*more char descrip in 1st Ch, and 2 chapter added
Prologue
In the days before men ruled the earth and daemons fought them in open battle, there was the legend of a hero who could come every hundred years to restore the balance of power. It was a promise uttered from the lips of the Gods’ Din, Naru and Farou. And this legend was passed down by the people of Hyrule from family to family, holding onto this hope through the generations, through the darkest and most hopeless moments, and even through the long gnawing cold of the winter nights.
Chapter 1: The Burning Snow
It was growing dark, but the young man didn’t give up hope. He was a stout warrior clothed in a simple green vest and green Kokiri cap, which meant that it was fairly long and hung down in the back, the favorite of the fairy Kokiri children who lived in the great forest. His long blond hair also hung unkempt by his sharp nose, a sign of the lengthy and arduous fall season he had been through. Waiting patiently, the warrior stood poised at the edge of a small pool, perking his long raccoon ears in hope that the still reflection in the pond would begin to move. Suddenly, the triangular mark on the top of his hand began to burn a hot yellow.At this, the calm pond bubbled with excitement and the surrounding trees danced with the whistling wind. The melody of Din’s harp could be heard echoing through the forest, and without warning a great bow emerged from the pond. It was reinforced with Hylian steel and Deku bark, and as it came up the young man known as Link saw that it was glowing white. The inscription “to rid the land of evil’s bane” was etched in it’s old Hylian on the steel frame. Clasping it with both hands, Link held its magnificence firmly, wondering how even with the legendary bow he was going to triumph over the plague of evil. A feat he couldn’t even accomplish with his sword.
The days of the great kingdoms of Hyrule had long disappeared. Inside the ancient Library, the books which documented the tumultuous history of Hyrule were gathering dust, and Gannon lay sealed within the realm of forgotten time. But still during these years of peace, darkness had been growing. The ancient Hylian race was locked in a bitter war on two fronts. From the West, the fearsome Gerudo warrior women were building an army and marching almost daily against the grey walls of the castle. From the North, the rock creatures known as Gorons were united under the banner of Sharak, who was bent on reclaiming Hyrule and driving out the Hylian race. And to the East the fish people known as Zoras were barely repelling a band of water daemons and sorcerers. These thoughts kept Link up at night, and it made him very weary for the future of Hyrule.
When Link rode into the abandoned streets of Karaikoa with his steadfast companion Epona, the sky was dark and lifeless. He brought a long brown jacket which hung over his muggy boots and covered his wild hair and green cap. In the air, Link could feel winter begin to stir. Slowly the night shed its sorrowful wintery tears, bringing a deadly chill and an unending deluge of white snow.
The small ruined village was completely overrun with weeds and cracked steel, and as the snow began to fall it transformed the fallen houses and collapsed roofs into a large colorless mass. In the center of town a band of mercenaries were burning Deku wood and sackcloth to keep warm. To cover themselves, they had built a wooden canopy and used cloth to secure the roof. However, even against their best efforts snow was starting to collect on top and caused the roof to dip almost touching the fire.
By their side, they drank from flasks of water with the faded the inscription “Hyrulian Works,” and didn’t say very much to each other. As Link came up to them he could also see that even as the tall roof pressed in on them their eyes remained steadfast, affixed to the warmth of the fire.
“You know there’s nothing here, why do you keep coming back” one of the men asked Link, his skin was wrinkly yellow and over his damaged eye he wore a red bandana.
“The legend of the Hero of time is a very, very old legend. Even if you are the descendent of that hero, it won’t matter now. I’ve been to the killing fields, I’ve seen the battles. I’ve seen young and eager eyes just like yours fall beside me too many times, and I’ve watched those beasts devour armor like tender meat. Hyrule is a lost city. Please leave an old man to rest. Perhaps the numbing cold of the winter night will make my passing easier.”
The three men were silently staring at the fire. Link began to raise his voice as Epona, his companion horse, let out a cold snort.
“I have the bow now Uncle Turmong, I’m getting closer”
“But you lost the sword, without it you can’t defeat them…” Turmong replied.
“I am getting closer”
“Leave me be please, I wish it enjoy this night and the Music of Din’s fire”
Link turned around and gave Epona a good kick at her side. Together they traveled up the road and towards the nearby stables owned by Talon. Of course, Link thought, no one will believe me now. I am of age and the mark is here. But I lost the sword. I shouldn’t have tried to take all of those stalfos by myself. I shouldn’t have tried, but I had to do something… for her. Link stopped Epona for a moment, and then went on.
During the ride, Link could only remember the last image of his mother. It was the night of the first successful Gerudian raid into Hyrule. As his mother pushed him out of the door a snarling beast snatched her back into their house. The Hylian riders grabbed him quickly, but as Link looked back he could see his house burning deep orange and purple into the night. Link was eventually able to return and help rebuild the house, but the image of his lost mother never left him. This immense pain buried deep inside his heart, where it stayed for many years. Then, as Link approached the inn he saw another bright orange light shinning in the background which reminded him of that day, and he knew it was coming from the outer walls of the castle.
*
Inside the castle, a knight made a furious pace up the stairs to meet with his commander. “Sir, the Gerudos have pressed past the second wall. Their numbers are growing steadily and our swordsmen are barely holding them back” said the sergeant of the Hylian knights to his captain a highly decorated Sheik. A huge black eye was imprinted on the Sheik’s chest armor, and his face was covered with a grey turban making his reaction indiscernible and mysterious.
“Very well, we know there aren’t enough troops here this time around. Darn it, everyone’s out by the countryside trying to hold back Shark’s blood thirsty Gorons from the North.”
“What are your orders?”
