Hello! Welcome to my 2nd LoZ fanfic! Hopefully some of you caught and enjoyed my previous writing and will enjoy this even more. This is an AU universe and is loosely based on the Majora's Mask Manga side story revealing the origin of the mask, though that manga itself is not considered canon.
This work will be rated M for violence and darker tones including hints of abuse, trauma, and eventually sexual themes and references. You've been warned.
Feedback is desirable, but only if it's productive. I'm open to plot points and ideas and welcome your opinions into the story. I'm not a professional writer by any means so I can only grow through your feedback. Any sort of bashing will be unhelpful so if you don't like it, don't read it.
Legend of Zelda is owned by Nintendo and this work of fiction is purely for fan enjoyment.
Chapter 1
Nabu sighed while deeply relaxing within her lounge pillows. The day was unusually warm and humid for the early spring season but Nabu could hardly feel it with her cold hydromelon drink in hand while being fanned by two servant girls. Though her body relaxed, her mind remained anxious and sharp as a result of finishing a number of different meetings regarding her organization, Gerudo Trading. Nabu considered herself a dabbler, dabbling in everything and making a profit wherever she saw fit. The wealth she amassed resulted in the massive compound she resided in, surrounded by numerous trained guardswomen and servants, creating a practical fortress from which she conducted her business dealings. The compound sat atop the tropical beach within the Great Bay. While she initially built the compound and established connections with trading port merchants and traders, other citizens had settled and made the now thriving port city, Oceanside, adjoining the compound. Nabu smiled while thinking of the unoriginal city name, and how despite not living in it, she still owned a large portion of it and maintained alliances and debts to be collected from nearly all of the remainder.
Nabu sighed again and rubbed her fingers against her left temple with her free hand while taking a sip. She had just finished a rather unpleasant meeting with a foreign merchant who had attempted to smuggle items into the city without paying the proper taxes for imported goods. The merchant needed a firm...instruction on how any attempts to skirt out would be met with swift action and swifter punishment. Nabu's ears still rang from the merchant's cry for mercy and she slowly massaged her ear in irritation. The most pompous ones always screamed the loudest, but despite the annoyance, she had long since accepted these activities necessary to maintain her way of life.
'It's certainly better than the alternative,' Nabu thought cynically. She reached back and unconsciously rubbed at the rectangular scar on the back of her right shoulder.
"Mistress Nabu?" her attendant's voice startled the woman from her thoughts. "Forgive me mistress, but your newest asset has just arrived from the Goron tribal lands."
Sitting up straighter while running a hand through her long crimson hair, Nabu smirked with anticipation and gestured towards her attendant to proceed, who then turned and exited the room. Nabu had been looking forward to this meeting ever since she had learned and acquired this asset nearly a fortnight previous. One of her connections in Goron City had tipped her off and after a few rough interactions, she managed to purchase this asset and set up transportation for them to be brought here. She took a quick glance about the room, noting her fanning servant girls, twin armored guards carrying heavy spears flanking the entry door, and mentally noting at least two more assassins hidden within alcoves which awaited a slight signal from her to make quick work of any intruder intending harm. Her compound was famous for multiple reasons and several visitors to her city would often pass by to chance a glimpse inside to see if the rumors were true. Nabu required that each and every individual working within her compound receive extensive combat training, even her fanning girls maintained at least three hidden weapons on themselves at all times. Nabu also exclusively employed women. Each woman was brought to her at a young age, beginning in a servant's position and working up to assume her determined role within the compound. Nabu's Gerudo organization had its fingers dipped in multiple areas including mercenary work, trading goods, agriculture and husbandry, and even clothing and fashion. Nabu's investments and connections spread far and wide, both among the nobility and within the underground market. It mattered not, as long as there was wealth and profit involved.
