The castle was in chaos. Guards rushed through the halls, shouting orders and commands to one another as they frantically attempted to quell the invasion. Their orders, when heard, were shouted as though the entire force was stricken with an incurable bout of contagious fear.

And no one could blame them.

The moment the sun had set, forsaking Hyrule to the night, darkness swept over the world. But it was not with a clear sky filled with stars. It was with the brewing and spreading of dark, unnatural clouds. Some didn't notice, some did, but all could feel the tension above as the massive blackness rolled over the skies.

If anyone had been watching the black storm, they would have seen that it did not come in from the north, south, east, or west. Instead they would have seen the clouds appear from above the tip of the utmost pinnacle of the highest tower of Hyrule castle. Notably the guest's tower.

The attack came from absolutely no where. There was no warning, no battle cry, no charge or foreseeable invasion. One flash of light, one crash of thunder, it began. In every hall, every corridor, out of ever conceivable and inconceivable entrance, it began.

As darkness fell over Hyrule, strange purple clouds seeped into existence within the walls of its Castle. The guards had seen these, as did the guests still within the halls. But none were prepared or even knowing what these strange clouds were. Not until it was too late.

The first to fall prey to the onslaught was a soldier too curious for her own good. She walked towards the cloud, spear held forward. The tip presses against the small purple cloud forming near the wall. She tilted her head as the tip of the weapon slipped into the mass. She gasped as she felt it grasped and pulled.

Before she could even gasp, her body was yanked forward. In the blink of an eye another blade sprouted from the cloud. A scream was sounded down the hall as the soldier was run through by the new weapon, and it only grew louder as the blade's owner emerged from the cloud.

A Moblin, a monster forged from dark magics and black rituals from ancient times, stood out from the cloud. Its large round head resembling that of a bulldog sniffed the air, catching the scent of fresh blood spilled by its hands. Its eyes blinked with red irises as it slowly surveyed its new surroundings. When it saw the Hylian woman screaming down the hall, it made what could only resemble a smile.

Clutching its spear in both hands in a loud clasp that almost sounded like the clicking of metal, the monster let out a horrifying roar as it charged the helpless woman.

One by one, monsters like the Moblin emerged from the clouds scattered throughout the castle. Soon, screams were heard in every hallway of the only-moments-ago peaceful fortress. Meeting the screams were the clashing of blades against metal and skin, and the cries of the fallen.

Most of the soldiers did not have time to enough to react to the threat before their blood stained the walls of the castle. Still, there were those far enough away from the clouds to respond. Even still, the Moblins were much larger than the Hyrulean soldiers, with skin far more durable than even the guard's armor. To them, this would not be a challenge.

The soldiers fought on, though, despite the differences. To the Moblins surprise, they were more capable than thought, and were even shocked when a sword managed to pierce their flesh, spilling their strange blood on the carpets. For every Moblin that fell, however, it would take at least five soldiers before it died.

When the beasts' bodies hit the floor, unlike the Hyruleans, their bodies exploded in secondary clouds of purple mist, leaving only their strange blood mingling with that of the soldiers'.

During the utter chaos, the guards didn't even think to protect the royal family. They were far too busy simply trying to understand what was going on the remember their base guard training. Luckily for them, half of the family was already under the best protection Hyrule had to offer.

The moment the screaming began, Impa clutched Princess Zelda and kept her away from both the door and the window of her chamber.

"What is it?" The girl asked.

"Ssh!" Impa shot sharply, her red eyes focusing hard on the door. She clasped Zelda in her left arm while clutching the hilt of her weapon with her right. She was unsure what was going on, but the last thing she would do is allow whatever it was inside this room.

Before long, however, a knock sounded upon the door.

"Impa. Lady Impa. Are you in there?" A familiar deep voice asked.

"King Ganondorf?" Impa cried out. "What is going on?"

"We are under attack." Ganondorf replied. "Is this door locked?"

Suddenly a twinge of shame notched at Impa's heart. For some explainable reason, she did not think to lock the door. She let out a very quick sigh at her own failure, then answered.

"No. It is not." She said. After a moment, both Impa and Zelda watched the doorknob turn and the door open. It was only agape for an instant, allowing the Gerudo entrance to the chambers. Then it was shut once more, and locked.

"Who is attacking us?" Impa asked as Ganondorf came closer. She let go of both her weapon and her charge and stood up fully to meet her companion.

"I am unsure who is behind the attack, but I have met our immediate foe." Ganondorf replied. Impa said nothing but tilted her head expecting a full answer.

"Monsters have appeared within the castle." Ganondorf continued. "It seems the storm has brought them to us."

