Chapter VI – Life is the Stake for Freedom
This time, Ganondorf had no complaints in drinking the red potion Dina put in his hand when he was at the infirmary. Even though it tasted disgusting as ever, at least he did not had to be afraid of paying it back. Once this day was over, he would be a free man without any obligations towards the arena or his owner anymore.
Ganondorf was more certain than ever to win this tournament because even though he had to take a lot of hits in the battle, and especially the stabs from the last clash still hurt, his wounds were not serious ones. With the treatment he got he could attend the next battle with nearly his full power. And with that one he was unstoppable.
Yet even if his injuries would have drastically impeded his health and make it impossible to attend the next fight, he would have been forced into the arena anyway. In that case, he would have gotten paired up with a fighter who would have been told to stave off the inevitable outcome without making the battle dreary. This was only to ensure that it lasted long enough and the audience was pleased before the wounded would die.
"You're in a good mood. Won your first fight, didn't you? Congratulations." The familiar voice disrupted Ganondorf from his thoughts. "But I would've been disappointed if that one had made a fool out of you."
Ganondorf turned his head to the side and looked up to Karlos. "You?" he stuttered after the first surprise had vanished. "I thought none of the trainers were allowed here."
Karlos shrugged his shoulders. "Let's just say that I had some sweet-talk with Dina to persuade her that I can meet my trainee without anybody being informed about it."
"Well, whatever," responded Ganondorf indifferently. "But did you truly expect anything else than me winning? I hope not. But thanks for your trouble to get here and congratulate me on the obvious."
"Boastful as ever, aren't we? Sometimes I wonder if I will miss this obnoxious attitude of yours once our ways separate today," groaned Karlos while his hands hit his upper legs. "But that wasn't the reason I came here. I came here to give you a little… advice."
"If it's one of these lectures again, then spare me with it. I know what I'm doing and I will win this. No room for 'ifs' and 'buts'."
"Listen, Ganondorf. I know the other contestants and the one who will probably be your next opponent and therefore…," continued Karlos unimpressed, but he was soon interrupted again as he caught Ganondorf's attention.
"You know? Who is it?" He was curious even though he had no doubts he would have the upper hand in the next encounter as well. Still, there was no reason why he should not use the advantage to gain knowledge of his foe before the battle even started.
"Listen, Ganondorf. I can't tell you too much since I've already disregarded the rules by meeting you here. But let me say it this way. There is no denying that you're strong but you can also easily become blinded by your own powers and lose sight of any danger." Karlos paused shortly before he continued undeterred, because Ganondorf released an annoyed groan as he hated, even despised it when Karlos talked to him in this way. "My advice regarding your opponent is, be careful outside in the arena. There is someone in this tournament who might not reach your strength at all but he has other powers to compensate it. You can beat him if you do not make the mistake in underestimating him. Keep him at distance. At every time. Don't let him close to you and especially, don't lower your defense and open yourself to him, even if you think victory is yours. Because if you do, it will be your doom. Trust me."
"Laughable," answered Ganondorf plainly and with a wave of his hand he turned the advice off. "You've become senile in your old days. There is no one here who can take on me. And you know it. I survived all these years and lived on only for this tournament. I have to win this and will win this. I'm not allowing any other outcome except this one."
Karlos sighed, audibly annoyed by Ganondorf's confidence. "Do what you want. But remember, pride comes before a fall." He walked towards the door and once he reached it, he turned around a last time. "Just don't cry on my shoulder if you fall. If you're still able to do so and don't rest six feet under."
The sand whirled under Ganondorf's feet once he crossed the arena again on the early afternoon. The time had come for the second round to begin. His opponent already waited and while standing next to each other, they again mumbled the oath towards Azett before parting.
Ganondorf found his foe surprising. Despite he hated Karlos' lecturing, he did not put it off entirely this time. The stake for this tournament was too high and the price too valuable to blindly force his way through it. But he could not see how this opponent could prove to be dangerous. Not at all.
Not only was he small in height, his body build was average at the most. A leather armor protected his body, but it would be no match for his blade to slice through. He did not even possess a shield to empower his defense and even his weaponry was underwhelming as he duel-wielded shortswords which had a restricted range. Though they had to be the reason why he should not let him come near.
Ganondorf grinned. If there was not any catch like his enemy being able to transform into a more powerful beast, this opponent would not stand even a small chance. This one was inferior, in strength as well as in defense. No reason to complain though. It made things easier. A lot easier and in the end, a victory was a victory.
Azett raised his hand, a loud sound echoed over the arena and without hesitation, Ganondorf and his foe drew their steel. The man did not make any further movements.
"Are you coming?" Ganondorf walked slowly towards his opponent. "Otherwise, I do." The man remained silent, only wielding his weapons in front of him. Since he wore a leather helmet that covered his face, Ganondorf could not tell what caused his hesitation. If it was fear or a plan.
