The Dark Lord – The fateful Gathering
Eagerly, the three monsters waited for his order, precisely one that contained the execution of the man in their middle. But he did not give it as he was unable to say anything. The words vanished as soon as they had entered his mind. If it would not be a paradox in itself, he would have claimed that the silence was hearable.
However, no matter the astonishment, there were no doubts about the identity of this invader. The outer appearance, a small blond Hylian who wore a green tunic and a pointy hat... It was him, the one that once introduced himself as Link, his literally worst nightmare. A hero that truly deserved his title and who had this determination in his eyes as if he was willing to step up against anybody if it was necessary, no matter how far out of his own reach he might be. He had not ever seen this in anyone else's but his.
Disgusting but nevertheless, this was courage. Courage of a divine degree, powerful on its very own.
He felt how it awoke, the aggression, the inner cry for blood. And what a wonderful chance it was, now that he stood here, captured by his underlings, kept in the direct range for a lethal attack. Taken by surprise, he probably would not be able to withstand it and get destroyed in one single blow.
But nonetheless, he struggled in executing it. What if Link was prepared for such an attack and expected it, resulting that he failed in killing him? He had no proper plan since he never imagined that the hero would just come to his castle without any forewarning.
In the end, a reckless attack could very easily backfire. This man was not some random lowlife he just crushed on his rise to absolute domination. No, he proved himself to be a dangerous opponent, worthy to be called his one and only nemesis, surpassing these generals of the resistance by dimensions.
Therefore, despite all his desire for his death, he would not give in. At least, not now. As long as he could not estimate how strong the real hero was, the risk was too high he would repeat the fault he made so many times. No matter how innocent he might look or act, how small he was compared to himself, he would not let himself get fooled by the temptation in underestimating him as he knew better now. And if he fell for it this time, it would be the last mistake he ever made. Ever.
The Bokoblin seemed to have lost his patience in the meanwhile, when he mumbled annoyed, "What's up with ya, Ganon? Ya aren't telling me that a littl' boy is impressin' ya, are ya? Dude, gone that soft that even kids scare ya?"
His murderous glare made the creature silent in an instant. It itched strong in his fingers to teach this monster a painfully or even deadly lesson. But he assumed that violence against anyone now would immediately end in a fight against the hero. It would be wise to delay it further until he had a proper plan.
He pretended as if he had not heard the Bokoblin. He stood up and faced Link with an undeterred expression, overplaying any insecurities and aggressions of his inner self. He hoped that he had not heard his outburst from before or did not take it serious, when he spoke to him as neutral as he could, "Well, I'm quite surprised. You sneaked into my castle, got caught by my men and put yourself into all this trouble because you want to speak. Precisely, you want to speak with me." He crossed the arms before his chest. When he thought about it, it was one of the dumbest explanation he had ever heard. This Link could not truly think he would believe this.
"You must know, your method is quite drastically if you only intend that. This makes someone of my position questioning if this truly everything you want, or if you have further intentions in mind."
It was everything expect easy to tame his temper and remain somehow relaxed, but as long as the hero, who looked indeed tensed, would not show any sign of attacking, he would neither. He did not know which knowledge Link possessed about the kingdom, the fall of the royal family and the rest of the war and what his beliefs were about them, but it would be the best if he acted like he did not know him at all.
When he observed him, he could see in his body language that he calmed down a little though his expression remained determined. The two Lizalfos still held him tight in their middle when he said straight-forward, "I'm glad you finally asked despite your heartwarming welcome, but I can only repeat what I've told your 'men' before. I need to talk with you and it's more than important. You can believe me, I also would've preferred other circumstances but they denied me any kind of an official meeting with you. I know that my method is not the most fitting, but I didn't see any other way than convincing them to bring me to you."
Despite all, his voice sounded a little flattering. At least something pleasant that this one was not the arrogant and overconfident self-claimed savior he else met.
The things he said carried some valuable information. They indicated that he, if he was not a very good liar, came alone and no other companion lurked through the castle. Also, since he had heard his outburst but did not attack, let assume that he hold not the strong aversion like his alter ego. This one never hesitated when they met and the arguments never lasted more than a few words.
No matter how this might end, it was truly a great satisfaction to witness that he was able to get the hero in such a position though the sacrifices for it were not small ones.
"I see. Something high important you want to speak about," he responded doubtfully because one thing still bothered him. It was the rift on his back which he should not possess at this point, considering he was meant to be a prisoner. He did not like it at all since it most probably was this one specific magical artifact.
"And with this sole intention in mind, you carry a sword around you and neither making a secret about it. You must know, it makes me wonder. You're none of my guards, so why would someone like you bring such a shaped piece of steel to a king?"
