#untold myths aspen

[loz-untold-myths]

UNTOLD MYTHS: THE MAGE'S LANTERN

A LoZ Fan-Story by Nocturne

Chapter 5 (Novelized)

Expand to Read! (Warnings: Violence, Implied Character Death)

Chapter 5 - The King

In the time before the advancement of the weather, Princess Zelda approached the castle walls. The landmark, along with the partially crumbled town around it, is known for remaining on heavy guard at all times. Her arrival is spotted immediately by the knights outside; all of which seemed particularly on edge. The princess was instantaneously escorted inside upon being recognized, with multiple guards accompanying her entry. Most of this felt like one swift movement to Zelda; one quick conversation between soldiers to another, all leading up to her now being brought before the King.

. . .

Her father, the King of Hyrule, is an older man. A frail one, at that. Although, many suspect he would be much better off if it weren't for the drastic weather conditions. As Zelda is led back to him, he is in the Throne Room; a large room near the center of the castle's maze of hallways with a high roof and expensive decor hanging on every inch of stone and tile. The King is slumped over in his throne, his expression grim with his eyebrows furrowed. His chin rests on his hand as he stares off. The lack of light in the throne room, attributed to the added curtains over every door and window, made for an even more foreboding sense hovering over the room. Even so, the guard leading the party clears his throat to get the monarch's attention.

"...Your majesty! Princess Zelda has returned."

This seemed to snap the King out of whatever he trance was in. His head darting up, the man shifts his widened gaze to the group. Once it settles on Zelda, he immediately sits up and runs over the best he can in his sickly state. The princess feels a heavy wave of guilt hit her as she witnesses such a reaction... But before she can say a thing, she's pulled into an unexpected hug.

"...Zelda! It has been days! Where... Where were you?! Are you alright?!"

"Father– I... I'm alright, more or less." Zelda hesitates to give any clarity on what transpired, but she knows she'd be in trouble if she didn't. "I... Read in one of the library's books about a wand with the power over ice and snow. I thought maybe I could... Maybe I could find it myself and reverse the ice wizard's spell! But when I found it, he was there too, and..." Her voice trails off.

"...And?" The old man's demeanor quickly changes to one of restrained anger. Not with Zelda, but with the wretched mage, "Did he hurt you?" The King has focused on the bloodied cloth over the gash on her face.

"A... little.... But I escaped that night when he tried to drag me somewhere else." Her father is about to interject, but she continues speaking, "I was on my way back here when more monsters began to appear. One cornered me, but one of the villagers from nearby killed it." As Zelda recalls the event, she takes a moment to stop in realization. She must not forget what she owes that boy. "The boy said his name was Link. We have to repay him somehow, I could have–"

Now the King fully interrupts her stumbling words, "Now, now, slow down a little. The mage captured you?" His voice sounds like he's nearly forgotten how to speak. "How did you escape?"

"...I stabbed him in the eye." She says this rather bluntly, as if she doesn't know what else she was expected to do in such a situation.

Blink. That certainly wasn't the answer the King expected, but he's proud. Certainly not more proud than worried, but the description remains. After this brief pause, the king lightly shakes his head to recollect himself.

"Zelda, you shouldn't have taken such a risk so recklessly! Don't you realize what–... You said someone made certain you came back safely?"

Zelda nods, although she thinks it would have been easier for him to listen the first time she said it. Either way, she can't be bothered for long. She's relieved to be home again, after all. The whole situation overall was frightening for her first journey outside of home on her own (even if it was without her father's knowledge).

"His name was Link. He was from a village not far from the Temple of Time. If he hadn't stepped in, I would have been stuck out there much longer..." Her gaze strays off towards the floor now as the King finally releases the hug, but keeps his hands on her shoulders. He is about to speak up regarding this, though his speech comes to a halt before it can even escape him.

It doesn't take so much as a second for the young princess to realize why her father didn't end up speaking. She, too, felt what had distracted him: a cold wind even more bitter than that of the norm. The air is so cold, infact, that even indoors their own breath seems to create a fog. Zelda raises her head and peers around the room– expecting an open window or door– yet there is neither in sight. As per usual, the windows are all sealed shut with soldiers stationed at the sturdy, closed doors. The curtains obscuring them remain intact.

The King stands upright now, his eyes narrowing in uncertainty as he tries to pinpoint what could have possibly caused such an anomaly. Despite his numerous layers of clothing, the chill is enough to make his already weakened body feel as brittle as a thin slate. Merely inhaling the coldness is enough to leave him in a coughing fit, sending Zelda into a temporary alarm. Instinctively, the girl steps forward and decides to help her father stand; just in case.

