#but totk DID make me cry at the end

[a-tired-human-draws-junk]

JUST BEAT GANON IN TOTK AND SPENT A SOLID 10 MINUTES CRYI G OVER THE END CUTSCENE RAHHHHHH😭😭😭😭

[flowering-thought]

Part fourrr-

Lowkey not sure how my insane simping for Ganondorf when TOTK came out would lead to this

This is the final part but maybe I'll make more stuff about it one day just probably not anytime soon-

Hehe welcome to part 4! Drama and reunions and an ultimatum as well. I wonder what will come to pass hm? Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four

WARNING - MINORS DNI

AFAB reader and reader is described as feminine and chubby/plus sized.

Yandere themes, slight gore??, angst and tears, eventual fluff, pregnancy and birth-

Yandere Ganondorf x Archeologist Reader (part three)

Just when you thought you wouldn't feel that familiar sensation of falling, that light that blinded you and took your consciousness appeared once again.

You felt like you were in a dream. Visions of Zelda becoming a dragon crossed your mind, her tears falling to the ground and those visions were soon combined with the sight of Ganondorf being sealed away.

You wandered through what looked like red fog, the sounds of monsters and the clashing of swords echoing in your consciousness.

You were dreaming, you knew that, and yet you didn't know what you were dreaming of.

Apart of you wanted to forget everything, you wished that nothing had gone wrong. And the whispers echoing in the red fog along with the constant sound of fighting affirmed that.

You heard his voice, the voice of the man you fell for in an Era you never thought you'd experience.

"Why? Why did you leave?"

"We could have been happy together!"

"If you had just let me protect you-"

The constant whispers became louder but suddenly went silent. Erie silence until the fog cleared, and what filled your vision was the sight of the man you love hunched over with his knees on the ground.

"Can't we just go back to what we were?"

You were about to touch him, to beg and plead with him. You wanted to cry as you reached out, using your arms to cover him and bury your head into the crook of his neck.

You cried as you held tight, never wanting to let go.

"I wanted to be with you forever." You whispered, "I wanted to live peacefully with you, just you and me." You confessed between sobs, your hands balling tight.

"But you wanted power. You wanted authority. I would have done anything to stay with you if you had just believed in me." You confessed.

And as sudden as the fog disappeared, it came back, rushing your senses as everything went black.

You suddenly woke up in a bed that was all too similar to Purah's in Lookout Landing. You noticed how tightly you held the sheets, letting go to wipe the tears from your cheeks.

Link sat by your bed, shoulders, and head drooped as you guessed he probably fell asleep while watching over you. Purah sat at the small desk she had set up, writing in her own journal until she realized your movement, getting up before she checked on you, her brows furrowed in worry as she felt your forehead.

"Where have you been? I've been worried about you." She asked, her hands running through your hair, "Link told me you and Zelda were still missing. That you both disappeared.".

Upon looking at her you burst into tears, your lips pressed together in an attempt to stifle the cries coming from your throat.

She hugged you close, pulling you up to sit up with her, she felt you burrow into her, all the comfort made you feel safe, you felt like you could finally just rest.

But when Link woke up and more people came to check on you finally you told Link everything that happened on your end. You told him of Ganondorf, you told him of Zelda and how her power returned you due to the secret stone.

And then you remembered how Zelda turned into a dragon, a lump filling your throat as your mouth opened but no words came out.

Link told you of what happened while you were gone, how he found memories from a dragon's tears, ones that showed him visions of the past. He told you how Rauru gave him his arm and how he led him to shrines of light to regain the strength he lost. And as well as the secret stones that are now in the hands of four sages.

You wanted to tell him about Zelda, you wanted to tell the truth but something in you couldn't say it.

So instead, "Find the rest of the memories. I don't think I should be the one to explain the rest. What happened is too hard to explain." You said. There was a slight frown Link showed but he nodded and agreed with you.

You got up and went to see the four new sages, and watched as Link explained that they would have to wait to rescue Princess Zelda whom they saw in the castle as things weren't adding up. And yet many of the sages disagreed, trying to convince Link that it couldn't wait.

You picked up what was going on and knew that it had something to do with Ganondorf. You watched as they argued back and forth, Link mostly silent as he listened to their advice and suggestions.

"I think maybe you should go." You stated, watching as everyone halted their rising voices of frustration. Link looked to you to let you explain, "It won't be easy to get into the castle but I think there may be something I can do to stop this mess." You say, your fists clenching by your side.

You knew it would be risky, but maybe if you could convince Ganondorf, you could stop this nightmare. But you didn't want Link to know how far you'd be willing to go to prevent bloodshed, so you weren't going to try to talk to Ganondorf until Link couldn't try to stop you.

"I can stay out of the way but I think there might be something in there that could help get Zelda back." You added, trying to seem convincing. Not to mention since you now know that the castle was built on top of the place of the final battle this entire time it might be true that something hidden inside the castle could help. But for now, you just needed to convince Link to bring you along while the sages secured the property since you prolonged Link going into the castle to see what was happening.

You kept a hand over your stomach unconsciously, your mind wandering to what to say. "I'm going with you Link. I'll stay out of the way just like I did when we traveled! But please I need to be there with you just in case." you insisted.

Link shook his head, his brows furrowing as you took his hand, "Please Link you don't understand. There are things I can't yet explain so please just take me with you." you begged, giving his hand a squeeze.

Link didn't want to, you could tell in his expression but he could also see something in yours. He could see a desperation he had never seen before adorning your face and as much as he wanted to keep you safe a part of him knew he had to agree. So much to Links' displeasure, he nodded, giving you a squeeze back before he let go of your hand.

Before long the sages stayed near the entrance to the castle, mentioning a plan in case things go wrong and that they would survey the castle for any signs of something going wrong.

Luckily you and Link were used to traveling together. You knew to stay a few paces behind at all times and help carry most of the inventory except for certain elixirs that were better staying with Link if he ever got into a pinch.

You held onto the food and medical supplies, often you also carried the map and extra arrows as well. You and Link figured out early on in your travels that it was best that he didn't carry too much and way himself down when fighting. You also tended to help remind him when the sun was about to go down or when the weather was about to turn.

Somehow you were better at certain things while he was better at others. Staying a few paces away tended to make sure Link was in control of the situation if a monster appeared out of nowhere.

But as you gathered some supplies and eventually joined Link on his way to the castle. He reminded you that the castle itself is filled with more powerful creatures; so to stay as away as possible and if he has to check out a room to stay behind in the already cleared room.

Which honestly sounded the best. According to everything that went on with the leaders/sages of the others who informed you about things happening around Hyrule you came to understand that Ganondorf was not only trying to make things more advantageous for himself but also seemed to me looking for something.... or someone..

It unsettled you that the castle felt the same as before, just as dangerous and dark as it felt when Link had gone to rescue Zelda all those years ago. You stayed paces behind as rooms were cleared and as you watched Link battle monsters. And as "Zelda" appeared and words were left behind by "Zelda" you were more certain this was a trap and you were wondering if Link knew that too. After all, Zelda never had this kind of demeanor and Link knows Zelda just as much as you do, maybe even better than you.

You watched as he fought and would toss health elixirs if you thought that he was getting too hurt. You hated that you could only watch but still tried to provide as much as you could.

But unknown to you, a familiar figure watched on, his fists clenched at the sight of you and that damned Link.

You looked the same as the day you left, the same as the day he was sealed. And he knew you had to have come back recently, as at the beginning he saw it, the sight of you and Zelda falling and reaching for each other.

And he saw the light that enveloped you both as you disappeared.

He only realized it too late that you were there. But he knew that he couldn't reach for you then, if he did it risked something changing. He didn't know fully what would change, but he knew better.

And he saw it from a distance, the sight of your form descending from the skies in a pool of light, the same clothes you wore back then, the Gerudo attire you wore around the village. He can still remember the sight of you with that precious sun umbrella the kids made you, your feet having a light spring in their step, and the bright smile you had as you walked around the village in front of him.

He watched carefully as both you and Link made it through the castle, all the way to the final destination.

The throne room before the hundred years of sleep was beautiful as you heard from Link. You once asked him to describe it to you and you sketched it out on your notebook. You also would look at the paintings for the place used to look.

You both knew that the sanctum only had a few entrances and exits, so instead of following Link to a place you couldn't help you asked if you could hide in the place above, the place where the big hole in the ceiling allowed access to the throne room, where you could freely drop health elixirs or aid should he need it. You could also see if you could signal to Tulin if needed as he was patrolling the skies of Hyrule castle.

So you found a place where the gloom couldn't reach near the hole and sat down, keeping low to the ground made you feel less like you'd fall over and more hidden.

You watched Link enter the throne room, watched as Zelda appeared and approached, her voice echoing off the walls of the castle;

"Link! At last... I've been waiting for you to arrive... There's something I want to show you.." was what you heard as you leaned over the edge to get a better look, a glamour coming over the castle as though by magic appeared, the throne room that Link had once described to you now appeared before your eyes, the same floor you were on transformed to the castles former glory.

