The Zora did not like to go out in a thunderstorm, Vera fully understood that. This has always been the case, after all. Even with these circumstances, she always did the missions to this place gladly. In Kakariko, none of the bad influence of Ganon was going on.
You'd think they were lucky. But they were outcasts. Having to stay between the hills, to hide in the shadows all the time. The past had put them in a bad light. So, some had chosen to side with Ganon. Luckily, there were more goodhearted Sheikah, who felt like they had to make amends, serving the royal family and helping the people of Hyrule.
Was it all to make amends? Vera pondered this, while walking down the stairs to the baths where Zora liked to go and relax. Some of the children were gathered around, at the edge of the cover overhead.
"Is he okay?"
"Should we get help?"
Vera stepped closer after hearing the worried tones in their voices. "What is the matter, children?"
The Zora kids stepped aside, revealing a brown-haired teen, laying passed out on the floor.
"Lloyd!" Right away, she knelled down next to him. "What happened?"
"Sorry, we didn't see," one of the kids answered, looking guilty.
"Lloyd, can you hear me?" Shaking the teen by his shoulder, it soon became clear he really was out for the count.
Looking him over, Vera couldn't spot any injuries that could account for this. But she did notice those arrows, laying in his completely loosened hand.
"How in the world...?" She wouldn't get an answer, not now anyway. "Call a guard, quickly."
"Yes miss!" One of the kids ran off to do just that.
With the help of the guard, Lloyd was brought to the inn and laid down in a bed. Sidon had caught wind of the slight commotion and came in to check a little later. He found the Sheikah sitting on a chair, next to the unconscious hero.
"My, I don't believe I've ever seen you look this worried." Still smiling, Sidon went to sit across from her.
"Not the time to tease, Sidon." A glare was aimed at him. It certainly was more intimidating with those red eyes.
"I'm just saying, it's a rare occasion. Do you maybe care for this young man?"
"No," she bit at him right away. "And even if that was the case, which it isn't, I'm pretty sure he is already in love with someone else. Even though he won't say or admit it, maybe too dense to even notice."
"Hm, how very complicated." Sidon crossed his arms and leaned back against the chair.
"Barely the subject of the matter. Look at this."
Vera seemed upset, picking up the shock arrows she had placed on the nightstand.
"So, he went and got them. That's good, isn't it?"
"But how?! In so little time, with a thunderstorm going on." How was Sidon so calm about this?
"Does that matter? The important thing is, that we now got whats needed. I care about taking down the Beast as soon as possible. He's still here, still in one piece."
The Zora prince did make a good point. Progress was what mattered. But Vera couldn't help to put her worry aside. It didn't feel right, whatever it was. It was something at the pit of her stomach, and she rarely felt that.
The nightmares, his father showing up, now this. Was it all somehow connected? If so, what did it mean and why did it give her this feeling? Maybe I am too emotionally invested. And that is clouding my judgement. Maybe I should take a step back.
The clear image of Lloyd being upset with her sprang to mind. It was a mix of anger, hurt and pain. Emotions are a part of you, what make you, you. Do not take them for granted. That was pretty much what he told her.
"Vera, hellooo." Sidon waved his webbed hand before her eyes.
"Huh? I'm sorry, did you say something?"
The prince let out a sigh and shook his head. "What are you going to do? Will you stay here with him, or go out for that search?"
"Oh. I..."
Vera looked at Lloyd's face. It wasn't contorted in pain, or plagued with nightmares. This time it was rather blank, like a normal sleep.
Priorities, Vera! She stood up for her chair. The storm had lifted, this was the right time to go out. It would still be raining of course, but that was normal.
"Don't worry. I'll handle things her." Sidon smiled at her.
Damn that brilliant, confident smile. The Sheikah nodded to him. "Thank you. I will start the search with some of your people."
With a light bow, she was off, leaving the inn and getting out of sight quickly.
"My, my. Never seen that girl this far out of her comfort zone. You truly gotta be something."
