Three months prior
Sand flew upwards and the water starved bushes flailed in the wind as Kanthos blew passed them, sword raised, a glowing orange aura surrounding the blade. The warrior across from him, a skilled sorcerer the King had sent raised his staff. Kanthos sped up, smashing his blade onto his opponents weapon, the sorcerer pushing him away as they met.
"You've lived too long!" the Sorcerer shouted, launching a blue ball of flame at his adversary.
Kanthos responded with a smile, yes, spending 683 years alive was a long life, but his work was hardly over. The warrior redirected the ball of fire with his sword, sending an orange bolt of lightning at the sorcerer, the man teleporting out of the way, and behind Kanthos.
The sorcerer gripped his staff tighter, a spearhead materializing at the end. He jabbed it at Kanthos, the man dodging each strike with inhuman speed.
"Is that all you have? I am almost offended that the King would deem you powerful enough to slay me!" Kanthos yelled as he extended a hand forward, releasing a telekinetic shockwave that blew his opponent onto his back. He leapt high into the air, pointing his sword downward.
The sorcerer let out a yelp of fright as he rolled to the side, Kanthos landing right next to him, sword plunged into the sand. The two men stood up, slowly stepping from side to side, their gazes remaining forward. The sand around them exploded upwards as they took off towards each other, their weapons meeting with loud clangs that slowly built up to Earth shaking cracks as they channeled more and energy into their strikes.
Kanthos skidded back after the mage's last attack, readying has sword as a bolt of energy raced towards him. He lifted his blade but was stunned as the beam diverted it's course, going over his blade and striking him in the shoulder.
"Gah." he grunted as he fell to one knee." he grasped at his shoulder, looking up to find the sorcerer sending a bolt of electricity his way.
Kanthos stood up and tossed his sword into his left hand, he had no time to heal the wound right now. He extended his blade, the bolt of energy meeting the tip and traveling down the hilt until it disappeared, the orange glow of the blade suddenly growing brighter.
The sorcerer touched down a mere meter from him, racing towards him, staff-turned-spear at the ready, crackling with energy.
Kanthos smiled as he ran at his adversary, their weapons met, a diagonal slash being swept away by a horizontal, and a vertical meeting a diagonal strike. When the sorcerer brought his spear down, Kanthos released the electricity, the burst blowing the weapon out of his enemy's hands. With a satisfied smile he delivered a punch to the man's chest, a shockwave blowing outwards as the sorcerer was tossed back, landing on the ground clutching at his chest. As the sorcerer stood, he looked over to his staff, eyes going wide as his the man he was assigned to kill extended his blade and released a blast of energy, vaporizing the weapon.
"I'd say you'll learn I'm no easy target, but I think you already have." Kanthos said with a smile. He teleported within a stride of his would be killer, thrusting his left arm into the air, sword pointed downwards.
The sorcerer shut his eyes, tensing as he readied for the strike, opening them when nothing came. He felt a chill run down his spine as Kanthos' orange, pupil-less eyes met his. "I want you to look at my while I kill you!" Kanthos growled. With one swift motion he plunged his blade into the ground, a massive burst of energy releasing below it, a wall of earth and fire blasting high into the air, the scream of the sorcerer being drowned out before stopping completely.
The dark warrior removed his sword from the ground, raising an eyebrow and smirking at the massive crater before him, there being no sign of the sorcerer. He sheathed his blade as he turned and began walking away. Life had been a long road for him, when he was just a child the King of that era had ordered the genocide of his people after becoming aware of their power, and even with their abilities, his people were no match for the legion of soldiers the King had sent to exterminate them. They raised a decent fight, taking many soldiers and Knights with them, but they were soon overrun, but Kanthos was able to escape with his mother. For years they were the last of their kind, with him being left alone after his mother's death when he was still a child. Ever since then he had sworn vengeance upon the people his race used to live beside and to promised to end the King's lineage for good, to do so he had learned to elongate his life by draining the life energy from others, something he struggled with at first, but now saw as necessary.
He stretched his left arm before placing his hand over the wound to his right shoulder, healing it instantly. As lowered his arm, he tensed, "Could it be?" he wondered. His first thought was the sorcerer having survived, but he sensed more than one individual present behind him, the new arrivals magical energy levels ranged from non-existent to somewhat powerful, but no threat to him, he turned quickly, releasing a powerful torrent of energy from his hands, his mouth falling agape as he saw him, a massive, hulking figure, his skin gray, hair black, and eyes red, with two silver horns protruding out from his forehead. The massive beast of a man caught the blast with one hand, smirking as he snuffed it out with ease.
