The sky was an overcast grey, giving little light to Zelda's chambers as the princess sat on a small settee, trying to focus on the book she held which contained her carefully written research notes. Urbosa, Link, and Impa had left that morning for Gerudo Desert where they would all board the Divine Beast, Vah Naboris, and set out for the Yiga Hideout.
There was a light knock at her door.
"Come in."
Zelda turned her head to see one of her ladies-in-waiting holding a tray with a teapot and a cup for her.
"Thought this might lift your spirits, Your Highness."
This gave Zelda pause. Was it that apparent she was feeling low?
"That's very thoughtful of you, thank you." The Princess acknowledged but barely smiled.
The attendant poured her a cup and gave a bow before turning to leave.
The tea gave off a pleasant earthy aroma, and as Zelda waited for it to cool she anxiously wondered what sort of news her champions would return with.
She redirected her attention back to her research which she'd gathered from books at the Royal Tech Lab as well as the castle's library. She skimmed what she'd written down, finding it helpful to return to these notes every so often. Perhaps she'd add more soon where she'd record everything she'd learned thanks to the little Guardian with knowledge of the future.
This made her recall records that Robbie and Purah had shared with her before the arrival of that mysterious Guardian. These records indicated that there were many different types of Guardians stored in five giant columns that rested beneath the castle. These Guardians would be key in combating the Calamity, just as they had 10,000 years ago.
But how do I access them? Despite knowing every inch of the castle, I've never seen these columns. They must be buried deep underground, but I can't give up looking… Even if I can't find the columns themselves, maybe there's something to activate them?
She thought she'd go insane from the feeling of impending doom if she didn't do everything she could. Especially after being excluded from accompanying Urbosa to the Yiga Hideout, Zelda was feeling especially useless. She couldn't afford to waste a single moment. She could at least agree with her father on that, even if they didn't see eye to eye on what constituted a waste of time.
As unproductive as she was feeling, she forced herself towards the first area that came to mind for her to begin her search. She made her way to the secret passage in the library that led to the docks, praying she wouldn't cross paths with her father on the way there.
After traversing the castle's long hallways, she reached her destination and breathed a sigh of relief that she had gone unnoticed by castle staff. She began to descend the darkened staircase, illuminated only by torches that lined the natural rock walls.
As she rounded the corner and began to descend the last flight of steps she froze. She wasn't alone down here. Her heart leapt and she audibly exhaled when she perceived who it was. The strange variation of the Gerudo emblem on the back of the Prophet of Doom's robe had been etched into her mind both from her meeting with him in Korok Forest as well as the newest image on the Sheikah Slate.
"Halt! Take down your hood." The princess ordered.
Astor turned to her slowly, appearing caught off guard by her presence. He rolled his eyes and smirked, doing as she asked.
His collarbone length dark hair nearly covered his Hylian ears. He gave her a look as if to say 'Are you satisfied?'
Zelda stared at the man before her, speechless. A little in relief that he hadn't put up a fight, but also feeling that he wasn't as intimidating without his hood. She wondered if he ever got distracted by the braid that hung in front of his right eye. Still, he was undeniably beautiful to her, and she hated herself for thinking so, given who he was and what he'd done and probably would do if she couldn't stop him
This man is going to be the death of me… If not literally, then figuratively… He seeks to revive Calamity Ganon. You should find him repulsive just from that fact alone. Ugh… What is WRONG with me… I truly am just a failure in more ways than one… I'm just broken… Horribly and irrevocably broken...
Astor was transfixed by the princess's serene expression as she descended the stairs coming into the light of a nearby torch. She looked at him imploringly, and it unnerved him how she held him in her gaze. She only averted her intense gaze away for a brief moment to sweep a lock of her golden blonde hair away from her face before folding her hands in front of herself in a self-conscious manner. The luxurious fabric of her royal blue dress melded nicely to her figure. This girl, a woman and a queen-in-practice really, was the picture of Hylian beauty, not that Astor would allow himself to acknowledge that. She appeared so out of place in this dark, underground environment. The urge to look away was strong, but still, Astor held her gaze. He almost felt ashamed that this delicate girl was his mortal enemy. She didn't look capable of sealing Calamity Ganon. She didn't look like she was capable of sealing anything really, even though he'd so clearly seen it play out in prophetic dreams - more like nightmares, really - and he knew better. It would have been so easy to call upon his Hollows to end her existence right then and there, but something stopped him.
Zelda spoke softly. "Astor… How did you get in here?"
It had been such a long time since Astor had been addressed by name. Hearing it on the princess's lips was somehow sweet.
"You think it would be difficult for me? Don't insult me! This isn't my first time." He said in an intimidating manner, his voice smooth. He'd been called here before by Calamity Ganon. That was when he'd found his Harbinger. He now sensed something or someone different calling him to this place. Normally he'd disregard such a calling. It was just a distraction from his purpose as Calamity Ganon's chosen. But the pull towards this place on this occasion was so strong, he couldn't deny he was curious. And it had led him to the princess of Hyrule.
The Princess continued to hold him in her gaze, her voice taking on a more serious intonation. "Here to make another attempt on my life?"
Astor gave a wicked smile, questioning the vision he'd seen of her. Pathetic girl is being run ragged by fate… She's practically begging to have her thread cut.
"Are you inviting me to do so? The princess with the blood of the goddess volunteering herself as a blood sacrifice to the Calamity… Exquisite… Your power could be mine for the taking forever." His irises constricted in desire, and then his expressions darkened. "Then maybe I could, at last, get you off my mind…."
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. It was a morbid sentiment, of course, but hearing him say it sent her reeling. There was a strange energy between them, a sort of magnetism.
"It's not mine to give. I have my own destiny to fulfill."
