#good advice ganondorf

[good-advice-ganondorf]

lord ganondorf should i fear expressing myself

[mememan93]

I don't think enough people have played spirit tracks for your poll...

I know :(

[paquerette-san]

I love the fact that Link is such a gremlin.

So much that he ends up being an important figure of the Yiga clan, knowing their secret techniques and everything.

I see him travelling, disguising himself as a Yiga and going to chat with them, even after the end of Ganondorf. He would be that supportive figure in the clan, not always there but listening to their struggles.

He would keep the charade up, much to Zelda's annoyance. (After all this time, he's gotten attached to them and their weekly assassination attempts).

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

And then, one day, the chain gets on this new Hyrule. It's vast, wild and destroyed but the people are welcoming and warm.

The groups gets into a stabble that have a bar. And while waiting for their drinks, they hear this group chatting (loudly complaining) about the hero.

After closer inspection, they hear them talking about killing the hero and how hard and difficult it is. They're whinning and crying in their drinks, recounting their attempts to another guy who seems sympathetic and give them advice between rounds of drinking.

It's a deeply uncomfortable conversation to witness for the heroes. Even more so because the guy gives good advice.

They see the conversation unfold with growing horror, until the assassins finish their drinks and leave the place, sure that they will get the hero next time.

The (very well informed) advisor remains and the chain is half tempted to go talk to him about the hero.

But before they can make up their mind, a charismatic woman enters.

She's blonde, with emerald eyes that blaze with fire, and brimming with exasperation as she approach the advisor at a brisk pace. He's unbothered, waving a hand and offering her a dumb grin as she gets near "Hey Zel'-"

"Don't 'Hey Zel' me you idiot. What were you thinking?!"

"I-"

"You have to stop encouraging those Yigas. They want to kill you !"

"Nah, they want to kill the hero. They like me, they look up to me for advice and everything. And they're nice drinking buddies."

"Link, the only reason they drink with you is because they haven't realised you're the hero they're trying to kill. One day, your luck will run out and you will get killed."

"But Zel, how can I leave them so sad and depressed ?"

The chain is dumbstruck.

That's their hero ? That guy that was giving assassination advice ?? For himself ???

They look as the Zelda and Link bicker like an old married couple while they ask themselves what kind of madman Hylia sent them.

(It turns out that that Wild is a wild, trigger-happy, bored gremlin that will launch itself at chaos.)

(The yigas are just entertainment. He's part of their clan and one of their best member)

Zelda is not amused

[bloobluebloo]

I dunno if this is my hardcore peddling of Ganondorf propaganda affecting my reading on things, but seeing so many people over on the tweeter say that Rauru is the best dad figure in LoZ games is just like...hmm.

He does try to help her in terms of gathering information in how to get back to her time, but otherwise sort of only pays lip service to any concerns Zelda has when it comes to Ganondorf. Zelda is no longer a young princess that is under the thumb of her father's expectations; she is a ruler in her own time, well aware of what plagues her country. However, even though Rauru acknowledges who she is, he still, like Rhoam, thinks he knows better than she does. Even when Zelda advises him to not confront Ganondorf, knowing full well what she saw in the present, Rauru is arrogant enough to think that because Zelda is here in the past that things will turn out different this time and decides to disregard her advice. He never gives her a concrete explanation for his actions, basically just telling her "not to worry about it" as if she is a child complaining about a boogieman under her bed and not what is possibly the origin of a calamity she spent 100 years holding back. In a way, Rauru becomes this sort of protective father figure where he wants to take the burden of all the hard things off her shoulders and let her focus on finding a way back home. However, considering Zelda herself is a ruler who already put her life on the line for her kingdom, she does not need to be coddled in this way. After all, she is also speaking in the interests of protecting what she knows to be home. It often feels like Rauru is infantilizing her instead of taking her concerns seriously, in the same way Rhoam did. It feels like this infantilization extends to Ganondorf as well, whom he allows to come to court and swear his fealty after attacking Hyrule, as if such a brazen attack was simply a child throwing a tantrum and not a tribe making a bold statement as to what they thought of his "repeated invitations". And then of course he keeps him on a short lease right after instead of treating him as a true threat to his kingdom. It does make me wonder if that was the reason why Zelda confronted Ganondorf with Sonia alone, with Rauru nowhere to be found. Was this yet another instance of King Zonai being dismissive of Zelda's concerns, and Sonia being the one who decided to listen?

Can one be considered a good father figure if he never bothers to treat you like an equal that has something of value to say and to consider? At what point does the kindness become condescending?

[the-moon-files]

Aaaaa yay, you updated for Linked Universe again! 🙏 And right when the hyperfixation was coming back for me, too 👀 

I was looking over your posts for LU, and if you don’t mind, I’d love to share some of my own random thoughts with you! I hope that’s okay 👉👈

After I read your “Humans aren't just round-eared Hylians?” post I have had,, many thoughts 👀 One random difference between humans and Hylians I thought about was the possibilities of varying strength,,, You briefly mentioned how Hylians seemed lighter than they seemed to Guide!Reader, and let me tell you, it was such a small detail, but I was transFIXED. I have this image of humans/Guide!Reader just being naturally stronger than the average Hylians - and it made me think of scenarios of the Reader just effortlessly hauling around two Links on their shoulders like sacks of potatoes- And them also picking up things that are supposed to be really heavy with ease! Like, Four would make a longsword, and Reader picks it up out of curiosity, expecting it to be really heavy, but it’s actually not that bad?? (Four in the background: 🧍)

If the Reader is already pretty strong (and maybe even has a profession in fighting, like a boxer or something,, [I might be projecting slightly—]), then ooo 👀 I can see there being this one time where a bunch of monsters ambush the Chain, and as everyone is fighting with the Reader giving them advice and whatnot, a Lizalfos managed to slip past everyone and sprint towards the Reader to attack them. The others are panicking because they won’t be able to reach the monster in time, but just as the Lizalfos raised its sword, one single punch from the Reader sent it flying back into the fray, knocking it into a Moblin. Reader is just standing there with their fist still in the air like “👁️👄👁️ h u h … whY ARE YOU GUYS STARING, YOU’RE STILL FIGHTING—”

In your newest post about the Guide!Reader’s voice, you mentioned how some entities could hear them, and I don’t know if he would, but I think it’d be kinda funny if Ganon and all of his other reincarnations could hear the Reader talking to Link- I’m not sure if he remembers his past lives, but if he does and hears/recognises Reader’s voice, I love the image of him thinking “Oh god, THIS guy again??” Because Reader WILL clown on him-

Dehydrated Ganondorf: *insert evil monologue here*

Guide!Reader: Uh-huh, sure, bold words for someone whose skin looks like a prehistoric riverbed. :|

