Happy 2018, everyone! I do not own The Legend of Zelda.
Chapter 4: The Battle of Ruta
It took them around three hours of walking and swimming up waterfalls until they reached Shatterback Point. They saw that the stars have already been out for quite some time. When they arrived, they quickly hid behind a large rock to hide from the sight of the Lynel.
"I still say we should take it out," said Link.
"Link, we do not have time. I am sure you could take care of that monster all on your own, but even with the two of us, it would take too long since you are without the sword that seals the darkness. We'll just have to be sneaky and snatch whatever shock arrows we can find around here."
"…Gr. Fine. But as soon as we finish off Ganon, I'm coming back for it."
"Acceptable."
It took them longer then they would have liked, sneaking through the grass and climbing up trees, but they successfully managed to get enough shock arrows. When they had enough, the leaped off the mountain and paraglided down to where the other Champions were already waiting for them with Sidon and Bazz.
"You two took your sweet time," said Revali as they approached.
"Hey! I'd like to see you hick up a mountain and sneak around a viscous beast," said Link.
"Anyhow, glad to see you all are ready to go!" said Sidon.
"Princess," said Bazz. "Your father thought it best to return this to you." He proceeded to hand Mipha a silver trident with blue and pink markings.
"My Lightscale Trident!" she cheered as she took it.
"Yes. A spear of peerless grace you cherished 100 years ago. We thought it best to return it to you."
"Thank you. Truly," she said sincerely.
"Alright, here's the plan," said Daruk. "Sidon and Bazz are gonna give Link and Urbosa a ride on their backs through the water while Revali uses his strength to carry me through the air. Now, Link, Revali can only shoot three arrows at a time so we'll be counting on you to fire the fourth one. And to get there, you're gonna need that Zora armor to swim up that water coming out of Ruta's shoulders." Bazz then handed a Silver Bow over to Link.
"I got it," he said as he took the bow. "I may not be as skilled an archer as Revali, but if it's just one arrow and one target, I can handle it." He then handed 15 of the 20 shock arrows him and Mipha collected to Revali.
"Wonderful! You never cease to amaze, Link!" cheered Sidon. "Now then, let us go and appease that Divine Beast as one! Here we go!"
The Zora's jumped into the water and began swimming towards Ruta with Link and Urbosa riding on the backs of Sidon and Bazz respectively, while Revali carried Daruk through the air by holding onto one of his hands with his feat.
"Sorry for the load, Revali."
"Think nothing of it. I'm probably the only one around who's strong enough to carry you to Ruta."
"You've really improved, Sidon," said Link. "And you to, Bazz."
"Well, we've had a hundred years to practice," Bazz said proudly to his mentor."
"Ha! Yes! We are unstoppable in the water!" declared Sidon.
"And to think, you use to need my help when swimming up a waterfall," Mipha said teasingly.
Just then, the giant mechanical elephant that was the Divine Beast trumpeted and tussled around a bit.
"Ruta is responding to our presence!" said Mipha. "Everyone! Stay back and wait for an opening! It's bound to use its ancient powers to attack us with ice!"
"Those of use who are carrying will keep going at full speed to stay clear!" cried Revali. "Those who are riding, ward off Ruta's attacks!"
Sure enough, Ruta started launching cubes and spiked balls of ice. With their swords, Link used his strength to destroy the ice while Urbosa used her technique. Mipha leaped out of the water as the ice came towards her and shattered it with her trident. Daruk used his strength and hammer to smash any ice that came near him and Revali.
"Now boys!" cried Urbosa. "While we're keeping the ice busy! Move in and shoot those orbs!"
"You heard the lady, Daruk," said Revali. "Hang on!"
He then used his Gale to fly up higher to get a better aim. While he did that, Sidon swam closer to Ruta to allow Link to start swimming up the waterfalls coming from Ruta. Ounce Revali was high enough, he took three shock arrows and shot them at their individual targets, each one striking home. At the same time, as he was in the air after him swim, Link shot his own shock arrow at the final orb, also hitting its mark.
"WOW!" cried Sidon. "That was astounding! A true display of skill!"
"Master Link is as impressive as I remember," said Bazz. "And Master Revali has definitely shown his own impressive skill as well."
After a small wait, the water eventually stopped flowing from Ruta on all shoulders and from its trunk. Said trunk then went limp and fell into the water.
"Everyone, look!" said Daruk. "The water flowing from Ruta has stopped!" Just after he said that, Ruta started to get higher, as if it was beginning to stand on its feet now.
"Ruta is floating higher now!" said Bazz. "You Champions wanted to venture inside it, right?!"
