though I know I shouldn't, I bend down to one knee and touch the wooden boards that make up the bridge which at one time was cut asunder. The ghost of a smile appears upon the side of my lips as the memory of my infiltrating the Gerudo camp returns to me. They had taken the four imbecilic sons of a lonely carpenter into their stronghold. I had rescued them all…and their payment was the finishing of this bridge.

'Shadows of the past…that is it.'

I am no longer that man, and this is no longer my destiny, but if that is the case why did I come here? As I stand I feel soreness in my legs. 'Almost forgot how far away the Gerudo Stronghold was from Hyrule, especially with no horse to carry me.' My heart aches to see my beloved Epona once again, but gone is the hope that playing her song will bring her running to me as it had so many other times. Can I truly blame her either; I let Ganon kill Epona's previous Master. Apparently that was Malon's punishment for allowing Ingo to give me what was supposed to be the Lord's new steed.

The wind blows at me and I feel an unearthly chill accompanying it. If nothing else it serves to remind me where I am and just why I'm here. Feeling suddenly very vulnerable in the wide open space of the bridge I slip a leg over the edge of the bridge's side, then the other. I take a quick glance down, inhale deep and throw myself into the vast nothingness of the space below. In mid-air I pull free something I had acquired while in the cemetery in Kakariko Village.

The object in my grasp has a handle that fits in my fist almost perfectly while at the same time has a protective hand-guard that has served to keep my hand attached on many occasions. Above the hand-guard is a chain that snakes around the entire guard and finally the tip looks more like that of a blade, but I cannot deny that it is quite effective for passive obstacles, as well as those that wish to do me harm. Within the hand guard is a button that thrusts the blade outward via a piston within.

As I click that button it takes off at lightning speed and I hear the satisfying thud as the blade portion of the object burrows itself within the base of a tree. I click the button again and it drags the chain towards the tree stump, and me with it. I will not deny that it took some getting used to at first, the ever so quick and abrupt yank of the object nearly dislocated my shoulder the first time I used it. The Hookshot (a name I gave it, Dampe' preferred to call it his keepsake) is the only tool in my arsenal I still trust to get me into the Gerudo's Stronghold.

I move along the top of the cliff with the moon at my back as I advance into the Stronghold of the Gerudo's, and I hope that I won't be discovered. The mission that I am currently on is best for me to be remaining in the shadows. As I make my way into the outer edge of the Stronghold I am surprised by what I see…

III

…or I suppose by what I don't see. All of the Gerudo Stronghold seems to be empty. I see not one individual roaming neither inner, nor outer workings of this place. Ever so cautiously I lower myself to the ground just shy of the gate into the Haunted Wasteland. Something is not right here, I am sure of it. The wind is whistling a very somber note, and though I feel very on edge, I fear something has been done to Ganon's very own group of prized warriors. I advance very warily through the entranceways of the Gerudo Stronghold and don't so much as see a single individual anywhere in sight.

Everywhere I go there seems to be no sign at all of the Gerudo's nor what may have happened to them, until I move to the archery range. From the entrance into the archery range I couldn't see all too much, however the closer I got to the furthest bull's-eye, I began to notice something attached to the center of it. As I advanced in its direction I inched my left hand up to the Master Sword's hilt. When finally I stood at the base of the bull's-eye I was able to witness a piece of white fabric stabbed by an ornate looking dagger. Dangling from the piece of fabric was a crumpled piece of parchment.

Once again I withdrew the Hookshot and aimed it at the bull's-eye. I drew myself up to it and snatched the dagger catching the parchment with my other hand. I began to smooth out the letter and commenced to read it:

Ganon,

You have this belief that you are invincible, but our act of rebellion should clearly show you that there are those that are willing to fight in place of the…"Hero of Time". Your reign of tyranny will not last much longer of that we promise you. We have taken all of the Gerudo's as our captives and in seven days we will begin killing them one for every day you refuse to relinquish your control of Hyrule.

You have seven days,

The Hylian Guard

I shake my head knowing that these men's threats are useless. Ganon does not and has not ever cared about the Gerudo's. This willful act of rebellion by those labeling themselves The Hylian Guard, whoever they really are, will not go without swift and bloody retribution. Though I know that Ganon does not care for these women…he is always looking for the slightest excuse to exert his power, and this is just the excuse he needs.

