Author's Preface:
I apologize for the delay in getting this out; life became hectic very quickly.
The Lord of the Beasts gave a loud roar as it slammed its claw downward at the proud Gerudo. With a slight grunt the King of Thieves dashed to the side, avoiding the hit by a slim margin. His feet slid slightly in the sandy arena, but he quickly steadied himself and continued walking closer to the giant monster.
The beast roared again, its eyes flashing with anger as it dragged its forearm across the sandy pit to sling the desert dweller away. Ganondorf saw the attack coming, and grabbed the limb as it approached. He climbed up onto the beast's arm, running up the giant appendage before the beast could shake him away. He launched himself from the monster's shoulder, slamming both boots into the monster's jaw before propelling away. Despite the monster's mass it reared back in shock. The crowd above went wild at the display, screaming in excitement.
Ganondorf hit the sand and rolled back to his feet. He watched the beast recoil back while trying to control his breathing. Without a proper weapon or magic, he really didn't have a chance against the beast. It would only take one lucky swipe from the monster to pin him without an effective way to fight back. He glanced at the pile of rusty weapons by the main gate. The age and chipped appearances of the gear confirmed to him that the equipment was beneath him. Well, at least he had one weapon still at his disposal: a weapon neither the monster nor the hylians would expect.
Ganondorf was brought out of his thoughts by another attack from the monster. He dodged another claw from the creature, but the monster was ready this time. It tried to bring its other claw down on his head after rolling. Ganondorf saw the attack coming at the last second, barely avoiding it by dashing back towards the first claw. He was now standing between both clawed hands with the beast looming over him. For the first time in the fight, he saw a brief glimmer of intelligence from his opponent.
He was in a bad spot admittedly, a claw to his left and right. The imbecilic crowd above was enjoying his predicament based on their nonstop jeering. He waited in apprehension, ready for the beast to try and slam its massive claws together with him in the middle. But the attack never came.
Instead, the beast opened its jaw and breathed a cloud of black acid toward the Demon King. The Gerudo growled in annoyance as he flung himself over the creature's left claw, rolling off the large mass. The creature was ready for such an act and turned its clawed fist, attempting to grab the Gerudo in its sharp talons. Ganondorf barely slipped by, the claws tearing the end of his cape into a ragged edge as the fist closed.
Ganondorf was panting now as he rolled back to his feet. He eyed the sand where he had been standing mere moments before. The acid had landed into the sand in large puddles resembling filthy black tar. Acidic smoke rose from the piles as it sank into the sand. Ganondorf eyed the beast with renewed vigor. So it does have some surprises… he thought as his eyes followed the monster's movement.
The beast was getting impatient. It began attacking more rapidly, throwing fists and claws in an effort to end the pesky Gerudo King. Ganondorf meanwhile moved in a controlled manner, avoiding the attacks with precision. He dodged the beast with patience, waiting for the moment when the creature would become careless. The King of the Gerudo did not have to wait long.
The beast missed with its claws, Ganondorf slipping by both with ease. His speed far outpaced the lumbering monster. The Lord of the Beasts roared at Ganondorf, trying to predict where the man would be next. It breathed its terrible acid at Ganondorf's right, expecting the man to dodge into the disgusting barrage. Instead, Ganondorf stood still and proud, a half grin taking over his face sas he darted towards the creature's midsection above the sand. The beast realized his intent to approach and tried to bend over itself to see him. Finally, the crowd above could not see the last Gerudo.
"Now beast," he grunted out as a claw sped towards him. "My promise of true power." Ganondorf summoned his one indomitable weapon, a force neither Sheikah, hylian, nor goddess could deny him. The one thing the hylians were unaware of and therefore could not hope to fight. Ganondorf felt the rush of energy as the Triforce of Power answered his call, a gold light shimmering around him as the claw slammed into him. He let it force him against the beast's midriff. The force of the blow would have crushed any lesser man, but not a Gerudo in possession of the triforce. The crowd above watched in some confusion, unable to see underneath the beast's mammoth body.
