Alright, and here we are. I hope your week is going well if anything; my day is going great, and now it is better as I can finally release this chapter for you all to see and enjoy
now let's get started
Link scratched his head. 'This is harder than I thought.' he was sitting by a tree. It was early in the day, and he had just finished his early morning run, so in the end, he decided to take a break and try to find a way to write a letter to his friends in the Domain. However, it was still hard. He didn't know how to start. Link let out a groan as he finally crumbled up the paper "damn it," Link muttered at this point he would have to wait till he was able to go back, which in a way made him worried.
Link sighed. He pulled out the necklace that Mipha had given him. He hadn't worn it since he had come here. They did have training that involved swimming, but nothing that involved going underwater besides, he had advanced through that so quickly he typically ended up being the person they used to make sure no one drowned. Link felt himself chuckle. One of the many benefits of being raised by Zora is that there was a lot of swim practice and Link remembered hating it cause, well, he could never beat the other kids. Now he was quickly the fastest swimmer out of everyone here. Even Kiana had trouble keeping up with him.
As he pondered this, a scream made Link jump from the spot he was standing. The paper in his lap fell to the ground. He looked over he saw people running around to the standard site for swimming.
"help," someone screamed, "my friend has fallen in the water, I think she's stuck down there" hearing this, Link got up to see all the commotion, he noticed that the training ramp that went over the water was bent. It had fallen over. The folding below had given out and had tangled the trainee when it fell into the water, trapping them as it sank to the bottom.
"she won't be able to breathe down there for too long."
"what happened"
Ignoring the shouting, Link jumped into the water catching everyone off guard as they all look over "was that Link."
"that kid has to have a death wish."
"how long can he hold his breath."
Upon entering the water, Link noticed that his breathing hadn't changed 'so this how this thing works," Link said he looked down 'I never realized how deep this thing is,' Link muttered as he started to swim.
'don't swim with just your arms," Seggin's voice rang through his mind 'if you do that, you're forced to pull your entire body; you want to use your whole body as if it were a machine.' Link remembered how often he would complain at the old Zora when he would force to do the swim lessons. If anything, he would have to apologize to the old Zora when he saw him again, causes, in a way, the training was starting to stick more than ever.
'we train in everything we can,' Seggin would always say, 'you never know when a unique skill may come in handy.
Link saw the person pulling her leg as she looked to be running low on oxygen. Link realized that, unlike him, she didn't have a special scale that thinks fast. He gripped her, making her stop thinking quickly. Link took off the necklace and placed it on her; she calmed down slightly as she started coughing. Link was quick to hold his breath as he went down. He saw that the folding had trapped her leg. Using all his strength, he managed to push the pieces of her leg. Hopefully, nothing is broken as he tried to the left. He motioned for her to pull, which allowed her to get from under the rubble.
Nodding, Link offered his hand as he helped her swim to the surface, thanking Nayru that he had started. He could hold his breath for as long he possibly had. As he reached the surface, everyone that was waiting greeted him with many relieved faces. As he pulled the helped the other knight in training to dry land, she let out a cough.
"thank you," she muttered, sliding up. Link nodded as he sat down, trying to catch his breath, shaking his head now he was cold and wet, and he then saw her take off the necklace and look at it.
"thank goodness," one of the instructors said, "we were afraid you would drown," he smiled, "you must have some good lung capacity."
"Actually," she said, "it was thanks to this" she held up the necklace that Link had given her "once he gave it to me, my breathing underwater became a lot better," she let out a sigh of relief. "I honestly thought I was going to die."
"what is it," someone asked
"it's a Zora scale," Link finally spoke. Many of them looked at him with a shocked expression Link didn't blame them. He honesty never spoke when many were around, so many of them probably thought he was mute, so hearing him talk probably caught many of them off guard. "it was a gift back when I used to live in Zora's Domain." he said, standing up. "they gave it to me, so I didn't drown when I went out swimming with the other children." taking the air of silence Link nodded he took that as his cue to leave so, he could go grab some change of clothes cause what they had on right now was soaking wet.
