Chapter Text
“It is time to wake up, my king.”
A voice roused Ganondorf from his sleep, the soft touch of a hand on his arm bringing him slowly back to the real world. The voice was right, of course, but that didn’t mean Ganondorf wanted to listen to it. At that moment, he desired nothing more than to bury his face in the pillows and escape from reality once more. Rolling onto his other side and away from the offending hand, Ganondorf attempted to do just that, but whoever had dared to try and wake him was persistent.
Duty called; Gerudo Town wasn’t going to run itself. So when he felt the hand reach out again and shake him gently, Ganondorf begrudgingly opened his eyes, surrendering the last remnants of his slumber.
“Firas... sav'otta,” he mumbled, looking up at her as he propped himself up with one arm, still reluctant to move even an inch.
Normally, Ganondorf wouldn’t let anyone get near his room without his explicit permission, let alone inside it. Firas, however, was an exception to that rule. One might call her a servant, but that word brought a rather cruel image to some people’s minds. Ganondorf didn’t mistreat her by any means. Firas was simply there to help him with small, trivial and everyday tasks so that he could focus all of his energy on being a strong and effective leader for his people. Ganondorf therefore tended to refer to her as an attendant instead, one whose regular duties included forcing her king out of bed every morning. As embarrassed as he would be to admit it, Ganondorf was a very heavy sleeper. Even the morning sun directly in his face couldn’t wake him on a typical day, hence the need for Firas. She had other responsibilities, too, of course, but this was perhaps the most important one, at least to Ganondorf himself.
“Sav'otta.” Firas stepped back from the bed, looking down at his still half-asleep state with the same smile she always woke him with. How she managed to keep her composure so expertly when he was being particularly stubborn on a given morning, Ganondorf would never understand. “The throne awaits you, Your Majesty. Shall I send for breakfast?” she asked.
“Yes, sarqso. You may go.”
Firas bowed quickly and left the room, closing the curtains behind her. Those curtains were one of the best decisions he’d ever made, Ganondorf mused as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. All the previous occupants of the palace chambers had apparently had no problem with being blinded by the first light of dawn the second they woke up. Nor did they have any desire for privacy, it would seem, because without the curtains, the entire room was left wide open for anyone to see.
That addition to the room was one of the very first things Ganondorf did when he officially ‘moved in’ upon taking the throne. He hadn’t tampered with the rest, primarily out of respect for his ancestors who built it centuries ago.
Sighing deeply, Ganondorf willed himself to get out of bed. The desert was rather chilly first thing in the morning, even in the town, but it would soon warm to near-scorching temperatures. So, despite the shiver that shook his body upon contact with the cold air, Ganondorf quickly shed the thin robes that he slept in and changed into his usual attire. He had a number of different outfits that he cycled through, but this one was his favourite. It consisted primarily of a long, dark teal-coloured skirt with a gold belt and various gold embellishments. Since he had no real need to cover his torso, he would shortly be decorating himself with some elaborate jewellery instead. It wasn’t the most practical, but perfect for when the vast majority of his job on a typical day didn’t involve leaving his throne.
He sat down on the bed again to untie his hair from its nighttime braid just before Eluno, another attendant of his, brought him a cup of tea and a bowl of simple oatmeal on a tray. Ganondorf had scarcely eaten oatmeal since he was a child, but on the very odd occasion that he did, he liked it with a good helping of cinnamon mixed in. Spices of all kinds were increasingly rare, however, and the money required to import some just for him would be better spent elsewhere, so today’s oatmeal was garnished with some slices of local fruits instead. It was a shame, but it simply couldn’t be helped.
Ganondorf thanked Eluno, and she departed swiftly, leaving him to eat in peace. After hiking up his skirt to sit cross-legged on the bed, he took a moment to appreciate the smell before digging in. He always tried to savour these rare moments of being alone without the pressure of ruling his people bearing down on him. They never lasted long, but he enjoyed them nonetheless. It was the closest thing to a break that he ever got.
The throne soon called to him, however, so Ganondorf set aside what remained of his meal and resumed untying his hair. His attendants would never complain about how tangled it got at night, but he could always tell when they were frustrated while trying to style it in the mornings, hence the braid. He’d thought it would be uncomfortable to sleep with, though as it turned out, such a long and thick braid was of little consequence when one slept mostly on their front.
As always, Firas and Eluno soon returned to aid the king in preparing for the day. Every appearance he made in public, whether in the throne room or out in the town, meant Ganondorf had all eyes on him, constantly the centre of attention, so it was of the utmost importance that he looked the part.
The three of them were well-practised in their morning routine, having kept up this daily cycle for some years now. Eluno collected the tray and left again while Ganondorf stayed where he was and Firas moved a stool over next to the bed.
“The usual, My Lord?” Firas asked as she sat down to face Ganondorf.
“Naturally,” he replied.
Firas put her other hand under Ganondorf’s chin to keep him still as she got to work right away. Mere minutes later, she was done, as she’d become highly efficient at achieving his desired look over the years. Eluno returned just as Firas was finishing and seamlessly took over while Firas prepared Ganondorf’s jewellery. He moved to sit where Firas had been just moments ago and Eluno stood behind him to brush and style his hair. Her patience was immaculate, as his hair very nearly reached his waist, even when braided. But Eluno was just as proficient as Firas, ridding him of any tangles and knots and pulling the top of his hair back into a high ponytail while leaving the rest free.
