AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm still alive! I'm truly sorry for the ridiculous delay! I had the longest, most stressful summer ever and am in the midst of a full-blown existential crisis. But I won't bore you with that.

Chapter 8: Suffering

Ganondorf hadn't left his room in weeks. Crippling depression had reduced the King of Evil to a shell of his former self.

"My Lord, forgive me, but this state is most unbecoming," one of the Twilight Assassins stated bluntly.

"I don't care," Ganondorf muttered, not taking his eyes off of the large sword mounted across the room.

"What about all the work you've done sir?" the second Assassin asked. "Are you truly going to give it all up?"

"It doesn't matter," Ganondorf sighed. "Nothing matters anymore. He's gone."

"My Lord, I know you don't mean that," the first Assassin said. "Besides, you can't leave Zant to his own devices."

Something seemed to snap at the mention of the Twili. Ganondorf hadn't seen him since the day he'd left to get the sword repaired. Both fearing his master's wrath and exploiting the Gerudo's self-isolation, Zant had taken to hiding in remote parts of the castle. Maybe if Ganondorf didn't see him, he'd forget about punishing the usurper king. His plan had almost worked. The blue-skinned traitor was the farthest thing from Ganondorf's mind in the past few days, but at the mention of his name his fury returned.

"Where is he?" Ganondorf asked as he stood, moving to remove the treasured sword from its mount on the wall.

"Probably skulking about the east tower," the Twilight Assassin replied. "That's where he was last seen."

The Gerudo was off without another word. Ganondorf found the Twili exactly where the Assassins said he would be, at the top of the eastern tower. He was gazing dreamily out of the wide window, his metal helm removed and leaning against the wall.

"G-Ganondorf, my L-Lord," Zant squeaked in surprise, jumping down from the window sill he'd been sitting on. "How g-good to see you, sir! I was worried about you when-"

"Save it, Zant!" Ganondorf barked, cutting off the Twili's rambling with a hand around his slender throat. "You're half-assed apologies won't save you!"

Ganondorf swung around, putting all his strength behind a powerful throw that sent Zant tumbling down the stairs. Zant gave a pained whimper as he reached the bottom. He slowly rose to his hands and knees, one arm clutching at his sore ribs. He looked up just as Ganondorf reached him, a heavy boot connecting with the side of his head. Ganondorf hoisted the barely-conscious Twili up by the front of his robes.

"You will pay for what you've done," Ganondorf spat. "An eye for an eye. I no longer require your services."

Zant's yellow eyes widened in terror as his god's meaning became clear. The Gerudo released his hold on his servant, who crumpled to the ground. Ganondorf reached for the large sword propped against the wall.

"You'll have your revenge, my love," he murmered, lovingly running his fingers across the red gem at the base of the blade before grasping the hilt with both hands.

He hoisted the heavy blade over his head, muscles tensed and ready to bring the sword down on the terrified Twili.

"My Lord!"

Ganondorf turned to see a Twilight Assassin lopping toward him.

"What?" he snapped in annoyance, lowering the weapon.

"The Twilight has been lifted from Faron," the Assassin informed him.

"Impossible!" Ganondorf shouted. "You must be mistaken!"

"I wish I were sir," the creature said. "The three Shadow Beasts sent to the area have returned seriously injured."

"I'm not done with you yet," Ganondorf sneered at Zant before following the Twilight Assassin to the throne room.

The three Shadow Beasts lay upon the stone floor having teleported back to the castle after being defeated. Two of them were curled together in a heap; the third sprawled on its belly a few feet away. The glow of the red markings on their bodies was weak and pulsing faintly. The lone Beast raised its disk-shaped head as the Twilight Assassin approached it.

"What happened?" Ganondorf asked.

The two creatures began to speak in a series of shrieks.

"A wolf attacked them," the Twilight Assassin translated. "But it was no mere beast. It was too smart, too strong. And it wasn't alone."

"There was more than one?" Ganondorf asked.

"No," the Assassin corrected. "The dethroned Twilight Princess was with him. She has a piece of the Fused Shadow."

"Damn," Ganondorf cried. "There's no doubt that she's looking for the other three pieces. She must not get them!"

"My Lord," the other Twilight Assassin called out. "There is a legend among our people that speaks of a hero in the form of a divine beast. There are those among us who believe it has come true."

Ganondorf's eyes widened at the mention of a hero. He'd heard the people of Ordon Village mention a Link, but had figured it to be a coincidence. Now he was beginning to have second thoughts. One of the other Shadow Beasts raised its head and shrieked softly.

"What did it say?" Ganondorf inquired.

"The wolf was in the dungeons recently," the Assassin replied. "They recently noticed it had escaped. The princess was nowhere to be seen when it was first brought here. She must have broken the beast out."

Ganondorf groaned in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was under enough stress already. He didn't need more to deal with.

"Zant!" he called. "Come here!"

The Twili limped into the throne room.

"Y-yes, my Lord?" he stammered.

He hadn't forgotten what Ganondorf had in store for him. The Gerudo still had the large sword clenched in one fist.

"The Goddesses must be on your side today," Ganondorf said. "I need you to investigate these claims. Find Midna and this wolf hero. Take as many Shadow Beasts as you need. Do whatever you have to do, just keep them from obtaining the rest of the Fused Shadow. Bring them to me, preferably alive."

"Of-of course, my Lord!" Zant squealed, delighted at the chance to regain Ganondorf's favor. "Right away!"

His injuries suddenly forgotten, Zant scampered toward the gates, several Shadow Beast following close behind. Ganondorf sighed heavily and rubbed his temple.

"Will nothing ever work out for me?" Ganondorf asked no one in particular.

He tightened his grip on the sword.

"I hope you're in a better place than this, my love."

…

Ghirahim desperately tried to crawl away, but a large hand closed around his ankle and dragged him backwards, his bare chest scrapping against the rough soil.

"Please not again," he pleaded.

"If I was that desert thief you'd be begging for it," Demise growled.

"Well, you're not!" Ghirahim shrieked hysterically.

Demise narrowed his eyes and Ghirahim braced himself. The demon grabbed a fistful of pale hair and forced his servant to look at him.

"You forget yourself, Ghirahim," Demise snarled. "You forget that it was I who made you and I can break you just as easily. Only this time, there will be no end to your suffering. You're already dead."

Demise threw the pale creature back to the ground and forcefully entered him from behind. Ghirahim kept his face down, thankful that the hair obscuring his face hid his tears.

ENDNOTE: Again, I apologize for the wait. I myself hate waiting long periods of time for stories to be updated. I've just had a ton of shit going on. I hate to do this to you guys, but expect long delays. I feel that I may need to do another playthrough of Twilight Princess because a lot of details are foggy to me. I won't abandon the story, but it may be some time before it's finished. Hang in there!