ATTENTION
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
I have already written half of the next chapter,
it'll be released between today and Monday, so stay tuned!
The Beeps.
The Clicks.
Were they an Omen? A sign?
Three High. Three Low. Three High again.
Like notes on a piano.
"Link, are you well?" Zelda's voice called to him. Link realized he'd been staring at a wall for a while. With the amount of walking he already had done today, it was miracle he still had energy to move.
Soon, he had to stop and sit down on the stairs, just flat out tired.
"Uh...Yeah, just a bit woozy." He shook his head, as if that'd fix it.
"Well, here, drink this." She knelt down, holding out a cup of water. "Levia said You need to replenish your lost blood."
He nodded, taking and tipping the glass back, drinking it all in one gulp.
He sighed with relief as the cold liquid cooled his tired body, handing the cup back for Zelda to put away.
"Shall we?" Zelda asked unfazed, setting the cup on the table and offering her hand to the weary Knight.
He nodded again, taking her hand and standing up, shaking himself awake as they descended into the Foyer, where the newly-appointed Champions and Divine Beast Pilots, bar Riju, had gathered to be greeted after their surprise appearance.
To be honest, neither Hero nor Princess had recovered from that.
One thing to notice about them, was that in accordance to their Championship, they had begun to wear the Blue color associated with the rank.
Another thing was that Twilight was speaking to them.
"Oh, this outta be good." Link muttered to Zelda, who cracked a grin at that.
"And there they are!" Sidon's voice struck their ears as they descended the main staircase. "The Princess and her Royal Knight!"
Twilight turned to look at them, his eyes lighting up in both pride and shock as he saw Link in green garb.
"It's wonderful seeing you all again!" Zelda exclaimed, bowing at the waist. "You look wonderful, Sidon."
"Likewise, Your highness." Sidon turned to Link. "Link my friend! You look great as well! Green is a good color on you."
"Feel born into it." Link chuckled, rolling his shoulders.
"I wore it better." Twilight remarked, crossing his arms.
"Oh, You wish."
"I see you've been busy, Link." Teba noted, the Rito pointing towards the bandages peeking out from his collar and sleeves. "I trust certain rumors are true perhaps?"
"Eh, Kinda." Link shrugged, tugging his sleeves further down and rolling his collar up. "Which ones?"
"Oh, plenty." Yunobo piped in, scratching at his growing beard. "You fought a Lynel, killed the Lynel, The Lynel killed you but you killed it first, and the Lynel killed you and destroyed a town. So...?"
"Yes." Link replied, putting his hands on his belt. "Say, where's Riju?"
"I think she's still on Vah Nabooris." Teba said. "I caught a glimpse of her while getting off Vah Medoh, she seemed anxious."
"Probably homesick for the desert." Sidon said with a smug laugh.
"None of that." Zelda chided him. "We're still trying to fix the hole Link made in the table."
"Wait, what?" Twilight asked, confused.
"I got pissed, stabbed the Master Sword into the stone table in the Throne room." Link informed him. "That's the short version."
"Speaking of, are you ever gonna open up the Throne room for Petitions from the people, Princess?" Sidon asked. "It would increase your outside interaction and let you hear from your people."
"Well..." Zelda blew a breath out. "Link and I have been going out into Castle Town, so I don't see a need-"
"You two going out on dates in town does not count as 'outside interaction', Princess." Twilight huffed.
"Wait! She and Link are together!?" Sidon exclaimed, making them all jump. "When did this happen? You must tell me!"
"I...That's not what I meant..." Zelda became visibly flustered. "We-"
"They are together." Twilight confirmed, earning a furious look from the Princess. "What? You weren't gonna admit it."
"I knew it!" Sidon grinned happily. "Seriously, when did this happen?"
"We...Uh...I don't know, a week ago?" Link scratched his head in thought. "But I guess...We've always felt this way, we just never...y'know, paid it much mind."
"Well, I think it's wonderful!" Sidon beamed. "Congratulations to both of you!"
"Um...Thank you, Sidon." Zelda stuttered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear awkwardly.
Right on Cue, the doors opened and Riju stepped in, Thunder Helm in hand and Buliara right behind her.
"Sorry I'm late." She huffed. "Vah Nabooris is...harder to operate than I had anticipated. Did I miss anything?"
"No, not really-" Teba began, trying to cover for them.
"Link and Zelda are together now!" Sidon cheered, cutting him off.
"Oh, Really?" Her surprised expression turned sly. "I can't even begin to imagine the pillow talk."
