"The Days of Darkness"
By Nicholas Irwin Longstaff

[Authors Note: The following story takes place during the period that link is sealed away, this is the time when Ganon takes over the lands of Hyrule, killing the rightful king and forcing the inhabitants of the Hyrule Castle Town to flee. In the story I added much, I.E. the Gerudo's attacking, MANY extra characters and many extra towns. I'd like to mention that the armies mentioned here will either seem too small or too large, I made them bigger to make the story more interesting but kept them relatively small, okay insanely small, to keep a slightly Zeldaish theme.]

Gabriel looked the strange man up and down, "a 'salesperson' you say? sounds odd enough, well what stops me from just stealing the masks?"

"Just have faith" The strange man replied.

"hmm, well I think I'm interested, how many masks can you give me and of what types?"

"Just select what you like good sir"

Three Golden Goddesses is this guy crazy! Gabriel wondered.

"whatever you say."

Gabriel selected several of the masks then simply walked out. As soon as he was out the door he yelled his triumph. He smiled to himself happily. Perhaps everything would work out. Gabriel certainty could see it as a possibility. Gabriel walked away from the 'Happy Mask Shop' whistling.

Gabriel was in fact a member of one of the lesser noble houses in Hyrule. He had always been restless, not interested in a life as a squire or minor court official. His restlessness had finally manifested itself when he had been allowed in a small jousting match. Gabriel had maimed a lord of much greater importance while jousting. The lords legs had been broken and the man would be confined to lie in bed or in a specially built carriage for the rest of his life. The lords noble house had petitioned the Kings that Gabriel be striped of his title and thrown into exile. The king had refused but just as Gabriel has thought himself off the hook a messenger had told him it would be tactful to leave before he caused anymore trouble. Gabriel had that very night prepared to leave. But he had vowed one thing, with the resources of a small Hylian Noble house and a quick mind and good education he would take Hyrule by storm. He now planed to buy all kinds of things from Hyrules castle market, especially the bombs that visiting Goron merchants were selling, then he would move in a circuit, going as far as lake Hylia then coming back up and ultimately reaching Kakariko Village and Goron City, trading the goods of each town he came two with rare good he had acquired from a different town. Gabriel looked just like any Hylian lord, white skin and blond hair, he had long pointed ears that curved upward and a long, pointed nose.

Gabriel walked through the town square of the city, it was large and everywhere he turned her could see the hustle of the peasants and gentry as they moved through their daily activities.

Gabriel slowly walked towards the commercial stable where his horse was, a fine steed and one of the best Lon Lon Ranch had to offer. As Gabriel began to cross the cities main road he heard a series of screams.

"Make way for the princess!"

"Look out!"

"By the Golden Land!"

Gabriel turned just in time to see the princess riding double with her body guard, Impa, thundering through the city towards the gates.

"Flaming Triforce!" he swore, throwing himself out of the way as the horse thundered past, bursting through the gates and out into the country.

Gabriel watched the horse ride away then slowly got up, swearing under his breath. Even as he began to rise he saw another horse thundering through the city streets, this time a black war horse. Yet even as the Horseman tried to tried to go through the gates, a hail of stones fell apon him as the townspeople screamed angrily.

"Gerudo scum! here to poison our king and steal the princess away!"

"Back to the desert father of lies!"

"Leave before we drive you out!"

Gabriels mouth twisted into a snarl, Gannondorf, the Gerudo lord was hated by noblemen and commoners alike, even as he tried to make it to the gates one of the guards tried to move in his way, demanding to know what he was doing chasing after the princess. Gannondorf paid the man no heed, running him down where he stood, as the black clad Gerudo thundered across the draw bridge he turned, lifted his hand. A strange ball of purple energy formed within his palm then flew from it, smashing into another of the guards chest, the man flew back, hitting the wall of the gatehouse, Gabriel immediately saw from the impossible angel of the mans neck that his back had been broken. Gabriel stared in disbelief, though the Gerudo king of thieves was surrounded by the rumor that he was a practitioner of the black arts, Gabriel had never truly believed it. Now the man had killed two guards and was chasing the princess, surely the king would see reason and order him captured, or would he? The king had indeed seemed to be under some kind of spell since he let Gannondorf visit his court. Gabriel walked over to the two dead guards, a third guard seemed traumatized, shaking all over, his eyes rolling into his had. Gabriel checked on the man who had been trampled and saw that the horse iron shod hooves had killed the poor guard instantly. Gabriel shook his head in wonder, why would any one do this? Gabriel slowly walked to where his horse was, he started to wonder how much he would miss Hyrule Castle Town, he sighed, it was changing and everyone who didn't change with it would be lost in obscurity. Gabriel mounted his horse and then road out the gates, careful not to tread where the man had died, the poor fellows corpse had already been moved by the townspeople. As he road over the draw bridge he saw a strange looking boy, not more than ten or eleven years of age, walking into the town, he was obviously not from around here, wearing a green tunic and strange leather boots.

