Author's Notes: Finally, chapter 3 is out. Between studies, work, other projects and personal problems, I've had little time and a crippling lack of motivation to work on the story. Hopefully, I am now back in business and will try to update more regularly. I've also struggled with my initial intention of only providing a Sidon/Zora point of view without drifting away from the game's scenario. There were some incoherences between that and my script. So I've decided to take some liberties and alter the story a little bit, so the next chapters will differ slightly from the game.
I still hope you will enjoy my fiction and I thank everyone taking their time reading and reviewing it.
Prince Sidon's scouting party narrowly escaped death on their encounters with the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain and the Divine Beast Vah'Ruta. Their observation gave Sidon the answer he sought. Now more determined than ever to eradicate the menace once and for all, the Zora prince is convinced his people only has a chance of surviving by siding with Hylians. The next step is to recruit a hero amongst them. One that could fight evil. However, Vah'Ruta's fury would not let Calamity Ganon's enemies do what they please.
"Seek the help of a Hylian…?" Tona repeated. "Are you sure, your Highness?"
The waves came crashing down on the rocks. The river stream got stronger and stronger, the mechanical beast's frenzy barely held back by the multiple dams the Zora had erected centuries ago.
"I don't see any other alternative…" Sidon finally replied quietly. "As you are all aware, the four cogs are to be activated all together with the surge provided by shock arrows. Our marksmen won't be able to use too many of these, they wouldn't stand the power of lightning. Someone else has to do it."
A trumpet call rose high in the sky, loud and clear, reaching the ears of every soul in the neighborhood. Vah'Ruta's cry sounded infuriated. Its preys had escaped, a feat none had managed to achieve before. And that offended it deeply.
The Zora looked up. Flocks of birds flew away from the lake in anguish, as if to flee from an upcoming disaster.
"What a frightening shout…" Ledo whispered, his teeth shaking uncontrollably from a mix of fear and adrenaline. Obviously, the past fifteen minutes had given him his share of adventures, one grueling experience.
At last, the current slowed its pace to a calm ripple. It led the party to the lagoon of thousand isles, a vast stretch of water filled here and there with small patches of sand and rocks. More wider islands were connected together with wooden bridges, remnants of an ancient civilization living there.
"Zora River is straight ahead!" Tula cheered, motioning forward. "Let's go!"
"Hold it, Tula!" Gruve stopped her immediately. The female Zora jumped at his command, completely startled. "There are hostiles over there."
He pointed to a strangely shaped structure seemingly crossing Zora River, linking the islands to the mountains on the side. Tula squinted and saw figures moving in the shadows, nimble and organized, moving crates and barrels and planks. In the water below, she saw even more of them, circling around, patrolling.
"Lizalfos." Sidon whispered. "There are too many of them and we don't have any other choice than going through there."
"What shall we do then?"
"Let's rest up at the pond there, we'll be out of their sight. I won't risk going until they either sleep or get away. Lizalfos make quite decent archers and become deadly with shock arrows in their hands."
Sidon's followers agreed except Seggin whose face looked neutral, enigmatic, his old scar twitching weirdly on his wrinkled face. They all shifted right into the tiny enclave and went for the easternmost strand. Luckily, it was deserted. They set foot on the ground and fell one after another, too exhausted to stand up anymore.
Some were out of breath; others' muscles were sore. However eager they seemed to get back home, they undeniably needed at least a small break. Sidon sat down on the shore, next to the fragments of the old barrier that used to surround the pond completely. His height allowed him to peek at the Lizalfos anytime without risking being seen.
His friends were taking care of their injuries and fatigue. Tona, Tula and Ledo had kept first aid kits and medicinal herbs in their waterproof bags. The prince let them be and focused on the next things at hand.
Even though his goal was as clear as daylight, achieving it would prove a much more difficult task. First and foremost, no Hylian lived around anymore. The land had always been subject to irregular weather and sudden rainfalls. Agriculture and farm activities would result in a vain effort. Secondly, Lizalfos were an intelligent and organized species. Their presence near Zora River meant that more were roaming along the way towards the domain. What's more, their hunting grounds probably extended as far as Central Hyrule and maybe even up to Lake Hylia. If someone was going to join the fight against Vah'Ruta, they would need to be a tough adventurer. The prospects of finding such a traveler were dim, Sidon was well aware of the fact.
