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ganymedesclock · 5 years ago

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Very great analysis on how bleak the cycle can be. What’s your take on how the cycle works regarding other villains, like Vaati, or Majora?

So I know you asked about the cycle in-universe, led here I would guess from this post, but there’s a noteworthy followup I made in that vein here, and that’s important context to how I feel about a lot of the Zelda rogues’ gallery.

Because the thing is, if you go looking for qualities to hate, you’ll always find them.

Ghirahim invades Link’s space in a way that feels- to me- very gay panic. He talks in luscious detail about wanting to do violence onto Link’s person. He threatens to run through his subordinates.

Zant creeps on Midna at a major part. And, Zant’s very easy for me to relate to and want to defend, because the big other thing used to make Zant seem “scary and off-putting” is his literal autistic meltdowns. They may not be called that by name, but Zant thrashing, bending weirdly, the noises he makes and slamming his head on the floor when frustrated and overwhelmed, as an autistic person, I recognize intimately. I can’t even say it’s that much of a caricature of stimming and meltdowns.

Vaati kidnaps “beautiful maidens”. We’re given plenty of reasons to hate them.

My beef is, a lot of these issues feel petty- not in their in-universe damage done, but petty in a writing sense.

Hearing that Ghirahim controls the bokoblins through threat of force is basically meaningless. We can’t really be all up in arms that Ghirahim is threatening to stab bokoblins because in that cutscene alone we tear them apart en masse ourselves. We can have the excuse that they’re our Enemies, but they’re Ghirahim’s subordinates, but really, how much of an excuse is that? Yes, there’s a difference between stabbing enemies and stabbing allies, but The Legend of Zelda is not a work that has any kind of moral high ground to point fingers about dehumanizing people. We’re not even dignified a response from the Bokoblins. You could omit Ghirahim’s threat entirely and nothing about that scene’s weight or context would change.

Zant getting uncomfortably up in Midna’s space is just supposed to be a cruelty that make us feel more justified when Zant dies in a comparatively graphic and painful-looking manner. They are not used as meaningful characterizing moments. It doesn’t illustrate that Zant wields cultural power over Midna, because in their dynamic, both make clear that Midna was the favored one- she was chosen to rule- while criticizing Zelda, she alludes to having a life of luxury herself (since she’s projecting her own issues onto Zelda in that scene) while Zant at least perceives himself as having lived a tortured life and Midna doesn’t contradict him or call him a liar, merely insists that he was power hungry and that’s why “everyone” felt justified turning away from him.

It doesn’t indicate Zant really wants Midna because it seems to just exist as an opportunity to set up Zant attacking her for siding with the light world. It doesn’t even really indicate Midna’s character growth because she doesn’t seem to seriously consider Zant’s words and she never suggests in the past she might’ve gone along with him.

The thing about The Cycle and it’s cruelty is that it’s something that exists halfway in and halfway out of the fourth wall. Hyrule can’t stay at peace. It can’t be stable and happy. It has to be imperiled because they want to keep making games.

The villains in the Zelda series are created to fill a role. They’re boss fights. In that sense, they’re trophy bucks to be hunted down for our entertainment. You could arguably say the same thing about any video game boss, but, I would argue, a well-written game gives you reasons to find opposing this character meaningful.

The Zelda series does not do this.

The Zelda series mostly gives you some cheap heat excuses and a lot of vague words about how someone is Evil or Diabolical. Next time you fire up a Zelda game, just, stop and pay attention to the cutscenes and look at just how much of a given character’s crimes are: 1. vague, 2. only ever stated by other characters who already hate that character, 3. make no sense as a strategic move unless you intuit or assume a lot of information the game never tells you.

It’s really easy to assume in the average game that Ganondorf- or Vaati, or Skull Kid, or Zant, or Ghirahim- is running wild killing people and burning the countryside. But if you actually look at it, there doesn’t seem to be a clear thesis to who’s hurt and who isn’t.

Why do the Zora get frozen? Why is Valoo’s tail attacked? Why does Zant attack Hyrule’s light spirits but doesn’t seem to spread the twilight to Snowpeak or the Gerudo Desert when they’re seemingly unprotected?