Twilight howled with laughter while the already flustered Zelda gaped, mortified. Teba, Sidon, and even Yunobo had to chuckle at that.
Link on the other hand seemed to find particular interest in the window nearby, the sun was already going down, casting an orange glow over Vah Ruta.
"Zelda, shall we show our guests our little project?" He turned to the statue-like Princess, who's head snapped towards him in surprise.
"Oh?" She slowly smiled, catching on. "Why not?"
All the Champions, even Twilight, cocked their heads in confusion as Link motioned for them to follow. They walked on up the stairs and towards the Ball Room, where two soldiers opened large white marbled doors for them, revealing the beautiful room prepared for tomorrow's festivities.
It was a large, smooth-floored room with chiseled motifs and historical painting lining the walls. The ceiling was high and on the opposite end of the room was two stairways to an upper floor that had a stone railing looking over the large room, that's where Zelda, Link, and Twilight would stand during the ball.
On the left side of the door was a smaller, step-platform with a large black piano, with extra space for a band to play.
The things that caught their eyes, however, were the four statues, each one of the late Champions, holding their weapon of choice. In front of each was a display case holding the weapon in question, preserved by time and passed onto Link, who donated them for the tribute.
"Since this where the public will gather for the evening ball on the eve of the Festival, we decided to make sure the Champions would get the recognition they deserve." Zelda explained, ascending to the upper level to look over them. "As you can see, there are plaques near each statue that commemorates them and their great deeds to Hyrule."
Each new Champion stood in awe as they gazed upon their predecessors. The moment was touching for someone like Sidon, who gazed upon Mipha's statue with merriment. For Riju and Yunobo, gazing upon Urbosa and Daruk was an hour and they revered them with great pride.
Then there was Teba, who looked at Revali with a curious expression.
"So, this is Revaili, I think I've only ever seen him once." He mused, looking down in the display case at his Bow. "He was a curious one, preferring such a heavy weapon in flight."
"He was a royal pain the neck." Link admitted. "But he meant well...I think."
"This is amazing!" Sidon smiled happily. "I don't think the statue back home was this elaborate, it feels like she's actually here."
"We spared no expense, Sidon." Zelda smiled, leaning on the railing. "Link insisted on it."
"Heh...Good man." Sidon's expression softened as he turned back to the statue.
"And it's not just here, either." Link added. "We've placed statues of them in several different rooms, like the Throne Room, Dining Hall, and Library."
"And how did you do all this behind my back?" Twilight asked, arms crossed.
"Twilight, there are so many things you don't know." Zelda smiled, head turned to the side.
"Say, what're you guys gonna wear for the Festival?" Link inquired. "I guess I'm wearing this Wolf Mask I found."
Twilight's eyes shot towards the mask, a frown adorning his already negative expression.
"Care to explain?" Link mouthed, arms crossed.
"Tomorrow." He mouthed back, turning away.
"I never got around to getting one, I'm afraid." Yunobo admitted.
"Same here." Riju said. "I'll just wear the Thunder Helm."
"I'd never hide this face." Sidon said, roguishly.
Teba simply shrugged. "I'm not one for wearing those things."
"Princess!" The door between the stairways inched open as Ro appeared, the young Zora squeezing through the gap. His eyes went wide upon seeing Sidon. "P-Prince Sidon!"
"Ro, Is that you? Wow, you look powerful in that armor!" He flashed a smile and gave a encouraging thumbs up. "Good for you!"
The young Zora seemed rather flustered at the compliment, smiling dorkily.
"Up here, Ro!" She called, rolling her eyes. The boy craned his neck to look straight up at her.
"Oh, Princess. Sir Cryoss, Duke of Marsh has requested an audience with you!" He said, still craned upwards. "He seemed very anxious as well."
"Duke of Marsh?" Link murmured, frowning.
"One thing to remember, Wild." Twilight remarked. "Nobles are the lowest form of man, so expect them to badger you frequently. Chances are this Cryoss guy will be at the ball, along with countless dignitaries and diplomats from many different kingdoms and provinces."
Link couldn't help but growl lowly, grabbing his chest strap and squeezing it.
Fortunately, Zelda didn't seem content either, rolling her eyes as she stood up straight.
"Unfortunatly, I have to deal with this." She said loudly. "Please, make yourself at home. You can ask a handmaiden for a room and ring for dinner later."
The Champions nodded, turning back to admire the displays for a bit more. Zelda motioned for Link and Twilight to follow her.
Soon, all three were walking down a hall towards the Throne Room.