"That's right!" said Urbosa. "And it looks like this is our chance!"
"We'll bring you closer!" said Sidon.
Mipha, Sidon, and Bazz all swam closer to the platform that had opened up for them while Revali descended to it with Daruk.
"Well everyone, here we are," said Mipha. "This is where the real work starts."
"So it seems," said Sidon. "Best of luck, sister. Link, make sure she comes out alive."
"I will. You can count on that."
Mipha climbed up onto the platform where Revali and Daruk where while Link and Urbosa hoped on.
"Show no fear, Mentor," said Bazz.
"Don't worry. We'll see you back at Zora's Domain." The Divine Beast then began to ascend upwards, taking the Champions with it. "Till then."
The Zora's swam back as they watched the Champions ready themselves for what was inside.
"Finish the job, Champions…" said Sidon before he and Bazz swam off.
The Champions saw that there was a platform close to where they where standing. Link walked over to it and activated it with the Sheikah Slate. As he did, a circle on the ground lit up blue. Mipha then looked up as Ruta.
"Ruta… I'm back. I must say…I am so sorry that you had to have waited so long for this day to have arrived. Don't worry. Soon you will be freed of Ganon's control."
Link handed his remaining shock arrows to Revali as they started their way into Ruta. Before they could get in though, they saw some sort of dark substances that spotted Ruta in a few places inside.
"What is that stuff?" asked Daruk.
"It must be some of Ganon's Malice," said Urbosa before Revali shot an arrow at the eye attached to the Malice that was blocking their way. The single arrow alone was enough to destroy the eye and the Malice with it, clearing their path.
"Well it doesn't seem so difficult to get rid of," said the Rito.
As they walked in, they were greeted by what appeared to be a smaller Guardian. It was about to fire at them until Daruk hammered it away, destroying it.
"Guardian Scouts," said Urbosa. "So, they've been turned against us to, huh?" As she spoke, Revali fired another arrow at a Malice Eye in the water.
"If we are to take Ruta back," said Mipha, "we'll need to reactivate the five terminals that control Ruta that are scattered across its interior. And as it just so happens, one of them is in this room. Link, give me the Sheikah Slate."
Link did as he was told and handed it over to her. Ounce she had it, she walked over to a small pool in the corner of the room and dived down. In the pool was one of the terminals, which she used the Sheikah Slate to activate, making it glow blue.
"That's one terminal," she said as she surfaced, "but there are still four remaining."
"Well then, let's not waste any time," said Link as he helped her up.
Mipha then lead them out a door on the opposite side of the one they came in through. They walked across the walkway to another room where they came across another Guardian Scout, this time armed with a sword made from the ancient technology. Mipha charged forward and quickly took care of it. They saw that the next terminal was on watermill wheel that was turning from the water pouring onto it. Daruk used his strength to stop the wheel from turning while Mipha activated the terminal.
"Alright," said Link. "That's two."
Mipha lead them down another walkway where they found the next terminal behind a cage.
"Allow me," said Link. With Daruk taking up too much of the walkway for the job, Link used his strength to lift the bars and allow Mipha to activate the terminal.
"So, was that your way of showing off to Mipha?" Urbosa asked teasingly, getting a snicker out of Daruk and Revali and a blush out of Mipha and Link.
"D-Don't be silly!" Link said. "We have more pressing matters at hand."
"Right," Urbosa said with a sly grin.
"A-Anyway," said Mipha. "Revali, the next terminal is at the end of Ruta's trunk. You'll have to activate it by flying there."
"Leave it to me," said Revali as Mipha handed him the stone slate.
Revali took off towards the end of Ruta's trunk and sure enough, found the fourth terminal. After that was done, he quickly flew back to the others.
"Just one terminal remaining," said Mipha.
"I saw the final terminal on my way here," he said. "It appears to be surrounded by pillars of fire."
"This is where I come in," said Daruk.
Revali carried him up to the final terminal. He activated his Protection to shield himself from the flames as he activated the final terminal. It's activation lead to the deactivation of the flames.
"That should do it," he said they the two returned to the others. He then handed the slate back to Link.
"All the terminals have been activated," said Mipha. "Now we can start the main control unit."
They headed to the room where they first entered and to its right, they found a room with its floor completely covered in water and had the main control unit resting within it.
"This isn't right," said Link.
"What do you mean?" Revali.
"It's too easy."
"He's right," said Urbosa. "We confirmed that we each were in battle with one of Ganon's creations before Princess Zelda saved us, so why haven't we encountered the thing Mipha battled?"