The Shiek stood tall in his purple robe looking out across the horde of green Gerudo banners. Although the Sheiks were the elite magical guardians of Hyrule, they lacked the numbers to truly repel the invading force. In the front line, the Gerudos were aided by huge ogre beasts. As the ogres charged, the skilled Gerudo swordswomen followed closely behind them, making quick work of the remaining Hylian soldiers with their curved scimitar swords. The Hylian arrows were also easily absorbed by the dark marauding ogres and wave after wave of Hylian bowman were being ferociously beaten back. On this winter evening, the Shiek also saw snow covering the massive Gerudian army revealing the full extent of their forces. From a distance this white mass looked like a huge serpent poised to devour its prey.
“We can’t sacrifice any more lives; let’s give the order to retreat. Take your knights and gather the remaining citizens, they want the king so I’ll stay here with a few of my trusted mages to defend him. As soon as you are outside the castle walls, make for the Zoras. If our enemies get near the fairy village drive them back, we can’t risk the Great Deku being destroyed”
“And what about you?”
“Mages and Shieks specialize in making an escape, we will join you shortly”
*
When Link approached Lon Lon Ranch, he had to knock on the large wooden door several times to get Talon to open up. The old man enjoyed sleeping a little too much, and Link thought it was amazing he ever got anything done. But after all, a good friend with a ready stable was hard to come by so Link tried to think warmly of old Talon.
“Talon!” Link greeted the old innkeeper heartedly. Talon emerged from the large door with a dim candle and gave a less enthused reception. He was a plump fellow and seemed if nothing else born for the long winter slumber. His barely pierced eyeballs looked up at Link and it took him a great moment to react.
“Ah Link… what’re you doing here at this hour? I thought you joined the war campaign with your Uncle?”
“No, my Uncle, well, he was wounded and so they discharged him and I was allowed to stay with him”
“Where’s your sword I don’t see it…”
“Well, that’s part of the reason why I was allowed to stay with him”
“I see. Well it is very hard training to become a Hyrulian soldier. It took me a couple tries, and then some more. Well, come to think of it I was never cut out for the army, but hey you’re a lot different!”
“Err…thanks. Say Talon do you have any openings in the inn?”
“Well for your horse it’ll be fine. But we’ve gotten a lot of business lately so I can’t give you one of our standard rooms. But I can put you up in our private guest room, what do ya say?”
“With Sarah?”
“Watch yourself Link! You’ll be right next to my room the whole time, and if you say something like that again I might just make you sleep in the stables.”
*
The green banners of the Gerudian army were flying high in the wind even in spite of the heavy snow falling down around them. As the army marched into the castle, the Gerudian Leader Lussia was barking out orders from behind. Her eyes were glowing fiery red and her black ponytail was waving violently in the wind. Covered with a purple cloth, her face was warm and shielded. Riding high on one of the famed desert horses, the woman looked out over the ensuing destruction with a wide smile. Finally, after years of mounted attacks and countless deaths, the land which had been tainted was reclaimed and cleansed. The Hylian dogs who had told her she could never be anything more than a female servant would now suffer at her steel blade. The hypocrisy of the high court sickened her. The once grand council of Hyrule was nothing but a bunch of bickering old men, unable and unwilling to bring true justice to the land. With the Gerudos, a new order would be established and peace would finally come, not just for a few Hylian people but for all races. No more would fairy children and Gorons live separate from the mighty Hylians, or would men feel superior to women. All would be equal under her rule.
One of the messengers approached Lussia from the frontline,
“Commander, we are preparing for the final assault. What are your orders?”
“Clear the gates of the castle I want to meet face to face with the king who made me become his servant and who banished women from his high court and royal table!”
As Lussia passed the horde of ogres and Gerudo women, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of deep pride. With her hands this army had been created. Through years of struggle this band of disparate nomads had grown in tremendous strength to become grand female warriors. The glistening shields bore the serpent of her mother’s family line across the front. And on their bodies the ogres had painted snakes and hawks in honor of Lussia’s father, the man who was assassinated for trying to bring women into the Hyrulian nobility. Wild cheers surrounded Lussia as she climbed up the stairs towards the last bastion of the kingdom, the Hyrulian palace.
*
Link found sleep to be extremely difficult. When he was away from Epona he often worried that someone might steal her, or for some reason or another she just might run off in the night. These thoughts plagued Link and he left the small room, crept over the snoring Talon and sat down at the table in the main living room. Suddenly, he heard a melody coming from the windowsill:
There was fire in the days of old,
hot embers burning white,
Red passion turning a golden glow,
Now to none we have found a way
The restless fire has dimmed grey,
Evil saves itself for night,
And fire lacks a lustrous light.
Such is the fate Din would bring,
Such is the fate of lost fire,
If o ever if, it comes to pass,
I’ll sing for joy at the promise,
I’ll sing for joy with a Fire’s Breath.
If o ever if, it comes to pass,
I’ll sing for joy at the promise,
I’ll cry At last At last At last!
The sweet voice of Talon’s daughter Sarah was soothing. Link saw her beautiful silhouette propped up against the window and vaguely outlined by the half moon.
“They say,” she said “that the Goddess Din used to give men passion to fight. When they were out in the midst of battle, alone and away from their families she would comfort their souls. She would give them the strength to fight again. And even if these men knew the battle was hopeless, they would sing to her and their spirits would come back.”
“Do you think Din still hears our songs?” Link poised with question with all seriousness, but he had stopped believing in the power of Din or the three goddesses to change the tide of war.
