Disclaimer: I own nothing related to The Legend of Zelda franshise. All characters, names, and places belongs to Nintendo, not me.

A/N: This is my very first attempt as a fanfiction writer. After years of reading, searching for stories and commenting on them, I felt inspired and quite confident to write my own story. And for that, I chose this fandom. I've been a Zelda franchise freak for quite a time and I hope that I'm doing justice with this piece of work.

Another quick note: English is not my native language. As you advance through the story (or even when you're reading this note), you may notice some errors and flaws on grammar, spelling and/or punctuations. It's just me, my word processor and a translating dictionary. Please bear with me. I hope that despite my tiny language limitations you can understand it just fine.

Last but not least: Don't forget to review! Hope you enjoy it reading it as I enjoyed (and keep enjoying) writing it! :)

Warnings: This story may contain some explict violence, gore, abuse, and torture in future chapters. I suggest discretion for sensible readers.

A Legend of Zelda fanfiction

Rise

Chapter 1: The Dark Man Rises

In the distant horizon, the yellow sun rose from behind the green and brown mountains that surrounded both Lake Hylia and, high over it, the Gerudo Mesa. At dawn, the sun tainted the sky in a mix of blue and orange. At the same time, the rays of light illuminated the small hills scattered throughout the vast sandy territory, spreading its warmth to an already hot land. Flocks of Guays appeared from their dens and circled the desert in different locations, resuming their everyday survival instinct.

A tall man observed the nature routine from the highest spot of the almost millenarian building. In addition to the rebuilt camp in the lower levers, he could see the whole desert from there; the hills, the dunes, the dry up trees, the creatures… even the watch posts and fences that guarded and protected the entrance to the complex. It wasn't hard to rebuilt and occupy it once again; the place was almost intact when he arrived there, it just needed some essentials and it would be usable once more. And the complex was in the far end of a forbidden and almost dead corner of the world, he was sure no one would notice the place had been reoccupied.

No one. Not Princess Zelda, not even the Hero.

The Hero.

The man closed his eyes at the thought of the phrase. The mere reminder of it made a legion of memories appear in his mind. And they were all unwelcome ones. They were memories of occupation, of glory… of Power. But also memories of defeat, of imprisonment… They were memories of a destiny he still refused to accept as his' each time he was reborn and each time he rose from the abyss. He would defy the gods once again and write his own destiny as his own god.

The manipulation of that silly Twili in the past worked wonderfully; he could use the magic to rise from the Sages' prison, and recharged him with new found power. The Mirror of Twilight was destroyed, but he had no need of it now. The magic remained deep within him, as if the source had found a suitable home inside his soul.

He opened his eyes and glance the encrusted mark on his left hand; it was glowing, but not with the golden light it used to. A black and purple nebula now filled the hollow mark that used to store the essence of his beliefs since the beginning of his crusade, the essence of the Goddess of Power.

He closed his marked fist and the black nebula extended like roots all over it, floating and covering in a sphere of dark mist. This new power, this new beginning had no connection to the goddesses. They could not dictate his future now.

A moving glint in the horizon took his attention. He relaxed his fit and the nebula return to its containment place. Still far away from his point, small pack of Bullbos was approaching to the entrance of the complex. There were three Bullbos, all lined up side by side. They were skillfully ridden by Bulblins, two on each beast… except the one in the middle. The middle Bullbo was also ridden by one Bulblin, but the one gripping behind him was not another Bulblin, but a human.

The man called as Ganondorf smiled for the first time in the dawning morning. So, the Hylian he was waiting for had finally arrived, just in time, just at the time he told him to come. This one would sooner or later become his new subordinate, his new puppet. Just like Zant. He was definitely less weak and had no power he could manipulate to his liking.

He had dark feelings inside, Ganondorf knew it. But this weak man's power resided not in what he could do, but in what he knew, and how those things he knew could be used in his plans.

His plans were slightly different to other occasions. To obtain the power of a nation, he needed to eliminate its support, its ruler. The Princess Zelda would definitely be the target. But before spreading his disease, he must destroy - contain the cure before it has any possibility of aiding. And as the blessed soul that Princess Zelda was, surely her savior would be another goddesses' blessed being. This time he knew who the cure was: the Hero. This time, the Hero was Ganondorf's first objective.

Of course, with the slight help of a pathetic, soon-to-be traitor.

Taking a last look to the morning sky, he turned from the one of the balconies from the Mirror Chamber and headed to his throne room. He must be prepared when his guest arrive.

A/N: So, what do you think? Like it? Hate it? Missing something? Feel free to review and comment on this chapter. Constructive criticism, flames... They will be greatly appreciated and considered. In addition that the keep me motivated. :)