"Demon..." Kanthos breathed as he stepped back, his arms dropping to his sides as he resigned himself to what he thought would be his fate. Behind the man were two tan skinned women, a young boy with a strange mask, and a Knight dressed in silver armor that bore a crest he didn't recognize...they definitely weren't servants of the King.
"Kanthos the dreaded, it's a pleasure to meet you." the horned man said, his voice deep and menacing.
"What do we need him for anyway?" one of the women asked.
"The gods sent you to stop me, did they not?" Kanthos asked, clenching his teeth, his power was nothing but a speck of dust compared to what he sensed inside of the demon.
The man let loose a chilling laugh, his eyes narrowing at the dark warrior. "Gods and Goddesses, they have no sway over me, I am here to aid you in your quest, if you shall aid me in my own."
"Why would a being like you need any help? You have enough power to wipe out an entire army on your own." Kanthos responded.
"You have not met the forces I contend with, their magic is strong and their people determined. Defeating them is something I've tried many times over, but have yet to succeed at. I need a capable warrior, one that I know is more powerful than even my most worthy opponent and one I know I can trust." Ganon said, his eyes landing on Mathias for a moment.
"And you've selected me?" Kanthos inquired.
"I have my own battles to fight, certain individuals I wish to kill with my own hands, as I recently lost two allies I need someone to command my forces while I personally take care of the more powerful enemies, and someone who can stand up to a more powerful opponent if need be, something my current compatriots have proven unable to accomplish." Ganondorf growled. The memories of Shilara and Naora easily being bested by the Hero and Princess' friends flashing through his mind. "If you join me, I will personally make sure your vengeance comes to be." Ganon said with a smirk.
Kanthos cautiously made his way forward, stopping a few steps from the demon. "I accept." he said, narrowing his eyes as the man let loose a maniacal laugh, going quiet as he gestured to a nearby dune, Kanthos falling into utter shock as all manner of fearsome beasts cresting it and charging forward.
"Then let's get started." Ganon replied.
oOo
Link and Zelda followed the Hero's younger sister, the girl looking back at them every now and then to make sure they were keeping pace.
"Wait a moment." Link said with a smirk, Zelda looking at him curiously.
He ran forward, scooping up Nika with one arm, the girl letting out a surprised yelp.
"Why were you up in that tree? Surely you didn't know I'd be coming." he asked.
"Big brother, put me down." she said, kicking her legs."
"Did someone chase you up there?" he asked, releasing his sister.
"Nooo." she replied with a laugh.
"I bet it was Nort, wasn't it, or maybe Korin..." Link said, a playful tone to his voice. "Maybe I should give them a thrashing." he said.
"They were just mad because I'm better with a sword than them." she replied with a pout.
"So they did chase you into that tree." Link said.
"I'll get them later." Nika said as she continued forward.
"I'm sure." Link replied, sending a smile back to Zelda.
"Your sister's turning out a lot like you, pouting and all." Zelda said with a laugh."
"Speaking of siblings, where's Audrik?" Link asked.
"Your friend Kallil invited him for dinner, as far as I know he accepted." Zelda answered.
Link laughed, "A year ago Kallil would have struck me if I said he'd be having dinner with the Prince some day."
"Unbelievable things do happen." Zelda said, leaning her head on Link's shoulder.
Nika ran up to the door and knocked enthusiastically. "Mother! I'm home, I'm home!" she called.
The short blonde-haired, green eyed woman opened the door and smiled at her daughter before looking up, a stunned look falling upon her face as she saw her son standing behind a Nika, a tall young woman at his side.
"Hello mother!" Link called, smiling as his gaze met hers.
Link's face suddenly held a look of fear as his mother charged him, delivering a smck across his face. "Three months and no word! For all I know you could have been dead!" she shouted so loud the whole village could probably hear.
"I'm sorry! I've just been very busy! That's it!" Link said, holing his hands up as his mother eyes him warily.
Zelda slid one foot back cautiously as his mother placed her gaze on her, confusion striking her as the older woman smiled warmly.
"And who is this beautiful young woman?" she asked.
"Oh, this is-" Link said, looking down as Nika cut him off.
"She's Link's wife." the young girl answered.
Link's mother's eyes shot open, a stunned look on her face. "Wife?" she asked, looking between the two.