He thought deeply, searched for a plan to ensure his kin's survival. However, anything he could find revolved around luck. There was no point in dwelling on ideas without a guaranteed success and he soon got back to thinking.
"Your Highness, may I have a word?"
Sidon jolted as he looked up. In his meditation, he had forgotten all about his current whereabouts and his subjects.
"What is it, Seggin?" he asked after regaining his composure.
"I'm sorry for bothering you, your Highness," the soldier answered. "Hylians… We cannot trust them, surely there must be another way!"
"And what would that be, Seggin…?" Sidon sighed.
"Let me try again! While it is true we Zora succumb easily to electricity, using shock arrows is mere child's play! I believe I can handle this, we do not need the help of a Hylian!"
"Seggin, I have told you before and I will tell you again, this is way too perilous. I do not doubt your abilities, they are indeed top notch, losing someone of your caliber is unthinkable. Therefore, I cannot allow you to undertake any foolish risk on your own."
"Your Highness, we do not have the time to seek help elsewhere! Anytime now, the beast's rampage will vanquish us in a clean sweep."
"We do not have to worry about this matter, Seggin. You should be aware the domain is well protected from the fell evil Calamity Ganon has brought upon our world. The Sheikah runes engraved in the stones of our home have never failed us and according to our scientists, they will not falter even with Vah'Ruta threatening them."
"Please, your Highness! You must understand! Those wretched Hylians… They're the ones behind our misfortune! They are the ones that killed Lady Mipha! They will not be of any help!"
"SEGGIN, YOU'RE STEPPING TOO FAR!" Torfeau butted in.
The female youth was hot-blooded and impulsive. Discipline was of upmost value from her point of view and she could not stand to see the old Zora arguing so vehemently with their liege.
"Do you have something to say, Torfeau…?" Seggin mumbled almost imperceptibly, obviously startled by her yell.
"What YOU say is nonsense, Seggin! Taking down the Divine Beast by yourself? There is no way you can accomplish that!"
"Are you doubting my skills, Torfeau?!"
"I know how great a fighter you are, Seggin. It is you who is underestimating your own wounds!"
She walked towards him fast and determined, and before he could protest, she held his right wrist and showed it to Sidon. It was blackened and swollen and bruised in several parts, the veins showing under his skin. Seggin winced in pain as Torfeau squeezed his hand, it occurred to Sidon that the soldier's arm had also suffered damage. A broken wrist and a muscle tear.
"Seggin, there is nothing you can do with your arm in this state. You need medical attention as soon as we get back to the domain."
"Your Highness, I assure you this is nothing! With a bit of rest, I will surely be able to…"
"SEGGIN, THIS IS AN ORDER! You will withdraw from the team and let us take care of the rest!" Sidon finally snapped. It was not the first time Seggin had witnessed him in a burst of anger. It was the first time though, that he shouted to one of his people so crudely.
"As you will, your Highness…" Seggin grunted. He dismissed himself and walked back to his own corner, holding his injured arm to ease the pain. Sidon's ultimate verdict had obviously not pleased him in the least. The old Zora would still obey, though he dissented his words.
"Hmph!" Torfeau groaned. "The old chap is as stubborn as always!"
Deep down, Sidon agreed with her claim. He felt sorry for him, yet he knew it was for the best.
"Is there anything you wanted to tell me, Torfeau?"
"My apologies for butting in, your Highness! Indeed, there is. While everyone has been resting up, Gruve and I have kept a lookout on the Lizalfos by the pier. It doesn't look like they're scavenging or hunting fishes here. Their activities are… intriguing."
"Are they? Wait up, I need to see myself."
The prince stood up hastily, straining his leg in the process, but he paid it no mind. His guts told him trouble prowled near and danger followed. He went prone by Gruve's side, the scout still staring at the two-legged reptiles.
"What's going on over there, Gruve?" Sidon asked quietly.
