So I started playing LTTP on Wii U Virtual Console. I've played this opening a dozen times, but somehow I've never noticed that you can speak to one out of the way guard manning the top of the wall.
This one guard notices that the other guards are all beginning to change and succumb to Agahnim's control and reluctantly resigns himself to his fate. This one random NPC that I've never even seen before secretly has the most depressing story in this whole stupid game series. I think I need a moment.