You watched as "Zelda" grew closer, never knowing where she would appear next, Link stood on guard, feeling as though he definitely wasn't safe.

"Hyrule castle.. Perfect and glorious... Does it bring back memories of our time here?" She asked, you thought for a moment you could hear the malice in her voice. "Take a good look Link... for it's the last thing you will ever see."

You listened and peered over the entrance from the ceiling, watching as the form you had seen below Hyrule castle appeared like a puppetmaster above the fake Zelda, her body going limp as though the strings that held her were cut.

You watched her body disappear and held your breath, watching as Ganondorf spoke to Link, you couldn't help but clench the edge of the ledge. You wanted to cry at the sight, your mind going blank before Ganondorf summoned what looked to be shadows of himself to attack Link.

You watched carefully as Link fought, your heart beating anxiously. What you had yet to notice was the figure of Ganondorf behind you, his weakened form watching you carefully before pulling you away from the ledge.

Startled you whipped you head to see who on earth was there only to see him.

The love of your life, the only person you had come to love in your short life. Tears welled in your eyes but you refused to cry in front of him, rapidly blinking and trying to think of something else, "What are you doing? Stop this!" You yelled, moving away from him quickly.

You saw the hurt in his eyes quickly be subdued, his form standing there eerily silent. "Stop this? You cannot be so foolish my love." He spoke, his voice nearly making you tremble as he grew louder.

"This has to be done. You ran away, you ran and let me be sealed for nearly ten millennia. Was our love so fragile that you could dare to do such a thing?" He shouted.

You watched as he took a few steps closer, his hands reaching for your shoulders. Despite how angry he was, despite how much you had hurt him, his grip was only tight and not painful. You thought for a moment you could feel his hands trembling.

"And now you've carried the fruit of our love all the way to now. Haven't you little vai?" He added. Your hand unconsciously reached down to your stomach, your eyes blown wide open.

"Had I known you would not stay in the past after allowing me to be sealed away I would have come to greet you. The sight of you falling into that abyss still haunts me but I understand that you had not yet known who I was when you fell." He states.

You didn't think he knew as much as he did, how could he know you hadn't birthed yet? How could he know that when you and Zelda fell you had yet to know who he was? Or had he truly pieced it together with a few guesses?

You shut your eyes, thinking of how to respond. And then a thought popped into your mind. So you shook free of his grasp, staring straight at him with determination.

"You're right Ganondorf. Watching you get sealed away was one of the worst things I could have ever witnessed. I regretted it. I wanted us to be happy." You confessed, watching as he grew impatient at your words.

"Then how could you stand by! How could you watch?!" He yelled, his hands clenching into fists at your words. "Because you left me no choice." You claimed.

"Because if you could so harshly kill when things were going so well then how could I know our future would be secure? You didn't trust me. You didn't trust that I wouldn't stay, you didn't trust me in the slightest."

You watched as his eyes widened and his shoulders hunched over, his hands clenching at his sides.

You moved closer to the entrance in the center, glancing over the side to see that Link was still occupied with the Phantom Ganons', he looked worried when he caught a glimpse of your figure up above.

You then looked straight again at Ganon once more, taking a breath in and out before continuing with your words, "I want this to end Ganon. I want us to live together once more." You confessed.

You watched as his features turned hopeful, stepping closer to you with excitement that could make him nearly burst. "Yes! Yes! I want that too!" He beamed.

You smiled a little, seeing a glimpse of the man you loved. "Then you must do something for me. And if you do this we can be together with no one else to interfere." You persisted, weight added to your words and Ganondorf nodded eagerly, "What is it? I'd do anything my love!" He stated, outstretched his arms to reach for you.

"Throw away the secret stone and stop this. Throw it away and come with me to live somewhere. We could have a home in the plains! We could live near my hometown or even far away from a village! Just as long as this does not continue. This cannot continue." You begged.

You watched as he hesitated, as his hands stopped and his eyes filled with uncertainty.

Tears filled your eyes once more, a rough laugh leaving your lips, "Can you truly not throw away power? You cannot do that to live with me in peace? To live in a place to call our own and raise our child together?" You scoffed.

You held yourself tightly as tears fell down your cheeks, Ganondorfs' mind quickly trying to come up with words to say.

You took a step backward towards the ledge, staying on the edge as you glanced at him, "A week." You stated.

"I will return to the castle in a week and if you do not have an answer for me then..." You gulped before speaking again, "Then I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to never let myself love you again."

Ganondorf reached out for you only for you to yell out Link's name, you tilted backward and allowed yourself to believe Link would catch you. And luckily he did.

At that moment the rest of the sages burst in, helping Link defeat the Phantom ganons and allowing you to stay safe.

You had only wished that you were not crying at that moment.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

It was soon that you made it back. And you didn't know how to answer any of Links questions. So you merely told him to finish gathering the dragons' tears. That when he collected them all he would come to understand what had happened.

You didn't have the heart to answer what happened to Zelda. And hopefully by forcing him to look for the memories he wouldn't be back before the weeks' end.

You were sure he would also try and do the tasks that Purah had wanted him to do as well, such as checking Kakariko village now that it was confirmed that the Zelda everyone had seen was a fake.

You decided to get a carriage ride back to your village, soon arriving at the entrance to Hateno Village.

You wanted to meet with the village chief wanting to discuss about your home and the wish to sell it. While it was the last thing your parents gave you, the memories you had there weren't something you wanted to keep. You often felt rather lonely in that house. Maybe that was the reason you could so readily leave.

The reason you wanted to sell was so you could build a new home elsewhere, hoping that Ganondorf would say yes to your proposal.

So that's what you ended up doing most of your week, looking for places on the outskirts of villages, including your own, where you and Ganondorf would not be bothered. You even looked at just land itself, knowing you had enough money left over to hire someone to build your house should there be the need.

While you were hopeful that Ganondorf would say yes you were also preparing yourself for him choosing power over all else.

What you didn't know was about a singular Phantom Ganon hiding in the shadows watching your every move.

While Ganondorf wanted to trust you and your words he wasn't sure at the beginning when you proposed such an ultimatum to him. What if it was a trap? What if you truly despised him now?

Yet with every move you made you only showed hope about him accepting your request.

He watched as you traveled quickly from carriage to carriage, often sitting with food storage in the back of a wagon to travel fast enough. He saw how you looked at every house and land, taking into consideration how you thought he would feel about each one.

You never looked at places in Gerudo nor in the northern regions, always looking to the southeast or towards the central region. He also saw you consult with a midwife on the best things to eat and what to not do.

His only dilemma was wondering if he could throw away such power.

He loved you, yet that dark part of him wanted both you and power, telling him he was strong enough to take both. But then he would remember the look on your face at every bad thing he did. That look of sorrow and distrust made his heart squeeze.

He slightly wonders what would have happened had he believed in you, had he asked what your wishes were. And had he listened to you, would you both still be wrapped around each other? Would you both be lying in bed preparing to welcome the child growing within you?

But it was too late to have regrets. He had to focus on the now, as the decision he made could allow him to lose you forever.

He knew that Link was remarkable. As much as his pride didn't want to admit it, he had to, or else he'd end up dead. Link was not only strong but extremely skilled. If he were to fight with Link? He's not sure who would make it out of the two. Not to mention that the goddess Hylia strongly supports Link, and with the help of the sages it is likely Link could make it to him unscathed.

But who would win? It's an answer he's not sure he wants to know.

He needed his strength back. If he's going to answer his lovely little vai, he should at least look the closest to himself as he was back before he was sealed.

Soon he would have to make a decision. And let's hope for his sake he makes the right one.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

As the week past you made sure to always have a ride back to lookout landing.

You made it back just before the deadline and started the trek to get up to Hyrule Castle.

You wondered how you would even make it up without running into any monsters but you were sure if you took some secret paths through the castle you'd be able to make it through.

So you embarked on your journey, slowly finding different paths to take if you run into any moblins or bokoblins or even lizard kin.

Most paths seemed to be oddly cleared out and it didn't take long for you to reach the sanctum without a scratch.

You wished it had been this easy the other day but you pushed that thought to the back of your mind before gazing at the entrance of the sanctum. You took a breath in and out and then walked in, finding that the sanctum looked as it did when "Zelda" had made it look new again.

You glanced at every corner, taking in how gorgeous the castle once looked. To think that such a glorious castle once stood here tall and mighty, yet 100 years without care and monsters running rampant was enough for it to fall into such disrepair.

And a certain tall man leaned behind you, wrapping you in his arms tightly, his once sickly form restored to what he once was. You hadn't even heard him or detected him, and now you stood there being held in his arms.

As much as you wanted to stay there, to let the warmth of his body comfort you, your anxiety would not stop until you heard his decision.