"Your Highness, as far as I can see, the Lizalfos seem to be setting up nets and other fishing tools in the water around the wooden structure. Moving crates, removing items I can't really see and placing them on the stories. Oh, and some of them storm off somewhere else and return regularly."
"They are probably setting up an advanced outpost and these guys are on recon duty," Torfeau suggested. "As to why they do that, I cannot tell."
Indeed, Sidon saw the creatures snarling to each other, some giving directions, others nodding and getting to work. The crates bore no inscription, no seal, but were scratched and partially destroyed. The Lizalfos had looted them, stolen them from innocent travelers and brought them here. The barrels were red with a white shape drawn carefully on them. He couldn't quite recognize the outline but knew instinctively by the careful gestures with which the reptiles handled them what purpose they fulfilled.
Explosives.
Loads of them. All underwater. That was no original fishing method. They were traps designed to blow off any wandering and unwary foes. Ones such as the Zora.
Sometimes, Sidon would curse his instincts. Sometimes, he wished they were wrong. Never had they failed him. And today, more than ever, they were warning him of a crisis. Of course, the rainfall had kept him on edge. This, however, sparked a fire that would not extinguish soon enough but would instead grow into a blaze.
The prince turned towards Tona and Tula, his heart racing in panic.
"How long before we can go?" he asked.
Startled by the sound of his panting voice, they could not think of an answer. At last, Tona recalled and stepped forward.
"It should take half an hour before the ointments and herbs have a definite effect."
"Thirty minutes…" Sidon repeated in a murmur, his fangs biting slightly into his lips.
"What is the matter, your Highness?" Torfeau asked worryingly.
"They are targeting our domain…"
"Dive in…" Sidon whispered.
The seven Zora sank into the shallow riverbed in a single file, each one keeping close to the other in front of them. The strategy was to sneak past the Lizalfos when the creeps were busy and not looking, using their innate swimming skills to remain fast and invisible underwater.
As Tona had stated, they were ready to go thirty minutes or so after Sidon's ominous declaration. With no time to spare, the prince had instructed his followers with a new plan at once and set it into action. Fighting the enemies was not an option. There were too many to handle. The Zora's fatigue had been soothed, but not their injuries. Sidon could not risk opening additional wounds.
"Stay calm and keep going slowly…" the prince signaled.
They were approaching the Lizalfos camp. The reptilians did not notice them passing by. The muddy water made it hard to see what wandered beneath the surface, and Sidon had made sure everyone sprinkled themselves with dry sand, much to their chagrin. Their delicate fins and scales were sensitive and sticking bits of dirt on their bodies was not a pleasant experience. However, this made for an effective camouflage and so far, the gamble had been paying off.
The Lizalfos looked as busy as earlier, growling, croaking, shouting, running around and about, preparing stuff the Zora could not see. The party swam right under their feet undetected. Sidon led his friends, going left and right, forward, evading the traps and the barrels his foes kept throwing in the water.
The other Zora had no trouble following his trail either. They moved as one, in unison, much like a column of ants returning from the fields. A harmony so perfect it seemed like a beautiful work of art. They did not disturb the calm current of the river. No ripple, no bubble, no wave. Should they keep this pace and form, they would get past the obstacles without a sweat.
Sidon passed by a net trap, close enough to study it. It was designed to catch people off guard. Buried under the sand, the only rope connected to the net would trigger if even slightly touched, sending the net upward and closing on the prey. The Zora prince was not knowledgeable about hunting devices and ambush ploys, yet he could not understand how someone would trip that one. The rope was easily perceptible and as long as one was careful enough, the trap would prove useless.
The group did not take any chance and moved on quickly, and in the end, nothing happened. Sidon allowed himself to relieve some of his stress as Seggin passed near the thread nonchalantly. He felt even more surprised when he saw no other string floated desperately, while explosive barrels were everywhere around them.
And then he realized.
A blue flash, blurry writings activating in a circle below them and a huge runic inscription noisily setting off.
"What?! Sheikah technology?!" Sidon gasped, now overwhelmed by dread.
A sudden surge of energy condensed in a small pale sphere in the middle of the circular shape. Instinctively, the Zora ducked out of the way in time as the pillar of light emitted a strong shockwave that set fire to the powder inside the red, deadly casks.
