Zelda watched the door close behind her friend. She could feel an invisible, heavy blanket slowly drift from the ceiling and cover her frame, its weight pressing heavily upon her. Her own breath threatened to suffocate her
"Princess, is there anything else that I can-"
"Do not trouble yourself with me, Impa." Zelda cut her off. The goddesses had spoken, their path was now set. "Get to General Zarian and let him know to cooperate with the demonstrators. Tonight, Hyrule liberates itself from the Gerudo."
Impa nodded, reluctantly moving towards the door. The next half-hour would decide everything, her advice no longer having any place. The blanket pressed down tigher upon Zelda, the soft covers turning to stone and trapping her. This was the resolution then? This is how the tale was fated to end?
The princess didn't need to plan, she knew what she had to do. Stepping over to her bed, she ripped off her fur gloves, the rest of the outfit following soon after. Zelda forced a smile, wondering just how long it had been since she last dressed herself. Normally, she merely stood motionlessly as others sculpted ever fold and tuck into its proper place. Even with the Gerudo occupation and the dismissal of the castle staff, Impa had done her best to make the princess appear proper. After today, she certainly wouldn't trust the princess with such a responsibility again.
Completely exposed to the cool air, Zelda walked over to her largest wardrobe which contained her most royal regalia. Looking it over, she was a bit surprised to see how little variety she possessed. A few gowns of blue and scarlet hung from the racks, but aside from them everything was a shade of pink or purple. Once Hyrule is restored, I'll have to commission a dress of amber, or maybe even a forest green. Once Hyrule was restored... that was the thought she had to hold on to. It was a message of hope, one that could hopefully crowd out the one of dread.
She removed one of the pink tops, a sleeveless gown who's hem reached only halfway down her thighs. The intention, and how she had always worn the dress in the past, was for it to be the third of several layers which hugged her frame, the lower, white dress protecting her decency while this layer projected her power. Forgoing the other pieces, Zelda pulled the dress over her head and adjusted it as best she could. As an outer garment, it was naturally designed for a loose fit- her bedrest for the past few days making the size difference more pronounced.
Trying not to think too deeply about the poor fit, Zelda reached into the wardrobe and withdrew two of her banners. Emblazoned with the Triforce, the crimson phoenix of her family, and other royal symbols, her most formal gowns called for tying one of the banners in front of her like an apron. Draping the strings around her hips, she tied one of the patterns in front of her and other behind. The two icons dangled between her legs, exposing them from the sides but ensuring that a misstep wouldn't show off more than she needed to. The outfit was already degrading enough.
Quickly throwing on a pair of boots, she paused for a moment in front of one of her full length mirrors. She could almost hear the shocked gasps of the nobles, visualize their disapproval as they clutched at their formal robes in discomfort. Saying that she looked like she belonged in a tavern would still be too generous, still... it would serve her purposes. Refusing to dwell on her appearance a moment longer, she turned and strode out of her bedroom door before her mind could convince her otherwise.
Goddesses, be with me. The walk began uneventfully, the princess almost making it to ground level before hearing it- the roar of an ocean wave. Stepping to one of the small windows carved into the side of the castle, she looked out and immediately noticed the throng pushing up the beaten path towards the castle gate. Hylian soldiers were already rushing to their positions atop the gatehouse, drawing their weapons as they faced down the rising mob. Turning from the window, Zelda subconsciously reached down for the hem of her dress, stopping only when her hand brushed her leg. Gratefully that she at least didn't have to worry about tripping over her own clothing, she continued her trip at a quick jog.
They had run out of time.
...
The guardsman sat, nervously fidgeting at the bundle resting in his lap. Around him rested other men, good men. Men who had tried to make sense of things, men for whom every other option had slipped through their fingers as their world devolved to madness. Are we really doing this? He wondered, a second thought quickly rising to push away the thought. Would father understand?
The captain, Sadon, barked a few more orders- his quiet confidence strengthening every man's spirit. When the guardsman had asked the captain for this role, he hadn't expected to actually be granted the responsibility. Surely, there were more reliable men who had also volunteered, but even as he lowered his chin the white haired one had suddenly appeared. Looking him over once, the spirit had turned to the captain and "suggested" he hand the bombs over.
Noises now- shuffling- it was almost time. The guardsman didn't like the white haired one, none of them did, but they hero had assured them that the strange being would see them to victory. As though his very thoughts were a beacon, Ghirahim suddenly snapped his head upwards, tapping his finger on the captain's shoulder and whispering something.
It's almost time. The guardsman checked his pouch once more, confirming that he had three of the small spheres. Due to his momentary distraction, he never heard the daemon's approach, an involuntary jerk passing through him when the creature spoke.
"I must say, it is uncommon to see a mortal so eager to lose his life." The strange contraptions in his pouch knocked together, the sound as through his bag was filled with stones. When he didn't immediately answer, the creature prompted again. "You said that you lost your father?"
"None of your business." The guardsman countered, pushing himself to his feet. "I will accomplish my part."
"Of that I am certain." The creature smiled, his grin stretching unnaturally far across his face. "Hold your grief and need for revenge tightly: there are few things that can so motivate your kind. In truth, there are days when I am jealous."
The guardsman shrugged as he stepped away, the captain was starting to bark orders at some of the others. "I'll remember it." In truth, he didn't want to remember much more. He just wanted this to be over. If he was to meet his end at the hands of the Gerudo he would do so with a weapon in his hand, not a begging bowl.
...
"You know, I think the princess will come around."
