"Ugh, I hate working with monsters. From the odd Chuchu to a swarm of Electric Keese, they're all so unprofessional. Not to mention how unhinged and erratic they are!"

"I know you're against using such beastie allies, lady Rubaru. But I implore you to dwell on the thought for just a little bit longer. Without such help from these beastie friends, we could never dispose of the irritating Hylians so easily," Scudwell acquaints.

"I guess you make a good argument, but that isn't going to stop me from resenting their kind."

"Just look at this way, Mistress Rubaru. We're all fighting for the side of evil; we're all a part of Ganon's unruly army. For now, we must put aside our differences and work together under the same banner."

Scudwell continues, "And well uh... you have been rather dismissive about our own forces as well."

"What?"

"You know, you have been exiling about a dozen or so of our forces daily, and uh, this should help balance out that ratio."

"Scudwell."

"Yes, mam." *Gulp*

"Get out of my sights."

"Uh, are you sure, your highness? Could this perhaps be a miscalculation?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" Rubaru issues, picking up the servant and slamming him against the wall. She tilts up her straw hat to reveal her pasty white mug. Her ash-black eyes evoke a sense of fear into the squirming butler.

"You dare doubt me—the revered empress of the Yiga clan, Rubaru."

"All, and I mean all, shall quiver when they hear my name!"

"Rubaru, huh, that sounds like a stupid name to me," Quark announces.

"Yep, she's the reason why we're out here in the first place," Riju elucidates.

"Why don't you take her on instead of Guster? Cut off the head of the snake kind of affair."

"From the rumors that I've heard, we don't have the manpower to take her on. We shouldn't rush into the Yiga clan unless we have a death wish."

"And you don't have a death wish boarding this boat and going beyond the border?"

"Well, at least Guster is a lot closer, and who knows, he might be able to help us take down the Yiga clan."

"Yeah, I don't know about that, but that's not my problem anyway. I'm just here for the ride. Now, let's get this ship moving. Pull in those anchors and open the sails, men. It's time for the SS Rosemary to shove off," Quark rallies.

"Oh, this is so exciting," Tobias says, squirming with glee.

"Did I mention I'm a little seasick?" Gustav complains.

The mighty vessel is released from the harbor and begins a slow descent into the crystal blue ocean. The craft travels at blistering speeds, continually climbing large waves thanks to a surge of wind flowing behind you. The puffy white clouds and gleaming sunlight act as the perfect backdrop for your illustrious sailing voyage.

When the seamen catch wind of their newest travel destination, they become antsy about staying aboard. The champions, Urbosa, Revali, Daruk, & Mipha, all appear to calm the crowd.

Urbosa and Riju reside in the cabin of the ship, strategizing their next move.

Revali and Tobias perch on top of the crow's nest, looking out for any signs of danger.

Daruk and Gustav practice some sword training on the poop deck, careful not to break any supplies.

You and Mipha hang off the side of the ship on a small rowboat, taking in the sumptuous scenery and the sweet saltwater smell.

"Link, it's been quite some time since we've last talked. I'm glad to see that scandalous witch hasn't put you through too many trials and tribulations."

"Scandalous witch! You really need to work on your insults."

"Riju! Uh, I didn't know you were standing up there. How goes it?"

Riju jumps over the railing of the ship, landing on the small platform, "Don't play dumb with me, Mipha. I know what dubious scheme you're up to."

"You do?"

"Yep, you're trying to spend some quality bonding time with my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? No, no, you surely must be jesting."

Riju clasps your hand and presses her lips against your cheek. You condone Riju's impulsive behavior.

Mipha tilts down her head to hide her immense rage. "Link, sweetie, why was I never informed of this."

"I would fill you in on the details regarding our relationship, but I'm afraid you only have a couple more seconds before you disappear again. Starting in uh... ten, nine, eight."

"What? It can't be that time already."

"Seven, six, five."

"Link, you have to listen to me. Don't give in to this succubus's wicked demands."

