Author's Note: there are scenes of assault and violence at the beginning of this chapter. Please do not read if such content makes you uncomfortable. For those who wish to skip such parts, three bold dots will appear in the middle of the text when the scene is finished.
- lilacfrost021

***

Zelda closes her eyes.

Everything feels like a blur.

She can't feel anymore. She doesn't feel alive anymore. She winces in pain and cries for help, but her pleas have been to no avail. Her yelps only further exacerbate his anger; he digs his nails into her spine. She groans; she feels as though she is being touched with fire, hot embers coursing against her flesh, wounding her deeply and harrowing.

"W-why, Ganondorf? You came out of n-no where. You've left me alone until now...i-is it really just because of the photo of Link and me?" Zelda pleads.

Ganon pulls her tightly against him, forcing her onto his lap, his hands gripping her wrists. She writhes in his hold, thrashing her thighs, narrowing her gaze in anger as she realizes what exactly he's doing. "Aren't you going to laugh, Zelda? Just how you did with blondie?"

"Y-you're mocking me," she hisses. "Let me go! Link would kill you—"

He slams her to the ground, his heavy chest and large legs imprisoning her to the floor.

"You're pathetic. You know that?" He chuckles, shaking his head. The feeling of dread snowballs in her chest, and something within her snaps. There is no escape.

There is nothing she can do now.

"You're worthless, just like your father is. He's done nothing to stop the Yiga attacks....You, just like him, sit idly while people die. It's your fault. You wonder...why is it that people hate you so? Because you're a stuck up, entitled snob," Ganondorf whispers, leaning closely into her ear. "You deserve this. To be honest, I should kill you. It's only fair that you die as an equivalent exchange."

Zelda doesn't respond. She cannot quite comprehend what he means, but her mind discards the matter. He is angry; he seeks revenge for a wrong she cannot understand. Her own inaction, it seems, spurs his hatred. For the first time, she glares deeply into Ganondorf's eyes. A palpable vengeance swells in her chest, billowing with regret and fear. A certain truth rings within his words, and it pricks her ears: she has done nothing to truly protect the citizens.

"I've...I-I've done everything I can..." she attempts to declare, but her words are unsteady. "I-I tried...I tried to convince him..."

"You'll never defeat us. Your stupid body guard might've killed my brothers...but you'll never defeat the Yiga gang," Ganondorf a vicious smile spreads the length of his face. He draws his sharp fingers down Zelda's back. She whimpers in agony as fresh wounds bleed down her spine, cold and deep like ink as it spills across her skin.

"Tell me, Zelda. How does it feel? How does it feel to be so helpless beneath a Yiga gang member?"

Zelda's eyes widen.

"No," she whispers, but the phrase is a half-croak from her dry throat. "No, you...you c-can't be..."

The feared Yiga Gang. The ruthless bandits, the slayers of innocent people—the ones who attacked her only weeks before.

Ganondorf is one of them.

A person was stabbed. People were killed and robbed. Ganondorf is a constituent of this cursed, evil group that caused destruction. The people Zelda's father had strove so vigorously to protect her from—she can hardly comprehend that Ganondorf is one of them. Her childhood bully. Her attacker. He is one...

She had Link last time to save her from the bandits in the alleyway. Link fired a gun to halt their wicked deeds. Now, she has no one. Link cannot save her.

No one can save her from this wretched Yiga.

A certain sadistic satisfaction intermingles within Ganondorf's voice. "That's right, Princess. The girl who was attacked—Riju, was it? Was attacked by yours truly. I didn't feel the need to wear the little mask for you, though. You aren't worthy of that. It's your fault these people have died. Because of you, pretty boy killed my brothers...my Yiga brothers. So for that, Zelda, you'll pay."

"No! Y-you're the murderers! You have torn this country apart! Y-you've hurt our people, you've...you've..."

Ganon draws back his palm and slaps her. She winces at the stinging pain.

"No, you want to know whose fault this is? It's your fault for not protecting the wretched people of this country. No one is blaming me, sweetheart. The people at this school blame you. They hate you."

Zelda narrows her eyes. "W-why...why are you telling me this? Do you not realize t-that I could report you?"

There's no other reason why he would tell me such things. He plans to kill me. I think I am going to die. No, no. I don't...I don't want to die. This can't be...

Not at the hands of a Yiga. Not like this. Not like this. Not before she can materialize her promises to protect the people. She cannot fail again.