Link snapped his thoughts back to the present, turning his head to regard Kalila. "What?" The two of them were sitting in one of the castle's banquet rooms, Racisa and Hadica flanking the doorway.
His bodyguard shrugged. "You've been spacing out since talking with her. There isn't much of a choice: by wedding you, she will save both her throne and her people. How could she decide differently?"
Link sighed, appreciating her attempts to cheer him up. "It... is a little more difficult than that."
"Is it really?" Kalila asked. "You two both stand to gain the same thing- what is best for your people. Throw in a little pinch of mutual attraction in there, and you have a union which most members of the Hylian nobility could only wish for."
Her youthful optimism was refreshing, even if misguided. "Kalila, what do you even know about Hylian history or customs? You've never been a reader."
"Psh, details." Kalila responded, though she did turn a little more sober. "If it doesn't work out, then what is our plan?"
Link sighed, that was indeed the question he had been mulling over in his mind. "Once Afya clears out the royal vaults we may have to pull back to the dessert. The pilfered wealth should be able to provide for our people for years to come."
"Abandon Hyrule?" Kalila asked, "You are considering giving up the green pastures?"
"I don't see any choice, the very land is rejecting us and unrest grows." He turned his attention to the untouched plate of food sitting in front of him. "If we can pull out graciously, perhaps we can salvage our reputation and ransom back the princess- the greatest payoff of any Gerudo raid."
Kalila stared at him intently, "And you believe that the Hylians will not only pay for her, but ransom back their stolen artifacts. Do you expect us to still be able to purchase supplies from their merchants after this?"
Link shrugged, "If Hylians won't negotiate, there are other powers which would pay handsomely for anything they could get their hands on."
"You mean... you would to sell them to the Labrynnians?" Kalila tilted her head slightly, the pieces falling gradually into place. Her own plate being empty, she reached forward and snagged a roll from Link's.
Forcing out a grin, Link masked his discomfort. Something about the plan didn't feel right, but it remained the only option he could see at the moment. "Not just try. I already have several potential buyers lined up- primarily members of their ruling council who would love the symbolic victory of it."
"Labrynnia grows stronger, as Hyrule lies fragmented." His sister murmured. "I suppose that in such a world our relationship with the former would be far more valuable than the latter."
Link nodded. In truth, it may finally provide Labrynnia the opening they had long sought. If he released Hyrule from his control, he would walk away from a fractured nation but his clemency may very well end up their damnation. Labrynnia might finally make their move, but in such a case he needed to get his people out of the crossfire. One of the doors to the hall opened, Klarsaria stepping through. The Gerudo had long proved herself both capable and loyal, earning her a position overseeing the castle's guard. She surveyed the room, her gaze stopping when her eyes found him.
"My Lord." She ran up to him, her breathing heavier than normal. "The Hylians are staging another demonstration."
Link frowned, "They are stubborn. Don't they realize that continuously flaming unrest will only hurt themselves? I'm assuming that General Zarian is taking care of it?"
Klarsaria nodded, "He's positioned a guard on the castle's outer gatehouse, which should hold them now that we have reinforced it with an iron door rather than that old fence. Still, I do not know if you wish to oversee the operation from above the inner drawbridge."
"I suppose that I should." Link echoed, trying to not think of Zelda. The outer gatehouse was more of a checkpoint, a small barrier along the path to the castle. The architects had instead placed the main fortifications within the clearing, digging a moat and constructing the large walls after leaving an open space. To Link, it seemed like a terrible waste- why not use the surrounding hills as a natural fortification like the Gerudo had in their ancient fortress? At least it meant he could keep his people out of the fighting, allowing the Hylians to sully their hands. The group left the hall, setting a quick walk but stopping short of a run. They didn't have to scramble, everything was under control.
"Send a sister to inform Zarian to stop the protesters before they breach the gate. If they step in range of my archers, we won't hesitate to unleash the fire arrows." Link ordered, focusing his attention forward once Klarsaria acknowledged his command. The Hylians needed to learn to take his rule seriously. If they continued to-
"Fire arrows my lord? You really want this to hurt don't you?"
Stopping mid-step, Link turned his head in the direction of the voice. It dripped with sarcasm and hostility, an unnatural tone, but he still knew the bearer.
Despite himself, Link visibly flinched when he saw the princess. She leaned against the large doors of the throne room, her arms crossed in a defiant manner. Gone was the regal air of the noble princess, her face contorted in a sneer. "What's the matter my prince, have I interrupted your little party?"
"Zelda, what are you doing!?" Link responded, taking several steps forward as if to shield her from the other Gerudo. Her exposed arms and legs shone white against the grey stone, goddesses... she was a pale as the snow outside. He passed to within a whisper distance, shutting down the urge to point out her dress. She knew that what she wore was appropriate only for a brothel. "I don't know what's come into you-"
"Oh but my lord, isn't this what you wanted?" The princess retorted. "Hyrule's utter submission to your will; my utter submission?" Gerudo were starting to congregate, even the riot outside not distracting them enough to avoid the sight before them. He saw a few jaws drop.
"Not here." He took Zelda by the arm, gently but forcefully steering her into the throne room. His guards attempted to follow, but he put out his other hand and shook his head. "Please wait here and support Klarsaria however she may need you." Kalila's opened her mouth to relay her objection, but Link swung the massive door shut before she could get a word in, its hollow clang echoing between the walls. The thick barrier would hopefully keep them from being overheard.
"By the goddesses of both Hyrule and the sands, what's going on Zelda!?" Link asked, his tone incredulous.