"Well, this will be a lot of paperwork," an instructor muttered, looking at the girl. He smiled "come one, let's get you someplace warm ya," he said
"Okay," she muttered, looking back; she noticed Link's retreating form. catching she still had the necklace; she would have to return it later and thank him properly
Link sighed as he rested back in his usual spot, the chill breeze washing over his face. He once again found himself at a conundrum of writing a letter he was considering just waiting, but at the same time, a part of him wanted to send it. Sighing as he again crumbled up the paper sitting next to three others, he leaned back. The instructors had decided that they all should take a short break as they fixed up and inspected parts of the training course to make sure they wouldn't have any more incidents, especially over the tar pit that they had not even he couldn't swim in that stuff, and he wasn't crazy enough to try.
"umm, hey," a voice called Link looked up to see the girl from earlier know he was able to get a better look at her. She had short red hair with blue eyes. She seemed to be about his age, maybe a year or two older he looked up, placing the pen in his hand in his ear. He smiled at her "umm, is this spot taken" she asked. Link shook his head as she took a seat next to him " I uh wanted to return this," she muttered, handing him the necklace.
"oh umm, thank you," Link sputtered, taking it. He looked it over
"is it important to you," she asked
"you could say that," Link said man Kiana was going to have a field day with this, "a friend of mine gave to me before I left"
"I see" she looked at the ground, clearly noticing. the papers scattered near the tree "it's cool if you ask me," she said, giving a smile. "I would never have thought about having an item that would allow me to breath underwater."
"Yeah, me either," Link said, "being the only Hylian kid there, I guess it was going to happen eventually." he smiled "so, are you doing okay," Link asked.
"oh yeah," she smiled, "thanks to you, I'll be fine," she smiled, "I owe one, really," she said, sliding over.
"it no problem at all," Link said, looking away "any else would have done the same"
"While I would be inclined to agree with you," she said, "but you're the one who did it," she smiled, "and you had the right tools to do it top" she leaned back into the tree, "so I uh wanted to thank you personally and without a large crowd."
"don't like crowds," Link asked.
"naw," she said, "but I could tell you didn't; the way you walked away from everything earlier, I could tell you weren't exactly a people person," she said
"it's nothing personal," Link explained, "just a lot on my mind today,"
"I see" she looked down once again, eyeing the pieces of crumpled paper he was clearly trying to write a letter. A part of her sympathized, "so if you don't mind me asking," she said nervously, "what was it like growing up in Zora's Domain."
"It was different," Link explained. No one had ever asked him about his time in the Domain. Hence, it was nice to talk about it "they age slower than us, so by the time I was eight years old. I was already taller than a good portion of the children there," Link laughed at the memory, "not to mention I had to learn to cook pretty fast a few older Sora, and I nearly burnt the Domain down."
"oh no," she laughed at Link's gesture, "that sounds like an experience."
"eh, the place was surrounded by water, so they just threw the pot into it and fished it out later.
"Hey Link," a voice called. The pair looked up to see Kiana approaching them. Sorry to interrupt, but I need you to come here," Kiana said as Link started, he looked back.
"it was nice meeting you, umm."
"Maron," she said "call me Maron"
"Nice to meet you, Maron" he smiled at her before leaving
"you too," she said as he picked up his paper and started to go. She smiled "he's more likable than they give him credit for." she said as he walked away before standing up, the wind blowing her hair in her face. She walked off. 'I need to get some water practice in,' she muttered to herself
the sun had started to set as Link and Kiana looked in the distance, "so I hear you're a big-time hero today," she ruffled Link's hair, "proud of you, brat."
"anyone else would have done the same" Link away "besides." before he could finish, there was the sound of a large horn went off. Link's mind immediately flashed back to when the monster attack that had happened when he was younger.
"damn monsters," Kiana sat "come on, Link, we need to get ready," she said as she ran Link, following close behind. One of the instructors ran up to Kiana.
"Captain," he said as he stopped, "monsters they are approaching from the north side, "we can intercept."
"Alright," she said, "Link get ready," she said. "It looks like you're getting some training in. After all," she smiled.
Link nodded as he clutched his sword over his time here. He had dealt with several monster attacks over his time training, so he wasn't worried, but he had a sinking feeling there was something familiar about this, but he couldn't place his hand on it. His thoughts ran to his mother that terrible day when he lost everything.
"'don't worry so much about what you lost," Daruk's words rang through to him, "keep looking forward and see what you gained, and fight to make sure you never lose it again.
Link nodded as he and Kiana had started to assist with the fighting. A few Bokolbins a few had managed to get past the first line of defense and break into the barracks.
