The King Has Returned
Word Count: 2,615
Level 7 Ganondorf: 0/70
Exp Gained: +3
NEW EXP Balance--- 3/70
The Avenger
After the meeting was over, Ganondorf barely touched his meal. There was a lot to mull over and consider, and he couldn’t help but feel like he should be doing something more productive than just eating. So after he picked at his plate a while, he excused himself and got up. He said he was full even though his plate was only half eaten. It wasn’t hard to figure out that Ganondorf was antsy to get his own affairs in order before he inevitably returned alone to Gerudo Town. And the first order of business was to have a little chat with a certain “guest” aboard the ship.
Ganondorf made his way toward where he was told the isolation ward was. He left the Common Room through the Bridge next door. After that, he took the left down two levels, where it stopped in front of the entrance to the Isolation Ward. Beyond this wall was one of the people Ganondorf had come to despise so much. He knew he needed to be careful about how he conducted himself here. Intimidation and idle threats were likely not going to get him what he wanted - not from a Consul, anyway. And besides, if what Pit said about the Consul wanting to help them was even remotely true, then in all likelihood the warlord could get the information he needed by simply asking. Well, he was soon about to be the judge of that. With one more breath, Ganondorf stepped forward and through the door into the ward.
Inside he found the guard whom he presumed was Asbestos,
”Is he still here?” The Gerudo asked her, referring to the one and only prisoner aboard the ship. While waiting for a response, Ganondorf scanned the holding rooms within the ward. As expected, they were all unoccupied - save for one.The Savra girl, whose shift was almost over by this point, gave the newcomer an irritated look and pointed him toward the prisoner’s cell before resuming the game on her phone. When Ganondorf followed her directions, he could see a tall, thin figure resting in the darkness of his cell, his position meditative. There was no mistaking the style of his armor or cape, even if the warlord had never seen this particular helmet before. This must be S, the Consul who had supposedly given up on immortality and sided against his fellows, if that idealistic young angel was to be believed.
”Consul.” Was the closest thing to a greeting that Ganondorf could offer after approaching the cell. But he did reach up and take the helmet off of his head. Mostly he wanted to look this man in the face, even if the latter chose not to reciprocate.
”I won’t waste your time with pleasantries and false pretenses. I’ve learned a thing or two about your kind and how they operate. But now I need to know what really makes Moebius tick. And you’re going to tell me.” He said flatly. Clearly he wasn’t offering much of anything in the way of friendship like Pit had done earlier. Ganondorf was instead all business. And he even took a seat in a nearby chair - proof that he was willing to sit in here for however long he needed to learn what he wanted to know.
S stirred, his lightless eyes opening to size Ganondorf up. “I’m rather fond of pleasantries myself, and I have nothing
but time to waste with them. But as I gather that you’ve had a long day, I’ll not stretch this out needlessly.” He leaned back against the wall, hands clasped in his lap. “What is it that you wish to know?”
”The clocks.” Ganondorf answered.
”We already know they act as the source of long life for you. And that you fuel them with the lives of people en masse.” he said but then added,
”If Moebius’ own words are to be believed, those clocks are indestructible and the Consuls themselves free to reap the benefits, unchecked, in perpetuity.” But the look on Ganondorf’s face clearly showed that he didn’t believe that entirely. Or at the very least that there was more to it than just that.
”The point is, the Consuls need those clocks. So I’m going to destroy them.”A knowing nod from S suggested that the Consul knew what Ganondorf was getting at. “A wise plan of action. Unfortunately, you’ll find that you’re unable to so much as scratch the Flame Clocks, if you haven’t already. That holds true for practically everyone…save the Lost Numbers.” S crossed his arms. “Perhaps that alone is enough to clue you in, but I’ll remove the ambiguity. The Clocks are part of the system. As ‘olden life’, from before the World of Light, you are a product of the system, and bound by it. Only those born outside the system, beings who by all accounts do not exist, can damage the Clocks.”