Nabu readjusted in her seat, putting on an air of sultry authority as her attendant knocked from outside the door to announce her entrance with the new assets. Nabu couldn't keep the excited smirk from off her face as her armored guards opened the heavy double doors to her meeting room. Nabu's attendant, Trulva, led the procession, while four more guards flanked two people. Nabu raised an elegant eyebrow as she examined them. First was a young waif of a woman dressed in little better than grey rags. Nabu couldn't discern if the dirt within her blonde hair was natural or acquired though actual filth matching the smudges and stains she seemed to carry throughout the rest of her person. Regardless, Nabu noted the girl's long hair was pulled behind in a limp ponytail, revealing long pointed ears. It was a characteristic that was not often seen throughout the Termina area, let alone the ruling kingdom of Ikana. Upon further examination Nabu determined that the girl could be an exquisite beauty with her high cheekbones, pale skin and crystal blue eyes. Everything about the girl was thin; thin frame, thin lips, thin wrists and legs, though she still maintained some feminine curves. Those eyes remained firmly planted on the ground and appeared to be haunted while the woman maintained an impassive expression on her young, filthy face. The girl carried nothing and had her hands folded in front of herself. Nabu did note that the girl wore a rough rope belt with a pouch attached on one hip while a thick metal chain was attached to the other side that jingled softly as she walked.
The chain was linked and connected to a thick metal collar wrapped around the neck of the second person. Nabu's curiosity was fully engaged as she examined the second person, or rather, man. He was also young, appearing to be of similar age to the girl though a half-hand taller than her. However, if she was dressed in rags, he was dressed in tatters, brown fabric that may have once been a shirt and pants hung limply off him creating a floppy look to him. His hair was a thick and shaggy mane that hung slightly passed his shoulders and was the color of golden raw honey. His deep ocean blue eyes appeared dead and emotionless as he shuffled along behind the girl. Barely lifting his bare feet, he followed the ragged girl, though he did not appear to even see her or anyone else in the room for that matter. He also appeared to have long pointed ears similar to the girl's, though they didn't appear to be as smooth. The young man's face was covered by the short growth of an unshaven face and though his strong jaw and chin firmly framed his face, he still held a youthful look. The thick collar covered the entirety of his neck and was no doubt heavy, but the man's dead eyes didn't appear to be bothered by the uncomfortable weight. The young pair looked diminutive and pale, especially surrounded by the tall, tan, and muscular women employed in Gerudo Trading.
The procession was slow, but took less than a minute to arrive before Nabu where Trulva bowed in respect. The girl bowed low as well, but the man didn't move, his gaze staring off into the abyss. Upon noticing this, the girl quickly snapped her fingers twice to which the man immediately fell to a knee and bowed his head in a smooth movement comparable to practiced knights in the Ikana Royal Court. Nabu kept the surprise off her face at the exchange as she spoke.
"Rise," she commanded simply in a feigned bored tone.
"Mistress, I present your newest acquisitions, newly arrived from Goron City. I assumed you would wish to meet them before they were settled into the compound," Trulva announced as she straightened and turned to the two young people. Nabu nodded approvingly before turning her gaze to the young woman. The young woman had also straightened but curtsied when Nabu looked at her, then kept her gaze to the floor.
"Thank you for having us Mistress," the girl's voice was a husky smooth whisper. A heavy spear banged against the stone floor and startled the girl causing her to visibly flinch, though again the man betrayed no reaction as he stared off to the side.
"Wretch! You will only speak when addressed by the Mistress first!" Aveil barked out harshly. Nabu struggled to not roll her eyes at the captain of the guard's zealous behavior but simply raised a hand to calm the muscular woman who towered over others.
"It's quite alright Aveil," Nabu spoke softly, "It was just a greeting, and a rather polite one at that, certainly that is no offense made on her part."
Aveil grumbled but said nothing more as Nabu turned her attention back to the young girl.
"I, as you are no doubt aware, am Nabu Ruvelias," she addressed the young woman, "What is your name?"
The girl curtsied again as she answered, "I am Zelda, Mistress Nabu Ruvelias."
Nabu raised an eyebrow, "Just Zelda?"
Zelda grimaced slightly, "Yes Mistress, j-just Zelda. I was left abandoned at an orphanage and grew without a family."
Nabu nodded slowly in acknowledgement before turning her gaze to the man.
"And what is your name?" she asked him.
The man made no sound or move, nor did he seem to even acknowledge the question but gazed off as if seeing something leagues away, his impassive expression remaining. Nabu couldn't help but sigh as Aveil immediately barged over in front of the man and confronted him directly, towering over him. She hunched over while getting right in his face and the massive woman bellowed, "Lady Nabu just spoke to you, you filthy man!"