"No, well, not yet I'd say, we are to be married soon." Link said, sending an warnin glance at his little sister.
"Well that's a relief, if you had married without telling me, I'd have to smack you again." the woman said with a laugh, Link and Zelda laughing nervously and Nika genuinely. "So what's your name?" she asked, looking at Zelda as they made their way inside the humble dwelling.
"Well..." Zelda said, turning her attention to Link.
"Mother, I know this may sound strange and you will not be inclined to believe it...but...well...she is thee Princess Zelda." Link said, awaiting his mother's reaction.
Shock took over her face as Link's mother looked the woman up and down, suddenly pausing as she placed a hand on her face, beginning to laugh. "Oh yes, I'm sure you've made good on the promise you made of bringing home a Princess...now truly, what may I call her?" the woman laughed.
Zelda raised an eyebrow and looked at Link. "Bringing a Princess home, eh?" she asked.
"Mother, there is something I must tell you, it has always been the truth, but only something I've recently become aware of." Link said, meeting his mother's gaze.
"Son, you're starting to worry me." she answered, Nika looking on curiously as well.
"This may be hard to accept, but it is the truth." Link added.
"Well what is it?" she asked, exasperated.
"She is Princess Zelda...and I am the Hero of Legend." Link stated.
She wanted to laugh, but decided against it as her son actually seemed convinced of what he was saying. "You can't possibly believe this." she said, her worry beginning to grow.
Link sighed, removing his glove and raising his fist. "Remember, I'm still your son." he said, hoping his mother's reaction wouldn't be too extreme. He held his fist next his face, the mark of the Triforce glowing dimly at first, and then so bright the house was filled with golden light, Link calling letting it die down as he saw the shocked expression on his mother's face.
"It's...it's true." she said as she looked over to Zelda. Suddenly her vision grew fuzzy as she stumbled back, her head spinning. "Mother...Mother!" was the last thing she heard.
oOo
Erris made his way through the Castle's courtyard, the cuffs on his wrists and ankles tightening slightly as he entered. Though they didn't bind him, they bothered him due to the fact that with a snap of a guard's fingers they'd be drawn together...and then he'd be bound.
"I've proven that I'm here to help, can't they take these ridiculous things off?" he groaned, jabbing one cuff with his fist.
"I guess they're really cross with you for stabbing the Princess." Cia said, looking straight ahead.
"You two! Quiet down!" Viscen commanded as they approached the entryway, the guards glaring at Erris as he walked by. "Remember, one wrong move and I activate the cuffs and manacles." Captain Viscen growled.
"I've shown you one of Ganondorf's hidden dungeons, is that not enough?" Erris asked aggressively.
"You did only show us one, and you couldn't even gain us entry." Viscen argued.
"The one is the only dungeon I know about, and I told you, you can only gain entrance if you hold a peace of the Triforce." Erris responded.
"You'd think after being defeated so many times he'd do away with that method, seeing as the hero and the Princess can easily enter the dungeon if they so desire." Cia mused.
"You! You're only here because the Princess ordered it, if it were up to me you'd be in cuffs and manacles, too." Viscen replied.
"You can put me in them if you want, can't promise you'll keep me in them." she responded cheerfully.
Before Viscen could respond a trio of guards led by the Sheikah Lemuria approached.
"Minister Hawkwood demands their presence." the Sheikah girl announced.
"Fine." Viscen responded, starting forward.
"Just them." Lemuria stated, placing a hand in front of Viscen.
"But I've been charged with looking after them!" Viscen argued.
"We're more than capable of taking it from here." Lemuria stated.
Viscen clenched his teeth and stepped aside, allowing both to pass.
"Don't like having your job taken by a young girl, Captain?" Erris shot as he walked by, Viscen taking a step forward with a growl, but eventually stepping back after receiving a glare from Lemuria.
"What business does the Minister have with us?" Erris asked as they ascended the stairs.
"He wishes for us not to discuss it outside of our destination." the Sheikah girl answered.
"If you'd allow me to, I can teleport us there, it would make this all go a little faster." Cia said, gesturing up the stairs.
"That won't be necessary Lemuria answered, the guards next to her relaxing after readying themselves to stop a possible escape attempt.
"So, is he going to give me another talking to and send me to find a dungeon in a forsaken wasteland again?" Erris asked with a smirk.
The Sheikah girl didn't answer, instead keeping her attention ahead.
It wasn't long before they reached a room with large iron doors, inscriptions lining them from top to bottom.