Gabriel shook his head, thinking it of little importance, then road out into the country side. Here he quickly moved down the road untie he came to the first small town, even now he couldn't remember its name and it was only a few scattered houses so he didn't think he would ever have too. Gabriel road into the town and went to its inn where several caravans where waiting with guards and drivers, each was hitched up two a pair of good Lon Lon Ranch horses, sturdy but fast. Gabriel spent the night at the Inn. The next day, bright and early at dawn, Gabriel lead his caravan away from the sheltered life he had lead and down the path of sorrow, war, and ultimately fame.

Gabriel took a deep breath of the country air and taking in all that he saw. He felt a strange excitement, knowing that his life was changed forever. Grinning he drew his sword, pointing it forward, "Out of the old and into the old Gabriel! Charge!" And with that he hit his horse on rump with the flat of his sword, sending into a gallop and going far ahead of the caravan, whooping and yelling. For almost an hour Gabriel road ahead. Eventually Gabriel came to a small Town by the name of Ildereth, a modest establishment which centered around an inn and a trading post, they where surrounded by a wall of stone from a nearby quarry and in the center was a deep and clear well. Leaning against the wall on the inside where houses of varying size and class. The people of the village seemed well natured and friendly. They had over the years learned that since travelers were their income, they must attract as many as the could. Gabriel slept well that night, having had a dinner of a thick, vegetable stew followed by a bath within the bathing house, he fell asleep between clean linen sheets, content. The next day Gabriel was up bright and early, ready for what the day would bring. As he awoke to the crowing of a rooster he quickly dressed and went to the first floor of inn, nodding the smiling innkeeper, already awake, then going and getting himself a serving of the porridge that was to be his breakfast. It was basic true, but Gabriel enjoyed. Gabriel and his party left just before lunch that day, moving along the road and making good time. That night Gabriel slept beneath the stars, listening to the crickets and other nigh time creatures. He awoke around midnight to the muffled scream of a guard, the fire and burnt to a few ashes and the last of the guards had fallen asleep, yet now out of no where several skeletons had pulled themselves from the ground and fell apon the company from all sides at once. Gabriel leapt from his place on the ground, drawing his sword in a single fluid motion and leaping at the first of the creatures, already one of the guards law dead and Gabriel swore that no more would die while under his command. Gabriels first opponent looked at him with its glowing yellow eyes, devoid of any intellect or cunning, simply inspired by a hatred of the living to destroy all that wondered into the outer country of Hyrule. Gabriel raised his sword and hacked downwards cleaving through the joint where the shoulder meets the neck and slicing through the torso, the creature feel into two separate halves, its bones slowly turning into a strange green mist even as it fell to the ground. Gabriel turned just in time to see another of the skeletons raising its hand, it then clawed downwards, attempting to scratch away at Gabriels eyes. Gabriel raised sword, cleaving through the wrist then turning in sword so that is arced, cutting down and cut the off, strangely the creature still lived, again Gabriel hacked at it, cutting its legs from under it, finally the creature died, slowly turning into a green moist like the other one.

Gabriel turned ducking under the slash of another of the creatures then stabbing upwards, cutting it in half. Gabriel was glad that he bore one of the magical swords that many of the Hylian nobility had, it would cut through almost anything, sometimes even mettle. He turned and saw all the other creatures had been destroyed by his guards, two more of his men had died and a third was wounded.

"what was that?" One of the younger guards asked.

"Those, where Stalchildren" One of the older guards answered.

Stalchildren? you mean they get bigger?"

es, and more agile, they are deadly swordsman and use shields and swords almost flawlessly."

Man the life of a soldier isn't what its cracked up to be. . ."

"Damn straight, but its too late to turn back now. . ."

Gabriel cut the conversation short.

"Lets focus on what's happening right now. . ."

"Right then sir, Jaro, get the fire going again, Stilin and Galdis, take watch duty, Danel tend to the wounded, I'll check on the horses."

