He met Sheik by the entrance to the Inn the next day, standing there and talking with Kodah and Prince Sidon. They hadn't noticed him yet and he took the time to try and read Sheik's body language. It was something he felt he was getting better at and yet still found himself confused by. He was leaning against the entrance to the Inn, arms folded across his chest and gaze focused on Prince Sidon. He gave off the appearance of being bored but Link thought he was quite interested in what the Zora was saying.
Link had figured a while back that Sheik enjoyed learning. He had a vast amount of knowledge when it came to legends, potions and music but also smaller things too, like the Zora's traditions. It was fascinating the amount of stuff he knew.
Finally making his way over he stopped next to Sheik and intentionally bumped their shoulders together. The Sheikah stood up straight and dropped his arms down to his side as Prince Sidon lit up at seeing him. "Link! You're awake! Sheik refused to allow me to wake you up. He said you needed more rest."
"You had already woken me up at the crack of dawn, you need to relax a bit. The rain won't wash Zora's Domain away for at least a few more months. Hyrule suffers a greater danger from this than your Domain." Despite Sheik's words Prince Sidon just continued to sulk. "Well he's awake now." Sheik waved his hand in Link's direction. "Let's show him to the King."
Another thing he noticed. Sheik could do a lot of the talking yet somehow still make himself less important than Link. It wasn't like people remembered him, he's over a hundred years old, they're not looking at him to defeat the Calamity. Prince Sidon could have shown Sheik to the King just as easily as Link. So why did it seem like Sheik somehow invalidated his existence and being here without even trying? He was smarter than Link, clever and a decent fighter. He could do just as much if not more than Link. Not that Link doubted his own abilities but he didn't remember being that master swordsman that was in the King's court, he was simply moving his body on instinct. Sheik had years of training, fighting, and had done all of this before.
The King looked like an actual fish. Prince Sidon looked like a fish, undoubtedly, Zora were after all an aquatic race. But King Zora? An actual fish. Link was sure of it. Sheik hummed from beside him and whispered beneath his breath. "You think our loud friend will become like that?" Big enough that Link was like just a quarter of his arm length instead of half his height? The thought was terrifying. "It's a Zora King thing, I'm sure of it now. The Zora King of my time, Do Bon, was that big… but he looked like a frog."
Link had to catch himself from laughing, resorting to elbowing Sheik in the side who simply hummed again in response and stepped away. Prince Sidon took that time to introduce the King to them. Link walked up the platform and it took him a second to realize Sheik stood at the bottom off to the side.
"Ah. You must be the Hylian that Sidon bought here, correct? You did well to come all the way here. I am King Dorephan, Ruler of the Zora."
"I had help in getting here. I'm sure Prince Sidon mentioned my friend?" He turned briefly and motioned to Sheik. "That's Sheik."
"Oh yes! The other Hylian! I did mention him! They fought splendidly together." Prince Sidon nodded to himself and the King's gaze shifted to Sheik. Sheik did an excellent bow and Link noticed his head was still absent of the head wrap he wore before. The rain must have soaked it to much to get back on.
"Sidon, you should review your lessons on the races of Hyrule later. Young Sheik, what takes a Sheikah so far from Kakariko Village? I've heard it's rare your kind ventures far from it's protective mountain border."
Sheik, who wouldn't actually know that, briefly glanced at Link before turning back to the King. "I'm assisting Link. He can't read the Sheikah Slate." That was certainly one way to shortening the explanation of their journey.
"The Sheikah Slate?" And just like that Link had the King's entire attention once more. "HMM?!" He shifts forward and for a moment Link worries he'll fall off that chair. "Now that I have gotten a good look at you, it is all to clear who you are. You are the Hylian Champion, Link! Do not tell me you have forgotten me."
Prince Sidon took a step forward, eyes as wide as the others. This was going to become a thing again, where he's surrounded by people who know him but he doesn't recognize a single one of them. "The Hylian Champion? You can't mean THE Link? THAT Champion? So that's where I have heard your name before! What a fateful coincidence that we should cross paths!"
"I cannot believe it. The Hylian Champion, Link, had appeared before us. We have met numerous times, I'll have you know." Yeah, he's heard that before. He doesn't entirely mind not remembering but sometimes, in situations like this, it is difficult to be the person being talked about but have no idea what they mean. "Ah, so many memories!" Because of things like that. "My mind is overflowing with nostalgia, my friend. I had heard a terrible rumor that you had fallen in combat, but it appears you managed to survive!"
He took this moment to let out a soft breath and step forward. "I lost my memory."
Silence. For a good few moments. Then the King leaned toward him. "Come again? You say you have lost your memories? But surely you must remember my precious daughter Mipha, yes? You do, do you not?"
This was not going to go well. He shakes his head instead of using his voice. "I cannot believe it... have you truly forgotten my dear Mipha as well? You and Mipha were so close, yet you do not remember her?" Her and countless others he heard he was close to. "Young Hero, please look upon Zora's Domain." Link turned and walked toward Sheik who followed him to the edge of the area they were in. Looking down they spotted the center of the Domain and the statue they had passed countless times earlier. "Do you see that statue? Does gazing upon Mipha's immortalized form still not jog your memory?" He shook his head, feeling bad for the King, and looked back up to him. "Well, perhaps your memory will return in time."
That's what Impa said too. He wasn't as hopeful as them. He clenched his hands tightly and felt Sheik move closer to him, body pressed against his arm as if hiding his reaction to them. He appreciated it.
"Father, I do not believe discussing my sister is helping at the moment. Link seems confused." No, not really confused, he knew exactly what they meant and what they were talking about. He just couldn't remember what they wanted him to and wasn't that just the root end of all of his problems with people. Not remembering. But he wasn't about to correct Prince Sidon, he just stepped a bit closer to Sheik and let the other's presence near him sooth his stress.
Sheik was good at being that for Link.