"What is this now?" Cia asked.
"Minister Kain Tonbridge's experimentation room." the girl answered.
"Minister of Sorcery, is he not?" Erris asked with a smirk. "Does the greatest sorcerer in Hyrule need my help?" he asked in a condescending tone.
"Maybe if you didn't act like so much of a...well...Prince, people would trust you more." Cia said, smiling at her son's unamused reaction.
As the guards opened the door Erris and Cia stepped in, noticing a large amount of sorcerers, healers and researchers of many different types gathered around. The Prince looked over to the side to find two Knights speaking with the Minister of Royal Affairs, he craned his neck as they passed, listening in."
"You have no news of Mathias? None at all?" the darker haired Knight asked.
"My apologies Sir Trystane, but I have not heard anything since he was sent to the Arbiter's grounds." Minister Hawkwood said.
Erris averted his attention, realizing the topic of their discussion was the Knight he hired to steal the Scepter of Gamelon. He suddenly stopped as he bumped into the guard in front of him, Minister Hawkwood having noticed, and stopped them.
"Master Erris, Lady Cia, I'm pleased to see you could be here." he greeted.
"Cut to the chase, Minister." Erris said, catching the dark haired knight glaring at him.
"We need your help identifying a certain substance used to turn our own guards against us...they mentioned Ganondorf's name, and we thought, as one of his servants-" the Minister said before being cut off.
"Stop right there." Erris growled, slowly approaching the older man. "I was NOT his servant! I was his equal! If anything he worked for me!" Erris yelled.
"Riiiight." the blonde Knight said, his gaze resting on Erris.
"Come on Thrakon, I wish not to be in the same room as him." Trystane said, glaring at Erris.
"Fine, fine." Thrakon replied as he followed him out.
"Your just going to let them leave? Weren't they here for protection purposes...or something." Erris said, having calmed down slightly.
"Actually, they're the ones that found our subjects, and bested them." Minister Kain Tonbridge said as he made his way into the room.
"What do you have for us?" Cia asked, her nervousness getting the better of her. If Ganondorf was involved, this wasn't going to be good.
"This way." the Minister said, leading the, into the next room, Erris' eyes widening as he noticed that each and every Sheikah was in the room, all gathered around a man who was strapped down to a table. As they made their way closer Erris cringed, the man's veins were swollen, his eyes were white, and his mouth was stuck, twisted into a manic grin.
"Oh, more people, how grand! I'll kill them too when I get out!" he said, a loud laugh echoing from him.
Erris' breathing became faster as he looked up at the Minister of Sorcery.
"I know what this is" he breathed, he had heard Ganon speak of it, but didn't think he'd dare use it.
"Do tell." Impa cut in.
"The veins, they're filled with a black liquid in addition to blood, correct?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right." the Minister answered.
"This is the work of a creature called "the Son of the Horror." Erris asked, balling his fists.
"Are we in danger?" a healer asked.
"Do you have any ranging squads that are out after dark?" Erris asked Minister Hawkwood.
"Why yes, we always do." he answered.
"Then yes, we're in a good amount of danger." The Labrynnian Prince said, a look of severity on his face.
oOo
Naora screamed as she fell, going quiet when she hit the ground, groaning as she felt it was wet. She straightened up, finding the home she once shared with Kai and Shilara run down and dilapidated, the walls and ceiling falling apart.
She sheathed her scimitar, managing to have held onto it after being thrown off the Castle wall in the distant land her husband had heartlessly invaded. The Gerudo woman forward on a support beam, resting her head against it. She fought back tears, the Gerudo were too strong to cry, something she had been taught since a young age, but at the same time, she felt as if she couldn't help it, he husband had been turned into a monster among monsters, she had given up a life with her people for him, she had run away from all she'd ever known and fought for him, and he didn't think twice about killing her.
Rousing herself, she walked towards the door, barely even placing her hand on it as it fell over, exposing the world outside to her. It was just how she remembered it, overgrown and full of toxic water, the Lost Woods never changed. She recalled all they days Ganon would leave, looking for something in the swamp he was never able to find. She cautiously made her way deeper into the wild, sparing one more look at the now ruined house before she could no longer bare it. She hacked away roots and branches as she continued, she had to find her way out, once she made it to a more inhabited part of Hyrule she could begin searching for a way to reverse what had happened to her husband and bring him back to the man he used to be. She pushed the thought away, but inside she knew it was more likely that she'd have to go to the Hero and the Princess, her husband needed to be stopped, that much she knew.