Sidon stroked his chin, looking at the teen. He had seen just a little of it. And he had also experienced the boy's father. Leaning back again, Sidon thought back to the man in question. He had waited for days, out in the rain, barely sleeping or eating. And when his son finally showed up, he pointed a sword right at his face. And then those wings!
Standing up, he went to the owner of the inn, requesting him to notify him as soon Lloyd would wake up. Sidon needed to set up a plan for the Beast and needed to go over with it with his father.
About two hours later, Lloyd woke up with a slight grunt. He couldn't remember falling asleep, or even being in a bed for that matter. Deranged for a moment, he looked around.
"Hey there, are you alright? I'll notify the prince that you're awake." A male Zora told him, quickly walking off.
Right. Zora's Domain, that's where he was. Lloyd ran a hand through his hair, it was out of the regular shape, which ironically was irregular on its own.
"Heya, how are you feeling?" Sidon's voice made him look up, a long way up.
The Zora walked up to the side of the bed and looked him over, eyes resting on his finally.
"I'm alright." It wasn't a lie, not really. It was all a haze. Did he have a dream, that he was flying? Lloyd shook his head and stood up from the bed.
"Ah, good. Also, good job on getting those shock arrows."
Said arrows were on the nightstand next to him. Lloyd looked confused now, but he didn't say much, as if he was stumped.
"Now we can take Vah Ruta down!" Sidon said with a wide smile.
The excited tone was what got Lloyd's attention off the arrows, looking back up to the prince. Yes, it was most important to take down the Divine Beast, to free these people from their current position. That's what he was here for after all. So, he nodded to Sidon.
"If you are ready, we can go. I've set up a plan and I will explain it once we get up there."
"Alright, good work, Sidon. Was Vera able to go on her search?"
"Yeah, she set off a few hours ago, probably up there right now." Sidon pointed up to the west, past a large waterfall to the cliffs above.
Lloyd frowned at this. "Why there?" He wanted to know.
"Well, we know our Domain rather well. I know no odd things were seen, nothing regarding Link. But we never really go up there. I guess that's her reasoning, but honestly I don't get why; its only water and rocks there."
"Hm. Well, you never know." The teen nodded, kind of understanding the thought process.
"We'll hear how it went once we've taken down Vah Ruta." Sidon took the arrows from the nightstand and handed them to Lloyd. "You are good with a bow, right?"
"Good enough, I suppose. I'm going to need that to take down those generators, right?"
"Yes, indeed. While floating in the air, because they are high up."
"I've done it before," the teen remarked, thinking back to Vah Medoh.
"Alright, let's go. I'm going to give you a ride on my back to pass the waterfalls. You are going to have to hold on very tightly."
Lloyd nodded and followed after the prince, who led him to the edge of the structure. He jumped into the water and looked over his shoulder, up to Lloyd.
"Get on my back. See it like riding a horse," he chuckled. "Only a much rougher ride. I'd also advise you to close your eyes and mouth when we go up."
Awkwardly, Lloyd got on the Zora's back. It felt rather odd to have to do this with a man, but he tried not to think too much of it. Following the instructions, he closed his eyes and mouth, letting the rush (and the water) wash over him.
"Okay, open your eyes!" Sidon called out, after some hefty movements.
Doing just so, his eyes widened. They'd just leapt off the last waterfall and now were launched off into the air, giving a wonderful view of the grand lake. Right in the middle of it, was a big shape that looked like a great elephant.
They plunged back into the water, making Lloyd cough because he had forgotten to close his gaping mouth. Sidon just chuckled as he swam toward the pier that was build right on top of the waterfall. Thankfully, Lloyd could step off for now, still coughing up some water while he was standing on the pier.
The Zora prince came to stand next to him, patting his back, but just a little bit to rough. "Hehe, sorry about that. I thought you might appreciate the view."
"It's fine." Recovering, Lloyd straightening his back. Having a hard surface under his feet, did have his preference however. He took a longer look at the Beast.
The trunk was held up high, pouring out water. It seemed that this was also the reason it was raining, somehow.