Ganondorf then stood up again so the pair could help him into his elaborate jewels and accessories before looking at himself in the mirror. He trusted his attendants to do the job properly, of course, but always personally checked that everything was satisfactory before he went out in public, lest he risked becoming the talk of the town– and not in a good way. So every morning, he would scrutinise his appearance in the mirror before leaving and make any minor adjustments.
As the king, Ganondorf wore only the finest of gold and gemstones that would surely cost a fortune if in need of repair or, Hylia forbid, replacement. Even the slightest scratch would be unacceptable, so his attendants always handled his jewellery with the utmost care as they fastened various gold bands around his upper arms and draped the layered, sapphire-adorned necklace around his neck. From that necklace came a pair of thin golden strands that each draped over one shoulder and another pair that wrapped around his torso, though the oddly scar-like birthmark in the middle of his chest was still prominently visible. Then there were the bracelets, anklets, earrings; all decorated with engravings and precious gems to match the rest of his jewellery. And finally, a circular, polished sapphire rested on his forehead, embedded in a base of gold and held in place by more golden strands that ran over his hair to the band that secured his ponytail.
His makeup of choice was perhaps a more subtle look than most Gerudo vai wore: red eyeshadow, gold eyeliner, and a hint of a dark blush on his cheeks. The warm tones complimented his skin nicely. It suited him well, Ganondorf thought.
Satisfied that he looked suitably majestic for a normal day, Ganondorf gave his attendants permission to open the curtains, flooding the room with the bright morning sun.
“Sarqso,, both of you. Your devotion never fails to please me,” he said, offering them a smile as he joined them by the doorway.
“We are only doing our duty, Your Majesty,” Eluno said, as though it was obvious that she did not deserve the praise.
“I know, but you have my gratitude nonetheless. You may go now, and tell Buliara that I’m on my way.”
The pair bowed and left the room, quickly heading downstairs to the throne room. Ganondorf would soon follow, but first, he lingered for a moment on the balcony outside his chambers, resting his hands on the low wall. Almost the entire town was visible from there, the morning sun bathing sandstone buildings in a warm, golden glow, but his gaze fell particularly on the market that dominated the town centre.
Gerudo Town never slept, not even in the darkest hours of the night. Shops were open all night long, the bar was always serving its patrons, and people were out and about even under the moonlight. But as the sun rose and the more sensible members of the town began to wake up, the streets grew busier and busier with every passing minute. Nightshift workers traded places with their dayshift counterparts, merchants started arriving to trade, and guests came in droves from afar to sightsee. It made a beautiful sight to wake up to, Ganondorf mused, one that filled him with the utmost pride, for it was under his rule that the Gerudo led such prosperous and bountiful lives.
After taking one more deep breath of the crisp morning air, Ganondorf tore his eyes away from the people below and made his way to the throne room. Buliara, his personal guard, had already taken up her post beside the throne, where she would stand watch over her king until nightfall– not that Ganondorf couldn’t defend himself if needed. He was more than capable, but everyone involved felt better if he had someone else to act as the first line of defence. The Yiga Clan were rather unpredictable, after all; there was no telling when or how they would make their next attempt on Ganondorf’s life.
Also waiting for him by the throne was Nalaru. A much older vai, Nalaru wasn’t there for protection. Instead, she served as an advisor, using her years of knowledge and experience as an ex-chief of the Gerudo to aid the far younger king in his rule over the town, as well as keeping him informed on current events. As their morning routine dictated, Nalaru stepped forward and gave a slight bow upon Ganondorf’s arrival.
“Sav'otta, My Lord. No major events are scheduled for today, but I bring some noteworthy news from the town,” she said.
“Go on,” Ganondorf said as he took his place on the throne.
At first, Ganondorf hadn't been sure that he would like being addressed with such formality by someone as important to him as Nalaru. She had been something of a mother figure to him in his youth, after all, and instrumental in preparing him for taking on the role of king. But once he was crowned, the sense of power he got from her submission to his rule far outweighed any other feelings he might have. The ex-chief didn’t bow to just anyone, and once he’d grown into his authority as the king, he found it oddly soothing to be the one in control.
“Flavi and Perda have both returned from their travels and will be staying for a while before setting out again,” Nalaru said.
“So they ignored my warning...” Ganondorf had very clearly instructed that the guards at the Kara Kara Bazaar were to tell any passing Gerudo travellers not to risk crossing the desert. Either the guards had defied him, or Flavi and Perda had. Both were equally frustrating, but at the very least, the pair had reached the town safely.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe they plan to leave again in a few weeks, with their next destination being the Hebra region.”
“I will speak to them before then. Continue.”
“Kesuro went into labour in the early hours of the morning and has successfully delivered twins.”
“Twins? Quite a rare occurrence. Do send her my congratulations, though I’d like to tell her myself when she feels up to receiving visitors.”
“I’m sure she will appreciate your words; I’ll let her know as soon as I have a chance. There have also been reports of a new monster camp not far to the northeast.”
“What kind, more lizalfos?” Ganondorf asked. Lizalfos were by far the most common monsters to prowl the desert sands and were very persistent in their efforts to remain there despite his best attempts to clear them off for good. Such a nuisance.
“No, just a small group of bokoblins,” Nalaru replied.
Ganondorf hummed thoughtfully, “I see… Anything else?”
“That’s all for now, but I will keep you informed as ever should anything else arise.”
“Very well, sarqso.” Ganondorf gave a slight nod, and Nalaru bowed and made her exit. He shifted to glance at Buliara, “Those bokoblins may pose only a minor threat now, but we can’t afford to give them any time to increase their numbers. Have a squad of soldiers eliminate them immediately.”