The princess shrugged, nonchalantly strolling down the hallway towards the throne, her hips swaying in an exaggerated manner. Link followed, keeping his eyes focused on the back of her head. "Look, I get that you're disappointed in me, but there's a riot going on out there. I promise I'll hear whatever you have to say later, but could you please go back to your room before you sacrifice what is left of your dignity?"
"Always on your terms." Zelda responded, seating herself on the platform which housed the throne. "You're perfectly willing to talk in a time and place which is convenient for you, but upset that hegemony and you revert to using a heavy hand."
"Zelda, I'm just trying to look out for you!" Link countered, "What would it do to your reputation if some of the Hylian guards saw you like this, or perhaps one of the lower-level officials who still have free reign of the castle?"
The princess didn't seem to hear him, focusing her attention instead on the throne. "I understand now, I understand your nature- your need. I still do not hate you, I instead pity you. You know of no other way, you can see no other path. Hyrule will burn before your ambition- would you like your throne now my lord?" Leaning, she draped herself over one of the seat's arms.
He wasn't getting through whatever strange spell she was under. "Look Zelda I-" He cut off mid sentence, turning around in confusion as a muffled shouting steadily gained in volume from outside the room. Despite the thick walls, he could make out words of shock and distress. "What have you done?"
"It isn't what I have done my lord, it is what you have done. The people themselves have had enough of us both." The princess forced a devious smile, one which shook him to his core. No, there was no way that she was telling the truth. Hyrule wouldn't sacrifice their princess- they couldn't! She was his one trick, his trump play. Elais was willing to sacrifice her, but that was why the had stomped out his insurrection so quickly. He was so distracted by his thoughts and the shouting from outside that the faint crackling of glass escaped his notice.
...
Kalila had been about one-third of the way to her destination when she heard the scream. Both Hadica and Racisa were still watching the entrance to the throne room, but she had been directed to put the northern garrison on alert. Her complaints abandoned, she quickly turned to follow the sound of the disturbance. She only needed to round two corners before she came upon Nasira, the younger Gerudo slumped over an unmoving form.
"Kalila! Its Khalisah, I found her when heading to my patrol. She isn't moving!"
"Calm down." Kneeling, Kalila quickly looked over her older sister. The Gerudo's eyes were shut, her head propped up awkwardly against the wall as a trickle of blood ran down the stone. This wasn't any accident.
"Nasira, I need you to listen to me. Go to the north end and let them know riots have broken out at the gate. They need to be on alert. If you happen to see one of the healers send them here, but otherwise don't say anything about Khalisah, okay? I'm going to head back to the gate and find help for her." She remained in her position for a moment, looking over at the younger Gerudo, eyes still focused on their sister. "Did you hear me? Go!"
Nasira nodded wordlessly, her eyes remained hesitant but at least she was moving. Ripping off her veil, Kalila bunched up the fabric and tiled Khalisah's head ever so slightly forward. The wound was still fresh, the blood not yet having congealed around the edge. She's been here for only a few minutes. Kalila realized,placing her makeshift bandage where it could both staunch the bleeding as well as provide some padding against the stone.
She glanced around nervously, taking note of the silent corridor as well as the door across from them. Her gut burned with fire, a want to catch and stop whomever had done this. Unfortunately, the assailant had vanished and Khalisah would soon follow without help. Turning back the way she came, Kalila sprinted back down the corridor.
Klarsaria would know where the closest healer was stationed, as well as how to best mobilize the nearest patrols to locate the intruder. Pale flames rushed past her on either side, flickering sentinels which observed dispassionately as she approached the staircase to the upper level. Reaching the top and throwing the door open, she emerged into the bright sunlight of day. A portion of her cautioned against running so fast along the castle's high walls, but she squelched it in favor of speed.
"Klarsaria! Klarsaria I have an urgent matter."
The Gerudo captain looked over her shoulder, surprise taking over her face. "Kalila? Weren't you informing the northern garrison?"
"Yes, but I came across one of our injured sisters. She needs medical attention and I believe the castle has been infiltrated by at least one of the demonstrators."
Klarsaria paused, taking in the report and formulating a response which wasn't overtly rash. Frustrated, Kalila impatiently tapped her foot against the stone. From their position, she could see out across the castle grounds and to the front gate. The mob had almost reached it, the Hylian soldiers standing on top with their longbows drawn. A frown crossed over her face, hadn't they used crossbows at Mora?
"Your concerns are serious. Take Datra here, as well as three other soldiers as an escort. Make sure our sister is safe- I'll coordinate the search for our little friend." Turning, Klarsaria made eye contact with the healer to ensure her instructions had been heard.
A full forty Gerudo were clustered on the gatehouse, so Kalila wasted no time selecting the most experienced ones she recognized and turning back once more. The second Khalisah was safe, they would be combing through every corridor to locate the intruder. As she worked across the wall, a single, solitary horn sounded out- freezing her in her tracks. Confused as to what the Hylians were signaling, she turned her head just in time to see the Hylian forces on the gate turn as one- raising their longbows and unleashing an arced volley towards the inner gate. At this distance, there was no way that they could aim with any degree of accuracy, but when you have that many bodies packed in an exposed space...
Datra shouted with rage at the betrayal, a yell which Kalila cut off by grabbing her sister's shoulder. "Khalisah first!" She didn't allow any hesitation in her voice, the shock suppressed under the same calm indifference her brother always modeled. Klarsaria could handle the Hylians, they had their own mission to complete.
...
I suppose there are worse ways to die. The guardsman reflected, marching calmly along with his fellow conspirators as they approached the gate, the defending archers watching their march over the shafts of their arrows. At a signal, dozens of the missiles would fly into their ranks, sewing confusion and death. They had no word of if the Hero's infiltration had been successful, nor whether he had actually made contact with the garrison. Well, no word unless you trusted the reassurances given out by the white devil.
