The Hylian-Gerudo War

Chapter 14: Traversing The Grounds

My eyes slowly flitted open, adjusting to the surrounding darkness. It is so cold in here!
The only sounds were the breaths of those around me. Once my eyes completely adjusted, a shape came over me, it was one of my Gerudo sisters, she was working on freeing me from what bound me.

At last, the chain dropped to the ground, freeing my hands. I rubbed my hand over my arm in a slow motion, it was flaky, and dry. I began to breathe heavily as I pinched my hand with my fingers, the pinched skin stood rather erect, it very slowly began to droop down.

I am dehydrated... I need to find some water...Water... Gathering my strength together, I managed to get on my hands and knees, I searched around the room for a lever, a knob, anything. I need to get out of this place!

Amongst the silence, I heard someone whisper my name, their voice was soft, but rather ghostly. "Take this..." They said, placing something into my hand, it was a jerry-rigged torch. "Please, light it, and find the way out!"

I nodded in acknowledgment; I must find the way out!
I continued to wander about the room, till I reached the wall. I grasped the torch, holding it in front of my face. I whispered a silent prayer.

And, with a slight motion, I swept the match across the floor, lighting it. I held my breath as I searched frantically around the walls, trying to find something that will give me a hint as to where the exit is!

I noticed a small lever, it was very small indeed. With the strength I had left, I leapt over to this lever, and with all my might, I pulled it down as hard as I could, the torch burned out at that moment and darkness once again covered me.

A faint 'click' was heard, though nothing happened. The lever jammed! My body began to tremble as I fought to hold back my tears. My body grew weak from the disappointment.

'My fate is sealed...' I thought as my legs began to buckle. I collapsed against the wall, only to feel it moving! The wall gave way and tumbled to the floor before me. Once the dust cleared, a wave of fresher air came over the room, filling me with new hope.

I felt my energy coming back; we still had the hope of getting out of here! Thank the goddess of the sand!

"Everybody... Follow me!" I called out to the others as I pointed to the opening, "Let's go!" at once, my people began to sit up, and slowly walked over to the way out.

Once we were all gathered in the main room where we started, we began to search for a way out. The exit to the desert was blocked off, it would be impossible to exit through that way.

"Everybody..." I started to say, having them gather around in a circle. "We will have to find another way out...There is no other way to go, but up."

"I suggest we split up!" One Gerudo called out, "No! lets stay together, strength in numbers!" And so the clamor began. Four elderly Gerudo women came, one of them came up to me and said; "We shall stay in this room, as we must keep watch in case more of us find their way here." The other came forth; "The rest of you, split up. For this place is massive, though strength is in numbers, what if the guards were to find you, and one by one, destroy our masses? Then, there will be no hope." The wise Gerudo said.

"Go, my children. Go, and survive. Stay strong, for in the end, a great battle shall ensue." After saying this, the four Gerudo women took their positions as they re-lit the torches that were previously snuffed out.

We weren't very great in number to start out with, though after splitting up, some three got their things together, and followed me.

"Alright..." I said, taking up my scimitar, and circling the three. "There will surely be traps set up for us, we may not even make it to the end." I continued, no gasps followed, they knew what the Hylians were capable of, and quite frankly, it didn't surprise them in the slightest.

"But...The question is..." I started to say, getting up real close to one of the people, "Will you really follow me?" My voice shrill, as I could only muster a whisper. I struggled to stay on both feet, my body quivering and weak from the lack of food.

The Gerudo that I leaned up against steadied me. "So I ask of you...Follow me."

Saying this, I straightened myself out, and almost immediately, the four of us steadily walked in sync over to the door, opening it, and going through.

It seemed as if we have been going on for hours, door after door after door. Dodging and disarming traps. We even fought off some of our own people, who had gone absolutely insane from torture, watching their loved ones die, and even starvation.

There were the Gerudo warriors, adorned with the red scarves and the shining armour. Some of them were already dead, they were scattered all across the dungeon, while others were left to die of starvation. One by one, they watched each other die. We were one.
A trio of corpses sat together, their arms wrapped around each other in an embrace. It was painful to see such a sight.

In other rooms were more corpses of our warriors, however; they were partially stripped of their armour. Their bodies were scorched, they were still smoldering. The Hylian soldiers probably used their torches as one of their torture methods. The room reeked of a terrible smell, not a single Gerudo was alive in that room. No, not even one.

Every moment I spent in that room, stepping over the corpses, gagging over the putrid smell. The angrier I got, I wanted my revenge, my revenge against the Hylians. And even if I were to die in this foul place, my spirit will haunt these grounds, and will never permit a single soul to enter in, or else be cursed.

There was this one room with a platform, hovering over some ground. When you pushed or pulled the ledge a certain way, the platform would make its way down the spiraling pillar holding it up.
Below this platform, were dozens of crushed bodies. The soldiers obviously gathered my people below the platform, unable to escape as the room was circular, only to be crushed to death. It was...Truly a gruesome sight.

Hours passed till we had reached a massive door. The door opened, some light shone forth, blinding us, as we were used to the darkness of the dungeon.
And before me was a great coliseum, with multitudes of people. My people.