“At once, Your Majesty. But might I offer a suggestion?” Buliara asked.
“Certainly.”
“Captain Teake is planning to take a group of new soldiers out on a training exercise not far from the town, but a small and relatively safe monster camp would provide more valuable experience. Perhaps they should handle this task.”
Ganondorf took a moment to consider her proposal, “If Teake is confident enough in their abilities, then I don’t see why not. Tell her that they are to depart as soon as possible but avoid any unnecessary risks; if the new soldiers aren’t up to it yet, there is no shame in turning back.”
Buliara nodded curtly and called over Firas, instructing her to deliver the message. The barracks were only a few steps away from the throne room, yet Buliara’s dedication to protecting her king wouldn’t let her leave his side, not even for a moment. Was she a little overprotective? Perhaps, but Ganondorf had grown used to her constant presence during the day.
Firas returned a minute later, “The Captain agreed that it’s a good opportunity for the new recruits. They will be leaving shortly,” she said.
“Excellent. That’s the monsters taken care of, then.” Ganondorf said. Firas turned to leave, but he stopped her, “Ah– Firas, I’m ready,” he said, gesturing to the front entrance of the palace. Firas understood at once and opened the curtains that blocked the palace door at night, thereby formally opening the palace to Gerudo Town residents and visitors alike. He dismissed her, and she bowed once again before leaving.
Ganondorf settled into a comfortable position on the throne, but not so comfortable that he lost his regality. His presence should command the utmost respect and obedience from any who stood before him, Gerudo or otherwise, and he took a particular delight in being able to intimidate travellers who wandered into the palace without moving a muscle. This was especially true when said travellers were Hylians, whose small stature compared to Gerudo made them quite adorable in Ganondorf’s eyes.
The next couple of hours were relatively uneventful. Travellers came and went, most of whom were there for the vast array of shops in the town market. Others came to sightsee or simply explore as part of their travels around Hyrule. Ganondorf largely stayed in the palace to take care of his duties as the king, but in between all the official business, the palace accepted visitors. It was always somewhat amusing to see the varying reactions of foreign travellers upon entering the room; some were nervous, some excited, but invariably they were surprised to find a voe on the throne in a town populated entirely by vai. Sometimes they wanted to talk, and while Ganondorf didn’t mind answering questions, it could grow tiresome eventually. He could only explain why he was the only Gerudo voe so many times in one day without getting annoyed, so those who came only to pay their respects to him or just look around were much more preferable. All in all, a fairly standard morning.
Ganondorf grew restless after a while. The attention did wonders for his ego, but he had quickly dealt with everything he needed to that morning, leaving him itching to do something other than sit around and be fawned over. Rising from the throne, he asked Buliara to accompany him on a walk around the town. It was highly unlikely that the Yiga would strike out in the open - in broad daylight, no less - but the risk was always there.
Heading through the front entrance of the palace, Ganondorf greeted the guards posted there before making his way down into the market. The air had warmed considerably by now, the sun beating down on them relentlessly, yet the townsfolk would be out and about as ever, and many would throw a cheerful “Sav'otta!” his way as he passed by. This had always pleased Ganondorf immensely. Even before being crowned, he had no desire to be seen as some distant, elusive figure of authority; he was just as much a resident of this town as anyone else. Naturally, Ganondorf still expected them to show him the appropriate respect, but as long as they did so, they were more than free to approach him and treat him as one of their own. His rule would surely be a miserable one if he couldn’t be on friendly terms with his people. But as Ganondorf made his way into the market on this particular day, hardly anyone said hello to him because there was hardly anyone present to do so.
There was a reason why Gerudo Town was considered Hyrule’s main trading hub; the market was supposed to be heaving with people, both foreign and local, especially at this time of year, and at all hours of the day. But aside from those attending their stores, the palm tree-lined street was worryingly barren. It was no wonder that he’d received far fewer visitors than expected that morning.
Ganondorf put on a smile for those who did greet him and continued walking before a voice from behind interrupted his thoughts, “Your Majesty, do you have a minute?”
Ganondorf turned around to see Spera, one of the merchants, whose store specialised in cooking ingredients - Tabantha wheat, Hylian rice, things of that nature.
“Of course. What is it that troubles you, Spera?” he asked.
Spera hesitated, fiddling with her wedding ring and not quite meeting Ganondorf’s eyes. “...I appreciate that you’re doing your best to deal with our current situation, but my husband is reluctant to visit until this all blows over, and without him, I can’t keep my store stocked properly.”
Ganondorf recalled how Spera and her husband usually met at the bazaar and spent a few hours together, both to catch up and to allow him to bring her goods for her store without entering the town. Only very rarely would Spera fully leave the town to spend a couple of weeks with her husband before inevitably returning to the market. It sounded like a lot of hassle, but such was the life of a merchant, Ganondorf supposed.
“I have enough goods to last a few days, maybe a week if sales are even slower than they have been recently, but no more than that,” Spera continued.
“Is there no other way to obtain what you need?”
“I could try, but all the other merchants are struggling with supply just as much as I am. Besides, my husband and I agreed on this arrangement just before we got married, and now our whole lives revolve around it– I can’t just swap him out for another supplier when it's convenient! I’ve offered to go to him instead, but he insisted that I stay here in the town where it’s safer. I’m tempted to go anyway...”