You took his wrist gently in your hand and guided his arm away from you, taking a step away from him before turning around and lifting your head to face him.

You saw it on his face, that look of love and warmth that you weren't able to see for what felt like such a long time. Those eyes that looked at you with kindness and warmth.

Your heart beat fast, the anxiety pooling in the depths of your stomach and creeping around your heart continued on despite how much the sight of his love for you made your heart ache for him.

Before you could even speak, his hand rose to the secret stone embedded into his forehead, his fingers fixing themselves around the stone before grasping it tightly. You watched in shock as he tore the stone from its place, a scar left behind by its place before he took your hand in his and placed the stone in your palm.

You could feel tears rushing down your cheeks, your fingers clenching around the stone and your palm tightly, the relief flooding you as sobs escaped your lips and your knees gave way from shock.

He caught you as you sobbed, his face worried as your other hand clenched at his robes and broken sobs of words you struggled to get out escaped your lips, "I... didn't think!" You sobbed, your sentences broken between heaves.

Ganondorf watched as you tried to form words before he eventually took you into his arms. He hated making you cry but the relief that you showed at his actions was worth it

He carried you out of the castle, a certain hero arriving at Lookout landing only to watch as soldiers and others gathered towards the gate, their enemy holding one of their comrades close to his chest and standing tall in all of his glory.

Link instinctively drew his sword, his hands wrapped around the hilt tightly, his teeth clenched as he prepared to fight. You quickly wiggled out of Ganondorfs' grasp, making him let you down as you presented the secret stone that once belonged to Sonia.

When the shock of Ganons' willingness to give up the stone vanished what filled you was a certainty that if you took the stone to the temple of time that you would be able to get Zelda back. Something in you just knew and after everything that had happened, you knew it couldn't wait.

"With this, we can get Zelda back. We need to go to the temple of time right now." You asserted. You could tell by the look in his eyes he had seen all the memories. And that while he knew the relationship between you and Ganondorf could be skewing your judgment, he saw something in you that knew something he didn't. And he trusted you just as much as he trusted Zelda.

So after telling everyone that Ganondorf was no longer an enemy and to stay put for you would explain in detail later, you and Link used the Purah Pad to go to the temple of time.

Standing at the decaying temple felt unreal as just a short time ago you had stood at its gate with Zelda, it's decayed form such a staggering difference to its current form. You allowed Link to lead the way for you through the temple, shaking your thoughts as you stelled your mind. Soon, coming to the place where Zelda had once pushed you back to the present time. For you it was only a little over a week, but for others, it's been longer since they've seen her.

So with Links' help to the platform where he once laid his sword, you slowly approached, a familiar dragon appearing suddenly wind rushing as you held the stone over the altar and finally placed it atop the surface. There was a light quick to blind you until you and Link were floating amidst what looked like clouds of green, the Dragon of Light floating before you.

You see Links' hand glow, Rauru and Sonia appear behind him, lending him the power needed to restore Zelda, the dragons' form slowly disappearing and Zelda's form returning.

And as just as quickly as Rauru and Sonia had appeared, they gave a sad look towards you before fading away.

And as everything unfolded, another blinding light appeared, revealing Zelda on the alter where you had placed the secret stone.

And it's as though you could finally let out a sigh of relief.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Soon you would explain everything to Zelda, who would in turn explain to Link and the rest. Many felt uncomfortable letting Ganondorf go unpunished but considering the possible alternative of him attempting to rule all of Hyrule made them allow it under certain conditions.

He wasn't allowed anywhere near the Sky Islands nor Hyrule castle. It was decided that he could not travel to Gerudo either. Most of the southeast of Hyrule he could travel to. And after lots of talking with your husband, he agreed.

Zelda and Link would help make a system of precautions about where the secret stones would be held and who could access them.

And you had asked for a home to be built north of Zelkoa Pond on the outskirts of Hateno Village. In the end, you wanted to remain close but at arms' length.

The home took time and You and Ganondorf would stay at the lab atop the hill. He would often go down to chop wood for materials and began talking with a few of the villagers about farming.

As the months flew by and your home was built and furnished, Ganondorf made a bassinet himself for the nursery and slowly became more open to the villagers. You had started feeling more and more comfortable around Ganondorf as you watched him become his old self. The man you loved.

As your pregnancy advanced you watched him become more protective. He'd worry over every little thing you carried and if you ever showed any hint of discomfort he'd force you to sit down in a plush rocking chair he had built himself. He had started to work a lot with wood outside of farmwork so he had made much of the furniture inside your home.

Ganondorf had formed a habit at night where he would help you get nice and comfortable, fluffing up pillows and making sure you were pampered before bed. And once you were comfortable he would lay down carefully, adjusting himself till his feet lightly dangled off the bed so he could position his ear next to your stomach.

The grin that would adorn his face in these moments always made you happy.

And blissful moments would come often now that you had no worry about time traveling or Ganondorf getting ahold of the secret stones. You had made a point to Zelda before that you did not want to have the knowledge of what would be done with the stones.

It wasn't only so you wouldn't slip up or maybe tell him accidentally. It was so you didn't get comfortable and think that it was safe enough to tell him. You knew that you were incredibly weak when it came to Ganondorf, just as he was for you. So you would help with any other research, just never the secret stones.

It made things more peaceful and less stressful in your mind, never having to overthink it.

And then your water broke.

Ganondorf was outside working on something in a shed he built to work on things to make in when he heard you calling for him, the panicked tone in your voice made him drop everything before sprinting and slamming open the door nearly off its hinges.

He saw you holding onto the dining table, using it for support as you stood in a pool of liquid and held the bump on your stomach tightly, contractions beginning to become painful.

Purah who had been staying in the village for a short time arrived quickly, already sending word to Zelda and Link about the state you were in.

And every step of the way you clenched Ganondorfs' hand the tightest you've ever held it. He hated seeing you in pain, his body hunched over the bed you laid in and the sweat forming on your forehead.

He hated that all he could do was sit there. It's why he held onto your hands and let you squeeze him.

All you would hear from him were loving coos and encouragement, the occasional dab of a wet cloth across your forehead before a kiss followed.

And with a certain push brought one life into the world, one that cried the moment they came into the world.

You cried as you held your child, a boy with Ganons' distinctive red hair but with your lovely eyes. And when he looked down at the bundle in your arms he was so glad they had inherited your eyes. His hand carcasses your hair, tucking strands behind your ear as he leaves kisses on your forehead and cheek, leaving one across your sons' forehead as well.

It was a fresh start, a completely new beginning.

You and Ganondorf could now let go as the babies' cries stopped and everything finally felt peaceful.

That lingering thought in the back of your mind would later come into question. As your son was now the first male born to the Gerudo in quite some time..

But as you gazed at the loving child in your arms you put away all those thoughts that would make you anxious, you decided no matter what to protect them. Ganondorf came close, enveloping you both in a hug, smiles, and tears of relief adoring his cheeks as everything settled into place.

You hoped this peace would last for a long time.

[ganondoodle]

I was at first in love with totk, and I still think mechanical wise, its quite impressive

And when I collected all the tears and saw the "story" I genuinely got upset in a good way (at first), because man! Did they really got the balls to go that far? Is there nothing I can do for her? Now I MUST do all the temples, see how it plays out and --oh, I've got this cutscene already. Why are all the people so dumb about Zelda, I KNOW where she is, Link say something-- Link??

After finishing all the temples and almost falling asleep, I stopped playing the game, looked up the last boss and remaining cutscenes and went "Thats it?"

Watching other people (including you) being critically about so many things, both character and mechanical wise, I've almost startled myself with a realization what the gnawing feeling I constantly had, actually was.

Totk feels like a fanfic.

And don't get me wrong, I love fanfiction, I think its great and important, I adore fanfic writers, I love finding gems, I love reading self indulgent stories, see new spins and interpretation of characters. I love the casual, the passion, the creativity!

But totk gives me the same feeling everytime I am reminded that Fifty Shades is a Twillight fanfic.

The world is there. The faces I know and grew to love are there. But everything is ever so slightly different, uncannily so. Just how some characters talk, how they act, how they were placed in the story. The Zonai appearing out of nowhere, but no, they always had been there you see, they were these super magical advanced people but they all died, the king is so tragic. And you see, the king is super cool and powerful and-- oh I dont get to interact with him outside of the tutorial. Did they try to do another King Rhoam-- but wait, that only worked because we didn't knew he was a ghost-- totk wait stop why do you take him out of the story, why couldn't he be a companion, he IS ABLE TO TALK THROUGH THE ARM LET THE OLD GOAT COMMENT ON STUFF?? If you bring up all this ancient stuff and you still got a ghost lingering, let him talk?? (I never ended up getting Mineru but I smell wasted potential as well)

Im not even mad, I am disappointed. It feels like the devs saw what all the lore hunters got attached to and talked about and then just... took the "cool". All the Zonai stuff could've easily been Sheikah tech, but got just reskinned to look more exciting instead of being its own thing.

