The Legend of Zelda:

One day passed and not one book was read by Kat. Not one arrow flew from her bow, and not one swing was swung with her sword. Dark Link had been keeping an eerily close watch on her, and her plans on going to visit her mother’s temple was a thing of the past. She could not train in secret, and he would become suspicious if he were to find her reading up on the Sages. She had been getting rusty over the past few months, and was in dire need of two weeks of intense, constant training. Although one day didn’t seem like much, with the upcoming takeover of Hyrule in just two weeks, fourteen days was simply too little time.

Seth and Dark Link had gotten into another quarrel. Seth had seen his injury in his chest and began making fun of Dark Link. She’d overheard the entire thing. One thing led to another, and eventually Dark Link snapped. Four guards had to pull them apart from each other, and they were both left with scratches and a few nasty bruises. Now the two were more awkward around each other then ever, and Kat rarely saw Rin now.

The afternoon heat took its usual effect over Kat as she headed into the fortress, Dark Link following closely behind her. She’d been on guard duty at the entrance to the desert, watching the last of the Neroth’s old supplies arrive. Not much had been left there, but only recently did they introduce the Gerudos to a new supply called “gunpowder”. The Gerudos had no idea what the stuff was, but Dace had promised that it would prove to be useful against anyone who opposed them, and that it was highly explosive if it were to come in contact with a spark or flame. The stuff was kept in the basement of the fortress under lock-and-key. It was amazing how little the Gerudos seemed to know after joining with their men. It was probably the smartest thing Nabooru’s ever done, since it was actually beneficial to everyone instead of just herself.

Now she was stuck watching over some carpenter in his cell. It was as if Nabooru was trying to make fun of her; she knew that Kat knew she should be training, but instead she was to keep watch of a measly, poor Hylian. What kind of joke was that? The most pointless post in the entire fortress was hers.

“You be good now my darling. I’ll be back to check up on you.” Dark Link stroked her shoulder, grinned, and then disappeared down the darkened hallway.

Kat huffed and appeared in the chamber in which the carpenter was in. He immediately glanced up at her, eyebrows angled dangerously. Kat barely acknowledged that he was there and sat down in the doorway lazily. She could feel the carpenter’s stare in the corner of her eye, so she closed her eyes and began to drift off, knowing for the millionth time in her life that she had no hope.

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The Gerudo women were a rotten bunch of thieves who had no sympathy for anyone, especially men. They marched around their western lands all too proudly, holding their heads high knowing that they were unstoppable and would kill any intruder on sight. He had heard word now however that they had recruited a group of men as well, coming from where he did not know. He had always wondered how they managed to stay alive with an all-women tribe for the past hundreds of years; perhaps he would never know. Perhaps they would show him a little pity if he were to be seen since it seemed like they were now friendly with men. No, he was a Hylian, he would be receiving no respect today. Then again, he would not be spotted.

He had heard word of a few carpenters who had been captured and taken into the Gerudo Fortress for trespassing on their land, not a smart move had it been, but there was still a chance that they were alive; it was a slim chance, but it was a chance. So here he was, Link, on his way into his enemy’s territory to save a few innocents. He had been in enemy territory for the past few months anyway, so he was used to it by now. It was good to know that there were a few brave Hylians left in Hyrule. He had been alone for a long time now, and if he could save a few friends for a friend of his, then he would definitely try. He had no choice but to journey this way anyway. The last of the medallions he needed to break the seal on Ganondorf's castle was past the Gerudo Fortress.

Link trudged up the hill towards the Gerudo Valley along the left wall. His green tunic wasn’t exactly excellent camouflage against the dry, red rock, but he had the Master Sword ready in his hand. He took his steps slowly, sapphire eyes glistening in the sun, listening and looking for any Gerudos. He had once journeyed here as a young boy, simply being curious as to where this path led. He was lucky that his life had been spared that day. He remembered their shouted and screaming all too well, but he heard none of this now.