“I understand, and I applaud your dedication to your work.” Ganondorf took a breath, considering his next words carefully, ”Ultimately, it’s your choice, so if you wish to leave, I will not stop you. But I implore you not to take that risk, for your sake and for mine.”
Spera’s face fell, “What am I supposed to do, then?” she asked.
“Have faith, not only in me but also in yourself. We are Gerudo. Surviving through hardship is a defining feature of our people.” Ganondorf put a hand on her shoulder and began walking her slowly back to her store, with Buliara trailing silently behind them, “Look at our history; for millennia, we have lived and thrived in this desert, a climate so harsh that many would think it completely inhospitable. Yet here we are, and here we will continue to be. The threat looming over us will not last forever, and regardless of how it ends, we will persist. You and your husband will be reunited before you know it, Spera. I give you my word. Until then, patience. Sell what goods you can, but do not despair when you struggle. This will all be over soon.”
Spera gave a small nod, “Sarqso, my Lord. I know you’ll take good care of us,” she said before returning to her seat behind the storefront.
Ganondorf was relieved that she looked at least somewhat comforted by his words. He liked to think he'd gotten quite good at giving impromptu speeches over the years, though it was still a challenge to convince someone of something that he himself didn’t fully believe.
Moving back towards the centre of the market, Ganondorf’s eyes fell on Olu standing in her usual spot outside Hotel Oasis. Usually, Olu was the brightest personality in town, advertising the hotel and its famous luxury spa plan to passing travellers with the utmost passion. The worried expression she currently wore therefore said that something was definitely off, but the moment she saw Ganondorf approaching her, her mood changed instantly.
“Your Majesty, sav'otta!” she said cheerfully, breaking out into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Sav'otta. I couldn’t help but notice that you looked worried; is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, of course, everything’s fine! Why wouldn’t it be?” Olu replied, a little too quickly.
Olu never was a very good liar, Ganondorf thought. “You know you can always be honest with me, Olu. If you have concerns, I’d like to hear them.”
With a defeated sigh, Olu quickly gave in, “...There’s just been so few travellers passing through, My Lord, and those that do come rarely want to stay. I’m doing my best to advertise for Romah, but… It’s just not enough. Pretty soon, we’ll barely be able to keep our doors open…” she said meekly.
Ganondorf could see the despair behind her eyes and longed to be able to fix it. But the root of all this was beyond even his power to overcome. Some words of comfort were all he could offer, “I can only imagine how distressing that must be for you. Let me assure you that the lack of customers is no fault of your own, and you've done very well to keep working so hard despite the circumstances. Don’t blame yourself for something beyond your control; this burden is mine to carry, no one else’s,” he said.
Realistically, Olu’s advertising was practically pointless in terms of bringing in customers right now, but how could he say that to her face? The market on which Gerudo society so heavily relied was built upon numerous businesses all operating in tandem to keep a steady flow of goods and rupees moving in and out of the desert. Losing even a single one could be disastrous, at least in the short term.
“I want you to continue as you are. It's thanks to you that the hotel is getting any business at all, and the market would feel terribly bleak without your cheerful presence always here to light it up. The people need your positivity now more than ever. Will you do that for me?” Ganondorf asked.
Olu nodded firmly, looking determined. “Of course, My Lord. I won’t let you down.”
Ganondorf thanked her, pleased by her faith in his orders, before walking away. At the same time, Captain Teake and her squad of trainees passed through the town’s main entrance, heading for the barracks.
“Captain Teake, were you successful in clearing out the monsters?” Ganondorf asked as he met the group halfway.
“Yes, My Lord. Not a single bokoblin remains, and the camp was fully dismantled to ensure more don’t replace them,” Teake replied, immediately and with confidence.
“Injuries?”
“None.”
Ganondorf couldn’t help but smile. “Excellent! You’ve trained them well, captain. I am most pleased with all of your efforts,” he said.
“Sarqso! I think I did a pretty good job with them, myself,” Teake said proudly, and behind her, the soldiers looked delighted by Ganondorf’s words. It wasn’t often that new soldiers accomplished something notable enough to receive his praise.
Teake turned to the others, having heard their excited chattering, “Hey, hey, don’t get too confident! Just because His Majesty said you did well doesn’t mean you’re not still rookies. Once we get back to the barracks, you’re only getting a short rest before training resumes, and I don’t plan to go easy on you!”
The other soldiers quickly fell in line at that, and they all continued to the barracks while Ganondorf turned his attention back to the market. If things had gotten this bad for Spera and Olu, then he ought to check up on the other merchants as well.
Unfortunately, though perhaps not surprisingly, they all told similar stories, complaining about the difficulty in supplying goods and the lack of travellers buying what little they did have. Ganondorf reassured them all as best as he could, but he was increasingly aware that he wouldn’t be able to keep this up for much longer. Sooner or later, someone would see through his calm, confident facade and realise that their king was just as terrified as the rest of them. He dreaded to think about the chaos that might follow if the people lost faith in their leader now of all times.
He didn’t get a chance to think about it, however, because just as he turned to walk away from the last store he visited, a group of kids ran past and bumped into him, almost knocking him over.
Buliara immediately grabbed Ganondorf’s arm to steady him, “Your Majesty, are you alright?” she quickly asked, despite him being very obviously unharmed.
“Yes, yes, I’m quite alright,” Ganondorf said, chuckling softly, “They’re rather energetic today, aren’t they?”
“Someone ought to scold them for not paying attention,” Buliara said as she let go of him and scowled at the small group.
