Chapter 13: Outpost

"The people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust." -Abraham Lincoln

Back in Tarrey Town, the townspeople have begun dismantling parts of the houses that haven't been completely burned in the attack to fashion the wood into a large carriage. Bolson, relieved that the cranes they brought for Hudson had survived the attack, uses them to haul the salvaged guardians from the woods (Hudson, Karson and Greyson push them to a raft and Kapson pulls it towards the town, where Fyson connects the hook onto the guardian where it is then pulled up, rinse and repeat). Robbie and Jerrin take apart the guardians and incorporate them to the carriage. Stannis, meanwhile, stands guard at the towns entrance to make sure they don't get any more intruders. On another side of town, Pelison is overseeing the smelting of the Chozodium while making the mold for the handle for it (Link had left a very particular design).

"How's it going, little brother?" Greyson walks up to the forge and addresses Pelison.

"Hi big brother. It's taking a while to melt the metal, so I'm making the handle to kill time." Pelison answers, not moving from his spot. "Anyway, how are things with the carriage?"

"It's going. Robbie gave me a break until we need to bring more guardians, so I came here to check on things" Greyson walks up to check on the hearth, adding some heat with the funnel. "Hmm. Give it about two more hours then we can add the gold dust. Got it?"

"Got it, brother!" Pelison agrees while giving a thumbs up, having finished part of the handles mold (a triforce sigil).


Further inside Shadow Pass, Granté continues his search for the surviving soldiers, having picked up the trail but also avoiding monster camps, lengthening his search even more than needed.

"Hmm, so they did come through here." Granté says to himself, kneeling to check on some old tracks left by the soldiers. "But, which way did they go?" He sees several tracks going in different directions, unsure of which path to take. Hearing rustling sounds from the bushes, Granté readies his eightfold sword and prepares for any eventuality. To his surprise, an exhausted soldier wearing a cloak lumbers out.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Granté addresses the soldier and walks up to him.

"You...You're one of the Sheikah, right?" The soldier, breathlessly, says. "I'm Strand of the Akkala guard. It's good to see someone other than another monster."

"What happened to you?"

"I was separated from my platoon when we escaped the citadel. They shouted to me which way they were going and I've been trying to get to them ever since."

"Well, I'm looking for the others too. There's a safe place for you and the other soldiers, can you take me to them?"

"Of course, I'll lead you." Strand affirms and Granté offers him a shoulder to ease his exhaustion as they move deeper into the forest.


Inside a skull rock by Mendigo Pool (lava, no less), Yunobo and Bludo have holed themselves up after distracting the elite pirate from the other Gorons who ran downhill. The elite pirate begins slamming its fists on the skull rock (its entrances previously covered by rocks).

"So, we can just hide here until the others get far enough away?" Yunobo says amidst the shaking.

"That, or until it gets bored and just goes after them." Bludo states. "We've got to think of something quick."

The elite pirate backs up and fires its turret, causing the two to lose their footing and having a small boulder dislodges itself and lands on Bludo.

"Argh, my back!" Bludo falls to his knees and tries to calm the pain.

"Hang on, you're gonna be fine, boss!" Yunobo says while trying to help Bludo.

"I can handle it; I'm not your grandpa!" Bludo shouts in disapproval as he get back on his feet, all while straightening himself out. "Alright kiddo, you and I are the only thing standing between that ugly bastard and five of our brothers. So we can hide here or we can take these drillshafts and make him REALLY angry." Yunobo thinks about their situation and decides that they can't just sit and do nothing, so he pushes out the rocks from one of the rocks "eyes" and they both stare at the now observing elite pirate.

"How's your back, boss?"

"Aw, just give me the drillshaft!" Bludo holds the drillshaft and throws it at the elite pirates left shoulder, piercing its hide and angering it.

"Boss, I think he's mad!" Yunobo activates Daruk's Protection and stands in front of Bludo to shield him.

