The sword tournament he entered has proven easy countless of times. The opponents he faced were either novices or Vaati overestimated Hyrule's guards. He never once used his magic to defeat anyone, a great insult. He expected, well, more. More fighting, more challenge.

Not the disappointment he felt as he downed another, pointing his blade at the man's throat and claiming victory. At least he was closer to the Light Force. That was all that mattered.

He was a finalist and a smirk formed on his face. One step closer. His eye flicked over to the right and he took notice of the blond-haired youth he met in the woods a few days prior. The boy was standing next to someone who looked regal in appearance. Her hair was longer, and a lighter shade of blond compared to the boys. Smoother. Her dress was a silk pink, a crown settled neatly on top of her head. And she was glaring right at the sorcerer.

Princess Zelda, Vaati bemused to himself. He could feel her hate directed towards him. She sensed something wrong with the sorcerer and Vaati, in response, gave the princess a sly wink. He even blew a kiss.

Zelda looked embarrassed and more in rage. Her eyes widened considerably, the tips of her ears burning a bright pink. The blond youth next to her glanced between the sorcerer and the princess, chewing on his lip. The boy took the princess's hand, giving Vaati a dirty look, and dragged her away.

Vaati chuckled at what had just transpired, and his focus was back on the tournament. His final opponent was a large thing, muscles ripping from underneath his tunic. He was covered in a slim coat of sweat while Vaati had yet to show fatigue. His arrogance pooled off him as he readied himself into his stance, the larger man following Vaati's league. Vaati took notice of how the man moved slow. He will use that to his advantage. What an unfair fight, putting someone small against this large beastly Hylian. The sword in Vaati's hand spun as he twirled it expertly in his fingers, his one visible eye gleaming with taunting.

The man charged first and Vaati simply side stepped out of the way. The man let out a growl and swung his mighty blade and Vaati dodged that blow as well. They continued this dance, the man trying to land a hit and Vaati just maneuvering around the blade with grace and a smirk. Not once did he use his magic, there was no fun in cheating.

Unless Vaati had too. And so far, he had not needed to cheat.

There was a nick on his cheek and Vaati let out a curse. The fool managed to land a hit and he drowned in his slight victory, a large smile on the Hylian's face. Vaati wanted to rip it off. Gripping the sword tighter in his hand, he shrugged off his cape, grinning manically.

Finally, a real challenge.

The larger man took notice of the change in his tiny opponent. It was as if he was going easy, just playing around. The long-haired youth before him pointed his sword right at the Hylian, standing in a pose indicating that he was switching from the defense to the offense.

The man swallowed and readied himself.

The crowd was cheering either for the purple youth or for the large man, their screams deafening. There was a chant for violence and Vaati would happily oblige in their request. Vaati bounced on his feet and then swiftly charged forward and the man could only see a purple blur rushing right at him. He barely had anytime to block the thin blade that was targeting his face.

Vaati let out a huff and spun on his heel, twisting himself around to aim at the other man's leg. If Vaati could disable him, the sorcerer will be victorious. His advances were blocked once more. At least the man was on the defense. That was a good sign.

And he was getting tired, while Vaati had so much energy and giddiness from being so close to his goal. He just had to keep hitting and striking until the man either gave up or fell to Vaati's blade. The sorcerer did not care which outcome he was fated too, as long as he won. Their dance continued but with Vaati in the lead, managing to land small cuts on the man's cheeks and arms.

He felt her glare on the back of his head once more and Vaati let out a snort. She returned with her friend whose name Vaati did not learn nor did he care for. He doubted he would see either of those two again.

The sorcerer swiftly turned his head, his lavender hair blowing about as he ran up to the man. His eye landed on Zelda and her small entourage. Giving her a smirk and yet another flirtatious wink, he swung his sword down with all his might.

The sword was smacked right out of the larger man's hand, flying through the air, and landed with a loud clatter.

The crowd was silent.

And then erupted into loud applause.

Vaati lowered his sword and ignored the outstretched hand from the larger man. There was no need for familiarity while his goal was right in front of him. He snapped his fingers and his cape was draped over his form once more. His sword disappeared as he stepped up to the small stage with the chest and sword. He ignored the king's praise, he ignored the cheers from the crowd, and he ignored the burning gaze from Princess Zelda.

The noise surrounding him faded into a dull sound as he stared at the chest with the sword protruding from it. The Light Force. Right there.

Waiting.

"What say you, swordsman Vaati, champion of this tournament," the king's voice snapped him out of his daze.

Vaati blinked lazily and smiled. It was unsettling.

"I say this," he raised his hand, and destroyed the sword, thus opening the chest and releasing its hidden darkness upon the world.