"Not yet," the creature whispered, his face hidden beneath a heavy cloak. Looking down, the guardsman realized he had reached on hand inside of the bomb bag. "Save them for the inner gate."
That's assuming we make it to the inner gate, he his father approve? They had been so proud when he had left for the castle to become a guard for the royal family. His family had worked the soil with loyalty all these years and now what had that loyalty given them?
On the gatehouse, he saw the glistening, golden armor of General Zarian. Surely the General himself wouldn't be here unless something major was about to happen? The guardsman's hope wavered when the general raised his chin, barking out a series of orders as the archers drew back their arrows, their bows ready to fire. They were all going to die here, one last pitiful whimper at the hands of their own countrymen.
There was a faint boom from the gate in front of them, the sound of a heavy metal lock being swung into place... or out of it. Suddenly, a trumpet sounded from atop the wall, the archers turning as one and raising their bows towards some unseen target behind the wall. The mass of demonstrators surged forward as the gate before them slowly turned open, a row of guards at attention on the other side.
"He did it!" The man to his left called out as an excited cheer passed through the crowd. Rushing through the gate, the demonstrators shifted into a wedge formation as they broke into a sprint. It would only be a manner of minutes before the Gerudo defenses were mobilized, they needed to clear they way for the army behind then.
A metallic hand fell on the guardsman's shoulder. "I've got the drawbridge, you have the gate?" Not even turning to face the specter, he nodded, the pressure on his shoulder vanishing alongside a flash of red. He could see the Gerudo scrambling to spread out along the wall, their clustered position on the gatehouse leaving them as vulnerable as fat gamebirds. A few of them were already lighting fires in the braziers.
Halfway across the field, he opened his mouth in shock as the castle drawbridge suddenly began to fall freely, it's chains no longer supporting its weight. The wooden structure crashed into it's open position, sending a shockwave across their ranks as another thunder of applause ran through the mob. They had a bridge, now the only thing which remained was to knock out the castle's metal gate. Another Hylian horn sounded, the sign for the army back in castletown to advance- this was it.
An answering trumpet sounded from the Gerudo ranks as several streams of red shot out from atop the castle, the deadly lines charging into their ranks. An explosion of flame engulfed a half-dozen men in front of him, the heat rushing over his body and causing his hair to stand up on end. The burning arrows! The men around him began to falter, several shouts of terror intermingling with the screams of the Gerudo's victims. The guardsman gritted his teeth, they had already made it three-quarters of the way to the gate, they couldn't stop now! Another volley of death fell into their ranks, the heat becoming more unbearable that summer's hottest day- not to mention the smell. This flame did not bring the smokey, comforting scent of a campfire. Rather, it assailed them with the stench of rotten eggs and burning meat.
They were so close now, close enough that normal arrows began to snipe the remaining members of their ranks. Several men around him around him held pot lids and wooden doors above their heads, desperately trying to shield him from the barrage. Unfortunately, they were dropping by the second, but they only needed a few more...
Over half of their mob had dropped to the ground by the time they reached the stone steps leading up to the gate. Other attackers dropped to their knees and withdrew crossbows from beneath their cloaks, firing off a series of shots to hopefully suppress the warriors on the wall. Taking advantage of their cover, the guardsman withdrew one of the bombs from his satchel and dashed for the drawbridge. His foot hit the wooden surface just as an arrow struck him in the shoulder, piercing through the armor which he had worn beneath his cloak. Yelling, he stumbled as the bomb fell out of his hand, rolling across the platform and into the narrow moat. Another arrow hit him in the thigh when he was halfway across the bridge, sending him to the wooden surface.
Not now! Father! Gritting his teeth against the pain, he reached into his pouch again with his remaining good arm and half crawled- half rolled the distance to the gate. The plan had been for him to throw the device from a safe distance, but plans could change. At the tip of the bomb's fuse sat a small, metal cap. Biting it with his teeth, he pulled the bomb away form his face and received a shower of sparks for his effort. The searing embers peppered his face and eyes, blinding him and giving him another source of pain to ignore. Though robbed of his vision, he heard the satisfying, sizzling sound of a lit fuse. Reaching forward, he fumbled around with his good arm until he felt the metal frame of the gate, placing the burning package at its base.
For good measure, he withdrew his remaining bomb and placed it beside the first. The explosion would likely make it go off even if it was still in his bag, but it gave him something to do in his final moments besides focusing on the pain. It felt as though somebody had driven a hundred, tiny nails into his face, a feeling he was only too eager to leave behind. "Father?" he whispered, his own voice lost in whisper of the fuse, "are you proud of me now?"
The only answer he received was a sudden wall of heat and flame.
...
A massive rumble tore through the castle, a crack of thunder against the clear, winter's day. Link turned his head, "What was that?"
"That is the sound of your downfall." Zelda purred, trying to sound as confident as possible. A bile churned in her stomach, threatening to make her throw up on the spot. Wrestling control over her body from, she forced the anxiety down. Link stared at her with wide eyes, only now was he getting it. "You need to surrender your forces, now, before it is too late."
"Surrender!?" His voice sounded weak; empty.
"Yes, by garrisoning your sisters in the castle you have trapped them in a tomb." Rising to her feet, Zelda strode towards the prince- her submissive act falling to the ground like a discarded cloak. "You've sewn violence, now you shall reap it."