The creature started to pull away, expecting another bloody smudge like all the hylian convicts. Instead, Ganondorf dived through the creature's opening fingers. He grabbed the beast's claw, using the impossible strength of the triforce to drive it into the sand, palm up. The monster tried to recoil in shock at being manhandled so easily, but Ganondorf did not relent. He pressed his arm up against the tip of one of the monster's claws, grunting in pain as he forced the razor sharp end of the claw underneath the Sheikah bracelet that had cut off his magical Gerudo heritage. The claw sliced him badly as he wedged it firmly under the bracelet, but he knew the triforce would not allow him to bleed out.
As soon as he was sure the claw was solidly against the inner diameter of the bracelet, he released his pin on the monster's limb. It immediately tried to pull up and away, just as Ganondorf had expected. He used the power of the triforce to muscle downward against the giant beast's attempt to lift its claw. Neither entity would give up the fight of force, and the Sheikah ring started to stretch. A second later it snapped with a loud clang, the metal bracelet slinging across the arena as the beast was finally able to rear itself back up to its full height.
Ganondorf chuckled, low and soft, as he felt the force binding his magic dissipate. He summoned purple energy to his right hand, relishing in the power he once again had access to. For far too long he had been without it. The beast had meanwhile recovered and now attempted to slam its claw against the Demon King once more as the man was distracted.
Ganondorf didn't even look up. He reached his hand out, and purple energy rushed out to meet the attack. The energy exploded on contact, slamming the monster's fist back. The warlock used the opening to perform a magically enhanced backflip, kicking the monster's jaw with a mix of muscle, Gerudo magic, and triforce energy. Purple energy rushed around him as the beast's monstrous head was slammed all the way to the far side of the arena as though hit by a catapult, roaring in agony at the unexpected force of the blow.
Ganondorf landed back at the outside of the arena, purple energy flowing around his arm. Up above the crowd's excitement had turned to shock, uncertain of how he had suddenly regained his magical power. He could tell even from this distance that the grand arbiter had gone white as a poe. The Demon King let out a full laugh, filling the arena with the menacing sound.
"Oh you foolish hylians, so arrogant and careless," Ganondorf yelled out, his voice clearly carrying up to the crowd. "You seek to control and mock that which you do not understand." He laughed again, watching guards shift and people panic. The King of thieves glanced at the giant monster. It was still attempting to recover from his blow.
"Do you not realize that the Gerudo are of the desert? The desert that is fierce and untameable?" Ganondorf saw the slimy arbiter slipping away from the balcony, waving for guards and soldiers. He summoned a purple ball of power in his fist.
"Did you not think its people were the same?" He flung the magical projectile up at the arbiter. The ball exploded next to the judge, missing the hylian but causing him to scream and dive. Ganondorf grinned as he heard the idiot's groans for aid.
The beast was fully recovered now, and it apparently had realized that Ganondorf was far more powerful than he had initially appeared. The massive reptile-like monster widened its jaw and tried to swallow Ganondorf in an instant. It moved faster than most men could respond and offered no chance for the man to dodge.
Ganodorf launched purple energy at the beast, forcing it back. The warlock jumped further than a normal man could, landing to the side of the beast. He launched another magic orb at the beast, scorching its face and blinding it. The King of thieves leapt up on its shoulders with another magically enhanced jump. He swiftly avoided a sluggish claw swipe before leaping up to the beast's head.
He halted for a moment, finding his purchase on the massive creature's forehead. The monster tried to shake him, but to no avail. Ganondorf muttered a quick incantation, following the instruction of the twin witches who had taught him. The Demon King lifted his hands above his head and between his palms formed a purple and black energy ball. As the beast tried to shake the powerful Gerudo, he continued to feed the sphere energy. The beast finally reached its claws up to smash the Gerudo, but by then it was too late.
