Chapter XXXVI - Fragile Bonds

"And where have you put my stuff?" Ganondorf looked up at the shelves filled with books. He never expected to find an archive in this arena, it just did not want to fit into the cruelty all around. This vault held true to its eeriness. Small lights lit the room that did not even reach the corners. No holes that would let the sunshine in. The air felt to stand still and dust had whirled up when he had entered it with Azett.

"Should be somewhere there." The demon waved his hand but refused to take any step. "You have to look for yourself, it has been long since I have touched it. I never cared for your mortals' desires," he explained with his icy voice once Ganondorf had gazed angered at him.

Bothersome, truly bothersome. Then again, he never expected further help of him. He was glad enough Azett kept his word of bringing him to the documents. He had noticed the way they had gone was to the gladiator's quarter though the demon had reassured him they had to pass it.

"Well, if you won't help me, you can stay rooted there." Ganondorf struck him down with a blast of magic. Azett released a silent moan when he braced himself on his knees. Ganondorf grinned satisfied. In no way he could turn down the pleasure to show this creature his place between the two of them. He went to the shelf and observed the demon out of the corner of his eyes when he took manuscripts and other scrolls out to skim them for the information he wanted.

Researching would never become one of his favorite doings. He rather felt like turning those papers ablaze once he read about the tastes of stones written by a Goron. At least he did not need to hurry as long as Azett was under his control. He already enjoyed it to wander past those corridors without being slaughtered and made sure that Azett instructed the guards to not disturb them under any circumstances. With that demon bond to him he could be sure no one would dare to disrespect his wishes.

As Ganondorf held another weird book in his hands, telling about breeding of Goblins, and wondered what disturbed mind would write such nonsense, he tossed it onto the pile that grew higher on the ground. The moment he felt losing his temper and letting it out on Azett, he got behold of a handwritten manuscript. The grin returned on his lips when his eyes slid over it. Hectically, he took out the papers laying nearby and even though he would still need some time before he would gain their knowledge, he felt they were the final key he missed to reach the almighty power.

A searing pain pierced through his shoulder. His joy turned into agony. He suppressed the scream when he crashed into the shelf. Barely he managed to stay on his feet and pressed his left hand on his injury. His hand only grew cold. A quick glance showed him the point of an ice block drilling through his flesh.

"You bloody mortal! Never dared any of your kind to humiliate me!" In pain, Ganondorf turned his head to the side and got behold of Azett, the ice still surrounding his hand. In his euphoria, he had become careless, losing his focus. A great mistake that Azett would of course exploit the moment he noticed. For that demon, it was so easy to spot when he was distracted, be it even less than a second.

Ganondorf leaped to the floor, just in moment when another incantation meant to freeze him. He had to grit his teeth to not snatch away into screaming. Though the icy block prevented his injury from bleeding, it pained and when he looked up, Azett prepared to engage. He would get no time to wait for an ease.

Ganondorf's dark vortex crashed into the ice bold. The splitters tore his unprotected skin. At least it did not spear his heart. As much as he loathed to admit it, he was in the inferior position now. Azett had been a master sorcerer long before he himself was even born. Only a fool would think he could match him in a fair fight after he had delved into magic for only about a year. He had to get him under control again otherwise he would die here miserably.

"Spare your breath, little mortal, it worked once, but it will not work twice. I won't play into your hands again." Azett reached the spot Ganondorf stood. Before he knew what happened the demon had seized him by his neck. He grabbed Azett's arms with his uninjured hand. He could not free himself. "I've told you, you're a nobody compared to Garland. You're just a mere slave foiled by his own arrogance. You will pay for it, mortal, you will pay. No one humiliates me without suffering for such blasphemy."

A pain spread through his body. A pain so fierce he screamed. He could not fight it, not the scream, not the pain, he only felt his surroundings getting colder and colder. He looked inward. No, it was not his surroundings. It was he himself. Azett turned his body to ice from within. Slowly stiffening his muscles, causing those cracking sounds and rendering him unmovable. The worst proved to be his blood, it would not remain liquid much longer by such cold.

The pain blinded his mind. Finding a focus proved to be impossible. But he had to concentrate. He had to! Just a little. Just a little more. He must! He just must! Else he would fail. Fail to reach almighty power. Fail like his ancestor!

"Still struggling? Can't your little mind comprehend you're defeated?" Ganondorf glanced at his hand, still encompassing Azett. He felt it no more but noticed how the air surrounding it turned solid.

