It had been months since Krysta's body was entombed within the Desert Colossus. The hot season had come and gone, bringing a cooler wind through the rocky tunnel that was the Gerudo Valley. This passing time also meant that Ganondorf's fist decade was swiftly approaching, and with it, his trials. Upon reaching the birthing day of their first decade, Gerudo children were tested though the trials, and sent to whichever school they were best suited for. Ganondorf knew he would eventually be King, but the path he would take to get there, would be decided by the tests that were quickly approaching.

Everything had changed for the young prince, the morning he saw the priestesses carry the wrapped remains of his beloved friend into the desert. He had watched them from the tower atop the massive gate between the dunes of the desert and the valley, keeping an eye in the troupe as far as he could see, until they had passed beyond his sight. When they were no longer visible, he went to his class. By the time he got there, he knew he was late. Without saying a word to Jafora, he began running laps around the Fortress. Though he despised them,he knew they were necessary, as Jafora did not accept excuses. Now, neither did he.

He kept to himself over the next few months, focusing on his own thoughts, and keeping his emotions tightly bound. When practicing, he would hold nothing back his moves. In sparing sessions, it became quickly known not to challenge him, as it would result in at least one broken bone. It was clear that a darkness was growing within him, for his amber eyes had grown a reddish hue. almost as though he bore two sets of irises. While his appearance and attitude had not gone unnoticed among his people, ferocity was a virtue among the Gerudo.

To make it in the desert, Gerudo had to be strong, unyielding, warriors. Strength itself was not enough, though. They had to know that mercy was not a gift the desert gave. It was harsh, brutal, and unkind. To survive here, A Gerudo must be the same, or else they would die. Jafora, while keeping tabs on Ganondorf's changes, did admire his tenacity. Never the less, he was becoming much too introverted than a king should be.

During meals, he would take his bowl of stew and head to the library, where he would read anything he could pick up. Ganondorf would spend hours upon hours in those chambers, learning anything from horse breeding habits, to battle plans of ancient wars. He would gather as many scrolls as he could carry with one arm, and sit in the corner of the chambers where he and Krysta had spent their last night together. He sat cross legged, stew bowl in one hand, scroll in the other, reading anything he could.

It was hear that Ganondorf had learned about the magics of the Hylians. How, in ancient times, when the need arose, six sages would be emerge from the prevalent races who, along with the Hylian royal princess, and a hero chose by the Goddesses, would combine their powers and defeat whatever evil foe they faced. One such foe he read about was a demonic creature who's name had been long forgotten, only being called "The Wind Mage". Ganondorf let out a small chuckle, as he found that to be a rather weak title.

Finally, however, the day had come. Ganondorf's eyes opened slowly to an empty, sunlit dorm. All his sisters had left for the mess hall, and by now were most likely in class. That didn't matter to him, though. Today, it was his first decade's birthing day. That meant he would have no class today, as today, he was to have his trials. Though he did not know exactly what school he would be entering, he had high hopes for Either of the swordsmanship schools.

Though until now he had only used a dagger, Ganondorf had always fancied the idea of wielding a sword into battle. During the off moments he allowed himself to day dream, he had foreseen himself using many different styles of weapons. On one dream, he wielded two scimitars, each one curved and sharpened to a razor's edge. in another, he held a large, thick Gerudo great-sword, made not with a pointed tip, but with a curved axe blade at its head. There was also another, which seemed a bit of a stretch, where the young prince saw himself dual wielding two great-swords. That, however, would require much more power than he thought possible.

As he sat up in his bunk, his eyes slid up in his skull, as he gazed upon the skull mask handing upon the wall. He had chosen to keep from looking at it these past months, as the sight of his caused him too much grief. Grief he would, of course, use to fuel his ever increasing rage. Today, however, he gazed upon the crowned mask with pride. He knew Krysta would have been thrilled about him reaching his trials, and he did not want to sully her wishes. With a nod to the mask, he spoke his first words of the day. "For you" he said, speaking through the mask to his Gerudo, before leaping out of bed and putting on his clothing.

As he made his way out of the children's dorm room, Ganondorf felt a sudden weight lift from his shoulders. This last night was indeed the last night he would have spent among his childhood sisters. Tonight, whatever school he would be placed in, would be among other Sisters, of other ages, in a new place. For some small reason, it felt as though this would be a fresh start. That was something he needed terribly.

Finally, Ganondorf entered the hall of the Meisters, where the leaders of the Gerudo would meet to discuss the plans for the future of the tribe, as well as evaluate the trial initiates as they began and completed the tests. The trials themselves were never spoken of. A sort of silent rule among the tribe, for each Gerudo to find out for themselves. Ganondorf pondered what exactly was in store for him, as the doors of the chamber shut behind him.

The room itself was dimly lit by eight candles, on a large table, in the far side of the room. The layout of the chambers reminded the young prince of the Mess Hall, how there was the largest table facing the rest of the hall. This was obviously where the Meisters would sit to evaluate the initiates. However, right now, Ganondorf was the onl person in the room. As he looked about the table, he noticed that here too, were nine chair, instead of eight. Just like in the Mess Hall.