"Oh. Oh, Zelda. You think this,"—Ganondorf yanks her face, grabbing her cheek and holding her lips to his—"is bad? This is simply your warning. Your father will be dead and so will you if you dare to interfere with the affairs of the Yiga. If I find that you have told a soul that I am of the Yiga gang, then I'll kill your father, your little boyfriend, and—hm, what are their names? Not that it's important. Fish girl and white head will be dead. I could kill you now and your death would suffice as exchange for the shed blood of my brothers. But watching you suffer as more of your people die is more satisfying, don't you think?"

Zelda doesn't respond. Her body is stiff. She trembles beneath him, her legs and body  numb.

I want...to protect everyone.

How hypocritical. The princess has voiced her pleas, her desires to maintain peace and defend her citizens from harm. Yet many view her as mere fallacy because her phrases ring empty and hang within the air; the president shields his ears, and Zelda's "help" is naught. Nonexistent, despite the prolonging chaos. The spilling of blood. As the figure impends upon her, the only words to form in her mind are I understand. I understand why they hate me.

"Well, I do hope you enjoyed seeing me again after all these years, sweetheart. You really have grown," he draws his tongue and teeth across her collar. "You're a pretty little brat."

"Get...get off of me, Ganondorf." Now that her wrists are free, circulation pulsing faintly, she shoves her hands against his chest.

Ganondorf narrows his eyes and clenches her neck in both of his hands. Zelda gasps, her eyes wide and hopeless as she attempts to inhale. He chuckles at her writhing. She pants, hyperventilating, clawing at his touch.

Then, he drops her to the ground. Her limp figure sprawls at length.

"A rather bold yet stupid action of you. Zelda. You truly are a fool. Anyways, I decided I won't be coming back to this cursed school again. It isn't necessary; it isn't...challenging enough. I let little Riju go because she was too easy. Then, the good old cops arrived. But you know the drill, dear. You killed my brothers. Anything else of you, I won't let you live next time. You're lucky. You realize with one slice of my blade across your neck, your head'd dress the floor. Oh—and I do hope that you enjoy the lovely scars I've given you. I'm sure Link will appreciate them," Ganondorf winks.

Zelda exhales shakily, weakly running her fingers across the wounds on her back, her hips, and her thighs. She hisses in pain and retracts her hands, blood dripping down her fingertips. She can only look to Ganondorf helplessly. He did this to her.

He scarred her.

He scarred her as a warning.

Ganondorf stands, slipping back into his uniform pants and pulling his shirt back over his head. He looks down to her as though she is the most horrific thing he has ever seen. His scowl melts into a pleased, eerie smile.

"Don't forget anything I told you, dear. Wouldn't want anyone else to get hurt."

He lodges his shoe into her forehead, forcing a final kick to her head. She recoils, fumbling across the cold tiles.

••• (Author's Note: the violent/assault scenes end here! If you skipped the section above, Ganon reveals that he is a member of the Yiga gang.)

"Goodbye, dear Princess. If only you hadn't run from my Yiga brothers. If only you hadn't refused my wondrous affections," Ganondorf snickers, turning to exit. His dress shoes clack monotonously against the concrete floor. A buzzing sound rings in Zelda's ears.

In the distance, she hears the locker room door open and unlock.

Now she is alone.

Zelda's eyes widen as she looks at herself: her gaze falls to her body, the blood, and her tattered clothes strewn to the side. She inhales, her hands trembling before her...

She lies on the floor and weeps. The tears surge down her sweaty cheeks, spilling past her skin and puddling onto the floor. Her body shivers; the ghost of his fingers delve against her skin and his heavy weight suffocates her.
She wails and cries until she cannot breathe; her breaths become choppy, broken by hiccups.

Ganondorf's and Cia's words repeat through her head.

You're worthless.

Your people are dying because of you. Your inaction. You sit idly while they die.

You deserve this.

This is your fault.

I should kill you instead.

How can she even go on? Does everyone truly despise her and blame her for the deaths and chaos in Hyrule? She cannot think. Their anger is justifiable. It is her duty to protect them, yet she cannot even protect herself. Time and time again, her attempts have been futile. Death traced his fingers upon her skin, taunted her actions and lack thereof. How will she even face anyone after this moment? What will her father say? She cannot tell Link. She can't even tell Mipha or Paya.

Zelda inhales a sharp breath, attempting to calm her tears. She drags across the floor, her body pulsating, and she reaches for her phone in her bag. She wordlessly unlocks her phone and sniffles.

"Ganondorf...I may not be able to tell anyone about this...but at least I have proof," she murmurs to herself, ending the hour long voice memo.

She opens her text messages, her hands shaky as her eyes scan the contents.

2:45 p.m.
Link: Zelda, are you okay?

