*sigh*

Breath of the wild 2 looks ... disappointing, pretty sure Zelda is going to be just a damsel in distress (AGAIN) that 80% of the last map is going to be reused and that the gameplay will revolve mostly around doing the hundreds of shrines on the map.

I miss the old Zelda games. Windwaker will always be my favourite ... and hell, when you consider the monsters AI and the travel mechanics, it was like Breath of the Wild fifteen (almost I guess) years before it even existed.

Changing the recipe is a good initiative, keeping stuff that will eventually end up killing the good parts is not a great idea.

Breath of the wild is still a VERY good game ... could have just been better.

Uh anyway, I'm done complaining ... and I'm not changing the stuff I'm writing once again if Botw 2 messes up the lore. Oh and yes, a certain character does have godly (yes not a metaphor) archery skills when you think about it so it is technically canon.

...

Just read would you ?


"Can we take a break ? I-I know I'm a bit slow but I'm not used to travel at your rythm." Zelda was trying to her best to hide her exhaustion, she had to appear strong, even in this situation. The princess was taught how to keep her composure in front of other people. However pretending wasn't has easy as most people would expect, it sickened her to suppress her emotions, to constantly lie without even pronouncing a single word.

Sooga had already noticed that the princess was slowing down, for the last thirty minutes he had been progressively slowing down. The Yiga had no intention to make the princess walk until she collapsed from fatigue though a part of him wanted to push her to her limits, and this part was more than impressed, only his brother and sisters could keep such a pace. "Fine, we are almost af the frontier of the desert, we can allow us to take a break."

The princess allowed herself to let out a breath of relief and a smile to appear on her face, she wanted to sit down or to even go as far as to lay down in the fresh grass of the valley but that would be a mistake, she stayed up and simply walked around, taking a look at the landscape.

Sooga smiled under his mask "You said you wanted to rest ... you are still walking around though, am I being tricked princess ?" Sooga put as much sarcasm as he could with his tone, Zelda or rather Sheik wasn't the kind of person to fall for such a harmless taunt, in fact this would be a very genuine question.

"If I stopped walking now I wouldn't be getting up, and if I did I would just be slowing you even more, I need to keep moving so I'm not really losing your rythm." Zelda answered, in response the Yiga nodded approvingly, in a way I am indebted to you, as such I must give all I can to keep up.

Sooga walked closer toward Zelda and looked at the landscape with her "For a princess with little experience of military activities you are doing better than most of your "seasoned" soldiers. Do not push yourself to much, you are useless to me if you can't even stand up, if you want to support the ones you care about you have to be in a state that allows you to do so in the first place ..." Sooga remembered how feeble he was the first few months after he was "adopted" inside the clan.

He was an outsider, an orphan who just happened to be lucky enough to fall under Master Khoga's protection, and he made sure to show him that it was one of the best decision he ever took. "I think I will have to make you change your ways "Sheik", working hard is one thing, doing too much is the limit. Knowing your own limits is what allows you to break them at the right moment."

Zelda disagreed with Sooga ... she was the princess, she couldn't just skip her duty. But he was right, she was was slowly stifling herself up to the point of either messing up her own work or losing the ability to carry on her tasks. "I wish it would be that simple-"

"Be more egotistical, from time to time. It shouldn't be too hard." Sooga instructed, Zelda however was confused, just a second ago the Yiga was giving her some sort of morality and now he was straight up telling her to be the exact opposite of what she had ever been taught to be.

"Uh I-I'm not sure I-"

"We have to go now, the desert is dangerous during the night, if we reach it near the end of the afternoon the rest of the journey will be easier." The Yiga interrupted her, Sooga was once again walking toward the frontier, the princess gave up on their conversation and trailed behind him. Did she annoy him ? She hoped not.

A part of Sooga still questioned his actions ... he should have just killed her when he had the occasion, what if it's just a trick ? The sad lonely powerless princess ... it just sounds too good. But Sooga was no fool, he could tell the difference between an accident and actual violence ... the king most likely didn't pay any attention to the strength of his movement to leave this kind of mark.


The journey across the desert wasn't as unpleasant as Zelda expected it, they walked along the cliffs to be in their shadows, the wind was always switching between a warm and a cold breeze. Sooga seemed to insist on always wearing his Yiga attire, he explained that it was a choice among the clan, some of the members would actually never remove their mask at all, to the point of eating alone in their rooms.

