check out the playlist for some music to really set the scene... youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6D564CC168A8EBB9

Prologue

The sun was beginning to set over the edge of the dunes. And a lone cloaked figure could be seen walking through the desert.

His pointed ears gave away his Hylian bloodline.
He wore rust and brown coloured clothes and had a dusty brown cloak tight around himself, pulled up to his nose and close to his chest to protect him from the winds.
His medium length blonde hair was tied back into a ponytail, but this failed to keep his parted fringe from blowing into his face. He kept walking regardless, and although it was at that time of day that was best for moving through the desert, He was in greater haste than necessary.

The desert of illusions can be a dangerous place during the day, the heat and endless sand dunes can drive a man crazy.
Not to mention the spirits and creatures that can be the death of all but the hardiest of warriors.

But few people knew of the greater threat at night. For the desert of illusions in not just a name, for the place carries a dark curse.

A curse the man was hoping to avoid.

The lone figure walked on steadily as the sun vanished over the horizon and the desert grew dark and cold.
He climbed over a sand dune and was glad to see a weather worn fortress aglow in the distance, nestled in the gap between two mountain ranges.

The Gerudo fortress.

The well placed fortress, was the only way into Hyrule from the desert, and it was well defended. Even from his distance the Hylian could see a couple of guards on the watch towers and on the gate.
He breathed a sigh of relief for his journey was nearly over, he would be glad to be free of the desert.

He was about to take a step forward, when there was a scream from behind him that made his blood run cold.
"Help!" screamed a familiar female voice. Spinning around the Hylian saw that a girl with long red hair was being held by a shadowy figure.
He had seen and fought this creature before. And now, just as it had then, it appeared as a black outline of himself. Piercing red eyes glaring back at him in hatred.
It held a jagged dagger to the girl, and was keeping her from squirming by holding its arm around her neck. It grinned maniacally as the Hylian stepped forward, before it plunged the knife into the girls chest.

"No!" The Hylian screamed running forward.
The girl slumped to the floor, her blood flowing freely. But as he reached out to where she lay, she vanished, leaving only blood stained sand behind.
"No, this isn't real… its just an illusion, it can't be real," the Hylian said fighting back tears. He dug his fingers through the red sand, lifting it up and watching as it cascaded back down. "You're not real!" He yelled looking up at the shadow of himself. It grinned widely again, stepping away before transforming. It grew huge, its mass quickly towering over the stunned Hylian before it.
It grew until it blocked out the moonlight with its bulk. It became a monstrous creature, the kind from someone's deepest nightmares. Horns grew from its head and spiralled until they were pointing forward, and it grew long fiery red hair.
Its slanted eyes glowed blue as it shimmered into completion.
The Hylian fell to his knees in shock as he recognised the huge creature. "Ganon.." he breathed.
The creature produced two large swords, each as tall as a man.
It roared loudly and swung a huge weapon downward, in a great arc. The Hylian covered his ears and looked away, fearing his death.
But nothing came.
He opened his eyes and saw nothing.

Standing shakily the Hylian turned and headed toward the Gerudo fortress. But he stopped when he heard his voice called out behind him. He turned around slowly.
Before him stood a great massive tree, with a wise face etched from ancient wood.
The great Deku tree.
The Hylian shook his head. "No, you aren't here, you died… a long time ago."

"Why do you forsake me child…" it said forlornly.
"Leave me alone…" the Hylian said turning away.
"Wait!" it shouted, causing him to spin around, staring in horror as the great tree burst into flames.
"No! he shouted as he ran forward. But as he got close again the Deku tree disappeared.

It was quickly replaced by a beautiful blonde princess.
She stood and merely glared at him, with a cold hatred behind her eyes.

"No, Not this." The Hylian said dropping to his knees. "Please just not her."
He had to hold his breath as he watched her walk up to him, and raise her hand to strike. But it never reached him, she vanished before her hand would have connected.
He wiped the tears from his face that had formed, and looked to the sky.
He quickly wished he hadn't.
He had to cover his mouth to stifle a yell, as a giant moon with a hideous face looked down on him. There were voices now, people yelling at him. People who he had saved in a far away place. They yelled at him, asking why he had left them, that they needed him. All the people he had befriended, quickly flashed before him as the moon began to move down towards the earth.
Suddenly he found himself in a far away place he knew as Clocktown. The people were running and screaming as everything was becoming engulfed in flames.
"No!" he yelled. "I stopped this, This isn't happening!"
"Always denying everything aren't you. You are a sad person." Came a twisted voice from behind him.
The Hylian spun around and saw a horrible purple mask with giant orange eyes peering at him.

"We can still play though if you'd like." It said hovering around him.
"Just leave me alone!" The Hylian yelled, trying to get the burning villiage and the moon to vanish from his vision.

"But you will have to be the Oni…" Said the horribly twisted voice.

The Hylians eyes snapped open, and there was another mask in front of him.
"No… not that." He said trying to move away from the tattooed mask before him.
It flew at him and attached itself to his face. He yelled out in agony, before he collapsed into the sand unconscious.

A Gerudo guard had been patrolling the area near the gates when she had heard yelling. She had alerted the other guards, and they went out to investigate the noise.
One of them approached the Hylian sprawled in the sand, and turned his head to find out who it was.
She pulled his cloak down a bit and nearly fell over when she recognised him.

"It's the hero of time!" She yelled.
The other Gerudo gasped in unison "Quickly! Get him back to fortress!"