S shrugged. “Of course, many Lost Numbers lack the requisite strength or courage to put that privilege to use. There is one other way, though. Just as Lost Numbers are ‘new life’, born of a special union, there is another kind of union–one that would grant that privilege not to your progeny, but you yourself. Though it requires an even stronger bond.” Sighing, S leaned back. “Unfortunately, I know precious little of this phenomenon. During my stint in the World of Light, I never attained such rapport with another. But be wary, for this is not an exclusive right for you heroes. Moebius can Interlink, too.”
”Inter… link?” Ganondorf repeated. He was initially perplexed by such a term. But the implications were clear enough to him.
”I doubt there is anyone in this World of Light who would ever have that kind of trust in a man like me.” Ganondorf finally said. Admitting such a flaw in his overall person was quite the rarity. But for such a foe as powerful as Moebius and Galeem, well, some level of self-awareness was clearly going to be necessary.
”But you say the Lost Numbers have the power as well. So perhaps all that is needed is to make them aware of that. Surely at least one of them will be willing to take on the task if they knew what it could accomplish?”But this wasn’t the only thing about the clocks Ganondorf wanted to learn.
”A King in the Under tried to warn us against this plan of action. Said it could negatively affect the people they are linked to. But I’m not so sure about that. The destruction of the Guardians releases a pulse that destories people in the immediate surrounding area. Tell me, am I right in thinking that the same principle applies to the Flame Clocks as well?”“Tis likely,” S told him. “Though I have not witnessed such a rare occurrence myself, the Clocks are as shackles, and breaking them should set their captives free.” He paused, his eyes somewhat amused. “I had not thought that the King of Evil would be one to self-deprecate. Surely, if he set his mind to it, a conqueror of nations could conquer one solitary heart.”
”If conquering a heart were really so simple, then conquering nations would never be so violent and bloody.” Ganondorf offered as a rebuttal. He was about to leave, but then remembered where it was he was going to go and who he would inevitably have to deal with there. And he figured since he was here, he might as well try to glean some insight about her.
”One last thing before I go. Tell me about Consul X.” He asked. He presumed S would be well aware of what location Consul X governed over and thus why Ganondorf would be singling her out from the remaining Consuls.
The prisoner narrowed his eyes. “X…” He shook his head. “Do understand that we Moebius aren’t the most sociable coworkers. At best the duos act the part of chess players, sportingly pitting their colonies against one another. For most, though, other Moebius aren’t allies as much as mere seats to be filled, their interaction limited to squabbling and sabotage. M and I feuded with particular bitterness, as did H and X, Consuls of the Sandswept Sky. She rules the southern and northern reaches, and to her credit she seemed better than most. Do not be deceived, however. Our kind are all of a piece.”
That answer was a bit disappointing, Ganondorf having hoped to learn a weakness or something. But it sounded like S didn’t know his fellow Consul very well. But then he mentioned the Consuls being seen as seats to be filled. Something about that didn’t sit right with the warlord, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why. Probably better not to dwell on such a detail.
”Then I’ll just have to observe Consul X for myself, then.” He finally said, standing from his chair and putting his helmet back on. But before he could exit through the door, Ganondorf paused in order to say one last thing to S.
”Moebius will soon learn that they chose the wrong G.”
Once he was back out onto the lift, Ganondorf used it to go one level down. Immediately below the Isolation Ward was the Spirit Chamber. He’d been here before already, but there was a bit of business he still needed to attend to here. And that business involved demon merchant, Vulgrim. Unlike before, he had finally returned and was ready to do business with anyone who had spirits to offer him. Ganondorf approached the demon without fear or hesitation. He took out the two capsules in his possession and put them on the table as his offering.
”Spirits for information. That is the business you deal in, correct?” Ganondorf asked him, though it was more of a rhetorical question as he already knew the answer.
”Unlike many of the others, you’ll find that I have far less qualms about using the souls of the dead as currency. There are two questions I would ask. Can you tell me anything about a power called ‘Interlink’? And the second, do you know the location of a being called Twinrova, also sometimes known as Kotake and Koume?”Vulgrim eyed the meager offering, his eyes narrow. Having just received three apiece for one question each from Geralt and Zenkichi, two spirits for two questions did not please him. “Interlink…?” He pronounced the word in an extended drawl, as if reading a foreign term for the first time. “Doesn’t ring a bell. If it’s something to do with Moebius, I’m afraid that I steer well clear of them. They don’t take kindly to folks running around without light in their eyes, after all. So sorry.”