I peruse the note once more just to see if I may have missed anything else but have not. Though I feel a deep sympathy for those women, I have my own mission and I must return to it. Perhaps after I find the answers I need I may be able to help the Gerudo's predicament, but I am only one person and this mission is far more important than any one life so with some regret I press on back into the main portion of the Gerudo Stronghold. I move to the gate leading into the Haunted Wasteland. The last time I went there I nearly became lost within, and it was only because of the markers, the Lens of Truth, and the Song of Storms that I was able to adequately navigate through.

This time however I don't necessarily need to navigate through, well not all the way through anyway. I merely need to reach the carpet merchant, if he still remains. One thing I can say about living underneath the rule of Lord Ganon…you can never be sure who may have gone "missing" because of something they have said or done. In all honesty I am not even sure if he will be able to help me, perhaps it is a vain belief on my part, but I cannot deny that he has been around a bit and surely knows more than he told me last time. So it is with great apprehension that I take my first step into the Haunted Wasteland just beyond the Gerudo Valley, just beyond the Gerudo's very Stronghold.

IV

I've lost the Lens of Truth years ago so I might be flying blind while I am in this wasteland, but I have faith that I will find my way to the merchant once again. I've stepped into the Haunted Wasteland only to find everything still. The perpetual sandstorm that once plagued this place has apparently subsided. Thankfully I can now see the path from marker to marker only too clearly. As I make my advance further into the Wasteland I become increasingly apprehensive. I cannot deny that even now I feel like I am a rat that has yet to discover a trap that is about to ensnare it. I continue to await that fateful click signaling the trap being sprung upon me.

There is one other thing that unnerves me and that is the lack of any resistance. There are no creatures of any kind impeding my progress in this wasteland. It's funny because it's almost like I'm always being attacked by something, but now…I cannot deny my apprehension is at its peak. I would almost prefer being attacked the entire trip, like the last time I was here. I vividly recall hundreds of Leevers hounding me my entire trip to the Spirit Temple, but this time it was as silent as any desert I have been in since.

I notice how quickly I am making my way through this wasteland now that I have no obstructions and I realize that I should shortly be coming upon the carpet merchant. My boots kick up sand in clumps that explode once they make contact with the rest of the desert, reminding me of the explosions constantly resounding off of Dodongo's Cavern so many years ago.

At long last my eyes finally settle upon the unmistakable shape of the carpet merchant in the distance. Immediately I notice something not right, but at that moment the wind picks up and sand finds its way into my eyes. I do my best to make my way to him and though I haven't played it in years I find myself pulling out the Ocarina of Time and begin to perform the Song of Storms. Thunder booms in the distance and as lightning flashes I can see all too clearly the outline of the figure sitting in a lotus position on a carpet hovering above the desert like a symbol of foreboding.

I drum my fingers along my thigh and bite my lower lip as I stand and look in the direction of the merchant. I have so many thoughts running through my mind at this moment, but one that pushes its way to the forefront is when I was a child. I had snuck into Hyrule Castle and upon doing so I found myself face to face with none other than Princess Zelda. It was at this moment that she had told me of my "destiny". She told me that together the two of us would have to topple any ambitions the young lieutenant of her father's army had. This lieutenant, this Ganondorf was supposedly a bad man…according to Zelda. At the time I hadn't any idea what he was capable of. He had seen me through the window; he had seen me spying on his "act of loyalty". Zelda said it didn't matter though, for we were going to do it together, and he wouldn't stand a chance. How wrong she was.

"It is a rather dangerous area to be alone in isn't it young man?" I heard from directly behind me and as I whipped around I pulled the Master Sword free.

Unbeknownst to me I had been surrounded by a group of no less than twenty individuals and all of them wore the unmistakable insignia of Princess Zelda upon their right lapel. As for their clothing they shone a brilliant pearly white with the exception of a rather large red cross covering their chest. I noticed that every individual around me wore no protective head gear, which I feel is a rather poor decision, for even I have learned my lesson after the last time being here. The wind and sandstorms are damaging to the skin and unless one covers themselves they are in serious danger from elements. However none of these men seemed worried in the slightest about storms or wind, or "the elements".

"Sheath it." I heard one of them order but apparently I did not do it quick enough for I heard a more insistent: "I SAID SHEATH IT!"

Reluctantly I found myself doing as I was asked.