So the end result is you get split one of two ways. You either trust the Experience of the game- that tells you the entire countryside is suffering because of Vaati- and thus, you come up with explanations and cruel attitudes Vaati has that clearly explain all of his behavior- or you don’t, and then you sit there going “man Ezlo I know you’re salty over being turned into a hat and all, but isn’t it a little fucked up that you’re this willing to talk about your underage orphan apprentice like maybe it was an inevitability he’d go mad with power and there’s nothing to do but forge a sword and kill him?”

The game wants you to assume there’s no way to talk down or negotiate with any of these people. It tells you that there will be Dire Consequences if this person’s actions are not stopped.

But Vaati’s a child who wants power and doesn’t even seem to have a clear thesis of what he’s doing with it besides that he just vaguely wants to be ‘in charge’.

But Ghirahim seems to have never thought of himself as anything but an instrument and his parting comments to Link suggest that he is only, just, starting to actually feel any real standout emotion towards him beyond annoyance, and that emotion is not rage or revulsion but curiosity. He only really acts out of loyalty to an entity that on-screen, hurts him and literally dehumanizes him- turns him into an immobile object. Something we’re told is a tragedy when it happens to Fi.

But Zant talks at great length about how miserable he was, and Midna insinuates “everyone” hated him and thought he was shifty and untrustworthy, and in his own memories, he was sobbing alone and immediately latched onto and literally worshiped Ganondorf, for... telling him he was important and offering to give him power.

Much is made of Skull Kid’s loneliness and ultimately they’re just a kid, go easy on them, they were tempted by Majora- but we have no idea what Majora itself is, besides that they’re a mask, and in the entirety of Majora’s Mask, many discussions are made about how masks are the product of spirits filled with regret, and one must work with them to bring them peace- and Majora itself speaks in a childish manner.

Chancellor Cole, you can argue, even looks more like a “real evil” in that he’s a scheming bureaucrat who uses his position as a respected adult to talk over and endanger Zelda and Link, and even he’s thrown away by Malladus when the latter needs a free body.

The most in-universe explanation, going by just what Nintendo’s official lore tells us, is that Demise’s hatred seeks a suitable vessel, and Ganondorf is just its ‘favorite’, and it’ll happily latch onto anybody else in a position to screw over the heroes. But that raises a lot of questions and leaves a lot of things unaddressed.

So it comes down to a question of, what do we decide here that we trust? How many of these guys would stay enemies if we had any capacity to talk to them and understand their problems? So many of these guys feel like they’re trapped or hurting or miserable or just had a completely unspecified “hunger for power” because that sounds threatening, but the people who desperately want to feel strong are usually people who, for some reason or another, feel denied, repressed, or looked down on.

Basically, the characterization is vague, and mostly, we’re assured they’re evil by other people in the game. To me, this comes across untrustworthy, especially when, in effect, a lot of these characters talk or act like they were (or are shown to be) wronged somehow, and when the game seems to act as if your only options are “let them do whatever they want” and “kill them where they stand” with a clear insinuation that the murder is the right and proper choice.

Which is kinda the whole problem. The average Zelda game spends however much time it dedicates to the main villain, trying to tell you to kill them. This is at odds with Link as someone who engages with and helps a lot of people. And often “however much time it dedicates to the main villain” is not that much time at all! You’re often just, like. having a fun little happy adventure with a scattered handful of interjections of “so everything is the fault of this one guy, and, uh, you should stab them.”

#Legend of Zelda #readmore #the hour is late and I need to sleep #so I hope this is coherent #mrneighbourlove

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bionic-stars · 6 years ago

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A Gerudo Au. Chapter 4: Stories and Fear

“No.”

“But-”

“No.”

“Please! I'll be a good student your majesty I-”

“My answer is no, Indravati, now drop the subject.” Ganondorf didn't sound too happy at the young Gerudo. He had come into his office early in the day and asked, no, basically demanded he taught him how to fight like he did so he could fight his master. He wasn't going to train him just so he could go out seeking revenge. Even if he wanted to train him, he already trained his own children, and on top of that, he had a kingdom to run. He didn't have time to teach the young Gerudo techniques his children already excelled at.