"Privacy is something that all Yiga respects between each others ... but betraying a brother or a sister is unforgivable. Traitors are the worst." Sooga explained.

Zelda thought about this for a moment "I should probably wear a mask at all time then ... It's not like you can hid me in plain sight in a different manner right ?"

"You blend in really well as you are now princess." Zelda didn't understand if it was sarcasm or if Sooga was somehow serious, she had brought spare clothes with her but she was still wearing her royal blue coat. Anyone with even the faintest knowledge regarding Hyrule would be able to tell she wasn't supposed to be here at all.

"I can't really wear anything else at the moment, and my spare clothes aren't exactly "better" compared to what I am wearing right now, my father never really approved anything not ... how should I even define this style ? "Royalty approved" ?" Sooga chuckled.

In return the Yiga asked "Then if you wanted to wear anything else, what would it be ?" The princess thought about this for a moment, she never really wanted to wear any piece of cloth unless it was for a specific occasion, and even in this scenario she wouldn't pick anything that wasn't coming from her fathers "approved" wardrobe.

Thought she kept thinking back about one attire "I- ... I remember when I was rearing in Kakariko, Impa noticed that I was starring at one of her Sheika garb, she asked me if I wanted to put it on. My reaction was so akward back then but- ... I liked it ... I might have felt more comfortable if had my hair cut shorter."

"You like simplicity I see ... but shorter hair ?" The princess would probably be unrecognisable without that long strand of blond hair hanging behind her. The Yiga halted their journey near a small ruin. "Do you want me to do it ?"

"D-do-do what ?" Zelda took a step back as she noticed Sooga's fingers suddenly landing on the hilt of his left sword still inside it's sheath.

"Cut you hair shorter, I can get you less identifiable clothes before you get in but cutting your hair shorter is definitely the best I can do to get you inside without having all the others panicking.

"Well I- ..." Zelda rarely used a mirror, and Impa often insisted to be the one to take care of Zelda's haircut, it might have been an excuse to speak with the princess and most of the time get her to confess what she had on her mind. "I trust your judgment, but what will you use to-" Sooga drew out his sword in the blink of an eye and presented it to the princess. "A-Absurd question I guess."

"Your fear is justified but you can also trust that I am as precise as Rito aiming his shot when I'm slicing with a katana ... how short ?" The princess sat down on her knees and turned her back to Sooga, she searched for the right length with her hand. She ended up licking the new length at about the base of her neck.

She heard Sooga make a "hmmm" sound without another word, thought the next second she had a really bad feeling "W-Wait- ... If-If you want to c-cut my head it's-" she heard the distinct sound of something cutting through the air and the next second, after her body adjusted to the situation, she felt like a huge weight a been removed from her.

"Sorry I was focusing, did you say some-" Sooga was putting back his katana in it's sheath , shen he looked back ar the princess she was now standing up and looking at the ground, her right had was discovering Sooga's fine work."-thing ?"

The Yiga was stunned, the princess looked completely different now, her hair weren't constantly being dragged down in her back, instead they were "bobbing" in a smooth curve shape all around her head, almost floating. "Does-Does it work ?" Zelda asked hesitantly.

Sooga snickered under his mask "Wait, where is the princess ? She was here just a moment ago ! WHO are you ?" He ended up laughing at the end, and so did Zelda after a few seconds.

"It-it makes me look different to this point ?" Zelda was still getting accustomed to her new appearance.

"Princess it looks so good that my sarcasm could have been master Khoga's reaction if you cutted your hair right in front of him."


Their journey was almost over, Sooga and Zelda arrived at inside a smaller canyon path, after a few minutes.m once they were deeper, Zelda began to spot a lot of flags, paint marks and even small statues bearing the symbol of the Yiga clan.

"I should change now right ? Cutting my hair is most likely not enough to not cause a ruckus once we arrive." Zelda still had a fresh memory of an encounter she had with two members of the Yiga clan when she was having a discussion with Urbosa outside of the Gerudo city.

"The best I can offer is-" Sooga looked at a bunch of empty crates,he diverted from their trail to examine them, then he ripped a large piece of tissue which had been used to protect the crates from the wind. "-this. Just use it as a cloak until we reach Mastee Khoga's apartments, I will explain the situation and then we will figure out the next part of this plan."