“Oh, come now, Buliara, they’re only children. Let them have their fun.” Ganondorf watched them for a minute as they continued to shout and giggle, blissfully unaware of the dire situation the town was in, until one particular little vai caught his eye.
Laveine had been born without the use of her legs, but the other children played with her all the same. It was always heartening to see how one of the bigger vai would carry Laveine on her back so they could all run around together, pretending… whatever it was they were pretending. It was nearly impossible to figure out what they were up to once they were fully invested in their game, as there was no stopping or interrupting them unless you wanted to get yelled at by a crowd of angry little vai. Best not to ask.
He didn’t see Omela amongst the group nor anywhere around the market. That was rather odd, Ganondorf thought, as his young niece was always out here playing something or another. But it gave him an excuse to stop by his sisters’ place, and Ganondorf would never complain about that.
Informing Buliara of his plans, Ganondorf left the market and made a beeline for his family home. It was a house like any other in the town and, naturally, paled in comparison to the splendour of the palace, but it was enough for his sisters and niece to live comfortably together. If it hadn’t been for his coming of age and subsequent coronation, Ganondorf would probably still live here with them too.
“Wait here. I won’t be long,” He told Buliara before going inside, not bothering to knock.
Along with his bedroom, this house was one of the only places in the whole of Hyrule where Ganondorf could truly relax. Not even Buliara’s watchful eye followed him in here, as they had long since agreed that he was to be given privacy in his own home, whether that be the palace chambers or his sisters’ place.
Ganondorf quickly spotted Rinsui, the middle sibling, busy in the kitchen while Tonelle, the eldest of the three, was gone. Rinsui hadn’t noticed him coming in, so Ganondorf snuck a little closer before breaking the silence.
“Slaving away in the kitchen again, Rin? Tonelle really ought to start paying you,” he said, a smug little grin creeping onto his face at the way Rinsui flinched.
“Ganon? What’re you doing here?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder at him with an amused smile. “Shouldn’t you be in the palace, performing your kingly duties?”
“Do I really need an excuse to visit my favourite sister?” Ganondorf asked, feigning innocence.
“Oh, so I’m your favourite now? Just wait ‘til Tonelle hears about this.”
Ganondorf shook his head with a chuckle at her teasing, “I actually came here to check on Omela, have you seen her? It’s not like her not to be out with her friends.”
Rinsui opened her mouth to reply when the voice of a young vai by Ganondorf’s side drew his attention, alongside a soft tug on his skirt.
“Um… Uncle Ganon?”
“Ah, there you are, Omela,” he said, smiling down at her. “I was just looking for you. Is something wrong?”
“I was just wondering… why is everyone so scared?” Omela asked nervously.
“Scared of what?” Ganondorf asked, softening his voice a little as he crouched down on one knee to get closer to eye level with Omela.
“I don’t know… Dalia said her mama was struggling making money because people are too scared to come to the town anymore. And– and she said that pretty soon, we’ll all be in danger and maybe have to leave our homes…”
Ganondorf’s heart broke seeing her so nervous. His niece was so young, so gentle, so full of pure, childlike innocence that hadn’t yet been tainted by the stress of the real world. She shouldn’t be worrying about something like this at her age. He scooped her up in his arms and stood up, sitting her on his hip as he considered how best to reassure her without telling her what was really going on. She didn’t need to know.
“Dalia is right,” Ganondorf said slowly, “A lot of people are having a hard time right now because not many travellers are coming to visit us. The truth is that there’s something out there in the desert. Something bad.”
“Like a big monster?”
“Yes… Yes, a big monster, even bigger than a molduga, and that’s what’s driving people away from the town. They’re afraid of this monster and don’t want to risk crossing the desert to get here. But there’s no need to be scared because I’m going to fix it– with help from your Mama.”
“Mama’s helping you save the town?!” Omela asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
Ganondorf nodded with a soft chuckle, “She’s actually out in the desert right now on a very special mission as part of my plan to eventually defeat the monster.”
“So then people will come visit us again?”
“That’s right. And you know how amazing your Mama is, don’t you?”
“Yeah! Mama works really hard to keep the town safe and scares away the bad voe who try to sneak in when they’re not supposed to.”
“Exactly. So with her on the case, you have nothing to worry about. Everyone just needs to be patient while we deal with the monster, and soon everything will return to normal. Alright?”
Omela nodded with a smile, her eyes having regained their usual sparkle.
“Now, why don’t you go find your friends? They’re all out in the market, and from what I saw, they’ve come up with yet another new game to play. You don’t want to miss out, do you?” Ganondorf asked.
Omela gasped and shook her head vigorously before wriggling out of Ganondorf’s grasp and running for the door, shouting sav'orq to Rinsui as she went. Ganondorf let out a sigh of relief as soon as the door closed behind her.
“Nicely done,” Rinsui said, having paused her chopping of vegetables to join him. “You handle her really well, you know. Tonelle would be proud– and so would Mama.”
Ganondorf met her eyes, returning her fond gaze. “Sarqso… I’m just glad she didn’t ask any more questions.”
“I’ve always said you should consider having a vehvi of your own one day.”
“Rin… don’t start this again,” Ganondorf said warningly. He was not in the mood to debate his prospects at fatherhood.
“But of course,”
“Rin…”
“You’d have to finally find yourself a nice vai first!” she giggled.
Ganondorf huffed with frustration, “I’ve told you a thousand times, I have no interest in vai–”
“Or voe, or anyone. I know, I know, I just can’t resist teasing you sometimes,” Rinsui said, elbowing him playfully.