Indravati looked mad at the answer he was given. He had been at the castle for four months now, and nothing suspicious had happened. His injuries on his back had fully healed and scarred horribly, and he was given a tutor to teach him how to read and write. Everything was going well, except the part that he kept it a secret of what his master had planned for him. Sure, Indravati took it upon himself to train every day, but it was usually by himself since what Sybil did to him months ago. He would train with his fists mainly instead of using a sword, and when he was asked why he simply said he hated the hassle of it. Indravati even started to gain healthy weight and more muscle mass. He was living better! But he was still not satisfied with it. He wanted one thing, and that one thing was to get revenge on his master for what he did to his mother.

Without another word, Indravati left Ganondorf's office to go start his patrol shift of the day. He was suppose to just keep an eye out in the library today instead of the gardens like he normally did. It was a nice change of pace too, the quiet room simmered down his anger quite a bit. He watched people go in and out of the library as he walked around slowly, debating on how he wanted to train today, and how he wanted to hurt his master once he saw him again. His back ached just thinking about him, the injury was healed, but the phantom pain still flared up now and then. Maybe he could just beat him to death, or maybe he could stab him in a vital wound and watch him bleed out. A fitting death since that's how he killed his mother. He could feel the anger creep back onto his shoulders as he thought more and more of the plan. He needed a distraction before he snapped at someone from said anger.

Walking down tall shelves filled with books, he let his fingers graze over the spines, a small smile coming to his face. His first thought went to his mother, she always had a book in hand when he was a child. It was usually a history book or her own journal that she wrote on, having information on the places they went to. Soon enough he would be able to read all these books, his tutor said he was a quick learner and was already past children books and onto more advanced things. It was a good thing. Maybe he could soon find out why his mother always had her nose in those books.

Indravati was about to turn around to continue to walk around the library but stopped when he saw a large map on the wall. Stepping up to it, it seemed to be a map of Hyrule and the edge of some other lands. He stared at it long enough that he didn't even notice the small child that stepped up to him.

“Can you read the map?” When the child spoke he flinched hard and looked down to see that it was… Princess Orana? What was she doing in here? He didn't want to talk to her, he made it a point to avoid her and her siblings because what he was sent here to do. But there was no avoiding conversation now.

“...Yes, I can, why?”

“You were staring at it for so long I thought you needed help.” she gave a laugh when she said that, Indravati gave a smile chuckle.

“I think if I couldn't read it my mother would be mad at me, we went to so many places inside and outside of Hyrule that I was sort of forced to learn.”

“You have traveled outside of Hyrule?” The princess’s eyes lit up with curiosity when he said that and he smiled, lifting up the part of his helmet that covered his face. When it showed he was Gerudo, she became more interested. Maybe it wasn't a bad thing to talk to her.

“Yes. My mother was a nomad, so I've seen many places, would you like the hear about where I've been?” When he asked that she nodded quickly, taking another step forward, and he laughed. “Alright… where to start....” He tapped chin and hummed. “I have been all over Hyrule, Labrynna, Danjur, the Gerudo Desert, and sailed on some of the Oceans..” Indravati was going to continue, but Orana raised her hand and Indravati laughed a little, giving her a nod to ask her question.

“You said your mother was a nomad. That means she never settled in one place, right?”

“That's right.”

“Then where were you born, or grew up?”

Indravati let out a breath when she said that, he was thinking. “I don't… know where I was born, well I do, but it's been so long.. My mother always said uh… how do you translate?” He thought for a moment how to translate his mother's words from Gerudo to Hylian, then huffed, he ended up saying it in Gerudo. “When I asked her where I was born she would always say ‘Somewhere between chilling waters and the soft falling snow. Under silent trees and next to a warm fire, under the peaceful moon and stars. Where the air was thin and where the gods could see over the lands. You came to me screaming into the world, announcing that you were alive’.” When he finished speaking Princess Orana had a smile on her face, that made him smile back at her. Switching back to Hylian, he turned back to the map. “My mom had a way with words, but I think she meant I was born… here.” He pointed at Mount. Lanayru. “I'm guessing we stayed there until I was two and continued to roam after that. We always came back to the snow though since I liked it a lot.” He shrugged.

“What about the oceans? You said you have traveled them.”

