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[forhylia]

Characters: Prequel!Link and YOU!
Setting: Floor 25
Format: Prose preferred, but action is A-Okay
Summary: Link takes some time to relax and breathe the fresh air. The perpetual springtime of floor 25 is much preferred to the dank depths of the castle dungeon, or the barren wasteland that became of his home
Warnings: SS prequel manga spoilers


Link inhaled deeply, letting the scent of flowers and life fill his lungs as he took in the sight of floor 25's seemingly endless meadow. There was something magical about this place, there was no doubt. Of course he had been warned about its more sinister corners. In every light there was also a shadow.

But that did not mean that Link couldn't enjoy the light. It had been years since he'd been able to stop and, literally, smell the roses. The wildlife of Hylia had been burned to the ground by the Demon King. Damn him, his obsession with the goddess' sacred power. It was difficult to keep in mind that it did not matter anymore, especially not here. His people had been saved, and they had flourished in the sky as well as on the surface afterward. The young princess's words had served him a great comfort.

Link set his sword down in the grass, lying on his back and enjoying the breeze. For the first time in a very long time, bliss.

Comments

[forhylia]

"Truth be told, I would expect nothing less. I am the gods' loyal servant. My spirit shall always answer to them, and to the land of Hylia. Though its name may change over eons, my devotion to it will not. I trust you have seen that in my... younger selves as well."

Link's life belonged Hylia- both the land and the goddess. There was not a path he would not follow, a battle he would not fight. It was no mere coincidence that he would show up in this place, only to find this wicked man and the young princess here as well. One could not be without the other two.

[great_king_of_evil]

"You are correct on one point. Your spirit will always be a slave to the gods."

Ganondorf paused. If his devotion was the correct thing, then obviously this meant that was Ganondorf saw as wrong was...

"However your devotion to the Land of Hylia, or Hyrule as we call it now, is much more fickle I am afraid. After all, your latest incarnation bore whatsoever no affection toward it and never made an effort to protect it. Only the drive to serve the gods is a constant in your existence."

[forhylia]

"You say that the gods would betray their sacred land? Am I to believe the words of a demon?" No, of course not.

[great_king_of_evil]

Ganondorf looked at Link questioningly when he replied that, genuinely confused as to why he answered that-- But then he understood and progressively grew a clearly amused and dark smile, yet one that conveyed no happiness. Of course the Princess told him everything but that.

"She didn't tell you..." he laughed darkly "Zelda did not tell you, did she?"

[forhylia]

"Did not tell me what?" Was there a shadow of doubt in Link's heart? Perhaps. It was easily overpowered, though. The dark amusement in his eyes had faded to deathly seriousness.

[great_king_of_evil]

"First a history lesson. Long ago, Princess Zelda and the Hero from her time-- They successfully ended prematurely my rule over Hyrule and sealed me away from your land for eras. I had underestimated them. However all that is locked away, is meant to be unlocked."

"And thus I returned to Hyrule. But then, something unexpected happened. You were not in my way, you were not born again... I was left free to conquer the land, unopposed by any. Hyrule was finally mine. But your Gods could not bear defeat, they had to find a way to hinder my victory."

Ganondorf then marked a pause and his smile grew weary, as if he were remembering a particularly painful memory.

"Tell me Hero, can you guess what it is they did?"

[forhylia]

"You will tell me even if I do not answer," Link pointed out. Ganondorf had clearly inherited his predecessor's miserable habit of monologuing. All of this, of course, he would verify with the Princess herself. He hardly trusted the word of a demon.

[great_king_of_evil]

"Tell you what?" he paused "That the Gods destroyed Hyrule? That they drowned the land we both 'love' without any consideration neither for my people nor for your people? That they erased everything you fought for?"

Ganondorf no longer smiled. However, he soon turned away.

"Ask Princess Zelda to confirm my words." he said as he slowly walked back the way to the stairs. "Ask her why she is so ashamed of it and why she spoke no word of this story to you."

[forhylia]

It was like a knife in Link's gut. But he did not let Ganondorf see his reaction. No, that kind of weakness before this man would be unacceptable.

"I shall speak with her. And even if there is some truth to your poisonous words, I shall weed out the falsities of your claim and find the truth."

[great_king_of_evil]

"The only truth you will find is the cruelty of the gods who destroyed you."

And with these last words, Ganondorf would exit the meadow.

[forhylia]

Link was silent as Ganondorf left. He stood still for a long while, watching the spot where the King of Evil once stood. He pulled the Master Sword from its scabbard on his back, inspecting the insignia of the Triforce on its blade.

"No," he muttered to himself, sheathing the sword. "Had you any power over the fate of Hyrule, White Goddess, you would have found a solution." The first hero remained standing in the meadow for a long time, contemplating silently what he was going to do about the man who called himself Ganondorf.