"Four"

"Three"

"Two"

"You dirty little ska-"

"One"

Mipha dissipates in the air, washing into the icy blue sea.

"Wow, I can't believe I just did that. I showed her, didn't I?"

Riju proceeds to lean her head on your shoulder, "I've never had a boyfriend before, so all this is new to me. While it all seems so nerve-racking, I'm actually a tiny bit excited. Okay, maybe more than a tiny bit. I'm really excited. I wanna experience all of the highs and lows of a relationship, all of what it has to offer. I can't chicken out anymore. I'm gonna have a boyfriend, whether I like it or not."

"Don't push yourself too hard, Riju. If you're not comfortable with something, tell me." You affirm.

"I think that's the first time you've said my name."

"I'm pretty sure I said it before."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"And I think that's the longest you've ever talked to me too. What's that face supposed to mean? It looks like my seductive charm has been working. I make the salacious staring Link talk more than average."

"Hey! You two lovebirds better come back up here."

You and Riju scale the wooden ladder, "Glorious flamingo and bumbling ostrich reporting for duty," Riju declares.

"What were those ghostly apparitions I saw earlier? They remind me of a fictitious island I once visited, *shiver* I never want to go back there. Have I already had too much to drink?" Quark sounds.

"No, your alcohol intake today has not been nearly as egregious as others."

"Well, that's all well and good. We've actually just spotted a small cave over on the starboard side. We're hoping you could check it out. See if you could find us any buried treasure."

"Oh, so we're your slaves now?"

"I didn't say, slaves. Maybe, the alias of treasure-hunters works better."

"Oh, goodie. Well, it looks like we don't have much of a choice. Let's get our belongings together and check out that peculiar rock formation.," Riju informs.

The SS Rosemary stops along the coast while you, Riju, Tobias, and Gustav all venture into the glittering cavern. You encounter an abundance of winding passageways within the stalactite-ridden cove. Large cylindrical crystals and lava columns illuminate a path for you and your friends to follow. After making your way through the twisted tunnels, you and your party come upon an altar displaying a proud flute.

Riju deciphers the sheikah hieroglyphics, "If me brushing up on a few old Sheikah tomes means anything, then I wager this message is trying to tell us that the only person who can lift the flute from the stand is one of childish purity."

"Childish purity! What's that supposed to mean?" Gustav repeats.

"Hmph, it must mean someone who's still innocent, someone who hasn't been exposed to the cruel hardships of the world. And that someone has to be Tobias."

"Me! Why me?" Tobias shouts.

"Because I'm sure this pedestal can sense who's the most naive of the pack. And I'm sorry to admit this, but that's you, Tobias."

"I don't know... do we even need the flute anyway? It could be totally worthless."

"Or it could be some mystical treasure that greatly benefits us in the long run—your pick. I'm not pressuring you into doing anything. You do what you wanna do."

Tobias stares longingly at the glowing instrument, cycling back and forth between his options.

"Childish, huh. I guess I am the most childish of the group. It looks like I have to accept that."

Tobias reaches out his hand and picks up the shimmering flute. The group holds their breath, hopeful to have not triggered any traps.

Huff, "Thank goodness, it seems we managed to make out of this scenario entirely unscathe-"

Suddenly the pillar sinks below the ground, and the room begins to shake, "Uh, maybe I spoke a little too soon. RUN!"

You and your crewmates hightail it out of the crumbling temple. A giant stone ball follows behind you, destroying the pathway in its wake. Tobias takes his new recorder for a test drive by playing a familiar melody etched into his memory.

Yellow music notes emanate from the glistening device.

Time stands still for a minute. Tobias takes the opportunity to move you, Riju, and Gustav out of harm's way into a small alcove.

As soon as the music notes evaporate, time is restored, and the ball rolls right by you.

"What was that all about? Do you have super speed, Tobias?"

"No, it was the flute; it let me slow down time and bring you guys to safety. I played one of the songs that my people use to practice."