Sage: *w he eze*

As I was writing all this, I had to think to myself, “Huh,, Guide!Reader doesn’t die when they fall into lava, aren’t really affected by harsher temperatures and winds, and also can swim against strong currents. They’re environment-resistant basically. But there’s bound to be at least one weakness to it all, right?” I did come up with said weakness, and I think it’s kinda basic, BUT one idea I had was that because Guide!Reader is so resistant to the natural elements of Hyrule, they are conversely quite weak to unnatural causes in turn. If they get injured, say they get cut with a knife by a Bokoblin, then that wound would take much longer to heal than it should. Any injuries that the Reader sustains in Hyrule are harder to heal (which I feel like could make some interesting angst,, 👀); their injuries would take more magic to completely heal them, or have more healing potions to drink. I also thought of the Reader being very vulnerable to any sort of poison- Like, if they get a pinch or two (or three) of strong poison in their system, they get knocked out for like two days 💀 

So basically, Guide!Reader is very resistant to the environment, possibly quite strong, but does not have any good constitution,,

[On another note, maybe it’s just a me thing, but I personally love the thought of Wind looking up to the Reader as like a big brother figure,,]

And also!! Happy birthday!! 🥳🥳🎉 As a way of procrastination, I’ve been compiling memes with Guide!Reader and the Chain because the brain rot is hitting HARD,, I can share it with you in the future if you like! /gen /pos And sorry if this is such a long post dkjfgndf-

NOT SOMEONE BEING HAPPY I UPDATED UwU

ur ideas, ur compliments, ur bday wishes, etc. hitting me like^^

Sun: Masc!Reader (he/him) this will be default unless ppl specify otherwise! , Guide!Reader, Boxer/Martial Artist!Reader

Orbit: Headcanons-ish

Stars: Most Links of the Chain mentioned + Sage (Totk Link)! No focus/centric Link

Comets & Meteors: Content Warnings: light cussing, & Trigger Warnings: none known.

Please comment if I missed any. /gen

In reference to This Post! Wait, Humans Aren’t just Round-Eared Hylians??

YOUR BRAIN>>>????!!!

This was such a yummy treat tysm for this, sharing is caring 🫶

I absolutely think Humans could be 10x stronger than Hylians, I mean if we base everything abt their universe off of Link weighing ~8 apples lmao

that means swords, armor, broadswords/claymores, battle axes, huge shields, if those weigh abt like fake swords/wooden ones back on earth to us, then i cant even imagine what canons/horses/tree trunks/boulders weigh 💀

like props on a stage weight rather than the real thing lmao

No but how many Links can you fit in one carry??

ok u got a heavier Link on your back, like Time, Twi or Wars, then Four/Wind/Hyrule/Legend (yes he’s light/smaller side, tho he may deny) in ur arms like one Link per arm, maybe 3 Links if you can like wrap ur arms around them

so like 4 Links total? well, Wind or Four r so light/small one could possibly ride on ur shoulders, so 5 LMAO??? that's like half the Chain already AHALJFAfJLL-

on another note,

I LOVEEE ganon being able to hear Guide Reader bc spent too long around them, also i originally based that off of characters who’ve shown they're meta/highly magical kinda (esp the meta part where they may have directly addressed players/broke 4th wall)

No bc Ganon would just be SO fed up by like, Wild’s time, it would literally be EXACTLY like what u said I’d imagine:

(u just playing the game and not realizing until later they can hear you)

Ganon: “ugh that blonde twink again, god when will this plan actually work-?!”

You: “eyyy, Ganon! omg, why’s he?? Hot??? damn, botw best ganon version fr”

Ganon: “you know what maybe you should just kill me right now, hero Link.”

(the thought of Ganon never being able to escape ur voice whenever Link was near him bc u didnt have a body to fight/kill, and instead he just had to deal with ur comments is SENDING ME)

changing subjects again sorry

YES!! that's the weakness/drawback I was thinking abt for Humans in Hyrule, while yes their environment isn't that effective on us, (i like to use “inside a video game” as the reason bc i think its neat)

humans are notoriously fragile in our own world already - we get sick, we get acid-reflux/throw up from bad food/food poisoning, etc.

so it makes sense we’d be more sensitive to this new environment, but even if we got adjusted,

we’re more external-proof, not internal-proof

(u know that's another reason why it works for Hylians and not Humans, we aren’t automatically healed by food, but their world does, and even in botw/totk when u have “dubious” food, its never inedible, its just useless to eat, so technically Hylians can kind of eat most anything off of that logic, like there is no such thing as “bad food” for them)

and u could take this either way tbh,

like we’re either entirely resistant to magic/dont take to it well bc our world didnt have it so potions/fairies don't work and we have to heal naturally

or just yeah, its like ur in a new country tbh, new germs/nature/food/etc. and u def cant guarantee u wont get a little sick from that

this would definitely include genuine poison!

bro the amount of WORRY the Links would feel after realizing the human guide guy who’s physically here now can barely handle their food??

Wild’s making a thorough list of what foods work for you and what don't, like safe foods to go back on, including recipes,

the way Time/Wars would absolutely be willing to take little detours/stop by towns more to make sure you have the right food you can eat,

and even tho Wild’s cooking, Sage is constantly testing for poison, like the dish itself, the herbs/plants, every ingredient needs to be extra safe even by Hylian standards (like not eating adventurous stuff like pufferfish or smth that could possibly have poison if cooked wrong/not enough etc)

that is to say, even if Wild makes a new recipe/other meal, he always has a backup safe meal to give you instead on those nights, and just way too many in general (yes he knows it doesn't buff ur health but he cant help his Hylians instincts to stuff the hurt person’s face with food ok??)

Hyrule! Is!! Losing!!! It!!!!

he has all the healing magic in the world and the one man he wants to help the most, for keeping him from being lonely on his adventure/looking out for him/being on his side no matter what, now he finds out he can’t even help them??

mans would literally keep trying to heal u til he’s drained it all out to just try and get the wound to close, if u didnt stop him

U get injured for the first time, and while a bruise/cut taking weeks to heal (depending on how bad) is normal to you, Hyrule + lowkey everyone is Freaking Out

Wounds DO NOT take weeks to heal?? They take hours at most??? Dude, are you dying-

(Wind got elbowed for that one, purely bc he voiced Sky/Hyrule/Wild/Twi paranoia out loud lol)

that is going with the version ur mostly unaffected by magic, but u could also do the human thing where we get adjusted to things over time (at least more than nothing), including food/sickness

The way All the Links just surround you or outright don’t let you come into crowded parts of town so ur poor immune system wont make u sick again 😭

on the bright side they'd all get rlly good at preventative measures like this, and taking care of sick you lol

(yes, u bribed Wind to get little bro cuddles when ur sick, it wasn't hard, he sees u as the most genuine bigger bro probably bc ur likely hte most affectionate out of all the Links)

(should I get into cultural differences between humans/hylians like humans being more openly cuddly/affectionate? like how in humans are space orcs fandom they acknowledge its unusual for us to “packbond” so easily to so many different species? and how this could possibly apply to not only Hylians but any Friend-shaped creatures across the Hyrules?? ..nah. I’ll save that for another post)

AND YES!! feel free to shoot rambles/thoughts/not even requests my way! Id love to talk abt it or just post it for the world to marvel at too lol

ohh mY God;; YOU HAVE MEMES FOR THIS?? PLEASEEEE SHOW ME????

thank you for this, srsly /pos

Peace out,

🌙

[redraccoondog]

Look at my beautiful Light Dragon that @good-advice-ganondorf made !! 😭 She's perfect, my precious dragon daughter.