Again, Nabu watched in interest as the man made no move, no acknowledgement that he was being addressed as his face remained motionless; though his ear appeared to oddly twitch in an almost canine manner. This only infuriated the head guard even more and before Nabu could stop her, Aveil sucker punched the man in the stomach. The man was lifted off his feet by a hand's width but to everyone's shock, including Aveil's, didn't wheeze out in pain or collapse on the floor. He landed back on his feet as she removed her fist and only the quiet whoosh of air leaving his lungs was the only indication of him being struck in the first place. Aveil cocked back her arm again but by this point, Zelda prostrated herself on the ground and blurted out, "His name is Link M-Mistress! He d-doesn't speak because he has been trained and beaten not to!"
Aveil froze at the young girl's words and turned back to look at Nabu, who had a disapproving look on her face.
"I'd rather not have one of my assets hurt so soon after acquiring him," Nabu spoke softly but Aveil could hear the edge in her voice and immediately withdrew herself and walked back to her place in the procession. She refused to bow her head but her cheeks reddened slightly in embarrassment as she stood stiffly in position again. Slowly, Zelda began to raise herself from the floor, and spoke again.
"If I may M-Mistress," she began, "Could I be allowed to quickly examine him for any injuries? He wasn't prepared to be struck and I'd like to make sure he's not too damaged before you can utilize him."
Nabu smirked humorlessly, curious at the girl's choice of words.
'Damaged? Not hurt?' she thought as she nodded her approval and Zelda moved to this mysterious Link, 'I've seen Aveil fell men larger than her with a blow like that,' she thought to herself. She watched fascinated as Zelda turned to the silent Link and clicked her tongue twice and made a small whistle. On queue the voiceless man moved and pulled his shirt up over his head, which then dangled and hung off of his chain connecting to Zelda. The man's distant expression never changed and his eyes barely twitched but never focused on anyone. There were more than a few gasps from the guards and fanning girls. Even Nabu had to hold back a gasp of surprise at the sight of the shirtless Link.
It was blatant that the man was underfed and malnourished, but regardless his muscles rippled beneath his tan skin. He appeared chiseled in stone but what caused the women to gasp were the sheer number of scars and marks that marred his skin. Jagged lines, sunburst splotches, and all manner of thin lines decorated his skin, both deep red pronouncing their recent placement as well as pale white marking injuries long past. After the mute man removed his shirt, he resumed his relaxed and listless pose, arms hanging by his side and his eyes off to the side gazing out into a distance that no one could see. Zelda immediately approached and passed her hands on his chest and stomach, lightly pressing and prodding for any broken ribs or visible injuries to be seen or felt. Zelda grimaced to herself when she felt a slight poke on the bottom left side of his ribcage, indicating he had indeed a broken rib. It didn't appear too serious and after resting her hand against it, looked into Link's eyes and clicked her tongue three times in a questioning tone while tilting her head. The scarred man slowly shook his head and Zelda breathed a sigh of relief before clicking her tongue twice and whistled a short note. Immediately Link grabbed his shirt and placed it back over his maltreated body.
"You must satiate my curiosity Zelda," Nabu spoke after Zelda moved back to her place, "What are those sounds you are making?"
The waifish woman blushed and moved her gaze to the floor again.
"Mistress, Link has been...trained to respond to specific commands and do nothing else," Zelda's voice faltered for a moment before she continued, "Many of his past...patrons...were very insistent and brutal in their desires and any disobedience was immediately punished."
"Fascinating," Nabu mused while silently evaluating the man with her eyes, "He'll obey any command?" she asked.
"Any command that his previous owners trained him to obey, yes Mistress," Zelda answered.
Nabu directed her gaze back to the young woman, "And what is your role with him?"
Zelda flushed and answered softly, "M-mistress, I'm his handler. One of his owners did not want to take the time to learn his previous commands and teach him new ones, so I was….hired...to take over and maintain him. I assist in keeping him in as good as health as I am able. I can mend most wounds as well as direct him to do any task my Mistress desires."
Nabu nodded, barely able to contain her curiosity and excitement as she stroked a delicate finger across her full lips absently.
"And if I asked him to attack someone for me?" she asked suddenly, mind racing at the interesting possibilities. Zelda nodded gravely.
"Depending on how you wish it completed Mistress, he will complete it. Though a direct frontal attack will be easier to direct him to do, assassinations tend to be more complicated and at times require directions during the assignment."