The King of the Gerudo slammed the massive orb into the beast's head, causing an explosion that rattled the arena. Dust and sand was flung everywhere in a shockwave from the massive strike. Ganondorf himself was flung from his perch, landing in front of the gate. He slid several feet on his knees before his hand found purchase. The king slowly stood to his full height, cape flowing behind him as he glared towards the arena to see the impact of his magic.
The beast's head and body was stretched forward from where it had been driven into the ground from the blast. Its head now featured a prominent scorch mark where Ganondorf had slammed his magic into the beast. But it was not yet dead, for it still breathed. The beast had a thick hide, Ganondorf needed more than just magic.
He raised his right hand, muttering a chant. The hylians above were in a panic, many scattering from the balconies after the magical explosion. Most of the guards behind him watched Ganondorf's fight mesmerized, too cowardly to step in. They probably were still praying Hylia would have their pet monster swallow him. But not all the hylians were so indecisive.
From above one hylian soldier fired his crossbow at the Gerudo King, obviously hoping to end him whether it was sporting or not. The man probably thought it was a smart choice, but instead would prove fatal. Ganondorf easily dodged the bolt and returned fire with his left hand. A purple orb hit the guard, knocking him from his perch and making him fall into the arena below. Ganondorf continued his incantation the whole while.
The beast was starting to recover, its red eyes blinking open as the shock from the Gerudo magic subsided. Its red eyes lost their haze, and the Lord of the Beasts realized Ganordof was standing motionless in front of it. With a roar it lashed forward to crush the Gerudo warlock in its jaws. Gandorf rushed the last few lines of his spell, and jumped forward as well.
As the summoning spell finished, a massive blade appeared in the Demon King's hand. Pitch black in color, it was almost cleaver-like in design. While large enough to cause many to struggle with its weight, Ganondof wielded it like any other blade.
Ganondorf used his magic to jump higher than the beast's jaws. He brought the coal black blade around and drove it into the beast's skull. The creature's momentum aided his attack, and the magically enhanced blade cut into the monster like butter, all the way up to the hilt. The Lord of the Beast's head fell into the sand, never to rise again alive.
Ganondorf growled in satisfaction as he withdrew the ancient Gerudo blade from the dead monster's head. He jumped into the sand, laying the blade across his shoulder. He looked up for a second, realizing every balcony was empty. No one had stayed for the end of the exciting execution. The Gerudo King's evil laughter filled the now empty arena. Hylians really don't like the script changing…
His merriment was interrupted by the arena gate opening, chains rattling as the massive iron entrance lifted. A slow clapping filled the arena as Grand Arbiter Martivus made his appearance. The fat man had found time to regain his composure and was looking far too confident for Ganondorf's liking. Twenty guards followed the short man as he moved into the arena.
"Well, well." the Arbiter started in a scoffing tone, "The King of the Gerudo managed to conquer something in his time… too bad it wasn't Hyrule." The man laughed at his own joke, but none of his guards joined him. Ganondorf shifted the blade in his hands, a slight growl emerging from his throat.
"Congratulations on postponing your execution." the man continued, as though he was merely talking at a court trial. "You may put on these new restraints, and we will look at getting you a proper execution arranged." One of the guards threw a Sheikah bracelet at the Gerudo King, identical to the one he had worn at the start of the fight. Ganondorf stared at it for a moment before breaking into a harsh, loud laugh.
"Oh Arbiter," Ganondorf said in his scathing voice, "I will miss your ignorance." The arbiter's face broke into a frown, and the rotund man cleared his throat.
"In the name of Hylia and all that is holy, kill him," the overweight man stated, as though pronouncing judgment. He even dramatically pointed at the King of Thieves. Ganondorf wonders if he forgot that he had already announced his sentence a few days ago. It just wasn't sticking.