"Alright, come on then, you overgrown lizard!" Bludo shouts, holding the remaining drillshaft as the pirate rips out the other from its shoulder and tosses it aside. It extends its bayonets and prepares to slash at them and just then, a green light shines behind it. Yunobo and Bludo are confused by the lights sudden appearance and the alerted elite pirate stops its attack to inspect it; it sees Samus's gunship hovering just behind (the source of the light being the green windshield). From the bottom hatch, Link drops down and glares at the elite pirate, who in turn roars at him. Link activates his helmet (instead of a hood like shape, it now resembles a blackish grey Spartan hoplite helmet, sans the crest and closed at the mouth), draws his sword and shield and lets the pirate make the first move. The pirate runs at him and Link charges his sword with electricity (giving the blade a yellowish glow with currents moving up and down it). After dodging the pirate's swipe, Link slashes upward, electrocuting it and damaging the pirates chest before upper cutting it with his shield and making it reel back.

"Hahah, go Link!" Yunobo excitedly shouts.

"Come on Champion, give him what for!" Bludo shouts in praise.

The pirate recovers and aims its turret at Link, firing several shots which he effortlessly avoids and parries the last shot at the pirates head. Angered, the elite pirate charges at Link once again, this time grabbing him and then tossing Link at the mountain wall and disorienting him. The pirate menacingly walks towards Link before roaring (as if beckoning) at him as Link gets back up and they both charge at each other. Link, having grabbed the discarded drillshaft, plunges it into the pirates chest, jumps off and snaps his fingers, casting the full force of Urbosa's Fury on the drillshaft (like a lightning rod), shorting out its turret and destroying the pirates organic armor and exposing its blue, veiny flesh and causing it to fall to its knees. Link lands in front of it and powers his sword with fire and slashes downward, only to be blocked by phazon growths that had quickly formed over its exposed flesh. The pirate gets up and then punches him away, having used the burst of phazon corruption to recover damage, then runs one of its bayonets at Link. He holds the sword sideways with both hands (on opposite ends), charges the AKEB, then has the added pressure from the bayonet set off the kinetic energy, sending both of them in the opposite directions. Link swiftly grabs his bow and shoots 3 phazon arrows at the pirate, overloading the growths and bursting the ones on its chest. Using the new boosters on his back, Link jumps up at a 45° angle and slashes down on the stunned elite pirate (sword aflame), severing the top left half of its torso. The pirate falls to the ground and Link walks off to the others, but Yunobo shouts to warn him of the still alive pirate rushing towards him from behind, only for Link to shoot another phazon arrow at its head (without looking, only turning slightly), bursting it and then having its lifeless body fall into the lava. Yunobo and Bludo applaud Link from atop the ship (Samus had previously picked them up) before they disembark, along with Samus and Zelda.

"Link! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" Yunobo walks up and greets Link.

"It got hairy there for a sec, thank Din you got here." Bludo comments, patting Link on the back (much to his discomfort).

"We heard about the trouble on the mountain. So, we came to help out." Link states while retracting his helmet.

"Who's 'we'?" Bludo asks, causing Link to gesture at Zelda and Samus. Only until they're in view does Yunobo become surprised at Zelda.

"Wow! What's the princess doing all the way out here?"

"She couldn't sit by and do nothing. So, she's here to add to the effort. Trust me; she's got this." Link says with some confidence at the end of his sentence. As he finishes, Zelda walks up to Yunobo.

"You must be Yunobo. Link has told me much about you." Zelda kindly says, earning a "really?" from Yunobo. "Yes. It was your help that allowed him to appease Vah Rudania and free Daruk's spirit from Ganon's malice. I offer you my thanks."

"Aw, it was nothing your highness." Yunobo says while rubbing the back of his head. "He needed my help and the boss couldn't with his bad back (Bludo gives a "bah!" at that remark).

"I couldn't have made it without your help, you know that." Link smiles and pats Yunobos back, earning a smile from him.

"Hold all the mushy stuff; we need to see if our brothers made it to the cave." Bludo abruptly cuts in. "If you don't mind, your highness. I'm worried about them."

"Yes, you're right. We should confirm their safety first."

"Alright, you two lead the way. Oh Zelda, make sure you finish that elixir for the full 24 hours." Link comments, pointing to the bottle with a grey liquid.

"Do I really have to?" Zelda says with a look of disgust.