"Oh? Yes of course, you're right Sidon. But first it is worth noting how remarkable it is that Sidon brought the Hylian Champion here without realizing it!" Again, he note's they leave Sheik out. Link was absolutely going to drag Sheik into the Divine beast with him and make the other take some of the credit for all of this. "That's quite a feat, my boy!" Prince Sidon shifts and turns his head away embarrassed before grinning at his father. "Link, you have without a doubt endeared a great my trials yet I must ask you to hear my plea. Hero, Zora's Domain is in danger of vanishing because of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. I shall do you the courtesy of speaking bluntly. We alone cannot cannot stop this beast. Will you lend us your strength?"
"What?!" Link startled at the shout and Sheik rolled his head to the side, staring at the flat head shaped Zora that had shouted. He was a different color than the others they'd seen, brown if Link was right, and head quite flat. Though he was glaring at Link with fire in his eyes. "King Dorephan, my Liege, please do not speak so! To ask a Hylian for help, well the very thought of it curls my fins!"
"Muzu, I expected more from you, how can you still protest?"
Prince Sidon took a step forward and shook his head. "Muzu, it is rude to speak to your King that way and his guest! Link and Sheik are here because I invited them! With such unprecedented rainfall, we have no choice but to rely on the aid of a trustworthy Hylian. And might I remind you he is not alone, he has the Sheikah with him if a Hylian is truly your problem. They are the key to saving Zora's Domain which we all discussed before we went to find a Hylian."
The King nodded. "Well said my boy. Link is a champion through and through and I trust his choice in allies to be dependable. As things stand all of Zora's Domain, no, all of Hyrule will be doomed to be swallowed by the sea. This is bigger than us my friend. Zora, Hylian and even the Sheikah must put aside our differences and stand together!"
"The Sheikah I can stand but have you forgotten already, my King? We cannot trust these lowly Hylians!"
"Lowly?" Sheik muttered the word under his breath and Link noticed his gaze narrowed at Muzu. He only seemed annoyed and honestly Link was feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"A hundred years ago they abused the power of an ancient civilization and turned Hyrule into what it is today!"
"You mean the Sheikah Technology?" This time Sheik's voice was louder, intended to be carried, and cut through the conversation happening. Muzu turned his head to Sheik and his gaze seemed just as angry with him for interrupting as he was with Link for simply existing. "From my understanding the Sheikah Tech that you say they abused was created for the very reason it was dug up. To stop Ganon. The intention behind my ancestors was for it to be used, not buried away. It's simply a shame that despite the Sheikah's best efforts it wasn't enough to resist Ganon's control."
Muzu didn't appreciate Sheik's blunt response considering the way he bristled. "How dare you-"
Sheik blinked and narrowed his red eyed gaze at Muzu. "Correct you? Because that is simply all I did. They're my ancestors, I get to speak for them. Not you. I haven't corrected you on any Zora, have I? You're not mad about the Sheikah Tech, you're not even mad at Link being a Hylian. So please, enlighten me, what exactly is your problem?"
Muzu turned back to King Dorephan and his expression fell into something of desperation. "My Liege, it is their fault that Lady Mipha was lost to us."
Sheik bristled next to him and Link caught his forearm as it reached for a Dirk. He didn't think Sheik would actually stab Muzu in the middle of the King's court but he certainly looked tempted.
"Link, Sheik, Divine Beast Vah Ruta has great power. It has the unique ability to create an endless supply of water. Of late it has been mercilessly spouting water into the air. As a result this area has been plagued by endless heavy rainfall. Because of the rain the eastern reservoir has been flooded and I fear soon it will burst and all of Hyrule will be lost to the sea."
A sharp sound filled the air and Sheik's entire body tensed as Link startled. The both of them turned and looked out over Zora's Domain once again. It was a haunting sound that echoed throughout the entire area, a cry of sorts that one would hear a wounded animal make. The Zora were less surprised and it made sense why when the King explained.
"Ah, Vah Ruta cries out again. The Princess, Zelda, often studied the Divine Beasts before the Great Calamity. According to her research the orbs located on Vah Ruta's shoulders are mechanics that can control the water that Vah Ruta generates. However, it requires electricity to work. These orbs are clearly out of control now because there is no electricity generating through them."
"I see. That is why you need a Hylian." Sheik shook his head and glanced over to Link. "You wouldn't know but the Zora are more than just sensitive to electricity. Even a little bit could be deadly to them. So any hope of stopping Vah Ruta's endless rain would be impossible for them."
"You are very astute, Sheik." King Dorephan nodded his head pleased at Sheik's explanation and Link now understood their plight.
The Prince continued where the King stopped. "Siggin, who is quite shock resistant for a Zora, managed to hit Vah Ruta with a shock arrow. Sure enough, it slowed the water a bit. He wounded himself in the process and we assumed because not enough of the orbs were hit the water returned to normal. Link, as Sheik stated we need you to use shock arrows to get those orbs working properly again." Prince Sidon grinned and struck his familiar pose. "I will of course aid you as much as I can! Please, Hero… I beg of you. Aid us in stopping Vah Ruta's rampage."
Link took a breath and looked between the two of them before speaking. "You see, that is actually why we were on our way to Zora's Domain in the first place. Sheik and I-" he motioned to his friend at his side. "Were asked by Zelda herself to appease the divine beasts. And eventually, Calamity Ganon." It was the shortest explanation but he didn't really wish to go into the whole thing.
The King blinked and for half a second Link thought he'd be called a liar. "So, Princess Zelda is still alive then?"
Link nodded. "Inside Hyrule Castle. She's suppressing Calamity Ganon."
"I see. The events of a hundred years ago cannot be altered, that is true. But perhaps if we gain control of the divine beasts again… they may yet prove useful in sealing Calamity Ganon once more."
Prince Sidon smiled slightly, a pleasant one that showed less of his horrifying teeth. "I did not realize you had such grand ambitions, Link. Wonderous! Naturally, I shall help too! Once Vah Ruta's rampaging has been stopped you should easily be able to climb inside! Come, allow us to appease Vah Ruta together!"