[askganon]

Great King, I need encouragement. I have not had an easy life. Any form of abuse besides sexual my parents committed against me. Any time anything is left to chance the worst possible outcome is chosen by the gods, even should I do everything right. I have more mental illnesses, mental and physical disabilities than I can count. I cant do many jobs and can hardly hold most of the ones I CAN do down, on account of the disabilities. My family comes from the worst poverty possible and its grip on me is so strong I know I will never be comfortably free from it. Everyone I've ever known has abandoned me and those that came back keep me at a healthy distance as fair weather friends. Simply put, I'm a survivor, and I intend to survive as long as there is sand in my hourglass. When I am knocked down, nails bloodied and gone, nose broken, I spit my teeth and blood out of my mouth, wipe the dirt out of my eyes and get back up only to get punched back down to the ground just to get back up again. I take pride in this fact, should the whole world and even the gods/goddesses and even lady luck herself be my enemy I will. Not. Succumb. But I am tired... I tired of being strong, I tire of pain, of being offered relief or a mercy only to have it snatched away from me at the cruelest moment against all odds, of having every bit of happiness locked behind one paywall I can never hope to meet, of having everyone like me but never cherish me... I tire not of life but never having lived. I tire of only ever surviving. I dont know what to do, where I can find relief, when or how I get to rest even if just for a moment. I know I must continue on and I know that I will but I have no desire or motivation to do so. Any words of advice or encouragement from you would be a gift, I have admired you since I was young for you have lived a similar life.

There is little I can add as endearment, for all that I would say you have already stated in your resolve.

But you have come to Demon King Ganondorf seeking wisdom. So, it is Demon King Ganondorf's wisdom you shall have.

First, I will make a wound and force it to bleed. Then, I will put salt in that wound, and make you feel the sting of truth. It is only with calm and mature reflection can one see the purpose in the words beyond appeared insult.

First, the wound.

Life is not happiness.

Life is struggle, trial, failure and pain. It can be torment and relief, beautiful and ugly, but it is never happy. Any who speak otherwise are either fools or devils.

It has been said that life is the pursuit of happiness. This is a dream for the mad.

In truth, a "good" life, or one lived well, is one not driven by happiness, but by contentment.

To achieve this, a choice must be made. It is only one choice, but it is the same choice one must make eternally. That is to choose between compromise and suffrage.

In short, will you compromise to be content, or will you suffer for it?

To place this into an example, I could have compromised as King, living content with "It could be worse." Or I could have suffered for contentment with "It could be better."

Which do you think I chose?

Now for the salt.

I have listened to the retelling of your life, and have words regarding it.

I hold no sympathy for abusers of any kind. They cannot match the skills and abilities of their peers, so choose instead to face opponents they know they can conquer. There is no honor nor challenge in an assured victory, and I expect all of them to die knowing they were failures in life and will be forgotten in death.

But as to your abandonments, I hold a different opinion. While the abandonment of one might whisper you the victim, the abandonment of all screams the opposite.

Reflect on these relationships and seek out the common root between them. Do this, but do not rest on the easy answer and use your disabilities as a crutch.

It is said that hurt people hurt people. Perhaps the abuse you sustained in your youth evolved into traits within of which you are unaware.

Seek this out within yourself. If it is discovered, then you have a choice to make.

Will you compromise with this, and remain content in your solitude? Or will you suffer to change this aspect, granting you the chance at a healthy relationship and the possibility of happy moments in a content life?

[newtabfics]

Could we please get redeemed ganny and y/n meeting for the first time?

listen listen...these two are not allowed to be as cute as they are but MY GOD

Y/N blinked as she watched the hulking man behind the princess. The princess was telling Tauro about how he'll be staying in the village for his penance and anything needed, such as hard labor, he attested to doing.

She kept a distance at first but wasn't afraid to study him. He stood, looking off into some far-off distance with a deep frown. It was as though he saw something she couldn't imagine. After a long while, he blinked and his amber eyes locked onto her.

Y/N, being how she was, beamed and smiled, waving happily in greeting at him. Startled, the Gerudo hesitantly waved back, making Link blink beside Zelda before looking to Y/N.

He smiled and approached. "Hey. Glad you made it back safely," He greeted. "Y/N, right?"

"Ah, Link. Hiya. Yeah, nailed it." The princess approached curiously. "Good to see you back, Princess."

"Thank you. Are you going up to visit the Zonai Dispenser?"

"Yeah. Admittedly, I wanted to test the advice Link gave me," She said before pulling out a large charge. "Thank you again for letting me have it."

He nodded and hummed, studying the ladders. "Be careful. The cliffs are steep."

"I know. Besides, I'm a trained Sheikah. At least…mostly."

Ganondorf frowned at that as she made off, hurrying to the scaffolding to climb her way up. "Mostly?" He muttered.

"That's Y/N," Zelda said, nodding. "She's a researcher. She knows enough skill to flee a dangerous situation. She's not one for fighting, is what I was told."

He hummed as he followed the two through the village, wondering about his strange new life. "Princess," He said simply, looking at her. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"You won't have any assassins coming after you," Zelda assured him. "If anyone were to disobey this, they'd be found quickly and punished accordingly."

"That's not what I mean," He sighed. "My memories." She tensed and sighed. "You said it was a seal. A seal on me has broken once before. What's to say it won't break again?"

"That's the entire reason you're here," Link said dryly. "At the very least–" He pointed up to the mountains, making the Gerudo sigh as he looked to see Dinraal glaring at him from the Ring Ruins. "Someone's always got an eye on you."

Ganondorf grimaced then blinked as he looked over. Y/N was darting over the scaffolding. "Oh goddess, she's going to jump," Zelda muttered. "Link–"

"On it," He said, heading towards the ruins.

Ganondorf blinked and balked, watching the small woman leap to make it over the gap to the other side. Her foot barely grazed the wood as she slipped.

Zelda's gasp made Link freeze as he watched Y/N fall down before a large figure bounded over quickly. 

Y/N's body quickly maneuvered in the air, ready to land on her feet when suddenly arms snapped around her waist. She blinked as she met Ganondorf's eyes, hands slamming on his shoulders to stop her from smashing her face against his. He barely staggered when he caught her, only blinking in surprise.

"Be careful!" He finally said after a beat of silence.

"What! I totally had that under control!" She laughed, patting his head. "Nice catch though."