"get back," someone shouted, "you bastards," screams filled the air. Link noticed as he cut them down, no trouble for him. He looked to make sure they were okay. He froze. A familiar presence came over him as h estopped a Moblin appeared only to be shot down with an arrow. He looked over. He saw the girl from earlier, her red hair tied into a ponytail. She gave Link a wink as she pulled another arrow.
"stay focused, Link," another trainee shouted. He had black hair that pointed up and spiky, along with green eyes. Link had come to know him as Ezra. He smiled at Link. they had sparred several times, and he was one of the few that actually gave him a challenge
Link nodded as he started to get back several Moblins. They all seemed to be on a craze. They had never been so bold as to attack the training camp directly. Something was up, and Link felt nervous. He looked over he saw Kiana.
Like a flash, Kiana took out the monster's left and right; monster blood covered her face with monster blood landing next to her. They started fighting side by side, "you okay, kiddo," Kiana said as she looked at him. Link nodded. "alright, try to see if you can find the general or the monster causing this uproar. if you see it, let me know, they might be a different color."
Link nodded as they continued to fight. He could see that this was going well and wasn't going to go the same way. but there was still that sinking feeling he had "a sense of familiarity" came over him, and he didn't like it one bit."
A large explosion rang over the training area as he stopped reaching his arms out, catching Maron. She looked at him before looking away and puffing her cheeks "damn it," she muttered, "saved by the same guy twice in one day.
Link could hear a roar. It pierced the air. Link then felt the blunt force as if he were just head-butted in the side landing. He looked over, seeing a giant monster. Its bottom half was like a horse with the body of what Link assumed was a human feline mix. It was a Lynel and a white-maned one at that. It swept its arm, making Link duck under a piece of wood. The sound of its feet growls as it attempted to crush the wood they were underneath. Link had a flashback to when monsters had attacked his home.
Link jumped back as the Lynel had started to corner him. It seemed to have its sights only on him, ignoring the shouting and arrows that barely did anything to it.
"Link," he heard a voice call. He saw Kiana trying to fight her way to him, only to be stopped by a group of Moblins Link felt his body start to shake. He knew this feeling all too well. It had been years, but this was the same feeling he had when that monster looked at him. the same feeling he felt the first time he nearly drowned at the Domain before Mipha managed to get to him, and the same feeling he felt when he first left to become a knight.
'I'm afraid,' he said as he started to back up; there was a lump in his throat as the Lynel eyed him. He could have sworn there was a hint of glee in its eye, almost as if this thing knew him 'that's impossible unless.' had to have fought this thing at some point feeling himself back up more 'did my dad not kill it, and damn Lynels hold a grudge or is this a Lynel thing I'm too Hylian to understand' Link dodged as the Lynel swung its sword.
"Link" Kiana's screams sounded through the air, but he couldn't move. His body was practically shaking 'why can't I move.'
his mind was racing as he remembered what his mother told him once as he tried to hype himself up "there will be times you feel fear," he said through his shaky voice, 'but that is when courage matters the most" he caught his breath before pointing his sword at the Lynel it then charged him quickly dodging Link used that to hope on its horse half before striking it several times 'Lynal have thick skin' he thought before jumping off
'come on, think,' he said as the Lynel attacked him. He managed to block his sword. It struck fast and hard, nearly knocking his sword out of his hand. As he backed up using his strength, it managed to turn and kick him. The blunt force was enough to knock him over. Link felt himself cough up blood as he landed.
'don't worry about what you lost in a fight' Daruk's words rang again 'keep focused on what you're fighting for' Link mind flew to Kiana, the look of fear on her face, thinking of her having to tell Mipha, Sidon, bazz, Rivan, and Gaddison if he had died no he wouldn't let that happen not now. Not ever rolling over, Link grabbed his sword
he looked it dead in the eyes as he charged it again as the continued to strike, another arrow flew the Lynal used its shield to block it, but that gave Link the chance to strike, knocking the monster down it bent down as Link slid back
"finish it," a voice called as Link looked at this monster, the thing by any other means hated him for something his father did. a man he never met, a man he never knew it gazed back at him as it started to move "hurry up before it recovers" Link ignored the shout as the Lynel attempted to strike him
"For my father," Link said as he swung his sword, cutting off the arm of the Lynel. It let out a scream of pain as it attempted to stand up. It looked at Link before trying to grab him
"for my mother," Link said again as he sliced its legs, making it fall, coming down to his face. It looked down only for Link to approach it
"Look me in the eyes, bastard," he growled out. It looked at him. He could see the hate in its blood-red eyes as it eyed him. He felt as if they connected. There was history in its eyes though Link couldn't see it. He was just the middleman in a long feud.