Nabu didn't withhold her smile this time.
"And if I wanted him to guard a particular location or item?"
"Yes mistress, he's been used to guard vaults and other precious resources previously."
"Can he defend a person? Me for example?"
Zelda hesitated for a minute before answering, "If-if my Mistress desired protection, i-it is possible though in full honesty Mistress, it may require you to learn some of his commands in order to fully remain protected, as well as fleeing from him while he is protecting you may also leave him confused and without direction."
Aveil huffed loudly, "So you're telling me this...dog-man-thing, can't think for himself? How pathetic."
Zelda flushed and spoke softly, still not removing her eyes from the ground, "I do not presume to know what goes on in his mind my lady," she frowned slightly, "But any disobedience or straying from directions has been...disciplined out of him for the past several years and so he will obey any command given without hesitation or failure," the girl went quiet again before stuttering on, "I-I'm sure that if my M-Mistress gives him the opportunity, he will easily p-prove his worth."
Nabu leaned her head into her hand, her mind going through several thoughts before speaking again.
"Do you know why I acquired the two of you?" she asked Zelda. The young woman shook her head and Nabu continued.
"Have you ever heard of the gladiator games?" she asked. To this Zelda nodded.
"Yes Mistress Nabu, Link was a contender in the Snowhead arena a couple years ago."
"I am aware, I heard many tales regarding a "Feral Wolfman" and his exploits within the arena," Nabu confirmed. Disbelieving glances were shared between the guards as Aveil suddenly guffawed.
"You mean to tell me that this runt is the legendary "Feral Wolfman?" she mocked, "He seems hardly capable of walking around in a straight line, let alone fight! I'd love to see him pathetically try to shuffle his way around his opponents!"
Nabu's gaze grew cold though Aveil missed the silent warning. After a moment, Nabu's mouth crooked up on one side in a half-smirk of amusement.
"Very well Aveil, I think that's a fabulous idea," she declared. The captain faltered at the statement and looked around to the other guards before looking back to Nabu.
"It is?" she asked her mistress dumbly.
"But of course," Nabu set her drink down and clapped her hands in excitement, "A demonstration sounds absolutely perfect to see if I've spent my money well."
Zelda made no movement though her lips tightened together as she bowed her head lower, "If my mistress wishes it."
"Yes, let's see, Aveil I think you would be the perfect candidate to test our newest asset," Nabu looked to the larger woman. The captain's face scrunched up in disgust as she looked at the silent man.
"If you wish my mistress," she spoke with barely disguised contempt. The guards immediately fanned out to create some semblance of a circle within the open area of the room. Aveil remained unmoved as the others spread around behind her while Zelda and Link also remained in place. With an approving nod from Nabu, Zelda reached into the pouch attached to her hip and pulled out an odd shaped object. It was chestnut brown in color and had numerous holes drilled within it.
Noticing the mistress' gaze on her, Zelda raised up her hands revealing she was holding some odd instrument.
"This is an ocarina Mistress," she explained, "It's how I'm able to properly give ongoing instructions for Link."
Nabu raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing, merely gesturing for the girl to continue. The pale girl turned to Link and reached up and proceeded to unhook the thick chain from the massive collar around his neck. Coiling the chain in her hands, she then moved some feet away from the tattered man.
"No," Nabu commanded, "You will stand at my side during the fight."
"Yes Mistress," Zelda nodded in obedience then approached the raised dais and stood to the right of the lounge pillows. Nabu watched in fascination as the young woman placed her fingers over specific holes in the ocarina and then turned to await instruction to begin.
"Shouldn't he be given a weapon?" Aveil asked incredulously while brandishing her spear in both hands. "Surely the battle will be over too quickly if he can't properly defend himself."
Nabu looked to Zelda, whose expression remained impassive. When the Mistress didn't immediately speak, Zelda quietly offered,
"Link has been trained extensively in combat for any situation, both armed and unarmed. He is proficient in most weaponry but he is known to be more masterful with the sword."
Nabu smirked and then declared, "Very well. He will fight Aveil unarmed. If he survives then I'll know my money was well spent."
"If—," Zelda started before lightly clearing her throat, "If I may Mistress, do you wish for him to win? Or to simply survive any attacks?"
Nabu couldn't contain her laughter at that, "Well if he is capable of winning against my guard captain then by all means! Let's see what he can do!"
