"Link, what you're saying... It's truly terrifying," Riju said darkly, taking in what Link had just explained to her and Buliara. Buliara stood silent, however her pupils were dilated with alarm.

"The Yiga have the power of the Calamity Ganon's Malice?" Riju repeated, as if ensuring they had heard the Hylian Champion correctly. Link nodded.

"I think there's a bit more to it than just that, but from what I know right now, yes. The Yiga are able to at least use a bit of the Calamity's Malice," Link said in a deep voice. Riju looked up towards Buliara, both nodding as Buliara lifted and clanked her claymore to the ground.

"If this is true, and one of them can do that much damage to you, then we believe we must act accordingly. Preparations must be made. If you would, please remain in town until sundown. Once the final hour of sunlight is upon us, return here," Buliara said. Link made to oppose, however Buliara rose a hand before words could come out.

"We know, and understand your plight, Hylian Champion," Buliara said strongly. "The Princess of Hyrule is free. You have entrusted this information to us only because of our connection to our late chief, Urbosa. It is also because of the late chief that we insist you trust us with this, just as you trust us with the information of Princess Zelda as well. I understand your rush to protect her; however, we wish to help you just as you have helped us with Divine Beast Vah Naboris. Please, be patient and wait for nightfall. You will find it beneficial, I assure you."

Link's breath faltered, desperately wanting to head to the Yiga hideout now. He had only wished for information, however Buliara's eyes stared deep into his own. The Champion continued to stare into the guard's eyes before ultimately giving in, lowering his head in defeat. Link turned and headed out of the hall, preparing to wait until nightfall.

...

The air began to chill as the sun set on Gerudo Town, the moon growing ever brighter as the shift from light to dark took place. Just as the darkness of the night took over, the lanterns and flames of the city began to illuminate their usual orange light. Those who didn't work during the day began to head home or helped clean up shops. or even headed to the Noble Canteen for a hearty drink where Link happened to be, still dressed in his sky blue Gerudo vai outfit. He wasn't drinking the famous Noble Pursuit drink that the pub was famous for.

"Link..." a Hylian girl said, swaying a bit as she and Link stood leaned up against a wall in the pub. "What are you drinking? That isn't a Noble Pursuit, is it?"

"Of course not," Link said, taking another sip of the deep red drink in his hand. "It's a hearty elixir. I got in a bit of a tough tussle a couple days ago..."

"Ah, always running into trouble as a traveler," Jules said, swirling her drink in her hand. "I swear, it's amazing I'm the only one who knows you're a guy... Those scars on your rather toned body really give it away... and even for a small girl, you're so flat chested..."

"Jules, you're speaking too loud again," Link said, his eyes darting around a bit. "For someone who said they would keep my secret, you sure talk pretty loud when you bring it up."

"It's only when I'm a bit drunk, I promise!" Jules said, waving her hand as if she were trying to unsuccessfully wave away Link's worries. "I wouldn't get you caught, you're like my best friend in here! If only you weren't so young, we could drink together..."

"You know... I'm only like a year and a half younger than you," Link said, raising an eyebrow. Jules eyebrows went up as she took another sip of her Pursuit.

"Riiiiiight, it has been awhile since you first arrived here... When is your birthday anyway?" Jules asked curiously, brushing her purple hair out of her eyes. Link furrowed his eyebrows in his own curiosity. What date was it again? The knight sighed. He really did rely on that Sheikah Slate too much, he had lost all sense of what time or date it was without it.

"It's... sometime in the next month or two..." Link said quietly, taking a sip of his hearty elixir. As much as he wanted too, he couldn't just say he was basically an old man in a young body. "A better question is how long do you plan to stay here? You've been here for months now..."

"Has it been that long already?" Jules asked, looking up at the roof in thought. "Maybe I should head home soon..."

"Speaking of heading somewhere, looks like it's time for me to go," Link said, downing the rest of his elixir as he pushed himself up straight. Jules gave him a dejected look.

"Awww, leaving already?" she asked sadly. "I don't have many other fellow Hylians to talk to, much less boys for that matter... and you're fun to be around."