As they thought about this, Link placed the Sheikah Slate to the stone of the main control unit and that's when it happened. Malice immediately began to outpour from the unit, catching them all off guard. It covered the main control unit from them. Blue lights seemed to have gathered together behind them and they turned to see a giant monster form. It had a spear made from the ancient technology for a left hand and hatred etched into every corner and inch of its body.
"Well, there's your answer," said Daruk.
"Please take care, everyone," said Mipha. "This…thing is one of Ganon's creations. I put up as much of a fight as I could, but it almost proved to be my demise 100 years ago… Regardless…this time around, I am not alone."
"Your darn right, you're not," said Link as they prepared their weapons.
"Bring it on!" cried Daruk.
After he said that, the monster through its spear at them. They dodged to two separate directions to avoid it, only to see it vanish and reappear in its owner's hands.
"Careful, everyone!" cried Mipha. "That spear has a long reach."
"Maybe," said Revali, "but my range is far better!"
He then shot a shock arrow at the monster, the electricity seeming to do a lot of damage to it. It turned its attention towards him and thrusted the spear, aiming to skewer the Rito. Luckily, he was able to fly out of the way in time.
"Doesn't seam to be very fast," said Urbosa.
"Then let's use that against it!" said Link.
The two sword wielders charged in on either side of it, using their speed and smaller size to their advantage. They delivered several slashes to it before getting back as it tried to pierce them. It extended its spear to full length and attempted to swing at them, but it was caught by Daruk.
"Alright, everyone!" the Goron called. "Hit it hard and hit it fast!"
Mipha started started by delivering several expertly aimed thrusts before falling back. Link and Urbosa followed up by circling around it, doing several slashes to its body as they did so. They got back to allow Revali to fire another shock arrow at it, doing significant damage to it. Not wanting to be left out, Daruk took advantage of the time it was taking for it to pull itself together and used his hammer to deliver a bone crushing blow to the monster's chest, knocking it back.
"HA! Take that! Ya sorry excuse of a spearman!" laughed Daruk.
"You don't suppose that did it, do you?" asked Link. As if just to spite him, the creature pulled itself back up. "Sigh. Of course not."
The monster charged forward and again swung its spear at them. While the others moved back to get out of the way, Link dove in under the spear swing, rolled, and charged forward ounce he got to his feet to start slashing at the monster again. When it tried to skewer him again, he dodged by leaping to the side, delivering another slash as he did, and put some space between it and him. While it was distracted by this, Revali used this as an opportunity to fire another shock arrow at the creature, causing it to wail in pain.
"You're crazy, you know that?!" asked Daruk with a big smile.
"I've been told so."
Their attention was snatched from their short conversation by the monster's cry. Its hand began to glow blue with cold as it raised it above its head.
"That can't be good," said Urbosa.
They felt the water climb up their legs and looked down to see the water level was rising. It wasn't long before it was up to their necks. While Mipha was fine herself by this, the other Champions had to swim to the four platforms that were flouting to get on solid ground.
"Nope. Definitely not good."
"Careful, everyone," said Mipha as she swam through the now flooded room, "not much room to operate."
"For you all maybe," said Revali as he was in the air, "but not for me!"
The Rito fired another shock arrow at the monster, this time it stuck it in the head, causing it to scream in pain this time. This caught Link's attention but he couldn't think about it for long as the creature made its next move. Its hand began to glow from coldness before cubes of ice appeared in from of it. Link, Urbosa, and Daruk used their equipment to break the ice that came at them while Mipha and Revali dodged and avoided them. It wasn't long before a crazy and dangerous idea came into Link's head.
"Everyone! I've got an idea! Mipha! When I tell you to, swim over here and get on! You need to get out of the water!"
"What?!"
"Trust me!"
"Ok, but I hope you know what you're doing!"
"So do I," he mumbled to himself. "Revali, I'll be counting on you to catch me!"
"What? Catch you?"
"Hey! Ugly! Overhear!" he said in an attempt to get the monster's attention.
It turned towards him with what might have been a glare and attempted to skewer him. Instead of jumping out of the way to the side though, he leaped up and landed on the spear. The eyes of the others widened to the size of dinner plates as he began to run up the monster's arm.
"That's your que, Mipha!" he said as he ran.
"What in the name of the goddess are you doing?!" gasped Mipha as she swam to the landing Link was on and climbed out of the water.
Ounce he reached the top, he plunged his sword into the base of the monster's neck. The monster screamed and attempted to grab him but Link jumped off before it could, leaving his sword where he left it.
"Now, Urbosa!" Link said as Revali swooped in and caught him before he could fall into the water. "Unleash your Fury on that sword!"
Urbosa realized Link's plan and smiled.
"I hear your plan, AND I LOVE IT!"