"Good, now why is it you are here. It seems rather out of the way for a Sheikah…and correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that Ganon eradicated all of your kind." The one speaking finally stepped close enough, and the wind stopped blowing just enough for me to gather a rather decent look at the man. He wore a light grey armor from the waist up to his neck. Draped along the front of him was a piece of fabric that bore the red cross over it. At first glance I had believed that he had worn no armor at all, but that this piece of fabric was the entirety of what he was wearing. If not for this break in the storm I would have continued on believing that, and if this conversation took turn for the worse well I guess my blade wouldn't have found its mark past the expensive looking piece of protection.

"I would appreciate it if you would answer my question." Came the voice of the man once more and at that moment my eyes were drawn to the face of the man. I noticed some very rough features along the man's jaw line that suggested his life was anything but an easy one. His short shaggy brown hair had been muddled from the sandstorm but his intense eyes never wavered from mine. I could see that my persistent silence was beginning to anger him. "Last chance, answer me!"

"I'm just looking for an old friend." I said which wasn't necessarily a lie. I was genuinely seeking the carpet merchant, and I do know him from my younger days, but friend…not exactly.

"You do understand that there are perils in this wasteland perhaps even more dangerous than the Lord Ganon himself?" The man spoke to me and though I knew he meant it to sound like a question, I took it more as a threat.

"Such as?" I couldn't help but ask.

His eyes narrowed on me. "Such as us." He then motioned me back the way I came. "Come young man it is better for you to not be here on this day."

"Why?" I asked innocently enough, but the man took it as a challenge and methodically drew his blade which I noticed had a gleaming golden cross hilt and lettering along the blade. I glared at the man but shook my head: "I am not trying to be defiant but I am just concerned for my friend. If there is danger in these lands I want to ensure he is under my care…he is not young like we are."

"Today is not a good day, come back to visit him tomorrow."

"Commander Redderick don't you know who this is?" One of the individuals; a woman; that was in the outer circle asked.

"Should I Skryla?" Commander Redderick asked.

My eyes suddenly shifted to the woman that had interrupted this Commander Redderick. She was a relatively thin woman but her arms were covered in blue spider webbing tattoos. She had no weapons that I could discern even on the steed she rode but there was an air about her that was somehow off. Her hair was a dark oily black and it cascaded down to her mid-back but it looked somehow melded with her very flesh. When she spoke there was a raspy quality that was both foreign as well as familiar.

"This is Sheik…am I right?" Skryla asked and I nodded. "This is the author of some of the most entertaining novels I've read. Majora's Mask, Windwaker, A Link To The Past. I am right aren't I?" Again I nodded. "They have kept me company during my long journeys…well except for a few that I've read."

At this remark I was genuinely curious. "Such as?" I asked noticing out of my periphery Commander Redderick becoming all the more annoyed, but for some reason he was not interrupting this mysterious Skryla whom I thought I may have met somewhere before, but as of yet the exact meeting eluded me.

Skryla look a bit uncomfortable but she pressed on anyway: "Wand of Gamelon for one, Faces of Evil for another." I smiled my understanding but Skryla must have viewed it as my being uncomfortable for she began to apologize profusely.

I put up a hand to stop her and looked at Commander Redderick to see if he was about to say anything. His eyes were narrowed in anger but he remained silent. "What about Zelda's adventure?" Skryla frowned but said nothing to which I smiled. "May I confess something to you?" Skryla nodded excitedly. "I had a bit too much of Chateau Romani before I wrote those tales." I laughed. "I probably shouldn't have dispersed them to the public, but I felt everyone is entitled to read anything I may write."

"Indeed Master Sheik." Skryla said.

At long last Commander Redderick decided he could withhold his tongue no longer and blurted out: "Really? Must we idly talk when I have given this young man a very clear order?"

Skryla's jovial manner instantly vanished and her cool blue eyes settled on Commander Redderick. I very quickly noticed the surrounding area darken and Skryla's neck tilted to the side as she peered intently at the apparent Commander of this group. He instantly shut his mouth and turned his gaze to the desert sand. "I believe this young man has tolerated your brashness long enough. Sheik you are free to go make sure your friend is safe."

"Thank you." I replied.

"However tell me this." Skryla said and I turned. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"I don't know, I kind of have that feeling as well."

Skryla tilted her head to the side and then smiled at me. "I am sure it will come to me later." I smiled back and was about to walk away when I thought of something else.

"Umm…who are you people?"