"Sorry Jules, one day we'll have a full day to hang out, promise," Link said, adjusting the Master Sword and hammer belt on his shoulder as they kept slipping down on the silk of his clothes.

"You know," Jules said, taking another sip of her Noble Pursuit. "It doesn't have to be for just one day. I wouldn't mind traveling if it's with you..."

"Sorry Jules," Link said apologetically as he scratched the back of his head. "I uh... I already have a travel partner. She's… she's pretty great."

"Oh... I see," Jules said, running her finger along the edge of her mug. "Well, oh well! I thought I would give it a try! You'll have to introduce me one day if she's that great."

"I will," Link said, turning towards the door. "Thanks for hanging out with me tonight. definitely have a drink in the future. Promise!"

Jules waved as Link ran out of the pub before staring back into her reflection in her drink.

"Well... that blows..."

Link missed that last part as he ran down the steps of the pub, now running through the streets of the quiet Gerudo Town. He had waited long enough: He had to figure out what was going on with the Yiga, and fast.

The knight quickly bolted up the stairs of the sandstone palace, the sound of rushing water and the sparkling of moonlit gems returning to his senses as he entered the palace room. Link looked around at the beauty of the interior before quickly turning his attention yet again on the little chief and her bodyguard.

"Ah, Link, " Buliara said as soon as Link was within earshot. "Right when the stars come out I see. I can't say I didn't expect you just as the moon came out with how much of a hurry you are in."

"Very funny," Link said with a bit of a frown. "Buliara, I really don't have time for this. I need to figure out what's going on with the Yiga."

"As do we, little Hylian, I assure you," Buliara said. "However, you must practice patience."

"Link, you were very cautious when preparing for the Calamity," Riju's small voice said. "This is Malice they have... the same power the Calamity had. I believe you know better than anyone else how careful we must be."

Link grumbled a bit, however he didn't argue.

"Well then... what did you want me here for this late?" Link asked curiously. "I would guess you have some sort of plan."

"Glad you asked," Buliara said, reaching a hand out to Riju. The girl couldn't help but giggle as she turned in her chair, pulling out what seemed to be quite fashionable clothing from out the pillows. She handed the clothing to Buliara, who inspected the clothing with a frown before tossing the clothing to Link. The knight's eyes darted between Riju and Buliara's before looking down at the clothing in his hands. After a moment of confused inspection, Link's eyes grew wide as he realized what he was holding.

"Why would you guys give me this?" Link asked, inspecting the teal and gold clothes in his hands. "I appreciate the offer, but I think my Champion's Tunic would have worked just fine..."

"That tunic is in shambles," Riju said with a frown. "Plus, there is more than one reason we give you this."

"We can't have you slowing us down in the desert, and you can't wear that in combat," Buliara said, pointing at Link's vai outfit. "Now, change into that in the chief's room. Meet me in the training hall."

Buliara turned and briskly walked towards the meeting hall entrance. Link watched as she walked away before turning to Riju.

"What does she mean by 'slow us down'?" Link questioned. Riju gave him an innocent smile.

"You'll learn soon enough. It was actually my idea. I hope they don't try to hurt you too badly. Oh! There are also some new weapons in my room as well. I don't think that hammer will do much for you against Yiga with Malice," she said, gesturing towards the hammer from the stables Link had on his back along with the Master Sword. "And might I ask... why aren't you using the Master Sword? That is the legendary blade isn't it?"

"Yeah," Link said, looking back at the purple winged hilt of the Master Sword. "It ran out of power. It'll be charged back up in the next few days. I just couldn't wait that long."

"A legendary blade that runs out of power..." Riju thought curiously. "That seems a bit underwhelming. But maybe I just don't know much about weapons. Buliara still won't teach me."

Riju shrugged disappointingly before waving Link off. Link chuckled as he turned towards the steps towards Riju's room. It was funny every time Riju tried to act like a grown chief. He knew how much she wanted to prove everyone that she was worthy, yet he understood she was still just a kid. She had a point though. Why did the Master Sword run out of energy so often? Was it weaker than expected? Or was it holding itself back?