“One can never be sure of anything. But I know the night is warmer because I sing. And I know this is the warmth of Din. A song in itself can’t do much. But a song with the heart can move mountains, and it can bring the strength and courage of the Gods close to your sword.”
Then Sarah cleared her throat and as came closer to Link with heavy eyes: “Tonight there is more sorrow than I can bear. Death and darkness surround us, and the shrill voice of peace is being smothered by the falling snow. But because you are here I know that all is naught. Even if you don’t believe it, you bear a special mark and just like’s Din’s warm breath it has a deeper power than you know. A power to change the course of things, a power to move the heart”
*
Shiek approached the King who was watching patiently from the window as the ogres and Gerudos were converging on the palace gates.
“King, you know what must be done. I will do my best to defend you, and we will try our best to get you safely outside the castle, although it’s doubtful we will all escape unharmed”
The king looked up at Sheik, and his old sunken face was extremely solemn. “I remember this castle was given to me by my father. He said that evil had been put to rest here. He would stay up late and tell me stories of great battles with Gorons, Zorons, Hylians and even Gerudos fighting together. They were great stories about victory over an evil sorcerer who plagued the land with disease, death, and darkness.
But now I know these stories were just children’s tales. The Gorons are as hungry for power as the old Gerudian wizard Gandorf, and those fearsome Gerudo women are purely evil. The world cannot be united together as it once was. We stand divided, and it is of little consolation if I survive to secure a crumbling world. I failed to purify the land, and I failed to secure the bonds of friendship forged in those years long past.
If I survive, I have no future here. I will make a stand against this evil, and even if I fail, I will sing to Din to guide me through the long winter of my soul. Those who will stand with me, I will run my sword through the treacherous Lussia.
To arms men! Prepare for glorious death you deserve!”
As the king stood up a number of cheers went out across the table. His best knights would accompany him to this deadly end. They would drive back this evil knowing full well it was insurmountable.
The other mages stood horrified and tried to reason with the king, but Sheik replied in an equally solemn tone.
“King, you have helped us secure peace for many precious years. You will be remembered fondly. Quickly mages, let us hurry we must make our way—“
Suddenly, the doors burst open and two huge ogres approached the king’s throne. A few of the knights drew their swords and charged the ogres, but with their huge clubs the ogre’s easily beat back the knights and clobbered them to the wall.
Lussia entered with a coy smile running across her face. “Oh did I interrupt something your highness?”
The sarcasm of her words was burning. Sheik nearly charged the woman at this moment. “Get back you Gerudian serpent, you have no purpose tainting this land”
Lussia looked squarely at Sheik.
“Strong words for a mere Sheik. But the strength of words will not be enough to save you from the wrath you deserve. My women wait outside eager to tear you apart, and to parade our new prizes of war all across the city.”
The king emerged to meet Lussia, his robe strode quietly along the floor and he moved with the confidence of a king, but the cautiousness of a prisoner.
“You, you truly have the heart of the devil. There is not an ounce of purity left in you. Your lust for blood and power has made you blind to everything. Can’t you see those ogres are evil beasts and will betray you in time? And can’t you see that even your women talk openly of assassination behind your back? You run the corrupt race, and you should have stayed here on the side of peace.”
Lussia scowled with indignation. “Peace! You call cooking for your battle hardened soldiers peace? Its pure slavery, and you’re the one whose misspoken king. Your ways are more corrupt. You think that a Hylian by his nature is vastly superior to those so called ogre beasts that march with my army. Well if you could see past the appearance of my friends, you’d find a people with a heart to be admired. These brothers have stood beside me many long nights, and they have helped us rebuild the kingdom. These men and my loyal women have been by my side the whole time, committed to the dream of making Gerudo a strong people again. But alas, my words are lost on your pride and the pride of your race. And that is why I have no shame in condemning you to death. Soldiers, take this man’s head for the oppression he has wrought on this land!”
When Lussia turned, the king let out a battle cry. In a flash of bravery he leapt from his kneeling posture and drew his blade for the final stroke. As he descended, he swung straight at the Lussia’s head, but only grazed her cheek. Quickly Lussia drew her blade in retaliation and slew the king in the center of the room. The royal carpet was stained blood-red.
Then the elite knights broke off into a rage slashing wildly at Lussia, but she easily beat them back. And while the mages cast a myriad of spells at the ogres, they simply absorbed the blows and subdued the mages. During the battle, the Sheik commander cast a powerful explosive spell which momentarily stunned the fighting horde. After the dust settled, Lussia discovered that the Sheik and the remaining mages had disappeared leaving behind only the broken crown of their fallen king.
By midnight the great castle of Hyrule was completely torn asunder. Thousands of Hyrulian soldiers lay dead on the street and its great palace was empty. Throughout the night once majestic buildings were smoldering underneath the fallen snow.
CHAPTER 2: WINDS OF CHANGE
AwakeningThe nimble fingers of the morning wind brushed along the wooden panels of the Ranch, letting golden light pour in through the door. Link’s eyes flickered open, and he was full of hope that the night before had been a dream. This hope stayed with him as he stumbled towards the tavern, but as soon as he took in the sky he saw the billowing trail of smoke from the night before. Inside the tavern the men talked about the collapse of Hyrule and where they were going to go next. Link quickly pushed past these people and sprinted towards the stables. Suddenly Talon stepped in front of him, nearly knocking them both to the ground.
“Link, you can’t change anything now. You’ll die in vain. Don’t go back to the castle, please I’m begging you.”
Link remained silent and grabbed the reigns of his mighty Epona, as she galloped outside the stable. Her boisterous cry echoed throughout his burning heart. But there is no question Talon, he thought. I can’t let the dream die. I should have been there last night. I am the hero to bring balance… I must be. Snapping hard on the reigns, Link gave out a wild yell and together they set off for the castle.
