Author's note Ok so I lied about the action scenes abating I wanted to add another element to the last sandseal race, to shake it up and I realized I had a Chekhov's gun loaded but unfired.
Disclaimer Zelda is owned by Nintendo including monsters, characters creatures races and locations. This is an unoriginal work not cannon to the series and unlicensed it is intended as a supplement to the cannon Legend of Zelda games that inspired it. By the way that is why I seldom describe locations vividly I assume you know what it looks like because you played the game.
Gigantic Optimism Chapter XVI Dorn's Finest Moment
Several weeks have passed since Sidon's meeting with Tulin as time marches on the denizens of Hyrule have settled into new routines. Sidon has added military strategy to his list of duties, Dorado is studying Mipha's diary for clues trying to understand the first Champion's psyche, in his quest to pilot Vah Ruta. Reypha and Karlovaa have been preoccupied with their training Reypha learning from the Rito archery instructor, while the Gerudo racer has been drilled incessantly by Gosi in her method of memorizing the course. One person remains unaffected by this current of new like a solitary rock in a swift flowing stream, Riju still attends to the same duties she has since she was a parentless child, after the excitement of Dr. Purah's studies monotony has set in. Even a task as important, fulfilling, and hectic as running a kingdom can become monotonous. The sandseal racing fanatic that so happens to be a queen cannot wait for the rally but wait she does, between her impatience and the frenzied place of the others the day of the rally arrives as time seems to accelerate preceding the event.
Riju is in her royal box observing the final preparations of the racers, she is surrounded by the mob of fans bedecked in the colors of their favorite jockey. Riju is attired in the white raiment of a neutral party but if possible, the Queen would be in green Karlovaa's colors. Coincidentally the only splash of white on the track is Dorn so in a way Riju is supporting her favorite jockey. For the Champon's cup fans substitute symbols for colors as all participants wear green. The crowd is growing restless Riju can feel it in the air the minute, yet perceptible shimmer of a crowd set to take action.
From her high vantage point, The queen sees the whole track privileged to be one of the few who can. Gosi Vacta and Karlovaaa are in the middle of the pack none of their times holding up to the deluge of hungry new competitors. None of the young bloods were deemed worthy of any attention from the three vets who are, eying one another daring one to break. Karlovaa's gaze breaks first.
Her hand going to something on her neck at such a distance Riju cannot distinguish what the object was and for jewelry it was oddly dull. When she looks back up the hard look Riju knew well and had seen for the first time at her mother's funeral the decorated general who had raised the racer had died heroically launching a explosive barrel into a Molduga. Riju had attended it had been a death worthy of honor. "That look is why she met the stalnox she needed to learn caution. Was I so different though honoring my mother by taking her place with Link? No we are alike but, she cannot race forever no one can." Wiping a fresh solitary tear the queen grabs her field glasses she wonders if any other racers have that drive. "If it was not tax rupees I would have bet on her. No wonder Gosi made that trip to the wager tent"
When the action begins Karlovaa is behind the others weaving in and out of sand wakes her own wake is the smallest of the bunch due to her patented light stance. Beaming Riju recognizes her favorite racing style the cautious approach, "Huh maybe the stalnox trick worked after all." A cheer draws the queen's gaze Vacta has taken first and is extending her lead. The first lap is dull except for Lorrue the other racers are bunched together there is suddenly an eleventh wake. "An eleventh wake?" it was massive there is a low rumble and in the distance too far to be of any help Riju drops the field glasses in horror it was a Molduga! The giant three eyed sand worm dwarfs the nine sandseal group before it. "It can eat all of them run get to a rock! There was only one precaution to make securing her ever-present lightning mask Riju runs for the finish line for Vacta is too far ahead to notice the behemoth behind her. Yelling Lorrue warns the others "MOLDUGA" she wails at the top of her lungs it is almost a shriek the group scatters, Karlovaa does not she disbelieves the wily racer and thinks the rumble is just a shield failure she simply cries "hup" A familiar red aura emerges courtesy of Gosi Dorn has learned the trick of the royal family. Exorbitant cheering erupts from the few remaining crowd members Dorn is out pacing the beast he is a red and white blur. The Molduga slows it is tiring the creatures can only maintain short bursts of speed Dorn is straining to the uttermost he knows what slowing down means and adrenaline is fueling this magical run. Giving up the chase the Molduga begins to search for easier prey but the eight who had scattered have found cover from the terror of the sands. The mass exodus by the stands seems like a bored audience leaving to Vacta she slows down secure in the race then she hears the rush of movement behind her the two remaining racers are side by side. They cross it is too close to call safe on the small stone finish line. Receiving a report Bacta leaves the city to retrieve Vah Naboris ready to dispatch the monster to save the racers. From that day onward Karlovaa was known as the Molduga. Presently only Riju notices Karlovaa's trembling sighs as she clutches Dorn in relief. When the racer at last, stands on shaky legs Riju sees a bronze torc around her neck. Vacta is gripping the stone platform finish line a look of pure relief emanating from her entire manner. "Queen Riju gasped what do we do? We are too close to the city Vah Naboris could harm the town." Vacta wondering over with a glazed look offers an observation "The rookies cannot keep their mounts calm it is only a matter of time before one bolts and kills their jockey." The grim thought hovers in the air presenting the final proof that immediate action is needed. "Here is what we do Karlovaa, I will need your help." Detailing the plan without delay, they grab the harness of Vacta then secure it to Dorn the Gerudo soldiers implicitly following their queen's orders. Hitting one fist atop her open palm Riju ends preparations and the two friends fasten themselves to Dorn. Riju dons the thunder helm.