Commander Redderick sighed. "Where have you been? You do not know the Hylian Guard when they are before you in all their glory." Skryla cleared her throat and Commander Redderick became silent once more.

"So…you are the ones that abducted the Gerudo's?" I asked and Skryla nodded. "Oh."

"Does it bother you?" She asked and I shook my head.

"I was only curious."

As I began to walk in the direction of the silhouette of the carpet merchant in the distance I heard Skryla call out to me once more. "Sheik."

Without turning back I spoke: "Yes."

"Tell me one more thing."

"If I can."

"Are you working on anything new?" She asked with that excitement in her voice again.

"Yes I am, though I haven't had a lot of time to write it. It is called The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword. But don't you tell anyone, I am trying to keep this one on the hush hush."

"I promise." Came Skryla's reply and then I proceeded forward and away from the Hylian Guard.

V

I was a mere ten paces from where the Hylian Guard had stopped me when I looked back to make sure that I was not being followed by them, but I quickly realized not one of them were anywhere to be seen. Hmph it seemed such random departures into the very ether were becoming commonplace in my life. When Zelda was masquerading as Sheik herself, she would persistently leave me when I desired answers to the countless questions that were running through my mind at that moment. It had become so frequent that I actually had started putting similar departures in the stories that I wrote. Inevitably there would be someone that offered help to the nameless hero, and even more inevitably would be the moment that that individual left, there would be no hint that it was coming at all. One moment they would be there the next they would be gone. It became frustrating very quickly for me both in real life as well as in my stories.

Regardless I forced these thoughts away as I found myself right before the carpet merchant finally. Though it had been years since our last meeting I couldn't deny that he seemed to have been in the exact position as well as location as the last time I had seen him. If not for his slow and rhythmic breathing I almost would have believed him to be a statue. Beneath the carpet was nothing but a sandy colored cloud, and like my initial interaction with him I was amazed at how the carpet hovered above what looked more like a sand tempest below. For the briefest of moments I believed I saw something from beneath the cloud of sand, but in the next instant it was gone.

I stepped up to the edge of the dock and cleared my throat but right as I did so the wind picked up and I believed my attempt at interaction lost in the wind so I decided to call out to the merchant. "Excuse m-"

"I heard you, yes I did boy."

"I'm sorry but I was jus-"

"I know what you were doing boy, yes I do, but I do not know why have you come here after so long? What are you in need of boy?"

"I have a question for you." I said.

"Out with it already boy, yes."

"…What do you know about the Master Sword?" I ask after a short breath.

"Ooh! The Master Sword eh?" Still the carpet merchant remained motionless, though the hairs on the back of my neck were beginning to stand on end. "And why would you like to know about that?"

"You do know I am a writer?" I asked.

"Hmph if you can call it that boy, yes." Came the reply.

"Well I was thinking of putting the Master Sword in one of the stories, but I need to know about it."

"What exactly yes?"

"Certain properties, how it was made? Who made it? Really anything you can tell me."

"You want to know why the blade turned black for you don't you …yes?" Came the carpet merchant's reply and I instantly felt inwardly as if the trap had sprung. I was quickly testing the limit of how long I could remain before being ensnared.

"How did you know-?" I asked inching my hand towards the Master Sword's hilt.

At long last I saw two crimson eyes blaze into view from the carpet merchant's head shroud. "Lord Ganon knows all!"

VI

The landscape surrounding me darkened all too suddenly, and in a brief flash the sand cloud beneath the carpet dissipated and what remained were hundreds upon hundreds of Leevers, Stalfos, Moblins, and Redeads. The Redeads' screams pierced the air paralyzing me as they had when I was a child chilling me to the bone. I, Link looked on in horror as the carpet merchant's head lolled forward and his arms slowly rose up as if attached by some invisible strings. The merchant was slowly pulled upward until his feet just skimmed the carpet. He moved towards me looking as if he were being manipulated like nothing more than a helpless marionette. The voice of the demon lord of the Gerudo arose and addressed me once more:

"You actually believed you had a chance of circumventing my attention? PITIFUL! I've had my eye on your actions since you failed in saving Hyrule and its Princess. Those pathetic stories you've written will never undo what you have failed to accomplish…LINK!"

I tried to speak but I could only sputter one word: "How?"

"How?" Ganon mocked. "I AM CONNECTED TO THAT DAMNED WEAPON YOU CARRY NO MATTER HOW DEAD IT LOOKS! HOW WOULD I NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE?"

