A sharp pain burst through her chest that startled her to her senses. She inhaled a deep breath as if she emerged from the depths of Lake Hylia after being trapped for eons. Fierce coughing forced her to tremble and brought tears to her eyes. The contracting and expanding of her lungs fighting to work simultaneously made her cry out like a wounded animal.
The stone floor beneath her flesh was cold. Even before she opened her eyes to the glaring light her head throbbed. Her sight was misty, like a coating sealed or protected them. No matter how she rubbed her eyes the world did not focus. Using even her smallest muscles to twist her wrists sent shooting pain through her nerves. While her body was the size of a mature adult, her muscles were infantile and her mind full of dense fog.
A voice called to her, which was at first muffled like cotton clogged her ears. The word became clearer, but her comprehension was slow.
"Ganondora."
My name, that's my name, she realized. "Who's there?"
The voice chuckled in amusement. It seemed to come from every direction. "I am the Desert Goddess, and I have restored your life, chosen one."
"My life? I..." In one sudden flash, hundreds of memories rushed to her at once. Her breathing quickened. She saw a blonde girl, a young man with brown hair, the battle ground, the white sword and silver arrows. Dora lie flat on her back while her heart raced with the fresh panic of battle. Comprehensive thought came slowly, as did simple words. "Why?"
"It is time for evil to rise again," the goddess announced proudly.
Dora's eyes shot open and she screamed as all of her muscles cramped in unison. Her strength returned, so she rolled over to rest on her elbows and knees. "We were killed."
"That is correct, child. That was five centuries ago," she calmly explained.
Dora pressed her hands against the floor to prevent from falling over when her head suddenly became light.
"Do you remember who you are?"
She nodded in response, while inspecting her naked body and slowly rising to sit up.
"Excellent. Much has changed about the world," the Desert Goddess explained. "I expect you may be shocked at first. You have always been adaptable, so I trust you will adjust quickly. I have given you the ability to speak both the ancient and common language to make your task easier."
"Task?" Dora wondered, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes. I am ashamed to admit I only have enough strength to bring one of you back to life. I need your help."
"Ganondorf," she responded anxiously. "Human."
"Yes. He no longer possesses the Triforce, so he will be revived as the man you married," the goddess promised.
Dora smiled, which made her cheeks ache.
"Be forewarned, the reason my power has dwindled is because the desert has nearly disappeared," she cautioned. "The last storage of my power is this temple built by your great ancestors. As the world changes, so does the climate. Hyrule's population has grown vast. As the desert fades, Hylians build their homes on our land."
"Gerudo Valley... is gone?" Dora asked, her eyes narrowing.
"If we do not act quickly, yes. Din, Farore, and Nayru have done nothing to aid me, as if they wish for my destruction. I plan to make them regret that decision."
At last, the Gerudo Queen was able to stand and faced the statue of the Goddess of the Sand built within the grand temple deep in the desert. "What must I do?" She was glad to finally form a full sentence.
"It won't be simple. You must remain conspicuous. There is no doubt your emergence into the world will awaken the mark of the hero on his descendant. To revive your husband, you will need the blood of the chosen hero, and Hylia's human vessel. Bring the blood you collect back here and I will give you further instructions. For now, I must rest. Good luck."
The voice was gone, and Dora was alone. She decided to stretch her renewed body by exploring the temple, before running head first into the new world. The statue, and the room housing it, was unchanged. When she stepped through the doorway leading to the exit, she received a shock.
The walls were lined with shelves containing ancient Gerudo training swords, shields, quivers filled with arrows, old pottery, and plates. All of the artifacts were once an important part of Dora's life. It was as if someone tried to preserve the Gerudo history. The next room contained glass cases set on tables, all of them locked, protecting rare crystals, gems, valuable minerals, and even jewelry that she could recall her comrades once wore. Why was it all lying around for everyone to see? The Gerudo Fortress was destroyed long ago, so how was all of this still around? She felt violated, as if someone had forced their way into her home and stole all of her sentimental possessions.