Regardless of the tensed atmosphere, he only hoped Link did not notice the short cynical smile when he thought about why he himself brought a sword to the meeting with the former King of Hyrule. "Normally one would do so with only one thing in mind, which is considered as one of the highest crimes you can commit. Either awarded with the most pleasant victory if done right, or punished with the cruelest sentence in existence if done wrong. Tell me, is there something special about it that you don't put it aside?"
Link tried to answer but before he had any chances, he was interrupted by the Bokoblin, "Yes, Ganon. This thing is a freakin' mess of shit. Can ya believe this? My buddy tried to take it and just got… all whoosh and ouch and so! Totally crazy, I tell ya! Wouldn't even believe it myself if I hadn't seen it!"
"Totally true! I can witnezz it!" hissed one of the Lizalfos. "That'zz why we dezzided he'zz too tough for uzz and you come in handy! Or better zzay, your powerzz."
These were indeed bad news. Very bad ones. His nemesis had his hands on the cursed sacred sword. This meant to pay lot of attention once the words would change for physically arguments as even one slight touch would burn remorseless through his skin.
"I'm truly sorry about this one," apologized Link calmly. "I never intended to hurt him that much, but since he attacked me, I had to defend myself. The sword itself was a gift from a good friend of mine and he told me to take good care of it. So I always take it with me, no matter where I go. And these ones seemed to have some problems to touch it, therefore I still have it. Maybe it's because they're not human."
"Ya know what? Keep ya stupid excuses to yaself. Don't want to hear that pathetic shit!" cut the Bokoblin Link off before he turned to him and demanded, "Ganon, he should be worth to die by ya hands, don't ya think?"
"What are you talking about? No one is going to die here!" he responded sharp. How much he felt like to crush the Bokoblin into the next wall for his stupidity. He had his intentions and this monster did the best to ruin them entirely. But he could not do much against it without ruining them himself though it was extremely hard to refrain from it.
"I highly recommend you and any other to not telling me what I should do and what not. But either way, it would be the best for you if you keep your mouth closed!"
Soon he noticed that his underling had not understood the meaning, neither the menace of his words, when he answered undeterred, "What's up with ya, dude? Why the hesitation? Developed remorse or what? He's a Hylian, unnecessary riff-raff. I always thought ya take so much pleasure in killi…"
He could not. He could not take this anymore. It was the moment when he lost the control of his temper. Without any forewarning, he released a small ball of dark magic he formed while the Bokoblin was still speaking. With a scream and a loud sound this one crushed into the wall. The impact was hard enough that it destroyed the first stone layer and some plaster crumbled down on his body. It rested motionless on the floor.
He regretted his outburst. He did exactly what he did not want to do and worse, the hero was now alarmed. Neither he would be able to get him by surprise anymore nor get to know anything else about him to get a proper plan.
However, nothing could be done about it anymore. It was foreseeable it ended in a battle sooner or later.
But the attack also surprised the Lizalfos, who accidently let go of the prisoner. Link did not hesitate a second to get his hands on his sword. After the first shock vanished, the Lizalfos reacted immediately and prepared their daggers. They boosted their bodies, indicating they were ready to take on the fight. But he knew, they had not even a slight chance of gaining victory. However, he was not in the best position either.
The room was far too small to be a proper battlefield. His magic was most useful in range combat since the powerful incantations needed a specific amount of time to be released. It was always dangerous plan to use them when he was in close combat range, but considering that this sword could inflect pain beyond bearableness, it was not an option. Not to mention that it could easily break the ceiling or greater parts of the castle. Being additionally buried under all the boulders would not be helpful either.
But he could not rely on the faster but less effective spells. This one might have gotten the Bokoblin, but he had to witness in one of the thousand fights that the sword was also able to reflect them. And since his magic was powerful, it even inflected severe damage on him if he was hit by it. It restricted his options even further.
However, against bare steel it held nothing special. Swords always did their job in close combat. While the Lizalfos had stepped back a little, leaving Link to one side near the entrance and they stood on the other, he grabbed to his left side. But he only hit the air.
Irritated he looked down on where his sword should have been, but it was not there.
It twisted his stomach when he realized that he had not taken it with him. But he realized something else as well. Not only was he without any weapons, he was without armor as well. The only thing he wore was a robe, which offered no protection at all. When he stood up this morning, he only took something on that was lying around and the crown, but did not care for anything else since there was no reason for it. He did not intend to participate in any conference or meet with anybody. If any of his own men picked him the wrong way, the magic was enough of a defense.