I glared into the hateful eyes of the bastard that stole everything and everyone I ever cared about. Memories flooded into me of all Ganon had taken from me. My beloved childhood friend Saria had been taken from me. Nabooru of the Gerudo had been sacrificed to the witches merely because she was in the way of Ganon and complete control of Hyrule. The Kokiri, who had done absolutely nothing negative to anyone had been eradicated just the same and it was because I had merely grown up with them. According to Ganon it was all for the good of Hyrule. This bastard's hypocrisy apparently knew no bounds.

As we glared into one another's eyes, one another's souls, I gripped the Master Sword in my hand and for the first time in four years I withdrew it. Surprisingly I felt an electric jolt rush through me. Though the blade remained as black and almost corroded as it had since the fateful night of my failure, I nevertheless felt a pinprick of longing, of outcry to end the bastard before me once and for all. My gaze however quickly returned to the hordes of monsters making their way up from the pit before me and I realized Ganon would have to wait for a bit while I took out his refuse.

'There are so many.' I couldn't help but thinking and then I thought of the night I let Zelda die. My resolve suddenly seemed supercharged with righteous indignation. If I died in the process of taking this bastard down, then so be it. If this was to be my punishment, my penance for my failure then I would willingly do so…it was the least I could do for those who believed in me and I let down.

I swung the sword a few times just to get the feel of it in my hand and then lunged into the hordes of monstrosities with rapacious aggressiveness. My determination served to make my body impenetrable to the Redeads' cries of misery. I cut into them just as quickly as with any other monster that dared attack me.

Though I no longer held the Lens of Truth I nevertheless felt the presence of Poes nearby so in a flash I had sheathed the Master Sword and withdrew my bow, nocking an arrow. I shut my eyes and let my body instinctively move to where I believed the Poe to be. I clicked a button on the bow and the tip of the arrow exploded into a burst of fire. As I released it and flipped back I heard a small detonation not far away, and as I took a chance look I could see a lantern appear from the aether. It fell to the ground shattering and leaving what looked to be a small wisp of purple that gave a pitiful mewling before fading away.

I threw the bow back around my shoulders and once again pulled free the Master Sword. Three Stalfos had surrounded me and though they were intent on ending me before Ganon could reach me I hastily thrust my hand into my pocket and grabbed a Deku Nut. I smashed it on the ground stunning every one of them and then advanced lightening quick cutting each Stalfos in mere moments, but more came up to replace them.

Leevers were randomly popping up in the most inopportune spots and though they would hit me every once in a while I was able to twist my body in a way that made it so that the injuries was very minimal. The Redeads however were anothers story entirely. They had regrouped and apparently taken up arms beside the Stalfos and not too much further back were the Moblins. I realized quickly that I was becoming swamped and though I was carving quite a hefty swath through those that got near, I was losing ground fast, so it was with a heavy heart that I thrust my right fist to my chest and spoke aloud:

"Please Din help, I know I have not acted in a way fitting of the Hero of Time, but I am trying to rectify it…please help." The moment those words were out of my mouth there was an explosion of flames emanating from my very person and they moved outwards until those that immediately surrounded me were reduced to cinders.

For the briefest of moments I took a momentary breath but before I was able to fully gather myself I was once again assaulted by Ganon's legions. I did every technique I had ever learned but the hordes kept coming, and I dimly realized that this would be my final stand. When the fight started I thought it could be, but I think that I never truly believed this would be my end…now though I saw little hope as the hordes made their way to me.

All of a sudden I felt something slam into my back electrifying every nerve in my body and sending me flying to the ground face first. Inevitably I heard Ganon's laughter ring through the air following his attack. 'Should have remembered that.' I thought and as I raised my gaze to the carpet merchant he fell forward. Appearing out of the space of nothingness left by the carpet merchant came the terrifying visage of Ganon himself. He must have stood at close to nine feet in height and on each forearm were golden jewel encrusted gauntlets that shimmered in the light of the day. His blood red hair cascaded down either side of his neck intertwining into a single braid by mid-back. His powerful looking shoulders towered above me and I saw him thrust his right arm into the air where an enormous globe of pure darkness was beginning to expand. All while this was happening he laughed, he laughed that hateful, vile laughter that had echoed in my ears since the death of my poor Princess Zelda.