A few moments passed in comfortable silence before Rinsui’s expression shifted to one of worry. “Is the situation with Naboris really that bad?” she asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Ganondorf said, without hesitation. “With so few travellers passing through, the market can hardly function; food and resources from outside the desert are becoming scarce… The whole town is suffering.”
“I guess Dalia really is right… How long do you think we have?”
“The latest patrol has not yet returned, so Naboris’ current movements are unknown, though I doubt much will have changed since last time,” Ganondorf said.
Naboris tended to wander in a haphazard circle some distance from the town but was gradually drifting closer. Its speed and direction had been very consistent ever since it awoke and began moving, so through regular observation, Ganondorf’s soldiers had estimated that they should have the better part of a month before it reached the town. But the lack of imminent danger from Naboris hadn’t stopped people from being afraid to travel the desert, and rightly so; it was a dangerous place for outsiders at the best of times. The presence of the Divine Beast was only making things more difficult.
“Tonelle still isn’t back?” Rinsui asked with surprise, and more than a bit of concern.
Ganondorf shook his head dejectedly as he crossed the room to sit on the sofa. Tonelle’s group had left early that morning to observe Naboris’ movements and determine if it was still following its usual patterns. As protocol dictated, Ganondorf had sent them out in a group of three; only one person was required to observe Naboris, but the monsters in the desert were vicious and sending one person alone was far too risky.
“I can think of plenty of reasonable explanations for why they might have been delayed, so I’m reluctant to cause alarm. But if we still haven’t heard from them by midday, I’ll send others to find them. We can’t risk leaving soldiers out there with Naboris,” he said.
Those soldiers were hand-picked for their skills and courage; more than prepared to handle any monsters they might run into, what with Teake and Babi’s vigorous training of them. But no one, not even Ganondorf, would be able to survive a direct encounter with Naboris. The lightning would fry them to a crisp, provided they didn’t suffocate in the sandstorm first, and Hylia forbid someone got up close and personal with one of those giant feet… The very thought made him shudder.
“Just keep me updated, okay? She’s my sister too,” Rinsui said.
“Of course. You and Omela will be the first to know when she returns.”
Rinsui poured herself a drink, probably her favourite hydromelon juice, and leaned against the counter. “What about you?” she asked, before taking a sip. “How are you coping with all of this?”
“About as well as I can, I suppose. No amount of advice and training from the previous chief can really prepare you for a Divine Beast reawakening. I keep telling everyone that things will be back to normal soon, but the truth is, Rin, I haven’t the first idea of how to stop it. And with the Thunder Helm lost to us, I can’t get close enough to even try,” Ganondorf admitted.
“...You really should consider sending soldiers to try and get it back,” Rinsui said slowly.
Ganondorf shot her a pointed glance. “I won’t send my people to die at the hands of the Yiga,” he said firmly. Rinsui should be well aware of his stance on those conniving thieves by now.
“Not after what happened to Mama… but what if it’s the only way?” she asked.
“It won’t be. I’ll think of something else. I will stop Naboris… I have to.” Ganondorf said, more to himself than to Rinsui.
Rinsui took Ganondorf’s hands in her own, pulling him up onto his feet and into a hug. “Just… remember that we’re here, okay? You don’t have to bottle everything up,” she said as Ganondorf wrapped his arms around her in return, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Yeah, yeah, I know, we say that all the time, but we mean it. Remember what Kotake and Koume used to say?”
Ganondorf sighed and internally rolled his eyes at that, reciting their words just to appease her, “That if I wanted to keep my aggression under control and avoid more violent outbursts, I needed to let my emotions out before they became too much…”
“Exactly. So talk to us, alright?”
“You know I will,” he assured her, and she let go of him.
“Good, now get out of here and get your ass back on that throne,” Rinsui said as she picked up a spatula from the countertop and whacked him on the arm with it, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make him yelp in surprise. Ganondorf shot her a half-hearted glare as she giggled and resumed her cooking; a glare that quickly melted away into a smile, his mood lifting instantly at Rinsui’s playful nature.
While some might see it as a curse, Ganondorf saw having sisters as more of a blessing. They had their irritating moments, especially when they were teenagers, but in hindsight, Ganondorf couldn’t be more grateful that someone had been there for him when their mother could not. Kotake and Koume did their best to raise the three siblings like they were their own, but even their best efforts could never replicate the natural bond between Ganondorf and his sisters.
Ganondorf rejoined Buliara outside, and they resumed their walk so Ganondorf could make all his usual rounds of the town before heading back to the palace.
As midday approached with Tonelle’s patrol group still missing, Ganondorf grew more concerned about the fate of those soldiers. He confirmed with the guard at the southeastern gate that there had been absolutely no sign of the patrol since they left that morning before conceding that he could wait no longer.
When he went to the barracks and asked for volunteers for a search and rescue mission, several vai stepped forward immediately. Pleased with their courage, Ganondorf explained the situation and began to give them their orders before being interrupted by Teilen, another member of the palace staff.
“Your Majesty!” she said, and Ganondorf quickly turned to face her. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I bring urgent news.”
“Go on,” Ganondorf said.
“The missing soldiers have been spotted approaching the southeastern gate!” Teilen exclaimed.
“What?” Ganondorf asked in surprise before turning back to the volunteers. “Your orders have changed. Those soldiers may be injured. Help them reach the town and bring them to the throne room at once, but do it quietly.”
The group left quickly and Ganondorf spoke again to Teilen, “Those soldiers have been out in the blazing sun for hours now. They’ll need water and medical attention as soon as they’re inside– and have someone tell Rinsui that they’re back.”
