Moribund: Chapter 1

All men are not born equal...

Rated T for violence, suggestive themes, and mention of alcohol.

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This is just the beginning...

Chapter One.

The embers glowed softly from each torch. They lit the room just enough to see the outlines of the three figures who were waiting patiently. Two witches and a baby, shivering in the darkness. Tonight would be their only chance to accomplish the destiny they were to play part in.

"Do you think his body will be able to withstand it? After all, he is just an infant." The calmer one of the twins spoke. While she was softer in speech, her heart was just as black as her sister's.

"Silence Kotake! Do you doubt our king?" The other twin snapped as she held the newborn close.

"I do not doubt our master, I doubt the child, Koume."

But before the other could fight back, the flames exploded with light and warmth.

"It is time." Koume whispered as she brought the baby to the center of the room. The twin witches had been raised in the temple; when they were young they served as priestesses. But as they began to influence the old kings they found darker magics. Magics that, if they followed their master, could destroy those who oppressed their sisters. This wasn't the first time that they had spent the early mornings awaking their master.

As a result of leading the tribe in the time when there was no king, they forced upon themselves the responsibility of leading the tribe out of oppression. In the end they had destroyed those they ruled and were banished; but that's another story that will be told another time.

Kotake followed behind, cautious of the ritual which was about to take place.

"Be brave little king..." She whispered with a grin before leaving him alone in the center of the room. The baby gurgled, never one to fuss about much. The only time he had cried was when they had first brought him to the temple a few hours ago. The boy was the first male born to the Gerudo in one hundred years. On the night of his birth, the midwives did not expect him to live past his first hour. Yet, as the minutes passed he proved himself to be a true Gerudo warrior. He clung to his life and became the living embodiment of the struggles of the desert life. Now, at barely three months, you would have never thought he was born with severe illnesses. True, he had been small and premature, but it hadn't stopped him from pursuing his life. His mother, however, had died suddenly. No one knew how or why, but she had. As for the boy's father, he could belong to any man in Hyrule. For, as everyone knows, Gerudo search only for temporary affairs, never committing to a permanent relationship. It wasn't their fault, however, for they were the ones banished and deprived in the desert and to continue living, they were forced to live in such a way that was painful and harsh.

He had bright eyes for a baby. He took in everything around him, watching curiously as the people had worried over him. He was captivated by all of it. Even as he laid on the cold stone he was entranced by the torches at the four corners of the room. He laughed as the twin witches danced around him, outstretching his arms and cooing as they passed. But it did not last for long.

The flames disappeared, leaving the trio in complete blackness. The baby had pouted but didn't cry. At least, at the time he hadn't. It wasn't until a tiny purple light caught his eye, that he screamed. It wasn't a frightened cry like you'd expect from a surprised infant, but rather a shriek of pure terror and unholy pain. A cry that could not be comprehended in words. For hours he wailed as the purple light faded into his chest. But when the light disappeared and the flames rekindled, he was in a deep sleep.

"We have finally begun!" Kotake whispered as she looked down at the sleeping baby.

"No...no, the beginning of a beginning. He is too young and pure to be consumed completely." The fire witch replied sharply as she began to walk away.

"Then he has not been resurrected?" The ice witch panicked.

"Oh yes, He lives within him, but he must learn to hate. If he doesn't there will be no way to bring him to consciousness. He will merely be the dark part of his soul."

"Then we will teach him to hate and our king will nourish and thrive through him."

"I expect no less..."

Kotake held the infant for a moment, examining him to see any difference, but nothing seemed to stand out. Nothing, except, a tiny black slash across his chest. It looked like the type of scar one would receive in battle. She sniffled as she covered the strange mark with a sheet. She began to leave the chamber, but stopped for a moment as the baby stirred. His eyes had only opened momentarily but it was clear something in him had died. The bright eyes that had looked around at the world in wonder were now replaced with a glossy, cast over, expressionless gaze that even frightened the witch.

"Din forgive..." She coughed as she closed the doors behind her.

oOo

"And your people have stolen from us, is that not so?"

Ganondorf snapped his attention back to the king of Hyrule, who sat interrogating the young man.