"Yes. With it, you'll be able to withstand the heat. Go on now." Link answers with a bit of authority. Zelda pouts before opening up the bottle and, after counting to 3, chugs the whole elixir down. Close by, Samus extends a stake like device from her cannon and drives it into the pirates severed arm (Virginia stating that they need a blood, tissue and bone sample for analysis), afterwards she tells Link and Zelda to take whatever they might need from the ship as they won't be returning for a while, before grabbing the severed limb and tossing it into the lava. Link complies and enters the ship, coming back with some provisions and a large, flat weapon. Samus then has the ship fly up and land on a rocky ledge, taking on the same color and texture of said ledge.

"Alright, no one will be able to see it now." Samus comments to herself as the two Gorons stare in awe over what the ship just performed. Regardless, the two Gorons lead the way to their hiding place and Samus asks Zelda why she looks like she's going to be sick, to which she simply gives her the empty bottle and tries to catch up with the others, exclaiming about the bad taste in her mouth. Samus follows suit, confused.


Back in the cave housing the monsters, Silas returns to inspect them.

"Well, has there been any change?" Silas asks.

"Yes master, just as the texts indicated, they have changed." The guard answers before leading Silas to the dungeon. Upon opening the door, the monsters had in fact been altered by the malice; they were now silver variants.

"Very good. Now, are the harnesses ready?"

"We've gotten several prepared." The guard holds up a metallic harness with prongs jutting out of them. "If what our informant says is true, they can become stronger still if the silver monsters are struck by lightning."

"Hmm, have a handful of monsters harnessed and then sent to Thundra Plateau. Afterwards, our master is to be notified."

"Master Silas!" Another footsoldier hurriedly runs to Silas before kneeling down. "I have urgent news from Akkala!"

"Speak quickly." Silas orders.

"Master Ghor was defeated in battle and the orange ship was seen flying towards Eldin!"

Silas grits his teeth in frustration after coming to the realization. "They've found out about the crystals and that witch is still alive…"

"Perhaps we should change our plans, master?"

"No, nothing is going to change." Silas angrily answers. "You are to take the monsters to Thundra Plateau. I will not tolerate any more setbacks, is that understood?"

The Yiga present acknowledge him and prepare to harness the monsters while Silas runs off to Eldin to find the trio.


Granté and Strand make their way to Skull Lake in the northwestern parts of Akkala.

Is this where you said they were?" Granté asks, looking around the lakeshore.

"Yes. This is the place they told me that they'd hide at." Strand answers and, as if to confirm it, several soldiers pop out disguised with bushes and dirt and have bows armed on the two, demanding that they disarm themselves.

"Hold it! I'm with one of your guys, Strand!" Granté shouts and after a few minutes of apprehension, they lower their bows.

"Sorry about that. We couldn't take any chances." One of the soldiers speaks up. "It's good to see someone other than those freaks."

"Well, I can assure you, Link sent me to find you." Granté says, causing the soldiers to be surprised at the revelation that Link is here. "It's good that I ran into Strand, thanks for telling him where you were. Otherwise I'd be going in circles."

"What?" The soldier asks in disbelief. "Lieutenant Stannis told us, Strand included, to run towards Skull Lake. Strand said he'd lead the Yiga away and that was the last we saw of him. How did you get away from them?"

"What are you talking about?" Granté asks in confusion. Strand smiles maliciously, removes his cloak (revealing five bloody holes on his armor), removes Granté's eightfold sword and holds him from behind while holding the sword to his throat.

"Hands down." Strand orders Granté, not wanting him to grab the ancient short sword on his back and he complies. He then looks at the other soldiers (who have set their bows on him), his eyes turning from brown to blue. "Not one shot, or I'll kill him."

"You're one of them?!" Granté exclaims in surprise and anger.

"For a Sheikah, you're not too bright. Now, I order you all to lower your weapons and prepare to be judged by the Yiga. Or have this man's death on your conscience."

"Forget about me! Shoot him!"