“Well some, I remember being on a giant ship when I was around your age, didn't enjoy it too much. I was always humid and made my hair frizz up.” He motioned to his head and the two shared a laugh. “We were on trading ships for a while, just sailing from Danjur back to Hyrule. It was a fun trip.” He smiled at her gently.

The young Princess was about to ask another question about his adventures before her name was called. It was one of her teachers. He noticed the dread on the Princess’ face, and that she still had answers she wanted to ask...

“Go hide real fast.” He whispered to her and she smiled widely and did as she was told. Hiding on one of the bottom bookshelves, Indravati had to pull down the face of his helmet to hide his small laugh. It wasn't long before the teacher came by and walked up to Indravati.

“Have you seen Princess Orana?”

“Princess Orana? Shouldn't she be in class?”

“She should, but she ran off again.. have you seen her? I swear I heard her voice…”

“I haven't, sorry. I can tell you that when I see her next that I will tell her she will be needed in class.” The teacher let out a heavy breath when he said that. It was obvious that they had to deal with this often…

“Thank you, sir, I'll keep searching..” the teacher waved a hand goodbye before leaving. Indravati waiting a few moments before lifting up his helm again. Going to where the young Princess was hiding and knelt down.

“I think they're gone now, Princess.” he smiled at her gently and held out a hand, which she took when she crawled out from the bookshelf. He watched as she looked around just to double check if the teacher was truly gone and then smiled at him brightly. “Now.. what was that question you were about to ask me?”

The two had settled to sit down at one of the tables in the library. Indravati happily answering questions that the Princess had for him. He told her about the places he had been to, what they looked likes, even how the food and smells were like. He even introduced himself formally to her and laid his helmet on the table they sat at. Indravati was enjoying this small conversation he was having with the young Princess.. until her next question.

“You talk about your mother being with you on all these adventures, Indravati. But where is she? Does she live here with Hyrule since you're a knight here?” The princess raised a brow when she asked her question and Indravati could feel his heart sink.. the first thought that came to mind was the day his mother died and him screaming. He put his hands on the table and pulled off his gloves. Showing two golden rings on each ring finger.

“My mother.. died when I was fourteen..” He wasn't going to tell her she was murdered, it felt wrong. He took off one of the rings and handed it to her so she could have a better look. “These are what I have in memory of her. They're traditional wedding bands, but I think her wife died before I was born.” He spoke with a shaky breath. Princess Orana looked sympathetic as she looked at the ring for a moment before handing it back to Indravati.

“I’m sorry your mother died.” She didn't look him in the eye and Indravati waved a hand. In all honesty, he was trying not to tear up at the thought of her.

“It happened a long time ago, Princess Orana.” He smiled gently as he put back on the ring. “I think it's time for me to stop sharing stories today. Maybe another time I could tell you about the day my mother knocked out a pirate with a really cool move.” when he said that Orana's eyes lit up when he said that but before she could even say anything, he spoke. “If you stay here any longer, we'll both get in trouble, and I personally don't want to get in trouble.” He stood from his chair and put back on his gloves. “Come on, let's go find your siblings so you can catch up on the class work you've missed.”

Indravati had to hold back his laughter when she made a pouty face as she stood from her chair and started to walk towards the exit of the library. He followed by her side with his helmet under his arm but paused when he heard a book drop. He even saw the book on the floor.

“That's odd….” He mumbled and looked around. He couldn't see anyone besides the young Princess. He could tell the librarian on his way out about the book.. for now, he figured it was best to make sure Orana got back to her siblings before she could get in trouble. Even she noticed the book and went without a second thought to put it back on the shelves. He sighed when she did that and followed her. “Do books usually fall off the shelves randomly around here?”

“Maybe skull kid is trying to pull a prank on you.” She said and Indravati just looked confused as he stood by her. He shook his head and watched her put the book back up. The two turned to leave the aisle of books but at one end was a person dressed in all black... And a dagger in one hand. It was an assassin.

The assassin charged at the two and went for the young Princess, but Indravati made the choice of pushing her back behind him and throwing his helmet at the man. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears as the man didn't stop his charge and was met with Indravati. He was surprised that he caught the Assassin’s wrists and threw him back.