"Father– Are you alright?? The storm was harming you enough already, but with it now seeming worsened–" She cuts herself off, whispering under her breath, "(...Oh no.)"

"...Don't worry. I'll be fine, Zelda."

"...I'm sorry."

"–What?"

"The mage retrieving the ice rod... It has to be how the weather ended up like this just now!" Looking up to the now paling King, the guilt she felt upon her initial return has finally seeped through and become visible just above skin-level.

"...Zelda, do not blame yourself for this. You cannot control the actions of that vile–" Yet another course of coughs. "That vile... Creature."

"...I thought... With the wand... I could." The princess mumbles, her stare locked at the freezing stone floor for a moment. However, she is soon quick to redirect her attention to her father. She interrupts any attempt he may have tried to make to refute her point. "...But... now we must prioritize getting you somewhere warmer before your illness worsens further!" The princess soon begins to try to lead him deeper into the castle, "Your room has a fireplace, that could at least combat the cold–"

"Zelda–" The King once more tries to interject.

"I'll make sure some of the guards come with us, as well–"

"Zelda!"

"What?" The princess finally looks up to the King, the look in her eyes sending a regretful chill down the King's spine.

"...I believe we may have worse matters to address." The man's voice is low, his gaze having now strayed to the opening entrance doors of the Throne Room, which now unintentionally let in a bit of a draft. Within the large doorway, a group of castle guards now stands. Based upon their expressions, their arrival was one of urgency.

"Your highness!" The closest of the guards calls over to the royals, kneeling, "The curse! It's worsened!"

"...We are well aware." The King places a hand on Zelda's shoulder as a subconscious action of worry for her.

"...Sir, that's not where it ends. An onslaught of beasts have appeared from the storm! They approach the castle as we speak."

Zelda's pupils dilate in her fright. "Then everyone needs to get to the East Passage immediately!" She advises both her father and the guards in a rush, knowing only castle staff know of the secret route to the castle's exterior.

"The army of monsters surrounds the exits," A guard begins, "Even if we took that path, we couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be something waiting for us."

"What other choice do we have?! All of you! Focus on keeping those creatures out! Drive them from the Capital so everyone else may escape with their lives!" The King yells his order, but it spirals him into another violent cough.

Being forced to swallow their concerns and put their duty first, three of the guards go to their ruler to help him and Zelda escape. The rest depart to defend the walls of the castle. Yet, it already seems their time is thinning, as the occasional deep thud echoes through the halls.

One guard travels ahead, the other two sticking behind. The princess intends to lead her father, considering his condition, but he instead begins to take the lead despite this. Once again, the young girl can feel everything happening much too fast for her to possibly keep up. Traversing one hall after another, each of them rushes to beat the ever-louder thuds that trail after them.

...However, as the knights and those they protect enter the Great Hall, a crash like lightning is audible; it repeats back and forth in their ears. No one says a word, but each comes to a halt upon the realization of what it means. The demons have made their way inside. After a pause, Zelda breaks her own despair to remind herself that such stillness will leave them all as easy targets. She silently motions to the guards, urging them to keep going. They follow her order, making a similar connection; only to be met by a raging flurry that blasts through the doors they were about to approach. Knocked off their hinges, the doors fly into the walls before slamming to the stone floor.

Zelda hasn't much time to register what occurred, but feels her father pull her a bit closer so he may shield her from the harsh, icy winds. This only worsens his shivering, but he refuses to care. The armored protectors raise their guard, instinctively drawing their halberds from their backs and taking aim towards the source of the gale. A blast like that... It was greater than anything even the mighty storm could muster. ...No. It had to be that of a sorcerer.

...And, unfortunately, they were right.

As the relenting white finally fades from view, a figure is visible standing at its former epicenter. The silhouette is that of a wizard in many layers of robes beneath a cloak. He bears piercing eyes– one of them scarred and hidden by his hair– and snake-like skin. The all-too-recognizable intruder gains a sinister grin beneath his scarf. "Greetings, Your Majesty." An insincere, mockingly calm greeting comes from him.

"...You." 'His Majesty' responds through gritted teeth, not pleased to see this man whatsoever. The King grows even more protective of his daughter in this moment, bringing out an arm in front of her to create distance between her and the mage. Zelda's gaze darts to her father again in confusion, as she had no idea her father was familiar with this Wizard in specific (although she was aware the King, at one point, had known the mage's commander).