Strand moves the sword closer to keep Granté quiet and begins going on a tirade about how it's futile to fight against the phazon and that all should allow themselves to be corrupted. During this, Granté signals the soldier closest to them by tapping his right palm with his left index finger. The lead soldier acknowledges this and during Strand's rant, he shoots him in the hand, causing him to shout in pain and drop the sword. Granté grabs the sword, kicks Strand to the ground and runs it through his heart. Strand's face goes from anger to regret as his eyes turn back to their original color before exhaling his last breath. The soldiers lower their heads in remorse. After regaining his composure and shutting Strand's eyes, Granté tells the surviving soldiers of Stannis and Mormont being at Tarrey Town and that's where they should go. With two soldiers carrying Strand's body, Granté and the others make the long walk back to Tarrey Town.


Gorko Tunnel

"You guys cut through the cliffs just to get to this tunnel?" Link asks, concerned over the fact that they had to make the mostly hazardous trek to Gorko Tunnel.

"Of course, brother!" Gonguron, a Goron refugee with a yellow construction hat and blue loincloth, speaks up. "We can use it to hide more of our brothers when we get them here."

"Plus, there's plenty of food here for all of us." Bladon, a Goron with a light red loincloth and knot top, as well as Gonguron's brother, cuts in. "You haven't lived until you've tried one of my roasts! Hahah!"

Link remembered that the last time he came here; he had to bring a rock sirloin so that Bladon could prepare it for his brother so he could reveal an ancient shrine hidden here. If Gonguron's boost of energy afterwards was any indication, the refugees would be all kinds of elated to have "prime rock" in their bellies.

"I guess you're right. As long as you all can find a hiding spot without going hungry is worth the risk." Link comments with a smile.

"You've got a point too, this place is very roomy and- ahh! Ahh!" Samus exclaims after removing her helmet and hastily putting it back on after being singed by the extreme heat. "What is that?! The air is boiling!"

"Hahah! You didn't take any elixirs like the princess?" Bludo jokingly laughs. "How did you manage without being toasted like a steak?"

Samus realizes that her environmental hazard warning didn't go off because she is already wearing her varia suit (extreme heat and cold resistance). Then she looks to Zelda, who is completely unbothered by the heat. "How are you not burning?"

"Remember that bottle I handed you?" Zelda asks, to which Samus nods. "It had a fireproof elixir. Paya tweaked the formula a bit so that they could last a full 24 hours instead of 10 to 14 minutes. They were in the basket she gave us, remember?"

"Ah, that's right. Could I try one?"

"Go ahead, fair bit of warning; it tastes like moblin sweat." Zelda hands her a bottle from the provisions Link brought, grimacing from remembering how she downed the other bottle. Samus removes her helmet, cringing slightly from the heat again, and takes a sip from the bottle. To her surprise, she can't feel the heat anymore and continues drinking the blackish-grey liquid.

"You know, it's not bad." Samus comments, much to Zelda's shock.


Later after sunset, the team explained what is happening and the Gorons explain that after the barrier went up, the Yiga and a slew of monsters came by and started attacking their city and snatching up people. It was only until afterwards that the "Ragers" started appearing. Yunobo says that while he was underground, he saw about five Yiga surrounding a pod and, while making hand gestures, formed a Rager inside the pod after they put in this "weird bottle of gunk" in it. Samus concludes that the Yiga can use the pods, known as genesis chambers, to cultivate the "ragers" or rather Elite Pirates, by means of their magic, phazon and whatever is inside those bottles. They also explain that the barrier, for them at least, came from divine beast Vah Rudania and that it was surrounded by ragers when they last ran away. The team plan to make their way to the mountain summit and cleanse Vah Rudania, but due to the nightfall they decide to hold off until the morning for better visual.

"Well, it's not much, but you three can make yourself at home for now." Bludo says while sitting down and heaving a big sigh. "I'm just gonna wait until chow is ready."

"Link, since we're going to spend the night here, do you mind if I take the slate and check on the people in Tarrey Town? With the shrine here, I can teleport back without having to run into trouble."

"Hmm, fine." Link hands her the slate, but quickly takes it back. "But, come RIGHT BACK after you've finished. No sightseeing, no checking on peculiar things and no wandering. Understood?"

"Yes, mother." Zelda sarcastically remarks at Links commands. Link hands her the slate and she tells the others that she'll be back in a moment.

"I already set the travel medallion to the center of town; you need to only press the icon and you'll be there in no time." Link says while indicating the area on the map. Zelda nods and presses the icon, dispersing into millions of particles that fly up and through the roof.

