Ganondorf's sneer turned to a snarl as he waved his hand dismissively. "The deed is done. There is nothing left to fight for. Soon your precious village will perish. Besides; I don't partake in dog-fighting."

With another wave of his hand, fire poured from his palms and ignited the small shanty buildings so that they burned like firewood. He turned on his heel and vanished in a swirl of cursed green flames as his laughter echoed around them. Impa watched in horror as the screams of villagers rang in her ears. Ningan, who had been totally useless throughout the event, climbed to his feet, just as another body joined the gathering.

"Impa! Ningan!" Sheik cried. "What happened?"

Impa did not respond. Instead, she gave a grave nod in Sheik's direction and sprinted away from the scene towards the graveyard.

"Impa!" Sheik yelled after her, but she did not return.

"What's going on?" Ningan demanded information. "Where has she gone to?"

Sheik appeared to bite back a whimper as he spoke. "Your mother has gone to fulfil her destiny...in the Shadow Temple..."

Still as dazed as before, Ningan watched as Sheik approached the well.

"I must stay here and wait for someone." he explained. "Ningan: you must return to the Hidden Village and alert the tribe. Tell them the shadow spirit has broke free. Tell them Impa has met with fate."

Zelda stood still with her back to him. Although his heart told him to wait with her, his duty drove him away. Reluctantly, Ningan turned and scampered for the hills. His mother was never seen again.