The girl let out a cry as she was thrown headfirst from the tavern. She hit the muddy ground and slid face first before coming to a stop.
"And stay out!"
The door slammed shut behind her. The girl gripped the mud in her hand, squeezing the filth and muck into a pulp, before slamming her fist down. The rain was still pouring down all around her, soaking her to the bone.
She pushed herself up with a groan and adjusted her shirt. It had already been frayed and dirty from years of use before her slide. The things she was wearing now wouldn't be fit for a dish rag.,
She slowly got to her feet, the rain still pouring down around her. She could feel the mud seeping over her eyelids. She dared not open them. She raised her hand to her face and almost tried to wipe the mud away, but stopped when she realized that her hand was just as filthy.
She had no choice. She had to head home, completely blind. She raised her hand in front of her and staggered forward, feeling her way down the road.
Kakariko was a very safe village. Although there was a band of thieves to the North, and Zoras in the River that flowed from the North East, the soldiers from the Castle did an excellent job protecting the citizens from these threats. There was no real risk of being mugged or robbed, if she had had anything worth stealing. If she could only see, it would be a pleasant walk home.
She had walked these streets incessantly as a child, and knew them like the back of her hand. She had no trouble picturing in her mind the route she must take, the roads she must walk, and the houses she had to pass to return home to the prison.
A guard called out to her to please watch herself as she staggered forward. Likely from that distance he assumed she had been drinking. The girl found herself wanting to insult him. She didn't have the Rupees for drinks. She couldn't even afford a new dress. How dare he patronize her?
She climbed up the stairs to her home and turned left. All she needed to do was walk past her neighbor and then turn right, and climb down the stairs to the unused prison she called home. She placed her hand on the side of her neighbor's house to get a feel for where she was and stopped, trying to get her bearings.
The mud was beginning to wash off of her face now, and she could make out the faint outline of someone moving inside the house. The old lady seemed to be moving inside, doing something or other by candlelight.
The girl watched a little bit, through her blurry vision. She couldn't quite make out the objects in the house, but she had looked through it enough to know what was in there. Drawers. Cabinets. A faucet to draw water. A bookshelf. Plants, carefully tended for. A lovely little home. A thing that the old woman likely took for granted every day…
"Stop! Thief!"
The girl turned. She blinked. Through her still muddy vision, she could make out the vision of a castle patrolman standing in the road, looking furious.
"Step away from the house!" The guard barked, stepping forward threateningly. The girl, for the briefest of moments, wondered who he was talking to before she realized that he was coming right away.
"Sir!" The girl gasped. "Please help me. I'm… I'm Blind." She had no idea how best to describe the condition of her eyesight. She rubbed at her eyes, trying to wipe away the last of the mud. The guard advanced, weapons raised.
"On the ground!" He barked. "Now!"
The girl froze, staring at him in horror. The man reached out to grab her, but before he could a loud scream erupted from inside the house.
The old lady, her neighbor, had seen them. The guard turned his head, out of surprise more than anything else, but the girl needed no more opportunity. She turned and bolted.
She could hear the door opening behind her and the old lady screaming at the guard. The guard, taken aback by her appearance, was not watching as the girl dived into the prison, and in one quick move slammed the bars behind her.
She took several steps back into the empty, barren space, licking her lips with trepidation. She half expected the guard to come rattling at the gate. She waited five, ten, fifteen minutes. But the rattling never came.
Although the one door to the prison was locked tight, the girl took no chances. She found herself sleeping on the lower floor today, far away from the windows of the upper floor. She curled up in a ball on the floor and stared absently at the barren walls. There was nothing in this room other than the shelter from the elements. Everything had been taken by the Castle when the King deemed maintaining the prison to be unnecessary. She had been sleeping here ever since.
She barely slept that night. She kept drifting in and out of sleep, caked in filth, almost certain that soon the Castle Guards would come barreling down the stairs towards her. But those guards never came. Hours went by. The fear and unease at being arrested and taking into the castle dungeon had long since faded. She climbed the stairs.