"Where do you guys get those wonderful toys?" Samus muses aloud, having deactivated her suit due to the elixirs protection, and sitting on a rock.

"Alright brothers!...and sister. The roasts are ready, come and get it!" Bladon proudly shouts, causing Yunobo, Gonguron and the other three refugees to rush over and feast. Link decides to wait for Zelda to return, in hopes that she'll bring some food from town. Samus, however, decides to indulge on the roasts, little does she know…

"Alright, I haven't had sirloin in years." Samus says while rubbing her hands in anticipation. "Let me at the- huh?" Samus stops abruptly at seeing that the sirloins are actually rocks in the shape of meat with a bone through it.

"Mm, help yourself!" Gonguron hands her a roast while munching on his own.

"You know, I'm trying to watch my figure. I'll wait for Zelda to bring something with less….gravel." Samus quickly refuses the rock roast.

"Aw, you don't know what you're missing!" Gonguron continues eating with his brothers and having a good time. Samus walks back to join Link, who is trying to contain his laughter.

"Shut up…"

They both notice Yunobo walking up to Bludo, bringing him a rock roast. "Here you go, boss."

"Hahah, thanks kiddo." Bludo warmly receives Yunobo's offering. "You're always worrying about me, aren't you?"

"Aw, it's nothing boss. You looked out for me since I was little, it's the least I can do."

"Your gramps would be thrilled to see us now; we were sworn brothers after all." Bludo says before taking a bite from the roast. "Has it really been 100 years?"

'Yeah, doesn't look it, huh boss?"

"Hmm." Bludo lowers the roast and has a sad expression. "I miss him, you know? He always had my back when we were young, we promised to look out for each other. But, the Calamity came and….I couldn't hold up my end."

"Boss." Yunobo places his hand on Bludo's shoulder. "I'm sure he would've wanted you to be safe, along with all of us. Besides, I'm here now."

Bludo looks at Yunobo and smiles. "Yeah, thank Din for that." Bludo then goes back to eating his roast. Link and Samus overhear the conversation and can't help but smile. Link then turns to the weapon covered by a cloth that he brought in and decides that it's time.


Zelda arrives at Tarrey Town, feeling queasy from the sensation of being split into millions of pieces and then put back together. Before she can do anything, a resident runs into her in fear.

"Wait! What's going on?"

"Princess? There's a group of bokoblins on the bridge!" The resident points to the bridge, with a group of four corrupted bokoblins surrounding a soldier. Upon further inspection, it's revealed to be commander Mormont.

"Come on, you beasts! I'll send you all back to hell!" Commander Mormont swings his royal claymore at one of the bokoblins, knocking it off the bridge and the other three swarm him. Shouting in frustration, he buckles under the pressure until an arrow hits one of the bokoblins on the head. Seizing the opportunity, commander Mormont slashes a third bokoblin in half and the other is impaled through the chest. With the monsters dead, he falls to his knees and is approached by Zelda, who had shot the arrow earlier.

"Commander Mormont, do you have some sort of death wish?"

"You don't understand your highness!" Commander Mormont shouts in frustration. "We're the ones who are supposed to protect the citizens, not be protected by them." The other residents look at him with remorse over his declaration. "We are here to serve the people and we do nothing. I do nothing; and my men pay the price. They were wiped out by these monsters; I can't stop just because I'm wounded! Someone has to pay for this!" Seeing that his wounds are getting more severe, Zelda offers him a shoulder and helps him back to town and into the inn where he can rest.

"I understand your suffering, Commander. But, this won't do you any good if you die in vain. Please, just rest and recover, these people need you." Zelda grabs his hand and tries to get through to him, only for Mormont to look away. Stannis comes in and helps him onto the bed, where Kapson can tend to his wounds. Afterwards, Stannis and Zelda walk out to talk and hear Mormont's last agonized words before he falls asleep.

"I couldn't save...my men…"

Outside and in the center of town, Stannis tells Zelda that the carriage is almost complete and that Fyson went to the South Akkala Stable to bring some horses to pull it, Granté had found the remaining soldiers (making emphasis on what happened to Strand) and that Greyson wants to speak with her afterwards.