As he came over the hill at the valley’s entrance, there was no sign of any Gerudo in sight. He ducked down instinctively, thinking that they may be planning to surprise-attack him. After a few moments he peered back over the hill, now seeing a single guard on the opposite side of the canyon. She glanced around the valley briefly before taking a seat on the dirt and yawning thoroughly.

Link watched her carefully, but she did nothing but sit there. Eventually she laid down on the dirt and bathed in the rays of the sun. Ducking back down behind the hill, he sheathed his sword and drew his bow from his back. He slid an arrow from his quiver and into the nook of the bow, then glanced back overtop of the hill. He spotted a pile of rocks off to the left that he could get good cover behind if anyone were to come. The guard was still in place.

He took his bow up and drew back the arrow, narrowing his oceanic eyes on the guard between golden bangs. She was in an awkward position for him to be shooting at her, but he would have to hit her from here if he was hoping not to be seen. His fingers burnt slightly as the string tightened. He was questioning where to aim for because she was lying down, but he decided that her head would be best. In fact, he could clearly see her bare neck.

He shifted the arrow slightly, aimed, and let the arrow fly.

The guard gulped grimly but didn’t make much of a scene before falling limp. Link quickly slapped his bow onto his back and began running at full speed across the valley. He got to the bridge, crossed it, and ran over to the body. Not having previously thought of what he would do with it, he looked at the body with the finely placed arrow lodged into her neck, then to the roaring canyon only a few feet away, then back to the body. With a quick shove and not much thought, he easily rolled the body over itself and let it drop down into the canyon below. Link then turned and tore for the pile of rocks. He ducked down behind one and took a breath, then listened.

Except for the muffled sound of the clashing river, he heard nothing. Why wasn’t there anyone around? You think they would have at least more then a single guard at the valley entrance. Link peered out to the side of the rock towards the entrance to the fortress; all he saw was a clear path to their base.

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Kat sat there in the doorway, legs crossed, sword held up to her face. She examined the blade of her sword closely, admiring its smoothness and its shine; no matter how many times there had been blood shed on it, it still shined endlessly. She remembered the day she had been given this sword when she was ten years old. She had been told that if she were to break it or lose it, that she would be in big trouble, but they would still have it replaced. She was then shoved off to the side, left with this blade in her hand. Kat had treated this sword as if it were a treasure to her, always having it with her, and if not then keeping it in a safe place. She’d never really thought of why it was so special to her, she’d just loved it ever since she’d gotten it.

Kat took the scabbard and gently slid the sword back into it until it clicked contently. Kat felt an almost peaceful-like feeling wash over her as she laid the sword at her side. It was a soothing feeling, as if she were bathing in a warm pool of silk. Despite everything that she was dealing with, despite the fact that she couldn’t get to her mother’s temple, that she couldn’t train to eventually kill Nabooru like how she had envisioned over the years, she felt at peace, warm, as if she was being helped by an unknown form from inside. Her mother?

She hoped so.

Kat drew her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, dropping her head down, letting her forehead rest on her knees. She had never felt so nice, it was almost obvious in a way that this feeling was not being created on her own. Could it be that even from the heavens, her mother was still helping her along, like any mother would with their child? Had she been watching over her for her whole life?

Kat remembered countless times beginning when she was around five or six years old, that she had held a knife or something sharp to her own throat. The beatings and training had been far too much for her to handle, but not once had she hurt herself. Every time she had been thinking about it or had held a knife to her own throat, she would end up pulling it away and taking another breath. Kat couldn’t think of any other way that she could still be alive. She had seen so much as a child.

A certain memory came to her mind from her childhood.