“Understood, My Lord.” Teilen immediately left to carry out his orders.
Ganondorf spent the next few minutes pacing the throne room as he waited. Ideally, he would have had them sneak the patrol into the barracks via the northeastern gate instead, but there might not be time for subtlety if the soldiers were injured. It was a risk he couldn’t take, especially not with the town’s sore lack of medical supplies. Obtaining them through trade was nigh on impossible right now, and the best areas for gathering medicinal herbs in the desert were much too close to Naboris. Hopefully, the healers’ talent for their work would be enough to compensate.
The missing patrol was swiftly brought inside, each of them being supported by one of the volunteers to help them walk. Relief washed over Ganondorf upon seeing all three members of the patrol enter the palace: Kotta, Merina, and lastly…
“Tonelle!” Ganondorf exclaimed as he rushed over to her.
She looked at him blearily, “Ganon..?”
Ganondorf carefully took her arm and put it over his shoulders. “I’ve got her. Help the others,” he said to the soldier who was supporting Tonelle before slowly walking her over to the stairs that led up to the throne.
“Tonelle, are you alright? What happened out there?” He asked as he helped her sit down on the bottom step, crouching at her side with a hand on her lower back.
Tonelle winced in pain as she sat. Cuts and bruises littered her skin as though she’d been fighting monsters, and other spots were raw from being pummeled by sand. She could hardly keep herself upright; drained of all her energy, and lightheaded from the merciless heat of the sun. Goddesses, it was no wonder it took them so long to get back.
“Naboris…” Tonelle began, “We– we got close enough to watch it for a while, but when we gearing up to leave, a herd of lizalfos appeared out of nowhere… We fought them off pretty easily, but then we realised they’d spooked our sand seals and sent them running off back towards Naboris. We tried to chase them– thought they’d stop when they reached the sandstorm, but they didn’t… and by then, we were too close to outrun Naboris before the storm engulfed us too.” She winced in pain again before looking up at Firas, who’d just come in a minute ago to distribute water and food while the healers began tending to the patrol’s wounds. Tonelle gladly took the glass she was offered, gulping it down quickly and taking a moment to breathe before she continued, “We got out as quick as we could, but Naboris started striking at us as soon as we got caught in the storm… There was no way to get our seals back without risking the lightning, so we had to abandon them and try to make it back on foot without any of the supplies they were carrying… Not to mention all the monsters we ran into.”
Ganondorf took one of Tonelle’s hands in his. “But you made it, and you’re safe now. I was worried…” He said, holding her hand for a minute to really solidify it in his mind that Tonelle was alright before letting go. “Were you able to determine if Naboris is still following its usual patterns?” he asked.
Tonelle nodded, but Ganondorf could see the worry in her eyes. She glanced briefly at the others in the room before lowering her voice, “It's not good, Ganon… Naboris is moving towards the town faster and more directly than I’ve ever seen before. If it keeps this up, we might only have a matter of weeks, maybe even days, before it reaches us…”
Before Ganondorf could respond, Omela burst into the palace.
“Mama?” she called, looking around frantically until she spotted Tonelle. “Mama!”
“Omela!” Tonelle held her arms out, and Omela ran over to hug her. “It’s alright… I’m here…” she whispered, holding her vehvi close.
Omela tightened her grip, drawing a sharp inhale from Tonelle that led Omela to pull back and look at her.
“Mama, you’re hurt… Did the big monster do that?” Omela asked, her eyes wide.
“Big monster? What do you–” Tonelle began to question.
Ganondorf quickly interrupted, “Yes, Omela, it was the monster, and that’s why the travellers are so scared of it. It’s very dangerous, and they could get badly hurt if they get too close, but your Mama’s back now, and she’s going to be okay, so there’s no need to worry.”
Omela looked up at him, holding onto Tonelle again, but more gently. “Are you sure you can defeat the monster, Uncle Ganon? I don’t want you to get hurt too…” she said.
Ganondorf hesitated but gave Omela his best reassuring smile. “...I’m sure,” he said. As he stood up, Tonelle shot him a worried look, having caught on to what they meant by a big monster.
Ganondorf turned to speak with one of the healers. “Saemis, report,” he ordered.
Saemis stood up and walked over to him from examining one of the other soldiers’ injuries. “They’ll be alright, My Lord, but our limited supplies mean the healing process will be slower than usual. They need time off to fully recover before returning to duty.”
“How long would you suggest?” Ganondorf asked.
“A few days at the very least, but the more time off, the better,” Saemis replied.
“Very well. Sarqso.” Ganondorf turned to the injured soldiers, “Tonelle, Kotta, Merina.”
They all looked up at him.
“You have all shown incredible courage in the face of peril, and as your king, I thank you for your service. Your dedication is exemplary, and Gerudo Town is very fortunate to have you working to protect it. In light of your injuries, you are all to take a minimum of three days' rest before returning to active duty. Longer, if you need it.” Ganondorf explained, much to Kotta and Merina’s relief, and to Tonelle’s dismay.
“Ganon, the town needs all the protection it can get! You can’t afford to let us take time off,” she protested, standing up on shaky legs and leaning on her spear for balance. “I’m not hurt that badly... As soon as I’m fixed up enough, I’ll be at your disposal again, and I insist that you allow me to continue patrolling Naboris,” she demanded.