Like... at this point I prefer what fans are doing over what Totk gave us. The characterization of Rauru (and everything Zonai), projects like you do of what totk couldve been, the little nuggets of actual highlights and details of love fans find in the game. I found much more enjoyment in these concepts than I got from a 70bucks game. And thats depressing.

I love fanfiction. I dont love it when my corporate 70 dollar, six year development, console exclusive game feels like a story that passionate fan couldve written miles better in a week (and I've already seen much cooler and interesting rewrites and ideas).

Zelda has been a huge part of my childhood and its depressing seeing it treated like that. It always was about the story, the epic, its The Legend of Zelda for crying out loud. To be courageous to enter a dungeon, to be wise and solve all the riddles. To become powerful over the journey you embarked on. Zelda to me is the campfire story you tell to others and go into the woods or the beach and imagine what monsters you would slay. Zelda is not the sandcastle you build in the sandbox and then add dinosaurs and star wars ships because you didn't had any other toys, and just stumble into and over some story to entertain yourself until lunch is ready.

I'd have an oracle of seasons over another totk any day at this point. They should've just make the mechanics of totk its own thing, but I guess they were scared it wouldn't sell if it doesn't have a Mario or Zelda skin straped over it.

Anyways, sorry for the mini rant - love your art, love your thoughts and insights, and I am looking forward to see more of it - Zelda related or not (your original characters look amazing, I adore your style sm)

Hope you have a great rest of the day!

*nods along through this entire rant*

idk how many of my rants you have read but yeah ... yeah ... and the further you think about it the further it all falls apart, the wasted potential of it all and the goddamn audacity of them to do those interviews in which they make it EVEN WORSE is just

i know the expectation for a direct sequel to botw was huge and understandbly so but i really REALLY think it would not have been that hard to make it a good follow up even taking into account that totk was originally a DLC, pretty much all of botws aspects could have been developed further, i dont know what could have happened to make totk have turned out like this .. literally it feels like something had to have gone wrong, its like someone who doesnt know zelda nor botw at all was given a few prompts and then just made some generic fantasy story while the rest worked on ultrahand for 5 years

the technical impressive things ARE technical impressive, but i dont think it was necessary nor served the game well in any way (and i LOVE building games- however totk is neither a building game nor a story game nor a zelda game nor an exploration game nor a sequel imo) but zelda, this zelda, is not made for that and i cant help but think it was mainly to encourage people to make some ridiculous mechs so it can go viral on tiktok (not trying to discredit them, it IS cool what they are doing but i .... have my doubts if zelda is the right place for that)

ill stop there bc i have ranted so much about everything i dont wanna repeat it here again; it just doesnt feel like a real game (derogatory), it feels extra bad bc i was not really into zelda when botw came out and while i did get it as soon as i could (months after release since i just started a minijob and didnt have the money) i only over time grew to love zelda this much again, devouring any theories and anything about it bc i loved it so much- i was never into it like this when a new title was announced and dont own any special editions so i bought the totk collectors bc i was just so damn excited for it after the 2019 trailer dropped (god i want that time back ... it looked so much more like it was going to be an actual sequel) even if i was already worried it wouldnt be good at that point given how much i started to sense stuff i dont like about the newer trailers

i recently sold it at our local gameshop bc it was like a thorn in my side given how expensive it was and how dissapointed i was in the game, i genuinely think that, technical impressiveness aside, totk is the onyl zelda i truly cannot stand (for alot of reasons) and im genuinely worried for the future of the franchise

i bought an Oki (Okami) figurine for what i got back and i feel much happier with that :3

(also on a note, i did finish the game two weeks after release but stopped playing it right then and hadnt touched it since, i also streamed all of what i played and its still up if you want to see my slow descend into madness fjkdhkdhjk though its been a long while since then and i by far did not talk about everything back then, just what my most immediate frustrations were while still playing)

(also the gameplay isnt as good as people make it out to be, so much is so frustrating and punishing to use i am kinda baffled it got through like that and most people call that its best aspect ..... though i guess if the rest is so much worse even mid gameplay can seem good ooooooooh how dare i)

also thank you for liking what i do!!! <3 it means alot to know it is appreciated by someone :D

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I'm not sure if Tumbls lost my asks...

I actually sort of hc the Dorfs as having small Orc-like tusks & slightly pronounced upper canines, which results in him having a teeny-tiny bit of an underbite. The upper canines being much less pronounced than the tusks. Not anything too terribly noticeable, except for in TotK’s case, but only after he steals the Secret Stone & becomes the Demon King. But before that, you can still tell they're there, though only when he's talking or smiling particularly widely.

I'm sort of just making this a general male Gerudo trait in my hc because I feel like it gives them a bit more uniqueness than just giant human men with an unfair amount of musculature & hair that would make Fabio cry out of jealousy.

Partially, due to this, my version of him also likes to nip, lightly bite, & nibble his wife playfully using those very tusks & canines. Whether it be her neck, shoulders, ears, the tips of her fingers (often with a playful little smirk before kissing the pad), the tip of her nose, her jaw, or something else.

His kisses will also tend to tickle her due to his beard, which causes Elady to smile if not giggle on occasion.

Which always gets him to smile back, because she just doesn't laugh often in his mind & also partially because her laugh is just so delicate & feminine, like tinkling bells, compared to how she normally is & the juxtaposition of infrequent soft, feminine warmth with her normal cold sharpness is simply breathtaking to him, often causing his heart to flutter.

My Ganondorf will sometimes even rub his chin against her skin just to make her laugh.

As a matter of fact, she loves Ganondorf's beard, thinking it looks very rugged & manly. She just has a huge thing for masculinity (because it's a major turn-on for her). So, it very much isn't uncommon for her to run her fingers through the hairs or scratch his chin.

(Which, I can see him maybe sorta leaning into in a similar way to how a cat would &, depending on how far along in their relationship they are & which Dorf, he might end up getting embarrassed by his own reaction & going hard tsundere, getting bashfully tsundere yet liking it too much to ask her to stop, or not giving an eff, because feel good & is happy & love wife.)

I think I read this somewhere??? Not in my asks, but as a repost or commentary... I am having desa vu here... I swear I read this before. Maybe tumblr did eat the ask??? It got hungry???

This is some cute shit you come to me with, EL. Like some cute aggression levels of cute shit. I want to squeeze the man since this is so cute. I'm at work. I cannot squeeze things. This is a level of uncontrollable aggression that is haunting. Just wanna glomp him and squeeze.

************************************************************************

Here are the reactions and thoughts of each Ganondorf and Demise when it comes to the scenario where they have small Orc-like tusks, slightly pronounced upper canines, and the playful, affectionate behaviors they engage in with their lover:

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Reaction and Thoughts: Wind Waker Ganondorf, with his gruff exterior, finds it amusing and endearing when his lover runs their fingers through his beard or scratches his chin. He often smirks when he playfully nips or nibbles at his lover, enjoying the delicate balance between his fierce nature and the gentle moments they share. Her giggles are like music to his ears, softening his hardened heart.

Small Scene: One evening, as the sun set over the ocean, Ganondorf and his lover sat on the deck of his ship. He leaned in, nipping at her earlobe with his tusks, causing her to giggle. His beard brushed against her neck, making her laugh even more. She ran her fingers through his beard, scratching his chin. He leaned into her touch, a rare smile spreading across his face. "You find my beard amusing, do you?" he asked, his voice filled with affection.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Reaction and Thoughts: Ocarina of Time Ganondorf is often seen as stoic and intimidating, but he secretly treasures the moments of softness with his lover. Her laughter and the way she runs her fingers through his beard bring out a side of him few have ever seen. He enjoys nipping at her skin, using his tusks and canines to tease her, feeling a sense of pride when he makes her laugh.

Small Scene: In the dark halls of his castle, Ganondorf found a moment of peace with his lover. He gently nibbled at her neck, his tusks grazing her skin. She laughed, the sound echoing through the stone walls. She ran her fingers through his beard, causing him to sigh contentedly. "You have a way of making even the darkest places seem bright," he murmured, pulling her closer.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Reaction and Thoughts: Twilight Princess Ganondorf, with his brooding demeanor, finds solace in his lover's touch. Her laughter and gentle touches are a stark contrast to the darkness he often surrounds himself with. He loves to playfully nip at her, finding joy in her reactions. Her laughter and touch remind him of the humanity he still possesses.

Small Scene: As they sat by the fire in his fortress, Ganondorf leaned in to nuzzle his lover's neck. His beard tickled her, making her giggle. He nipped at her shoulder, using his tusks to tease her. She smiled, running her fingers through his beard. "You make me feel human," he confessed, his voice filled with a rare vulnerability.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Reaction and Thoughts: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf is powerful and commanding, but his lover's touch brings out a softer side. He enjoys the playful nips and nibbles, using his tusks and canines to tease her. Her laughter is a rare sound in his life, one that he cherishes deeply. He loves how her touch can make him feel both powerful and tender.

