And here's chapter 2 xD To get caught up on this, I may do two chapters a day but we'll see.

Reviews are my lifeblood :)


Link continued to water the green leaves sprouting up from their rows.

It had been nearly a week since the shield surfing and the trio were still finding new ways to entertain themselves daily.

Once the growing crops were watered, Link entered the stable to feed the horses. He stopped by a young chestnut mare, patting her nose.

Good morning, Epona.

Epona snorted at Link, giving him a headbutt.

Link smiled at the greeting, running his hand through her mane before putting food in her bucket.

Eat up.

"Good morning, Link!"

Link perked up, turning at the voice to see Zelda entering the barn. Good morning, Zelda.

"All done?"

Link nodded.

"Then let's go check on Gan!"

The two bolted from the farm, making their way towards Ganondorf's family farm.

On first glance, the redhead didn't appear to be outside so the duo made their way into the cow stable.

At the far corner, one of the Hateno cows was locked into a headshoot, lowing in discomfort.

Ganondorf stood behind the cow, shirt off and right arm shoved up to the shoulder in the cow's rear end.

Link didn't appear all that surprised at the strange situation but Zelda squeaked, covering her eyes.

"What are you doing to that poor cow?!"

Ganondorf gave a grunt, looking over the cow's haunches to look at the duo. "Oh. Didn't know you guys were here."

He ducked back behind the cow.

"I'm helping Betty give birth. Calf is stuck."

"D-do you really need your arm up…there?!"

"Only way to position the calf the correct way. You two gonna gawk or help?"

I'll help, Link said. What do you need?

"The bucket over there is clean, cool water. Take the chains and wash them in it."

Link nodded, making his way over to the bucket Ganondorf gestured to with his free hand.

He was used to farm births. He had watched his horse, Epona, being born two years ago after all. It wasn't anything new or unnatural.

Zelda peeked through her fingers before covering her eyes again. "I-I can feed the horses if you haven't done that…"

Ganondorf rolled his eyes as he repositioned the calf's head.

Princesses.

"Sure."

Zelda quickly left the barn so she wouldn't have to remain there any longer than necessary.

Where's your dad? Link asked after he had washed the chains.

"Market, selling things. Mother is out gathering more items for the farm. She can't wait for them to return. The calf could die."

Link nodded.

He understood. It probably wasn't comfortable for the cow either.

Ganondorf held out his free hand. "Give me the chains."
Link quickly handed the chains over to Ganondorf and watched as the redhead wrapped the chains around the calf's hooves.

"Okay. Want to help pull?"

Link gave an eager nod. He stepped up behind Ganondorf as the other grabbed the chains with both hands. He held onto Ganondorf's waist.

"On three. One, two…three!" Ganondorf began to pull on the chains and Link pulled on Ganondorf.

Betty gave a loud low in response to the pulling.

"I know, momma. Hang on another minute."

When Ganondorf gave another pull, Link pulled with him.

After a few more tugs, the front half of the calf slid out.

"There we go. A bit more."

Link nodded and continued to help Ganondorf pull.

They both stumbled when the calf finally slipped out the rest of the way and fell to the hay-covered ground.

Ganondorf gave a huff before he said, "Rub it with hay and get the mucus out of its nose and mouth. I have to make sure Betty has no other calf."

Link nodded, getting on his knees to take off the chains before furiously rubbing the calf with some hay.

Ganondorf reinserted his arm into Betty to double-check the uterus. Once he was certain it was empty, he withdrew his arm, shaking it to clean off the fluids.

There was a tiny squeak and the calf sat up.

Link beamed, proud of himself.

Ganondorf opened the headshoot so Betty could go to her calf and clean it.

Do you get to name it? Link asked.

Ganondorf kneeled by the calf, lifting its leg to check the sex, before he set the leg down.

"It's a stud. Dad can sell it when its old enough to a breed it. He says naming it would make us attach to it or something."

Link sulked. He helped clean the chains while Ganondorf splashed water on his arms to clean them off.

Zelda peeked around the corner of the barn door. "Is it over?"

"Yes, the gross part is over with, princess."

Zelda slowly entered the barn, staring at the fluffy calf. "It's cute."

"For my first birthing, can't say I didn't do too bad."

Zelda stared at Ganondorf in shock. "That was your first time doing this?!"