The crowd cheered once Ganondorf dashed towards him, ready to slice his sword through his stomach. He launched the attack. He did not hit and the sword only cut the air. The opponent had avoided it by quickly stepping aside and counterattacked. His shortsword only hit the steel of Ganondorf's armor. He paid it back with another assault, but it only scratched the armor of his opponent before it fizzled out in the air again.
No denying, he was a fast. His speed compensated a great part of his lacking strength and his light armor, though low in defense, proved to be an advantage for his agility. Yet Ganondorf did not hold back. Remorselessly he began attacking. A slash from the right. A slice from the left. No matter how fast the enemy was, he could not dodge all of these attacks. And he left only few room for a counter. He attacked. Again and again. Hitting flesh and air alike in a never ending series of assaults.
Their steel bit into each other. Second by second. Minute by minute. Even though red spots of the opponent's blood covered both their armors, the heavy one of Ganondorf slowed him down. The man's body was cluttered with injuries, yet none of them cut deep. They did not stop and especially not defeat him. A thing Ganondorf had to change if he wanted to get the upper hand because his stamina was drained due to the man's agility. He would not hold up to it forever.
Once again Ganondorf charged at the enemy, the steel at hand. The attack. A quiet groan. A bleeding chest. Again, no deep wound. The man dodged it while jumping to the side, preparing for a counterattack. This time, Ganondorf had awaited it, made a sidestep, being face to face with his opponent now. His opponent now unable to unleash his onslaught the way he meant to.
Ganondorf grinned. Unfortunately, he could not see the man's expression but he smelled his bafflement. And fear. Only a second later, his sword rushed down and up again, devouring leather and flesh, from shoulder to groin, painting his steel in blood-red.
This time, the scream of pain reached even the audience's ears. Loud and clear. Ganondorf did not hesitate. The defense of the enemy was low. And the weak spot needed exploitation. With his other bare hand he punched him straight into his face. A cracking sound of broken bones echoed over the battlefield. With it, Ganondorf had sent the man flying off, his two blades resting towards his own feet now.
Ganondorf took the chance when his opponent landed on his back a few meters in the distance. He rushed towards him, making a quick jump. The sword pointed towards the earth, he was ready to impale his rival and send him to the afterworld. When he dashed down, his steel only hit the sand. The man rolled to the left, barely avoiding his fate.
His enemy made it back on his feet with another somersault but he was weaponless. His body trembled, of exhaustion and pain alike. In the end, he could not escape the claws of Ganondorf anymore, who held his rival tight on his arm now, using the advantage of his raw physical power. No struggle would free him again and the sword, now ready to drink the enemy's blood. The second victory was at hand. No need to play it safe and keep the man at distance when he could end it right here, right now.
A searing pain occurred in Ganondorf's right shoulder. Instantly it spread through his arm, up to the hand, into the fingers. Remorseless. Unbearable. It robbed his strength. His fingers denied their work. As for the sword, wielded in the position to deliver the mortal blow, it slipped through them. It crashed on the ground.
Ganondorf's eyes wandered to the source of his misery. He saw it. Tiny and small. A dagger whose blade was forced through the small rift between his protective metal layers. It drilled through muscle and flesh, right into the nerve. Ganondorf realized this third weapon was the true reason why he should have kept his distance until the very end. A realization coming too late.
The same moment Ganondorf intended to grab it, his opponent warped it in the wound to worsen the injury. A blood curling outcry. The inflicted pain spread through all of Ganondorf's body and paralyzed him.
The man spoke to him for the first time. "I admit, I thought I was done for. I was afraid you never would keep yourself open to me. But luckily you became careless. And now, my false friend, it's time to turn the table."
Ganondorf looked in irritation at the man. He knew this voice. Very well. Before he could answer, the man pulled out the dagger with a flounce. Reflexively Ganondorf grabbed for the wound, his hand growing wet in an instant. His opponent barged against him and this time, he was the one that lost his balance and fell on his back.
The enemy came after him and kneed down on Ganondorf's chest, the impact only lessened by his heavy armor. His enemy targeted his head but Ganondorf was able to grab the attacker's arm before he stabbed the dagger through his throat. They both struggled as the man still tried to get his way to slaughter Ganondorf, but he lacked the physical strength to do so. Ganondorf forced all his power into his arm to threw the attacker off, who bit into the dust a few feet away.
With the time gained, Ganondorf crawled to his sword. When he tried to use his right arm, he only felt pain. It hurt. A lot. This enemy certainly knew how to hit the sensitive spot. He had to use his other arm. Again. He wanted to stand up, tackle his opponent again. All he felt was a cold force entering his body. It stunned him. Instantly. He did not move anymore once the cold power ate through his lower body.
A heavy breath. Not only his own but another directly behind him. He even felt it in his hackles. His opponent whispered, "You are too slow, Ganondorf. Unfortunate, your power loses all of its strength when faced with speed. My speed. Too bad for you."