"But, how did they get passed the gate? Through town?" Impa asked.

"I believe they have been transported here through magical means." Ganondorf explained. "I encountered one in the hallway on my way here. It emerged from some form of cloud, and disappeared the same way."

"I see." Impa said, glancing down in thought. Her head shot back up to meet the Gerudo's gaze as a thought rushed into her mind.

"The King?!" She asked nervously.

"In his chambers, under heavy guard." Ganondorf said. "He will not be leaving until this is over." He added after a small pause.

Impa nodded at the news, then turned to face the small child behind her. There was fear all over her large blue eyes, and her hands clutched tightly in front of her chest. She stared back up at Impa, worried about her father, herself, and everyone else.

"We have to get her to safety." Impa said.

"Where?" Ganondorf asked, now turning his gaze to Zelda. She glanced at him, for only a moment. There was something in his eyes she did not like, but was hardly in the state to worry about it now.

"Is the attack restricted within the walls of the castle?" Impa asked.

"That is unclear." Ganondorf said. "The beasts appeared within the castle, so it is possible they could have appeared without."

"We must get Zelda out of the Castle, at least for now." Impa said, then looked back up at Ganondorf. "These beasts, do you know what they are?"

"Other than beasts? No." Ganondorf answered. "I have not seen their ilk before. Large, brown, clad in minimal armor."

"How large?" Impa asked.

"My size." Ganondorf replied, standing slightly more straight.

"... Moblins..." Impa muttered.

"More a horde than a mob, but yes." Ganondorf said. Impa shook her head.

"No, it is what they are called. But why here? They are forest-dwelling monsters." Impa asked, but then shook her head once more. "It doesn't matter right now," She paused and looked back to Zelda. "Get ready, we are leaving here."

Zelda, still scared, nodded and rushed to the chest in front of her bed. She opened it and rummaged through the various toys and items before picking something small and blue out of the box and clutching it tight in her hand. Ganondorf's eyes could not help but watch the small child and narrowed curiously at whatever it was she held so tightly.

With that in hand, she walked quickly to Impa's side and nodded once again.

"What..." Ganondorf began.

"Not important." Impa said, looking at the door. "We need to inform the King that we are leaving." She said, then glanced up at Ganondorf. "What will you do?"

Ganondorf stared at the Sheikah. His jaws clenched, as did his right hand.

"I will go with you." He said. Impa's face gave away no emotion, but she was pleased by his words.

"All right. Let's go."

Slowly, the princess's door opened by the same man who had opened it earlier. Ganondorf was at the lead, staring down the hallway. When he made the decision that all was clear, he fully exited the room. Impa followed close behind, Zelda's hand clutched tightly in her own.

They stayed close together, walking softly along the carpeted hallway towards the King's chambers. The area was strangely quiet, save for the distant echoing of clanking metal from beyond their corridor. Impa was thankful the screams had died down. At least, they appeared to in this area of the castle.

She was still vigilant, however. Silence in a battlefield, no matter the size, did not guarantee safety. In her experience, it is often the most quiet right before an ambush. Her red eyes darted from door to door, hallway to hallway, making sure the way was clear. Ganondorf was still leading the trio, and she trusted his battle knowledge. But in times like this, an extra set of eyes was never a hindrance.

As Impa kept a harsh gaze on her surroundings in the back, so too did Ganondorf keep watch of everything ahead. He kept his mouth shut, his bootsteps soft, and his dagger in his right hand. He was ready for any type of lash out. Impa saw the weapon in his hand, and was thankful she allowed him to keep it.

As they reached a corridor, Ganondorf's pace slowed down to a stop. He held out his left hand behind him, gesturing his party to stop. Impa immediately reach forward and grasped Zelda, pinning the girl against her and watching Ganondorf closely.

The Gerudo said nothing, but as the silence grew, Impa began to hear it. There was a slight rumble down the hallway. It was deep and rhythmic, like the purring of some large feline. One glance over his shoulder told Impa to cling to the wall and keep Zelda way. Without a word, she did just that, as Ganondorf walked across the hallway.

The first sound was of the beast clutching its spear with such force it echoed through the hall similar to two hefty metal chains clashing against on another. It was soon followed by a mighty roar as the Moblin charged down the hall at the sight of Ganondorf. Its boots stomped heavily across the stone floor, causing the room shake with each step. It was fast for its size, but Ganondorf was faster.

He waited until the monster was upon him before making his move. His reaction was much quicker than the Moblin had expected, nor had prepared for. As the spear closed on on Ganondorf, the Gerudo shifted his weight to the right just as the tip of the weapon skirted passed his neck. His left hand shot up and grasped the northern end of the spear's shaft and yanked it forward, lurching the Moblin further than planned and pulling it off its balance.

