Power surged through Ganondorf. It built not only his physical strength but his will, his vision.
The Triforce of Power was greater than he'd ever imagined. It read his innermost thoughts, his innermost desires, and revealed the path to shaping them into reality. Showed him how it was possible to alter reality altogether.
Inside the castle's throne room, Ganondorf faced the smashed windows, the remains of Castle Town in the valley. He knew they were coming to take his throne, his kingdom, his power. His world.
The immense magical ability he harnessed, as always, responded to his desires and began to manifest. Storm clouds formed above the castle's highest spires, blackening the sky.
Ganondorf looked around the grand throne room, left in its state of destruction. He wanted to completely abolish Hyrule Castle. Remake it in his own image. As he would remold the entire world in his will.
The storm grew, completely engulfing the castle. The winds howled; the lightning cracked the air. It sought him out, swirling about him in a torrent of chaos. Ganondorf relished the energy of the storm, the steady thrum in his veins.
It was time to test the true power of the Triforce.
~oOo~
Hyrule's resistance forces were even bigger than Link had imagined.
Stretching across Hyrule Field were hundreds of tents, a handful of them bearing the flags of the Hylian Royal Family. Soldiers in gleaming silver mingled with gorons in heavy grey armour and rebel fighters in leather and chainmail. Zoras bearing bone-white weapons and minimal armour converged around a half dozen tents in the southwest corner, guarding the zora physicians marked by bright blue tunics.
Link and Zelda rode side by side with the company of Gerudo warriors, a swath of red and gold on the plain. As they descended a hill and into the valley, a chorus of cheers wafted up from the crowd.
The soldiers, what remained of the Hylian Royal Army, knelt with their fists pressed to their hearts as Zelda passed. She acknowledged them with a regal nod of her head, but Link saw the gratitude and pride pricking tears behind her eyes. Glancing askance at him, she saw him watching her and lifted a hand to tuck a wisp of hair around her ear with a small smile.
The zoras greeted them politely but with barely contained smiles, some of them waving. The gorons cheered raucously, a few familiar faces coming up to give Link friendly slaps on the back. The fighters recruited from Kakariko and other areas of Hyrule who had come to help were gathered in a cluster with a few of Hyrule's knights, testing weapons to suit them. Link spotted Fayne and Taver, the smith, and gave them a wave when they beamed at him.
Impa emerged from the northernmost tent, escorted by two knights. The Gerudo fighters dismounted and followed Impa's guards to rest their horses and grab some fresh water and food. Impa stepped forward as Zelda swung down from her horse, wrapping her charge in a tight, motherly embrace. Zelda clung to her guardian; eyes squeezed shut tight. Link and Nabooru held back, giving them space, and a soldier came forward to take the reins of their mounts.
"I've missed you," Zelda murmured.
Impa stroked a hand over Zelda's hair, braided into an artful knot at the back of her head. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Zelda looked more like the princess she had once been. That morning, instead of donning her Sheikah disguise, she had put on a simple dress with a riding tunic overtop for the day's journey. Underneath was golden jewelry borrowed from Nabooru adorned her neck, ears and waist. On her arms she wore elbow-length riding gloves.
She'd removed the riding tunic shortly before they'd arrived, explaining in a somewhat embarrassed whisper to Link that it was important to appear to be a strong, regal leader when meeting the army that had pledged to fight for her.
When the two broke apart, Impa beckoned Link, Zelda and Nabooru into her tent with a quick gesture. The tent was partitioned in half, so Link and Nabooru sat at the table and helped themselves to food and drink while Zelda used the other side to change her clothes. Impa remained at the tent's entrance, speaking to some of the knights for an update.
When Zelda joined them at the table, Link's jaw nearly dropped. She now wore a light, sleeveless dress, belted at the waist and accented by gold. From the belt hung a long banner bearing the Hylian Royal crest. Around her shoulders and neck was another gold piece, hiding the neck of the gown. Her hair she had brushed back and half-tied at the back, so it hung down in blonde waves. On her hands were long, silk gloves.
She now looked every bit the princess Link remembered, and the one her people were fighting for.
"You look lovely," Nabooru said, smiling at her as she sat down gracefully.
Zelda glanced at Link with a quick smile, reaching for the plate of food. "Thank you," she said to Nabooru, then, "And thank the goddesses; I'm starving."