The Deku trees lining the path to Hyrule were barren and shivering in the winter day. As snow poured on top of them, squirrels and many other small animals were forced to burrow far beneath the earth. The mighty auburn trees which had watched over the kingdom could no longer remain homes for the creatures of Hyrule. And as the snow began its long descent the squirrels, foxes, and little groundhogs sealed their wintery homes with brushes and twigs— closing themselves off from the outside world.
Each year, the snow descended like this with a hard unrelenting intensity, making it almost impossible to travel on foot or set up camp in the dense forest. Some said these cold winters had never existed during the time of the great kingdom, but most thought it had always been this way, and some winters, just like some seasons in life, were perceived to come particularly hard.
The bright sky of the morning day was now overcast with thick clouds which gave the world a blue desperate overtone. As the wind whistled in through the valley floor Link could only hear the hard panting of Epona. Every now and then he stopped to give her some of his own Lon Lon milk and to feel the briskness of Farou’s cold wind.
During this time, many Hylians took to mourning the passing of Din and celebrating the coming of Farou, the God of wind. Farore brought the brisk winds of change which assured the Hylians that fate was always in flux. In her honor, villages would throw extravagant parties in which grown men would dress as women and other creatures, while women and children would dress as kings and knights. The jovial feeling of these festivals contrasted sharply with the harsh winter. At the end of a series of stories and a great feast the village would gather together to prepare a giant fire. With the preparation of this fire, a dance in honor of Farore could commence.
Link remembered his first dance as a man of Hyrule. Together the villagers had gathered and joined arms around the huge blazing orange fire. Into it they threw grain, bread, and sweet Lon Lon milk which exploded into a great ball of light. The lyre and harp would play soft melodies and together every villager would sing:
Dance to Farore, when its good to be living,
Dance to Farore when there’s nothing better near you,
Dance to Farore when its good to be living.
Dance to Farore when there’s nothing better near you.
Build up the fire when its cold to be livin,
Build up the fire when there’s nothing better near you,
Build up the fire till the flames are a’leapin!
Build up the fire when there’s nothing better near you!
His first dance involved a girl from the local neighborhood asking him to try the “cuckoo”. Link was excited to try the cuckoo dance, which consisted of squatting and bouncing your elbows wildly, but up until this point he wasn’t sure how to dance. Most of the boys stood giggling and snickering as Link tripped over his feet trying to follow her quick steps. But for Link their childish laughter was deriding. His uncle had always informed him of just how clumsy he was, how much he was never masculine enough, never tough enough and their criticism reinforced these feelings. When the dance ended, Link thanked her and then quietly left the fire to be alone in the forest.
Under the dark tree canopy, fairies came to console Link but he buried his head into his lap and waited there. The boy with the fairies, the boy with the blond long girlish hair and slender nose, Link often felt that in spite of himself, he was not a warrior but a woman. And for this reason, he was often out of place among his peers and especially with his uncle.
Suddenly Epona made a hasty and abrupt halt which jolted Link out of his own thoughts. Gazing up the road ahead, Link could discern a band of Gerudo women searching frantically for something just outside the city of Hyrule. At this, Link set his eyes straight ahead and grabbed a few arrows from his quiver.
*
At the bottom of the River outside of the gates of Hyrule, Faussia searched the outlying rocks for possible caves which the mages had escaped to. From the South her messenger suddenly appeared and waved the green flag to signal that they had found something.
On horseback they carried the broken body of a Hyrulian mage. He was shivering, and his body was covered with bruises. Dropping him in front of Faussia, he made a loud thumb in the snow.
“And where are the rest?” Faussia asked both the Gerudos and the mage. But when the mage started to stir she picked him up and gazed squarely into his face.
“Where have your companions gone? I’m only going to ask you once more”
Then the still lips began to move. “He… why did he do it?”
“Answer me mage!”
“I… I don’t know why…” Suddenly the mage fell limp in the arms of Faussia and she set him down.
“We will take the body back and burn it with the others. But I wonder, how is it we came to discover this man. It’s very doubtful that a Sheik would simply abandon a fellow mage—“
Suddenly a yell came from the south and the green banner went up again.
“Commander! Quick we’ve found another one. He seems to be in much better shape than the last mage” The women threw the old man on the ground. He clearly wore the insignia of Hyrule, a white robe with the triforce (a series of three triangles connected together) which was sewn onto the sleeves. The golden circlet he wore across his forehead also affirmed without a doubt that he was a head mage, skilled in the magic of light and able to conjure Din’s awful fire spells.
“So mage,” Faussia began. “Where are the rest of your companions and what happened to you? Did someone rob me the pleasure of killing that Sheik?”
“You don’t frighten me woman. Your time will come soon enough”
Faussia picked the mage up by his brown beard and gave his a piercing gaze. “How dare you insult me you insolent old man! You’re lucky to still be standing. Answer my question or we’ll gut you like a pig and leave you here to rot in the snow”
Before the mage opened his lips he saw a silver speckle out of the corner of his eye. At that moment he knew this was his chance. Quickly the mage ducked a cast a fire spell which burned Fuassia’s hands. When one of the mounted guards drew her sword, a steel arrow pierced through her uncovered head and she fell to the ground. A stream of arrows then sailed from the nearby trees and within a few moments the elite Gerudo guards were lifeless corpses. Fuassia tumbled behind one of the giant boulders as a few more arrows streamed past her and splashed into the river.