"Ah, yes..." The Wizard begins, "You remember me. I certainly haven't forgotten about you... Not after you ordered the execution of my allies at the hands of your army."

"And your execution was to be among them! Guards!" The King roars out to his protectors, his voice having gained a sickly gravel by this time.

Instantly following instruction, the three guards race towards the enemy with their halberds aimed. They come in succession rather than together, so they may serve as backup to one another. Yet, even with the advance of the soldiers, the wizard keeps perfectly still. ...Still, until the last possible moment he could have acted. Lifting his hands, massive shards of ice cut upwards from the stone around him. The first approaching knight's halberd is caught by the frozen shard shooting upward, effectively disarming him long enough for the Wizard to send him flying into the second with a barreling cold wind. As the third tries to attack the mage regardless, he simply lifts his hand to freeze over the abandoned halberd and send it flying right into the final soldier. With all three now down, the intruder cast another harsh wind swirling around each of them in an attempt to discourage their continued retaliation.

"...I must apologize," the slightly annoyed mage returns his gaze to the uncertain pair of royalty upon making short work of their guards, "I really did not suspect I would have to resort to this whole... 'Storming the castle' thing. Especially after I took care of your little rat." His eyes rest on Zelda, which only infuriates the King further. "Alas... Sometimes plans must adapt. Now, why don't we make this easier for everyone involved? Surrender to me now, and this will not have to escalate any further."

The princess uneasily glares towards the sorcerer, her father then stepping fully in front of her and retorting with a bit of strain, "And allow your wicked forces to rule our land?! I would rather my last breath be taken defending it!"

The wizard seems to pause, before he only becomes more smug. "...Very poor choice of words, sire."

Upon hearing this, the weakened guards take it as a threat– as it very likely is– and force their ways through the harmful winds to stand up to the wizard. In their efforts, they manage to break through. The knights gather before the King and Princess, taking a fighting position whilst enduring the wounds they have already sustained.

The mage looks upon this, wondering if their army truly learns nothing. Supposing he needs to teach them a proper lesson this time, he lifts his fist again. But rather than seeing frost form around them, he looks upon a purple fog that begins to cloud the room. Narrowing his eyes, The Wizard looks between his fist and the fog. He certainly didn't do that.

The darkness grows more dense around the knights as they slice through it, ultimately shrouding them entirely and dealing enough damage to knock them unconscious within seconds. The soldiers collapse at the feet of the king, much to his own shock. He turns to make sure Zelda was not affected, but finds his own legs weighed down by a cold mass of forming ice.

"To spend your last breath fighting for this lost cause... If you insist upon it, Your Majesty, that can be arranged." A new voice speaks up from the other entrance of the room: the one the group entered from.

The origin of the voice is clear to the King immediately. Knowing the stakes have just been doubled, he makes an attempt to free himself– but to no avail. Zelda's heart races at a mile a minute as she takes no time to try and identify them. Her focus has gone to the dropped weapons of the compromised knights. Lifting one, the princess plunges it down into the ice surrounding the King's legs. The ice spikes outward and jabs at her halfway through this motion, forcing her to stumble back and drop the weapon. Finally, she looks towards the second of the intruders, whose arrival seemed to surprise the first.

A Gerudo man stands in their only other potential route of escape, yet another sorcerer with clothing akin to that of a ruler. And, in what only summons a great dread over the princess, he wields a powerful wand of pure ice magic in his grip. His very presence, by contrast, flickers like a living flame. Seeing as he now has their attention, he continues, "...In the meantime, however, I believe we have much to discuss. Shall we?"

"No one wants anything to do with you! Now release my father!" The girl demands this without a second thought. Behind her, the King reaches for the halberd she released and tries to break himself free.

"..." The Dark One is unamused. "...I am afraid you have no choice in the matter, princess." He readjusts his grip on the Ice Rod, the crystal at its peak emitting a dim glow. The collecting coldness at the King's feet abruptly begins to spread, now reaching up to his knees. Hearing this occur, Zelda looks back and witnesses it herself. "I hate for our first introductions to be such an ordeal, child, but I myself have had to make this choice due to your... interference. Make yours wisely. Otherwise, your dear father will become a mere trophy." He takes a step forward, continuing, "Surrender the Triforce of Wisdom to me, and the old man's life may be spared. Refuse... And he will meet a grave of eternal cold."

The princess tenses up, at a loss for what to say for a good minute. Soon enough, she buries her nervousness and decides to speak. "...wh– No! Leave him alone!"