"One Hundred rupees says he tries to court you." Twilight bet.
"Ugh..." Zelda huffed, giving him a wry look, then smirked. "Your on. If he does, it'll be sad I have to break a man's heart."
However, they stopped outside Link's room, much to his confusion.
"You are going to sleep, I know how touchy you get around Nobles and who knows how it'll affect your memory." She crossed her arms, leaving no room for argument.
"As if he's any better?" Link motioned to Twilight, then sighed. "Fine, so much for wanting to see that plays out."
Zelda smiled lightly. "Don't worry Link, I know what I'm doing. I just don't want you to murder a man tonight."
"I'll just murder him tomorrow then." Link chuckled.
"Oh my Farore, can you two stop flirting?" Twilight huffed, back to them. "You're worse than me and my Zelda."
"Pardon?" Link frowned.
"...Shit." Twilight growled. "Nothing, I'm going senile."
"Zelda...Are you sure you want him going along?" Link pressed.
"Yes...Regretfully." She sighed. "I'll see you in the morning, Promise."
Link nodded, watching as they walked down the hall and out of sight. He frowned slightly, walking in the opposite direction, back to the Ball Room. As he descended the stairs, he noticed that everyone had left, except Sidon, who continued to gaze at the statue of his older sister.
Link felt guilt weighing on his shoulders. Before, Sidon had revealed to him that Mipha loved him, she even planned on proposing to him.
Yet...He just admitted to loving someone else, even if it was Zelda.
"Sidon." He made himself known, walking slowly towards the Zora Prince.
"Oh, Link." Sidon turned in surprise, easing into a smile. "Sorry, I was just-"
"No need to explain." He sighed. "I should be sorry."
"Whatever for?" Sidon inquired, cocking his head in confusion.
"I just admitted to loving Zelda, even though Mipha had..." He looked at his feet. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"What!?" Sidon seemed shocked. "Link, you have not hurt my feelings in the slightest, I truly am very, Very happy for you in fact! I did not mean to deceive to hide my feelings."
"But-"
"But nothing, I know Mipha's heart belonged to you. But she wouldn't have wanted you to spend your days in regret and loneliness. I remember once, she had told me that she could use her powers so effectively because she thought of the one she loved, you. She thought that if the Princess had done the same, she'd have awoken her powers sooner."
Link frowned. "I...think that's what she tried to tell her, the day Calamity Ganon awoke."
"Mipha knew you two were interested in one another, it was obvious she did." Sidon smiled. "Don't let regrets cloud your judgment or your true feelings, it'll only hurt your loved ones."
"I..." Link blinked, that turned on him quickly. "Thanks Sidon, that means alot."
"No Problem, I'll see you in the morning and we can celebrate together!" He laughed heartily, slapping Link on the back. "Until then, my friend!"
Link returned to his room. Closing his door, he stripped out of his tunic, setting it and the cap on the dresser. He flopped onto the bed, his ribs protesting the softened impact. He curled up under the covers and tried to rest, feeling rather content thanks to Sidon's speech.
But the clicking and the beeping returned to haunt his thoughts.
Goddesses, it was irritating.
His eyes shut, he sought to figure this out once for all.
With that, he fell into a lucid dream, literally.
He landed hard, falling to his hands and knees in pain.
Shaking it off, he sat back on his legs, looking around.
He was in a Shrine? No, it was a Divine Beast. That familiar tremble and the damned clicking.
Three High, Three Low, Three High again.
"S.O.S." He grumbled, looking down in guilt. The guilt of not being able to truly save his friends.
He noticed his garb, it wasn't the Champion's tunic like he'd expected, but the Green garb of the Hero. So this wasn't a memory, but a premonition?
The Sheikah Slate was on his hip. Grabbing the Ancient Device, he called up the map and, to his curiosity and dismay, he found he was in the main room of Vah Nabooris.
"Why here?" He whined, steeling up and standing on his strained legs.
It was dark, faint blue lights attached to the ceiling, walls, and floor illuminated small portions of the main room.
He grabbed the Master Sword, drawing and holding it out, the flashing blade glowed a blue light to reveal his path. He walked and searched, finding nothing out of the ordinairy.
But...
He froze, ears twitching as he listened intently. The clicking...the beeps had gone faint. He turned and walked the other way, towards the front of the Divine Beast.
With every step, the beeping grew louder and louder. He was getting close to the source. He began to approach the back wall...
Then he fell, right into a pitch black room. The Master Sword clattered out of reach and extreme heat poured in around him. On instict, he reached into his pack and downed a Fire Resistance potion before he could burst into flames.