Underwater, the explosions did not bring out the same devastating power they could unleash above. The sheer force of the outburst was still strong enough to scatter the Zora and stun them for a while.
The net was a bait. A setup that adverted the Zora's eyes from the real threat contained in the wrecked shreds that had dug their way underground. The remnants of lost guardians had somehow been switched on. Fortunately, they were too damaged and fell silent soon afterwards. The machines had released the last of their power. Once glorious weapons designed to repel evil, now lifeless ruins, witnesses of ancient magnificence soon to be forgotten.
As would also become the Zora's fate if they didn't flee now.
"By the goddesses, what was that?!"
"Ugh… I'm hit!"
"We're under attack!"
Dazzled by the glaring flash and the resounding blast, it took Sidon half a minute to make out his surroundings. His friends moving erratically, confused and disorganized. Small projectiles plunging in the river, coming thick and fast. The prince had yet to move an inch, his mind had gone blank and his body numb. He felt exhausted, completely devoid of vitality. Reality faded away as he sunk deeper and deeper into the realm of dreams down below. He was about to embrace the darkness reaching to his eyes, he was about to give up everything.
A smell got him back alive.
The smell of blood. Of Zora blood. Suddenly, Sidon was in control again, his members responding with sharp precision, all senses awake. He looked up where the scent came from and saw an injured Ledo, one hand clasped on his leg.
"It's a pretty silly wound, if I may say so," he said with an honest smile. "A pebble shot out from the bottom of the river and scratched me. The explosions did this. There's nothing to worry about, it looks worse than it actually is."
Sidon trusted Ledo's judgement and nodded. He turned around, the Lizalfos had spotted them and were now giving chase. Some stood on the structure, aiming down with their bows while others had taken arms and prowled towards the Zora.
"Everyone, this way!" Sidon ordered. "Don't fight if you can avoid it, no need for heroics!"
The Zora regrouped by the prince's side. Gruve led the party, his eyes were most trustworthy in unclean water. The injured Ledo and Seggin followed, the latter pulling out a finely forged silver sword in case the foes dared come too close. Tona and Tula trailed afterwards, they could not fight, yet their medical interventions would prove crucial if needed. Sidon took the rear guard with Torfeau, using their spear and sword to fend off the enemies.
Using their feet to swim in reverse motion, they evaluated the distance between themselves and the Lizalfos. There was one on the right, dashing towards Torfeau. Bloodthirsty and daring, he threw his lizal boomerang, which she parried easily. The three-bladed weapon sank slowly. The Lizalfos screeched in anger but he was now harmless, and Torfeau didn't bother finishing him. He turned to his brethren and pointed at the Zora.
Arrows flew loose but all of them missed. Usually, the reptilians were dangerous marksmen. This time, they had trouble lining their shots, a fact Sidon realized fast. The prince couldn't fathom why but he exploited that sudden weakness and ordered everyone to hasten the pace. Evasion maneuvers were no longer needed, the Zora swam at a higher pace, using debris and wood pieces as cover whenever the archers tried to take them down.
Warriors engaged their rear, others tried to skirt to their side. Torfeau took care of one, thrusting her spear onto his neck. Seggin also managed to slice another from his shoulder to his hip, both blows ending their respective target's life. Sidon had two in front of him. The first Lizalfos slashed with his boomerang, encountering the Zora's silver blade. Nimbler than the creature, Sidon kicked him in the jaw, stunning him, and cut deeply into his throat. A snarl warned him of the other's incoming attack. His reflexes allowed him to catch his foe's tongue before it could hit him. He pulled it hard and the Lizalfos lost his balance as he was drawn into the tip of Sidon's blackened sword, dying instantly.
Before he released his grip, Sidon noticed the beast's strange eyes, seemingly alive yet out of control. They rolled endlessly and irregularly, bloodshot and swollen. Something had taken over his mind and body and was manipulating him. In the vicinity, only one malevolent creature could.
Vah'Ruta.
More bolts disturbed the water surface and Sidon could not linger any longer. He joined his comrades as they all got off to Zora River. Soon, they were out of sight, and out of trouble. Yet again, they had miraculously escaped.