“You’ll give your petty life for a pig spawn?” the assassin asked and Indravati looked confused. But then he grew annoyed, he forgot that people still used that insult.

“Don't call her that.” he bent his legs slightly and prepared for the next attack for the Assassin. The Assassin tried to stab Indravati in his side with his dagger, he attempted to dodge but had his side grazed by the blade. The Assassin threw a punch at him and hit Indravati in the chin, making him stumble back. Another hit to him in the face, then another. He was starting to feel dizzy, but he somehow shoved the man back. He was on the defensive and currently trying to figure out how to fix this situation and not to scare the princess. Indravati kept avoiding the attacks as best as he could trying to think of how to counter attack this man. The man tried to charge again, but when Indravati caught him the man just headbutted him in the nose. He saw stars with that one and almost fell over, but the Princess gasping loudly made him stop himself from falling. Wiping his nose, he saw that his nose was bleeding heavily. It running down past his lips and dripping on his chin. He was starting to regret training by himself... All he ever knew how to do was the things his mother taught him as a kid, what he saw her do in fights, and how to hold a sword. How was he going to beat this man? Another punch across the face, now a cut cheek, and he growled. Indravati didn't take the punch so hard like the assassin planned him to, so he punched him in the chest, making him stumble back a few feet, knocking the air out of the man. He needed someone that would take this man down quickly... Then, he gained an idea.

“Princess Orana-” he glanced back at the scared Princess who was watching this scene unfold. She looked up at him with fear in her eyes. “Do you wanna see how my mom knocked out that Pirate?” He asked raising a brow, watching the Princess nod as he heard the man coughing.

“You're going to regret that kid!” the assassin yelled and charged at him.

Indravati noticed the third time he charged, it was the same as the first and second. His mother always said fighting were just patterns, and everyone had a different one. Her words prove correctly in this moment. Throughout his childhood, he had witnessed his mother get into plenty of fights growing up, and he was lucky that the pirate in the past she fought was a very vivid memory. It played out the same way for him too. The man lunged forward with the dagger, trying to go for his neck. Everything slowed down for Indravati as he re-lived that memory in his head. Stepping to the side just like his mother did, reaching one arm out to push up the hand that had the weapon, kicking one leg out to trip them, and punching them up across the face with his free hand. With that final punch, the Assassin was knocked cold with blood gushing from the assassins nose. Even Indravati looked surprised when he successfully pulled that off. His arm was still hanging out from the punch when the assassin fell to the ground. He was shaking hard, his armor shifting from his trembling muscles. He just realized it was the first time he actually fought back against someone. But why? Why did he fight back..?

Indravati was breathing heavily and turned to the Princess who looked just shocked at the event that just happened in front of her. Then it hit him. He fought back because he wanted to protect her, one of the children he was originally sent to kill, him being here to protect someone who was innocent felt right to him… The adrenaline was pumping through his veins, he needed to calm down, calm her down. Indravati stood up straight and took in a deep breath, stepping towards her slowly.

“Are you alright…?” She nodded and Indravati could tell she was still scared. So, he knelt down to her and smiled gently. “How about we.. go find your parents instead, Princess Orana..”

“..and get you a band-aid..” she pointed at his bleeding nose and he laughed, nodding.

“And get me a band-aid.”

It took less than an hour before everything was spread around the castle about what happened in the library. The young Princess was in a safe place, Indravati received his medical attention that, and now was currently standing in front of the King and Queen with his head down, looking at the ground. They asked to see him, but haven't said anything since he came to them. It was eating him up inside. He could feel the tense air in the room and took in a breath to speak.

“I… pushed Princess Orana away from the assassin, is she alright?” He asked, still not looking at them.

“She is fine,” Ganondorf speaking in short words made Indravati stomach twist.

“That's good…” he kept his head down and Zelda let out a sigh, being the one to break the silence.

“Indravati what happened today isn't new to us.” She tried to talk to him calmly. “We have had constant threats towards ourselves and our children. We were lucky that you were there..” She tried to get the teenager to look at her but he simply kept his eyes glued to the ground like a guilty child. “You saved our daughter from an assassin, I would think you would be happy she didn't get hurt...”