The twenty guards tried to rush Ganondorf with their spears. The tall man swept his hands to his sides, and a purple wave of magic arose from in front of him. With a cutting motion from his sword, the dark magic swept forward, hitting the guards like a tidal wave. The entire group was flung away, their bodies slamming into the arena walls and sand. The sounds of bones cracking and screams of pain filled the air. Surprisingly, only one figure remained standing after the powerful magic.
"I told you, it is the goddesses' will that you surrender." The Arbiter stated, his rotund figure completely unharmed. Ganondorf growled at the tiny man that dared to obstruct him. The arbiter had the gall to shake his head as though in pity.
The King of thieves dashed forward, swinging his massive black blade at the Arbiters chest. He was stopped dead by a translucent gold barrier between him and the peacock of an arbiter. The sphere-shaped barrier glowed a golden color, and Ganondorf's blade pressed against it to no avail. The Arbiter smiled.
"I am the High Arbiter of these grounds, everything in these walls are under my control. It is my destiny to bring the goddess Hylia's will to your unholy people." The plump man raised his right hand, revealing the many rings that were slipped over chubby fingers. Ganondorf continued to attempt to force his weapon down on the short man, but It was as though a solid surface existed between him and the flaunty official. Martivus pointed to one ring in particular, a ring decorated with a familiar eye symbol.
"To ensure I could perform this task, the Sheikah gifted me something precious. An item designed to protect its bearer of all things touched by your filthy kind. Anything of Gerudo blood or make may never touch me." The arbiter leaned forward with a mocking grin. As he did so the bubble-shaped barrier moved with him, pushing Ganondorf back a few inches. The Demon King gave up his futile tug of war, backing up a step to disengage with the barrier.
"To be ordained by a goddess, you depend a great deal on baubles." The Gerudo King hissed. The arbiter chuckled darkly, slipping his hands back into his robes.
"Oh never fear, the Sheikah are only a means to an end, but this little ring was actually made with the help of your people. I think you should know that, seeing that you claim to be their king." The Gerudo man snarled, his annoyance growing with the untouchable bureaucrat before him.
"No true Gerudo would aid the filthy dwellers of Hyrule. Your kind have been on top for far too long," Ganondorf growled in a quiet voice. Surely his people would not betray him? He was their king! A gift after centuries of suffering! Somehow the robed weasel before him sensed his outrage.
"Oh fear not, great king!" the arbiter stated mockingly. "Or should I say, former King? Regardless, I never said they were willing to help with the ring's creation." Ganondorf's eyes narrowed as he realized what the fat fool was implying.
"Oh no, it just required their blood…so so so much Gerudo blood. But we were already executing them, so no harm done. It is a shame that…" The arbiter's mocking voice was drone out by a howl of fury from the Gerudo King as he saw red.
The black blade slammed against the barrier. Followed by another blow, and then another. Again and again the Gerudo warlock forced the blade against the magical sphere before him. Nothing changed in the barrier, and when the king finally stopped swinging he was heaving for air.
Grand Arbiter Martivus looked up from inspecting his goddess ordained fingernails as the rain of blows finally ended. He gave an exaggerated yawn.
"Have you finished your tantrum?" the man asked in a bored voice. If glares could kill, not even the magical barrier could have saved the short judge from Ganondorf's wrath. Instead the rotund hylian waved his hand, and Ganondorf found himself encased by a new golden sphere.
The sphere that now entrapped him was identical to the protective barrier the arbiter had used. Slamming his fist against the sloped interior, Ganondorf realized how hopeless his position appeared to the arbiter. He growled at the insolence of the weak hylian before him. The judge narrowed his eyes in concentration and the sphere began to shrink. The arbiter smirked as though he had just realized something.
"Behold, I just received a message from the divine! Hylia just told me to end you immediately through the crushing force of this ring, instead of waiting for a second execution. It has been a pleasure, King of the Gerudo. May your race be forgotten forever." The bubble tightened, forcing the Gerudo King to begin to pull in on himself. The arbiter's grin grew, resolving to crush the large Gerudo in just a few moments, only to disappear with the Gerudo's next words.