Riding double requires absolute synchronic movement or else the seal can become confused; or the shield surfers can crash, the two veterans of the sport accomplish this feat with some difficulty. The odd posse of Dorn Riju and Karlovaa speed towards the monster Karlovaa drawing strength from her companions. A fact which unburdens Riju her concern stemming from the young vai's reaction to the first attack.
Dorn is unafraid he is confident in his new speed, "the thunder helm will allow Riju to protect me the thunder helm will allow Riju to protect me" Karlovaa repeats this mantra drilling it into her head. The beast surfaces sand running from its back first the fin, then the head becomes visible. How does such a massive creature hunt by stealth? Riju with two harnesses is using her lightning power inherited from Urbosa, at a distance far enough way to preserve Karlovaa and her mount from any harm. The double rider technique allows Karlovaa to steer and Riju to attack, functioning like a package dragging behind Dorn. The incessant guerrilla warfare that ensues is a riveting display one moment Riju is endangered the next she is fired as if from a slingshot to the other side of the beast. On the fifth assault the creature comes too near and its eyes are damaged by the large green electrical barrier. This causes the monster to retreat into the desert, to recover from its wounds. Collapsing on a rock inhabited by some rookies the three heroes are born triumphantly back to Gerudo city.
Karlovaa is in bed for a day and a night Riju is incapacitated for several days receiving the best care including a visit from Zelda herself, who had been scheduled for a vist to the city for an unrelated reason. Simple exhaustion is the cause of both patient's maladies hence the discrepancy in recovery due to age. The two winners of that Molduga rally are together for the first time after the event enjoying a Noble Pursuit together at their regular bar. "It was an amazing sight Karlovaa the best piloting I have ever seen." "Everyone keeps telling me that, well when they are not trying to buy Dorn off of me." Chuckles the albino's proud owner she no longer feels the need for thrills and is relishing this well earned break for the first time in her life. "Oh congratulations on the tie Vacta, your lead was almost insurmountable. Any other sand seal and it would have been impossible, have they scheduled the tie breaker?" Downing some liquid courage Vacta corrects her friend sheepishly, "actually the Committee awarded me the victory." Karlovaa was gone in a flash and Vacta wonders if her friend can summon lightning too her anger was very familiar.
Karlovaa is at the door of the committee the large entry way barring her from the cowardly board that refuses to meet with her. "Let me in." the voice is deceptively calm the aquiline Gerudo does not want to waste this audience. A singular whisper slides under the door "it was very close but given your condition we thought it best to award it to Vacta. Only a sage could know when you could recover the rules clearly state." Thud! Slamming her fist into the wooden portal Karlovaa hollers. "Rules this is not about rules you know the incapacitated clause only applies to a racer that can never race again, not someone on bed rest! Stop twisting it to keep me out of the sport."
Ragged short breaths antecede this rage filled diatribe all of her fury gone "Forget it you disorganized pack of Bokoblins, I quit." A flaring pain in her feet causes Karlovaa to remember something she, returns to her place, un-regretful of this rash decision to leave behind the only career she has ever known. Not Bothering to put on the complete harness Dorn has a rope shabbily tied around his neck and they return to the rally track. On the sign that keeps track of finishing times Karlovaa looks at the last race holding her breath she sees her name listed first a thousandth of a second faster than Vacta. "I have changed my mind I love this track, we beat it buddy. I really can retire in peace." Withdrawing some parchment from her pouch the racer composes two letters one to Sidon thanking him for the gift of the torc and venting about her latest misfortune and decision to quit, ending on a note of triumph. The second is a new business proposition to an acquaintance in Akala.
Author's Note Two
The last race is done I enjoyed them but keeping the same type of action scene enjoyable repeatedly is hard they were becoming increasingly difficult to write, hopefully they were still a blast to read. Next week Karlovaa accepts a new job, and gets some help settling in and Aliquis and Boon travel to help the Captain's family.
Sincerely, 4Coyote