Chapter Seven:

Ganondorf sighed, putting his hands on his forehead. "Pardon me, King Dorephan, but can you explain to me again why you are so adamant in your refusal?"

Ganondorf was at the edge of his patience with the enormous Zora King. He had waited for an audience with the fish for two days, and before Ganondorf even had the chance to explain himself, he had been rejected.

The gargantuan Zora bristled. "Hmph. Stubborn Gerudo. I will not repeat myself to you. My decision is final. Now leave before you test my generosity."

"I don't understand," Ganondorf tried to explain. "Why you will not hear me out. There is minimal risk and potentially incomprehensible reward."

"Incomprehensible to some! You are a fool Gerudo Prince if you want to challenge the Calamity!"

"I do not intend to fight the Calamity," Ganondorf corrected. "I merely wish to deprive it of its subjects."

In the months following the defeat of the Yiga Clan, two things had become painstakingly obvious. Firstly, the Princess would not hold the Calamity forever. Even from the mountaintops of the Gerudo, Ganondorf had seen the light fade for a few moments before flickering back into existence. In the brief moments of failure, the Calamity reared its head, trying to escape the Princess' power.

The second was that the Guardians were not the only method the Calamity had employed. Ever since the Calamity had appeared, monsters had appeared in greater numbers all across Hyrule. No matter how many times he and his warriors eradicated the foul beasts, more seemed to appear. They made camps, sitting near roads and waiting to ambush anyone who traveled past. Merchants refused to travel, terrified of losing their wares and their life. All the while, his people suffered. There were only so many hydromelons and voltfruit to be gathered from the sands, and birds did not provide a substantial amount of meat for the warriors.

So Ganondorf had devised a plan. The source of the monsters must be coming from Hyrule Castle, where the Calamity resided. If they could slaughter them at their source, the tide of monsters would dwindle significantly. And then trade could return to normal and life could move on.

But Hyrule Castle was inaccessible. While all the Guardians across Hyrule had been shut down, the swirling cloud of the Calamity seemed to keep the Guardians within the walls of the Castle active. His patrols had reported that there were indeed Guardians prowling outside the halls, and monsters would exit the castle every few hours, despite none ever going in.

The Gerudo alone would not have been able to defeat the forces within the castle. That was why he was here, talking with the overgrown blockheaded leader of the Zora. He had already spoken with the Rito and Gorons who had both turned him down. Cowards. With their patriarchs gone they were just spineless fools who cowered in their domains. Ganondorf had hoped the respected Zora to show some backbone, but he was the same as the other ignoramuses.

"You would have us march to our death," Dorephan argued. "Hyrule Castle is infested with all kinds of monsters, not to mention the Guardians. We wouldn't last a minute."

"Not on our own," Ganondorf agreed. "But with the combined forces of Hyrule we could clear the castle and eliminate the beasts within and stop their expansion. We are divided and the Calamity is trying to keep it that way."

"Ganon is a mindless monster who spawns devils to do his whim. So long as we remain within our borders, we will persist," the Zora King punctuated.

"You are a fool if you believe that!" Ganondorf snapped. "Every day more monsters appear, bolder, stronger and in greater numbers. You sit inside your walls as they surround you, choking off your food supply, your communication with others and wait for it to be over, but it won't be. They will come for you and all your people, and when they do you will watch them die because you are a coward!"

"That is enough!" Dorephan roared. "Leave now or die!"

Four Zoras pointed their spears at him. Ganondorf snarled and spun on his heel. "Fine. I extend the offer I made to the others. If you decide to not be a spineless fish and man up, my warriors and I will gather at the old Coliseum three days before the Festival of Din. Meet us there if you wish. If not, we will march without you."

Ganondorf stormed out of the hall and down the stairs. Athena and the other warriors looked up as he passed. "Pack you things. We're done here."

"Could've gone better, eh?" Athena said, stuffing clothes into her bag.

"They're fools, spineless cowardly fools!" Ganondorf raged. "Are they blind? Are they unaware of the danger that's staring them in the eye? How can they all be so...so stupid?"