After a smirking chuckle, Vulgrim eyed the two spirits, then looked up at Ganondorf. “Twinrova, though…weeeell, I’m in a half-decent mood, so maybe I’ll offer you a little discount. One monster to another, heheh.” He tented his claws, turning his rictus grin on the Gerudo warlord. “Those witches are working their magic on the western seaboard, last I heard. Helping themselves to the strange and warped magical reagents of the Far Far Range and the bloodsucker-riddled Courtyard. Far from home, and in dangerous territory…let’s hope their magic is up to snuff, hmm?”
”Very enlightening.” Ganondorf responded. Not only did he learn the whereabouts of his adopted mothers, but he also learned that Vulgrim could not - or would not - provide knowledge pertaining to Moebius. Something he would do well to keep in mind for any future transactions.
”You say you steer clear of Moebius. But is that rule of yours absolute? Or could you be persuaded to bend it in the future? I know all too well the value of maintaining a certain… relationship to those who offer magical services. And I would pay quite well for it with whatever bounty I bring back with me from my future endeavors.”Although the suggestion irritated Vulgrim somewhat considering what Ganondorf’s idea of generosity had been so far, his annoyance quickly gave way to greed. Of course, without any skin on his face to emote with, it all looked like a toothy sneer. “Well, everyone has their price, as they say,” he declared, wiggling his talons to illustrate his point. “Feed my hunger…and I’ll feed your curiosity.”
”Those were the last of my spirits for the time being.” Ganondorf said, but he did offer a sneer of his own.
”But I’ve made quite the habit out of collecting them. So as long as you’re willing to give me a reason to continue doing so, then I see no reason not to help you sate that hunger of yours. I look forward to doing further business with you, Vulgrim.”And with that, Ganondorf left the Spirit Chamber. The only thing left to do now was to return to the Common Room. By this time most of the people had left, which was fine by him. It meant he could quickly get a turn to use that map table device. He had to fiddle with it before remembering how it worked but after that he was looking at a map of the World of Light. As much of it that the Avenger had charted, anyway. He stared at it a solid minute or two before he finally spotted what he was looking for. The Far Far Range and The Courtyard were just on the eastern side of the mountain range that covered The Under, barely north-northwest of The Chasm which he knew would lead to Dirtmouth.
”Had they really only been a stone’s throw away from me this entire time?” Ganondorf wondered aloud to himself. If Vulgrim’s word was to be trusted, then the answer was yes. Would he have had reason to lie? Perhaps, perhaps not. The only way Ganondorf would ever know for sure was to go there and look for himself. Something he would have to plan for in the future.
And now he had concluded the rest of his business for the day, so it was time for a long awaited rest. He retired to his room a bit early that night, a room he discovered he would be sharing with Therion. Well, so long as the thief kept his nimble fingers to himself, then the Warlord would have no qualms with sharing a room. For the time being, Ganondorf was alone. Therion had not yet concluded his business or perhaps was simply not tired enough to retire yet.
But this did give Ganondorf a bit of time to think over the things he’d learned. And now he had to decide whether to share any of that with the others. Honestly he had no real reason to conceal the information. But he was aware that a few of the Seekers wouldn’t agree with his plan to destroy the Flame Clocks. But did that mean they would try to stop him? For the time being, Ganondorf reached up to squeeze his linkpearl, a decision being made.
”Chief Riju?” He said, trying to get in touch with his intended recipient,
”It is Ganondorf. I’ll be returning home to Gerudo Town for a few days starting tomorrow. So I’ll be able to help you with your bandit horde problem in earnest. I’ve also learned how we might be able to destroy the Flame Clock, and… I believe I may have learned where my mothers are. If we can return them home, they’ll be of great use to us.”
The next morning, the King of Evil emerged from his hellpod after it successfully dropped from The Avenger. When he did, he found himself near the familiar oasis situated a distance away from the familiar walls of Gerudo Town. He wasted no time in beginning the walk across the dune to the front gates of his ancestral home.
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