Impa came to sit between Link and Nabooru. "At last everyone is here and settled in," she said with a sigh. "Thank you for your haste, Nabooru."
Nabooru waved the piece of bread she'd just taken a bite of. "Hopefully I've brought enough warriors to suit your plan, Impa. I'm still missing the girls inside Hyrule Castle under Ganondorf's thumb."
Impa's mouth twisted with wry amusement. "Which reminds me," she said, nodding towards the tent entrance. "We have visitors."
Two Gerudo women stepped into the tent, their faces apprehensive. Nabooru, spotting them, dropped the food and shot to her feet.
"Aalrian! Imara!" she exclaimed, greeting them in their shared language. She added in Hylian, "What's happened at the castle? How did you escape?"
While the Gerudo women talked with Nabooru, Impa leaned close to Link.
"I can't help but notice Dark isn't with you," she remarked.
Link froze, exchanging a look with Zelda, who squeezed his hand sympathetically.
"Dark was missing when I woke up this morning," he explained a low voice. "I found the Ocarina of Time was missing as well, until I recovered it outside of the house Dark and I were bunking in."
Impa's gaze was steady, but she inhaled and exhaled slowly. "I see. Is the Ocarina safe?"
"Yes," Link said. He stared down at Zelda's hand wrapped around his own.
The worry that had been gnawing at his stomach all day returned full force. Dark's sudden disappearance was heart-wrenching. If he had used the Ocarina to warp, there were only two choices. Dark had heard Zelda play only two of the magical songs at the Colossus—and it was unlikely Dark had returned to the desert.
Which meant he had done something incredibly stupid and gone to face Ganondorf on his own.
Impa had deduced as much herself. "He's a fool to take Ganondorf on alone," she said. "If he went to save Sienna, why not wait one more day for all of us to go with him?"
"It doesn't make any sense," Link agreed.
Zelda looked guiltily at Link, releasing his hand to press her palms together between her knees. "I may know," she said quietly. "Dark confided in me, while you were gone, Link. Ganondorf is the one who killed your parents. I believe he may have gone to avenge them."
Stunned silence echoed her words. The new information washed over Link.
"Ganondorf...he killed my parents?" Shock, grief and anger burned through him, each emotion fleeting but sharpened by fear for his newfound brother. "He told me he didn't know who murdered our parents," Link said, accusation lacing his tone.
Impa sighed. "People do unwise things to protect the ones they love," she said sympathetically. "He may have thought he was acting in your best interests, but he is blinded by grief and fear."
"You should have let me go after him this morning," Link snapped at Zelda.
"It wouldn't have helped," she said gently. "I know you're scared for him, but you can't follow him into danger alone. Our best chance of success is to work together."
Link sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. He felt helpless. It felt silly to sit here in a tent and strategize. Not long ago he'd been dreading the coming battle, to have to rush in and take Ganondorf on. Now he would gladly face the tyrant king one on one if it meant saving his brother.
"Once I've gathered all the leaders, I can lay out our plan of attack and prepare everyone," Impa told him. "I promise it won't be long now. You and Zelda should eat, and rest before that."
Reluctantly, Link allowed Zelda to lead him away, leaving their empty spots at the table to Imara and Aalrian. They left Impa's tent and walked to a neighbouring one. Like the first, it was divided into two sleeping quarters.
"You stay here, I'll go sleep in Impa's tent," Zelda offered, releasing his arm.
"I can't sleep," Link sighed. "Not now."
"You should try," she urged him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Link reached up for her hand, rubbing his thumb in slow circles over her glove. "Will you stay with me?"
Surprised, Zelda stared at him, then her expression softened. "Alright," she murmured.
Removing her belt, gloves, boots and jewelry, she set them aside on the floor and lay down on the bedroll. They lay facing each other, a few inches between them, their noses almost touching.
"Try to sleep," she said again, her voice still soft.
"I will," he promised.
Link searched for her hand, now bare, and entwined their fingers between them. He gently stroked his thumb over her skin. Eventually, her breaths became slow and even, her eyes closed, her dark blonde lashes feathered over her cheeks.
He studied her face until he could no longer keep his eyes open.
It was late afternoon when they woke, so they hurried to redress and gather their things.
They strolled through the camp, winding their way back to Impa's tent to meet with the other rebellion leaders. Waiting at the entrance, Impa spotted them and waved them over.
