It was very hot but somehow Link managed to keep going. His new green garbs were the only things keeping him from dropping from heat exhaustion but even a gift from the divine couldn't stop the sun from scorching the pelting sands and cooking any exposed flesh.
He would replenish his resources at the oasis before making his move on the town in the dead of night.
Several hours later, after drinking his fill at the spring, he made his first move.
The town was made up of only Gerudo warriors. A fierce female clan that followed Ganondorf alone. Even the Yiga were not allowed within the walls.
That being said the perimeter of the city was lined with tents of soldiers ready to go into battle, along with their lone surviving General, Ghirahim.
Link was regarding this set up from a safe distance when he caught sight of the Demon ducking into one of the larger, more extravagant tents. The Yiga, monsters and Gerudo never went near the tent, giving it a wide berth on all sides. By the screams that soon sounded from the lodging Link could guess why.
It was a difficult decision; did he try and take out the general before moving on to Ganondorf or did he bypass him to keep the whole mission covert.
It was imperative he get to the King, and he wasn't even sure exactly where he was.
With his cloak wrapped tightly around his silent form he slipped in between the tents heading for the city center. He shimmied around the edges, keeping a careful eye on patrolling guards. The regular soldiers were easy, once inside the city it got increasingly difficult.
The women were efficient and alert, their patrols staggering the times so no one could plan an attack. He didn't want to think about what would happen if he was caught.
Crouching low on a bazaar wall, the palace was near the middle of the city and that was his destination. His soft boots made quick work of the wall before he leapt off into an alley just as a guard passed by.
Checking to make sure the coast was clear he moved forward to scale the side steps into the long stone corridor. Carefully he started forward. Approaching footsteps forced him to scurry up the wall and perch in the corner while the pair of Gerudo walked underneath him.
He silently prayed to the Goddess they did not look up, he was not close enough to his target to let an alarm be sounded now.
They continued on without a single pause, for which Link was thankful. Dropping down he continued forward.
The thrown room was a large hall with a war table set up off to one side and a couple steps the led to a large black thrown, trimmed with gold and skulls.
Voices prompted him to slip into the shadows.
"The Yiga will leave first thing in the morning, while the Gerudo and monsters will wait till tomorrow night. The Hylian forces are already massing, ready to march on the border. We will be ready. Make sure Ghirahim is ready to move."
The Gerudo commander saluted before marching from the room leaving Ganondorf by himself. His back was turned to the youth as he studied the maps on his table.
"You can come out; I can feel you there." The big man commented lightly, but when Link stepped from the shadows the man was visibly startled for a split moment. "Well. I was not expecting Zelda's little warrior to be here. Ghirahim was certain he had killed you."
Although Link could not comment he raised an eyebrow and looked down at himself.
Ganondorf smirked wickedly.
"Yes, I can see you are still here. And what is that?" He took a deep inhale and flexed his chest. "You even brought me the second piece of the Tri-force! I wonder, do I have to kill you to get it, or can I just claim it when I turn you into my obedient little servant?"
Link scowled and carefully removed his cloak, inviting the big man to try. Ganondorf smiled, the same evil smile he leveled Link's way when they first met.
"Oh yes, this will be fun, but not here. Too many people to stick their noses where they don't belong. Follow me if you have the guts."
Holding a hand up, a ring of purple and black fire sprung forward, widening to a portal big enough for Ganondorf's massive frame to casually stroll through.
The King didn't even bother looking back to see if Link would follow, the boy had no other choice if he wished to defeat the man.
Link took a steadying breath, and drew the Master sword, letting its weight calm his nerves as he approached the gate to the unknown.
It was like walking through warm water. As the gate slipped around him the dry desert air was replaced with cool mountain breeze. Link had to do a quick calculation of the sun and his surroundings. They stood on top of Gerudo Summit, in the Highlands, north of the desert and far away from what would be the battle of Hyrule field and Nima Plain.
The gate disappeared as soon as the young warrior stepped completely through.
Ganondorf sat upon a stone throne, that appeared to have burst straight through the mountain rock, with his chin resting casually in his massive hand, his black robes pooling around him.