"Oh and Link..." Riju's voice called back out, breaking Link's thought process. Link turned, watching as Riju played with her pillows.

"You... You'll still have time to come and hang out with me every now and then right? Even if she is here now?"

Link's eyebrow rose at her sudden question.

"Of course, that will never change. Why would you think that?" Link asked curiously. Riju looked down at the seat pillow she now had in her hand.

"Well... Even a vai my age can tell when you're in love. It's just, when the Gerudo vai here find love and marry, they disappear and only visit once a blue moon. You're the only one I can really be a kid around. I'd be sad if you stopped visiting..." Riju said nervously. Link smiled warmly, looking at the red headed girl. She really was just a kid, who still just wanted to be a kid.

"Don't worry, I'll still be around," Link said with a smile. "And I'm sure she will also want to hang out with you. As a friend, not as a Chief."

"You think so?" Riju asked excitedly. Link nodded.

"Of course. We will always come back. In fact, to prove it to you..."

Link glanced back at the Master Sword on his back. As much as he wanted to take it with him, it still was unusable, and unlike before he didn't have the Sheikah Slate to put it into. It wouldn't be usable for the next few days. At this point it was dead weight. As much as he wanted to contemplate why it would run out of energy, now wasn't the time to question it.

Link unstrapped the sword from his back, holding the sheathed blade in his hand, his eyes tracing the gold and blue accents of the sheath before resting his gaze on the purple, winged hilt. The knight stared at his sword for a moment before nodding to himself, now walking over to the little vai sitting on the throne.

"Link?" Riju asked as she watched Link move to the side of her throne. Link rested the sword against the arm of the sandstone chair. Riju's eyes grew wide as she stared at the magnificence of the sword in its sheath.

"I can't use it right now. It would only slow me down if I carried that with other weapons. I'm the only one that can use it. Its power could hurt anyone that's not worthy, including you," Link said, emphasizing that last part as Riju had lifted her hand to touch the sword. Riju's small hand stopped before it could touch the purple guard, quickly retracting as she stared at the sword in slight fear. Link chuckled a bit at her reaction.

"Don't fear the sword. It's here to protect us. To protect you. The sword demands a worthy heart, but also respect. If you embrace its presence but don't try to push your luck, you have nothing to fear," Link said with a smile, his own eyes now staring at the bluish-purple glint of the sword. "Now I need to come back and get that, meaning someone needs to watch over it. Someone I trust. Can you watch over that for me?"

Riju's eyes glistened with pride as a smile formed on her mouth.

"But... what if the Yiga come for it?" Riju asked. Link chuckled again.

"Let 'em have it. I dare them to try and pick it up," Link said with a smile as he turned towards Riju's room to change yet again. "Trust me, they wouldn't get very far. And they know that. If anything, they'll be very happy I don't have it with me. Especially if they have malice. They want to be as far away from that thing as possible. If anything, having that here protects Gerudo Town with just its presence."

"Link, will you be okay without it?" Link heard Riju's voice ask. Link stopped, one foot on the bottom step of the stairs.

"I'll have to manage," Link said without looking back, before he trekked up the stairs. Riju watched as Link disappeared before her green eyes landed on the sword, now resting peacefully on the armrest next to her.

"So cool..." she whispered to herself, admiring the gold diamond in the center of the wings. "They say the Master Sword has a will of its own, a consciousness. I don't know if you can hear me, but..."

Riju looked up at the stairs Link had disappeared through. She smiled.

"When I get older... I want to be strong like he is."

Riju swore the sword had made just the slightest noise when she said that, however it was so faint she felt that maybe her ears were playing tricks on her.

...

Buliara stood at the top of the stairs of the Gerudo training hall. She watched as the Gerudo warriors organized themselves, gearing up for the upcoming quest into the desert. She turned her head towards the rather pale-skinned Gerudo warrior who was placing her purple shield and scimitar on her lower back.

"Teake!" Buliara called out. The Gerudo named Teake turned her head up towards Buliara, watching the bulky woman tilt her head up. Teake nodded as she made her way up towards the stairs.