"Forgive me, your highness, but if your people had no other means of survival, wouldn't you do the same?" he replied coolly. He was a smart man and carried a charm with him to those in power. He was cunning, making careful executions to those he needed the favor of. His mind was always spinning webs about his plays for power and his ambition for his people. Yet, despite all the efforts he had made, the Hylian King continued to refuse his guidance or support to the young man.

"You are naive, just like you were all those years ago. Why should Hyrule place her trust in you?" The Hylian King inquired as he rest his chin on his hand, covering his mouth so the young man could not read his face as easily.

"Your majesty, if my people have wronged you I only wish to make it right. Under your guidance and counsel I wish to see our people raise not war but instead help each other and become like one nation, United, but not by bloodlines, just as you intended. I swore my loyalty, isn’t that enough?" Ganondorf replied with careful execution. The Hylian King frowned and nodded in distaste.

"You say these words with such...valor, yet I cannot forget the war we have left behind. You fought against me… even after I so generously asked you for your fealty..." The older man replied sternly.

"I was a child! No child should be held responsible for war!" Ganondorf replied bitterly, but collected himself quickly before finishing, "I had no guidance, if you would have made a reasonable argument we would not have left such a past behind us.”

"You may be wiser than the king before you, but you hold a Gerudo's soul. I'm afraid I must ask you to come again at another time, when I’ve had a chance to think this over thoroughly." The king smirked as he watched the young man’s face fall.

Ganondorf bowed humbly and strolled out of the room. He growled under his breath. He hated his meetings with the different leaders of the kingdoms and tribes. It seemed as if no one could forgive him for the one mistake he had made. Ever since the Civil War had ended Hyrule was forced into unity under the King. The nations resided somewhat peacefully together but it’s peoples were still faced with discrimination. The Hylian’s had grown arrogant with their power, using it to take control of each nationality. The Zora king had already become silent with the secrets of the Royal Family. It would only be a matter of time before the Goron elders joined too.

Ganondorf, however, wanted his independence from Hyrule. The Gerudo had be riddled with accusations long before his time. During the war he had sided with the wrong people, as a child of only twelve he was tasked with decision making that caused him many trials. His people were relying on these meeting with Hyrule to finally create a peace treaty. Some people whom he looked to for guidance requested he surrender the desert to the king, but Ganondorf was a stubborn man and knew his people deserved better.

For now, there was strained peace, and he would accept it for what it was.

"How was it, Great Ganondorf?" A Gerudo guard asked with eagerness. Ganondorf scowled as he walked past her.

"That bad, huh?" Nabooru smirked with amusement. He stopped abruptly.

"For once, Nabooru, don't mock serious matters. Laughter is best kept where it belongs." He spat as they began to walk again. The two Gerudo women looked at each other with a twinge of fear but followed the man out of the room.

Nabooru, who was seventeen, was hand chosen as his second in command. He had chosen her because of her premature wisdom and her ability to lead. Some women even gossiped it was because he fancied her, but those were only rumors spread by the young girls who had lots to learn. In honesty, they were quick friends in their childhood and as the years went by he acknowledged her wisdom. While it is true Nabooru was wise, she was also mischievous. She liked to instigate drama between people, but if it wasn't in good fun she'd be the first to end it. She was a fierce woman, she spoke her mind and protected all those she loved. Those who were deceitful among them she would banish or punish under Ganondorf's permission. No one dared to face Nabooru so no one did.

The other girl that traveled with them was Aveil; she was the third in command and extremely naive. She was Nabooru's younger sister and had been protected under her. Unlike her sister’s reserved personality, Aveil was very outgoing and flirtatious. Nabooru only flirted if need be, Aveil however was boy crazed and obnoxiously flamboyant. Some were relieved her rank allowed her to have boyfriends while others were frightened for the young girl. But Aveil held her own and when it came to standing for her sisters, she was at Nabooru's side to end the trouble.

"Did you enjoy your trip at least?" Nabooru smiled, speaking to her sister as she helped her onto her horse, Aveil blushed.

"Well, I did meet a nice guard. He even asked if I would return to visit him sometime." She muttered before sighing.