Link balked as he watched the Gerudo set her on her feet. She fixed her shirt and grinned up at the Gerudo. "Zelda," He said, quickly looking at her. "Y/N should be his watcher." He gestured to the Sheikah woman who just smiled as she spoke to Ganondorf, praising him for his quick reflexes.

Zelda blinked and nodded, clearing her throat. "That's not a bad idea. She's always been rather open-minded. Er–Y/N!" She scolded before hurrying up. "You need to quit that! You don't have enough strength to make those types of bounds."

"C'mon. You can just say it's cuz I'm shorter than you," She huffed. "Besides, Link can make those jumps and we're the same height."

"Barely," The hero scoffed. "I've got an entire inch on you."

"Oh-ho-ho," Y/N cooed. "So the Hero of Hyrule likes to compare inches, eh?"

Link's face went beet red as Zelda groaned, forehead falling into her palm. "How are you alive?"

"Luck, and because I'm amazing," Y/N joked. "Well, I'll–"

"Wait," Zelda stammered, making her blink. She sighed and smiled. "Would you be alright being Ganondorf's watcher? By which–"

"You can say it," Y/N said, shrugging. "Everyone else in the village would insta-kill him the moment they see the chance and you don't trust anyone to do it, but that whole thing sparked the idea because honestly? I'm not scared of the big guy. He's just tall. Like Tauro."

Zelda blinked as the three stared at her. "You're a strange vai," Ganondorf finally said.

"Thanks. Lady Paya says the same. Doctor Purah on the other hand gets it," She said, shrugging. "To answer your question though, yeah. I'm cool with it. But it'll cost ya."

Zelda balked at the statement, unsure of what to say. Link smirked, tilting his head. "What is it? What do you want me to cook?"

"Uh?" Zelda muttered, looking at Link.

"Honestly, anything. Your cooking rocks, Link! Plus, I think I might end up getting distracted and forget to cook if I get wrapped up in the study."

"I can ensure that doesn't happen," Ganondorf said to Link. The hero nodded as the Gerudo looked at her again. "What is it you study?" He figured he might as well ask, given he'd be spending more time with her since she agreed to the princess's request.

"Devices mostly. I'm basically working to be able to engineer something from these devices. Link's theft of the Yiga schematics has really helped give better ideas. However, we are lacking the material to completely build them the way he had with this strange adhesive the other arm provided. We're hoping a few remaining servant constructs could help with that information…maybe."

Ganondorf nodded as she pulled a journal from the pack strapped to her thigh, opening up the sketch made. "I need some materials that might be in this dispenser, but not all of them are."

"I can go search the other dispensers," Link offered. "Or…actually, I might have some stored in my house in Tarrey Town."

Y/N smiled. "Thank you. I'll get a more concise list after I check what I can get with the charge. Well, since I'm technically watching you, come with me, Ganny! You can help me carry the devices back."

Link snorted a laugh as Zelda bit her lip at the nickname, watching the woman go ahead to the scaffolding again with the huge Gerudo in tow. Zelda sighed in relief as she watched them.

"Did we do the right thing?" Zelda wondered worriedly.

"It's Y/N," Link assured her. "She's a good influence on people. Besides, he seems less tense around her." He patted her shoulder as Ganondorf stopped Y/N from jumping over again, making her take the ladder to the higher-up bridge. He saw her tongue dart out in response as she begrudgingly did as he said.

"You're right," She muttered, rubbing her arm. "At least they seem to get along."

After a beat of silence, she asked, "How long do you think until she starts excitedly telling him everything about the devices?"

"You seem to think she hasn't already."

[ganondoodle]

someone commented on an old post of mine that sonia wasnt fridged bc shes relevant to the plot and i have been thinking about it for an hour bc i dont think thats an actual get out of jail card for that .... also ... what does she do? be raurus way to cement himself as da king? give some half assed advice to zelda, that has no pay off unless you count zelda time reversing a bunch of weapons*, and then immediately dies just so zelda can essentially replace her and make rauru regret he didnt stab ganondorf right when he showed up in their temple i guess ?? (which is questionable on its own imo)

(*its not a good pay off for powers she was suddendly revealed to always have had(tm) and also is only ever used to .... welll, get zelda out of the way back in time, reverse a few weapons and .. idk create a ham fisted way to give the player her gimmick?)

even if she doesnt technically meet the requirements(lol?) to be called fridged like .. she is spiritually at least for how irrelevant and cheapely killed off she was

[kagoutiss]

Absolutely love the idea of Ganondorf actually genuinely trying to give advice, but he's just The Worst (affectionate). He's just awful and he's so babygirl about it

yeah!! tbh i think even in canon he is capable of feeling genuine love/care/sentimentality, if him having his swords engraved with the names of his mothers is any indication, or trying to care for tetra to some extent while she’s being held captive, but his life also just hasn’t been conducive to the kind of person who can communicate those things in a constructive way? and at best sometimes it comes out in the form of unsolicited advice, because he’s very self-centered and tends to project his own experiences onto other people. despite being otherwise really good at reading/interpreting other people’s emotions. if that makes any sense, lol

especially when he’s younger tho, i feel like he would have a tricky time parsing the difference between love & hatred? and keep conflating the two? so he ends up being kind of antagonistic to people he loves, and also has a tendency to try and make people despise him because he’s way more comfortable with being hated than being loved? and has this weird thing where he thinks gestures of genuine affection are inherently deceptive somehow? this is all just my personal feelings about him but yeah. im cracking his skull open like a walnut and poking around in there

[good-advice-ganondorf]

[fioreofthemarch]

Finding Her - Chapter 16

Link makes notes, takes photos and keeps time on his quest across Hyrule, in the hopes of finding Zelda and staying sane until he does. [ Previous | Next | First | AO3 ]

Log Date: 15:30. 8th month, 21st day 104AC Location: Minshi Woods, North Hyrule Weather: Foggy

I can’t believe it. It’s finally happened: I’ve found her! 

I wish I realised it sooner. There's a reason I haven’t seen her anywhere: I’ve been looking in the wrong places. 

Been thinking while I walk. Open air helps with the clarity. She wasn’t in any of the towns or the Temples. That cruel ghost in Hyrule Castle wasn’t her. She isn’t up on the sky islands (have explored most of them now) and I hope to Hylia she’s not stuck down in the Depths, but I think the Yiga would’ve let me know if she was. If they’d captured her, they wouldn’t bother trying to impersonate her. 

So what is left. Not much. But, it’s always the last place you look, right? 

I thought, you know, good time to go see the Deku Tree and get the Master Sword back (again). That’s when it hit me. What better place to shelter Hyrule’s Princess than the Korok Forest? 

The Lost Woods are completely sealed so it looks like I’ll have to go through the Depths to get into the forest. All the Koroks here are talking about it but they don’t seem worried, so neither am I. 

It’s nearly over. We’re so close. By this time tomorrow, she’ll be home. 

A photograph of the dense woodland of North Hyrule, and the korok diaspora hanging out amongst the trees. They look at the camera with blank but inquisitive expressions, somehow. 