"Thank you, Link. Truly we are in your debt. Our goals are the same. This means our meeting was nothing short of destiny. Please, accept this gift as a show of faith." He's not entirely sure where the King was keeping it but suddenly Prince Sidon was offering him some sort of armored top. Sheik looked down at it with a blonde eyebrow arching up, amusement dancing across his eyes as he looked it over.
He gave a small hum and tugged the sleeve of the tunic, whispering to Link. "Suddenly getting a feeling of Deja Vu. Remember what I said early about Ruto?"
Ruto? The Zora Princess from his time? The one who was crazy and thought they were engaged to the Hero of Time?
Engaged. Zora traditions.
Oh.
"So long as you wear this you'll be able to swim like a Zora. Even up waterfalls. Please, take good care of it." Link has a sinking feeling that only got worse when Muzu started shouting.
"King Dorephan! Surely you do not intend to give this outsider the Zora armor!? Countless generations of Zora Princesses have gifted that armor to the one they had sworn to marry! Princess Mipha made that one there with her own hands! It is far too important to be trusted to this shady Hylian! He may be the champion but he had no such relationship with her. Why should he receive such an honor? This is to much, I simply don't understand it." Having said his peace Muzu turned to leave and they let him go.
The King took their gaze once more. "You must forgive Muzu, he was tasked with training my daughter Mipha. Naturally, she was important to him. As she was to all of us. Hmm… what to do though. I had tasked Muzu with collecting the shock arrows needed for Vah Ruta and now he's rushed off in a huff."
"Do not let Muzu's words get to you, Link! I shall work this out with him and return!" Prince Sidon rushed off after Muzu, leaving them behind and Link holding armor that felt more valuable than his life. He adjusted it in his hands and turned to Sheik. Was he supposed to wear it now?
"What should we do?"
Sheik shrugged his shoulders. "I'd say go after him, as much as I loathe the idea of getting wet again." He looked like he did too, already folding his arms across his chest and trying to gather more warmth within himself.
"Do you get cold easily?" It seemed like such a silly question once he asked it and Link scolded himself for being so ridiculous. He fumbled with more words to cover himself. "I just… I noticed when we were fighting in the rain you got tired quicker, though you were hit with a shock arrow in the spine which could explain that. I-I never even asked are you alright?"
Sheik was laughing at him. He was, Link could see the shake to his shoulders and he swore the other was smiling. "I do, you know, get colder easier. Sheikah also have sensitive hearing, if you're curious. And, to answer your last question, I'm probably fine. Can't exactly look at my own back though." He shrugs as if it's nothing to just assume he's fine rather than know.
"I could for you. Your back, I mean, and later obviously not right now." He should really stick to letting Sheik do the talking, he was much better with words.
"We'll see. We have a lot to do before we'll get a chance for that. Should we go find Prince Sidon?" He was right, there was too much to do right now that didn't involve seeing Sheik's back.
"Right." He nodded his head and shifted the tunic in his arms before heading for the stairs. It wasn't hard to find the two of them, they were arguing in front of the statue of Mipha. Link stayed close to Sheik as they headed over toward the two of them, partly for his own comfort and partly hoping that his body heat would rub off on him. Sheik was already shivering though clearly trying hard to hide it.
They stopped beside the two of them and Link took the chance to raise his head and glance up at the statue. She really didn't seem familiar, as horrible as that was for the Zora, and he did feel bad that he didn't recognize her. She seemed pretty, for the most part, though he didn't particularly feel attracted to the Zora species. She seemed kind and he was sure that she was a good person, a good friend to him.
"We do not need his help." Link startled from his thoughts at Sheik's voice and snapped his gaze back to the other. Sheik was glaring at Muzu's retreating back and turned to Prince Sidon. "You said you know a place where we can get them. Point me in the direction, I'll get Link the arrows."
"You must be cautious, Sheik, the arrows are wielded by a vicious Lynel that has terrorized our back mountain since the Calamity started."
Sheik didn't even blink. "Show me the way." Link had a feeling that not much could scare Sheik. That he's looked at things more horrifying that either him or Prince Sidon could imagine. He didn't know enough about the Hero of Time's era to say for certain what he's seen, but he's sure it wasn't pleasant. Link has seen Lynel's though and every single time he's stared one down he's ran from them as fast as he could. Lynel's were vicious, he didn't want Sheik to fight that.
Prince Sidon advised them to sneak around and collect the arrows. He had Link put the tunic from Mipha on and prepare himself for climbing the waterfall. Sheik promised he'd meet him along the way with his own method of getting up the mountain. Link shrugged and let the Sheikah run off as he joined Prince Sidon in the water.
The tunic did exactly what Prince Sidon said it would. When he got close enough to the waterfall it kicked in all on its own and swung him up the water, moving his body in ways that should have been uncomfortable. It kicked him out of the top and Link flung himself onto the land off to the side, landing rather harshly. He coughed up water he'd taken into his mouth and pushed up against the ground to prop himself up. "Gotta get used to that." He pat his chest, coughed a few more times and then stood up. Just two more waterfalls to go.
He reached the top before Sheik and changed his clothes while he got ready. He tugged the Hylian Tunic back on and wrapped his hood around himself, shaking rainwater and river water from his hair. Once he was finished he scarfed down a few baked apples. As he was finishing off the last one Sheik swung himself up the side of the mountain and stood up, wringing water from his long braided hair. He looked like he was scowling.
"You look like a wet dog." He threw his braid over his shoulder and started up the mountain. Link smiled a bit to himself and chased after him.
"Does that make you a cat?" He got thrown a glare over his shoulder, red eyes narrowed but yet full of amusement.
He felt he was getting better at reading Sheik, it made him happy. He wanted to be able to understand the other. He wanted to be closer to him. Sheik was someone he felt he could rely on, who made him feel comfortable and safe even.
"So this Lynel, what are we doing about it?" Sheik stopped before the climb to the top where the Lynel should be, his hand reaching up toward the tree beside him and grasping the end of an arrow. He yanked it from the wood, twisted it around and offered it to Link.