As the princess was figuring out how to use the what remained of the tarp as a temporary cloak Sooga continued to walk "You mentioned Master Khoga twice now, who are they ?"

"The elder of the clan, our boss if you prefer. He is hum ... well he is the most talented of us all but his akward side tends to affect his abilities in combat, he is still a good leader and- ..." Sooga wanted to add a few things but Master Khoga would not approve if he knew what his right hand truly saw in him. "We are here."

They stopped in front of a rock ... "Secret passage ?" The princess asked when she saw that Sooga wasn't moving at all.

"Yes, but it's a bit different from what you would define as a "secret passage", I'm just waiting for the-" Sooga inhaled "Lazy Yiga in charge of guarding the entrance to notice that SOMEONE IS WAITING." And proceeded to yell at the rock.

Zelda almost let outback small cry of surprise when her guide suddenly started to scream. The said rock ended up vanishing in a cloud of smoke, revealing a Yiga who immediately apologised and bowed down at Sooga "I-I wasn't paying attention just now I'm sorry Master Sooga."

The Yiga was really young, judging by his size and his voice, the princess would guess he was barely fourteen years old ... the Yiga weren't using children as soldiers, right ? Sooga sighed "Just make sure it doesn't end up hurting the clan ... is Master Khoga awake ?"

"Y-yes ! He has been throwing a tantrum since yesterday, you didn't come back and- ... he looked really worried." The young Yiga explained, he then looked at Zelda who tried to avoid direct eye contact and pretended to look at her surroundings instead.

Sooga dragged back to him the youngster's attention "We have a guest, I'm sure you and the others will welcome her as such. I will be dealing with Master Khoga, close the entrance and pass the word." Sooga put his hand on Zelda's shoulder, giving her shivers in the process "Sheik, follow me."

"Y-yes !" The inside of the hideout was ... more welcoming than Zelda expected, almost all the structures had been carved by hand directly between the cliffs and the massive network of caves across the home of the Yiga clan.

She kept hearing that "Yiga are dirty rats leaving in caves like monsters who never see the light more than an hour every day" ... she probably made this one up on the moment but it was the "popular" conception. Instead, she was amazed to see that the light was spreading in each and every room, coming out from various holes and cracks in the ceiling, compared to the desert, the air seemed way more fresher here.

"Just how much damage did he cause so far ?" Sooga asked the younger Yiga with a bored and annoyed tone.

"Nothing material if you do not count the banana stock going low, but he has even "training" with the officers for a long time now, I do not know for how much longer they can handle it."

"Nothing is lost then ... good." Zelda was more and more curious about Master Khoga, Sooga seemed to have a high estimate and a lot of respect for his leader but he was mentioning his activities as if he was referring to an ... angsty spoiled teen ?

The princess also noticed that despite how large the hideout was, the place was not as lively as it should probably be. Eventually the group reached a large open area, the missing Yigas were all gathered here. Sooga signaled for Zelda to stay close from him. They made their way across the crowd which was observing Master Khoga realising his tantrum at his officers.

"COMON HARDER, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO SOOGA HOW IS ANY OF YOU GOING TO REPLACE HIM, NONE OF YOU IS EVEN CLOSE FROM HIS LEVEL, I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED. WHY DO I HAVE TO EVERYTHING HERE." The officers were unharmed, and while Khoga was throwing punches all around him, the poor fellas were just trying to restrain they leader until he calmed down but their leader was surprisingly good at evasion.

"Is- is he always like this ?" Zelda whispered and chose her words carefully, the other Yigas noticed her presence and they were already beginning to stare at her, Sooga's presence right next to her was a relief though.

"Master Khoga is way stronger than he looks trust me, he wouldn't hurt any of us, even at his highest point of rage ..." Sooga sighed and walked directly in direction of Khoga "Master I have returned" Zelda felt that something was off with the Way Sooga was advancing, almost as if the officer was preparing something.

"KOOGA ! I WAS SO SCARED AND-" the elder Yiga ran toward his favorite member of the clan, what he didn't anticipate this time was the rapid hand strike that Sooga inflicted to his head, sending Khoga collapsing head first against the sand.