The sun was snuffed out. The sky darkened as if night had fallen unexpectedly. Overhead, black storm clouds were gathering in the northern sky, approaching faster than any natural storm. The thunderclouds billowed, touching down on the ground, rolling over the plains of Hyrule Field, coming towards the camp.
Zelda's sharp breath alerted Link.
"It's just like my dream," she whispered. "It's coming true."
Impa and the other leaders came rushing out of the tent, alarmed by the roaring wave of the storm. The camp, shaking free of its stun, launched into action. Impa hurried towards them in the chaos, her crimson eyes wide with fear.
The storm hit the camp, throwing tents, supplies and people with gale force winds. There was no rain, but it brought with it a shaking of the earth so intense Link and Zelda were thrown off their feet.
Zelda cried out in alarm. In the confusion, Link reached for Zelda's hand but couldn't find her.
A flash of light momentarily blinded him, and he covered his eyes. As abruptly as it had started, the storm halted. Opening his eyes, Link saw he and Zelda were trapped in its eye, the black, ominous clouds continuing to swirl about them.
Zelda rose to her feet, took a step towards him, and then stopped. Shocked, she pressed her palms flat against some invisible barrier. Link rushed to her, watching as a crystalline barrier encased her, lifting her off the ground.
Her panicked eyes met his through the shield. "Link!"
Pounding his fists against the barrier, Link grunted in frustration. Unsheathing the Master Sword, he considered the best way to strike without accidentally injuring her. Before he could, a voice he recognized sounded in his ears. From the icy dread on Zelda's face, she could hear it too.
Ganondorf's voice sounded in the storm's eye, audible to only the two of them.
"Princess Zelda...at last I've found you." His mocking laughter echoed in their ears. "The remaining two pieces have found each other. How fortunate for me."
The crystal prison rose, hovering in the air. Link looked up, meeting Zelda's fearful gaze. In a blink, the crystal vanished.
"If you want to rescue your beloved princess," Ganondorf's voice sneered. "Come to my castle!"
The storm dispelled, revealing the chaos of the rebellion camp. Link felt his knees hitting the grass, his fingers wrapped around the hilt of the Master Sword.
"Link!" Impa's hand landed on his shoulder. "What happened!?"
Link stared at the spot where Zelda had disappeared. "Ganondorf," he said through a throat as dry as sandpaper. "He took her."
~oOo~
The rebellion forces of Hyrule smashed through Castle Town's gates.
The biggest and strongest gorons had brought it down with the force of a landslide, rolling into the city and crushing the first wave of Ganondorf's minions.
Legions of stalfos, wolfos, moblins and other creatures of darkness under his control swarmed the city, ready for the fight. Leading the charge after the first gorons were Link and the other Sages, Impa, Darunia and Nabooru.
They pushed onto the central square, where an army of stalfos awaited them.
"Get to the castle, Link!" Impa shouted, her katana slicing effortlessly through a stalfos.
Gorons, Gerudo and Hylians rushed into the city after them, clearing the way. Link hacked his way through the fray, focused only on reaching the north road. Around him the battle boomed, the cries of his allies ringing over the striking of metal.
A pair of stalfos blocked his way, but the Master Sword's blade sheared through them. Heart pounding, blood singing in his veins, Link kicked open the second gate and ran up the north road.
Link raced up the hill towards Hyrule Castle. The ground was black with ash, disrupted and torn up from the previous battle and the storm Ganondorf had sent. As he rounded the bend in the road, Link jerked to a stop.
The castle was gone. In its place was a huge crater, its depths filled with roiling lava.
A wicked black fortress floated on an island above the lava. Its six black spires twisted at the top to support the seventh column in the centre, protecting it.
Link walked to the edge of the crater, feeling the intense heat on his skin, smelling the ash in the air. There was no way across. Ganondorf's defenses were impenetrable.
Link...Link, can you hear me?
Link started. Rauru's voice was calling to him, so quiet and fleeting he thought at first he'd imagined it. Telepathy was new to Link, but Zelda had told him it required incredible concentration. Link glared at the formidable black tower. Zelda was inside somewhere, held prisoner by Ganondorf. He would reach her.
Link closed his eyes on focused on the invisible connection to the Chamber of Sages. He imagined it as a thread of light, traversing the space between him in the Light World and the Temple of Light in the world beyond, passing on his message.
