The Scramble [Complete]

[Illidan Stormrage]

Ganondorf was different somehow, Link thought as he resheathed his sword. He'd known him best as a cruel usurper, tainting the land of Hyrule in seven short years. Yet here he was, cool and collected, speaking to him rationally as if Link were the one out of line. How long was he sealed away before he was brought here by Omni? Had he realised the error of his ways in duress? Or was it a condition of freedom?

Link discarded all of those questions. The Gerudo king may have fooled him momentarily, but Link couldn't accept that such a change could happen in a heart as black as his. This was an act, to gain the trust of these strangers around them, who incidentally kept coming as time went on. While still a child, Link remembered peering through the stain glass window in Zelda's courtyard, seeing Ganondorf kneel and pledge fealty to the Hylian king. But as soon as the opportunity arose, all of his promises of loyalty meant nothing more than the air that carried them. This display of courtesy was just that; a display. Link was sure that when Ganondorf spied the chance to strike out for himself, he wouldn't hesitate to take it.

But it was as he said. Slaying him would punish him momentarily, but Omni's words indicated that they would resurrect. Besides, Link hadn't managed to kill Ganondorf anyway. The Master Sword was stronger than his black magic, but the Triforce of Power seemingly granted immortality to its owner. Link had no inkling of how to stop the Gerudo sorcerer without the power of the Sages.

He looked around the group. A wide range of people turned up all at once, and apart from himself and Ganondorf, none seemed to have previous connections. The rest were all strangers to Link, too. Some looked almost Hylian, like the blonde woman who designated herself as a number, except she lacked the pointy ears of his people. Many others looked like assassins or mercenaries, judging by their attire and unconcealed weapons.

Link was growing anxious. He didn't want to socialise with these people. Who were they? Link was an able warrior, but if distrust was already sown by Ganondorf earlier, they could turn on him at any moment. He stood by, fingers wriggling and ready to reveal the Master Sword if things went awry.