Caption: They're just friendly little guys.

---

Log date: 15:30. 8th month, 22nd day 104AC Location: Korok Forest, Great Hyrule Forest  Weather: Clear. 

I don’t know what to say. 

No, I do: Link, you fool. You idiot. Getting your hopes up, for nothing. Stop lying face down in the grass and get back on the trail.  

The Koroks are side-eyeing me, I can feel it. And they don’t even have eyes. Mr. Hero seems upset, they whisper. Yeah, I am!

Zelda’s not here. The Master Sword is not here. I can’t fight the Demon King without the sword that seals the darkness. No one is being sealed anywhere by a Bokoblin Horn. 

I guess it was good that I came here. Ganondorf’s blight reached even this sacred place. Found and fought some Gloom Hands within the Deku Tree. Didn’t take any chances. Rained bomb arrows down on that thing until it shrivelled up and then cut down the Phantom Ganon that followed afterwards. Didn’t take long. Have fought worse. 

I can sense the presence of the Master Sword, the Deku Tree told me, and then a new map marker appeared on the Purah Pad. But … the marker is moving. And fast. It doesn’t make sense — I’d have noticed a sword hurtling across the countryside by now. 

I asked the Deku Tree if he had any more clues, but all he talked about was the time Zelda and I came here to retrieve the Sword, nearly half a year ago now. He said something about the Sword’s strength growing with time, along with my connection to it. The truth is within you, he said, you just need to listen for it. But I don’t hear or feel anything. 

I need to think. And I need help. Maybe more answers will come on the road…

A photograph of the towering Deku Tree, his stern expression unreadable and inscrutable. Koroks hover at the edge of the frame, eternally persistent and unphased by the ebbs and flows of fate. 

Caption: This place should be a haven, and yet.. 

---

Log date: 09:30. 8th month, 24th day, 104AC Location: Kakariko Village, Necluda  Weather: Rain. Light snow overnight. 

Back in the familiar embrace of Kakariko. Coming here was the right choice. 

Needed advice. Rode south from the Korok Forest and sought out Paya as soon as I arrived. Caught her up over some green tea and pickled swift carrots. Let her know that, surprise, ‘Zelda’ was a ghost the whole time. Paya took it surprisingly well. Only children fear ghosts, she said, and I swore it was Impa’s voice speaking. Those who are gone cannot hurt us.

Anyway. I told her I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have any clues about Zelda or the fifth Sage. I tracked the Master Sword to Eldin using the new map marker, but I couldn’t see anything. Nothing but rocks all around and a cloudy sky above. There are more geoglyphs I could find, but… I need to make more progress in the present before revisiting the past. 

Paya knew just what to do. Trust the Sheikah to have all the answers. Change comes not through contemplation, but action. She pointed me towards the floating Ring Ruins and all but commanded that I investigate. Act then, Master Link! 

Found some ancient writing inside the ruins that the researchers Tauro and Calip deciphered, with Paya’s help. Seems like they point to someone named Mineru, in the Zonai Ruins to the south. We leave in the morning. Tauro is beside himself with excitement. I’m sitting in his camp, watching him pace back and forth trying to write Paya a ‘going away’ letter. Can see him blushing under his bangs — he’s smitten. 

Feeling optimistic. It would make sense for the fifth Sage, maybe an ancient Zonai, to take Zelda into protective custody. Maybe hidden in the ruins and cut off from the world, Zelda doesn’t know that we’re looking for her. It would make sense, for her to be there. It would make perfect sense. 

A photograph of the floating Ring Ruins in Kakariko Village. In the foreground are Paya and Tauro in private conversation. Paya whispers something in Tauro’s ear, as he crouches down to listen with intense focus. Paya has her hands clasped in front of her waist and stands with a calm confidence. 

Caption: Good for them. 

---

Log date: 20:13. 8th month, 26th day 104AC Location: Jo-ku Usin Shrine, Thunderhead Isles  Weather: Thunderstorm 

Need a break. Sheltering in an ancient Zonai cavern. All go, go, go since leaving Kakariko. Waded through marsh and swamp at the Zonai Ruins with Tauro for a whole day, examining murals and fighting off lizalfos. Hate those guys. 

We found some Zonai armour, completed an ancient ritual (Tauro enjoyed that), unveiled a whole new archipelago — but no sign of Zelda, or the fifth Sage. 

Getting frustrated. Might just be this storm. All my gear is completely soaked. It’s just… the more places I look, the more I fear it — the thought that I buried months ago to stay sane. The thought that answers a terrible question – when someone goes missing and doesn’t come back, what does everyone assume happened to them? 

I thought I could sense her, and sense the Sword. But maybe they’re just echoes. Just ghosts. Apparently the Master Sword is nearby, moving past the SkyView Tower on the Popla Foothills. If it is, I can’t see it through the clouds…

Pressing on. Will find this fifth Sage if it kills me. What else to do? I’m a hollow machine, the only thing real about me is the air I breathe. 

If I stop moving, I’m gone. 

A photograph taken from the Thunderhead Isles of the Popla Foothills to the north. The Light Dragon is seen flying just below the clouds. There's a sense that, no matter where someone is in the world, the dragon’s light would shine upon them. It's a familiar feeling, like the light that shone from Hyrule Castle when its Princess called out to— wait. No, stop that. That’s— what are you talking about? The feelings aren't familiar at all. It’s just a dragon. Nothing more. This isn't even a good photo. It’s blurry, and dark, and should just be deleted. 

---

Log date: 07:45. 8th month, 27th day 104AC Location: Construct Factory, The Depths Weather: Not applicable. 

Finally good news. The fifth Sage is here, in the Depths.  

Barely made it to the end of the Thunderhead Isles. Didn’t sleep. Heart’s been in my throat all night. I had braced to find a tomb, but found instead a Zonai mask that led me to this Construct Factory. Then I heard the voice in my mind – Link, Zelda’s Chosen Protector. I am Mineru, the Sage of Spirit.  

She couldn’t say much, except that she had been hidden in the Purah Pad all this time. Since it wasn’t designed to hold a living spirit, she had to lay low. Remembering now that Purah told me the Purah Pad was the key to the final Sage. I guess she figured it out, somehow. 

Mineru’s little more than a poe, so we’re building her a new body. She says she’ll explain everything when we get to the Spirit Temple, and that we have to hurry. Zelda’s Chosen Protector is going as fast as he can, because I think it all makes sense now. Zelda IS down here in the Depths, safe in the final Temple. I thought… something worse had happened to her. Something that couldn’t or shouldn’t even be possible. But, it wasn’t true, in the end. Thank the Goddess. 

I’m so tired, Zelda. I just want you home with me. Surely, this time, I’m right? 

Surely, this time, you really are here? 

A photograph of a large construct, half-built and still ensconced in its protective shell at the entrance to the Construct Factory. Though its eyes are open, the Construct is not yet awake. 

Caption: We’re close, I know it. 