I can hear you, Rauru.
Link...the Sages and I will use our power to help you across. Inside the tower are six magical barriers. Destroy them with the Light Arrows given to you by Zelda, and free our princess!
One by one, the Sages responded to the summons of the Sage of Light.
Link, I grant you the protection of Light.
On the battlefield, Impa heard the call. Retreating from the fight, she adopted a meditative pose to concentrate. Like her, Darunia and Nabooru stepped away from the fight to divert some of their Sages' power.
I grant the Hero of Time the service of Shadow.
The strength of the spirits of Fire is yours, Brother!
Me and my blade are in your corner, kid.
Within the Chamber of Sages, Ruto and Saria followed Rauru's example, lending their strength and power to ensure the Hero's success.
The element of Water is yours, Link.
Link...I will always have faith in you.
The Sages' medallions Link held appeared before him, circling one another in the air. Little by little, they dissolved into speckles of coloured light and began to fall like snowflakes over the chasm.
As they fell, they reformed into a solid surface, creating an arching, rainbow bridge from Link's side of the crater to the edge of Ganondorf's tower.
Tentatively, Link stepped out onto the translucent bridge, amazed when the delicate structure didn't give way. Confident it would hold, Link sprinted across the lava pit and charged into the tower.
As Rauru said, each of the spires contained a magical barrier—a column of living magical energy, defending the central tower where Ganondorf waited.
Using the Light arrows, Link dispelled each one, battling his way through the creatures of evil Ganondorf summoned to stop him. The Master Sword cut through every monster, its pristine blade glowing with blue fire as it vanquished the darkness.
With the barriers dispelled, Link began to climb the central tower, step by step, room by room.
Near the top was a spiralling stairway. The outer wall was lined with tall, rectangular iron-wrought windows. Through them cool light from the waxing moon sprayed onto the steps, covered with a thick, blood-red carpet that muted Link's footfalls.
The large, elaborate torches that had lined the previous rooms and passages were absent here, so Link climbed in near-darkness, always looking up and towards the bend in the stairs.
Rounding the final curve, Link came to a broad, reinforced door. Without a sound, it swung open to grant him entrance. Slowly, Link stepped into the cavernous room beyond.
A tiled ceiling topped floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows that surrounded the room. Between each one was a carving of an eagle, wings outstretched, talons ready to lunge in for the kill.
The king of evil sat upon his throne, relaxed, assured. He wore heavy black leather Gerudo armour, a red cape attached at the shoulders. His crimson hair was long and loose at his nape, offsetting the deep colour of his skin, the golden gleam of his eyes. Above his head, Zelda was held in her crystal prison. Her gaze met Link's and she called out to him, but her words were muffled.
Link walked across the stone floor towards Ganondorf, reaching for the hilt of the Master Sword with his left hand.
His left hand tingled; a burst of magic shot through his arm. Link lowered his hand, eyes blowing wide when he saw the golden symbol of the Triforce glowing there. The lower right triangle gleamed brightly, while the other two remained dark.
In her prison, Zelda lifted her own hand, revealing the mark of the Triforce emblazoned there as before.
"At long last," Ganondorf murmured, rising slowly. "The three pieces of the Triforce are together once more."
Navi hovered over Link's left shoulder, her wings emitting a brighter glow than usual in the presence of such darkness.
Ganondorf raised his right fist, presenting the back of his hand. The topmost triangle shone brightly.
"I never imagined," he continued in a low growl, "When I failed, seven years ago, to capture the entirety of the Triforce's power, that the other two pieces would be hiding within the two of you."
He inhaled deeply, flexing his fingers and stretching an open palm towards Link. Dark energy gathered at his fingertips, coiling into a sphere of pure magical force. Link was thrown back to the day of Zelda's escape, when he'd been a boy facing the most dangerous man in the world on the Castle Town drawbridge.
Link unsheathed the Master Sword, brandishing it confidently in his left hand. The Triforce of Courage shone brighter still, lending him its gifts.
Ganondorf stared down at him, his topaz eyes filled with hatred. "Time to correct that mistake," he said to Link. "I will take what is rightfully mine!"
From Ganondorf's open palm a wave of dark magic shot out, surrounding Link. Navi was thrown back from the force of it. Link gripped tightly to the sword and Hylian shield, his hands shaking with the effort of resisting.
