The dawn was grey.
There was an acidic taste in the air that prophesied rain. The ghostly specter of lightening tousled beneath the white clouds as thunder rolled from the edges of Hyrule.
I rolled my neck, feeling a distinct soreness in the joints. For some reason, the promise of rain made my bones feel heavy. The grey clouds did little to uplift my spirits. Every time the possibility of rain loomed, I automatically anticipated something bad to happen.
Nothing a bowl of soup can't fix…
I snapped out of my musings and gave the simmering pot a habitual stir.
Despite establishing intimacy with Kass the night before, I had felt paranoid sleeping next to other people. It wasn't due to Eryck being there as my little outburst proved that I was the most volatile one of the group. Eryck would need to keep his eye open for me.
Kass had drifted off soon after we had binged his stash of wildberries. I think he intended for me to get rest because he briefly woke up at one point to take over night watch. But as he saw me staring at the dying embers, he let out a noncommittal grunt and fell asleep once more.
I ended up staying awake for most of the night – managing probably only 3 hours of sleep. Since I was already awake, I decided to rig up the cooking pot and serve a humble breakfast. It wasn't until I saw the storm clouds rolling that I decided to serve soup: creamy mushroom, from the milk of Kakariko's cows and the mushrooms of the wild.
Kass woke with a chirp and rustled his feathers, causing him to look larger than he really was. When he registered that he was with company, the Rito immediately patted down his frizzled feathers. He gave me a warm smile.
"Good morning, Zelda. I'd ask if you slept well, but if I remember, you were awake even when the campfire died."
I shrugged, serving him some soup in a wooden bowl that was included with the cooking supplies. "I don't need to sleep that much. I feel fine."
Kass cocked an eyebrow. The spoon was half-way to his mouth. "Are you sure? You look like you haven't slept a wink these past few days."
"What makes you say that?"
"Your undereyes. They are as black as the soot off Death Mountain!"
I fought the urge to reach for the Sheikah Slate and turn on its camera feature to see for myself.
Kass' comment had been somewhat true. The last restorative sleep I had was in Hateno, after I had bought the house – almost two days ago. While I felt the lingering fuzziness of insomnia in the corners of my eyes, my mind felt as sharp as ever.
I felt like I had persevered through worse conditions than lack of sleep.
"I feel fine, Kass. Really! I'm ready to tackle on the day."
His mouth twisted into an expression of skepticism. Nevertheless, he shrugged and took in a helping of soup. "If you say so…But really Zelda, if you needed to sleep, I wouldn't have minded if you woke me up to take over. I know you're capable, but that doesn't mean you have to do it by yourself."
I sensed his advice went beyond simple teamwork when it came to night watches. However, I didn't call it out.
It was blissful two minutes of silence – enjoying our soup and the quiet morning – before Eryck woke up.
He squatted before the cooking rig, creating an equilateral triangle seating arrangement that completed our little trifecta of forced traveling companions.
"Whoa, who made the soup?" Eryck asked.
"Zelda did. You'd best show some gratitude. She woke up early just to cook us breakfast," Kass answered.
I knew Kass was subtlety hinting at Eryck to play nice and apologize for the night before, but I flushed at his praise for my basic nicety. I still felt odd when someone shows gratitude for a simple act of kindness. Part of it is because I always thought kindness was expected, not reserved. To reward someone for just being nice felt off to me.
Eryck ate a mouthful of the mushroom soup. Immediately, his eyes widened and locked onto mine. I felt uncomfortable as he continued to dig into the food with gusto.
"You made this?" He asked incredulously once he scarfed down half of it.
I nodded slowly.
"By the Goddess, it's delicious!" He finished his serving with a resounding slurp that scared the nearby deer away. "You could be my wife, Zelda!"
My face instinctually twisted into a grimace. The expression must have been extreme as Kass spat out his soup to the side, choking in laughter and shock.
Eryck flushed at the Rito's reaction. "I'm serious! A man needs a woman who can spit fire and cook as good as you. Come on, sweetheart. I know we got off the wrong foot the other night, but love-hate relationships are the most passionate, eh?"
I fought a shiver at his wink. Instead, I smiled tightly. "Unfortunately, being a housewife isn't in my ambitions."
"Pfft," Eryck spat, rolling his eyes. "What other ambitions could there be?"
The air stilled at his mocking query. I narrowed my eyes and raised my chin, hoping to embody the aura of dignity I had felt in my very bones.
"I want to be a knight."
"A knight?" Eryck laughed. "Don't tell me you're one of those girls that idolize the Female Knight from 100 years ago?" As quickly as he asked that question, he suddenly facepalmed and groaned to the sky as if a realization suddenly dawned on him. "Nooo…you are! You even have the same name as her!"