"That is not an answer, Your Grace." The man's voice is practically a growl.

"Zelda!" The King, finding his attempts to destroy the ice unsuccessful, turns his head back to Zelda. "Do not cooperate with him, regardless of what becomes of me! Hyrule's fate depends on it!"

"–I won't leave you here!" The girl is startled from the suggestion even being made.

"SILENCE!" The Gerudo's voice overlaps Zelda's, echoing through the Great Hall. The mage seems to flinch, even though he isn't on the receiving end of the warning.

Seeming unscathed by the demand, the King glares daggers back towards him. "You leave her out of this, Ganondorf! The least you could do is face me yourself instead of hiding in an action of cowardice, you spineless–!" The King is suddenly cut off by his own yelling from the perpetual rising of the ice. It has become painfully numb, certainly not bearable. Zelda grimaces just from hearing her father in such great pain, stepping over to him as if she could somehow comfort him.

"It is not your decision to make." Ganondorf, responsible for once more aiding the process, lowers the wand before pointing it towards the princess. "Your time is running out, little one!" His footsteps draw nearer, showing not even the faintest of second thought.

With Zelda closer now, the freezing monarch warns her in a hushed voice. "(If Ganondorf retrieves your piece of the Triforce, he will be closer than ever to his vile victory... Zelda, you must… you must run)." It sounds like he can barely get the words out. "(Depart from here... Don't look back. Not for even.. For a moment. Protect the Triforce of Wisdom–!)" The longer he goes on, the more Zelda can feel frigid water swelling up in her eyes. It stings her face, practically clinging to it as it drops down.

"(But father–!)"

"(Zelda... The fate of Hyrule rests with you.)" Struggling to move, he shakily hands the halberd to the girl.

Staring to it now in her fists, Zelda finds herself nearly unable to see clearly. She tightens her grip on the halberd as a looming shadow draws closer to them both. Deep down, she understands fully what must be done. But... Every ounce of her wants to renounce it. This cursed power... It now may cost her father his life. And for what? What good could possibly come from this? "(Father, I…– ...I'm sorry. I love you.)" The princess mumbles the words just loud enough to make sure he hears, and whirls around to stab the halberd right into Ganondorf's torso– as he dared to come forth to force an answer from her.

The Dark One had not seen this coming at all, doubling over and letting out a furious call. The Wizard jolts, his eyes snapping towards the girl. Did she seriously just make the mistake of attacking Ganondorf?! He awaits Ganondorf's further instruction as the princess races past where the demon once blocked the way, but part of him wants to chase after her without the command. The dark sorcerer soon rips the halberd right from his body, gritting his teeth as he tosses the now bloodied weapon aside.

"...Very well, then." With no time to spare and not even a glance in the right direction, The Dark One swiftly swings the rod towards the King. It sends one final blast of ice that finishes the job. It envelops the dethroned ruler, one final, foggy breath escaping just before he is reduced to a statue.

It is only after the fact that Ganondorf's gaze shifts to the "sculpture" with a firm stare. "Follow her. She either remains here, or she fails to escape this palace alive. Make certain of it." He does bother to break this stare.

"...With pleasure." The Wizard outstretches both palms to the roof, disappearing in a snowy gale once more to hunt the girl down.

Notes:

The kick off for a character's plotlines is always so easy to nitpick. However, after multiple revised drafts I finally found one I was content with! That, and I got indecisive with the cover... Perhaps I'll share the original cover art at a later time. Sorry for all of the time I took hesitating for this one! ^^"

Now, it seems certain paths must cross again.

First Chapter: Prologue + The Wizard

Next Chapter: The Princess

Previous Chapter: The Lantern

(#loz mage's lantern)(#loz untold myths)

If you like my artwork, check out my main art blog: @nocturnalfandomartist

If you like my writing, here are some one-shots: @writingnocturne

[loz-untold-myths]

Untold Myths: The Mage's Lantern

A Legend of Zelda Fan-Story by Nocturne

Chapter 3 (Novelized)

Expand to Read! (Warning: Just... Ganon being kinda messed up??)

Chapter 3 - The Dark One

The wizard faces the grim wasteland, not a soul or beast daring to cross his path. His rage manifests in frost over the sands with every footstep. Some even branches out from the wound in his eye, which he has kept hidden beneath his hair. He knows fully well that he is the greatest sorcerer– second greatest sorcerer to ever live. Yet... The bitterness of his failure… it rings in his ears. It twists his gut. It lingers in every speck of dust that the air brushes past him! He's been foiled. He's been ruined! Hours of his time have been wasted trying to find that wretched little pest he lost, and now his time very well be cut short for it! The man grumbles to himself, but his frustrated murmurings spiral into muttering reassurances. Surely, this mishap does not mean his fate has been sealed quite yet... No, he was much too close. Trying to keep that thought first and foremost, he stops at the highest point of a dune.