Link took a step back. "But, any chance of forming some sort of peace between our people-"
"IS DEAD!" She shouted, cutting him off, "Peace died when you set the first Hylian hamlet to the sword, coexistence failed when you decided to stretch out your hand and take our wealth for your own. Do you think that Impa wouldn't notice as you slowly pilfered the royal vaults, or how the land itself rejects your rule with a fervor only seen in the times of calamity!?" She could see the pain, the fear, in his eyes. Her heart strained against her soul, desperately yearning to step forward and to take him in its embrace- whispering encouragements and lies that everything would be alright. She stood her ground, even as she saw a solitary figure in the balcony brace himself against one of the pillars.
Reaching the prince, she raised and hand and danced it along his shoulder. The hard leather of his dark armor resisted her touch. "You are the very incarnation of the Goddess' wrath, and though doing so may claim my life we shall not yield to you Hyrule's throne."
"I..." Link looked at her, his face filled with pain. A single, solitary tear worked it's way down his right cheek. Reaching up, he gently removed her hand from his shoulder even as he tried to formulate some sort of response. His mouth hung open, his jaw precariously balanced on the tip of a cliff.
She knew what was coming, suppressing her emotions and natural reflexes as much as was possible. Regardless, she found herself jumping backwards as a scream emanated from the prince's throat The inhuman shout reverberated off of the high ceiling and stone walls, for a moment trapping her within the tortured cacophony of the underworld itself. A single, golden arrow stuck out of Link's shoulder, its glow turning to a blur as he whirled around the face the sudden threat. Ganondorf landed in a roll, immediately bouncing to his feet and charging his foe. He held the hilt of the Master Sword at his side, its tip seeking the Gerudo's neck.
Refusing to waste the precious seconds she had, Zelda sprinted across the throne room. The guards would have heard the noise, and she needed to reach the front first. Casting a line within herself, she felt the magic nibbling in her core and drew it out, pouring her spell into her hands as she threw them against the massive double-door. Like the roots of a tree, a series of glowing-white roots spread out across its surface, entangling it and ensnaring it mere moments before those outside tried to enter. Those who sought entrance to the chamber began to slam against the doors in vain, the noise reaching the princess even if the shock of their impacts did not. Though maintaining the seal would command all of her focus, she could ensure that the duel of fates went undisturbed.
Looking over her shoulder, she took a deep breath and pushed all the memories of that fateful night in the desert from her mind. The future now belonged to fate.
…
Link's body snapped into motion, his reflexes saving him as he mind struggled to catch up with his body. The arrow in his left shoulder burned with an accursed fire, a power which rent and tore at his muscles all along his arm. The pain merely served as a distraction, however, as the ghost charged at him with a furious yell and arcing blade. He instantly recognized his attacker, the young squire whom he thought he had killed in the desert- the one who had forced his hand in the first place.
Even sprinting, the swordsman named Ganondorf failed to close the distance between them before Link brought out one scimitar to deflect the attack. His primary arm hung limply at his side, severely handicapping him and forcing him to remain defensive. Sensing his vulnerability, the Hylian continued to press, his attacks coming in quick, strong and without any regard to the possibility of leaving himself open.
It's come to total war. Link could hear shouts from outside- the clash of arms and the moving hordes. Guilt tore through him, he had been blind and oblivious to the treachery sewn within their midst. Attack after attack came swinging down, stretching his defensive swordplay to its very limits. Without his second weapon, he remained completely outclassed.
After Ganondorf failed to even acknowledge a faint, Link stepped forward and slammed his left shoulder into the other man's chest. Another fresh arc of pain ran across his arm as the other man bumped the arrow, but at least his strike forced the other man to back off a little. That's right, do not run me off as an easy victory just yet. Taking advantage of his half-second reprieve, Link quickly surveyed the room, noting the white rune which crept across the front entrance to the hall. It was a deliberate move, a wise precaution to give the squire every chance to finish him off. What struck him though was the princess standing at the base, her head turned over her shoulder towards him and her eyes filled with regret.
She is only doing what her country requires of her. A burden lifted itself from Link's heart even as his triceps tightened, taking the full brunt of another strike. The speed at which Ganondorf swung his blade seemed impossible, considering the force behind each blow. Just as she was doing as she condemned you, it was all part of the act. Even were he to fall here, he would do so knowing that the princess remained his friend. At the moment, he would latch onto whatever reassurance he could get.
In his distraction, he mistimed a parry, allowing Ganondorf to force his weapon a little lower than intended. The Hylian took advantage of the opening, taking one gauntlet off of the hilt and throwing a powerful backhand to the arrow's shaft. Despite his best efforts, a hiss escaped from Link's lips as his eyes teared up, the lance of pure agony spreading from his arm across his chest. He turned his attention away from the princess and towards his foe, even as the blood from his wound reached the end of his limp arm and began to drip from his fingertips. Had it really taken so long to get there, or had their fight only been going for a few seconds?
He expected to see a look of triumph in Ganondorf's eyes, some sort of gloating or satisfaction on the squire's face, but all he got was a cold indifference. His foe remained focused, unoccupied with anything but a pure need for victory. For the first time, Link realized he was truly fighting for his life.
His muscles began to seize up as Ganondorf continued to hammer him relentlessly, his blade hungry and eager.
What was there left to fight for? He had failed, his people would be run out of Hyrule and impoverished once more. They had all depended on him and he had let them down. Where he had sought peace he had only sewed destruction. He had even burdened Zelda's conscience, forcing the princess to live with orchestrating his execution. Somehow, that last realization was the worst of all, as though he felt he had somehow... let her down. Not just the peace process, but that somehow his entire life was a failure.
