Chapter 11:

Millennia ago, in the dark and diffused glow of the twilight…

Darkhava trudged up a high, rocky hill towards his destination. He was eager to return to his comrades and show them what he had learned. Long ago he had left their ranks, searching for a way back to the world of light. Back then, he had still been normal. Something… not quite human, but close enough. What race had he been originally? He had forgotten. It had been too long.

As he walked, the hill turned into a mountain and he searched for his brethren with his magic, orienting himself in the right direction. He knew he was close. With the abilities he possessed now, there was no one in the world who could hide from him. He grinned wickedly as this thought came to him. He was closer than ever to achieving his dream of ultimate power and authority. With his long life and powerful abilities, he would easily crush his enemies. But all was not right yet. For even with all the power and knowledge he had gained these past four hundred years, he had come no closer to escaping this prison. That ability yet laid only with the Goddesses of Hyrule.

Eventually, he locked onto the evil essence of his brethren and knew exactly where they were. He glided forward, his long bony arms tucked into his robes. Small Twili creatures and animals scattered as he passed by them. He paid them no mind.

Soon, he reached a bluff near the top of the mountain which overlooked the path he had just scaled, shrinking smaller and smaller as he stared down. He walked forward and emerged into a small clearing with a few small buildings standing sentry around the perimeter. There in the center, seemingly meditating, were two dark figures; one male and one female. He approached silently, but their eyes flickered open as he neared.

"Darkhava!" exclaimed the woman. She was pale blue and tall, slender, with an elegant stature and a deceptively beautiful face. She was only barely recognizable to Darkhava.

"You've returned…" the man said, wide eyed. He was shorter than the other two and darker toned with a round face, but had the same slender, bony build. He and the female both had bright yellow eyes, akin to Darkhava.

"My brethren. Malceran… Saruna," he said softly. He paused for a brief moment and then added, "You've changed."

"As have you," Malceran replied. "Even ones as powerful as ourselves are susceptible to the poisonous magic of this place. They call us Twili now."

"After four hundred long years, you're back," Saruna said, still astonished at seeing him.

"Four hundred years is the flap of a fly's wings to ones such as us," Darkhava said casually.

"Yes," she admitted as she rose from her position on the ground and came to examine him. "Yet we wondered what became of you." She eyed him up and down. "You have been changed by this place, in the same way we have. But that's not all that is different. You're much stronger now than you were before." Darkhava smirked.

Malceran stayed where he was, eyeing him from afar. Eventually, he spoke, "When you told us you were leaving to find a portal back to Hyrule, and then disappeared for four centuries, we thought perhaps you had joined the common people."

"Nonsense," Darkhava said, his big yellow eyes flashing with anger. "I left in search of a way out of this world, but I found something else entirely. Many things. Ancient, dark magics. Powerful scrolls and incantations. Power beyond anything else we've ever encountered. Power so vast and incredible that it took me centuries to master it." Saruna and Malceran grew very interested at these words. He continued, "The Goddesses were foolish indeed to send us here of all places… this dark corner of existence, which housed secrets lost to the ages. And they are all mine now."

"Then did you find it? A way out? Or do your new powers afford you the ability to break free?" asked Malceran.

Darkhava grew a bitter look. "Alas, no. That day is yet to come. But some day an opportunity will arrive, and I will be ready." He paused and looked out over the twilit horizon, lost in thought. "Perhaps those incompetent traitors in the Twili royal family have forgotten what Hyrule and her Goddesses did to us, but I have not. The day will come when Hyrule's pages will be torn from the tomes of history, and I will be there, laughing and picking my teeth with the bones of the Hyrulian royal family."

Malceran listened solemnly, but Saruna laughed. "You're still as single-minded as ever, Darkhava. Have you really spent these last four hundred years brooding over what happened? One would think you've had time to move on," she said plainly.

He sneered and ignored her, continuing his speech. "They labeled us interlopers. How dare they? We, who have unlocked secrets of life and power that are yet unknown to them. Who better to wield the power of the Goddesses than us, the ones who understood such power? But their arrogance and their greed led them to banish us here. Our tribe was cursed and shuttled off, forgotten and left to die. Only we didn't die. Certainly the weaker members of our tribe eventually broke off and formed that wretched royal family, planting the seeds that would become the Twili people. But they are fools and paupers who have forgotten their past and their power. The magic that the Twili royalty clings to is child's play. If I were so inclined, I would wipe them from this world like the filth they are with one breath. With what I have learned, discovered, and enhanced in my time in this place… there are none who can oppose me. Least of all, the Goddesses of Hyrule."

At this, Saruna laughed again. "And thus your ego speaks an all too familiar speech, my dear Darkhava. Truly we have rotted in the twilight for too long; countless years and more. And you've been gone for so long. But I know that in all this time, you have not forgotten how it was we were banished here in the first place."