I flushed red. Apparently, with the lack of sleep, my fuse had been shortened as well. The tips of my ears felt like they were burning. I balled my fist tightly, feeling the familiar sting of my nails digging into flesh. There would be bright, red crescents in my palm.
"Is it so bad to idolize her?!" I yelled. "Every derogatory comment you've made has been regarding her. What did she ever do to you?"
"Zelda…" Kass cautioned softly, but I brushed him off.
"What did she do?" Eryck was yelling with the same passion as I. "It's more like: what she didn't do! Look around you! Look at the castle! She fucked us over!"
I flinched as if physically struck. Something heavy like lead sank into my stomach as the bitter taste of bile began crawling up my throat.
So, this is how the world saw me …
"100,000 years…" Eryck started. "For 100,000 years, a boy in green saved us from the clutches of Ganon. What were they thinking trying to change things by sending a girl in blue to fight for us? And when the Calamity came, she was nowhere to be found."
His glare was furious. It froze my soul over with the bitterness and iciness his anger emanated.
Kass moved to speak, but Eryck angrily flashed him a glare.
"And don't you dare bring up the princess being a prince! At least the prince is holding the seal on Ganon. I'm not stupid. I've seen the glowing, yellow light from the spire. The prince has done his responsibility to awaken the powers of Hylia. Where is your heroine now?"
My fist tightened once more before the fight drained out. Whatever argument I had lined up died in my throat as I forced my anger to evaporate into the air.
Because Eryck was right. Link had done his part. And what was I doing?
What right did I have to be angry when I've clearly failed these people? They had every right to resent me. My best wasn't enough. And this was my last chance to make it right…
Lightning struck. A deafening clap of thunder followed not a moment after, which meant that the strike was not too far from our current location.
"Zelda!" Kass called, standing at the edge of Rabia Plain.
Eryck and I forwent our argument and ran up beside him. We had a perfect view of the Sheikah Tower in the distance and the archipelago it loomed over. A thick grey cloud was suspended over the wetland, unrelenting with the copious rainfall it unleashed.
I brought out the scope and looked through it. The Rutala River was steadily rising and moving inland. Soon, the archipelago and the bridges between the islands would cease to exist. This entire area would just be water. The flood could continue to the stable bordering the region – the one Mina and Mils pointed me to many nights before.
If the rain persisted at this rate, the environmental integrity of Hyrule would be ruined within days. And I haven't even considered the state of Zora's Domain.
That settles it. Due to the precarious nature of the Rutala River, I would spend the whole 24 hours swimming to Zora's Domain if I must.
I holstered the slate, determination flaring in my eyes as I turned to Kass. "Please, I need to get to Zora's Domain as soon as possible. What's the quickest route?"
Kass nodded and glided down from the tree we were sheltered under, further down the cliffs of Rabia Plain.
I scaled the cliffs after him, scuffing my boots in a hurry to glide off the plateau and to the islands.
"W-Wait!" Eryck called, but I heard his footfalls right behind mine.
Kass landed at the edge of the cliff and motioned with his wing to the wetland before us.
"If you jump here, you can make it to Kincean Island. I don't know the state of Gopanga Village, but the rain would make it hard to see landmarks anyway. Just follow the Sheikah Tower in the distance. You will find the Zora River nearby. Follow it upstream to reach the domain."
Eryck caught up with us, having heard just the tail-end of Kass' instructions. "That's insane! The river is going to flood soon, probably overnight. It's certain death if you try to get to Zora's Domain through the wetlands." He gripped my shoulders, a new desperation swimming in his eyes. It caught me off guard. "I'm sorry if I struck a nerve. I didn't mean for it to go this far. But don't go killing yourself to prove something."
His fear was palpable. Despite the argument we just went through, I found myself being strangely apologetic for causing Eryck so much distress.
But I wasn't doing it for the reasons he claimed.
Gently, I took his arms off my shoulders. "But if I don't do anything, Hyrule would be further plunged into ruin. You already hate me for not saving Hyrule before. I promise to do better...I will do better."
Eryck's eyes widened at the phrasing of my words. I smiled wryly in return.
I had just revealed who I was: the Female Knight he hated so much.
He scrambled to grab hold of my shoulders, but I had already slinked behind Kass. The Rito blocked him from reaching me.
I held the Paraglider in my hands. The wood felt soft from the humidity in the air.
I glanced at Kass. "Will you come with me? You have knowledge of the Divine Beasts and Champions…I could use a friend like that."