She stopped as her foot hit something, she pushed the underbrush away with her sword, revealing the rotted head of the wooden puppets the being known as "Skull Kid" attempted to attack them with, they had made short work of them, but the Skull Kid managed to escape somehow, off to parts unknown, to be honest, she'd forgotten about him. It was just then she heard a cry of distress, the Gerudo woman took no time to make her way through the foliage and into a meadow beyond it. She stood still as she processed the situation, looking on in confusion, before her a small girl she thought to be a Zora was attempting to fend off two rather large Lizalfos, she dashed down the slope, and upon reaching them, threw her body weight into the back of the nearest Lizalfos, the beast toppling to the ground.
"Looks like we forgot some of you." she said with a grin, the Lizalfos she knocked over regaining it's footing and joining it's comrade.
"Stay behind me." Naora said, placing a hand in front of the girl.
"I can help." the Zora girl said, holding up a silver staff.
"Don't worry, I've done this before." Naora said as she slowly approached the two Lizalfos. One jumped, the Gerudo woman ducking under it's sword before jumping up and intercepting a sword strike from the other. She leapt out of the way of a downwards slash, hitting the ground and striking the Lizalfos in the thigh. The monster screeched in pain as the blade made contact. Naora ran forward, fading back out of range of it's blade, as it missed her, she jumped, kicking the sword out of it's claw and darted in, stabbing it twice in the chest.
"Watch out!" the Zora girl yelled.
Naora turned to find the other Lizalfos puffing it's chest out, mouth glowing, she looked on as a stream of fire poured forth, heading directly for her. She brought up her sword, but found to her shock a wall of water washing over the beast, putting out the flame. Looking down she saw the Zora girl directing the water with the staff, she quickly recognized it as the staff that King Laorik carried into battle...the Zora had managed to take it back with them during their sudden escape...and if she had it...that meant-Naora was woken from her thoughts as she heard the girl scream, the Lizalfos turning it's attention to her.
The Gerudo woman grabbed onto the dead Lizalfos' scaly exterior, heaving it above her head and tossing it at it's friend. She smirked as the still living Lizalfos let out a sound of alarm as it was knocked over by the body of it's comrade.
"Don't forget about me!" she yelled as she rushed in, slashing the monster across the throat as it attempted to get to it's feet. Naora kicked it down as it bled out, turning to the Zora girl.
"Thank you." she said quietly, looking at the slain Lizalfos.
"That staff." Naora said, stopping as the Zora girl began to hold it closer.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you...my name is Naora." she said, smiling in an effort to make the girl feel safer.
"You're a Gerudo." the girl said.
"What about it?" Naora replied.
"My father said Gerudo were bad, because of Ganondorf." she replied.
Naora sighed as she sat down next to the girl. "He hardly represents all of us, I saved your life didn't I? And if I'm not mistaken, you saved me too." Naora said with a smile.
The young Zora girl smiled slightly, looking up at the older woman. "My name is Kyra."
Naora's eyes opened wide as she heard the name, Ganon had mentioned the Zora Royal family a couple times in passing, but she mad sure to remember the names. "You, you're the Zora King's daughter!" she exclaimed.
"Please, don't take me back there, the Zora form Termina, they just want to rule my people, they don't care about my father, they don't care that he died, I just want to be away from them." she said, a tear falling from her eye.
Guilt welled up in Naora as she watched, she didn't participate in the battle, but she saw Shilara off as she went to join it. "That staff, you stole it, didn't you?" she asked.
"...yes." The girl admitted.
"Well then, I can't take you back can I? They'd probably take it away from you, and well, you're pretty talented with it." she said with a smile.
"You're not going to take me back to Zora's Domain?" she asked.
"No, I'm not, besides, I owe you for saving me." Naora said.
The Zora girl looked away before turning her attention towards the Gerudo woman. "I...I didn't mean to end up here, in the swamp...do you know how to get out?"
"I do, want to come with?" Naora asked with a grin, the Zora girl responding with a hopeful smile.
The two stood up, walking off into the woods.
oOo
Thanks for reading Chapter 33, I hope you enjoyed it!
Gerudospirit: Glad you liked the ending! Naora was never too into Ganon's plans, but stayed because she was his wife, but after this and his transformation she's done. And now you know where the necklace lead her! Thanks for the review, I hope you enjoyed the read!
Feel free to leave a review and let me know what you thought!
Thanks for reading!
-Prometheus17