Darkhava sneered. "I see you haven't changed. You're still an insufferable wench, Saruna."

She giggled. "Hated is the tongue which speaks the truth to delusionary ears, and my lords Darkhava and Malceran are as delusional as they come."

"Have no delusion that someday I'll cut that tongue out," Malceran retorted sourly. "Do you hear what I've been stuck listening to these four hundred years? You should have brought me with you, Khava." Darkhava grunted in reply.

"Perhaps," Saruna said nonchalantly. "But the fact remains… we once desired that power, and it cost us everything. We could not overcome the Goddesses, and we were stricken to this desolate place."

"That was ages ago," Darkhava said icily. "My power has multiplied tenfold since those days. I assure you, the things I have found on my travels and the time I have spent training are no trifling matter. These magics I have obtained are ancient and deadly; perhaps older than the Goddesses themselves, and far more powerful."

"Then prove yourself," Malceran demanded. "Teach us these things you have learned. Share with us the dark secrets of this place."

Darkhava considered this. "I see no reason to impart this knowledge to you," he said with a hint of pleasure in his voice. "I have no need of either of you anymore." He clearly enjoyed having the upper hand.

"Then why did you seek us out?" Malceran demanded.

"Khavy…" Saruna said in a playfully offended tone. "Do not play the coy fool. You know why you should impart this knowledge to us. Untold years ago, we agreed to embark on a journey together. A journey to obtain ultimate power in the universe. We formed a pact and our tribe was made strong by our conjoined efforts. Today, that pact remains. Until we prove disloyal to each other, we are bound by the blood oath we took to share in each other's fates. But there's a better reason than that. Don't tell me you've forgotten," she cooed.

Darkhava only grunted in reply.

"The wench is right," Malceran said wearily. "You know that we draw upon one another and multiply our power. Most of our tribe has defected, but if what you say is true, and all three of us draw upon this power, we will all become even stronger… including you. We can finally become masters of the universe, and perhaps even break free of this jail. Do you not wish this?"

Darkhava was silent for a moment. "Of all our tribe, you two alone remain loyal to our original creed," he said. They eyed him hungrily. "Very well. It will take many long years to teach you these secrets. We should begin immediately. Prepare yourselves." Malceran and Saruna smiled wickedly.

Centuries later…

"Do you sense it?" Darkhava asked his brethren. He slowly turned his gaze, peering across the land from their sanctuary high on the mountain, looking for the disturbance.

"Of course. How could we not?" Malceran answered. His bony hands weaved through the air as he cast a spell of extrasensory focus, trying to locate the exact position of the anomaly. "It is powerful, yet wounded… and it is located…" He closed his eyes, deep in concentration. After a few moments, he grunted in frustration. His hands cleaved the air faster, and runes and symbols appeared as streaks of magic where his hands had been, strengthening the spell.

"Cease your useless floundering," Saruna said in a bored tone. "Can't you sense his formlessness? You won't locate him with such a spell." Malceran gritted his teeth, but continued casting anyway. Grinning at his anger, Saruna continued, "He is everywhere, and yet he is nowhere. He cannot maintain himself in this poisonous place." Malceran rescinded his spell and glared at her. She laughed and purred, "Our centuries here have eroded your senses and made you stupid, Malcy."

"Damnable woman!" Malceran said. "If you can sense all that, then tell us why he cannot maintain himself in the twilight when he is so powerful!"

"Because," she answered, "his power is Golden. His is the antithesis of ours. This place is death itself for him. That he survives even now is a testament to how powerful he truly is."

"Absurdity!" Darkhava snarled. "Save your vaporous drivel for one who becomes it. You know the power of the Goddesses is nothing so great. Not anymore."

"So we've been told over and over again for centuries," Saruna said dryly.

"Silence, fool," Darkhava said with red anger in his eyes. "I've waited more than an eon for this. The time to prove our superiority over the Goddesses has come."

"What are you going to do?" Malceran asked.

Darkhava balled his fists and paced the perimeter of their home on the bluff. "I will not suffer a relic of the Goddesses to exist in the same land as me. This realm stinks and suffocates enough by its very nature alone without one linked to the Goddesses mucking the air even further. When this 'great and powerful' entity finally musters the strength and will to manifest himself, he shall find only a slow death at my hand awaiting him."

"Don't get so excited," Saruna said. "It's going to be a very long time before he can materialize in this realm. Years. Decades. Perhaps even centuries."

"Yes," Darkhava admitted. "Mayhap we can quicken the process… pull him forward. We understand this realm better than anyone, and I am anxious to rid us of his vile presence."