"As you can see, its generators are right on top of those waterfalls, pouring of its sides. I can launch you from the top. Then, it will be up to you to shoot them." Sidon explained his plan, pointing out the waterfalls and the glowing things on top being the generators.
"However," the prince continued, crossing his arms as if upset. "When you get close, ice blocks will be launched as a sort of defense mechanism. Believe me; those things hit hard."
Lloyd looked up at him for a moment because of that remark. Then he looked back to the Beast, nodding. He figured they would just have to dodge the ice blocks. With the same set up that was made for Vah Medoh, Lloyd would be able to float and shoot arrows at the same time.
"Right, I will keep an eye out for the ice and warn you. We just have to get close and take it down fast."
Sidon nodded to this and flashed a thumbs up. "Let's do this!"
It was pretty wild, chaotic and a rough ride all in one. Having to ride on Sidon's back, going very fast, dodging the ice, while also trying to get close. The rush of being launched of the top of a waterfall was accelerating. This didn't last long, Lloyd couldn't really allow it; it was too dangerous to just hang around.
Just one arrow was enough to short-circuit a generator. Steering away from the electric surge, Lloyd couldn't try to shoot another. So, the process needed to be repeated, three more times. Luckily, it all went well; this time no one got hurt.
When the last generator was hit, Vah Ruta itself started to move. While Lloyd was still floating in the air, the Beast rose up from the water, making it so that the entrance couldn't be reached from there. Luckily, Lloyd was still in the sky and would be able to reach the platform.
"Hey, Lloyd!" Sidon's voice called from below once he had landed.
The teen looked over the edge of the platform. Far below, Sidon was bobbing in the water, looking up.
"I wish I could join you. But I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck in there!" The Zora prince waved and Lloyd returned the gesture. By now he knew; he had to do this part alone.
A soft, female voice spoke to him, when Lloyd activated the pedestal in front of the entrance.
"Link. Where is Link?" She had a very worried tone. It tugged at the teen's heartstrings.
"I'm sorry... I know you expected him, but I promise I will do everything in my power to free you, and this Beast."
It went quiet, but Lloyd knew what needed to be done. The puzzle element of this Beast, involved the trunk that poured water into itself. This would move gears, platforms and got him to higher places. It even put out a large fire that was blocking one of the terminals. Finally, Lloyd got to the main terminal.
"Another boss will be waiting for me, right? The one who brought you down?" Lloyd asked the invisible spirit of whom he assumed was Mipha.
"Yes. Please, take it down." Her voice replied quietly.
Lloyd firmly nodded, putting the slate in the terminal. Like with all of them, the malice gathered to make another blob-like creature. This one was armed with a long, glowing blue spear. The face had antler-like attachments.
"Be careful; that spear has a long reach." Right when Mipha said this, the weapon thrust forward.
It covered a lot of ground indeed. Lloyd was just about able to jump out of the way. After this, the boss changed location in its orb form. There was not much room to attack it. Still, the teen was going to try.
Getting close was dangerous; it would be harder to dodge the attacks of the spear. He kept a close eye on it, while closing in and attacking the odd substance of the boss. After he connected, it retreated and tried a low swing with the spear. Jumping over it, Lloyd ran closer, hitting the boss with both ancient swords a couple of times.
A deafening screech, drove Lloyd back until almost the other side of the large, square room. The small layer of water in the room, started to rise until Lloyd was forced to swim. Four platforms showed up, divided out over the space.
Floating over one of the platforms, the boss made three ice blocks appear, much like the projectiles Vah Ruta was launching. All three of them were sent right towards Lloyd's direction. The teen swam quickly to dodge, the special suit he was gifted really helping out with this.
Lloyd found cover behind the edge of another platform, the ice broke on impact. Climbing on it, he saw the real problem: the water would prevent him from getting to the boss quickly. As it changed sides, the boss repeated the pattern.
Lloyd had to try to get closer, while dodging the ice. He wasn't that agile or good in the water. A chilling blow forced on top of another platform. Shivering from the cold, the teen tried to get up and turn toward the boss.