"For my own safety, I cannot," Kass answered, smiling sadly. "There was a time where the Rito and Zora were once a single race. Then, an anomaly happened where half of the species developed wings while the other half continued to live in the seas. But we share a common enemy of electric foes. If what Eryck said last night is true, I cannot accompany you."
I nodded, understanding his reasons and prepared myself to endure the journey alone once more.
"However, I don't doubt that you will find help. If you choose to accept it, that's up to you," Kass ended, pushing me slightly forwards to take that leap of faith. "Go forth, heroine. I'll be praying for your safety until we next meet."
"If you're still researching the ancient song quests, our reunion will be inevitable," I promised.
Then, I simply jumped off the ridge. Eryck's scream of concern echoed in the valley as I fell freely. I quickly raised the Paraglider and opened its wings, feeling the cloth fill with air above me.
I didn't look behind me to see Kass or Eryck's expressions. It was time to move forward.
Right when I crossed into Lanayru territory, the gust and rain welcomed me. I tried hard to steer the Paraglider towards the island Kass pointed me towards – Kincean, if I remember correctly. However, the gale was too strong, and I ended up drifting further west, away from the Sheikah Tower.
The Paraglider ended up taking the brunt of the rainfall. A dull but soothing rhythm patted along the taut cloth, but it served to dampen the sail and thus, decrease my glide time. I ended up landing just off the coast of the island next to Kincean.
The river hadn't risen enough for me to actually swim, yet. Still, the water was up to my waist, and I had to wade to land. The grass on the island was rightfully saturated with water. It wouldn't be long until the tide moved upwards.
If my mood was soured just looking at the grey clouds, I felt immediately melancholic in the downpour. Raindrops clung to my eyelashes, blurring my vision until blobs of light were the only things I could distinguish. The orange glow of the Sheikah Tower in the distance was the only sliver of color in a grey and dark swamp. And because it wasn't activated yet, the Sheikah Slate's map of this area is useless.
Well, at least the constant pattering of the rain and the sludgy ground would deafen my footsteps…I thought, deciding to be my own ray of sunshine in the storm.
The air tasted acidic and there was a constant ache in my bones. But then, there was the familiar smell of rain in the air, something I've always cherished. It smelled fresh and earthy, a reminder that this storm is necessary for flowers to bloom.
I pulled the hood of my cloak up. Swiping my eyelashes free from the rain, I stared at the orange sliver in the distance – a lighthouse beacon calling me forward.
Up ahead, there was the sound of a scuffle occurring. I hadn't heard it when I landed, further adding credence to my theory that rain deafens all sounds. However, as I walked up the small hill, the tell-tale sound of steel clashing against steel resonated through the downpour.
A fight was occurring before the wooden bridge that connected the islands. It was between a scaly being that resembled a chameleon and another that resembled a bipedal shark.
The shark creature looked like it was trained to fight. It had steel bindings that I could only equate to Hylian armor on its chest, forearms, shoulders, and helm. It wielded a magnificent spear of sterling silver. The tip was designed to look like the tail of a whale. It was probably the equivalent of a knight in its own species and certainly moved like one. The spear movements were graceful and precise.
The chameleon creature was blue in color. It similarly had protective armor along its head and spine. It was fighting with a boomerang, but it had the resourcefulness to use its long tail and tongue in battle.
In a perplexing turnout, the chameleon creature leaped a great distance away and began spitting streams of saliva at the shark. The shark twirled the spear quickly in its hands, successfully repelling the saliva.
A drop landed on the grass in front of me. The foliage began disintegrating.
My savior complex was triggering, but the question was: Who do I help?
There are two things I had yet to encounter, at least to my knowledge: Zoras and Lizalfos. Mils and Mina had told me about Lizalfos, claiming them to be an amphibious race of monsters that can thrive both on water and land. Kass and Eryck had briefly mentioned the Zora as well, but they also claimed the species to be amphibious, too. Neither resource had told me what each race looked like. I only knew that Lizalfos are enemies, but the problem is: I don't know what a Lizalfo is!
"Hylian, look out!"
The decision was made when a blue blur began speeding towards me with the intent to kill.
I unholstered the Sheikah Slate and activated Stasis. The chameleon creature – by process of elimination, a Lizalfo – was frozen mid-step in a yellow aura. From my baldric, I retrieved my soldier's broadsword and began hacking away at the still figure.
The aura of Stasis broke, and as kinetic energy caught up after the lag, the Lizalfo flew into the waters surrounding the bridge.
The Zora and I both ran to the edge of the wooden bridge to confirm the defeat of the monster.
It laid unmoving, but the purple markings I've seen on defeated Bokoblins and Moblins haven't appeared yet. It was not down for the count.