"Don't worry, Prince, they'll wisen up. I'm sure Impa will want to help, and plenty of good knights come from Hateno. And besides, you've got the best fighting force in Hyrule behind you, isn't that right girls?" Athena asked, peeking behind her. The six vai stood up straight and saluted. "Ha!"

Ganondorf grinned as the women returned to their tasks. "I hope you're right. If not, we've got a bloody battle ahead of us."

A few days later, Ganondorf and the women arrived at the edge of Kariko village. It was a quaint little town, sequestered in the mountains. Some small farms grew on the hills and the wooden houses stood out against the light gray stone of the mountains and the fertile green earth.

Everywhere Ganondorf looked, there were signs of life. Green grass covered the ground and children dashed around the town. Harvestable food grew luxuriously, kept well tended by gardeners working diligently to grow the variety of wealth they cultivated. Small animals dashed through the town and livestock squawked, waiting to be fed.

Ganondorf felt the familiar pang of emotion he felt whenever he entered a town like this or the Zoras. These people, surrounded by wealth and life. Taking for granted what they were given. What did they know of struggle and hardship? Ganondorf ground his teeth and narrowed his eyes before taking a deep breath. He had a mission. He needed to focus.

Two guards stood before a set of stairs leading up the house of elders. One of them nodded to him as he approached. "Lady Impa is expecting you."

Ganondorf thanked the man and motioned to his soldiers to stay where they were before ascending the staircase. Ganondorf pushed open the wooden doors into a small room with several paintings and two sets of stairs leading to a higher floor. A woman knelt on the wooden floor in front of him, arms loose by her side and back turned to him.

Ganondorf heard the doors close behind him, even though he didn't touch them. "Welcome Ganondorf, Prince of the Gerudo. I hear you have a proposition for me?"

Ganondorf nodded, despite the fact that she couldn't see him. "I do. I wish for you and your Sheikah warriors to accompany me to Hyrule Castle and help us eradicate the monsters within."

There was a pause before Impa spoke again. "That is certainly quite the proposal."

"More monsters are appearing every day," Ganondorf explained. "If we can kill them at their source, we can return Hyrule to what it was."

"The source is Calamity Ganon," Impa said.

"There must be a spot where he creates these monsters from. We will find it and destroy it," Ganondorf assured the Sheikah.

"And what then?" Impa asked.

"Then Hyrule can prosper as it once did. The Calamity will be contained, its power dormant and influence removed. We can rebuild Hyrule back to its former glory."

"Not while the Calamity persists. So long as its shadow blankets Hyrule, there is no hope for rebuilding. This is not our fight Prince."

"How can you say that?" Ganondorf asked. "This is your land. Your people who were massacred in droves. Have you forgotten the ones slaughtered by the Calamity's machines? Will you do nothing to avenge them?"

"We will wait," Impa said, a slight tremble in her voice.

"For what? You said it yourself, there is no hope. Not unless the Calamity is defeated. And in case you haven't noticed, that's not happening anytime soon. So why won't you stand with us?"

"We're waiting for Link. Only the sacred power of the Master Sword will be able to slay the beast. He was gravely injured protecting the Princess and is recovering slowly in an Ancient Sheikah Shrine. When he awakes, I will guide him on his path and he will destroy the Calamity alongside the Princess."

"Eleven months," Ganondorf growled. "Eleven months since the Calamity awakened. Eleven months was all it took for you to give up on your country. On your Princess. All it took for you to become a coward, to hide behind your hero to fight your battles for you while your people die around you."

"I am no coward!" Impa shouted, whirling to face him. "I know when I am outmatched! You think you can play god, Ganondorf? You want to return things to the way they were? Well you can't! There is no hope and no bringing back those you lost! All you can do now is make do with what you have and protect those who still live."

"This conversation is over," Ganondorf said, slamming the doors open and storming down the stairs. He felt Impa's eyes on him as he left. He turned to the guard at the bottom of the stairs. "Me and my warriors are gathering at the old Coliseum three days before the Festival of Din. Tell Impa if she wants to join us, that is where she can find us."

