Since I am reuploading the first six chapters in bulk, I can't really answer individual questions/comments yet, but feel free to PM me and I will get back to you!
"What?" The question was barely a whisper.
"Your allies, your dear friends, and the entirety of Hyrule believe that you succumbed to a tragic fate while facing me," Ganondorf let a menacing grin spread across his face as Link's breathing became labored, "with their pathetic Hero of Destiny done for, the wretches that inhabit this land have relinquished the last shreds of hope that they had been desperately clinging to."
"Why would they think that?" Link attempted to steady his uneven breathing while focusing an angry stare upon his enemy's face.
"You may be courageous, but it seems as though you lack competence," the young hero continued to glower at Ganondorf, but the older male was not fazed by the look of disdain, "after you lost consciousness, I had several bublins drag you down here while I pursued that pathetic excuse of a princess. When I returned, a crowd of Hylian peasants had gathered to discover why the castle was collapsing.
"I seized the opportunity to destroy their optimistic frame of mind," the enormous man threw open the cell door and stepped inside, causing Link to jerk back in yet another convulsion of agony, "I declared that their intended liberators had succumbed to my superior power before claiming the land of Hyrule as my own."
"What happened to Princess Zelda?" Link asked while trying to maintain composure as Ganondorf approached him. "Did you lock her up, too?"
The Demon King was now looming over Link. "I did no such thing." His words struck the boy with panic... if he had not imprisoned the princess, that most likely meant that she had been killed by the Gerudo.
"That mare of yours is impressive," the young hero was confused when Ganondorf began to speak about Epona, "the former sovereign of Hyrule was able to escape on the horse, but do not fret. I will find the princess at some point... however, she is not my top priority right now, for she is powerless without the aid of the destined hero – even the people of this land are aware of that, as they all witnessed her display of cowardice when my underlings seized the castle."
Link could feel his muscles relax upon learning that Zelda was safe, at least for the time being. However, the slight change in Link's demeanor did not go unnoticed by Ganondorf.
"You have no reason to be at ease, hero," the Gerudo stated while his gaze darkened, "you are under my possession now, and I intend to punish you for attempting to execute me."
Kakariko Village had been a place that had been become accustomed to tragedy over the last few months, but it was more somber than usual at the current time. News of the tragedy had been delivered nearly two days ago, and the only thing that filled the air since was the wailing of the Ordonian children.
"This... this isn't possible!" Ilia, Link's closest childhood friend, was uncontrollably bawling. "He... he couldn't have! I-I don't believe it!"
"Sweet Ilia," the shaman of Kakariko spoke gently, "you must try to relax; I don't want you to make yourself sick." The words did little to sooth her, for the girl remained in a crumpled heap on the floor.
Colin, the boy who had admired the hero more than anyone else, clung tightly to Ilia as he tried to hold back the tears brimming in his eyes. He wanted to be strong for the others, but that was nearly impossible while everyone else was falling apart over the loss of their dear companion.
"Mister Renado... are you sure? Are you sure that's what the postman said...?" Beth asked through her sobs; though the shaman had answered the question many times already, they continued to ask for confirmation, for none of them could believe that Link had been killed.
"I am so sorry, children," the man put his arms around two of the young Ordonians, "I deeply wish that this was only a terrible nightmare, but I am afraid that Link is no longer with us."
"No! He promised that he would return safely!" Ilia shouted with a tear stained face before defiantly slamming a fist into the dirt floor. "Link would never lie about something like that!"
"Ilia, stop it!" The young boy named Talo screamed at the oldest female. "Saying it didn't happen isn't going to change anything! Link is gone, and he's not coming back!"
"Don't yell at her!" Beth scolded the boy as water continued to stream down her own reddened cheeks. "She's really upset... we all are, and you're not helping!"
"Please, do not fight," Renado pleaded; it was understandable that they were reacting in such a way, for learning that a loved one died would cause anyone, especially children, to have raging emotions; however, taking their loathsome and melancholy feelings out on each other was not healthy, "I understand that you are all angry, but fighting will not accomplish anything."
Before another sorrowful outburst could erupt, the front doors of the village's sanctuary opened from the outside. The desolate faces of the five Ordonian children turned to see Rusl entering the circular building.
"I'm assuming that you all know what happened..." the man sighed as he examined his fellow Ordonians. "I know there's nothing that can be said to alleviate the pain caused from this, but being with your families will help the grieving process. I brought a horse and a carriage with me; it's time for us to finally return home."
The sun's beautiful rays did not brighten any spirits as the children exited the sanctuary to board the simplistic wagon. As the Ordonian children filled the carriage, Renado began to speak with Rusl.
"From what the young ones have told me, I gathered that you acted as the boy's father figure," the shaman gave Rusl a sympathetic look, "I am terribly sorry for your loss."
"Yes, my wife and I looked after Link until he was old enough to care for himself," Rusl sighed, his voice plagued with muted dejection," and while I appreciate your condolences, I am not entirely sure they are necessary," confusion spread over Renado's previously pitying face, "I did not want to say anything in front of the children, as I do not want to give them false hope, but Link's death has not been confirmed."
"But... but the postman said that our new ruler, Ganondorf, declared that both he and the princess died," Renado refuted his statement, even though the he desperately wanted to accept that Link could potentially be alive, "do you honestly believe that he could have survived?"
"I am not saying anything for certain, but his body was never found, and neither was Princess Zelda's."
"How did you come across that information? I was under the impression that only a general message was delivered to each region of Hyrule."
"The Resistance, a group of Hylians fighting for our freedom, decided to check into the matter after the declaration of their passing had been made," Rusl informed the shaman, "they located the Master Sword in Hyrule field, but that was the only item remaining.
"According to legend, the sword cannot be touched by evil beings," the Ordonian continued, "the fact that his body and other weapons were not there means that something had to have removed them, and having only the Master Sword remaining on the battlefield indicates that it must have been a creature of darkness, for a pure being would have collected the sword along with those other items."
The shaman of Kakariko was clearly analyzing Rusl's words, trying to determine whether his conclusion was a plausible one. "If your theory happens to be true, what do you suppose has happened to Link?"
"There are several possibilities... someone could have hauled him off to take his weapons, but that is doubtful. One wishing to steal his items would have stripped his body and left him. Therefore, I am lead to believe that he is being held captive by our new king."
"I suppose that is possible, and while I do not wish to be pessimistic, I don't believe that you should be overly confident in that assertion," the shaman offered his honesty rather than positivity, "nevertheless, I will notify you immediately if I receive news regarding the subject."
Feel free to leave questions, comments, etc, but please be nice!