Ganondorf's scream had been silenced by the coldness. He would not get Azett under his control again. No need to even try and waste his strength. There remained one last hope in a race of time to finish his plan before losing his consciousness.

"Tell me: How do you intend on fighting further as a statue of ice?" Azett laughed, such creepiness. "Oh, what a pity, you can't speak anymore. Well, then take your answer into your grave." His laughter died off. "What?!" The demon turned his head down. Dark blurs grew up his body. "Oh no, you won't!" he screamed full of wrath

Azett grabbed him tighter. Ganondorf only grinned or at least tried, had he no control over his muscles anymore. Never had he intended to fight that demon further, had he shown to well who was the superior in terms of power. Still, it was he who carried the legacy of Garland and he had no scruples in abusing it. Just send him back to the underworld, the only way to get out of this confrontation alive.

Only Azett's scream remained when the blurs rose higher and pulled him into the vortex. Once it had swallowed him, it vanished as if nothing had ever happened, leaving Azett's robe as his sole remain behind.

With no one keeping him up, Ganondorf fell down. Still stiff, he gasped for air, tried to free himself of the layer of ice covering his limbs. It proved to be a difficult task but at least his muscles started trembling. It still would take time before he would regain full control over his body. He survived though. For now, he would just lay there longer, waiting for the aches to lessen. His shoulder, it got hit the worst, with that injury he would not swing a sword anytime soon.

"Excuse me for interrupting, my master, but I heard screaming. Is everything alright?" Desperation or horror, Ganondorf was not sure what claimed his mind as he got behold of that guard. He was the last thing he needed, now Azett was gone. The guard's view must have fell on the robe, then him, covered in ice. Only a fool would not realize what had happened.

A magical blast was the only answer the guard got which slammed the unprepared into the bookshelf. Crumbling to the ground, he must have lost his consciousness. Ganondorf moaned. Forcing his body to use magic in such a disastrous condition, horrible. He must spare his powers, otherwise he would never get out of here alive. "Damn it!" he cursed. Hopefully, no other would storm in.

Minutes passed Ganondorf needed to catch his breath and regain the ability to use his muscles. He still felt the stiffness in his joints as he attempted to get into a sitting position. He let his head fall against the shelf, pressing his hand against the wound on his shoulder. How to get out of here, alive, the one question that plagued his mind. He needed an idea and he needed it soon.

His view fell on the robe. That could be a plan. A bold one indeed, a very bold one but since he his choices were slim and time running out he could not wait for a better. Still struggling to get and remain on his feet, he stumbled towards the robe. Picking it up without falling down proved to be even more difficult, not to mention to get it on. Unfortunate that Azett did not match his statue. The robe was short of his hands and shin though at least he could hide his face under it. His height could indeed give away the truth but maybe he could fool the men long enough for being their master until he got support.

Ganondorf stumbled towards the guard still being out of consciousness. To make him silent forever, he drew his sword with the left arm and cut through the man's throat. Still, before leaving, he had to feel more secure on his legs, otherwise his cover would blow in an instant.

Ganondorf pricked his ears, though luckily, no one else seemed to bother to storm in. By now, enough time had been wasted and he should have recovered enough to at least be able to walk. Once outside, a guard passed by and looked wondering at him. "Is the visitor not with you anymore, master?" Ganondorf dismissed him with a grumble and walked past. The guard nodded, though Ganondorf noticed his suspicious glare before he got back to his duty. A fortune Azett's respect mostly build up on fear and people started not to chatter with him if they could avoid it.

Ganondorf followed the path, knowing very well where it leads: to the gladiator's wards. He had do go there, to the most miserable place in the arena. Alone he could never fight his way out, too many men and the exit too far away, he needed help. The more, the better. As he stood in the entrance of the ward's fore room, he saw three man, two sitting around a table and one to his right who prepared a meal.

The man put his knife down as he took notice of Ganondorf. "Master, what brings you…" He had barely turned around when Ganondorf had walked up to him and used his spell to pierce a crystal fragment through the guard's heart. Only chucking sounds he released when his body crumbled against Ganondorf's chest.

The two others looked wondering at him. Seemed they did not realize what just happened. His chance as long as he was fast. Ganondorf tossed the body away and hasted towards them. He called on the darkness, forming it within his hand. Strenuous, truly strenuous, he felt it in every muscle. This was his limit, his last incantation, only one more and he would collapse or even die.