"I'm Tottika of the Zora!" My newfound combat partner greeted. Despite his skill with a spear and professionally welded armor, Tottika was a bright and eager individual. I could almost see his second row of sharp teeth when he smiled. "Aren't you a Hylian? You are! Aren't you? I have a request of yo—"
The Lizalfo suddenly jerked into motion, spitting thick, acidic saliva in our direction.
I shoved Tottika behind me and shielded the both of us with the Sheikah shield. When the Lizalfo paused in its assault, I lowered the defensive weapon and assessed the damage. The wood had already splintered and began to decay from the acid.
"I'll help with your request after," I answer belatedly to Tottika. "First, I need your help defeating this one."
Cause I've never fought a Lizalfo before, went unsaid.
Tottika grinned and gripped his spear resolutely. "You sound like you know what you're doing! I'm yours to command!"
I quickly assessed the situation and the information I currently had. I knew I had no chance in the water, but Tottika did due to his amphibian nature. The Lizalfo was fast, and it used that to its advantage, opting for a bob-and-weave fighting style. However, we already had the advantage of a 2 vs. 1.
"We'll go for a pincer attack. I'll keep it distracted for you to get a hit in. Don't worry, I'll cover you," I commanded, queueing up the Sheikah Slate.
Tottika saluted before diving into the water.
When I heard the splash, I instantly spawned three Cryonis blocks equidistant from each other along the length of the bridge. I sheathed my blade and drew my bow instead. Before the Lizalfo could shoot its acidic saliva towards me, I fired an arrow. It didn't hit its head, but it stunned it enough for Tottika to come torpedoing in for an attack.
The Lizalfo's attention was shifted to Tottika, but the Zora had already moved out of range. I hit it with another arrow and hid behind the Cryonis block when the streams of saliva came.
Turns out, the saliva had hardened upon the cool surface of the ice, rendering its dissolving abilities null.
When I peeked out from my spot, Tottika was drawing in closer for an attack.
The Lizalfo raised its arm and threw the boomerang into the air. I followed the curvature and estimated that it was going to hit Tottika's head from behind, at the exact area that wasn't protected by the helm.
I quickly tracked the weapon's movement with the slate, using Stasis to pause it in its track and hitting it away with an arrow for good measure. When I turned back around, Tottika had speared the Lizalfo. Purple blood coated the waters, rippled by the oncoming rain.
I heard the sickening squelch as Tottika retrieved his weapon. The Lizalfo slumped lifeless in the water before it was wisped away by the Malice that plagued the creature.
"Your tactics and combat are amazing! You are just the Hylian we need!" Tottika complimented, emerging from the waters.
"The Zora need a Hylian? What for?" I asked.
"Prince Sidon has scouts around this area looking for a Hylian that could help with this torrential downpour." Tottika motioned to the Sheikah Tower in the distance with his spear. "I'm not so sure of the details myself, but the prince will give you more information at the Inogo Bridge. Please accept our request for aid!"
Odd how everything was sort of falling together. The Zora needed a Hylian, and I get a free escort to Zora's Domain. If the rest of the prince's honor guard could fight like Tottika, my journey to the domain would be easier than I had originally planned.
"Alright," I said. "I accept your request for help."
Tottika pumped his fist into the air. "What a stroke of luck for me! I must tell the others and the prince that I've found a Hylian willing to help. Will you be okay to make it to the Inogo Bridge on your own?"
I nodded.
Tottika took that as a cue to jump into the water and began swimming to find the other scouts.
"Past the tower!" He reminded in the distance. "We'll be gathered under the parapet!"
Rather than using the bridge Tottika and I worked so hard to fight for, I made the bold decision to cut through the marshland and wade to the adjacent island.
I had heard deep, grumbling snores that cut through the pattering of the rain. Whatever creature that was on Kincean Island was apparently very large and very sleepy if they could snore through this storm. I doubt they would be quite happy if I intruded on their sleeping grounds.
So, I thought fuck that mess and swam across.
The island I landed on was small and served to be more of an entryway or exit point of the village behind it. From here, I could see several of the ruined houses and dilapidated buildings. But there also seemed to be something dancing merrily above the wreckage.
It was a neon green creature with a wand of some sorts hovering in the air. Wherever it stepped, bright green glitter rained down.
Suddenly, lightning struck the exact point of the creature. The ground shook and even I fell and hid from the bright flash. But the monster emerged unscathed and laughed heartily in the storm. The lightning seemed to be attracted to its wand.
I found myself offended at the mannerisms of this monster. It was essentially dancing on the graves of where people used to live.
With Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and even Lynels, its different. They take over areas because Hylians no longer populated them. It's a simple manner of who now owns the territory. They moved in because it's a place to eat, sleep, hunt, and live.
