Zora's Domain. Or... Rather, the path to Zora's Domain.

She didn't like it. Not at all. It wasn't how she remembered, not at all.

Back then, it was simple, it was dry. The roads always had a few people in them, the roads were safe and simple and the sun above your head would always motivate you to keep going.

But now... It's just cold. Chilly even. No where near being able to freeze water of course, but... The winds were bone chilling, the skies were dark and cloudy. And there was a constant, heavy shower of rain over them. Though Zelda would've been confused, well, now knowing of it's less than dormant state, she fears things may have gotten worse.

If Zelda had heard correctly, the Divine Beasts were indeed possessed by Ganon's Malice. But after defeating him, the Beasts were technically freed, but still on autopilot. Meaning, they still were on the defensive, threatening anyone who dared to get close, and remaining inaccessible to the local inhabitants. How inconvenient...

Her hope now was that, with the Slate, and Link's status as the Sword's Chosen, the Beast may put down to rest one last time.

Until then, she simply shivered in the cold. She hoped she didn't get sick. She joined Link up a small hill to a shrine where they met another Zora asking for their help. Though the conversation was short, and right after, they both took temporary refuge in a shrine.

Once more... Link had to fight one of the guardians. Thankfully, Link has been planning, wasting no weaponry on the weaker Guardians being rather vulnerable to the nigh infinite source of bombs. He has a small collection of guardian weaponry now.

Leaving after a small rest, they'd head out to cross the first of many bridges within the path to Zora's domain. And upon attempting to cross, they heard a... Rather cheery voice call out.

"Say, hey there! Young ones!"

"Up top! Above you!"

She looked up in confusion before her eyes widened as she caught the figure, doing a front flip mid air before landing on their feet, standing proud and tall above the two of them.

He was a muscly Zora, with a red hue to him and royal decor on his body.

"Pardon the entrance, but you're Hylians, aren't you?"

He'd spread his arms enthusiastically.

"I was hoping perhaps you'd have a moment to talk..."

Link was... Well, silent as ever. What a surprise.

Zelda however... Remained silent. Who was this... Man, if you can call a Zora one. He was tall and imposing, yet had a peppy, rather confident tone and a grander than life attitude. It was... Overwhelming, she felt a bit... Shy?

"Aha! Two Hylians! Yes, I knew it!"

"Oh, pardon me... I am Sidon, the Zora Prince!" He said with a raised fist and a toothy grin with a glint in his fangs.

"And what are your names? Go on, please tell me."

"Link." He was rather straight forward. Unlike Zelda who meekly said:

"Z-Zelda."

His eyes widened at that.

"Link? Zelda? " He looked at both of them in awe.

"Your name is Link?! And Zelda?! What fantastic names!"

He raised his fingers to his chin, thinking...

"Hmm, though I cannot shake the feeling that I have heard this names somewhere before..."

"Well," He looked at the two, enthusiastic as ever. "In any case, they are strong names!"

"To be honest, I've been watching you two." That caught her by surprise.

"I've seen the way you two work, I can tell by how you carry yourselves that you are no ordinary people."

He then focused on Link.

"Link! You must be a strong warrior among the Hylians, correct?!"

That was a simple question. "That's right."

"Aha! Just as I suspected! I am a Zora Prince, after all, I have an eye for talent that is unparalleled."

"Yes! Exquisite!" He proclaims.

"I've been searching for someone like you for a long while. A man like you, Link, who carries himself with power!"

Despite the stormy weather, he seems rather optimistic.

"Right now, Zora's Domain is in heaven danger because of the massive rainfall coming from Divine Beast Vah Ruta!"

He looks at Zelda, noting how left out she seems.

"Infact, we can use All the help we can get."

He looks at them both.

"Please, promise you will help us! We need your strength, warriors!"

"Won't you please come to Zora's Domain with me?"

Zelda was overwhelmed by how much the Prince said. Though Link, casual as ever, replied:

"Sure thing."

Prince Sidon spreads his arms.

"Wow! Really?!" He exclaims in surprise.

"Thank you, Link and Zelda! You are indeed the man and woman I thought you were!

He pumps his fist.

"Now Zora's Domain will be saved for certain! No time to waste! Hurry up and head over!"

He glanced over at the road ahead.

