Chapter 13: The King Of Evil Returns

disclaimer: Zelda and all characters of the game are property of Nintendo. In no way do I expect to get paid for this.

Ganondorf gazed outside a window of his chamber. A few goblin generals stood in front of the chamber doors, awaiting their orders. "Aghinim has fallen. The castle still stands."

One of the generals approached Ganondorf from behind. "None of our troops survived, my lord. It seems, someone has reunited the rulers of the land. Our soldiers were ambushed from behind. All the armies of Hyrule came to the aid of Nohansen."

Ganondorf walked towards his throne and sat down. "This turn of events has only become a minor set back. I must make haste to theMt. Avarice.General Hammarthorn, you will remain here and defend my keep. If our enemies reach the gates of the mountain, lead what remains of the goblin horde and wipe them out. You will then await my return, understand?"

"Ay, my lord." Ganondorf stood up from his seat and left the main chamber of his castle.

Daphnes stood in front of his throne, looking upon the rulers of Hyrule. Princess Zelda stood next to him as he spoke to his allies.

"Rulers of Hyrule, the battle has been won, but the war is not yet over."

Link stood next to his three loyal companions as they listened to the King. "How can this be," asked King Ivan of the Zoras. "The wizard Aghinim has fallen and his armies are destroyed."

"Aghinim was merely a pawn to a greater evil," said Daphnes. "His master still remains on Death Mountain with possibly an even larger army of goblin soldiers at his disposal."

"Who is their true leader," asked King Darunia of the Gorons.

"They are led by the Great King of Evil, Ganondorf," said Daphnes as he lowered his head.

The rulers converse among themselves in a muffled chatter. "He speaks the truth," spoke Link to the rulers. "I was the one who killed the wizard in battle. He told me himself before he met the edge of my sword."

Impa spoke out to the crowd. "If this is true, then he will search for the Great Seal of the Sacred Realm. He must not be aloud to grasp the power of the Triforce." The rulers spoke in agreement.

The King's attention was taken from him when Princess Zelda fell to her knees. The King rushed to her aid and placed his hands upon her shoulders. "What troubles you, my daughter?"

Zelda kept her head down as she spoke. "I saw him. He rides on a black horse to the east. He... he knows where the seal is."

Impa ran towards her and lifted her chin. "Is he alone?"Zelda slowly nodded at the Shiekah warrior. Impa stood to her feet and faced the worried rulers. "He must be stopped at all costs."

Daphnes helped Zelda to her chair and stood next to Impa. "Rulers of Hyrule, I ask for one more task from you. We must march our combined armies to the gates of Death Mountain. The goblin horde must be destroyed once and for all."

Darunia stepped forward to speak to the King. "We gave our word to your valiant Hero that we would fight for you, Lord Daphnes. The Goron army is yours to command."

Ivan stepped forward beside the Goron King. "I speak for the entire Zora race and say we are with you until world's end."

Lord Gorlois walked towards the two foreign Kings. "All the years that I have served you, my lord, I have never fled from a fight. I do not intend to start today."

Impa stood in between Daphnes and the humble rulers. "I will ride with the descendants of the Seven Sages to Mt. Avarice. The King of Evil will not breach the Great Seal."

Link approached Daphnes and Impa. "You will never make it in time to stop him. He has been one step ahead of us from the beginning." Link turned his gaze to Daphnes. "I ride with them. If this evil is to be stopped, I must fulfill my destiny as Hyrule's Hero of Legend and smite the evil that rides to the Great Seal. Only with the Blade of Evil's Bane will Ganondorf be stopped."

Daphnes nodded at Link. "So be it, Hero. Good luck to you, Link of Hylia." Daphnes turned his attention to the rulers of Hyrule. "We leave at dawn tomorrow. Lord Gorlois, you will lead your Hylian soldiers and what remains of my army to the gates of Death Mountain. All of you will fight as one. Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none. Make our enemies regret the day they ever set foot on the land of Hyrule."

The rulers bowed to Daphnes and left the throne room. Link bowed his head at Daphnes before leaving himself.

Ganondorf rode swiftly across the fields of Hyrule to the east. He made no attempt to rest in his pursuit, for he had work to attend to on Mt. Avarice. He rode on a pitch black horse and carried with him a massive blade on his left side. A giant storm cloud followed him as he rode on, leaving behind him a deadly thunderstorm full of hard falling rain and bolts of lighting striking the ground. The further he went, the more he could feel the presence of the Great Seal.

The next morning, all of the soldiers of the land awaited in front of the gates of the city, armed and ready for battle. Link sat on the back of his rusty colored mare, Epona, waiting for Impa and her sages. Darmani approached Link atop his ox with his weapons and armor.

"What are you doing over here, Darmani," asked Link. "You are supposed to join the rest of the soldiers."

Darmani smiled and said, "Did you really think I would let you take all the glory? I ride with my sworn brother once again this day."

Link tried to protest was interrupted when Sahashra and Mikau approached them on horse back.

"We ride to aid our friend in his quest, as we always have." Link smiled at Sahashra's brave words.

"There is no battle field too small for the four of us. Face it, we're going with you," said Mikau.

Link shook the hands of his faithful companions and Impa emerged from the city gates with six hooded riders. They all wore grey cloaks and black tunics with the mark of the Shiekah on their chests.

Impa approached Link and removed the hood of her cloak from her head. "We are ready, Hero of Legend."

Link nodded and turned his gaze eastward. Without a word, Link began to ride with haste to the east, followed closely by his three companions and the seven Shiekah Sages.

Gorlois watched as they rode in the distance. He then rode on horse back to the front of the giant army. He drew out his sword and pointed northward. "We ride north for Death Mountain."

The soldiers marched to the north on foot while the generals and lords of Hyrule rode on horse back. Daphnes watched from his room balcony alone as the soldiers left the city gates. With his old age, he could not join them, despite how much he truly wanted to. All he could do was wait and hope.