The beeping's tune changed, and upon retrieving the Master Sword and shining it's light around, he found he was in Vah Rudania. Standing up, he began to follow the beeps there.
Once more, he approached the front of the Divine Beast.
And once more, he fell into darkness, landing hard on his knees.
The air was frigid and breathing became difficult. It wasn't any doubt, he was in Vah Medoh. The beeping once more changed tune.
"So...There's something in the front of the Divine Beasts? But what?" He mused, standing up again. "If I keep falling like this I'll never find out."
Once again, after approaching the front of Vah Medoh, he found himself splashing into a waist deep water, in a even darker room.
The Beeping, once fast paced, became cold and menacing. His heart sank and a knot formed in his chest when a string of notes played in his mind.
Vah Ruta...
"Not here...Please. No..." He stiffened, blocking his ears from the intrusive noise, yet it played on in his mind.
Link shook his head furiously, climbing from the pool and looking around in confusion. The beeping...
Was stopping?
Shining the Sword's light around, he realized that it was slowing, like a dying signal.
He rushed quickly towards the front of Vah Ruta, actually feeling desperate, like the dream would slip away if he were too late.
He found the source, a doorway that wasn't there before. It was made of a solid black material, and when he tested the Master Sword against it, it held strong. Ever determined, he began to push. Finally, the door gave way and he forced himself inside a pitch dark room.
He cursed to himself, the beeping ever getting slower. He shined the Sword around once more, a glint of metal, of a weapon caught his eye.
He knelt down and inspected it, it was a Zora spear. Just a normal, yet old, Zora spear. Tracing a finger along it, he found it was covered in dust...and blood?
"...Link."
He whirled around and found a shadow staring right back, the Master Sword's light faded away.
He found himself shocked awake as his door was flung open and slammed shut, the culprit was a furious Zelda who seemed so angry she'd kill someone with her bare hands. Moonlight shone in through windows, illuminating her flushed face.
"I can't even...He...What a intolerable man!" She nearly screamed, fists clenched. "I've never wanted to yell at someone like that!"
"I take it things didn't go well?" He asked, tired and confused.
She sighed, hands on her hips. "Well, Twilight was correct. Cryoss wanted to ask for my hand in marriage."
"And?" Link tensed, bunching the covers in his fists.
"I said No." She huffed. "He didn't take it well, and instead of seeing reason, he insulted me, the champions, and even you."
"What did Twilight do?"
"He threatened him with violence and escorted him out at the end of a sword."
"Huh, still think I should've gone?"
"No." Zelda sat down at the foot of the bed. "Chances are, you wouldn't have a done a thing if he insulted you, you probably had done the same if he insulted the Champions."
"And if he insulted you?"
She smiled. "I assume death would be a mercy at that point."
"Damn Right."
They laughed together for a moment.
Yet, slowly, Link's expression became grim.
"Zelda, I need to tell you something." He said, lips pursed. "It's about a dream I had...I think...I had a premonition."
She cocked her head curiously, then slowly nodded.
"Alright, we'll go to my study. But, get dressed first." She said, handing him his tunic. "People like Riju would get the wrong idea if you walk around in the bare minimum."
Link gave a half-hearted laugh as he slipped into the Green Garb, forgoing his cap and following the Princess out.
After the Castle was repaired, Zelda had moved her things to the room across the hall from Link's, so if anything happened, like if she was in trouble or he had a bad flashback, either could help the other quickly.
Twilight owned a room beside Link's, but over the course of the week he'd progressively started moving his belonging down to his Tavern, planning on living there instead.
Meanwhile, Zelda's old room had been cleaned out and transformed into a lab of sorts, with workbenches and other fancy equipment. Now that Link had gone in there, he'd noticed she had been busy studying different items from his adventure. Like the Rubber Armor chestpiece lying on the far table under a microscope.
Link noticed a few little needles and kunai scattered on her desk, she simply brushed them away and grabbed a book.
Zelda sat at her desk, turned to a blank page, and grabbed a pencil.
"Okay, can you describe the dream?" She asked, ready to write.
Link sat down and began to explain, mentioning all four Divine Beast, the clicking and beeping that had haunted him ever since he'd freed them, and the odd room he had found inside Vah Ruta.
As he rattled on, Zelda found herself listening very intently rather than writing, often having to ask Link to go back so she could record what she'd missed.
"And you said you Weren't in your Champion's Tunic?" She inquired, very interested.
"No, I was wearing the Tunic I'm wearing now." Link motioned to himself with one hand. "What do you think it means?"