"I don't understand your thinking, Buliara," Teake said. "I remember when you were the captain of the Gerudo warriors, and I am grateful you have passed that responsibility on to myself. However, why organize us at night? You still haven't told us why we prepare at this hour..."

"You will find out in a moment's time," Buliara said, looking towards her old friend. "But I must ask this. You trust my judgement and decisions, do you not?"

"Of course. You may have left the guard to be the personal bodyguard of the chief," Teake said, "however I will always see you as my captain."

"Then I hope you will have my back on this," Buliara said, glancing behind her. "It seems the time is now."

Buliara cleared her throat before she raised her gold claymore. With a loud clunk, she slammed the tip of her sword into the ground. The sound rang through the roofless room, gathering the attention of the rest of the warriors.

"Gerudo warriors!" Buliara called out in her usual, powerful voice. "Hear me now!"

The red headed woman looked up towards their Captain and Chief Bodyguard, all curious as to why they prepared so late at night.

"As you all know, we Gerudo have had many trials and tribulations throughout these past few months. The Thunder Helm was stolen from us by the Yiga Clan. The Divine Beast of old threatened our city. And, of course, the looming threat of the century-old Calamity became ever more dangerous as the days passed. Those, amongst many more, have all been hard on us Gerudo. However, one Hylian vai came to help us. I believe you all know whom I speak of," Buliara preached.

Cheers came from the Gerudo warriors at the sound of the brave Hylian vai. They were all in debt to her. Buliara continued.

"The Hylian vai known as Link has saved one of our own from the Yiga Clan, gained the thunder helm back from the Yiga's clutches, calmed the Divine Beast Vah Naboris, and helped defeat on of the greatest threats to the desert, one of the deadly Molduga. However, I am also here to tell you that the same Hylian vai has also defeated the great, deadly Calamity!"

The clapping that had been going on through Buliara's speech suddenly ceased as a questionable murmur came from the crowd. Even Teake, the captain still standing next to Buliara on the stairs, gave her a questioning look.

"But... but Buliara!" one of the Gerudo warriors called out. "It was said that the only one who could defeat the Calamity was the Hylian Champion from a hundred years ago... And that was not only a hundred years ago, but the person that helped us was a Hylian vai. The Champion was a voe..."

"You would be correct in this accusation," Buliara said. The murmur among the crowd grew louder before another voice spoke out.

"But if what you're saying is true... then that Hylian is no vai at all! A voe has breached our borders!" another Gerudo spoke out loudly. Buliara nodded.

"A voe has. And that voe happens to be right here," Buliara said, gesturing her hand to her free side. A figure began to walk out of the shadows of the throne room. Slowly the moonlight encased the figure to reveal a sandy haired, blue eyed voe wearing a turquoise and red Gerudo voe outfit. He adjusted the Gerudo scimitar and Gerudo Radiant shield on his back, before overlooking the small crowd of warriors.

"Buliara!" Teake called out as her hand went towards her scimitar. "Why is there a voe willingly in our borders?"

The rest of the Gerudo women began to take their weapons out, preparing to throw Link from the town. Link took a step back however Buliara put an arm out in front of him.

"GERUDO WARRIORS!" Buliara's voice boomed across the room, freezing the warriors in their tracks. "Do you remember what I have just spoken!? Remember what this voe has done for us! He has even saved one of our own, who stands in this room purely due to his own efforts! He has been granted permission by the chief and myself to be in this town! Are you willing to go against not just myself or the chief, but to also forgo all the kindness he has given us!?"

The warriors murmured yet again. It seemed as though the Gerudo were not convinced.

"While we are grateful for his actions, the Gerudo Town's sacred rules have been in place for a thousand lifetimes!" another Gerudo called out. "And as much as we respect our current chief, she is but a girl! Her judgement pales in comparison to the last, or even our greatest of chiefs, the great Urbosa!"

"Then what if I told you this voe has earned the respect of Lady Urbosa herself?" Buliara boomed yet again. The rooms murmuring immediately became quiet. "Must I remind you? This is the Hylian Champion of a hundred years ago, who fought alongside Lady Urbosa herself. And Lady Urbosa had given Link the privilege's of entering the town even a hundred years ago, as long as he kept his gender hidden. It is even written down in her diary that Urbosa gave Link the means necessary to enter the town."

