As much as I longed to continue traveling that afternoon to the Desert Colossus, the home of Koume and Kotake, Rayne convinced me I needed to rest after a brief, heated debate. I ate a good meal and retired. I lay on my stomach with my left hand stretched to the other half of the bed. The glow was gone, but I felt a piece of Ganondorf was with me. I did feel hope. I allowed that sensation to grow, to fill the void of my lonely bed, and warm me as I fell asleep.
After my usual morning routine, void of less weeping than the days prior, I met Rayne outside the walls of Gerudo Town to traverse the desert. The journey was long, and made difficult if a spontaneous sandstorm chose us as its next victim. I kept the sand at bay with a cloth to cover all but my eyes, a brown cloak, and boots to help keep the burning sand off my feet. We arrived at the Desert Colossus almost an hour later, after steady progress of trudging over monotonous sand dunes. I immediately drank some water from my container once we were inside and sheltered from the glaring sun. I handed the bottle to Rayne and casually walked further into the first chamber. I was halfway up the stairs when they darted in from opposite sides of the room. Kotake floated in as an icy blue flaming orb, and Koume as fiery red. Their usual enthusiasm and twin chatter was absent, along with their banshee laughter. Until that moment, I never considered their reaction to losing their only son.
"Koume, Kotake, there was nothing I could do," I professed sadly, and felt grief threaten to steal my voice. I glanced between the elderly twins.
"We know, dearie," Kotake said, her voice weary. This gave me a strange feeling that she did not find sleep easily.
"It was his own arrogance," Koume added with anger.
"Had I been able to fight at his side, he might still be alive," I expressed, agreeing with my mother-in-law.
Surprisingly, she shook her head slowly. "That would have made no difference. It was not the Master Sword that killed our son. It was Zant."
Rayne gasped with me. I was stunned into silence. I recalled my battle with Zelda, and the imp that fought at her side. I cared little for what caused her distress, but I noticed how troubled she was despite the battle ending with Ganondorf's defeat. My only knowledge of her was her loyalty to the Usurper King. "Zant is dead," I informed them.
"Yes," Kotake replied. "Zant waited anxiously to be revived, but because Ganondorf delayed he felt betrayed and manipulated."
"Our wonderful son was such a cruel king. We are so proud of him," Koume said with a wrinkled smile. "He took advantage of Zant's situation to return to Hyrule, but never intended to keep any promises of power. When Zant saw his master's life fading, he took his own life to eliminate that greater evil."
Enraged, I screamed, "That traitor!" I loathed Link and Zelda, but to know a third party was involved made my stomach churn with disgust. I owned the right to be angry, but I could not seek revenge. I removed the cloth from over my face and while I neatly folded it, I said, "Did you know Ganondorf willed the Triforce of Power to me?"
They chuckled lightly at that. "We presumed he would, but did not know with certainty until yesterday," Kotake explained.
"And now you have sought our counsel to learn of a way to bring life back to your husband," Koume giggled knowingly.
"Yes, there must be a way. I will do anything," I pleaded. "I am not the same without him. I fear what sanity remains will abandon me."
The Sorceress Sisters hummed thoughtfully as they turned their oversized eyes to each other. "Yes, but doing so may place yourself in great danger."
"I care not what it takes," I insisted, "and neither should you. I implore you, please tell me how Ganondorf can be returned to us."
They nodded in unison before Koume explained, "You must travel to the grove deep within the forest of Ordon. You will find the ruins of a temple and the pedestal where the Master Sword sleeps. This sacred ground is where Demise's power is contained."
"Demise," I repeated breathlessly.
"What is Demise?" Rayne wondered.
"He is the true Demon King, reincarnated inside Ganondorf when he was born, and resided there his entire life," I explained.
"Yes, a rather tricky ritual," Kotake confirmed.
"Link still wields the Master Sword," I continued. "Does that mean the seal is weak?"
"If that is the case when you arrive, then yes. Without that sword the seal is incomplete," Koume said with a pleased smile.