Zing! The long, blue spear flew straight towards him, making a deep cut in Lloyd's right cheek while he tried to sidestep at the last moment. Blood started flowing down his face. A little startled, his fingers touched the cut; it really stung.
This... thing, is getting on my nerves. "I am done playing around. I will take you down!"
Readying his swords, frustration taking hold of him. He floated up to the air, as two big, turquoise wings spread out from his back. Charging in quick, he aimed for that one, prominent eye. The blue swords sank in, right until the hilt.
The boss let out a final screech, before shivering and dissolving. The water sank back to the previous level and all the malice disappeared with it. In a haze, Lloyd put the slate in the main terminal once again. The same light engulfed everything, before the slate came back out again.
Sinking to his knees, Lloyd stared ahead, without really seeing anything. A spirit of a Zora, striking likeliness to the statue in the Domain, came to his side.
"You are hurt. Allow me, to lend you my power."
The warm glow, coming from her webbed, slightly see through hand, covered the cut in Lloyd's cheek. It was a rather familiar feeling, that reminded the teen of home.
"If you need healing, this will help you." From Mipha, a bright blue orb floated over to him. "I am sorry this task has been put upon you. All I can do in return, is play my part and set Vah Ruta to take down Ganon. Thank you, for all your efforts."
Light surrounded Lloyd, as the Zora gave him a final nod while he was warped away. The teen reappeared back on the pier. The sudden light and Lloyd's appearance, surprised the Zora prince, who was standing there, awaiting the outcome. He placed a hand on the teen's shoulder.
"I thought I'd have to go there and get you. What happened, did you do it?"
The movement from Vah Ruta, made Sidon look up. The Beast turned and started walking towards the cliffs, as if it knew it had to go there. Lloyd didn't even give this a look. He took the Sheikah slate and pressed the location of the Domain's shrine.
"What in the..." The sudden light blinded Sidon for a moment, and then he suddenly found himself back home, standing next to the shrine. "Lloyd?"
The teen already was walking off, a very distant look in his eyes, as if he wasn't even there. Sidon wanted to follow, but got distracted by Vah Ruta, setting up on a distant cliff in clear view. It rose is head and from the tusks the familiar, red beam was shot towards the center of Hyrule. Even though it was far away, Sidon could swear there was a familiar figure on top of the Beast.
"Sister?"
Under the cover of night, Vera got up to the higher cliffs with the help of the Zora. It gave a nice view of the Domain, and even the Divine Beast on the other side. It was too far away to really see what was going on there, however.
She had to focus on the task at hand. Anything, any hints to the location of the hero, that was the goal. They spread out, but not to far as she wanted the Zora to stay within eyesight just in case.
Not much later, she found that same sign she had spotted before. Advertisement about a monster shop, whatever that might be. This time, there was more than just a sign. It was shaped like an air balloon, made of wood and displaying mostly strange masks and items. In the small structure, a strange figure.
The Zora had spotted this as well, joining Vera's side. Together, they approached this, all being on edge and wary. It turned around, showing that the odd look was a mask, but its own face still was strange.
"Oh, look at that. So many costumers. Oh goody! It's Kilton's lucky night!" The creature chuckled and rubbed its hands together.
"What is this, who are you?" Vera asked with a frown.
"I am Kilton, this is my monster shop! If you are looking for unique items, you've come to the right place. I take payment in monster parts, isn't that great? A win-win, really." Kilton showed a grin, loads of teeth missing.
The Sheikah shared a confused look with her company. "What exactly do you sell?"
"Allow me to show you!"
Excited, Kilton got out a lot of monster masks, saying that they were good for blending in. Also, he showed a couple of strange weapons like a hammer, calling them effective in certain situations. He even showed something called a monster elixir, which got no explanation at all.
"Are we your first costumers?" Vera was curious to know.
"No, you are not. My second, actually."
"Who was your first?"
"I can't tell you that. Customers confidentiality and such." This was partly why he didn't how more of the 'dark' stuff he had. It could raise questions he didn't want to answer, getting Kilton in trouble.