However, with this monster, it seemed to stay in this area because it reveled in the suffering that Hylians experienced. There was no value to this location: it's cold, it's mucky, there is no shelter to salvage from the storm, there is no food for miles. This abandoned village just stood as a landmark of the Calamity's destruction. And this monster was laughing in the storm.
It took everything within me not to march up to the ruins and knock this monster out of the sky with an arrow. As much as I wanted to get justice for this village, I knew I would be running into a situation I can't win. Not now, at least. Not in this storm.
As much as it pained me, I ran in the other direction. I followed the wooden bridges that floated between islands and eventually came upon a crossroad.
The Sheikah Tower was clear within view. The orange column of inactivated energy was stark against the stormy background. It looked like it was surrounded by bone-like structures, resembling the ribcage of a large monster.
There were two routes that led to my destination.
The first route was to my left. It seemed to be an encampment that was suspended over water via wooden stakes and docks. A pathway paralleled by torches with their flames extinguished led straight through the camp. Fish heads and fish tails were used to create a teepee that sheltered its inhabitants from the storm. A quick look through the scope revealed that it was infested with Lizalfos, all of them holding various spears, bows, and boomerangs. There were some guards that walked the length of the dock and some in the water. The rest were huddled underneath the teepees to eat and rest, but their weapons were close by.
The second route led back to Kincean Island. I heard the tell-tale snores of the creature that resides there. In fact, with the Sheikah Scope, I was able to see it: a cyclops creature that was larger than the pine trees that surrounded it. The cyclops was still asleep, briefly tossing to scratch at its stomach, but was unbothered by the storm.
Either way, both routes led to the base of the Sheikah Tower, marked by a worn house at its shore.
It was obvious which route I should take. I'd rather possibly face one cyclops than a whole army of Lizalfos. And unlike my route before, I'd be going around the sleeping monster rather than going through its terrain. As long as I stuck to the coast of the island and the wet sand muffled my steps, it shouldn't wake up.
I ran along the coastline. The cyclops barely jerked in my presence, and I made it to the wooden bridge without any injury.
"Uwaah! You're the Hylian, aren't you?!"
I quickly swiveled and pulled out my bow. It was when I was looking through the sights of the bow that I realized who I drew my weapon on.
It was a female Zora. Instead of Tottika's black coloring, her skin was red. It stood out from the murky grey waters she was swimming through.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry to have startled you!" She apologized. The Zora swam up to my side of the bridge as I lowered my bow and arrow. She smiled in greeting. "I'm Tona, one of the scouts Prince Sidon spread around the area. Tottika told me you'd be coming by."
"Inogo Bridge, right?" I asked. "Just past the tower."
Tona nodded. "Yup! You're heading the right way. You could probably see the Zora River and the Inogo Bridge if you stand on the parapet. But be cautious! Monsters are guarding the base."
Ahead, there was another dock that was guarded by a black Bokoblin. It walked along the length, brandishing a spear. The path led into the monster camp that was guarding the Sheikah Tower.
Although Tona was essentially advising me against going to the tower, I know I'd be severely lost without the map for this region.
"Could you help me?" I requested. "I need to make it past that bridge over there. Could you distract the Bokoblin enough for me to pass through?"
Tona enthusiastically nodded. "If helping you means helping my dear Prince Sidon, I shall gladly do it!"
She dived from this body of water to the one the bridge was suspended over in one graceful leap.
I hid behind one of the barrels beside the worn house as I waited for an opportunity to cross.
Tona swam up to the Bokoblin perched on the dock and doused the monster with a flip of her fins. The monster was rightfully outraged but had no projectiles to combat. Instead, it searched the ground around it before picking up spare rocks and throwing it at Tona. Tona merrily evaded the throws by diving underneath the water.
I took it as my cue to run. As I got closer, the Bokoblin registered my presence, but it was too late. I rammed the Bokoblin into the water with a firm shove.
Tona and I watched the creature feebly splash around before it grew still. Purple markings spread along its body before it evaporated into the ether.
"Thanks for your help," I said. "I'll meet you all at the bridge soon."
Tona nodded. "I shall tell Prince Sidon that you are close by. See you there!"
And she swam away.
Up ahead, there was a cover created out of wooden planks. It was defense architecture intended for the monsters, but it served as a hiding spot for me.
There were two black Bokoblins on watch. They didn't seem all that aware to my body crouched behind these planks or that their partner on the docks had disappeared. In fact, they were engaged in some sort of conversation. They didn't seem to have weapons on them and only one had a horn to announce an intruder.
There was a boulder precariously balanced on a wooden platform and supported by a thin piece of wood no thicker than a tree branch. Again, it was most likely intended to use against attackers, but I was going to use it to my advantage.