"Your answer doesn't sound very confident, Your Highness." He purred.
He'd seen right through her somehow. The Princess's eyes widened and her face paled a bit in shame. Her lips parted to speak, but she said nothing.
"You… Certainly aren't what I was expecting. I could never foresee that Hyrule's princess would spare me, a disciple of Calamity Ganon." Astor said, his voice held a sense of awe. "I wonder what your appointed knight had to say about that? Where is that despicable little pest? I thought he never left your side."
Zelda bit the inside of her cheek. "Well, I… I couldn't just stand by and watch you get killed."
"Why not? I nearly succeeded in killing you. And you know I am bound by fate to try again…"
The princess sensed his words were just as hollow as hers. She narrowed her eyes at him, taking a few steps closer to the Prophet of Doom.
He takes a step back, his smile faltering. "You dare to test -" But it was too late, as he was hit with a multitude of images flashing through his mind's eye'. He recoiled, holding his head.
Zelda looked on with concern. "What was that?"
Astor tried to clear his mind, shaking. For a moment he had been back in that strange place that seemed to be an amalgamation of Korok Forest and the Lost Woods. A surreal place where the Silent Princess flowers grow abundant.
"Stay away from me…." He growled.
Zelda blinked, perplexed as to what had just overtaken the prophet. "Astor… Why would you want to destroy Hyrule? This is your home, too. What have you to gain from destroying it?"
Astor bristled at the question. This foolish royal girl wouldn't be able to comprehend his motivation given her station and role in this world, so he just answered simply, "This world is rightfully Calamity Ganon's."
Zelda reflected on this a moment. His answer was off-putting for her to hear, but still, she was determined to better understand what had led him down such a dark path. "But, why devote yourself to Calamity Ganon? How do you even know Calamity Ganon isn't using you? Or do you plan to sacrifice yourself for this insane cause?"
Astor recalled Sooga's words. He wanted so much to lie through his teeth and say yes, but he honestly wasn't satisfied with that answer. But, to answer truthfully would be a weakness and disloyalty to Lord Ganon. Not that he was ready to accept that the Great Calamity would ever require such a thing of him, or worse betray him.
Instead, he simply said, "My fate is to be at the right hand of Calamity Ganon."
"I see…" Zelda said unconvinced. "I'm no prophet, but if you continue on your current path you're almost certainly going to fall, either by the sword that seals the darkness or by your master when your usefulness has ended. Please stop what you're doing… I… I don't want to see this dark fate consume you." Her answer sounded so confident this time.
The prophet's insides twisted up. He hadn't been prepared for the princess of Hyrule herself to beseech him in such a forthright manner. No, he had just expected her to oppose him with only righteous anger and nothing else. Why did she care so much? Why did she have to make this so complicated… and even uncomfortable. It was one thing to hear such a warning from Sooga, as rudely as he had put it. But it was another to hear it again from his mortal enemy, and he was so unaccustomed to kindness. And here she was… She wasn't begging for her life. She was begging for his. This wasn't going how he expected. No, she just felt like an unwanted distraction, perhaps even... a temptation?
"Spare me, Your Highness, " He spat. "I don't need pity from the weakest chain in the goddesses' bloodline!"
Zelda shifted her posture, turning her head slightly away from him, wounded by his words. He might as well have stabbed her in the heart and left her to bleed. But she held back. If he thought she was going to cry over insults she'd heard before and internalized, he had another thing coming.
"It's so much more than pity..." Zelda said softly as she looked at the ground, her voice wavering.
However, It was painfully obvious he was a force she wasn't going to be able to persuade, she thought, losing hope. Not that she was surprised.
Astor turned to go and Zelda let out a little gasp, knowing where he might be going. "Wait… Please, don't leave…"
He turned and gave her a strange look.
Zelda chose her words carefully, knowing her champions were still in the middle of a dangerous mission at the Yiga Hideout, and she couldn't put them at risk.
"Astor… If you don't heed my warning... you will almost certainly face defeat… And it may come sooner than you think…" Zelda wished her final warning wasn't so cold, so sterile, even vaguely threatening, but it was the best she could do all things considered. Still, she knew the moment he left she'd be in a world of self-loathing and regret. Self-loathing that she cared a little too much for him, and regret that she had failed to stop him.
He scoffed at her warning. "Your pleas are meaningless to me. I am a great seer and prophet of the Calamity. And you… are but a mere nuisance in my path. You will not impede my fate any further. Farewell, Your Highness…" He paused a moment as if hesitant to leave. He almost looked a little sorry. "If you should survive the Calamity... What will I do with you?" And with that, he vanished.
A/N: I can kind of just imagine all the Zeldas of the past silently judging AOC Zelda and being like "Don't despair, he's got main villain plot armor, and he'll definitely be around at least until the final battle."
Faylian: Trying to be as concise and thorough as I can with this story, so I include everything that seems relevant, even if I decide to put my own spin on it. Glad you liked the scene of Zelda watching Mipha and Link interact and her thoughts on that. I really like to go through the cutscenes and try to imagine what Zelda would be feeling at any time during the story so I couldn't let the opportunity pass. And Astor, too, as you can see here. In the original cutscene he was quite calm and collected at that junction in the story, despite having failed to kill Zelda. Here he is already coming apart, starting to question his predestined fate more and more.
Prometheus17: All good observations and questions! As for how the Harbinger will react to these developments… It's a dangerous situation all around. Lots of drama to come… Astor is slowly starting to clue in that the Harbinger might not actually have his best interests in mind. (Despite not wanting to admit it or let go of the fate he knows.) Contrast that with Zelda who is treating him with respect and Astor just doesn't know what to do with himself. Here you see a man who's entire worldview is crashing down around him.