Darn it. Faussia had not anticipated that a small band of Hylians would still be mounting an attack. They could easily be beaten back with more Gerudo soldiers, but in this moment she was alone. Faussia tried to think hard about how best to make her escape back to the castle, guessing that if she used the outer rocks might be able to travel unseen. Or if she hid in the River she could hold out until nightfall. And then she heard the voice of one single man coming from the trees.
“Give up, and go back to your home Gerudos. You’re unwelcome in the sacred land of Hyrule! I’m here to rescue my people.”
Slowly the woman got up from the rock and approached Link. Link was about to fire, but he stopped for a moment to gaze at her stunning beauty. Her face was light, and yet she moved like a fearsome horse enraged and passionate. She reminded him in a strange way of Epona, with her black maim and wild nature. Both were beautiful creatures and this woman approached with dark and tantalizing eyes which made it all the more difficult for Link to release another arrow.
“Get out of here child, the Kingdom of Hyrule is no more. The days of treachery have come and gone”
“What are you talking about? The land was peaceful before you and the Gorons decided to take power for yourselves”
“I see the lies of Hyrule run deep even still. Look, I was once part of that kingdom. I grew up inside the palace walls as a maid servant to the many daughters of the king. I saw how they each treated their Goron and Zoran suitors as inferior, and I heard secretly of the king’s plan for Hyrule. I didn’t want to believe that he regarded the other races as subservient to him, but I saw it with my own eyes. When one of his trusted advisors asked if they should sign an alliance with Gerudos the king scoffed and claimed ‘women have no place ruling a kingdom, it’s safer for everyone if we take it from them.’ Instead of signing an alliance he forced the Gerudos to sign a treaty for peace which eliminated their rights to weaponry and to hold positions in their own government. To him the Gerudos were dangerous lecherous women, wild to the core and completely unfit to govern a stable society. Under his treaty hundreds of Gerudos were imprisoned and for their protests many were martyred. Surely this is not the greatness of Hyrule! Forget about this untenable dream; let the evil kingdom perish in the snow!”
Link was burning inside and the yellow mark on his hand began to glow again.
“That’s a lie. Hyrule stood for peace and justice. I refuse to believe it!”
From the ruined castle, the sound of hooves and stampeding feet could be heard coming closer.
“That’s fine by me; it’s a mute point now. Soon you’ll be dead along with that Sheik. Together you will all perish and then we can rid the land of the name Hyrule!”
As Link approached her, a sea of arrows flew just over his head. With loud grunts the ogres appeared beside Link and swung their spiked clubs at him.
Faussia drew her bow but something held her back. As she stood gazing at Link, who was trying to defend himself against the fearsome ogres, she felt slightly infatuated with him. His nature was similar to hers, and even if he was on the wrong side, he would fight with his entire being to save a cause and a people he believed in. She could admire this about the strange young man even if he was hopelessly naive and foolish. As she lowered her bow, the Hyrulian mage found another perfect opportunity. When Link approached the road, the mage emerged from the River and seized Epona’s reigns. Suddenly the sky opened up around the three warriors and they spun violently in all directions until they disappeared in a brilliant flash of light. With an infuriating roar Faussia slammed her fists against the large boulder “Argh!”
*
The road to Zora’s waterfall was long and Faroll was unsure if he remembered exactly how to get there. Faroll was the highest ranking officer who had made it out alive from the burning castle, and the only one left to lead the migrating band of Hylian citizens and soldiers. He wore the dark maroon cape of the Hyrulian order and his scruffy brown beard made him seem quite a bit older than he was. Brandishing a long steel axe and crossbow Faroll was confident in the ability of these weapons, which had served him so well in repelling the skeleton stalfos, to defend against almost any attack. Both of these weapons had been Faroll’s long standing companions, and now these two would aid him again in one of the darkest moment for the Hylian people.
Through the winding dirt road, they approached the Giant Deku trees which towered hundreds of feet in air, even taller than the castle walls. Instead of green leaves, these Deku trees had bright orange and red leaves which glittered as the sun began to descend on them. They were truly astounding creations and it was the first time many of the villagers had ever seen trees this big before.
Finally, Faroll came to a large covering and halted them. As he looked behind him across the road he saw a winding band of fatigued and famished expressions. Women were black as soot from the day long travel and many had tears streaming down their long robes. The once mighty nobility was scattered throughout the mass of citizens, and their flamboyant jade and crimson robes were torn to pieces. It was evident that many of these people fled in their nightgowns, carrying only a light sack of food and sometimes a warm coat. Among their grim faces, Faroll could see only hopelessness and fear. Gathering his strength he stood tall and made a loud pronouncement to the Hylians.
“We are near the entrance of the Zoras and I know you are all fatigued. But we will not be safe until we take refuge in the Zora village by nightfall. These woods do not take kindly to strangers during the night. Let’s carry on!”
After another hour and as the sky began to grow dimmer, Faroll could finally see the triangular markings and the old Hyrulian characters etched onto the edge of a large rock. This rock was conspicuously situated deep into the side of a mountain and atop a shallow cliff. The cliff was a waterfall in the summer where its many brooks and creeks flowed easily down into the River bellow. But in the winter, ice covered over the flowing water above and the river bellow which made the whole edifice slippery and very dangerous to climb. Faroll decided to mount the shallow cliff anyways and despite the danger he commanded everyone to dismount and do the same.
Once they reached the door, Faroll tapped on the large and spoke one of the ancient Hyrulian codes to get it to open. But nothing happened. He tried it again but his time spoke the name of the ancient Hyrulian king. Still nothing. Many were starting to become impatient desperately imploring Faroll to open the door. After a while the snow had begun to settle on their coats and jackets and everyone huddled together. Trying desperately once more, Faroll lunged himself at the door banging his paws furiously against it. Please open he commanded, but it was hopeless. He had come on this road before, but he had never been with the Hyrulian soldiers when they actually opened the gate, he had always been at the rear keeping watch.