---

~ Welcome to the Purah Pad ~

Today's Purah Pointer: Always make sure to che###%%% mon[][]rs%% in--

[Mineru.exe initiating...] [Initiation complete]

Message Medallion activated.

Connection established.

MNR | 11:00 Link? Are you there?  I’ve routed my comms through the Purah Pad, it’s easier to communicate this way.  Telepathy is a strain, after a while. 

LNK | 11:02 I don’t want to talk.

MNR | 11:02 I know what I showed you at the Spirit Temple was a lot to take in.  Zelda told me you would be upset, but she was sure her plan would work, and that the Master Sword would be–

LNK | 11:02 There’s nothing to be upset about.

MNR | 11:02  Link.

LNK | 11:03 We don’t have any proof she went through with it. 

MNR | 11:03 Yes we do.  You have met her.

LNK | 11:03  No. 

MNR | 11:03 Link, she was guarding the Great Sky Island. She saved you from a Gleeok in Hebra. In Hateno, she guided you to Lanayru. And I saw the photo you took of her on the Thunderhead Isles. 

LNK | 11:04 That wasn’t her. That dragon isn’t her. 

MNR | 11:04 Denial serves no one. The dragon is a dragon of light. It would make perfect sense for it to be her.

LNK | 11:04 Don’t say that. 

MNR | 11:04 Say what? 

LNK | 11:04 Nothing makes sense.

MNR | 11:04 Link. Go to her. You will see what I see. 

LNK | 11:05 I don’t want to talk about this.

MNR | 11:05 You cannot ignore the truth. 

LNK | 11:05 Leave me alone. 

MNR | 11:05 Do this for her, Link. She missed you so much.

LNK | 11:05 LEAVE. ME. ALONE.

MNR | 11:05 Link, wait—

Purah Pad power down initiated. 

Powering down in 3,2 — *blip*

[rawliverandgoronspice]

i know many have said this but your totk thought pieces are SO cathartic to read, it puts my grievances into words as i found the story to be all vibes and no substance. i'm really curious to hear your opinion on the yiga in totk, as unlike ganondorf they actually have fleshed out motives. i'm happy with their goofy team rocket portrayal but disappointed with their absence in the plot. at times it felt like they only existed for zonai schematics and depths tutorial advice.

Heyy!! Thank you so much, I am very glad to read this. It's always good to be reminded that there is a use for all this virtual ink despite the growing complaints. At the same time, I know many people who were really disappointed who almost felt like they were going crazy in the never-ending wave of praise, and... Yea. Like the game is enormously good in many ways, but I don't think it's bad to point out that there is massive room for improvement still; that way, the next game can be even better! I'm also not sure why people think it's a lost fight by default, like Nintendo will NEVER improve and NEVER change, even though they clearly listened to the complaints about the lack of immediacy, the weapon durability system, the dungeons... I even think they listened for the story, even though I feel very little love for what they prioritized and how it was done and, to be a little ungenerous and not 100% fair, I think a lot of people conflate narration and setpieces --but it apparently worked for the majority, so?? They did improve. It's only a lost cause if people are not vocal and already call themselves perfectly content with what already exists (which, for people who are, I guess is fine --but I'm not fine with this, so I am Annoying on the Internets). I guess that's how I justify the time spent writing about it? Who knows. Anyway! Thanks!

The Yiga Clan was so fun! Everytime they showed up I was so delighted by their shenanigans and the energy and the life and conflict they bring to the table inherently. I suppose they could have been integrated better (but like, nobody was well integrated in my opinion, and they were pretty low in my list of priority of "good integration" I suppose, since they were tied to the Sheikah and therefore a more relevant presence in BotW anyway), but I also kind of love that they have all of this secret content you only unlock by investing in their presence in Hyrule, which isn't at all that obvious to stumble upon for the unassuming player. The Yigas were one of the high points of the game for me, even though we do lose some of their original motivation (which was never super present in BotW either tbh), and we continue having this problem of no meaningful opposition to Hyrule's supremacy, but. The silliness was a breath of fresh air and Kohga and his onesided courtship of Ganondorf that we keep on rudely interrupting was really Something, and I had a great time making his life worse and also probably saving his life in the long run in a roundabout way Kohga baby no you Can't Fix the Demon King he won't magically become different and special for you no matter how many mechas you build him I'm sorry :((

[summertimemusician]

Honestly the one thing that really frustrates me about Hyrule Warriors is how they cut Linkle being Link's sister, because otherwise it would have recontextualized Warriors entirely as a character.

This is mainly just headcanon territory, but something always bugged me about him being a knight in training from the get go, mainly because it's usually never any Link's first choice with First, Sky and Wild being the main exceptions (Gaepora took him in, and Gaepora runs the knights academy, makes sense he'd want to join then plus he'd probably want to protect Sun, plus Skylofts knights function differently than Hyrule knights, they don't have the same hierarchy and Skyloft is pretty peaceful before SS truly picks up so again, makes sense he wouldn't have troubles joining, we don't know First's reasons besides him seeing evil on the horizon and deciding if no one's was gonna do anything about it he might as well do it himself, and Wild was basically recruited at a young age for pulling the Master Sword while presumably young, he was never given a choice), we see it with Four, he's a blacksmiths apprentice under his grandfather and we see in his manga him practically baring his teeth at his father he won't become a knight and he doesn't pick up the sword unless really necessary, we see that with Time, he was raised as a Kokiri, he dreamt of adventure already from the drawings we see in his room, but he could always just become an adventurer if he wanted to though of course we see that change with the Hero's Shade, I'll come back to that, Wind? Was content living in Outset with Aryll before Ganon decided to fuck around and found out really hard, Legend was also a blacksmiths apprentice and adventurer and he only takes up knight training in the manga because Sir Raven inspired him, like even if he didn't want to be a knight the training would still serve him well (and lo and behold the advice pays off given all the shenanigans mostly caused by divine beings Legend gets saddled with), Hyrule obviously leaves in a very hostile world so he wouldn't even have ANY time to think about knight training, he's self taught because he'd literally die if he wasn't given monsters need his blood to ressurect Ganon so it's honestly a unique case of technically self defense, either he learned to hunt or he'd remain hunted, Twilight is the same case as Wind's, Ganondorf fucked around and found out with the wrong older sibling's people plus the protagonists heavily implied love interest(s) and got shafted into next week, him and Dusk don't have a personal connection besides Midna for him to stick around much and we see him go back to Ordon, so no knighthood there, so why was Warriors different? What motivated him?

I think Linkle being his younger sister would have been the answer.

