Hey... yeah I'm still alive. Some of you may know me from a story I did a few years back and I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to writing. I've been through a lot since then, started working at a job that I'm happy at, met some people that really changed my outlook on life, some for better and others for worse. I got into pathfinder, a tabletop rpg similar to dungeons and dragons for those who don't know and that's actually how this story came about. I came up with this scenario for a Zelda themed homebrew that we played like once and I felt the scenario was a good fit for a fan fiction so here we are. Being a pathfinder player and then DM has actually really got the creative juices flowing again and I finally got around to finishing the first chapter of this story. I can't promise regular uploads since I have responsibilities that I didn't have all those years ago when I started writing my old Naruto fic but I promise that I won't abandon this story like that one. It'll be done eventually. With that out of the way I hope you all enjoy this new story.
Chapter 1 Homecoming
The sun rose over the peaceful hamlet of Lurelin village as it always did. The radiance bouncing off the shimmering waves was a beautiful sight to behold and contributed to the growing tourism industry in the region. The area had become surprisingly popular after the defeat of the calamity and the once small village of fishermen had started expanding into a prosperous port town. This area had become such an important spot for trade in recent years that when stories of a sea monster attacking ships got out, Princess Zelda herself sent two of her most trusted knights to deal with it.
One of those knights was currently sitting on the beach, legs crossed in quiet meditation. His long white hair and red eyes clearly marked him as one of the elusive Sheikah tribe and a large two handed sword with a distinctly shaped blade was stuck in the sand next to him. The man wore nothing but a pair of black shorts, exposing his heavily tattooed upper body. Suddenly he shot up and grabbed the sword next to him, spinning around and slashing the air behind him.
He continued to swing the blade around him in a display of frightening martial prowess. As his dance of death came to a close he made one last powerful swing and from his sword came a blade shaped gust of wind that flew out to sea where it harmlessly dissipated.
"They call that sword wind cleaver for a reason ." An older hylian man walked over to the knight as he finished his morning training and returned to his meditative position.
"Good morning Mutoh. Was I being too loud with my practice? Did I wake you?"
"Not at all Salazar. I just came to tell you that breakfast is ready. Come back to the inn when you're ready to eat."
"Thank you sir. The kindness you've shown me won't soon be forgotten."
"Don't mention it friend. You and Darby did us all a service killing that sea monster. I just wish the kid hadn't gotten himself lost afterward."
"The Goron race is hardy as you well know. He'll find his way back here eventually." Salazar rubbed one of the tattoos on his left arm, a familiar mark to anyone who had ever seen a Goron. The mark was one that all Goron get at some point in their life, based off of the legendary spiritual stone of fire. In recent years it became a custom for anyone recognized as a sworn brother to the Goron tribe to be given the same tattoo as a symbol of kinship.
Mutoh rubbed the same tattoo on his left arm. Mutoh was an old soldier that was once stationed on death mountain and made many friends of the Goron tribe. In a way, he also felt a bond of brotherhood with Salazar who had been awarded the same honor of being recognized by the Goron tribe.
"I'm gonna head back to the inn. I got a crew of regular customers supposed to come into port today. A rowdy bunch but good people otherwise. Gonna make sure we got plenty of food and drink for them."
The two men exchanged a goodbye wave and parted ways. Satisfied with his morning training routine Salazar stood up and got dressed, his clothes laid out on a nearby rock. His garb was traditional Sheikah wear that one would see all over the place in his hometown of Kakariko. A mostly white shirt and pants combo with red highlights and a blue undershirt, the only difference being a chainmail undershirt he wore just in case he found himself in unexpected combat.
Salazar sheathed his wind cleaver and returned to the inn. Walking up the stairs to his room he heard a crash and instinctively quickened his pace. When he reached the top he found the hotels only other occupant, a rito scholar by the name of Vortan standing above a pile of broken glass.
"My potions!" The Rito squawked in disbelief, a look of absolute horror on his face.
"Are you unhurt Vortan?" Salazar carefully stepped over the glass shards and put his hand on Vortan's shoulder in an attempt to comfort the hysterical bird man.
"Physically yes, emotionally no. I was finally stocked and ready for an expedition to eventide isle and this happens. Now I have to buy more bottles and find ingredients for more potions. All because I slipped on that thing over there." Vortan pointed over his shoulder to a peel of a mighty banana and Salazar's face went red as could be.