Furrowing his brow, Link frowned as a familiar but amplified force burn within him, begging to be called upon. Was that it then? The power of Triforce was a terrifying force, and he knew the Hylian legends about its price...
...
Ganondorf yelled and leapt forward once more, the full momentum of the fight behind him. The blade whistled as it cut through the air, Link closing his eyes and bracing himself, opening himself up to the power he held within. The golden glow drifted upwards, cradling him in its arms even as the blade approached his neck. Annihilation stared his people down like a ravenous Wolfos, he couldn't abandon them yet.
A whirling malstorm burst around Ganondorf, the force of a hurricane concealing his foe. The squire grinned, "So, now you decide to face me after all?" The initial phase of their duel had gone better than he expected, the desert prince crippled by the light arrow. It had only been a matter of time before his foe revealed his true capabilities.
He felt the stinging of several slight cuts opening on his skin, as an angry swarm of icesickle fragments buzzed around him. Ganondorf quickly summoned a blue, crystal barrier around himself, fending off the typhoon and waiting for his foe to materialize within the tempest. He couldn't discern whether the windows of the throne room had burst or if the ice was merely a magical construct. Either way, the prince couldn't keep this barrage up for long.
Just as the final thought passed from his mind, the storm subsided. An uneasy silence poured over the hall, interrupted only by the faint sound of banging on the room's main door. Ganondorf clenched his jaw, doing his best to force away the pain of a hundred shallow cuts which now burned into the warmth of the hall. .
His foe's expression of pain mirrored his own as the desert prince grabbed the arrow in his shoulder, a yell escaping from his lips as he wrenched the projectile from his bloodied arm. Ganondorf almost charged, taking advantage of the distraction, but he didn't want to leave himself open to another magical counter-attack. He had to keep the fight solidly grounded in a battle of steel, as his enemy's magical prowess eclipsed his own.
The prince dropped the arrow to the ground, flexing his left hand much to Ganondorf's dismay. A normal man would be lucky to not lose his arm after such a wound, yet the prince seemed to effortlessly regenerate his body as he drew out his second scimitar. But even his power must have its limits. Ganondorf cautiously closed the distance between them, aware that he couldn't trust his initial advantage.
Smiling the Gerudo took a step forward, the hesitance and fear having completely vanished from his vision. "So, I see that you survived your fall into the canyon." Refusing to be goaded Ganondorf stabbed cautiously at his opponent, taking care not to overextend. The prince easily slapped away the strike with a look of contempt. "What's the matter? Already lose your bravado? Every time we have crossed blades you relied on some trick of treachery, but now that we stand on equal footing you cower back."
Letting his actions answer for him, Ganondorf tried another light stab before feinting towards the side, hoping the prince be a little too defensive and leave himself open to charge inside. Unfortunately, his foe had other ideas. Rather than moving into a defensive posture, the Gerudo seemed to anticipate his feint, taking the initiative into his own hands. Ganondorf barely managed to bring his blade into a diagonal, defensive posture before the blows started raining down.
Both scimitars whirled through the air impossibly fast, striking in opposite directions and seeking to overwhelm him. Ganondorf managed to barely keep up, parrying them only due to his weapon's impossible lightness. Like the ebony blade, he only felt a need to guide the Master Sword, rather than wield it. He continued to backpedal, the prince effortlessly pushing him across the room.
Several minutes passed as a series of pinpricks spread over his arms. Impossibly, the Gerudo prince didn't show any signs of letting up on his barrage, a continuous series of strikes which even expert swordsmen couldn't keep up for over a minute. Ganondorf kept looking for some weakness, some fatigue, but the blades continued to strike tirelessly at his own. His blood pulsed through his ears, a rhythmic thumping which remained outpaced by the steady clanking of their weapons. His skin burned.
He drew his sword to the side just a hundredth of a second too late, the leading edge of one scimitar digging into the side of his right arm before he managed to stop it. Shouting, Ganondorf threw out his other hand and summoned a flame in the air between them, the sudden distraction buying him a brief respite. The Gerudo backed off, his breathing steady as a smile spread over his face. "Doesn't feel so good, does it?"
Ganondorf bit is tongue, his left hand going to the wound as he awkwardly held the Master Sword in his other, keeping the tip trained on the prince's face. After all he had gone through, he wasn't nearly ready to cede this fight yet. After all, he was destined to win this battle by the goddesses, wasn't he? Wearily, he crossed the sword in front of him diagonally as another deadly arc of steel raced towards him.
…
Kalila ran faster than she had ever run before, the torches flying past her as she darted through the hallways, shouts and screams rushing to greet her. The impossible had happened, Hylians had penetrated the castle! She had left the others with Datra when they heard the explosion, the roar spurring her into action like the taunt of a wild beast. The enemy was here, and she was not at her brothers side.
She passed through a small reception room without nodding towards the three sisters present, nor allowing her gaze to pass over the three more lying on the floor. There was no time to hesitate, no time to dwell upon what was happening. Her mind went into a fog, distinct thoughts vanishing as her instinct took control, driving her body towards a single goal. Lifting her glaive, she ran headlong into a trio of unsuspecting Hylian soldiers. Kalila managed to slam the helmet of the closest one with her weapon as she moved through them, not bothering to take the time to make it a leather blow. By the time his companions could react, she had already passed them by.
Swallowing the bile which had begun to form in the back of her throat, she clenched her jaw and continued to focus. The suppressed edges of her consciousness continued to prod at her, questioning why she would ever leave her lord's side at a time like this. Pushing away her doubts, she continued to ground herself in the present as she came to a T-shaped juncture in the hall. Turning right, she found herself faced by a dozen, armored men.