Link took the end and tucked the shock arrow into the quiver at his back. "Prince Sidon said to sneak around it?"
It seemed like a good plan, Link didn't want to have to fight that thing if he didn't have to. He's seen them pick up Bokoblins and throw them like they were pebbles. It was a bit more than terrifying.
"Well, stealth is a Sheikah's specialty, so just wait here and I'll collect the shock arrows."
"But Sheik-" he didn't want to send the other into something so dangerous, especially not after yesterday. But Sheik was already taking out his Lyre from his back and handing it to Link.
"I'll be fine. Here, hang onto this I don't want the reflection from it to catch it's eye." That was smart. Link gently took the Lyre and held it to his chest, still not agreeing with this plan at all. Sheik didn't seem interested in continuing this argument though and just headed up the mountain as silent as ever.
Link moved around to the edge where he could see the other and spotted the Lynel not that far off pacing around. They really were intimidating beasts, looking large and wild. Not to mention their fighting style was terrifying. How they ran at things and had a long reach with that sword. From what he could see though Sheik was doing fairly well, he was using the trees and the rocks as coverage, jumping from tree to tree and rolling behind rocks quickly. Whenever the Lynel would stop and turn quickly to look in Sheik's direction his heart would lodge itself in his throat. But Sheik would always realize what was happening too, vanish from sight and wait it out. He clearly wasn't wrong when he said stealth was a Sheikah's specialty.
Sheik dropped down beside him from the top of the boulder Link was hiding behind and held the bundle of arrows he collected out to Link. He took them and offered the Lyre back to Sheik who slid it behind his back. "I collected ten, with what we got just walking to Zora's Domain we should have about twenty."
Link nodded and slipped the shock arrows into his quiver. "It should be enough. I'm pretty good with a bow and arrow so I shouldn't miss. Especially a target that big." Sheik hummed but Link felt it was more in agreement than anything else.
"The cliff edge looks over where Prince Sidon is waiting, you can paraglide down to him. I'll climb my way around and meet you there."
Link really was hating them having to split up here just because of the rain. Letting out a small sigh he leaned forward and bumped his shoulder against Sheik's. "We're going to invest in a paraglider for you at some point." He didn't even get the entire sentence out before Sheik's face was scrunching up in distaste. He could even see the frown Sheik had through the mask. A bubble of laughter tumbled out of him and he tried to keep it as quiet as he could so they didn't attract the Lynel's attention.
"I prefer to trust my body rather than some flimsy paper."
Link covered his mouth with his hand and bent over in laughter, shoulders shaking and stomach hurting. He took a breath and calmed himself down before looking up to Sheik with a bright smile. "I've only almost fallen to my death a few times."
Sheik spun around and made to head back down the way they came. "I'll meet you over there with the safety of my own body mechanics. Please don't fall to your death."
Link stuck to the edge of the Mountain pass and kept out of the Lynel's sight. He spotted a few arrows tucked under rocks that Sheik missed and picked them up along the way. When he reached the edge that Sheik mentioned he looked down and saw Vah Ruta. So just jump then, Prince Sidon was waiting on the bridge for them. Standing up he checked he had his paraglider and then jumped down. He sailed easily down to the reservoir and landed on the edge that led out to where Prince Sidon was. Once on solid ground he tucked the paraglider away once more and checked his bows. He had three on him, so he was set for there and he could use the flimsier one for this.
Taking a quick glance around for Sheik and not seeing him he figured he could at least go greet Prince Sidon on his own. He made his way down the stretch of the bridge and stood beside the Zora who was watching Vah Ruta. "I got the arrows."
"Glad to see you're ready to go, Link!" He looked him over once and motioned to his Hylian Tunic. "You'll need the Zora armor through, once you put that on we'll be ready to calm Vah Ruta!" Ah, he took it off for the chance he had to fight the Lynel. Well, he could throw it on real quick. Giving a nod of his head he stepped away from Prince Sidon and shook the Zora tunic out from his pack.
Getting dressed wet and in the rain with wet clothes was not the highlight of his day. He was glad that the hood could keep the worst of the rain off of his back but he still had goosebumps rising against his skin. He unbuttoned the hood from around his neck and slipped the tunic down over his neck, struggling to get his arms through the soaked and skin tight clothes.
"I think we should invest in towels more than anything." Link stilled, arm halfway through the tunic and bent at an odd angle, slowly glancing up and looking to Sheik. Well, this was a little embarrassing. "Here, let me help." Sheik crouched down and grasped the fabric of the Zora tunic, pulling it down and over his arm. They got both his arms through and then Sheik grasped the bottom of it, dragging it down over his chest. His fingers were cold, like icicles and he could feel the calloused tips of them brushing across his skin as he tried to arrange the tunic properly. "There. Are you feeling alright? Ready?"
No, especially not now. He nods his head and stands back up, buttoning the Hylian Hood properly in place. He turned to Prince Sidon and nodded his head at the Zora.
"Wonderous! Let us go and appease Divine Beast Vah Ruta as one! Here we go!" Prince Sidon flipped backwards and landed in the water, popping up a moment later. Sheik and him walked to the edge of the pier and looked to the Zora who waved his arm toward Vah Ruta. "Gaze upon Vah Ruta's back. Do you see those glowing, pink orbs? You will need to shoot each one of them with a shock arrow! With the Zora armor, you now have the ability to ascend waterfalls! So I shall take you right up to the side of the Divine Beast, and from there you can swim up and take aim. I know you can do it. I believe in you! Now hurry up and get on my back!"
"Link," Sheik grasped the sleeve of his tunic and drew his attention over to him. "I can't help from out there but leave the Sheikah Slate with me, I might find a way to assist you from here with it." He had no problems leaving the slate with Sheik, he trusted him with it and if he could help somehow he appreciated it. Even if he couldn't Link would have still left it with him. Nodding, his hand reached to his belt and he undoes the clip that keeps the Sheikah Slate and the case at his waist. He slides it off and holds the entire thing out to Sheik who took it from him. "Alright, I'll see if I can do anything, be careful."