"Huh, so this woodwind instrument must possess some form of magical prowess. If you can play harmonies similar to Stasis, I wonder what else you can do with it."

"There are still two more songs that I know. Why don't I try them out."

Tobias presses his beak against the golden pipe, playing a mesmerizing tune for all to hear. Blue music notes appear and briefly put enemies to sleep, while red ones draw fireballs out of thin air.

"I think this flute will prove to be very useful on our travels," Riju subjects.

"Hey, there are some more Sheikah glyphs inscribed on the shaft. I wonder what they read."

"It's best we avoid looking too deep into things. You don't know where you'll end up if you keep heading down a rabbit hole."

"You know what this means, Riju."

"Uh, what?"

"It means I'm not a child. I'm a full-grown adult."

"What do you mean?"

"We wouldn't have triggered that trap if I was still an inexperienced young boy. This proves it! I'm not just a kid, after all."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. It took me sometime to come around to it, but I believe you're finally mature enough. You deserve to be treated like a full-fledged member of our team."

Tobias perks up, "What are we calling this supposed crew of ours."

"The Gustavains! That sounds cool, right?" Gustav suggests.

"No way, we're not naming the group after some wimp who can't stand on his two feet. And we have to make sure everyone is represented, not just you, Gustav."

"It's just a joke, Riju; no harm in trying to lighten the mood. But If we're going off that line of thinking, our group name would probably be something like... Liju-botav, Liju-bav, Libav... Libav!

"Yeah, Libav."

"That is beyond stupid, but I don't know what else to call us. So guess it'll work for now."

With the gold flute secured, you and your company make your way back to the scene of action. Quark marvels at the unearthed treasure, begging to get a closer look, but Riju is quick to deny Quark of that luxury. Riju conceals information of their treasure escapades from the crew, hoping to keep the mystical whistle within Tobias's possession.

"Wow, Tobias is pretty happy. Good job supporting him, Riju," Gustav applauds.

"Well, between you and me. I actually might've read the message wrong."

"What!?"

"Shhh, don't say anything too loud. I realized it after the fact but let him enjoy this. I've been too hard on him lately, and I need to start treating him like a full-grown adult."

The ship sets sail once again, heading into uncharted waters. The ship's staff begins to grow weary, regretting their decision to come aboard. Riju stands on top of a wooden box, attempting to rally the masses. "We are just now crossing the border, men. And you know what that means. It's time to face our fears. It's time to show the legends that they weren't prepared for Quark and his mighty crew."

"What do you know, lassie. You're just another one of Quark's many friends with a death wish."

"Look, I know some of you are questioning staying and doubting Quark's leadership. But I assure you he's a fine man. I don't know how he's treated you in the past, but he's showered me with nothing but kindness from the moment I've arrived. And that says something. Do you wanna know why Quark was one of the only ones who made it back, one of the only ones who survived the deadly voyage? It's because he's a hero. And heroes never die. And you wanna know what I see when I look out at all of you? I see countless heroes, from big to small, tall to wide. Everyone here is a hero. Everyone here can ride the line."

The sailors take Riju's compelling message to heart, avoiding harping on her any further. Riju soon meets the captain in his quarters as the late midnight dusk rolls in. Riju and Quark then gaze out at the open water.

"That was a good speech you had there. I'm quite impressed that you handled it so well," Quark praises.

"Oh, don't mention it. So, why did you call me here in the first place?"

"Do you really wanna know why I was the only one who made it back..."

"I got lucky. There's really no big mystery. I'm just lucky, that's all."

"You don't believe in fate."

Quark chuckles, "Tch, fate, like I'd believe that hunk of baloney. Was I ever fated to lose my job, become the town drunk? Was I ever destined to lose my daughter out at sea?"

"You lost your daughter."

"Yes, if it wasn't obvious by the way I've been treating you."

"Why did you ever bring your daughter out at sea?"

"Same reason you're here. She wanted to go adventuring. She always had that starry look in her eyes, the insatiable appetite to explore beyond her physical limit. But that's ultimately what led to her demise. It's sad, but it's true."