2:48 p.m.
Mipha: hey Z, what's up?

Paya: don't run yourself too much, girl <3 let us know if you need anything!!

2:52 p.m.
Link: Zelda, are you still running? P.E. class is finished.

3:01 p.m.
Zelda: Home

3:02 p.m.
Link: Oh, you went home? I could have driven you home. I suppose I'll meet you there, then.

Zelda sighs, tears falling onto her phone screen. She recalls that earlier she had attempted to type "help" into her phone but her thumbs worked clumsily in panic before. Whatever she produced likely autocorrected to "home." So Link went home with the idea that she was already there. I wonder what his reaction was when he realized that I wasn't there. Because...I'm still here.

The time now is 4:15.

I've been absent for more than an hour. I...I guess I could text Link and ask him to pick me up.

She looks at her body oncemore. She's bloody, coated in sweat, covered in scars and bruises, and her clothes are almost destroyed.

I can't. I can't let him...see this. I don't want...I don't want him to see this.

Zelda numbly pulls on her torn undergarments. Then, she reaches into her bag and tugs her dress shirt and school skirt back over her body. With one hand, she grasps the locker room bench, her knees weak, and she pants.

"I can hardly move," she murmurs, her entire body aching. "But I can't stay here..."

She falls to her knees, a loud, piteous cry erupting from her throat. She screams with everything inside of her, wailing with all of the agony and pain that she feels. Ganondorf forced her to accept a harsh reality. Cia wormed cursed thoughts into her head. Zelda draws her hands to her chest and cries. Blood seeps through her white shirt, staining her black skirt. Her back and her quads are striped and clawed with evidence of Ganondorf's touch. She hisses at the pain.

"Curse you...Ganondorf..." Zelda whispers, weakly rising to her feet. She forces her legs before her. It's agonizing, but she moves.

She turns away from the locker room and exits.

The hallways are still and quiet. School had ended an hour before. No one else is at the school besides herself and perhaps a janitor. Zelda doesn't know. She doesn't care. She can't think. Her gaze falls to the floor. She drifts along like a ghost, the oppressive atmosphere of the school weighing on her anatomy.

You're worthless.

She can hear the words.

This is all your fault.

She parts the front doors of the school, and the wind slaps against her face. She clutches her gym bag to her chest and continues her walk home. She turns the familiar corner, keeping her gaze low and praying that people do not stare at her; she's bleeding, and she is certain that she looks completely disarrayed.

You can get home, Zelda. You can do this. Just...just walk.

She ducks her head and walks forward. She almost winces as her shirt shifts in the wind, causing the fabric to rub against her wounds. However, a mother and child walk past Zelda, and Zelda knows that she must remain strong.
She prays that the woman won't notice her. However, unfortunately, the mother catches Zelda's gaze. The lady's brown eyes widen in concern.

"Miss? A-are you alright? You seem to be bleeding," the lady questions. Her white eyebrows raise in concern. She takes a step towards Zelda. "I'm actually a nurse. Do you need help?"

Zelda almost accepts this offer; she observes the genuine fear and worry in the lady's eyes. Then, however, she remembers Ganon's threats. So she instead musters a polite smile, creating the best lie she can.

"A-actually, I'm alright, ma'am. This is just makeup I'm wearing for a school play. The special effects truly are astounding," Zelda smiles. "I'm glad they seem realistic."

The woman relaxes. "Oh? That's amazing! Well, I completely fell for it. It seems so realistic! Good luck, young lady," she smiles, taking her child by the hand. They turn and walk past Zelda.

She sighs in relief. She despises lying, but she knows that her words had to be said. A lie would be better than the consequences of Ganondorf's words. Zelda finally approaches the mansion, and as she nears the front gate, she realizes that Link's motorcycle is not home.

"He...must be searching for me." She pulls her phone out of her bag.

4:26 p.m.
Link: Zelda, where are you? Did you visit Mipha's or Paya's house? I assume your phone died. I'll come to pick you up.

She sighs. Of course he would search for her; it is his job after all. However, the last thing Zelda wants to do right now is see him. All she wants to do now is disappear from this earth. She wants to hide herself from the world; she is ashamed.

Because she's 'worthless.'

Because she was taken advantage of.

Because she couldn't stop him, a Yiga Gang member.

Ganondorf was right; everything is her fault. She cannot protect these people. Her words are fabricated, sewn together with promise, strewn apart by truth. He is stronger. They are stronger. Why? Because she has done nothing, and her father remains static as war impends and people are slain.