"This shall be entertaining," Malceran said with a hint of excitement.

"Whatever," Saruna yawned.

Much, much later…

Darkhava… hear me…

"…"

Hear me!

"I can hear you. I've been aware of you for a very long time."

Yes, of course. You are wise and powerful. But not yet as powerful as you hope.

"Powerful enough to kill you once and for all."

Such confidence. Such anger! This is why I've chosen you.

"Hahaha… you have chosen me?"

You have the honor of being a vessel for the King of Evil, Ganondorf. I shall house my power in you. If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too.

"I would tear my own heart from my chest before I ever allowed any part of you to touch me. Save your vapid promises for someone more easily fooled."

You would deny the powers of a God?

"I obtained the powers of a God long ago."

So you think.

"So I know."

And yet with all your dark magic, and the help of your brethren, you still cannot escape the Twilight.

"Enough of this nonsense. Manifest yourself so I may extinguish you from my presence, once and for all."

Do not be so hasty. We may help each other.

"What help could you possibly afford me? I have no need of your quibbling power."

I sought you out. No… we sought each other out. We each know our hearts desire. And I can give you yours… I can give you a way out.

"Your lies are useless. I've combed for a way out of this hell for centuries and more. If one such as me cannot find a way, then surely you cannot either. It is not possible."

Not with your current power. But my abilities are unique. The Goddesses of Hyrule created the Mirror of Twilight, and with the gift of their strength, I too can access that portal. You know this to be true.

Only when joined with a physical body may my powers be fully implemented. I cannot manifest in this realm in my current state. If we join our powers, we can both escape.

"I…"

You once sought the Golden power of the Goddesses. I now offer you that chance to obtain what you desired so long ago. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Join me!

"Wait… how did you obtain it?"

What?

"The Golden Power. I've looked into your essence, and I know that without the gift of the Goddesses, you were not so very strong."

"Tell me how you obtained the power. Did those wretched Light Spirits simply allow you access to the Sacred Realm to take it?"

I see… you wish to know how I succeeded where you failed.

"Watch your tongue, you nuisance."

Hahaha. It's quite simple, really. I've been chosen by destiny. The power of the Goddesses is rightfully mine, and even when I failed to invade the Sacred Realm and was captured and tried by the Sages, it still found me. I discovered I already had the power just before my execution. Unfortunately, before I could make my escape, I was banished here.

"How is it possible that the power simply came to you?"

That's not important. We're wasting time.

"Tell me what I wish to know."

Very well. I suppose in any case you would eventually glean this knowledge through the rifts of time, the same way I have. In the original script of destiny, events occurred somewhat differently. I was successful in my raid on the Sacred Realm, and I acquired the Triforce of Power through my original plan. However, through the efforts of the Princess of Hyrule and a whelp in green who was also given powers from the Goddesses, these events were reversed and I was prevented from gaining what is rightfully mine. Little did they know that it was too late. No one can dam the flow of destiny. The Triforce and the Sacred Realm exist outside of time and dimension, and nothing done can be undone. The power found me and united with me, just as it was meant to.

"Do you mean to say that the Triforce followed you across time and space?"

Yes. I've told you, it is mine by divine birthright. It is destiny.

"That is… quite interesting."

Enough deliberation. The time has come. Let us join powers and break free of this prison.

"I told you before that I would never join powers or accept aid from one in league with the Goddesses. I hate you with every fiber of my being. The only thing I wish is to erase you, the Goddesses, and all records of the Goddesses from existence."

"But… you do present a good opportunity. Never shall you assimilate with me, but for the time being, our interests coincide. I shall help you manifest yourself so that we can escape."

And what happens after that?

"Things become interesting."

Hahahahahaha… I daresay I like you.

"Don't make me sick. Now, what are your requirements for a host body? Must he be strong, such as I?"

No. He need only be wicked, and filled with hate. When someone who desires nothing more than to spread pain and suffering across the world accepts my invitation, my powers will be fully restored. I shall not have complete control, however. The whims and desires of the host body will be mine as well. This is a necessary step. I cannot be reborn in this place, and as such we will share a mind and body. Only in the realm of light can my physical body be restored.

"Then we must choose someone whose interests will not conflict with our own, lest our plan be ruined."

Yes. You see now how this could end badly. It would be much more practical to simply assimilate with you.

"Stop suggesting that."

Do not allow your pride to stand in the way of your escape!

"Silence, fool. I already know who we may use. Indeed, this may work out better. If things go as I plan, this shall be fun."

I'm not interested in your clever games. My only goal is to escape back to Hyrule. Everything else in ancillary.

"And I care not for your goals. Believe me when I tell you that we will escape. But we will also bring the ruin of a group whose continued existence has always annoyed me; the Twili Royal Family."