“I appreciate your commitment to the Divine Beast, Tonelle, but your health is more important. A soldier who is unable to fight properly is only putting herself and her fellow soldiers at further risk. Regardless of whether you continue to patrol Naboris, I cannot let you return to duty until you’re sufficiently healed.” Surely that was obvious, Ganondorf thought. Why was she defying him?
Tonelle started to counter him again, “With all due respect, Ganon, you need me–”
“Tonelle,” Ganondorf warned.
“You need all of us!”
“Enough!” Ganondorf raised his voice at her before he even realised what he was doing, ”You may be my sister, but I am still your king, so when I give you an order, I expect you to follow it. Three days, and not a minute less. Understood?”
Tonelle merely looked away in frustration.
“Understood?” Ganondorf repeated, unable to help the growl that crept into his voice at her silence.
“...Yes, Your Majesty,” Tonelle said, her anger still seeping through.
That stung. Tonelle never addressed him by his title.
A pang of guilt struck Ganondorf immediately, but he kept his composure well. If he was to have any success in guiding his people through the mess they were in, he required the utmost loyalty and obedience from all of his subordinates, Tonelle included. The fact that they were family should make no difference.
Tonelle sat down again, and Ganondorf looked to Kotta and Merina, who had remained silent the entire time. “The same applies to you both as well. I don’t want to see either of you anywhere near the barracks until you’ve recovered,” he said firmly. He didn’t doubt that they would follow his orders, but it wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.
Moments later, Rinsui came rushing in, presumably to check on her sister now that she’d returned. But as soon as she made eye contact with Ganondorf, she recoiled slightly and knelt down beside Tonelle to speak to her without saying a word to him.
It was probably for the best, Ganondorf thought.
The healers did what they could for the injured soldiers - which wasn’t much, given the lack of supplies - and soon sent them home to rest. Ganondorf took the throne once again, but only a couple more visitors came his way that afternoon. That in itself was concerning, though also fortunate, as the gnawing anxiety in the back of his mind wouldn’t let him focus on anything else.
What in Hylia’s name was he supposed to do? Ganondorf had made it a personal rule to only act against the Yiga when absolutely necessary and do only what was required to ensure his people’s safety, nothing more. Any Yiga who dared approach the town, the bazaar, or travellers along the desert path were to be dealt with without hesitation. But he would never order an invasion of their base, not even with the most skilled Gerudo soldiers. The Thunder Helm was not an option.
But at the same time, it was the only option. How else could Ganondorf survive Naboris’ lightning long enough to attempt to calm the beast? And even if he did get close enough, even if he managed to get all the way inside Naboris to wherever its control centre lay, there was no guarantee that he’d be able to stop it. Only the champions of the Divine Beasts were known to be capable of controlling them, and the Calamity had slain them all a century ago.
His people needed him to do something, anything, yet the only way forward was a path that he simply couldn’t take, leaving him unable to act other than to sit there helplessly and pray that an alternative would present itself.
That evening, his attendants followed their usual routine and brought him dinner, but Ganondorf could hardly bring himself to eat, and he dismissed their resulting worry as unwarranted. Firas and Eluno had known him long enough to tell when something was wrong, and usually, their concern for him was greatly appreciated. But they knew better than to prod him for answers when he didn’t give them willingly. Besides, Ganondorf supposed, word of him snapping at Tonelle had probably spread through the town like wildfire.
They soon after prepared him for bed like usual, helping him out of his jewels and storing them properly before using a damp cloth to remove his makeup. Normally, the three of them would make small talk while going about their nightly routine, but tonight, Ganondorf’s attendants remained carefully silent unless he spoke to them first. They then bade him farewell for the night and left, closing the curtains behind them.
Ganondorf changed back into his robes, sat down on the edge of his bed and began braiding his hair. Despite his attendants offering numerous times in the past to braid it for him, Ganondorf had insisted that he do this part himself. His mother used to braid her hair like this, or so he’d been told. It made him feel closer to her, in a way, despite not having a single memory of when she was still alive.
He put out the lamps in his room before crawling into bed, and fell quickly into a restless sleep.
For as long as he could remember, Ganondorf had always experienced bizarre, sometimes rather disturbing dreams. Often he would dream of a boy, a Hylian boy, who would always wear green, and a princess who wielded some kind of special power. They appeared to be his enemies, always trying to stop him and his conquest of Hyrule’s lands, and invariably they would triumph over him, usually resulting in his demise. The details varied from dream to dream, but every time Ganondorf would feel the same, inexplicable sense of familiarity. He’d never really understood what they meant, but he’d been having these dreams long enough that they rarely bothered him now.
That night, however, was different. Instead of the familiar sight of the mysterious princess and her hero clad in green, Ganondorf’s dreams were plagued with imagery of Naboris. Gerudo Town fell to dust before his very eyes, as it had on so many nights since the threat first arose, while his people cried out his name. They begged, they pleaded with their king to do something; to stop Naboris’ rampage, to save them from such needless slaughter. But he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. He could only watch, frozen in place, and utterly helpless, as the ancient beast took out its anger on those who had done nothing to incur it.
Ganondorf jolted awake. It felt like the thousandth time that night that he had woken in a panic, chest heaving and eyes darting frantically to find any sign of Naboris’ presence. But the Divine Beast was still roaming the open desert; approaching gradually, but posing no immediate threat on this particular night. He spent a minute calming his breathing before lying back down with a heavy sigh, desperate for proper rest. As he stared blankly at the ceiling in the hopes that sleep would soon claim him again, he uttered a silent prayer into the cold desert night. A plea for someone, anyone, to help him save his people before it was too late.