Zelda rushes inside as quickly as her weak legs can pull her body. She opens and slams the front door, not bothering to say hello to the maids. Luckily, they are no where to be seen. She gulps at the pain in her back, blood sliding down her legs, and she leans onto the stair railing.

She chokes, panting and biting her lip. She knows that all she has to do is reach her room. Blood trails onto the stairs, but Zelda pays this no mind. Perhaps the maids won't notice; the crimson matches the carpet of the stairs. She focuses upon her destination, her room, the most far room to the right. She grits her teeth together. She cannot give in.

Finally, she reaches the top of the stairs. She flinches as her knees buckle, but her desire to lock herself away from the world overcomes this feeling. She reaches her bedroom and seals the door. Then, she presses her back to the frame and slides to the floor.

"I'm alive," she whispers. She moves her trembling hand to her heart, which paces in her chest. "I-I...I'm okay."

She stands, stripping herself from her bloodied and worn clothes. She wordlessly steps before her full body mirror in the bathroom.

A pale, thin girl with long blonde hair stares back. She has large green eyes that are stained with tears. She lifts the hair from her shoulders and neck. Scars and purple bruises cross her collar and neck like a necklace. She trails her fingers along her skin, thoughtlessly tracing each red pattern. Red stripes run down her abdomen, down her stomach, and deep red fingernail scratches surround the once soft flesh of her thighs. She turns in the mirror, glancing over her shoulder at her back. Her eyes widen, and she gasps.

The girl in the mirror looks as though she has been attacked by a lethal beast; long, almost jagged fingernail cuts slice down her back, stripe across her shoulders, and trail down just above her hips. Blood faintly trickles from each wound. Zelda looks at the girl in the mirror. She cannot except that she and this girl are the same person.

A calamity.

A calamity has stained this girl.

"I-I never particularly cared for my figure anyways," Zelda whispers, attempting to smile. Still, a tear slides down her face. "I-it's okay, Zelda. Y-you...just take a shower, and you'll feel better. You're okay..."

She inhales a sharp, choppy breath, trying to erase the image of herself in the mirror. I can't believe this is me. I can't believe I look like this.

She twists the shower handle, holding out her palm until the hot water surges onto her fingertips. Then, she steps into the shower. She yelps in pain as the water touches her scars, her cry echoing in the bathroom. She immediately clasps her hands over her mouth to conceal her cries. The water burns, her heart is broken, and she needs to release her pain.

So she falls to her knees in the shower, the tears pouring down her face, each drop indecipherable from the shower water. Her shoulders shudder as the cries escape her lips and the water melts down her lithe frame.

Worthless. I'm worthless. I can't save the Hyrulean people. I can't even save myself. Not the first time. Not the second time.

Worthless.

WORTHLESS.

"Agh—" Zelda cries into her hands. Her entire body burns in excruciation. She inhales and exhales shower water, coughing and nearly choking.

"Zelda? Are you in there?"

Zelda freezes. The voice comes from outside of her bedroom. She knows it can belong to only one person.

Link.

What is she to say? I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I was attacked by Ganondorf? I was assaulted by a Yiga gang member, again?

"I do wish you would have told me you were leaving school. To be honest, you made me nervous." Zelda can hear Link's soft laughter from the other side of the door. "Please, let me know next time."

Zelda swallows her breath. She can't tell him the truth. Ganondorf would kill everyone she holds dear. She is ashamed. She cannot bear to think of her wretched body. How can she ever face Link again? How can she conceal all of her scars?

"Link, I am perfectly fine," Zelda forces a calm voice. She attempts to laugh. "You...w-worry too much." She clenches her hand to stop it from shaking.

She hears Link sigh. "You know I am merely doing my job."

Zelda sighs. To be quite honest, she just wants to be alone in the moment. She doesn't want Link to see her. She doesn't want anyone to see her. She just sits, her knees drawn to her chest, water rolling down her shoulders and back.
But she knows he will stay outside of her room and wait until he makes sure that she is asleep.

Something so endearing yet troublesome about him.

She rises from the floor and twists the nob, ending her shower. She selects a fluffy white towel to wrap herself in, but she sighs when she notices stains of red across the soaked towel.

"Guess I'll throw it away," she murmurs under her breath. "The maids will have a hissy."

She dries herself and decides to change into some pajamas. She tosses her shorts and tank tops aside and realizes that long sleeved pajamas will have to do. She can't allow any scars to be seen. She selects a pair of soft pink bunny pajamas. The material is thick enough that perhaps her wounds won't seep through. She buttons the top and pulls it snugly against herself. The scratches on her back sting, but the softness of the pajamas are somewhat comforting. Zelda walks to her bathroom mirror to see herself now.