Ganondorf gave a shrug as he slipped his shirt over his head. "Dad usually does the births. I assist. He wasn't here today, so I had to do it."

You did good. Your dad would be proud.

Ganondorf smiled at Link's praise before he said, "Okay, so, horses fed?"

"Yes! I fed them."

"Good. Then that's all my chores."

What shall we do today then?

"We could visit the Sacred Grounds," Zelda suggested.

Ganondorf and Link both made faces at that.

"Then what do you two suggest we do?"

Ganondorf gave a hum as he folded his arms. He suddenly grinned. "I heard of a cave at the prison yard that supposedly has hidden ruins beneath it."

Where did you hear that? Link asked.

"While I was doing laps today. The guards were talking about it."

"And what if there are no secret ruins beneath the cave?" Zelda challenged.

"We could check out the quarry?" Ganondorf shrugged.

I heard it has awesome rocks! Link signed eagerly.

Zelda hummed. "Well, both sound fun. Let's try it."

"I'll show you where the cave is," Ganondorf said, leading the two out of the barn.


It took less than a half hour to reach the prison yard, crossing over the moat bridge that connected Hyrule Field to the prison yard island. Ganondorf lead them through the small patch of forest on the island, a huge cave slowly standing before them.

Zelda and Link stared at the tall ceiling of the cave and the cave itself which ended at a dead end.

"It doesn't go anywhere," Zelda said, hands on her hips.

"The ruins are hidden. Look for some sort of entrance." Ganondorf began patting the walls, searching for a secret passage.

After a second of staring, Zelda and Link did the same.

A few minutes of searching later, Ganondorf pushed back a piece of the rock wall, revealing a small, child-sized opening.

"Hey, I got something," he said, kneeling by the opening.

Zelda and Link joined his side, staring into the opening.

"Do you think we can fit?"

Ganondorf hummed, getting onto his hands and knees. "One way to find out."

Dropping onto his belly, Ganondorf began to slide into the hole. His shoulders barely scraped the top of the opening. After a bit of crawling, the tunnel opened up to a massive cave.

He stood up, brushing himself off, before he called, "Okay! I see a cave!"

Looking at each other, Link dropped to the ground and slid after Ganondorf. Once Link had gone through, Zelda followed.

As Zelda got to her feet, she gazed around the new cave in awe. "Wow. I can't believe no one's found this place."

"The opening doesn't accommodate adults," Ganondorf said. "We're lucky we fit."

Let's go explore! Link signed excitedly, rushing off ahead of Zelda and Ganondorf.

"We don't know what's in here!" Zelda called after him.

He didn't hear her or listen to her and Zelda huffed.

"Come on," Ganondorf said, following Link. "We may as well follow. He'll get lost without us."

Zelda nodded, trailing after Ganondorf.

The cave was pretty dull. No different than the cave they had just left. After a ways of walking though, the trio came upon a series of crude drawings on the wall.

Zelda stared at the drawings in interest. "How interesting. Old cave drawings."

"Looks like it was drawn by children," Ganondorf grunted, squinting at the drawings. He saw some strange markings beneath the drawings. "What's this? Looks like letters or something."

Zelda looked at the markings as well. "Yeah. Doesn't look like Hylian though."

It's Kokiri, Link signed, putting a hand below a few letters.

"Kokiri?" Zelda asked. "You can read it?"

Link stared at the letters before he nodded. Bits and pieces.

"You can read a language we haven't heard of?" Ganondorf asked skeptically.

Don't ask me how! I'm just as confused!

"Well, what does it say?" Zelda breathed.

Link squinted at the faded letters, running his fingers below them as he mouthed to himself. After a bit, he nodded.

It mentions a Gerudo that will try to steal the Triforce. A princess with the blood of a Goddess and a hero will stop him. He will change into a beast and the two will slay him.

"Gerudo?" Ganondorf grunted. "What's a Gerudo?"

"Could be an ancient race that went extinct," Zelda suggested.

"Wouldn't they be mentioned in history books then?"

I've never heard of them either.

Ganondorf ran his hands below the drawing of what appeared to be someone wielding a sword and another wielding a bow, both of them facing off against a great, tusked beast.

Something constricted his chest, but he wasn't sure if it was longing or nostalgia.

"There's more cave over there," Zelda said, pointing to the side. "Let's check it out."