The Guards went about their separate tasks while those who had not been giving anything to do went over their gear. The rest of the night was uneventful. nothing else happened but no one got anymore sleep. Eventually the dawn came and the dismal party set out, they slept beneath the stars again but had a watch and always kept the fire high, the Stalchildren didn't bother them but no one go enough sleep and the next day everyone was irritable and drowsy. The next day it rained and again they did not come to a village, again the Stalchildren did not bother them and the next day they came to the first large village since Hyrule Castle Town, the Town of Darlock was both large and prosperous, like Ildereth it had learned that making travelers happy was everything. That night Gabriel had the best of rooms and slept soundly, having a bath the next day before he began to barter. He staid at the town for another day while the wounded member of his party recovered. Finally they began to move again, Gabriel felt himself successful, he had made a large profit and now his party was rested and had fresh mounts. For the next week he traveled through the lightly forested hills of Northern Hyrule before he finally came to the plains in southern Hyrule. Gabriel was impressed and saw that he had traveled many more miles than he had thought. Gabriel soon arrived at Fort Bastion which reported that the Gerudo were much more aggressive this year and that it would be unwise to brave the Western Path, they instead suggested that he take the longer but safer route two Lake Hylia. Gabriel did not take their advice but he made another large profit from trading with them, giving them fresh supplies in exchange for rupee's. The next day Gabriel and hit party moved down to the beginning of the Southern Pass. As he traveled Gabriel began to see signs that he was coming closer to the desert. For two days he traveled, making good time and reaching the center of the pass. Gabriel now ordered that his men should press forward since this was where Gerudo Valley connected to the Pass and it was here that he would be ambushed, if he was ambushed.

It was the noon of the third day that Gabriel was attacked. He was riding alongside the wagons talking with one of the drivers when out of no where a band of Gerudo bore down on them, there where around fourteen of them and they all bore bows which they fired with deadly accuracy, killing six of the guards and wounding two other in the first hail. Gabriel shouted a warning then road forwards cutting down three of the Thieves as they tried to turn and go for another hit and run attack, not expecting to fight such a skilled warrior, they fell in disarray and another died to Gabriels blade before he met any resistance. Gabriel was almost immediately confronted by a pair of the Gerudo, each attacking him from a different side and bearing swords. Gabriel used his shield to block the blow from the opponent to his left then slashed at the opponent on his right. It should have worked, would have worked, if Gabriel hadn't had a third opponent coming up behind him. Gabriels slash was parried, then the Gerudo behind him used the butt of her spear to hit him in the back, throwing him from his horse. Gabriel hit the ground hard and felt his sword fall from his hand. Above him the triumphant Gerudo rained her horse in, putting her spear point to Gabriels neck.

"If you move you die Hylian." She said in a menacing voice.

Gabriel lay where he was, as still as he could be, suddenly the Gerudo's eye's rolled into her head. She gasped and then toppled from her horse, an arrow protruding from her back. Gabriel got up, grabbing his sword and looking for the unseen archer. Meanwhile the rest of the Gerudo war band was fleeing, Gabriel watched as another was hit with an arrow. Gabriel turned, seeing a group of Hylian Horsemen approaching, several of them had bows.

Gabriel moaned and got up slowly, his back ached from the place where the know dead Gerudo had hit him.

"Lord Gabriel! You must come with us right away! Gannondorf has attacked the Castle!"

Gabriel was too astonished for words.

"You must come now Milord!"

Finally Gabriel said "what!"

"Shortly after Mandrag Gannondorf, Gerudo King of Thieves was seen pursuing Princess Zelda a large army of monsters attacked the castle! Your the only noble we still have contact with and you must lead us to the castle so we can attempt to save the King!"

Gabriel mounted his horse. "Lets go!"

Gabriel kicked his horse into a gallop, leaving the rest of his caravan to mobilize on their own and with the guards close behind him. Gabriel thundered through the pass, riding all through the night and into the next day, he cleared the pass and at the outpost recruited the soldiers who had been notified only a few days ago of the attack and had them come with him. Once again on a fresh mount Gabriel moved through the forest after almost two days of hard riding Gabriels horse collapsed. Gabriel finally agreed to rest for the better part of the next night before he continued onward. Gabriel's party was often troubled by Stalchildren but most of the time he simply road past them. After two more days of hard riding Gabriel arrived at Ildereth, the second last town before he reached Hyrule Castle Town, he was only about an half an hour's hard ride away.

Gabriel had been recruiting every guard and soldier, hell anyone who could carry a sword and had a horse they could ride, as he moved and know had almost three hundred people, most of them still two days behind. Gabriel entered the town and saw it already had a crude log palisade encircling it. The gate were opened only after Gabriel spent five minutes convincing the gate man that he wasn't an agent of Gannondorf. Apon entering Gabriel immediately sought out whoever was in charge. Eventually he found that a man named Captain Tragot was the highest ranking military official left. Gabriel, occupying a relatively high place on the noble chain of command, knew that he outranked the captain substantially. Gabriel found Tragot in the towns only inn, he had converted the common room into a war room and was talking with several of his more seasoned officers when Gabriel entered.

"Captain Tragot! I am Gabriel Mal Medara of house Medara and heir to all titles holdings and rankings that come with that position, do you accept my authority?" Gabriel said as he entered the room. He had used a phrase that had not been said since the last great war, long ago when Hylian lords had squabbled with military officers for command of Hyrules army. The captain was of course surprised.

"Milord Gabriel! As a servant of the royal family in blood and soul, I accept your authority and await you command." He said smartly, snapping to attention. His lieutenants did the same.