Stepping back the crowd shouted angrily at Faroll and of course he could do nothing but console himself in the freezing cold. It was dusk and as the sky darkened they heard inhuman sounds coming in through the trees. The sound of howling was also growing closer and everyone became quiet. Suddenly it was incredibly still and quiet.
Then without warning the door behind Faroll burst open, and every citizen could see spectacular blue crystals which glowed luminously from inside.
*
Inside the white crystal village of the Zoras strange creatures were swimming up from the Sea and mounting an all out attack. They were huge in size and resembled giant fishlike worms with pincer teeth and spiked armor. Their fins were spread apart about fifteen feet and at the end of their long slender bodies they had a sharp tail. Moreover in addition to using their bodies for repeated attacks, they also gave off high powered screams which ruptured walls and could tear armor apart, making it very difficult to attack from a distance or up close.
It was the first time Princess Jasmine had ever seen these monstrous daemons. Most of the time she was commanded to hide inside the castle until the attack passed. But this time, the castle had been breached and hundreds of them were pouring inside. As Jasmine watched the horror, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. After all these were magnificent animals, incredibly adept at fighting and truly extraordinary to watch in battle. As she marveled at these creatures Jasmine remembered that enjoying things like this was what made her seem strange.
As a girl, many had said Jasmine was a bit queer. She didn’t relish having power like her cousins and siblings. And many often said that she wasn’t very “queenly” like her mother. Supposedly when she was very young she refused to play with girls and was often found swimming in the large pools with much older Zora men. The king just laughed at these incidents, but for her mother they were very serious moments which demanded reprimanding and chastisement. Although most Zoras were blue, Jasmine swore that her mother had become a permanent shade of red during the course of her life.
And Jasmine also felt herself to be different when it came to matters of the kingdom. While most Zoras seemed to care about her right as an heir of the throne, she didn’t concern herself with politics or with suitors, but wanted to explore the farthest reaches of the sea, traversing new rivers and finding new adventures. Even now part of her welcomed the attack as a change from the boring rituals of the court.
“Your highness, we must get you to safety” One of the Zoras tugged hard on the sleeve of Jasmine’s white robe. The robe was covered with thousands of small thatched scales which glistened as they moved.
“I’m enjoying the battle. Please what if they need me?”
“It’d be a long before you’re needed in battle your highness, please you must be kept safe for our future!”
“Ugh, what gives my father the right, just because I am his daughter gives him no right to—Oh no, look—”
As the Zora guard turned around his chest was impaled with the large tail of one of the sea daemons. As the Zora gasped heavily for air, the gills at his neck were inflamed and twisted wildly.
Jasmine could hardly breathe. She shrank into the ground and ducked behind one of the crystal houses. The daemon began throwing its body around smashing and destroying the crystal buildings which surrounded her. I must do something, she thought.
Then she emerged from behind the house and shouted “Farore Bring Your Mighty Winds.” Bringing her hands together she released a crescent shaped shard of energy which rippled through the daemons body causing it to recoil in tremendous pain. As the beast retracted it released the guard and Jasmine quickly approached him. Seeing his lifeless corpse, Jasmine grabbed his spear and hurled it angrily at the daemon’s eyes. When the spear pierced its eyes the creature collapsed onto the ground and became limp.
Suddenly three more daemons swarmed Jasmine and began to surround her. The attack had severely drained her energy and she stood trembling at the sight of these enormous creatures. Then suddenly hundreds of arrows drove the daemons back into the water. Near her, Jasmine could see Hylian men running and galloping on horses. As they approached she could tell there were actually only a few hundred soldiers and the vast majority was comprised of women and children.
“So it’s even worse for our friends the Zoras.” The knight who approached her was tall and scruffy, but she wasn’t sure exactly how old he was and he didn’t remind her of any of the knights she had seen before.
“Hello, where are the knights of Hyrule? Where is your king and why do you march with women and children?”
“Hyrule has fallen on hard times. I haven’t the time to explain it all now. But we came hoping to seek refuge in your village and now this looks almost impossible”
“Well my father has a secret base at Lake Hylia. If we get your people there, I’m sure you’ll be safe for a while. Right now it’s just too dangerous here though”
“How do we get to Lake Hylia?”
“You’ll have to take the River, here come with me I’ll guide your troops”
Jasmine headed down a long stair case to the north of the battle. Once Faroll gave the signal, the Hylian people also followed closely behind Jasmine.
When their forces finally reached the bottom, Jasmine looked up. She saw the mighty Zoras driving back the water daemons and she gave out a great holler. My father, she thought. He was a plump but sprite warrior leading the mighty elite Zoras. All of the water beasts had been beaten back and they were gathering and celebrating near the village center.
She had always admired her father. He was a famed spearman and had won many battles with only his trident alone, beating back hordes and hordes of vastly superior forces. He would also tell her adventures of far away seas where he helped Hylians fight off invading pirates and where he battled giant octopuses in order to provide safe passage on the River. She had immense pride for her father, the great king. And once again he stood victorious waving that mythical trident over the many corpses of the daemon beasts.
Then suddenly a flash of light temporarily blinded everyone. From the murky water bellow a dark figure rose up to meet the Zora king. Unafraid the King grabbed a spear and tossed it with such great force that it could have easily severed the body of two water daemons. But when it approached the dark figure, it was instantaneously snapped in mid air and tumbled down into the water.