Ganondorf was brought out of his thoughts as the two trotted deeper into the cave. Sparing one more glance at the drawings, he followed after his friends.


After spending hours exploring the nooks and crannies of the strange cave, the trio left to return to Castle Town.

They had found a deposit of luminous stones which they couldn't take with them as they had no means to chip the stones from their wall.

Link suggested the next time they visit that they make sure to bring a hammer to harvest the stones.

With the sun still high, the trio snuck into the castle again to hang out in the library. Ganondorf had never been in a place filled to the brim with so many books.

Zelda already appeared to be in heaven, gathering multiple books to read.

Link skimmed several books before replacing them and choosing another to flip through.

After a bit of searching, Ganondorf found a dusty, leather-bound book. The title was faded so much he couldn't read it.

It piqued his interest and after asking Zelda, she relented that he could take it so long as he returned it in the same condition he found it in.

Lighting a candle, Ganondorf settled himself on the floor. Opening the book, he found that it was a history book with events dating all the way back to the Era of the Sky.

He read through everything, fascinated by the words written in the pages. He paused when he saw a familiar word.

"Gerudo..."

They were desert people, all women. But every century or so, a male—their king—was born. But the king was evil and would try to take over Hyrule by stealing the Triforce.

Ganondorf rested his chin on his arms.

Desert people. There was a desert to the south of Hyrule, past Digdogg Suspension Bridge, but no one lived there. There were only ruins.

"Perhaps they are extinct then…"


The feeling of her warmth against his chest made him happy. He continued his guttural, demonic lullaby, stroking his clawed fingers through her long blonde hair.

She stirred. "Demise?"

"Go back to sleep, my light."

She settled back against his chest with a soft grunt.


"Good morning, Your Grace."

"How do you do, Your Grace?"

"You look ravishing today, Your Grace."

Demise watched the Hylians gathering around Hylia in the streets below, their multitude of voices drifting up to him.

"Look at them, Ghirahim. Gathering around her like moths to a flame."

Ghirahim nimbly skipped over to his master's side, flicking his white hair out of his eyes as he gazed down at the mass below. "They don't speak to her like they should, master."

"I've noticed. They treat her like a friend when they should revere her. She is a God, not a mortal."

"I echo your sentiment, master."

Demise sniffed as he continued to watch the Hylians flocking around their beloved Goddess.

A Hylian dressed differently than the others worked his way through the crowd, dressed like a knight and armed with a sword.

Demise narrowed his eyes at the newcomer who began to speak to Hylia, whatever he was saying causing her to laugh. "Who is that?"

Ghirahim leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he gazed at the Hylian below out of the corner of his eye. "A bird Hylia has taken under her wing."

"He treats Hylia as a friend," Demise grunted, turning and striding outside.

There was something about that Hylian that he did not like.

Ghirahim followed after his master, anticipating a fight.

"Hylia," Demise called as he approached Hylia and the Hylian. He narrowed his eyes when they landed on the sword strapped across the male's back.

The Master Sword. The bane of his existence.

"Why does he have the Master Sword?" Demise asked tightly.

"Fi has chosen him as her master," Hylia explained, setting a hand on Demise's arm. "It's not what you think."

"How is it not what I think?! He has the one blade that can end my life. Do you truly believe I would betray you?"

"No!" Hylia shook her head. "Of course not, Demise."

"You should just accept the fact that I have the Master Sword," the Hylian huffed, crossing his arms.

Demise growled at the blond while Hylia hissed, "Link!"

"You better watch your mouth, mortal," Ghirahim said. "You're speaking to the King of Demons."

"I know exactly who I'm speaking to," Link snapped. "The demon that will destroy the world."

Demise clenched his hands. "I see how it is."

"Demise," Hylia murmured, reaching out to Demise as the demon turned.

Demise pulled his arm away from Hylia, pinning her with a glare before he stormed back to the castle.

Ghirahim scowled at Link then followed after Demise.

Hylia sighed, arm dropping to her side. She could feel the change in Demise's fate.

Link grunted, crossing his arms. "Who does he think he is…?"

"He's Demise, the Demon King. And now I fear for him."

For us.


Demise grumbled as he sat on the bed, holding his head in his hands.

"Why did it have to be someone like him? She must think I'm a danger. But why? She…loves me, right?"