She winced a little bit as her eyes met the shining light coming through the windows. She raised a hand to her face and turned to the door, and walked towards it. She unlocked it and stepped out.
She peered around at the village. From this position she was able to easily make out the entire southern half of the village. She could see the roads and the people walking along them. And she saw no signs of any knights.
She could not explain why she still felt somewhat uneasy, until she turned and caught sight of the sign.
Wanted: Blind the Thief
She stared at it. She stood there in her filthy clothes and bare feet, taking in the little illustration on the side of the sign. A figure caked in some sort of liquid stared back at her. She could not quite place it, but something about this sign made her skin crawl…
"Oh ho!"
She turned a little surprised, as the little old lady from next door trotted over to her.
"Did you hear what happened last night?" The lady asked her eagerly. The girl shook her head.
"My house was almost broken into!" The lady continued. The girl gave a surprised gasp and stared at her, in surprise. The old lady, apparently assuming that she was invested in the story, nodded furiously.
"Yes, a Castle Guard was just passing by and happened to notice that there was a man outside of my house. A monster, they think. It was covered in all sorts of much… he couldn't make out the face. He went in to apprehend it, but it got away. They're looking for him now."
"Him…?" The girl whispered, a little apprehensively.
"Blind's his name, apparently." The woman went on. "They think he might have come from that band of thieves in the Forest… the castle has been trying to apprehend one of them for a while. His name is Ganon… they think that this Blind might be an alias of his, or an accomplice. They think he's trying to expand his power."
"Ganon…" The girl murmured. She did not know the name.
"Please take care of yourself." The Old Lady told her gently. "I'm sure the local boys wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
She let out a short little laugh, and tottered away. The girl watched her go, thinking deeply about what she had just been told.
"Blind…." She murmured. She raised a hand to her eyes, and wiped away the dried mud on her face. "I'm…. Blind…"
She shook her head wildly. It was so ridiculous. The man had completely misunderstood what she had been trying to tell him. He had assumed she had been robbing the place, that she was a thief, and that she had told him her name. That she was Blind.
Kakariko was a sleepy little town. Any news or excitement from the Castle, such as speculation on who Princess Zelda may someday marry, instantly became a hot topic of discussion among the townspeople. An event such as this… the appearance of a thief so elusive that even the Castle Guards could not catch him would lead to discussions and speculation for weeks.
Everywhere she went that day she saw signs of worry among the townspeople. Women could be seen checking locks on their doors, ensuring that they were secure. The Castle guard seemed to have doubled since yesterday, and the girl could hardly turn a street corner without seeing another patrol coming her way. Despite these increased security measures, she was not stopped or questioned. She was nothing more but a local vagrant girl… beneath any kind of notice for those on the lookout for Blind the Thief.
"What could Blind the Thief be after?"
"What does he want?"
"Do you think he's handsome?"
The village seemed almost incapable of discussing anything else. The subject of Blind the Thief followed her as she went about her usual routine, asking around for odd jobs so that she could eat. Most of her regulars were happy to stop and ask her if she had heard anything new about Blind the Thief, although they paid her just as little as ever.
"I hope Blind the Thief stays away from OUR house." The woman told her, as she set three rupees into the girl's hand. "I couldn't bear to part with any of my Jewelry…"
The girl said nothing as she gripped the money in her hand and pocketed it.
"That Blind." The woman went on. "Would be way better off robbing the Castle, don't you think? Normal people like us don't have anything worth stealing."
The girl looked up at her. Her eyes fell on the room behind her. Every inch of the room was filled to the brim with hand crafted, high quality wooden furniture, adorned with luxurious silk.
The girl turned away as the door shut behind her. The change she had been given almost felt as if it had not been worth it.
"Blind the Thief!"
She stopped, fear gripping her heart. She turned to find a group of kids staring each other down, sticks raised in front of them.
"What have you done with Princess Zelda?" The boy demanded, brandishing the sword in front of him. The other boy chuckled.