Dora gasped. A faceless sculpture of a head was contained in a tall glass case in the center of the room, but it was what decorated its forehead that left her in surprise. "My crown!" She approached it quickly, and a closer look revealed that her sword, a wedding gift from Ganondorf himself, was also in the glass case. She quickly became enraged that her most precious belongings were locked up on display like some trinkets! She spun right around to retrieve a dagger from the wall in the previous room. She beat the pommel against the glass case until it shattered, and recovered what belonged to her. The chain of the crown was pure silver that always glistened, and the gem was a bright orange that shined with its own light. It set against her forehead just as perfect as the day her king bestowed it upon her. The sword was even more memorable. The point of the blade curved to one side, and her full name was engraved along the length of the blade. The pommel boasted the Gerudo symbol, while the Triforce was emblazoned at the center of the hand guard. Dora let a smile pass at the memory of the day it was gifted to her as she attached the belt around her waist.
The last item she grabbed was a cloth from a shelf, which she wrapped around her head and draped over her shoulders to conceal her body. Satisfied, she set out to explore the world. Dora only needed to step outside the museum to see how her home was new and strange.
A refreshing breeze filled with the scent of fresh blossoms sprouting from the dry dirt welcomed her. The sun was only setting so the air carried the slightest chill. The rolling dunes of sand were gone and the plain was flat as far as the eye could see. Tall, dry grass covered the edge of the world in one direction, while a group of tall homes was scattered in the other.
The astounding and most infuriating part was that these people dared take over her desert as if they owned it. Was their population so out of control they needed to invade sacred territory? Dora swore to cut their numbers down to size.
She marched toward the village.
The revived queen was stunned at the hard paths covering the ground. What could they have been for? There did not appear to be anyone out of their homes, and all of the small shops were closed. The black path at her feet led straight by all of the stores and out of the village in the direction of Hyrule Castle, so for the time she would stick to the road. Except, the open windows of the stores constantly stole her attention.
There were plenty of shops: Stores that sold produce, gadgets, and strange items she did not recognize. There was this upright pole and connected to it was a bag, wooden chairs and tables with outrageous price tags, boxed drinks and bagged fruit, and this weird bowl connected to a square tank. It seemed as if everyone went to the store to buy what they used to make at home. It baffled her that they survived without a smithy, a leatherworker, or even a bakery, like she would have found in Hyrule Market years ago. How would they buy those delicious cakes?
It was the clothing store that caught her attention. Dora gawked at a set of clothing on display using a life size doll. She looked like a real person, stuck in one position for all eternity. This girl wore an outfit that Dora needed to have, and nothing would stop her from owning it. The top was leather with a v-shaped chest, and buckled down the front that stopped just above the naval. A flared skirt with the back longer than the front clung to the hips. Most of all, the leather knee high boots with buckles caught her eye. She tried the door and found it locked. Dora unsheathed her sword and smashed the blade through the glass. It shattered with the sound of a crash that echoed, and could have brought the entire village running. She picked up the doll wearing the clothes, and then ran before anyone could investigate. A mile down the road, she slowed to a walk, tossed away her rag, and dressed in her new clothes.
The sun was completely set, and her pace remained the same. Dora recounted all of the information the Desert Goddess gave her. The simple thought that she already reverted to her primal instincts of stealing to survive made her kick the hard ground and laugh.
Her next thought reminded her that the distance to her destination was great, and it would be almost morning before she arrived. No, she needed a way to reach Hyrule that night.
Bright white lights shone from behind her and engulfed her. Her shadow shrank as the lights drew closer, but she walked on to avoid showing fear. This large, square, metal object on wheels slowed to a stop behind her. She jumped from the side of the road and gripped the hilt of her sword. The window in the door of the beast rolled down to reveal a Hylian man with brown hair and brown eyes calmly sitting there. "It's an awfully long walk to Hyrule, miss. Would you like a ride?"
Dora freed her sword from her sweaty grasp. She struggled with the words to respond. Her mind knew what to say as if it was instinct, but the muscles in her mouth fought to form the words in the new language. "Yes, thank you," she finally said, kindly. The man hopped out and opened the door behind his as a courtesy. She timidly slid inside the car and asked, "How fast does this go?"
"Well, I haven't tried to push the car too hard since it's brand new, and cost my parents five thousand rupees, but it's much faster than walking," the driver joked with a laugh. "I'm Perry, and this is Raiden."