Small Scene: In the midst of planning his next conquest, Ganondorf took a moment to be with his lover. He nibbled at her fingers, his tusks grazing her skin. She laughed, running her fingers through his beard. He leaned into her touch, feeling a warmth spread through him. "You bring light to my darkness," he whispered, his eyes softening as he looked at her.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Reaction and Thoughts: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf, especially after becoming the Demon King, finds his lover's touch grounding. Her laughter and gentle touches are a stark contrast to the power he wields. He enjoys the playful nips and nibbles, using his tusks and canines to tease her. Her touch reminds him of the balance between his power and his humanity.

Small Scene: After a day of intense training, Ganondorf sat with his lover in their private quarters. He nipped at her jaw, his tusks brushing against her skin. She giggled, running her fingers through his beard. He sighed, leaning into her touch. "You make me feel grounded," he admitted, his voice filled with gratitude.

Demise

Reaction and Thoughts: Demise, with his fierce and imposing nature, finds an unexpected joy in his lover's touch. Her laughter and gentle touches are a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. He enjoys the playful nips and nibbles, using his tusks and canines to tease her. Her touch brings out a side of him that is rarely seen, one that craves affection and connection.

Small Scene: In the depths of the underworld, Demise found a moment of peace with his lover. He nipped at her neck, his tusks grazing her skin. She laughed, the sound echoing through the dark chamber. She ran her fingers through his beard, causing him to sigh contentedly. "You make me feel alive," he confessed, pulling her close.

***********************************************************************

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Setting: The captain's quarters of Ganondorf's ship, filled with maps and treasures from his conquests. His lover, Equal Lady, is leaning against the desk, reading a book.

Ganondorf: (approaching with a sly grin) "What are you reading, my dear?"

Equal Lady: (not looking up) "Just something to pass the time. Why?"

Ganondorf gently tilts her head to the side with his finger, exposing her neck. He leans in, brushing his beard against her skin, and nips her lightly with his tusks.

Equal Lady: (giggling) "That tickles, you know."

Ganondorf: (smiling) "Good. I love hearing you laugh."

He continues to nibble at her neck, his beard brushing against her, causing her to laugh more. She reaches up and scratches his chin, running her fingers through his beard.

Ganondorf: (leaning into her touch, purring almost like a cat) "You spoil me."

Equal Lady: "And you love it."

Ganondorf: "I do."

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Setting: The throne room of Ganondorf's dark castle, where he sits brooding on his throne. Equal Lady enters, carrying a tray of food.

Ganondorf: (eyeing her) "What have you brought me?"

Equal Lady: "Lunch. I thought you might be hungry."

As she sets the tray down, he grabs her wrist gently, pulling her close. He nips at her fingers with his tusks, then kisses the pad of her finger, his beard tickling her skin.

Equal Lady: (smiling) "That tickles."

Ganondorf: (smirking) "Good."

She reaches up and scratches his chin, running her fingers through his beard. He leans into her touch, a low rumble of contentment escaping him.

Ganondorf: "You always know how to calm me."

Equal Lady: "And you love it."

Ganondorf: "I do."

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Setting: A dimly lit chamber in Ganondorf's castle, where he is sharpening his sword. Equal Lady walks in, watching him intently.

Ganondorf: (without looking up) "What is it?"

Equal Lady: "Just watching you."

He sets the sword aside and pulls her into his lap, nipping at her shoulder with his tusks and kissing her neck. His beard tickles her skin, making her giggle.

Equal Lady: (laughing) "That tickles."

Ganondorf: (smiling) "Good."

She runs her fingers through his beard, scratching his chin. He leans into her touch, closing his eyes.

Ganondorf: "You always know how to make me feel better."

Equal Lady: "And you love it."

Ganondorf: "I do."

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Setting: The war room of Ganondorf's fortress, filled with maps and strategy plans. Equal Lady is studying one of the maps.

Ganondorf: (walking up behind her) "What are you looking at?"

Equal Lady: "Just trying to understand your strategy."

He wraps his arms around her from behind, nipping at her ear with his tusks and kissing her neck. His beard tickles her, making her laugh.

Equal Lady: (giggling) "That tickles."

Ganondorf: (smirking) "Good."

She reaches up and scratches his chin, running her fingers through his beard. He leans into her touch, a contented sigh escaping him.

Ganondorf: "You always know how to calm me."

Equal Lady: "And you love it."

Ganondorf: "I do."

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Setting: A grand hall with windows overlooking the vast landscape. Ganondorf stands by the window, deep in thought. Equal Lady approaches him quietly.

Equal Lady: "Lost in thought again?"

Ganondorf: (turning to her) "Just thinking."

She steps closer, wrapping her arms around him and nipping at his jaw with her tusks. She kisses his neck, her beard tickling him.

Ganondorf: (smiling) "That tickles."

Equal Lady: "Good."

She runs her fingers through his beard, scratching his chin. He leans into her touch, a low rumble of contentment escaping him.

Ganondorf: "You always know how to make me feel better."

Equal Lady: "And you love it."

Ganondorf: "I do."

[kyoupann]

Listening to TotK's OST makes me wish the actual game had made me so mentally ill about it. Like, I listen it to and I want to legit cry because it is so beautiful, the ending bit is *so* beautiful and probably one of my favourite arrangements. But then I remember. Everything. This soundtrack is a for a game that could give me brain worms and not whatever it did. And I'm like... welln, that was that and I really hope we can move on from this iteration of Zelda and Link. Love the soundtrack tho lmao

[giriduck]

Almost there, folks: we're within 24 hours from TotK launch for much of the world.

Long post under the cut about Ganondorf thoughts in general.

I got into Legend of Zelda as a very small kiddo, way back when it first showed up in the United States on the NES. The limited lore was fine and good, the graphics were on par with everything else at the time, but it was the music that sucked me right in. I'd pop the cartridge in and launch the game just to listen to the theme during the opening scroll.

Zelda 2 was odd and I mostly ignored it. When A Link to the Past came out on the SNES, the enhanced graphics and music was breathtaking, and the story was vast and engaging. There was lore, and it was perfect for picking apart and analyzing. I cared about Link, the fate of Hyrule, and all the NPCs we met along the way. To this day, the epilogue music to ALLttP and the end credits still never fails to make me cry.

I was in my mid teens when Ocarina of Time came out. Subscribed to Nintendo Power Magazine by then, I was all in on the hype. The power of the N64! The first 3D Zelda game! A beefy and hot adult Link! After the launch of the game was delayed by a year, the excitement to play this game was intense.

It did not disappoint. While A Link to the Past was an excellent adventure, Ocarina of Time presented a version of Hyrule in which I genuinely enjoyed simply spending time. It was beautiful and immersive. It was the first atmospheric digital space that I'd seek out when I wanted to relax and watch the sun rise or set. It was the first of it's kind, and it was no surprise when years later, MMOs began rolling out with gorgeous skyboxes and scenery, as digital places for players to escape to. That was Hyrule for me. I already enjoyed it as a fictional kingdom through prior games (and the cartoon series, lol), but OoT solidified it as a beautiful place that I fell in love with.

So I could see why and how the antagonist of the series wanted lay claim to it so badly; it's a desirable, magnificent environment.

The reveal in A Link to the Past that Ganon--the very same baddie from the first game--was pulling the strings the whole time was pretty cool, as well as all the lore about the Golden Goddesses, the Triforce, Ganon's influence over the Dark World, etc. One of the Seven Maidens even mentioned Ganondorf by name, and briefly talked about Ganon's origin story as the guy who found the Triforce, after so many others had failed and all the wars and bloodshed over this mystical, legendary artifact. It was only a few lines, but it was so interesting, and felt like it was only scratching the surface of a much deeper history.

When Ocarina of Time came out, it was so light and fluffy running around as a child in Kokiri Forest until the Great Deku Tree revealed that he'd been cursed and was going to die. He launched into the history of the creation of Hyrule that aligned to lore from A Link to the Past, with music that harkened back to that game. It was a powerful shot of nostalgia.

Then the antagonist--the villain who would eventually find the Triforce--galloped across the screen, backlit by flames. He was big, he was mean, and he was going to appear centuries later in a new form as Ganon. I sort of knew where this was going because I'd played A Link to the Past, and now we got to see the man himself, when he was still a human.

I was instantly fascinated.

Later in the game, it's revealed that he was also a king, and--in a wild choice by Nintendo--depicted as a very rare cis male within his otherwise all-AFAB population of desert warrior people. A big fan of warrior woman archetypes in general, this was also of interest. The whole sociological implications of the, say, constrained demographics within Gerudo society was also an interesting thought experiment.