"Hero!" The boy said, spreading his arms wide. He too was holding a rather large stick that looked more like a club than a sword. "I have stolen away the Princess!"
The girl turned away from them, almost rolling her eyes as the kids continued their game of make believe. Honestly people were getting a tiny little bit carried away with this whole Blind the Thief nonsense. Did no one truly realize that Blind the Thief was not real? Was no one smart enough to figure that out?
She found herself doing something that she hardly ever did. She decided to consult the Village Elder. He did not live far from her. She stepped past her Prison and let herself into his house.
She found Sahasrala dozing, as he usually was during this time of day, but he awoke as she approached.
"Ah…" He said. "And to what do I owe this pleasure?"
Anyone was welcome to come speak with him about whatever matters they pleased. Even she, a borderline homeless vagrant, was more than welcome to sit and chat with him for an hour or so. She sat in the chair in front of his own and they conversed.
"What do you think about Blind the Thief?"
"Ah… the criminal?" Sahasrala asked. "I take it that is why you have come?"
The girl pursed her lips and nodded. Sahasrala sighed.
"I know nothing of him." He said. "I know the name, but nothing more. I would not worry, if I were you… The King has already been notified, and the Castle Soldiers are preparing to conduct a full search of the village and forest."
"I'm not worried." The girl said. "I don't think the Thief exists." Sahasrala was the sort of person you could be very honest with. He nodded.
"You have not seen him yet?"
"Nothing has really been stolen." She said. "I think people are panicking over nothing."
"You very may well be right." He said. "But there have been many signs that not all has been well. There have been many disappearances lately… the King has been somewhat concerned these past few months. It was thought that those who disappeared simply vanished in pursuit of the Golden Power, but with the rumors of this Blind…"
The old man sighed and shook his head.
"Well, the King believes there may be cause for concern. Perhaps this Blind is not a thief at all, but something much worse."
"What do you think?"
"What do I think?" The man repeated. "I've lived long enough to know that the peace and prosperity we enjoy now will not last forever. Perhaps someone as young as you may think I am jumping at shadows, but you must understand that the peace and prosperity of this village could someday be compromised. You, and every single person in this village, has a responsibility to preserve and protect it. Blind the Thief may not exist, true. But I believe SOMEONE was out there last night. And if the Castle Soldiers and the King are concerned that something is wrong… then so am I."
She didn't understand a word he was saying. She was a little annoyed at him, although she could not quite understand why.
"If there's nothing to fear, then why be afraid?"
"There is always something to fear." Sahasrala said quietly.
She left feeling very unsatisfied with the conversation. In a way she felt more annoyed with the Elder than she did anyone else around her. He knew perfectly well that Blind did not exist, even though she had not come out and told him. So why was he so nervous? What was there to be so afraid of?
So what if people had been disappearing? It was as he said, wasn't it? They, like all the others, had left in search of the Golden Power. The sacred force that was said to exist in that paradise, the Golden Land.
She turned and faced Death Mountain, staring at it. It was said that a pathway to the Golden Land existed. Far, far above the clouds and near the very peak of Death Mountain. If an adventurer could make it there, and then enter the Golden Land… all of his wishes would come true.
If Blind the Thief was real, he wouldn't bother with robbing this tiny village, or even the King himself. No, he would leave in search of the Golden Power. He would enter the Golden Land, and claim that power for himself. He would have his deepest desires granted, and become something more than a mere thief.
What would someone like Blind wish for? Wealth? Women? Zelda's hand in marriage? She stared at the mountain, ignoring the glare of the sun in her eyes as an intense desire began to build up within her.
If She had the Golden Power…. If she had that Power… she would have everything she could ever wish for. No longer would she have to spend every waking moment trying to find work. She wouldn't go to bed filthy and exhausted. She would have fine things to wear. She would have the free time to gossip and complain with the other local girls. If she had that power, she could be happy.