Are you sure about that? She allowed someone to take the Master Sword, your weakness. Why would she do that if she truly loved you?

"Perhaps it was a mistake…"

How could it be? Admit it, she doesn't love you. She was learning your weaknesses and now she has that Hylian by her side.

Demise groaned, gritting his teeth. "You're lying."

You can get power. Power to show everyone you are not to be trifled with. The Triforce.

"Triforce….?"

Hylia's precious thing. Take that and you can show them. Show everyone.

Demise slowly lifted his head. "The Triforce…yes, I can show her….I'm not to be trifled with."

A yellow eye with a slit pupil opened up behind Demise.

I think we're going to be good friends, Demise.

They saw the monsters before they heard the declaration of war.

Leading the mass of Moblins, Bokoblins, and Lizalfos was Demise, armed to the teeth in glinting black armor.

Hylia frowned as she watched the approaching army, clenching her hands against her chest.

Her heart ached for the Demise she no longer knew.

Link stepped up to Hylia's side. "You should focus on protecting your people and the Triforce. I'll keep him distracted as long as I can."

Hylia tore her gaze from Demise and nodded. "Be safe."

Link nodded and left to meet Demise on the battlefield.

Demise sneered at the sight of the Hylian, holding out his gigantic jagged blade towards Link. "Out of my way or face your death."

Link withdrew the Master Sword, getting into a fighting stance. "You'll have to get past me if you want the Triforce or Hylia."

Demise growled. "Then you have chosen death."

Link steeled himself for the oncoming battle. Fi had already warned him about the percent chance of him coming out of the fight alive.

0.01%

He was willing to take that chance.

Link lunged towards Demise. "For Hylia!"


Hylia continued to stare at the clouds where she had sent her people and the Triforce. Both out of reach of Demise's grasp.

She turned at the sound of footfalls behind her, spotting Demise approaching.

His armor was shed. In one hand he carried the Master Sword and the other he dragged a lifeless Link by the leg.

"You ought to have better guards, Hylia," Demise grunted as he tossed Link at Hylia. "And this?"

He held up the Master Sword, gripping the blade in his free hand. He then snapped the blade in two.

"Pathetic workmanship even for you."

Hylia grit her teeth as Demise dropped the pieces to the ground.

Her knight, slaughtered. Her blade, shattered.

This couldn't be her Demise.

She summoned a glittering bow to her hands, a golden arrow appearing in a flash of light when she drew back the bowstring.

"Demise, the Triforce is out of your reach. Please, it's not too late to stop this."

Not too late to change fate.

Demise pointed his sword at Hylia. "No. I need the Triforce. Nothing you do will stop me."

Hylia released the arrow, the point sinking into Demise's shoulder.

Demise grimaced but he began to walk closer to Hylia.

"I don't want to do this, but you've left me no choice." Hylia placed her hand against the ground, a bright light shooting up from it before fading away to reveal a sealing circle directly below Demise's feet.

Demise glared down at it, taking a step back before he tossed his sword out of the circle in an arc.

I'll require your assistance from the outside, Ghirahim. Don't fail me.

A sealing stone pierced the center of Demise's forehead, forcing the Demon King beneath the earth in a flash of light.

The stone glowed a few times before falling dark.

Hylia approached the stone, setting a hand on top of it before setting her forehead on it.

"I'm sorry, my love. Perhaps one day we can rectify this. Change our fates. I pray for that day to come."

She pressed her lips to the stone before approaching the body of Link, kneeling beside him and setting a hand on his forehead.

"And you, Link, sacrificed your life for me. This will not be forgotten. Your courageous soul shall be reborn and I shall be by your side, as a mortal."


The smell of smoke awoke Ganondorf and he rapidly sat up with a gasp, looking around.

He saw flames licking at the edges of the yellowed history book pages.

Rapidly, he patted them to smother them before checking the book over.

Other than the slightly burned corners, the book was all right.

Ganondorf sighed as he shut the book, hoping no one would notice the minor damage.

A flash caught his attention and Ganondorf glanced down at his right hand to see a sight that filed him with dread.

The Triforce, the top triangle lit up brightly, setting a glow on his face.

Ganondorf grunted, covering his hand with his other hand as if to try and smother the Triforce.

"Why do you continue to torment me?" He dug his nails into his skin. "I don't want this…"