Riju remains silent, letting the sound of waves fill the air.

"And ever since that day, I turned to drinking. It was the only thing I could ever rely on. The only escape I had from this eternal hell of a world. But..."

"Now I'm here, aren't I. Now I can fulfill that role. That's what you were going to say."

"Um, yeah, it's almost like you read my mind, kinda creepy."

"That's flattering and all bu-"

"Wait, what am I saying? Of course, I want a father!"

"You do? I didn't expect you to give in so easily."

"Voe aren't allowed within my hometown, meaning a lot of Gerudo women are left fatherless. I'm not an exception either; I as well, have never engaged in the father and daughter bonding that most people normally do. I want to go for a hike, go fishing, and experience the outdoors together. I wanna do all the things fathers and daughters are supposed to do together."

"Well, you're in luck. Those sound like activities that I'm very much acquainted with. Uh, as a side note, how much cactus juice can you handle."

"Oh ho ho, you'd be surprised."

"What on earth is that supposed to mean?"

"Let's just say I'm not your typical lightweight."

The two laugh off the conversation, turning their attention to the star-coated sky. "You know, I feel kinda bad for your friends," Quark laments.

"Why?"

"I ripped both of their faces off like an idiot. I hardly even knew what they were doing, and I still overstepped my boundaries. I really should be punished, but instead, I'm rewarded with a second chance at happiness."

"Don't worry, Quark. My friends are tough as nails; they're not gonna let anyone get in their way."

"What about Gustav? He seems rather soft."

"Even him, I see him becoming manlier by the day."

"That's good to hear. I seriously regret how I've treated them."

Riju watches the tides break at the stern of the ship. She stands there, twiddling her thumbs as she hesitates to ask a daunting question, "So... you wouldn't mind a quick hug to cap off the night."

"Hmph, I knew you were still here for a reason. Fine, come here, you little scallywag."

Riju and Quark embrace in a caring hug.

Riju ignores the rancid stench of rum radiating off Quark.

Quark disregards the powerful odor of perfume emitting off Riju.

It was almost as if their one wish had been granted. The one thing that they desired most in life had been given to them. They could finally rest in peace, happy with the accomplishments they had made.

Quark's eyes swell up with fear when he faces forward, "I wanted to tell you something else... about moving on, but It looks like we're going to have to wrap this hug up early."

"Can't we stay like this for just a little bit longer?"

"I'm afraid not, as Guster and his troops are already here. It looks like they aren't in favor of our happy reunion."

Guster's boat bore a mighty red hue, while Quark's displayed a less aggressive yet tactical blue. The two ships collide, with gunpowder and cannonballs soaring over the skyline. You stand there drenched in the heat of battle, not wanting to miss a second of the action. Once they're close enough, Guster's platoon boards the iconic vessel.

"No, no, no, this isn't how things were supposed to go. We were supposed to make an alliance, work together with Guster. Why is nobody listening to me?" Riju announces, overtaken by fury.

"Prepare your weapons, men; we're in for the fight of our life," Quark issues with a raspy growl, unsheathing a large curved sword.

Lizalfos swing in on long cords while Moblins lay down wooden planks to cross the treacherous sea. You use Cryonis to create a wall of ice separating the two sizable crafts. You then take out your newly acquired fishing harpoon and begin to hack away at monsters. After skewering a few nasty Bokoblins, you aim your spear and hurl it at one of the ropes binding their ship together. The ship's mast takes some heavy damage from the attack, swaying from left to right.

Riju keeps her foes at bay with her lightning bow. Tobias summons a swarm of fireballs using an enchanting melody. Gustav tries to protect the goods from spoiling.

"We really could've, ugh, used the champion's help right about now. Too bad we blew it on, urgh, trying to keep the crew calm," Riju grunts, single-handedly trying to take on a pack of rabid Stalkoblin. The boney bunch overpowers the young empress, forcing her to the ground. They lift their dragonbone clubs, preparing to strike.

