The Legend of Zelda: Dawn of Chaos

~Based on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ~

Prologue

Three thousand and thirty-five, three thousand and thirty-six.

Each time her bare feet hit the soft, burning sand, Zelda would increase the count. She tried to ignore the annoying clank of her chains as she trudged.

There were nasty-looking men stationed both in front of and behind her, walking in single file. Every one of them looked tough enough to be able to kill a person in a single blow, and every one of them looked mean enough to actually do it.

Leading the procession on horseback was a tall, wickedly handsome Gerudo man. Emphasis on wicked. This man was without a doubt the evilest person Zelda had ever laid eyes on, and she longed to wrap the chains on her wrists around his neck and strangle him. That would certainly get her out of what was to come.

Not now, she chided herself. Control. She took a deep breath, then went back to silently counting her steps.

Gerudo Town loomed in the distance. The sight of the desert oasis had at one time filled Zelda's heart with joy. In those days, her mother would walk her through the streets and the alleyways, allowing her to stop at every merchant stand. They would talk to the Gerudo women, or Vai, as Zelda had learned they called themselves, learn bits and pieces of the Gerudo language, sample all of the food for sale, and try on the clothing on display, and laugh and giggle and enjoy life away from the Castle.

Those were very different times. Today would be a much less joyous excursion.

Three thousand and forty-two.

Upon reaching the entrance to the town, the head of their procession saluted to one of the guards posted at the gate, who nodded, bidding them enter. Usually, the Gerudo had a strict no-male policy, but for such a momentous occasion as this Zelda supposed they had to make an exception.

The townspeople were gathered along the sides of the main thoroughfare, and for as large of a crowd as it was, its silence surprised Zelda. It also surprised her to see how many non-Gerudo were present among the mass as well. Zelda could see Hylians, Zoras, and Rito mixed in with the Gerudo. She even spotted a couple of Goron.

The line stopped moving, and one of the men guarding Zelda grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the middle of the town square. Another one cleared his throat and yelled in a low, gravelly tone, "All hail his majesty, Emperor Ganondorf!"

The crowd remained silent as Ganondorf climbed off of his horse and took his place beside Zelda. His long red mane of hair flowed in the wind. He stood in such a way that demanded attention: head high, neck tense, fists clenched, lips curled into a sinister grin. He was so close that it took every fabric of Zelda's being to keep her face idle. She was a Princess; she should act with decorum.

"Citizens of New Hyrule," Ganondorf said, his deep baritone booming throughout the town, "we gather here today to celebrate victory!"

"Victory, indeed," Zelda spat, finally losing control of herself. "Perhaps in the Gerudo language. I'm not very fluent in it, but from where I come from what you've done is called regicide."

A gasp went up from the crowd and Ganondorf turned slowly to face Zelda. That wicked sneer was still plastered on his face. "We both know why we stand here today, Princess. Perhaps you would like to speed up the process, eh?"

"Do what you must, Ganondorf. This will only serve to bring about your downfall."

"I highly doubt that," Ganondorf hissed before addressing the crowd once again. "It appears that our lovely Princess Zelda is dissatisfied with the work we are going to do together to bring about change. Allow me to demonstrate what happens to those who would dare stand in the way of progress."

Ganondorf snapped his fingers, and one of his soldiers presented him with an ornate ebon scimitar. He raised it high above his head, giving the crowd an excellent view of the weapon, before he turned to face Zelda once more.

"I never imagined I would be able to kill two members of the Royal Family in such a short time period," he told her quietly. "I'm going to enjoy watching you bleed."

And then he swung the sword straight at Zelda's abdomen.