Destined for Calamity (zelink)

Chapter 8

Sent on a mission by his ruler, Dark had been tasked with locating various types of clothing, each possessing unique attributes and purposes. While some of the most powerful garments remained difficult to find, he had managed to acquire a fine piece of armor, the Phantom Armor, from the Tamio River cave. The encounter with the daunting gloom spawns, arm-like tendrils dragging gloom across their paths, and the embodiment of his leader's shadow, Phantom Ganon, proved to be a bitter irony. It wasn't the first time Dark had faced this distorted reflection of Ganondorf, but with each clash, the shadow grew stronger, assimilating its lessons from each encounter.

The battle for the armor had been a fierce struggle, pushing Dark to the brink of death. In his weakened state, he embarked on a distressing ride atop a Stalhorse, traversing through incredible agony until he stumbled upon Hateno Village, completely unaware of how he had arrived there. Throughout most of the punishing ride, he had been unconscious, guided solely by the nocturnal creature. Perhaps it was a sign, as the Stalhorse eventually abandoned him to his presumed demise. That was until she discovered him, her presence ushering a glimmer of hope into his forsaken existence.

Unbeknownst to Dark, his prolonged absence had stirred the rage of his master, Ganondorf. Fueled by impatience, disappointment, and mounting anger, Ganondorf accused Dark of betrayal and desertion, unleashing a torrent of threats that promised an eternity of torment. The weight of Ganondorf's fury hung over Dark, casting a suffocating gloominess upon his every moment. His leader's influence extended even to Dark's own shadow, manipulating it to conspire against him and become a relentless source of mental anguish. It manifested as a malevolent force, purposely inflicting excruciating pain to his fragile psyche.

Haunted by the relentless pursuit of his enemies, Dark found himself trapped in a nightmarish existence where danger lurked at every turn. Every step he took, every decision he made, carried the weight of imminent peril. The once invincible warrior now wrestled with internal demons, battling against the shadows that threatened to consume him.

He possessed a strategic vision, aware of the cruciality of reclaiming his sword, a weapon of unparalleled craftsmanship seemingly tailored exclusively for his skilled hands, or so he believed. The mere sight of it stirred a profound connection within him. Its sleek blade effortlessly sliced through the air, as if orchestrating a harmonious dance, answering solely to his every gesture. This weapon held an extraordinary might, accompanying him through countless trials, shielding him from the clutches of misery. It was the emblem of his liberation, the tool that would shatter the grip of the enigmatic forces that ensnared him.