"and this," he raised his sword, "is where it ends," the last words came out in a whisper. He didn't know where they came from, but they felt appropriate. He then slashed his sword, cutting its head clean off. The monster fell over, landing down on the ground, its body going limp. As Link backed his adrenaline rush finally wearing off, he could feel just how much pain he was in. Link felt something warm on his face thinking it was raining. Link looked up only to see the clear night sky.
"Link" he could hear someone scream his name. he paid them no mind. Everything started to drown out the sounds of fighting the screams. His thoughts were on his parents as he slowly realized where the wet feeling came from, making him smile. He felt the embrace of someone warm even though his mind was everywhere. Even he knew who this was. He could feel her weeping, saying something about how scared she was, her grip tightening with each passing second.
Was it from the fear of fighting the Lynel, or was it from the relief of having some closure on his mother and father's death and knowing that everyone, even Edna, was still feeling the pain? could now have some peace of mind
"I'm fine," was all Link managed to say, though, to him, not much else needed to be said.
The next day, Link sighed. He leaned back against a tree. He could see Kiana over watching the repairs though she didn't stray too far as she didn't want Link to go out of her sight he had as she put it scared her half to death again, and as such, she was being overprotective of him, though he didn't mind.
Everyone seems to be alight, no casualties, just many injuries, Link sighed. Kiana had explained that his father had once fought a Lynel and had mange to drive off the beast, and apparently, it seemed to hold a grudge. Though she never heard of one leading a monster attack, they usually stayed in one place. This one seemed to have a grudge.
"dad," Link muttered. A part of him was still shaking though he did his best to hide it. He sighed soon. He felt an arm wrap around him. He looked up to see Kiana had sat right next to him.
"you okay," she asked. Her voice was below a whisper, "you've been out of it since yesterday."
"it just a lot to process." Link muttered, "I just," he looked away, "that day, I haven't thought about it for so long."
"and," Kiana said
"I don't know," Link said simply
"I know I got on you last night," she said as she pulled him closer, "but know that I am proud of you," she said "when faced with trauma, a lot of people find themselves breaking down" she smiled "I know I have several times."
"I guess," Link muttered. While every instructor here had told Link good job, Kiana, who was closer to him, said that it was reckless, and he quotes not to give her a heart attack like that ever again. He smiled. Sometimes it was nice to know that he had someone who cared for him so much.
"So, how are the letters going," she asked.
"terrible," Link muttered. "I just don't know what to say."
"it'll come to you," she told him
"But what if" Link started
"Oh, come on," Kiana smiled at him, "I'm sure they're thinking of you too right now" she smiled "they miss you just as much you miss them"
Link could only nod as he leaned in closer, getting more comfortable. "I guess I'm," he stopped. "I'm tired," he said before closing his eyes, leaning against her Kiana let a smile force its way on her face. as she felt Link's body relax as he started to fall asleep, "so tired."
'you rest then, kid,' she smiled. After talking with the rest of the guard and hearing her report, she and Link would have a long conversation when he was well-rested. She noticed someone approaching. He looked them over as he let a smile form on his face.
"excuse me miss," he asked "would this young man happen to be Link," he said, "I have a message for the boy you with.'
"yeah," Kiana said, "if you have a message," she said, trying her best to hide her typical nature, "I'll make sure he gets it" they nodded as they handed her something. They turned to leave. She looked at the letter in her hands to was nicely sealed with Links name scribbled.
"Well, kiddo," she smiled, "you might be able to see them pretty soon. She looked over at the sound of thunder ringing in the distance. She looked at Link, who had slumped a bit. She smiled. "Banzetta, Medilia, you would be proud of your boy." she soon notices the sight of raindrops.
"what bad time for rain."
and with that, we have reached the end of another chapter. What did you think? also, mini retcon I know in the first chapter I made out the fact that the monster that attacked Link was a Hinox, but I felt that a Lynel would have more weight in a fight
I might go back and change up that chapter a bit so I can better reflect this chapter
stay the unique