"Oh... I wonder where that came from." Vortan was too focused looking down at what used to be his potion stash to notice Salazar's face and the guilt written on it in crimson. Feeling awful for his mistake Salazar handed over some potions and empty bottles he had on him and wished Vortan a good day before excusing himself.
Vortan thanked Salazar and after cleaning his mess made his leave to look for ingredients for more potions. Salazar continued on his way finally reaching his room to find a platter of assorted sea food, no doubt left by Mutoh.
Salazar sat on the foot of his bed and began eating his breakfast quietly until he picked up a small piece of calamari, the item bringing back memories of the last week that he'd rather not remember. Memories of the dark and stormy night he lost his partner.
"Who wants calamari for dinner!" The boisterous young Goron yelled as he slammed his fists together before curling up into a ball and crashing into the large tentacle that had attempted to grab one of the Hylian sailors that had come with them on this mission.
"Something isn't right Darby. We thought this thing was just a big Octo but I think it's something way worse." Salazar jumped in front of one of the sailors and slashed one of the tentacles to bits with his wind cleaver.
The young Goron now identified as Darby roared with excitement as he pulled his weapon off of his back, a Goron drill head repurposed as a spear. He used the weapon to swat away tentacle after tentacle that came his way with ease.
"Behind you Darby!" Salazar's warning came at just the right time as Darby avoided a tentacle grabbing at him from behind by curling up and rolling over to Salazar.
"He almost got my prized ponytail!" Darby yelled as he came uncurled next to Salazar.
"Wait... my ponytail is still there right?" Darby turned his back to Salazar who confirmed that the tiny tuft of hair that his partner was so proud of was in fact still there by slightly tugging on it with his index finger and thumb.
"Thanks' brother. got a plan for this one?" Darby continued to knock away the tentacles that got close to them while Salazar used his wind cleaver to slash ones that were going for the crew of the ship.
"I'm thinking... Whatever this thing is going for the tentacles is a waste of time. We need to find a way to get to the main body."
"Anything we can use from the supplies the villagers gave us?"
"We got a crate of water bombs down there but I don't know how effective they'll be. I asked for them under the assumption we were fighting a big Octo and we could trick it into eating them."
"Maybe the shockwave of a bomb going off will scare this thing into a better position for us. It's worth a try."
Salazar nodded in agreement with his partner and turned to the ships captain." Captain, bring up that crate of water bombs and toss some off of the ship. Then have all of your men ready with bows to shoot this thing!"
"You heard him boys! Get the bombs and get the bows!"
Salazar and Darby continued to combat the tentacles of the monster while the crew put their plan into action. Just as the two knights predicted the shockwaves of so many explosives going off spooked whatever monster was hiding from them under the water.
The creature began rising from the depths of the ocean and everyone began to realize that they had grossly underestimated the size of their enemy. The wave that the creature produced as it rose from the depths nearly capsized the boat but luckily the ship stabilized a bit further away from the monster. The creature was finally illuminated by the moonlight in all of it's monstrous glory, it's single yellow and orange eye glimmering like a jewel. The creature let out a terrifying roar that shook the crew of sailors to their very core. Once everyone had gotten over their initial shock Salazar screamed "Open fire!" and the crew began shooting the creature with arrow after arrow that was harmlessly knocked aside by the creatures tentacles that covered it's head like a messy head of hair.
"It's not working, it's just knocking the arrows away." The captain yelled to Salazar as he watched in horror as the creature began slowly swimming toward them, clearly tired of this fight and intending to end it once and for all.
Racking his brain for a solution Salazar turned to the captain. "Are there any working cannons left?"
"No, the creature destroyed them all in it's initial attack."
"That's where you're wrong captain, I got two cannons right here." Darby boasted as he flexed his impressive Goron muscles. "Get me a clear shot to his eye and I'll finish him off with the rest of these bombs."
Salazar gripped his blade tightly in both hands, mentally preparing himself for the challenge ahead. "I'll clear away as many tentacles as I can, then it's up to you brother."
"Let's do this! "Darby roared in excitement.
