They leave the thief's guild and encounter some creatures of the Gerudo Desert.
They make it to the Keep where they discover how to enter the Twilight Realm!
They were well into the desert with the Arbiter's Keep seen in the distance after the travellers said their farewells to the Thief's Guild, Ganondorf stating he'd be back before long. Link had been disappointed when he woke as a wolf, a little worried as to how long the Goddess would trap him in this form.
A noise from afar had Link's ears twitching, the tunnelling sound so familiar the hero begins to growl a little, warning his companions of what's coming. Ganondorf was surprised he didn't hear the burrowing first, having spent most his life in the desert he knew the place and creatures like the back of his hand, the unique sounds each animal produced he could hear from miles away. When Link rushed forward, a slight glee in his movements the others weren't far behind in pulling their weapons from their sheaths. When the first creature broke the surface with a screech the group watched as Link bounced from his hind legs catching the desert inhabitant in his jaws, landing on all fours before he snapped its spine in half with his sharp canines, ceasing its harsh shrieking. Before they knew it a hundred more made their way towards them, the deafening burrowing causing them to stand ready for the attack.
The battle lasted several minutes before the creatures decided to retreat, not wanting to lose any more of their kind. Ganondorf pulled the last creature apart flinging its two separate parts over his shoulders as Ike and Marth were removing their swords from the bodies. Zelda wiped her rapier clean as Link panted a little, attempting to wipe the blood from his snout with his paw.
"What were those?" Ike scrunched his nose up as the creature in front of him still continued to spasm.
"Moldorm," Ganondorf answered. "Pests of the Gerudo Desert, but if cooked right a delicious delicacy."
Ike sneered a little, the thought making him a little nauseous. They set off once again the sun pelting its harsh rays onto them. Marth strode beside Zelda as they trudged through the sand and examined the Keep as they got nearer.
"What exactly is the Arbiter's Keep?"
"It is an old prison," Zelda announced. "It is where you are either executed or banished to the Twilight Realm."
"It is rather an inhuman place." Ganondorf intervened having overheard their conversation. "I was there for a while before I was sentenced to death."
"And you lived," Marth noted.
"Yes, as I was dying the Triforce decided I was worthy and blessed me with the curse." Ganondorf lifted his hand, giving Marth a clear view of the top triangle pulsing slightly. "I broke free but was unable to escape, as the sages condemned me to the Twilight Realm."
"What happened to the prison?" Marth asked curiously.
"After the death of one of the Sages, the desert made it impassable to enter the prison. We were unable to save any of the prisoners or Sages. It has sat undisturbed for many a century."
"So the Twilight Realm." Ike joined in, "That's where we're headed?"
"Yes," Zelda nodded her eyes finding Link with his head bowed and eyes narrowed. "Midna will helpfully be able to shine some light on our situation."
The group didn't encounter any more Moldorm and made it to the Keep as night fell. They didn't bother stopping for a rest and headed inside. Link recalled his journey through the Keep, the Poe's he faced and the many rooms the prison held. Luckily they didn't need to repeat what the hero endured and quickly walked through the door finding a large skeleton of a dinosaur head which caused Link to shiver a little. The hero kept an eye on the head as they walked around the pit towards the exit, his ears continuously moving, ready to pick up on any sudden noises. As they made it to the top with the humanoids stopping, Link continued climbing up the steps to sit before the empty holder where the mirror should be. The atmosphere suddenly turned cold and a few eerie groans filled the silence. The travellers watched as five figures slowly materialised from their pedestals and floated down towards them.
"Princess Zelda, it is a sight you see you once again."
The Sages bowed before her to which she quickly replicated and watched as they turned to the wolf who slowly made his way down.
"Hero, your form is one of a beast." One spoke. "How is this possible?"
"That is what we're here to find out." Zelda announced, "We need to enter the Twilight Realm. We are hoping you know a way."
"The mirror was destroyed, you saw this with your own eyes princess. There is no other way."
"There must be."
The Sages turned to the dark and low growl and their eyes widened as Ganondorf stood behind the princess, his arms folded across his chest, eyes narrowed at them.
"Ganondorf," The Sages turned defensive before Zelda quickly shut them down.
"He is here on his own accord, to help. This isn't affecting only Link, but us as well."
"Then you should be able to enter the Realm with Ganondorf's power."
"What do you mean?" Ganondorf snorted.
"You gave Zant a fraction of your power and he was able to teleport between both Realm's during our blight."
"So I should be able to make a portal into the Twilight Realm?"
"We are certain of this." The Sages bowed to them before slowly disappearing in a flush of light. Ganondorf headed toward the pedestal and stood tall in the centre of the circle, lifting his arm, his palm facing the missing mirror. He took a deep breath before he closed his eyes and let his magic come forth. Link felt a strange pang inside himself and grunted a little as the power Ganondorf used also pulsed inside him. The more Ganondorf concentrated the more Link became uncomfortable, whining a little before yelping out. Zelda was beside the wolf's side her words falling on deaf ears as Link felt himself burning up. Zelda glanced to see Ganondorf more or less in the same state, he was grunting in pain but refused to give in. She noticed the Gerudo's arm being slowly enveloped in the same lines as Link face had been and gasped as her Triforce began to glow.
Ike and Marth lifted their arms to protect their eyes from the blinding lights and only when it faded did they lower them and let their eyes widened. Ganondorf was on his knees, breathing heavily, cradling his cursed arm before he was a large black and red portal that pulsed with energy. Their attention was taken when Zelda called Link's name and the two foreigners found Link back into his Hyrulean form. One of Link's pupils was red, the white colour of the Hero's eye black with the curse having spread further over his face.
"Link it has spread," Zelda flickered over the lines with her fingers. "We must hurry."
Ike came to their aid and helped the Hero onto his feet while Marth headed over to Ganondorf. The Prince offered him his hand and Ganondorf lifted his head and gave the man a curious gaze before smacking his hand away.
"I am fine." He grumbled rising from his position and turning to the others. "I don't know how long this will stay open, so let us be going."
Ike let Link find his feet and they made it to Ganondorf and Marth's side. The Gerudo King didn't wait before heading into the portal and the others stayed behind for a moment. Zelda watched Link as he turned his head to her, nodding once before deciding to finally trust the evil man and walked confidently into the portal. Ike was close behind along with Marth and Zelda clasped her hands together for a moment, praying to the Goddess of their safe journey before putting all her trust in the one man who's life's goal was to acquire the three parts of the Triforce and walk into the portal not knowing where she'd end up.