This was bad. Utterly bad. He did not want to think about how often he got told to ever expect the unexpected, no matter how safe the situation seemed to be. Now he knew it were not empty words and his people did not repeat it again and again to annoy him. But no matter how much he loathed to admit it, fighting at such a disadvantage would be foolish, even for him. One mortal hit and he would indeed experience the same fate he brought to the former king. No power, not even the divine one he wielded, would save him from it.
He must at least try to delay the final fight until he got a better preparation. Or any preparation at all.
While Link and the two Lizalfos were still starring dangerously at each other with the weapons in their hands crying for blood, he took up the word and said soothing, "Come on now. Take the blades down. I think we're all grown up enough that we can clarify this situation like civilized men without bloodshed."
All three turned their heads towards him and the confusion was visible all over their faces. It took them some time before they realized what he said. Then, slowly, Link responded doubtfully, "You just killed one of your own men in front of my and their eyes without any forewarning…" His voice was trembling and he made a short pause before he continued with the sword still combat-ready, "And you tell us we should behave like civilized men? In all modesty, 'majesty', I think you've addressed the wrong one."
With a wave of his hand he put the accusation off.
"For your information before you claim I might be a murderer, I didn't kill him. Not at all. It was a necessary disciplinary measure in regard to his inappropriate behavior," he stated blunt without blinking an eye.
"For me, he looks pretty much dead," answered Link harsh. With a suspicious glare he switched his sight between him and the two Lizalfos, with the sword protective in front of him.
"Oh, it does?" He laughed out loud before he added, "I see, I'm truly sorry if my action has shocked you. It wasn't my intention. I thought you were familiar with, how most call them, 'monsters'. Believe me, they can take far more than you can imagine. You shouldn't think he's seriously hurt because he isn't. It lays in their nature that their body is far more robust. But they can also be quite barbarous in their behavior. Therefore you have to be very dominant and drastically in measurement, otherwise they act up with you. However, once you get used to them, they're an amazing gain. I and many others of this kingdom wouldn't want to forgo of them just because of little disputes like these."
He could not estimate how Link would react to this statement but he made sure to dissemble anything that might show him he fudged an excuse. Not that he had any other options besides physically ones. Link eyed him, the suspicion overshadowing his determination, but at least he did not tried to slaughter him directly for it. It was kind of an achievement.
Maybe he could turn the situation once again, as long as he would not lose the control over himself a second time. A bad habit, indeed.
In the glimpse of his eyes he observed the Lizalfos, who starred speechless at him. Thankfully, the hero did not look to his side anymore and therefore did not see their facial expressions. However, this time he could not blame them for acting this way.
Since some time passed by and none of them seemed to say anything, he demanded, "However, the other two will go and care for him to get him back on his feet. I'm sure he will soon recover and learn from it." Piercing he glared at the two Lizalfos and added with a threatening undertone, "Isn't that right?"
Shortly they looked confused at each other before one of them hizzed, "Yezz, of courzze, Lord Ganondorf. Azz you wizzh."
They took back their daggers. With one eye still watching at Link, they took the body of their comrade and left.
In the end, it did not make a difference in terms of combat if they were there or not. They would not stand a chance against this hero, but it would be far easier if they did not listen to the conversation. They would not get behind his ulterior motives and probably come up with unnecessary or contra productive statements like the dead Bokoblin did before.
The sound of the footsteps slowly vanished when he still eyed calmly the hero. He would not show him how disadvantageous his position was, nor any of his nervousness.
Once he could not hear their steps anymore, he asked undeterred, "How long do you intend to hold that blade against me?"
Link kept a straight face when he answered, "Until I can be certain I don't have to witness another 'disciplinary measure' from you."
He smirked. "You don't trust me, do you?"
"Well, let's say I still have my doubts."
"Afraid that I might attack you out of a sudden, isn't it?" he responded defiant with a sardonically smile. Truly, it was pleasant to know the fears of others and show it to them. An adorable kind of power and sometimes even more effective than brute force. However, regarding the situation, it would be wise to not play around with it and provoke an attack.
"Then let me clarify one thing for you. If I wanted to see you dead, I would've done so long before. This conversation would've never taken place either. Don't think I would hesitate if I fear that my life is in danger," he said menacing before he added in a more soothing but also dominant intonation, "That said, I told you before that it leaves a bad taste if you wield a sword in front of a king. Especially if your only intention was to 'speak' as you claim. I would be very pleased if you could remove it from between us."
Slowly Link lowered the sword but he still hold it tight in his hands, prepared for a fight.