"Master Khoga, you are responsible of protecting everyone here, if you start going mad when I'm gone for a single day I can't even begin to imagine what the clan could become after a few weeks."

"You didn't have to hit me like this !" Sooga leaned his head on his right and crossed his arms to his master's complaint "Alright, alright, I may or may not have been a bit carried away ... uh ... well what are you all looking at ?! EVERYONE DISMISSED, excepted Sooga of course."

The other Yigas began to walk away from the scene, some stayed in the large open area of the hideout to resume their training, to meditate or simply to discuss together.

"Oh and whoever you are, come closer would you ? I do not bite ... I mean I do sometimes but it's harder with a mask on so usually I do not." Zelda did as she was instructed, Khoga was a bit taller than her, at this point Sooga seemed gigantic, but what really made the elder stick out from the other Yigas was his "extravagant" attire. "Now now, who are you ?"

"I-I uh I-" Sooga place his hand on Zelda's shoulder.

"I think we should speak about her in private Master."


An hour later Sooga had summarised everything, Khoga escorted them to his private apartments and the three of them sat down while the right hand spoke. The elder Yiga did not interrupt Sooga at all, instead he listened ... or at least it's seemed like he did, Zelda had the impression that toward the end of the story Khoga's head kept dropping down at regular intervals.

"... And now we are here. I did what I thought was right according to our clans beliefs and morals, though the final decision remains yours ... Master Khoga ?"

The elder raised his head straight and stood up, he walked in circles for a whole minute before moving toward Zelda. "SO ... Sheik it is now ? I admit I am hesitant now regarding your fate ... but you wish to see the other side of the coin and I am more than willing to show you. We do not simply let anyone join our clan, we aren't puny thieves or assassins, we are the servant of the Great Calamity, a refuge for those who are cast away."

Sooga gestured for Zelda to stand up "I Khoga, the top banana of the Yiga clan" Zelda's eye glanced at Sooga, asking whether or not it was Khoga's actual title or some kind of error the elder made as he tried to sound ceremonial but Sooga's absence of answer seemed to confirm that it was not. "Allow you Sheik to prove to the clan that you are worthy to join us ... uh, technically we would do this with other members of the clan but considering that you should remain discreet even among the clan we will just cut it short so, 'princess' what can you do ?"

Zelda gulped ,what did she possibly have to offer to them ? She didn't know how to use a sword, how to steal things, she couldn't teleport or so incredible acrobatic moves ... she could offer archeological knowledge, help with economical activities, smile ? Does it even help ? She could ...

"I- ... I can use a bow."

Khoga hummed with satisfaction right after Zelda answered, thought he suddenly stopped as if he had somehow misunderstood what the princess responded, the elder Yiga looked back at his right hand who simply shrugged with his arms crossed.

"Ahem, look I think you there may have been a misunderstanding princ-"

"Sheik" Zelda corrected, she has to completely assume her new identity from now on and ... the title 'princess' was begging to sound annoying somehow.

"... Sheik" Khoga corrected himself "I do not think it would be appropriate for you to use this kind of talent, you never really did any fighting in your life and I think you would be much more helpful-"

"I-I want to be useful !" Zelda snapped, the tone she used was akward, her blush was akward, she felt miserable in front of her old enemies, but this is what she desired "I do not want to hide behind paperwork or speeches anymore, if-if I am going to do something here I want it to be meaningful, being helpful isn't the same as being useful so-so please let me prove to you that I am worthy." She bowed ... any noble would have found this utterly ridiculous and would have mocked her, everyone would have mo matter who she was.

... she heard nothing though. Khoga and Sooga were silent, Khoga walked toward the door of his apartment "Alrighf ... Sooga, get her a suit and bring her back to the pit, I will be waiting there."

Sooga brought Zelda to another room, some kind of large storage, Zelda noticed a lot of artifact and ancient pieces of technology scattered amongst Gerudo, Rito and even Zora treasures, the Yigas had quite an incredible treasury.

"... Why did you say you could use a bow ? It's a lie, and Master Khoga knows it better than everyone, he was the master of the clan before you were even born."

"I-I didn't lie ... my mother taught me how to use one, when I was young." She barely remembered this night, her father was away for a few days, it was probably one of the rare moments during which she had some actual freedom to be princess and not a princess at the same time ... to just be Zelda.