"Why didn't the other soldiers offer assistance?" Zelda asks.

"Commander Mormont told us to stay in the town in case the monsters got through. He even went so far as to threaten us with prison time for insubordination if we joined in the fight." Stannis looks back at the inn where Mormont is recuperating at before turning back to face Zelda. "I guess he's tired of all the loss and he'd rather risk his own life instead of ours."

Zelda looks back to the inn as well, saddened by the burden that Mormont placed on his own shoulders. She then has Stannis promise to make sure that he doesn't do something like this again, this time it's her orders. Stannis agrees and confirms in a way that sends a chill down her spine: "Of course, Queen's orders." Zelda stays prone for 5 seconds then hastily walks away, leaving Stannis confused. Zelda walks over to Robbie and Jerrin who tell her that the carriage is nearly complete (being 4 carriages of wood, reinforced with guardian parts for extra protection), the fact that they had been working together round the clock saved a lot of time. Hearing this gave Zelda some peace of mind and took it off off...other things. Finally, Greyson arrives to speak with Zelda.

"Princess! Good timing, we just finished it not too long ago." Greyson says while handing her an object covered in a worn out cloth. "Sorry, we didn't have better wrappings, but the contents are great."

"We both made it, but I made the sheath!" Pelison says, excited to hear what Zelda has to say about it.

"What is this?" Zelda asks in confusion, unwrapping it and then becoming shocked by what it is; a rapier with a silvery grey handle, the cross guard taking the form of a gold, circular design with the triforce symbol in the center, a whitish pink wing design on the side and the blade concealed by a blue sheath. She pulls it out to see the blade silvery steel with golden diamonds running down it).

"Not bad, right? Link had us make it for you and that steel is some seriously strong stuff."

"Where did the tall lady get it from? I want to know!" Pelison chimes in, leaving Zelda with a few questions; Link had the sword made for her? Samus made sure that was forged with steel not native to Hyrule?

"I...I will ask her for you. Thank you for your work." Zelda smiles after strapping the rapier to her waist. "Now, I really must be going, we must prepare to venture to Vah Rudania." Zelda waves goodbye to everyone and uses the slate to return to Gorko Tunnel. Before this, she looks out past the barrier to see a Lynel pacing back and forth. Could this be the same one from Lanayru? She remembers that after the metroids were destroyed, it ran off. Shaking the thought from her mind, she teleports back.


"Link, are you sure you should be giving this to me?" Yunobo asks after Link returned the large weapon he had; a large, flat blade that spreads out at the top with intricate markings along with the Goron symbol, a brown metallic edge at the top, a brown guard that resembles half of a gear, a long blue handle and a pommel that also resembles a half gear. This is the Boulder Breaker, Daruk's personal weapon.

"Of course, it was your grandfathers after all. Besides, you'd make better use of it." Link says.

"What do you mean?"

Link sits down on a stone and leans on his arm. "Well, Bludo told me that it was you who started that escape attempt from the mines; you even punched an elite pirate in the face, according to Bladon. Am I wrong?"

"In the face? I definitely would've wanted to see that." Samus comments with a smile.

Yunobo, flustered by the pair's comments, scratches the back of his head and chuckles. He passes it off as just luck. Link, however, thought otherwise; He knew what he had to do, so Yunobo stood up and opposed the invaders, exactly what Daruk would've done. Link once again passes Boulder Breaker to Yunobo, who only looks at it. "You're a hero, Yunobo. Your grandfather would be very proud of you, like I am."

Yunobo stares at it for a few seconds, then finally takes his grandfather's weapon, rests it on his right shoulder and gives a big ear to ear grin. The moment is slightly hampered by Bludo's loud snoring, causing Link and Yunobo to laugh quietly.

From the shrine, Zelda materializes (again feeling nauseous from the travel) and quietly walks past the sleeping Gorons. Upon reaching Link, Yunobo and Samus (asleep), she sits down next to her knight and places her sword on her lap.

"Everyone is fine, aside from a few bokoblins. Nothing that the soldiers couldn't handle." Zelda recounts her experience, omitting commander Mormont's lone defense. "Now, I think we should talk about this."