"A king, you say. That's a good keyword. Since I hadn't the time to introduce myself properly, I will catch up on it now. My name is Link and I come from a distant village. I decided to visit Hyrule to get familiar with this kingdom since I was always curious to witness it with my own eyes. But on my journey I heard some interesting stories about its recent past. These were interesting enough that I decided to seek out the truth which ended in a desire to meet the current king of it."
His eyes had a dangerous glare when he added provocative, "Or, to be more precise, the one who claims to be the king after he unlawfully usurped the throne. Not to mention all the lives that got lost due to him in the war for his rise."
A courageous utterance, indeed. Under normal circumstances, this statement resembled a death wish.
But it was a very long time since he was confronted with it. Of course there were people out there who favored the leadership under the old royal family, regardless of the issues he settled, but he could have sworn that this episteme had been annihilated once he started the rebuild of the kingdom.
However, it questioned him from where or whom he got the idea. At least when his claim was true that he did not witness the recent history of Hyrule with his own eyes, but he was confident he would notice when Link would lie. One person came to his mind directly and it would use exactly those words. And many other uncharming ones as well. A very clever one that he actually met before the war started and only due to its age was not a danger for his plans of conquering. Otherwise they might, no, they definitely would have failed right at the beginning. This person was the only one he was unable to manipulate. No matter what he tried, how good he hide it, this one saw through all of it immediately. The one who must be blessed with wisdom, there was no other explanation for this.
"That is some hard accusation. It really makes me questioning who told you these horrible stories. However, I can't help but think about one particular person that has strong connections with the former royal household," he responded pensively. In the end, it might not be that unlikely the both truly met if this person knew about the hero as well and searched for him.
"I can't see how this would matter," Link answered directly and unusually harsh. Even though his facial expression did not change, the way he responded left no doubts for him that it was her who told him everything. That was indeed an interesting turn. But he was not sure if it was a good or a bad one. However, it definitely changed everything. And he could not resist this temptation. It was impossible.
"If you answer in this way, it means 'yes'." He released a heavy sight when he continued in a pitiful voice, "It was foreseeable she would search a victim and infect it with her conspiracy theory. She is very convincing with her side of the story and in defaming mine, isn't she? I can very well imagine what she told you. About me, about the war, about the downfall of the royal family. Zelda is her name, right?"
It was impressive, every time again. Mere words at the right time could be powerful. Very powerful. The once straight face had vanished and the determination in his eyes left place for bafflement.
However, it did not hold on very long before Link recovered. His body was shaking and his eyes glared dangerously when he lifted up the sword again, pointing it directly at him and asked, determined and trembling at the same time, "I have no clue how you figured it out that soon. It's almost frightening. But since you claim to know so much, I can assume that you know what she has to say about you, usurper of the throne?"
It was all or nothing at this point, he had to risk it. Playing dumb would not gain him everything, neither would if he acted like an innocent one. Either he would get him somehow convinced from his side or he had to douche the blade until he got his hands on his own.
"Oh, but of course I know that. It's not a secret between us that she conceives a strong abhorrence for me. A very strong and deep one to be precise." He made a snide gesticulation before he took his seat again. Then calmly and slowly, in an almost pitying manner, he continued in his defamation, "She, most likely, in her twisted reality, portrayed me as a ruthless evil overlord. One who only hungers for power and domination. Who commits murders to get his will, causes bloodshed without regret, destroys the kingdom from the inside and drowns the inhabitants in utter despair while he only cares for himself. But the worst is that despite all, he isn't satisfied. Because he never will. No matter what he possesses, he will lust for more and more power, losing all of his humanity on his rise. In the end, all that remains of him is a dehumanized beast, who would be renowned and furthermore feared as the Great King of Evil Ganon."
He sighed load and braced his head on his left hand while he still faced the hero and said entirely self-confident, "Must be a piggish monster, this individual that she created in her mind. Cruel and pitiful at the same time, don't you think?"
Certainly, it was hard to remain that calm on the outside while he almost burst in the inside. Even though he pronounced it like it were false assumptions, these words angered him a lot nonetheless. But he could not deny it. It was exaggerated what she once told him about himself, but it was true at its core.
However, now it would be shown if he would be able to drag him into the position he wanted him to have and maybe get finally his hands on Zelda as well. He could very well imagine that she was still in contact with him. Since she carried that much of knowledge and wisdom, it was most likely she knew the potential in this Hylian and his fate of being a hero and his doom. She would not leave him, definitely not.
He had searched for this woman since seven to eight years, but every time he seek her out, she slipped away again. Though he always considered Link to be the greatest foe that must be eliminated by all costs, she could indeed provide to be another problem when she found a way to overthrow him with her wisdom.
He must get rid of her as well and if this hero offered him the chance for it, it would be a very interesting twist of destiny he would not ignore.
