A/N: Well, yet another chapter. Sorry if this is going agonizingly slow and the chapters are too freakin' short. I promise that the actionpick up soon; the second half of this fic is much, much better than the first in my opinion.

Father's First Test

"So, how are your lessons going?" Toril asked me.

I sat with her on the ground in one of the back alleys in town. It was the fifth or sixth time we had met like this; nowadays I visited the marketplace at least once a week, and always around midday, when I knew the Gerudo traders were there.

"Uh… it's all right, I guess," I replied distantly, my mind wandering. "Actually, my lessons are held less frequently. The instructor claims he's always busy…"

You don't need that worthless whelp anyway. You have me now.

I nodded obediently to acknowledge my father's voice inside my head. I was not yet used to him constantly being there in my mind, but he had told me that with time, I would become well accustomed to it and embrace it.

"Hello, Kiran? You there?"

I shook myself out of my daze. "Yeah, sorry," I muttered.

"Are you feeling ill? You seem rather… out of it," Toril commented.

"No, I'm fine," I responded, sounding a bit harsher than I had meant it to. But she didn't seem fazed. That was one of the qualities I liked about Toril; she wasn't oversensitive and didn't take everything personally. Also, she was one of the few who treated me as a person rather than royalty; she didn't seem to care about my title in the slightest.

We were both fifteen years of age at this time, and although I felt it slightly at first, I was developing feelings for her, beyond that of mere friendship. I hadn't told her yet, though, for fear that she did not share those feelings.

Before long she had to return to her group to begin their journey back to the Gerudo Fortress. I was left with nothing to do but wander around the town. This was how I often spent my free time, for my mother was so swamped by her duties that I rarely saw her anymore, except sometimes at the dinner table. Link was always off with the soldiers somewhere, either training with them or taking care of "other important business," as he called it. My younger sister Leora was nearly three years old; she was raised as a typical princess. She had various nannies and caretakers to tend to her every need, and more than enough toys to capture her imagination throughout her entire childhood.

One afternoon, I was strolling around the alleyways, relaxing in the warm weather. Toril had just left with her group, leaving me to reflect upon our relationship by myself.

Son, I do believe it is time for your first test.

My heart stopped briefly as I was startled by my father's sudden disruption. Test? I furrowed my brow in confusion.

I want you to prove your loyalty to me. And your strength. You have many weaknesses that I must draw out from you, and I will.

I cringed at his criticism, but then I supposed that I would have to become accustomed to it if I was to become stronger, and silently agreed. I waited patiently in a corner of the central square of the market to receive his instructions.

You see that soldier over there?

I glanced shiftily toward the right, seeing a Hylian knight making his rounds.

He used to work for me. He betrayed Zelda when I threatened him and his family, and now as you can see he has betrayed me by returning to her service in cowardice. I want you to kill him.

I gasped sharply and turned away from the soldier. Kill him?!

"No," I whispered, shaking my head.

Think about it, Kiran, Ganondorf coaxed. Not only did he betray me, he pretended to have been on Zelda's side the entire time when she came back to power! She welcomed him back with open arms, never knowing of his cowardly betrayal. Doesn't that make you angry?

 Ganondorf coaxed.

I saw the soldier now with different eyes. Yes, it made me furious. How dare he lie to my mother like that?

He doesn't deserve to live.

No, he doesn't.

Kill him. But not now - wait for the opportune moment.

I lurked in the shadows of the alleyways for the remainder of the afternoon, watching and waiting. I never took my eyes off of the wretched soldier, and my detest for him grew, fueled by the angry words of my father.

Finally, the soldier's shift had ended, and he headed in my direction on his way home. I stayed hidden in the darkness, not making a single sound. I waited for him to pass right by me, and then I struck out, tackling him with all of my strength. He cried out in surprise as I collided with him, and I used this moment to grab his weapon hanging at his belt and fling it out of his reach. I then swung my leg behind him and struck the back of his knees, and he grabbed onto me as he fell. Before we hit the ground, his head collided with the wall of the building behind him, and he was knocked unconscious.

Perfect! Now finish him!

I drew my sword and held it over the soldier, preparing to plunge it deep into his chest. But I hesitated as many qualms began to plague my mind. Did this man have a wife waiting for him at home? Did he have children who loved him? Did he truly deserve to die?

What are you waiting for? Kill him!

Shock came over me as I realized what I was about to do: to take one's life, and perhaps destroy the lives of others as well. I couldn't go through with it. I shoved my sword back in my belt and backed away from the unconscious man.

You pathetic excuse for a son! Ganondorf screamed in my head. By the powers of the Goddesses, you will do as I say from now on!

 Ganondorf screamed in my head.

A sharp pain suddenly shot through my abdomen and I felt my knees buckle beneath me. I gasped in agony.

"Yes!" I cried out loud. "I… I will!" Anything to stop this pain, I thought as tears began to form in my eyes.

As quickly as it came, the pain ceased.

That's a good boy.

I closed my eyes and hugged my knees to my chest. I was so afraid now, afraid of the father I had longed for my entire life. I was only beginning to realize the power he held over me.

I couldn't even fathom how powerful he would eventually become.