Long post ahead, continue under your own risk

I know lots of people characterize Warriors as being of a noble line and joined the knights at the urging of his father, but let's not forget most Links are orphans so thinking Wars is an exception is a pipe dream. So that's out, however, in medieval times knights actually get plenty of benefits since they work mostly for lords, ladies and the local crown, being a knight is synonymous with being a noble or at least having a decent life at the cost of serving someone else and the Hyrulean knights don't really have any requisites before joining (though we do see long lines of knights exist, which some Links are descended from without their knowledge, so it's not farfetched to think that a good chunk of the knights of Hyrule qualify as members of noble houses loyal to the Hyrulean crown, would also explain their why they're ineffective a lot of the time too, if most of them grew noble and Hyrulean isn't war seeking {most of the time} then they wouldn't have any real experience), it would be a good way for Warriors to support himself as he climbs up the ranks, and most importantly, someone else, because he'd need to make that money to feed Linkle if she's his younger sister because most Links who take on elder sibling roles are at their best when trying to protect their younger siblings (Wind with Aryll, Twilight with Collin, to an extent Legend and Gulley, all Links are at their best when fighting/protecting someone else), Linkle could grown up without restrictions and he could support them both, making them work harder than other knights because he's already at a disadvantage.

Making it so he's in the perfect place at the right time to get noticed by Artemis before the War of Ages, and give him a reason to go against orders and fight rather than standby like other traineés, being discovered as the Hero in the process.

And as a result since Mask is in the war too, he gets inspired by Warriors (who as an older brother would definitely just snatch him, Wind, Tetra and heck even the Skull Kid under his wing because no way is he letting children younger than even his own little sister fight alone) and eventually becomes a knight too after presumably stopping his search for Navi or using his knight status to search more effectively, which gives us the Time we see in LU who eventually become the Hero's Shade, which trains Twilight. Because he looked up to Warriors while younger.

I just think it's a huge missed opportunity with a lot of room for angst/hurt comfort/drama, and also opportunities for Warriors, Legend and Wild to bond over not really liking the knights because they've all not likely been treated well by his fellow knights while young even though he himself is one, and that Warriors would absolutely be one of the first to throw hands if he heard another soldier talk badly about any of the Links, in this essay I will-

[catyo90]

Fighting Fate: Chapter 7

It had been a long week for Link, upon returning to those ruins underneath the castle he was shocked to see the stone tablets of their history had indeed changed. But one other panel showed the future, one that he thought was nothing more than a dream lost long ago. The tablet showed four champions under the banner of a new kingdom, one of Hylian and Gerudo. He knew the figures all too well, Mipha, Urbosa, Daruk, and Rivali. He almost couldn't understand how it would be possible. However, the panel between the marriage and the champion disturbed him above them all. It was a depiction of a golden dragon fighting a black dragon cloaked in orange hair and below was the figure of the legendary hero standing beside what looked to be the Gerudo King.

The week grew hazy and almost blended together, he wished he had the advice of the others with him, but he knew they were gone, even if the panels spoke of their return. It was not guaranteed. Impa and Paya had decided to let Link stay with them as they looked over their findings more frequently to make more sense of what they had found.

"What if she does marry him..." Link thought as Paya placed a cup of tea beside him.

"Perhaps she's come up with a plan, Link. Some kind of way to alter our time."

"But to marry the man who caused all of this pain and death. How could she find this to be the only way..."

he signed and then looked at the tea and took a quick sip.

The light sound of footsteps from Impa walking into the room tapping her cane to the ground.

"This is about more than just those we lost...you, the princess, and Ganon...you suffer a curse. One that was both in hand by good and evil. She always wished to find a way so this endless cycle of rebirth and death could end. Never before has a reincarnation of Ganon ever sided with the Goddess, nor a hero ever turned away from the light of the Goddess."

Link was silent as he watched Impa holding a book, the title long since faded. She placed it on the table and opened it to show it was a written record of every hero, princess, and even the multiple versions of Ganon.

There were hundreds of timelines. All of them end in death, not just Ganons, some even with the hero dying. And while past incarnations of Zelda never seemed to die, she was cursed to face the troubles and sorrows of the people in all kingdoms.

"You see Link...if she manages to make peace with Ganon in the past, the cycle will break. You, the princess, and Ganon will be free for the first time in centuries and perhaps if this curse breaks then it will never happen again. Then again...it may not." Impa said closing the book and placing a hand on Links.

"For now all we can do is find a way to help her, and you still need your sword in case something goes wrong." Link only looked down lost in thought. He knew she was not wrong and her loyalty to Zelda had never been wrong to follow.

-

The day had passed and Zelda had been preparing for the ceremony that would come to pass in only two days. At the moment she was with Naboris sitting on the balcony enjoying a cup of tea while Naboris sharpened her blade. Below them in the private training grounds was where Ganondorf was in a meditative state. Zelda was a bit surprised to see the King in such a state but all she was told was not to disturb him.

"How long must he stay like this," Zelda whispered to Naboris in order not to be too loud or disturb him. Naboris looked down the sliver of light from her blade to her brother.

"Until his urge is able to disappear." She said sharply once more the sound of the sharping stone on her sword made a humming noise.

"His urge?" She looked down at Ganons form and realized that his aura was stronger now, the ancient evil that was inside his body was affecting her as well in a way that not even she knew, It was almost like drowning in blood. It was cold and haunting. Like a nightmare come to life. But behind it was another aura, she wasn't sure how to describe it but it was as warm and welcoming as a gentle flame.

"My brother faces it everyday, some days are worse than others. There have been days when he has had to stay there for days, no matter what he has to concentrate to keep the evil at bay...it is a fate that no one should ever face."

"Do you have any issues with it Naboris?" Zelda said as she looked at her seeing Naboris blade pointed out in both hands checking the durability of the blade itself.

"There are nights when I must go to him to ease his nightmares, days where I wonder if I will have to raise my blade to him..." She said in a more serious tone as she looked down at Zelda placing the blade down after sighing bringing her arm to her knee in a relaxed manner.

"But since you have arrived...I fear it may both be a blessing and a curse for both of you. Every day he will awake to wanting more power that will never be enough for him and that in itself will drive him made, but I can see from merely your presence that it is already affecting him in a better way. The way he looks at you...like a sinner who has turned into a saint."

Zelda was about to speak before the sudden sound of thunder echoed through the land. Looking up she saw dark clouds rolling in and soon rain started to pour down, a rarity to say the least. She saw Naboris grab her sword from off the ground as she looked down at Ganon who was unphazed by the change.

"Even I have to admit...he is almost too stubborn and prideful even for a Gerudo. But I wouldn't change him even for all the rupees in the world."

Zelda looked down up at her and from under the mask she wore she saw smile before taking her leave. Zelda looked over the balcony and felt a tringe in her heart. The rain had dowsed Ganon and his hair clung to his form as his robes became heavy from the water but his face showed no annoyance or hardship. She left the balcony and walked down the stairs to where the training grounds were, A flash of lightning made her flinch for a moment as she saw in front of her his back was to her, his hair falling almost gracefully if it were not for the rain. He hadn't moved at all and his focus was unbroken.

She stepped out onto the now wet stone slab he was sitting on and carefully took a few steps forward to him. The closer she got the harder it was for her not to sense it, the rage, hatred, fear and pride but she knew this was not the same man before her. She stepped in front of him and closed her eyes.