She put her shield away and raised her left hand above her head as if she was about to snap her fingers. Ounce she snapped them, lightning came down within the room, but instead of spreading out, it was attracted to the sword Link left in the monster's flesh. The sword directed the lightning into the creature's body, which caused it to suffer damage and pain unlike anything it had ever experienced before.
"Little guy, you are one unbelievably crazy reckless genius!" cheered Daruk.
"Thank you."
As the lightning stopped, the monster fell limb and dropped into the water. It was only a few minutes before it stated its attempt to get back up, which it appeared to be having quite a bit of trouble pulling off.
"It's still able to move even after that?" gasped Revali as he and Link landed.
While the others stood there, Mipha swam over right up to the front of the monster. She and it looked right into each other's eyes in silence, as if they were trying to read to the other's mind. Mipha then finished it by plunging her spear deep into the monster's face. It screamed in pain in response. She took her spear out and retreated back as the monster wriggled around in pain. Its screams continued until its body exploded into nothingness. The Champions all took this as an opportunity to catch their breath as the water level and the platforms descended back to their previous level.
"Link," said Mipha, getting his attention, "Ruta is my Divine Beast. If I may?"
Link understood what she was saying and nodded as he handed the Sheikah Slate over to her.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Thank you."
Mipha then proceeded to the main control unit and silently placed the stone slate upon the pedestal. As she did, it and anything on Ruta that was glowing red began to glow blue, showing that they succeeded in what they came here to do.
The Divine Beast of Water, Vah Ruta was theirs again.
There was a short silence before Link and Daruk started laughing.
"We did it!" cheered Link. "That's one down!"
"That's how ya do it!" Daruk cheered.
Urbosa and Revali were happy of their victory as well, but instead decided to express it with smiles on their faces.
"Everyone," Mipha said, getting their attention. She looked at them all with a truly grateful smile on her face. "Thank you. All of you. Truly. Because of all of you helping me, Ruta is now free. And Link, it is thanks to this freedom that I am now allowed to help you in your battle against Ganon once again."
"And I couldn't be more gratefully for it, Mipha," Link responded with a smile.
"So many times, on this journey so far, I was so close to giving up hope because of what happened here, in this very room, 100 years ago. But now, I feel as though with the five of us together, there isn't a force in existence that can stop us. I promise you all, I will help in any way I can to help free your Divine Beasts as you have help me free mine."
"You truly are a soul of pure kindness, Mipha," Urbosa said.
"Of course there isn't a force in existence that can stop us," said Revali. "What, with someone like me on this team after all."
"Don't you worry, Mipha," said Daruk. "Like Link said, we need each other now, and we're always gonna have each other's backs."
"And because of that," said Link, "I know that Ganon won't stand a chance."
"Yes," said Mipha. "We'll annihilate Ganon together. And speaking of which, I had best get Ruta into position before we leave. You all had best hold onto something."
Link was confused until all the windows and doors on Ruta leading to outside where sealed shut.
Outside, with a clear blue sky, the Zora's where busy cheering after they saw the red on the Divine Beast turn blue. This showed them that the Champions were successful in taking back control of Ruta. They all stopped cheering as they heard Ruta trumpet loudly. They watched as the giant mechanical elephant began to sink beneath the water. They could see it as it swam its way out of the lake and through the channels of large rivers. They didn't see it again until perched itself on top of a mountain that was just big enough to support it perfectly. It trumpeted out again and reeled back, delivering a loud, large stomp to the ground with its large feet. They looked on as it just stood there, staring at Hyrule Castle. It then lifted it trunk up as its tusks stuck out stuck themselves out. A red light began to glow between them before what looked like a red targeting beam into Hyrule Castle…and with that, Calamity Ganon.
The sealed passageways on Ruta opened, which allowed Mipha to walk out and stand upon Ruta's right ear.
"Ruta, this is how we can be useful to Link," she said to the beast. "And the other Champions, of course. Our job will be to help Link as he fights Ganon inside the castle…however we can. Using your ability to drain Ganon of his power is key to our success. This is it. This will be our last chance…and everyone's last hope. If we seal him away, then we can restore peace to Hyrule." She kneeled and swiped her hand over Ruta's surface. "And both your duty and mine will be fulfilled."
She then stood up and rejoined the other Champions as they made their way back to Zora's Domain.
"Um, hey, Mipha?" the Hylian Champion asked shyly as he used his figure to scratch his face.
"Yes, Link?" she asked as they walked behind the others.
"I…never really thanked you."
"Thanked me? For what?" She then gasped in surprise as Link took her hand in his as they walked.