Happiness… She would want to be happy. The Golden Power would surely give her everything she would need. If she could find it… If she could claim it for herself, then maybe…
She stopped, the breath hitching in her throat. She remembered how she had been warned, from a very young age, that the trek to Death Mountain was incredible dangerous. How the Golden Power had never been found. How often she had been told that the idea of claiming the Golden Power for selfish reasons would lead to ruin.
But a furious anger began to bubble up within her: What right did they, the people that had everything, have to tell her that she could not even dare to dream of finding her own happiness? What was so selfish about claiming the Golden Power to help her live a full life? Why could was she not allowed to be happy?
The sun almost felt as if were shining even more brightly upon her face. She suddenly could not bear to look directly at the mountain. She lowered her head to the stone road at her feet, her emotions running through every bit of her body.
Blind the Thief… Blind the Thief would pursue the power. He would pursue it with everything he had. He would climb Death Mountain, he would enter the Golden Land, he would claim the Golden Power for himself and have all of his wishes come true.
Blind the Thief wanted exactly what she wanted. She and Blind the Thief were the same. She was Blind the Thief.
…
It started gradually, at first. It began with people she knew very well. She would come by houses for work, as she always did, and keenly observe every little possession they had. She watched where they went to procure her meager payments, she took notice of their most beloved valuables, and the things that they tended to dislike or ignore.
She started with small things, at first. She would be given tools to garden vegetables, and steal a handful of the crops for herself. While washing dishes she would tuck silverware into her pockets, and while hanging laundry she would steal socks.
No one noticed a thing. They treated her as they always had, with the polite disdain that they had for their servant. In their eyes nothing had really changed.
When she started taking bigger things. Old, unused mattresses in guest bedrooms, discarded furniture, dusty books in attics it sometimes took them weeks to realize that something was missing from their home.
It was not until she was bringing home thousands of rupees a day that it was commonly accepted that this was the work of Blind the Thief.
She lived as frugally as she always had. Eating the same kinds of food, wearing the same filthy clothes, and working the same pitiful jobs. Yet the basement of her prison was being filled with things. A real bed. A chest full of Rupees. Nicer clothes! Even if she couldn't wear them, simply having them was a pleasure for her.
This was her first step. Her first step to prepare herself for Death Mountain. She needed the tools, equipment, and skills to survive. When she wasn't working, she was spending time at the bar. Asking anyone who would speak to her about the Golden Power.
She was told, over and over again, that searching for the Golden Power was a fool's errand. That she was on the wrong track, that she would lose sight of her real life. But she refused to let this deter her. Over a period of months, she learned all there was to know about the Golden Power, even though most were unwilling to speak to her further about it. Death Mountain… she would need to climb Death Mountain.
For that, she would need supplies. For that, she would need equipment. For that, she would need training. She would need to be prepared. She had things now, her life was better than it had ever been before… but it could still be better. She could still be living her best life. She still could get the Triforce.
"Please be careful." The woman told her, as she pressed her payment into her hand. "Blind the Thief… he's everywhere."
Blind nodded, thanked the woman, and turned away. She was humming to herself as she thought about her plans for that evening. After the woman had gone to bed and fallen asleep, she would let herself in and help herself to that pretty little statue…
"Eeeeek! Blind the Thief!"
She turned to find a woman pointing right at her. Her mind froze for a brief moment as the woman continued to yell.
"Quick, someone come quick!
Blind looked around frantically, trying to figure out just what had happened, as the clanging of armored footsteps hit her ears. Feeling that it was necessary to lie low for a while and escape, Blind quickly trotted off down the road, back to the Prison.
It quickly became apparent why she had been discovered: About half a dozen soldiers were standing in front of prison. Her newly acquired things, many of which had been taken from surrounding homes, lay about the yard. Curious passerby were staring in wonder.
"Stop! Blind the Thief!"
The guards looked up at caught sight of. She took off, to the north, this time at a sprint. She had no choice. She was not sure how, but she had been discovered. Ready or not, it was time. She had to scale Death Mountain.
If she claimed the Golden Power… if all of her wishes were granted…
She gritted her teeth. She had no regrets. She had no reservations. She would either die here, or ascend. Ascend further, beyond even her wildest dreams.