-

Ganon POV

The sounds of the rain poured in and out as his focus grew more and more on the voices he was hearing. All of them variations of him from past lives yelling over and over every time the same thing.

"Take the stone"

The loudest of these voices was the oldest and unfortunately the most powerful. Demise, the original version of him. the one who started everything. The crack of a boar snapping bones, the visions of countless villages and people dying and the flashes of the hero always striking him down. The reincarnations of Zelda, each praying for his demise. Both hero and princess screaming at him.

"A beast of no redemption."

"A murderer and blasphemer."

The voices of his lives echoed.

"They will kill us over and over if you do not!"

"You are not a man, you are not a monster...you are the rightful ruler of all!"

'Take it."

"The stone!"

The voices were growing louder and the animal in him was slowly coming out, he could feel it, the rush in his blood claiming him to be more powerful...that all he desired, what he deserved...what he would take even against the world.

In his mind everything was dark and the sound of footsteps were coming closer and closer, when he opened his eyes he saw Sonia but only for a moment before her form disappeared and the golden familiar glow but it faded as the darkness took over once more.

But he never faltered, he kept to his meditation but there was something different, the heat of hatred was always within him, but the sense of another like him, the aura she gave off was warm but not like his vengeful wrath, in her he knew it was the concentration of all that was good. It felt like ripples from a stone being thrown had calmed.

The voices all at once stopped which made him take a deep breath as he opened his eyes and noticed a familiar golden glow in front of him. There she stood, holding one of his in both of hers, the triforce glowing upon her hand as the stone itself resonated with her. But the sight he saw almost took her breath away. Her hair was somehow only slightly wet as well as her robes and the glow from her eyes and the gentle smile made his heart quicken.

'Zelda..."

"Are you alright?" she said weakly as she collapsed against him as he caught her in his arms. He brought her into his lap as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder covering her small frame with his much larger one as best he could from the rain.

"What were you thinking...connecting directly like that...you could have."

"I wanted to help...because your not alone...not anymore."

She brought a gentle hand up to his cheek and kissed the other side to match the one she had received from him. He was completely enthralled in that moment but also a tad bit shocked from the gentleness from her because he knew she must have felt what was going on inside of him. But to her it truly didn't matter. Not anymore. He gently picked her up in one arm and walked into the palace. Naboris and a few of the guards noticed and rushed over.

Ganon though simply gestured for them to calm and walked up the palace stairs to his chambers, he just knew Naboris was smirking under her mask as she called the others away. The sound of the rain grew heavier as he placed her down gingerly onto the bed. He took off her sandals, necklace and earrings. He was removing her circlet when she turned and raised a hand to his cheek as he loomed over her, his sharp eyes were lost in hers as he brought a hand to hers holding it in place. She smiled as he stayed with her holding her hand gently rubbing circles with his thumb.

"Go to sleep Zelda." he said softly as he brought his face a bit closer causing his hair to cascade to the side as he kissed her forehead. In her weakened state she knew he was right and there was no reason to argue. But what she said next was not what he expected.

"Only if you stay with me."

[princess-of-the-corner]

What are the trio's backstories for No Fate?

Ohohoho!

Honestly they're mostly what you'd expect BUT also because they have some weird powers and Know More Than They Should, they're little fuckin cryptids.

Zelda:

Born as Princess of Hyrule, of course.

Her parents don't exactly notice how odd she is, but the castle staff do. Because, thanks to remembering her past life, she knows too much.

She'll overhear two maids discussing one's sick kid that hasn't been able to get better, and immediately say 'oh that sounds like this one rare illness I...... read about. You should take him to a Zora doctor they know what to do!' and the maid is so stressed and desperate she tries anything and yep that worked kid is running around again.

She'll sneak into Guard's rooms and see the Captain looking over a map, and point out the flaw in his strategy and a way around it.

Impa is her bodyguard once again. She isn't shocked when Zelda begs her to teach her different fighting techniques. She is shocked, however, when Zelda masters the techniques far too quickly.

Zelda's parent's aren't.... I wouldn't say 'neglectful', exactly, They spend time with her. But they very much want her to be their carefree little girl for as long as possible. The Kingdom is at peace, she doesn't need to spend her childhood in boring political meetings. Why doesn't she play with that nice boy from the market?

Zelda is patient, at first. Despite knowledge beyond her years, she needs to know the current state of affairs. She needs to be an age where she is taken seriously. But eventually she started taking manners into her own hands. And when a 12 year old princess orders people around with such authority in her voice, you don't question it. Her ideas are good and her strategies are solid.

Her parents relented, if only because there's little danger at the moment. Hyrule is in an era of peace! Sure there's a few monsters out and about in the wild, but nothing their guard can't handle! If she's really so intent on going out and helping people as their Princess, they'd much rather keep track of her.

(They may be compliant, but Zelda knows. She knows she is Here and she knows coming back Means Something. Her parents might not believe her, after all it's tradition to name the princess 'Zelda' surely their daughter is not a true reincarnation. But she knows better. And she has to be ready for anything that may come.)

Link:

His home is in a farm town just a little away from the castle. He would often go with his parents to sell things at the castletown market.

So many kids are named after the Hero. Most of them go through a phase where they believe they truly are the Hero. So no one really takes him seriously when he insists he is. But sure! Teach the kid how to swordfight! He's big enough for the practice blades!

Except he picks up the skill a bit too quickly. Though his body does not have the muscle memory(or the muscle), the mind remembers. Any monsters that attack react strangely to him (they may not know him, but they see it in his eyes. Some run. Some see it as a challenge.).

Due to this, it also surprises people when they find him asleep everywhere. Fallen out of bed, tucked up in the branches of a tree, spooking the poor librarian trying to put books away by being on the top shelf.

He also seems to see and hear more than others. Local Spirits talk to him. Give warnings and advice and of course gossip. They don't question when he seems to nod along to what a tree is saying.

He meets Zelda in the market when they're kids. And they Know who the other is on sight. After that they're near inseparable.

Ganondorf:

Quite a normal childhood.

I will note that I'm adjusting the whole 'every 100 years a male Gerudo is born and he's the King' thing. Handwaving it as mistranslation. Gerudo men are rare, so 'every 100 years' is a metaphor like 'once in a blue moon'. They are not named King by default. The default line of succession is through parent to oldest child, but someone can challenge the heir and become the leader.

In this Time he's born to the current Chief, though he is not her heir as I'm yeeting Urbosa in as an older sister. And Riju as a little sister. Because I can lmao.

Gan is aware of what he is. So was his mother. But his mother was a good mother. Even knowing what he may become, she wasn't going to give up on him. She's going to do the best she fucking can. That's her son and she will not leave him.

It doesn't keep her from worrying. When he, like the other two, seems to know too much and learn skills too quickly. She grows more concerned when old 'habits' pop up, his instincts to take people down as the Demon King. A mother scolding her child and explaining why we don't get brutal in friendly spars goes a long way.