The knights ran to the front of the ship, Darby bringing over the crate of water bombs and getting ready to start pelting this monster with as many as he could. Salazar was in position in front of him ready to clear away any tentacles that threatened Darby.
Finally the creature was close enough to reach them with it's tentacles. Salazar went wild with his wind cleaver and began slicing the tentacles left and right.
"Just a little closer... closer... closer... Now!" Darby threw a bomb with pinpoint accuracy and hit the creature directly in it's eye. The creature recoiled back shrieking in agony.
"One wasn't enough Darby. He's coming back for more." Salazar once again started chopping tentacle after tentacle that the creature sent at them, barely able to keep up with the enraged creatures quickened pace.
Darby threw another bomb at the creatures eye only for it to be intercepted mid air by one of the creatures tentacles that was blown aside from the explosion.
"It's caught on to our plan Darby, what now?"
"I've got another idea but you aren't going to like it brother. Keep it preoccupied for a few more seconds then back off."
"Darby wait!"
Darby grabbed an armful of the water bombs and backed off to give himself some room to pick up speed. He curled up into a ball and aimed himself straight at the monsters mouth.
"Are you insane kid? That monster is just gonna catch you with one of his tentacles." Darby ignored the captain and began rolling in place building up rotation before flying at the monster with incredible speed. Salazar rolled out of the way at the last second as spikes erupted from Darby's body and he flew off of the ship straight at the monster's eye.
The monster tried to grab Darby as the captain suspected but the spikes covering his body tore through the tentacles as if they were made of paper and he slammed into the creatures eye with a thunderous explosion courtesy of the bombs Darby had brought with him.
The creature recoiled in pain once again, this time collapsing into the water. Salazar ran to the front of the ship and caught a glimpse of Darby as he laid on the creatures sinking body throwing his thumb up into the air.
"Wait for me back at lurelin brother! I'll head back there when I get my strength back!" Darby sank to the bottom of the ocean, leaving his partner and sworn brother behind to celebrate a bitter sweet victory.
Salazar had finally finished his breakfast and began roaming the village as he has come to do over the past few days. While he was waiting for his lost partner to return to him, Salazar took to helping out around the village wherever he could. This mostly amounted to small things like getting pets out of trees or helping the elderly of the village with various household tasks that were difficult for them. It wasn't glamorous by any means but it helped him pass the time and the people of the village appreciated him for it.
Salazar came to a stop at a fountain in the middle of town, a newer addition to the village donated by a Zora artist. It was a beautiful piece depicting the wind gods Cyclos and Zephos singing. They were being conducted by a small Hylian boy holding a baton, A historical reference that went over Salazar's head.
"Mr. Salazar!" A small red haired girl sang as she ran over to the fountain. Her skin was pale and her eyes were blue but the Gerudo symbol on the front of her shirt marked her as a member of the tribe of warrior women.
"Oh hello Nabbara, you're up early this morning." Salazar patted the little girls head as she hugged his leg.
"My daddy is finally coming home today thanks to you beating up that nasty sea monster!"
"That's wonderful news. I'm glad to hear that things are going back to normal around here."
"Me too, I'm going to the docks to wait for him. Oh I almost forgot to tell you, my grandpa wants me to ask you if you can come help him cut down some trees to make room for a new house today? He said he would pay you if you said yes."
"Of course I can help. I was actually looking for something to do when you found me. Go ahead and meet your father at the docks and I'll go see your grandpa."
"Thank you Mr. Salazar. I hope my dad comes back in time to meet you." Salazar ruffled Nabbara's hair before turning in the direction of her grandfather's house and left.
Nabbara continued on her own to the docks waving and greeting many of the locals on her way. When she got to the docks she could already see a faint outline of a ship making it's way to town. She could barely contain her excitement at the thought of seeing her father again.
A few miles out, on the very same ship Nabbara was looking at, a man stared through his telescope at the little girl excitedly waiting for the return of her father. He was a tall Hylian man with tan skin and a blue coat emblazoned with a serpentine red dragon design. His brown hair was covered by a bandana with a white whale design and he kept a silver rapier on his belt. He suddenly leaped from the crows nest and pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket, harmlessly gliding down to the ship's wheel and landing next to the navigator operating it with a flamboyant pose.
"Guess who's progeny is waiting for them at the docks Luca?"
"Mine, captain Beck?"