"Thief!"
She turned her head to see a beckoning figure in the shadows of a large tree. Deeply cloaked in a dark blue shawl, Blind could not make out its features.
"Come with me." It said quietly, as it faded into the shadows. Blind stopped, staring into the darkness, completely thunderstruck. If it were not for the fact that she was being pursued by a number of guards she likely would have simply stood there, completely dumbfounded.
She stepped forward, off the trail and into the trees. She half expected the guards to come into pursuit after her, but the instant she stepped off the trail the sound of their thundering footsteps seemed to diminish. Within five steps they had vanished entirely.
She seemed to have stepped into a dark grove. The trees were so thick here that no light shone through them. That suited her just fine. But she still could make out the robed figure standing just in front of him.
"Blind the Thief." The man whispered, as it held out a hand to her. "Welcome."
She did not move forward. She stared at him.
"Who are you?" She asked. "The Fortuneteller?"
The thing laughed.
"I am called Agahnim…" It said. "Perhaps you have heard my name…?"
"Agahnim?" Blind repeated. "The Court Wizard?" She could already feel herself preparing to run. She had been led into a trap.
"Agahnim." It said. "Your Master." A strange dark energy began to swirl from his hand. Blind could feel herself starting to seize up.
"Master?" She repeated. "I have no master-"
"I will draw you into the Dark World…" Agahnim said quietly. Blind took a step back, preparing to run, but before she could she could feel her entire body begin to spin round and round, endlessly spinning so quickly that she completely lost sight of where she was, and whether she was even standing at all.
And then, just as suddenly, she stopped. She stood there, dazed, staring.
It was Kakariko Village. Or at least, it seemed to be. Buildings were decaying into nothing but rubble. Strange, demonic statues stood towering over the village. The water was a strange, disgusting green.
She watched, horrified, as two strange creatures slammed into each other. Rupees went spilling out all over the road. The animals started chittering at each other furiously as they fought and clawed to take more than they had dropped.
"This." A deep, powerful voice murmured. "Is the Village of Outcasts."
She turned.
Agahnim was gone. In his place was a fearsome creature, greater and more powerful than any she had ever seen. It was over four times the size of a man. It was bright blue in color, and seemed to emanate a dark aura that took her breath away.
"Where… am I…?" She whispered, awestruck. "This… isn't Hyrule…"
The creature chuckled. Behind him, the trees with monstrous faces began to laugh too.
"But it is!" The creature crowed. "This is Paradise… the Golden Land!"
He waved his trident around triumphantly. Blind stared at him, completely dazed. This? This Hell was the Golden Land of Legend and Myth?
"This." He said. "Is the land of your dreams, Blind the Thief. This is will be your Paradise. And I will be your King."
He bowed to her, almost mockingly.
"My… King?" She repeated. Her voice was oddly raspy.
"I am the King of this Paradise." He said. "But a King is nothing without servants."
He pointed his Trident at her. Blind feared for a moment that she would be skewered, but he instead placed the thing on her shoulder.
"Blind the Thief." He rumbled. "This Village is yours. You will do with it as you will. In return I ask only for your undying loyalty."
"This…." She turned to the ruined village. "Mine…?"
A warm, pleasant feeling ran through her heart. Not once during any of her fantasies of seizing the Golden Power had she ever thought to share that power with others. And yet this man… this king, did so without a second thought.
"What would you have me do?" She asked quietly.
"My treasure." He said. "You must protect one of my Seven Treasures, with your very life."
She looked up at him.
"That is all?"
"That is all." He said. "This village will be your village. Should you choose to expect it."
Blind never did realize that she had taken on a form more fitting to her malicious and sinister personality. She never did realize that, upon entering the Dark World, that she had become nothing more than a pawn for the King of Evil, Ganon.
"GYAAAAAH!" TOO BRIGHT!"
Even as she was being struck down by the Master Sword, Blind never truly saw herself as anything more or less than a thief.