Endless War

XXVI

"No matter how powerful any of you are, you are all pawns."

-Zelda

Makarov knelt to the Princess, which he had never done before. But now, with Malice flowing through her veins, she was more powerful than him. And she was firmly on their side now.

So...phase 1 of their existence was completed: kill the princess and the hero. Now, time for phase 2: eliminate Hyrule. Bring Ganon back, and create a new world where they ruled.

Around him, the rest of the Yiga was kneeling with him. Nobody dared move unless their new goddess chose to smite them all.

And then, footsteps.

Makarov had to force himself not to look. He didn't want his ass to be incinerated. She had picked up that soldier with the big beard with a single hand - despite being only an inch or two taller than when she was a Hylian princess - and had slowly drained him of his life before adding it to her life force.

Yeah, that was not terrifying.

Then, she spoke.

Astor. Welcome back. It has been far too long since you have stood with the Yiga.

Inwardly Makarov seethed. Outwardly he kept his calm. He had never liked that goat man and wanted to smash his face in, but not with the Empress standing over him.

The Prophet of Doom laughed his annoying laugh. "Zelda, Zelda. You know my loyalties have always been with Lord Ganon. And now I see that you have become one with him! Such a beautiful proxy for him to have."

Although all he could see was the floor, Makarov imagined that the Empress must be raising her arms or something and inspecting herself.

Yes. Having such freedom, such power is...invigorating. Alas, I am confined to this wretched princess' body. I cannot upgrade to a more powerful body. But the princess' divine magic is snuffed! Even if she were freed from my hold, she'd be powerless. And her ability for divine magic - ha! - means she can channel mine. Perrrrrrfect.

Astor must have bowed because his voice was lower. "Indeed, my lord."

My lady, Astor.

"Yes, yes, that is what I meant."

Makarov still couldn't see anything but could feel the Empress smile.

Astor, the end is at hand, correct?

"Yes, my lady."

And your specialty is in predicting the future, yes?

"Indeed."

A chuckle. There will be no more future wars. No more future at all. Your purpose is done here.

"My lady, I -. No. No. NOOO!!! PLEASE!!!"

Makarov could not control himself this time, and he snapped his head up to see the Empress draining Astor of his life force even more slowly than the soldier. And she was doing it without any regret, any pity. Her face was completely emotionless.

Makarov was horrified as he watched the prophet, now a shriveled mummy, fall to the ground with a thud. He had hated Astor with a passion, but even he hadn't deserved that.

He certainly didn't.

The Empress may have been an extension of Ganon, but her voice was still the calm, smooth voice of the princess. She smiled at the horrified Makarov.

You have served your purpose as well. My legions of demons can handle the rest. The Yiga's road ends here.

Makarov sputtered in fear, then burning anger. "You promised! You promised that we'd be the rulers of this land when you were through with it! Lies! Fucking lies!"

A hiss of amusement. Poor little pawn. Fight me in combat, and you may yet live. Perish, and well, you perish.

The Yiga leader roared in anger as a whirlwind gathered around her, pulling the life out of his soldiers, all rushing into her now glowing form. She summoned a blade of pure Malice. He drew his demon carver and rushed forward.

Makarov was a man who had stood toe to toe with General Shepherd in his youth, and both had been the greatest fighters of that war. His blade movements were quick and smooth. A single strike could have sliced a hydromelon in half. He was agile and robust, able to withstand several blows even without armor. His moves were acrobatic, much like a cat.

But not even he could stand against her, despite all his years of experience. Even though she was in a teenage girl's body. Even though he had once he nearly forced Shepherd to the ground before being bested himself. He was fighting his best fight, and here she was only toying with him, a relaxed smile on her face.

Makarov finally fell to the ground, completely defenseless, as she had broken his weapon, and there were none to be found. She loomed over him to savor her triumph before leaning down.

Despite his intense sweat from defending against her, he suddenly felt cold.

She touched his chin with a single finger. She smiled. And she extracted his life force.

The former prison where the Yiga had been operating was now completely silent.

....................................................................................................

The Empress had traveled to the highest mountain in Lorule. She didn't care about its name. She appreciated the view, but she wasn't here for that either.

No, she was here for something else.

She planted her feet on the ground firmly before lifting her hand skyward.

She stared directly at the castle. She could sense that Link was there, alive now but still weak. How he was alive again was a mystery to her, but it didn't matter.

He would die anyways. So would everybody in this wretched kingdom. And when this one was done, Hyrule would be next. The entire overworld would be hers. Calamity Ganon's proper form wouldn't be needed. He would continue his endless slumber. She would control everything around her.

Still pointing at the sky, she snapped.

....................................................................................................

Fire and Malice rained down on the land of Lorule. It struck the unsuspecting and transformed them into raging killing machines, hell-bent on destroying everything.

The souls of Lynels, Hinoxes, Bokoblins, Moblins, and all the other horrid creatures that plagued Hyrule returned to this physical plane. They bellowed their war cries and galloped for the castle.

Cities and towns were destroyed. Hundreds were killed and then resurrected for this war.

And overseeing it all, the Empress floated in all her terrible beauty in front of a red moon.