Zelda nodded in confirmation before turning forward again and raising the ocarina to her mouth and beginning to play. Low music came out, sounding similar to a flute but fuller in pitch. A light rolling tune echoed through the hall and Nabu noticed immediately the changes in the young man. His ears twitched violently, and if Nabu didn't know better she would have sworn that his pointed ears almost turned towards the playing ocarina. The young man shook violently, almost like a wolf shaking off water, before lowering himself down to all fours. He remained perched on his fingertips and bare feet as he turned and seemed to acknowledge Aveil for the first time. The captain lowered her spear to point directly at the strange man and flinched when she noticed his eyes. The glazed empty eyes were now focused and practically glowing as he stared at her. She held his gaze and almost couldn't tear her eyes away from his. Aveil had stared down various enemies before while competing in the gladiator arenas for years prior to her service with Mistress Nabu. This was different though, it was like staring down a savage beast in the wilds of Termina.
The music continued as the combatants stared each other down. Everyone waited on baited breath for who would make the first move. Aveil swiftly struck first by thrusting her spear directly at Link's face who inhumanly twisted his body to the side to dodge the strike. Several spear thrusts followed him as he rolled his body and rotated around the captain. Unrelenting, Aveil cut to the side in a low sweep but the wild man impossibly sprang above the attack and kicked out hard towards her head. Caught off-guard, Aveil was struck squarely which wrenched her head to the side and caused her ears to ring despite the helmet. Aveil swiftly rolled with the kick in order to put some distance and shook herself to clear her head before refocusing back on Link. The feral man was back on all fours again and his piercing gaze chilled Aveil to the bone. He began to advance slowly, almost delicately placing a hand in front before slowly raising a foot to step forward.
Aveil was concerned. She had little experience fighting a person this strange and beast-like. She had on occasion hunted beasts of the field for Lady Nabu's feasts with her trackers, but that was done with bows and arrows for the most part. She flinched again when shockingly, the wild man curled his lip and snarled. The snarl was a low inhuman sound and revealed long canines. Aveil couldn't help glancing at her mistress, 'This isn't a man at all,' she conveyed with her eyes.
Unfortunately that moment of hesitation cost the captain. Link leapt forward with far greater speed than Aveil was prepared for. Trying to recover, she held up the spear in an off-balanced cross-guard to block the attack, but was unprepared to take the surprising amount of weight that landed on her and caused her to fall backwards onto the ground. Gripping the spear in his own hands, Link growled and snarled inches away from Aveil's face. She blanched with a sudden spike of fear as he began pushing the spear towards her throat. Terror gripped her heart as she could feel herself being overpowered and the spear creeping downwards.
Steeling herself, Aveil began pushing back and in a risky move, shifted her arm to elbow Link in the face to shake him off. The solid crunch of Aveil's arm guard connecting with his jaw was enough to jostle him enough for her to push him from on top of him. Link simply rolled and landed on all fours before leaping again and jumped atop her before she could fully rise. This time the spear went flying and Aveil collapsed on the ground with Link astride her, trapping one of her arms. Link began pummeling her in a ground pound and Aveil could practically feel her helmet being dented as he struck it with his bare knuckles. Quick thinking allowed her to pull the curved dagger with her free hand, but before she could plunge it into his leg he snatched her wrist like a striking snake. Link slammed her hand back against the ground above her head and wrestled the dagger from her hand. With both her arms pinned, Link raised his arm and the dagger high while Aveil's eyes widened in terror.
"Enough!" Lady Nabu barked out. The room froze and none dared breathe. Aveil stared at her dagger still raised high but couldn't help glancing towards the man who soundly bested her. His expression slowly faded from the vicious snarl and Aveil marveled as it looked like even the light faded from his practically luminescent eyes to the dull hue they were before. The dagger slowly fell to the side and clattered to the floor as it dropped from his hand. Link's ears twitched oddly and Aveil realized that the music the young Zelda was playing had stopped as well.
In a flash of rage the captain jerked her trapped arm free and punched Link in the side of his head.
"Get off me you filth!" She screamed as she scrambled to her feet and while grabbing her dagger. However, she almost immediately froze again when she noticed he collapsed to the ground.
"No!" Zelda's scream echoed in the large hall.
Thanks for reading! I will update as soon as I am able! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!