"Be forewarned, child," Kotake said darkly. "Demise is not likely to greet you warmly. It will take much doing on your part to win his favor."
"I do not intend to fail," I said, determined.
"We hope that you do not. When Demise has agreed, return his spirit here so that he may enter Ganondorf's body," Koume instructed.
I assumed I misunderstood what the sorceress said. "The Hylians disposed of him," I corrected and covered my mouth as my lips began to quiver.
"They tried, but we stole him before they even picked him up from where he fell in battle," she explained.
"I bet they were surprised to find the body of such a powerful sorcerer missing," Rayne remarked with a smirk.
Kotake cackled. "Hee hee! Their confusion was priceless."
"May I see him?" I asked, stepping toward my in-laws.
"Dora, are you sure that's what you want to do right now?" Rayne asked softly, but her eyes were on the floor.
"Yes," I answered with conviction. She made no move to stop me. I followed the Sorceress Sisters through the corridors to a great room, tall enough to house another grand statue of the Desert Goddess. The room was deep in the temple and would have been as dark as night if not for two torches lit on either side of the corpse. He rested peacefully on a layer of blankets. I cautiously approached and felt my throat tighten to fight the tears threatening me. "It's as if he sleeps and could simply open his eyes to be with me again," I commented with a painful smile. I knelt by his side and grazed my fingertips across his cheek. I touched the jewel in the center of his forehead that attached to his intricate crown. His armor was exactly the same, including the hole in his chest. The skin no longer glowed with the pure white light of the Sword of the Six Sages that was used in an attempt to execute him. All that remained was the pale skin of what tried to heal before he was killed. "I promise this fight is not over. I will give you life again, my love, and those who did this to you will regret their every breath."
"There is one small detail you should know," Kotake mentioned.
I lifted my head and targeted my eyes on her to give her my attention. "What is it?"
"There is a chance he may not recover all of his memory, particularly if Demise manipulates his mind in any way," she warned.
"Ganondorf would be exceptionally vulnerable. I believe you once said that Demise is not fond of me?" I inquired.
"Correct," Koume concurred.
I recognized the likelihood of Demise erasing me from Ganondorf's memory. There was no need to debate the decision I made in that moment. I disconnected the clasp for the crown that rested around my head. After I kissed the gem, I placed it in Ganondorf's hand and curled his fingers around it. "I understand," I whispered. I fluidly lifted to my full height and faced the twins. "Thank you, mother," I said in farewell, and departed the temple with Rayne.
Upon our return home I demanded to hold a meeting in order to address any concerns of the Gerudo. Rayne dutifully gathered her sisters to congregate in front of the castle. I waited on the balcony extended from the throne room for all of them to arrive. There were less than a hundred of us. The eyes of the used stared at me, the tortured, the exhausted, the young and full of hope, and the elderly waiting for death take them. "My beautiful desert flowers, most of you are aware I was summoned to Hyrule Castle yesterday to be tried for our crimes against the kingdom. Needless to say, it was a mockery of justice. My only option for atonement was to surrender and live my life as a prisoner in Arbiter's Grounds, which would leave all of you at the mercy of Princess Zelda. I stand before you now to inform you that the Gerudo are hunted criminals of Hyrule, the target of the Hylian Knights, because I refuse to be defeated."
My decision was welcomed warmly with battle cries and fists of might punching the air. I smiled proudly as they shouted, "Let them come."
"We'll stain the sand with their blood!"
"They can be sacrificed to the Desert Goddess!"
I held out an open hand to calm their outbursts. "I knew that our spirit could not be broken so easily. If they come for us, I feel certain we will be victorious. Now, I have one more item to share. Tomorrow morning I will undertake a dangerous task to revive our king. I know not what challenges await me, so while I am hopeful, I make no promises. Rayne will be in charge during my absence."
Suddenly, all those despondent expressions watching me filled with aspiration. Failure was not an option. In unison, the Gerudo crossed an arm over their torso, with their fist over their heart, and graciously bowed to me.