Impa was smart enough to anticipate the follow-through to the motion, and promptly placed her hand over Zelda's eyes. Her motion could not have been more perfectly timed, as the instant her fingers blocked Zelda's vision, Ganondorf's unsheathed dagger swung around his body and buried itself deep in the Moblin's thick neck.

The monster grunted in pain, almost asking for pity, before Ganondorf granted its wish and slid the blade across its throat, cutting it wide open. Blue blood seeped onto the floor, staining the red carpet before the body followed with a loud thud before exploding in a cloud of purple smoke. When it was over, Ganondorf glanced down the hall the Moblin had rushed down before turning back to Impa and nodded, signalling the way was clear.

The Sheikah let go of Zelda's face, allowing the girl to see again. The Princess, being the curious child she was, instantly looked at the blue patch of monster blood on the floor. She said nothing, but was clearly shaken by the visual proof of violence. Ganondorf sheathed his small weapon before she could get a glance at it, but Zelda found that to be a relief. She had seen enough already.

The trio walked passed the open hallway and continued on their journey. Ganondorf every once in a while held out his hand to signal a pause, but continued on after a moment. It was not long until they reached the shut door of the King's chambers.

Impa clicked her tongue suddenly, making Ganondorf halt in his tracks. He looked over to her for answers. Her red eyes were focused on the door, unease written all over her face.

"Impa?" Ganondorf asked quietly.

"The guards." She said, keeping her gaze forward. "You said there were guards posted at his door."

"I did." Ganondorf agreed. "Two of them."

"Where are they." Impa replied. She was not searching for an answer from the man, merely alerting him to what he should have already noticed. The Gerudo looked back at the door. With his face turned away from his companions, his lips curled into a scowl.

"It is possible they were called to action somewhere nearby." He said. Impa did find that plausible. Her hand squeezed Zelda's tight, tight enough for the girl to look up at her nervously.

"Impa?" She asked.

"Ganondorf." Impa said. She walked closer to the Gerudo, pulling Zelda along with her. "Watch her." In a fluid motion, Impa passed Zelda's small hand from her own to the Gerudo's open left. Ganondorf glanced down at the tiny Hylian whose hand was resting in the center of his palm.

She looked up at him, just as confused as he was. It was the first time he had ever known Zelda where she was not looking at him with anger or distrust. Instead, she was looking at him like any scared child would towards their protector. Moreover, he could see the fear welling up in her eyes, a fear he had never experience, nor ever had the allowance to.

She stood close to him, her hand resting in his, while her other hand was pressed to her chest. From here he could see more of the small item in her hand. It was round, and blue. It was important, Ganondorf understood that much. Zelda would not have spent the time scrounging around for some toy. However, he could not see it clearly to understand what it was.

He said nothing to the frightened child, as he did not know what he could say.

His hand curled around the child's hand as if it were but a pebble and he looked to Impa, steeling himself for what she would find.

She silently and cautiously walked towards the door. With each step, her back arched forward until she was in a full crouch within a few feet away from her companions. Her right hand slid around her form and clutched the blade resting at the base of her spine. Her eyes ricocheted in their sockets, glancing all around the room for any signs of struggle. The first clue was found upon reaching the door.

It was slight, and she almost surely would not have seen it if she was not crouched so low. Yet there it was, as vibrant and noticeable against the golden carved door as it was dark both in color and omen.

The metal handle was covered in deep red. It did not take a warrior as seasoned as Impa to know it was blood. In times like this, what else could it possibly have been? It also was no monster's blood. Impa had faced enough monsters to know that much.

However, it was in the shape of a massive hand print, one the covered the entire handle. That was a monstrous size, way too large for any Hylian. Impa looked around the ground and noticed no other blood stains. She took in a deep breath, knowing that too was not good. She closed her eyes and took in another breath before touching the handle and turning it.

The blood had congealed, but was still tacky. It made her hand slide slightly, making her stomach churn. However, with a firm grip, the handle turned and opened the door. Impa did not allow the door to swing wide in case there was something she did not want Zelda to see. She allowed the door to open just enough to push her head through. Silently Impa's gaze was cast upon the King's chambers, and with it, his body.

Her shoulders drooped, her hand let go of her weapon's hilt and rested against the door frame. She stood still for a moment, still crouching, but all the tension in her muscles had left her body. Slowly she straitened up and peeled hear head from the crack in the doorway.