I nocked an arrow and sent it flying to the support. As it broke, the platform gave way to the weight of the boulder, crushing the Bokoblin underneath.
The other Bokoblin was in shock. Its partner evaporated in a plume of smoke right in front of it.
I quickly sprinted from my spot behind the covers. Using Stasis, I froze the remaining Bokoblin and stole the horn from it, throwing it to the ground and stomping on it to render it useless.
Stasis granted me a few seconds to run from the black Bokoblin. I ran towards the hill – coming face-to-face with a white Bokoblin with purple markings.
It shrieked in anger at the realization of an enemy and reared back the spear it held. I dodged with a side-step, feeling the world slow. However, I didn't close in for an attack. If I stayed any longer, the rest of the camp would be alerted, and I'd be surrounded.
The best course of action was to keep moving.
Once I landed, I climbed the slick walls of the ramp. Despite the rain coming down in torrents and making all surfaces slippery, I managed to hoist myself over the edge and continue upwards.
I came face-to-face with another black Bokoblin, this time with a bow, guarding what looked like the supply holding for the enemy camps. It jumped up in surprise before nocking an arrow onto its crude bow. When it fired, I rolled onto the ground and raced towards the cliffs. I used the natural alcoves as cover.
I ended up on the ridge right next to the Bokoblin, nocking a bow of my own and firing a head shot in such close proximities. When it was incapacitated, I jumped and brandished my sword. I cleaved a clean line through the Bokoblin. Purple markings spread over its skin as it disappeared.
I gathered my spoils, including the free supplies the Bokoblin was guarding: fruit, meat, and even a quiver of bomb arrows.
Climbing to the highest point of the alcove, I jumped up – my hands finding purchase on the next ridge. I hoisted myself upwards onto the next level. On either side of me was a large camp made of wooden platforms and different levels and then a group of three black Bokoblins surrounding an extinguished campfire.
Luckily, I didn't have to think about facing either or because the Sheikah Tower was right above me. The climb ahead had flat platforms for me to rest upon and it wasn't all too steep. My progress, even with the slick surfaces, wouldn't be impeded too much.
There were only a handful of times where I slipped. My hands, arms, and chest were absolutely muddied by the wet dirt that was caked along the ridges.
Eventually, I managed to make it to the base of the Sheikah Tower. The Sheikah Slate let out a noise of recognition at the architecture before me.
Thanks to the ingenuity of the Sheikah, the tower was structured in a way that allowed me to climb it regardless of the rain. The net-like pattern that comprised the column allowed steady foot holdings for me to latch onto, negating the slippery surface. I found rest where I can along the parapets, but soon enough, I had reached the parapet.
"Wow! I cannot believe it!" Someone screamed in delight.
My hand was grabbed before I could pull myself over the ledge. Whoever was on the platform helped hoist me over. I settled myself on the solid ground before realizing it was yet another Zora.
Eryck was right. Someone had been calling out from the tower.
It was a Zora with a light blue coloring.
He cleared his throat. "I am Gruve of the Zora! It is apparent that you are a traveler, but may I ask what brought you here?"
It was the question that expected caution, determining friend from foe. Rather than revealing my true identity, I merely evaded answering with a question of my own.
"I could ask you the same," I said.
"How astute of you!" Gruve exclaimed. "An excellent query indeed!" He puffed out his chest and smiled, showing sharp rows of teeth. "I, by order of Prince Sidon of Zora's Domain, am searching for a Hylian. Or I was…but then I fell asleep. I awoke to a loud noise and awful quaking, and now here I am!"
I considered his story and the implications behind it. According to a conversation with Brigo that felt like eons ago, the towers erupted from the ground the same time that I activated the Great Plateau Tower. Activating the tower had been the very first thing I had done after I woke up from the Shrine of Resurrection. That was…
"You've been here for an entire week?!" I cried. Then, I remembered the other implication of his words. "The Zora have been requesting aid for more than a week?!"
Gruve nodded gravely. "The domain is in a perilous state. For a century, we've been plagued by heavy rainfall, but the water level is rising to dangerous proportions now. East Hyrule could cease to exist if this continuous!"
It was good that I woke up when I did. Although, I wasn't sure if that was out of my own will or if it was Link coaxing me out of my slumber.
He really had been watching over the kingdom, even as he fought to maintain the seal over Ganon.
"I'd really like to get down and be on my way, but I'm simply too high up! I need to figure something out. Prince Sidon is at the bridge below, but for some reason, I cannot seem to catch his attention!"
To show his example, he waved his arms wildly in the air and began shouting. Below, I could see the Bokoblins and other monsters perk at the noise.