"So, you will not say what you have sold either?"
The almost toothless grin appeared again as Kilton shook his head.
"Well. Have you maybe seen any signs of the hero? Blond hair in a ponytail, blue eyes, not really a talker?"
"Sorry, can't say I have. So, Sheikah, can I interest you in some of my wares?" Kilton leaned in, keen to convince her.
Vera opened her mouth to reject, but heavy steps drew all of their attention. The familiar shape of Vah Ruta was moving, walking up a cliff. After setting up, the beam was fired.
"It's done... We are free," one of the Zora said quietly, almost not believing it.
All of them looked down to the Domain. Vera spotted the light of a warp, just for a second. She then spotted the looks in the Zora's eyes.
"Go on. Go back to your home and celebrate."
"Are you sure? Shouldn't we..." A Zora started.
"I'll stay with her," another female Zora offered. "Go on ahead."
The other two Zora nodded in thanks and ran off, jumping down to their home. Vera gave a nod to the Zora with her, who just smiled and turned back to the owner of the monster shop. Vera needed to confirm just one thing. She found her binoculars, looking around for Lloyd through it.
The teen in question, was climbing up on top of the shell-like roof of the Domain's structure. She didn't understand why he was doing this. Lloyd just stood there, staring ahead. Then, all of the sudden, a pair of grand, turquoise wings folded out of his back. They were glowing and yet seemed see-through, looking truly majestic. But Lloyd's face, it wasn't that at all. It was pure torture, sad, fear and full of horror, it seemed. He broke down, falling to his knees and covering his face.
Lowering the binoculars, Vera didn't know how to react for a moment. There was marvel, but also worry going across her face. The Zora spotted this, coming to stand next to her.
"Are you alright?"
"I... need to go back. Please, take me down there fast."
"Um, okay." The Zora of course hadn't seen any of that, but decided to not ask any questions.
Thankfully, Vera was used to the eagle dive leaps Zora made thanks to their prince. The rush and cold, hitting the water while tucking in, it was all just part of it. When they climbed back up the platform of the Domain itself, she looked around.
"Sidon!" Vera spotted the prince, who was just about to ascend the stairs, looking confused.
The Sheikah joined his side, looking up at him. "What happened?"
"I'm... not sure myself." For a change, the Zora prince was not smiling, but frowning. This was rare to see. "Everything went according to plan. When the Divine Beast stared to move, I could have sworn I saw her. I saw my sister up there. But then we got warped away, back to the shrine here."
No doubt that warp was Lloyd's doing. Vera decided not to say this out loud.
"From what I've heard from Lloyd, each Beast holds the spirit of the former Champions. In a way, they are held hostage by the malice. Ganon keeps a tight hold on everything."
It was a sad yet very real truth. Gloomy, Sidon nodded to her words. "To think only one guy can save us from all of this. It makes me mad, almost makes me question the choices of the Goddess."
If Lloyd would have heard this, he'd fully agree. Martel was very much the same, after all. She however, was made to the status of Goddess. Hylia was more of a true Divine being. Martel became one in the end. No, not even the end. As Colette had said; believe and faith is what makes gods. If no one believed in them, no power was held in people's hearts and gods would become meaningless, nothing, none existent. Their strength and very existence came from people.
"Do you know what's going on with Lloyd?" Vera asked, keeping it vague intentionally.
"No, I got no clue." He shook his head. "I would have been happy with such a victory, but he clearly wasn't. I'm not even sure where he went."
Sidon looked around, eyes going over his people, who were all happy and celebrating. The bad weather had stopped as well, which was a very nice bonus.
"You just go and talk with your father. Be with your people. I will look after Lloyd."
"Alright, Vera." The prince managed to smile again. "Be sure the both of you join us in the celebration."
The Sheikah only nodded, not willing to promise anything. She was used to goofy, pepped Lloyd, not... the emotionally challenged one. She was the last person to talk about such things. But she should at least try. Not only because it was necessary, but also because she cared.