VII

I looked into the eyes of all of Ganon's minions and closed my own as the pulsing coming from the sphere of dark energy Ganon was conjuring resounded along the landscape. Slowly I tightened my grip on the Master Sword and rose to at least die with the dignity of giving one hell of a fight. Then as it seemed that all was lost I heard the loudest bullhorn ever to reach my ears and hundreds of hoof beats along the desert sand. My eyes shot open and it was a good thing they did so, for as my eyes moved skyward I witnessed thousands upon thousands of arrows blotting out most of the sky. For the briefest of instants I had no idea what to do, then with a grim realization I spoke aloud.

"Nayru, I am sorry for my failure, and if you lend me your aide I promise to make it all right…but in order to do this I have to survive…please help." At first nothing happened and then I felt the air around me constrict. It wasalmost as if a veil of cobalt passed over top my vision and when I looked further I caught sight of a diamond looking barrier encasing me. I immediately knew that Nayru had forgiven me and encircled me with her loving protection.

Arrows rained down along the entirety of the Haunted Wasteland but not one pierced my protective barrier. The bodies of the Redeads, Moblins, Leevers, Poes, and Stalfos collapsed before me in a crumpled heap, but it seemed as if the shower of arrows was never-ending. At long last I heard one of the loudest voices arise from off in the distance, and it was not Ganon this time.

"There be the beast my brothers. PUT HIM DOWN!"

I glanced in the direction of where the voice came from and I saw a wall of white coverings all with red crosses stitched into the center and quickly realized that the Hylian Guard were making their presence felt to the Dark Lord Ganon. This may actually have been the first time that the two forces met face-to-face. Ganon glanced at each of the Hylian Guard as if they were nothing more than insects and then threw his head back and gave a guttural belly laugh that I could tell enraged the Guard, most in particular Commander Redderick.

"If you truly desire a confrontation then let us convene where this entire ordeal originated from…Hyrule Castle. I shall await your opposition, if this is what you would call it. Hm hm hm." Ganon's vile laughter continued for what seemed hours following his disappearing from the Haunted Wasteland.

VIII

The last of the arrows found purchase in the desert sand, but before I could think of anything I heard the bullhorn again. The Hylian Guard engaged the remaining Stalfos, Moblins, Leevers, and Redeads which surprisingly still numbered in the near hundred mark. I looked on as the Hylian Guard worked their way through the creature's numbers. The most surprising thing that I believe I witnessed was the way in which I saw Commander Redderick fight. For as abrasive as the man had been to me, the way in which he treated those that served him was nothing less than outstanding. There were many times that I had seen one of the Guard nearly cut down, but seemingly at the last possible moment Commander Redderick entered the fray and saved his soldier in danger.

It seemed at least to me that Commander Redderick desired to be the first one into the fray and the last to leave, it also seemed that on the rare occasion one of his men were felled he took it extremely hard. This was the one aspect of him that struck the largest chord with me, for it seemed like his combat skills were almost attached to his very emotions, so if he was feeling pained by the loss of one of his brother's in arms he grew many times more vicious. It was an aspect of the man I found honorable and I found myself almost forgiving the fact that he was so belligerent with me…and in this moment of reflection it happened.

Before I had any idea of what exactly was transpiring, countless creatures appeared almost out of thin air from every corner of the Wasteland surrounding a large portion of the Guard. It was almost as if Ganon had drawn them, and myself to this place only to ambush us. I had believed that Ganon's minions were close to being defeated when all of these new monstrosities appeared. Among the new arrivals were Gibdos, Wizzrobes, and probably the most feared the Darknuts, which were heavily armored warriors that had nearly unending drive. In this moment I feared for the fate of the Hylian Guard. Suddenly I heard Skryla's voice arise from the battle.

"I believe the time has come for it to be my turn?" She said and I almost thought I heard a menacing quality accompany her voice. If I hadn't heard Commander Redderick hollering at her I may have had a better chance to get my bearings before all hell broke loose.

"NO SKRYLA MY MEN ARE DOWN THERE!" Commander Redderick screamed.

"Our mission surpasses any one life Redderick do not forget this!" Skryla replied in a sickly harsh voice I didn't think her capable of uttering.