Leaving that to his friend he turned back to Prince Sidon and slipped into the water. Prince Sidon helped him onto his back and they soared out toward the Divine Beast. "Vah Ruta has defense mechanisms when we get close enough, you see how she's responding to our presence? She'll start shooting ice out at us, I'll leave that to you!"
True enough like he said ice blocks started appearing and lining up. As they shot out and flew toward him Link fumbled for a normal arrow. He didn't have to use it though, when it got close enough it broke up and scattered across the water. Glancing back at the bridge he saw Sheik with the Slate out. Seems they'd leave the ice to Sheik instead. Exchanging the arrow for a shock arrow he readied himself and Prince Sidon swung him up the first waterfall.
It was a bit harder to take aim in mid air but he managed to line himself up and aim the arrow before shooting it. He nailed the pink orb and it turned yellow as he dropped back down into the water. Grabbing hold of Prince Sidon again they repeated the process with Sheik taking care of the ice and allowing them a chance to get close enough in to head up the waterfall. There was six orbs in total and Link only missed once when aiming for them and tumbling back into the water.
By the end of it the water flow finally stopped and Link was a bit tired but the Divine Beast had finally calmed down. It even began rising out of the water and giving Link a chance to get up onto the platform to enter it. Prince Sidon brought him over to the platform and tossed him up onto it, heading back over for Sheik at the pier. Link helped Sheik up onto the platform with him and they both turned back to Prince Sidon. He wished them luck and as Vah Ruta started to stand in the water he swam back proming to meet them at Zora's Domain.
"Hey, there's an activation spot here." Sheik moved over to the terminal and placed the Sheikah Slate over top of it. The terminal reacted instantly and the teleportation spot that Link was standing on lit up blue with the Sheikah symbol. Sheik hummed and tucked the slate away before moving to look at the glowing symbol of his tribe.
"What do the symbols say?" He questioned once Sheik reached the middle of the spot, looking down at the Sheikah Eye.
"It just says 'transport'." He supposed that made sense.
You're here.
Link froze and spun around, gaze searching out for the voice. Sheik, who noticed the sudden movement, turned to look at him, eyebrow raised in question.
I must say… that I am so happy to see that this day has finally arrived. Now Ruta can be freed from Ganon's control. You'll need a map to prevent you from getting lost. The Guidance Stone there contains the information that you will need.
"I can hear Mipha I think, the same way I can hear Zelda. She says one of the guidance stones contains a map of Vah Ruta."
"That's interesting. Alright, let's go." Sheik slid the Sheikah slate back into the holder that now rested on his own waist and headed inside Vah Ruta. Link took out the malice blocking the path with an arrow and they were greeted at the entrance with a Guardian.
"So, those are the little things you told me about." Link nodded and Sheik gave a small hum. "Thought my tribe had better taste, it's a bit creepy looking." He pulled a Dirk from off of his thigh and twisted it around. "I assume the eye is the weak point."
They took it out together with little effort and made their way over to the gate that blocked off the terminal they needed. Link took the slate from Sheik and used Cryosis to pop it up and they slipped inside to the room. Link placed the slate into the terminal and it lit up.
"If you're still curious," Sheik started at his side, motioning to the terminal. "It says Master Controls." That sounded promising and the moment it was done Link took the slate from the terminal and the two of them looked it over. "And true enough, it looks like we can control parts of Vah Ruta with this."
Good, you've obtained the map of the Divine Beast. You will see several glowing points on the map which represent the terminals that control Ruta. Take Ruta back by activating the terminals. Be careful.
"So, what did the Princess say this time." Sheik had wandered away while he was listening, the other now standing in the room they were previously in. Link hurried out after him and offered the Sheikah Slate back.
"We have to activate the terminals highlighted on the map to take Vah Ruta back."
"I thought so. There are five that I saw, two in the middle. One in the lower half. One in the head and then one at the top of the trunk." He tapped his fingers against the slate and looked to Link. "Well, I guess we start in the middle?" That sounded good to Link. He gave a single nod and the two of them started for the first dot on the map.
The terminal was straight forward, a puzzle Link had seen from the shrines. He took the Sheikah slate, activated magnesis and started to turn the gears. "I'm glad you came in here with me, you know. It's just… nice." To not be alone, to not be expected to do all of this on his own. He had worried Sheik would have stayed outside and just waited with the others for him to return.
"I did this before." He's turned his head away from Link and watched the gears move, a rather hollow look in his eyes. "Stayed outside, usually in a tree, for hours or days. Just hoping the Hero managed to come back out. I did as they told me. I took him there and left him to do his job. It seems so cowardly now." Link pauses in raising the terminal and glances over to the other. Sheik's still not looking at him. "In the end no matter how you look at it, he was a child we abandoned to the ways of the world."
He swallows and turns back to the gears, spinning the Sheikah Slate to finish raising the terminal. "You haven't told me much about him."
The Sheikah slate stops and the terminal activates. Link jumped over to it and tapped the front of the slate to the glowing pad. He passed the Sheikah slate back over to Sheik who pulled the map back up.
"I suppose we have time, do you want to hear the story?" He did, he truly did, so Link gave a quick nod. "This way, the other two terminals are upstairs." There really wasn't many monsters here, and nothing too difficult his bow couldn't take out. So as Sheik followed the map to find the terminals Link took out the blights and small guardians.
"That name of the forest we were in, do you remember what it was?"
"The Lost Woods?" Which certainly lived up to its name.
Sheik nodded. "It's more than that though, the Lost Woods is only a small portion of that forest. It's true name is the Great Hyrule Forest, or to the people who live there, the Kokiri Forest."
"The Kokiri? Are they those small plant people that give me seeds if I find them?" Sheik seemed amused by his reply but not for the reasons Link assumed.
"They were called Kokiri in my time. It sounds like they're playing with you. The Kokiri are very mischievous and playful people. But, they didn't always look like that you know. They took on that form I assume but I can't say why, since it didn't happen during my time. However, they used to look no different than you or I. But they appeared as Children."