"Master, what is the matter?" The man slid on his chair, wanted to get on his feet, but Ganondorf struck him down and pinned him on the ground. The other switched panicking views between his fallen comrade and Ganondorf. He was too overwhelmed, not knowing how to act. Ganondorf grinned. Fear could be such a dangerous advisor.

Before the man could regain his speech, Ganondorf held his sword on the man's throat. "The key," he growled, giving a nod towards the cell ward.

"It… it hangs there, master." His voice was thin but he pointed with his hand on the rack next to gate.

"Good," acknowledged Ganondorf when he noticed the bundle of keys. "Your service is not needed anymore." He saw the dread lingering in the man's eyes before he rammed his steel through his neck. He could not deny, those murders filled him with pleasure. Deep sick pleasure. Because those men deserved no mercy. They did not care about their slaves either.

Ganondorf wanted to go, grab the key but his legs trembled. Too exhausted. He kicked the dead body off the chair to take place himself. A little rest. Just a little rest to collect his few remaining strength. He leaned back. A searing pain spread through his right arm as he tried to take his sword with that hand. No chance, he would get anything done with that one, Azett had rendered it completely useless.

Once he felt a bit better, he walked up to the key. Two gates he had to cross before he arrived in a long corridor. Some torches lit this miserable place where one cell door connected to the next. Rattling of chains and moaning from the imprisoned broke through the silence. At least no other guard around.

Ganondorf pressed his arms further to himself. Despite the years passed and the powers he had gained, his memories still reminded him of this horrifying days. Chained here himself. Locked in the darkness. Never ending.

He glanced inside one cell. A man sat on a duvet with only a bucket and chains as company. Ganondorf moved towards the bars. "Do you want to get out?" The prisoner looked up to him. Worry. Ganondorf sighed, had he forgotten about his appearance and the bad lightning. He put off his hood. "Is it a 'yes' or a 'no'?"

The man relaxed as he realized he was not Azett. "Who are you?"

"If you prefer to die in the arena instead of trying to regain freedom, I'll ask another one. I'm certain here are less troublesome." Ganondorf took his view off and walked away from the cell.

"Yes! Yes! I want out!" The man leaped on his feet, rushing towards the bars and slashing against them.

How easy men could be convinced when it was about their freedom. "Good." Ganondorf returned and fiddled at the lock. "In the guard's room are a few weapons and armor. Their former owners don't need them anymore. Bring them here, we can stuff out two others before we fight our way to the armory. Then we can take the war to these tormentors."

A smugly smile appeared on the man's lips when he walked past Ganondorf. "I don't know who you are or how you got that robe but you have my thanks. I'm tired of those rats treating us like scum."

The other prisoners must have overheard their conversation for they raised their voices to join his cause. Even though only a few could equip a weapon until they had made it to the preparation room of the gladiators, their sheer number combined with surprise should cause the guards enough trouble for now. With Azett's banishment, the greatest of all threats had been eliminated anyway.

"Down with them! Kill them!" yelled a guard through the hallway, waving his hand as he called for reinforcement. Two of his comrades watched his back as a pack of rebels stormed towards them. With a warrior's cry one of the gladiators raised his sword. He got silenced in the middle of the attack. Stunned by the guard's magic, only gurgling left his mouth as a spear pierced his chest. The guard pulled his weapon out again and the body fell to the floor.

"You'll pay for that!" A rebel attempted to slash his steel through the guard. Instead he jumped aside since the guard channeled his magic again. Barely he avoided the spell yet another former prisoner used his chance and cut his blade through the guard's face. A scream. The man stumble backwards before the gladiator delivered him the mortal blow.

"You worthless scum! Die!" Another guard jumped on the rebel, pushing his sword through his rips. Coughing. Panicking. He struggled for air as he slowly suffocated.

Ganondorf watched the scene from behind. A pleasure. A true pleasure to witness the slaughter of his former tormentors. How they suffered in their attempts to fight against the rebellion. Finally they experienced themselves how it felt to fight for one's life, trying to escape the claws of death in vein. Unfortunate they did not seem to enjoy fighting those battles themselves even though they always were so eagerly to see their slaves doing it over and over again. A shame, a true shame that he could not take part in this massacre. He would have enjoyed every slash. Every kill. Every single one.

"Azett! Where is Azett?! We need him! We need him here now!" A scream in despair. All the men looked clueless at each other, panic filling their eyes and hearts. The man yelling had to parry the attack of a gladiator. "Go and find him! He has to put this to an end!"