I had been with a group of other children who were just learning how to use a bow. This was around the time when Nabooru had only been in command for five or six years, and there was still arguments between those who had liked my mother more as a leader, and wanted Nabooru gone. They were at the archery range, and a rookie, probably twenty years old, had attacked an elite, one who was very close to Nabooru. She was most likely a girl who had supported Mother. She’d stabbed her in the shoulder blade. Before she’d figured out what was going on, three other guards were on her. One of them immediately went at her with a sword. She sliced her right arm clean off before they brought her to the ground. Once she was down, one of them stabbed her in the chest multiple times. She screamed and shrieked countless times before she finally died, and there was silence. One of the children started to cry beside me, a little girl with brown hair and dark skin. Then another child started to cry, and then I did. We all did. You don’t know what to think when you see that kind of thing. None of us knew what to do, so we cried. I barely knew what was going on. But as a child, it’s instinctive to think that somebody will come and help you when you cried. But nobody helped me. Nobody helped any of us. Nobody even put a hand on one of our shoulders and told us that it would be okay. They just yelled at us to shut up and pay attention to their instructions.

Kat had been forever influenced by witnessing such an act. To have witnessed something so vulgar at such a young age, she could never forget that. People don’t remember things from when they were six years old, but Kat could see it all so clearly as she thought of it.

The Gerudo Fortress was a horrible place where horrible things took place. They make you think that it’s a great place and you are a very important part of them. They tell you that you are the greatest and that any one of them would die for you. What bullshit that was. For a while she had even been happy at the fortress, but now that she was older and smarter, she was beginning to realize what was really going on. They were all pieces to Nabooru’s glorious plan.

Ganondorf was her toy, who would listen to her every command and grant her her every wish. He had no idea of course, he was the most powerful man in the land and nothing could stop him. The Neroths were being used for their brute power and supplies that were needed at a desperate time for the Gerudos. The Gerudos were her minions, having no choice but to listen to her as she promised them all riches and glory. Drusillia had been used for her powers, and because Nabooru had gotten them, she was now unstoppable, alongside Ganondorf with the world soon to be in their hands as the Gerudos grew in size. And it all began with jealousy, because Nabooru could not stand the fact that Drusillia was more powerful then she.

Nabooru had gotten everything that she’d ever wanted, while Kat could not get one thing she could wish for. Nabooru knew what it was like to be at the bottom, while someone else took all the glory and bossed you around. That eventually had become enough for her to snap and think of something drastic to get her way. She wanted Kat to know what it felt like, and make it a hundred times worse. So here Kat was, being bossed around by Nabooru, in the exact same position she had once been in.

Then a thought hit her as she compared the two situations. Had Nabooru once been like her, hopeful, helpless, and needy? Had she become the sick witch she was now through getting Drusillia’s power? Would the same thing happen to Kat if she were to claim back the Spirit Sage’s powers? Would her mind become corrupt through it?

Kat’s eyes began to water. No, she would not become what she hated so much. She would not ever be like Nabooru. She wanted her mother’s powers to avenge her horrible death, nothing more.

But what would she do with those powers after Nabooru was dead? She would be free to do whatever she wished. Not even Ganondorf could match the power of the Sages, her power would be extraordinary. But she wouldn’t use it in the wrong way, it would be hypocritical of her to do that.

Kat shrugged the thought off, deciding not to worry about it too much. The main question she had for herself was what would she do now? She was out of paths to take. Perhaps waiting for the takeover would be the best idea, because chances were that she’d get a chance to be away from Dark Link out on the field.

Kat glanced upwards at the carpenter to make sure he was still there. His gaze was away from her now and towards the opposite side of the room. She glanced over at the doorway opposite her and saw a shadow move and then disappear quickly. The carpenter shot a look towards her, then laid back against the wall as if not interested anymore. Kat leapt to her feet and picked up her sword, slowly strolling towards the doorway, head cocked curiously. She unsheathed her sword and dropped the scabbard on the ground.

She watched the right bend in the hallway carefully as she listened. “Dark Link?” she said bluntly with annoyance. It had only been a day since he had begun watching her more carefully, but she was already sick of it.

The carpenter gasped as a green figure suddenly tore out from around the corner madly. “YEEEEA!”

Before Kat’s brain could grasp what was happening, Kat saw a flash of silver coming her way. She leaped backwards and held her sword out in front of her, watching as an impressive sword came down and clashed against the brick floor.