Sheik points and Link turns, seeing the terminal rotating on the wheel in front of them. "I'll freeze the water turning the wheel, just give me a cue when the Terminal is reachable." Sheik moved away to get a better angle with the slate and Link stepped closer to watch the wheel. When it got in place Link waved his hand and Sheik froze the water. He returned to Link's side and passed him the slate. Wading into the water he climbed up onto the wheel and activated the terminal. "The other one is on the other wheel, I can climb up and swing myself into the cage, but we have to get the wheel moving somehow."
"Maybe we can use Vah Ruta?" It took some tinkering but Link found how to get the wheel turning with water from Vah Ruta. The trunk of the elephant Divine Beast rose up over top of its body and poured water down inside to turn the wheel. Sheik propelled himself up using the other wheels and actually threw himself toward the direction of the terminal. It was quite interesting to watch.
There must have been some normal way to do this, he was probably supposed to stasis the ball that kept falling off of the button and closing the gate to the terminal that was caged inside on the wheel, but Sheik's plan worked too. He waited for a good angle and moment, then swung himself down and right inside. Link couldn't see him at that point but he activated the terminal and the door popped open. Climbing back out Sheik jumped down to Link's side once more and showed him the map. "There are two more. Head and trunk. We can ride the wheel I was just on up and it'll lead us to the trunk. I saw a platform when I was over there."
They made their way over and Sheik helped Link up onto the wheel. The Sheikah was a lot more agile than Link was. The amount of control and flexibility he had over his body was mind-blowing to Link. They reached the top and Link stretched out his sore muscles from climbing. "Did you train to be that flexible?"
"Hmm? I did. Though as you saw with the Hinox it has a setback. I'm a bit too light if an enemy catches me, easy to knock over or apparently thrown. I'm better at fighting long range, or with the Lyre. I'm not good with a sword at all." Link won't offer him a weapon then. "It's interesting since my mother's main weapon of choice was a long sword, think you called it a broadsword, and a Naginata. I have no skill with either of those. The broadswords even to heavy for me to use."
Link nodded and tapped his chin. "What about a bow and arrow?"
"I'm decent, would still prefer to throw my Dirk's."
It was good to at least have a general understanding of Sheik's combat abilities. He did want to see the other use the Lyre more, he only saw it once and that was after being tossed away from the combat. "So, you were telling me about the Kokiri?"
"Mm. The Hero of Time was raised with the Kokiri." Link blinked at this sudden information and looked to Sheik in confusion. "No, he wasn't a Kokiri. He was a Hylian. He was just raised among them. When he was twelve he was tasked with a mission from the Princess of collecting the spirit medallions to open the Door of Time."
The Door of Time? Everything about this guy seemed to revolve around time and yet it seemed that he lost so much of his own life to time.
"When he collected the last one and returned to tell the Princess, Impa had taken her and escaped the Castle to run from Ganon who had murdered the King. The Princess left behind for him the Ocarina of Time. With the medallions, the Ocarina of Time and the Song of Time he opened the door and found a sword."
A sword? Link wanted to ask more questions but Sheik moved on, avoiding the subject of it. "When he pulled the sword he was taken to the Sacred Realm where he slept for seven years, until he was old enough to handle the task and the problems of Hyrule." Sheik pauses and pulls out the Sheikah Slate, passing it to Link and motioning to the Elephants trunk. "Yet even if his body matured his mind didn't after sleeping that long. It was a blink of an eye for him, seven long years of suffering for us. It was my job to greet him when he awoke in Hyrule once more."
It took a bit of walking and balancing for them to get to where the terminal was on the trunk of the Divine Beast. Link was crouching on the ground as he rode the trunk up, slate on the ground to work it and pinned safely by his hand. "What happened?" He asked gently, standing back up and moving to the terminal when it was safe to move.
"I greeted him, gave him his task, and left. As was my job tasked to me." Sheik reached behind him and retrieved the Lyre, settling it in his arm with a practiced motion. His right hand plucked at a few strings, testing, and then started a string of notes. It was a nice song, and Link watched him play. Like the last one he did for Link, the Serenade of Water, this one didn't need him to think the notes through. He played with his eyes closed in a practiced and memorized motion. The Lyre really was his preferred choice of tool it seemed though he was quite sure the instrument was more than just a tool to Sheik. He finished and tucked the Lyre back in place behind him.
"Was that the first song you taught him?"
Sheik gave a nod and turned away, looking down below them. "The Prelude of Light. I think we need to go downward now. When you jump you can use the paraglider but I don't think it's high enough for that. You'll be fine if you tuck and roll when you land." He understood Sheik wanted a break from this topic and would let it drop. Sheik jumped down and Link was right behind him, following him onto the part of the Divine Beast below. He landed as instructed and then stood back up, fixing his hood on top of his head.
"It's below us, look. Surrounded by fire." He got a hum from Sheik and the two of them climbed down into the spot below where they landed. There they found more gears to move and the terminal. Link activated magnesis and opened the area above the both of them creating a window that would then allow Vah Ruta to spray water inside and put the fire out. When he finished Link activated the last terminal with the Sheikah Slate.
You activated all the terminals! Now you can start the Main Control Unit. There should be a new glowing mark on your map, you can head there now. Be careful not to let your guard down!
"Mipha said we're ready to activate the Main Control Unit of Vah Ruta now. There's a new mark on the map. Are you ready, Sheik?" Link pulled the map up on the slate as Sheik nodded and once the both of them got a good read on where the mark was on the map they started for there.
The main terminal room was a large circular room full of ankle deep water. Sheik pulled the slate from him and looked up to the large machine before to Link. Link shrugged and motioned for him to go for it. He stepped up to it and reached his hand out, tapping the Sheikah Slate to the terminal. Neither one of them expected the machine to explode in what looked like malice from a blight. Link definitely hadn't expected it to seemingly absorb Sheik. It wrapped around him entirely and seemed to sink down into his body. Link started running toward him the second Sheik screamed in pain but the moment he got close enough something came out from the malice and took form in the room.