Athena gave him a look as he stomped towards his warriors. "Shut up," he snapped at her.

"I didn't say anything," she protested.

"She won't join us. We're going to Hateno," Ganondorf replied.

"Ah, can't we stay the night? We just got here," Athena complained. Ganondorf sighed, hearing the grumbles from the other vai. "Fine. One night. Athena, go get us some rooms at the inn. Freya, go get more supplies."

The two nodded and headed towards their instructed locations. "The rest of you are free for the day. Go do whatever you want."

The vai grinned at him and walked off in various directions, some in pairs and some alone, conspicuously approaching Sheikah voes. Ganondorf made sure to remember those vai, just in case.

Ganondorf made his way out of the village, away from the lively place. He needed some time to decompress. The Rito, Gorons, Zora and now Sheikah all had refused to take action. Now the Hylians were the only potential allies he had left to ask. The fishing people of Lurelin had no warriors. If the mayor of Hateno said no to him too, he would have no allies to launch an attack on Hyrule Castle. And this whole trip would have been a waste of time.

Ganondorf growled to himself, kicking a small stone. It bounced off a small statuette and richotted off it and hit several others. Why couldn't any of them see reason? Didn't they understand the whole picture? Didn't they care about their subjects? Why did they all have to be so utterly frustrating?

Ganondorf prowled the small graveyard angrily, pacing back and forth. Finally the sun began to set. With the falling sun Ganondorf's rage subsided and he headed back into town. The rest of the vai were already in the inn, some fast asleep and the others quietly awake playing cards. Ganondorf nodded to them. Athena waved him over but Ganondorf shook his head. Laying down on the soft bed, Ganondorf laid there but did not close his eyes. He listened to the wind, the gentle breeze and the rustling leaves. He listened to the chirping of insects and prowling of animals in the forest.

It was so much noisier than the desert. Out in the sands the only sounds that came from the wild were the cold night winds. There was nothing but empty wasteland and endless dunes of sand. Going too far beyond Gerudo Town was sure to mean a slow death by being routinely boiled and frozen with the rising and falling of the sun. The only refuge came in the form of the oasis' of Gerudo Town itself and Kara Kara Bazaar. Everywhere else was nothing short of a death sentence.

These fools. These maddeningly pathetic fools. For all the natural wealth they've been given, they came up sadly short when compared to the Gerudo. Would any of these people have survived the harsh sun of the desert? Without the tame fields of green and the bountiful gardens, how would they survive? The Gorons would starve and the Zora would shrivel, the Rito would fall from the sky, wings too exhausted to carry them. And the Hyrulians would never have a chance.

But despite the natural advantages all the other races of Hyrule possessed, rock hard skin or wings, they all lacked the backbone of the Gerudo. None of them had the spine to do anything but lay down and die when faced with a true challenge.

But none, none were worse than the Hyrulian Princess herself. With all the resources and time all the races of Hyrule could have given her, she failed so completely. She had everything in the world placed at her feet to complete a single goal and was even given different options on how to achieve the feat. And she failed spectacularly, leaving her people to die and allowing the survivors to slowly drown in the sea of monsters that followed suit.

Ganondorf shut his eyes, trying to drown out the anger in his head. But when he finally fell asleep, the smoldering in his chest did not disappear.

Ganondorf.

Ganondorf whipped around, trying to find the source of the voice. The vai behind him startled, one dropping her spear.

"You alright?" Athena asked, eyeing him.

"Did you hear that?" Ganondorf asked, scanning the open plain behind him.

The vai shared a look. "No," Athena said.

Ganondorf turned back around tentatively, a frown on his face. Shaking off the confusion, Ganondorf continued on the winding path up the hill. They were only minutes away from Hateno Village, the final stop and their last chance to find allies. If Ganondorf could not convince the mayor, there would be no chance to launch an attack on Hyrule Castle and be rid of the plague once and for all.