"Ha! Ha!" laughed a rebel in euphoria and sent the guard's sword flying. "He's dead, man! Dead! Just as dead as you, scum!"

Metal bit into each other. Men cried of pain, of misery, of joy. Blood covered wall and ground alike. The prisoners thirsted for freedom and vengeance while the guards tried to regain control. A merciless fight, even a forlorn one, a massacre. More deaths lingered here within these corridors than in an arena fight Ganondorf had ever fought. And the end, it was not in sight.

Ganondorf's pleasure vanished as the block of ice piercing his shoulder began to melt. It would not bind off his wound for much longer, nor stopping the bleeding and especially not the pain if he left it untreated. What to do though?

He stopped on his track. A fool he was for not remembering the place he could get his injury treated. He could have thought about it earlier because even though the wound would not fully heal since he lacked the time to rest, the potions would make his misery endurable. For that he was even willing to stay in this accursed place for longer.

Ganondorf took advantage of the gladiator's euphoria. They seemed to be in no need of a break, no surprise regarding the award of freedom if they made it outside. Eagerly they slashed their way through their lines, not caring for any death on their side, while the moral of the guards lowered with any other fallen.

Ganondorf avoided fighting when he pressed on to reach the infirmary. He never believed he would ever feel joy when he saw its door and entered. Inside he was greeted by the same view like those past years. Beds rowed to both sides and even now those injured lied here. As he walked by, he saw their grins. They must be very well aware of the rebellion going on with all those noises and screams. Their joy even overshadowed their pain and the knowledge they most likely would not survive to see the sun.

"No! Let got!" A female voice of wrath and fear alike yelled from the backroom.

"Don't be so shy." A laughter, a mischievous one. "But when I think about it, it gives me even more pleasure. So, go on, go on!"

Ganondorf walked in and looked at the back of a rebel. He had packed Dina, who struggled to get free. As the man got beware of Ganondorf, his lust vanished for anger. "Hey, mate, wait until…" Coughing. Shucking. Ganondorf had drilled his steel through the man's back. His last breath. Ganondorf pushed him off his sword. Disgusting, he needed her.

Dina pressed herself to the wall as he looked up to him. Weird, had he never seen fear on a woman behaving so cold and emotionless. "You…?"

"Treat that!" Ganondorf took his robe off.

Dina mustered his shoulders, worry still claiming her. "I… I can't with your armor on."

Ganondorf glared at her. He did not like the idea to take his protection off amidst this madness. Dina pressed herself further against the wall before he grunted, "Then take it off." Albeit still disliking the idea, he had to agree with her. "But don't you dare to try anything foolish! You will end just like him!" With his sword he pointed on the rebel's corpse.

Sweat build up on her face as Dina showed him to take a seat. Tension dominated her body, her breath flat yet her hands remained calm. She loosened the armor around his shoulder and chest to examine his wound. Ganondorf shrunk. Pain spread through his body as she had touched it. Feared, Dina put her hands off though he only give her a grumble to continue her work.

"What caused this?" Dina looked on the wound. Not once up to him though, seemed she hoped to find distraction. "The form does not fit any weapon or claw."

"An ice bold." Ganondorf grinned despite his misery. "It's from the same one who gave me his robe. Of course only after he left this world for good."

Dina did not answer yet he could see her skin growing paler by realizing he fought Azett. Luckily, she did not know it was a cheap victory. "It has destroyed some of your muscles and bone," she responded after a while. "I can stop it from bleeding and clean the wound that it won't get infections."

"How long does it take to heal?"

"With treatment you'll be able to use your arm again in a few days but not painless. To be fully healed it will take longer." Ganondorf glared at her. That was nothing he wanted to hear. Dina took a glimpse. "It is a severe wound, even we healers can't perform wonders. owevI need some salves and bandages from the storeroom to treat it."

"Then get them! But don't try anything funny, you'll regret it!" Dina nodded before she walked away. "And bring a red potion with you!"

He deemed it not necessary to follow Dina. She would be a crazy one to even attempt to go outside and try to escape. Though he had no doubts about her abilities as a medic, she was no fighter. A shame would it be to see her miserable or even dead because her abilities, they were extraordinary.

Dina returned and handed him over a bottle. Ganondorf put his sword aside and inspected it while she threatened his wounds further. When he nipped on it, that obnoxious taste told him it was the right elixir. He shivered. In all its years, it smelled and tasted as gruesome as he remembered it. Strong he had to be, drink it despite its ridiculous flavor, nothing came close to its healing capabilities.