"Then you better be an actual sharpshooter" Sooga handed a Yiga suit and a mask "You can change in the other room, it's empty at this time, do not worry I won't look." Zelda guessed that Sooga could look at her without her being aware anyway, she quickly brushed of this thought to not be disturbed thought.

The suit was surprisingly comfortable, and warm too ... not too warm, it wasn't tight either, the princess did nor recognise the material that was used to craft it, but she felt like she had seen it somewhere ...

The mask was made of some very light metal, it only protected her face though and not the back of her had despite the fabric that was holding it to her body, she had always wondered how Yigas could see with this over their faces. Hyrule had never managed to catch any members of the Yiga clan as they always managed to 'teleport' away even if their were rendered unconscious.

The other side of the mask was completely transparent, at least the inner part of the surface was, the edges of the mask still looked like they were made out of metal.

"H-how-"

"Secret craftsmanship, can't speak about it sorry" Sooga wasn't watching she checked, it was most likely not the first time he recruited outside of the clan.

Even with less hair length to deal with she had trouble wearing the mask without leaving some strands visible, she remembered that some Yiga weren't using the hood part of the mask ... Zelda knew it would be exposing herself more than necessary ... but she wasn't the only person in Hyrule with blond hair right ? And Khoga would be here, no one would attempt to kill her ... not now.

"... Are you ready now ? You can leave your other clothes here, I will drop them in your new room, just go meet Mastee Khoga" Zelda got out of the room, the Yiga suit was disturbing, feeling the fabric compressed all over her body gave her the impression the suit was way too small for her, but at the same time Zelda had the sensation of being aware of every single part of her body.

Sooga indicated the way toward the pit area, though their little trip across the hideout was more than enough for her to identify it's layout, most of it. Khoga was waiting for her near an archery stand, and he wasn't alone, A large group of other Yigas were next to him, discussing ... watching her, whispering ...

She was mostly unaffected, she was used to deal with this back at the castle ... just not with people who actually had the authorisation and even worse the task to kill her.

"Our attire looks good on you ... might have to hide your hair though, blond is too visible" Zelda couldn't tell if Khoga obviously exposed her hair color or if he didn't pay attention and was trying to be logical "Someone give her a bow and some arrows, I have high expectations regarding your skills Sheik."

She only used a bow like twice ... and she was not even ten years old, she barely remembered this moment, her mother sounded proud of her ... but it was just a toy, she never used or even handled an actual bow. A tall and thin Yiga gently handed her a training bow and some arrows, Zelda tried to prevent her hands from shaking as she grabbed the weapon.

Why was she so scared ? Even if she ended up disappointing Khoga she would be tasked with something else right ? Do some paper work, help here and here, small tasks that nobody here would really want to do and-

"See the small bell attached to this pole on the side of the cliff ?" Khoga brought her back from the depth of her thoughts, he placed his hand on Zelda's shoulder and gestured at something above them. The princess indeed saw something sticking out from the orange rock of the cliff, a dark red cylindrical object with something shining a bit under it.

At least fifty meters away from them, without counting the height difference ... she was going to humiliate herself in front of everyone ... but she had to try, trying was better than anything, and this is what she always did so far ...

She wanted to change, but giving up was never in her plans, her father wasn't here to hurt her anymore. Zelda began to nock an arrow. The princess heard a few gasp and ... Khoga laughing ? It didn't matter, perhaps it was because she was holding her bow the wrong way ... she had seen Revali do it a few times though.

A gentle yet firm grip, Revali had no finger to hold his bow and he never put much tension on his weapon. Khoga coughed loudly, Zelda heard him take a few steps behind her "Anyway, this might be a little bit difficult for you so-"

Zelda wasn't really paying attention, she aimed up, pulled the string and- "Let's not give you the jo-" Khoga was interrupted as the arrow flew up.

The pit was completely silent if it wasn't for Khoga who was still hanging in the middle of his sentence "-ke targe-" until a very distinctive sound of metallic impact was heard near the top of the cliff.

Zelda shivered, not out of stress, but out of ... pride ? The bell was now swinging back and forth, and it was clearly not the wind which pushed it.

"I-I made it ?" She whispered aloud.