"Enough of these games…" The back of Ganondorf's right hand flashed gold as he had a sudden revelation about the magic constraining him. Gerudo magic may be helpless against the barrier, but he possessed something that was greater than both Gerudo and Sheikah magic.
The entire orb shattered like golden glass. Pieces of the former barrier flew in all directions before dissipating into the atmosphere. Ganondorf stretched himself back to his full height, an evil grin on his face. The arbiter meanwhile stumbled back as though struck. He started waving his hand in the air, frantically trying to recreate the barrier. Nothing happened, and panic started to fill his face as Ganondorf's quiet chuckle filled the air.
"No! No! That's not possible! Nothing touched by the Gerudo may harm that barrier!" the short man screamed. The man tried to run from the intimidating figure in front of him, but tripped on his long, ornate robes.
Ganondorf sauntered forward, past where the barrier had stopped him before, his sword dragging behind his right side. His cape blew behind him as his malice filled eyes indulged in the image of the rotund man completely helpless before him.
Martivus screamed as Ganondorf slammed his blade into the sand next to the arbiter's face. Ignoring the squeals of the hylian, He raised his right fist, showing the golden triforce plastered on the back of his hand. Any remaining composure in the judge disappeared as he realized the implications.
"No.. oh goddesses no…" the wide eyed arbiter murmured, his mind completely broken in terror. Ganondorf chuckled darkly.
"I think the triforce transcends your little trinket, arbiter." He leaned down to the arbiter's ear, where the man's panicked murmurs were more audible but no more cohesive. Tears started flowing down the broken man's face. The King of the Gerudo brushed a stray hair on the arbiter's head out of the overwhelmed judge's face.
"When you see the goddess that you claim ordained you, let her know that the Demon King sends his regards," the massive Gerudo man whispered. Ganondorf stood back to his full height, towering over the sobbing hylian. He spoke in a louder voice to the weeping form of Martivus.
"This prison may be yours, hylian, but it is merely a spec in the desert. And the desert is mine, arbiter, MINE!" With a flourish, the great king of the Gerudo kicked his blade up into his hand and decapitated the Grand Arbiter of Arbiter's Grounds. Moments later every single ring on the arbiter's hands were turned to dust under the intense power of the triforce.
Ganondorf turned his attention to the massive gate before him. The way to freedom should be clear now. No puny hylian soldier could best him in combat. He could waltz out of this place, slaying anything that dared to try and stop him. But to do what? My people… I failed you…
He had nowhere to go, no one to lead. This cursed place had taken all of his precious Gerudo away from him. A sudden desire for vengeance filled him. A desire for vengeance that exceeded his hate for the King of Hyrule or his pathetic daughter. Their day would yet come. No, he presently desired that this wretched place of execution be cursed forevermore. That the Arbiter's Grounds be forced into destruction and ruin. And he knew just how to do it.
With steely resolve and the disgruntled grin of someone who had lost everything, the King of the Gerudo strolled towards the coliseum gates, leaving the corpses of both hylian and beast behind.
Author's Note:
And so the Lord of the Beasts falls, never to rise again... well at least not alive. I hope this was an enjoyable fight for readers looking for some action. I intend to complete this work with one more chapter, finishing my head cannon of events at Arbiter's Grounds. My plan is to then leave the story right before the execution seen in game.
As always, let me know if you enjoyed and if any grammar errors took you out of the tale! I very much enjoyed writing Ganondorf bullying the hylians haha.
Best,
GrayGuard06
P.S. For any Smash Bros fans out there, I really wanted to include a giant Doooooryaaaaaah in the middle of the fight. While it would be hilarious, I felt it would take the reader out of the scene far too much (It feels about the same to me as making Link Hyaaah every time he fights). Please imagine this on any repeat readings as Ganondorf slays the beast :D