Ganondorf was such a cocky, arrogant bastard, though. During his seven-year reign, he seemed to squander Hyrule's bounty. He appeared selfish and unconcerned with his people. Although his unexplored backstory to his people and his connection to the Triforce were interesting, he was canonically a pretty terrible person.

Not long after Ocarina of Time came out, I used to frame Ganondorf as he was presented in the game: arrogant, conniving, and cruel.

This made me nervous for the Gerudo, who were in the challenging position of being expected to follow such a difficult person, who also happened to be their king. By extension, it felt like a setup for extremely toxic dynamics, and that did not sit right with me at all. So the mental fanon shifted to him just being uncaring and indifferent about everyone around him, and his quest for power was so all-consuming that he distanced himself from his people, anyway.

This still wasn’t the kind of person I wanted to give space to in my mind. The Gerudo deserved better, and surely they would take great care to raise their prince well, to help ensure their future king was aligned to their values and mores. His people would naturally care about him, and he would ideally reciprocate that to some degree.

Though he had the capacity for cruelty, he was no longer a fundamentally cruel person in my headcanon. “Conniving” evolved into “political” as required, and only a fraction of his original arrogance remained.

Then Wind Waker happened.

Those established headcanons aligned to the more mature, patient, world-weary version of Ganondorf we saw in Wind Waker; he was like who I'd constructed in my head, but even more so. This version was a man who'd suffered defeat and was imprisoned in a world in which he was forced to live with the consequences of his actions. The Hyrule he sought after--the same Hyrule players like myself fondly remember and loved--was maddeningly just outside of his reach. I found myself empathizing because I too, ached to restore the old world to its former glory.

Then, in his famous monologue at the end of the game, how he had sought out the comforts of Hyrule to escape the harsh environment of his home... How he had the names of his adopted mothers engraved onto his swords... Both revelations hit me hard.

For those of us who who wanted to believe that there was more complexity--and humanity--to Ganondorf than what we saw in Ocarina of Time, the reaction to the glimpses we saw in WW Ganondorf was like:

So now we are at the eve of Tears of the Kingdom launch. Will this Ganondorf be the most heartless version we’ve seen yet, or will he have complexity?

In Breath of the Wild, Calamity Ganon had killed Urbosa (a Gerudo Chief skilled with lightning, who was likely his distant descendant) in a very nasty reflection of her specific fighting style (sword, shield, and electricity), and then intimidated Gerudo Town through the possession of a Giant Mechanical Lightning Camel named after a woman he had once personally known, who had famously opposed him ages and ages ago, and because of that rebellion is still remembered as a heroine to the Gerudo.

Clearly his relationship with the Gerudo is going to be severely complicated, at best.

I am curious and actually very nervous about how Ganondorf interacts with the Gerudo in Tears of the Kingdom, if he actually does so at all.

[local-writer]

Just a post about what I think on totk and what I like to do

Spoilers for totk ahead

Whenever I see Zelda in the sky I can't help but take the time to go and visit her and put her favorite flowers in her hair <3 I wanna make a flower crown for her, but it's probably gonna take a lot of patience

But it's worth it for my Queen <333

I also like to visit Sonia's grave sometimes and drop a few sun flowers to pay my respects. I felt so bad for taking her flowers after finding out it was her grave 😭 left way more then I should have lol. She and Rauru simply did not get enough screen time in my opinion 😔 and the fact that there won't be a dlc with extra memories makes me sad :')

Also, can we talk about how Zelda follows link around hyrule? I noticed throughout my time playing that she'll hover over the next region you have to visit, and once you've visited all of the locations she'll just follow you wherever you go <3 I find it sweet because I feel like she's watching over link, even if she isn't aware of it. It just proves that her love for link is strong, so strong that even without her memories as a dragon, her heart remembers. And her sheer will to protect him and her people amazes me, and it shines bright during the final boss fight when she comes to aid link. Omg I'm gonna cry just talking about it help-

It still disappoints me that we didn't get a hug at the end though 😔 I feel like we got so cheated in the English version of the game, because in the Japanese version, Link's personality shows more I feel like because in the quest log, it's written in his pov, and he even writes his thoughts down too.

I headcanon that zelda and link live together, and no, I don't take criticism.

I really believe that link loves zelda the way she loves him, and sure, I'll probably get shit from nonshippers (or toxic shippers, whichever sees this post first lmfao) for saying this bc according to them, all zelink shippers think this way just because we ship them. But I really feel like their relationship is so much more then what Nintendo shows us, and I wish they wouldn't overlook the idea of giving us just a little look at that relationship.

I hoping that some day, we'll get some zelink content out of them. Whether it's a hug or a peck on the cheek, or even just a simple 'I love you', I'll take it. Also, I'd like a game where we can play as zelda too.

Before totk came out people were spreading a rumor that we'd get to play as zelda too. I didn't believe this ofc, but I still had a bit of hope that Nintendo would consider it. The game would have been so much more badass if we could have played as zelda and explored the past a bit as her. I was a little disappointed, but wasn't surprised after I beat the game that we didn't get to play as her.

Something that ticks me off is that they practically erased all of the shiekah tech from botw. Why didn't the keep a few ruined shrines or towers? Why didn't they leave the divine beasts? I think the divine beasts should have been left alone. At the very least, they could have given an explanation as to where they went and why they're gone. Maybe they did, I could have missed it somewhere, but if I did someone please let me know. Oh, and let's not forget how some of the NPCs in the game don't even remember link. The disappointment I felt when Hudson didn't recognize link was big. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't beat botw again before I played totk, but if that's the case then I'll be happy. I'll have to speed run the rest of botw so everyone remembers link in totk lol

Okay I'm done, sorry about the long post lol. I talk a lot sometimes when it comes to something I love

[cookie-waffle]

As someone who is autistic with an anxiety disorder, I can tell you right now that botw/totk Link isn’t doing that blank stare at Zelda and Mipha because he doesn’t care about them.

I never got to the point where I developed full-on selective mutism, but the silent blank stare? Yea, that was me in school for YEARS. Making friends organically was so difficult because I was terrified that any little thing I did or said would be judged and ridiculed by my peers. As someone who’s struggled with somewhat similar mental health issues as Link, it’s very irritating when people chalk up his symptoms to being uncaring, angry, mean, etc.

That kid was probably crying himself to sleep every night when no one was around. Every scene where he seems “robotic” he’s likely experiencing just as many emotions as everyone else. Whenever people act like he can’t possibly enjoy being around Zelda or can’t possibly experience things like sadness, anxiety, and fear it annoys me to no end.

[sevi007]

TOTK END GAME SPOILERS!

LIKE SUPER HEAVY SPOILERS

No seriously don’t continue reading if you don’t want to get heavily spoilered for the final boss.

Still here?

....

...

..

Okay plenty of time to back out folks now get ready for SUPER LENGTHY POST

To give you a quick rundown so you can still back out if this is TL;DR:

* The whole final felt so packed with dread, hope, with sheer emotion, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was SO GOOD. I don’t remember when I had last such a rush of emotion in a Zelda. I think back in OOT maybe?

* THe music! God whoever composed the soundtrack did such a great job in this. The entire way to Ganondorf you have this eery kind of music that makes you get goosebumps - and then you jump down tohis lair, and the music gets even creepier and SWELLS and you feel like “damn I’m just descending into hell”. No really it was - so cool! And the first real fight against Ganondorf is utterly silent. Somehow, that made me even more stressed and focused. It felt like the whole world was holding it’s breath that I defeat the revived king now. And then in the final phase, it swells again, becoming so powerful and hopeful and I think I heard a few notes of older Zelda theme’s in there. That really got my blood pumping. Just - topnotch. Give those composers a chef’s kiss from me!

* THERE BE DRAGONS!

* I read that the designer for Ganondorf’s design was a huge fan of him since TP and was just let loose on the design for him here, and I think it shows! Ganondorf in his “normal” human state is already really cool. I think it’s an accumulation of many different Ganondorfs - I definitely saw a bit of the ones from OOT, TP and WW in there. Which you might say “Sevi it’s the same damn character” - I know, but they all seem like their own person still, right? As does this Ganondorf, but at teh same time, I think you can recognize hints of his other incarnations in his features, his clothes, the way he laughs. I can’t explain it well. And his Demon King Form? I mean, that’s SO Demise! That’s like he came back to his very first incarnation, while retaining all the hatred and anger and power he has acummulated since then. That’s such an awesome design that really makes you gulp when facing him, I swear! Bless the designer!

* When I said “wouldn’t it be funny if I could ride the White Dragon into battle against Ganon, imagine his face” - I was joking. Nintendo wasn’t.

* THE ENDING MADE ME CRY HAPPY PROUD TEARS

... so and that was the short version. Get ready for the long on in a second attached post. XD

[mistresslrigtar]

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Tagged by my good friend @zeldaelmo. TY! You know I love to play these silly games 🤣 and yet, one more thing to help me procrastinate from working on my current WIP 😅

__

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

a measley 10

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

219,706 - hey that's not too shabby for only 10 works!