For a second Kat thought she had been right when she had guessed it was Dark Link. The man standing before her resembled him in almost every way; his face, build, hair, nose, ears, height, everything, except there was one clear difference that made her realize it could not be him. This man’s features were lively and colourful; his hair was golden blonde, his skin was healthy, and his eyes were of a shade that Kat had only seen once before, years ago when the Gerudos had followed the Zora River up to the ocean far north of Hyrule. His eyes matched the rhythmic waters of the ocean tides. But as beautiful as they were, his eyes were filled with hatred as he stared at her from across the room.

Kat looked down at the sword in his hand. He was left handed, also like Dark Link. In his hand was a magnificent blade with the Triforce embedded into its handle. Kat had read about it a few times as she’d grown up during a few of the Gerudos’ teachings about Hyrule’s history. She had been told by Nabooru that under no circumstances to keep the wielder of this sword alive if she were to ever see him. But here he was, standing before her, blue eyes flaring. This was the man that Dark Link had been created from. He carried the Master Sword. Instantly she knew. This was the Hero of Time. Link.

“Get ‘err boy!” came the carpenter’s voice to her left.

Link took the opportunity and charged right for her, sword raised high above his head. Kat brought her sword up in panic, surprised at his speed. Her arm muscles nearly gave out as his sword met with hers with a loud clash and he pushed down against it. Kat looked at him, seeing his angry face glaring back at her. She knew she couldn’t hold up under his force. “Wait…! Please!” she said shakily.

Her knees buckled beneath her as the weight became too strong and she fell instantly to the ground, hard too. Her head hit the ground as she fell onto her back, and she quickly felt Link pin her down. She felt her sword be pulled out of her hand and heard it hit the ground somewhere else in the room. She looked up at him and the saw the legendary blade that was at her neck. “Wait!!!” she said, trying to keep quiet. “Stop!!”

Kat saw tension in his arm and he pulled his sword back slightly, ready to strike her, she had never seen such a cold look before. She knew that he had no care for her; he would show her no mercy unless she got his immediate attention.

She looked up at him sternly. “If you kill me now there is no way that you will succeed in saving Hyrule.”

Link’s frown deepened and he relaxed slightly, but not noticeably. “Right. If I spare a single Gerudo’s life then all of Hyrule will be saved?”

“No, but at least there will be a chance,” she replied, keeping a stern face, trying to show him that she was not attempting to be manipulative like Gerudos typically were.

“If you’re not lying to me then tell me how that is so or else I’ll dig this sword into your neck.” Link placed it back against her neck. “Why would a Gerudo want to save Hyrule anyway? You’re a follower of Ganondorf,” he said in disgust.

“I can’t possibly explain it all so that you understand it right now.”

“Then you shall die!” Link brought his sword up without warning.

“No! Don’t!! I’ll try to explain it to you!!” Kat spilled quickly as she watched the sword raise up. He lowered the sword back onto her neck and gave her an impatient look.

“Okay,” she began, taking a deep breath, “this all goes back to a long time ago. My mother, Drusillia, was the Spirit Sage and leader of the Gerudos. She was a gentle leader I’ve heard, she never tortured or beat up any of her people. Then she met a man, Tharivol, my father. He was a Hylian; I’m not sure how they met exactly, but they soon fell in love with each other. She would meet with him in secret because it was forbidden amongst Gerudos that anyone should come in contact with a Hylian in a friendly manner because of the recent war.”

Link scanned Kat’s facial features, she looked around his age. If this happened around the time he was thinking of, then the war she had just mentioned must have been around the time when he had been left with the Great Deku Tree by his own mother. That was the war between all the races in Hyrule. He must have been very young at this time. His heart saddened at the thought of his mother.