"You know… For this armor you made me." Link was now blushing like crazy, and so was Mipha, but she didn't think she could be any happier than she was at that moment.
"Oh…Uh…Don't mention it."
All the Zora were now gathered before the king as he addressed their saviors who stood before him.
"Champions! You all did well to survive your trial! I have been awaiting your return! The violent downpour has disappeared, as has the threat to Zora's Domain! It is all little more than a bad dream now. Thanks to your efforts, there is no longer any danger of a great flood laying waste to Hyrule! You appeased the Divine Beast of Water, Vah Ruta and thusly saved Zora's Domain! We are all truly grateful! What you did for us is more than we could have ever expected of you. Champions, all of the Zora thank you from the depths of our hearts for your heroic and selfless work! And Mipha…you have made your people, and your family, very, very proud."
"Thank you, Father," Mipha said. "But still, there is the fact that I made you and everyone else worry for so long. I am truly sorry for that. And I just want you to know that I have always followed my heart."
"That you have…and that's all I could ever ask of you." Mipha smiled warmly to her father at this.
"And Link…" said Muzu. "I must sincerely apologize for my harsh treatment of you. That whole time, you were think of the well-being of not only Hyrule's but also of that of your friends and allies. All of the members of our council humbly fold our fins back in gratitude, along with the rest of our people. Perhaps the older generation of Zora, myself included, misunderstood Hylians after all. It would seem so. That said, I would be overjoyed if you could find it in your hear to forgive me. In not now, then perhaps one day."
"You don't have to ask for what you already have, Muzu," Link said with a friendly smile, which Muzu returned. Their attention was obtained by King Dorephan as he laughed.
"Looking at you and your actions, Link, it is clear to see why Mipha fell for you! I can think of no other man who is more qualified to marry my daughter then you!"
"Oh boy," said Revali, "not this again."
"Actually, Father," said Mipha, "it's funny you should mention that."
Everyone turned their attention to them as the Zora and Hylian Champions took hold of each other's hands.
"On the way back here…from Ruta…Link and I talked…and he has told me…that he will accept both the Zora Armor…and the meaning behind it."
There was a bit of a shocked silence before practically everybody there screamed and cheered in joy and excitement.
"I heard it, but I still don't believe it," said Revali.
"Maybe," said Urbosa, "but I like it."
"Alright, little guy!" cheered Daruk as he took Link in for a big bear hug.
"Congratulations, sister!" cheered Sidon as he did the same to Mipha.
"This is truly a wonderful announcement, Mipha!" Dorephan said with joy. "I cannot begin to tell you how much I approve!"
"Thank you, Father. If you would have it, we will like to hold the wedding after we have destroyed Ganon."
"If that were the case, I'll have that much more motivation to defeat him," said Link, half joking and half serious.
"Of course," said Muzu, "but while I will agree that this is a joyous occasion, my I say that there may be those who will not take kindly to a Hylian marrying the crowned princess of the Zora."
"That's alright, Muzu," said Mipha. "After all that has happened, I believe Sidon would make a much more appropriate heir to the throne. After all, he was there for Zora's Domain and its people after the Great Calamity while I was asleep. And, of course, there is no denying who he and Bazz were invaluable in our fight to appease Ruta."
"She speaks the truth, you two," said Dorephan. "Bazz, you have served your duty and you people well. For your work, I hereby promote you to member of the council as head of Zora military!"
Bazz was taken back before bowing in gratitude.
"Thank you, your majesty! I promise, I will not let you down!"
"Goodness, that boy knows how to make a guy proud," Link said with pride as he smiled at his student, getting a small giggle from Mipha.
"And Sidon…all the Zora have you to thank to. As your father, I am proud of you for fighting the Divine Beast alongside your sister and her comrades. You have grown much recently. Your sister is right. I know you will make a worth heir when your time comes."
"Father… I… Thank you!"
"The heavy rains have stopped, and the Divine Beast is our ally once again! How glorious! Truly splendid! Wah ha ha ha!"
"It's not so bad for us Champions to, if I might say," said Daruk.
"Truly," said Urbosa. "We've woken up from a hundred-yearlong slumber, saved Zora's Domain, taken back control over Divine Beast of Water, Vah Ruta from Ganon's control, Link and Mipha are now engaged, and we've only been awake for five days."
"Indeed," said Revali. "Not a bad week."
"Goron City is the next closest one," said Link. "So, we'll rest up and spend the night here and make our way there first thing tomorrow morning."
"Of course," said Dorephan. "But today, we celebrate both the return of the Champions and my daughter's engagement!"
All of the Zora cheered as they all celebrated what had happened. Truly, it was not a bad week at all.