"Yes dear friend! Oh the joy of fatherhood, may we all be blessed one day with a gift so pure." Captain Beck continued to pose dramatically, holding one hand up to the heavens while the other rested on his heart.
The sudden sound of creaking wood got both men's attention. They turned to their left as a green and scaly creature climbed onto the ship holding a fish in it's mouth.
"How are things looking down there Ko'bain" Luca asked as the creature took the fish from it's mouth and sat down.
"Clear." The creature now identified as Ko'bain softly said before swallowing his catch whole.
"Excellent! Dear friend Ko'bain, do me a favor and keep friend Luca company while I tell the passengers that we are almost to our destination." The captain spun around almost like a dancer and headed down to the living quarters of the ship.
Walking down the stairs he heard a commotion and quickened his pace until he reached the mess hall where one of the passengers was making a bit of a racket.
"Rejoice dear passengers! The goddess Hylia has visited me in my sleep and told me that we shall safely arrive at our destination soon! Glory to the great goddess! Glory to Hylia!" Standing on top of a crate was a loud and boisterous Deku swinging a long blue staff back and forth like a madman. This particular Deku had a bulbous orange head along with two long arm like protrusions. He looked similar to what is often called the "business scrub" but took great offense when one of the other passengers had called him that early in the voyage.
The captain had a slight chuckle before deciding to play along with the eccentric plant.
"Dear passengers! I can confirm that we are indeed going to arrive at our destination shortly!"
"Deku-Deku! I told you all that the goddess Hylia speaks to me! Praise be to the great goddess Hylia.!"
Captain Beck continued to chuckle to himself when another passenger tapped on his shoulder. A massive woman with a shield and scimitar strapped to her back.
"Are we really almost there? I don't know how much longer I can take hearing this Deku scream about his goddess day in and day out." The Gerudo woman had bags under her eyes indicating lack of sleep. Captain Beck felt bad for her having to sleep in the cabin next to the Deku but they were filled to capacity and someone had to do it.
"We are an hour out at most miss Nabatea. Thank you for your patience during this trip. If you ever need to travel by sea again I promise we will make your next trip much more restful."
"I'll keep you to that promise captain. Thank you."
Elsewhere Salazar had met up with Nabbara's grandfather, a kind hylian man named Clyde. With a slash from his wind cleaver the final tree crashed to the ground and Clyde handed Salazar a drink to quench the thirst he had built up.
"You've been a great help this past week Salazar. We're all going to miss you when you return to the castle." Salazar began to blush and took a sip from his drink to hide it. He wasn't used to praise like this and didn't know how to respond.
"Say Salazar why don't you sit with me a while as I recall a story from my youth. I won't just be rambling I have a point to make I promise." Salazar nodded and the two men found a secluded spot away from prying eyes.
"I was around back during the tail end of the calamity, when the hero awakened from his hundred year slumber and was taming the divine beasts. That parts not surprising I know but I met him once. The hero I mean. It all started one night when I made camp on the side of a river. Well, I say made camp but the truth is I found a camping spot that was already there and sort of took it for myself. Judging by the nearby weapons I could tell it was a Bokoblin camp site and coming across abandoned bokoblin camp sites was common in those days. Anyway I was short on supplies and extremely tired that night so I made the decision to take what little food and gear was left and camp there for the night, a mistake that nearly cost me my life."
Clyde grabbed at his left ankle and began rubbing the spot tenderly. Salazar had already noticed that the spot would occasionally give Clyde trouble while walking and began to put the story together in his head as Clyde told it.