Behind Skryla appeared a massive circular opening that was so dark within I almost felt as if I had lost myself within it. I then noticed something moving deep within the space, though very distant at this moment. All the while Commander Redderick begged, pleaded for her to give his men a chance to retreat, but her gaze was on the main grouping of creatures that had begun the attack. As I tried my hardest to see what was coming through the portal the barrier surrounding me brightened to a point that I became unable to see anything but a brilliance on par with looking into the sun. I shut my eyes tight and then I felt myself being drawn away into the sky.

IX

A bizarre light passed across my vision and my body seemed to soar skyward until I nearly touched the clouds. I was given only enough time to take a breath before I felt my body plummet back to the ground. I vaguely recalled writing a scene in my newest novel Skyward Sword where the main character…alright myself almost always jumps into the open sky with no cares in the world. In the novel I seem almost…fearless, which I surely do not feel at the moment. I'm not sure, but I almost want to say that I was screaming the entire way down until out of nowhere I felt a harsh jerk and then I stopped. Surrounding me was a massive jade green sphere of light that ever so slowly began to blink out once my feet were on solid ground.

When finally the sphere of light blinked out entirely my eyes witnessed what was left following the battle in the Haunted Wasteland. The bodies of creatures were strewn about as if nothing more than refuse. The bodies of The Hylian Guard that Commander Redderick had been yelling about to Skryla where there also, but when my eyes passed across them I felt my neck twitch and my eyes didn't seem to want to linger on any one of them. What I had witnessed in the aftermath of the battle, what I had seen that had been done to those that had been left behind sickened me to the point that I actually found myself bending over and retching. I knew of nothing that treated anything or anyone in the manner that those before me had been treated. Covering the entire battlefield was some sort of bizarre, wet, sticky grey sludge. I noticed too that many if not close to all of the bodies seemed to be totally covered with it be it creature or man.

"What the hell happened here?" I couldn't help voicing aloud.

I numbly walked through the battlefield and as much as I tried not to look my eye would catch a massive bite mark on one of the Guard's thighs, or eyes gouged out and that grey sludge would be leaking out. I searched, I searched for any living thing be it a Moblin, Leever, or one of the Hylian Guard but I never found anyone…anything. As I progressed through the Wasteland that now looked like little more than a sea of death something came to me. Despite being within some of the worst smells of rot, death, and the beginnings of decay I fell to my knees and lowered my head.

"Thank you Farore for taking me from the battlefield…though I don't know why yourself and your sisters are putting enough faith in me to keep me alive, I deeply appreciate it."

Din, Nayru, and Farore, all Goddesses of the land of Hyrule and all the protectors of the Great object known as the Triforce. It's funny, in the past twenty-four hours I have asked for each of them to help me and they have, even though I have shunned them these last four years they still helped me. Back when I had just lost Zelda and failed, I had been very angry at the Goddesses. I had believed that I was destined to end Ganon and bring peace back to Hyrule…apparently that wasn't the plan and I became very angry about it. However when I was in need and asked them for help, they never gave it a second thought.

"Din, Nayru, Farore, I was so wrong. Please forgive me. I want to make this right, but I don't know how. I need your help…please." All of a sudden three pillars of light began to converge upon me, one red, one blue, and one green. Once before me the pillars of light began to dim a bit and I noticed three figures all similar in looks but what they wore distinguished them. The one that emerged from the green light seemed to be adorned in clothing made of the earth and trees. The one that emerged from red light looked to have clothing of burning fire and molten lava. However the one that came from the blue light wore a white dress but the way she moved made it seem as if she were wading in water.

My eyes widened with the knowledge that I stood before the three Goddesses spoken of only in legends. My breath was lost in my throat and though I was at a loss I found myself kneeling to one knee. Something within me told me that that was not far enough so I positioned myself upon both knees and lowered my head to the ground as I lay my hands out before me in a submissive gesture. I cannot recall a moment I had ever felt this nervous. Never before was I as nervous fighting some sort of terrifying creature that walked roughshod across these lands as I was before the three.

Though I had believed that I would not be able to find my voice before the Goddesses I was apparently mistaken as I had begun to apologize for all my failings profusely before I had any idea I had done so. Nayru put up a slow moving hand as if to silence me and then Din's mouth parted and though hers were only to do so I seemingly heard all three Goddesses collective voices ring out simultaneously.

'While we do forgive you're not ending the Dark Lord's reign of terror, we cannot tell you that you are free of the destiny given to you when you were but a child.'

I sat up. "What exactly do you mean?"