"If Urbosa herself has given this voe permission, then we shall not question further. However, the Champion Link was said to have fallen a hundred years ago. How can we believe this is the same Hylian as a hundred years ago?" Teake questioned. "I'm sorry Buliara. I respect you greatly, but this is a large request you are making of us warriors."

"I do not blame you Teake, or any of the vai in here. However this voe has proven himself worthy of entrance even without the permission of our late Urbosa. However, if you need more proof, then I must ask you to think back. The purple weapon this voe had on his back. That was the Legendary Master Sword, the weapon only the Hylian Champion of old could use."

"And where is it now?" Teake asked, looking at the nervous Link across from Buliara. "It doesn't seem to be on his back."

"I have left it with Ri-the chief," Link said, trying to sound as confident and important as possible. "I have used up its power, and it will take awhile for it to recharge. If you must see it, it is next to the throne, but I recommend you do not try to touch it."

Teake turned, peering into the throne room. There Riju sat, however with a squint, Teake could make out the purple hilt of the Master Sword even from where she stood.

"It is true... This is the Hylian Champion," Teake said, turning back to the vai in the room. The room was silent, as if still contemplating whether or not the voe should remain in their borders. However a voice quickly spoke up.

"I believe he should be welcome!" a vai said, raising her spear in the air. Many heads turned to her as she spoke out. Though she seemed a tad worried, she held strong. "That voe gave me a chance to escape the Yiga Clan's prison! I owe my life to him."

"And he did save us from the Divine Beast..." Another vai said.

"He returned the Thunder Helm..."

"He helped out the town..."

"He fought alongside Lady Urbosa and Lady Riju..."

The murmuring lasted a few moments before Teake rose her sword.

"I believe... we should put our faith in Buliara and Chief Riju's judgement. This voe has shown nothing but support and kindness as Buliara said. I believe... he should be permitted."

"But what would the rest of the town say?" another of the vai asked. Buliara clanked her claymore on the ground yet again.

"His gender shall remain a secret to us all," she boomed. "A secret of the Gerudo warriors, myself, and the chief. Do you believe in my judgement? The chief's judgement?"

"Yes!" the Gerudo called out. Link couldn't help but instantly feel a built-up tension release from his chest. Buliara patted him on the back.

"I have to say: if you didn't help us out all those times, you would have been immediately thrown out of here," she said with a rare smile. Link smiled nervously as he rubbed his neck. Teake glanced over at the Hylian voe before walking in front of him. She stared down at the voe before closing her eyes and lowering her head.

"Forgive me, Hylian Champion," Teake said apologetically. "I believe you know this town's traditions. It's hard to just accept a voe in our borders. However... please do not take our hesitance as disrespect or ungratefulness. We owe much to you, and are thankful to you. All of our lives are in debt to you. I believe I speak for all the vai in this room."

Link looked behind Teake to see many of the Gerudo nodding in agreement. Link smiled as he looked up at the vai captain.

"Don't worry, I understand. Traditions die hard... I know that unfortunately all too well..." Link said with an awkward smile. Teake chuckled, however her light hearted nature quickly faded.

"Though... I believe you aren't just telling us this for now reason, Buliara," Teake questioned. "There's more, isn't there?"

Bulirara nodded as she, Link, and Teake began to walk down the stairs.

"Indeed there is. Princess Zelda has also returned," Buliara said, "and she was attacked yesterday by the Yiga. It seems as though the Yiga have learned to control Malice. Not only does this put the Hylian Princess at risk, but Gerudo Town and all of Hyrule. Those crazy bastards should not wield such dangerous power. That is why..."

Buliara, Link, and Teake all looked at the Gerudo warriors they now stood in front of.

"We shall be returning our debt to Link, while also getting our own revenge for all they have done. We will be raiding the Yiga Clan hideout. Tonight."

...

Do we prefer longer chapters that take longer to write? Or do we like shorter chapters I can put out maybe a bit faster?

Kenny Boi