I quieted him down.
"It's no use!" Gruve cried. He slumped before realizing something, gripping me by my shoulders. "But you! You're a Hylian, yes?! My luck is improving!" He turned and waved to the bridge below. "Prince Sidon! I found one! I found a Hylian!"
At this point, a small group of Bokoblins began gathering at the base of the tower due to Gruve's shouting.
I shrugged. We already caught their attention. So much for being discreet…
As Gruve was busy shouting, I turned and attached the Sheikah Slate to the receptacle in the center. There was a slight whirring noise as the tower activated. The travel gate glowed blue behind me as a droplet of blue energy began gathering at the stalactite on top. When it dropped, I was granted a map of the surrounding area – including the location of Zora's Domain.
I pocketed the slate and returned to Gruve's side.
"Prince Sidon doesn't seem to notice my struggle…" he deflated. "Perhaps I should swallow my fear and jump to the river below. Then, I could return to him! He must be worried sick."
"I've met the other scouts already. They said that they would all gather at Inogo Bridge and wait for me there," I added.
"Ah! So, you're responding to our request for help! All the more reason for me to jump off and meet all of you there."
He took a ready stance and I waited along with him. Suddenly, Gruve scrambled back to the center of the platform.
"No! Nope! Can't do it! I'm too high up, too afraid of heights!"
I glanced below and spotted more Bokoblins, some Moblins, and a blue version of the monster I saw dancing around the village ruins. They seemed to have figured out that there are intruders on the tower. The Bokoblins and Moblins stayed on the ground, as I surmised that they don't know how to climb. However, the blue monsters began hovering upwards.
I bit my lip. "I'd give you my paraglider and climb down, but it looks like we've got company."
Gruve glanced over the edge and saw the blue monsters halfway up the column. He readied the spear that was strapped along his back.
"No worries, it's just Ice Wizzrobes. As long as it's not the electric ones, I will be okay!" He gave me a confident smile. "I'm sorry, Miss Hylian. But you must go on ahead. Please tell Prince Sidon of my situation and that I will meet him shortly back at the domain."
I hesitated. I wanted to at least stay and help him fend off against the Ice Wizzrobes. Gruve, however, gently ushered me towards the direction of the Inogo Bridge.
The air substantially chilled, in addition to the already copious rainfall. I fought a shiver as my cheeks burned from the frigid wind. The raindrops turned into icicles and shattered into fragments when they landed on the platform.
Ice Wizzrobes rose from the bottom of the platform. Their wands shot balls of ice towards Gruve and I. He deflected them with a twirl of his spear.
"Go now!"
With a firm shove, Gruve pushed me off the Sheikah Tower. I opened the Paraglider and began a slow descend to the ground. Unintentionally, I landed on the platform of a shrine.
Before I entered, I quickly brought out the Sheikah Scope and aimed it towards the parapet of the tower. It was in vain. The peak was obscured by a frost cloud, obscuring Gruve. There was no way to figure out if he was doing okay unless I teleported back. That would make his sacrifice useless.
No…I have to trust him. He said that he would be okay. These people have survived 100 years without me. I have faith in them.
As I repeated this mantra, I went ahead and activated the shrine I had landed on – hoping that it would provide me with stronger weapons to aid in my journey to Zora's Domain.
I emerged from the shrine with a plethora of Guardian weapons and a knight's bow to add to my collection.
Test of Strength shrines are officially the worst because I escaped danger just to be forced to confront another danger. I can't complain too much, though. At least, the Guardian weapons serve to replace the claymore and broadsword I broke. And the monk was ever so grateful to have an actual steel bow as a reward for me.
When I exited the shrine, there was someone waiting for me on the emblem of the travel gate.
"A Hylian!" They exclaimed. Instinctually, I brought out my fists in a fighting stance. This didn't go unnoticed as the Zora suddenly calmed down and lowered their spear. "Oh, I apologize for calling out to you. I am Torfeau of the Zora. Word has gone around that my fellow Zora scouts have spotted you throughout the wetlands."
I dropped my hands. "Ah, yes. I encountered Tottika, Tona, and Gruve."
"Gruve? He hasn't responded to any of our standard check-ins. Where is he?"
I pointed to the Sheikah Tower. Thankfully, the frost clouds had vanished, suggesting that Gruve was victorious in his encounter with the Ice Wizzrobes. When I squinted, I could see him peering down from the parapet. He was still probably trying to figure out a way down.
"A bunch of Bokoblins were gathered at the base of the tower. He encouraged me to leave without him and to tell everyone that he will meet us at the domain," I informed.
Torfeau's eyes sparkled at the implication in my words. "So, you will be coming with us? You, a Hylian, will assist us?"