“They were both very happy,” she continued without question. “But just as things were going well, a man named Ganondorf found his way from the desert to the Gerudo’s Fortress. Although a man, he had a godlike appearance and personality. The Gerudos thought that it was a sign from the heavens, so they took him into their all-female group. Within a few weeks he befriended my mother’s sister, Nabooru, the current leader of the Gerudos; my aunt. Ganondorf had power on his mind, and he saw his way to power in Nabooru, instead of Drusillia. He used Nabooru like a puppet and him and her eventually became the new leaders of the Gerudos, not officially, but it seemed so. My mother was cast down and was made fun of more then liked because she seemed weak compared to them. With my father still on her mind, my mother fled from the Gerudos and went into hiding with him in the Lost Woods. Although lonely, they were both happy that they could finally be together. They had their own private wedding too, Drusillia and Tharivol Thorngage. The last name is from Hylian descent.

“I don’t know how long my mother had been pregnant for, but I imagine that within a few months I was born. My name is Katrina by the way,” she said, noticing that Link was paying close attention to what she was saying. She then looked away from him, that familiar dream coming to her mind. “One night after I had been born, I don’t know how old I was, only about a month or two old, Nabooru found us.” Link noticed her eyes start to water and her chin shaking slightly.

“Ganondorf had somehow given Nabooru the power to overcome my mother’s sagely powers. Nabooru, being a direct family member to my mother, was able to kill her and take her powers, as well as the Spirit Medallion. She killed my father too, she slaughtered them both.” Kat clenched her eyes, feeling them burn from salty tears. “She spared me for some reason and took me back to the fortress. With her as the Gerudos’ new leader and Ganondorf whispering in her ear, she became more strict with her people and started training them like mad. Some revolted against her, extremists who wanted my mother back as their leader. However, they were not tolerated by Nabooru, and she ended up having half of the Gerudos executed for not following her. She probably would have killed more, but they most likely swayed to like her so they would not be killed. They were forced to like her pretty much, while others liked the idea of becoming stricter and more powerful of a group.

“That brings us here to present day. Seven years ago Ganondorf broke into the Sacred Realm and took over Hyrule, as you know. You probably more know then me about the legends of Hyrule, but I’ve heard of the prophecies and I do know that you need the Spirit Medallion. Ganondorf captured all of the Sages, and you have saved every one except for Nabooru. That’s because Ganondorf knows that she will not give it up. The other Sages gave you their medallions by choice, knowing you need them to get into Ganondorf’s castle, correct?”

Link nodded. Everything she was saying made sense, but was it true or not?

Kat took a few breaths before looking him in the eyes. “If you go to the Spirit Temple in hopes of reclaiming the Spirit Medallion from her, she will not give it to you. She will use it to kill you instead, and all hope for Hyrule will have been lost.”

Link moved his sword back against her neck, realizing it had fallen away as he was listening. “If what you say is true, then why should I spare your life, how will that help?”

“I am the only other person who could take back Nabooru’s powers. If I can get her powers back then I can give the medallion to you so you can save Hyrule.”

“And why the hell would you want to help me save Hyrule? What makes you different then the rest of these filthy Gerudos? Why would I believe you anyway? How do I know this isn‘t all just a big made-up story?”

Kat gave him a serious look. If she could not get him to believe her then she’d have no chance to avenge her parents. This was her only shot. “How do you think I’ve felt for these past sixteen years, having to take orders from the murderer of my parents? She has made my life a living hell. She has taken every opportunity she’s gotten to ruin my days amongst the Gerudos. I’m sick of her games, and I want more then anything to take her life as ruthlessly as she took my parents’. You have no idea how it feels.”

Link was angered by this comment. He knew very well what it felt like, he knew what she was going through, if she was telling the truth. He had been abandoned as a child; he had missed seven years of his life in order to gain the strength to carry the Master Sword to save Hyrule. Although he looked like a man on the outside, and he had the knowledge of one, he felt as though this knowledge had been forced into his mind, without naturally being gained throughout his life. But he wasn’t ready to share his feelings with her. He had no way of trusting her.