Hundreds of spears were hurdled but they broke around the figure as he pressed forward. The Zora king then saw that it was a man, with brown skin and purple hair.
“Call your forces back, you’ve lost the battle!”
The man wore a wide smile.
“Call them back! Or I’ll run you threw”
The man was silent.
At this the king lunged forward and thrust his trident directly into the man’s body. But, it sank deep into a cloak which covered the dark figure. Suprisingly there was no effect. As soon as the King was close, the man clenched his immense blue throat and tossed the mighty trident to the floor.
“Hehe…” the man squeezed the fat neck and the Zora King gave out a painful scream. “You too easily forget who I am. You all too easily forget that Gannon cannot be defeated… haha!” With wild laughter he compressed his fists around the king’s neck and broke it right in front of the entire Zora army. As the king’s eyes rolled up to the sky, Gannon threw the limp body onto the ice floor. When the Zora King smashed onto ice his body collapsed into a completely lifeless and pale position.
Jasmine screamed and let out a magical attack which barely missed Gannon. Suddenly, attuned to her presence, Gannon summoned another host of water daemons that converged quickly towards her. Thousands of Zoras swam to fend them off, and help defend Jasmine.
“Hurry Jasmine,” Faroll grabbed her by the sleeve. “We must go; we have to get to Lake Hylia. It’s this way right?”
*
During nights in the west, the winds came extremely fast. Faussia had forgotten this fact, having lived in the desert for so many years. In the desert, Farore’s winds were not nearly as intense. Although they blew dust and sand hundreds of feet into the air, in Hyrule these same winds had an unnatural speed at night and were so hard they could almost tear bark of a tree.
As Fuassia came with her warriors to the castle, she could feel the excitement. Not only was this the start of her rein, but her ally Sharak had come from the north and was waiting to speak with her. Sharak was an ally that she had met many years ago, well before she had been a Gerudo leader.
Faussia remembered those early days. In order to join their order, the Gerudos required that one pass through the dizzying desert maze. Many had to turn back and retry maybe hundreds of times. It was not an easy course and it took some a lifetime to pass. But Faussia had trained extensively for this task, and she approached it with the same determination that she approached all of her endeavors. She was not about to be told that just because she was a woman she couldn’t do it. That’s what many of her friends had said back in Hyrule when she first learned of the Gerudos and their secret ways.
“Witch women” the Hylian men would jest. And the Hylian girls would claim that “A woman has no purpose out in the bitter desert. She should be at home running the house, making sure that her family is safe.” Even when Faussia tried to explain that these were warriors, and they weren’t like the typical women of Hyrule, the Hylians would just laugh and jest calling her a misguided maid for thinking such things.
But in the desert, it was very different than the Hylians had thought. There was something purely satisfying about being out in the terrible sandstorms battling hard against an enemy that was so elusive and yet so deadly. It was exhilarating, and no one seemed to understand that in Hyrule.
But it was also out in this desert where Faussia first met Sharak. He was lost himself, having been forced out by his brothers and made to suffer by wandering the desert aimlessly. She discovered his cold body right in the middle of it all, sitting patiently at the end of the maze.
“Hello, who are you?”
“Sharak, and yourself”
“Faussia. Say what brings a Goron here?”
“You have no idea…”
It started simply enough. He was the last son of the Goron family and his brothers were bitterly jealous of him. Sharak was extremely talented, bright and drew all of his father’s affection. Therefore they arranged to frame Sharak so that it would look like he had betrayed his father. One day while Sharak was away on a journey, they put traces of poison in his boots and they planted an almost lethal dose in the great Goron’s soup. When Sharak came back his father condemned him to death. Instead of killing him, his brothers decided to throw Sharak into the great desert, hoping to remove him from power but not alienate the kingdom. When his father realized that the poison was harmless and never meant to kill anyone, he became sick with despair and blamed himself.
When Faussia heard this she wept at the ignorance and cruelty of the Goron family. How could they do this to their own brother, leaving him for dead in the wilderness and making their father believe that he had betrayed him?
When Faussia finished her exam, she brought Sharak out of the desert and together they had a great meal. She was excited by someone who shared the same vision for Hyrule as she did. Both wanted to unite the old alliances, and to bring equality for all peoples regardless of their race. The Hyrule they knew was growing more corrupt day by day, and the only change had to come from a transfer of power.
After the warm meal, Faussia spoke in private with Sharak. “Sharak, I admire you not just as a warrior but as a friend. And I too share the same vision for Hyrule. One day I hope to unite these women under one banner and together we will fight for a new peace in Hyrule. I know it’s treason to say this, for if the court ever heard me I would surely be killed. But I know you will be a great ally in this war. What do you think?”
The Goron was incredibly moved. Although he had known Faussia for only a short time, he also had come to respect her and their friendship. So he cleared his throat. “Faussia, if I can reclaim the lordship which was taken from me, you’ll have a strong ally in your aspirations for Hyrule. If you need my help to reclaim Hyrule I will gladly be of assistance. Come, let’s drink!”
After dinner, they celebrated the union with a dance. Sharak taught her the fire dance, and together they had fun dancing and drinking throughout the night. The next morning a band of Gorons had discovered Sharak and they pleaded with him to return. His brothers had become corrupt and were ravaging the land and starving the people.
So as quickly as he came into her life, Sharak disappeared taking the warmth of that night along with him. When Faussia had begun to launch attacks against the ruling Hylians, Faussia sent a messenger masking good on the promise they had forged that night long ago. With the messenger he sent a band of special Gorons, a wild species with abnormally long stomachs and trained in the hills of the great Mountain. These Gorons were seen by Sharak’s father as an abomination and thus imprisoned. But Sharak saw the injustice of this and set them free to come to the aid of Faussia. When Faussia saw these creatures she realized they were bigger than any Goron she had ever known, and found it more apt to call them ogres, even though they were not stumbling buffoons, but incredibly tenacious warriors.