Link looks at her new sword and smiles. "They did a great job, gold dust and that "Chozodium" made a fine looking blade. I should thank Samus for it later."

"Why though? Instead of a regular sword we could get anywhere, why make one instead?"

Link sheaths the sword and explains to Zelda about the small chat he had with Samus after they brought her back to the ship to heal her from the zeta metroids attack; Link won't always be around to protect her, so he should instead prepare her for any eventuality. The idea for the sword was actually on his mind for several weeks prior, only now did he decide to follow through. Zelda thanks him for the sword, but puts special emphasis on not being separated from him regardless. Immediately afterwards, she leans her head on his right shoulder, asking him if he promises to not leave her behind, on the battlefield or otherwise. Link, although surprised by her action, answers her directly. "I promise."

Yunobo, having witnessed this, smiles at the two before bidding them good night as he lies down next to Bludo to sleep. Link answers him then says the same to Zelda, only to see that she's already fast asleep (still leaning on him). He looks around to see everyone else sleeping (the refugees sleeping close to each other near the shrine, Samus leaning against the wall) and decides to do the same. Though, on thought goes through his mind beforehand; "wait, she didn't bring any food?"


"Are you sure about this?" Samus asks Virginia, having woken up first.

"Yes, the pirates from Hyrule field, Akkala citadel and last night have the exact same genetic code." Virginia answers Samus's inquiry, confirming that all the elite pirates faced thus far have identical DNA, leaving only one logical conclusion; they're clones. The question now is where the Yiga got the DNA from? Although, through deduction, it shouldn't be that hard to conclude. Minutes later, everyone else wakes up and the group plans their next course of action; head through the mines and free any enslaved Gorons, all while making their way to Death Mountain summit where Vah Rudania is stationed. Armed and ready, the three bid their friends goodbye and begin their trek to the southern mines. As they continue, Yunobo stops them to join the quest, having been given Bludo's blessing to go. Link pats his shoulder and welcomes him to the party. From the tunnel, Bludo looks on and prays that Daruk protects them, especially Yunobo.

"Take care of your grandkid, brother."


"I see them." Link announces, having made it to the cliffs overlooking the southern mines, referring to the Gorons in chains and mining the black phazon crystals.

"It's awful, they don't look healthy." Zelda comments, taking note of their sickly appearances.

"They hardly fed us. Double shifts with little rest too." Yunobo adds, a little frustration present in his voice. "Not anymore."

"Hang on, I'm picking up something." Samus zooms in to the entrance, switching visors to detect anything odd (Thermal visor: overloaded by the heat. Dark visor: no dark creatures detected. Echo visor: only sounds from pickaxes and walking elite pirates detected. X-Ray visor: several chameleon like creatures near the entrance and walls). "There! I see several creatures camouflaged on the walls; I think you call them lizalfos."

"What? Yunobo, how did you get past those?" Link asks.

"We didn't; they weren't here before." Yunobo retorts, surprised by the heightened security.

"Get down!" Zelda rushes everyone to duck behind some rocks, having heard noises around them. The origin of the noise is revealed; a corrupted guardian stalker, scanning the area with its rotating head before walking off. From above, corrupted guardian skywatchers patrolling the perimeter. With the coast clear, the group breaks cover.

"Ok, those definitely weren't here before."

"Why? Why is there so much in the way?" Zelda asks in frustration.

Link contemplates the situation before coming to a conclusion; they know they're coming. Not wanting a repeat with Vah Ruta, the Yiga decided not to take any chances and pulled out all the stops.

"This is going to be tougher than I thought…"

To be continued


Authors note: Now things get interesting. A few things about this chapter, I wanted to showcase how Link has gotten better in fighting the newer enemies and that he can utilize the Champion's abilities in a much more practical way, Zelda got a new sword forged with steel not from this world (yes, I made up the name Chozodium, it just rolls of the tongue, hahah) and modelled after the gleaming rapier from Hyrule Warriors to show that Link has more trust in her to protect herself, the connection that Yunobo and Bludo have aside from boss and apprentice and commander Mormont's regret for what happened at the citadel. Now, what comes next is how to get to Vah Rudania. See you soon. :)