Kat noted his silence and continued to look at him seriously. “I know you can’t believe me. Gerudos and Hylians have never gotten along, but we are not all the same. The Gerudos may think that all Hylians are horrible, but even I know that the trust is that the Hylians are far more honourable of a race then us. You Hylians think that all of we Gerudos are terrible, thieving killers, but don’t you think that that is going too far? Don’t you think there are some good ones? You and I both know that there are Hylians who have horrible secrets, just like there are Gerudos who have a few secrets that are too truthful to tell anyone else. There may not be many, in fact, I don’t know anyone else who feels the way I do, but I am not a follower of the Gerudos. Hylian blood runs through my veins just as much.” Tears started to form in her eyes. “And I can swear on my mother’s grave, on her bones in that burnt down cottage in the middle of the Lost Woods, that I am not lying to you. If you do not trust me, then feel free to kill me now, because if you don‘t, and Nabooru ends up killing you, I will not be able to live another day knowing that my life will never change. I want to die now if that‘s how it‘s going to be.”

Link watched as her face reddened as she held back her tears, her icy blue eyes still looking at his. He took his sword away from her neck but did not put it away. He looked at her for a long while, trying to see if he could tell whether she was lying or not.

A sickening feeling bubbled in Kat’s gut as she looked to the doorway, remembering that Dark Link could come in at any time. He heart began to pound. “Wait, I have to make sure that nobody is listening.” She glanced over briefly at the carpenter who glanced away immediately.

Link eyed her suspiciously.

“It’s not what you think.” Kat knew what he was thinking. “You can go check if you wish, take my sword with you. As long as nobody sees you. If anyone has overheard what I’ve told you then I’m as good as dead; we both are.” She felt horrible now. If he was there then her hopes of killing Nabooru would be ruined.

Link slowly stood from over her, not taking his eyes off her. Kat remained in her place on the ground as she watched him pick her sword up and disappear slightly behind the doorway. After a moment, he reappeared, went over to the other doorway, and came back. He checked around the room sceptically. “Are we safe here?”

Kat stood slowly, showing she was not a threat. “Honestly, no. Dark Link could come in at any moment.”

Link blinked, suddenly remembering his darker self when they fought in the Water Temple. “What do you mean? He’s here?”

“Yes. He took refuge here after you defeated him at the Water Temple. At least that’s what he told us.”

Link nodded. “Yes, that’s true.” There was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“That’s surprising.” Kat looked around the room. “I have to tell you more about him, as well as everything else I know. I’ll tell you everything, but it is not safe for us here. I’m sorry. Please meet with me again.” She thought for a moment. “Meet with me at the ruins of Lon Lon Ranch tomorrow morning. The Gerudos never venture to the ranch anymore because there are no more horses to steal, let alone anything at all. I will find a way to get out of here unnoticed. There is so much more I have to tell you. I’m sorry. You must leave now. I‘ll free the carpenters tonight as thanks. That is why you were here right?”

Link nodded. Although impatient and eager to know why Dark Link was there, he understood and agreed that it wasn’t safe to talk at the fortress. He sheathed his sword and turned to the door he had come through. “I can’t promise you I’ll be there.”

Kat’s stomach churned uneasily. This was hard to take, but she knew that she had been lucky to have gotten this far with him. “I know.”

Link glanced back at the carpenter who was grasping onto the cell bars, as if pleading to be freed at this very moment. Link saw his worried face, an expression that told him not to believe her. “I’ll see you later.”

Kat’s heart skipped a beat, thinking he had said it to her, but he was looking at the carpenter, who replied, “Thank you young hero!!” and jumped slightly with excitement.

Link turned back to the doorway and tossed Kat‘s sword onto the ground in front of him.

Kat watched him, having not even the slightest urge to pick up her sword. “Be careful.”

Then he was gone through the doorway, and Kat was left there to think. She was eager to see Link again which is why she had mentioned the next morning as a good time to meet with him. But would she be able to get Dark Link away from her? She knew it would take a miracle for her to safely meet with him again, and she had never been lucky when it came to miracles.