Chapter Sixteen:

Turning Point

The Dark King sat on his throne. His most loyal demon allies were on either side of him, with the exception of one. He stood not far off with sword drawn behind a young man kneeling in front of the throne. With the rebels starting to get bolder under the direction of Impa, the former royal nanny that was supposedly the last surviving Sheikah, one could never be too sure.

On the outside Ganondorf's stoic face showed no indication on what his thoughts were. Inwardly he smiled as he looked upon this mysterious lad who claimed to be a Sheikah. After all it wasn't everyday that one of the true hyrulian folk declared his loyalty to him. There had been others who had come in the past seven years, like that Ingo from Lon Lon Ranch, but he had seen through them that their only goal had been to assure their petty lives were sparred. He knew also of the possibility that this young man could be a spy sent by the rebels, but for now he chose to dismiss this. If this Sheikah was really a rebel spy he would deal with him in due time. For now however this lad could prove entertaining, he thought bringing a crooked smile to his lips.

"Rise, " he commanded.

The Sheikah did as he was told, standing straight. Ganondorf stood up and observed the lad, watching every detail on how the Sheikah reacted to his towering status. All hyrulians who ever defied him personally, shrank back in fear and uncertainty in the end. Well…all except for the Gorons, who had a bulkier built and knew that no sword could harm them. Those Gorons that did defy him ended up in the stomach of his pet dragon, Volvagia.

To Ganondorf's astonishment the Sheikah didn't even flinch, there was even an aura of calm defiance surrounding him. This would be interesting indeed.

"What is your name and why are you proclaiming your loyalty to me when no other of your fellow country men are? Why do you think I am the true ruler of this land and not that pathetic excuse of a king that sat on this throne before me? " Ganondorf questioned.

The lad looked up to the Dark King and looked him in the eye. "I am Sheik. You removed the weak from the throne when no other had the guts to do it…That makes you a true leader."

Murmurs of approbation filled the room.

Ganondorf laughed in spite of himself. "Well spoken boy, you speak the truth." He suddenly turned very serious, "However those were just words. Words that even a well trained slave can say in order to please his master in hopes of a favour or even his freedom."

"Then if proof is what you need then state your token," Sheik shot back getting irritated. "I am not one to lull the mouse to sleep to capture it. I mean what I say. I'm not one of those pathetic hylian nobility fools."

Ganondorf grinned. "I like you Boy. Straight to the point instead of empty promises like those fools you just mentioned or those spies the rebels keep trying to implant in my army." He sat back down crossing his legs and resting his head against his left fist. "Your first task will be to kill the red head woman living at Lon Lon Ranch and bringing me the mare called Epona. The horse was supposed to be a tribute but that witch ran of with it."

Sheik nodded taking in the information. The demon standing behind him sheathed his sword.

"One more thing. Do be careful on your way out. My demon creatures don't have a fondness for Hyrulian folk. You were safely let in and will be safely let out only by my order. Out there you never know, accidents happen," grinned mischievously Ganondorf.

Sheik raised his brow and glared. He then bowed and turned, starting to walk down the red carpet leading towards the exit. Half way there he stopped suddenly and slightly turned his head. "Consider the deed done," and he was gone.

Ganondorf stroked his chin, deep in thought. The other spies usually blanched on hearing the various task that was appointed to them and never came back. This Sheik didn't, and even went as far as to boldly announce that he really was going through with the task. Still it remained to be seen. But if he did, and was truly serious about his devotion then he could truly be a formidable asset to have.

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Zelda sat on the steps leading to the alter in the Temple Of Time. In the stone tablet shone the three spiritual stones. Her heart still pounding fiercely from the fear of being discovered. Zelda knew little about the actual functioning of her Triforce piece but she was glad it didn't start to glow like it did at Lon Lon, that would have truly guaranteed her death. Instead as if sensing the danger she was in, it had taken control over her and made her act and say things that she would have never been able to do without arousing suspicion. Still she had been lucky that Ganondorf's self confidence blinded the Triforce Of Power from sensing it's counter part.

At least thanks to the guidance of the Triforce Of Wisdom, now she had a hint of trust among Ganondorf's closest allies and had managed to convince Ganondorf she was on his side. On the way out of town all the other minions gave her a hard time, but had left her unharmed. Even the Re-Deads let her go through without as much as a second glance. Ganondorf must have telepathic powers and had given his minions the information that she was one of them, she thought. She stored the information in the back of her mind.

Zelda sighed deeply. The hardest was yet to come, she would have to find a way to convince Ganondorf that she had killed Malon and find an excuse as why she wasn't able to bring back Epona. Once the task was over and she was accepted among Ganondorf's ranks, it would only be a matter of waiting for the right time to strike and assassinate Ganondorf. That seemed to be the Triforce Of Wisdom's council. But then what? Sneak out and run to Kakariko and announce to the rebels they just had to kill the demons, wait until they're done and then announce who she really was? Claim back the throne then?

She turned around and was about to leave when she heard the strangest of noises. A deep rumbling reverberated throughout the temple's foundations, similar to a long rumbling thunder. The sound of granite scraping against stone suddenly followed.

Not knowing what to expect, Zelda quickly turned around drawing out her dagger from her boot. To her astonishment the stone mural in the back of the temple was slowly sliding back into the left side of the wall. The mural had been hiding a sort of antechamber with an elevated platform in the centre of the room. On the platform was a pedestal surrounded by six strange yet familiar symbols.

In a flash she knew what this room was. Legends spoke of this room as a gateway to the Sacred Realm. Had the Kokiri boy from so long ago been here? Was this room revealed to him after placing the Spiritual Stones and playing the Song Of Time? Was this where Ganondorf had killed him? Zelda suddenly remembered what those symbols represented. Those were the symbols representing the six sages, guardians of the sacred temples throughout Hyrule that acted as barriers to prevent evil from entering the kingdom. Splendid job they did, thought bitterly Zelda. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps Ganondorf had killed the sages even before showing up at the castle seven years ago.

Suddenly images emerged in her head from the Triforce Of Wisdom and she knew who they were. Or at least who they were supposed to be. According to the Triforce Ganondorf hadn't killed them, as a matter of fact didn't even knew who they were. He only had a vague idea and had sent his demons into the temples to prevent the magic of the temples from calling out to the chosen ones. Zelda was stunned to know that she was supposed to be their leader. Even more importantly the Triforce told her who the Hero Of Time was and that he was going to be here shortly. So the Kokiri boy was still alive after all. She was glad.

However she couldn't understand why he had been chosen as the Hero Of Time, how could a child bear so much responsibility and the fate of the kingdom. How was he supposed to defeat Ganondorf? Zelda felt cheated by fate. Her childhood dream vision had promised a strong man, and destiny had given her a child warrior. She sighed heavily and waited for his arrival.