Written in Blood

XXXII . Breaking point

~ Zelda ~

I think out of every hostage these desert warriors have had, I may be the most stubborn.

It's been a day since I woke up, weak and sore, back inside the castle, now a decrepit ruin and crawling with all flavors of his minions. It's almost disturbing how quickly Ganondorf turned this place into his new base of operations. But I guess it's only natural, he's done this all before. It must be a calculated art by now, the act of thievery.

He's so hungry and desperate for any semblance of power or dominion that he'll let the world burn, let everything become under his control. And Ganondorf will still want more.

This ruined castle and a lead in the war is enough to appease him for now, but it won't last.

———

The window in my bedroom is cracked, cutting a hairline fracture against the dreary courtyard below.

I don't know why I'm even being given this luxury of staying in my old room, unearthed. For as much as they like me, I thought my end would be to rot in the dungeons.

This isn't much better, there's been no attempts to try and repair the damage they caused. The Gerudo only bothered to put out the fires.

Even though it's been a day or so since I woke up here, stuck in a heavy daze. The last thing I can consciously remember about that day is getting my hands out from behind my back and channeling my power. Then there was darkness after that. Those two Gerudo must've knocked me out after he got away.

At the time, it had seemed the best choice, but whatever they'd done to punish my actions has landed me in a world of hurt. It was the only thing either of us could do. He couldn't kill one of them even if he tried, and if he managed to do it, I'd be dead.

I let my icy fingers brush up to my throat, where there's the thin scar against my windpipe. The pain flares up at the contact, and it's sticky with drying blood. My whole body aches from the questioning yesterday, I can feel the bruises blossoming on my back.

As much as it hurts, they were being tame. I could've been whipped for Nayru's sake. I was practically asking for it, my lips were sealed. They aren't getting all the secrets of Hyrule that easily.

I start when I hear something kick through the rubble, turning my head from the window.

The door is ajar and I can see a Gerudo, only giving me the flick of her head. There's a glint in her eye, as if she's taunting me to try and defy her. I won't. All that'll do is make their already existing disdain for me grow.

I pick my way across the bits of stone and charred remains of furniture over to her, giving her a stone cold glare in return.

She spins on her heel and starts down the hallway, which has a gaping hole sending pale light into the otherwise dim corridor.

I can feel my panic start to spike but I focus on keeping my breaths even. They've barely just begun to try and crack the secrets out of me. I can't betray my people now. Never. The sooner they break me the sooner I'll cave in and let them destroy everything I stand for.

I'm not that desperate yet, but if I keep resisting the torture one day it will become unbearable. Ratting out the secrets of the Sacred Realm that I'd sworn to protect is something I'd like to avoid. The want to end the pain will grow to be stronger than all else though, and I need to be mentally prepared for that.