Dora was fascinated by that information. As the man who opened the door for her entered the car again, she realized the grand opportunity presented to her. "You can call me Dora," she responded politely. The car started to move and she discreetly gripped her seat out of fear. She memorized the detail of the stick in the middle that the driver shifted, and the pedals on the floor he pressed. The machine's operation did not appear complicated. "Where are you boys from?"
"Oh, we live back there in Rauru Village, but we are going to our friend's house in the city of Hyrule to help him prepare for the big celebration for Zelda's birthday tomorrow," the passenger, Raiden, explained.
"Remind me, how old is she now?" Dora asked, playing dumb.
"Sixteen! We are nobles, so we are hoping to be selected as possible suitors. A lot of men are turning out for the event. You might even be able to find someone to settle down with," Perry advised, offering kindness.
"That sounds nice," she said simply. It was difficult to avoid admitting she was married, but she needed more information first.
"You are going to the celebration for the princess, aren't you?"
Dora chuckled, "Oh, no. I don't think I'd be invited."
"Why not? The whole kingdom is going to be there," Raiden exclaimed.
"Is that so? I might come along then. I have an urgent matter to handle in Hyrule first."
"Oh, does it have to do with the Knight's Guild? Is that why you're carrying a sword?"
She shook her head. "Knight's Guild? No. Call me old fashioned, but I feel safer with a sword." They were oblivious, and nice, but that was upsetting for Dora. Much time had passed since her last reign as queen, and obviously life had been so peaceful that they could not recognize her as Gerudo, recognize her crown. It was disappointing that she was not able to inspire fear in them yet. "Is the Knight's Guild a secret? I have not heard of it before."
"Not really. The Knight's Guild is made of all the descendants of the Knights of Hyrule from forever ago. Hardly anyone believes in their ways anymore, not even some of their own members. It's a dying guild. Hyrule is at peace, and it always will be," Raiden said with certainty.
Perry was skeptical. "I'm not so sure. That could be just what they want you to think."
Knights of Hyrule? That was exactly the information she needed. Certainly, if her presence had awakened the hero, he would be with them. She just needed to ditch her two witnesses.
"What do you think?" Perry asked, breaking her thought. "Do you believe in all the mumbo jumbo?"
Dora considered her answer for a moment, and said, "I believe it, without a doubt. It would be unwise to forget your history, because it has a way of repeating itself."
There was silence in the car for nearly a minute. "Are you from around here?" Raiden inquired to move away from the topic.
"I was born and raised back there in, what did you call it? Rauru Village?" Dora recalled with a chuckle. "It wasn't called that then, but I have been gone for many years."
"Oh, are you noble? Were you away for academics or something?"
"Royalty, actually," she said proudly.
"That's cool. Oh, is that your crown?" Raiden asked, pointing to the center of his forehead, the place where her gem sat.
"I thought Zelda and her family were the only royal family around," Perry pointed out. He glanced at Raiden and they shared confusion.
"Oh, I wasn't born royal, goddesses no. I was a warrior, fought my way up from the bottom with all of the odds stacked against me," Dora explained intensely. "My king, he has this deep desire, more than you have ever desired anything in your life, and I dreamed of helping him satisfy that. I achieved that dream, he possessed the Triforce, and we conquered Hyrule. But we were defeated." She stared at the mirror in the middle of the front window, and found the driver stared at her with shock.
"You're a Gerudo," Perry gasped, frozen by her fierce yellow eyes.
"Born, raised, fought, died, and now I'm back," Dora said with excitement. She ripped out her sword from its sheath and pierced it through the seat in front of her to impale Raiden. His blood quickly soaked the white upholstery while he screamed in horror. "Ganondorf, the King of Evil, will soon return and claim the Triforce to conquer Hyrule," she yelled proudly.
"Oh, shit!" Perry shouted, and brought the car to a screeching halt, which did not help his friend's situation. Raiden's head dropped to the side. "Raiden! Raiden! Dear Goddesses you killed him!"
"Oh? Hm, I didn't realize. I'm sorry. Should I have killed you first?" Dora asked playfully.
Perry fumbled for the car door handle as she pulled her sword back. He shoved the door open, but his legs were numb with terror and made it difficult to run for his life. Dora exited the car and leaped onto the hood. She jumped down on the opposite side and chased after Perry. The full use of her muscles was returned, and she was like a wild cat chasing her prey. Finally, she jumped onto his back and sliced his neck, cutting all vital connections to quickly end his life.