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Passing a cloth handkerchief over her face, Zelda silently wiped away the tears that continued to stream down her cheeks. On her knees, the tragedy unfolding before her eyes had drained all her strength.
The princess of Hyrule had always been terrorized by Ganondorf. His imposing stature, eyes filled with hatred, and face distorted by cynicism. The character himself repulsed her. But what revolted her the most was his usual laugh, heavy and rough, echoing with every unpunished crime. She would never have imagined that this monster in human form could feel anything other than pride and rage.
Only Hylia knew how wrong she was.
In front of her, Ganondorf was slumped over the body of Link, his beloved, tears flowing like a deluge that refused to stop, his face twisted in pain. His cries of grief made her tremble. She had heard cries of pain and sorrow before, the lamentations of those who screamed in anguish at the grave of their loved ones. But coming from this man, it took on a whole new dimension. His vocal power compensated for Zelda's voicelessness, as she no longer had the strength to speak. Ganondorf roared with sadness, thundering his sorrow in the throne room.
This tyrant, known to be the embodiment of Evil, seemed so human in his torment. The opposite of the sinister and cunning painting she saw whenever their gazes met.
Like the princess, the king had the habit of taking care of his image. His dark shining armor, his authoritative posture, his flashy fighting style, nothing was left to chance. His intelligence and charisma made a lasting impression, his name unforgettable. Nevertheless, she had never seen or heard him be so vulnerable.
Ganondorf pounded the ground violently with his fists, again and again, until blood flowed. Watching him insist on using his dark magic, Zelda knew that he would not succeed in reviving Link. He categorically refused to admit defeat and acknowledge his powerlessness in the face of the unwavering will of the Goddesses to keep Link's soul with them. She could hear him whimper, begging for the mercy of their Creators to bring his beloved back to life.
Link had betrayed Hyrule by choosing to ally himself with Ganondorf. Everyone, including her, believed that the hero was under his control, but it was not true. It was a choice, his own. He had declared that he had no respect for the kingdom of Hyrule and felt much more admiration for Ganondorf than for anyone else. She admitted that she had never understood his reasoning, but hadn't pressed further. Link was determined to leave.
And there he is now, free for eternity, his spirit resting in the embrace of the Goddesses.
Despite his betrayal, she was still attached to him. She still considered him a hero, although fallen in the eyes of their people. He had taken a part of herself to the grave, just like Ganondorf.
Deep down, Zelda resented the king of Gerudo for being unable to resurrect Link. As a necromancer, death should hold no secrets for him. It was a disgrace, in her eyes. Even in possession of the Triforce of Power, he remained powerless against fate.
Zelda suppressed a sob, trying futilely to regain her strength. However, she had to. Ganondorf wouldn't scream in despair indefinitely. He still intended to seize her Triforce of Wisdom to complete the Triforce, and perhaps, in a final hope, bend the Goddesses to his will. As devastated as she was, the sacred triangle had to remain out of his malevolent hands.
And her fear came true when Ganondorf suddenly became silent, turning his crazy gaze toward her.