In his view, a tower watches over the bleak desert as its silhouette blends with the atmosphere. It almost seems to lean– appearing to rock with the wind. However, it doesn't move so much as an inch. The tower is an infamous one; its crooked structure rumored by commoners to be formed overnight from the solidifying of a horrific mass of dark magic. The wizard knows well that the idea isn't far from the truth, but this does not intimidate him. There are many things more imposing than the forsaken fortress... Such as those who lie within.

Unfortunately for the mage, of course, he is preparing to face the tower's master himself. I have bought myself time, he tells himself. This wasn't entirely pointless...

He takes a moment to focus his energy, bringing his hands together in front of him. A numbing elemental energy courses through his veins, exiting from his fingertips and curling outward into a culmination of energy. With his power focused, he is able to swing his arms into the air and catch the winds rushing past his palms. The instant the wizard does so, his form dissolves into snow and pulls the gale after it– drifting up to the tower's peak.

. . .

Above, a silhouette looms within one of the many openings of the tower's head. They overlook the land to the Northeast: the land of Hyrule. Just beyond this disgusting realm of decay lies one that once flourished... but now, it has been reduced to a shell. A husk. The power to being forth such disaster... It can only be controlled by one with promise beyond the mortal world's imagining. And to those with such power, the future is often fickle. With every second more that passes, it could slip away.

The figure rests their hands on the sil of the opening, contemplating the time that passes in stillness. Their yellow eyes, piercing through the veil of night, have even begun to stop blinking. As their thoughts dull away, a faint sound begins to echo in the back of their mind. That of... crackling. It remains for quite some time, like whispers of an awaiting demise... but the realization of its presence snaps the silhouette out of it. They brush the oddity aside, remaining in stillness once again for a moment or two after stepping away from the "window". In the quiet air, there hangs a strange feeling... A heavy misfortune.

The haunting, dead silence soon comes to a close, however. The figure's right hand emits a dim glow with a faint ringing, immediately grasping their attention. They turn their hand, lifting it ever-so-slightly to gaze upon the projection of a triangular shape over it. Only one piece presents itself... And it does so dimly. It would be stronger if in the presence of another. That can only mean what approaches is without the sacred relic he seeks.

As a current of snow redirects into the tower, the figure can already sense what has happened. Their hand ceases its glow, clenching into a light fist as the silhouette returns to where they previously stood. They look out upon the rest of the world in an eerie calmness, allowing the inevitable to come.

..

Surely enough, the collection of snow turns in the air until it re-forms into the shape of The Ice Mage. The wizard takes a second to process his surroundings, almost hoping he will find he is alone... But he is quick to realize he is mistaken. Left to stand there with his master's back turned to him, he takes a cautious step back and clears his throat.

"...I have returned, Master." His voice is shivering, regardless of an attempt he makes to preserve his composure.

..

A sickening nothingness is all that answers the wizard for a solid minute, before the shadow he speaks to slowly lowers their head. Their voice cleaves the air, low and harsh, "...So you have." Another pause. "...You informed me that you had the upper hand. Yet, Aspen... You return to me with nothing."

They suddenly lift their left hand, a scent like smoke plaguing the room as a blaze sparks into existence over their palm. The fire wildly flicks around, yet remains grounded within the master's control. As their right hand tightens its grip on the sil, subtly cracking its surface, they snap their head back to him. "Why?"

..

The orange light reflects in the mage's widened eye, an unspoken threat without need of explanation. Aspen struggles to formulate the right words, but eventually sputters something out, "...I assure you, Dark One, I had the vessel in my grasp–"

"I care not if you did! ...I want a simple answer from you, mage." A sharp look cuts through Aspen like a dagger, even though The Dark One does not face him directly. "Have you succeeded, or have you dared to confront me empty-handed?"

At this moment, no fate seems welcoming; not as their hand. But to lie to The Dark One... No death would be more certain. Or more foolish.

"...The rat was seeking the Ice Rod we searched for previously. I learned she had located its hiding place in this very wasteland... but she managed a cheap escape." The Ice Mage mutters, fumbling with his hands. He chooses not to humiliate himself further by mentioning the scar the child gave him.