"At ease, now what's the situation Tragot?"

"The Castle Town has been destroyed sir, at lest four hundred dead, the King has retreated to the castle along with the survivors. Gannondorf's forces are mostly from the Mountains, though long ago most of the Lizalfos were eliminated from Death Mountain it seems that they live in great numbers in some of the other mountains. . . They have however, some how made it into the field by means of the Death Mountain Trail. Why the Gorons didn't stop them we don't know because we lost contact with the Gorons a few days before they came. There are also large numbers of Hylians who have betrayed us and defected to Gannondorf."

Gabriel took a deep breath, "How many men do you have assembled here Tragot?"

"One hundred Milord."

"As soon as the rest of my forces have arrived we attack."

Gabriel sighed, even though his forces would arrive soon he would wait till tomorrow to attack. In the early morning he would charge and fight to the death. Why am I doing this?, Gabriel thought suddenly, This isn't me, I shouldn't be putting my life on the line when chances are this slim. Gabriels mind seemed to suddenly explode, thousands of lights and colors filling his vision, when they finally faded a new image lept into Gabriels mind, the Golden Triforce loomed before him, it slowly began to glow until it was so bright that it seemed to blind Gabriel, then everything was black and Gabriel remembered nothing of what had just happened.

EPILOGUE: A TASTE OF WHAT SHALL COME

This is it, here we go. Gabriel though as he pushed down the rim of his visor, hiding his face from view except for a small slit. Do or Die, I guess.

"For Hyrule, victory and House Medora!" Gabriel screamed as he raised his sword and kicked his horse into a gallop, charging down towards the massed army that made up Gannondorf's forces.

All around him the other captains of his army screamed similar war cries, kicking their horse into gallops and charging forward. A primal roar came up from the army as all the men simply screamed their anger and hatred, charging down with their weapons held high. Meanwhile the monsters under Gannons command cast fearful glances at the vengeful Hylian army. Then they two screamed their battle cries and began to charge, outside of Hyrule Castle, the two forces met.

All around him Gabriel heard the screams of men and horses and monsters. All around him both forces mingled, hacking at limbs and biting at heads. Right to his left Gabriel saw a Lizalfos leap past a Hylians clumsy swing then hack of his head with carefree ease, calling out its victory even as a Hylian Knight road by and severed its head. Right in front of him Gabriel saw a Hylian knock a Lizalfos down only two one of the traitors strike him down. He saw a man leap upwards, pulling another man of his horse and slashing at the man with his knife, the other man drew his own knife and the two wrestled in the mud until a group of horsemen ran over them. All around him Gabriel heard screams of rage and terror, the sound of metal hitting metal was deafening. He wheeled his horse this way and that, hacking at a Lizalfos here and at a Hylian who bore the banner of the Gerudo there.

"Stay together men! Stay together or all is lost!" He screamed futilely at the crowd.

Gabriel heard a scream nearby.

"The Gerudo are here! The Gerudo are here! Run!"

Gabriel turned in his saddle to see hundreds of the Thieves riding down the hill, racing each other and laughing and whooping as if it was all some game. As they closed in they fired a hail of arrows into the Hylian back ranks, sowing death and confusion like a farmer sows his crops. Gabriel swore violently, hacking at another of the Lizalfos.

"To me! To me men!" He screamed, trying to rally what was left of his army.

Out of the din road Tragot. His helmet was dented and a trickle of blood ran down his cheek and stained his uniform, numerous other cuts and bruises made a patchwork of conflicting colors on his face. Tragot leaned forward, hacking away a rouge Hylian. Gabriel was giving up hope.

"Damn it." He said, "Damn damn damn damn it."

Gabriel began to hack his way towards the closest edge which wasn't being assaulted by the Gerudo who must have had an easy time overrunning the weak defense that he had left the border forts, he had left two few guards! Then suddenly something caught his eye. Looking up he saw something black whiz past his vision and hit the center of the enemy ranks, it exploded throwing rouges and monsters everywhere.

"Gorons be praised! their catapulting bombs over the castle walls!" Tragot yelled over the din.

Another of the bombs whizzed over the walls of the castle and hit the monster ranks. Gabriel shouted his triumph. But still, chaos rained, all around him Hylian killed Hylian and explosions and yells filled the air. Horses screamed and flocks of arrows fell from the sky, some where in the distance Gabriel heard a crack of thunder. So this is what Ganon brings, Gabriel though. He said that he would make a lasting peace between the Gerudo and the Hylian even though the Gerudo raids increased, he lied to us. The Gerudo need us for procreation yet he would have every last one of us dead so he lied to them. He has united the monsters and the men under him with lies also, I'm sure. He is the father of lies.....

HERE ENDS PART ONE

OF THE DAYS OF DARKNESS, PART TWO:

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WILL

FOLLOW SOON


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