Cautiously, he approached the middle chair, knowing exactly who it was for. It was reserved for the king, and the king alone, to sit and judge the other Gerudo accordingly. Slowly, making sure there was still not one in the chambers, Ganondorf sat down upon his throne. It was large and regal, for Gerudo standards, at least. It was made from stone, seemingly chiseled from the floor itself. Red fabric laid along its back and seat, expressing the status of the one who sat in it.

As he sat there, Ganondorf could feel the power of his future title surging through him. He sat up straight in his throne, arms upon the stone arm rests, head against the chair's back. He imagined himself watching the initiates display their skills in the trials, and deciding among his elites, where the children would go. As he day dreamed, the doors of the chamber opened.

Ganondorf shot up off the seat and leaped over the table to meet his judges. First that entered was Kelyra, High Priestess and Meister of the Priestess-hood. Behind her, Wyjia, the Medicine Meister. Both bowed to the young boy before taking their seats on either side of the King's throne. After them, Noomi, the archery Meister and Tanji, Meister of the heavy sword, entered. Ganondorf had always favored Tanji's brute strength and massive muscles. He hoped that it was her school he would be joining.

After them, came Kahar and Karula. Kahar's twin scimitar rested at different places of her body. One dangled from her hip, while the other sat against her back. Though much smaller than her beefy sister, Kahar was among the fastest Gerudo warriors in all Hyrule. Karula on the other hand, was the Meister of craft. Her hands rarely held weapons, unless she was forging them, and were kept folded before her as she entered the chambers.

Finally, the last two Meisters entered the room, shutting the doors behind them. The first that acknowledged Ganondorf was Amahi, Meister of Architecture. She gave Ganondorf a slight bow before sitting beside her lover, Karula. Lastly, there was Jafora. Once they were all settled in their proper places, the meeting began.

"First off, I'd like to congratulate you for making it this far, Ganondorf" Wyjia began. As she was the oldest member of the Meisters, and the eldest Gerudo, it fell upon her to be the head of the council. Ganondorf bowed slightly to the council, showing his thanks for the compliment.

"However" she continued, grasping Ganondorf's attention fully. "You pose for for us a difficult situation" she said. Ganondorf tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean, Meister Wyjia?" he asked curiously. "You are different from the rest of us, Ganondorf. You are destined to be the king. As such, you will not undergo the trials" Wyjia said. The boy's eyes widened in shock. His pupils shrunk down to small black dots in his eyes out of anger. "W-what?! Why not?!" he shouted.

Ganondorf had been training for five years for this day. every moment he spent running, drilling attacks, sweating and bleeding, was for his moment in the trials. Now, simply because he was himself, the trials had been stripped away. "Ganondorf..." Wjyia began. "You must understand... there are things about you, that are different from the others... You-" she continued, but was cut off by Tanji. "Listen up, kid. You're a guy, get used to it. You're gonna be different then the rest of us, and that's that. As king of the desert, you're gonna have to get used to being treated differently" she blurted out.

All his life, Ganondorf had felt different, as he was. He was the only male in an entire tribe of females. Though he was not excluded or ridiculed for his differences, they were still present. Only now, did he feel it begin to change his life. Sadly, he would have to lead a different life than that of his Sisters. With defeat pulling at his heart, Ganondorf lowered his head. "I understand... please, continue" he spoke.

"You are going to be trained by all of us, to gain a basic knowledge of all our skills" Wyjia continued. Ganondorf did not hate this idea. He understood that he would have to have a fair grasp of all the skills his people had to offer, in order to be an effective king. This way, he might be able to figure out his full strengths and weaknesses, and pursue his true talents. This was not a punishment for his sex, this was a gift. "You will, however, be assigned one Meister as your personal mentor" Wyjia said.

"Now, you have your own chambers, as you are the only one in this... school. You may go now to your new chambers, and await your Meister. She will come for you when the dinner bell rings" She concluded. With that, the chamber doors opened, and two guards came to escort the young prince to his new room.

Moving to his new home was not difficult, as Ganondorf had few possessions. The room itself was large, much too large for him, he felt. All that was in there was a bed near a window in the corner of the room, and a trunk already filled with his clothing. His dagger, he placed beside his bed. The bone mask that was gifted to him, he hung above the door. Then, he waited.

His mind went through all the Meisters, curious of who it was that would be put in charge of him. Most likely, he thought, it would be Wyjia. As she was the oldest and the wisest Gerudo. He had hoped, though, that Tanji would be his mentor. He admired her brute strength, and blunt attitude. Outside the window, he heard the ringing of the bell, informing the Fortress that dinner was ready. Soon after, a knock at his door.

Excited, Ganondorf flew across the room and opened the door. All his happiness faded as he beheld the Gerudo before him, his new Meister. "No... really?" he said in disappointment, unable to contain his vexed feelings. The Gerudo crossed her arms over her chest and grinned. "What's the matter? Expected someone else?" she said. Ganondorf's mentor, the woman in charge of his royal training, was Jafora.