Despite it being the answer The Dark One expected, it is not what they wanted to hear. They whirl around fully, standing tall over the cowering wizard with an unforgiving, cold expression. Ash trickles behind their movement, the flame pulsating in their left hand before swiftly darting to the right instead. It gains a dark purple color to its base. "Where is she now?!" The composure once held by the figure has snapped away amidst their demanding shout.

Aspen jolts, temporarily bowing his head and lifting his hands. He restrains himself from shouting back, containing his own annoyance with the situation. "...I am...– I- I cannot be entirely sure. ...However!" The mage reaches beneath the outermost cloak he wears, removing something from the inner straps that would usually be used to conceal weaponry. He presents the Ice Rod, a mystical item containing the pure element of ice in the white crystal at its end. Intricate designs make its abilities rather obvious. "...I retrieved what she was looking for. Should you use it correctly, you could have abilities akin to my own." The offer is moreso a desperate request, Aspen hoping this makes up for his mistake. But seeing as he initially receives no response, he continues, "This gives us the advantage, Lord Ganondorf."

The Dark One, Ganondorf, stares for a terrifying while as if he were a statue. When he suddenly flicks his hand, Aspen flinches– but all Ganondorf does is turn his palm and snuff out the kindle. He grits his teeth, inching closer to the mage and swiping the rod from his hands. "I have bided my time for years, waiting for the proper time to hold my destiny in my fist. I have scorched lands without hesitation, commanded the downfall of the most powerful country on this continent... But that girl has the ability to reduce it all to mere history. You should hope you are correct." The man's voice has become a snarl.

"..."

"Master, it is a possibility that she has already returned to the castle to hide behind the King, but I–"

"...Do not waste my time. Get out and be sure she hasn't." His demeanor has yet again shifted, as if extinguished. ...Yet, an undertone of vile ferocity awaits to be provoked once more.

"–Of course!" Aspen responds so quickly that he nearly interrupts The Dark One, disappearing in another gust before he can face even the smallest of consequence for such an insignificant accident.

As the wizard fades away, the dark sorcerer brings his unamused gaze down to the glistening wand in his hold. Despite his anger with the outcome of events, he cannot help but feel his eyes lock on to the Ice Rod. A fierce opposite to the element he already possesses... A duality capable of destroying itself. It's fascinating... But to look upon it reminds him only that he must rely on a fool. At the mere thought of it, he abruptly throws his arm to one side. The weapon charges with energy, sending out an orb of the element from the gemstone and into the wall. It collides with a tapestry in a white blast; some of the ice shattering on impact, the rest collecting into spikes.

How immature, to let his disdain get the better of him... Even so, the results of his outburst get him to consider a thing or two. Although initially thought useless after it evaded him all those years ago... Perhaps the Ice Rod could turn this failure of the mage into a victory. He rotates the scepter in thought, watching the light it emits clash against the skies in his vision. Almost following this image, he slowly steps back to the opening.

A wicked glint enters his eyes, steam seeping through his closed fist around the rod's handle. The room is filled with this suffocating fog amidst his pondering, like clouds after a storm.

The sight is nearly nostalgic. The recollection swirls behind his thoughts.

Ganondorf just barely lifts the Ice Rod towards the stars to mimic the motion of The Ice Mage, beginning to grow lost in his train of thought. The Triforce of Power showing itself once again, energy surges from his palm and erupts through the wand's end. The stars become blotted out by clouds of hail, leaving The Dark One with a feeling as though he has caused the heavens to quake.

It sends a shudder through him. The wind is howling.

The frightening storm he has summoned forth churns around the tower, raging and unrelenting. It consumes his sight, but he is bothered for only a fraction of a second. Despite how it has blinded him, the sorcerer peers to the Northeast. A twisted grin curls across his face, a malicious idea spinning through the gale.

Oh, and to think he believed this to be a setback! Should The Ice Mage fail, it will be of no matter. Ironically, he may owe the wizard... Some gratitude.

Perhaps it is about time he pulled his destiny back into motion.

Note:

If you liked this, check the rest of this blog to find concept art and other details! My asks are always open, as well. There's lots more to come... (I would love to answer questions about timelines and Ganondorf in this timeline. He's not actually Ganondorf Dragmire).

Previous Chapter: The Hero

(#loz the mage's lantern) (#loz untold myths).

First Chapter: Prologue + The Wizard

Next Chapter: The Lantern

If you like my writing, by chance, I just posted the prologue to a re-imagining of The Adventure of Link! You'll find the blog here: Hero Reborn