"In the middle of the night I woke up in a cold sweat and began shaking uncontrollably. Something evil was in the air and it was powerful enough that even a young fool like me could sense it. I grabbed a sword from my bag and began looking around for the source of my terror but saw nothing. Suddenly a few feet from me a cloud of black smoke appeared and from it a bokoblin sprang to life. The bokoblin was unarmed so in my panicked state I ran over and slashed it with my sword. I buried the blade into the creatures shoulder only for it to knock me away with a single punch. I lost my grip on the sword and dropped it. The bokoblin ran over and grabbed the sword before I composed myself and I knew that whatever small chance I had at beating it was now gone. I scrambled to my feet and started to run the other way only to be cut off by even more bokoblins coming into being from the black smoke. One of them knocked me to the ground with a punch and another started stomping on me. They beat on me for a little while, more for their own sick amusement than to actually kill me. I don't know how long it lasted but it felt like hours. When they were bored of me the one who had taken my sword walked over and began stomping my ankle. He raised my sword over his head intent on ending me when my salvation came in the form of an arrow. The blade was knocked from the monsters hand and the monsters started frantically looking for the culprit. I knew that with my ankle wound there was no hope of escape so I prayed to the goddesses that whoever shot that arrow could save me. One by one, arrow by arrow the bokoblins fell. Finally the only one left was the one that had crippled me. He ran to where my sword had fell and grabbed it along with the lid to a pot I had and began to beat the sword against the lid like a shield. I think he was trying to taunt my savior into a sword battle. A few seconds later my savior revealed himself. He glided down from higher terrain and landed next to me handing me a healing potion. He spoke no words but courageously put himself between me and the monster. The monster let out a bone chilling roar and leapt at the hero only to be smacked aside by a spinning attack. The creature landed a short distance away and before it could even compose itself the hero had pulled out some sort of bomb that glowed with a pale blue light and threw it with accuracy so that it landed in the creatures lap. With one final scream the monster was vanquished in an explosion of blue energy unlike anything I had ever seen."
Clyde stood up and dusted himself off. Salazar followed him as they began walking back to Clyde's house.
"That man who saved me was none other than the hero of the wild himself. If it weren't for him I would have died that night and never would have lived the life that blessed me with a wonderful son and granddaughter. The hero of the wild is gone now but that doesn't mean his deeds need be forgotten. When I see men like you and Darby I'm reminded of that man and his heroic spirit. I believe that the future of this kingdom rests on the shoulders of those like you. Those with that same kind of heroic spirit."
Salazar was stunned beyond words. To be compared to the hero himself was an honor that Salazar did not think himself worthy of but he thanked Clyde and bid him farewell. Salazar walked back to the beach in front of Mutoh's hotel and began reflecting on the story as he meditated.
Back at Beck's ship Nabbara had finally reunited with her father and was beyond excited. She ran and jumped into his arms and the loving family embraced each other happily.
"Oh ho ho! The love of a parent and child is a beautiful thing is it not Ko'bain?"
"It is sir..."
Ko'bain didn't loiter watching the display of affection like his boss did. He walked over to a crate of cargo that he noticed two of his crewmates were having trouble with and effortlessly hoisted it over his shoulder and started walking it down the dock.
"Deku-Deku! Finally a new place to preach the good word of Hylia! Good sir what is the most beautiful spot in town?" The eccentric Deku asked Beck as he walked onto the dock.
"There is a beautiful fountain in the center of town. It depicts the legendary wind waker conducting the wind gods."
"Perfect! Such a beautiful piece will serve as a wonderful backdrop for my holy sermon! I take my leave of you sir! Hylia thanks you for delivering her envoy safely!"
As the Deku made his leave Nabatea the Gerudo made her way onto the dock.
"Please tell me there's a hotel far away from that fountain." She looked dead on her feet and Beck felt pity for the tired warrior.
"There's a hotel run by an old army buddy of mine named Mutoh on the beach over yonder. If you tell him Beck sent you he can set you up with a room. I'll cover the cost of your first night. Again I am very sorry for the inconvenience ma'am."
"You're a good man captain. Thank you..." Suddenly Nabatea's eyes shot wide open and she pushed Beck to the side while drawing her shield in time to block an attack aimed right at Beck's head. Beck looked shocked as he turned around and saw a lone Lizalfos standing at the edge of the dock weapons drawn.
"Captain, we're under attack! Lizalfos everywhere!" Beck and Nabatea drew their swords only to find themselves surrounded by Lizalfos that leapt up from the water beneath. Beck and Nabatea stood back to back and from his position he saw some more Lizalfos coming up on the beach by Mutoh's hotel only to be stopped in their tracks by a sheikah man he had never seen before.
"Thank you for the assistance miss Nabatea. It seems I've let my senses dull in the time since I left the military."
"Don't worry Beck. We can't be young forever."
"I'll have you know sixty is the new thirty my dear." Beck smiled as he parried a lizalfos attack.
"Not the homecoming I expected but one that I'm prepared for."