Dina continued her work, wrapped bandages around his shoulder and stabilized his arm so he would not move it unnecessarily. "That should do it. There is nothing more I can do for you, the rest is up for time. After all it is the best healer."

"Fine. Now help me to get the armor on again." No need to threaten her, he felt the pain already lessening. A relief. Dina finished fixating his armor as he grabbed his sword again. No need for the robe, it got shredded anyway. "Then let's go. I've been long enough in this place. I'm getting sick of it." Dina stared bewildered at him as he stood up. Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. "Well, if you prefer to wait for the next man to hit on you, stay here." Without a further word he walked outside. He could not hide his grin when he noticed Dina, despite her distrust, followed him.

Screams echoed all over the corridors. Guards and gladiators still rammed their steel into each other. Ganondorf stayed back, when he searched for ways to pass by the fights and reach the entrance hall. Better to not strain his strength, his body had showed him it could not take much anymore. Not that he needed to worry, his allies took good care of his enemies.

From time to time he looked inconspicuous over his shoulder, seeing if Dina still followed him closely. Feared she was, horrified by the slaughter. Nothing he could spare her. Even though he felt no desire to tell her, he did not want to get her hurt here. She had been one of the most cold persons he ever had met but her work was flawless. More importantly, he had to thank her for setting his head right after he had lost his will for life on the day he lost the tournament. If it was not for her, he would have given up back then. Yes, without her giving back his willpower he would have been just another gladiator that had died within the arena.

"Storm the gate! The gate!" rebels yelled as Ganondorf neared the entrance hall. Arriving in there, Ganondorf watched a few trying to fight off the guards. The only ones left separating them from their freedom.

Remaining in the background, he tried to figure out the best escape route until another man came running in. "Reinforcement! Reinforcement is finally coming!" The tension of the guards who had gathered here to protect their last stand, it vanished and confidence replaced their desperation.

Bad, bad. Truly bad. Ganondorf gritted his teeth. Whoever that reinforcement was, he certainly was not keen to get to know them. Seemed as he had to fight if he wanted to make it in time.

The moment he tried to focus, he let go when his body began trembling. Even with the treatment, he could not use magic in this condition. Though fighting left-handed with his sword and an injured shoulder against that horde of guards versed in stunning spells could easily end in a disaster. He shook his head. No, it would end in a disaster.

"Come this way." Ganondorf looked surprised at Dina. She pointed towards the counter at the side. Guards stood there, many of them. Only a moron would try to get through them. "They won't attack, I promise," Dina stumbled feared as he glared at her.

No denying, Ganondorf disliked the fact to just go there when he crawled along the walls, closely following Dina. The guards noticed them, Ganondorf encompassed his sword tighter, he would never die without a fight. "Dina, you are still here?! With a visitor?" The man sounded worried and only took a short glance at Ganondorf before telling them both, "Get out of here, fast!"

The surprise got Ganondorf as the guards just let him pass. Seems like it was a good idea to watch out for Dina. Luckily, their faces did not look familiar to him and they did not know he was the initiator of that slaughter.

The wind blew through his hair. A long time had it been since he enjoyed it to such a degree. He followed the path on which only few souls remained, fighting those not meant to breathe the air of freedom. He just made sure that he increased the distance between himself and the arena as far and fast as he could.

"Thank you, Ganon." As Ganondorf had reached the fields, he turned around to Dina, surprised that she remembered his name besides the thousands she must have cared for in her life. "I wouldn't have made it without you." He grinned. Looking at her, it would have been a shame if she had died. A real shame.

Ganondorf noticed worry in her eyes, one that even overshadowed her fear. There must be questions burning in her mind about the incident at the arena. About him. He turned her back on her, leaving her alone wordless. Out of the corners of his eyes, he noticed how Dina first intended to keep him back, reaching out her hand but let it sink.

Deep inside, Ganondorf sighed. He could not deny, even though he never appreciated it back in his days at the arena, he was grateful for what she did. Because without her, he would have never made it to whom he was now.

An eerie whicker greeted him when he conjured his horse. He took a deep breath, pushing his thoughts aside. He got what he needed from Azett, no time to waste for sentiments. He must not forget: he was still a man sentenced to death within this kingdom. He must take heed now to reach his destination before the Hylians would find him.