I nodded in confirmation.
She suddenly teared up, swiping at her eyes to rid them from the raindrops and tears. "I-I'm sorry. It's just…my home is in terrible danger. That is why Prince Sidon dispatched his royal guard to search for a strong, Hylian warrior."
I softened at her vulnerability. Torfeau had the same armor that I had seen Tottika don. Although she was a hardened warrior, the possible destruction of her home was a lot for her to go through.
I had to help them. I needed to save Zora's Domain.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" I asked in a chipper tone, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. "Tottika said that Prince Sidon would be waiting at Inogo Bridge."
Torfeau nodded and turned. She pointed to a bridge that seemed to glow a bioluminescent blue. Between the walls, I could see a conglomeration of Zora gathered. There was a red figure on the tower, separated from the group.
"It looks like everyone, apart from Gruve, is already there. We best we on our way!" Torfeau exclaimed. She took off ahead of me.
I slid down from the small ridge the shrine was positioned upon. The humidity of the rain suddenly hit me, and my somewhat damp clothes were once again saturated in water. Fat water droplets pelted against the hood on my head before rolling off my shoulders. The storm was still strong. It showed no signs of letting up. My shoes were sloshing with river water, and I shuddered at the thought of my wet socks.
I couldn't wait to get to Zora's Domain and take a much-needed shower, as well as dry off.
"Hylian, you've arrived!" Tottika greeted when Torfeau and I were within hearing range.
I recognized him and Tona. There were only two Zoras I hadn't recognized. Another red Zora and a green one. Still, they both gave me polite smiles and similar greetings. The red one introduced herself as Tula and the green one was named Ledo.
It seemed that everyone was accounted for, except Gruve and the ever-popular Prince Sidon.
"Say, hey there! Young one!" A voice called.
I glanced at the surrounding river, assuming that maybe there was a Zora in the stream that I hadn't noticed.
"Up top! Above you!"
The group suddenly made space in the center, where I was standing. When I glanced up, the red figure on top of the parapet was waving below. They suddenly somersaulted. The Zora did an elaborate twist in the air, jingling the royal memorabilia they were wearing. When they landed, dewdrops erupted from the wet grass. A silver sword was in its sheath around their waist. They were decorated with a navy-blue sash across their torso and carefully crafted silver jewelry around their neck. A cravat was fastened with a familiar emblem of three crescent moons. Finally, a dainty crown with a feather on top was displayed on their head.
The Zora stranger gave a bright smile. I found myself returning it, but the hood of my cloak was probably obscuring their vision of me.
"Pardon the entrance, but you're a Hylian aren't you?" He greeted. I was too busy smoothing down my hair before pulling back the hood to properly respond. The Zora didn't mind as he continued his introduction. "I was hoping you'd have a moment to ta—"
At his sudden stop, I raised my eyes to assess the situation.
His bright smile suddenly dropped, and his once kind eyes grew fierce. Despite the thunder that rumbled in the skies above us, I felt the crackle of hostility emanate from the figure in front of me. It was barely contained, as if he himself was trying to keep his anger in control.
Something about my appearance had caused the prince to freeze.
"You," he said lowly.
The other Zora stood by in confusion. They didn't know any better than I.
Through the mist and rain, through the cold that already seeps well into my clothes and skin, I felt the bitter frostiness of something else. It was same coldness I felt when Eryck's glare burned into my own eyes.
Blame.
A/N: So, Sidon is not exactly the happy-go-lucky prince we know him to be. Rest assured that this personality change is due to the backstory that will be revealed. It deals with the Link / Zelda / Mipha love triangle and plays on Sidon's perspective as a third party. I always found it odd in BOTW that Sidon kind of takes his older sister's death in stride. I assumed that his happy facade is a coping mechanism (especially true if you visit Sidon at night in game). I wanted to paint Sidon in a more realistic light, where he still has that happy facade coping mechanism - but what happens when he's faced with the person who was essentially his sister's rival for Link's affections? Remember, the role reversal plays a part in Sidon's initial hostility of Zelda.
Having said that, I'm not a big fan of women vs. women conflict, especially if its over a boy. The Link / Zelda / Mipha love triangle goes a lot deeper than that.
I'm not the first person to have thought of a hostile Sidon. In fact, I was greatly inspired by yumoirail's BOTW role reversal AU, especially the comic where Sidon meets Zelda. Needless to say, I am not trying to copy their work. Their motive for Sidon's hostility towards Zelda greatly differs from my motive. All will be revealed in future chapters ;))
As always, please review and if you're confused about anything, let me know! I'll do my best to clarify without spoiling the whole plot-line.