"Kalila, down!"
Without hesitating, she dropped to her stomach as a series of projectiles whistled overhead. Several men dropped to the ground as the remainder fell back, retreating around the corner to safety as several shouts of pain covered their retreat. Rolling, Kalila jumped to her feet as her sisters ran past, a strong hand grabbing her arm and preventing her from joining them. She turned to see Nabooru's grim expression.
"Where is Link?"
"The throne room, I'm trying to work my way back there before the Hylians cut off access." Kalila noticed a series of frozen spikes jutting out from the bodies of the felled soldiers, their magic having a greater effectiveness than simple arrows.
Kotake's voice didn't surprise Kalila, her handiwork having already revealed her presense. "Then we haven't a moment to lose, the tight quarters of the castle favor our enemy." Moving forward, the elder cautiously advanced around the corner, summoning a series of small ice shards to go first. The power of her magic made the entire corridor drop a few degrees. Only the strong rush of adrenaline in her system prevented Kalila from shivering.
Nabooru nodded, fortunately not voicing the unspoken question in her eyes, Why are you not with him? The immediate task was to save Link, finger-pointing and accusations could wait until later. With the help of the two elders, their band continued to move towards the throne room at a decent pace, though one which remained too slow for Kalila's tastes. The fighting continued to intensify as the number of slain sisters they passed in the corridors grew. The closer the got to the epicenter, the more it seemed that the Gerudos' casualties dwarfed those of the Hylians'.
"Why don't we use our fire arrows?" Kalila asked, the desperation in her mind overriding any reason. It scrambled, desperately seeking any sort of insight or idea which could turn the tide of the battle. She heard another blast from a Hylian trumpet, the sound of another regiment which had cleared the city and now advanced into the castle grounds.
Kotake scoffed, "In these sorts of closed corridors? We would smoke ourselves out and only hasten our demise. What I would give to have Kohume here... her mastery of fire would be more containable." Raising a hand, she summoned a particularly long shaft of ice before telepathically hurling it towards another soldier, the missile punching effortlessly through his plate armor.
Kalila could hear the strained desperation in the elders normally-detached voice. She tried her best to offer some minor encouragement. "We just need to get to Link, he can spin fire just as well as her!"
The older woman turned back to her, a small glint of gratitude in her eye. "Aye, indeed he can." Nabooru murmured her agreement as well, though none of them asked why he hadn't joined the fight already. Regardless, the unasked question found an answer when the rounded the last turn to the throne room.
"The fires of the serpent herself!" Kotake shouted, pointing to the white vines which covered its face, "A seal!"
"Can't you break it?" Nabooru snapped, turning in time to face a small detachment of enemy soldiers who had arrived as well. The Gerudo to her sides immediately began to fire arrows into the opposing ranks, the armor deflecting all but a few.
Kotake placed her hand against the great door, a trickle of sweat already running down the back of it. "Maybe, but this seal... it is so powerful. A strength which I have never before seen. I'll need time, and focus."
"Then get started!" Kalila shouted, drawing up her guard as the knights advanced. Their formation remained tight and professional, their wall of shields protecting them from arrows. Maybe she could work her way around to the room's rear entrance? No, there were too many Hylians in the castle now, she wouldn't make it unless the entire force moved together and they wouldn't have the time for that. Scanning the approaching wall of metal, she picked out one of the soldiers who moved a bit more sluggishly than the rest.
Poke holes in the weakest part, and they might just collapse. She could almost hear her brother's voice- he always seemed to have a way out of every predicament. As the soldiers moved closer she whispered a quiet prayer under hear breath. They may all fall here today, but their brother needed to survive. So long as he did so, the Gerudo still possessed a tomorrow.
...
Although the setting was completely different, Zelda couldn't help but feel that she had seen this fight once before. Ganondorf had pushed Link to the edge of defeat, but the prince continued to slowly turn the momentum. She could feel it, the faint current of energy which pooled around Link and nurtured him, strengthening him with a power which Ganondorf couldn't match. Every second clawed away at her heart as she waited for the resolution, the killing blow which would finally end the nightmare one way or another. Though she desired nothing more than to turn away, her eyes were drawn to the battle as through it were a blazing wildfire; a sight which remained terrible yet awe-inspiring at the same moment.
The other pushed against her, some magical practitioner who sought to undo her seal on the door. Zelda had to admit that the assailant was powerful, and yet the best effort of her foe couldn't match the strength of the Triforce throbbing within the princess's bones. Though this remained the first time that she ever dipped into its power like this, she found that it came naturally- the golden force and her worked as one... but was their contribution enough?
A faint, metallic taste ran over her tongue as Zelda realized she was biting the inside of her lip. She could see the exhaustion on Ganondorf's face, the squire continuing to give ground. Link's expression remained hidden from her, but his shoulders remained high as he drove her champion back to the throne. Turning, she faced the seal once more, measuring out her options. Without her strength, it would shatter in a manner of seconds... but could that be enough?
Ganondorf stumbled, the back of his foot catching on the steps leading up the dais. Seizing the advantage, Link took a massive step forward and began a series of vertical blows meant to overwhelm his fallen foe. Seeing her friend on his back and desperately fending off the assault snapped something into place in her mind, a realization that the time had come to pick a side.