The same pallid girl stares blankly back. However, dark purple bruises and scars are still clear across her neck. Zelda curses to herself.

I don't feel like leaving my room anyways. I'll just tell Link that I am sick. I'll wrap a blanket around my neck and stay under the covers. I can't go leave my room like this. I don't...I don't want to.

Zelda looks sadly to her destroyed school uniform. She will have to purchase another one. She kicks the pile of clothes beneath her bed. Then, she tosses her throw pillows off the bed and folds back the covers. Settling into the bed with a sigh, Zelda closes her eyes.

All she can see is him.

Ganondorf.

She can't forget the feeling of being crushed, the feeling of her wrists losing circulation. The rough hands, the heavy breath on her neck. The unrelenting force of Ganondorf, her small and nimble body. She can still feel the ghost of his hands stopping her breathing. Her breathing hastens, and she grasps a handful of hair.

"No," she whispers. "N-no..."

Every where she looks, there is a reminder of what Ganon has done. What she has done.

Everyone hates you, Ganon said. They're dead because of you.

"Zelda? Are you in there?" Link gently knocks against the door.

They're dead because of me.

"Zelda?"

She squeezes her eyes shut, pulling the covers over her head. "Yes, Link?"

"May I come in? I brought some ice for your foot. I know it no longer hurts, but you—"

"I-I'm feeling unwell, Link. I don't want you to catch my illness. I-it's best that you leave," she says. Please, Link. Leave me be.

"You...you've an illness? Zelda, I do hope you didn't overwork yourself at P.E. I know you wanted to train, but you can't push yourself too hard," Link sighs from the other side of the door.

"I-I...I'm just tired, Link. I'm going to stay here for the rest of the evening," Zelda whispers. "You may retire from your duties. You don't have to guard my door."

The other side of the door falls silent for a moment. Then, Link speaks oncemore.

"Are you sure you're alright, Zelda?" He asks. His voice is urgent yet soft. She sighs to herself, biting her lip at the pain in her back scars.

She knows she'll have to bandage those wounds before they become infected.

"I'm fine, Link," Zelda says in the most cheerful voice she can manage while still sounding 'sick.' "Really."

She swallows the lump in her throat. She despises lying, yet she has lied to Link multiple times now. She told him she was 'sick.' She told him she was 'fine.' But she isn't fine.

She's far from it.

Finally, she senses the reluctant leave of Link. She hears his hand slide down the door. "I'll bring you some soup for dinner, okay?" He asks.

She knows that regardless of whether or not she says yes, he will bring it anyways because he is caring. Because he's her bodyguard, and he always seeks to insure her wellbeing. She sighs back into the covers.

If I close my eyes, Zelda wonders to herself, will I see only Ganondorf? Will I see the corpses of those whom I've allowed to die? Can I sleep? Will I dream?

She closes her eyes, and she tries to sleep. She wants to immerse herself in endless slumber, to escape from the hellish reality. She wants to dream. She wants to sleep. She rolls onto her side, unaware that blood soaks through her pink pajamas. Her breathing slows, and she falls asleep.

***

"Zelda?" A soft knock at her bedroom door lulls her from her sleep.

"I'm going to leave your soup here," the voice says again.

Zelda slowly sits upright, her sudden motion reopening wounds in her skin. She can't possibly get up. She groans at the unpleasant pain tingling across her body. She pulls a blanket around her shoulders and dares to speak.

"Could...could you bring it in here?" She whispers.

The other side of the door is silent. "I didn't wake you, did I? If so, I apologize—"

"It's alright, Link. You may come in."

Link peers into the room for moment, and she nods to him. She doesn't make eye contact, however. Link enters with a platter with soup and a cup of tea and a cup of water. He gingerly places the meal onto her lap.

"Zelda," Link says. "Are you sure you're alright?" He tips his face towards her, his eyes wide with concern. "I know you feel unwell. But you—"

Zelda creates the most convincing smile she possibly can without eye contact. She instead focuses on her toes wiggling beneath the covers. "I'm just a little lightheaded is all. Thank you for bringing me dinner."

Link sighs, crossing his arms across his chest. Zelda's heart flinches each time she furthers this cursed lie. But she wants to lie.

She cannot allow someone else get hurt because of her.

"Of course," he says. She can feel his soft gaze upon her before he exits the room. "Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you. I am here if you need anything."

With that, Link exits her room and closes the door.

'I am here if you need anything.'

Zelda unravels the blanket from her shoulders. When she turns to adjust her pillow, she nearly curses.

The pillow is soaked with blood, and there is no possible way that Link could have not seen it.