Luckily, Hateno was notorious for its knights. Many of Hyrule's elite soldiers had hailed from this one village. Ganondorf even heard a rumor that Link, the Hyrulian Champion, was born here. Surely a place renowned for its military prowess would not shy away from their duty. And if he could muster the support of this township, then perhaps the other settlements would come to their aid.

Ganondorf rounded the corner before the town, he frowned again. Something was wrong. A single man in misshapen armor with a sad little spear stood at attention at the gate to Hateno. He shook as they approached, pointing his spear at the group when they reached him.

"Halt!" the man squeaked. "State your name and business."

"I am Ganondorf of the Gerudo, and I require an audience with your mayor."

The man shifted, clearly unsure what to do now. He glanced over to his right, as if expecting someone else to be there. Quickly his attention returned to them. The guard glanced behind him and shouted, "Hey Jerry!"

Another man came up to the Hyrulian guard. "What?"

"Go get the mayor."

"What? Why?"

"Because these guys need to talk to him."

"The mayor's a busy man. Do you really expect me to pull him out of his office to meet a couple of travelers?"

"Well, uh, no. Just tell him that there are important people that are asking for him at the front gate."

"Wait, these guys are just going to stand here while they wait to see the mayor? And you're just going to watch them? Isn't that rude? Won't they want to come in and rest for a while? The mayor might not get to see them today."

The guard glanced back at Ganondorf, who just raised an eyebrow. The guard relented. "Ugh. Fine." He elbowed the other man and whispered to him, "You just ruined my chance with the ladies."

Ganondorf snorted as he entered the town. One of the vai drew their finger along the man's breastplate as she passed. "Don't worry, cutie. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other later."

Ganondorf could practically feel the man's blush and puff out his chest. The warrior winked as she entered Hateno, following the rest of Ganondorf's troops.

It wasn't until dusk that Ganondorf was able to meet with the mayor of Hateno. He opened the wooden door leading to the mayor's office and looked around the room. It was a spacious place, a grand window looking down over the town. There were bookshelves and paintings adorning each wall, and a sheepskin rug covering the floor. The mayor sat at a large oak desk, covered in books and papers and other trinkets. The mayor looked up as he entered.

"Hm. So you're Ganondorf. I expected someone taller," the man said disinterestedly.

"Pardon?" Ganondorf asked.

"Nevermind that. Tell me what you want then get out. I'm a busy man," the mayor informed him.

"Of course. As I'm sure you're aware, monster attacks are becoming more frequent then ever before. My scouts have confirmed that these new monsters are originating from Hyrule Castle. I propose an alliance between us to march on Hyrule Castle and destroy the source of the monsters. With our combined forces, I'm sure we could dispatch whatever threats exist within the castle."

The mayor paused before replying. "Let you tell you something, Crayon-dork, was it?"

"Ganondorf," Ganondorf corrected through gritted teeth.

"Whatever. In any case, I don't have the manpower to pull something like that off. When the Calamity showed up, my men valiantly stood at fort Hateno and destroyed most of the Guardians. The King's Knight and the Princess with her little light show helped too of course, but my men killed most of the beasts. But in doing so, many lost their lives. Now, if I were to send whatever forces I have left to the middle of nowhere for no reason, what kind of message would that send to my people? Hm?"

Ganondorf gaped at the man. "You're an imbecile."

"Excuse me?"

"Your entire country has been reduced to rubble, all your soldiers are dead, monsters grow stronger every day and you're worried about your public image? What is wrong with you?"

"Clearly you don't understand the nuisances of being a mayor. Someone of my position must keep the peace and make sure the taxpayers-I mean people, go home safely and don't ask any questions. If you knew how to run a town I'm sure you would agree."

"Unbelievable. I have never, in all my life, met someone so obnoxiously greedy and self-centered as yourself."

The man reddened. "Get out."

"Gladly," Ganondorf snarled, turning on his heel and slamming the door open. The two guards outside his door jumped, scrambling out of the Gerudo's way. Ganondorf stormed out of the house, stomping into the night.