The white roots began to retract from the door's face the moment Zelda pushed away. Every pillar and brick around her began to glow as she walked, both hands moving at her side as she drew even deeper from inside herself and began to conjure a flaming sphere. A massive crash washed over her from behind, accompanied by the sound of clashing steel as the battle began to spill into the throne room. She hardly heard it, becoming deaf to all noises aside from the inferno which was blazing beside her. Extending both arms, she hurled the fireball at the two men just as a slim set of arms wrapped around her from behind and knocked her off balance. Right before her face struck painfully against carpet, she managed to catch one final glimpse of the flaming missile hurtling down the chamber.
They had underestimated her one time too many.
...
One final chance.
As the prince's weapons crashed down upon his own, Ganondorf had prayed internally that the Godesses would give him one final chance for victory. The stone steps cut into his back, the force from the Gerudo's strikes rushing all the way through his body. It was with incredible gladness that he saw the flames of Din herself seemingly wrap around his assailant, the brief explosion buying him precious time to stumble to his feet.
Throwing off a desperate uppercut, Ganondorf felt his sword bite flesh even as the fire vanished, the squire quickly retreating to a safer distance. Contrary to when he had drawn it in the temple, the Master Sword lagged behind his movement feeling almost... heavy?
Not daring to take his eyes of the Gerudo, Ganondorf lifted his sword and eyed it with confusion. The weapon's weight and balance seemed to swirling around, as a bucket feels when it is half-filled with water and one tries to run with it. He pulled the sword back into a ready stance, only for the blade itself to resist his motion and drift to the side, forcing him to stumble along with it. Cursing internally, Ganondorf returned his full attention back to the prince, fearing his next assault.
Fortunately, there was a delay before that assault came. Even as the burns vanished across the Gerudo's skin, he saw on his opponent's face both pain and... fear? It took him a moment to realize that a deep cut had opened across the prince's forearm, and blood was flowing freely from the wound.
"Come on you stupid sword, don't quit on me now!" Ganondorf snapped as the prince howled, sprinting forward and leaping up into the air with both weapons held over his head. The squire barely managed to raise his blade into position, the crossguard at his hip as the tip pointed upwards. He held his breath as he summoned all his strength to stabilize the unruly weapon, an attempt at a final strike as the two curved scimitars angled towards him like the reaper's scythe.
...
Link had drawn forward, energy coursing through his every muscle as the Hylian's defenses began to buckle beneath him. The Hylian's strategy centered around this one man, with their queen removed from the board everything else would fall, the Gerudo would rule. He struck the opponents weapon again and again, drawing upon his hidden reserve of magic to put an unnatural force behind every blow. The arrow which had pierced his shoulder remained a distant memory, the wound already having healed.
He saw his opening as his opponent's grip slipped, a paved road to ending this violence once and for all. Even as he prepared for the killing strike, the sound of a rushing wind charged him from behind, the entire room feeling as though it was growing warm. Before he could react, a sudden force slammed painfully into his back. The flames swept him into their forceful embrace, instantly charring his skin and making it boil- the princess! A hiss emanated from his throat, he had underestimated her. Even though he knew she must have some hidden reserve of power, he hadn't thought she would strike him with it. The small portion of him that wasn't fending of the flames scoffed at his own foolishness, building a barrier so that there would be no place for sorrow. He made a dismissive gesture with his hand, willing the flames away and for his charred flesh to repair. A hundred, agonizing needles spread over his skin, mending his burns and eventually driving away the pain- that is until a white lance of magma cut through his arm.
The pain dwarved any wound or blow he had previously felt, the searing agony feeling as though it was pulling away at his flesh. He watched as the squire pulled back and caught his breath, the tip of his blade stained with blood. Link tried to staunch the wound, calling upon his sister's magic but to no avail. The cut felt as quicksand, slowly consuming and draining whatever effort he put into it, thin streams of red running down to his wrist. Even worse, the cut itself seemed to hunger, the sensation spreading outwards and consuming even more of his energy than he was intentionally using against it. Glaring at the violent blade, the blade of legend, he realized the truth. Drawing his strength to his legs, Link lept forward even as he saw the squire stumble. He had no more time, he had to finish this fight now!
Twin blades curved downwards to the Hylian's frame, even as he brought his own sword up in an offensive strike. Both men ignored eachother's weapons as they aimed for a killing blow. United in purpose, they agreed to end the battle in one, final strike.
Sword bit flesh.
Steel clattered to the ground.
And both men gazed into eachother's eyes, sharing one final moment of understanding.
From her position on the ground, a sense of finality washed over Zelda as she watched somberly, whispering, "All he wanted..."
Ganondorf's amber eyes burned into his foe, "...was to save..."
"...my people." Link's eyes unfocused as he turned his gaze downwards, only making out the faint outline of a purple hilt jutting from his stomach. His body felt heavy, the ground pulling it downwards into its embrace even as his legs stubbornly refused to buckle. Through great effort, he managed to lift his head and gaze around the room, only now realizing that both Hylian and Gerudo forces had spilled into the great hall and now stood silent. His arms froze in place, a hard surface of stone quickly spreading over them even as his breathing locked up. He saw a light green blur, quickly passing over it until his eyes managed to find the tall frame of Nabooru. He kept his gazed fixed upon her, trying to send one final message even as grey passed over his vision. Sight, touch, sound, it all vanished in a moment, soon followed by his consciousness.
A/N- Wow, I almost made this a two parter. Still, I think there is no more fitting chapter to pass the 200k word mark. Amusingly, when I started this story I thought that fight scenes may be the easiest to write, alas the opposite is true. I hope I did this confrontation justice, and I hope that my readers will continue to enjoy this tale [if you've read this far, I am assuming you like it ;) ]. I would love to hear people's reactions, but please spoiler tag as appropriate!