Quark rushes onto the scene. "NO, you're not taking Calieth from me! Not again."

He fires his pistol at a few of the beasts before charging at them with his bent sword. He easily fends them off, slashing away until their bones turn to dust.

"Oh no, he thinks I'm Calieth," Riju mumbles to herself.

Quark stops after realizing he's gone too far, "Sorry, I just had a lot of pent-up frustration. It's good to let it out of your system every once and a while."

A thick fog moves in over the water, overtaking the battle. You manage to seize a Lizalfos boomerang from the carnage, dubbing it your new weapon of choice. You throw the hooked device at Guster's giant flapping sail, tarnishing the craft's movability. The boomerang comes back at you for another round of destruction.

Guster, tired of playing games, comes aboard for one last confrontation. He brings with him his trophies of war, the master sword, and hylian shield.

Riju pleads with Guster to give up his villainous ways, but Guster refuses to listen. Gustav steps in to give his two sense on the matter, "Uncle, do you remember that lesson you taught me when I was a kid about heroes and villains?"

"Yes. What of it?"

"Well, I believe that everyone can ride the line. I believe everyone can be a hero, including you!"

"Oh, I wasn't referring to myself, Gustav. I never came up with that motto in the first place; I stole it from an old pal of mine. Unfortunately, I play the villain of this story with no hope to cross over."

"But what about this gear-shaped necklace, Uncle. The fact that you gave it to me shows me you still care."

Gustav hands over the pendant to Guster.

Guster peers deeply into the locket.

"Let's put aside our differences and work together. Come on, I know you're not a villain," Gustav begs in earnest, reaching out his hand.

Guster crushes the locket between his fingers, "I changed my mind about you, boy. I don't need you; I don't need anyone!"

"Uncle. What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you're a wimp, Gustav; I could never train your sorry ass."

"Why are you acting this way? Why?" Gustav responds, picking up the broken pieces of jewelry and desperately trying to fit them together.

Guster kicks away the pieces, "I should've given up on you a long time ago. I thought I was smart taking you under my wing, but it looks like I should've given up on you like everyone else. All the people that avoid you, all the people that consider you a coward were right."

Riju butts in, "Hey! That's no way to talk to your nephew."

"No, it's okay, Riju. I'm not confident; I'm not brave either. But you know, there is something I am..."

"And what is that?"

"I'm a hero!" Gustav says, leaping into action. He delivers five powerful jabs to Guster's face. Guster falls back, readying his magic staff. Guster tears off wooden planks from the ship, using them as maddening projectiles. Gustav splits the wooden missiles in half, concentrating his rage into the plywood. Guster then creates a storm of vicious tacks and launches it at a distracted Gustav. Gustav rolls into a ball, attempting to block the swarm of lethal bullets. Gustav zigzags back and forth, slowly approaching the deranged mage. Gustav smashes against Guster in his ball form, continually pushing him closer to the edge.

"Is this what you want! Fine, here, take it. I have no use for it anyway," Guster bargains, forking over the master sword and hylian shield.

Gustav uncurls and starts advancing towards a trapped Guster, "No, we want you to give up and leave immediately. We want you to stop terrorizing others. We want to put you in a cell where you belong. But because we're generous, we'll let you go with your tail in between your legs."

"And why should I take orders from the likes of you?"

"Because I'm not scared of you. And even the feeble, even the weak will eventually learn to stand up to people like you."

"Hmph, I'm glad to see you've come a long way, Gustav."

Guster dives into the hazy mist, disappearing from sight.

Gustav looks through the dense vapor, watching as Guster is rowed away. "Goodbye, Uncle." Gustav drops the pieces of the pendant into the water. "If I'm the hero, then you must be the villain."

"Libav! Libav! Libav!" Riju begins to shout, trying to lift Gustav's spirits.

Gustav joins in on the fun, stretching his vocal cords with a gnarly roar.

The crewmates chant the phrase "Libav" as they ride into the rising sun.

Anithero's Wrath - Complete*