"Because of the rain, the cliffs are too wet to climb. To reach the domain, you will need to go straight along this path."

"As Hylians, I know you are unable to swim up the river. As such, the path to the domain may be a bit treacherous."

"You'll likely have a tough fight in store; There are monsters up ahead that attack with Electricity." He warns, but not before exclaiming:

"Don't give up! I believe in you!"

Noting Link's stoic silence, and Zelda's sudden worry, he smiles and says:

"Oh! That's right! I have something that I would like to give to you! This is just a small trinket to show I have faith in you."

He reaches behind his back before giving Link an Electro Elixir. Link notes it might last about an hour, which surprises Zelda. When did he learn about potions?

"It is a drink that will increase your resistance to electricity!" Sidon confirms.

"I'm not sure why, but it's effects do not seem to work for Zora. Perhaps because it was made specifically for Hylians. It should work wonders for you, though!"

He glances at the rushing rapids, then back at them both.

"I shall go on ahead and make sure there is not anything strange going on where you are headed. I'm counting on you!"

And without even turning to look, he jumps high into the air, in a backflip, before diving into the water and swimming upstream, through the rushing water.

Once he leaves, Zelda gulps. Was that... truly Sidon? And Link. She just realized he's been smiling this whole time, even with the rain dripping on his face.

"It can't be. He's... He's grown so big, he's huge!" Zelda practically Shouts as she's stunned, and even... A little happy to see him alive and so well.

Link nods in agreement. Though as usual, he doesn't say much, reserving his thoughts for himself.

Zelda looks up the stream, only to note... How dark everything is.

She looked back at the Wetlands, noting how much brighter it is compared to the road ahead. This was not good. No torches. Little cover from the rain and winds. Even the dirt would be muddy and slippery.

But they had to march on up the road. They had no steeds, and that was her one regret. She felt they didn't have the supplies to care for one. But now, she realized grass was plentiful, and stables were more common than she thought. Brrr... It's... Hard to think in such cold

She only wished this would end soon before it grew to be too much.


Though the roads has remained mostly similar, it was much more treacherous. Despite Ganon's defeat, the roads are abundant with Lizalfos keeping watch.

They came to a stop as they watched some of the green and blue scaled beasts. They currently say watch, with bows in their hand, watching over the river. Link slung his bow and aimed.

...deep breaths...

Tuck!

One fell over and crumpled as it was dead. And He quickly dispatched the other.

He had always been skilled. But it was strange to see him once more slay monsters. He took their arrows and even one of their bows, saying it is better to reuse your enemy's tools against them.

They came upon a path, where Link Immediately stopped. Confused, she asked what was wrong before she was hushed.

And then she heard it.

A large, grumbly snore. Echoing throughout the forest. A Hinox.

She had only ever seen one Hinox, the one kept deep in the Castle's dungeon after skulking around one night.

This one sounded bigger, and louder. And she followed Link's instructions as they stepped up the road more quietly.

Though she knew not where the beast lay, she knew better than to test her luck. And soon enough, they stepped past it and towards another bridge. Two smaller ones to be exact.

Link, unlike last time, abandoned stealth to rush the enemies. Summon his bombs, he surprised them by throwing them at them and then detonating. The blast was not string enough to kill them, but enough to launch them into the river, of which they could not swim in. Link took deep breaths after dispatching them, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he makes sure it's safe before guiding Zelda through.

It was at this point that as they walked up the road, Link on high alert, that they were both startled to hear the voice again, calling out.

"HEY! Link! Zelda!"

They both paused, and looked around, only to spot him by the water, grabbing onto a rock to anchor himself against the rushing river water.

"Sorry for calling you out from the river!"

Zelda looks at Sidon in confusion, simply looking down at him (._.)

And Link merely remained silent, smiling silently as he puts away his bow.

"Since I presumed you into coming, I was not sure you would really come through. I am pleased things are going well."

"Ever since this strange occurrence, there have been less monsters around here. Yet there are still many up ahead. Be careful as you proceed!"

He clears his throat before shouting:

"And hurry! All of my fellow Zora are anxiously awaiting your arrival!"

He then did a backflip once more, like a majestic dolphin before diving back into the water.

Something tells Zelda that... This is going to keep happening.