Coming up to the Palace of Hyrule, Faussia could smell the aroma of fox meat cooking from far away. Inside she was heartedly greeted by the Gerudos, who were still hooting and hollering over previous days’ victory. Then, approaching the royal hall which her thousands of soldiers had huddled around magnificent fires, she could make out the huge orange banners which were marching up the side of the caslte. These banners belonged to none other than the famed Goron army. And in front of them all, she could see her friend and ally Sarak.
When he entered the Palace, they both embraced and gave a long hug.
“Good to see friend. How has your campaign to the north gone?”
“Well, it was going poorly until the Hylians learned of your success here. Once they heard the news about Hyrule, they quickly fled into the forest and it made a much easier time for us to capture the northern countryside.”
“Great news! So have you gotten a chance to try some of the local bakery goods? Some Hylians stayed inside the castle since we assured them we wanted peace and weren’t going to kill them. And they have become more apt to cook and prepare meals for us too.”
“Haha, I suppose a few cakes now and then would do you well huh? Can’t argue with a woman’s sweet tooth”
“Hey now Sharak! Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I like sweets anymore than you. And of course, what’s the winter for but stuffing you bellies and getting fat?”
“Ha! Well put commander, it’s always a pleasure to share a few jokes with you.”
“You’ve got a good sense of humor yourself”
“Heh. Say do you mind showing me to the throne room of the king, I want to see his corpse for myself.”
“Sure thing,” Faussia turned to her guards. “Let’s escort the commander to the top level of the palace.
As they ascended the stairs, Faussia thought Sharak looked a little different than before. Of course his eyes sagged and his maroon skin was a little more sallow. But there was something else and Faussia couldn’t quite explain it. She had only seen Sharak twice, but when she first met him he seemed extremely young. Now he looked even older than her. He looked as though the matters of the court, the responsibilities of managing an empire were starting to weigh on his lighthearted personality and Faussia was a little saddened.
But that’s the nature of these things I guess, Faussia thought. I suppose I’ve become more serious myself since those few years ago. An empire is enough to age anyone, and make them think about things more intently.
As they approached the chamber of the king, another blast of cold wind shot in through the windows.
“Darn, these windows were completely blown out last night and no one’s been up here since then, you don’t mind do you Sharak?”
Sharak stood firm, a huge massive collection of rock almost planted into the ground bellow.
“No this is fine.”
As they approached the corpse Sharak began to grow more inquisitive.
“Here is your corpse general”
When Sharak picked the body up his eyes burned a deep black.
“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! You really have done well Faussia. In fact I think there’s someone here who wants to thank you too”
Against the stone wall just underneath the portrait of the former king of Hyrule, a dark figure began to materialize.
“You did a fine job here I must say”
Instantly Faussia recognized that face from somewhere. But although she couldn’t remember whose face it was, she sensed an evil which made her recoil and draw her sword.
“Who are you?”
As the dark figure came closer it spoke eerily to her. “I’m Gannon darling. You should remember me, this palace used to be my prison” At this Gannon gave a hearty laugh which exposed his jagged yellow teeth and fiery red eyes.
“No, I didn’t want this.” She turned her eyes to Sharak. “This is not the way to bring peace. Gannon is pure evil; he won’t help us unite Hyrule he wants to rule it for himself. Please you must listen; this man is evil to the very core”
Sharak stood for a few moments looking at the corpse then looked up at Faussia.
“No I’m afraid he is the one to bring peace. You thought that Gerudos were evil once remember? And look how drastically you have changed your views. Gannon wants peace more than you or I, and he knows that only be destroying those opponents of his plan will he be able to secure it.”
“I promise you Faussia” Gannon paused momentarily, “that if you submit to me now, you and the Gerudos will be allowed to live a peaceful life under my rule. And we can spare innocent bloodshed”
“Why are you listening to him Sharak? This is the embodiment of darkness and He cannot be trusted or sided with. If he rules, there will be no peace but endless war! He seeks to enslave us all and then torture us”
“Ha, this is the only peace you pathetic fools deserve. Either become my slave or face extinction. The time of the golden age of Hyrule is over and I will rule this land spreading pure hatred, jealousy and malice all across it.”
Suddenly a band of ogres approached from the stairs and surrounded Faussia.
“What, Why?”
“We have been waiting for this day commander. You have lead us gloriously from battle to battle, and now we stand reunited with our creator. We cannot thank you enough. But unfortunately your time is over.”
Faussia ran to the edge of the room and let out a cry of help to her fellow Gerudos.
They quickly shot up the stairs and then drew their blades.
“Good. We have been betrayed my fellow Gerudos. Hurry we must combat this darkness and not let it fester any longer.”
Suddenly the women turned their blades on Faussia.
“I’m sorry my lady, but unfortunately we’ve also been planning this day for a long time. You are just a pawn in a much larger game. Please try to understand and submit yourself to Gannon”
“No!” As Faussia drew her blade Gannon outstretched his hand and released a spell which immediately knocked Faussia unconscious and propelled her through the open window.
As her body fell it disappeared into the water bellow and Gannon looked incredibly satisfied with the unfolding events.
Sharak looked down at his fallen friend and began to weep. “If only she had listened, Gannon can’t be beaten and he has the power to end violence and tribal feuding forever!” Sigh Sharak grimaced with a bitter taste in his mouth, “if only she had listened.”