Jumping up to the roof of the Domain was not a problem for the Sheikah. It was funny; when she was younger, she used to do this as well, just to tease Sidon by hiding from him. It was also nice place to look at the surrounding waterfalls pouring down beneath a beautiful starry sky.
But the teen had no eyes for any of this. He was staring at his hands, his left turned so that the Exsphere was clear to be seen, glistening in the starlight. It also reflected the faint blue/green glow of that came from the large wings.
Seeing them up close, Vera couldn't help to be in awe. Their span would certainly make Rito very jealous. They weren't made of feathers; it was hard to say what they were made of. They looked clear, as if they weren't really there, yet they very clearly were.
There was a beauty and wonder about these wings for sure. However, Lloyd's expression told a very different story. Still, it spelled out horror, fear and even disgust. While probably a lot of people would wish to be able to fly, it was clear Lloyd wasn't one of them.
"Lloyd... Please tell me what's going on. What is going through your head right now? It's not healthy to keep it all in." Vera finally said, while keeping a small distance. She wanted him to invite her to come closer when he was ready for it.
A distant look was in Lloyd's eyes, looking down at the Exsphere without even really seeing it. It wasn't even clear if he heard the Sheikah's words. So, she stepped closer, placing her hand on his shoulder, trying very hard to ignore the wings.
"Are you angry, afraid, upset? Why is that? You can tell me."
Vera hadn't noticed the active glow of the Sheikah slate. It was out shined by the glow of the wings. His right hand dropped and tapped it, apparently already having set up the warp point.
The blue light brought them both back to the shrine at the stable where they had left the horses. By now, the wings had completely disappeared, but Lloyd'd expression still was distant. It was almost like he was running on autopilot.
The teen shook of Vera's hand, walked up to his own horse and got up on her back, quickly setting off in a galop, all without saying a word.
"Lloyd! Damn it."
Vera cursed and quickly set off in pursuit, taking out her own horse. In this state, who knows what would happen to Lloyd? What was he thinking, was he even thinking at all? What the hell was going on?!
The Sheikah tried to gain on Lloyd, even with the head start he had gotten. With all of this havoc, she was so distracted that she noticed the arrows flying in too late. Several of them hit the horses, whom panicked and dropped off their riders in the process. Two arrows also hit Vera in her upper right shoulder and right arm. A third one dug into her left, lower leg.
Cursing in her native tongue, Vera landed on her side, hearing a rib crack because of it. Soon, she was surrounded by the familiar white masks of the Yiga. Half a dozen of them, armed with bows and curved swords.
"You traitorous cowards," she bit at them. Vera tried to look past them, through their legs, to see where Lloyd was.
The teen was also knocked off his horse, but didn't seem to have any arrows in him. Three Yiga were with him, holding him in place with the sharp edges of their swords pointing at his throat.
A bone chilling chuckle sounded, as a shadow moved in, going in front of Lloyd and took on another form. This was for sure the same one Vera had seen before. Even from the back, she could just tell. Not even because of his dark appearance or white hair, but the chill he seemed to bring with him.
Shade took out his dagger, pointing it at the brown-haired teen's face.
"Look who we have here. The guy who loves to play the hero. You really gave me a lot of extra work, you know. I go around, putting all the people in despair and you just go and free the Beasts, giving them hope again. That is not how it's supposed to go."
Stepping closer, Shade's dagger was only inches away from Lloyd's nose. But despite the position he was in, the teen didn't look afraid, or even impressed. The shadow made a growling noise in discontent.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Give me your name and I will give you mine."
"Why you..." Shade wanted to go for a stab, but the female Sheikah a few feet away, yelled out loud.
Despite the painful arrows, she got up to fight the Yiga around her, even when outnumbered. This seemingly got the teen inspired as well, as he moved to take down one of the Yiga with a swipe of his foot.
"This is a waste of effort!" Shade called out, using the back of his dagger to hit Lloyd on the head hard.
Before all fainted to black (déjà vu), Lloyd heard Vera call his name.