Link, be careful. That is one of Ganon's monsters. I gave it everything I had and yet… it appeared to be my demise a hundred years ago. But, I think you are well prepared for this moment. I believe in you!
Monster first, apparently, Sheik later. He reached behind his back and pulled out his traveler's sword, readying his shield. As he ran toward the creature Mipha spoke again and warned him of the spears reach. Fortunately, he had good practice dodging those things from the guardians. He leaped to the side to avoid the hit and rushed forward to hit the Waterblight with a series of sword slashes.
When he got enough in, the monster teleported away, in the same form of magic that Link used when he teleported with the slate. It must have absorbed the Sheikah magic from the Divine Beast, that was how Ganon had control of them by infecting them with the blights and merging with the machines. Link turned around and found the monster with ease once more, rolling to the side to avoid a hit from the spear. Climbing to his feet he rushed at the monster again, slid in the water and used the motion to propel himself into the blight. He slashed at it with his sword again until it teleported away from him.
This time he gave a loud cry and began raising the water level in the room. Thankfully there were four pillars to stand on and Link climbed onto one of them. His gaze sought out Sheik in the water, mostly afraid that he'd end up drowning being unconscious.
Be careful Link, there isn't much room to move around. Your friend is safe.
Well, that was reassuring. He turned his gaze to the monster only to find himself smacked and thrown into the wall with a ball of ice. Sliding down the wall into the water his head spun and ached with pain. He tried to collect himself as quickly as he could and swam back to the platform, pulling himself up onto it and coughing up water. He didn't have the Sheikah slate so he'd have to make an effort to avoid those. Not that using the slate and trying to dodge is ever a good tactic in battle. To many buttons and to much concentration.
Settling for his bow instead he pulled a few arrows out and took aim. Using those he took out the remaining blocks of ice and then aimed for the creature's eye. Two hits and it fell to the ground. Mipha yelled for him to attack and Link took her advice, swimming to the next platform and swiping at the blight with his sword.
Waterblight Ganon went down with a cry and Link took the few seconds to catch his breath, coughing up water into his hand. The platforms returned to the ground as the water level lowered and Link sood up straight. Without waiting he rushed up to the master control unit and Sheik's body on the ground, falling to his friend's side and grasping his shoulder. He shook Sheik a few times and started to truly worry when he got no response. At least he could see Sheik breathing.
"Sheik! Come on, get up!" He shook him a bit harder and quickly removed his hand when the Sheikah jerked awake, eyes snapping open. As he moved to sit up Link reached out and assisted him, propping him up against the control unit behind them. "Hey, it's fine I got the blight. Are you alright?"
He frowned and rolled his shoulders a few times before giving a nod. "It felt like I got hit by a Goron. All my energy was just zapped from me." It was definitely more than that, he absorbed malice from the blight. Hopefully it was all gone from Link defeating the Waterblight. "Are you alright?"
"I got distracted and was hit by an ice block, but I'm fine. Might just have a concussion." Sheik frowned at that but reluctantly nodded. Reaching down he picked up the Sheikah Slate and passed it to Link. "You should activate the terminal, I'm sure Mipha is tired of waiting."
The moment the slate touched the terminal the Divine Beast eagerly took control back over and lit up the normal Sheikah blue. A movement from behind him drew Link's attention and he turned around, standing partly in front of Sheik and readying himself for another fight. But that wasn't what came. Instead a Zora who mirrored her own statue at Zora's Domain stood before them.
"Thank you, Link and Sheik. Because of your courage my spirit is now free. And Ruta. So thank you. For I am now allowed by this freedom to be with you once again." Sheik climbed slowly to his feet from behind Link, taking slow and deep breaths as if he was still in pain. Once he was standing he stood beside Link and looked to Mipha. "Since I am now a spirit my healing power would be wasted on me. I have no need of it. So therefore… I would like you to have it. Please accept Mipha's Grace."
She put her hands together as if to pray and then sent a glowing ball of light into Link's chest. It was warm and soothed whatever pains he had from the fight instantly. Link blinked and briefly placed his hand against his chest before looking back to Mipha. "Yesterday, I was awash in a pool of tears. I had nearly given up hope and resigned myself to being trapped here, as a spirit, for the rest of eternity. But now you're here. All this time my hope was to see you once more, Link. Please promise me you will not hesitate to call upon my power if you ever find yourself in need. Knowing that will let my spirit rest in peace." He gave a quick nod, wanting to reassure her that if that was all she wanted from him he would of course grant it. "I must go now. Ruta and I have our own duty to fulfill. We both are honored to play the role of support. We'll annihilate Ganon together. Farewell. Save her, Link. Save the Princess. Save our Zelda."
A light enveloped them and Link suddenly found himself outside Divine Beast Vah Ruta with Sheik. The Divine Beast was crying once more but more than that it was sinking into the water and moving across Zora's Domain. Link stumbled in step and took off running, chasing the sight of the Divine beast as far as he could. He spotted it climbing up the mountain side in the distance and taking position on the hightest mountain peak of Zora's Domain. Once it was settled it picked it's head up and, like the guardians they fought, shot a red beam of light at the castle.
Sheik caught up beside him and followed Link's gaze, looking upward at the Divine Beast and the castle. Giving a small hum he crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. "I see, so her duty and I assume the rest of the Champion's, is to fire at Ganon at a certain moment during your fight. I can see how the Sheikah would have expected this to go, without the Hero's return to the world."
"What do you mean?" He prompted, turning to face Sheik.
"It was a theory I had when the Divine Beasts were explained to me. See, the Sheikah are the protectors of the Royal Family, you remember that right?" Link nodded and Sheik motioned toward the Castle. "When Ganon returns to the world it's said the Princess of Destiny and the Hero are reborn too. However, in the off chance the Hero doesn't return like the legend says, Hyrule will fall. I'm not sure if it was the Sheikah's idea, I struggle to see that given we take the legends and duty seriously, or the King's forced hand. But the Divine Beasts and the Guardian's would have been a failsafe. Those towers we activate? They'd monitor for Ganon's activity. Those Guardian's would patrol and defeat the monsters that Ganon's return brings with it. The Divine Beasts…" He lifted his head and looked up to Vah Ruta. "Would take aim and destroy him. They'd act as everything the Hero stood for. To defend Hyrule if he didn't exist."