"Hmm...If that's the case, it couldn't have been a memory." Zelda hummed, rereading the notes. "It seems too real to be a dream either, I think you may be right about the Premonition part."
"Vah Ruta...Goddesses, I hate that place."
"Because of Mipha?"
"No, Of course not. It just...all the other Beasts had the same beeping at first, but as I went through and activated the Terminals, it became...I don't know, more positive. But Ruta..." He shivered. "It was so...depressing and sad, shrill and terrifying even to me. I can't even imagine why Mipha ever stayed on that thing."
"Hmm..." Zelda leaned on her fist, cheeks puffed out. "Well, with all the Beasts so close, it's possible that it's just awoken something deep within you."
"What about the room?"
"We can ask Sidon if you want."
"...No." He sighed, face in his hands. "I just spoke to him and I don't want to ruin the Festival for him or anyone else."
Zelda frowned, setting the book aside. "Very Well, but we can always ask him afterwards if you want."
"Thanks, Zel."
She laughed. "Zel?"
"Sorry, I'm really tired." He smiled, sitting up.
"Hmm...Here, I wanna show you something." She walked across the room, taking the Sheikah Slate off her belt.
She knelt down in front of a object covered in a cloth, she yanked the sheet off, revealing a sleek metal Sheikah Chest.
Unlocking it with the Slate, she opened it and pulled out what appeared to be a gray cape or cloak.
"So, what are your thoughts on the Para-glider you have?" She asked, holding the cloak in her arms.
"It's nice." Link shrugged. "Helps me get around and to tough places that I don't feel like climbing to."
"And what if it allowed you to fly, like a Rito perhaps?"
"That would be awesome." His eyes lit up.
"Well, good!" She held out the cloak. "Then I present, the Elytra!"
Link looked the cloak up and down, it didn't seem anything special. Upon noticing his confused look, she elaborated.
"Using some Sheikah Tech, along with help from Purah and Teba, I've created not just a glider-like device, but one that enables you to fly like a Rito."
She tensed her fingers on the left shoulder of the cloak, the fabric went rigid and seemed to separate into two wings, clicking as they extended to the sides.
"Cool." Link nodded, looking at the device from different angles. "I know someone who would love to get their hands on this."
"Well, as of now, it doesn't exist." She gave him a glare. "I made it for you, but since you decided to get yourself maimed by a Lynel, you can't test it for me."
"Hehe..." Link scratched his head. "Sorry."
"Whatever." She tensed the corner of the device again, it folded back and softened into a cloak again, setting it back in the chest and shutting it.
"Any other inventions?" Link inquired, looking around the lab.
"Yes, but I want those to be surprises." She said smugly, walking into the hallway with Link following her.
"Aww, C'mon!" He mock-whined "That's just cruel, Zel!"
"Keep calling me Zel, and you'll see how cruel I can get."
"Hey!" They both jumped, looking down the hall, where Twilight was standing in his night clothes, looking very tired.
"People are trying to sleep! Get a Room!"
Amen, Twilight.
Also, Really Riju? You had to do that Pillow Talk joke at the start? XD
As for Sidon, I've rarely seen other Fanfics bring up the fact that Mipha loved Link and when he and Zelda get in a relationship, Sidon is really accepting. I decided to give him a reason, so it doesn't seem like he's suffering in silence. (Somewhat like Link if you think about it.)
So, I thought It would be cool if the Paraglider got upgraded and you could fly like a Rito around the world, it'd make exploring a cake-walk and would look amazing in both third and first person. Too bad that ain't happening. I borrowed the name and a bit of the design from the glider/cape thing from Minecraft, since "Elytra" sounds fuckin rad AF.
Unfortunately, Link won't be using it for a bit. :(
I'm setting up the political atmosphere that most Zelda fics have, with the smug nobles and dukes from other lands, just crawling like slugs into the castle for hope of becoming king. Too bad, fellas. Zelda's spoken for.
Cyross, or Crioss, depending on how I wanna spell it that day. Is that one noble who's an ass to everyone who is even remotely against his ideals. He thinks Heros from a commoner background (Such as Twilight) should be arrested for vigilantism and fade into obscurity. And any Hero from a Noble background (Like Link) should follow every order he gives.
In short, he's an ass.
And of course, there's something sinister that still remains inside the Divine Beasts...But that is for another Saga. Besides, can we truly believe Riju had trouble controlling Vah Nabooris...It's like she's hiding something... :)
Next chapter will be out between today and Monday, so stay tuned.