Ganondorf still holding on to the Princess looked down to her. He knew whatever secrets he was holding onto would soon be revealed. There was little time left before Impa would know the truth, if she hadn't figured them out already. As he probed the small child with his gaze, he once again looked to the object in her hands.

It was as blue as the skies over the desert on a clear day. It was small and round, but as Zelda's hand shifted, Ganondorf could see a small shaft on one end, with possibly a hole or two on its main body. It almost resembled a wind instrument.

An ocarina...

Suddenly all thoughts on Impa faded and Ganondorf's eyes narrowed upon the trinket. He remember a drunkard King naming it; the ocarina of time. Upo studying in the castle library, Ganondorf had discovered this object as a small blue insturment that could control the flow of time, and was a critical tool in unlocking the Sacred Realm.

His chest rose greatly as realization that the last key to his victory was literally within grasp dawned. Zelda glanced between Impa and the Gerudo, as the man's fist tightened around her small hand.

The windows on the hallways began to pang as rain descended upon the castle. It was barely noticeable at first, but slowly grew into a torrent. There was not lightning or thunder, just a melancholy drop of rain that surrounded the castle and filled Impa with a sense of loneliness she had not felt for a very, very long time.

Impa looked down for a moment, silent as the grave, before turning her eyes to Ganondorf. He stood still, not speaking. However, Impa's eyes noticed his open right hand facing his thigh, and only just now noticed the palm covered in red.

Her stoic attitude dropped to a noticeable frown. Her brows furrowed not out of anger but from sorrow and an utter lack of understanding. She gazed upon the Gerudo, disbelief in her red eyes. Her chest rose and fell, and her head tilted slightly to the side.

Oh, Ganondorf... No...

Still there was no anger within her. Instead, her eyes welled with sorrow, to the point where they even glossed over with tears. She blinked in an attempt to keep her emotions in check. Her chin vibrated and her lower lip quivered just slightly. Her nose flared as she took in a shaking breath.

Still Ganondorf said nothing. His shoulders rotated, however, making him appear taller and more bold. He didn't need to say anything, she knew, and he knew she did.

Impa's jaw clenched and her eyes closed. As the lids slid over the irises, they scraped off the watery walls building over her eyes. The walls slid down her face in streaks of tears. When they opened again, Impa's right hand pulled up slowly.

"Zelda." She said in a tone on the verge of shaky. "Come here."

"What's wrong?" Zelda asked. "Is father all right?"

"Come here." Impa repeated, holding her hand out further. "Now." Her tone was calm but serious and demanding a swift response. Her hand stretched out for the child to come and hold. Zelda understood and went to take a step, but the massive claw holding her hand forbid her to move any further.

"Ganondorf." Impa said, looking up from Zelda to the Gerudo King. "Please... Let her go."

At that moment, Zelda's eyes widened and shot up to the man beside her. His face was as stoic as Impa's usually was. He did not return the gaze, as he stared back at Impa.

"We have a chance now, Impa." He spoke. "Remember what we spoke about."

Impa closed her lips, lowering her hand and staring at the Gerudo.

"A kingdom ruled by you and me." Ganondorf continued.

"Not like this." Impa said calmly.

"Only like this." Ganondorf responded quickly.

Impa closed her eyes tight and shot her head down. She winced as if in great pain while more tears slid down her face.

"Do not do this." She muttered. "I beg you."

"It is already done." Ganondorf replied, before glancing down at the small Hylian by his side. "Almost."

"What did he do?" Zelda ask as realization dawned. She looked at Impa, then right back up at Ganondorf.

"What did you do?!" She cried out.

"No one would ever have to know." Ganondorf said in his stoic calm attitude as he returned his gaze upon the Sheikah.

"I would know." Impa softly replied. She opened her eyes and looked back up at the two, trying hard to regain her composure. Inside, she wanted to scream and cry and collapse from the pain. But she could not. Not now.

"Let her go." She said somewhat more stern than she had a moment ago. Her hand reached around and grasped the hilt of her blade once again. "I will not ask a second time."

"She has something I need." Ganondorf said. His hand pulled Zelda closer to his side. Impa crouched slightly, preparing to launch an attack. Tears welled in her eyes, but her face showed only anger.

"What of your own desires? Your own dreams? Do they mean nothing?" Ganondorf asked.

"All my hopes and dreams rest in the future, with her." Impa responded, nodding to Zelda. "Let her go, or I will kill you." She warned.

"You have served the Hylians well, Impa. That service is now over. Do not let them take your life as well." Ganondorf argued.

"It is nit my life as risk here, Ganondorf." Impa replied with an icy chill. Slowly, her blade began to slide from its sheath.