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Legend of Zelda - BotW/TotK mostly, some SS, one OOT, and an upcoming mishmash of SS/WW

I previously wrote some HP stuff (before all the awfulness with JKR aka She Who Shall Now Not Be Named) One I posted on AO3 because it was the best one of those

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Love in the Age of Calamity

I Belong to You

Enjoy the Silence

Can't Do This Again

Looking Through the Eyes of a Killer - the HP one!

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Most, yes. I want the readers to know how much I appreciate them and the time they took to leave me a message. There's actually one in my inbox I need to reply to!

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I tend to wrap up my stories with a positive ending, but I suppose the angstiest ending goes to

Love in the Age of Calamity

There's no way it couldn't, although I personally love the ending (even thought it did make me cry when I wrote it) and hope to write a spin-off (maybe next year) about Aryll and the court poet, who I named Carik (but Link thought his name was Carrot)

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

My Hylink story Adore I wrote for Zelink Week 2023. It's 5 chapters of angst and 2 of marital bliss (I do wish it had gotten a bit more traction on AO3. I was pretty proud of it when I wrote it) many thanks to my beta @fioreofthemarch!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not yet! I only have 14 dedicated readers and they're all so lovely, and leave positive comments. TYSM!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Um, not until recently 😂🤣 I wanted to try my hand at smut with I Belong to You (which was supposed to be a one-shot)

So it does have some smut in it, but honestly, it's story driven and the steamy scenes add to the story, characterizations, and motivation. I actually am very proud of this story and think it's the best thing I've written to date. And many thanks to my fantastic betas @hyylia and @zeldaelmo

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

No. Although I do think you could easily write a cross-over with Legend of Zelda and Adventure Time.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No. My stuff isn't that good 😂

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, but I would like to with someone who is good at transitions, etc. Sometimes it will take me days to wrap up chapters because my mind goes completely blank when it comes time to write sequels to a scene 😭

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Zelink. It's the ship that brought me back to writing.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Well...my current WIP Captain Link Araki and the Harbinger of Destiny is giving me a WORLD of trouble, but I do love the character of Link I've created for it, so I'm going to try my hardest to complete it by the new year!

I have a HP WIP I started, and will probably never complete. It was an expansion of a short story I wrote called Aphrodite's Destiny (which I still absolutely love, even though the writing is probably not polished)

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue and characterization (at least, that is what I think my strengths are! My readers may disagree!)

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Descriptive writing (like the setting, lighting, what the characters are wearing, etc) that isn't boring or like reading a list! I worked on it in I Belong to You and hope I can continue to incorporate what I learned in my future stories.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Hmmm, I haven't thought much about that. I did include some song lyrics in I Belong to You that were in French and were supposed to represent the Rito language, but I included Zelda's thoughts about what those words meant.

I suppose if I were to write dialogue in another language, I would write the dialogue in italicized English but reference that they're actually speaking in another language.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

HP

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

My favorite story is my current one - I Belong to You I'm not going to lie, I love my Link and Zelda in this story so much!

My second is my short story for HP - Aphrodite's Destiny

I think I'm supposed to tag some ppl?!! I tag @fioreofthemarch @cooking-with-hailstones @aurathian and @hyylia I know you all are busy and probably don't have the time! 😅

[tallytals]

actually I need to know how that playlist is going for you just in general any thoughts

ok so i was listening to the playlist all day in school so i wasnt thinking too deep on the songs besides “wtf wtf this is SICK” but!!!!

im on a pearl by mitski and here’s some other songs that stood out to me

everyone by mitski. rori you are fucked up for putting this. botw zelda. shaking sobbing on my knees jumping out a WINDOW. SHE HELD BACK THE CALAMITY FOR A CENTURY WHAT IF I DUCKINF LOST IT. “but it didnt want me yet” THE GODDESS. IM DEAD

i want you by mitski.

im ignoring garden song bc you already know how insane it makes me an i cant hit the image limit yet

FROM EDEN BY HOZIER OH MY GOODDDDD i will never shut up abt pre-botw link and zelda they’re so fun (awful terrible im going to cry) to think abt

wasteland baby by hozier. botw zelda is playing this as she pulls up at the castle me thinks

sunlight by hozier (NOTE: there is so much in like all these songs that drive me crazy but im just pulling my fav lines) OUGGGGGG. i could say so much.

i bet on losing dogs by mitski. you didnt have to do this

we’ll never have sex by leith ross. shaky thumbs up

like real people do by hozier MY GOOODDDDD THIS LINE THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. CRAZY. hateno house 💥🔫

about you by the 1975 THIS ENTIRE SONG MESSED ME UP. SHE DIDNT THINK HE WOULD REMEMBER HER BUT HE DID AND I JUST KNOW HE COULDNT WAIT TO TELL HER I JUST OUGOUGHHHHHH AND ME PERSONALLY. i love the hc where the sheika slate can replay the memories like holograms in game so. that hurts me.

seven by taylor swift. SERIOUSLY WHATT. “passed down like folk songs the love lasts so long” HELP ME.

kiss goodnight by idk how but they found me. genuinely dont ever send me links again

shrike by hozier. ough. “i was housed by your warmth thus transformed” “remember me love when i am reborn” ok. totk. i jump in a lake

carefully steps over forth of july like its a landmine

line without a hook by ricky montgomery. I CANNOT ESCAPE THIS GUY. pre botw they were both so messy im gonna die i cant DO THIS

cosmic love by florence + the machine. im literally so sorry jjk fucking stole this song you im SORRY. thinking abt fake zelda so hard i might fuck around and write something

punisher by phoebe bridgers. i just think its crazy how everyone know them through each other. im soooooo normal abt this

gold rush by taylor swift. I ACTUALLY DIDNT GET THIS SONF UNTIL THE END??? i seriously cannot think of anything but fake zelda here. i really might just write the fic. like. he followed her ALL OVER THE KINGDOM AND IT WASNT FUCKING HERE. “so inviting i almost jump in” WHAATTTTTTTTT. “cause it will never be gleaming twinkling eyes like sinking ships on the water” WHAATTTTTTTTTT (PLEASE YELL AT ME ABT THE SONGS TOO)

i guess by mitski. ngl. jjk also got this one. apologies. im in the trenches. BUT. how often to you think they’ve sat somewhere thinking about the second chances they’ve both offered each other. casually slides this to notes app

francis forever by mitski. need i say more. once again i think its fucking insane how tied to each other they are like. oh my god. don’t think abt them in hateno don’t think hateno

first love late spring by mitski. ough

iris by the goo goo dolls. THIS RUINS ME

a pearl by mitski RORI WHEN I CATCH YOU

[eerna]

I'm sorry I know it's been more than three hours but I'm still deep in my feels about totk and literally crying at the fact that Link, deeply hurt Link dropped the Master Sword and jumped into the void to try to catch and save Zelda, I'm so unwell about this, excuse me...

After everything these children have been throught, the fact that their friends and families died, the kingdom came to ruin, Link died and woke up an hundred years later, had to fix a past he doesn't remember and fight for a better future while trying to piece back his own memories and identity, meanwhile Zelda was imprisoned and had to fought against a monster all alone for so long while grieving but still trying to be hopeful that Link might wake up someday without any certainty... And the fact that they were already both suffering because of their destiny even before the tragedy hit, and thinking that at the end of botw they thought they could finally be free and heal, finally gain back their lifes and get to experience the freedom they never had like the teenagers they are...

But no ganondorf is still here and everything they went throught, the time and peoples they have lost, the suffering, sacrifices, and destruction were all for nothing ! And just that fact alone is enough to break my heart but it doesn't end there, Link gets deeply hurt, adding more scars to the ones he already has especially the ones that killed him an hundred years ago (according to Robbie they are visible), but he stands up to ganondorf like he stood in front of the guardians in the blatchery plain, because Link will fight till his last breath especially to protect Zelda, but Zelda falls and he literally drops his most precious weapon in hope to join and save her, and then zelda begs to save him? (the "lend him your power" thing) because Zelda would do everything to save him like she did in these fields an hundred years ago... These children would do anything for each other and the worst is that they will probably get separated again, and who knows what will happen to Zelda...

Also seeing hyrule which got the time to heal and thrive in the last hundred years, dear beloved hyrule in which Link spent so long adventuring in, in such a state of ruins and despair hurts.

Botw felt like hope, freshness and somehow innocence, a slow, almost kind and sweet rebirth after tragedy, the turning of a new page while still honoring the past, almost like moving on and healing while the scars are still there but slowly fading, not hiding them but rebuilding and growing around those scars... But now totk seems more like despair, and the inevitably of tragedy, of this endless cycle of suffering the three protagonists are stuck in, that they can do anything, fight throught countless lifetimes like the hero and princess before them, they can't escape fate, it will still catch them up and this curse won't break nor end, and even Zelda is not so sure that they will be able to stop ganondorf this time.... idk we still don't know much about the story but it's some things I've felt watching all these trailers even thought the adventures in the sky and all the past elements, with the ancients tunics etc seems more joyful...