The Zora did not stop swimming. They went on and on, without a single glance behind their backs. All they wished for was to leave their reptilian foes and get back home safe and sound. From there on, the river would lead them directly to their destination. Sidon couldn't shake off his feeling of unease, however. The Lizalfos forces lacked numbers, he could have sworn he had seen many more of them before.
Where had the others gone? Surely, they couldn't have wandered far. Were they already on their way to battle their kin?
"Gruve, take the lead and scout the road ahead. Some of these beasts might be waiting in ambush or worse, creeping in close to the domain."
"On it, sir."
Gruve jumped out of the water to gain momentum and swam up the next waterfall at an amazing speed, soon disappearing out of everyone else's sight.
"We shouldn't slow down either," Sidon added. "Come on, let's pick up the pace."
Ignoring their weariness and concerns about the enemy, the six Zora followed Gruve's trail with haste. Even though the splashes rang loudly as they reached the first then the second cascade, their surroundings remained deafeningly quiet. No chirp, no howl, no cry, nothing besides their passing disturbed the sinister silence around them.
Eventually, Gruve rejoined the party with positive yet disconcerting news.
"Your Highness, I went as far as Oren Bridge where the river starts to widen into Ruto Lake. I've seen none of the foul beasts, nothing that hints to any recent intruding bar the absence of any wildlife. Even the grass and plants barely react to the wind's tender caress. There's something eerie in the atmosphere, though I can't tell why."
"I see…"
Sidon was pleased to hear the course upstream didn't present any danger, though Gruve's investigation alarmed him. No trace of the Lizalfos, nor of any animal on the mountain paths. This was an ominous revelation. He fell into deep thoughts, trying to figure out the answer to all those mysteries weaving along a dark sea of endless possibilities.
"My prince, what shall we do?" Tona asked, bringing Sidon out of his meditation.
The look in her eyes, in fact in everyone's, told him they were fully aware of the threat, without him needing to speak it out.
"It is pointless to assume anything right now. Let us go back first, we shall see by then what options we have available."
A sigh of relief on several of his friends comforted him on his choice. All those dreadful events had weakened the Zora's bodies, none of them would have enough strength and stamina to keep going.
As he had imagined, they reached the domain without any worries. Gruve had been right, they had encountered no soul until then. Odd yet fortunate. Sidon heard his fellow comrades cheer and laugh as they set foot on the land and stepped on the floor carved with finely chiseled luminous stones. Tona and Tula jumped and danced merrily, so happy to still be alive. Citizens came up to greet and tend to them. Sidon's subjects had been worried since the party had set out in the morning and their tension vanished as soon as they saw everyone returning unharmed.
The prince even had to put his hands up to keep the Zora from swarming over him. He was glad that his people loved him as they did, but he now had urgent matters to attend to. He did not want to waste a single second, yet he had to admit his own body needed a break and he stayed around, smiling cheerfully to reassure the crowd.
"Would you look at that…" Torfeau sneered amusedly, looking at the two girls still celebrating. "So very carefree."
"With good reasons," Sidon responded. "These trials were much tougher to handle that we could have ever envisioned."
"Yes, that is quite true… What will we do now, your Highness? Shall we fetch a Hylian willing to aid us in battling Vah'Ruta?"
"We shall, Torfeau. But not today. With everything that happened earlier, you've all earned your rest. We will take care of that tomorrow, though I fear this will be no easy task. I also need to inform my father of our discoveries before we can set out again."
"What about the Lizalfos, sir? The ones that are supposedly out of their nests?"
"I hope time shall prove me wrong on this hypothesis Torfeau… But I fear those demons are still on the hunt and have managed to elude our vigilance because they have chosen to keep clear of every known path leading here. I fear they have learned how to climb cliffs and hills."
"To what end? What do they wish to achieve?"
Her voice shook with anxiety and consternation, yet she remained entirely calm and collected in her speech. Her bravery and her strong will never ceased to awe the Zora prince.
"If what I said is correct, then they are going to establish vantage points up those high mountains and completely surround us. And if they succeed, this may very well seal our demise."