'Ganon must be ended, and it can only be you that does it.'

"Me? I have already tried and failed!" I couldn't help but call out a bit angrily. "And besides the Master Sword cannot harm him like it is now." I said as I pulled free "Evil's Bane".

'The Master sword must be restored so that Ganon can finally be ended.'

"Look my Goddesses though I would love to end Ganon for you…I'm too weak. He defeated me last time…perhaps you should put your faith in the Hylian Guard."

'They are no match for the Dark Lord.'

"NEITHER AM I!" I roared out and a split-second later I apologized as I regretted instantly yelling at the three Goddesses.

Farore came forward and placed her hands upon my shoulders…and then Din's voice arose once more, but this time it seemed only as one voice and I imagined it as Farore herself speaking to me.

'Link like the Master Sword you must regain your confidence. You yourself must be restored…there is a way. But you must accept it, and bear in mind that if you do so, you cannot turn back. You must see it to the end.'

"I can't! You saw me back there. Ganon blind-sided me and I didn't even see it coming."

'This is your choice then?' Came Farore's voice with a twinge of disappointment.

There was a quality in her voice that I couldn't place but one that made me feel a great amount of shame…and sadness. Farore's eyes gleamed with an almost liquid-like fluidity that nearly brought tears to my own eyes. When the shame threatened to overwhelm my senses I witnessed a flash move across my eyes and then a memory came to me. It was of mine and Zelda's first meeting in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. I had snuck my way in to see her…even back then her elegant blonde hair struck me. Her thin fair face, so innocent, so much more so than later years. The desperation in her pleas for help cut me so deep I wanted to cry out. When given the chance to ease her pain and give her at least a moment's peace by agreeing to help her I leapt at the chance. If she could see me doubting myself so much it would sicken her. This memory of my lovely Princess Zelda continued to play through my mind over and over until I gritted my teeth.

"The bastard took her from me, took her from everyone here in Hyrule…I cannot let that stand. I will do it! Even if I die in the process I will kill him, once and for all!" I said.

Farore suddenly embraced me tightly and I felt warmth siphoning off of her and seemingly injecting itself within me. Before our embrace broke I knew who it was that stood before me. Farore's image began to fade, to be replaced by my beloved Zelda's. Tears stained my eyes as the breath was caught in my throat. I sniffled and began to apologize for my failure, but quickly Zelda's finger reached my lips as if to shush me.

'There is no need.' She said.

From my other side I noticed Nayru move up to me. I turned to her and she too embraced me tightly. Again I felt another injection of something warm into my body. The smell of autumn leaves reached my nostrils and when we parted the small form of Saria stood before me. Her short green hair lay to either side of her shoulders as it had when I had known her years ago. She smiled at me and like with Zelda I found myself wanting to give an apology, but she too placed a single finger to my lips.

'There is no need.' She said and I was surprised to discover that the voice seemed to come from Zelda herself.

Finally Din's form moved up to me and like the previous two Goddesses I found myself embracing her. The injection of warmth was strong and almost chaotic but when I was sure I was on the cusp of lunacy I felt a weird sense of serenity move through me until we parted. Standing before me was the one that I had never been able to break from the control of the witches, the Leader of the Gerudo, Nabooru. Before I even had a chance to speak she placed her entire palm over my mouth.

'It was my own arrogance that got me captured…do not apologize for what was not your fault.' I nodded and the three Goddesses that had taken form of three very important individuals retreated every one of them peering intently at me. Zelda spoke to me with the slightest twinge of sadness.

'The Master Sword must be restored Link.'

"How?" I asked.

'Deep below Lake Hylia there is a vast cavern and in it is a power that is capable of not only restoring the Master Sword but giving it nigh unlimited power. If you are able to acquire this power you will be able to end Ganon once and for all. Please Link will you do it…you are our only hope.'

I did not allow myself to pause after being asked by my beloved. "I'll do it."

'Before you go, know this. The power is protected, by what I am unsure, but it is very powerful that I do know. You will be tested, and from what we can gather this foe may be more difficult than even Ganon himself. Watch yourself, you will have our confidence.'

I nodded. "How do I get there?"

Zelda gave the ghost of a smile. 'I will be able to accompany you, at least to the entrance.'

"I am glad."

'As am I.'

My eyes moved to Nabooru and Saria and I nodded to them, they smiled back. 'Good luck Link.' Came Din's voice once more and then they faded.