Anyway I spiraled a lot as you can see, it's so long and I didn't make much sense like my broken English but I needed to talk about this, I'm so sorry haha... But my point is that Link and Zelda are literally two children all alone at the center of all these tragedies, burdened by their fates and the responsibility of saving hyrule and everyone, but they got each others and would do anything for one another and if they don't at least hug or hold hands in totk I would be sad.

Same anon as that long ask from before, I just realised but Link might have jump after her also because he didn't want her to be alone, he didn't want to be alone, he didn't want to be separated again, that at least this time they stay together whatever danger awaits them... this is giving big percabeth fall into the tartarus vibes and I'm still crying about zelink....

Don't worry, I understood you perfectly and agree with everything. I AM SO SAD!!! The first game is all about how even after apocalypse there is beauty, there is a second chance, Zelda is constantly telling you she believes in you and so is the world itself,,,, so seeing Hyrule all dark and empty and littered with unknown objects and hearing Zelda saying she doesn't think there's much chance this time FLOORED me. I mean yay, a sequel, but also MY EMOTIONS HURT. They were supposed to be safe!!!! She was supposed to feel good about her lack of power because for the first time it didn't matter if she had it!!!! HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WALK IN STEP WITH HER INSTEAD OF SEVERAL STEPS BACK BECAUSE THEY WERE NO LONGER THE PRINCESS AND HER KNIGHT!!!!!! He jumped after her.....................

[melandrops]

20 Questions Writer Ask Game

Inspired by @thesymphonytrue

How many works do you have on ao3?

18

What's your total ao3 wordcount?

209,022

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

In published works I have 5:

DSMP/RPF (I count them as the same fandom even though they are tagged differently in my works)

Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse

Stranger Things

Legend of Zelda (BOTW/TOTK)

White Collar

I have wips in probably 2 or three other fandoms including Shadow and Bone, Purple Hyacinth and The Magnus Archives

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Hey Lover (Pavitr/Hobie)

Three Rings (Karlnapity)

I'm not a praying man (but I'll kneel to that) (Pavitr/Hobie)

Dancing Barefoot (Robin Buckley/Nancy Wheeler)

We're Sleeping Together (Dnf)

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Very rarely to be honest. If it's a mutual or someone I know or they give a comment that I think warrants a response (request, questions, etc) then I respond. Otherwise, I never know what to say and how to thank them for commenting without sounding like an automated message lmao. But if you have commented on my fics trust me I have happy screamed about you <3

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

Love Causes Trouble. 60s/70s era dnf where george gets killed at the end. Very tragic I think.

Do you write crossovers? If so, what is the wildest one you've ever written?

Nah, no crossovers. I do have a hunger games/spiderverse idea, but I'm not sure if it will come to fruition.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

No, god bless. Which is a little surprising sometimes considering the amount of rpf I've written lmao. But my dsmp writing was never that popular so I should count my blessings.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Sure. I prefer quick and easy fade to blacks which I've done before, but occasionally I write smut.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, but I would be open to the idea. It would have to be a long fic if I did that.

What's your all time favorite ship?

Oh god. I've never written for it but ngl wolfstar has a soft spot in my heart. But there are so many and for the sake of not providing a documented list of everyone I've shipped before I'll leave it at that.

What's a WIP you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

My Purple Hyacinth fic. I love it so far, but I just got so burnt out in the middle of working on it. And I have trouble picking up fics when I haven't touched them in too long. I still have it outlined and probably like 1/3 of the way done. So I'm holding out a sliver of hope. But realistically, I probably won't finish it.

What are your writing strengths?

Uhhh no idea. Over the years I've definitely seen a lot of improvement in my descriptive style. Showing, not telling. And I think I've gotten a lot better at making my writing compelling. The first time someone told me that my writing made them cry I also cried.

What are you writing weaknesses?

So much. 😭 I find that dialogue often runs away from me and I get sidetracked, or it sounds clunky and unnatural. Also characterization. I tend to want to make my characters 1 million percent soft and huggable and forgetting that they are quite flawed. Also plot. I can write out a series of vignettes like nobody's business but an actual plot is hard. I've only written something with a genuine plot a few times, and only one of those got published.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

It's why I didn't include any of Pavitr speaking in Indian associated languages. I don't want to do a bad job on it, and would be too nervous about accidentally appropriating someone's culture. Or just generally making an ass out of myself by writing something silly. Maybe something to work on?

What was the first fandom you ever wrote for?

Wrote and published? Dsmp. That fic has been deleted (it's for the best) but my first fic on my profile is still a dsmp work. Unpublished, my first fanfiction was probably for the Lunar Chronicles. Specifically Cress and Thorne.

What's your favorite fic you've ever written?

Love Causes Trouble

It is not the most popular of my fics by a long shot, but it's one of my favorites. If I went back and rewrote it there are a lot of things I would change about it. A lot. It's very imperfect but I'm just such a slut for 60s/70s queer love, for artists and writers falling in love and for tragic endings. A bit kill your gays, but I'm at peace with that.

If not for you (I couldn't get off this floor)

I also like this one because it has a few personal ties to me and because it got such a good reception. I got so many comments saying that this helped them process their grief or it was really cathartic to read so it means a lot to me.

I'm tagging a few people but please feel free to continue the game, even if I didn't tag you.

@avi17 @maybeebeee @wulfspyd3r @sunkraken

[marimbles]

im not in any of the current fandoms ur into (im no longer as into ml as i used to be, but i like seeing ur tags and u have such a sunny personality so i still follow you) AND OMG UR ART HAS IMPROVED SO MUCH???

i remember you would replicate the ml style but now youve developed ur own style and youve got such a good understanding on lighting and colours, and ur lines are so smooth and just ajdkkdksksk anyways im proud of how far youve come w ur art !!

HELLO?? I’m gonna break down crying this is so nice 😭😭💜💜💜💜 thank you so so much! !

First of all I’m flattered you liked my stuff at all haha let alone that you have stuck around despite not being in the same fandoms anymore 🥺 next of all!! What a kind thing to say!! It means a whole whole lot. I think on my end it’s harder to see improvement, so it’s really encouraging to hear that other people can see it. Like intellectually I know I am always improving, but drawing is still hard and I’m always in the weeds of my own work and don’t really get to step back and see a wider view unless I look at some of my old art and I’m like oh hey! I actually did get better bc this looks worse to me now 😂

yeah I was definitely trying to replicate the ml show style in the beginning! I decided to learn how to draw specifically so I could draw miraculous ladybug fanart HDJDJS and at first that’s all I really knew how to do. When I got into toh I didn’t replicate that style but I did incorporate some elements from it. I think I did the same a little bit w atla, and I’m doing it now w the botw/totk art style too. and I’m sure as I love more things and keep drawing it will keep developing! I am also hugely inspired by other artists and I sometimes try to incorporate the things I admire into my own work. I feel like my art style is just a culmination of all the things I have loved so much I had to create about it. just a big playdough ball with a bunch of colors rolled in, haha

Also you’ve discovered my weakness…i have an Addiction….to THE GLOW. moth behavior. I wouldn’t say I have a great understanding of lighting and colors but I sure do love when they’re happening. So I just try to make them happen and I’m like ohohoho what if it were sunset. get this: rim lighting. perhaps (definitelyhaps) a lens flare. God was so right when He said “Let there be light.”

man sorry I always ramble sm this was just so nice and I got excited haha. “I’m proud of you”…trigger words fr!! This made my day, thank u 💜💜💜

[eiochevart]

Ahhh you beat totk??? What was your opinion of the final fight?

First of all… my underprepared ass died at least 10 times during that final part, I only had like 4 sunny meals and had to use them sparingly (how was I somehow able to max out my food inventory, yet have so few actually useful meals??). However, when I did beat him I did so using almost exclusively bomb flowers. Which makes me hope that, for their own sake and dignity, Rauru and the OG Sages weren’t equipped with bombs. If they did it would honestly just have been embarrassing

But anyways, I LOVED the buildup to Ganon’s lair. Also, the end was like the one part I’d managed to 100% avoid spoilers about, so everything was fresh and new, pretty scary tbh. I started crying when I reached the area from the prologue, I was like, I RECOGNIZE THESE STAIRS

And the fights leading up to Ganon, with the various stages with different enemies? I really enjoyed that part. I generally love that there were mini cutscenes in between, and that the Sages actually had intentions and dialogue instead of just fighting robotically as NPCs. I don’t like the characterization of Ganondorf himself, but his cutscenes were decent and I’m glad he wasn’t just some weird, mindless spider monster as last time. Ending was nice overall but I don’t like how they concluded Zelda’s storyline so abruptly and inconsequentially.