"Navi!"
"I can't get close! I'm sorry, Link!"
The torrent of evil magic ceased, and Ganondorf rose off his feet into the air, his cape wound around him.
"Seems you won't give up so easily," he sneered.
Link glanced up at Zelda inside the crystal, hovering near the ceiling. One hand cradled to her chest, she lifted the other and pressed it to the crystal's surface. She met his eyes, communicating without words.
Tearing himself away, Link focused on the man in front of him, smiling in a self-assured way.
"Link watch out!"
Ganondorf dove, driving his fist into the floor. Link scrambled out of the way as the stone cracked and crumbled, falling into the tower room several stories below. Panting, Link looked down from the edge of the gap as Ganondorf lifted into the air once more.
The Gerudo king moved with impossible speed, driving into Link like a battering ram. Ganondorf's fist collided with the Hylian shield at the last second. Link cried out, shoved backwards by the strength of the blow. Ganondorf grunted with effort, his teeth bared in a snarl, his eyes wild with fury.
Link retaliated with a swing of the blade, but Ganondorf blocked it easily with his arm. All around him was an aura of dark magic, strong enough that it protected him from the Master Sword's power.
While Ganondorf retreated for another charge, Link sheathed the sword, reaching for the fairy's bow and the Light arrows Zelda have given him. He'd used half of the dozen dispelling the magical barriers in the tower. He could not afford to miss; and this time, Navi wouldn't be able to help him.
Link grabbed the first arrow, aiming it at Ganondorf as he readied another strike. Undaunted by simple arrows, the king laughed harshly.
Link released the bowstring.
The missile of light found its mark, expelling the aura of evil magic around the king. Ganondorf howled as shards of light pierced him, ripped through his armour, shredded the length of his cape.
With his foe vulnerable, Link used the Master Sword to release a bolt of energy. It struck Ganondorf anew, tearing straight through his body. Left behind was a scorching black gash in his side. Roaring in agony and fury, Ganondorf charged.
Before Link could loose another arrow, he was struck and thrown. Crashing into the windows, Link heard the breaking of glass through the ringing in his skull.
"Link!" Navi shrieked.
The fog in his head cleared and Link reacted on instinct, rolling from the open window and the plummet to certain death. His second arrow shot out and found its mark. Ganondorf crumpled back to the ground. Another swing of the Master Sword ensured a wounded Ganondorf couldn't get back to his feet in time.
Link's fingers grasped for another arrow. Ganondorf thrust his fist in the air, drawing on the Triforce's power. A sphere of lightning gathered in his fist, swelling and growing until it was enough to engulf Link's entire body.
Ganondorf panted, ready to launch his deadly projectile. Link ripped back his bowstring, snapping it free. The third Light arrow sailed through the air, breaking through Ganondorf's defenses.
Master Sword in hand, Link charged the king. A beam of blue light exploded from the blade, piercing straight through Ganondorf's chest. With a roar, Link drove the sword into the gaping wound.
The king collapsed to his knees, the Master Sword sliding free of his flesh. Ganondorf lowered his head. Blood erupted from his mouth and he coughed, his hands clenched into fists.
Weakly, Ganondorf began to laugh. He lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot. "I shouldn't have underestimated you, kid."
His breaths short and labored, Ganondorf raised his arms with great effort. Screaming with outrage, he expelled a final burst of magic. The windows exploded outwards. Underneath them, the entire tower trembled. The ceiling broke apart and rained down. Link covered his head with the Hylian shield, gritting his teeth as the debris showered him.
The earthquake stopped. Link opened his eyes. Ganondorf lay unmoving at his feet, his body ravaged by the effects of magic.
From above, the crystal prison lowered to the ground. The barrier faded; Zelda was free.
Link let the Master Sword and shield drop from his nerveless fingers with a clatter. The expression of relief on the princess's face echoed his feelings.
"Link," she cried, wrapping him in her arms. Link put his arms around her, tucking his face against her hair. "You're safe."
Link exhaled, cupping the back of her head in his palm. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, we—"
Tremors shook the floor under their feet. As the quakes intensified, the pair of them struggled for balance. Zelda's alarmed gaze swept to his. Her fears were confirmed as she saw them in his thoughts.
The tower was collapsing.