At first, Ganondorf did not realize what happened. His hands trembled. His entire body trembled. His breath became flat. Apathetically he stared down. He saw it, under his armor. A bulge. And its cause stood right behind him.
"If you just had had a full plate armor, eh, Ganondorf?" laughed his opponent hatefully even though his voice trembled from exhaustion. "Then I wouldn't have found any spot to pierce my steel through you. But luckily for me, you don't have one. By the Goddesses, it's over. For you!"
Now Ganondorf realized who his opponent was. This prominent laugh. It was unmistakable. "You… but why? Risaad…?" stuttered Ganondorf but he soon stopped as he noticed that speaking worsened the pain.
"Oh Ganondorf, this was always your problem," responded Risaad. Ganondorf felt that he must have had a cynical smile on his lips. "Just because someone is not an arrogant muscle-bound hunk as you are, it doesn't mean he's weak. But I don't expect someone braindead as you to understand." He paused, seemingly bathing in his pleasure of having the upper hand. "Yet one thing is for certain. I'm very glad that I finally met you on a proper battlefield. No one, not even a guard, interfered to shut up your arrogant mouth and robbed me of the desire to break your pride and self-confidence into tiny little pieces."
Risaad pulled out his shortsword and kicked Ganondorf in the hollow of his knees. He fell forward but he could not do a thing to lessen the fall. His right arm felt numb and the severe wound in his stomach area caused a state of shock.
He lay in the sand, his breath flat. Particles entered his mouth and the blood before his eyes, this time, it was his own. It could not be. He could not be defeated. Especially not by this man.
Ganondorf wished that out of nowhere he would regain his strength. Receive a new power source. Maybe even a divine prank to change the outcome of this battle once again. He would give everything to gain such power now. Even his life. His soul. His very being. If it just meant he would not lose to this man. To everyone but not him. No. Not him.
Risaad did not end it. Instead, he stepped over Ganondorf and pushed with one foot against his body to force him on his back. He had to close his eyes for the sun burned into them but he saw that Risaad wielded his shortsword. Soon he would feel the deathblow.
It did not occur. Ganondorf felt a weight lowering down on his chest. He groaned. Breathing became even more difficult as it already was though at least a shadow covered his face and he was able see again. Albeit he wished he never had opened his eyes again as the only thing he saw was Risaad's face with a smile of victory raging all over it. It was even visible through the blood which ran down on it from his broken nose.
"Don't give up on me so soon, Ganondorf. I've waited so long for this moment, so please, grant me the pleasure to spend some more time with you being at my mercy. You hear me?" Risaad pinched in Ganondorf's cheek.
The worst. Certainly the worst. The humiliation to be unable to defend himself, to even give an answer, unbearable. The pain that it inflicted mentally on him was far worse than the injuries on his body. He hated to admit it, Risaad achieved what he wanted. He broke his pride.
"There's one thing I've always wanted to tell you when the right moment arrived. I hope you have enough strength left for this because I would regret it if I had wasted my last chance," said Risaad, unusually serious and his face darkened. "Do you have any idea why I detested you straight from the day I first saw your ugly nose?"
Ganondorf did not answer him, breathing alone was a challenge. He could only release a gasp but it did not hinder Risaad from telling him. "You reminded me of those bandits who robbed me of everything I held dear. But even when they finally got what they deserved after losing the Great War, I got nothing back. Absolutely nothing! And when I struggled to survive and got caught by following a gang of thieves, I was stranded here. But that wasn't the worst. Do you know what was?" Risaad braced himself on Ganondorf's right shoulder who screamed out of pain.
He could not hold himself together anymore and was on the edge of losing his consciousness but Risaad let go. He even loosened the weight on his chest. "I saw you! You, who looked like one of them!" He paused and seemingly had to keep his aggression under control when he glared at Ganondorf. "But the worst was, you were still a child in the same age my son would have been if those bandits hadn't provoked this cursed war in which he died. It wasn't fair that some lowlife like you survived when my own son wasn't allowed to see another day."
Due to his bad condition, Ganondorf barely heard Risaad. Even less he understood the meaning of his words or their relation but Risaad had not finished. "Though I must admit, it wasn't that fair of me. Even back then I knew you aren't one of them. You can't be. But I don't regret my aversion at all. Your arrogant behavior proved that you're no better and especially don't deserve better than them."
Risaad's expression became mischievous. "But we should end it now. The audience is waiting and they should applaud the winner. Me. You've got what you deserved. That's all that matters. But I truly wish they will spare your life." Ganondorf looked doubtfully at him, though he believed that Risaad must have an ulterior motive. "Oh, don't get me wrong. It's because I would love to see you having to endure fighting in this arena until the very end of your pathetic life. Or that you chose your own death out of desperation. That would fit scum like you very well."
Without any other forewarning, Risaad braced himself against Ganondorf's shoulder but with more force behind it. At this point, it was too much for Ganondorf's body to handle. His outcry reached all across the arena before everything turned into a blank and dark slide. The end of his road had come.