Link sunk into his battle stance, with sword and shield at the ready but the King waved him off.
"We are still waiting for one more guest." He declared.
As if on cue another portal opened, and a confused Ghirahim stepped through. He froze when his eyes fell upon the green-clad warrior. Slowly, his face split into a thin smile that showed his razor teeth.
"You are an exasperating brat! I was certain I had already led you to your grave!"
"If you can not beat my General, you are not worthy to face me. Since he has already claimed to have killed you, I will give him the chance to make good on his assurances." Ganondorf proclaimed.
Black clouds enveloped Ghirahim's form and his cackle echoed through the mountains. His pale skin shimmered before turning in on itself, replaced by harsh black, only broken by a few patches diamond-shaped silver and brilliant white hair. Although he looked completely bare, save for a jeweled adornment in the middle of his chest, it was if his body was encased in sort of armoured shell.
"I was a fool to toy with you and let you walk away with your life before, but I won't make that mistake again." He declared as he held up a clawed hand, showing the dagger-like points. "For you, boy, I imagine a most appropriate and humiliating death!"
Ganondorf sat back in his make-shift thrown with a superior smile.
Link scowled at the Gerudo male but shook it off quickly, he had an opponent right in front of him that was going to require his full attention.
The young fighter was patient and the Demon was over-confident. The first few minutes of the fight were simply Ghirahim walking forward, blocking any attack with his weaponized arms before swiping at the youth's throat with his claws or sending a spinning kick towards his face.
If Link ventured too far away the sneaky General was left with ample time and space to start flinging black daggers at him, daggers that were tipped with the same toxin that put him down and out before.
Not wanting to risk a repeat of history Link opted to stay in close. Just as the next claw strike came in, he used his shield to push it wide before thrusting straight ahead into the odd jewel on the Demon's chest. He was rewarded with a crackling sound and a piece of the invulnerable armour cracking under the pressure.
Ghirahim leapt back with a savage growl. His dark soulless eyes locked on Link as he held out his hand and a black metal rapier appeared.
Link was pushed back on his heels as this new wave of aggressive attacks came in. Their swords clashed right, left and center before one slipped through and the young warrior winced as the blade slice a clean line across his right shoulder followed by his cheek. A puff of blood burst from his mouth as the sword attack was followed by a hard punch to the face.
A shoulder roll and back flip got him far enough away to reset but offered no rest. Still, Link wasn't taken by surprise a second time. The rhythm of the fight was predictable. The youth counted out the strikes and counters before driving his shield forward to knock the General back, instead of the thrust he expected, Link jumped over him and twisted in the air to drive the Master sword into the middle of his back. Another huge chunk of armour fell away.
"Naughty naughty. I am no longer having fun, insolent child! I am going to tear your throat out and watch you choke on your own blood!"
The Master sword seemed to hum in anticipation as the Demon closed in. Link ducked, jumped, and spun off every attack before finally finding an opening at the exposed flesh beneath the shell. Turning into the inside of the General's sword arm, they were nose to nose when *shhhink* the Master sword slid past the armour and through Ghirahim's chest. Link gave another shove, feeling the blade scrap past ribs.
Dark blood dribbled down the Generals bottom lip as he looked down at the sword in his chest. When he looked back up, he was confused as to how it had all happened.
"Nasty …. Child of man … I am a Demon Lord! How could you defeat me?"
There was a gurgle in his throat before he threw up more blood. Link spun away, pulling the sword free and letting the Demon's body fall to the ground. It was a gruesome death but Link could not bring himself to feel bad in anyway. The General had spent hours torturing him for his own amusement, and though the warrior took no pleasure from killing he was glad to have spared anyone else the same treatment that he had, had to endure.
A slow clap brought Link's attention back to the King of thieves for the first time since Ghirahim had appeared. The big man stepped down from his seat to walk over to the demon toeing the corpse's side before grinning wide at the young warrior.
"Impressive. When he said you were dead, I had to assume that little display our first meeting was dumb luck. But after watching this I know you are the real deal. Prepare yourself Hero! I am hoping you at least amuse me until it comes time to lead my army into battle!"
Link ignored the dull throb of his shoulder and sunk into his battle stance yet again.