"I wish you the best of luck!" Nabooru laughed as she mounted her steed.

"Oh, I didn't say I was coming back! I told him that he wasn't my type!" She replied quickly, Ganondorf snorted in amusement.

"My, Aveil, you really are a tease!" He laughed as he turned his stallion around. Aveil nodded with embarrassment, her blush creeping onto her cheeks. Nabooru frowned.

"Not as bad as you! You flirt with every Hylian vai you lay eyes on!" Nabooru taunted. Ganodorf turned his horse.

“I do not have time for vai, Nabooru. Even if I did I would not waste my time with pious and contemptuous little girls.” He bickered before riding ahead.

Aveil and Nabooru glared at each other but continued to ride behind him in silence for what seemed hours. With the border in view, Ganondorf finally spoke.

"Nabooru, tend to the people when we return, I have business to tend to at the Temple." He ordered as they approached the strange border where it seemed the desert and fields met at a perfect line.

"Are you praying to our goddess again?" Aveil asked with eagerness.

"No, it's something much more. I have to speak to the priestesses."

Nabooru squinted as she tried to read the man's face, but only saw the same calm and coldness that was always present. It had bothered her that he had become increasingly secretive over the years, though, she knew confrontation would not fix this. He had always been difficult and especially so when he was in one of his moods. To her it seemed he calculated too much. If he would leave room to adjust he wouldn’t be so distraught.

“You should talk to the officers while you are there. We haven’t sent word to the town yet of our travels.” Nabooru suggested, watching him as his eyes stared ahead.

“Yes. I will.” He replied.

The rest of the trip was quiet. No one had anything more to talk about. Nabooru and Ganondorf would talk politically when they arrived and Aveil about men with women who cared.

oOo

It was dusk before they finally reached the gates to the fortress.

The Gerudo desert was an unforgiving place. It's only outpost building, a deep and vast fortress, was home to all the women that trained there. In its walls housed its oubliette, and common rooms. In the center was a grand room where the kitchen was held. Everyone gathered there to trade goods and receive their daily rations. Beside the fortress was a cave that they created a training ground in. However, every Gerudo fancied the stables behind the fortress where they practiced their archery, a sport admired and loved by all. Archery was their way of testing strength and skill, not just a sport. At the other side a short ways from the fortress lay a gate. The gate led to the wasteland in which the Temple to their goddess was built. Beyond the temple, a day's journey away, sat the Gerudo Town, a secret place kept from the Hylians. It was the home of the other women, where the children were kept, and where the palace stood. Though, in recent years, it seemed fewer resided there, as the threat of war seemed to hang in the air like a deadly storm brewing.

"I'll be back by tomorrow evening. Take care of their needs." Ganondorf reminded as he sped towards the gate. Nabooru shook her head as she led her sister towards the stable.

"Nab, do you fear him" Aveil asked as she walked by her sister. Nabooru laughed.

“I fear no voe!” She exclaimed as she brought her horse into its stall. Aveil smiled but did not laugh.

“I do.”

Nabooru leaned against the nearby post, crossing her arms with a smirk.

“Why? He’s just like any other voe I’ve ever met. He’s brooding, obnoxious, arrogant, selfish, stubborn, rude-”

“Nabooru!” Aveil scolded with a small giggle. She sighed as she met her sisters playful glance.

“I’m scared of him Nabooru. Sometimes you look into his eyes and it’s like he’s not there...Like he’s dead.” Aveil explained. Nabooru put a hand on her sister’s shoulder.

“He’s a voe, all voe are mysterious and different. We can not judge. You were raised to learn that Aveil.”

“Well...I think you are blind to him because you care for him. I don’t know any other person in this desert to disagree with me. He frightens everyone a little bit Nabooru, he should frighten you too.” Aveil stated before leaving her sister alone in the cold night air. Nabooru bit her tongue, did she really care for him? She knew that those feelings were wrong; they weren't meant to be that way. And deep inside she knew there was something sinister about him. Though he claimed good, she couldn't help but feel concerned about his always dark expression. Though he cared for the people was it really for their sakes?

Nabooru laughed at herself before entering the fortress. Perhaps that's why he chose her, because she alone could figure him out.