It made sense. So Ganon was always supposed to be defeated by the Hero? By someone like him. Who they had started calling Hero. He didn't like that. "You said you understood why the Sheikah Slate wouldn't recognize me, but it would Princess Zelda. Sheik-"
"We should head back to Zora's Domain, the pathway is over here, come on." He was deflecting, he promised Link he'd always answer him honestly if he can. There's something he's not telling him. He can tell Sheik's still hurt though, walking uneven and clenching his hand at his side. He let's it go for now and follows after his friend.
They reached the bridge of Zora's Domain after a few minutes of walking and made their way up to where the King and Prince Sidon were waiting for them. Sheik again stayed below as Link walked up and stood on the platform to address the King. As he did the rest of Zora's Domain gathered and Sheik vanished among the crowd of Zora.
The King spoke. "Link! You did well to survive your trial!" Was that what they were calling him saving all of them? A trial? "I have been awaiting your return."
"I had help." He was dragging Sheik into this whether he wanted it or not. "My friend, the Sheikah."
"Hmm, of course, and where did the Sheikah Champion go?" There was a stir among the crowd and then Sheik was stumbling forward, shoved by a few Zora as the girls who helped him forward giggled. Sheik shot Link a glare before stepping up beside him and giving the King a bow. "There he is!" The King chuckled and smiled pleasantly at them. "The violent downpour has disappeared," from beside him Sheik muttered a quiet 'thank Hylia for that' and Link smiled. "as has the threat to Zora's Domain. It is all little more than a bad dream now. Thanks to your efforts, there is no longer any danger of a great flood laying waste to Hyrule. You both have appeased Divine Beast Vah Ruta and thusly saved Zora's Domain! What you did for us is more than we could have ever expected from you. We are all truly grateful."
Muzu cleared his threat at the King's side and raised his head. "Link… I must sincerely apologize for my harsh treatment of you. The whole time, you were truly thinking of Hyrule's and Lady Mipha's well-being, just like the rest of us. All the members of our council humbly fold our fins back in gratitude, along with the rest of our people. Perhaps the older generation of Zora, myself included, misunderstood Hylians after all. It would seem said, I would be overjoyed if you could find it in your heart to forgive me. If not now, then perhaps one day." Link nodded his head to show he truly had no harsh feelings toward Muzu.
"Link, Sheik! We must reward your efforts!"
"We really don't want anything Your Highness." Sheik quickly cut in, seeming as if he was attempting to vanish behind Link.
"Nonsense! Now then, I implore the both of you to collect the treasure inside that chest over there. It was cherished by Mipha. A momento of sorts. I would like you to have it as a token of our friendship. Please take good care of it. All of the Zora thank you from the depths of our hearts for your heroic and selfless work!" The King turned and looked to his son. "And you too, Sidon. As your father, I am proud of you for fighting the Divine Beast alongside Link. You have grown much recently. I know you will be a worthy heir when your time comes."
Sidon bowed his head and hid his smile partly. "Father… I… thank you!"
"The heavy rains have stopped. And the Divine Beast is our ally once more. How glorious! Truly splendid!"
"Link, Sheik This is wonderful!" They were so happy it was truly contagious. Link was glad that he helped them. He was so distracted watching them all smile and cheer that he missed Prince Sidon move until the Zora was right next to him. Sheik literally twisted out of the way as the Prince moved to grab them, Link ending up the only one with both his hands taken. Prince Sidon shook them so harshly he shook Link's entire body with it. "Thank you so much! Truly. I could never thank you enough! You helped save our home from vanishing away! This calls for a top-tier expression of gratitude! ZO! ZO! RA RA RA! With all my heart… thank you!" They cheered and clapped and Prince Sidon bowed before both him and Sheik. It was a lot.
After a few minutes the throne room cleared out, the Zora departing. Muzu moved off mumbling something about 'repairs to be seen to' and dragging Prince Sidon with him. When they were alone Link moved over to the chest to see what was in it and Sheik stepped up closer to the King.
"Mm, young Sheikah, you seem to have a question burning in your eyes. Please, do not hesitate to ask it. After everything you've done for us answering whatever you seek is the least I can do. I know we did not have much to offer you in exchange for your assistance."
"I don't need anything from you, truly I assisted Link because I wanted to… and because a dear friend asked me to. But you're right, I do have a question." Link lifted the trident from the chest, wondering how they even got it in there considering it was nearly as long as his body, and stood up.
"Please, ask your question then. Do not worry."
Sheik took an audible breath and Link turned to look at him curiously. "I noticed you have a river and a mountain named after one of the older Zora Princess's. And I noticed the Divine Beast shares a strikingly similar name to her. She was named Princess Ruto, daughter of the Zora King Do Bon. He was the sixteenth Zora King. They were alive during the Era of the legend of the Hero of Time."
"The more you talk the more it brings back a memory. Yes, most the area's in Zora's Domain are named after eventful people in our history. Yet, though I know the people you speak of, you have yet to ask your question."
Sheik held the King's gaze unflinching though he seemed to hesitate in voicing his question. Finally, after a few moments, he seemed to gather his courage and spoke. "Do you know what happened to her?"
"According to our history she died. King Do Bon had more children and the throne was eventually passed to one of them. No one knows the exact nature of her death, just that she died young. I'm sure I can have Sidon find the history book if you wish to read more."
Sheik shook his head and bowed to the King. "No, but thank you for your patience in answering my question." Sheik turned to him and motioned toward the spear. "Was that what was in the chest?" Link nodded and followed Sheik when he started to leave the throne room. "We should rest then and figure out our journey tomorrow."