Dark's POV
Six months had passed since the fall of the hero, and Hyrule had become a land shrouded in darkness. The once vibrant kingdom was now a desolate and oppressive place, its people living in fear under Ganondorf's iron rule. As his loyal knight, I had been complicit in the transformation of this once beautiful land into a realm of nightmares.
The skies above Hyrule were perpetually dark, a thick layer of storm clouds always blocking out the sun. The vibrant colors of the land had faded, replaced by a monochrome palette of grays and blacks.
Castle Town, once the bustling heart of Hyrule, was a shadow of its former self. The cobblestone streets cracked and overgrown with weeds, and the buildings in various states of disrepair. Windows were shattered, doors hung loosely on their hinges, and the once lively market square was now eerily silent. The stalls that had once been filled with colorful wares and the cheerful chatter of merchants were now empty and abandoned.
The Inside of the castle was no better than the outside, the throne room had been transformed from welcoming to hellish. Strange carvings and dark tapestries cover the walls and the air is thick with the oppressive weight of dark magic. Ganondorf's throne, a massive structure of dark stone, sat at the far end of the room, his malevolent presence casting a shadow over all who entered.
As I stood by Ganondorf's side, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the darkness that surrounded me. The power he had given me was intoxicating, but it came at a great cost. I had become his enforcer, his weapon, and the people of Hyrule hated and feared me. The darkness within me had grown, and every day it threatened to consume what little remained of my humanity.
Ganondorf sits on his dark stone throne, his presence commanding and sinister. His eyes glow with a malevolent fire as he surveys the room, a cruel smile playing on his lips. To my left, in the shadows of the room, stands Princess Zelda. Her once regal appearance is now marked by the harsh realities of her imprisonment, but her spirit remains unbroken. Her eyes burn with defiance, a silent challenge to his tyranny.
The grand doors at the far end of the hall creak open, and a group of Ganondorf's minions drag in a prisoner. I am shocked when I recognize that the prisoner is Renado, the shaman from Kakariko Village. His clothes are torn, and his face is bruised, but despite his time in Ganondorf's dungeon he still walks with his head held high. The guard shoved him to his knees in the center of the room, forcing him to look up at Ganondorf.
His cruel smile widens. "Renado of Kakariko, You stand accused of leading resistance efforts against me. You have defied my rule and aided those who oppose me. How do you plead?"
Renado lifts his head, meeting his gaze without fear. "If my only crime is helping the people of Hyrule escape your tyranny then I plead guilty," he says, his voice strong and unwavering. "Hyrule will never be yours."
Ganondorf chuckles darkly, leaning back on his throne. "Brave words for a man about to die." He turns his gaze to me, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Kill him."
I could feel everyone's eyes boring into me. My heart starts pounding in my chest, the darkness within whispering insidiously into my mind. My hand trembles as I draw my sword, the metal hilt cold and unforgiving against my skin. I can feel my humanity slipping away with each step towards Renado.
Renado, despite his torn clothes and bruised face, stood with a dignity that seemed to defy his circumstances. His eyes shone bright with defiance.
For a moment, I hesitate, memories of my time with Link flashing before my eyes. The laughter, the camaraderie, the shared dreams of a free Hyrule. Could I truly forsake all that?
"Do what you must," Renado said softly, his voice cutting through the haze of my thoughts. "But know that Hyrule's spirit cannot be broken, and neither can mine."
With a shuddering breath, I tightened my grip on the sword. "I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice barely audible. With a fluid, merciless motion, I plunge the blade into his chest.
The room erupted in cheers from Ganondorf's minions, but their triumphant shouts sound hollow in my ears. I stared down at the lifeless body, my hands shaking. The weight of the sword seems unbearable now, its hilt slick with blood.
"Well done." Ganondorf says, his voice dripping with cruel satisfaction. "But next time, try to make it more entertaining."
I nod numbly, moving to resume my position besides him. I spare a glance at Zelda, and see her eyes filled with tears—not of anger, but of pity. That look cut deeper than any blade.