Indravati was silent for a moment, lifting his head slowly only to look to the side. “It's my fault-” his voice squeaked out those words. “My fault that it happened. It was one of my master's servants, I looked at their face before I brought your daughter to you-” he had tears welling up in his eyes, the guilt was eating at him. “It's my fault that she almost got hurt, and I'm-” he opened his mouth for a moment before closing it. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry- I didn't want anyone to get hurt.” He brought his hand to his eyes to wipe the tears away.

It was a hard reminder to the King and Queen how young Indravati was. It made sense on why he was so emotional at the moment, especially since he saw that the assassin came from his master. He probably blamed himself for this whole event...

“Indravati,” Ganondorf spoke in a stern voice, making him look up at him with his tears still o. His face. “No one got hurt unless you count yourself. You did a good job by fighting against the assassin. Only the Goddesses know what would have happened without you there. You shouldn't beat yourself up about this.”

“But-”

“He works for your master, yes, but that isn't your fault. Nothing is your fault.” when he said that Indravati looked surprised. “You're just a kid. None of this could be your fault and on top of it. You are trying to do your best to stop your master without him finding out. You should be proud, not upset.” Ganondorf looked down at him, waiting for his response.

Indravati just looked surprised to hear the King speak to him that way. He wiped his eyes again and nodded quickly. “Yessir-” his voice cracked but he tried to not let it. Ganondorf let out a breath of relief when he successfully calmed him down. He didn't want to think about how his kids were going to be when they were around his age.

“Now, you go rest. You still have to do patrols tomorrow even though you are beat up. Clean your wounds in the morning and reapply the medicine to them” He said and Indravati nodded, giving a quick bow and went to leave. He didn't have anything else to say to the two rulers. So he just left quietly.

Indravati was focusing on his breathing as he walked down the hallway to his room. He felt a huge weight come off his shoulders when Ganondorf told him it wasn't his fault. He didn't want to admit that he thought he was wrong though. He looked at the helmet he threw at the assassin and sighed. Today was just so much for Indravati, all he wanted to do was sleep the day's troubles away. Opening the door to his room, he was met with a hooded cloaked figure standing by his desk.

“Excuse me? I think you have the wrong room, sir…” He stepped towards the man slowly.

“No, I think it's the right one.” the man turned around to face Indravati who froze on the spoke. He recognized that voice, that low voice... The man removed his hood, showing his short black hair and the burn scar on his cheek. He had tan skin and black eyes. Long ears that had golden earrings, and a slow smile forming on his face. “Did you miss me, my little pet?” The man took a step forward and Indravati stumbled back quickly. Almost falling over.

“Master Grimol-” his face grew pale at the sight of him. The man who he had been going against for the past few months. Standing right here in his room.

“Aw, don't act like that pet!” Grimol laughed. Opening his arms as he stepped closer to Indravati who kept moving away from him. “You look like you've seen a ghost! Give your master a hug!” He kept walking closer to Indravati, forcing him to walk back into one the dresser in his room and fall to the ground. Staring up at Grimol with fear deep in his eyes. Grimol just sighed heavily.

“You break my heart acting like this, you know you're not supposed to.” He frowned heavily and reached under his cloak to pull out a whip that had small spikes on it. “Now… my dear pet, I came up here early because things were going so well. But you hurt one of my dear old men! You know what that means.” He stretched out the whip and Indravati had tears forming in his eyes again.

“I'm sorry!” he held out his hands. “I- I didn’t them to- to think I'm against them! I'm sorry!!” he came up with the lie as tears fell on his cheeks. Not this, anything but this. He didn't want to be scared again, he was just starting to sleep well at night. He didn't want to be hurt again.

Grimol only shook his head. “You know I never liked when you cried… Try not to make any sounds, I don't want people around this castle whispering about you..” he hummed a little and then frowned hard at Indravati. “Oh, and after your punishment… we have much to discuss, my little pet..”

#i got a sudden writing surge and took full advantage #also i didn't know what to name this chapter so i hope it's fitting #i hope you enjoy!! reblogs and likes are always nice :')!#indravati #ganondorf #zelda #orana #grimol #fanfic for #ridersoftheapocalypse #s-kinnaly #mrneighbourlove

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