Ganondorf didn't return to the inn. It was night now, the full moon rising over the quaint little town. Everywhere he looked it was peaceful and quiet.

Ganondorf hated it. He despised all of it. He should burn the crops and tear apart their homes with his bare hands. He should electrocute the arrogantly selfish bastard of a mayor and force his people to watch and when he was done kill them all too.

Ganondorf breathed, calming himself. This was no time to lose control.

The stupidly greedy mayor of this goddess-forsaken town had ruined his last chance to save the kingdom from total annihilation. All so he could keep his "public image" and grab as much power as he could. How could one person be so absurdly avaricious?

Ganondorf.

Ganondorf's head snapped up, searching for the source of the noise. "Who's there?"

Come, Demon King. I will show you the way.

Footsteps appeared in the grass in front of him, but no one was there. Cautiously, Ganondord followed the phantom footsteps down out of the village towards the south of the village. Ganondorf behind him looked to make sure he wasn't being followed before exiting the township.

The footsteps ended not far out of the town, in front of a small black statue with horns and wings. Ganondorf approached it carefully, expecting some kind of Yiga explosive or trap.

So, you are Ganondorf. What are you doing so far from the desert, Gerudo Prince?

"I come seeking allies. Are you one, or are you an enemy?"

I am neither. Not in my current state. For the time being, I am simply an observer.

"Then why did you call me here?"

Tsk tsk. So impatient. Apparently patience is not one of the attributes of the Demon King. But if you must know, I have a proposition for you.

"Oh? You can give me allies?"

No. I can give you a weapon. It pales in comparison to the Calamity, but it will be sufficient for exterminating its army.

"Where can I find this weapon?"

Don't you want to know the price?

"I am prepared to pay."

Hm. You must be very desperate, Demon King. It's not like you to be so brash. An entity lurks within the weapon, and he will judge you. If you fail, he will kill you.

"So be it. What more can I lose?"

Your life. This is no Moblin or Wizzro you are dealing with. This being is ancient, far older and much more powerful than I. You would be wise to treat him with respect.

"Fine. But stop dancing around and tell me what you want. I assume this comes with your own price as well?"

Of course. What kind of trade would it be if only you benefitted? In return for the location of the artifact, I require an object imbued with sacred magic. The Master Sword will suffice if you manage to get your hands on it. But there are many other relics that I would accept.

"Very well. Now tell me where it is."

A black crystal emerged from the little statue and hovered in the air before him. Not so fast Princeling. In order to ensure you hold your end of the bargain, this crystal will alert me when you have come into contact with a relic suitable to me. It will also lead you to the place where the object resides and permit you entrance. If the terms are agreeable to you, then take the crystal and I will reveal what you wish to know.

Ganondorf studied the crystal. It was pitch black and shadows seemed to spew from it like fog. This could very easily be a trap. Or a ruse to get this being to own his soul or something. But in the end, the creature was right. He was desperate.

Ganondorf reached out and grabbed the crystal. It shattered, and the black fog absorbed into his chest.

It is a pleasure doing business with you, Demon King. The weapon you seek lies in the Arbiter's Grounds. There are three gates facing north. Choose the middle one. The one on the left contains a monstrous beast and the one on the right seals a deranged sorcerer who went mad and made it so the Sun would never set on Hyrule until he was defeated. The crystal's power will summon the entrance when you approach, using earth magic to raise the tunnel. Inside you will find any manner of traps set for invaders. Be wary. The people who sealed this weapon did not know what they were dealing with and made the traps lethal to most, but utterly incapable of containing the relic inside if it chose to break free.

"What exactly is this weapon?"

I do not know what form it will take. It has changed appearance and altered its abilities many times. How it will appear to you, I do not know. But the full power of the entity is comparable to that of a dark god.

Ganondorf nodded. That would work. "Thank you for your advice. When I return, I will bring a sacred object for you."

Thank you, Demon King. I look forward to our next meeting.